Everything that has happened has given me a newfound strength to save Marithia.
In times of war, I only hope that Marithians can still find comfort in one another. The Forces of Darkness would have our hearts filled with fear and rid us of any joys left in this world.
I long for the day that I meet Helenia once again.
If we let ourselves lose the ability to love and care for one another, then what are we fighting for?”
(Sir Vartan of Veldrenn)
Anakari’s arm ached from holding the lantern for so long and her hand trembled from the pain. She finally caught sight of what she thought must be Crondor and breathed a long sigh of foggy relief. Entering the town’s main gate, she noticed a large carved wooden sign.
Welcome to Crondor
The town was eerily quiet with the only sound being the breeze and wind chimes softly ringing. She clipped her lantern onto her pack and nursed her aching arm. Yuski stretched behind her, waking from her long sleep.
Yuski gracefully slid off the horse and whispered, “I see that we made it to Crondor.”
She ran ahead and signalled for Anakari to halt by raising her hand. The elf responded and stopped her horse near the entrance of the city. The town had plenty of lights on the streets that made for easy navigation past the many closed stores and what appeared to be many seemingly abandoned homes.
It appeared to be a little too calm.
Yuski slowly pulled out her orb and ran to the wall of the nearest building, peering around the corner watching for changes in the orb’s glow. After some time, she put away the orb and rushed back to their horse.
“There are no demons near us for the time being. We better hurry to the Inn and to a room. It’s over this way,” said Yuski, leading Anakari toward a large building near the centre of the city.
Anakari saw the many gravestones in between houses; tombs overgrown with weeds and spider webs, they appeared uncared for. Her mouth wide in shock, she gasped, “By the gods, how many people died in Crondor?”
“Wumvarn killed hundreds of townsfolk as well as travellers that journeyed through here. Often nobody knew the identities of the travellers but they buried them alongside their own. It is said that these parts are haunted,” said Yuski.
Anakari kept staring at the gravestones, visibly agitated, and said, “Haunted? Maybe we shouldn’t have come here at all.”
“Don’t worry, I will protect you. I’m a demon hunter, remember? Bad spirits will not dare come near us. Just don’t go wandering off on your own.”
“Good idea. Why are there no people in the streets?” asked Anakari.
The sound of swift footsteps escaped a nearby graveyard. Yuski jumped in between the graveyard and their horse within a heartbeat, an arrow readily stretched in her bow. Her foggy breath blew over the bow and arrow as she waited for any visual signs of movement. She narrowed her eyes after what felt like an eternity and slowly lowered her bow.
Waving her hand toward the Inn, she signalled to keep moving.
Yuski secured their horse to the Inn’s stables, and whispered, “It must be past midnight by now. I’m sure that everybody is asleep and don’t forget the inhabitants of Crondor know all too well that Wumvarn and other demons frequent these parts. Even if it was early in the evening, the streets would look like this. Once the sun goes down, people stay inside to feel safer.”
“Why are there so many demons here?”
“Greenhaven is not far from here; the city was attacked and captured by Kassina when the war began. Her forces fled the city a while ago, but nobody dares to venture close to it as it is said to still contain many demons. Those demons need to feed, and there is nobody left for them to feed on in the city itself. Quickly, come down off that horse… we had better get inside.”
Yuski helped Anakari down and was surprised by the elf’s full height. She laughed as she whispered, “My goodness, you are so tall.”
They made their way to the Inn’s door and Yuski rattled the door’s knocker.
There was no answer.
Anakari noticed an artefact secured to the wall near the door. A light pulsated inside a small red crystal in the shape of a star. She could feel its power and felt comforted by it.
“What is that?” asked Anakari.
“That is an artefact of warding. Demons can’t stand to be near it and the innkeeper, Griff, is one of the few inhabitants of Crondor who can afford the coin to buy one. He didn’t always own one though; many bad things have happened inside these walls. Griff never forgets those times and he came very close to falling victim to demons himself. Even with the artefact in place, he fears them still.”
