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Shala

By: Tweak



Come.

Sit near the fire while I relate a story that happened many, many years ago, long before the present time. 

It was a time now long forgotten. Some say a time before the world split apart and the underworld became lost in time.

It was a magic world filled with gnomes, elves,, dragons ,dwarves and of course fair maidens.

It is of one such maiden that this story is about. She was the daughter of the moon goddess and was so beautiful she was exiled by her jealous mother to live on earth as a mortal with limited magic.

The ancient storyteller's eyes seemed to glaze over as he began to remember the details of his story. He appeared to be lost in that long ago time. He said not a word as his mind retraced his life back through the past ages, back to those wondrous years.

Back to Shala!!

A large harvest moon hung suspended, almost touching the crest of the mountain. It's brilliance making the night as bright as day. The girl ran along the trail with the grace of a deer, her sheer white gown flowing behind her. Her tiny bare feet barely touched the ground as she ran.

As the terrain began to rise up before her she slowed to a walk, but continued forward with determined purpose. The moon outlined her slender, child like body through the gauzy material of her gown. Her long blond hair reflected the shimmering light of the golden orb.

Once or twice she stumbled over the rocky terrain, quickly regaining her balance to continue her urgent climb up the steep ridge. She glanced up at the moon, judging it's path across the sky and each time she increased her speed.

She must hurry!! The moon was climbing much too fast. The precious hours dwindling with each of her faltering steps

Almost without realizing it she was at the summit .She stopped, took a deep breath and walked to the edge of a cliff. She looked down at the valley that was her home. The home she was doomed to live in forever. Any dreams of her jealous mother relenting and receiving her back to their moon home had vanished long ago. She was doomed to live on earth and remain at her present age forever. She had found no way to break her mother’s spell.

Looking up, she raised her arms to the moon and began to sing. It was a song of praise to the moon goddess: A siren song of longing and passion. It was a plea to the Moon Goddess to grant her a few precious hours with her beloved/

AS she sang her siren song there came a soft muffled snort from the low bushes behind her. If she heard, she gave no indication, but continued singing her plaintive song, until the intruder was standing before her. The black unicorn bowed his head and knelt before her.

She stopped singing smiled and reached out to touch his golden horn. His body trembled at her touch. He indicated with a toss of his magnificent head that she should mount his back. When Her tiny hands were tangled in his luxurious mane, he leapt from the cliff to soar over the valley and into the distant range of mountains beyond the mist.

As they flew through the warm night air, she lay full length along his back. She could feel the tension mounting in him, the passion barely kept under control, His trembling increased as they neared their destination.

He landed softly in a grassy glade beside a small pool that sparkled and shimmered with a golden haze. She dismounted turned towards the moon and once again began her siren song as the unicorn walked into the pool. Deeper and deeper he waded in until he was completely immersed in the shining water. 

The water swirled and boiled over him. The golden color changed to misty blue, purple, then a deep midnight black, before gradually changing back to the golden hue. He emerged from the depth of the pool, his mane now transformed into long shinny black hair. His man's body retained the muscular strength of the unicorn. He walked naked toward his love.

Shala had watched the transformation of her lover many times, yet each time she was awestruck by the magic that changed the unicorn into the man she loved.

He approached the girl from behind and placed his arms around her slender body. Holding her close, he whispered her name,

"Shala ". 

"Jondar", she sighed against his chest. At last she was in his arms. It had been so long since their last meeting. The full moon didn't come often enough .The few hours of the full moon not nearly enough for the lovers. Tonight those hours would be even less. She had been late getting here and she must be back to the mountain crest before the moon set.

She lifted her face to receive his kiss. His body betrayed the pent up passion that was barely under control. With trembling arms he lifted her feather light weight and carried her to the den he called home. Gently he laid her on the fresh pine boughs. Branches of mountain laurel were placed around the bed he had prepared for his love. He picked up a garland of the flowers to circle her golden hair.

She lay before him, accepting his adoration. He tenderly reached out to untie the one knot that fastened her gown. Fabric so sheer it could have been woven from spider webs fell away, leaving her naked, unashamed before him .

"Your late," he said. "I was beginning to think you were not coming" There was no accusation in his voice. "Now our time is short. The full moon will wane soon and you must be gone from this valley before the moon sets." he knelt beside her, tracing the line of her face, fingers traced down her neck and shoulders to her breast. Reverently he cupped her breast in his hand and bent to kiss the nipple, teasing with his tongue until she moaned softly and pulled him to her.

They quickly claimed their love. There was no time for the usual foreplay they normally enjoyed.

He entered her gently, although she was fully aroused . As he entered her wetness he was over come with his desire for her. Throwing his caution aside, he took her with all the passion that had built up in him since the last full moon. With arms and legs wrapped around him she arched her body up to receive him more deeply. He gave no notice of the nails clawing deep welts in his back. They were aware only of the joining of their bodies, losing their own identities, becoming one. He captured her mouth in a long sensual kiss. He drank in her essence while his tongue played in and out in a mirror dance of their bodies.

Hot flames became a ragging inferno searing their souls as they rode the tide of their emotions to a tumultuous climax, leaving them spent, too drained of energy to move. They lay wrapped in each other's arms savoring these last few minutes of their time together.

The sound of a horn trumpeting roused them from their lethargy. It was the signal from the herd leader that the time had come for Shala to leave the valley of the Unicorn. Jondar must go to the magic pool and become once again the black unicorn and take Shala back to her own world until the next full moon.

Shalandra's Peace Ch. 01



I would like to acknowledge Misself1 who helped write/edit this. Without her there would be no story. 

All characters are over 18. I don't condone the use of magic and sex to entrap someone's soul in a gem.

**************************

Jin and Gerald followed the drunken noble along the darkened streets. The two ten year olds were orphans, but they had learned how to survive without parents. As soon as the rich noble turned the corner, Gerald would chase Jin as if playing a game. They would bump into the noble and pick his pockets as he shouted his annoyance at the pair. 

Gerald preferred to be the one to chase. He was able to keep an eye on Jin if she was running in front of him and he would then be able to spot a problem and protect her if things went wrong with whomever they targeted. He often watched over Jin, his best friend, as if she was his sister. He knew it was hard being on your own without family. Even though the two of them lived at the orphanage, they still didn't really have anyone. All they had was each other, and to them that was all they needed.

Gerald looked at Jin and gave her the signal to start the game. She knew she was supposed to squeal in delight to startle their target, as she ran into him, knocking him off balance. Gerald would then follow with his own bump to contact their mark, but he would also alleviate the said mark of their coin pouch. Then the two would continue their run disappearing into the darkness.

Jin took off running, squealed loudly, startling the man, and bumped the man with her hip. He was already drunk so she didn't have a hard job. Gerald followed grabbing the coin pouch as he slit the cord tying it to the man's belt. Then he shoved the man hard and kept running shouting out something about Jin cheating in their game. The man stumbled and fell. It took him a while to get up in which time the kids were long gone. The noble had not seen their faces and he probably would not remember the kids at all after he sobered the next morning.

The two kids ran into a dark alley. It was a familiar area and usually empty as it was tonight. Gerald peeked out to make sure nobody had followed them. No one had. Then he took her hand walking toward the orphanage. They stopped at a stream near their home. The two walked over to a fallen tree and found a large flat rock. They picked up the rock and uncovered a tin. The two sat down and counted the money they scored that evening. 

They had two gold coins, seven silver pieces, and three copper. It was a great hall. The two smiled. They each kept two silver pieces. Gerald took a copper and gave Jin the other two. He often tried to give her a little more when the coin could not be divided evenly. Then he placed the rest of the coins into the tin and replaced the rock. They kicked dirt over the rock to make it less conspicuous. He knew they had almost collected what equated to nine gold pieces. They were saving for when they were older and could no longer live at the orphanage.

The priests who ran the orphanage arranged for the older kids to start working in the village to earn coins. They expected the children to purchase extras, including clothing if they didn't want to wear what the orphanage provided. The pair currently worked at the inn helping serve customers. That is how they explained any extra coins they might have. They just said it was from customers. It also provided a way to mark easy targets. 

Gerald and Jin traveled back to the orphanage. They crawled up the vines to the second floor crawling through a window that opened into a hall. They dropped silently to the stone floor and both departed in separate directions to their rooms. They needed to get some sleep. The next morning an important priest was going to visit the premises and all the children were supposed to make a good impression on him.

***

Gerald woke up when the sun streamed through his window. He jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to make sure Jin was up. She wasn't. She often overslept in the mornings after they had "earned" some coin. He woke her so she could get ready for the day reminding her of the visiting priest. Then he ran back down the hall to his own room. He poured water in the basin and used a piece of cloth to wash his face and to give his body a quick scrub. Finally, he dressed into clean clothes and went into the hall to wait for Jin. 

He didn't have to wait long. Jin joined him and the two of them ran to the communal dining room to eat breakfast. They would go to their lessons and after lunch, they would go to the inn and serve customers. First, he had to make sure Jin ate properly. She often didn't eat enough and he worried about her being too skinny. He made sure she put plenty of food on her plate and encouraged her to continue to eat until her plate was empty.

Then they went to the room the older children used for lessons. They sat waiting for the priest to come in and start the lesson. Gerald heard the door open. In walked the priest who always taught the lesson, but with him was the visiting priest, the one who would ensure the orphanage continued to receive funding.

Gerald felt his heart flutter as he saw the girl who walked with the visiting priest. He thought she was beautiful and appeared to be about his age. She sat at one of the desks, pulled an ink bottle out of bag, and unrolled a scroll. She pulled out a quill and nodded to the priest. 

Gerald saw the new priest smile at the girl and quietly tell the other priest that he had trained his daughter to be his scribe. She was a kind and generous soul. Gerald heard the visiting priest say that her name was Shalandra. Even though he would not see her again for many years, Gerald would be haunted by images of Shalandra through the years. At first, she visited him in his dreams. Later as he got older, he would think of her and then wondered how much she had changed, where she was, and what she was doing.

Jin knew of his fascination with the priest's daughter. She had seen the goofy look on his face when he first saw Shalandra. She had teased him later that day when he messed up a food order at the inn asking if his mind was on the pretty scribe. He had blushed and she had laughed harder. 

Gerald knew that she wasn't being mean. He had often teased her about the various boys that she had noticed and now it was his turn to be on the receiving end of the taunting. He had talked about Shalandra a couple of times with Jin knowing that she wouldn't tell anyone about his interest in the priest's daughter.

***

Gerald looked over at Jin. She stood in the armor of the Rogue King as did he. It seemed like such a long time ago that the two were children living in the orphanage. They were no longer poor. They were no longer helpless. They no longer had to pick the pocket of drunken nobles as they left the pub. 

They were generals in the Rogue King's army. They had wealth. They had influence. And they had status. People looked up to him and Jin. People showed them respect. 

Gerald and his best friend had found the Rogue King soon after they had left the orphanage. The Rogue King had admired the talents and tenacity that he had seen in the duo. The Rogue King believed that the two would be a great asset to have within his ranks. He was correct. The two were able to accomplish nearly every assignment given to them.

Gerald and Jin soon rose within the ranks of the Rogue King. They were his shining stars and he often bragged of their accomplishments. He often rewarded his two protégées well for making him look so good. He had no regrets when he gave them the ranks of generals in his army. Any man or woman that the duo trained tended to be outstanding in performing their duties. 

The Rogue King craved power and money. He had been wealthy before the introduction of the two orphans into his ranks. With their help, he grew richer. With their help, he grew in power. The Rogue King was living the life he always believed he deserved. He just wanted more and he chased that goal, always. Gerald and Jin always delivered when it came to wealth and power. They didn't just deliver coins. They had delivered objects, people, and even compromising contracts which helped the Rogue King to amass his power base.

One such contract revealed the treachery of the mayor of the city of Norwich. The mayor was trying to secure the backing of other influential men in the kingdom to manipulate the king into cutting their taxes. The mayor had planned to threaten a revolt with the support of unnamed individuals if the king didn't comply. The king didn't have unreasonable taxes, but the mayor had a lifestyle that required a great deal of funding. He didn't plan to reduce the taxes to his people. He just planned to cut the king's share so the extra money could be used to support his own elaborate lifestyle.

The Rogue King was quick to exploit the knowledge of the contract and the possible revolt. It was because of his knowledge of the mayor's unscrupulous behavior that made his current location possible. The Rogue King and his army were living in the forest outside the city of Norwich. They did not have much to fear from the local city guard. The mayor had downplayed the danger of having such a presence in their forest. The Rogue King's army actually controlled much of the surrounding area as well.

Gerald and Jin had kept the danger to the locals low. They had ensured that their men knew not to harm the locals. Any tribute given to the Rogue King was strictly voluntary. The tribute though would ensure that the giver's interest remained safe. Even though the locals were safe, trade caravans delivering goods to the locals were not. Messages sent to the locals were not. Visiting dignitaries and family members traveling to the locals were not. As long as the locals were supportive of the Rogue King, their lives would prosper.

As long as a tribute was given, the Rogue King's army ensured the safe travel of anyone through their territory. The locals began to depend on the Rogue King's army to protect them and didn't mind paying the tribute as they were guaranteed not to be robbed or assaulted. The city guard and private mercenaries were not able to do that before the Rogue King made his presence known. Even unwed women were safe to travel alone through the forest if they had to, which wasn't often, but did occur.

Gerald had been summoned to the Rogue King's home. He had walked into the structure and headed to the office where the Rogue King often spoke with members of his army. Gerald arrived at the door to notice it was opened a crack. Without meaning to, he saw his commander buttoning his shirt over a gem embedded within the commander's chest. Gerald was a bit startled, but would not ask about what he had witnessed. He had learned long ago not to question too much. He also would not be surprised by anything unusual. He had witnessed many strange things in his life. This was just another one to add to the list. Gerald stepped back and knocked on the door waiting for his commander's acknowledgement. 

"Enter," called the Rogue King. The man sat at his desk. He placed his feet on the desk crossing the ankles, reclining in his chair.

"Hello, my king," Gerald said with utmost respect. He had called his leader that title ever since he was accepted into the ranks of the Rogue King's army. Soon, the Rogue King had encouraged others to use the same title for him feeling as though he deserved such high regards.

"Gerald, my man, I have an assignment that I can entrust to only you. You know how the local priests have been a thorn in my side by defying me or refusing to acknowledge my power and influence in the area." The leader spoke with disdain in his voice.

Gerald nodded. He was quite aware. The Rogue King had been quite frustrated with the lack of progress with the priests. 

They have claimed that another priest has told them to resist us. Well, I have discovered he is coming to visit the local priests within the time of the new moon." The commander was bristling with excitement as he shared this bit of news. 

"And you want me to eliminate the visiting priest so you can demand compliance from the local priests. I understand." Gerald realized.

"No, no. If we eliminate him, he may be replaced by someone worse who is trying to prove himself. No, I don't want you to do that. I want you to kill his daughter as a warning of what will happen to him if he does not demand that his priests work with us. They will be traveling together. She will be one of the few women traveling with him, so I hope you can figure out which one she is. Otherwise, eliminate all the women in his company. You are bound to get her then." The Rogue King spoke with malice.

"Of course, I shall take a troop out with me to maintain watch over the main route in the forest." Gerald said as he stood to leave.

"No, I want this to be kept private. It is less likely to get out and be prevented if only you know of it." The Rogue King commanded.

Gerald nodded and left the room. He went to the supply quarters. He chose his equipment, including a tent, sleeping blankets, and rations enough for a month. He packed his supplies on a second horse and then went to speak with Jin.

"Jin, I have an assignment. I need to travel and will be gone no more than a month. I will see you when I get back." Gerald informed her.

"Sure, Gerald, stay safe." Jin responded. She wasn't surprised. The Rogue King often sent people on various missions from murder to vacations. This was nothing unusual.

***

Gerald was hidden in the shrubbery on a small hill overlooking the trail. He had his dry rations and his water skin. His tent was set up at the bottom of the hill on the side hidden from the trail. He had chosen this spot because of the hill that hid his campfire from the path. He was also close to a small stream which provided his water.

He had been in the location nearly a fortnight and expected the priest's arrival any day now. His sharp ears picked up the sound of heavy hoof beats, many hoof beats. He assumed this would be the people he was waiting for. He had one arrow off to his side. It had a note tied to it with the Rogue King's demands and the consequences of defying the leader. That was the arrow to be shot near the priest after the killing of the man's daughter. 

Gerald pulled an arrow from his quiver and knocked it in his bow. He aimed through the bush towards the trail. He had picked a spot that gave him a wide range of targeting on the trail. He knew his escape time might be limited after he assassinated the daughter. He would have to send the note quickly. Then in the chaos that ensued, he would grab the horses and make his escape. The supplies would be left behind. They would not lead back to the Rogue King or the army.

Gerald saw the guards first. He knew they would be interspersed within the travelers. He saw a man dressed in fine robes and determined he was the priest. There was a trio of young women around the man. He was talking to one of them. 

Gerald's felt the icy hand of dread squeeze his heart. He recognized the priest from when he was a child. The woman he was talking to had features similar to the girl he remembered as Shalandra. He needed to hear the name. Perhaps that priest had more than one daughter. If not, he would fail in his mission because he would not be able to kill the girl who had haunted his mind for so many years.

"Now, Shalandra, my dear, surely you cannot believe that murderers have a moral fiber in their soul. Why would they take another's life if they did?" The priest asked the woman riding at his side.

Gerald accepted the fact that this was truly the girl from his youth. He lowered his arrow and dropped his head. He was torn. He knew his leader was never pleased with those who failed their missions, but he knew even more that outright opposition to an assignment was met with a slow painful death. The Rogue King did not tolerate defiance.

He only had two choices. His first choice was to kill his target, Shalandra. His second choice was to be killed. He preferred death over killing the daughter of the priest. He preferred living if he could at all do so. 

"Father, I am saying that it is not that simple. I believe that anyone is capable of the vilest deed if pushed far enough. If someone killed another, we need to investigate the reason why. A king who feels insulted can order the death of another without any fear of reprisal, but a peasant who kills a king's guard in defense of his family is hanged as a rebel. I believe both scenarios to be a travesty of justice and I believe that men of your fiber need to guide others to a more justified rationale of what constitutes murder." Shalandra remarked to her father with conviction in her voice.

