9 comments/  37566 views/  38 favorites

Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 01

By: Soebek110



Mikael groaned as he emerged from his hide tent, his joints still aching from the previous day's hike. He clambered out into the cool air and let the breeze wash over him, the sun's warming rays just beginning to cover the land. A faint sparkle of frost dusted the grass and dirt around his campsite, and he took in the beauty of it even as he started to shiver from the cold.

He was behind schedule. That weighed heavily on his mind as he surveyed the valley that lay before him, the blue sky brightening as morning was truly birthed. That there was good reason for his tardiness did not change the fact that he was still late, and if he didn't make it to Gertham before sundown he would miss not only the inauguration of the new merchant king, but the work -- and thus coin -- that would go with it.

He had maintained a harsh pace through the Glacier Mountains, traversing more distance in a few days than many would consider possible in a week. Shortcuts and an aptitude for the outdoors leant themselves well to time-saving, and it was with that thought in mind that Mikael had decided to spend the afternoon in a small outpost town's tavern two nights ago. He had thought only to linger there a few hours before continuing on his way, hopefully restarting his journey in time to gain more leagues before darkness fell - but that was before he had met the serving girl.

He did not regret staying the evening after that, and neither, he suspected, did she. An exceptionally pretty young woman, their night of passion was an incredible experience, but it had nevertheless set Mikael back. Attractive girls had often delayed him, and this had been no different.

He shook his head and ran a hand through his messy hair, sucking in a lungful of the icy air before turning back to his tent. There he immediately set to work packing the items away, and before long the entire campsite had been condensed into a pack no larger than his head. The charms on the tent that saw it shrink in size when stored away still held strong, and Mikael thanked the Gods again for his chance encounter with the witch who had scribed them for him.

He grinned as he set off, his boots crunching on the ice-brittle grass. That night had been another such example of his willingness to indulge the carnal desires of a gorgeous woman, and again it was one that, though he did not regret it, had certainly cost him. Mikael, employed as a messenger between two merchants, had been sent with utmost urgency, his pay minimal but with a substantial bonus were he to arrive within two days. That bonus would have been enough for him to retire for the rest of the season and enjoy himself, indulging in all the luxuries of summer without the need to work.

Yet the Gods were never so straightforward, and he had stumbled upon the witch's abode late on the first day. Needing somewhere to sleep he had knocked on the door, and, trying to ignore the sheer beauty of the woman who greeted him there, enquired as to a spare bed. She had ushered him inside with the promise of a mattress, yet later revealed to him that she had not been entirely honest; she had only one bed in her home, but he was quite welcome to share it with her. Three days on, late but well-satisfied, Mikael had left her house, the charmed tent in his possession. It had been a gift, one Mikael had been left with little choice but to accept; the ferocity of the witch's demands he do so matched only by the vigour with which she had spent the previous three nights riding him.

He had missed out on the bonus, of course, confronted at his destination by an irate merchant who -- though grateful to receive the package -- was less than impressed with the celerity of its delivery. To Mikael, however, the delay was worth it -- the tent had proven to be far more valuable to him than the few months he would have spent relaxing had he ignored the witch's house and earned himself the bonus.

That thought lingered in his mind as he trudged down the dirt path. The frequent unforeseen encounters he enjoyed with the girls he met on his journeys may have set him back more times than he could count, but in the long run things usually worked out for the better. He paused on the winding track, a cold shock of wind blasting him as his mind pondered the thought. He could not, in fact, recall a single occasion when his choosing to spend time with an eager young woman had left him in a worse position overall than if he had rejected such an opportunity.

He smiled, never having truly identified such a pattern before, and mused as to what fortune he might now gain. He had not, after all, seen any benefits from his night with the tavern girl -- apart from the obvious ones, of course - and though her rapturous moans had been enough to make the whole experience worthwhile, he could suddenly not shake the feeling that bigger things were to come.

With a wry smile he set off once more, his leather boots finding grip easily on the icy path. He was dressed almost entirely in leather armour; the only part of him exposed was his head. Suicide, he had always been told, but he had found himself a more able fighter with his vision unimpeded by a helmet, and he had not been killed yet.

Wrapping his long, black cloak about himself as another gust of wind whipped up the mountainside, he readjusted the pack on his shoulders and gritted his teeth. Despite the brightening sun and his steady descent, he could swear it was actually getting colder. A wave of wariness ran through him, and his nerves set on edge.

He mentally made note of the two longswords sheathed at his waist, able to be withdrawn in a moment to confront any possible foes. A shortbow was strapped to his back, too, and whilst he preferred melee combat by far, he was no novice in the art of shooting. If this cold did signify some present danger, he would not be caught unprotected.

Indeed, Mikael was an exceptional warrior. Of normal build, he was often underestimated, mistaken for a run-of-the-mill foot soldier and overlooked in favour of the larger, more ferocious-looking mercenaries. He stood a couple of inches over six feet tall, and his messy hair was unkempt but not unclean. Broad-shouldered, he looked strong for a normal man yet paled in comparison to the barbarians who made their way down from the frigid northern wastes in search of work. There had been more than one occasion Mikael had been forced to put one of those barbarians in their place, fed up of ignoring the abuse that inevitably came from a low level mercenary when they felt they held the upper hand.

Yet despite his relative lack of impressive size, he had never been short of work. Whilst he may not have always been picked first by the most eager merchants, he inevitably ended up in a job -- and on a dangerous journey it was Mikael's caravan that would reach its destination unscathed.

The main portion of his coin came from protecting caravans against bandits and other dangers of the wilds, and it was in the outdoors that Mikael particularly excelled. He had an affinity for it; born and raised by a merchant couple, he had spent his youth on the back of the travelling caravan, amongst the wares his parents sold. Mountains, forests, deserts and tundra had all passed by as the party traversed the land, moving from kingdom to kingdom and exposing Mikael to a different culture in each city they came to.

But it was the very nature of their business that had brought an end to Mikael's pleasant childhood and thrust upon him the realities of a cruel, vicious world. Late one night, when the caravan had set up camp, bandits had attacked, slaughtering the guards and dragging Mikael's parents to their leader. Mikael had hidden in one of the wagons at his mother's urgings, and could only watch as the raiders struck down his parents, his life torn apart in a fleeting moment as the mother and father he loved were killed before him.

The bandits were not sadistic. They did not torture his parents. They merely wanted to take the goods that his parents would not give up, and though Mikael could be at least partly calmed by the knowledge that his mother and father had not suffered, it did not quell the fire that burned in his spirit.

He had spent the next few years in relative quiet, however; having stumbled to the nearest town, he was taken in by the local tavern owner who employed him as a barkeep. He was well looked after, and treated as an employee might expect of generous patrons, but he yearned for something more. Desiring the wandering life of his parents, he had longed for the day he could raise the coin to become a warrior.

That day came when the tavern owner died. He was left some coin as a reward for his service, and with it he purchased his first sword. And with that he left, striking out on his own as all bonds were severed, seeking to become what he had long desired to be.

Not that his time in the tavern had been wasted; far from it. It was there he learned the value of trust, and how to judge a man's nature without so much as a word. It was in the tavern, too, that he was first welcomed into the arms of a woman, and his education in the carnal arts was frequent and well-received. His fellow tavern workers were all female, and each took a special interest in furthering Mikael's horizons, instructing him in the arts he found such pleasure in today.

But that time had passed. He was alone now, and though he knew he would be welcome in that tavern any time, it was a world away. He had no idea if it even existed anymore, or whether any of the girls still worked there. Despite only being a little over twenty-four summers old, years had passed since he left that place and struck out on his own. In that time he had matured, grown into the more than capable ranger he was today, and it that was lifestyle he knew now.

He snorted as he remembered his past, his memories flooding back as they often did. He had tried at first to block them out, before he came to realise they were a part of who he was. It was the memory of his parents' deaths that had driven him to this life, and it was their memory that kept him there -- he'd be damned if he'd let bandits kill anymore innocent merchants whilst they were under his protection.

A sudden eruption of wings caused Mikael to whirl, his hands blurring to the sheaths of his swords. Hundreds of birds had taken flight behind him, a tree emptying its branches of the darting black streaks. He let out an amused sigh as the tension dissipated, and though he remained watching a moment longer to ensure there truly was no danger, he relaxed.

He resumed his journey; he had a long day ahead.

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

Mikael exhaled a sigh as he caught sight of the river. Heavy winter rains had swelled it, and with a sinking heart he realised he would have no chance of crossing in the few daylight hours he had left. Gertham was merely beyond the next set of hills, yet the closest crossing point that would remain usable in these floods was another half-day away.

He sat down on a nearby rock with a grimace, curses racing through his mind. He had really needed that coin; had really needed to reach the town before night fell and the guards were hired. The deepening gloom merely served to sour his mood even further, and it was a long time before he hauled himself upright from the boulder on which he was perched.

He looked around; dark was settling over the land now, and no habitation appeared nearby. It looked like he would be camping overnight once again, and so with one last glare at the river he set off towards the trees.

It did not take him long to locate a suitable clearing. It was not far from the path, yet he was hidden and largely sheltered. A small fire would not easily give away his position, and he could be fairly content that any bandits would not find him there. Setting down his pack, he collected some wood, and before long had constructed a small campfire in the centre of the site.

A sudden noise in the trees beyond his vision caused him to freeze, and his senses raced into alertness. Listening, he heard the noise again, and his heart began to thump in his chest as he realised it was the sound of numerous, shuffling footsteps.

He could not hide; it was too late for that. He had built a fire in the hope he would not be discovered, but whatever lurked beyond the shadows cast by the flames knew full well that he was there. He remained still, trying to ascertain the direction of the noise, and its cause.

Cold ice surged through his veins as a figure lurched into view, a shield held clumsily in one bony hand, a ragged sword in the other. A skeleton! his mind shrieked, his own twin longswords in his hands before he had time to think. More of the shambling dead appeared behind the first, and Mikael was sure he could hear cackling from nearby.

A crunch sounded behind him, and he noted with dismay that yet more of the skeletons approached from behind and to the sides; he was completely surrounded. Silence hung heavy in the air bar the crackling of the fire and the ungainly footsteps of the approaching dead, and still Mikael was sure he could hear maniacal laughing.

He clenched his jaw, weighing up his moves. He would have to fight his way out, but even that seemed futile. Lumbering as his foes were, sheer force of numbers would bring him down, and despite his exceptional combat prowess Mikael knew he would lose. With a surge of pride he realised he would not allow himself to simply lay down his weapons and be killed - he would destroy as many of these abominations as he could before he went.

His warcry pierced the night, and he attacked, his swords a blur as they arced towards the nearest skeletal warrior. It raised its own sword lightning quick, and Mikael threw himself sideways to avoid the lethal slice. These foes were not mere walking bones; their shambling gait was a façade.

Almost instantly the other skeletons burst into action, their shuffling replaced by a clatter of tattered armour as they charged towards Mikael. He propelled himself back to his feet with a powerful shove from his forearms, and ran to the centre of the clearing. They approached from all sides, and he began to whirl in place, a deadly dance initiated, his swords slicing the air as he prepared for the clash of weaponry.

His foes reached him in silence, and the clashing of their swords rang out through the chill clearing. His grunts of exertion sounded alone in the battle, and as his swords cut through his enemies' bones they collapsed without a sound.

He was more prepared this time, and his opponents were not finding him easy to bring down. The maniacal cackling had ceased as the first warriors reached him, though Mikael could not be totally sure it had not restarted given that his thoughts were more focused on not being killed.

He dodged a sword thrust, swerving to the left, and his own blade arced upwards. It cut through ribs, the skull of his foe exploding in a shower of age-old dust, and he spun instantly to face his next attacker. His first move was parried, the following blocked by the skeletal warrior's shield, and as he readied himself to strike again he was felled by a blow to the side of the head. He collapsed to the ground, dazed, and barely had the presence of mind to roll away in time as swordtips punctured the earth where his body had been but moments before.

Still on the floor, he swept out with his swords, severing the feet from two warriors who had strayed too close, and they exploded in shards of bone as their bodies hit the ground. He pushed himself back to his feet, narrowly avoiding a vicious thrust from a rusty polearm, and jinking to the side to avoid another.

He was being slowly overwhelmed; for every enemy he cut down another two took its place, their approach slow but implacable as they moved in on him. His circle had been reduced in size considerably, and he had next to no room to manoeuvre. Before long he would be killed; he would simply not have the space to avoid the weapons of his foes.

An axe crashed down from his left, and Mikael ducked, feeling its serrated edge pass over the top of his head. He thrust outwards with his left sword, feeling it cut bone, and dust filled the air as his attacker collapsed, but it was too late. His opponents had closed in too tightly, and as another warrior fell to Mikael's striking blades a third thrust its rusty dagger straight towards his chest, and he knew in that moment that he was going to die.

In a split-second the blade pierced his leather armour, its point sending pain shooting through his body, and just as it was about to puncture his skin it... stopped. The skeletal warrior collapsed to the floor, decapitated, even a body raised from the dead unable to function without a head.

A beautiful woman stood before him, her striking green eyes sparkling in the firelight and staring straight into his. Long, obsidian hair shimmered behind her as she whirled, and twin longswords not unlike his own glinted in her hands.

Without a word she spun behind him, her blades slicing through the cold air and cutting down yet more warriors as they approached. His momentary reverie broken, he joined her, his own swords raising in time to parry two attacks from separate foes, and with a twin thrust both skulls were obliterated.

A loud, angry scream sounded from the trees, and the skeletons stepped backwards, out of the range of Mikael's blades. He hesitated, unwilling to follow them, and he watched amazed as they slowly crouched to the floor, leaving themselves open to attack. His muscles twitched, raring to step forwards and destroy the unnatural beings.

The woman hissed a warning to him. "Do not move; it is a trap. Stay where you are."

Mikael complied, the woman's words winning out over his instincts, and he stood still, his swords raised but unmoving, his eyes roving over the skeletons as they knelt on the ground.

A sudden blast of chill air rocked him, but he did not fall or stumble. The night around him seemed to grow thicker, and the flames of the fire -- which still burned despite the commotion -- were dulled as if by fog.

A figure stepped into view to Mikael's right, and he turned his head. The woman behind him turned, too, and Mikael followed her lead by facing the newcomer outright.

He was bedecked in flowing black robes, the hood shrouding his face in a darkness that seemed to radiate from him. To look upon that twisted figure was to feel the heat sucked from your bones.

A thin, raspy voice filled the glade. The sound of death. The sound of undeath. It quivered with rage and hostility, its unnatural shrill seeming to cut to Mikael's core. "You dare defy me? You dare destroy my children?!"

The figure raised his hands and the skeletal warriors stood once more. They did not approach, however, merely readying their weapons with an ancient creaking and freezing in place.

"Lay down your staff, necromancer," the woman beside Mikael called out clearly. He was impressed; there was no fear in her voice. He knew that if he spoke the opposite would certainly be true.

The dark wizard laughed. "And why would I do that, when it will be so much more fun to destroy you!"

He raised the twisted length of wood in both hands, and as the woman next to Mikael charged forwards with a speed he did not think possible, a black bolt seared out from the gnarled staff. It blasted towards Mikael, impacting on his chest with an ethereal scream that seemed torn from a thousand long-dead spirits. He let out a cry of his own as pain wracked his body, the hands of those multitudinous ghosts clawing at his mind, and collapsed to the ground.

The feeling faded in an instant, vanishing as quickly as it had arrived, its presence fleeting but no less traumatic for that. He lay on the floor, shaking, and only slowly became aware of the silence that now filled the glade. The skeletons had collapsed and the malefic figure lay in a crumpled heap on the floor, black blood oozing out from underneath the necromancer's vile robes.


Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 01



The woman approached him, her swords already sheathed, and tenderly knelt by his side. She reached out a hand, placing it on the cold leather of his shoulder, and bowed her head. The fierceness of her eyes had been replaced with a sadness that seemed all too genuine.

"I am sorry that I could not save you, warrior. You fought bravely, and did your people proud. May the Gods watch over your soul."

Mikael coughed, a sudden, loud blast of his lungs that caused the warrior-woman to jump to her feet. Her eyes widened in surprise as he rolled on to his back, his body spasming in the throes of a coughing fit, and a shocked look spread across her face.

"You're... you're alive!" she exclaimed, hurriedly kneeling down again and replacing her hand on his shoulder. The agonising splutters that wracked him were powerful but thankfully brief, and soon she helped him into a sitting position, tenderly guiding him upright.

Mikael croaked, trying to work out the damage done to his body. Despite the incredible pain of the wizard's spell, he appeared to be fine. After a moment he turned his head to her.

"What happened?"

The look of shock on the woman's face slowly changed into one of near-total awe. "You were killed. At least you ought to have been. I failed to protect you from the necromancer's spell."

"Necromancer?" he asked, agape. He had not thought of what was happening at the time, merely fought to stay alive. Now, as things settled in his mind, terror set in. "Necromancer?!"

She stroked his neck, soothing him, and her eyes took on the look of a comforting friend. "Do not fear. He is dead; I saw to that. But he was able to cast one final curse before I struck him down, and when I saw it reach you I feared..." She paused, glancing sideways at the necromancer's corpse.

"What?"

"I feared you would be killed, or worse. Necromancers are not known for their mercy."

"And why wasn't I?"

"I do not know."

She paused, her eyes staring into his as she knelt beside him. With a tight smile she looked upwards, her gaze settling upon the full moon that shone brightly upon them, its radiance lighting the glade which had moments before been cloaked in unnatural darkness.

There she waited a while, biting her lower lip. Mikael was quiet, his own mind still struggling to comprehend what had just happened, and more than a little time elapsed in total silence.

At last she looked at him once more, and Mikael could see a difference in her demeanour; she looked conflicted, yet an aura of anticipation seemed to suffuse her.

"Could it... could it truly be you?" she whispered, staring intently at him. "Are you whom the divination foretold?"

"Divination? No, I'm no mage. I'm a ranger... I, I was just camping here when..." He tailed off.

The woman continued, still staring at him. Mikael could tell she was deadly serious. "It is prophesised amongst my warband that a mighty warrior would join our cause. We would find him when he needed us most, his life in great peril under the glow of a full moon. There we would be sent an unmistakable sign that he was chosen, and truly know he was one of us."

 Mikael glanced up. The full moon shone brightly in the sky.

"A warband...?" he asked warily, his nerves suddenly on edge. He had no love for bandits, and despite his weakened state he would not accept help from one who preyed on the weak.

"Yes," she said, following his gaze to the heavens. For a moment she lingered there, a small smile on her face. Then she glanced back down at him.

"We are the Cohort... of the Gods."

Mikael spluttered loudly, suddenly finding the energy to surge to his feet. "What?! The what of the what?"

"The Cohort of the Gods," she slowly repeated, a smile spreading across her angelic face. It was only now, in the tranquillity following the battle, that Mikael was able to take in just how stunning she was. He stared into her beautiful eyes, and he found himself, inexplicably, trusting her. It was as if some connection existed between them, and despite the fact they had never met before, her words took root in his heart. Mikael could see he was not alone - this deadly woman felt it, too. After a pause, she continued.

"We are the servants of the Gods. We exist to combat evil, no matter where it may arise. We protect the weak and the helpless, destroying those from without and from within who would seek to corrupt that which is pure. We are the righteous fist and the merciful embrace; we are the Cohort of the Gods."

She never broke eye contact as she spoke, and Mikael felt himself being drawn in yet further by the power of her words. Normally he would have dismissed such outlandish claims outright, but the words -- when coupled with the battle Mikael had just survived and the extraordinary woman who stood before him -- just seemed... right.

Another few moments passed as it all sank in. Mikael could not help it; he believed this girl. The air was silent, but a tangible energy crackled within it, as if the Gods themselves were watching over them. Suddenly, the woman smiled.

"But please, the occasion has overwhelmed my manners. I am Lucinda." She grinned and thrust out her hand.

"Mikael," he said quietly in return, still in shock. He took her outstretched hand, immediately noticing the softness of her skin -- and enjoying it. A shiver ran through him at her touch.

"Mikael," she repeated, rolling the name over her tongue. Her hand held onto his just a little longer than necessary.

"Mikael, I know that this is a lot to take in, but I ask that you come with me. I can explain everything to you when we reach my camp, and on a merely practical level I am quite sure you do not want to remain here amongst this grave dust."

Mikael looked around. "No, I do not."

"Then I shall wait whilst you gather your belongings. Take your time - we are in no hurry."

Mikael moved over to his small campsite. The fire had died, its fuel exhausted, and the scene was now lit only by the moon. It leant the area a peaceful glow, calming him as he began to pack away his tent. He was surprised to note that despite the incredible tension that filled him, he was not afraid. He had just been told it was destiny to join a warband anointed by the Gods themselves, and yet he felt only anticipation. He did not know why, but he sensed the truthfulness of that statement, as if his entire life had been building up to this moment; he had just never realised it.

At length he finished; he slung his pack over his shoulder and turned to face Lucinda. She stood in the middle of the glade, regarding him pleasantly, and he took the time to finally indulge in her beauty.

She was stunning. Long, black hair hung straight and loose to her waist, swept over her shoulders and shimmering in the moonlight. Her eyes, he knew, were green, and her lips were curled into a smile as she watched him watching her. She wore leather armour like Mikael's own, yet hers was tight fitting, revealing a figure more appealing than Mikael had ever seen. Her leather pants covered long, slender legs, and her cuirass held snugly over her slim stomach before being stretched taut across what appeared to be an extremely ample chest. Her breasts were amongst the largest Mikael had ever seen, especially on a woman of Lucinda's trim build, and despite his vast experience with women he found himself utterly blown away by his new companion.

With a nod of his head she turned away from him, her spin graceful and silent. They quickly slipped through the glade and into the trees, and Mikael had a hard time keeping up with her. The light of the moon was less potent underneath the foliage, and at times Mikael completely lost sight of Lucinda, only for her to reappear mere steps ahead of him, emerging from a shadow he was sure had been empty moments before.

But the journey itself was far from arduous. His aptitude for travelling allowed them to maintain a steady pace through difficult terrain, and though they walked in silence to prevent an ambush, Mikael found entertainment staring at his companion's exceptionally shapely ass. It had been mere days since his encounter with the tavern girl, yet he was not one to pass up an opportunity to indulge in the pleasures of the flesh. Despite the yearnings of his loins, however, he doubted this would be one of those occasions - but such a visual treat was not something he was about to pass up. He could, after all, dream.

An eventful night, he smiled to himself as they hopped over a small stream. That the Gods would be interested in him, a simple ranger-for-hire, seemed doubtful, but Mikael could simply not shake the conviction that the words of the gorgeous woman in front of him were true. She had told him she would explain everything when they reached their destination. Mikael only hoped that it wasn't too far.

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

They had been walking for a good couple of hours when Lucinda finally slowed ahead of him. One moment she was a dozen paces in front; the next she was emerging from a shadow by his side, her steps silent.

"We have reached my camp," she whispered.

Mikael looked around. They had approached the steep face of a hill, bare rock exposed as the land had given way many ages in the past. The trees were thick around them, and a small brook babbled away somewhere in the darkness. He could see no spot ideal for camping, but he unslung his pack nonetheless. Lucinda had given him no reason to doubt her so far.

She placed her hand on his arm, staying the motion. He looked at her questioningly and she grinned back, amusement evident on her face. With a deft step she moved away from him, towards a tangled mass of vines on the exposed rock, and pulled the creepers back. A small cavemouth became apparent behind the rampant growth, and Mikael stepped forwards, ducking into the gap as Lucinda pulled the vines back behind her.

The cave opened out significantly. It was dark, only thin strands of moonlight piercing the thick knot of creepers over the mouth, yet Mikael could tell it was an exceptional campsite - roomy but easy to defend, and, most importantly of all, almost totally hidden from view.

"Very impressive. If only I were so adept at finding places to sleep, perhaps I could have avoided attack earlier this evening," he said quietly, his voice echoing slightly.

"Ah, but then you would not have met me," Lucinda replied with a grin, and Mikael noted with pleasant surprise that she was teasing him. "Besides," she added, facing away from Mikael towards the back of the cave, "this is not the campsite. The Cohort have more than mere rock to comfort them."

Mikael was left temporarily perplexed by her words, yet his confusion turned to awe as his companion raised her arms. At once a low rumbling filled the cave, and were it not for Lucinda's perfect composure, Mikael would have fled for fear of a collapse.

But the noise did not signify imminent cave-in. Indeed, it did not signify danger of any kind, and as Mikael watched on agape, a small section of the rear of the cave fell away. Small clouds of dust were kicked up as the ground disappeared down into darkness, and Mikael stood rooted to the spot as Lucinda summoned him over.

She grinned at him. "Come on. There's nothing to be afraid of."

He approached tentatively, moving to stand alongside Lucinda, who now perched on the edge of a large hole. Moonlight did not reach this far back into the cave, and Mikael could not see how deep the new opening was, unable to fathom whether it descended mere feet or whole leagues.

Lucinda smiled warmly at him, before stepping forwards over the potential abyss. She dropped down into the inky blackness, and Mikael was left standing alone.

He paused a moment, weighing up his options. He could leave now, abandoning the woman who had saved his life yet wanted him to jump into an unknown pit, or he could trust her. Fuck it, he sighed. I've trusted her so far.

He jumped.

He landed moments later, ending in a crouch to cushion his fall. His palms lay flat against incredible softness, and it felt to Mikael as if he had landed on a particularly plush rug. He could not be sure, however, owing to the flare of light that had assaulted his eyes as he fell into the hole, and he squatted a short while as his vision recovered.

"I'm sorry! I had forgotten you were not expecting the light!" He realised that Lucinda was laughing. She was talking far more loudly than she had been outside.

"I was not," Mikael groaned as he climbed to his feet, finding himself able to open his eyes once more. They immediately stretched wide as they took in what lay before him.

He was standing in a large room, wall-mounted lamps filling it with pleasant light. A small fire burned in the centre, too, giving off heat yet no smoke, and Mikael's senses tingled slightly with a sense of latent sorcery. Indeed, the fire and the lamps did not seem entirely natural, yet they did not fill Mikael with a sense of foreboding.

The floor was bedecked in luscious rugs, more opulent than any Mikael had seen in his life, and a large curtain draped from iron rungs in the ceiling separated a small portion of the room from the rest. In the other corner sat a relatively large pool, and Mikael could see it was slightly under waist-deep; one would have to lie back to be submerged, but it was otherwise perfect for bathing. Tendrils of steam rose from it, and Mikael could only assume it was heated from the depths of the earth.

He was motionless awhile, taken aback by the sheer splendour of this hideaway. He had not been expecting this, and even had he been forewarned that Lucinda's camp was luxurious, he would not have been prepared for what lay before him. It was more grandiose than even the most expensive tavern room that Mikael had occupied, and he was amazed that Lucinda could ever bring herself to leave it.

He was spurred into movement as Lucinda raised her arms, smiling at him as another rumbling filled the air. He looked up and watched as the opening above him closed, the rock growing inwards like a wound healing over time.

"You didn't think I'd leave that open, did you?" Lucinda laughed, clearly noticing Mikael's bemused expression, before continuing. "I see you are still confused. Please, take a seat by the fire and relax."

Mikael moved from the corner of the room he had landed in, his eyes still taking in the wondrous spectacle.

"I must ask, however, that you take off your armour and weaponry," his companion smiled. "This story will be both long and, in places, quite exceptional. I do not want you in discomfort for its length, and I certainly do not want you armed."

Mikael chuckled and dropped his pack near the fire. His sheathed longswords swiftly followed, and he crouched to rummage through his belongings. There he found his more comfortable clothing, deep at the bottom of the bag, and hauled them out. They had been thoroughly stored away; he had not been expecting to wear them for days. When in the open he slept in his equipment at all times.

