Legacy of Dreams: Freedom

by Thomas J. L. Green

  He headed straight off the road, the sound of panic and shouts behind him were almost pleasant.

  Not the most honorable strategy, but I need some space.

  After a few quick turns between the trees of the large garden, he was alone.

  Finally!

  Now, how do I avoid getting caught again?

  Raven went on to stroll through the garden to make sure he loses any and all pursuers who were persistent enough to continue through the mud.

  Is someone singing?

  As he walked, he heard a faint sound of a hypnotizing song. A song sung in woman’s voice. He walked towards the sound. After many minutes of walking, he got closer to the source of the sound.

  On a bench at a clearing sat a woman. Small blonde woman in blue robes who was playing on a harp and was singing.

  Raven stalked around, then sagged himself by a stone pillar on the opposite side from her so she couldn’t see him. He just sat there and listened to the alluring music. He loved her voice.

  Ground beneath me, rock behind me, almost like home.

  “Not even going to say hi?” the lovely female voice sounded from the other side of the pillar.

  “I am sorry, I didn’t want to disturb you,” he answered.

  “Are you spying on me?”

  “No. I just loved the song and wanted to listen to it.”

  “That’s kind of sweet, do you have a name stranger? I am Yvonne.”

  Need a name… now!

  “Rael,” Raven answered.

  “Where are you from? Are you in the competition? Will you show yourself?” Yvonne blurted instantly.

  Need another city than Illysaeas, so I’m not figured out instantly.

  “Nurnfell, yes, I would like not to,” Raven answered.

  “I am from Sonnenheim, medium-sized fishermen town near Xona. Not at Xona, just a couple of days ride on a boat or four days ride on a horse. I am here on the Xona team, together with the count, his guard led by Katherine, a strange fire caster named Zacharias and my friends. Friends and companions actually, normally we use to hunt monsters and treasures around Xona. I haven’t been to Grimdawn yet. I love the walls; they make me want to sing. Do you sing?” Yvonne shot out in a barrage.

  “No,” Raven replied.

  “I love singing, always loved it and never knew why. My parents were often angry at me because they said it makes the fish listen instead of biting the bait. But I never minded, I liked the fish listening to me and they tasted bad anyway. Actually, not bad but since all we ever ate were fish, I got tired of it. Although this got much better once I got to Xona. There they have all types of meat and drinks and food and everything. I love Xona for it. Although it is too large for my liking. I wouldn’t even call it a city. And the massive trees and fruits are sometimes scary like they are hiding something inside. Have you ever been to Xona? Do you know what it’s like?” Yvonne continued.

  “No, why don’t you tell me?” Raven smiled to himself. He missed half of what she said, but he loved how she half-sang every sentence in that exquisite voice of hers.

  21

  Luna

  That was weird as hell. I wonder if it was for real or some hallucination. I guess I will see tomorrow; Luna evaluated as she descended from the roof.

  She carefully cleaned her shoes and dress from whatever mess caught on it outside and headed back to the ballroom.

  I need to find Raven, now!

  She went through the empty side halls all the way to the grand hall. These side walkways were empty. When she got above the grand hall, there was a woman at the balcony. She was holding herself by the balcony fence, leaning on it and looking down. She had long lightly curled black hair and long tight dress.

  Talk about attractive. The body looks so soft, smooth and those curves, damn her body feels like it was made to be touched.

  “Staring at my ass? How rude!” the women turned slightly toward her and smiled.

  What a face...

  “Sorry,” Luna blushed in an apology.

  “Can’t hear you!” the woman shouted.

  “I am sorry”, Luna shouted back.

  “Do you think shouting at me makes it any better?”

  Luna walked to her to the balcony so she could hear her.

  “Sorry,” she tried to apologize again.

  The woman turned to her and stepped in to stand in front of her face. Luna stared at her, completely hypnotized.

  What a fragrance... amazing!

  “You are a pretty one, aren’t you?” she smiled and caught her with her left hand behind her waist, pushed Luna even closer.

  “Have you ever tried something with a girl?”

  Ah...

  Luna turned bright red, feeling an explosion of heat shaking through her body. She tried to answer but couldn’t.

  “Would you like to?”

  What? Yes! No! Maybe? I don’t know? Do I? I don’t! I do! Wait! I don’t know! I guess I do? Maybe? Probably? As an experiment? No, it’s weird! But could be fun, perhaps? What do I do? What do I say? I don’t know!

  “I will take that as a yes.”

  The woman slowly moved her mouth toward the left side of Luna’s throat, spread her lips already and strongly sucked the skin in. A strong moan escaped Luna’s mouth as heat exploded through her body.