Gerald grimaced. Even her voice was enticing. He would have to warn them and prevent them from traveling to Norwich. He climbed down from the small hills. He tossed his bow and quiver toward the tent. He also unbuckled the belt with his weapons and dropped them as he walked through the small crevice that lead to the well traveled path the priest was traveling on.

The guards saw him enter the trail and drew their swords halting their horses and those of the travelers behind them. Gerald laced his fingers placing his hands on the top of his head.

"I have come to deliver a message to the good priest about the safety of his daughter, Shalandra." Gerald spoke wondering if he would live long enough to deliver his message that would save the daughter of the priest and seal his fate.

The priest did not move his horse and when Shalandra tried to ride closer to the stranger on the path, the priest reached out and grabbed the reigns preventing her from closing the distance. Then the priest motioned for the guards to stand down so the stranger could talk without fear of dying.

"Why would you share this news with me? I do not know you and wonder why I would believe anything you say." The priest remarked as he prepared a spell of lie detection.

"You could always cast a divine spell to determine if I am lying," Gerald said as he noticed the beginnings of a priestly spell being cast. Then he said, "Or you can take the word of one of your wards that you provided for as he grew up."

The priest stopped his casting being startled by the stranger's last declaration. "I have not provided for anyone's care except my daughter, Shalandra." The priest spoke with confidence.

"No, sir, you are mistaken. I was one of the orphans that lived in the orphanage. You visited when I was ten summers old and it was your approval that would ensure that we continued to receive the funding from the church. You had been training your daughter to be your scribe and she took notes of your visit to our home." Gerald explained feeling that he would live past this encounter as he saw realization dawn on Shalandra's face.

The priest paused to consider the stranger's words, "Oh, wonderful. It is nice to meet those who we helped so long ago. How has your life benefitted since you left the orphanage?"

"I left and joined the first group of thieves that found me." Gerald was careful to not include Jin in any of his statements. He may go to the gallows for his admittance, but he would not take his dearest friend with him.

"Why should I believe anything you say after admitting that you are a thief?" asked the priest.

"If you don't, then your daughter's life is forfeit. I mark myself as a man with a death sentence on his head for telling you this. I have nothing to gain by ensuring the safety of your daughter." Gerald admitted.

Shalandra caught his eye and spoke, "Sir, please tell us how you come to know this information so we can judge its validity." 

Gerald tried to hide his shame, but failed. He said in a lowered voice as he looked to his feet, "I was the one sent to kill you." At that declaration, the guards raised their weapons again.




Shalandra's Peace Ch. 01



Shalandra saw the movement of the guards and jumped off her horse before her father could catch her. Then she quickly moved to stand in front of Gerald to put a barrier between him and the guards.

"So, now you shall be killed for saving a stranger. Why would you do such a thing?" she asked him.

"You should not have to die to further the goals of anyone, let alone a criminal." Gerald did not say that it was because his heart beat harder when he looked upon her face and the thought of her demise was devastating to him.

Her voice was gentle and soft, but she stirred his soul when she lowered it further to ask, "Where will you go now? Surely, you cannot go back to your boss since he will want to kill you."

"No, I will be a man on the run from this point on. He has a far reach; therefore, I will be running far." He explained.

Shalandra turned and spoke to her father, "I wish to have this man as my personal body guard." Before the priest could object, she shared her reasoning, "You said that I could pick my own guard. He had already chosen to die for me. Who is a better choice than a man who is willing to die to keep me safe?"

The priest spoke quickly knowing that if he did not change her mind, he would not be able to deny her request, "Dear, you forget that he has admitted to being a thief. He admitted to being sent to murder you."

"No, father, I have not forgotten. Perhaps, your presence will save his soul. Perhaps, you will influence this man as no one has been able to. Also, if you think about it, I'm sure that he would know how to spot weaknesses in our defenses in a way to better protect me." 

"He will not have exclusive access to you. I insist that guards be present whenever he is near you. Just to ensure you safety. If he is truly concerned, he will not have any objections to such a request." The priest spoke with finality. 

Gerald nodded his consent. He had expected to die. To be given the responsibility of keeping the woman who made his heart flutter safe was too good to believe. He smiled at Shalandra and then gave a slight bow. He was unsure how to address the daughter of a priest.

Shalandra smiled warmly at her hero. "Please, tell me your name and then grab your horse and gear so we may decide where to travel."

"My name is Gerald Terrant, and I am at your service." Gerald tried to keep the glee from his voice and then turned to run back to his camp. He would gather his items and horses quickly. He had a mission. He would protect the priest's daughter with his life.

Gerald thought of Jin. She would be an asset in protecting Shalandra. He would need to get word to her to join him. 

***

The Rogue King sat at his desk. It had been a two weeks past the anticipated time of the priest's visit. There had been no priest. There had been no daughter of the priest. There had been no priest's entourage. The worst part is that they had been no Gerald. 

Something was defiantly wrong which is why he had sent more of his men out to investigate the mysterious disappearances. The men should be back any minute. It would not take them long to discern if Gerald was dead or not.

The Rogue King was concerned. His plans had been going so well. He had thought back to when it all started. He remembered it so clearly.

He had been in the mages library researching a spell he had to perform for his instructor. He poured over books to try to make it more dazzling and gain the instructor's favor. That is when he came upon an old book that had a scribbled note in it. 

The note had promised power to anyone who was smart enough and brave enough to take it. Jon decided he was the man with the abilities to take it. The note pointed him to the restricted section. He was sure that he had the skills to get it. He had been training as a mage during the day, but at night he trained in the thieves' guild giving him added talents and skills that would be needed to get into such an exclusive part of the library. 

The master thief had seen his potential almost immediately. He saw not only his incredible agility but his high level of intelligence. He paid for his way into the mage guild as an apprentice. The thief master would love to have not only an excellent thief but also a mage at his disposal. A mage that could get into places that were protected not only by regular locks and traps but also by magic was a very valuable asset indeed. 

That night he got into the restricted section with a bit of stealth and a minor masking spell. He found the scroll he needed. He took it to his room and used the unlocking spell he found in the note. As he read the scroll he felt a tingling in his body. He knew he was growing more powerful. An experienced mage would have understood that he was mistaking the sensation for the power.

It was actually a quest spell being cast on him by the demon, Nabsael that put it there. The quest spell was simple, find the 'Star of Nabsael' and join with it to gain its power. In order to join with it he needed the essence of one who loved him. 

Jon was studying harder than ever by day and training as a thief by night. The potion he was taking daily was allowing him to keep going on 2 hours of sleep. But that only worked for 6 days; on the 7th day he would sleep for 20 hours straight. He did this in the thief's guild where the guild master set aside a room for him. The guild master allowed this to happen because he was in the top of his class in both lines of study. The guild master had believed the benefits he would gain later would outweigh the break in protocol now. 

One night while out on rounds for the guild, Jon spotted a girl working in a garden. His curiosity got the better of him and he snuck over to investigate.

"Why would someone be working in a garden in the middle of the night?" he asked himself. As he got closer the answer was apparent. She was harvesting a Night Blossoms. A rare herb used in cooking exotic meals and some spells. He could hear her humming as she went about her work. Her voice entranced him and he just had to see her face. He moved like a shadow, silent and invisible. When he finally got to a desirable place to observe her face, his heart stopped. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. 

Her dark hair fell over her shoulders in long curls. Her eyes were a dark blue like that of a raging ocean. She had a faint smile on her face as she hummed and worked the small delicate blossoms. He swore that she knew he was there by the way her body language changed when he finally took a breath. 

Looking up in his general direction she said "I can assume that since you did not attack me straight away that you are not here to hurt me."

He slowly stepped out of the shadows with his hands raised to show he meant no harm. "May I ask your name?" he asked.

"Hmmm not exactly the question I was expecting. But a question easily answered." She said. "It's Kelsie. Yours?" her faint smile never left her lips.

His mind blanked and a look of panic came on his face as he struggled to remember his own name. "Ummm, Jon. My name is, ummm, Jon"

She giggled and said "Well nice to meet you Ummm Jon."

He laughed softly at her gentle teasing. "I am the protector of the night. Luckily I came along and made sure no harm came to you." He said with more bravado than he actually felt.

"Well I'm lucky to have my own personal protector. Though I would guess by the way you are dressed and the way you move, your actual profession is less than honorable." She calmly stated, the faint smile never leaving her lips.

"On that note I must be moving on. May I call on 

you during the day?" he asked

"Come into my father's butcher shop. I have a small stand there where I sell my cooking herbs and vegetables."

"As you wish." He smiled and faded into the shadows. His heart leapt in his chest. He would definitely see her again if it was the last thing that he did. He planned to be a powerful man and a powerful man deserved a beautiful woman at his side. He would make sure she benefitted by his power.

He was gone as fast as he appeared leaving Kelsie to wonder if he was really a ghost or just that good at his profession. She was humored that her mysterious haunting that night may have been more than a man. She would await his visit during to the day to ease that burden from her mind.

The next day was busy as usual in the butcher shop. Having cooking herbs and vegetable stand in the store made it easy for customers to get everything they needed in one stop. He walked in dressed as a student of the mage guild. He searched and found her helping a customer with herbs. Her faint smile was always there easily putting people at ease. He walked over to her and waited patiently till she was available. 

She looked up and asked "Looking for spell materials or something to make the food there taste better?" 

He smiled at her relaxed manner and asked, "Do you have any fresh Night Blossoms?" 

"Yes sir. I just harvested some last night as a matter of fact." Kelsie answered back.

"You are not afraid of being out at night alone?" he asked with a look of worry on his face.

"I have a special night protector to guard me." Her faint smile never leaving her face.

"Well then I'll take 5 please." He fished in his pouch for the coins.

"I'll just bundle them up for you then sir." She tilted her head and walked over to her counter to wrap up his order.

"As you wish." He smiled and followed her watching the sway of her hips as she walked.

She stopped and turned to him with unable to hide the look of surprise on her face. He couldn't help but chuckle. 

"You look as if you seen a ghost." He mused.

She smiled and said "No, just a bit surprised by your answer." And she purposely dropped the bundle to see his reaction.

His reflexes were amazing as he easily reached out and caught the dropped flowers. He then realized what he did and it was his turn to look surprised. How easily he had fallen for her ploy to test him. 

Mage students were known for their intellect not their agility. He laughed to himself for being caught in such an easy trap. He could see his trainers face of disappointment as if they were there as he felt his face flush. 

"Ah, my gallant protector of the night, Jon. Have you been haunting any vulnerable girls in the night?" She said with just a hint of mirth in her voice.

At that moment he thought no one should be that beautiful and that smart. He felt pride for her swell in his chest. He just knew he had to get to know her better. Just then he felt eyes on him and turned to see a large angry looking man staring at him holding a rather large and bloody meat cleaver. 

"Your father I presume?" he asked turning toward the man. He knew the answer already, having done some asking around about the butcher. He learned that he was a very well liked man by the local gentry and had ties all over the city. He was also on the 'NO TOUCH LIST' in the thief's guild. Being that he was a good friend of the guild master.

"Yes. And he is rather protective of his only daughter. He is a little over protective in my opinion, as if my five brothers didn't do the job well enough."

"I was wondering if you would like to attend the fall festival with me tomorrow." He wondered if he should ask the guild master permission to court her. Maybe he could put in a good word with her father?

She smiled and blushed. "Bold aren't we? We have just met and you act as if we have known each other for awhile." Her smile was dazzling making his mind move slower than usual.

The only reply that he could come up with was sparked by one of her previous ones, "Maybe I have been haunting you longer than you know. Perhaps, you are not such a stranger to me." He hoped his tone sounded as casual and teasing as hers had.

He was answered by her gentle laugh and a full smile replaced her previous one. Her eyes danced with merriment and his heart soared knowing that he was the reason for her happiness. He wanted to make her happy from this day forth.

***

That had been such a long time ago. Since that time, he had become the Rogue King. He had found the stone. He had discovered and deciphered the spell that had released him. Jon thought the spell would give him power. Instead, it had released the demon who took over his body. 

Kelsie had been someone who he loved in the beginning. She turned out to be a spell component.

The night that Jon had so carefully planned as their first romantic intimate moment had gone so differently than planned. He had checked the charts to ensure the proper aligning of the constellations. He had carefully drawn the runes in the ground covering them with a blanket placing a basket of wine and food for their evening beside the blanket. He had even brought the gem giving it a special place of honor. 

Jon had planned his seduction of Kelsie down to the miniscule detail, including their moment of consummation of their relationship. He needed to cast the spell for power during their moment of bliss. He believed that it would give his lover power as well as him. He wanted her to experience what had become so important to him. 

Jon also saw that their relationship and her power would only add to his own. He would be unstoppable and she would be able to help him. He was going to give her one of the greatest gifts that he could think of and she knew nothing about it. He longed to see the wonderment in her face when she realized what she had gotten. He wanted her to see his face when he came to the realization of what he had truly gained. 

The evening started innocent enough with a picnic on the blanket. He had put the ingredients needed for the spell in her food and drink. Ironically enough she had unknowingly supplied some the spell components from her garden. As the meal ended, he toasted her using the language of the spell. He told her it was an ancient family toast but really it was the beginning of a powerful joining spell.

They kissed. Her lips were soft and inviting. Her lips parted and the kissed deepened and the passion grew. He reached for her, wrapping his arms around and pressing his body to her. He was hard and knew she could feel his erection pressing against her soft belly. She showed him her approval by reaching down and stroking him through his pants and moaning.

He slowly undid the ties that held the back of her dress together. He slid it down her shoulders and gazed at her perfect breast, a little bigger than a handful with taut reddish nipples pointing at him. She arched her back to offer them to him. He bent his head down and took one in his mouth. His hand covered the other one. He licked and sucked on it till she moaned with pleasure. His hand played with her other nipple, twisting and tweaking it. He moved his mouth over and gave that nipple the same attention. Kelsie moaned and held his head to her breast. 

He worked the rest of her dress off and laid her down being careful to keep her in the middle of the runes. He kissed down her belly licking and nipping as he went along. We got to her pussy he licked her lips and she arched her back, gasping his name. He took that a good sign and continued to tease her until he got to her clit.

He circled it with his tongue and then sucked on it. She moaned his name over and over as he brought her to the edge and backed off. She begged him for release but he denied her until she was almost crazy with desire. Finally he allowed her to climax and she screamed his name as she did.

When she calmed down, she took over. Striping him and going to her knees as he stood above her. He was careful to position her in over the correct runes. He started chanting quietly to himself as she kissed around his stomach and thighs. She took him in her hand and began to lightly stroke him. 

He smiled at her as she looked up with a look of pure lust in her eyes. She reached out with her tongue and licked the head gently. She increased the pressure until she suddenly took him in her mouth. She started to bob her head up down on the head of his prick while her hand stroked him. With his last chant done for the moment he concentrated on the pure joy her mouth was giving him.

She would stop sucking him long enough to run her tongue down his length and around his balls. Then she would start the sucking and stroking all over again. He felt the pressure building and knew he couldn't hold out for long. He announced in impending explosion and Kelsie started to suck harder and faster.

He felt his release explode out of him in spurts that seemed not to stop. She swallowed, trying to keep up with him but some escaped and ran down her chin dripping onto her breast. She scooped it up with her finger and placed in her mouth. She gave him that sweet little innocent girl look and his dick started to harden again.

He guided Kelsie over the final rune. Then Jon kissed her as he lowered his body over hers. He rubbed his dick up and down her pussy making her moan. As he slipped in he said the final chant as he took her maiden head. She cried out in pain and he stopped and let her get used to him. Once she nodded and pushed up against him he started to move.

He pumped in and out luxuriating in the tight velvet feel of her pussy squeezing him. After a few minutes she wrapped her legs around him and encouraged him to go faster and harder. Luckily he had just cum and the urgency wasn't there to finish fast. As he pumped into her, he watched her get closer and closer. As she climaxed, he grabbed the Star of Nabsael and placed it in her hand. He covered her hand with his and called forth Nabsael as they came together.

He felt the spell energy release. He quickly looked into her eyes so he could see her expression and she would see his as they gained the power, when their lives would forever change. He knew that he would forever think of her at that moment and he hoped that she would also remember this moment in time as well.

Kelsie looked confused. Jon knew she did not expect this power. Then he felt the changing. It was slight at first and it grew. He felt like he was being pushed out of his body. He didn't think it should feel like that. 

Kelsie began to struggle. She looked pained. She looked panicked. He tried to help her, but his body no longer obeyed him. He heard the ominous chuckle. He felt as though he was watching someone else touching his beloved Kelsie.

Jon knew something went wrong. He felt the darkness and the evil move into his body, pushing him out of the way and taking over. The gem embedded itself into the chest of the body that used to be Jon. Jon looked out as his precious Kelsie was consumed. He did not know where she went. He did not know if she was killed.

He had been her demise. Jon had been the downfall of his love. He had not given her power. He had taken everything from her. He had not received power. He was imprisoned in his own body. He wished for death. 

No, he did not wish for death at this time. If at all possible, he would do what he could to save Kelsie. Then he would destroy the creature that possessed his body. Then he would welcome death.

That had been so many years ago. Jon had long stopped trying to break free from his jail. He had long stopped looking out at the world. He just sat and pondered his mistake. He just sat and mourned over Kelsie. Once in a while, a light, pretty color, or movement would catch his attention for a brief moment. Then he would sink back into his despair.

He had been young and foolish. He had thought power was important. He had sacrificed love. Jon had once had everything. Now, he had nothing. His body didn't even have his name anymore. The demon had chosen the name, the Rogue King.

Jon never realized the gem embedded in his chest was the eternal home of his beloved. Where it had once held the demon, Nabsael, now it held the equivalent of an angel, his Kelsie. She had been trapped since the day of the spell casting.




Shalandra's Peace Ch. 01



***

The Rogue King was concerned. His best man had been missing for several weeks now. He feared the worst. He heard the knock on his door. "Come in," he called knowing it was one of the men sent to investigate Gerald's disappearance.

"Sir, we found General Terrant's camp. His tracks mixed with those of travelers on the path. There was no sign of a struggle, but he and his horses left with them leaving the forest, not coming deeper into it." The tracker was nervous and did not want to be the one to give this information to his leader. People did not always live after giving the Rogue King bad news, even if they were not the reason for the bad news.