Having done so, he stood, turning to Lucinda to ask whether there was anywhere that offered slightly more privacy, but she had vanished. A moment later he heard sounds from behind the separating curtain in the corner, and assuming that was the closest he would come to privacy, hurriedly changed.

His light armour piled up next to his longswords and pack, and soon he was dressed in more regular clothing. The outfit did not consist of much; an open necked shirt, linen pants with a leather belt, and open-toed sandals. They had served him well, however, and he did not regret owning them -- whilst not giving off the impression that he was rich, and therefore a target for robbery, they were also not tatty. He could find himself accepted anywhere whilst wearing them, from a tavern in the Poor Quarter to a nobleman's dining hall. He decided this evening to forgo the sandals, however; the floor was covered in rugs as it was, and there was no need for footwear.

He sat by the fire and reclined on the carpets splayed beneath him. It was then that Lucinda emerged from behind the tapestry, and he was pleased to note that she was carrying a jug of liquid and a small loaf of bread. She, too, had changed -- she was now dressed in a loose-fitting shirt, and a linen skirt that fell to her ankles. Whilst not as form-fitting as her armour, it was evidently more comfortable, though Mikael did somewhat miss the way her leathers had highlighted her magnificent figure. Nevertheless, she was still beautiful, and Mikael was sure he would see her wearing her armour again soon enough.

He sat upright, his stomach slightly rumbling, and patiently waited for Lucinda to join him by the fire. She strode over with a smile, kneeling in front of Mikael in order to place the loaf and jug on the floor. With a quick nod of her head, she returned behind the tapestry, emerging moments later carrying two pewter goblets.

A thrill ran through him as she settled down by his side, despite the fact that it would have been far odder were she to sit anywhere else. Her mere proximity was setting Mikael's nerves aflame, and he appreciated that. He just hoped he wasn't making it too obvious.

Lucinda smiled pleasantly at him as she set the goblets down, before leaning forwards to grasp the jug of what Mikael now realised was wine. He breathed in sharply as she bent over; her loose top allowed a shot of her magnificent cleavage, and try as he might he could not look away. He cursed himself. Here he was with a woman who'd not only saved his life but then trusted him enough to bring him somewhere safe, and all he could do was stare at her breasts. He may have been somewhat of a wanderer, but that did not mean he didn't understand or obey social etiquette; he knew that staring lecherously at your saviour's chest was not an acceptable method of saying thanks.

"I am afraid that, whilst comfortable, this sanctuary is a little short of luxuries," she said to him as she sat back up, passing him one of the now-filled goblets. She must have caught him staring, but she did not skip a beat. "The others are better stocked."

Mikael's worries were pushed out by this most recent statement. More luxurious? To Mikael, this was pure comfort -- never before had he been in a place quite so resplendent, and that included the houses of the nobles he had been allowed to enter in his lifetime.

She motioned at the goblet that he now clutched. "Please, indulge in our wine; it is one of the few things we have here that can truly be called luxury."

Mikael was going to refute such a suggestion, but instead decided merely to acquiesce. The wine certainly looked appealing, and he did not want to argue with his hostess's assertion. Taking a tentative sip, he lifted an eyebrow, and the sip turned into a gulp. He was not normally the greatest fan of wine, but this was delicious -- it had a heady, intoxicating scent that caused his mind to wander and his loins to faintly stir. Although the loin-stirring might have more to so with the beautiful woman I'm sat next to, Mikael laughed to himself.

Lucinda smiled and took a sip of her own wine before continuing. "It appears you are now comfortable, so I shall explain to you what this is all about.

"You have many questions, I'm sure, and I will endeavour to answer them in turn. Firstly, perhaps, you wonder where this sanctuary came from. I can tell you had no idea it existed -- nor had you come across any others of its like -- by your surprise when we entered. This is good; these places are supposed to be secret. For you see, the Cohort exists to fight evil - wherever it may appear - at the Gods' behest, and we do so quickly and quietly. No one knows about our existence unless we choose for them to, such as I do now.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 01



"We operate all over this land, travelling as the Gods dictate and obeying their wishes for the benefit of their creation. And thus the existence of places such as these is paramount to our safety. They are scattered across the world; places of comfort and safety on our frequent travels -- we are often needed away from the hubs of civilisation, where there are no taverns or inns in which to stay. We must remain hidden, and close by, in order to emerge and strike at evil wherever it may be.

"But allow me to elaborate on an earlier point, as I see the surprise written on your face. I am not alone. We are a warband, and we do the Gods' work, obeying their instructions. In return we are blessed; the Gods bestow upon us their divine favours, and we do, I admit, make formidable foes. I am but a mere individual in the warband. There are five of us, and we live far longer than our race would normally determine. I am, in fact, three hundred years old."

"W... what?" Mikael stammered, utterly taken aback. The young woman in front of him could not have seen more than thirty summers at the absolute most; her claim was ludicrous. And yet, for some reason, he found himself believing it.

Lucinda laughed, a beautiful note that caused her eyes to twinkle pleasantly. "I can see this comes as a shock to you, but what else would you have expected from a troupe blessed by the Gods themselves? We are incredibly long-lived, and fearsome warriors, but we are not immortal. We can still die.

"But our longevity is a reward for our service. We are ever-vigilant, though of course we cannot deal with every threat that arises. There are simply too many, and the people of this world are far from being defenceless. Indeed, the Gods would not allow us to coddle their creation; it must be protected by those who occupy it. No, it is the greatest, hidden evil that we fight -- wickedness too corrupt to be allowed to stand, abhorrent to the very Gods themselves. We find it, and we destroy it."

"You destroy it? Do you spend all of your time hunting evil?" Mikael asked, wondering if, despite her age, she had lived an enviable life.

"We are always ready, Mikael, but we are not always needed. There are times of peace in between hunting true evil, and we spend that time in the mountains. There we have our chief Sanctuary; our home and a place of luxury and enjoyment. It is by the decree of the Gods themselves that when we do not risk our lives to defend all that is good in the world, we enjoy ourselves to the fullest. The Gods are more than simple warmongers. That said, we attempt to keep our distance from the lives of the common folk, peasant and noble alike. A certain level of interaction is, of course, necessary, and the Gods do not begrudge it as long as we are discreet. Anything beyond that, such as a wilful revelation of who we are, is exceptionally frivolous however, and the Gods do not stand for it."

"Then how come you helped me fight the necromancer? Surely that was revealing yourself to be something more than a simple warrior?"

"We do not stand idly by whilst evil triumphs, Mikael," Lucinda scolded softly. "You were in mortal danger, and despite your incredible feats of strength would surely have been overwhelmed. I had been sent into these woods to kill that very necromancer, but I would have stepped in to fight at your side regardless. The Gods value all that is good in this world, and you very obviously fall into that category."

"Then why were you alone?" He was curious to meet her so-called 'Sisters'. Assuming they were all women, were they all as attractive?

"Some threats do not require the efforts of the group; indeed, some are better dealt with either individually or in pairs. The necromancer we met earlier was vulnerable to attacks from the shadows, and that is why I was sent. The entire warband was unnecessary; it was felt I could do the job without becoming embroiled in a pitched battle." She paused, then laughed. "Your presence, of course, changed all that."

"But could the Gods not have predicted that you would require the aid of another member of this warband?"

"The Gods cannot tell the future, Mikael, at least not as far as I know. Or perhaps they can -- I did not require aid to save you, did I? But, assuming they cannot, then that is why. The threat was made known to us, and it was a decision of the Cohort, not the Gods, to send me on my own. It was felt I stood a better chance playing to my strengths than with the rest of the Cohort in tow. And so it would have remained, I'm sure, had I not encountered you.

"But I am not lying to you; there are more of us in the Cohort. We fulfil different roles, each reflective of an Aspect of the Pantheon, and our full strength is realised as a group. As such, major threats are met head-on by our combined force, but sometimes, as I said, that is not necessary. I acted alone today, but perhaps there was reason, and the Gods really do have a hand in our fates. Were I with my Sisters, I would not have approached the way I did, and I would not have found you.

"You see, Mikael, the five members of the Cohort of the Gods are all female. As the Gods themselves say, the feminine is by far the strongest side of the spiritual spectrum, and as such it is a group of women whom the Gods call upon to protect their world. That is not to say women are not capable of evil as men are; that is patently untrue. But on the occasions where one truly becomes an avatar of the Gods, it is nearly always a woman who does so. As such, I share my duties in the Cohort only with Sisters.

"Perhaps until now, that is. It is prophesied amongst us that one day we will have an addition to the Cohort. You should understand how rare this is, Mikael; we do not do prophecies. The Gods contact us when we are needed, and we act according to their wishes. We do not obey foretold futures, or cryptic clues as to our direction.

"But this is an exception. The scrolls of our founding have in them our purpose, written with the guidance of the Gods, and one single reference to our being incomplete. It is believed that one day a man will join us, handsome and stern, but strong of spirit and true of heart. With his application of the pure masculine into the core of the feminine, the Cohort would be complete."

Mikael stared back at Lucinda, agape. The seriousness in her eyes told him she was not lying, and though her words should have seemed ridiculous to him, he found himself believing her. They felt right, as if they struck home, and despite knowing this woman for less than a day Mikael felt a connection with her. Maybe she was right; her words seemed to fill a gap in him that he never knew existed.

"So you believe I am this sixth and final member?" Mikael asked, much calmer than he actually felt.

She replied with a smile. "I do not merely believe it, Mikael. I know it in my heart. The prophecy is held as sacred, and though I cannot explain it, I know that you are the one to complete us. From the moment I joined you in that clearing, I knew."

"But surely it is not as simple as that? Something so important cannot rely on your gut instinct alone."

"I fear you sorely underestimate my 'gut instinct', but I am not offended -- you are not familiar with someone touched by the Gods, at least not to the extent of my Sisters and me. I am rarely wrong, yet you too are right. You must prove your worth in the Initiation."

"Initiation?" Mikael asked, suddenly filled with trepidation. He had not expected this.

"Of course. Every organisation, sect or guild has an initiation right. Why would one blessed by the Gods be any different?"

Mikael shrugged a reply. He could see the logic, even if he didn't enjoy the prospect.

"What do I have to do?"

"That is for the Cohort as a whole to decide, Mikael," Lucinda said soothingly. "I cannot determine your test on my own. Whilst I am certain that you are the one prophesied, it is up to the Gods to set forth your task. If you are indeed our completion, then you should pass the test easily. And do not worry Mikael; I believe in you. You will pass it."

Mikael relaxed again at her words. The wine was certainly having one effect - he was taking all this in far more easily than he had expected to -- but it was having another, too: his desire was growing rapidly. He suspected, however, that this may have been more to do with the luxurious situation he found himself in, not least the gorgeous creature talking so tenderly, than any side-effect of the wine.

"Perhaps I should tell you that the warband is not all you may imagine it to be," Lucinda said, the volume of her voice dropping noticeably. She slowly leaned closer as she spoke, and Mikael -- despite having reclined earlier in the conversation -- found her face no more than a few inches from his own.

"We fight, yes, but that is not all we do. I mentioned earlier that we enjoy life's... other pleasures to the fullest. There are Gods dedicated to pastimes other than slaughter, after all, and we work for the benefit of them all."

Mikael's heart was racing. He stared into her deep green eyes, a dark emerald that radiated beauty, and now, unmistakable sensuality. Her sweet breath washed over his face as she talked, and his loins stirred at her unspoken suggestions.

"We enjoy each other's company in more ways than mere idle chatter. We must entertain ourselves, and, as I'm sure you will agree, there are more pleasurable things one can do than discuss the weather." She smiled at this.

"You strike me as someone very well versed in the art of lovemaking, Mikael. Good... this will serve you well in the warband."

His mind was made up in that instant. Whatever doubts he had were washed away by the lascivious images now playing through his mind's eye. This warband truly sounded like home, and he no longer wanted to be anywhere else. Well, other than right here, he thought to himself quickly. This is good, too.

"We Sisters share everything, Mikael," Lucinda continued, a mischievous smile beginning to play across her features. "And I mean everything. We keep each other thoroughly entertained, and that is something that perhaps you shall have to grow used to; I doubt even a man of your own... considerable talents will have encountered appetites quite so voracious.

"You will be in great demand among the Cohort, Mikael, of that I am certain. I fear I will not often get a chance to be alone with you, and right now, that is something I very much desire."

Mikael could not quite believe what he was hearing. This beautiful girl was being more forward than anyone he had ever met before, and he was more than willing to acquiesce to her requests. By the Gods, how was he supposed to deny her? But then again, perhaps the Gods did not want him to resist.

"I can see you feel the same way, Mikael," Lucinda grinned sultrily. "I am a scout, a rogue: I know when people are looking at me. I could feel your gaze burning into my back as we walked... my legs... my ass...

"I have to admit, it was all I could do to stop myself jumping you in the forest right there; it has been far too long since I was with a man. And skilled as my companions are in the arts of all things carnal, there are some desires a fellow woman simply cannot satisfy... the desire for the growing length between your legs, for example. As my newest companion, Mikael, I would hope that you would aid me in relieving those desires..."

"Of course, Lucinda," Mikael replied, lust surging through his body. He leaned forwards instantly, his previous apprehension vanishing into a salacious mist, and pressed his lips against hers. Lucinda responded immediately and their tongues collided, twirling and diving in each other's mouths as Mikael enjoyed a kiss as passionate as any he had ever known.

He reached out and brushed Lucinda's black hair away from her face, stroking the loose silken strands behind her ear. She leant into his touch, and he placed his hand behind her head, pulling her closer. She complied willingly, her own hands on his chest, and sank slowly onto his body until she lay on top of him, their tongues still locked in a frenzied duel. Her weight pressed down on him, and he could feel her large breasts against his chest as he knew she could feel his erection against her pelvis.

Mikael reached down to his companion's waist and grasped the bottom of her linen shirt, slowly sliding the garment up over Lucinda's body. She pulled away, breaking the kiss to better allow him to do so, and Mikael groaned as the retreating cloth revealed more of her shapely figure. First it was her trim stomach, and as the rogue stared into his eyes with a wicked grin, her breasts spilled free. She sat upright with a wink, grabbing the shirt herself and hurriedly pulling it over her head. Her long, raven hair cascaded down over her back as she did so, and her large breasts were thrust forwards.

Mikael could not contain his desire; in a flash, he had grasped the fleshy mounds, squeezing them and tweaking her nipples with his thumbs. He leaned forwards, his fingers replaced by his tongue, and wrapped his arms tightly around the gorgeous rogue. She hugged him tightly with her legs, too, her right hand on his shoulder, her left grasping his hair as she pushed her chest into his face.

With a groan, Mikael spun round, Lucinda clinging to him, and lay her gently on her back. She relaxed her legs, allowing Mikael to prop himself up on his elbows, and he lifted his head to stare into her emerald eyes.

He grinned, and lowered his head once more, again sucking one of her nipples into his mouth. Lucinda moaned, her hand returning to the back of his head, and he began to lick down her body. Her breasts, her stomach, her waist; all were victim to his marauding tongue, and all were receptive to its touch. Reaching the hem of her skirt, he ran his fingers under the fabric, hooking them over the top and applying gentle pressure downwards.

Lucinda lifted her hips, allowing the skirt to slide from her body and over her long, slender legs, and soon she lay naked beneath him. Mikael reclined onto his haunches, and drank in the scene.

"By the Gods you are beautiful," he gasped.

Lucinda smiled wickedly at him. "As are you, lover. You will forgive me if I desire to see more..."

With that, she leaned forwards, grabbing his shirt as he had grabbed hers, and yanked it furiously over his head. He was left wearing only his cloth pants, and these he quickly pulled off, standing upright and tugging them down his legs. Moments later they were both naked in the firelight. Mikael could not have dreamed of a better end to the day.

"I want to feel you, Mikael," Lucinda moaned, her eyes burning into his. He could see the carnal need that shone from her, and was certain that his own gaze reflected much the same. "I am unaccustomed to being made to wait this long for sex... please, do not delay it any longer."

Mikael reached out and placed a hand on her smooth thigh, allowing it to slowly fall between her legs.

"I fear I shall delay it a moment longer," Mikael grinned. Lucinda opened her mouth to respond, but instead exclaimed only a loud squeal as Mikael dived between her thighs, his fingers and tongue instantly finding her pussy.

She moaned low and sank onto her back as his fingertips spread her snatch, his tongue flailing over the fleshy ridges of her soft lips. Raising her hips, she pushed them against Mikael's face, and he smiled into her folds as she began to pant.

He pushed one finger into her snatch, eliciting an excited yelp from the stunning rogue, before it was swiftly joined by another. His tongue now found the pearly bud of her clit, his fingers now sliding in and out of her eager pussy, and he could tell easily that her pleasure was building rapidly. Her eyes rolled back and her breathing became rapid, her deep breaths replaced by staccato inhalations punctuated by desperate moans.

"Ooohh..." she cried, her arms unable to settle. One moment she would grab one of her large breasts; the next the comfortable rug on which she lay. She was approaching her climax, and Mikael knew it.

He pumped his fingers into her pussy, and delighted in the sensations it clearly caused her. He prided himself on his ability with his dextrous tongue, and yet despite his considerable experience he had never before found a girl as receptive to his touch as Lucinda now appeared to be.

"By... the... Gods..." she gasped, another thrill running through her at Mikael's ministrations. His fingers moved quickly now, and his tongue had not relented on her clit, teasing the bud as his lover's pleasure grew to its peak.

Reaching up with his other hand, he grasped her right breast, playing with her nipple as he played with her snatch. The gesture was appreciated, and instantly one of Lucinda's hands was clasped tightly to the back of his, pinning it to her chest.  

He looked up as he pulled his hand away, and Lucinda lifted her head to stare down at him. Her mouth hung open, sweat on her brow, and her green eyes drifted in and out of focus. The pleasure he was causing was evidenced by her expression, and he attacked her pussy with renewed ferocity at her rapturous gaze.

Her moans had grown increasingly loud, and they now echoed fully around the stone sanctuary. She writhed in his grasp, her body tensing and twitching as waves of pleasure washed through her. He was pushing her inexorably towards the edge, and she was no longer very far away.

"Fuuck!" she cried at last, her eyes snapping open and her back arching. She pushed her hips down onto Mikael's face with alarming power, and he could feel the contractions of her depths as her walls spasmed around his probing fingers. Her body shook with the force of the orgasm, and her sobs of ecstasy were music to Mikael's ears.

Eventually, she collapsed back down onto the rugs on which she lay, seemingly becoming more aware of herself once more. Her chest rose and fell with her deep breaths, and after a moment she lifted her head, one hand behind it for support, and stared at Mikael. She grinned.

"That was fantastic, Mikael," she laughed, reaching out with her right arm. "You are the match of any of my Sisters."

She placed her hand on Mikael's chin and gently lifted it. He took the hint, slowly climbing up the beautiful rogue's body, his fingers tracing across her smooth skin. Soon he was propped up on his left elbow, his face a foot or so from hers. With a lustful smile of her own, she let go of his chin and placed her palm flat on his chest, where it started to creep downwards.

Mikael groaned aloud as her hand reached his cock, wrapping around his rock hard member and beginning to caress its not inconsiderable length. He could tell she was impressed by the way her fingers played down his shaft, and that was not a new sensation to him -- Mikael was well used to the awe with which his sexual partners regarded his cock. It was not so much the size -- though at eight inches, and thick, he was aware it was fairly impressive -- but that they seemed to find something exceptional about his member. He realised, now, that perhaps it was something to do with the reason he found himself here now.

He lay there a moment, propped up by his left elbow, his legs curled beneath him as he reclined slightly to his companion's side. Her fingers grasped his length more firmly now, and he gasped as they began to slide up and down on his shaft. Electricity shot through him with every stroke, and he moaned; he had never experienced anything like this. His head rolled back, and he revelled in the pleasure.

Suddenly, Lucinda stopped. Mikael opened his eyes and looked down at her pleadingly, to see her staring intently back at him. She tugged him towards her by his cock.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 02



Mikael awoke to the gentle slosh of water, his groggy lids opening slowly in the firelight. He had slept very well, and very comfortably, his energy replenished despite his utter exhaustion the night before. The soft rug yielded luxuriously beneath him, and he lay there a moment to enjoy its touch.

After a short while, he reached up and rubbed his eyes with his fists. The fog of sleep still clouding his morning vision slowly dissipated, and he wondered why it was taking him so long to wake up. He was normally alert in an instant, perpetually ready for battle. Could he truly be so relaxed that he was enjoying his laziness? With a small shrug, he lifted his head, attempting to locate the beautiful woman with whom he had spent the night.

Lucinda was bathing. She stood in the sanctuary's warm spring, splashing water over her gorgeous naked form and seemingly enjoying its heat. The firelight glistened off her skin, its incandescence catching the droplets that clung to her, and she appeared to Mikael to be sparkling. She hummed softly to herself and settled down into the pool, starting to half-float in the waist-deep water and clearly soaking in its warmth.

Mikael watched intently as the small waves that rippled through the spring lapped at her large breasts. Her long, black hair floated behind her, spreading across the surface like an obsidian water lily, and her hands slowly drifted to her chest. He felt a familiar stirring in his loins as her right hand began to trace its way down her body, before gently settling between her thighs. Now he was awake.

He silently rose, noting with pleasure that Lucinda failed to detect him doing so, and crept towards the water's edge. Her breathing had become slightly erratic, and her skin was flushed; clearly her fingers were working their magic. Her left hand fluttered outwards to grasp the stone edge of the pool, and a faint moan, barely audible over the crackling fire, left her lips.

Mikael gently lowered himself to a crouch behind Lucinda, far enough away that she would not notice the ripples his entry would create. In one silent movement, he slipped into the pool, and edged towards the stunning rogue. She did not notice him, but he did not expect her to; he was quite the expert in moving silently, and she was far too caught up with the furious workings of her hand between her thighs.

He approached her cautiously as she started to shudder, careful not to alert her to his presence. Her moans had grown more insistent, and his cock, half-ready as it usually was when he awoke, was now fully erect as he watched the incredibly erotic display before him. Lucinda's left hand had turned white at the knuckles from gripping the stone of the pool's edge, and her breaths were heavy as her fingers plunged in and out of her silky depths.

All of a sudden she froze, her body becoming rigid and her whispered moans becoming little more than staccato gasps. Her muscles appeared to twitch, though through the water it was hard to tell, and Mikael knew she was coming. He grinned, knowing he would have to act now or she would become aware of him as her mind focused.

Lucinda hunched forwards in the aftermath of her masturbation, standing more upright in the pool, her black hair plastered to her back. Mikael was no more than three feet away from her now. He prepared to reach out his hand and touch his new companion's shoulder, and his arm slowly extended.

"Morning, lover," she said, opening her green eyes as she turned her face to him. "Good of you to finally join me."

Mikael was startled by the sudden sound of her voice, jumping backwards in uncontrollable shock. It had been him attempting to surprise her! How had things been turned around so easily?

She grinned at him. "You didn't think I'd noticed you? You must remember, Mikael, I've been tracking since before you were born. You were very good, but you must do better."

Mikael drew his lips into a line. He would normally have been aghast at his failure to remain concealed, but in this instance primal urges were overriding his despair.

"If you knew I was there," he replied slowly, reaching out with his palm once more and stroking it down her smooth back. "And were so desperate for... that, then why not ask for my assistance?" With the last word his hand reached her ass, and he gave the supple flesh a gentle squeeze. Lucinda did not seem to mind.

She smiled mischievously before replying. "I was hoping you might show some initiative. That you might see a woman in distress, and step in to help."

"Help?" Mikael laughed, stepping towards her. He smiled cheekily as his left hand dropped to grasp his cock, subtly angling his member with her snatch as he moved closer. He was truly unsure as to whether she had noticed, distracted as she was by his right hand, which had now moved to grasp her right breast. He started to lightly thumb her nipple, and she moaned, a wicked glint in her eyes.

"What you needed was not help."

"Semantics..." she whispered, placing her right hand over Mikael's as he fondled her breast.

"Yet you wanted some initiative, Lucinda? You wanted me to be pro-active?"

Lucinda nodded, enjoying the attentions of his kneading hand, her demeanour radiating lust.

"Then how about this?" he said with a grin, thrusting forwards. His cock parted her pussy lips and slid easily into her hot tunnel. Lucinda cried out, her eyes wide in pleasurable surprise, and her left hand once again grasped a sudden hold of the pool's edge.

With a breathless laugh she pushed her pelvis down onto Mikael's, drawing in his cock as far as it would go. Her right hand moved to join her left.

"Now that one I didn't see coming. Perhaps I underestimated you."

He leant backwards, his hands moving to her hips, and began to pump rhythmically in and out of her eager snatch. The warm water splashed around them as he thrust, and the pleasant sound of its lapping was joined by Lucinda's moans. She could clearly masturbate in silence, but sex was another matter entirely.

She reached behind her, sliding her hand beneath the wet mane of obsidian hair stuck to her back, and tossed her head. Her sodden black hair caught the firelight beautifully as she threw her head sideways, and Mikael was showered with droplets of wonderful perfume-water. Yet the water was not perfumed, Mikael realised; it was his companion's natural scent that filled his nostrils so pleasantly.

He looked down upon her eagerly, enjoying the sight as she rippled beneath him, her back bending and extending to meet each of Mikael's thrusts, her hair scattered messily. Her large breasts were just visible either side of her chest, and her long legs tapered luxuriously down to the smooth rock floor of the pool.

He hunched forwards, his rhythm remaining the same as he bent his head to lightly kiss Lucinda's bare shoulders. His hands slid upwards at the same time, eventually wrapping round the front of his companion's body and grasping her large breasts, which swayed with the force of their sex. Once again he thumbed her nipples, and once again she voiced her approval.

Mikael had always been a fan of fucking someone from behind. To him it always had its certain erotic connotations that other positions, whilst also extremely pleasurable in their own ways, struggled to match. He enjoyed this immensely; his chest pressed to Lucinda's back; his arms curled around her front, fondling her breasts; his head nestled in the crook of her neck, kissing lightly; and Lucinda herself, quivering beneath him, staring straight ahead with her face contorted in pleasure.

"This is fantastic..." Mikael groaned as his companion's pussy twitched. "I love morning sex."

Lucinda moaned insistently. "The morning part... is unimportant... just the... ooooohhh... sex."

He quickened his pace as he felt his orgasm drawing near, noticing with glee that his lover's was not far off, either. He had come to use her gasps as a gauge for her impending climax, and the rapidity of her moans signalled that it was not very far away.

Slapping and splashing filled the air as his hips became a blur, her large breasts jiggling wonderfully in his hands at the force of his thrusts. The gorgeous rogue cried out, her back arching, and Mikael knew she was moments away. His cock plunged into her depths, his balls tightening. He would come, too.

"I'm... going to... come..." she cried out. "I'm... I'm... COOMMIIIIING!"

The word was torn from her lungs as a scream, her pussy seizing hold of his cock as her climax detonated in her core. Her mouth hung open uselessly, her emerald eyes wide, and Mikael could see the pleasure that tore at her soul. Her ecstasy was intense, and heartbeats later he joined her, groaning loudly as his own orgasm hit.

His cock spasmed as he came, spurting his seed deep into her snatch, which shuddered and undulated with her immense release. Her rippling walls milked his member, his cum spattering against them and coating her depths, and they stood together in rapture as their climaxes overtook them.

Eventually their orgasms faded, and with a long sigh Lucinda turned her face to Mikael. He stepped away, kissing down her smooth back, before she stood upright. She faced him, her glorious body wet and illuminated, and grinned widely. With one graceful movement, she climbed from the pool.

"You should wash yourself," she said with a laugh. "That was quite exceptional, and I would hate for you to go the rest of the day smelling of myself."

Mikael grinned. "Oh, I think I'd quite enjoy that."