Yuski pressed her ear up against the door and faintly heard the sound of a man snoring. This time, she rang the bell so hard that it would have been heard by all of Crondor. The sound of cluttering and a muffled voice was heard muttering; footsteps made their way to the door.
A peephole slid open with a loud metallic ringing sound.
“We closed at midnight. Who goes there!” yelled a man’s voice, obviously annoyed at being woken.
“Calm down Griff. It’s only me, Yuski. My friend and I need a safe place to rest, do you have anything available?” she asked.
The peep hole sharply closed and after some heavy locks were lifted, the Inn’s door opened with a loud creaking noise to reveal a stocky old man standing in his sleeping clothes.
“Yuski! It’s always a pleasure to see you, but it’s not like you to come at this hour or bring a friend. ” said Griff warily, “I do have a room available but it has the one bed. Will that be a problem?”
Anakari bit her lip and asked, “Is that really all you have left?”
“Believe me when I say that rooms are scarce. Marithians are frightened and afraid to sleep outdoors or to stay in any place for too long. My rooms are always full, but I keep a room open in case of emergencies. I won’t even charge for the room as goodness knows that we are lucky to have a demon hunter staying with us. Just tidy the room when you leave,” answered Griff, smiling with a mouth full of missing teeth.
When the women hesitated, he said “Are you going to come inside? Or are you going to keep us standing here in the cold?” he asked nervously with foggy breath and eyes darting around in search of danger.
The two girls both followed him inside where a fireplace crackled; they both felt more comfortable in the warmth as the pain in Anakari’s arm subsided.
Griff grabbed a shiny silver key off the wall and handed it to Anakari.
“Room twelve, up the stairs and on the right,” said Griff, yawning, “Get yourselves some sleep; there is no rush for you to leave in the morning. A demon hunter is welcome to stay as long as she pleases.”
“May the gods bless your kindness, Griff,” whispered Yuski.
Griff returned to his bed and almost immediately began snoring.
Yuski guided Anakari to their room. The elf couldn’t help but notice the scratch marks and dark stains that looked like they were made of blood along the walls.
She tried to push the thoughts of Wumvarn out of her mind.
We’re protected inside, she told herself.
Once they were inside their room, they placed their things by the bed and both of them eyed off the fireplace. The room was icy cold as the window had been left ajar. Anakari muttered a spell under her breath and the window snapped shut.
“Thanks. It will take me a moment to prepare the fire,” said Yuski, her teeth beginning to chatter.
Anakari turned to the fire place which was laden with wood.
“Verto nemus ut flamma,” chanted Anakari, pointing at the fireplace. A sparkle burst from her fingertips and the wood burst into flames.
“It appears that I should travel with you often, my mysterious sorceress,” giggled Yuski, “thank you, again.”
She stared at the bed and asked coyly, “The fire will help, but it is very cold tonight and I am sure that neither of us fancy sleeping on the floor. Do you mind sh
aring the bed?”
Anakari shook her head and laughed, “It’s alright with me; at least we won’t freeze.”
“Well, okay then. Are you hungry? I have some food in my pack if you would like to eat before…” asked Yuski, beginning to free herself from her heavy clothes.
The demon hunter’s words stopped when she caught sight of Anakari undressing in the fiery glow. The elf’s body was perfectly formed and would be the envy of any girl. Her long silver hair draped over her hairless body, but it was not her attractive qualities that shocked Yuski, it was that her body was covered in symbols that shined in the light.
Yuski lowered her voice and said quietly, “Kari, why is your body covered in writing?”
Anakari turned away in embarrassment and her cheeks reddened. She quietly said, “I don’t know. I have always had them for as far back as I remember. Aldorus told me that he noted the markings when he found me as a child and that he could never translate them. To be honest, you are the only other to see them. You are the only other to see me, like this.”
“Please, don’t be shy. I have just never seen any symbols like these before. Children are forbidden to be tattooed in these parts, but if you had them when you were small they would have faded and changed as you grew but these markings are solid, look brand new and react to light. How extraordinary,” she said, edging closer.