"Bring me General Lazo. She will agree to bring me Terrant's head or I will remove hers immediately." The Rogue King turned in his chair indicating the dismissal of the tracker.

The tracker had never been so happy to leave his leader's company in his whole life. He would give General Lazo the message from the Rogue King. Let her wander back here by herself so if there was cause for the Rogue King to express his displeasure, she would be the only one around to receive it.

Jin Lazo was easy to spot. She had been joking with some of her men. The tracker immediately walked over to her. "General Lazo, the Rogue King wishes for your presence immediately."

Jin was worried, but not for her. She knew Gerald was late. She could not believe that he had been taken down, but she could not understand what else would have prevented him from coming back. 

Her first instinct was to cry for the death of her friend, but she rarely cried and quickly dismissed that idea. One did not live long in their world if they cried at the drop of a hat. She would meet with the Rogue King to accept any delegated responsibilities to honor her friend. 

Gerald had been a general and would receive great honors at his memorial service. She wondered what the King would say and how he would honor her fallen comrade. She picked up her chin and quickly made her way to her leader. She would do anything he requested for the sake of her best friend.

Jin opened the door and saw her leader facing the wall. She understood. He would need time to mourn Gerald as well. She cleared her throat to announce her presence. Her leader did not turn around.

The Rogue King's voice was very low and very calm. "Jin, I need you to bring me back the head of Gerald Terrant, the traitor, or you can allow me to cut off your head in his place." 

Without saying a word she saluted and turned to leave. As she got outside a single tear slid down her pretty face. "Oh, what have you done?" she whispered.



Shalandra's Peace Ch. 02



Again I'd like to acknowledge my coauthor and editor MissElf1. She took this idea and helped me make it a story. Thank You MissElf1 :)

All people involved in sex are 18 or older. Don't forget to vote and comment.

******************

Jin had been searching for a week and was getting close. She kept running into subtle little clues that she was sure Gerald left for her to find. Little things that only she would notice like two diamonds interlocked. It was the symbol they used to pass private messages to each other. He was leading her to him.

She wondered what she would do when she found him. Would she attack him, hug him, or drag him back to the Rogue King? At the very least a punch in the face was in his future. She was scared for him though. She knew he had his reasons for being this stupid and they had better be monumental. If they were going up against the Rogue King it had better be for something more than money or power. 

Money and power they already had in abundance and to get greedy now was just dumb. But she knew Gerald didn't crave these things so it had to be something that changed his view on life. As she got to her room in the inn, she let her mind wander back to the orphanage when Gerald arrived.

Her nose was already bleeding and her left arm was throbbing, but she wouldn't back down. Billy punched her again. He laughed at her poor attempt to fight back. He was older, bigger and stronger than her. He felt that entitled him to take her food any time he wanted. When he was done with her, he was going to let the new kid, Jerry or was it Jimmy, know who the boss was. 

Gerald watched as the bully hit the young girl. He kept saying to himself, "Don't get involved. It's known of your business." This philosophy kept him alive on the streets. But the young girl wouldn't back down, even though she was badly outmatched. The bully punched her again and she went down in a heap. Gerald rushed over and pushed him before he could land the kick he was sending her way. 

Billy turned on his would be attacker and saw the new kid standing between him and that brat girl. The other kids started to gather around. He had to put this Jerry or whatever the hell his name was in his place. No one took what was his and everything in the orphanage was his. He smiled and advanced on the new guy.

Gerald saw the predatory smile. He knew the bully was overly confident. Gerald had sized him up as soon as he got put in the orphanage. He was all muscle but no brains to be able to put that muscle to good use. Living on the streets had given Gerald survival skills not normally found in a nine year old. 

Billy walked up and threw a wild punch at Gerald meant to knock him senseless. Gerald easily sidestepped it and landed a swift but hard punch in his left ribs. The wind left Billy's body and he staggered back a step. He growled and stepped up and started swinging wildly. Gerald easily deflected or dodged the blows allowing Billy to tire himself out. When Billy started to tire and slow down, Gerald made his move. With precision and power he laid out Billy in three blows. 

Since that day Jin never left Gerald's side. He taught her how to defend herself. Jin never forgot that he looked out for her. She owed him her life and more. She decided right then that she would join with him against the Rogue King. It was kind of calming knowing she was going to die fighting next to the only family she ever had known.

***

Gerald had been leaving Jin messages, messages that only Jin would understand. The two of them had their own signs and signals. He had tried to lead her to him without disclosing his location to any bounty hunters that The Rogue King may have sent his way.

Gerald's last few weeks had been some of the most enjoyable of his life. He felt drawn to Shalandra and enjoyed their time together. He was still not permitted to be alone with her, but that was okay. He was with her. 

Shalandra had been kind to Gerald. She asked his opinion often of things that didn't just relate to her safety. She included him in conversations about various topics that concerned her and her father. He found himself wanting to please her even with the little things.

When Gerald had first come to the monastery, he had been asked to judge the security of the place. He was shocked to see a ladder going directly to Shalandra's room on the second floor. It was actually a trellis for flowers, but it would serve as a wonderful ladder for any person wanting to enter her room. 

He cringed at the idea of an assassin stalking into her room in the middle of the night. That would have been what he would have done if he was still trying to kill her. Gerald had felt a surge of protectiveness at the thought of a stranger doing who knows what to her in the night. 

Shalandra was resistant at first not believing that anyone would enter her room in such a manner. So that night, he had done the cruelest of deeds to prove to Shalandra her vulnerability. He needed to show her that she wasn't safe.

He had worn a mask and used the very trellis that 

he had warned her of. Then Gerald had crawled up and gently pried her window open. She had locked it, but he had used his dagger to slide between the wood to pry open the clasp. Then he gently opened the window stepping lightly onto her floor.

Gerald heard her soft and steady breathing in the night. The moonlight caused her skin to glow. He felt a knot form in his stomach knowing that he was going to scare this precious woman beyond anything that she had ever known.

He walked to the bed and steadied his nerves. He pounced onto the bed covering her mouth with his gloved hand. As Shalandra's eyes popped open, he threw his body over hers pinning her to the bed. He wanted to ensure that she received the lesson of her weakness and pushed his knees between her legs forcing them open.

"Shhh," he said as he placed the dagger against her neck. 

Gerald made sure that his hands did not stray any place that could be construed as improper, but he prevented her from moving in anyway. He forced her to stay still and he eliminated her ability to scream. 

His lesson had hit home. Shalandra was so terrified that Gerald could feel her body tremble under his. Her eyes were wide with terror. He dropped his head to her bared neck and kissed her gently. He felt her stiffen.

Gerald kissed his way up her neck, across her jaw, and to her lips. Her tremors were growing and her breathing was ragged. He gave her a final and gentle kiss. Then he pulled his mask from his face and waited for recognition to sink in.

"Now will you remove the trellis, Shalandra, before someone really does use it to do you harm. Now, stand and I will show you how I opened your window." Gerald slowly climbed from the bed.

Shalandra was trying to slow her racing heart. She had been terrified when she felt someone cover her mouth. Then she had grown more frightened after she saw his masked face. His gentle kisses had confused her and she had not known what to think. 

Fortunately, the man that removed the mask had been Gerald. She saw his face and felt relief. Then she felt a surge of anger as she thought of how frightened he had made her. Finally, she felt a strange disappointment when he removed himself from her bed. 

Shalandra slowly rose from her bed and reached for her dressing gown. Gerald had already turned his back to respect her modesty. He waited for her at the window. 

Gerald waited for Shalandra to reach the window. Then he locked it and showed how the blade of his dagger fit between the wood enough to dislodge the lock. She gave a slight gasp as she realized her room had not been as safe as she had previously though.

"Really, Shalandra, I need to know that you will remove the trellis. Had it not been me, your night could have truly been terrifying." Gerald locked eyes with her and she gave a slow nod. He smiled and opened the window to climb back down.

On impulse, he kissed her cheek before left her window. He dropped quickly to the ground and waited for her to close her window again. He thought she smiled before she disappeared from his view. Gerald turned to leave and go to his room. He was pleased with himself and she would be safer now.

***

Jin woke up when she heard the light steps in her room. Her hands were immediately filled with the two daggers she had placed under her pillow. A shadowy figure moved silently through the room toward her gear. Jin got up and moved in behind the person. Moving quickly she placed one dagger at the throat of the intruder and the other pointed at the kidneys.

"May I have this dance?" Jin asked.

The intruder went stiff and a female voice said "Please don't kill me. I was just looking for some food. I'm hungry and haven't eaten in a few days. I've never done this before, I swear. "

Jin furrowed her brow and said, "That is the only lie I'll allow you. Lie again and I'll cut out your tongue. Why are you here?" She tightened her hold on the girl, pressing the dagger harder into her back and throat.

"Ok. I saw the quality of your armor and weapons and thought they would bring a nice price." She squeaked out.

Jin pushed her away. "Turn on a lantern and be quick about it."

With the room lit up Jin noticed the girl was no more than 18 years old. She tossed a medallion at her. "Tell me what you see?"

The girl looked at the medallion and her eyes went wide. "Please forgive me. I had no idea you were an agent of the Rogue King."

"I am no agent. I am General Jin Lazo." She announced.

The girl fell to her knees and wept. "Am I to die now?"     

"No. I have use for you. You will deliver a message for me. No worries. You will be in no danger and I will compensate you for your time." She drew out a parchment and wrote a quick note on it. She sealed it with wax and her signet ring. She chanted a quick line of magic words over it. The signet ring was special. It had the ability to seal a message so no one could intercept it. You simply pressed it into wax and said a short chant. The receiver then placed his matching ring in the seal and repeated the chant. If the message was not opened in this way it erased anything written on the parchment.

"Take this to the stables and place it on the fourth beam from the back. You will see two intersecting diamonds there. Make sure no one sees you. That shouldn't be too hard for a trained individual as you." She tossed her a bag of coins and waved her off. 

The girl exited the room quickly and ran off into the night toward the stables. Jin shook her head. She remembered being that stupid once.

She had just turned eighteen and wanted to prove to Gerald that she was ready for bigger jobs. As she walked along the rooftop of the mayor's house, she wondered if the Rogue King would be impressed by her score tonight. Surely he would. The mayor was giving him a hard time in securing a foothold in the city. They always wanted a cut of the action and when you gave it to them, they wanted more. 

She hung from the roof and dropped quietly down on the balcony. That's when Gerald stepped out of the shadows and scared the hell out of her. She barely suppressed a scream as he stepped forward.

"Not bad but what took you so long?" he asked in hushed tones.

"How did you beat me here? You were still in a meeting with the Rogue King when I left." She said in a whispered huff.

He smiled and pointed down at the trellis. "Built in ladder, makes it easy for me without the hassle of walking on roofs. Now go and get the necklace."

The necklace he spoke of was a gift from the mayor to his spoiled daughter. It had a large diamond surrounded by four of the bluest sapphires. It was rumored to have cost well over five thousand gold pieces. With the necklace the Rogue King could show that the mayor's daughter wasn't as safe as he thought.

Jin crept quietly into the room. She went over to the jewelry box but the necklace was not there. She looked through the drawers to no avail. She moved over to the bed and spotted the necklace. The girl was wearing it. 

Luckily she could see the clasp. She reached in and gently undid the clasp. She then bent down and blew gently in her ear while holding one end of the necklace. The girl giggled and rolled away. She gently tugged the necklace away from the girl. Securing it in a pouch she walked out to the balcony. 

"Sure did take you long enough. We might as well stay for breakfast." Gerald said will a small 

chuckle.

She stuck her tongue out at him and made her way over to the trellis. When she reached the bottom she noticed two guards sprawled out on the ground. She looked at Gerald and motioned with her eyes.

He shrugged and said "You didn't think the mayor's house would be unguarded, did you?"

Her look of surprise said it all. She didn't think there would be guards. She hadn't even seen any.

He pointed to another guard lying on the ground by the back of the house. "He was hiding behind the chimney. You wouldn't have seen him until you passed him, giving him the upper hand. Luckily I'm good with a bow."

She realized how stupid she had been. In her haste to impress the Rogue King she didn't think to do a proper recon. She should be caught or dead right now but like always Gerald was looking out for her. She pulled out the necklace and offered it to Gerald.

He shook his head and said "No. You take it to the Rogue King. He will promote you to commander and give you your own troops."

"But I have shown here that I'm not ready to lead." She almost cried.

"Just remember to take your time and try to see things the way your enemy would. I will help you." He said hoping to sound reassuring.

She hugged him saying, "Thank you. I owe you much."

The Rogue King was definitely impressed by the acquisition of the necklace and promoted her on the spot to commander. She vowed from that moment to make sure she tried her best to make Gerald proud of her.

***

Gerald had watched as the trellis was removed. Basically people were receptive of his ideas to improve safety. The only obstacles that he had encountered were the naiveté of the priest and his daughter. They did not understand how truly vulnerable they were, but he would continue to educate them. 

Once convinced, Shalandra and her father were quick to implement the suggestions that Gerald suggested. Last night, he had convinced Shalandra that the pretty trellis full of flowers could be used as a ladder. 

He had seen trellises used that way in the past many times. One time had resulted in the daughter of the mayor losing her expensive necklace. He had given Jin the credit, but it was to ensure that she rose in the ranks along with him. 

Gerald walked quietly to the garden where he knew that he would find Shalandra. She would be with guards; they were ever present because of him. Her father might be in the garden as well or he might be attending to business.

He moved silently not making a sound. Even though it was daylight, he hid as if it were night. Shadows were his friend. He found a spot where he was able to observe Shalandra and the guards. He would stay in hiding to gather information on the people in his view.

Gerald trusted his instincts immensely. He had gotten a horrible feeling about one of the guards. One of the guards kept looking at Shalandra with an odd look. Gerald had caught the look out of the corner of his eye and had been on the alert ever since. 

Gerald had uncovered some information about the guard. His name was Christopher. Christopher had been a recent recruit. He had arrived with written references from nobles that lived far away. He said that he had to leave due to a romance went wrong. 

Usually men referred to a romance as going wrong when they were caught with another man's wife. Gerald didn't buy it. He had heard the man speak of his reason for coming to this realm. The guy's story was too good. There were none of those little errors that the mind creates when it forgets events due to time or stress. 

Christopher's story had none of those. He remembered everything right down to the color of various signs that hung over shops along the way. The story was researched, rehearsed, or both. 

The story didn't matter anymore. It had accomplished what it was created for, to give the guy a credible reason to travel so far from home where no one would know him. The story would be able to deflect any suspicions for a hired assassin or thief.

Gerald believed the man was more local than he let on. He believed the guard was pretending to be from somewhere else. Claiming to have been caught with another man's wife was cleaver. It was nearly impossible to prove. No man would want to admit his wife had strayed. No wife would jeopardize her standing by admitting to straying.

Gerald stiffened as he saw the guard watching Shalandra. Christopher was doing his own recon. Christopher was gathering his own information. 

Shalandra wore no expensive jewelry. She carried no items of interest. It was just her. That meant that if Christopher was a hired to steal something, that something was her. If he had been hired to kill someone, then that someone was her. 

Gerald had given enough time to his information gathering. He stepped from the shadows startling many in the group, including Christopher and Shalandra. He smiled quickly at Shalandra helping her to relax and gain some composure, but he moved his eyes quickly to Christopher.

Christopher's eyes narrowed. Good, the message had been received thought Gerald. The guard knew that Gerald was going to keep an eye on him. He let the guard know that something went wrong. Christopher had ignited someone's suspicion.

Gerald walked to the group and bowed slightly to Shalandra. She didn't require anyone to bow to her, but he wanted Christopher to know that Gerald's loyalty was to her, not the guards. He maneuvered his body between Shalandra and that of the Christopher.  

Gerald felt a light brush against his hand. He ignored it and kept his eyes facing Christopher. He felt it again. Gerald looked down to see Shalandra's fingers brush against his hand. He looked into her eyes and his heart leapt as he realized she had touched him on purpose. 

Shalandra's lips moved into a slight smile and she lowered her eyes acting as if she was interested in a flower. Gerald kept his face unreadable. Her discretion proved that she understood there could be consequences of giving a rogue such as himself her attention.

"So, what is your opinion on that, Gerald?" Shalandra asked.

Gerald realized that he had not heard her question. He had been caught off guard and stunned by her gentle touch that he had not heard her.

"I must admit that I did not hear your question, Shalandra. I was distracted by the beauty of a flower." Gerald spoke and knew she understood the underlying message that she was the flower when her cheeks flushed a faint pink.

Shalandra asked her question again, "I asked if you had any other suggestions for improving security." 

"I do, but I need to address some concerns before I share the suggestions with you," Gerald said and purposely let his eyes lock with Christopher. If Christopher had an ounce of sense, then he would understand the message in Gerald's subtle glance.

Gerald would pass the afternoon in Shalandra's company. He would enjoy their conversation. He would enjoy her smiles and hidden glances. He wouldn't want it end, but it would have to.

Gerald was waiting for nightfall and then he would check to see if Jin had gotten all of his signs. If she did, there would be a message waiting for him in the stables. He had been checking the stables for a few weeks. He didn't know how long after he had left that she had been sent on his trail.

***

Jin went to the stables three nights later. As suspected Gerald had left her a message to meet. It was a rock formation about two miles out of town called "The Scar." It was a black jagged rock jutted out of the earth about twenty feet long and five feet high.




Shalandra's Peace Ch. 02



Jin was sure she was being followed. She thought it was Gerald at first, but the person was too clumsy and making too many mistakes. She circled around a building and sunk into the shadows. The figure rounded the corner and stopped. Jin almost sighed at the horrific mistake of stopping in the open with the light on her face.

She stepped out and addressed the young lady. "If you are going to follow me, then you might as well tell me your name."

The look of surprise on her face was priceless. "How did you know?"

"You make more noise than an orc in a glass blower shop. I asked you a question and I expected answered." Jin said, letting the annoyance show in her voice.

The girl straightened up. "My name is Shelia and I wish to learn under the great General Lazo."

"Do I look like I am opening a school?" Jin tapped her foot.

"General Lazo, you are a living legend and I would be happy to be your personal servant for exchange of your teaching." She tried to sound determined.

Jin huffed. She didn't have time for this. "When I tell you to do something, no matter how stupid or silly it sounds, you do it without question. Understand me?" 

"Yes General!" Shelia said a little too loud.