She giggled at him, running her hands down the front of her amazing body, brushing the water from her skin. "Either way, you should hurry. That delay was worth every second, but my Sisters will be waiting for us. The sun is up, and we must press on."

Mikael nodded, and happily submerged himself in the warm water.

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

Mikael tread lightly behind Lucinda as they made their way quietly through the forest. They were climbing now; the air getting thinner and colder as they ascended. Mikael blinked away from the bright sunlight, low on the horizon due to the season, and looked ahead of himself once more. He refocused on Lucinda's lovely ass in her tight leather armour, and appreciated that he no longer had to grab subtle glances as she walked ahead of him. Now he just enjoyed the view.

At length they came to a stop. Mikael tore his gaze from his companion's shapely behind and looked grudgingly outwards, but was not prepared for what he saw. Lucinda tugged back on the foliage at the end of their trail, and he gasped.

They were stood on the edge of a vast, crystalline lake. A faint wind stirred its surface, and the forest trees whispered quietly in its caressing breeze. Birdsong filled the air, and a group of skittish deer braved the cold to graze on the far side. The mountain they had been climbing continued to his right, and at the edge of the lake stood a sheer cliff face, complete with one of the most magnificent waterfalls Mikael had ever seen.

"It is stunning, no? We are very, very lucky to live here," Lucinda said, staring across the lake.

Mikael was shocked. He could certainly see the attraction - the lake was absolutely magnificent, after all - but he could see no signs of habitation.

"This is where you live?"

"Yes," she responded, before pausing. A small smile crept across her face. "Behind this waterfall."

"Behind the waterfall?"

Lucinda laughed at his surprise, a lovely smile on her face. "Yes."

"How do you avoid getting soaked, or even crushed?"

"Those who belong in this Sanctuary are not touched by its waters," she said. She motioned towards the torrent of water. "We can move in and out of this entrance with ease."

Mikael was astounded. He had seen and heard a lot of strange things recently, from warriors of the Gods to secret sanctuaries hidden in caves, but the thought of being able to travel through a wall of water without getting wet was something he struggled to wrap his mind around.

After a while Lucinda spoke again. "Before we enter, perhaps we should talk. My Sisters will be kind to you, Mikael, for they will quickly come to understand everything I know. You are meant to be with us, of that I am sure, and they will accept my judgement, but it will nevertheless put you in good stead if you make a decent first impression. Tell me what you remember about us."

Mikael looked at Lucinda. "You are a secretive band of warriors, hundreds of years old; the Cohort of the Gods. You eliminate evil at the Gods' behest, swiftly and silently. I am the sixth member, for whom you have been searching for over a hundred years, who will finally complete the warband... that's about it."

She nodded at him, seemingly pleased. "That is all you can be expected to know. You impress me with your mental acuity, though I should not be surprised. Let us go then, to meet my Sisters." She turned away, and made for the entrance.

"Oh, I forgot one thing," Mikael quickly said.

"Yes?" Lucinda turned to him as she reached the waterfall, clearly intrigued.

"You like to be fucked... a lot."

Lucinda grinned, and stepped into the cascade.

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

Ice cold water battered down on top of Mikael, his skin seemingly punctured by a thousand frozen needles. He staggered through the torrent, fighting desperately to reach the other side. The sheer weight of water pressed him ever-downwards, and he grasped forwards blindly, willing his hands to touch solid rock and guide him across the painful threshold.

A wave of relief flooded through him as his fingers pierced the far edge, cool air rushing over them. The rest of his body soon followed, and he staggered forwards into a dark room, shuddering violently with cold as all heat was sucked from him. The waterfall continued unabated behind his back, and he sloshed through the deep pool he now found himself in, his muscles numb as he strove for the other side.

He was in an entranceway of some sort. Made of stone, it was lined with yet more furs and rugs, and lanterns hung lit from the walls. Their incandescence danced on the surface of the pool, and though the room was certainly dark compared to the outside world, his eyes soon adjusted. His mouth twisted into a grimace as he became aware of Lucinda stood on the far side, her face creased in amusement.

"I thought those who belonged here did not feel the water!" Mikael cried, bitterly cold and now utterly exhausted.

"They do not," Lucinda said with a smile, happier than Mikael would have liked. "But you do not yet belong here. Remember, Mikael, you are yet to be initiated. Be thankful that the Sanctuary did not see you as an enemy, however. If it had, you would now be dead."

Mikael scowled and Lucinda laughed, the twin emeralds of her eyes twinkling with friendly mirth. She waited as Mikael hauled his sodden body from the pool, and then turned, pacing quickly down the stone corridor that stretched out before them. Mikael hurried after her, bedraggled and cold, though not before rescuing his pack from the tumultuous surface of the pool.

After a minute or so they came to a large wooden door, and Lucinda turned to him as she reached for the handle. "Wait here, Mikael. I must gather my Sisters, and notify them of your presence. I will explain to them all that I know."

"And they will accept me?"

"They will trust my judgement. And I accept you," she responded, stepping towards him and planting a lingering kiss on his lips. Her tongue entered his mouth, and Mikael pulled her close, his hands running lightly down her back. Even through her armour she was slender and smooth, and he was vaguely irritated to notice that she had not a drop of water upon her.

After a short moment, the rogue broke the kiss and smiled at him. A heartbeat later she had opened the door, and was gone.

Mikael sat there awhile, shuddering with cold as he fought to stop his teeth from chattering. Such an obvious sign of weakness would not leave a good impression on his new companions, and he focused his mind to control his spasming jaw. He thought of warm things; of fire, of summer, of the hot, sticky sex he had enjoyed with Lucinda twice in the previous day.

It did not help warm him, though he felt a familiar -- and currently unwelcome -- stirring in his loins as he remembered Lucinda's gasps and moans. He altered his thoughts, and decided he had but one option. Standing up, he yanked off his sopping wet armour, each piece joining the previous on the floor. Soon he stood naked, and he searched through his pack for something drier.

"I think perhaps you should meet your new companions before you undress, Mikael," Lucinda said suddenly. Evidently she had come back through the door, and he turned to regard her. She continued. "I would suggest you at least put on some pants."

Mikael shot her a glare, and she laughed. He hurriedly pulled his cloth pants from his pack, which had, mercifully, remained dry. Climbing into them, he left the rest of his gear on the stone floor, and strode towards Lucinda. Her eyes roved over his chest.

"Though," she started, a glint in her eyes, "your choice of attire may not be such a bad idea. You are, after all, trying to give a good impression... and I can assure you, that is a very good impression."

He grinned, and she opened the door for him, ushering him through. He felt nauseous. It was an unfamiliar feeling - he had not been filled with such trepidation for years. With one last look at Lucinda, he took a deep breath, closing his eyes and stepping through the doorway...

... straight into the intense scrutiny of four of the most beautiful creatures he had ever seen. A faint gasp seemed to sound as he strode through, though he was certain that was merely in his mind, and four sets of eyes regarded him strongly. Though, he noted with relief, without malice.

His mind could barely take it all in. Four sets of ample bosoms, flowing locks and flawless faces gazed upon him in a powerful but friendly manner. It seemed to Mikael to be an age before Lucinda, who now stood to his right, finally spoke.

"Say hello to your new Sisters, Mikael," she smiled, gesturing at the four gorgeous women before him. "Allow me to introduce them; they already know about you, since I told them everything I knew. Which is rather a lot, actually." She winked, and Mikael heard a giggle sound from one of the Sisters.

"Firstly, meet Kristine. She is our paladin, most blessed by the holy Gods of Strength."

The girl on the farthest left stood up, her amazing figure encased in a suit of mithril armour. Like Lucinda's leather, it seemed form-fitting yet effective, and though Mikael was sure it was incredibly strong it also left very little to the imagination. Its silvery surface was near-dazzling as it reflected the dancing flames of the lanterns on the walls, and Mikael was overawed; evidently the Sisters had dressed for the occasion.

Long and straight blonde hair tumbled from her head, past her shoulders to the top of her ass. It was, apart from colour, nearly identical to Lucinda's, and the similarities did not end with her hair. She appeared to be of comparable height, and as Mikael's eyes travelled down her body they came to rest on her bosom. Her large breasts seemed -- at least through the armour -- to be of similar size to Lucinda's, too, and her slim body and long legs held identical appeal. Eventually, his gaze returned to settle on her piercing blue eyes, which regarded him warmly. She smiled pleasantly at Mikael, the action lighting up her stunning face, and curtsied.

"We are Sisters in name only, Mikael, despite what I know you are thinking," Lucinda said as Kristine settled back down. "We have similar figures, it is true, yet our likeness is mere coincidence.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 02



"But let me continue, and introduce to you our medic, Melissa. She is blessed by the Gods of Medicine and Health, and I cannot begin to count the number of times she has healed me."

Melissa stood; her long and wavy brown locks tumbling over her shoulders. They were a contrast to Lucinda and Kristine's straight hair, and though she had a softer face than either of her two Sisters, she was no less desirable for it. Indeed, thinking of his night of passion with Lucinda had left Mikael with countless salacious thoughts, and he could not help but imagine his hard cock between Melissa's soft lips.

She wore a plain, white toga, tied over one shoulder and with a thick belt around her trim waist. She stood shorter than her two Sisters - Mikael guessed an equivalent height to most women he had met -- and slim. What most caught Mikael's attention, however, was the way her chest pushed outwards from her toga; her breasts were the largest in the warband, yet did not seem to sag in the slightest. Indeed, her bosom was the largest Mikael had ever seen on a woman of her slender stature, and though he was pleased to note that her breasts were not so gigantic as to look ridiculous, they were huge in comparison to the average bust Mikael had encountered. Her deep brown eyes regarded him with mirth, and a small smile played across her face as they met his own.

"Thirdly," Lucinda continued, "our mage, Quintia, blessed by the Gods of Magic. Do not take her silence as rudeness, Mikael. She cannot talk."

Mikael's curiosity was piqued, and he eagerly turned to Quintia. She was as intensely attractive as the other women with whom she shared her company; perfectly proportioned, with long, slender legs, a slim waist and a large chest, which curved enticingly outward under the blue dress that she wore. Her most striking features, however, were the lightning blue hair that fell neatly to her shoulders but no further, and the large gem embedded in her forehead, which glowed and sparkled a myriad of different colours.

"A Sensei," Mikael said, suppressing a gasp. He had seen a few in his years in the world, and that was more than most people saw in their entire lifetimes. One was usually enough; they tended to be a very secretive people, and very protective of their lairs. Powerful wizards, they usually lived in disturbing covens, trying to unlock the mysteries of the Gods and defy their Makers - they were, to Mikael's knowledge, evil. Moreover, he had only ever encountered men, and thinking back through the tales of history, so had everyone else.

"We are lucky to have her," Lucinda said softly, as Quintia looked on abashed. "You are right in thinking what everyone thinks; most Sensei are indeed men. When they do have children, they do so with captured human women, and the act of childbirth kills the mother. Their very nature is abhorrent, and the Gods would wish their destruction, but the Sensei are powerful and subtle -- they are not easy to find.

"Female Sensei are rare, born once in every thousand children. Considering the low number of Sensei, and the infrequency with which they reproduce, perhaps that tells you quite how scarce they are. Coupled with the Sensei habit of sacrificing any non-male child to their demonic lords, it is not inconceivable that Quintia is the only Sensei female in the world. Indeed, she may be the first to ever live beyond childhood.

"But she was delivered to us by the Gods as she is now, having been raised by a clan of witches who rescued her from her dark fate. She is an immensely powerful mage, holding a grasp over almost all forms of magic, and is honourable and good to the core. Do not pre-judge her, Mikael, as so many are prone to do."

"I would never dream of it," Mikael replied, his stare intent upon the stunning blue-haired woman who looked back at him with her pale blue eyes, far removed from the piercing intensity of Kristine's. She smiled broadly, her cheeks slightly flushed with embarrassment.

"We mortify her," Lucinda said warmly, "so we should move on before she flees in red-faced horror. I will say one thing, though; Quintia is the only one amongst us who is genuinely as old as she looks. She has been here only eight years, Mikael, and has had no need to escape the aging process yet. If there are ropes you need to learn here, she would be the best teacher you could find."

Once again Quintia's cheeks blushed scarlet, and her gem glowed pink. Lucinda gestured towards the remaining member of the Cohort, and Mikael reluctantly tore his eyes away from the Sensei mage.

"Next we have our ranger, blessed by the Gods of the Wilderness. I introduce to you our resident elf, Ria'torr."

Mikael could hardly believe his eyes. First a female Sensei, and now a real elf! Everyone knew of the elusive forest folk, but very few ever saw one, let alone shared a room. Their woodland kingdoms were apparently a thing of beauty, but it was said no human eyes were permitted to see them; indeed, Mikael had travelled through their fabled forests on more than one occasion, and had never seen even the merest sign of occupation. But here stood an elf nevertheless, a playful smile on her gorgeous face.

She was smaller than her Sisters, but was not too short -- one might notice her diminutive stature without thinking that she was a child or a dwarf. Her breasts, too, appeared to be the smallest in the warband, yet they fit her frame perfectly. They were not tiny, and were more than ample enough to please any man; on a proportionally taller figure, they would have been considered very large. Possessed of delicate, elfin features - which was hardly surprising -- she had a small, pointed nose, and long ears that tapered to a sharp tip. Her hair was a deep green, like grass after a heavy rain, and she wore it in a ponytail. She smiled broadly at him, her pale green eyes twinkling with mirth, and tossed her head slightly. Mikael grinned at her infectious enthusiasm.

"Lastly, I would introduce you to our rogue, most blessed by the Gods of Stealth, but I believe you have already become... rather acquainted with her," Lucinda said, curtseying. Mikael grinned, and she laughed in return.

"Each of us represents one of the five Aspects of the Pantheon, Mikael. We do not name our Gods; we have no need. They appear to different cultures in different forms, and we know only their true essence, distinct from the labels of civilisation. We have their blessing, and they watch over us.

"You have seen as much now, and yet must be wondering where you fit in. Indeed, you do not match any one Aspect; your presence here is one of unity. You represent the whole, and make the perfect partner to any of us in war and peace alike. Mikael, it is you who completes the Cohort."

Mikael nodded, slowly. He could feel the intense gaze of all five Sisters.

"And I'm sure it has not escaped your attention, either," Lucinda continued, "that I mentioned five Aspects, when everyone is aware that there are six." She leaned closer. "You know the sixth, Mikael: the Gods of love, of lust, of pleasure. No single one of us represents that Aspect, for it is embedded in us all. I mentioned our peacetime 'activities', did I not? You, too, are strong in the sixth Aspect, and I'm sure each and every one of us can expect some wonderful times in the future."

Mikael stuttered, embarrassed, his face feeling hot as Lucinda spoke.

"Do not be ashamed," Lucinda soothed, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder. "We do the Gods' work here, and there is no need for modesty. The Gods encourage us, and we willingly oblige." She grinned.

She turned then, gesturing to her Sisters. "But for now we should adjourn. This meeting has dallied for too long, and none of us care much for official discussions. Long talks by the firelight are one thing, but a formal meeting is quite another. We shall retire to our tasks, Mikael, and you should feel free to look around. Before long, this will be your home, too, though at the moment you do not have your own room. I am sure, however, that we can find... other sleeping arrangements."

The girls all stood, greeting Mikael once more before going their separate ways. It was clear to him that they had important tasks to attend to, and could not waste the day with idle chatter. It did not offend him; he was certain he would meet them again, and could indulge himself with more pleasantly informal talk when such a time arose.

Soon he was left alone with Lucinda, who turned to regard him with a smile.

"We have something special, you and I," she said at last, her eyes burning into his, "but you will discover a similar connection with each of my Sisters. We share bonds in the Cohort. We share everything. I will not be offended if you choose the company of one of my Sisters tonight; indeed, I actively encourage you to do so. They are all eager to... try you out. You are an exceptional lover, Mikael, and will fit in well here. Do not feel you are betraying me, for you are not mine as I am not yours; we belong to the Cohort, and we share ourselves amongst it."

With that, she stepped forwards, giving him a final, passionate kiss, before disappearing out of the room.

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

Mikael walked uncertainly down the corridors. It was late; he had been exploring his new home all afternoon. It was vast, and very confusing for a newcomer, and he now had to admit he was completely lost within it. He had seen a dining room, bathing rooms, training rooms, storage rooms, an armoury, a library, a kitchen. It had all the provisions of a small fortress. Which I suppose is exactly what it is, Mikael pondered to himself.

Now, though, he just wanted somewhere to relax. He had put on his shirt after his meeting with his new companions, although when he returned later his pack had disappeared. He could only assume one of the Sisters had moved it, but he didn't know where to.

It's not as if he could ask the first Sister he came across; he had seen glances of them as he explored the Sanctuary, but only at a distance and never for long. He had yet to engage in meaningful conversation with any of them, and it felt to Mikael that they were deliberately avoiding him, although he could not fathom why. Perhaps they felt it would be better were he able to become familiar with the Sanctuary in his own time, and was not distracted by their presence.

As such, he had no idea where their quarters were. Lucinda had suggested he sleep with one of them tonight given that he had no room of his own, and though this idea seemed excellent to him, he did not know where they resided. He was tired, and the Sanctuary seemed a comfortable place to be, but he felt a bed would serve better than the rugs scattered about the place, however luxurious they may have seemed. On top of which, his formidable libido had been awoken by the sight of so many stunning women and the lascivious nature of the talk, and he was already aching for release once more.

Rounding another bend in the corridor, he came across an entranceway, the wooden door firmly shut. Mikael fancied he could hear signs of life within, and given that it was closed rather than open -- as the common rooms of the Sanctuary appeared always to be -- he wondered if it could be a bedroom. He reached out and knocked tentatively on the door, before shaking the nervousness out of his body and knocking harder.

Noise emanated from within, and he could hear footsteps approaching the doorway. He sighed happily; clearly he had indeed found a bedroom. His cock twitched as he remembered Lucinda's words, and he wondered who was beyond the thick wooden portal. He cared not who answered; all of the girls were gorgeous.

The door slowly opened, and Mikael could smell faint incense and the glowing scent of sex. Or, at least, a woman's sex. The smell grew stronger as the door opened wider, and soon Mikael was regarding the beautiful face of a slightly flushed Melissa, her forehead faintly glistening with a layer of sweat. She grinned at him.

"Mikael!" she beamed, opening the door fully. "Come in, and make yourself at home. I had assumed you were already with another of my Sisters, since it was getting late and there was no sign of you. As I'm sure you can tell, I had decided to keep myself entertained."

Mikael raised an eyebrow and stepped into her room. It was large and opulent, though he now expected nothing less, and a large bed stood in the far corner. The brunette gestured for him to recline on a nearby comfortable chair, and he did so, watching her lovely figure through the toga as she closed the door and clicked shut the lock.

"Well, we wouldn't want to be disturbed, would we?" she said, stepping towards him. "Lucinda held nothing back when she told us about you, Mikael. We were just as eager to learn about your prowess as a lover as we were your fighting skills. I know that Lucinda has told you about our appetites, and she assured us you would not disappoint."

Mikael grinned as the medic sauntered over. "I am glad I come with such a glowing reputation. I can only hope I live up to it."

"As do I. Perhaps I shall tell you if you have, afterwards," Melissa responded with a wink. "I must admit, Mikael, I rather enjoyed your stare earlier, as I'm sure did all my Sisters. I can only thank the Gods that it is I, not them, who will be enjoying your company tonight."

With that she reached him, and climbed onto his lap. He leaned backwards as she placed one palm delicately on his chest, and his loins stirred beneath her hips.

"You will have to forgive my lack of introduction. I'm not one for indulging in the pointless small talk that others seem to crave when they first meet and yearn to fuck one another. We have no need for that here, as I'm sure you will come to learn."

He smiled as she leaned closer. "You don't hang about, Melissa."

"There is no need," she breathed. "Talk is nice, but this is better."

She closed the remaining gap between them, her lips crushing against Mikael's own. Any doubts he had held were swept away as the brunette's tongue pushed into his mouth, and soon Mikael was responding with passion. His own tongue jostled with hers, and he moaned into her mouth, his cock growing quickly.

Melissa reached out with one hand, hooking its fingers underneath his shirt, and tugged it upwards. Her other hand was instantly on his toned stomach, tracing the lines of his muscles, and she broke the kiss with a wicked grin to pull the garment fully off. He allowed her to eagerly, and she tossed the shirt away, moaning as she saw his muscles bunch underneath her tender touch.

As her fingers reached his pants she stood, slowly slipping the clothing from his legs. He lifted his ass to allow it, and soon his pants joined his shirt in the corner, his cock standing proud. His companion regarded it with a mischievous smile, before once more climbing on top of his lap and resuming the kiss.

Mikael enjoyed the moment but for the way his member jutted uncomfortably into her toga. With a giggle, Melissa seemed to realise this, and she pulled her head away from Mikael's to stare into his eyes.

"It has been too long since I last encountered one of these," she whispered seductively, her brown eyes glowing. "Let's hope I still remember what to do."

As she spoke, she slid from his lap, slowly sinking to her knees in front of Mikael. He leaned forwards as she did so, holding the arms of the chair and watching with anticipation. Melissa grinned as she reached out, her hand wrapping around Mikael's swollen shaft, her warm breath washing over his length. His cock twitched as he remembered his earlier fantasy - that the gorgeous medic would wrap her lips around his member - and he groaned.

"Eager, hmm?" she said with a wicked smile, her head bobbing forwards and her soft lips parting. The tip of Mikael's cock slipped between them, where her tongue was waiting, licking and caressing its head as she took more of his length into her mouth.

"Fuck..." Mikael breathed as she withdrew her head, instead beginning to lick up and down the sides of his shaft, making sure every inch of his cock was slick with her saliva. When she was satisfied, her hand began to move, pumping up and down as she sucked his head once more into her mouth.

Mikael was in heaven, and Melissa did not stop there. She reached out with her other hand, cupping his balls, and gently played with them as she worked on his cock. He leaned further forwards, almost hunched over the brunette beauty, and gasped.

He reached out, placing his right hand on her curly brown locks, leaving it there as her head bobbed up and down. Sparks of pleasure thrilled through him at her ministrations, and his groans filled the air. Wet sucking sounds issued from Melissa's mouth as she devoured his member, and her humming moans caused him yet more pleasure.

He watched her a moment longer as his hand slid from her head to her shoulder, before he grasped the knot to her toga. He gripped it and pulled, the cloth falling away, and grinned as Melissa pulled her head from his shaft.

"I wondered how long you could resist," she giggled, grasping the top of the garment and slowly lowering it over her huge breasts. They spilled free, and Mikael's hands were on them in a flash, kneading the fleshy mounds with glee.

Melissa groaned, her eyes fluttering shut, and she leant forwards to take his cock into her mouth once more. With her toga now by her waist, Mikael was able to run his hands over her smooth, naked back, and he delighted in the sight of her massive breasts as they shook with the force of her ministrations.

His balls twitched, and it dawned on him that his orgasm was approaching. It was too soon - he was determined to make sure his new companion enjoyed her night at least as much as he would. He placed his hand on Melissa's chin and gently lifted it, a knowing look entering her eyes as she pulled her mouth from his cock.

They both stood, resuming their passionate kiss as they pressed together in the firelight. Melissa's huge breasts pushed into his naked chest, and he could feel her nipples rubbing against his skin. His hand moved to her waist, finding the bunched toga, and it was only then he realised she was no longer wearing her belt. That makes things easier, he thought to himself as he pushed the garment downwards.

Melissa made no complaint as her clothing fluttered to the floor, and she stepped out of the crumpled heap without so much as breaking the kiss. Mikael crouched down slightly, grasping her ass with both hands, and then lifted her. She wrapped hwe legs around his waist, giggling into his mouth, and Mikael strode to the bed in the corner of the room. There she broke the kiss and looked over her shoulder, a grin spread across her stunning features, and yelped as Mikael dropped her onto the soft sheets.

He climbed on after her, staying low, and Melissa lay on her back with a lustful smile. She knew what was coming, and Mikael crouched between her legs, his hands on her wonderful breasts. There they rested awhile, his fingers tweaking her nipples, eliciting rapturous yelps from the medic, before his tongue arced towards her body. He licked her stomach, his hands still on her breasts, before he started to trace slowly downwards, as he had the previous night with Lucinda. It was only as his tongue reached her pelvis that his hands left her magnificent breasts, moving swiftly towards her legs in order to push them apart. Melissa's breathing grew heavy as she allowed him to do so, and he looked up at her with a wink as he leaned towards her snatch.

"The Gods!" she cried as his tongue swept over her folds, his fingers walking slowly towards her pussy. He did not relent, his tongue making another pass over the sensitive lips, and he revelled in her squeal as two of his fingers pushed inside her snatch.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 02



There he left them as he really set to work on her snatch, his head moving from side to side so that his tongue could better stimulate it, his work clearly appreciated by the brunette, who writhed from side to side. With a groan, he began to move the fingers that rested inside her, and soon Melissa was shaking with her imminent orgasm.

Mikael grinned to himself. As with Lucinda, Melissa was truly enjoying this, and he could only assume it was to do with their proximity to the Gods. They had chosen those rich in their abilities, and it made sense that included the Gods of Pleasure, too.

"Ooohh!" Melissa moaned loudly, her hips bucking slightly. Mikael continued at the same pace, enjoying the sensation of Melissa's tunnel as it slowly constricted around his probing digits.

He switched his attention, moving from her lips to her clit, which he sucked leisurely into his mouth. His fingers still pumped into her snatch, and her hands moved to grasp her breasts as they shook with her heavy breathing. She kneaded them, moaning towards the ceiling as her pleasure built, and Mikael enjoyed the sight as her insistent noises indicated she was moments away. Her muscles were coiling, and he continued relentlessly, pushing her over the edge.

"Aaahhh!" she cried as her climax hit, her body shaking as it tore through her. Mikael stopped strumming her clit, instead planting upon it a series of gentle kisses as her pussy quivered, and his fingers became still inside her snatch. He glanced up and grinned; Melissa's mouth was open and her eyes were shut as she enjoyed the pleasure of her release.

It did not take long to pass, and soon the medic opened her eyes. She hunched forwards, propping herself up on her elbows, and grinned at Mikael.

"Much better than doing it myself. Lucinda mentioned you were exceptional at eating pussy. I'm glad to discover she was right."

Mikael laughed, slightly taken aback. "You discussed that? I didn't realise she went into so much detail."

"Oh, yes, we discussed it all. Lucinda even expressed regret that she was not able to return the favour." Melissa's brown eyes seemed to glow with hunger as she spoke.

"Well, I suppose you saw to that."

"I suppose I did." She leant forwards, tugging Mikael upwards. He climbed her body willingly, pausing only briefly to suck one of her nipples into his mouth.

With a wicked smile, the brunette guided him sideways, and soon Mikael found himself lying on his back with the gorgeous medic straddling his waist. Her wavy brown hair fell messily about her shoulders and face, and Mikael reached up with his right hand to brush it from her cheek. As his other hand reached around to grab her ass, he lowered the first, stroking down her neck and eventually grasping one of her huge, hanging breasts.

"But perhaps I should make sure I really assuage her guilt..." Melissa moaned, slowly leaning forwards and kissing Mikael. Before he could respond, however, she had broken it, instead her lips tracing their way down his body. He gasped as her hand took hold of his cock, and she grinned at him as her mouth parted at its tip once more.

"Fuck," he gasped as she wrapped her lips around his member. Her tongue was already moving over its length, and her fist lightly pumped his shaft. He reached down and placed one hand on her head.

"I think Lucinda would approve," she said between slurps, the head of his cock still resting on her lips as she spoke. "I'm fairly certain you do."

He groaned, amazed by the expertise she displayed. "I definitely do. But I also have something even better in mind."

