by Riker Kane
Maris spoke with the kind of conviction that made it hard to deny her. Looking into the eyes of the others, they were all in agreement with her.
“Asrath is a nice place,” I said. “It takes some getting used to but I can see how you can get comfortable around here.”
Maris stopped stirring the cauldron then took a seat on the dirt next to me. “We are not ignorant of the greater threat that hangs like a dark cloud over all of us. Every person you see in this village—we will all do what must be done to defeat the great evil you call Pandora. Do not forget, we are Warriors of the Serpent.”
“I’m sure you guys know how to handle yourself on the battlefield. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. For now, all we need are the resources.”
“Vacindra has ordered the seizure of Erasmus’s laboratory. There were several Mana reserves she discovered. She will have them transported to Haven along with the resources you initially sought.”
“That’ll be useful. I don’t suppose there’s a Mana Point around here.”
“A Mana Point?”
“It’s a small podium with an orb on it. I can use it to move from one location to another without drawing on my own endurance. You’d know it when you see it.”
“Ah, I believe I know what you speak of. This small monument is located next to the entrance of Vacindra’s hall.”
“That’s good to hear. That’ll make transporting things from here to Haven a lot easier.”
“Hey!” Zolie’s sudden voice made me turn my head up. She wore a white, short-sleeved shirt that was made of a thin silk that was nearly sheer. Her leather pants were tight against her legs, dug into a pair of black boots that dug into the dirt. “There you are!” She plopped on the dirt next to me with a small flask in her hand.
“It’s good to see you’re doing better,” I said.
“I’m doing great!” She gave me a big grin like she was up to something. I looked at Maris and she was smiling just the same as me. Now I knew something was going on.
“What is this—”
“It’s time for a song!” One of the other villagers popped up. Lute in hand, he began strumming a lively tune that sounded like a polka. More villagers began approaching as they began dancing arm in arm with one another. Seeing the sudden change in mood made me laugh as I watched everybody moving to the beat.
“Do you guys normally just start playing music and dancing for no reason?” I asked.
“No reason?” Maris arched an eyebrow. “We have survived another day, happy and healthy. Is that not reason enough?”
“That might be the best reason of all.”
“Try this.” Zolie held her flask out to me.
“What is it?”
“Try it.” She pushed the flask out closer to me.
“More venom, huh?” I chuckled then took it from her. The smell of it was stronger than any alcohol I’d ever had. I sniffed it again to try and place it. “It’s like… sweet fire.”
“Sweet fire,” Maris said with a nod. “I have not heard of it described that way.”
“And I still don’t know what it is.”
Neither Maris or Zolie was willing to give me an answer. There was only one way out of this.
“Fine.” I shrugged and took a sip of the liquor. As powerful as the aroma was, it went down as smooth as water. It hit my stomach and my throat dried to the point I didn’t even know I’d taken a sip. “Not bad. I—”
Of course, I knew things weren’t simple around here. Not the food. Not the drink. Not the people.
The prickling in my throat was stronger than it was from the stew. I wanted to grab my neck and rip it off.
Zolie gripped my arm and squeezed tight. “It is something we have all gone through. Build your resistance and a venom that would consume you whole will be nothing more than a light touch.” She leaned close to me, her lips near my cheek but not enough to kiss me. “A light touch…” Zolie’s breathy whisper warmed my skin.
I shut my eyes and endured the pain as she kept squeezing me. A few beads of sweat formed on my brow. My heart beat a little harder. My muscles tensed. But I wouldn’t let it get to me.
I’d fought giant Golems. I’d killed Heralds. I’d died and come back to life. What was a little snake venom going to do to me?
The pep talk in my head worked enough that the sharp pain began to ease. There was only a subtle lingering in my mouth—the same you felt when you had one too many hot wings.
I opened my eyes to see that Zolie’s grin had left her. The brunette’s brown eyes narrowed at me, her mood suddenly changed.
“Do you still feel it when you drink this?” I asked.
“I feel it but it is not painful. I’m not invincible to venom. None of us are. But we can tolerate more than others.”
“It’s always good to have an immunity.”
“Come, Virgil.” She grabbed my hand and pulled me up to my feet. “There is something I want to show you.”
“I, uh…” I looked at Maris, who only bowed her head. “Okay…”
Wondering what Zolie was up to, I let her drag me along through the village. “I have a bit of a limp, so make sure you don’t move too fast.”
“Sorry. I am so eager to show you.”
She led me back to her cabin and opened up the door. I hadn’t even taken a single step inside when she slammed the door shut.
Then she pounced.
Zolie wrapped her arms around me so swiftly my cane fell out of my hand in surprise. Her lips tangled with mine and I tasted on her tongue the same venom I just drank. She kissed me wildly before pulling away to smile.
“Is this what you wanted to show me?” I asked, an eyebrow raised.
“Yes. I wanted to thank you.” She pulled her top over her head, revealing the same shapely breasts I’d seen before when she was in the stasis tank. It was a lot nicer knowing she wasn’t hurt or dying. She didn’t stop there, tugging her pants down over her boots and revealing the smooth mound waiting for me.