Jin winced. "For your first mission I need you to go to my room and wait for me there." She turned and started to walk away. She knew as soon as she said it that Shelia would not want to leave her side. She stopped and turned to find Shelia a few steps behind. "Well? Was I not clear on my instructions?"

Shelia held up her hands, "But I thought...."

"You didn't ask me to ponder your thoughts. You asked to serve me. Now do as I say or we are done here." She turned and started off again. When she was sure the girl wasn't following her she took off in a light run.

Was she that dumb at that age? Yes. But her blunder had been falling for the wrong guy, not following a person to their death. 

The night she was promoted to commander she went out to celebrate. She wished Gerald could have come but he had a new mission assigned to him. At the local bar she met a rather dashing young elf named Peitar Nildale. He was very charming and handsome. He said all the right things and made her feel pretty.

Three weeks into their romance she decided that it was time to take the relationship to an intimate level. She had been giddy for two weeks annoying Gerald to no end. It wasn't that he wasn't happy for her. He just didn't want to hear about Peitar every five seconds. But he saw how happy she was and endured the punishment. 

After Jin and Peitar finished dinner, they went for a walk in the park. He took her hand and led her to a secluded glade. The glade was lit with candles and a blanket was laid out with a bottle of wine and glasses on it. He led her over and sat her down.

As he poured her a glass of wine he said, "Jin, being with you these three weeks has been the happiest I have ever been."

She smiled and blushed. "I feel the same way." She decided to trust her heart. "I love you." She held her breath for his reaction.

He smiled and hugged her close. "Oh, Jin I am so glad to hear you say that. I love you too." He kissed her all over her face making her laugh. 

As he got to her lips he stopped and gave her a deep kiss. She opened her mouth to him and he invaded hers with his tongue. She felt herself get hot and light headed. She barely noticed when he laid her down.

He kissed down her neck and pulled her shirt over her head. He paused to take in her beauty. Her breast looked perfect. The size of grapefruits topped with cherry colored nipples. They begged for his touch. He eased himself over her and took a nipple in his mouth. His hand squeezed and massaged her other breast.

Jin had never felt anything so exquisite. It was like riding on a lightning bolt. He made her squirm and she pushed into him for more. She felt herself get wet and hot between her legs. She wondered briefly if he would be upset or happy to be her first. She hoped that her inexperience wouldn't show too much. All thoughts escaped her as he bit down gently on her nipple then sucked on it hard. She moaned and felt a gush of feelings from the core of her being. 

He reached down and undid her pants sliding them off of her. He kissed her softly on her belly and moved down toward her center. She moaned with anticipation. He ran his fingers up and down her slit feeling her wetness. As he slid a finger into her pussy, he leaned over and licked her clit.

Jin had never felt anything so pleasurable as Peitar's mouth and fingers. She thought she was going to explode, as the feelings became more intense. When she thought she couldn't take it anymore something inside her gave and her world went white. She screamed out his name and grabbed his head. It was like a wave washed over and carried her out on a sea of pleasure.

The first thing she remembered after opening her eyes was to hear a soft chuckle. She looked down her body and saw him eyeing her. She smiled and pulled him up to kiss her. 

Using leverage and a firm hold she flipped him over. He looked surprised at first but soon smiled as she pulled on his shirt to remove it. He wasn't helping and she got frustrated. 

"Ah fuck it!" she said. She rose up on her knees and produced a dagger out of thin air.

"What are you going to do with that?" He asked her with a little fear in his eyes.

She smiled. "Don't move." She swung the dagger quick and efficiently. She made five strokes at his chest and four at his legs and groin. When she was done, nothing seemed to be different.

"What was that for?" He seemed unimpressed.

She chuckled and reached down. Taking a handful of shirt she pulled and it came apart leaving him topless. She then reach down with both hands and pulled his pants off. 

"Hmmm. But what am going to wear home?" he asked.

"Is that what is occupying your mind right now? 

Going home?" She took his manhood in her hand and started to stroke it.

"I don't even remember where I live right now." He breathed.

She smiled and leaned down. She licked the head as she continued to stroke him. She liked the sense of power she felt from giving him pleasure. She sucked him into her mouth and used her tongue to add pressure as she sucked on him. 

He pulled her up before he lost control. They kissed with her on top. She could feel his hardness rubbing her pussy. It felt good and right. She eased up a little more allowing his dick to line up with her opening. She felt the head go in and thought this is it. She pushed down hard taking him all the way in ripping through her maidenhead. She whimpered as she got used to the feeling of being filled for the first time.

He pulled her down in a kiss at the same time he put his hands on her hips. He moved her up and down on his length. She was tight and gripped him like a glove. She started to move on her own.

Little moans escaped her mouth as she got closer to that edge again. She felt it building but this time she knew what it was and welcomed it. She looked at Peitar and saw the pure lust in his eyes. It made her heart swell that she was pleasing her man. "I love you." She said with all the emotion she could put in it. 

"And I love you." He replied and arched up spewing into her. She felt his release and it triggered her own. She called out his name and rode the wave of bliss. They lay there panting, trying to get their breath back. He wrapped them up in the blanket and rubbed her back gently till she slept.

A week had passed and Jin was giddy. She was going to surprise Peitar. He had been away on business in a neighboring town. She had just arrived and headed to the tavern for food and drink. She wasn't sure how she was going to track him down but that didn't bother her. She was a commander in the Rogue King's army. Tracking down someone was normal business for her.

As she walked in to the tavern her heart stopped. She saw him walking up the stairs with a woman in tow. He hadn't seen her so she backed out. She went around the back and found a serving wench cleaning some dishes. 

Taking an intimidating stance she asked, "What room is the elf Peitar staying in?"

The wench looked up and bit back whatever she was going to say. She swallowed and told her, "Room four, mum."

Jin went in the back door and up the back stairs. She moved silently down the hall to room four. She heard sounds of passion through the door. A wave of nausea hit her as she gripped the door knob. It was locked but she just took a step back and kicked the door hard. 

The crash had the bed inhabitants jumping up. Jin looked Peitar in the eye and drew her sword. "So you love me, huh?"

"Please let me explain." He cried.

She said "Oh, this is going to be good." She felt herself go cold as she advanced forward.

"Hey! What is going on in here!" came from a voice behind her.

As she turned to face the potential threat, there was an explosion behind her and the girl screamed. She turned to find Peitar gone. Pointing her sword at the scared girl she asked, "Where did he go?"

"I don't know. He threw down a bottle and then he was gone." She whimpered. "Please don't kill me."

Jin moved forward and placed her sword under her chin. She heard movement behind her and turned to see Gerald standing there. All the energy drained out of her and she ran to him.

"I have been a fool!" she cried into his shoulder. Then the tears came and she wailed. Gerald picked her up and carried her out to his horse. 

She shook her head to clear that awful memory. It would take her three years before she ran into Peitar again.

They had just finalized negotiations with the noble of a new town. They were celebrating at the local tavern. And there he was, Peitar. Jin went stiff. She still had her helmet on and pulled her visor down covering her face. Gerald turned and saw him, placing his hand on her arm and shook his head.

"Not here. We follow him home." He stated.

Peitar left shortly after that and never knew he was being shadowed by two people. He entered his home and shut the door. Immediately it was opened and there stood a demon from his past. Dread instantly filled him as he backed up.

"You look as if you seen a ghost instead of the woman you love." She spat. She walked in and sat in a chair as if she belonged there. Gerald slipped in silently and stood off to the side.

"Please leave. I'm sorry I hurt you but you have to leave." He pleaded.

"Are you expecting company? Maybe I can warn her that you will win her heart and then tear it out." She said with a deadly calmness.

Jin immediately tensed as she heard footsteps from the hall. Out came a pretty elven woman who was obviously very pregnant. "Honey, who are your guests? Don't be rude, introduce us." She moved behind him and frowned when he remained silent.

Jin rose and saw the color drain from his face. "I am arch-commander Jin Lazo. Peitar and I have some unfinished business. If you want to live I suggest you leave now."

"I am Ruual. What business do you have with my husband?" She placed herself between Jin and Peitar. 

"My business is personal and I will not hesitate to go through you." Jin was impressed at the little elf. She had the balls her husband didn't.

"So you would kill me and my unborn child to deal with your business? Let me guess, he broke your heart and now you seek retribution?" Ruual placed her hands on her belly. "Will you grant me a few minutes of private talk with you arch-commander?"

Jin was stunned for a second but laughed and answered, "How could I refuse such a brave lady."

They walked to the back of the house and closed the door. Gerald walked over and sat down in a chair. He had yet to utter a sound and that scared Peitar more than anything. Gerald's reputation was legendary. The only one close to his status was Jin. How the hell did he get two of the most deadly people in the region in his house? He hadn't wanted to hurt Jin but one girl in his life wasn't his style. Even now he had a mistress. He only married Ruual because she came up pregnant and it was marry or face rejection of his family and their money. 

Back in the room Ruual sat down on the bed and motioned for Jin to do the same. "I understand how you feel but I beg you not to kill him. My child deserves a father even if he is a piece of shit."

That statement stunned Jin but she hid her reaction. "I'm going to need more than that."

"I fell for him just like every other woman. But unlike them I was stupid and got pregnant. I could not return to my family in shame so I turned to his. They forced him to marry me with the threat of cutting off his money. They think I just want his money. But I did have feelings for him. I thought we would be happy but this is a loveless marriage. He doesn't even touch me anymore. He has a mistress in town. If he dies they will not support me and I will be left out on the streets with nothing." Tears formed in her eyes.

Jin frowned and felt kindred toward this woman. "Come let us go settle this." Jin rose and went out. She rejoined the men, turned toward Peitar and pulled her sword placing it at his scrotum.

"Know that Ruual and her unborn child fall under my protection now. They are my family if anything happens to them I will kill your entire family and then you. Are we clear?"

Peitar swallowed and nodded not trusting that he could talk. He was sweating and looked like he might pass out.

Jin chuckled and added, "I will contact someone in town to keep an eye on you, so no more cheating on your wife or you will pay." To emphasize her point she pressed her sword harder into his scrotum. "You don't need this to provide for your family."

Ruual spoke up and shocked Jin with her words. "If I have a boy, I shall give him an honorable and brave name. He will be named Lazo." She was giving Jin the only thing she had to give.

Jin bowed to the woman and sheathed her sword. Nodding at Gerald she walked out. Gerald rose looking pointedly at Peitar and said his first words of the evening. "Jin is my family. Anyone she deems family is also my family." He turned and left without another word.

That was three years ago. The child was a boy and Lazo Gerald Nildale was his name. She had honored both of them that way. But Jin wondered if she did it to remind Peitar of who the boy's extended family was. She slowed down as she came into viewing distance of the rock wondering how Gerald would react. She took a deep breath and walked forward with her hands in complete view.



Shalandra's Peace Ch. 03



I like to thank Misself1 for all the time she spends on this. All her writing and suggestions only make this story better. Don't forget to comment and vote!

***

As Jin reached the rock, Gerald appeared and looked a little sheepish. When she was in arms reach she reared back and punched him in the side of his face.

Gerald was stunned and at a loss for words. The next thing he knew she was hugging him tightly and telling him to never run off again without her. He knew then where her allegiance lay. Now for the hard part, he had to ask her to leave.

"Jin, I am so glad you came. It means the world to me to have you here with me."

"Like you thought I would not come?" she tried to have an angry look but failed. "Do I get to meet her?"

"What makes you think there is a 'her'?" Gerald chuckled at how well she knew him.

"You're a man and think without using the correct head." She said a little too forceful remembering her past failure with a man.

"It's her, the girl we saw all those years ago in the orphanage. It's Shalandra." He had a dreamy look. 

"So, do I get to meet the one who took down the mighty General Terrant?" she smiled.

"Ha Ha! You are funny. Of course you get to meet her. But I am afraid we must part ways soon. I need you to go out and gather troops, because the Rogue King won't wait forever. He'll march soon and he will burn, kill and destroy everything and everyone to get to us." He looked worried.

Jin gave a pensive look. "I could start in the north and begin with the Rogue King's biggest enemy. Which way will you go?"

"I must stay near Shalandra. I think one of the guards is stalking her and I don't want to be away too long."

Jin gave a confused look."Why not just eliminate the possible threat?"

"I wish it was that easy but Shalandra and her father will require proof and not just assumptions. Come let us go to the house and you can try and guess who I feel is a threat to her." 

***

The Rogue King was on a rampage. All his soldiers were avoiding him if at all possible. He had already killed one messenger when they reported that there was no word from General Lazo. It wasn't like her to not report in on regular intervals. Hell he thought the same thing about Gerald. He had somehow lost his best and most loyal generals and he didn't even know why. People for the most part were predictable but sometimes they did things that made no sense to him.

As a demon he was a slave to a more powerful demon. He served without question or was punished. His master liked keeping him around because he had a special ability. He could absorb any kind of magic and transfer that power to his master. He could never absorb enough to break free of his enslavement. That was until he came across the artifact. It was a statue of the goddess Wee Jas. She was the goddess of magic, death, vanity, and law. It was used during the god wars as a protection device. It had more magic in it than he had ever seen. Nabsael absorbed all the power and felt himself grow stronger than ever before. When he returned to his master he simply reached up and drained the life force out of him. He then realized that he could absorb other demons and use their life force to fuel his power. He simply waited as the other subjugated demons showed up and absorbed them too. 

As he grew in power he started to take over his level of hell. When that wasn't enough, he moved to the lower levels where more powerful demons and other creatures existed. He was too powerful for them to stop him. That was until he reached the major demons. They were ready and waiting for him. It was a spectacular battle but they had been too much for him. They trapped him in that damn gem. The same gem he now used to fuel his power. They didn't realize that the gem could entrap a soul. They thought he couldn't escape without the help of a powerful demon but they were wrong. He just needed a soul to take his place and a body to inhabit. Then Jon came along, a perfect specimen and he brought Kelsie. She still rebelled in the gem, shouting to let her free. And then there was Jon, he used to try and rise up and take back control but all Nabsael had to do was tap into Jon's feelings of betraying his love and that would be enough to force the fool into submission. Human emotions made no sense to him. They didn't serve any purpose other than weakening them. 

He paced back and forth wondering where the hell his generals were. They made Nabsael so angry because they turned on him and no one did that and lived. They would suffer greatly for this betrayal. He would use their love for one another against them. He would torture one until the other begged him to stop then he would switch and torture the other. He would do this for days. He could easily keep them alive as long as he wanted and that thought made him smile. He called to his assistant, ordering him to assemble his entire army. It was time to visit the town of Norwhich. It would take time to assemble his army and then move them that distance. He figured about three months and he would be upon the town. He would torture and kill as many people as he needed to. He would find out where Gerald and Jin were hiding. Someone knew their whereabouts and that person would be made to talk.

***

Jin awoke in the morning and was bathed and dressed before day break. She headed downstairs and found Gerald checking on the guard. She nodded to him and turned toward the kitchen.

"Hello, I am Christopher. I am part of the house guard. I don't believe we have met." He said with a smile that never reached his eyes.

Jin's first thought was too pull away and plunge her dagger into him. Luckily she restrained herself and decided to feel him out. "Hi I am Jin, a friend of Gerald's. You must be a very competent warrior to warrant such a high guard duty." She batted her eyes and smiled shyly. 

"I am indeed Miss Jin. Gerald thinks me important enough to have at his side always while protecting Miss Shalandra." He puffed up a little.

Jin could barley hold her laughter but allowed it instead to come out in a brilliant smile and giggled. "Oh I am sure. He has a way of keeping people who grab his interest close to him."

Just then Christopher's attention was pulled away as Shalandra entered. Jin watched him closely and saw his jaw clench. As she turned her eyes toward Shalandra, she understood why Gerald was so enamored. She was beautiful and graceful and everyone seemed to gravitate toward her.

Jin smiled as Shalandra stopped in front of her. "You must be Jin. Gerald has told me much about you." She hugged Jin tightly

"I'm sure he only told you the things that made him look good." Her smile was wide and inviting. She instantly liked this girl.

"Of course, he is a man after all. I hope your quarters were adequate." She released Jin and moved to get a plate.

"The bed was very comfortable." Jin said as she filled her own plate.

They sat and started talking and laughing as if having known each other all their lives. Gerald walked in and spotted them with their heads together whispering. They looked up and saw him and burst out laughing.

"Uh oh, this can't be good." He thought. He approached with a curious look on his face.

"Ah, he looks nervous. Is the great General Terrant afraid of two little defenseless girls?" Jin teased, which set both girls into another round of laughs.

"Defenseless my foot, I bet the two of you could rule the entire region in under a week. So I have good cause to be wary." His smile was easy. The two women who meant anything to him were getting along great and it made his heart soar. Jin saw the way he looked at Shalandra and knew he was lost. She reached over and grabbed Shalandra's hand and said, "I guess you will be my sister soon by the way he looks at you." 

Shalandra gasped and Gerald sounded like he was choking, "Jin! I am merely her guard." His eyes went wide.

"Is that all you wish to be Gerald?" Shalandra pouted.

Gerald just looked bewildered as Jin and Shalandra looked at each other and burst out laughing. Gerald turned on his heel and made a hasty exit. Jin rose and followed him laughing all the way.

***

Gerald watched Shalandra and her friends laughing as they tried to cross the small stream. It had turned into a game to see who could cross over and back without getting their feet wet. Each girl had fallen into the shallow water at least once and everyone had wet slippers. The girls found their misfortune quite funny and Shalandra had the sweetest smile. 

Jin had been gone for a week and he missed her but it warmed Gerald's heart to watch Shalandra enjoy life. Nobody seemed to project such enthusiasm and warmth about such simple daily activities. She often had a smile on her face leaving others to wonder what she was thinking of.

His smile slowly left his face as he scanned the area for danger and saw an insidious look on Christopher's face. Unlike the other guards who watched the women with amusement, Christopher had seemed to have other thoughts. 

Gerald wished that he could read minds. He would love to read Christopher's now. The look on Christopher's face was the same look that he saw on people who were about to harm someone, a predatory look.

Gerald would have to talk to Shalandra and share his fear for her safety. He moved away from the guards farther down on the hillside to separate from the others. He could watch both scenes from this vantage point, Shalandra at the stream and Christopher with the guards.

Shalandra fell into the stream once again. She laughed and walked out dragging her soaked skirts. She dropped to her knees on the grass and tried to catch her breath.