Melissa withdrew her lips and grinned at that, the same thing clearly in her thoughts. She crawled seductively up his body, her breasts tickling first his stomach, then his chest, and her eyes radiated the lust that Mikael knew burned inside them both. Her lips soon reached his, and they shared a quick kiss before she sat upright, her huge breasts pushed outwards. With a wicked glint she took hold of his cock and lifted her hips, and Mikael groaned as she rubbed his tip against her pussy lips.

"You mean this?" she whispered as she teased her folds with his tip. Mikael could only nod. "Good."

With a long moan, the stunning medic sank onto his shaft, his cock disappearing inside her hot snatch. She rested there a moment, her eyes wide with pleasure, before she started to raise and lower her hips.

Her pace was slow, but not overly so. Her pussy caressed his member as she slid up and down, and with a glint in her eyes she grabbed Mikael's hands. He grinned as she guided them to her huge breasts, and he did not need to be told what to do. He squeezed them, playing with her nipples and enjoying the wonderful mounds, and Melissa moaned as she leaned forwards. Her hands moved, though Mikael's did not, and she placed them either side of his shoulders, hunched over him as her hips slowly sped up.

After a moment, Mikael sat more upright, holding one of her breasts still in order to suck the nipple into his mouth. Melissa moved her hands to the back of his head as he did so, grasping hold of his hair, a long moan leaving her mouth. Her hips still moved, and he teased her, exploring her breast with his lips before he would switch to the other and repeat the motion.

His tongue swept over her nipples, his hand firmly grasping the wonderful mound of flesh, and he delighted at the way it still vibrated at the movements of her hips. His other hand squeezed and caressed whichever breast did not hold the attention of his mouth, and the medic pulled his head into her chest, clearly enjoying the feeling.

Suddenly, she pulled away, pushing Mikael forcefully down onto the bed. His back landed on the sheets with a muffled thud, and Melissa smiled wickedly as she grasped his wrists. Leaning forwards, she pinned them above his head, her breasts now spilling free and lightly grazing his chest as she bounced on his cock.

She hunched over Mikael almost horizontally, her hips rising and falling with incredible pace, and he groaned as she held his arms down. Her breasts shook with the force of their sex and Mikael began to slightly thrust in unison, unable to fully contain himself any longer. Melissa clearly appreciated it: with an insistent moan she crushed her lips against his, her eyes smouldering. Mikael responded eagerly, returning the passionate kiss, their tongues duelling.

They remained that way awhile, before Melissa broke the kiss and pulled away. Mikael took the chance to drink in the sight, and he could only laugh joyfully to himself as he delighted in the twist of fate that had brought him here. The beautiful medic's huge breasts and brown hair shook with each collision of their loins, her face reflecting the pleasure that coursed through her. Her eyes were shut, her mouth partly open, and she expelled a long moan with each breath. The slapping of their loins sounded loud in the opulent room, and Melissa's skin was slightly flushed with the euphoric sensations of their sex.

"I haven't been... fucked in so... fucking... long... and I'm so... close..." she gasped, opening her eyes and staring into Mikael's.

She rode his cock with incredible desire, her pussy sliding over it rapidly. Her upper body barely moved now, all the work done by her hips, which rose and fell as if possessed. Mikael enjoyed her gyrating waist as his balls tightened, and he could feel her body tensing.

They were both close, and their movements were driven entirely by passion. Melissa shuddered with rapture above him, her orgasm moments away, and her pussy devoured his cock voraciously.

Suddenly, she threw her head back, her hands still pinning his wrists in place and her breasts shaking on his chest. She cried out, her frantic need for release obvious, and screwed her face up in anticipation. She was so, so close.

"I'm... going to..." she pleaded desperately. "Aahhh... aahh... ah... AH... AH... AHHH...!"

The sentence became a series of staggered yelps as she came, her pussy clenching and squeezing his member as her eyes closed. A half-moan, half-cry escaped her open lips, and she became perfectly still above him but for the trembling of her snatch. Mikael groaned too, so close himself, and the tumultuous convulsions of her depths almost tipped him over the edge. With intense willpower he held himself still, grinning as Melissa's orgasm finally passed and she slowly opened her eyes.

"That was fantastic," she sighed, though her smile was soon washed away by a look of concern. "But did you not come too, lover?"

Mikael grunted at that, his arms suddenly breaking free of Melissa's loosened grasp and shooting to her waist. Without a word he started thrusting wildly into the brunette, and her eyes opened wide, a moan that bordered on a scream torn from her lungs at the unexpected stimulation.

He had already been so close that he did not need long, and his hips hammered against Melissa's for mere seconds before his balls spasmed. He cried out as he came, his cock twitching, sticky ropes of cum spurting forth into the gorgeous medic.

"By the GOODDSSSS!" Melissa screamed, ecstasy exploding inside of her as Mikael's hot seed filled her womb. Evidently the movement of his hips and the sensation of his plunging member had pushed her over the edge once more, and despite having already climaxed another mammoth orgasm overwhelmed her. Her brown eyes were glazed, and her lips quivered, her mouth opening and shutting uselessly as her rapturous shriek rend the air.

They rode it out together, lost in orgasmic paradise, and Mikael groaned as his cum continued to shoot into Melissa's receptive depths. Her huge breasts shook with the twitching of her body, and she shuddered in his tight grasp, her wavy brown hair framing her stunning, joy-filled face.

At last, Mikael was spent, and his hands left his companion's waist as he collapsed fully onto the bed. Moments later she joined him, her own orgasm passing, and she sank down onto his chest with a delighted giggle. Small shivers of pleasure still ran through her, and Mikael occasionally felt the lingering thrills sparkling in her depths.

"Mikael," Melissa breathed at last, her head on his chest.

"Yes?" he answered, his eyelids heavy.

"You lived up to your reputation."

Mikael laughed.

"So did you, beautiful Sister of the Cohort. So did you."



Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 03



The sheets rustled around him as Mikael stretched in the early morning light. He opened his eyes, glancing around, and his lips creased into a smile as he remembered the previous night's activities with Melissa. He had slept exceptionally well, the bed luxuriously soft and the ambient temperature perfect, and he was still in awe of the extravagantly decorated room.

With a contented moan he rolled over, hoping to begin the day as he had ended the last, and was disappointed to find the bed empty. Melissa had clearly got up, and whilst this saddened him somewhat he did appreciate that she had not felt the need to wake him.

It was then he noticed the parchment that rested on her pillow. Intrigued, he reached over, grasping the paper and sitting upright. Beautiful script flowed across it, and yet Mikael was not surprised by that. Considering all their other talents, why would these women not have wonderful handwriting, too?

Dearest Mikael, I do not wish to disturb you from your adorable slumber, but this is to let you know that I have gone. There are duties that I must attend to, and much as I might want to wake you before I go, your peaceful face was too appealing to disturb.

When you do wake, you must dress, and then come to our meeting place. It is the room in which you were first introduced to us, and you will find us there. We have important matters to discuss.

Turn left when you leave my room, and proceed through the archway. There you will find us, through the doorway on the right.

Melissa

Mikael reread the letter, a nervous flutter in his stomach. Important matters? His initiation, he assumed. Suddenly, the morning's lustre seemed slightly less glorious.

"Ah well, I can't delay it forever," he muttered to himself as he threw the covers from his body. Stretching, he climbed from the bed, his bare feet appreciating the soft rugs that adorned the floor.

He stood slowly, in no particular hurry, and collected his belongings. Melissa had folded them, placing them on the chair in which he had sat when he first came to her room, and it did not take him long. He grinned as he remembered the expert attention that he had received from the medic, and hoped it was the first of many such occasions.

When he was done he walked to the door and turned the handle, stepping out into the cool, stone hallway. Remembering the instructions on the note, he soon found himself stood before an ornate wooden door. He waited there a moment, his heart racing, and sucked down a few deep breaths. He entered.

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

The door opened into a large, official-looking room. Well, official-looking by the standards of the Sisters, at least; it consisted of five large, comfy couches evenly spaced around the circular room, with the floor in the middle covered with layers of extremely plush sheets. A brazier stood unlit in the centre, although from the slightly-smoky atmosphere, Mikael assumed it had not been out for long.

What caught Mikael's eye the most, however, was that on each of the five sofas reclined one of the Sisters. Each was dressed in comfortable clothes, not the armour in which Mikael had seen them yesterday, and he appreciated that fact. He suspected this is what they normally wore around the Sanctuary, and that they had dressed only to meet him. He did not want them to feel obliged to every time he was around.

They looked at him welcomingly, and he waited in the doorway a few moments. At last, Lucinda stood and motioned for him to enter.

"Come in, Mikael," she smiled, her black hair shimmering down to her waist. "You are not here to block our doorway. Approach, stand next to me." Mikael obeyed, nervously moving to her side.

The rogue continued. "Normally I would use this opportunity to delight in small talk, but you must forgive me for not indulging in that today - there are more important matters at hand.

 "The time has come for us to reveal to you your rites of initiation. You must complete six small but difficult tasks in order to earn your place at our side, here in the Cohort. One for each Aspect of the Pantheon."

Mikael swallowed hard. He had been expecting something along these lines, and at the same time dreading it. Despite Lucinda's reassurances, the whole thing seemed a bit too heroic for someone of his lowly stature.

"Each of us, in turn, will announce what it is the Gods have asked you to do. We have conversed with our Aspect, and each has given you a task. It is in doing these that you may prove yourself worthy of joining.

"All of these tasks will take place in one area, and each related to one of the Aspects. But be warned, Mikael: you may not have to travel far, but you will require all of your skills to succeed."

Mikael nodded, even more nervous now. Tasks set by the Gods themselves? The priests of the temples spent their whole lives in the Gods' service, and most of them had never communed with a deity. How was Mikael expected to cope?

"I will go first," Lucinda said at last, and Mikael could see she was concerned for him. This did not help his apprehension. "The Gods of Stealth have tasked you with destroying the Baron's taxation treaty in the nearby town of Firewatch. A foul season has left many of the poor near-destitute, and yet the Baron has decided to tax them nonetheless. The Gods want you to destroy the document that gives him this power, and in so doing leave the money in the hands of those who need it."

"Destroy the treaty... right," Mikael stuttered.

"Do not worry overmuch," the beautiful rogue smiled. "I have seen the Baron's abode. It is merely a large house; you should have no problems. That is your first task."

With him informed, Lucinda sat back down. Mikael remained where he was as Kristine stood, and the blonde smiled at him.

"Greetings, Mikael," she said politely. He nodded back curtly, though not out of annoyance -- he was simply terrified.

"I see you are nervous. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Good, because what you are about to embark upon is something that it is right to be nervous of -- you are about to carry out the Gods' wishes and prove yourself worthy of joining us. Bad, because fear can lead you to irrationality, and you will need to be at your best. You cannot allow your instincts to become compromised by nervousness.

"But I digress. The Gods of Strength are in need of a warrior, and you are to be him. In the town of Firewatch there is a tavern, and in that tavern there resides a barbarian brute. He has terrorised the inhabitants of the Poor Quarter since his arrival from the northern wastelands a few months ago. The Gods want him dealt with, by any means necessary."

One by one the Sisters informed him of what he was required to do. Soon each had done so, and Mikael was aware of the numerous tasks set before him. He repeated them in his mind in order to solidify the information. Before long, Lucinda stood again.

"Those are your tasks from each of the individual Aspects that we represent," she smiled. "The sixth task, for the sixth Aspect, is a simple one. You are to give someone an orgasm. Anyone whom you find in the town will do; the Gods care not who it is, just that you make them come. For someone of your talents that should not be difficult to accomplish."

Mikael nodded to himself. Easiest of the lot, he thought with a nervous laugh.

"Now that you know all of the tasks, it is time for you to leave. Kristine will show you to our armoury, where your equipment has been stored, and when you are dressed you must go. The exit is the same way you entered; the waterfall will not touch you this time. The town of Firewatch is due west; continue in that direction until you come across a path, then follow it to its conclusion. You will have arrived.

"Speed of the Gods be with you, Mikael."

Mikael stood, as did Kristine, and made for the door. The other girls looked after him.

"Oh, one more thing," Lucinda added. Mikael turned to face her. "All of us will be present in the town, too. Do not be alarmed if you see us; we are there to watch over you, and make sure you complete the tasks. Good luck."

Mikael bowed low and exited the room.

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

It was a moment before Kristine emerged, and she smiled at him when she did so. Mikael attempted to return the expression shakily.

"This way." She motioned down the corridor, setting off quickly. Her head cocked as she walked, and he could tell she was listening to his nervous, rapid breaths. A wave of nausea rode through him as she paused ahead, followed by cold fear as she turned to face him.

"You will be fine," she soothed, and Mikael was relieved. He had worried she would judge him for his nervousness. "The Gods have already decided that you are worthy by bringing you to us. This is a formality you will easily complete; the start of your long training. Do not worry overmuch."

With that, she turned once more and set off down the corridor. He followed her, and took the time to study her in detail. Her blonde hair was loose, cascading down her back, and like Lucinda's it ceased just above her shapely ass. As she walked it swayed, and she wore -- again like Lucinda -- a linen shirt and a skirt. Her skirt, however, fell only to her knees rather than all the way down to her ankles.

Presently they came upon the door to the armoury, and Mikael entered. Kristine entered after him, shutting the door and nodding to his equipment, which was neatly stacked in the corner. He stepped up to it and began stripping, not caring what Kristine saw. His mind gleefully revelled in the thought that, were this initiation rite successful, she would hopefully be seeing a lot more of his naked body anyway.

She was, after all, stunning. Her golden blonde hair fell beyond her shoulders, and her gorgeous face held the most piercing blue eyes that Mikael had ever seen. Her large breasts did not appear to sag in the slightest behind her linen shirt, and like her Sisters she was slender without being too slim. He found her beautiful, but then he found all of the girls here beautiful.

Mikael had relaxed as his mind wandered, but as he reached for his armour it was brought back to the present. Almost instantly he was nervous again, and he attempted to grasp the weapons with shaking hands. How was he going to cope?

"Mikael, stop," Kristine stated, her voice a calming influence. He straightened and turned to face her. Her sapphire eyes regarded his coolly, though without scorn.

"You are too nervous, and it will do you no good if you go out shaking like a newborn rabbit."

Mikael cringed at her words.

She smiled gently. "Do not worry. I understand your nervousness. It is proper to regard your tasks with apprehension, and it's something you will have to grow used to. We hold a great responsibility in the Cohort, and whilst it weighs less upon your shoulders as you become accustomed to that burden, you can never forget your role."

"How do you cope, feeling like this?" Mikael said back quietly.

"The nervousness fades quickly. You will never forget the importance of your tasks, but you will begin to approach them with pride and not fear."

"I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared."

"You will, do not worry. Our role takes some getting used to, but that is not an impossible task. Besides, the Gods actively encourage us to... relieve our tensions in other ways."

She stepped closer to him, and Mikael's cock twitched instinctively.

"There is a sure-fire way to relieve nerves, Mikael," she whispered, placing one finger on his chest, where she twirled it in place. "And I do not doubt it is one you will enjoy."

"What do you have in mind?" he laughed weakly, as the blonde slowly pressed herself against him.

"You'll see."

She leant in sharply and crushed her lips against his, her mouth parted as she kissed him deeply, her tongue entering his mouth. Mikael's apprehension was instantly swept away. He returned the action, wrapping his arms around her back, as passion overwhelmed his fears.

He groaned as he slid his hands down the paladin's spine, grasping her shirt and tugging it over her head. Her large breasts pressed against his bare chest as the garment came away, and her blonde hair tumbled messily over her shoulders. He grinned at the sight, before reinitiating the kiss, and Kristine moaned into his mouth. With a flick of his wrist the shirt was tossed to a far corner of the armoury, and Mikael's fingers were instantly on her waist, feeling the soft skin beneath their tips.

Kristine's own arms wrapped around the back of his neck, holding him tightly to her as their mouths mashed together, and her body pressed against Mikael's rapidly growing cock. With another wave of lust Mikael's hands dropped lower, sliding his fingers beneath the hem of her skirt, and he applied gentle downward pressure.

"No," Kristine said sternly as she broke the kiss. He stared into her sapphire eyes, and she looked back seriously.

"There is no time for that; you must be on your way soon enough. Do not worry about me -- I can enlist the help of one of my Sisters later. Your pleasure is what matters here, and besides, you need to conserve your skills for the sixth task."

Mikael grinned, and Kristine kissed him again, her arms unhooking from his neck and slowly tracing down his chest. Mikael breathed in sharply as her fingers wrapped around his cock, and the paladin giggled as she toyed with his shaft. He reached up and firmly grasped her large breasts, enjoying the feeling of the wonderful mounds in his hands, and squeezed. Kristine broke the kiss and grinned at him.

With a sudden shove, she pushed him backwards against the wall with one hand. He laughed at the surprise movement, and the blonde smiled wickedly, her other hand still on his member even as she slowly sank to her knees.

Mikael groaned as Kristine leant forwards, her right hand now cupping his balls whilst her left gently pumped his shaft. She opened her mouth and leaned forwards, her piercing blue eyes staring into Mikael's as a rope of saliva dropped onto his cock. Slowly she spread it across his length with her fist, and soon his member was slick with her spit. It was then that she truly started to pump her hand, and Mikael threw his head back with a groan as pleasure washed through him.

He looked back down, his hands flat on the wall behind him, and Kristine grinned once again. She leant forwards suddenly, wrapping her lips around his head and beginning to slowly devour his cock. Mikael stood there in ecstasy, one hand moving to rest on the paladin's head, and he enjoyed the way her golden blonde hair bunched at his touch. Her skirt had ridden up, too, revealing nearly all of her thighs as her kneeling position creased the material.

Mikael simply watched her, his mind aflame with rapture. He watched her blue eyes as they stared into his. He watched the way her breasts bounced as she bobbed her head more rapidly. He watched her fist sliding over the places her mouth could not reach, and her tongue as it periodically danced along his length. He was in heaven.

Kristine was clearly no stranger to this pastime, and he delighted in it as her mouth and hands did expert things to his cock. She would take him into her mouth halfway, her hands caressing his balls and stroking his shaft, before she would pull off with a grin. Her tongue would trace its way leisurely down the sides of his member, causing it to twitch in time with her masterful ministrations, and Mikael groaned aloud. Never before had he received a blowjob quite so fantastic. Melissa's had been superb, but merely foreplay in the build up to their sex. This was better.

Kristine's tongue flicked out gently, and Mikael gasped at the sensation. He could feel it as it roved over every part of his cock, leaving a trail of wetness as it passed. The paladin sucked his head into her mouth once more, running her tongue on the underside before swirling it fully around, and Mikael knew he was close.

He threw his head back and moaned happily, his other hand moving to join the first on Kristine's head. He did not hold it, only rested them there, and allowed himself to be lost completely in the pleasure he was being offered. He did not think of it until much later, but Kristine was successful in her aims -- all thoughts of his impending trials were totally forgotten as the blonde's mouth worked so expertly on his cock.

He voiced a warning to Kristine, informing her of his imminent climax, and the paladin sucked harder. Her fist sped up on his shaft, and her mouth devoured him yet more voraciously. His cum was boiling in his balls, and she took him as far into her mouth as he could go.

"Nnnngggghhh..." Mikael groaned, the moment close. "Fuck..."

He was seconds away, and Kristine withdrew her head slightly, instead wrapping her lips around the base of his head and furiously pumping his shaft with her fist. Her blue eyes stared intently into his, and he could tell from the amusement and lust that played over her features that she, too, was enjoying this.

"Ahhh!" he cried as his cock twitched, his groans of pleasure rising into an animalistic howl of delight. His cum sprayed into Kristine's eager mouth, and her fist continued to milk his shaft even as he came. His eyes were half-closed as hers stared into them, and she sucked yet harder as his seed splashed liberally against her tongue, hungrily swallowing down his milky cum.

Mikael was soon spent, and he leaned back breathlessly against the wall. Kristine made sure every last drop had been squeezed from his shaft before licking his member clean with her tongue; that every inch of his deflating cock had been properly seen to. At length she stood, her skirt falling back to her knees, and grinned at Mikael.

"I hope you feel better," she said, a glint in her eyes.

"I certainly do," he replied with a laugh. And he truly did -- the nervousness had evaporated.

"Good, and next time, if you feel nervous, do not hesitate to ask for a repeat. I would gladly do the same."

Mikael raised an eyebrow. "Do I have to be feeling nervous?"

"Not at all. In fact, I would be offended if you only approached me when you did."

Mikael stepped forwards, kissing the paladin gently on the lips. She moaned.

"You must go, Mikael," she said, slowly pulling away. "Much as I regret that. You must complete your mission, free of fear. You will have plenty of opportunities to make this up to me later, and I hope you will do so many, many times."

She walked over to the corner and picked up her shirt, though she did not put it on. From her demeanour, she was clearly worked up and desired a release of her own.

"I feel guilty I cannot address your own passion," Mikael said as Kristine walked towards the door. She turned back to him.

"You will get your chance, but not today. Perhaps it will please you, however, to know that I go now to one of my Sisters in order to satisfy that urge."

The image played wonderfully through his mind. "I'm going to love it here, aren't I?"

"And we're going to love having you."

The blonde winked as she slipped through the door, closing it behind her.

He was alone in the armoury, and he shut his eyes momentarily to shiver at the memory of her touch. With a long, contented sigh he reached forwards, quickly donning his weapons and armour and making his way towards the door.

It was time to be initiated.

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

Firewatch was no great distance away, and it did not take long for Mikael to reach it. By early evening he was stepping through its large gateway and pausing to survey his surroundings. It looked a normal town for these parts, with high roofs and narrow houses, and Mikael got the impression it had been here for a long time.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 03



This was evidently the merchant area, where Mikael had to admit he felt most comfortable. Shops lined the cobbled streets, with more permanent wares beyond; a tavern and a blacksmith in particular caught Mikael's eyes, though he was sure there were others.

In the distance rose larger houses, and Mikael was certain he could see a high wall separating the two Quarters. The Noble Quarter, Mikael smiled to himself, amused at their desire for seclusion. It was there he would find the Baron, of that he had no doubt, and so he would at some point need to find a way in.

This contrasted with the run-down hovels that stood to his right, his eyes drawn along a traipsing line of poor into a seedy looking area that held little appeal to the eye. The Poor Quarter looked every bit as dishevelled as the people who inhabited it, and Mikael could not help but shake his head at their plight. Lucinda had said their season had been bad, and yet they were taxed anyway -- the money no doubt going towards the Baron's already extensive wealth.

Mikael pondered a moment, remembering his six tasks. He ran each one through his mind, attempting to order them in a way that would make sense, before realising the time. Given the nature of some of them, he would be best off undertaking them during the day, not as evening set in, and so with his mind made up he headed towards the Poor Quarter.

He had a tavern to visit.

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

Mikael reclined on the dilapidated couch. It had once been leather, but had worn through so many times in its extended lifespan that it was now a mosaic of cloths, all sewn on to keep it functional -- barely. The tavern smelt and looked grimy, and the light was weak here. Lanterns flickered feebly overhead, the sun's rays long since passed, and a few candles stood battling the darkness on some of the larger tables. Good wax was expensive, and Mikael guessed they could not afford it.

It was very busy, too, a large crowd of people milling around the bar and elsewhere. An elderly bar wench served them all hurriedly, her face hanging in despair. It was only now, as he sat amongst the poor, that he realised how hard the season -- and latterly the taxes -- had hit them. It was all very well being told, but he had to see the devastation and misery to truly appreciate its magnitude.

Mikael stood, and was immediately buffeted by a small man crashing into his chest. He staggered backwards, though fared better than the newcomer, who tottered, then collapsed in a heap. He looked up at Mikael pathetically, evidently expecting retribution, and cringed as Mikael reached towards him.

He was light, Mikael realised as he hauled the man to his feet. Too light; these people were starving.

"I... I'm sorry," the newcomer stammered, fear still evident in his eyes. "I did not mean t... to hit you."

Mikael smiled pleasantly. "It's fine, accidents happen. May I have your name?"

"R... Richard, sir."

"Well good evening, Richard. Please, join me on this couch."

The man's eyes widened with fear once again.

"No! I c... can't do that! That's Ol... Olaf's seat!" he cried.

"Olaf?" Mikael queried, wondering if that was his target.

"Yes... the N... Northerner. He would not app... appreciate me in his s... seat. N... nor would he app... appreciate you there either."

"I am curious," Mikael asked, grabbing Richard's arm as he turned to leave. "If this barbarian is quite so terrifying, why do people still come to the tavern?"

"We h... have nowhere else t... to go. W... we tried l... leaving, but Olaf j... just followed us. And if we d... don't come to the t... tavern, he gets v... very angry."

"Thank you," Mikael said, releasing the man's arm. He darted away into the packed masses without so much as another word.

Mikael sat back down on the couch, wondering as to the man's fear. Was the barbarian truly so terrifying, and had such an iron grip on the Quarter? Why would the merchants and nobles not send their guards to intervene? Although it struck Mikael that, given the nature of these people's poverty, it was already apparent the rest of Firewatch's inhabitants cared little for them.

A loud bang filled the room as the door swung open and a hulking giant of a man thumped in. Instantly the chatter ceased, and all eyes swung to the newcomer. He regarded the tavern with a brutal grin.

The thug stepped forwards, patrons shrinking out of his way, but there was not enough room for them all to clear a path for him. The giant regarded them coldly, before marching up to the bar and snatching a jug of ale with a snarl. The barwoman did not protest.

The brute drained the jug in mere gulps, before slamming it back down onto the bar. Those closest to him shrank back at the action.

"Olaf want more!" he bellowed, before turning to the rest of the tavern. Instantly his eyes set upon Mikael. They narrowed, and his lips twisted into a snarl.

"You are in Olaf's seat, little man," he growled. "You move now or Olaf kill you."

He advanced towards Mikael, flexing his arms menacingly. Mikael held no doubt that the barbarian would indeed attack.

"I believe I was here first, sir. Tavern etiquette surely dictates this seat is mine?" Mikael said politely.

A terrified whispering went round the room as Olaf approached with a scream.

"You dare ignore what Olaf say, runt? When Olaf speak, he expect things done!"

"Does he now? Good for him; always a nice state of affairs," Mikael smiled sarcastically. "What if I told Olaf to go fuck himself? Hmm? What would Olaf do then?"

The barbarian looked taken aback a moment, then roared with pure rage. "Olaf would kill you! He would tear out your throat and use your body as a coaster!"

Mikael replied slowly, deliberately. "Well now, that's a rather big coaster, isn't it? I doubt you could handle that much ale."

Olaf screeched in anger, his face red and his eyes wide, spittle flying from his mouth. "I kill you! You have crossed Olaf for the last time!"

The barbarian charged at Mikael, his shoulders hunched to hit him as hard as possible. Mikael waited, allowing the brute to come to him, and didn't move until the last possible moment, when in one graceful dive he cleared the sofa and rolled onto his feet. The onrushing brute, confused, went crashing into the now-empty couch, screaming with rage as it disintegrated under his charge.

Mikael withdrew his swords deftly, their metal keening in the silent tavern. The patrons shrank back further, if that was possible. He watched as Olaf tossed the broken sofa remnants aside, a group of old men ducking out of the way as the wood smashed into the wall above their heads.

Olaf stood up, dazed but no less angry, and grinned at Mikael.

"You want to play with swords, little man? Olaf will show you how to play with swords!"

Mikael watched as Olaf withdrew two swords of his own from underneath his cloak. Each was a two-hander, but the brute was so large he clasped them easily in one. He began to march towards Mikael again.

He swung once, twice, three times, yet Mikael dodged. Olaf was strong, but not very fast. Mikael could keep this up all day.

"Dodge away, little man! Olaf needs no swords."