“I know you are strong,” she said as she moved back closer for a kiss. “I want to feel your strength.”
She grabbed my waistband and pulled me over to her bed. As our lips tangled, we both worked together to shove my pants down and free my swollen length. The heat from her folds made me twitch in anticipation.
“Give it to me,” she whispered into my mouth. “I want to be with you, Virgil.”
A cute brunette like Zolie was as good-looking as any coed you’d find on any college campus. Her brown eyes gave her such a sweet, innocent-looking stare. Her fair skin was so smooth and unblemished. Just kissing her was enough to make my mind race with the wrong kind of thoughts. And that was exactly what she wanted.
She kicked her legs free from her pants, letting them hang off one ankle. Her boots still on, she sat on the edge of the bed and spread her legs to invite me closer.
I didn’t waste another second. I moved between her legs and plunged into her. Even with one bad leg, I didn’t care about having to stand and take her. Not when my desire was taking full control of me.
“Yes… Just like that… I’ve been waiting for this… for you…”
Zolie’s cries of passion made me work even harder. I pumped my hips to try and satisfy my throbbing length. All of my desire was building up inside of me to the point that I couldn’t hold it back for much longer.
The sight of Zolie’s body made it even worse for me. Her hair splayed out on the mattress. Her eyes rolled back in her head. Her breasts heaved. Her back arched as the sweat grew on her body.
I gripped her waist and forcefully pushed myself closer to the edge. “Zolie… I…” I gritted my teeth hard and lost myself.
“Oh…” A soft whimper escaped Zolie as she came with me. The two of us convulsed out of rhythm with one another. Hard throbs of my seed flooding into her tight wetness made my knees buckle even more.
Zolie kept her legs wrapped around me, trying to suck me into her even more. Her hands gripped the sheets
as she braced herself from obvious pleasure racking her body.
By the time we both finished, I wanted to collapse on top of her completely.
The door to Zolie’s cabin suddenly opened wide with a giant swing. We both jerked our heads to see Vacindra standing there in her black dress.
“Mistress Vacindra!” Zolie said in surprise.
Despite seeing the brunette naked and me with my pants around my ankles, Vacindra only raised an eyebrow as she looked me up and down.
“I guess knocking isn’t a thing in Asrath,” I said.
“Mistress Vacindra is free to go where she pleases,” Zolie said.
“Indeed.” Vacindra took a step toward us as Zolie sat up to get dressed.
I pulled my pants up and sighed. “I’m assuming this is important.”
Vacindra nodded. “A scouting party has located several individuals unconscious next to the venom marshes. They were taken here. I assume you might know who they are.”
I thought about it for a moment. “Was one of them a silver-haired woman carrying a bow?”
“Yes.”
So much for the others returning safely to Haven. “Then they’re with me.”
“If they are your companions, then they are free to enjoy the same amenities as you.” Vacindra eyed me up and down, a not-so-subtle stare joined her not-so-subtle smirk. “How are you feeling, Zolie?” she asked though she didn’t take her eyes off me.
“I feel strong, Mistress Vacinda. Like nothing ever happened.”
“Yes. I am glad you have found your energy.”
“I have Virgil to thank for that. Perhaps he can please you as he pleased me.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I put my hands up. “I’m not just some piece of meat to pass around.”
“Judging by the looks of your companions, I would beg to differ.”
Vacindra and Zolie both smiled at one another.
I put my hands on my hips as I thought about Zafina, Rhiannon, and Lyra. “Thanks, guys,” I muttered to myself. “Right on time.”
28: Straight And True
Rhiannon, Zafina, and Lyra spent a mostly uneventful night relaxing within the confines of Asrath. They were just as puzzled as I was that the town was secured by a giant snake but they were never concerned for their safety. Vacindra pledged her allegiance to our cause and now we had secured the resources we needed to further construction of the Holy Light Cannon.
Early the next morning, we returned to Haven to give Joris all of the details. He was an older man but hearing how successful we were was enough to give him a youthful energy that resulted in an approving smile.
“Though you have traveled to the destinations you have set, there is still much more for you to accomplish,” he said. “The ore must be processed to construct the weapon. The same goes for the timber as well as the sap for the adhesive.”
“Queen Cellica has been willing to send some of her people here to help with construction,” Zafina said. “The same goes for Mistress Vacindra. If we need it, I think we can convince some of the raiders to help as well.”
“It’ll take some time either way,” I said. “We’ll let anybody help if they want to but we won’t push them.”
Joris walked up to me and put his hands on my shoulders, staring at me like a proud parent. “You have done well. More than I could have asked for.”
“You’re making me blush,” I said, chuckling softly. “But I guess Guillard is the one to thank for all of this. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to Navica. Maybe I should take the Mana Point to see how he’s doing.”
“I’m certain he’s doing well,” Rhiannon said. “If that were not the case, I’m sure we would have been notified. Still… It has been some time since you were able to rest without worrying about the next destination. You have traveled much of the Sol Lands and you have done it in only a matter of days.”