Gerald walked to Shalandra and turned his back to the guards so he could whisper to her, "Don't look at anything except me or your hands. I am going to tell you something and if you look, then that person will know that we are suspicious of them."

Shalandra nodded and clasped her hands in front of her looking down at her entwined fingers. "I'm ready," she whispered back.

Gerald continued to use his quiet tone, "I don't trust Christopher. He looks at you in a strange way. I have not yet determined his intentions, but until we do, you need to be careful." He felt better making her aware of the situation. He had reduced the chances that Shalandra would be caught unaware.

*** The Rogue King sat in the secret library reading an ancient scroll. He chose this castle as his home base because it was once owned by a powerful wizard named Tazzle Hoff. He was known for having acquired many scrolls, manuscripts and books on magic. 

The castle was in ruins when he arrived and overrun by Orcs. He single handedly cleared out the Orcs and other creatures. His ability to tap into the soul trapped in the gem gave him great power. But he was unable to take control of it completely. She resisted him limiting the amount of power he could pull out at a time. 

The castle was now completely repaired and many of the lower levels were untouched. He delighted in looking for secret passage ways. Some had traps still in place. The traps had little to no affect on one such as he. He left many in place to deter others from following him.

When he found the library he knew he found the wizard's true treasure. The books on demons were entertaining. It showed how much mortals didn't know about them. One scroll was very accurate though.

It talked about trapping a demon in a star shaped gem. The biggest fear of the writer was that demon would to escape and place a human soul in the gem. The soul would give the demon unlimited power if he could dominate it. So far he was unable to completely dominate Kelsie's soul, but he felt time was on his side.

Once he tried to pull more power from her and felt himself losing control on the human body he inhabited while trying to channel the energy. Luckily the human called Jon had given up trying to take control back. He feared if Jon had tried at that time he would have lost control of the body and the energy he was drawing out. He had to focus on the energy so much because Kelsie fought him taking it from her. If he lost control it would probably consume them all.

The Rogue King was sure it was only a matter of time before he won this little tug-of-war. Kelsie's resistance was getting weaker each time. He just had to make sure her and Jon never knew of each other's predicaments. He didn't want to have to fight both of them. 

*** Evening arrived and Gerald had made himself comfortable in the rafters of the hall outside Shalandra's room. The torches did not light the hall enough for people to see him. Candles were less effective than torches. He was effectively invisible.

He watched as Shalandra and another woman walked down the hall. They arrived at the door and opened it. They stepped through into darkness with only their candles giving any light. They closed the door and Gerald heard their muffled voices behind the door.

Gerald had made a list of items that he would pick up for Shalandra. She needed items that would help her stay safe. He was going to give her a small knife that she would be able to keep on her person. He wanted to get her some blades that would look like jewelry or other accessories. 

Gerald's thoughts were interrupted when he heard the sounds of metal from down the hall. It was quiet and most people wouldn't have noticed, but Gerald did. He heard the click of booted feet growing louder.

Christopher was trying to sneak down the hall as Gerald had suspected he would. Christopher moved as quietly as he could. He neared Shalandra's door and paused hearing the multiple voices. He uttered a curse and turned to leave.

Gerald remained hidden until late into the night. He did not want to miss Christopher trying to enter Shalandra's room. Fortunately, Christopher did not make another attempt. 

He dropped from the rafters and tested Shalandra's door. It was locked. She had locked it after her friend had left earlier in the night. Gerald didn't trust the lock and knew that any thief worth an ounce of gold would know how to pick the simple lock.

Gerald was going to ask to have her door changed into a barred door. It should not take much to do so. Then he would feel much better about her security.

Gerald moved through the halls as silent as a shadow. His destination was Christopher's door. He only needed to verify that the guard was sleeping. He would move to his own room after that.

He pressed his ear against the door. Gerald heard steady breathing. He tested the door and found it to be locked. He removed a piece of wire from his pouch and inserted it into the key hole. He twisted it back and forth until he felt the tumbler shift and heard the telltale click that announced the opening of the lock.

Gerald pushed the door open a crack. He stepped in and quickly closed the door. He allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkness and then scanned the room. He spotted Christopher's form on the bed. 

He walked to the dresser and quietly opened the top drawer. He found some maps under some of the clothes. They didn't really draw his attention. He opened each of the drawers in turn finding nothing except in the bottom drawer.

The bottom drawer held a plain wooden box with a hinged lid. Gerald opened the lid and discovered various pieces of jewelry, hair clips, and other accessories that a woman would use. Gerald put the box back and exited the room.

During the walk to his own room, he pondered the meaning of all those items. Christopher did not have a woman in his life so why would he have all those things that a woman would like. Gerald had a bad feeling creeping up his spine.

He kept thinking of an orc hunter who kept the dead orc's ears on a piece of twine tied to his belt. The hunter kept the ears as trophies of his kills. Gerald really hoped that Christopher was not keeping the jewelry as a reminder of women he had harmed.  

Gerald did not sleep well that night. He needed to do more to ensure Shalandra's safety. He would not share his concerns with anyone yet, because they were only suspicions and he needed to find evidence.

*** She ran through the woods blindly. She didn't have a clue where she was but her fear drove her forward. Branches and bushes tore at her arms and legs. She could feel him chasing her. Sometimes she swore he was right behind her breathing down her neck. 

The Rogue King smiled as he fed off the girl's fear. He shared her fear with Kelsie, knowing it would weaken her resolve against him. He loved the chase. He liked to let the girl think she had a chance. Soon he would have her then he would devour her essence. He had been herding her toward a prepared cave.

She was getting tired and looked for a place to hide. Just then she saw a cave. She ran as fast as she could to it. Just as she got inside she heard a laugh behind her. She turned to see the Rogue King walking slowly toward her with an evil smile.

She tried to fight him but he was unaffected by her weak blows. He grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off the ground. He threw her down. He bent over and grabbed a handful of her dress. He pulled and it ripped it in two. She was nude underneath and tried to cover herself.

He smiled at her attempts to remain modest and protect her virtue. She had lost that the moment he chose her but she was about to learn that the hard way. He pulled several small lengths of rope from his pocket. He used one to bind her hands together. He then pulled them up to a hook in the wall of the cave. He then tied one around each foot and hooked them on poles in the floor. This left her legs spread wide and her hands stretched above her head. 

He slowly removed his clothes and placed them neatly in a pile. When he turned toward the woman her eyes went wide at the enormous size of his manhood. She screamed and begged him to let her go. He just kept smiling as he reached into a chest by the wall and pulled out a whip.

The first crack of the whip hit her like a ton of bricks. It instantly brought a huge whelp on her skin of her stomach and breasts and the second made her bleed. He rained ten blows on her stomach and breasts. Her whole body was on fire and the pain was excruciating. She could just sob and beg him to stop. That made him smile even more.

It took her a minute to realize he had stopped hitting her. She looked up through bleary eyes and saw his was manhood was erect. He walked toward her and knelt between her legs. Her eyes went wide when he leaned down and tasted her. He was gentle and made her wet.

She wanted to rebel against him but he knew just how to make her feel good. He used his tongue to bring her to the peek but he would back off just before she could orgasm. She was crying with frustration and shame. She wanted him to make her cum but at the same time she hated him.

He loved this part. He would make her hate him by beating her then make her beg him to give her sweet orgasmic relief. He found it funny how one minute they shot daggers at him with their eyes then the next those same eyes begged him for sexual release. This fed his ego and power and he loved it.

He rose up and placed the head of his dick at her opening. He rubbed it up and down wetting it with her juices. "You like this don't you?"

"No! You are a monster and I hate you." 

"Well your body says otherwise. It's begging for me to plunge into you. I bet that whimp of a husband of yours doesn't make you feel this good." Just then he plunged into her tight warmth. She screamed out as an unwanted orgasm racked her body. 

She cried as he took her. No man other than her husband had ever known her this way. Now she was being pleasured against her will and hated herself for liking it. She felt him going in and out, going deeper with each thrust. She felt her body betraying her again as another orgasm was building.




Shalandra's Peace Ch. 03



He knew he was pleasing her against her best efforts to hide it from him. It was easy for him with the aid of magic. He made her body react to his touch. He just allowed magic to flow into her and control her reactions to him. He leaned down and sucked a hardened nipple into his mouth. She moaned and he smiled as she orgasmed again.

He felt that familiar tingle in his balls and knew this encounter was about to come to an end. He started to pump faster and harder. She moaned more and more the faster he went. He allowed more magic to flow into her as he approached orgasm. When he spewed into her she peaked and screamed. Then her eyes went wide with fear and confusion. He just looked at her and smiled. Then the pain hit her and she started to buck and scream against him. 

The pain was unbelievable. Her inside felt as if she was on fire. The pain tore through her body. She felt as if she was being consumed. Indeed she was being consumed. The Rogue King was feeding off her essence. This would sustain him for quite some time until he could completely dominate the gem's power. His laughter was the last thing she heard as the darkness swallowed her whole.

***

Gerald approached Shalandra in her room and spoke with concern, "I have a small knife that I want you to keep in your boot at all times. If you are not wearing boots, then I want you to hide it somewhere easily accessible on your person."

Shalandra nodded and replied, "But I would not feel comfortable harming anyone with the knife."

"Would you feel comfortable having your father bury your corpse?" he uttered as he thought of what the jewelry and other items might mean in that box. "Shalandra, not everyone plays by your rules. Not everyone will play fair if given the chance. Most people would use everything possible to gain the advantage."

Shalandra gave a sad smile and responded, "You sound like my father. He doesn't believe that everyone can be good. So you don't believe it either. But you risked everything, including your life, to save me."

Gerald stroked her hair, "You really don't get it do you? I gave up everything because I have loved you since I first saw you at that tender age of ten. Do you remember visiting the orphanage?"

"I remember visiting, but I don't remember you." Shalandra stated as a wrinkle sprouted on her forehead.

He smiled. Gerald had expected that she would not remember. "You sat at a desk and pulled out parchment, quill, and ink. You started writing after your father spoke. It looked like you were writing down everything he said."

She concurred. "I write down what he and everyone in the room says. That way, Father has a record of the meetings and he can use the notes to remind him of anything that he might have forgotten."

Shalandra stepped closer, "So you have loved me since you were young."

Gerald didn't back away. He just smiled and waited to see what Shalandra was planning to do. He could see her hands tremble. She closed the gap between them and reached for his hands. She lifted herself on to her toes expecting Gerald to lean down. Gerald kept a straight face and innocently watched as she looked confusedly up at him. He watch as she lowered herself to her heals and frowned.

Gerald could not make her endure more of his elusiveness. He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in for a kiss. Shalandra kissed back. Gerald regrettably ended the kiss. He would tell her his suspicions pertaining to Christopher.

"Shalandra, do you trust me?" Gerald asked.

Shalandra smiled and laughed, "Of course I do or I would not permit you to stand in my room with me sharing kisses." 

Gerald continued to hold her, but wanted to convey his concern. "I am worried that Christopher has killed women and now he is here for you." He let the severity of the statement sink in.

Her voice quavered as she declared, "The girls have said that they get a weird feeling when he is around. Do you think that he would hurt them?"

"Yes, I do." He said concisely.

Shalandra took a steadying breath. "Can I tell them?"

"No, I don't want you to tell them what I told you, but I do want you to warn them. Tell them that a rumor has surfaced of a man who harms women arriving in our area within the last few months." Gerald decided on that story so the women would be alerted. Hopefully, they would remember that Christopher arrived within that time and they would be vigilant around the man.

***

The Rogue King listened to reports coming in about his assembling army. All his generals except two were gathered before him. It was because of the two he was doing this. They turned on him and betrayed the trust he put in them. It infuriated him because of all he gave them. 

They were nothing when he found them. He made them into the great and feared generals they are and now he has received word that they are seeking allies among his enemies. 

Lord Majere from the north had already joined them, pledging troops and gold. Others were sure to follow with him on board. He had a great influence in this area and was well liked. The Rogue King thought he would have the lord's head on a pike when he put this little rebellion down. Maybe he would hunt the noble's daughter in the woods too. That thought put a smile on his face, for she was young and most likely a virgin. Virgins always tasted so sweet, and the look on their faces as he brought them to their first climax was intoxicating. He grew hard just thinking about it. It made him eager to end this quickly.

Some of his troops hadn't made it back yet, but most were here. If he had not been distracted by his thoughts of the Lord's daughter, he would have heard the report about the missing troops once belonging to General Terrant and General Lazo.

The missing troops had been personally picked and trained by the generals and were considered to be some of the most deadly people walking the earth. They were known as the shadow warriors. Their whereabouts were unknown at the moment. The scout teams sent out for them were also missing. 

He turned back to his generals and issued orders to start moving the troops toward Norwich. "Burn and kill everything and everyone who opposes us. Make public examples of them so the people know we mean business and are not to be toyed with. Dismissed." The generals and their staff all exited quickly.

He felt Kelsie rebel against the gem. "You won't get away with this. I will find a way to stop you and avenge Jon!"

"Kelsie, my sweet, you cannot stop me and your time grows short. You grow weaker each day. Soon I will have the power I seek and then none shall be able to stand in my way."

***

Gerald stood in the presence of the priest. Shalandra's father, Daniel, sat at his desk reviewing letters from other temples. He was in charge of ensuring the smooth operations of the temples. 

He looked up at Gerald and put the letter down. He rested his hands on his lap and asked, "How may I help you, Gerald?"

"I fear for the safety of Shalandra. I would ask that you send a messenger to the last place that Christopher worked. Have the messenger ask his former employer why he left. The messenger will also need to ask if any women died or disappeared from the area." Gerald said and waited for the priest to digest the request.

"Why do you suspect Christopher of harming women?" the priest questioned.

Gerald decided to share everything, "Christopher gives Shalandra some very strange looks. Other women in his presence do not feel comfortable having him there. Finally, I found a box of gems and women's accessories in his room. The only reason that I can think why he would have those items is because they remind him of something."

The priest raised his hand to stop Gerald. "Ah, I think that you stumbled upon the reason. They remind him of someone, a past love perhaps."

"I'm willing to bet they represent something sinister. Now, I would like to ask, are you so confident that you are willing to risk Shalandra's life." Gerald believed that statement said it all. He had seen the priest's face crease with worry.

The priest leaned back in his chair and exhaled loudly, "I would not be willing to risk her life. Who shall I send?"

Gerald thought a moment and then replied, "Send someone you trust. Send someone who has proven his loyalty to you. Send someone you would trust with Shalandra's life."

"That would be you, but I would prefer that you stayed here to protect her." The priest shared. Then he added, "I'll send one of the lieutenants."

Gerald was shocked by the priest's statement. The priest considered Gerald the most trusted man in the keep. He didn't know how to react.

He gathered his courage and said, "I would like your permission to court your daughter. I am very fond of her."

The priest looked at him thoughtfully and nodded, "You may. I have seen how you watch over her. I cannot deny your dedication to her."

Gerald gave a slight bow and left the priest's office. He was ecstatic. He had the blessings of Shalandra's father to court her. He would go and tell her right away.

***

"So what are going to do Commander Nathan?" the lieutenant asked.

"We find the general and follow him as we have all sworn to do." He said matter of factly.

"That would mean turning against the Rogue King. What of that allegiance?" he questioned the commander.

"I will not force any man to follow my lead. But my allegiance lies with General Terrant and General Lazo. You must choose for your selves." He addressed all the soldiers there. He took the time to look at all of the one hundred soldiers before him. Only fifty fell under his direct control. The other fifty belonged to Commander Thomas.

Commander Thomas stepped forward, "I too follow the generals. My allegiance lies with them. We are the shadow warriors. Handpicked and trained to serve the generals. I choose to continue that service. They are honorable and capable. The Rogue King only lives to serve himself." 

"All those who are in favor of serving the generals step forward." One hundred shadow warriors took a step forward in unison. The commanders nodded. "We head north to Lord Majere's land"

They mounted their horses and moved out toward the north. There was an air of hope that could be felt by each warrior because they had a chance to serve with honor and dignity. This would be the building stones for their new army. The rode with their heads held high and smiles on their faces.

***

Gerald stood with Shalandra in the meadow. He had been training her to use the knife and where best to hurt someone. He had explained how someone who was weaker than their opponent could still win the skirmish by aiming for certain spots on the body.

"Gerald! I grow tired of this. Must you always insist on training me?" Shalandra said in an irritated tone.

"What would you have me do? I will not rest until that guy is out of here. So while he is here, I shall do everything to make sure you can protect yourself." Gerald said with a sigh.

"Gerald, we have been dating for weeks and Christopher has not interfered or bothered me in any way. Maybe it is not me he seeks. Maybe it is someone else." Gerald looked around while he spoke. He purposely chose the meadow because of the great distance he could see in all direction.

No one would be able to sneak up on them. The meadow was also viewable from the temple. Shalandra's father could look out his window and see his daughter at any time. There would be no concern for her being alone with Gerald. The guards at the temple could see the couple and send help if there was a need. Gerald would be able to fight off any danger until the guards arrived.

Besides being able to be seen from the temple, the meadow gave the two a measure of privacy. Words exchanged here would not be overheard by anyone. Sometimes, Shalandra would ask a question that had he been in the presence of others, Gerald would not have answered. Since they were basically alone, he shared whatever she wanted to know about.

Gerald had never felt this way about anyone. The best part was how much she cared about him. Her attention was like a drug on his mind. Her affection was an enticement to his heart. He was truly lost within her spell and he didn't mind at all.

He took her hand and kissed it. "My dear Shalandra, I will do anything to make your heart happy. Just tell me what you wish for me to do, but don't think for a moment that I will be anything but vigilant about your security."

She thought a moment. "I think that I would like to go for a walk in the woods."

"Nope. Not going to happen." Gerald said, "The trees will block the guard's view of you and if something were to happen, they would not know you needed help."

Shalandra gave a frustrated sigh. "Well, can we go to the garden?"

"Yes, we can. We can even gather a couple of guards for extra protection if necessary." Gerald said.

The priest had not required guards to be present with Shalandra when Gerald was with her. After Gerald had shared his suspicions over Christopher, the priest had immediately removed his daughter from Christopher's presence. The man was still a part of the guard, but now he was at the entryway or other benign position.