The barbarian dropped his blades, and with his newly freed hands lunged forwards and grabbed Mikael by the shoulders. Before he could react, Olaf had shaken the swords from his grasp, and tossed him against the wall like a ragdoll. Mikael slammed into it with a thud, the wind knocked out of him. He had to admit, he had not been expecting that.

He stood rather shakily, and saw Olaf lumbering towards him, clearly in the ascension. He raised his hands.

"You want to grapple, ogre?" Mikael asked calmly, his steadiness returning. "You want to wrestle?"

"I am not ogre!" Olaf screeched, spittle flailing from his mouth as he charged forwards, intending to crush Mikael against the wall.

Mikael had other ideas, rolling out of the way as the brute hurtled past him and, before Olaf could react, jumping onto his giant back. The barbarian reached backwards desperately as Mikael wrapped one arm around his thick neck, clinging on.

Olaf thrashed, attempting to throw Mikael clear, but he would not budge. He held on tenaciously with his right arm as his left unhooked the small dagger he kept attached to his boot.

"Olaf will kill you! He will kill you!" the brute screeched, turning his back to the wall to try and squash Mikael against it.

"No, you won't," Mikael whispered quietly into the barbarian's ear, before plunging the dagger into Olaf's neck.

The giant screamed, the noise becoming a strangled gurgle as blood poured from the wound, running in rivers down the thug's body. Mikael jumped clear as he fell to the ground, his body twitching, and it took mere moments for the brute's eyes to glass over.

He was dead.

Mikael staggered backwards, breathing deeply. He was dazed, winded and bruised, but he was alive. And he had satisfied the Gods' first task.

"Rejoice, friends! Our tormenter is dead," sounded a clear voice, and Mikael turned to see a tall man regarding him with a grin. He raised his drink, and the rest of the tavern followed suit. A cheer went up.

Mikael grinned, bowing low before making his way to the exit. Much as he would have liked to enjoy the situation, and perhaps even find some company for the night, he had other tasks he needed to be doing.

"Sir?" a woman's voice sounded, and Mikael turned to see a cloaked figure proffering his swords - in the adrenaline he had forgotten them. Mikael smiled, taking the blades and swiftly sheathing them.

"Thank you, Kristine," Mikael said, before turning back to the doorway. He heard the woman splutter behind him, obviously shocked he had identified her, and left the tavern with a laugh.

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

Still pumping from his fight with the barbarian, and the subsequent completion of his first task, Mikael strolled back outside the bar. The faint lamplight reflected on the sheen of his wet skin, and he breathed in the cold night air. It was a wonderful contrast to the dark, smoky atmosphere of the tavern.

He smiled and set off down the road, feeling the sweat on his brow turn icy in the winter air. One of his tasks had been completed -- five to go. Which to do next?

His thinking was brought to an abrupt halt, however, by a dart of movement in the building to his left. He froze, before slowly sinking into the shadows, and waited. His eyes focused on the window pane where the movement had occurred, but though minutes past, it did not happen again.

Edging forwards, he entered the building, an old warehouse in the Poor Quarter. The detritus of squalor lay scattered about, though no one was currently inside, and he stealthily made his way up the central staircase to the top floor.

He flattened himself to the steps, and peered over, scanning the dark room for a sign of whatever made the movement. It had been too deliberate to be an animal, and given the nature of his tasks, he was certain it was relevant.

Yet there was nothing, bar a piece of material flapping in the wind. The entire top floor was devoid of any signs of life whatsoever, and he slowly climbed to his feet.

Mikael approached the material tentatively, wary of the deliberate way in which it had been tied to a wooden support. He reached out, slowly untying it, and held it for the moonlight to reveal.

'Catch me if you can!' read a flowing script across it, and a wave of adrenaline thumped through Mikael.

"Ria'torr..." he whispered, a grin spreading across his face. He crouched low, and unhooked the bow on his back. He guessed it was time for another task.

He quickly ran the instructions through his head once more. The Gods of the Wilderness had tasked him with a hunt: he was to catch their chosen one, and he had been given an enchanted arrow with which to do so. Ria'torr, at a time she felt he was ready, would leave him a sign, and he would then have to track her down. On discovering her whereabouts he was to fire the enchanted arrow, and though it would not harm the elf, it would complete the task.

The instructions refreshed in his mind, he lifted his head, taking in the street below and the buildings opposite. Ria'torr was evidently nearby.

A shadow flitted down an alleyway, and Mikael was moving in a flash. He jumped from the window, landing on an overturned cart, and rolled forwards to diminish the fall. He was on his feet again in an instant, sprinting towards the alleyway, and as he reached it a small hand disappeared over the high wall at its end.

Two run-down houses stood either side of the dark passageway, and he leapt, grasping hold of the lower roof of the one to his right. Hauling himself up, he kept low, scampering towards the street on the other side and flattening himself so as not to be seen.

Ria'torr stood on a roof opposite, a grin on her beautiful features. Staring straight at him, she winked, and before Mikael could draw the bow she had vanished behind the roof.

Growling, Mikael scrabbled to his feet, his haste causing him to slip slightly, and he rushed towards the roof's edge. He dropped down onto the street below, a startled cat yowling as it hurtled away from him, and he ran to the street's end.

Turning right, he followed Ria'torr's direction, though he no longer had any idea of where she might be. Fuck, he cursed, his eyes roving over the houses. Whilst there was no time limit on this task, if he lost her then that would be it. He'd not find her again.

He came to a street occupied by abandoned storefronts. He was on the edge of town now; away from both the Poor Quarter and the shops in the Merchant District. These buildings had clearly once served an important purpose, but the evolving nature of the town had left them derelict long ago. This far away from the centre of the Poor Quarter, he doubted he would even come across any peasants.

He crept forwards, eager to conceal his location. Had Ria'torr entered one of these, he could not afford to allow himself to be seen; she would simply disappear. No, he had to approach in such a way she would not know he was coming.

Mikael's gaze swept over the façades of the buildings. Most were crumbling, the structures inside probably having already collapsed, and so he did not bother entering. His instincts told him that Ria'torr would have sought out the most stable building, from which she could scan the street and rooftops without having to worry about the floor giving way beneath her feet. That is, after all, exactly what Mikael would have done.

His eyes settled upon one particularly large storefront, with an imposing façade that maintained some of its grandeur despite having seen far better days. It looked as if it had once been a warehouse, and did not look quite as run-down as the buildings that surrounded it. Mikael paused a moment, before realising he had to make a decision as to which building to enter -- and that was as good a guess as any.

Staying low to the shadows, Mikael darted through the opening maw of the front door. The wooden entrance way had long since been stolen, and an open hole was all that remained as a greeting. Rain had left its mark on the broken floor, but to Mikael's eye the walls and ceilings stood intact.

It was dark inside, particularly at the rear of the building, where there were no windows to allow light in. It was there he hurriedly made his way, careful to ensure his footsteps made no sound on the stone floor. He paused a moment, and took in his surroundings. He could see no sign of the elf, and so made his way quietly to the staircase that stood shrouded in the shadows of the far corner.

He ascended delicately, well aware of the old wooden steps and their probable tendency to creak. He removed the bow from his back once again and notched the arrow; were his target on the floor above he would not waste time setting up his bow.

At length, he reached the top, and slowly raised his head above the floor level. His eyes quickly took in the dark room, and a smile spread across his face. Ria'torr crouched in front of one of the tall windows, periodically slightly standing and searching the street below. She has no idea I'm here, Mikael smiled.

He silently and nimbly leapt up fully onto the top floor, holding himself in the shadows. He maintained a crouch, keeping low but also readying himself for sudden movement, and took aim.

The string sang as he released it, and Ria'torr turned round in surprise at the noise. The arrow, aimed for her back, now hit her squarely in the side, and she toppled backwards with a yelp. A look of shock was on her face, and for a moment she did not move.

Mikael raced towards her, terrified she was injured, cold fear running through his body. He reached her, kneeling next to her prone form, and relief flooded through him. She was grinning, and a twinkle of laughter reached his ears.

"The Gods bless you with accuracy, Mikael," she grinned, deftly climbing to her feet. "You have completed another task. Is that two?"

"Yes, Ria'torr, it is," Mikael smiled back. The Elf giggled.

"That took less time than I had thought. Perhaps it was foolish of me, but I had hoped I would have eluded you. Or maintained the chase for a good few hours, at least," she said at last.

"You were the hardest quarry I have ever tracked," Mikael said plainly.

"I have no doubt. I am just impressed with the way you handled the hunt. How strange that sounds, hearing myself referred to as the quarry!"

She laughed again, and Mikael took in the sight. She did look fantastic, her long, dark green hair tied into a ponytail as it had been both times he had previously seen her. Her leather armour was tight and form-fitting -- although he had come to expect nothing less from the Sisters -- and he appreciated that. She wore a leather vest, unlike Lucinda's in that the armour did not extend down her arms, and a short skirt which he supposed was to allow for better movement.

His heart skipped as he realised she was staring at him, and a lascivious smile played across her lips.

"A nice view there?"

"Very," Mikael said with a grin, climbing to his own feet and stepping towards her. She did not retreat. He had a thought.

"Something has occurred to you. I can see it in your eyes."

"Well, I completed that task a little more quickly than I had expected..."

"Hmph," the elf said, folding her arms and pouting.

He ignored her and carried on. "... and I now have some time to spare. I had only thought to do two tasks tonight, but perhaps there is room for a third."

"There is, is there?" the ranger said slowly, her eyebrow rising. Her arms unfolded, returning to her sides.

"Yes, but I am... unsure of which to do next."

A mischievous smile spread across the beautiful elf's face. "I have an idea."

"Knowing your Sisters, that does not surprise me," Mikael laughed, closing the gap between them.

"And knowing what they say of you, I am surprised you are not kissing me yet," Ria'torr muttered sultrily, staring into his eyes.

"Then I shall address that," Mikael breathed, leaning forwards and pressing his lips against hers. She responded with a moan, standing on tip-toes and forcing her tongue into Mikael's mouth, where it met his own. They thrashed against each other, and Mikael's hands dropped to Ria'torr's lower back.

It was an awkward position, however, and Ria'torr giggled into his mouth, breaking the kiss and staring at him with lust-filled eyes. With a salacious grin she shoved him roughly in the chest and he stumbled back a few steps, colliding with the wall behind him. An instant later she jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

Mikael groaned as his own hands moved to support her ass, and their kiss was reinitiated with passion. Mikael felt something primal driving him onwards, a certain ferocity that was absent when he enjoyed the attentions of other women, and wondered as to its cause. It was, he decided as Ria'torr's tongue jostled with his own, a combination of the public setting, the importance of his task and the fact that he had never kissed an elf before, let alone fucked one. Gods, before yesterday he had never even seen one!




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 03



He spun quickly, pressing Ria'torr against the solid wall and pinning her in place. They were out of sight of the street, though the moonlight still streamed in through the windows, giving the scene a pleasant white glow. At length their kiss broke, and Mikael pulled his head away, drinking in the beauty of the elf who giggled in his arms.

"Choices, choices..." Mikael muttered, his hands still on the elf's firm ass.

"Oh?" she smiled back playfully, her pale green eyes staring into his.

He smiled wickedly. "Well, I only have to bring you to one climax in order to complete my task. Perhaps I should make certain, and use my tongue..."

Ria'torr bit her lower lip and shook her head. "Oh, don't do that. That's cheating; it's too easy. The Gods would prefer you to fuck me."

"They would?"

"Probably," she grinned. "But I know I would."

Mikael's lips twisted into a mischievous smile, his right hand remaining curled underneath the stunning elf whilst the other moved to his belt buckle. Ria'torr's arms remained wrapped around his neck as her pale green eyes stared lustfully into his, and a carnal need radiated from her that Mikael was only too willing to satisfy. With his free hand he unclasped his belt, tugging it free and allowing his pants to fall down to his knees.

He paused, a thought suddenly entering his mind. Ria'torr was small, perhaps not overly so, but she was also an elf. Mikael wondered as to the elven anatomy; could she actually, for lack of a better phrase, take him?

Ria'torr's smile broadened and she giggled, almost seeming to read his mind.

"We elves may be smaller than your kind, Mikael, but we are not tiny. Indeed, many a human lover has been surprised about how well we... mesh, otherwise there would be no half-elves. Do not worry about hurting me - you will not. I think you will find that I fit you like a glove."

Mikael gazed at her, his mind filled with animalistic desire. He grasped her knees, keeping her pressed against the wall with his waist, his erect cock jutting uncomfortably into her ass. Slowly, he stroked his hands down her thighs, feeling her skirt bunching as he did so. Soon he had reached her waist, her long shapely legs fully exposed. Her pussy glistened in the moonlight that pierced the building's gloom, and the fingers of his right hand crept towards it.

With a slight smile the digits reached it, and Ria'torr moaned musically, her eyelids fluttering as he did so. He ran his fingertips along her folds, eventually coming to her clit and gently rubbing the sensitive bud.

His Sister's hands tightened on his neck, joy sparking through her as his fingers played with her snatch. Mikael grinned, pleased to see that elven women were no more difficult to pleasure, and pressed harder on Ria'torr's clit.

She cried out softly, and Mikael could tell she was trying not to be too loud. They were, after all, in the middle of an abandoned building where anyone could potentially find them. Nevertheless, Ria'torr seemed to be enjoying herself, and Mikael wondered if she would be able to maintain the effort needed to be quiet.

He gazed into Ria'torr's green eyes, smiling mischievously as he slowly pushed one finger inside her. Her pretence of silence was ended as she cried out, her pussy welcoming in his probing digit. Instantly, Mikael started to move it, leaving his thumb on her clit as his finger pumped into her depths. Soon, it was joined by a second, and Mikael could see from Ria'torr's face that she appreciated it.

She moaned, the sound wonderful, and Mikael enjoyed the noise. Her legs were now trembling around his waist, and her arms hugged his neck tightly. Her eyes burned into his, and he leant forwards swiftly to kiss her. She responded eagerly, pushing her tongue into his mouth, her moans growing more insistent as his digits continued to move into her snatch.

She pulled her head away, her grip digging into his back, and cried out. Her mouth hung open, and her walls were tightening on Mikael's fingers, the pitch of her voice rising steadily.

"Oh, fuck..." she gasped, her pointed ears bouncing as she threw her head back. "I'm... going... to..."

He did not relent, his wrist moving rapidly as her snatch began to spasm. Her cries were long now, and the moment had arrived.

"Come!" she screamed, the cry reflecting the pleasure that suddenly coursed through her. Her pussy clamped down on his two digits, quivering around their length, and she shook slightly in his grasp. Her eyes were wide, staring straight into his, and her mouth hung open as the beautiful shriek was torn from her lungs.

She breathed out with a giggle as the orgasm passed, leaning forwards and resting her head on Mikael's shoulder. Her body shook with mirth.

"You cheated," she said, the sound muffled as she spoke into his armour. "You said you were going to fuck me." With that, she looked up, a wicked glimmer in her eye.

"I suppose I did say that," he smiled back, withdrawing his fingers from the elf's snatch.

"But now your task is completed, so you have no incentive to finish the job," she mock-pouted, her small pointed nose scrunching up.

Mikael laughed, grasping his cock with his right hand, his left returning to hold Ria'torr's ass. "None. No incentive whatsoever. So consider this a favour, to you."

Ria'torr's response was a laugh, but it quickly became a loud gasp as Mikael pushed his cock into her snatch. Her folds parted, welcoming in his length, and soon his member had been fully engulfed by her tight pussy.

"I shall make sure to repay you one day," she said breathlessly as he started to move his hips, holding the elf upright with his left hand. Her arms were still tight around his neck, and with his now-free right hand he pulled her close for a kiss. Once more their lips met, and once more their tongues duelled, Ria'torr's moans continuing even as she issued them into Mikael's mouth.

Mikael pulled away, staring at the gorgeous elf as his cock sent sensations coursing through her. Her arms had already gripped him more tightly, and from the rapturous expression that she wore he guessed she was not too far away. Neither, he noticed with surprise, was he, and he supposed that the need for alacrity owing to their exposed position -- and the excitement that came with fucking an elf for the first time -- had sped things along somewhat.

He did not care, though, and neither, it appeared, did Ria'torr. With a groan he dropped his right hand, wrapping it underneath her left leg before grasping her ass, and then repeating the movement with his left. He now held her more firmly, taking the weight from her arms, and the new position allowed him to drive wildly into the diminutive beauty.

"Fuck!" she cried out, overcome by the sudden movement. The noise became a half-moan, half-giggle, and Mikael grinned in response to the stunning elf's pleasure.

Suddenly, Mikael span, his own back now leaning against the wall, Ria'torr still held firmly in his grasp. His thrusts had not slowed, however, and her green ponytail bounced with the force of their sex, sending the delicious scent of wildflowers coursing through his nostrils. Her arms were still wrapped about his neck, though more loosely now that she did not need to support herself, and her head rested on his shoulders. She moaned into his neck, her sweet breath washing over him as her pleasure inexorably grew, and her pussy twitched with every thrust of his hips.

She pulled away slightly, staring into Mikael's eyes with hunger as his cock pistoned into her pussy, and reached out with her right hand. She laid it flat on the wall behind Mikael for support, her other grasping his arm as her eyes drifted shut. She was not far off now.

"Ooohh... ooohh..." she hummed, her body coiling. Any thoughts she'd had of staying quiet had long been forced from her mind, and Mikael realised that he, too, had hardly been keeping the noise down. "Fuck..."

Their loins slapped together forcefully in the moonlight as Ria'torr cried out her euphoria in wordless moans, the sounds of their sex echoing loud in the abandoned building. Mikael grunted as his cock twitched slightly, and he knew the moment was near.

Ria'torr's climax, too, was imminent, and she cried out above him as she began to bounce in his hands. Each of his thrusts was met with a downward push of her own, her impending orgasm driving her passion to fearsome heights, and her moans were reaching crescendo.

"Ooohh... ooohh..." she yelped, her eyes wide. "FUUUUCCCKK!"

Her pussy seized Mikael's thrusting member as her climax hit, the air torn from her lungs in a magnificent shriek of rapture. The hand on his arm gripped tightly, her body freezing up as her muscles trembled, orgasmic bliss cascading through her mind.

Mikael joined her, the wondrous feeling as her snatch gripped hold of his cock all he needed. His balls churned, and his member twitched, his cum bursting forth into her depths, splashing against her spasming walls as it fired into her hot pussy.  

His own groans joined Ria'torr's ecstatic cry, his seed filling her womb, the sensation seeming to drive the elf onwards, and her eyes were glazed as she stared into Mikael's. Everything was still, but for the faint shuddering of the diminutive beauty in Mikael's arms, and her ragged breaths as her song slowly faded.

He collapsed back against the wall as his orgasm finally passed, Ria'torr's head slumping onto his shoulders with her own satisfied giggle. There they remained a moment, before she looked at him with a grin and untangled herself from his body. Deftly, the elf set herself back down again, placing her hand on Mikael's chest and giggling.

She crouched, grasping Mikael's pants -- which had fallen to his ankles -- and pulling them back up, giving his sensitive member a playful kiss as she did so. Mikael groaned at the sensation with an amused shake of his head, before buckling his belt and standing once more.

She grinned at him then, still slightly breathless from the sheer power of her orgasm. "That's three tasks done, Mikael. But I shall now head back to the Sanctuary, ours having been one of them. I wish you luck in the remaining tasks, for you must not fail now. We have unfinished... business to attend to."

"We do?" Mikael asked, his eyebrow rising.

She turned back to him as she danced towards the staircase. "I owe you a favour, no?"

"Yes, you do," Mikael remembered, laughing softly as he sank back onto the wall and slid into a sitting position. He was tired, and just needed to sleep. He closed his eyes as Ria'torr darted down the staircase with a final wave, her wonderful giggle fading into the night.

Only three more tasks to go.



Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 04



Mikael awoke with a start. He had not meant to fall asleep, and the realisation that he had sent a cold shiver running down his spine. He rubbed his forehead, clambering to his feet, and looked around. He was lucky nothing had happened.

He shook his head and glanced about warily, making sure that everything was indeed alright and that nothing was missing. His swords were still sheathed by his side, and he was fairly certain he had not been killed. Lucky boy, he thought to himself as he scratched his head in disbelief.

With a long exhalation of breath, he stretched, allowing himself to relax as it became apparent no ill had befallen him in his moment of stupidity. Pale sunlight filtered through the abandoned building's tall windows, and the weak rays highlighted just what a rundown place it was. Dust settled heavy on the creaking floors, and Mikael glanced behind him at the wall he had rested against. It was cracked, though did not appear unstable, but he was pleased he didn't have to stay any longer in the warehouse's husk.

He could feel the cold, and shook himself in an effort to warm up, his joints creaking as they were called into action. His sleep had not been particularly comfortable, of that he was sure, since he had grabbed it whilst sat on a hard floor with his back against a wall. Oh, how he wished he could have returned to the Sanctuary with Ria'torr, with its soft beds and warm rooms...

Soft bosoms and warm bodies, more like, he grinned to himself, finally feeling ready to face the day. He made his way towards the central staircase, noting with a small smile the arrow that he had fired at Ria'torr the previous night, which still lay by the window. It would probably remain there a long while before someone finally found it, by which time the shaft would have worn through to the point it became useless as a projectile.

He double-checked his armour and weaponry, and, quite sure that it was all intact and on his person, strode downstairs and then out into the street. The pale sky was washed out, though he could tell it was probably mid-morning. He could not be certain, but the position of the sun and noises of the town suggested he was not far off.

Mikael puffed out his cheeks and sucked in a lungful of the icy air, heading off towards the Poor Quarter once more. He saw no one on his journey there, the area in which he had slept truly abandoned, and it was not until he neared the tavern where he had slain Olaf that he finally bumped into someone.

They nodded at him and smiled broadly, and Mikael was not sure whether he was recognised as the killer of their tormentor, or if their lives had just been improved so significantly by Olaf's demise that they were in a generally good mood.

Either way, they're about to like me a whole lot more, Mikael smiled, slowly winding his way back to the Merchant Quarter. The foot traffic increased markedly as he did so, and by the time he was in the marketplace he found himself fighting through a veritable press of bodies.

He paused, wondering as to the task he would first address. He had three more to do, the others completed the night before, and ran them through his mind once more.

You must acquire a rare herb, though it will not be easy to find. The store in Firewatch should have some, but you will likely have a fight on your hands obtaining it. Quintia's words had appeared to him as shimmering golden letters, forming in the air between them as she had given him her task.

You will not be tasked with using magic, as that would be unfair given that you have not yet learned how to do so. In the absence of a spellcasting challenge, this is your quest.

He nodded to himself, remembering that task. The next...

"My task is simple," Melissa had smiled. "There is a healer who works within the Baron's abode, and she is very talented indeed. Her many self-written tomes of medical knowledge are sought after, but she is also very aloof, choosing only to aid those who can afford her services.

"She is currently teaching the Baron's son, and whilst the Gods of Health do not wish to disturb their studies, as another doctor in the world is something they wish, you are required to take from her one of those books. Once it is in your possession, deliver it to the medic of the Poor Quarter. There it will go to good use, and perhaps it will even encourage the healer to be less selfish with her talents."

The third task he remembered well, the sight of the poverty-stricken downtrodden reminding him of it constantly. He was to enter the Baron's home and destroy the treaty that allowed the peasants to be taxed. The season had been poor, and they could not afford it, yet their meagre coin was being taken nonetheless. The Gods wanted that situation addressed.

Mikael looked around, careful to avoid a street urchin as he hurtled past, and scanned the marketplace. Whilst he was here, he decided, he may as well complete the closest task. With that, he set off.

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

The Alchemical Shoppe was a dingy little place tucked away in the corner of the Quarter. He rolled his eyes as he saw the name, the attempt at faux-antiquity lending the place a seedy air, and it was with an unnerving trepidation that he pushed open the store's heavy door.

Inside it was dark and dusty, and Mikael was quite certain the shop was rarely visited. It was packed with a vast array of strange merchandise, not least the rare and exotic (and in some cases illegal) herbs displayed on the far wall. An elderly crone sat behind the desk.

"What can I do fer ye, dearie?" she croaked at him.

"I'm looking for some lovewort," Mikael replied steadily. He was sure she would deny having any, but it was his task to obtain some nonetheless. He could not fail the Gods now.

Her eyes darted shiftily. "I'm afraid I don' have any o' those, bit is there anythin' else I can help ye with?"

"Listen, I don't want to cause any trouble; I just want some lovewort, and then I'll be on my way," Mikael said calmly.

"I've already told ye, I don't got any," she shot back, her voice dropping and her eyes narrowing slightly.

"The thing is I know you do have some, and as I said, I just need to get hold of a little. I'll pay you handsomely for them, and I won't even enquire as to what you've being doing with them, because I know they can be used for some pretty dark rituals."

"Listen, boy, I don't have any o' that herb. And if ye ask again, I'll be forced to hex ye!"

"Try me, crone. I'm willing to buy that herb, because I need it - the Gods demand that I get it. But if you won't sell it to me, then I am going to get it another way. You see, what I'm trying to say is that the only difference in this outcome is not whether I have the herb on me when I leave -- I will -- but whether your shop is intact when I do so."

"Threatnin' an ol' lady now, are ye?" she cackled, although her eyes betrayed her loathing. "Well I'm just gonna have to hex ye! Ye think I'm a crone, eh? Well I've gotta surprise in store for ye!"

A bright flash filled the air, and Mikael felt as if his flesh were aflame. A glass vial shattered behind him with the force of the blast, a luminous blue liquid leaking onto the floor. A witch! Mikael's mind screamed. So this was his true task, not obtaining the herb, but slaying a Hag -- a witch who had turned away from a simple life of secluded magic to indulge in evil rituals.

"Oh look what ye've gone and done!" the crone laughed. "Ye've spilled me hair growth potion! Least that's easy to remake, which is more 'an I can say for yer bones!" Lightning seared from her fingers, crashing into Mikael and causing his legs to give out. He collapsed to the floor, unbearable pain searing through his body.

The witch stepped out from behind the counter, her eyes ablaze with magic.

She cackled again. "I can see ye ain't likin' this, but it's gonna get worse! No one takes me precious lovewort. I went through too much gettin' it to lose it to some whelp now!"

Mikael kicked out, his foot colliding with a shelf of potions, which collapsed to the floor at the impact. Vials shattered and glass sprayed the room, myriad liquids coalescing as their contents mixed. A foul smell filled the room.

The witch staggered backwards briefly, taken aback first by the sudden movement and then by the smell. Mikael's hand shot out, grasping a large shard of glass that had come to rest nearby, before he drew it underneath his body once more.

"Ye gonna regret that, boy. They were expensive magics, and you just went and ruined 'em. I wouldn' wanna be in yer shoes right now!" She laughed again, raising her hands once more as her eyes glowed increasingly brightly.

"And I, yours," Mikael said with a pained grunt as he hurled the pointed shard at the crone. She staggered backwards, the glass protruding from the space between her eyes. Sorcery crackled on her fingertips as she collapsed to the floor, and Mikael could only watch as the energies she had gathered tore her body apart.

He breathed out heavily, placing his head on the floor and closing his eyes. The pain had begun to fade, his limbs feeling normal again, and he pushed himself upright. The witch's corpse had simply evaporated, obliterated by the magic that she had channelled through her body, and he walked unsteadily to the counter.

"Sorry I had to do that," he said quietly, addressing the patch of ground where the crone's body had been, her tattered clothing all that remained. "Although it does look as if I did the world a favour. The Gods only know what you were using this herb for."

And in fact, they probably did, he smiled as he pulled the herb from the pouch she had worn at her waist. Which is why I'm here.

The herb obtained and the witch slain, he made his way swiftly towards the shop's door. Such blatant use of sorcery was not likely to have gone unnoticed, and Mikael wanted to make a quick exit before a crowd arrived at the store. It would not do to get caught up in accusations of witchcraft.