I put my hands up in surprise. “Wait a second. Am I hearing this right? Rhiannon is suggesting we take a break? You don’t agree with this, do you, Zafina?”
Zafina smiled softly. “Your sarcasm is only mildly amusing.”
“I would have recommended it if you had not already said it,” Joris said. “But the people of Haven enjoy the company of Ultima and his allies. Your presence around here is more than welcome. It appears we will be getting used to it for the time being.”
“I will see that construction on the Holy Light Cannon begins immediately.” Rhiannon bowed her head and walked away.
“I will meet with the villagers to make sure they are well,” Zafina said. “This task may be more daunting than anything they have ever done in their lives.”
Zafina excused herself, leaving me alone with Joris just outside of his tent.
It was a sunny day in Haven. The perfect spot to set up an encampment had been proven once again, with the gentle breeze blowing through the clear skies.
I put my hands behind my back and sighed as I walked through the village with Joris next to me.
“Everybody seems to be in good spirits,” I said. “Even with that thing still looming out there.”
“These people have seen destruction worse than they could envision in a nightmare. A malevolent force resonates over the hills but that is not enough to stop them from living their lives. There is no reason to lose optimism.”
“With someone like you leading them, I can see where they get it from.”
Joris was a man who’d been friendly since the moment I met him. Despite the years taking their toll on him in the form of wrinkles, he stood upright and never failed to look at me like there was good news on the way.
“How is Lyra?” he asked suddenly.
“Lyra… I suppose she’s off running out in the plains like she always is.”
“She can take care of herself. What I meant to ask was, is she handling your journey all right? She carries a certain resentment for those who have left Haven.”
“Lyra’s not afraid to voice her disapproval but she’s done nothing to hinder Operation Reconciliation.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Operation Reconciliation?”
“It’s a label I gave what we’re doing. Our secondary objective of bringing all Qashians together after constructing the cannon.”
“Ah, yes. Reconciliation. I imagine Lyra prefers that just as much as destroying the evil threat facing us.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll get both done.”
Joris stopped in his tracks and squeezed my arm tight. “Thank you, Virgil.”
“You don’t have to thank me for doing all of this. My life is on the line, too.”
“I’m not talking about your mission. I thank you for humoring an old man and giving him someone to talk to.”
“We’re all from different worlds. When this is over, we’ll sit down and you can tell me all about Qashia.”
“I’d like that.” He winked before turning around and heading back to his hut at the center of Haven.
~ ~ ~
The guards told me Lyra was out on the plains doing her usual business, trying to draw the ire of roaming raiders. But it didn’t take me long to spot her out in the open. A silver-haired girl in a robe running around firing elemental arrows wasn’t exactly the hardest thing to spot.
I activated the Life Rune and hovered in the air as I watched her piercing a group of jackal Shadows that had just appeared. She alternated between fire and ice arrows effortlessly. From nocking an arrow to launching it, she was a machine. The jackals were turned into Mana without getting anywhere close to her.
“Not bad.” I floated down next to her as she harnessed the bow back over her shoulder.
“You can have the Mana. I just needed a little practice.”
“Practice? You’re pretty good at what you’re doing.”
“I could always be better,” she sighed.
As I collected the Mana, Lyra put a hand over her head to block the sun and looked out in every direction.
“Looking for anything
in particular?” I asked.
“These beasts from the other world—these things you call Shadows. They’re appearing more frequently out on the plains. I usually ran into raiders before I ran into them.”
“Maybe Balec is doing his job and corralling everybody like he said he would.”
“Hmph. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Lyra put her head down and walked west through the plains like she was on a mission. I moved by her side and chuckled at the focused look in her eyes.
“You are good,” I said. “Did somebody teach you?”
“My father was an archer. The same with my mother.”
“Ah… Runs in the family.”
“How about you? Did fighting run in your family?”
I burst into laughter loud enough to make her stop. “The family business is just the opposite of what I’m doing now. It was an easy life.”
“Was it? That’s surprising. You’re a capable fighter. Not just your abilities but your command of a battle. Managing so many elements as well as your familiars. That’s in addition to fighting alongside Rhiannon and Zafina. You have a good battle IQ.”
“I would hope the ‘Battle God’ knows what to do with it.”
The ground suddenly rumbled hard enough to make me take notice. As usual, a dark cloud of black and purple energy formed in the sky just above us.
As the energy billowed, Lyra drew her bow and nocked a flaming arrow, ready to fire on whatever it was. “Leave this to me.”
“You sure about this—”
“I’m sure.” Lyra aimed down her sights as a figure emerged from the cloud. It landed on the ground, hunched over on all fours. But it wasn’t any type of wolf or jackal or dog. It was more like a gangly beast I couldn’t compare to anything else. Two arms extended out longer than its entire body. Its legs dug into the grass and ripped away the soil. Its face didn’t have any definable features except for two glowing red eyes. The rest of its body was just glowing black energy, resonating like smoke that didn’t have a solid form.