Gerald offered his arm to Shalandra. She draped her hand gently over his arm. "Gerald, what do you wish for our future?" They had never formally discussed their future. It seemed as though they just assumed they would be together. Now, though, she wanted to know exactly what Gerald was planning.

He patted her hand and replied, "Well Shalandra, if everything goes as planned, then I wish to marry you, take you away to live in a big house, and have many children with you. Your father can visit at anytime so he can see how truly wonderful our life is." Gerald looked into the twinkling eyes of the precious woman who walked beside him.

"I had thought much the same thing, but I was hoping that father wouldn't visit very often." She laughed at her own joke and he could not help but be touched by her mirth.

They arrived at the garden and sat on a bench. Shalandra breathed in the fragrant air that had been touched by flowers. She stretched her sore muscles and yawned. She was growing tired. She tipped her head back to rest on the bench and closed her eyes.

"Gerald, would you get me something to eat? I am rather hungry." Shalandra asked.

"Sure, but you are going with me. I won't leave you alone and you know why." Gerald countered.

"Gerald, you worry too much. I will be fine. You can send guards if you wish or you can just hurry back." Shalandra believed she had found the compromise that would suit him.

"I shall get the guards to fetch you something to eat. I shall be right back." He said as he stood and jogged from the garden. He knew where the guards were stationed and he knew which he trusted. The two guarding the side door could be trusted.

Shalandra heard the footsteps. He must have run all the way to come back so quickly. She stretched and opened her eyes to speak to Gerald.

Christopher stood directly in front of her. She swallowed her fear and pretended to not worry about his presence.

Her voice wavered as she said, "Christopher, what can I do for you?" Shalandra was worried that he had heard the nervousness in her voice.

"I was sent to fetch you. One of the maids needs you to decide on something." He spoke calmly and offered his hand to help her up.

"Tell me what it is and I can tell you so you can pass on the decision." She looked around hoping to spot Gerald.

Christopher was finished playing the game. He grabbed her arm and pulled her from the bench. Before she could cry out for help, he covered her mouth with his free hand and pulled her against his chest. He started to walk away from the temple.

Shalandra tried to struggle, but she wasn't strong enough. She thought of how disappointed Gerald would be that she was unable protect herself for a couple of minutes. She pictured Gerald in her mind. She wanted his memory to be the last that she had. 

Christopher dragged his quarry along with him. "I waited too long for this, Shalandra. You never leave Gerald's side. Now, that I have you, I will have fun with you. Don't worry. I won't get in trouble. You won't be alive to tell anybody. Then for fun, I think that I shall kill your boyfriend for causing me problems." 

The mention of Gerald's death chased her fear away. Shalandra remembered she had a knife in her boot. She increased her struggles kicking her feet up a little higher. She wanted to grab the knife, but not draw attention to the fact.

She felt the handle and closed her fingers over it. Shalandra pulled the knife out and gripped it with both hands with the blade pointing up. Then with all her strength, she whipped the knife up and behind her. 

Shalandra felt the impact of the knife and was surprised at how easily it passed through flesh. She heard the gurgle. Christopher's hands left her.

Shalandra ran a couple of paces and turned to look at her pursuer. He wasn't pursuing. Christopher had dropped to his knees and grabbed the knife pulling it free. Her aim hadn't been true and she was off center with her strike. When Christopher pulled the knife free, he blood poured from the wound in his throat.

She screamed as she felt arms grab her. It was Gerald. He held her tight.

"I'm so sorry that I left you. I am so sorry that I wasn't here." Gerald begged for forgiveness. 

Shalandra could not find her voice and it came out barely audible to Gerald who was right by her side. "You have nothing to apologize for." 

Christopher dropped forward. His hands quit moving and his body stilled. 

"I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to do that to anyone, but he said that he was going to kill you after he killed me. I couldn't let him kill you. I fought for you, Gerald." She said and started to cry.

"It's okay. You had no choice. If you can't fight for yourself, then fight for others. Fight for me. Fight for you father. Fight for those who you have not even met yet who need your help." Gerald said as he squeezed her tighter.

They walked to the side door slowly. He would send the guards to deal with the body. Gerald would take Shalandra to her father and then to her room to be attended by her maids. He would want her to rest after the shock that she had. 

One thought echoed through his mind, 'I fought for you, Gerald.' 

***

Jin sat at the table with her back to the wall. She kept an eye on the door waiting for whoever sent the cryptic note to her to show their face. She had Shelia sitting near the stairs watching the back door. Jin hated to use the untrained youth but no one knew her and that made Shelia a perfect lookout. She should be safe as long as she kept her seat and did nothing foolish.

The door opened up and in walked the last two people Jin would have guessed. The two commanders spotted her and walked toward her with hands open and slightly upraised. They had no visible weapons showing and made only deliberate movements.

They stopped ten feet short of her table and with a slight bow said, "General Lazo, may we approach?" 

"May I ask why you are here?" she questioned and motioned to the chairs on the opposite side of the table.

"We are here to join you and General Terrant against the Rogue King. All the shadow warriors are camped outside of town awaiting your orders." Commander Thomas said.

She looked at Commander Nathan as he nodded. He did not speak as he actually fell under Gerald's command. "Is that so? May I ask why you choose to do this?"

"You and General Terrant offer us a chance to serve with honor and dignity. The Rogue King only offers death."

"How can I trust you are being truthful with me and not some ruse from the Rogue King?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

"We will take the pledge and do the ceremony that binds us to you." He said.




Shalandra's Peace Ch. 03



"The ceremony that will kill you if you are lying? As tempting as that is I cannot ask that of anyone. I don't want forced warriors under me." She said with more passion than she meant to put in it.

"And that is the reason we will follow you. You will not force us. That is honorable and therefore we will do the ceremony to show you we accept your honor as our own. The warriors have everything setup at the camp and only require your and General Terrant's presence."

"Hmmm. General Terrant is not here. So his presence cannot be had at the moment."

Commander Nathan spoke up for the first time, "We were ready for that contingency and have made arrangements for all of us to pledge to both of you. We are told we only need something personal to him and we can shift the pledge to him at a later date."

Jin nodded and reached into her bag and pulled out a ceremonial dagger. "This is his dagger. Will it do?" They had used the daggers like signet rings.

"Yes General. May we go? The men are anxious to be reunited with their generals." As he rose he turned back to Jin, "Is the young girl to join us?" he pointed at Shelia.

Jin nodded and motioned for the girl to follow.

As they entered the camp the warriors stood and saluted her as she passed. A makeshift altar was sitting off to one side. A mage and a cleric stood there waiting. She approached the altar and laid down Gerald's dagger. She then turned toward the warriors and said "If this is what you truly wish then I will respect your wishes."

She nodded to the mage and cleric. The cleric took a small leafy branch and dipped into a dish of clear liquid. He chanted softly while he did this and then raised it above his head. He waved it all around Jin chanting as he went. The mage was right behind him chanting and waving his hands in intricate patterns. They did the same to the dagger.

One by one, starting with the commanders, they came forward and said the pledge, "I pledge my allegiance and life to General Lazo and General Terrant." They then kissed her hand and kissed the hilt of the dagger. The cleric was there splashing and chanting along with mage.

Once all had come forward Jin addressed them."Know that we may all die in this endeavor, but we will die with knowledge that what we do is for honor. We shall no longer do the will of the Rogue King but we shall fight with those who oppose his tyranny. I am humbled by the loyalty you show me today. I hope I can live up to the standard you have set today. Thank you all." 



Shalane



This is a long story, written as one piece, so I'm choosing to post it in one submission. There are actually only two sex scenes within a short period of time, but that means, of course, that the remainder of the story is not filled with that kind of content. Read as you like. The story reads better as one piece, rather than chapters.

A very heartfelt Thank You to Erik Thread for his fabulous editing. His skills make your reading pleasure better. If you find errors, it's because I messed with the story after he worked on it.

*

"What the hell kind of name is Shalane?"

"It's just a name, Angus. Who the fuck cares what it means? Shalane, that's what Prissy said. All I care is that she's a redhead."

Although he was generally a silent man, Angus responded to Billy, "Okay man, okay. Don't get pissed at me 'cause your girl wants you to wear a suit. Look at me. I haven't had on a tie this tight since the last time I went to a funeral." 

"Don't give me that shit, big man. I know what goes in your suitcase when you go out of town."

Angus growled, a fairly good imitation of the bear to which his personality was frequently compared. His few words reminded his friend, "You keep your trap shut, Billy."

"Yes, sir, 'Doctor' McCall, indeed I will."

The additional warning was clear in the tone of voice Angus used, "Billy."

Angus kept his non-ranch activities very private. That he was educated, no one doubted, although most people would have expected his education to be in a subject that benefited him as the owner of a large, very productive ranch. That his education was extensive enough to earn him a doctorate was something he kept rather quiet. His absences from the ranch were given little attention, even by those who lived there and worked for him. He was a private man. The ranch was enough distance from the city that he and the permanent employees who lived there did not feel they were residents of the city. 

Billy's eyes may have twinkled when he did it, but he used his thumb and forefinger to pull the tab of an imaginary zipper across his lips. He likely did not understand Angus's absences had anything to do with insomnia. Billy had no problems with his sleep, nor would he have cared that anyone else had a problem. However, that did not prevent Billy from asking, "And tell me, why the hell are we going to this Valentine's Dance in a truck?"

Angus looked around the inside of his truck. The rubber mats on the floor were clean -- at least, mostly clean. The long bench seat wasn't ripped and the windows weren't too dirty to see through. "What's wrong with my truck?"

"Nothing Angus, absolutely nothing is wrong with it," Billy sneered and added, "Nothing that a new one wouldn't cure."

"I got a new car at home and I like this truck," Angus added, defending his choice of vehicles. "Get off my case or I'll leave you at Prissy's house and go back home."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me, asshole. This wasn't my idea."

Billy did not comment on the threat Angus issued; instead he easily changed the subject. "And don't forget to have Jose pick me up tomorrow when he takes Maria to church."

The two men continued their conversation, although if a stranger had heard them, he would not have thought the men were friends, much less very good friends who were employer and employee and had known each other their entire lives. Billy's comments often took some time and required his listener to have patience while other subjects were mentioned. From Angus, comments or responses were often one or two well-chosen words, spoken in the deep rumble of his bass voice. Part of their conversation concerned the weather and the occasional flash of lightning in the western sky toward which they were travelling. Several of their comments and questions involved the animals on the farm and what to do if the storm came nearer. 

After one particularly brilliant flash, still a long way off, Billy asked, "Is that thing gonna soak us?" 

"We could use some," Angus muttered. "Last I heard though, it's gonna stay well to the west."

* * *

Meanwhile, at their destination two women were frantically rushing through their final moments dressing for the event. Prissy had spent months planning, scheduling, and making telephone calls. The last few days involved executing those plans. Early today was devoted to last-minute decorations she added to their meeting facility, turning it from a hollow-sounding display hall to a softly lit, attractive nightclub. Perhaps as many as one hundred couples would spend that Saturday evening eating finger foods, drinking adult beverages, chatting with friends, and dancing. 

Prissy was almost 40 years old and still very attractive, but she had to work hard to keep herself that way. She was short, had a very full figure and only her hairdresser knew she wasn't a natural blonde, at least that's what she thought. She was so obsessed with appearing to be blonde she had some very expensive and painful electrolysis treatments to remove any trace of her pubic hair. Billy had made a number of comments about her bald pussy, only some of which were complimentary.

For mid-February dances of previous years, no one had gone to the trouble to do much more than set a date, hire a band, and call a caterer. This year was going to be different. Priscilla Roundtree, affectionately known as Prissy, was the current chairperson of the Annual Valentine's Day Sweetheart Dance. She intended to use the success of the evening's festivities to launch her campaign for presidency of the Young Women In Business Association. While women fought to join primarily male organizations, there did not seem to be any male members, or even any applications from males, wanting to join YWIB. 

One club member was married to a moderately successful talent agent. At her instigation, he had prevailed upon three of his clients to bring their newest adult comedy routines for a tryout before this discerning crowd.

The other woman rushing to be dressed in her finery before the men arrived was not similar to the wannabe club president. Almost ten years younger, in her own right and in her own sphere she was just as strong, as personable, and as organized, yet to many she was a mystery. As the few people who knew her would express it, "Oh well, that's Shalane." Whatever the "that" meant, it was appropriate for any situation when the speaker was unable to place a label on such an enigmatic woman.

"Shalane, help me" Prissy called from her bedroom where she stood in front of a full length mirror. "Look at this dress. Something is wrong with the front here."

Shalane stood at the doorway and suggested, "Take off your bra." 

"WHAT! I cain't go without ma bra." Only because she was so startled did Prissy's voice sound like the natural heavy southern accent of her birth. Prissy would normally have used her more polished and practiced business tone.

"Why not?" Shalane questioned. "The only one who will know is Billy when he holds you and I assure you he will enjoy it. Besides, from what you've said, he already knows what those boobs feel like."

Prissy's next few words displayed her cultured professional tone, "Are you doing it?" 

"Am I what?"

"Are you going braless?"

Shalane turned her back to Prissy, showing the rear of the deep blue dress that shimmered with green highlights. "Now, where do you suppose I could hide the hooks in this dress?"

Prissy nodded as she looked at the wide vee formed by the back of the dress, extending from the nape of Shalane's neck, showing her shoulder blades, to a mere inch above her waist. Prissy remarked that the woman was right, but for herself it was not a comfortable option.

"Well, that dress screams you're braless, but I can't stand at that microphone and welcome everyone with my tits bouncing." 

"Suit yourself, Prissy. It was just a suggestion. So, tell me about this man Billy is bringing."

"Oh, Angus is Angus."

Shalane chuckled a moment at the way Prissy flipped her hand as if the original build-up she had given about the man was now inconsequential. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well-l-l," Prissy's voice was muffled as she bent over to buckle the straps of her high heel sandals. "I think him, Billy, and me are about the same age. He's local, has a big place east of town. He and Billy do some male things together. He's not a loner, but I don't see him much. He's a big guy, not one of those overweight lugs, just big. I guess my grandma would have called him barrel-chested. He's sort of quiet, but in an intense way, looks at you, like he can see right inside you. It's hard to explain. You'll like him. He's fun, too." 

"Oh, I hear car doors. Do you want me to ..."

"No, I'm ready, I'll do it. You get your jacket or whatever. That hall's gonna be cold at first." It hadn't been much of a debate. Keep the meeting hall as cool as possible, because after everyone arrived and the dancing began, the room would grow progressively warmer. They had arrived the previous morning to begin decorating and needed to wear light jackets for the first few hours.

After a greeting at the front door, where both men were allowed to kiss Prissy's cheeks while she giggled at them trying to do it at the same time, she was singing Happy Birthday to Billy. Everyone turned to the corner of the room when Shalane closed the door to the upstairs guest bedroom and started walking down the stairs. 

Someone should have had a camera to take a photograph of Angus when he saw her. He watched in anticipation. He was fascinated as the woman was revealed, from the dark red polish showing on each toenail of her bare toes in her high heel sandals, all the way up her long legs. The one nearest him was exposed well past her knee as the side slit in her dress parted when she took the next step down the stairs. Angus licked his lips as the clinging fabric moved across her flat stomach, yet he was unaware her short bolo jacket hid the fullness of her breasts. He imagined her slender torso, saw her elegant neck and the startling mass of brilliant fiery red hair piled in haphazard curls on top of her head.

However, the photographer would have needed to turn his attention immediately to the stairway to catch the moment's hesitation in her next step, when Shalane saw Angus. For a heartbeat, or perhaps two, the strangers looked at each other and Billy smiled. Billy would have performed one of his ancestral war dances of victory, or high fived everyone in the county, had it not been such a fleeting moment. 

"Angus McCall, this is my friend, Shalane." To Angus, Prissy's casual statement did not convey the importance of such a monumental event. It did not seem unusual for Angus to walk forward and take Shalane's hand as she took the last step to the floor below. Angus did not know whether he intended to take her hand in a formal handshake or to be less formal and hold her hand when he nodded his head in greeting. He simply understood he had to touch her. Shalane did not realize she allowed him to hold her hand for longer than necessary for a traditional greeting. She simply knew she felt something from the warmth of his hand she had not known before. 

Although Angus was not what would traditionally be considered a handsome man, he was impressive. Everything about him was oversized. He was tall at six foot three inches and the breadth of his shoulders told of his sturdy body. It was his dark auburn hair that attracted most people to take a better look at him. That is until they saw his eyes. His eyes were not green, nor were they blue, or even brown, but somewhere in the range of all three colors. However, people looked away from his eyes; they backed down from the intensity of his gaze. As Prissy had said, he "looks at you like he can see right inside you."

After a short discussion, concerning the size of Prissy's compact car and the large flower arrangement occupying much of the back seat, Prissy and Billy left for the meeting hall in her car. The arrangement would cover the base of the microphone she planned to use when she made her mildly veiled remarks. She planned to say she was responsible for the success of the evening and had high expectations for a repeat of that success during the next year, under her leadership of YWIB. 

Angus followed Shalane to his truck to open the passenger door for her. She stopped for a moment, looking at the running board, estimating how high she would have to step to get into the cab of his truck. As she reached down to pull the lower part of her dress up so she could take the step, Angus moved behind her.

"Let me help," Angus muttered as he put his hands around her waist, easily lifting her up to stand on the running board but noticing how stiffly she held herself. His hands remained around her until she turned to lift her hip and sit down. After closing her door, he walked around the front of his truck. Angus suspected, after following her to the truck and seeing the glimpse of skin below the bottom of her short bolero jacket, Shalane was probably absolutely naked under the thin fabric of her dress. Her dress slid across her skin when she had turned to sit down. 

After only a few minutes in her presence, Angus knew that he would be fighting a raging erection for most of the night. It was already beginning. His cock hung down his leg, he could feel the fullness and the tightening of his scrotum. His body heat was building. He slung one leg up into the truck and sat down. The urge to adjust himself beneath the tight fitting pants of his suit was so strong he took a deep breath before he turned the key to start the engine. 

During the ride to the meeting hall, Angus and Shalane exchanged a few comments, discovering a little about each other. For the most part he gave her simple answers of few words in response to her questions, explaining that he farmed and worked cattle and occasionally spent part of a day on a horse, but he also had men he employed who did much of that work. His answers were not a reluctance to provide information. He was just a man of few words. 