Two tasks to go.

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

Mikael walked hurriedly back through the Merchant Quarter, pausing only when he was far enough away from the witch's shop that he was quite sure he would not be caught up in the aftermath. Indeed, an excited murmuring had begun to filter around the marketplace, the townspeople growing agitated as rumours of a magical battle spread.

He breathed out heavily, relieved that no ill had befallen him, and planned his next move. Both of his final tasks required him to enter the Baron's residence, and such a thought was not overly appealing to him. Whilst he hoped he would be able to do so without being caught -- the Gods would surely not send him to his death -- the punishment if he were would be severe, and he did not think he could count on the Sisters to step in and save him. He was not yet a member of the Cohort, after all.

Tentatively, he approached the high wall that separated the nobles from the rest of the town. A large gateway stood at its centre, and four armed guards clutched pikes in front of it. They clearly want to keep people out, he grimaced, his job made harder. There was no way he was getting through that gate.

He turned around, scanning his eyes along the length of the wall, attempting to find a weakness or an opening. There was none; not a single house that backed on to it was tall enough to allow him to clamber over, even if Mikael had been willing to do so in daylight.

He puffed out his cheeks. Every other entrance would have a similar guard, he was sure, and the wall was enough of an obstacle to prevent him merely climbing over it. He pondered as to his next move.

The Gods of Stealth... he thought, wondering what they would want him to do. He could not stick to the shadows -- there were none, and besides, it was broad daylight. There were surely too many people around for him to remain hidden, and one person acting so suspiciously would stand out in a large crowd.

Mikael's eyes opened wide as a thought flashed into his mind. Of course! There was a large crowd, and that included the groups of nobles who moved through the archway. The Gods of Stealth may have represented the art of remaining hidden, but that did not necessarily mean skulking around in the shadows -- it dawned on Mikael that sometimes the best way of making sure you weren't noticed was by becoming one of the masses.

That thought in his mind he sauntered towards the gate, though he remained careful not to attract undue attention. He needed to find a noble's retinue and latch on to it, preferably without the noble in question noticing. If he could make his way through the gate without anyone realising he didn't belong, then he would be free to move about the Noble Quarter as he wished.

A shout to his right caught his attention, and a noble and his retinue strode into view. Mikael instantly stood tall, hoping to blend in with the man's numerous guards, but his heart sank as they passed him. All were dressed in bright red livery, and despite Mikael's best martial pose it would be apparent that he was not one of them. His shoulders dropped, and he watched as the noble and his guards were waved through into the Quarter.

A long while passed, the day growing inexorably older, and Mikael's heart sank lower and lower. He suspected there was no time limit as such on these tasks, and that completing four in two days was a very good pace, but he had wanted to impress his companions by doing all six in that time. He was meant to be exceptional, and he wanted to show that, but as the sun began to set he suspected he would not get that chance.

It was then that regimented movement caught his attention. The crowds had been slowly drifting home, many having to travel back to their houses beyond the borders of the town, but numerous people still lingered in the darkening marketplace. The ones that caught Mikael's attention, however, were the noble couple who moved purposefully towards the gate, and the guards that followed in their wake. They were not wearing a uniform, merely bland but functional armour, and Mikael saw his opening.

The noble couple stopped to browse the wares of a foreign merchant who was just about to pack up, and Mikael took the opportunity to dart forward. He sidled up to the group of guards, hoping that they would be underway soon and no one would notice that he did not belong.

"You are not one of my guards," said a woman's voice, and Mikael's eyes shut as a silent curse ran through him. "What are you doing here? Speak quickly, before I run you through, assassin."

Mikael turned slowly, cold fear running through him as the other guards started to notice his presence. The nobles, however, remained oblivious. But they were not the ones with the swords.

"Look at me, assassin. Tell me what... Mikael?!"

His eyes opened wide as he saw the face of the guard captain. And recognised her.

"Rose! It has been too long," he cried, a grin spreading across his face. Truly the Gods were on his side.

He knew Rose, and had done so for a while. She was an experienced warrior, a woman of her late-thirties, and Mikael had both worked with her and encountered her on the road numerous times. Guards of people and caravans tended to meet as their work moved around, and Rose had been no exception.

She was fairly tall and very attractive, with short, brown hair, and her steely blue eyes lent her an air of authority that had served her well in her rise to guard captain.

"What are you doing here, Mikael?" Rose said, her voice dropping as she ushered him away from the group. "Please tell me you have not fallen in with assassins."

Mikael spoke sincerely, understanding her concern. "Honestly, I have not. But I do need access to the Noble Quarter. I fear the only way I will get it is by accompanying a noble through."

"May I ask why?" Rose said, her eyebrow rising.

Mikael shook his head sadly. "No. I cannot tell you. I am sorry, Rose, but you at least know me -- I have never taken the wrong path."

"That much is trueI have always been able to trust you."

She sighed, glancing back towards the noble couple, who remained locked in an exchange with the merchant.

"Very well," she said softly, waving Mikael with her as she strode back towards the group of guards. "Come." The men and women under her command looked on for a moment, mildly interested, before they caught their captain's glare and swiftly glanced away.

"Thank you for this," Mikael breathed quietly to her.

"I believe that your intentions are pure, Mikael, and will not pry," she smiled. The expression slowly broadened into a grin. "And besides, I owe you a favour. There are not many people out there who have saved my life, and I repay my debts."

Mikael laughed. "As far as I recall, Rose, you repaid that debt the very same night. And the night after that, and the night after that..."

"I would not consider those evenings a suitable reward," she chuckled low. "Even if you had not struck down that orc as he readied the killing blow, I would have made sure that you spent those long nights with me in my tent."

Mikael opened his mouth to respond, but before he could utter a word Rose had lifted her palm. The nobles she had been tasked to guard had finally made their purchase and were ready to move on.

They strode off, and the guards hastily followed, Mikael standing by the side of the group as they made their way towards the gates. They reached them quickly, and a wave of relief washed over him as the pike-wielding soldiers parted to allow them through.

Soon he had passed into the Quarter, and as the nobles and their guards rounded a corner, moving out of sight of the soldiers on the gates, Mikael peeled away. He glanced back as he did so, his eyes meeting Rose's, and mouthed the words 'thank you'.

She winked in return, a playful smile on her features, before turning the corner with the rest of her guards. Mikael watched after her a moment, slightly saddened that they did not have more time together - especially in private - but the thought did not long linger in his mind. Sex hardly seemed to be something he would now go without, and it did not look like Rose had changed. She had a small unit of guards under her command, and Mikael was sure it remained a rare occasion when she did not have company during the night.

After the captain's lovely form had disappeared down the street, he turned away, scanning the large houses in an attempt to locate the Baron's. He had work to do.

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

The rich area was quite uncomfortable for Mikael. It was not so much the luxury of his surroundings -- he would, after all, have to get used to such opulence in the Sanctuary -- but the manner in which the people around him conducted themselves. The few nobles on the streets, most without an escort in their own Quarter, held themselves aloof from Mikael; even those who deigned to meet his eyes seemed to regard him as a lowly creature, fit to be ignored.

Such an attitude, however, worked in Mikael's favour, as no one seemed to take any notice of his movements. As such, he had not only located the Baron's abode, but even manoeuvred himself into the alleyway that stood beside it.

The afternoon sun hung low in the air, and though its feeble rays had not quite settled into dusk, long shadows still stained the cobbled streets. It was in such inky darkness that Mikael now crouched, regarding the high wall in front of him. It was taller than a man, and Mikael suspected quite adept at keeping out unwanted intruders, but he was not daunted. The Baron, clearly a vain man, had adorned the side of his house with gargoyles. It was quite apparent that he was either unconcerned with the threat of robbery, or merely too stupid to realise his error.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 04



Mikael grinned, silently jumping on to the first gargoyle. He suppressed a laugh at its appallingly cut features, the leering head clearly intended to unnerve potential foes and visitors alike, but it was so badly carved it looked instead as if it were about to vomit on them. The smile still on his face, he sprang from the gargoyle's head, landing nimbly on the high wall. An open window stood just below him, and for a man of Mikael's agility such an awkward jump was not a problem.

He slipped through, and found himself in a small room, intricate murals on the walls and an elaborate pattern painted across the high ceiling. A chest stood open in the corner, and as Mikael approached it his eyes opened wide. It was full of gold, evidently where the Baron maintained his wealth, and Mikael crouched to better examine it.

Gold coins mixed with jewellery, chalices and pendants lay within it, but he could see no sign of the treaty. He hoped that the Baron had kept it separate, for he did not look forward to the prospect of rummaging through the chest in an effort to find it -- the noise such an activity would create hardly allowing him to easily remain hidden.

He crept from the room, looking for the Baron's office in an effort to locate the treaty. A long corridor stood before him, and through the doorway at the other end Mikael could see a much smaller chest. He hoped that it contained the document he sought, especially as what looked like a financial ledger lay open next to it.

He snuck forwards, careful to keep his footsteps light, but a sudden banging to his left caused him to freeze. He waited there a moment, ascertaining its source as low moans now reached his ears, before a sharp cry pierced the air. He smiled mischievously, ignoring the noise as he darted down the corridor and entered the room at its end.

To Mikael's joy the chest did indeed contain the treaty, and he swiftly plucked it from the velvet on which it lay. Holding the document disdainfully between his forefinger and thumb, Mikael grasped a candle that stood on the windowsill. He held it to the parchment, and delighted as it quickly burned. Soon, a mere corner remained, and Mikael threw it from the window as he set the candle down.

He backed quickly out of the office, yet another task completed, eager to track down the healer and in doing so complete his final mission. Once more, however, he was distracted by the sounds of passionate sex that echoed down the corridor. He shook his head, a smile playing across his face, and approached the door from which the sounds issued.

I have time for a little fun, do I not? Mikael grinned, pushing open the thick wood, which was already slightly ajar. He held his eye to the crack, the gap not wide enough that those inside would notice, but sufficiently large for him to peer in. He scanned the room.

A young man of approximately nineteen years stood in front of a large oak desk in the corner, his shirt unbuttoned and his pants lying in a crumpled heap beside him. A look of delight was spread across his fresh face, and he groaned loudly, his mouth hanging open. The Baron's son, I presume, Mikael thought to himself.

The cause of the lad's pleasure was obvious: the woman who reclined on the desk, her legs wrapped around his waist as her pussy welcomed in his thrusting cock. She, too, was moaning, her body gyrating with each drive of his hips, and Mikael's grin widened as he noticed the doctor's garb that was bunched around her midriff.

She was only mildly attractive, with a slim stomach and slender body, but Mikael had to admit that she was made much more appealing by the gigantic pair of breasts that shook on her chest. They were as large as Melissa's, and he knew how appetising the brunette's were, so he did not blame the Baron's son for leaning forward and grasping the huge mounds.

Mikael studied her. She had brown eyes and dark red hair, and he guessed that though she was probably in her late thirties, she nevertheless still appeared to be very much enjoying the attentions of the lad who thrust into her. Then again, Mikael remembered, the Sisters of the Cohort were very old indeed, and yet no less stunning for it. And no less horny, either, he smiled to himself.

Tearing his eyes from the well-endowed healer and the blonde boy who fucked her, he looked around the room. Soon, his eyes settled upon his target. A book filled with elegant handwriting lay open on the bed, and he drew his lips into a line as he worked out how to get it. The bed lay near the door, but even so he could not simply stroll in and grab it.

Suddenly, the Baron's son stopped thrusting, letting go of the healer's massive breasts and taking a step back with a grin. The doctor pushed herself into a sitting position.

"When father asked you to tutor me, I'm not sure he meant like this, ma'am," the lad said happily.

"Your father said I was to teach you everything I knew, and when I asked him how he wanted it taught he said he didn't mind - that I should follow whatever methods I found comfortable," she replied, leaning forwards and grasping his cock. The lad gasped. The woman continued.

"Perhaps he did not envisage this situation, I admit, but he gave me free reign to teach you as I saw fit. It just so happens that you are a very good student, and will one day make a very good doctor. It also happens that I like to reward my best students, and I see no harm in enjoying myself whilst I do it. Do you?"

"No harm at all, ma'am," the Baron's son beamed, nodding eagerly in agreement.

"May I ask, then, why you have stopped screwing my brains out, my student? You seem inexperienced not just as a healer, but also a lover. I fully intend to make you an expert in both by the time I leave. Do you agree that this would be acceptable?"

"Yes ma'am," the lad nodded, obviously delighted at the prospect.

Trying to suppress a grin of her own, the doctor climbed from the desk and tugged on her student's cock. "Now, should we continue? You will, over time, learn to make me come many times, but for today one climax will suffice. I was well on my way as you fucked me on the desk, but perhaps your stopping suggests you have a better place in mind?"

"Well, ma'am, if you are willing I would very much like to continue by the window. No one can see us there, and the garden looks very beautiful at sunset."

"How poetic," she smiled, her eyebrows rising. "Very well. I must admit I had expected you to suggest the bed, so am pleasantly surprised by your extravagance. Yet be warned -- for requesting such an indulgence of me I will now demand more of you in turn, and you will instead have to make me climax twice today. Do not allow yourself to come before I have; your adventurous suggestion implies you are ready for a sterner test."

She winked and moved over to the window, pulling the lad with her by his cock. Once there, she turned her face to him and rested her arms on the windowsill, slowly bending over and thrusting out her ass. The young man eagerly moved behind her, grasping his member and positioning it at the entrance of her snatch.

"Is it not beautiful, ma'am?" he grinned, staring out into the garden.

"You were quite right, and I am impressed by your imagination," she replied. "But it seems I should remind you that I require two orgasms now. Perhaps you should cease talking, and instead... ahh!"

She moaned loudly as the Baron's son pushed inwards, her folds parting as his cock slid between them. Soon her words were indecipherable from her moans, and they were joined by the lad's own as he stared out of the window and held her hips. His pelvis slapped loudly against her ass, and Mikael held back a laugh as the young man leaned forwards to grasp her gigantic breasts. He would have done exactly the same, and with a smile realised that it was not just the Gods of Health and Medicine who would be pleased come the end of the lad's training. If he and the healer kept this up, the Gods of Pleasure would be well-satisfied, too.

With the doctor and her student totally distracted, Mikael saw his opportunity. Neither of them were paying any attention to the doorway, focused as they were on the beautiful garden and their passionate sex, and he opened it wider. Slipping through the narrow gap, he stayed low and to the shadows, quickly grasping the leather-bound tome from the bed and retreating from the room.

He wrapped his hands around the door handle, quietly pulling the thick wood closed again, and regarded the volume in his hands. It was large, and full of information - clearly, the healer spent a lot of energy on the creation of her books.

Well, the energy she has not otherwise spent 'rewarding' her students, Mikael grinned as he darted back down the corridor. He came to the room that he had originally entered, and with one last look behind him to make sure he had not been spotted, leapt from the window, over the wall, and back down into the street.

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

Once more it was dark as he came to the Poor Quarter. Yet, unlike his arrival yesterday, he was not overcome with sadness at the people's plight. His slaying of Olaf had brightened their demeanour, and he smiled as he knew it would only further brighten with the news that they could no longer be taxed. The Baron would, of course, petition the King for a new treaty, but he would not receive it for many months, by which time the season should have drastically improved. It was the one advantage of the King's oversized bureaucracy: without that treaty the Baron was impotent, and gaining a new one would take a very long time.

He had one final destination: the medic's clinic. After a quick glance round, he asked a passer-by, listening to the woman's directions and swiftly following them. He came at length to a small building with an open door, and grasping the leather-bound tome, stepped through the entranceway.

A middle-aged woman looked up at him as he entered, her eyebrows rising.

"Hello," she said quietly. "How can I help you? You seem too healthy and well-dressed to have business here."

"I am merely here to bring you a gift," Mikael smiled, proffering the book.

The woman's eyes widened, and she hurriedly snatched it, leafing through the pages and periodically gasping. After a short while, she looked up at Mikael in awe.

"So it was true? When I received this, I was sure it was a joke," she breathed quietly, standing and hurrying to the table that stood behind her.

She held out a piece of paper to Mikael, and he took it. It detailed that a man would come to the clinic and deliver a tome of immense medicinal worth, and Mikael laughed as he recognized the beautiful handwriting. It was Melissa's.

"A stunning young woman brought it to me this morning," the doctor said, her voice still low. "I could not fathom what such elegance was doing here. Now I see that she, and you, were sent to me from the heavens. May the Gods bless you, sir; you have saved many lives today."

Mikael bowed low, leaving the building with a surge of happiness as he watched the doctor thoroughly study the book, rapt attention etched on her face.

The Gods do more than bless me, Mikael thought, dizzy with elation. They welcome me into their arms.

He was finished.

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

Mikael entered the tavern in the Merchant's Quarter and approached the barman cheerfully. He could not believe he was finished, but though he wished to return to the Sanctuary now and inform his new companions of his success, he was not sure he would know the way in the dark. He would wait until daylight, and for that he needed a room. Even if the Sisters were unaware that he had completed all six tasks within two days, the Gods would not be, and that thought filled him with joy.

"I need a room for the night, good sir," Mikael asked pleasantly.

"Of course," the barkeep nodded. He reached beneath the counter. "What size do you require? Will you be sleeping alone, or have company?"

Mikael paused, glancing round the room, his eyes drawn instantly to two particularly attractive barmaids. He smiled, and shook his head. Tonight was not the night, even though he wished it. It was not that he did not yearn for release -- indeed, his meeting with Rose earlier in the day, and the later sight of the massive-chested healer's passionate sex with the Baron's son, had inflamed his desire greatly - nor was it any reluctance to indulge those desires now that he was watched over by the Gods. If he had learned anything about the Sisters, and therefore the Gods they represented, it was that they held no modesty or reticence when it came to satiating carnal desires.

No, it was simply the practical matter of his early start. He needed to leave Firewatch with the first rays of daylight given that he was not entirely sure of his way, and considering both his libido and the talents associated with it, he could be sure that would not happen were he to take company to his room tonight.

The barkeep paused again, standing more upright and placing his hands on the bar. His eyes creased with mirth.

"Forgive me for asking, sir, but would your name happen to be 'Mikael'?"

"Yes... why?" replied Mikael warily.

The man laughed. "Ah, then I have a room reserved for you. I was told there was a possibility a man of your name and description would come to this tavern looking for a room. It seems I was informed correctly."

"And who informed you?" Mikael asked.

"A magnificent blonde lady," the barkeep responded with a grin. "I offered her a job on my staff, but she politely declined. A shame, she'd have sold a lot of drinks with those looks of hers."

Mikael's heart skipped a beat, and a small smile played across his face. Perhaps he would not be spending the night alone, after all.

"Where is she staying?"

"Just go up the stairs, and it's the door at the end. Do not worry about payment, the blonde lady took care of that."

Mikael nodded and said his thanks, taking the key from the barkeep's outstretched hand and climbing the staircase. When he reached the top, he made his way down the corridor, eventually coming to the indicated door. He quietly inserted the key and turned it, the lock clicking open loudly, before pushing wide the heavy wood with a creak.

He stepped inwards to the strong scent of sex, and grinned as two heads whipped round to face him, surprise in their eyes. Two glorious naked bodies glistened in the firelight, and two wonderful pairs of breasts were thrust outwards, glowing magnificently in the dull light thrown out by the flames.

"Good evening ladies," Mikael laughed. "Nice to see you, Kristine. And you, Lucinda."

Their gorgeous faces relaxed at the sight of him, and both women rolled back onto the bed, having pushed themselves half-upright in shock. Kristine, who was slightly further down the mattress than her Sister, reached out, her hand gliding across Lucinda's legs before beginning to lightly toy with her pussy. The rogue moaned, her eyelids fluttering shut.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything, although I fear I am." Mikael slowly shut the door behind him.

Kristine smiled back wickedly, her piercing blue eyes having remained focused on him since the moment he entered the room, her fingers already sliding in and out of her Sister's depths. Clearly, they had been well underway before Mikael arrived.

"Don't worry, your intrusion is most welcome. Isn't that right, Lucinda?" A long moan was the only reply.

Mikael grinned. "Well it seems as if it's not entirely unexpected, seeing as you told the barkeep to look out for me."

"We told him merely that you might arrive. We had hoped you would, but could not be certain, of course. But you are most welcome here, Mikael. We're both delighted that you came. Aren't we, lover?" She turned to her Sister, and again Lucinda merely moaned in response, her mind too clouded with the pleasure she was being given.

"I suppose she's a little distracted," Mikael suggested, as the rogue's hips shook, Kristine's hand a blur on her snatch. Her moans rose to an insistent cry, and her emerald eyes opened wide as she suddenly came.

She lay there a moment, quivering, as Kristine giggled at the sight, and Mikael watched as she looked down at her black-haired Sister.

"Don't be rude, Lucinda," Kristine scolded with a playful smile. "Say hello to Mikael."

Lucinda sat forward and playfully slapped Kristine on the shoulder, her breathing heavy and her skin flushed. Her large breasts jiggled delightfully at the movement, and she turned to face Mikael with a grin.

"Enjoying the sight?" she asked teasingly. He was, of course, and duly nodded, drinking it in.

The bed was huge, and though two smaller beds stood on the other side of the room, he did not suspect they would be getting much use. Mainly because of the two beautiful women who reclined on the largest one's soft sheets, regarding him with obvious lust.

He had seen Lucinda naked before, his eyes travelling up her long, slender legs, over her trim stomach and large breasts, before coming to rest on her stunning face, her mane of obsidian hair glinting in the firelight. Her green eyes were creased with mirth as they looked at him, and he smiled back.

Immediately, his eyes darted to Kristine, and his smile widened. Her body was very similar, with wonderful legs, a slender body and magnificent, large breasts. Her own gorgeous face was crowned with long, blonde hair that was splayed on the white sheets behind her, and her eyes were smouldering twin sapphires.

He grinned. "Very much so, Lucinda. But I must ask what you're doing in a tavern such as this, rather than relaxing in the Sanctuary."

"Well we have to stay somewhere whilst we watch you do the tasks, Mikael, and why not this tavern? It is safe, comfortable and not too expensive. Which makes it inconspicuous, and therefore perfect for our needs. In fact, I quite like it here."

"True," Mikael nodded. It made sense.

"And why shouldn't we have fun?" asked Kristine, her fingers still stroking across Lucinda's thigh. "Do you think that before you arrived we were prudes?" Mikael laughed at the idea.

"We are merely keeping each other entertained in a room we have to share. And why not? Right now, back in the Sanctuary, our Sisters are having a lot of fun. Why should we miss out on some of our own?"

"That sounds perfectly reasonable," Mikael grinned, stepping towards the two women. "Though your Sisters have returned home?"

Lucinda shrugged. "Well, they knew that you had completed their tasks, and had matters to attend to in the Sanctuary. Melissa left with Quintia only a few hours ago, after you gave the book of medicine to the Poor Quarter's healer. I will stay until you have completed your final task, and Kristine has offered in the meantime to keep me... company." The paladin giggled salaciously, and Lucinda turned to her with a grin.

"But I have completed your task, Lucinda," Mikael said, his eyebrow rising. "I destroyed the document as you asked. I am finished."

Lucinda froze a moment, and sat upright, turning to Kristine with a fleeting expression of concern. "Then I must leave."

"Why so?" Mikael asked, slightly disappointed.

"I have my own business to address in the Sanctuary, and if you have finished I really must not delay it any longer," the obsidian-haired beauty responded, a broad smile suddenly breaking over her face. "Though your disappointment is noted, and much appreciated."

"Should we return with you?" Mikael asked, preparing to leave once more.

"No, no. You need to sleep, Mikael. Kristine will stay here with you, to guide you back to the Sanctuary in the morning. I am sure she is distraught at the prospect."




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 04



"Yes," the paladin said, desire burning in her eyes. "Heart-broken."

"You cannot stay just for a little while?" Mikael asked, stepping towards Lucinda as she stood up. She smiled.

"I would love to," she giggled. "But my duties cannot wait."

"Not even for a moment? A few minutes, perhaps?" Kristine said, climbing onto all fours and crawling towards her Sister.

"Kristine!" the rogue said, aghast. "You know I cannot..." She turned back to Mikael. "Do not tempt me, please..."

"You are outnumbered," Kristine purred, evidently ignoring Lucinda's pleas and leaning over to kiss her side, her lips descending to her Sister's ass.

"I am..." Lucinda whispered in response, faltering.

"So there is no point resisting," Mikael breathed, closing the distance and wrapping his right arm around the rogue's smooth back. He leaned forwards quickly, crushing his lips against hers, and she moaned, her own arms eagerly wrapping round his neck as her tongue pushed into his mouth.

"Fuck it," she laughed breathlessly, breaking the kiss, carnal hunger renewed in her emerald eyes. "It can wait a few minutes."

Mikael stepped forwards, pushing Lucinda back onto the bed, enjoying her naked body in his grasp. Kristine sat back on her haunches as her Sister was lowered beside her, and Mikael stood once more to begin undressing. Instantly Kristine took his place, kissing the obsidian-haired beauty ferociously, Lucinda's arms wrapping around the paladin's back with equal passion.

Mikael yanked off his armour as his companions' kiss broke, Lucinda staring into Kristine's eyes and crawling backwards up the bed. Kristine followed on all fours, her ass sticking in the air, and as Mikael threw the last of his garments onto one of the far beds, the blonde leaned between her Sister's legs.

"Fuck..." Lucinda moaned, Kristine's tongue flicking out and grazing her folds. The paladin's hands moved to Lucinda's inner thighs, creeping upwards, and she slowly started to lick more forcefully.

Mikael was now naked, his erection throbbing as he watched Kristine pleasure Lucinda. The blonde's face was buried between her Sister's legs, but her ass was sticking up towards Mikael, her pussy plainly in sight. Lucinda was writhing, long moans escaping her lips as her hands alternated between grasping the sheets beneath her and holding Kristine's head.

Mikael smiled and stepped forwards, kneeling on the edge of the bed as he grasped Kristine's ass and leant towards her snatch. She cried out with delight as he reached it, his tongue passing over her folds, and she lifted her head from Lucinda's pussy with a moan.

"Mikael, stop," Lucinda giggled breathlessly, looking up at him. He did so, standing slightly upright, wearing a bemused expression as the rogue propped herself up on her elbows. Kristine, too, laughed, leaning to one side with her legs spread over the covers, supported by her left arm and stroking Lucinda's thighs with the hand of her right.

"You really can't do it, can you?" Lucinda laughed, turning to her Sister.

Kristine smiled sheepishly and glanced at Mikael, before turning back to Lucinda. "I can't help it if I enjoy a lover's attentions!" she said with mock-regret.

"This is why I don't sixty-nine with you! As soon as you start receiving pleasure, you're totally useless for dispensing it."

"I doubt that's entirely true," Mikael interjected, and Kristine looked up at him with a wicked grin.

"Well it's easy for you," Lucinda laughed, a twinkle in her eyes, too. "You have that fantastic thing between your legs which makes us girls come very, very hard, but at the same time ensures your own satisfaction. I don't have that luxury."

"Which is why you have to sixty-nine."

"But we can't, she's terrible at it," Lucinda said, looking at Kristine and poking her tongue out. "Now you see my predicament."

Kristine and Mikael laughed. "I have an idea," Mikael said slowly, climbing onto the bed and joining the two gorgeous women.

"Do you now?" Kristine whispered, reaching out and gently rubbing the tip of his cock with the hand that had been stroking Lucinda's leg. "Does it have something to do with this?"

He gasped, and leaned in close to her.

"Patience," he whispered in the blonde's ear with a broad smile. "Your turn will come, but first we must help our companion. She is, after all, staying here at our behest."