The chill could be felt from outside their closed window and even the fireplace couldn’t completely stop the cold from creeping inside. Anakari climbed into the bed and pulled up the sheets, facing the window. Yuski followed and tucked in behind her, forgetting her plans to eat before sleeping.
Yuski, cuddled up to Anakari’s back and stared at the symbols in the low light. She whispered, “These markings are fascinating. I would love to know what they mean.”
Anakari felt the warmth of Yuski’s body up against hers mixed with the cool breath of her soft words. She’d never felt the touch of another woman before, or anyone’s for that matter. Something stirred inside her and she felt her body begin to warm from the inside. She suddenly felt wide awake and her heart pounded faster.
What is happening to me? she thought.
Yuski ran her fingertips along Kari’s smooth elven skin, tracing the symbols; the texture made Yuski’s heart pump faster. Anakari had never felt anything like this before and her body sent sensations through her that felt more intense than any spell she had ever cast.
She turned to speak and breathed, “Yuski…”
Her words were interrupted by Yuski placing her soft lips on Anakari’s. The touch of her lips sent the elf over the edge and she moaned when she opened her mouth to allow Yuski’s tongue to slide in.
Breathing heavily, Anakari’s tongue danced around Yuski’s. The silky textures lit a fire inside them both as they held each other tighter.
The elf lost control and threw their blanket onto the floor, pulling Yuski to the ground to land on top of her. The fireplace added extra heat to their already scorched bodies as Yuski moved from Anakari’s mouth to her neck.
The elf was overcome with a newfound need that she had never felt before; a yearning for a new touch that she did not know how to satisfy.
Anakari’s lips quivered and she stuttered, “I… I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Yuski raised her head to look her in the eyes and could see both fear and longing within.
“Calm your mind Kari,” whispered Yuski, “I will take care of you and give you pleasure that you have never known.”
Yuski placed small gentle kisses on Anakari’s lips and brought her chest closer to Anakari’s, rubbing them lightly together. Both girls screamed out in pleasure as their excitement built; Anakari became aware they may be heard and hastily whispered, “Quietis sanus inter nos.”
Her body’s markings glowed from the casting of the spell. A small ball of light formed far above them and the room was covered in a blue, glittery glow.
“I don’t want anyone to hear us,” whispered Anakari, embarrassed.
“Wonderful!” giggled Yuski.
She worked her tongue down to Anakari’s breasts, circling the elf’s hardened nipples.
“Please… I… ” whispered Anakari, her body now overcome with sensations she couldn’t control.
“I want you… to feel… what I feel,” said Anakari, casting a spell that was used for sense training. She whispered, “Permissum nostrum viscus certamen quod nostrum pectus pectoris pello pepulli.”
Her body pulsed and a white glow covered both their bodies in an enchantment.
“Kari… what did you do?” asked Yuski, before returning to the elf’s breasts.
“By the gods!” exclaimed Yuski as Anakari’s senses flowed into her own.
Yuski ran her fingertips down Anakari’s stomach and stared at her own stomach as she watched her skin move by itself.
Her eyes widened and face beamed as her experience met her thoughts of possibilities and she excitedly said, “Amazing!”
She stroked the elf’s side and said gently, “Kari, I just want you to relax.”
Anakari felt her work her way down to her inner thighs, kissing her way toward the middle. Yuski blew hot air from side to side, driving the elf crazy with anticipation.
Anakari clenched her teeth and closed her eyes. Her legs writhed in frustration as she cried, “Yuski… please… I.”
Finally, Yuski gave Kari what she craved for. The elf screamed out as Yuski’s hot mouth and slippery tongue made contact. Anakari ran her fingers through Yuski’s hair as her body snaked from side to side with her swiftly increasing pleasure.
Yuski moaned as Anakari’s senses overloaded them both. Her breath quickened as Yuski’s rhythm increased in speed. Anakari let go of Yuski’s hair and gripped the blanket so tightly the stitches started to break.