Shalane sat stiffly on the far end of the truck's bench seat as she told him she was a self-employed accountant with a small staff and a limited number of clients. More and more of her work was done without requiring face-to-face meetings with her clients. The internet, email, and document scanners were becoming more prevalent in her profession. The size of her business allowed her a great deal of flexibility with her office. She was considering purchasing a larger home and using one or two rooms for her business rather than maintaining a separate office space. 

Although Shalane did not live in the immediate area, the company for which Prissy managed a branch office was one of her clients. Shalane tried to visit her clients at least once a year, and for the first time had agreed to stay with Prissy instead of going to a local hotel. Her visits were usually one or two nights, which gave her an opportunity to see a little of the communities where her clients lived and to take them out for a nice dinner to get to know them on a personal basis.

Prissy already had her table selected in a quiet corner of the large low-ceilinged room where she could watch everything and everyone. She directed Angus and Billy to that corner and told Billy what she wanted to drink. By the time the band was playing the second or third piece of music, a few couples were beginning to test the dance floor.

Angus spoke quietly, not caring to draw attention to himself or his partner, "Do you often have the opportunity to go dancing?"

"Not often," Shalane answered. "And never with someone who can dance as well as you."

"I thank you, ma'am," Angus responded, "and my mother would also thank you, if she were here to do so." 

Shalane had relaxed some of her stiff posture from the earlier ride to the dance.

"So, your mother taught you to dance?"

"Yes ... and probably half the other people in this room. She gave a small class at the junior high school every Wednesday after school."

"Oh, that's neat."

Within half an hour, Shalane was removing her jacket and other women around the room were doing the same. A few of the more energetic male dancers removed their coats to allow for easier movement during the faster dance pieces. Some of the men stopped to speak to a friend across the room and traded dance partners for a turn around the floor. Small pockets of attendees seemed to be more interested in visiting and imbibing in the cash bar than dancing. After several more dances, they heard the rain beginning to fall on the roof of the building. Angus commented that he wasn't surprised. He never did have much faith in the people who forecast the weather. 

Twice during the night, Angus mentioned to Billy that maybe the smaller man should slow down with his drinking, but Billy had always been a heavy drinker. He claimed his Cherokee genes just made the drink go to his head faster than Angus's Scottish genes. It was one of the reasons Angus always made sure he was in his own vehicle when he went anywhere with Billy. Although, Billy could no longer drive legally, his lack of a driver's license did not always stop him from leaving the ranch in one of the many vehicles used for various chores.

After one particularly pointed remark, Billy responded, "Get off my case, you ol' fart. Hell Angus, it's my birthday and Prissy promised me an all night fuck. I'm just getting' lubed up to enjoy it." 

Without telling the man to clean up his language, Angus left him at the bar when he ordered another double and a beer chaser. Billy was back at the table they shared a few minutes later, asking Shalane to dance with him.

Halfway through Billy's dance with Shalane, Angus looked at the couple on the dance floor. For no reason, other than the look on Shalane's face, Angus threaded his way through other couples and tapped Billy on the shoulder, telling him, "I'd like to reclaim my date."

Shalane's relief was obvious. She rested her head on Angus's shoulder and relaxed in his arms until the band paused before they began the next song. For the remainder of the evening, she held herself less rigidly and enjoyed herself, occasionally commenting that everyone was having fun despite the weather.

As the evening grew late, Prissy began to make the rounds of the tables, gently reminding people how much longer the bar would be open and what time the band would play the last waltz to end the dance. She stopped by the table where Angus and Shalane were listening to Billy telling some old Indian tales, his voice getting more slurred as he continued to drink. Despite his affected state, he was so entertaining they were willing to listen to him relate some of his family's stories. Prissy offered Shalane the key to her front door, but Shalane said she didn't feel comfortable going into Prissy's house without her there.

Finally, with just a few couples who looked like they were picking up their belongings and making their last few remarks to friends, everyone was making their way to the door. 

Prissy turned and put her arm around Shalane's waist, "Don't forget darlin', we're having fun when we get home." 

Before Shalane could respond, Prissy looked at Angus, "Hey, big man, you don't need to drive Shalane to my house. She can ride with Billy and me."

Prissy took a few steps away, put her arm around Billy, kissed him on the cheek, and then turned back to smile at Shalane. She held up her hand with her palm toward Shalane then lowered her index finger putting the tip of her thumb across the fingernail to hold it down. Angus wasn't sure if she was leaving the other three fingers upright to indicate the number three, or if the circle of her forefinger and thumb indicated a zero, or perhaps the signal meant the same thing as saying okay However, Angus did not like the way Shalane's face paled before she shook her head. 




Shalane



Shalane's grasp on Angus's arm tightened and her voice shook when she called to the other woman, "Prissy, I told you I wasn't interested."

Angus looked down at Shalane, meeting her eyes looking up at him. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he spoke to Prissy telling her he didn't mind the drive. The back seat of Prissy's car was really too small for a passenger.

As the two couples separated to go to their vehicles, Prissy turned her head to call back to Shalane. "I'll see you at home. You'll enjoy it, Shalane. You just have to loosen up a little."

Although it had stopped raining, the parking lot was almost a lake. Even if most of the water was only an inch or two deep, there was no way anyone could walk through it without getting their shoes wet and most of the women were holding their long dresses up to their knees to make sure they didn't get them wet. 

There was probably no need this time to help Shalane up to the running board of his truck, but Angus enjoyed touching her. He had been so careful during the dance to keep his distance. He was almost startled at how badly she was now shaking.

As soon as he was seated behind the wheel and had the engine running so he could add a little heat inside the pickup, Angus asked, "You want to tell me what that was all about?"

Shalane did not turn her head toward him to answer, "Not really," she answered softly. Then she did turn her head to him. "Angus, without asking a lot of questions, will you just take me to a hotel so I can get a room for the night?"

"I could," he answered and was quiet for a moment. "Or, I could offer you the use of my guest room for the night."

"You don't need to ..."

"Shalane, you have no luggage. Dressed like that, the hotel isn't going to ... Well, taking you home with me is just better."

* * *

Awakened in the very early hours of the morning by an unfamiliar sound, Angus silently rose and pulled on his sweatpants. He was in the upper hallway looking over the banister to the large room below before he recalled he had a guest in his house. Outlined by a distant flash of lightning outside the floor-to-ceiling windows of the large room below was the tall slender shape of a woman. Wearing nothing more than one of his t-shirts, she had her arms wrapped around herself, looking out the windows.

Angus made no effort to be silent as he moved down the stairs, but only when he was standing behind her did she seem to realize someone else was in the room. Her body jerked but she did not turn away from the window.

In a trembling voice, Shalane whispered, "Weather is a very powerful force, isn't it?"

Angus's deep rumbling voice sounded loud even to his own ears, although he did not speak loudly, "Yes, it is. Are you frightened of lightning?"

Shalane nodded, but also shrugged shoulders, "A little, yes. When I was small I hid in the closet." Her voice was even quieter when she said, "My parents locked their door at night."

Angus moved nearer and gently put one hand on her shoulder. Feeling a tremor in her body, he acknowledged to himself that it was dangerous to be this close to the woman. His erection had subsided as he slept, but it was returning, slowly building. The pressure and the heat against the inside of his thigh was something he could ignore for a short while, yet he knew there was something about Shalane that was stronger than he could resist.

"If it bothers you, then why do you stand here?"

Shalane laughed quietly, but it was not a happy laugh. "I'm facing my fears."

Angus moved his other hand to her shoulder, squeezing lightly, giving her support, just letting her know someone else was with her. He moved a step closer to her, applying a little pressure as if to turn her around, but she resisted. 

"Come on, Shalane, you should be in bed."

She did not turn her head to speak to him. Instead, she nodded her head at the lightning outside the windows. Her voice broke when she said, "I can't, not with that out there."

Angus removed his hands from her shoulders and walked around in front of her. She let him take her arms, wrap them around his neck, and he stood there with his hands on her hips, letting her hold him. After a few moments, she was holding him tighter with her head resting on him, occasionally shifting her weight, inching closer to him, yet he knew she was still watching over his shoulder. Moving slowly he lifted his hand from her waist, putting his arm around her back and then did the same with his other arm. 

Over the next few minutes, her trembling ceased and she began to breathe deeply, resting more and more of her weight on him, not seeming to mind that his erection was pressed against her. Shalane seemed almost asleep. Concerned that if he remained standing he might grow so relaxed he would allow her to fall from his arms, he chose to lean over and put his arm under her knees and take her upstairs. Without letting go of her, he settled back in his bed and pulled her tighter into the curl of his body, spread the thin feather duvet over them, and went back to sleep. 

* * *

The audible gasp of a woman's indignant voice startled Angus fully awake.

"Angus ..."

In his sleep-roughened voice, Angus commanded, "Shalane, don't move." 

Despite her rapid breathing, and her prior movements against his hand, the command in her voice was unmistakable. "Get your hands ..."

"Hush," he muttered and continued with his movements. His upper arm was across her hip, his hand between her legs with two fingers slowly circling her clit, moving his fingers down, slipping into her, and then dragging them back up, covered with her juices, as he continued with the stimulation. Her head was on his other shoulder and his other arm was beneath Shalane, under the thin t-shirt with one lush breast in the palm of his hand as he opened and closed his fingers around her softness. Her pointed nipple slipped in and out from between his index and middle fingers. 

She started to move away, until he tightened his arms and commanded, "Be still, dammit."

Only then did she realize his hard cock was slowly moving against the small of her back. Shalane felt the cushion of hair covering the hard muscles of his upper chest at her back as his body moved against her. Only the front of his sweatpants prevented her from feeling the hair on the lower part of his body. 

"Angus ..." Shalane whimpered her hips twisting, "Please, please ... don't ..."

"Don't what? Don't stop? You're almost there, let it go, honey. Take a deep breath, and let go," and she did. 

Shalane inhaled, arched her back, and held it as her whole body shook with the intensity of her orgasm. It was followed only moments later as warmth spread across the small of her back when Angus growled against the back of her neck as he held himself rigid. The palm of his hands still cupped her, pressing her against him. The musty smell of their climaxes seeped from under the top edge of the duvet that held their body heat in the crisp coolness of the early morning. 

He held her, feeling the waning tremors going through her, waiting for her breathing, and his own, to return to normal before he removed his arms from around her. Only when she began to move did he let her go, telling her, "Go take your shower. Be quick about it or I'll be in there with you." 

As Angus half sat up in bed, Shalane scampered into the bathroom, giving him nothing more to look at than the white t-shirt covering her back and a glimpse at the fullness of her round bottom above her long tapered legs. He fell back onto his pillow, stifling a groan, calling himself every kind of a fool. He could not excuse himself for turning to a warm soft woman he found in his bed, even if he did so when he was not yet really awake. 

Minutes later, when Shalane opened the door of the bathroom Angus was standing in the middle of his bedroom, as if he had stood there the whole time waiting for her. He looked at her, from her feet all the way up her legs. A towel barely covered her, leaving uncovered her bare shoulders, graceful neck, and long slender legs. She stared straight at him. Her red hair, darkened from being washed, was hanging down to the top of the towel wrapped around her and wet ringlets hung all the way down across her shoulders and upper arms. He wanted to touch her more than he wanted to breathe.

He jerked his head toward the half-open closet door behind him, "Find something in there to wear."

He allowed her to take a few steps into the room before he walked around her and closed the bathroom door behind himself. He took several deep breaths and half turned back to the door. He wasn't sure if he could stop himself from opening the door to go back into his bedroom, rip the towel off her, and throw her back on the bed to finish what he'd started while he was still half asleep. 

When he walked out of the bathroom, he was still drying himself off. Bunched in his hands, was the thick towel he was using to dry his chest hair and down the center of his body, with the remainder of the towel hanging down barely covering his cock and scrotum. When he heard Shalane gasp, Angus looked up.

"Damn," he muttered, and closed his hands into fists. 

He had assumed she would find something to wear and take it back to the guest room, or that she had already gone downstairs.

His second comment was more forceful, "My God."

Shalane was wearing one of his long sleeve shirts, in the process of rolling the cuff of one sleeve up her forearm. She had not yet buttoned the front of the shirt, which allowed him to see the deep cleavage between her breast, her belly button, and a glimpse of the hair of her pubic mound, which he already knew was soft. However, it was also red, a darker red than the hair on her head, but she was definitely a natural redhead. 

As if it were something he did everyday, Angus walked to his dresser, which allowed him to turn his back to her so he could drop the towel. He opened a drawer and removed clean underwear that he stepped into and pulled up before turning around. 

Shalane was calmly buttoning the front of the shirt she had selected. He recognized the shirt. He had last worn it in Chicago when he had participated in a symposium. After one particularly heated discussion between himself and a rather obnoxious feminist, there had been a short break. A man who had been in the audience had commented that it took a brave man, one who had no doubt of his masculinity, to wear a pink shirt in front of almost a thousand people, more than three-fourths of whom were women. Most of the women within hearing of the man's remark had applauded.

There is something undeniably sexy about a woman wearing a man's shirt. A woman with red hair, wearing a pink shirt was even more startling. Angus did not know if Shalane was aware of the effect she was having on him. The tingle in his groin was certainly responding to the picture she made standing in the middle of his bedroom wearing his shirt. On her, the oversized shirt hung half way down her thighs. At her side, the shirttail hem rose to within a few inches of her hip.

Angus could not ignore her as he felt the weight of blood slowly filling his genitals while he moved about his room getting dressed. He quickly found a clean pair of jeans and pulled a shirt out of the closet then snapped the front sides together as he opened the bedroom door and held it for Shalane to walk ahead of him as he stuffed his shirttail into his pants. Both of them could smell the coffee and frying bacon.

He was startled to see two place settings on the kitchen table. Then he recalled he had left Shalane's jacket on the back of the couch when she had kicked off her wet shoes and placed her small handbag on the table behind the sitting area. Maria would have seen the jacket, shoes, and handbag and known he had a woman in the house.

"Good morning, Maria," Angus greeted his cook and housekeeper as he held a chair for Shalane. "This is Shalane Fraser."

Maria did little more than nod at Shalane, but she gave Angus a hard look, which he chose to ignore for the moment. 

When he was seated, he asked Maria, "Is Jose in the barn? I need him to run an errand for me when he takes you to church."

"Si, Senor. Tell me how you want the eggs. You eat and I bring Jose to you."

Angus looked at Shalane, waited for her to order her eggs, and then told Maria how he would like his own breakfast done. As soon as Maria placed their plates in front of them, she left to get her husband.

"I'll send Jose to Prissy's for your things. I guess that means a suitcase?" Shalane nodded and Angus asked, "Is there anything else you need from there?"

"No, I suppose my car is still at the service station. Maybe it was towed to the dealership. I need to get an estimate on the repairs."

"If they need to order parts, do you need me to take you home this afternoon?"

"No, I was going to take part of this week off. Prissy said she would ..."

He did not try to keep the disgust from his voice, "Shalane." 

"Angus."

"Drop it ... you'll stay here. Next subject." 

However, there was no time for another discussion as Maria, followed by Jose, walked into the kitchen. Angus tried to avoid giving Shalane all of his attention, but he also wanted to watch the various reactions on her face when he told Jose what he wanted done.

"Jose, when you take Maria to church, Miss Fraser's suitcase needs to be picked up at Priscilla Roundtree's house. Billy's there, too. I don't care if you have to dump him in the back of the truck naked, drunk or sober bring him home. If he's not there, find him."

Angus stopped addressing Jose to turn to Shalane, "Would you like me to call Prissy and tell her to pack your bag, or would you prefer to do that yourself?"

Shalane lifted her eyes from her hands clasped in her lap and looked at Angus. "Either one, I need to get the rest of my things from my car, too. I guess I need to get a rental."

"I have a car you can drive while you're here. Let's wait until you know about repairs before you decide that."

"Okay, then I'll need just my suitcase, please."

Angus turned his attention back to Jose. "Before noon, go by that mail service for my office mail. Look through everything to see if there's a notice of something too large for the mailbox. I have some large envelopes and flat boxes that should be arriving in the next few days."

After finishing his breakfast, Angus stood and started to put his hand on Shalane's shoulder but she had stiffened her back again, sitting rigidly in her chair. Angus dropped his arm to his side. He wanted to touch her or brush her hair away from her face so he could look at her. Oh hell, he wanted to do a lot more than that. Instead he simply said he was going to his study to make the telephone calls.

While waiting to talk to someone at the auto dealership about the repairs to Shalane's car, he watched out the window as the ranch truck rumbled across the cattle guard. He swiveled around in his chair and saw Shalane standing in the doorway of his office. He motioned her to come in then had to return his attention to the telephone call. He quickly grew frustrated that the only people at the dealership on a Sunday were an operator, one mechanic, and new car salespeople. 

He watched Shalane walk around the study, looking at various photos on the walls and books and knick knacks on the shelves as she listened to him speaking about the engine problems with her car. 

After completing his call, Angus stood and moved to stand near Shalane. Then he backed up a step when she began to move away from him. "They won't be back until near noon. Is there anything you'd like to do?"

She shook her head, and turned away from him, "No." Her answer was tinged with a little humor as she pinched the fabric of his shirt at the top of her chest, lifting it away from her body. "I'm not exactly dressed for ..." The remainder of her comment died for lack of words to describe how naked she felt.

"Shalane, I'm sorry about this morning." He really didn't know what else to say. He'd been waking up from an erotic dream involving Shalane's description of what Prissy had planned for Billy's birthday. Her voice had been shaking with anger as she told of Prissy's attempt to include Shalane in an all night threesome fulfilling Billy's request that the other female be a redhead.

"It was ... I was just surprised."

"I know. I went to sleep angry about why Prissy asked you to spend a few days with her. When I woke up, all I knew was that I had a luscious woman in my bed. I won't deny I wanted you. Nor will I deny that I still do."

"Its okay, Angus, really. It's alright."

"No it isn't. I'm not ... I don't bring women here, to the ranch. I guess you understood that Maria wasn't very pleasant this morning. Like most of the people on this ranch, she's lived here her entire life." His short bark of laughter was more embarrassment than humor. "She changed my diapers and bandaged my skinned knees. She won't say anything. She's sort of protective of me. But I also need to get Billy back here to the ranch to keep him from running off at the mouth."

"I didn't thank you for taking care of me during the storm. You don't need to keep taking care of me, Angus."