Kristine grinned and nodded, placing her hand on the back of his head and giving him a swift kiss. He responded in kind, before they both turned to Lucinda wearing wicked grins.

The rogue laughed, wrapping one arm around Kristine as the paladin leaned towards her, and Mikael groaned at the sight as the two stunning girls began to kiss. He moved, climbing back off the bed and wrapping his arms around Lucinda's thighs, pulling them apart and exposing her glistening pussy.

The rogue broke her kiss, staring down at him with needy eyes, and he winked as he suddenly jerked her towards him. She yelped in surprise, instinctively grabbing the sheets beneath her, and Mikael dropped his head to her snatch. Soon she was grasping the sheets for a different reason.

Kristine, too, was not still, and quickly moved to straddle Lucinda's face. She lowered her hips, her pussy closing on Lucinda's mouth, and the obsidian-haired beauty did not need a second invitation. She let go of the sheets, still pushing her hips down onto Mikael's face as he pleasured her, and wrapped her arms around her Sister's waist, pinning the paladin in place and immediately devouring her pussy.

"The Gods..." Kristine moaned loudly, and Mikael delighted in the situation. Less than a week ago he was wandering through the Glacier Mountains in an effort to locate work, cold and tired and late. Now, only five days later, he found himself hungrily attacking the snatch of the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen, her beauty matched only by her four Sisters, two of whom he had already fucked. He thought of the other three members of the Cohort -- Melissa, Ria'torr and Quintia -- and how Lucinda had suggested that they, too, would be indulging in similar pastimes. He grinned at the image.

Lucinda's thighs trembled at the relentless assault of his tongue, and he sucked her folds into his mouth. She moaned, the sound resonating through Kristine's pussy, and the paladin's eyes opened wide at the feeling. She leant backwards, her arms straight behind her for support, and her blonde hair fell messily onto the bed.

Mikael pulled away from Lucinda's snatch very briefly, wrapping his arms around the underside of the rogue's legs before leaning forwards once more. The new angle better allowed him to run his tongue along the length of her pussy, and from the increasing volume of her moans he assumed it was well received.

He stretched out his right arm, grasping one of her large breasts, squeezing the fleshy mound and playing with her sensitive nipple. She pulled her head away from Kristine's snatch, staring down at Mikael with smouldering green eyes, and groaned.  

"Fuuck..." was all she could utter, her body beginning to shake. She yanked Kristine's hips towards her once again, and ate her Sister's pussy yet more ferociously.

The blonde, too, was nearing her release, her own moans growing more insistent by the moment, and Mikael glanced up at her as his tongue moved to strum Lucinda's clit. Kristine stared back at him, a wicked grin on her flushed face, her hips grinding her pussy eagerly against Lucinda's probing tongue.

"Ooohh..." she moaned, her eyes rolling back. "Yesss!"

She froze, her blue eyes open wide, an orgasm tearing through her stunning body. Lucinda did not stop her tongue's movements even as the blonde climaxed above her, and Kristine's moan was long and loud.

Eventually, it passed, and she collapsed back onto the sheets with a satisfied groan, slowly rolling onto her side as her mouth creased into a wide smile.

Lucinda, however, was paying no attention to her Sister, her own orgasm only moments away. She had pulled her hands from Kristine's waist when the paladin collapsed onto the sheets, and had now gripped Mikael's right tightly as it kneaded her breast. Her left was sliding uselessly over the sheets, mirroring her whole body, which writhed as her pleasure reached its zenith.

Mikael licked her pussy with fervour, knowing the beautiful woman was cresting her release, and eager to give it to her. His lips moved up and down her folds with incredible speed, and with his eyes creased in mirth he sucked her clit into his mouth, his tongue running rapidly across it.

That was all Lucinda needed, and she screamed out as her orgasm hit, grasping hold of the bedsheets with both hands and arching her back as the pleasure crashed through her. She trembled, forcing her hips down onto Mikael's face, and her snatch quivered against his tongue.

Her climax was powerful, and she remained that way a while, Kristine watching on with a broad grin as her Sister's orgasm crackled. Lucinda's black hair was pinned beneath her head, her mouth opening and shutting uselessly, and her eyes were open wide, their twin emerald catching the firelight.

With a final shivering moan the rogue slumped back down onto the sheets, lying there a moment as Mikael extricated himself from her legs. Her breathing was heavy and she sucked down air, before slowly turning her head to Kristine and beginning to giggle. The blonde joined her, fresh from her own release, and Mikael sat back on the edge of the bed with a grin.

"Fantastic," Lucinda breathed, raising her head to him, her features twisted in a wicked smile.

"Completely," Kristine agreed, a playful smile on her lovely face. "I am pleased one of us can give and receive pleasure at the same time."

"Glad I could oblige," Mikael smiled, as Lucinda pushed herself into an upright position.

"Though with that, I must go," she said, slight disappointment in her voice. "I have delayed my departure long enough, though I am grateful for your... insistence." She giggled.

Mikael watched as the rogue climbed from the bed, her wonderful form glistening with a faint sheen of sweat in the firelight. With a smile, she quickly dressed, and soon she was armed and armoured in front of her companions.

"It looks like you two must entertain yourselves tonight," she winked, stepping forwards and sinking to her knees. "Though I am sure you will manage." With that she grasped Mikael's cock, quickly sucking his head into her mouth. He groaned as she swirled her tongue around its tip, and she leisurely withdrew her lips as her fist worked on his length.

"I suppose I shall have to wait until another night before I can enjoy your attentions again, lovers. I must leave."

With that, she let go of his cock, planting one final kiss on its tip before standing and making her way to the doorway. She paused as she opened the door, and turned back to her companions.

"Don't wear him out, Kristine." Then she slipped from of the room.

"I will," Kristine breathed, still staring at the now-closed door, then turning to Mikael. A wicked look spread across her face. "As long as you don't mind."

"Of course not," Mikael replied, leaning in to kiss her. Their tongues met, and the kiss was a passionate one, Mikael slowly climbing fully onto the bed and crushing his body against hers. His left hand reached out as he did so, trailing down the front of her body and eventually coming to the wetness between her thighs. His fingertips ran along her folds, and the blonde pulled away from the kiss, a long moan escaping her lips.

"It's time I returned your favour," Mikael said, sliding down the paladin's slender body. Kristine grinned, pushing her torso upwards and staring down at him, her golden hair falling about her face and body.

Mikael flicked his tongue out as he reached her pussy, eliciting a wonderful yelp, and slowly began to kiss the glistening lips. Kristine gasped and closed her eyes, her body already trembling as much in anticipation as pleasure.

Mikael grinned into her snatch, steadily increasing the pace of his kisses, before at length he simply ran his tongue over her clit. The blonde moaned desperately above him, clearly close to another release even so soon after the first, and Mikael reached out with his right arm.

He came to her large breasts, and as he had done with Lucinda, cupped one of the fleshy mounds. Kristine groaned again, her body writhing, and he pulled his mouth from her pussy to stare at the stunning woman. She cried out as the fingers of his left hand replaced his tongue, rubbing her clit with passion, and arched her back.

"Stop... stop before I come..." she moaned, and Mikael dropped his hands, looking at the blonde quizzically. She grinned down at him, her face flushed.

"If this is you returning the favour then I want something more than just my pussy eaten, however nice that may be," she breathed, a mischievous smile playing across her lips. "Earlier you said something about my patience... well, it's just about exhausted."

"Is it now?" Mikael winked, knowing what she meant. Immediately, he started to climb her body, his tongue leaving a wet trail across her soft skin.

"Oh, yes," she giggled, and Mikael pulled his head away as she rolled onto her front, pushing herself onto all fours. "So what are you waiting for?"

Mikael grinned, leaning forwards and brushing her blonde hair from her back. He kissed his way down her body, before kneeling behind her, their knees touching, and grasping his cock.

He shifted forwards, moving his other hand to her hip, and positioned his cock at her waiting entrance. Kristine held her breath.

"Fuuck..." she moaned loudly as his head parted her folds, the sound only growing as the rest of his length followed it in. Her hands gripped hold of the sheets and bunched them into knots.

Mikael allowed himself to rest inside her for a moment, enjoying the feeling of the gorgeous blonde's snatch as it hugged his member tightly, before he pulled out slowly. As Kristine gasped at the sensation, he slammed back into her, her entire body shaking with the force of his thrust.

She cried out as he did so, her blue eyes wide, and he reached forwards, hunching over the paladin and cupping her large breasts as they shook with the collision of their loins. She bit her lower lip, her wordless moans issuing louder.

He grinned as he watched the blonde beneath him, who stared ahead blankly at the wall as pleasure coursed through her. His cock slid vigorously into her snatch, each forward thrust bringing an ecstatic yelp from her lips, and her breasts shook in his eager grasp. He kneaded the delicious mounds, knowing that caused yet more wonderful sensations in his lover, and kissed her neck.

"Ooohh..." she moaned, her arms giving way and her torso slumping to the bed. She reached forward with her right hand, running it desperately over the sheets as her pleasure inexorably grew, and Mikael -- his hands free after letting go of her breasts -- grasped her left wrist. He pulled it to her ass, where he held it at her waist with his right hand, his left back on her hip.

Holding her tightly, his thrusts were truly rapid, the paladin's body shaking underneath his relentless onslaught. Her torso was twisted as he fucked her owing to the way he held her arm, but she did not seem to mind, her mouth hanging open and her eyes tightly shut. Her large breasts pushed outwards from underneath her chest, squashed against the soft mattress, and he grunted as her snatch began to tighten on his member.

"Ooohh... fuuuck..." she moaned insistently, burying her face in the sheets. "Give it... to me... I'm going to... going to..."

Mikael thrust deeper into her, his cock slamming into her depths, and he knew she was but moments away. Each movement of his hips brought an ecstatic moan from her open mouth, and she was holding the bedsheets so tightly that Mikael was vaguely worried they might tear. Her eyelids fluttered as the moment arrived, and her body twitched.

"COOMMEE!" she screamed, an orgasm blasting through her, rapture searing into her mind. Her pussy seized hold of his thrusting cock, and he slowed the pace of his hips, enjoying the feeling as her walls spasmed along his length, her body trembling beneath him.

Kristine's eyes had opened wide, their piercing blue glazed in the firelight, and her mouth was open. She quivered, the euphoria of her release temporarily clouding her thoughts, but Mikael did not mind.

He slowly sat back on his haunches as the blonde's climax faded, and his member sprang free from her still-twitching depths. She tucked up her long legs and rolled lackadaisically onto her back, before straightening them again either side of his own, a huge grin on her face.

"That was amazing. I'd heard the tales from my Sisters about your prowess, but to experience it first hand is... something else entirely."

Mikael leaned forwards over her, propping himself up with his elbows. His rock hard member rested on her pelvis.

"You didn't believe them?"

"It's not that I doubted their sincerity, it's just that there's certain things words can't adequately convey. Sex with you clearly being one of them."

"Mmm... you came hard then?" Mikael asked, kissing her neck.

"Very." She giggled.

"Then perhaps I should have used you to complete the sixth task."

"Oh, no. I think Ria'torr very much enjoyed being your 'helper' in that regard," came the blonde's amused reply. "Though I envied her luck at the time, she more than made it up to me this morning."

Mikael's cock twitched on Kristine's pelvis, and the blonde laughed.

"You're insatiable."

"I'm insatiable?" Mikael said, lifting his head and staring into Kristine's blue eyes. "And there was me thinking I could say the same for you and your Sisters."

"Perhaps we're all insatiable," she breathed, taking hold of his cock with one delicate hand and guiding it to her pussy.

Mikael leaned in to kiss her as she did so, and she responded eagerly, their tongues pushing into each other's mouths even as she ran the tip of his member against her folds. He took the hint, gently pushing inwards, once more delighting in the sensation as his cock sank into the blonde beauty.

She broke the kiss with a moan, her eyes trained intently on his, and stared up with a look of pure lust. Mikael loved that expression on a woman, a carnal hunger that filled their eyes, and he grinned as his hips slowly began to thrust. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, reinitiating their kiss with intense desire.

Slowly the pace of his hips grew, his companion's snatch welcoming him in with every forward drive. Her large breasts were pressed against his chest, and he delighted in the feeling as they shuddered against his skin with each collision of their loins.

Their tongues still jostled, their eyes closed, and Mikael wrapped his arms around Kristine's back, hugging her tightly as his member slid rapidly into her snatch. She responded, tightening the arms around his neck, pulling him closer still, and they moaned into one another's mouths.

The noise made his tongue tremble, and he pumped yet harder, her hips now moving to meet each of his own thrusts as her pleasure grew. Mikael broke the kiss and pulled his head slightly away, staring into her eyes and grinning as she did the same, her sweet breath washing over his face. His expression, he was sure, mirrored hers -- a look of primal need and the frenzied desire for release.

It was with another moan that Kristine moved her legs, lifting them from the sheets and wrapping them around his back, her heels banging into his ass every time he pulled out of her. The new angle allowed his cock to slide even more rapidly into the paladin, and her eyes opened wide as an intense surge of pleasure ran through her.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 05



The early morning light pouring in through the tavern room's open window brought Mikael slowly to a state of alertness. He had been sleeping deeply beforehand, a good night's rest almost guaranteed by his exertions the evening before. He opened his eyes and stretched, looking around the room. The flimsy curtain billowed in the morning breeze, its material glowing with light, and the sparse furnishing danced with the shadows cast by the flickering remnants of the fire.

Mikael turned softly to his right and beheld the beautiful figure that lay facing him, tightly wrapped in the cool sheets. Blonde hair was splayed across the pillow, and Kristine's delicate face smiled sweetly as she dreamed. The sheet pushed out deliciously over the paladin's large chest, and then fell, hugging the wonderful contours of her slender body.

Mikael reached out and gently stroked her cheek, leaning in closely. Her eyes slowly opened at the feeling of his fingertips, and she smiled at him. He returned the expression and kissed her lightly, the meeting of their lips only brief before he pulled away.

"Morning," Mikael said.

"Morning," she replied quietly. "Sleep well?"

He grinned. "Of course, how could I not?"

Kristine giggled, and Mikael began to trace lightly down the side of her face, to the top of her neck.

"Last night was fantastic," Kristine sighed dreamily.

"That it was. I just hope you enjoyed it as much as I did."

"Oh, I think I did."

"We should head back to the Sanctuary..." Mikael suggested, eager to complete his trials.

"I agree," Kristine nodded, pulling her right arm from under the covers and running its hand through her hair.

Mikael took the opportunity to slide his fingers under the sheets, stroking them gently down Kristine's body where her arm had been lying. They glided softly over the sides of her large breasts, then over the front of her stomach.

"But I do have something in mind before we leave," he smiled as his hand reached between her thighs. Kristine moaned as his fingers found her folds.

"I like the way you think," she whispered, propping herself up on one elbow. Mikael withdrew his hand as Kristine threw a leg over him, and she quickly moved to straddle his lap. The covers fell away as she climbed on top of him, revealing her glorious naked form, which practically glowed in the morning light. Every wonderful curve of her body, from her slender waist, her desirable hips and the swell of her large breasts, was highlighted in the glimmering radiance, and she smiled wickedly as she looked down at him.

With a glint in her eye she leant down and kissed him, her large breasts pressing into his chest as she did so, and he responded ferociously. Their tongues danced and his hands moved immediately, wrapping around the stunning blonde and caressing her smooth skin.

They remained that way a short while, kissing passionately, before Kristine pushed herself back up into a sitting position and reached down, grabbing Mikael's cock with a wicked smile. She lifted her hips, moving slightly down his body to better angle herself, and Mikael smiled as she placed his head at her entrance. His hands moved to her hips, and they both groaned as she lowered herself onto him, his member sinking easily into her tight snatch.

Slowly, she began to move up and down on his shaft. Mikael stroked his hands up her sides and around the front of her body, eventually cupping her large breasts as she rode him. He gave them a squeeze, briefly tweaking her nipples, before his fingers were on the move once again. They brushed down across her trim stomach, the slender firmness wonderful beneath his touch, and Kristine moaned above him as his cock had an effect.

Their pace was slow, which was fine for the early morning, and Mikael could think of no better way to welcome in a new day. It was delightful, and he enjoyed the wonderful sensation of Kristine's hot pussy as it hugged his member tightly. As does she, by the looks of it, Mikael thought to himself with a playful smile as another moan escaped Kristine's lips.

She leaned forwards again and Mikael ran his fingers through her magnificent golden hair, before resting his hand on her cheek and gently pulling her closer to renew their kiss. Her hips continued their steady rise and fall, even as she parted her lips and pushed her tongue into Mikael's mouth.

Her blonde hair was over both shoulders, and as Mikael broke the kiss he couldn't help but adore the sight of the beautiful girl with a perfect body bouncing eagerly on his shaft. Her blue eyes shone into his, and her large breasts tickled his chest as she now hunched over him, added sensations sparking through her as her nipples grazed his skin. Her gorgeous face was in a perpetual state of pleasure at the feeling of their lovemaking, and faint beads of sweat started to form on her brow.

Mikael moved his hands to her back, running them up and down, pulling her closer as her pace slowly but surely increased. What had been a slow, deliberate rhythm on her part soon became much wilder, and despite the slow start their passion had been well and truly awakened. Both were now completely lost to their lust, and Kristine bounced fervently on his member, her large breasts vibrating with each downward thrust.

She sat back up again, and the speed of their sex became faster still; though it maintained a rhythm of sorts, it was certainly gentle morning lovemaking no longer. This was something far more intense, and Mikael knew that both he and Kristine appreciated that immensely.

It soon became obvious that Kristine was approaching her climax, and Mikael was not about to complain about the change in pace. He moaned, now meeting her with thrusts of his own, no longer able to just relax and simply let her ride him. She grinned and grabbed her hair, jutting her breasts out, as if daring Mikael to grab them. He was not about to let the opportunity go to waste, and reached out, grasping the large mounds and squeezing softly. Kristine moaned.

Her breaths were coming out in ragged gasps, her mouth hanging open as long moans escaped her lips. Noisy slapping echoed around the room as their loins collided in the morning light, Mikael groaning in the pleasure of it all and Kristine's lust-filled yelps growing yet louder.

It was building faster for both of them, Kristine's pussy slamming down onto Mikael's rigid cock. Frenzied desire was etched on her face, contrasting magnificently with the angelic expression she had worn whilst asleep, and he grinned at the sight.

"Fuu... uck..." the blonde moaned, her eyelids fluttering shut. Her snatch rippled, and Mikael knew she was close. It was drawing him in, wordlessly urging him to come inside of her, and he was only too willing to oblige.

"I'm going... to come... lover..." she whimpered, her hands on his chest. "I want you... to come... too..."

"I will," Mikael gasped, grasping her hips as he thrust upwards. His twitching cock slammed into her pussy, and his balls tightened. He was moments away.

Then it was upon him, and he grunted as he came, sticky cum shooting from his cock deep into Kristine's pussy. Pleasure overtook his mind as his member pulsed, and the paladin's walls shivered powerfully as her own release arrived.

"YEEEEESSS!" she screamed in delight, a look of pure pleasure on her face as her orgasm seared through her, her climax erupting simultaneously as his cum still fired into her hot pussy. Her blue eyes stared down at Mikael in disbelief at the strength of her release, her body shuddering in his grasp, and he grinned at his own bliss before it at last started to fade.

Kristine laughed as their climaxes passed, her beautiful face flushed in the wonderful afterglow of her release. She grinned, slowly climbing off Mikael and sliding from the bed.

"A wonderful start to the day, but my Sisters will grow jealous if I keep you here all to myself. We should be on our way."

Mikael nodded, climbing from the bed and sharing a final passionate kiss with the gorgeous blonde paladin. He enjoyed her wonderful naked form pressed against him, and delighted in the thought that waking up this way would probably no longer be a rare experience.

He turned to dress. It was time they left for the Sanctuary.

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

The waterfall fell harmlessly around him as Mikael stepped through it, Kristine by his side. He was nervous, but at least this time he wasn't cold and wet, too. He paused, standing on the far side of the pool and sucking in a deep breath. Now was his time. He had completed his tasks, and all that was left was his acceptance into the Cohort.

Mikael began to walk down the assorted corridors, following Kristine. She knew where to go, and though Mikael was learning the layout of this place, he still felt more comfortable letting her lead the way. The stone hallways echoed around him, and Mikael stared longingly at Kristine's ass as it wiggled down the hallway. She turned her face to him as she walked, and smiled.

"I appreciate your stare, Mikael. I hope that once you're a fully-fledged member of the Cohort we can expand upon last night... and this morning."

Mikael laughed and nodded back. "I'm sure I'll be very willing to do that."

They passed a small window and the sunlight shone brightly off Kristine's mithril armour, giving her an aura of near-holy radiance.

"We're almost there," Kristine said. "Good luck."

Mikael smiled, but something had begun to bother him. He thought he could hear hurried whispers and the frantic patter of numerous footsteps, and though Kristine appeared not to have done it did not quell his unease.

"Kristine, stop," he instructed, concerned. She did, and turned back to him, an inquisitive look upon her face. She reached for her sword at the anxiety in his voice.

"Something's wrong," he whispered as he quietly approached her. "Do you hear those footsteps? Someone -- or something -- is here in the Sanctuary."

"You know this?" Kristine asked, wide-eyed. "How?"

"You cannot hear that?"

The paladin shook her head. "But perhaps I am not able -- you do, after all, represent the Gods of both Stealth and Hunting. I do not."

"It is there, I assure you," Mikael said, slowly withdrawing his swords.

Kristine unhooked her own broadsword from her back, holding the impressive two-handed weapon in her tight grip.

"Which way?" she asked hurriedly.

"Follow me," Mikael replied, moving slowly down the corridor. Kristine followed, and he was impressed with how quiet she was given that she was wearing a heavy suit of metal armour.

His mind was snapped back to the present as they approached a door, and Mikael could hear scrabbling from within. Kristine, too, seemed now to perceive it, and he signalled to her that he was going to open the door. She nodded.

It swung outwards silently, despite its size, and Mikael slipped quickly through the gap. Instantly he was aware of his surroundings, and he readied his swords as his gaze finished its sweep; eleven goblins, excitedly pulling weapons from the racks in this room -- which Mikael presently realised was the armoury -- turned to face him, but he was already moving.

His swords were a blur through the air, decapitating two of his foes before they could react, their green blood staining the stone beneath his feet. Another feebly raised a sword that was much too big for it, and Mikael skewered the greenskin on the point of his blade. He instantly withdrew it, readying himself for another attack, and dodged the sideways sweeps of two goblins aiming for his legs.

Kristine had followed him in, her broadsword swinging in a wide arc, and she caught three goblins unawares as they tried to flank Mikael. They collapsed in a heap, still twitching as their life flowed from them, and Mikael spun to regard the remaining enemies.

There were only five, and they shirked backwards, their cowardice starting to overcome their desire to fight. Mikael took the opportunity, diving amongst them and slicing open three in a matter of seconds. The other two dropped their weapons, turning around to flee, but were cut down by Kristine as they did so.

Mikael dropped his shoulders, breathing heavily, and turned to Kristine wide-eyed.

"Goblins!" he hissed, wiping his swords clean and moving quickly towards the door. "How did they get in? I was told this place was safe!"

Kristine shook her head solemnly. "I do not know, but we should find my Sisters; they will know more."

"Indeed," Mikael agreed, hurrying back out into the corridor. "Do you know where we might look?"

"Perhaps the Meeting Room," the paladin suggested, her fingers flexing on her sword. "Though I truly do not know -- we have never planned for an attack on the Sanctuary itself."

Mikael glanced around frantically, attempting to discern their next move. He did not know how he had come to be in charge, but it appeared that he was, and their next destination raced through his mind.

"We head to the Meeting Room," he said quietly, setting off down the corridor. Kristine followed.

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

The door to the Meeting Room was, unsurprisingly, closed. Mikael could hear no sounds issuing from within, though he cautiously approached it nonetheless. He glanced around, meeting eyes with Kristine, and with no greenskins in the corridor, pushed open the thick wood.

The room was dark, and Mikael glanced around. Seeing no foes he entered, Kristine following quickly, and they swiftly shut the door behind them. At once the lanterns on the wall flared, and Mikael stared around.

It was in pristine condition, as if no enemy had stepped within it, and Mikael could see nothing out of place bar a small piece of parchment that lay on Melissa's couch. He stepped forward, picking it up, before turning wide-eyed to Kristine.

"It's from Melissa," he hissed. "She was in here when the attack started. She says she can hear fighting from the dining hall."

"Then we go there," Kristine said simply, turning to leave. Mikael agreed, and tucking the parchment in his armour, followed the paladin out.

As they strode down the first corridor, an arrow whistled past Kristine's head. She ducked, the shaft skittering uselessly along the stone wall, and readied her sword. Mikael, too, had prepared himself for action, and as they reached the bend at the corridor's end, he whirled round it, weapons arcing downwards to catch whatever had fired the missile.

His swords were parried by a matching set of twin blades, and he desperately cut them back inside as his foe took the opportunity his brash attack had created to plunge their weapons towards his chest. His own arrived just in time, deflecting his opponent's blades away from him, and the momentum of their dual attacks caused their bodies to thump together and their swords to thrust at the air beyond the other's back. With an outward sweep of their foot, his enemy kicked out at his legs, too quickly for Mikael to avoid.

"Fuck!" he cried, stumbling backwards as he raised his hand to Lucinda. She glared at him, surrounded by goblin corpses, before turning to Kristine.

"It is good to see you, Sister," she cried, hurrying forwards and hugging the paladin. "And you, Mikael, even if you did try to kill me." Her mouth twisted into a grin and she held out her hand, pulling him to his feet.

"What's happening?" he asked, relieved to see Lucinda still alive. "Where did these greenskins come from?"

"I will tell you all I know in a minute, but first we must return to Ria'torr and Melissa."

She hurried away from them, and Mikael and Kristine followed, running down the long corridor after the beautiful rogue, her obsidian hair streaming behind her. Their footsteps echoed loud in the hallways, though Mikael supposed remaining undetected was no longer their primary concern -- reaching their companions was.

They came soon to a large door, which Lucinda paused in front of, glancing behind her and knocking three times on the heavy wood. It swung open to reveal Melissa, and she hugged her Sister tightly before turning to Kristine and Mikael. She beamed.

"You are alright!" she cried happily. "Good! Come in, quickly."

The three of them hurried through, Melissa shutting the door swiftly behind her. Ria'torr, who had been sat on the floor, sprang to her feet as they entered.

She jumped into Mikael's arms, him being the closest to her, then her two Sisters', and Mikael turned to his companions as the elf released Lucinda.

"So, what has happened?"

Lucinda frowned, shaking her head. "I do not truly know. I returned to the Sanctuary last night, as I intended to do, and before I knew it was under attack from these greenskins.

"I was lucky to locate Melissa and Ria'torr when I did, and we have stuck together since, attempting to both locate Quintia and wait for you and Kristine."

"Quintia is missing?" Kristine said, grasping her sword tightly.

Melissa nodded. "She has been taken, but I sense that she remains unharmed. Ria'torr has tracked her to the dining hall, but we could not possibly storm that with just the three of us. There are hundreds of greenskins in there."

"Then we do so now," Mikael said plainly, the simplicity of their attack like a weight off his shoulders.

"That's what I like to hear," Lucinda grinned, wrenching open the door to the storage room and darting into the corridor once more.

Mikael looked at the other Sisters, and followed Lucinda out into the hallway.

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

The orc's head spun away as Mikael's sharp blade severed its neck, and he watched as the sole fleeing goblin collapsed to the floor, a wooden arrow shaft protruding from its back.

He turned to his companions, and they moved on, stepping over the numerous greenskin corpses that lay around them and striding to the large double doors that stood ahead. Raucous noise could be heard from inside.