Anakari’s symbols glittered as she neared her climax. The magic inside her was so powerful that the blanket rose from the ground as she prepared to explode from the inside. Yuski screamed as she barely kept control to complete what she had started.
“I… think… I’m… going…” said Anakari between heavy breaths, biting her bottom lip hard.
They tensed with sweat covered skin, the fire light licking their rhythmic bodies.
The elf screamed as her body began to climax; Yuski lost control and joined her. The room rumbled with each release of magic from Anakari’s body. Dust shook free from the timber floorboards as if a minor earthquake had just hit their room. With their bodies twitching in the wake of pleasure, they held each other as the blanket slowly sunk its way back to the floor and the spell of combined senses faded.
Yuski slowly leaned over to pull down the pillows from the bed. She laid a warm kiss on Anakari’s forehead and held her head close to her heavily beating heart.
Anakari took in a few quick breaths and then breathed out in complete relaxation and exhaustion. She snuggled her head further into Yuski’s bosom, placing her ear on the demon hunter’s chest and fell asleep to the rhythmic thumps.
They drifted into a deep sleep in the warmth of the fireplace, with arms and legs entangled.
Chapter 12 : The Queen Of Hearts
“Morale can be a formidable enemy in times like these, while we are most vulnerable and desperate for a sign; a sign to give Marithians hope that we will win this war.”
(Sir Dryden – Knight of the Elves)
It was late in the evening and storm winds wreaked havoc on the island, a bolt of lightning struck one of Trahoterra’s talon-like peaks. The red moon’s glow gave the ocean a frightening appearance and made them feel as if they were flying over a vast sea of blood.
Karven caught sight of the shining beacons at Fang Cliffs twinkling, guiding him home and yelled, “We are not far now!”
Makya did not have the ability to respond to the dragon in the storm. He hung on with all his strength to the magical seat in Karven’s armour, with Shanka tucked under his heavy coat for protection. The rain pelted the trader’s skin an
d chilled him to the bone, but he knew what he had agreed to do. Wrapped tightly around the trader’s torso was a special package that he guarded carefully. Inside it was the artefact containing the beating heart of an angel that was their only hope to save Nymira from completely slipping away.
Flying through a storm was usually a simple task for the king of dragons, but today was different.
Karven carried a heavy load of Makya’s remaining wares in a giant wooden crate. They were much needed weapons and armour that they could ill afford to sacrifice into the ocean. The winds were too strong for them to fly higher and they were travelling low enough for the gigantic waves to threaten to swallow them both. Karven flew with great speed for the protection and safety of Trahoterra’s caverns.
Banking right, Karven narrowly avoided a giant wave. It managed to clip the crate, but Karven ripped it out of the water in the nick of time and the wave continued into the endless bed of water behind them. The huge net containing Makya’s crate skimmed the surface of the ocean as they rocketed forward.
Weaving through the storm’s fury was terrifying. The wind howled loudly as if the gods were yelling at them to turn back and the rain hammered down on Makya’s coat, almost deafening him.
The sky lit up with lightning, allowing Makya a complete view of Trahoterra.
This is amazing, terrifying but amazing, he thought.
Karven neared the cliff’s entrance and beat his wings hard to line up for a clean entry. A wave smashed into the cliff face and sent water at them before they burst through the watery wall and entered the caverns.
Makya took in the sight of the breathtakingly beautiful crystals lighting up the caverns around him.
“I am impressed, great dragon king, very impressed,” he shouted as he gestured to the glittering walls, “And thank you sincerely for getting us here safely,” he puffed with relief.
Karven snorted jets of fire to clear the water from his nose, and smiled in approval.
Two patrol dragons near the entrance flew to join their king’s side, visibly enthused by his return. They were flying at amazing speeds through the tight caverns; Karven was too close to saving Nymira now to possibly allow himself to slow down.
Legends of Marithia: Book 2 - Darkness Rising Page 10