"Yes I do. Or at least, I want to." Angus would have touched Shalane, but she seemed to back away and turn to take a small step when he was within arm's reach.

Rather than invade what she needed for her personal space, Angus described the relationship between Billy and himself. "Five generations of McCall's have kept the members of Billy's family out of jail for one reason or another. Every White Feather man has been a cowboy on this ranch and more than half of them were drunks when given the opportunity. Billy's just a little worse than most of the others have been."

"You don't think he would ..."

Angus tried to make his voice gentle, "No, he's not dangerous." He was so familiar with Billy's alcoholism he knew what the man would do when he woke up for the first time if someone wasn't around to control or subdue him. "But if Prissy won't give him any whiskey this morning when he wakes up, he'll find some place to buy a drink, even if it's under the counter. He's well known. Someone will sell to him just to get rid of him. He'll keep at it until he passes out. You already know how he talks when he gets drunk."

Shalane didn't try to hold back her laughter. She had encouraged Billy to talk the previous evening. She had laughed at least as loud as anyone else at the table, over what he said was family history, most of it obviously well-laced with exaggerations.

"Well, I don't have a reputation to ruin. There aren't many people around here who would know who he's talking about."

Angus cringed, considered remaining silent, and then decided he could tell Shalane enough that she would understand. "They'll know, because of your hair." 

Putting her hand on top of her head, Shalane asked, "My hair?"

"Yeah, it's red. There aren't many red-haired women around here, at least not natural red heads with fair skin. My older sister had red hair, a lot lighter than yours or mine; I think the color is usually referred to as strawberry blonde. Billy stalked her, in a friendly way, but it was stalking. It was a lot worse when he was drinking. He'd get drunk and talk about what he'd do to her as soon as she figured out she loved him as much as he loved her. She teased him and then wouldn't give him the time of day."

"You said 'had'?"

"Yeah, she was in the Murrow Federal Building on April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City when it was bombed."

Shalane's voice showed surprise and a tinge of horror, "She was killed?"

"No, Casey was only slightly injured. She couldn't handle the emotional stress. She came home when she couldn't continue to work, mostly because of depression. She used to go to town with Billy."




Shalane



When he saw Shalane wasn't disturbed by what he had told her, he took a deep breath and added, "They'd sit in a bar and get sloppy drunk. He'd watch her get plastered and then she'd flirt with the other men in the bar. He beat up a couple of guys who showed her some attention. They weren't really bad fights, more like drunken brawls. One night on the way home, she rolled her car over a couple of times, broke her neck. She died a few weeks later. Billy was passed out in the back seat. He walked away without a scratch."

Nodding her head, Shalane asked, "So, that's why he's looking for a redhead?" 

"That's about it. Prissy was always jealous of Casey, now she's jealous of a ghost. I suspect that's what instigated last night. She caught Billy on the rebound after Casey died and won't let go of him. I'm guessing she intended to show Billy she was a lot better than a redhead."

"Good Lord and I fell into her trap?"

"That's about how I see it. I won't say anything to her, but I need to call and get her to pack your bag and keep Billy until Jose can get by there. Excuse me," he finished and walked back around his desk to make the other telephone call.

***

"Did Prissy pack everything?" Angus asked when Shalane appeared in his office door shortly after Jose and Maria returned from town. She was wearing sneakers, jeans, and a simple shirt with buttons down the front. He was opening several flat brown envelopes, stacking the contents beside his computer monitor.

"I think so, or at least enough that I don't feel naked anymore."

Angus cocked his head to one side and admitted, "I sort of liked it." Shalane gave him an offended look, but it was in jest because she couldn't hold it very long. 

"Did you get Billy into his bed?"

Angus didn't actually laugh, because it was not his nature to do so. Instead, he nodded, but did not say anything. Nor would he mention that he had instructed one of the other men to tie Billy onto his bed if he tried to get up before he could be reasoned with, not such an unusual occurrence after one of Billy's weekends in town. 

Watching her for a moment, he asked, "Have you ever been on a horse?"

"Well, if you don't count the ones on a merry-go-round, then no."

"Do you trust me?"

"No," Shalane answered quickly then chuckled when Angus tilted his chair back and held his hand over his heart as if he was wounded.

Angus returned to sitting upright and asked, "If I promise you I can bring you home in about the same condition as you were when you left, reasonable wear excepted, would you like to go for a ride?"

"You mean on a horse, right?"

"Yes, Shalane, ride a horse."

"Will I be able to walk upright afterward?"

"Yes, my dear. Quit stalling."

"Okay, Angus. I'll try."

Abandoning the work on his desk, Angus stood, "Let's find a horse for you to ride."

Riding a horse wasn't as difficult as Shalane expected. Angus had selected a horse that was very forgiving of novice mistakes. They didn't ride very far, and Angus didn't expect her to go very fast. She had used a mounting block to get on the horse, but it still felt strange being so high off the ground. When they returned to the barn, Angus cautioned her to sit still until he could help her down and then held her until she could stand on her own. 

Angus was laughing as she tried to walk to a bench to sit down. "Do you need me to carry you?" 

She turned to swing at him, intending a playful slap on his shoulder. She still wasn't very steady on her feet and Angus had to lunge to catch her as both of them tumbled down to the dirt floor of the barn. Her hand missed his shoulder, but sent his hat flying off, landing several feet away.

Shalane was half on top of Angus as she struggled for a moment to sit up "Damn, woman," Angus complained after he got his breath back. "I was just teasing you."

She stopped struggling and took a deep breath then lowered her head to kiss him. Angus put his hands on her cheeks and held her head still for a very long kiss. Then he was rolling her over in the dirt, holding her arms out to the side, grinding his lips against hers, her knees between his thighs as his erection grew. 

He released one of her arms to slide his hand under her back and rolled over, bringing her on top of him never losing contact with her mouth as his lungs burned for fresh air.

Shalane broke the kiss and rested her head against him as both of them gasped for air.

"Don't move, honey, please don't move," Angus begged.

Before he could take his next breath, Shalane was on her feet, running toward the house.

Angus sat up, shaking his head, "What the ...?" It was a question he did not complete, but he was going to get an answer. He picked up his hat and used it to slap some of the dirt off his clothes as he walked toward the house.

The previous evening, Shalane had danced well, but stiffly, holding herself away from him. When they got to the ranch, she seemed to keep herself to the opposite side of the room from him. Even as she was explaining about Prissy's plans for a sex-filled night, satisfying Billy's lust for a redhead, Shalane had been distant, as if she was talking about people she had never met. The only time she had relaxed was when she was so exhausted from the late hours and watching the storm that she could barely stay on her feet. 

Throughout the day, when Angus approached, she retreated. If he got too near, she would stand and walk around the room. Shalane did it carefully, trying to make it look natural, but Angus knew something was wrong. He knew the way he awakened her was a surprise, but when he insisted, she moved against his hand, yet she escaped to the bathroom as quickly as she could. 

Every time he touched her, smiled at her, and the few times he made a personal remark about her, Shalane discounted his compliments with a smirk or a negative comment. She had the highest and thickest wall around her he had ever encountered. He was determined to climb that wall, bust a hole through the fortification, or tear the whole damn thing down. When she was far enough away from him that he could not reach out and grab her, she smiled, not the smile of a friend but with a look of hunger, the same hunger he felt when he looked at her. 

Earlier in the morning when he had walked out of his bathroom, she had looked at him, knowing he was standing before her naked. She also knew he could see how naked she was under his shirt. She displayed herself to him without being embarrassed or turning away. She had looked at him with interest. It was as if she had forgotten what she had escaped the prior evening. When she remembered, she began her escape maneuvers.

Angus hurried his long strides from the barn to the back door of the house, not bothering to catch the door to prevent it from slamming behind him. Maria was just removing her apron as she prepared to leave for the evening and her day off.

"For you and the lady to eat, I make the chicken in the oven." She tapped the cover of a dish on top of a burner. "The fruit for dessert I leave in the refrigerator. I see you on Tuesday."

"Thank you, Maria," Angus told his housekeeper as he continued through the house and up the stairs to the second floor. He took several steps down the hall and stopped before the door to the guest room as the back door of the house slammed behind Maria. In ten seconds, Maria would be half way down the sidewalk, on the way to her small house on the other side of the garage.

Rather than speak, Angus merely stood and looked through the door of the guest bedroom. A door Shalane had not closed. Instead, she sat in a chair in the far corner of the room looking at him. Angus took two steps forward and braced his palms against the facing around the door. He did not move as Shalane stood and walked toward him. Still he did not move when she stopped with less than a foot between her body and his.

"Don't touch, okay?" she whispered. She leaned forward just a little, rose to her toes, and touched her lips to his. When Angus started to lower his arms, Shalane lowered herself, moved back, and pleaded, "Angus, please."

He slapped his hands back on the door facing. The noise resounded and shook the wall of her room. He leaned toward her, lowering his head, "Kiss me again, Shalane."

Her eyes moved from his eyes to his hands, one by one, and then back to his eyes. She moved forward, lifted her chin, and kissed him again. Angus closed his eyes and groaned. He could not stop himself. It was a deep hunger he had not known in a very long time.

Her lips were soft. They parted slightly as he felt the barest hint of her breath against his skin. The kiss was like magic. Angus did not want it to end. He wanted to lower his arms and hold Shalane, to walk backward into his room across the hall and close the door. He remembered the feel of her skin that morning and he knew the smell of her hair. He recalled putting his fingers into his mouth when he turned on the shower. He wanted another taste of this woman. 

When she lifted her head, she did not move away from him. Her breathing was fast, the fabric of her shirt covered breasts, barely touching him with each breath she took.

"Shalane, please, can I touch you now?"

She looked up at him and shook her head. She moved back a little and reached to pull apart the top snap holding the front of his shirt closed. She looked up and saw him watching her hands as she continued to pull apart the snaps down the front of his shirt, tugging to pull it from his jeans until she was holding the sides of his shirt open. Shalane watched his face as her hands came to rest against the heat of his chest, his clothing held away from him while her hands were inside his shirt. 

Angus could no longer watch. He closed his eyes and dropped his chin as her hands began to move, threading through the hair at the top of his chest, and come to rest on his flat male nipples. Her wrists turned and cupped his pectoral muscles. He felt the tickling sensation of one finger trailing down the center of his chest, going slowly until it reached the barrier of clothing around his waist. His stomach muscles jerked as they reacted to her light touch.

"What is this about?" Angus asked. He wasn't sure, but he had felt she wasn't telling him everything about what Prissy had planned.

"I lied to you last night," Shalane spoke softly. "That is, if an omission can be called a lie. I did not want to believe why Prissy wanted me to stay with her." 

Shalane took a deep breath and rested her cheek against his bare skin, much as he had held her the previous night, as if she was feeling protected by him. "Last year, one of the girls in Prissy's office hinted that she had spent a night with Prissy. She was asking me where I had my hair done and what color the hairdresser used. She's a bottle redhead. She needed to be out of her apartment for a couple of nights and Prissy offered her the use of her guest room. Billy was there."

"And ... ," Angus encouraged when Shalane grew silent. 

"I asked if she enjoyed staying with Prissy. She said she didn't know Billy would be there. He wanted to comb all of her hair and lick her because she never shaves, not even her underarms. He was disappointed her body hair wasn't ... wasn't also red." 

Angus knew there was more, but he was almost reluctant to hear it. He stood still, his arms beginning to tire from the force he was using to hold onto the facing around the doorway. The need to touch her was growing as she pressed against him, but he tried to relax.

"They tied her up and Billy shaved her whole body, everything except her head. He kept calling her, 'Red.' He was drunk, and not very careful. Then he had sex with her while Prissy photographed the whole thing."

"Shit." Angus exclaimed.

"When Prissy wanted her turn with the girl, Billy wasn't going to let her have his 'Red.' They had a pretty bad argument, which they eventually took downstairs. Prissy finally came upstairs, untied the girl, and told her to get dressed and leave. Billy was sleeping on the couch, drunk and passed out. Prissy told her to keep her mouth shut because she still had all the photos. I haven't seen or spoken to her since. One of the other women said she moved out of town."

"You knew that when you agreed to stay with Prissy?"

"Yes," Shalane breathed her answer, rather than speak the word. "I just thought I was going to the dance, a community activity. It wasn't until I was dressing that she said it was also Billy's birthday and I was her present to him."

"Shalane," Angus lowered his arms resting his hands on her hips, allowing her to become accustomed to the feel of his hands on her. "That has nothing to do with you and me."

"I know. I didn't want ... I do not want a lie between us."

As if he was getting his wish from a moment ago, he wrapped his arms around her and took several steps backward. Shalane followed as she had followed his steps during their dances the previous evening. Going into his bedroom, he kicked the door closed behind them. When they stopped moving, their eyes met as a look passed between them, something intense and powerful, not the innocent looks they had shared during the day. 

His chest was rising and falling, pressing against her, making her feel the power he held in firm control. Yet he was showing her, with the look in his eyes, the mounting desire he had. Shalane did nothing to shield her similar desire, nor the need she had tried to escape for most of the day.

Unlike their dances of the previous evening, where he had held her hand with a gentle grasp or lightly rested his palm against her back, he let Shalane feel his touch, his lust, and passion. 

He had a size that could hurt her, yet he did nothing to indicate he would do so. Instead, he used no force or strength to touch her. As gently as he could he lifted his hand to brush the backs of his fingers across Shalane's cheek, moving her hair away from her face, his fingers shaking as he did so. 

The height and size of his frame made her feel small, an unusual feeling for her; she was of equal or greater stature than most people she encountered. The need Shalane felt for this man was a physical torment between her legs, a wetness, an ache, a want she had never experienced. 

Shalane closed her eyes as she felt herself yielding to him, not merely to experience the touch of a man but to be loved by this man. Looking up at him again, she met his eyes, touched his face as he had done to hers, and rose slowly toward him.

He looked like he was going to say something, but Shalane's hand on his cheek moved to the back of his head, pulling him forward until their mouths touched. As the kiss deepened, his hand moved up her back until he was holding the back of her head, his fingers threaded through her hair, her red curls and waves hanging down his arm to the crook of his elbow. 

Shalane broke the kiss and stepped away from him. His arms tried to hold her but she moved back far enough to slide her hands under his shirt. Her palms moved up to his shoulders then went over the top of them and down his back as his shirt peeled away and fell to the floor behind him.

She stood still and watched his face as he slowly opened one button at the top of her shirt and then moved down to the next one. Although he could have torn her clothes from her and she would not have stopped him, he did not. Nor did he rush through what he was doing. As he opened each button, he leaned forward to touch Shalane with his lips and the tip of his tongue, leaving behind a wet spot that grew cool with the exposure of her skin to the air. When he had unbuttoned her shirt, he removed it and dropped it behind him where it fell on top of his. With a skill he did not know he had, he unhooked her bra and brought the shoulder straps down her arms until he could remove her final upper garment and drop it behind him too.

Angus did not immediately touch her, as Shalane had done him. He looked at her, the sprinkling of freckles across her upper chest and shoulders, the whiteness of her breasts, the dark tan color of the areola around the darker tan of her nipples. He used a finger tip to trace along a few of the blue blood vessels under the surface of her breasts, watching as chills pebbled her skin. He finally cupped his hands under and lifted the weight of her soft breasts before he leaned forward and placed a kiss on the upper slope of each one. 

"I did not get to look at you this morning," Angus said, his voice full of emotion. "All day long, I've imagined what you would look like." 

Removing her shoes and socks, and then her jeans, was almost anti-climactic for him. After all, he had looked at her long legs and bare feet all morning as Shalane moved around his house in his shirt. He removed her panties too. Had she not stood before him in his pink dress shirt with the front of the shirt opened, allowing him to see her, while she rolled up the sleeves? It may not have been an intentional display, but she did not immediately turn to cover herself. Perhaps Shalane had wanted him to know she was a true redhead, as she could see he was, although he was darker, with dense hair across his chest and arms, down his thighs and his lower legs. 

After holding his shoulder while lifting each leg for him to remove her clothes, Shalane's feet were back on the floor. He was a little surprised when she leaned forward to unbuckle his belt and tug his zipper down. She was growing bolder with her touch. He placed his hands on her wrists, and when she didn't stop he put his hands on her shoulders to hold her still so he could go to the boot jack beside his dresser and remove his boots. He pulled his jeans and boxer shorts off and turned to walk back to her. His erection was turgid, stiffening, but had not yet begun to rise to its full height. His desire to stroke himself was almost impossible to resist, as was the need to cup his scrotum to feel the tightness. 

He walked to the side of the bed, his side, and pulled the duvet down, holding it up for Shalane to get into bed. As he had done the previous night, he lay down beside her, pulled her closer to him, and lifted the cover up to their shoulders. 

"Shalane, I'm not promiscuous, nor am I foolhardy. I want you as much as I've ever desired a woman. I told you this morning that I don't bring women to the ranch. This is my home, not a place for casual sex or meaningless encounters. I realize you have commitments, but I'd like more than one night with you." He laughed at himself, "At least more than tonight."

Other than his description of Billy's tumultuous relationship with his sister, his request was more words, spoken at one time, than she had heard him say since she had met him. 

"You have three nights, Angus," Shalane announced quietly as if she were giving him a deadline. She settled her head on his shoulder. "I need to be in my office Wednesday afternoon."

Shalane felt his shoulder beneath her head relax, only then realizing how stiffly he had been holding himself. When he reached across to gather her closer to him, she moved into his arms willingly, almost shaking from her need to feel him holding her. His head tilted down to kiss her and she turned her face up to him. 

The kiss began slowly, an exploration of each other, the feel of her mouth being taken between his lips, the taste of him, and the shudder he felt when he touched his tongue to hers. Shalane felt the warmth of him surround her and knew he felt it too as he pushed the duvet down when he rose on his elbow to deepen the kiss. His lips left hers, traveled along her jaw, and moved to her ear until he sucked her earlobe, and then he returned to her lips.

Angus moved his leg between hers, pulling his knee up until his thigh was tight against her. Her hips were moving slowly spreading her wetness on his leg. A low whimper escaped Shalane when his hand went down to push against her hip, holding her tight against him. His hand moved up her back, pressing her against his solid chest, mashing her breasts as he held her. His mouth was pressing against hers, a hard, bruising kiss, just as intensely as her mouth sought against his.