"She's in here," Ria'torr said, turning to her companions. Mikael nodded, too; he could feel the flicker of sorcery dancing around the room beyond the doors.

"So what do we do?" he asked at length, scanning over the worried looks of the four beautiful women.

"We go in," Kristine said bluntly. "It will be risky, but we need to do it. There is no other entrance, and Quintia could very well be in danger."

Lucinda nodded in agreement. "If we all work to our strengths then we can succeed."

The other two girls concurred.

"Right then," Mikael said, gripping his swords tighter. Kristine and Lucinda raised their own blades, and Ria'torr notched an arrow. Melissa stood at the back, a plain quarterstaff in her hands.

Mikael pushed against the large doors, and they opened with surprising ease. He tumbled in, his four companions following, and the goblins and orcs in the room spun to face the door, stunned at the sudden intrusion.

Mikael did not wait for them to recover, lashing out with one hand and felling the closest goblin, before raising his other blade and cutting open the chest of another. He spun away from an arcing orcish axe, and the greenskin collapsed to the ground as Mikael's sword cut through its spine.

He glanced up, and saw destruction. The Sisters had joined the fight, swathes of greenskins dying on the ends of their weapons, but yet more were arriving. The dining hall was packed, and Mikael was fighting desperately for his life as his companions were fighting for theirs.

More charged towards him, this time three orcs and a handful of goblins. He sprang up onto a long table, kicking the first attacker straight in the jaw and slicing down with his sword as the orc stumbled backwards. The next he decapitated with a clean swipe of his blade, before parrying the blows of two goblins who had clambered onto the table and kicking a third onto the thrusting blade of the final orc. As the greenskin tried to shake the goblin from his weapon, Mikael stepped forwards, severing its head with another swipe, and returning his attention to the four remaining goblins. They charged as a group - two shimmies and four cuts later, Mikael had killed them all.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 05



He turned to see the end of the room from his higher vantage point, and a cold wave of fear ran through him. A much larger orc stood there, flanked by two even bigger ones, but what really took his attention was the blue-haired mage chained to the ornate black table in front of them.

Quintia!

He hissed, and initiated a sprint along the wooden table, glancing back at the rest of his companions as he did so. They watched him, unable to help as they desperately fought off the waves of greenskins that still poured at them.

His progress was halted as his foes began to struggle onto the table ahead of him, and he knew he would no longer make headway in that direction. Fending off blows with his swords, he spotted an overhanging ledge, and whilst it was clearly used for decoration he suspected it could take his weight.

He stepped backwards, cutting down two more enemies, and launched himself at the projection of stone, rolling up onto it with ease. His foes, however, could not, and they scrambled uselessly as they attempted to chase him.

Mikael knew their failure was only temporary, and he quickly hurried on, crouching down so as not to be seen by the lead orc and his giant guards, who had been paying little attention to the attack by the doorway. He soon reached the end of the ledge, glancing behind him as the first goblin hand wrapped around its edge and started to slowly pull its owner up.

He grimaced, unhooking his bow and notching an arrow, before taking aim at the closer of the two guards. Beneath him the greenskins had thinned in number, the attack of his companions by the entranceway taking its toll, even though they had made no progress through the giant room.

Why does the dining hall have to be so big? Mikael cursed. There are only five of them!

He shook his head, remembering to grill them on it later if he survived this fight, and pulled the string taut.

He was not nervous any longer, he noticed, despite being quite sure he was going to die. He had never faced so many enemies at once, nor anyone quite as powerful as this lead orc -- likely a mage - clearly was, and yet he was calm. It was as if he knew he had found his rightful place; if he were to be killed, it would be in the Gods' service. He was home.

With that thought still in his mind, he released the string, the arrow firing true and piercing the closest brute's head with a dull crunch. It staggered backwards, then collapsed, already dead before it hit the ground. The orc mage looked up and snarled, its mouth beginning to move as a potent incantation flowed outwards from it, and the second guard stepped forwards. Before the green-skinned giant could react, however, another arrow had found its mark, the guard joining the first motionless on the floor, killed instantly by Mikael's well-aimed projectile.

Mikael looked back at the mage. Purple tendrils of power were growing from its fingers, creeping towards him, and he shirked back, terrified of what they might do. Yet a noise to his left indicated that the greenskins had made it onto the ledge, and he breathed in heavily, knowing there was no way he could fight them all off. He had only one option.

He jumped down, straight into the clutches of the tendrils of sorcery, gasping as they wrapped themselves around him, seeming to drain the heat from his bones. He writhed, trying to free himself, but it seemed that the harder he struggled the tighter they gripped. His swords dropped from his fingers as a searing burst of pain ran through him, and he cried out. The orc leader laughed.

Mikael's eyes searched desperately around the room. Lucinda and the rest of her Sisters were still stood in the doorway, and though the numbers of greenskins had reduced significantly, there were still enough there to prevent them moving further into the room. It was up to him, and with one last desperate surge of strength, he turned to Quintia.

She was staring at him, her jewel flaring bright white, and he felt an unfamiliar feeling crackle through his bones. The purple tendrils withdrew as if shocked and he dropped to the floor, the strange feeling growing stronger, climbing his spine, slowly moving to his mind where he was sure it would overwhelm him.

Quintia was still watching him, her eyes focused, and Mikael realised with a start that she was the cause. She must be channelling energy through me! Mikael's mind screamed, and his fingers flexed instinctively. He had heard of witches and mages using others as vessels with which to channel their own magic, but had never conceived that he might ever be used as one. You needed some aptitude with magical ability, for one thing, and Mikael had never known himself to have any. Then again, he thought, I do represent the Gods of Magic, too, so I must have some ability, somewhere...

He closed his eyes, aware that the orc mage had withdrawn a dagger and was now charging towards him, the point -- undoubtedly poisoned -- aimed straight at his heart. He calmed his breathing, feeling the pulsing of his blood, and tapped into that crackling well of energy in his core.

He directed it, pushing it towards his hands, the sheer power that seemed to radiate outwards surprising even him. The sorcery flowed eagerly to where he directed it, and he could feel a growing burning sensation on his spread fingertips, what was at first a slight tingling quickly rising to searing pain.

The orc mage was mere steps away from him now, and Mikael could hold that pose no longer. He opened his eyes with a loud scream, the magic that Quintia had placed in him released with a surge of agony. Fire blasted from his outstretched hands, engulfing the orc, who disappeared amongst the flames.

Mikael half-expected it to emerge from the intense inferno, but it did not, and as the fire dwindled and Mikael sank to his knees there was no sign of the orc leader. Indeed, all about him the greenskin bodies began to fade, and as Mikael slumped forwards onto the cold stone floor he was vaguely aware that they had all simply disappeared.

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

When Mikael awoke he was lying on a comfortable bed, and he slowly opened his groggy lids. Bright light assaulted them, and he squinted back, his head pounding as he lifted his torso up.

"Hello, Brother," Melissa said, standing over him, and she placed a soothing hand on his head, closing her eyes with a smile. Instantly the pain was washed from him, and he was immediately alert, springing to his feet and glancing hurriedly around.

All five girls sat in the room, which Mikael could only assume was the infirmary. A door to the side appeared to open into a potions storeroom, and it made sense that he would have been brought here following his battle with the mage.

"Are we ok? Has the threat been defeated? Where are all the..."

He paused, looking back at Melissa as it dawned on him what she had said. "Brother?"

"Indeed," Lucinda said, standing up and bowing at Mikael, her Sisters doing the same. "You are one of us, now." He blushed.

"Though I am afraid we have a confession to make. There was no orc attack," Kristine said bluntly, her eyes on Mikael, as if she were trying to get a read on him.

"What?" he laughed, taken aback. "Of course there was, we fought them together!"

A striking set of silvery letters flared in the centre of the room. My illusions, that is all. Though I am flattered you found them so lifelike.

"No, those weren't illusions; they were as real as you or me..."

"Mikael, they were not. They were conjurations," Kristine said quietly. "Merely the products of Quintia's magic."

He glanced around as horror swept through him. No orcs? This entire attack had been a falsehood, a prank... had it all been one big joke? Did the Cohort even exist? He backed slowly toward the door.

"Mikael, wait!" Lucinda cried, hurrying towards him and wrapping her arms about his waist. She stared into his eyes. "We did not play a cruel trick on you for our own amusement -- this was the final part of your test."

He looked at her beautiful face, and could see nothing but sincerity. Once again he found himself trusting this woman, even though all the evidence seemed to point to the contrary. Lucinda smiled, and twisted round so that she stood next to Mikael, joining him in facing her Sisters.

"You were given the six tasks to prove you were capable of representing those Aspects, and you passed them with incredible skill. But the Gods needed to know you could mesh those abilities together, and thus this plan was born.

"Please do not be angry, Mikael. We could not tell you of our deceit, or it would have defeated the point. You had to believe we were truly under attack and in danger, so that we could know you were capable and brave in such situations."

"And was I?" he asked quietly, turning to the rogue.

She grinned. "You surpassed all of our expectations. The way you found that ledge, and used it to approach the orc mage was quite spectacular. I'm not sure even I would have thought of that so quickly."

"And your ability to fight was remarkable, too," Kristine interjected. "You held off scores of those greenskins with no aid from us."

"Well, it was easy, wasn't it? They were illusions," Mikael laughed, happiness beginning to filter through him now that he realised the Sisters weren't mocking him.

"They were no less skilled, though," Kristine said. "They would not have killed you, true, but their attacks and their wits mirrored reality perfectly. In fact," she added, turning to Quintia, "I wondered if there were not too many."

I could not resist, the mage replied, grinning. Once I had seen our newest member in action, I felt he required a sterner test than originally anticipated.

"Well, thank you for that," he said slowly, smiling at the gorgeous mage. "And you... filled me with magic."

I did. You are a vessel for it, whether you had known that or not, and I wanted to test your ability to harness the power that it brings. You were brilliant.

Mikael's face flushed again.

Lucinda laughed. "I think my Sisters and I are in agreement, then. You were fantastic, Mikael, and it is with the greatest honour possible that we welcome you, officially, into the Cohort of the Gods."

With that she leaned forwards, planting a lingering kiss on his lips, then pulling away with a grin. Before Mikael could react, Melissa had stepped up to him, pressing her own lips against his and then moving back with a giggle.

He turned to regard Kristine with a raised eyebrow as she approached, and was not taken by surprise when her own mouth moved to his, and again when Ria'torr stood on her tiptoes to do the same.

At last Quintia approached, a broad smile on her face, and she parted her mouth slightly as she mashed her lips against his. He responded, and after a brief moment she pulled away, her face slightly flushed.

"Well that was... rewarding. I am honoured to be here."

"We have one last thing to show you," Lucinda smiled, grabbing Mikael's wrist and yanking him towards the corridor. He followed, his new Sisters behind him.

He was dragged to the armoury, where Lucinda pushed open the door and ushered Mikael inside. He did so, waiting as the rest of the Cohort entered, and Lucinda bent down to flick open a chest.

Mikael gasped as she stood back up, two shimmering mithril longswords in her hands. They mirrored her own, their silvery edge engraved in a language he did not know. Power seemed to crackle along their length, and they glinted with deadly sharpness.

"Those are... beautiful," he murmured, staggered by their splendour.

"They are yours," the rogue replied, proffering them to Mikael. "Our gift to our new Brother. Use them well."

"I shall," he breathed, taking the swords. He held them, shocked by their nimbleness, yet he was certain they were neither flimsy nor weak. He stepped back from his Sisters and made a few practice swipes, a grin spreading across his face as he indulged in the master craftsmanship of the weaponry.

Satisfied that they were the greatest blades he had ever wielded, he sheathed them, delighted at the way they fit snugly in his scabbards. He beamed at the five stunning women who stood watching him, and they smiled broadly back.

He was a Brother of the Cohort of the Gods.

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

Mikael reclined in his new quarters. As a member of the warband he was now entitled to a bedroom of his own, and as he lay on its sofa enjoying his new surroundings he stared happily at the roaring fire. The sheer opulence of his environs was near-overwhelming, and Mikael could scarcely believe that it was his to enjoy. He grinned.

His eyes flicked sideways, taking in the entirety of his room, not least the huge bed that lay against the far wall. A plethora of rugs were scattered across the floor, and a large desk stood close to him, a lamp -- currently unlit -- upon it. Mikael sighed, and slowly closed his eyes.

A sharp knock on the door caused him to jolt upright, and he turned to the entranceway and waited. The rapping came again, and he grimaced, climbing from the plush couch and walking languidly towards the door. He paused, wondering whether he ought to put on a shirt, then decided against it. He could not be bothered.

He reached the thick wood as another loud knock filled the room, and he rolled his eyes at his visitor's impatience. A mischievous smile played across his face, and he yanked open the door.

Quintia stood there, a nervous smile on her lips. Her gem swirled a mix of green and faint pink, and her blue hair fell straight to her shoulders.

"Hello," Mikael said. "Your impatience is noted."

The mage's face brightened into an amused grin.

I did not mean to give that impression, I merely thought that you might be asleep, given the tiring nature of your day. Her words sparkled in mid-air.

"So you wanted to wake me up? How nice of you. I would think you'd have let me rest, since you seem sympathetic to my plight," Mikael teased, raising his eyebrows.

Quintia looked taken aback, and her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes flicked downward -- briefly lingering on his naked chest, Mikael noticed with a small smile -- and she seemed to slump slightly.

I am sorry, the glowing letters stated after a short moment. I did not think of that. I will let you sleep.

She turned away, still not making eye contact, her face glowing scarlet now. Her gem had flared bright pink, too, and it lit up the corridor as she started to hurry down it.

"Wait, wait. I'm kidding; you're quite welcome to come in." Mikael laughed, stepping after her and grabbing her arm. She whirled to face him, clearly eager to escape the embarrassing situation, and he smiled broadly.

Quintia seemed to relax, though she was still unsure of herself, and Mikael had to grasp her hand and guide her towards his room. So she knocks on my door, and I have to encourage her to come in, he thought to himself with a small smile. What a strange girl.

She followed willingly, however, and soon she stood on the plush rugs in the centre of his room. He smiled at her as he shut the door, and motioned towards the sofa.

As she moved, he took in the sight of her, and delighted in it. She wore a blue gown, though it was not the same as the one Mikael had seen her in earlier -- this was more lightweight, and clearly more comfortable. Like her earlier attire, however, this gown hugged her figure tightly, and Mikael's eyes ran eagerly up her slender body. They came eventually to the large swell of her breasts, which pushed outwards from the garment.

She sat, and looked up at him, her nervousness evident on her face. Mikael approached as the mage smiled shakily, and he planted himself next to his Sister on the sofa, a little closer than necessary given its size.

I just thought I should introduce myself. I have not yet had a chance to speak with you alone, flowed her words, appearing in front of Mikael as she waved her hand.

"That you have not," he said, his voice dropping as he stared into her pale blue eyes. Lascivious thoughts began to creep into his mind, and he did not force them away. "Much to my disappointment..."

Quintia's eyes shot away again, and she bit her lower lip. Mikael smiled as he realised quite how tense she was.

"So what would you like to talk about?" he asked, leaning in slightly. She remained frozen, her lips parting as she took a shaky breath into her lungs, and simply looked at him. His face was now mere inches from hers. "...or do?"

I am sorry, her words flared as she quickly stood. I was coerced into coming here by our Sisters, and I did not realise I was disturbing you. Goodnight, Brother.

She strode towards the door, and Mikael sprang up after her, amused by her nerves. It was clear why she had come to the room -- especially knowing her Sisters -- yet her fright would drive her away before obtaining what she wanted.

He grabbed her wrist again, and once more she whirled to face him, wide-eyed in embarrassed horror. This time, however, Mikael did not merely stop her escape, and he instead stepped close to her, wrapping his free arm about her waist. Her breath caught in her throat.

Mikael leaned in quickly, before his Sister could attempt to flee again, and pressed his lips to hers. She did not respond, merely allowing his mouth to rest there, and he gently pulled her close to him.

Her nervousness broke.

Mikael grunted in surprise as her hands shot to his cheeks, holding his head tightly as she pushed her tongue into his mouth and crushed her body against his. Her gem flared brightly, shifting from pink to a vibrant blue, and he chuckled under his breath as the stunning mage's passion was unleashed.

She pulled away, fierce desire burning in her eyes, and shoved him roughly towards the sofa on which they had been sat. He stumbled backwards, landing on the soft couch, and grinned as she eagerly climbed down on top of him.

Their kiss was reinitiated, and Mikael wrapped his arms around Quintia's waist as they reclined on the comfortable sofa, their tongues duelling as their bodies pressed together. He groaned into her mouth, and her gem sparkled, her apprehension seemingly gone in an instant.

He did not give her time to allow it back, his hands moving quickly to the hooks of her silken gown and deftly unclasping them, allowing the dress to fall loose. She broke the kiss and looked at him, her lips slightly parted as she gulped down air, and he pulled the garment from her lovely body. Mikael smiled wickedly at the slight worry that crept back over her face when he did so, his expression broadening into a grin at the sight of her large breasts spilling free, and his Sister's eyes lit up as he briefly grasped the hanging mounds.

They were large, as enticing and impressive as Lucinda's and Kristine's, and they hung wonderfully from her slender body. They were soft under his keen touch, and it was with great reluctance that he let go, his hands returning to her dress to enable its continued descent. The velvet garment passed over her trim stomach and eventually bunched around her waist, her curled legs preventing it from travelling any further.

Mikael did not mind, and once more his hands shot to her chest. He grasped the fleshy mounds, feeling her erect nipples against his palms, and squeezed. Quintia's gem glinted at the sensation, and he smiled as he sat slightly upright to kiss her wonderful breasts.

Her hands moved to his head, grabbing his hair tightly as his tongue roved over her breasts, and he chuckled into her chest. Her nervousness had clearly evaporated when confronted with her passion, and he pulled away to stare up at his Sister. Her pale blue eyes were brimming with lust, her gem glowing bright blue, and he slid his hands slowly to her waist.




Sisters of the Cohort Ch. 05



She wrapped her arms around his back, well aware of what he was about to do, and he spun her round, picking her up slightly and turning over before dropping the beautiful mage back down on the couch. He was now above her, kneeling across her slender body with his left foot flat on the floor. He grinned, taking hold of the bunched dress around her midriff and guiding it downwards, Quintia's breathing quickening as her glistening snatch was exposed. He continued to tug on the garment, sliding it over her long, luscious legs, before casually dropping it on the floor at the end of the sofa.

He turned back to his Sister, one thought only in his mind. She knew that, too, and once again she looked slightly abashed, this time as he unhooked her legs from beneath him and slowly pushed them apart. She did not prevent him doing so, however, and he leaned down eagerly, planting two delicate kisses on her inner thighs and looking up at the mage.

She stared back down, biting her lower lip, her muscles faintly quivering with anticipation. Mikael had no doubt that she had enjoyed what was about to happen before - he knew of their Sisters' appetites, after all - but perhaps never from a man. He intended to make sure that her first time was one she would remember.

It was with a grin that he hunched quickly forwards, his tongue instantly flicking out over the fleshy lips of her pussy. Quintia's thighs tightened at once, closing around his head, her hands shooting out to tightly grasp his hair. He could not see her face, pinned in place as he was by her long legs, but he guessed that her mouth would be open, a look of rapture on her face.

With that thought playing wonderfully in his mind, he started to devour her, his lips moving eagerly over the sensitive folds, his tongue running over her snatch and teasing her clit with its point. Quintia's grip seemed to grow yet stronger on his head, pushing his mouth between her legs, and he followed her silent instructions willingly.

He shifted, putting more weight on the leg that kneeled on the sofa, and his hand crept up her thigh. Soon it reached her eager folds, wet with a combination of her sweet juices and his saliva, and he pushed one finger inside the stunning mage.

There he rested it a moment, enjoying the trembling of her walls around the probing digit, his mouth still moving over her pussy as her pleasure quickly grew. Slowly, he curled the finger towards him and began to move it in and out of her snatch, whilst at the same time strumming her clit with his tongue.

The sensation was clearly too much for his new Sister, and her legs seized his head in place as she came. Her muscles tensed considerably, her walls vibrating around his explorative finger, and he could see the bright blue hue that her gem cast reflected in the sheen of sweat on her pelvis.

He continued even as he was pinned in place, Quintia's orgasm seeming to be furthered by the unceasing movements of his mouth and finger. He could not see his Sister fully, but knew that her expression would be one of pure joy, and the thought intensified his carnal hunger, causing him to devour the mage's pussy yet more voraciously.

She relaxed, her climax evidently passing, slight shivers of pleasure still running through her. He grinned into her snatch, pleased with the result of his work, and at once his tongue resumed its former pace as it mapped the length of her folds.  

He could not further his work, however, as Quintia's hands slid to his cheeks and pushed them from her pussy. Her thighs relaxed, too, freeing his head, and he looked up at the blue-haired beauty inquisitively as he pulled away.

She grinned at him, any lingering nervousness truly exploded with her powerful climax, and he laughed at the desire that radiated strongly from her. She let go of his face, and he eagerly climbed her body, his tongue moving first over her trim stomach, then the nipples of her large breasts.

At last he came to her neck, which he kissed for a while before finally settling above her. They stared into one another's eyes, the lust that shimmered in one set reflected in the other's, and a wicked smile adorned each of their faces.

"Are you ready?" Mikael asked softly, a hot wave of passion washing through him as his Sister's hands slid slowly down his stomach. She nodded.

"Have you ever been with a man before?"

No, her words stated simply, flowing across her glistening forehead. But I am not a virgin -- Lucinda saw to that on my arrival here.

Mikael laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"

The mage grinned. You must forgive my earlier nervousness.

"I do," Mikael said, leaning forwards and kissing his Sister with passion. She responded in kind, her tongue pushing into his mouth eagerly as her right hand wrapped around his back. Her left, meanwhile, had completed its descent and grasped a firm hold of his erect cock.

He gasped into her mouth, breaking the kiss and staring into her eyes. For a woman who had been so nervous, he was surprised to see her quite so keen to continue, though the fact that she was filled him with joy.

He reached down, wrapping his own hand around his Sister's, guiding his member towards her waiting snatch. He stared into her eyes as he did so, and he could see the lust that burned in them, her desire seeming to match that of the other women in the Cohort despite her inexperience in such matters.

His head found her folds, and he grazed it against them, delighting in her immediate intake of breath. He paused, waiting for silent permission, and he received it as Quintia's hand tugged him eagerly inwards.

He groaned as his tip parted her lips, sinking into her hot pussy, her tight walls welcoming him in. The blue-haired beauty's eyes rolled back slightly at the sensation, and Mikael knew she was not regretting her decision. Her gem flared brightly, the room glowing with a faint blue tinge, the luminescence of her sparkling jewel overpowering the fire's flickering flames.

Mikael started to move his hips, leisurely withdrawing his cock before slowly sliding it into his Sister once more. The fingertips of her right hand dug into his back, and her left had moved to his waist. There they remained a short while, Mikael half-stood, half-crouched above the mage, her lovely form stretched out beneath him, his member lackadaisically gliding into her depths.

He grinned, sliding his hands up her slender stomach, feeling her soft skin beneath his touch. He came to her large breasts and immediately grasped hold of them, gently kneading the delightful mounds, enjoying the look of pleasure on his Sister's face.

Her pussy felt so good. His pace remained leisurely, but the urge for greater speed was growing more insistent. Yet, given that this was Quintia's first time with a man, he was not prepared to end it so soon.

Instead he increased the speed of his hips only slightly, his cock sliding easily into the stunning mage, each of his forward thrusts seeming to cause a spark of pleasure in his lover. Her fingers pressed into his back more eagerly, and despite Mikael's unhurried build-up her pleasure was evidently growing.

He shifted, letting go of her breasts and instead placing his hands either side of her chest. Then, he lowered himself down, his legs moving to stretch along the sofa's length so that he was almost horizontal above her. The new angle allowed him to drive deeper into the blue-haired beauty, and he could tell that it was well-received. Quintia's eyes opened wide at the added sensation, and her jewel blazed bright blue.

He could wait no longer. His Sister's climax was approaching rapidly, her pale skin flushing as her hands attempted to pull him ever-closer, and a faint tightening in his balls indicated to him that he was not far off, either. The trembling of the mage's snatch felt magnificent, and Mikael was not prepared to waste the sensation.

With a grunt he burst into action, their love-making slow and gentle no more, his hips exploding into life as he thrust wildly into the beautiful girl beneath him. Her walls narrowed immediately and her mouth dropped open as her gem glittered, a minor climax washing through her, brought on by the sudden movement.

Mikael was not prepared to let her ride it out, however, and his member pistoned into the beauty with a wet slapping, the sensation seeming to drive her ecstasy to even greater heights. He grunted, delighting in the sight of her flickering eyelids as they fucked through her orgasm, and slid his hands behind the Sensei's back, wrapping his arms around her and crushing his body against hers. He now hugged her tightly, his chest pressing into hers, causing her large breasts to push outwards wonderfully, and his head nestled in the crook of her neck.

Quintia was not still, either, and despite her inexperience knew what she wanted to do. She lifted her legs, wrapping them around Mikael, her heels gently colliding with his ass as it rose and fell rapidly, his cock driving into her depths. Her arms snaked around him, too, clasping his back tightly, and they remained that way a moment, entwined with one another as their pleasure swiftly grew.

Mikael could feel the tensing of his Sister's muscles, and he held her close as his hips became a blur. Her walls had started to narrow further on his member, her breathing growing quick, and whilst he could not see the light cast by her gem, he was certain it was bright.

Suddenly, her right hand moved, threading her fingers through his messy hair and pulling his head away from her neck. He grinned, looking down at the mage, enjoying the ferocious passion that burned in her eyes, and repositioned himself slightly to allow the angle. His cock still slammed into her rapidly-tightening depths, and it was obvious to him that she wanted to see his face as she came.

That moment was not far off, her mouth hanging slightly open as her climax was imminent. Her body tensed in Mikael's grasp, and her gem throbbed outwards, visually signalling her proximity to release. His cock twitched, too, and he knew he was only moments away.

Quintia did not have to wait, her snatch seizing hold of his cock as her orgasm erupted inside of her, her eyes opening wide and her mouth dropping open. Her jewel exploded into life, a fierce blue searing from it as her fingertips dug into Mikael's skin. Rapture battered her mind, and he could see the ecstatic thrills that shivered through her body, her release finally upon her as her walls spasmed around his length.

"Fuck!" Mikael grunted, the feeling pushing him over the edge; intense pleasure surged through him as his own climax arrived, his cock shooting ropes of cum deep into his Sister's womb. He stared into Quintia's eyes, seeing her own euphoria matching his, and they rode their orgasms out. She shook in his grasp, the bliss of her release not abating, all the while his seed continuing to fill the blue-haired beauty.

It was a while before their climaxes relented, and Mikael sank down onto his Sister with a satisfied moan. Her breathing was heavy, seemingly satiated, and he gently kissed her neck as their naked bodies pressed together, enjoying the afterglow of their release.

At last he lifted his head, staring into his Sister's eyes and grinning, the expression matched by a wide smile of her own.

"Worth staying for?" he breathed, climbing from the sofa and pulling Quintia to her feet. She followed willingly, and he guided her to the bed.

Most definitely, her golden words responded, a smile on her face. I am very glad for your perseverance.

"As am I," he chuckled as he sank down onto the soft sheets, pulling the mage with him. She cuddled up against him, and he wrapped his arm around her waist, enjoying the Sensei's tender touch.

Sleep came upon them both, and as Mikael drifted off he smiled, remembering the week's events. He had found his destiny, and proven himself worthy of it. He had met five gorgeous women and shared himself with them all. He had passed six, nay, seven tests put forth by the Gods themselves, and he had done so with distinction. It was done, and he had succeeded.

He was a member of the Cohort.