  Wow

  The girl slid down Luna’s body, touching it all the way like a snake measuring its victim.

  “I love when my meal is well cooked and nicely served,” she purred with a large smile as she opened Luna’s skirt.

  Eh! What! Wait! Don’t!

  “AAAAAH!” Luna shouted out a moan as the girl slipped under Luna’s skirt, caught her strongly by the hips and dug her face into Luna’s crotch.

  Don’t stop! UHH! Oh my God! How is she doing that? UHH! AAAAH!

  I need to stop shouting or I will get noticed!

  UHH!

  Luna leaned on the balcony with her left and hand and strongly bit into her right.

  AHH! Even the pain doesn’t help? UHH! I guess I’m too used to it. AHH! How is she doing that? UHH! It’s like she is in all the places at once? Don’t slow down! UHH! It’s like she has more than one tongue! There we go, now faster! AHH! No! Not slower! I was almost done! UHH! It’s like she has five or six tongues at least! AHH! I never thought it could be this good! UHH!

  Luna didn’t know how long it lasted. She was out of breath by the time the girl suddenly stopped. Her knees were shaking so strongly she had to hold herself by her hands to stand. The girl again slid up Luna’s body to be in front of her.

  “I’m not finished!” Luna caught her breath.

  “If you want more, find me later,” the girl smiled. She swiftly leaned in and caught Luna’s neck with her lips again, this time from the right side. She sucked in the skin strongly, leaving a bright hickey. Luna felt as if she screamed her lungs out with this moan.

  Before Luna caught her breath, the girl was going down the stairs.

  Shit! My legs are still shaking. I can’t pursue her!

  Get back in here damn it! You can’t just leave me unfinished like this!

  Luna wanted to shout after her, but she already made enough noise and was afraid of being seen.

  No, I definitely shouldn’t be seen. I have a waterfall between my legs.

  Luna took way over ten minutes to calm down to function. She tried to remember the scent of the girl's perfume as well as she could. That was the key to finding her later.

  I guess I will have a drink and check on Raven.

  She slid through the hall and headed to the back bar. Raven was nowhere to be seen though.

  Whatever. The idiot can go rot in hell for all I care.

  Luna ordered a drink, something large and strong.

  “Glad to see you are enjoying the evening,” a familiar male voice said next to her.

  “ENJOYING? It’s horrendous. Even your shitty sales parties were better, Jean!” she cut back.

  Wait… JEAN?
r />   She turned around to face him.

  “I am so sorry,” she squeezed out when seeing his familiar face. Jean was tall, had medium length black hair that fell on his shoulders in perfect cascades. He was cleanly shaved, his eyes were grey and suit obnoxiously luxurious.

  “Don’t be,” he smiled, “we all need to become an adult at some point, although I would have indeed preferred to be told that you desire to leave rather than for you to stage your own disappearance.”

  Why can’t you be angry at me? This calm kindness hurts ten times worse than if you had shouted at me…

  “I… didn’t know what to say or how to say it. I am sorry,” Luna scrambled.

  “I told you, it’s alright,” he smiled and pulled his chair closer, “nice dress, I never imagined I would see you in one.”

  Can’t you at least punch me or something? I was your apprentice for a couple of years and didn’t even say goodbye when leaving. Hell, I made sure you didn’t know what happened to me instead.

  “I am so sorry… I just… wanted to do something by myself. Something larger,” Luna tried to explain.

  And since everything I touch turns into a bloodbath with a lot of dead innocent people, I didn’t want to drag you into it. Neither you nor James.

  “That is alright. We all need to stand on our feet from some point.”

  “Why are you here, by the way?” Luna tried to switch the topic.

  “Selling my wares and looking forward to how my new product line promotes itself,” Jean smirked.

  I don’t like this smirk.

  “New product line? Why do I feel like it involves me?”

  “Because it does, especially since I did make yours and your friend’s equipment for almost nothing, I am confident neither of you will have any complaints when I use you as my walking advertisements.”

  Always the businessman… and no, I cannot say no to this.

  “How will you call it?” she tried to get more information.

  “I haven’t decided yet, will see how the first match goes. I expect you to make a show worthy of my craft,” Jean smiled.

  “Will I get a share of the profit?”

  “Perhaps. But first will get the debt you have from this last order erased if you do a sufficient job at making it look awesome.”

  “Not going to spare a coin, are you?” Luna chuckled.

  “I wouldn’t be rich if I did,” Jean laughed, “which reminds me, how is the team?”

  “It’s alright. Raven is really good, the rest is somewhat acceptable,” Luna evaluated.

  Except for Samantha, she is NOT acceptable in any meaning of the word. Especially not when she is touching Raven.

  “How good compared to you?”

  “In a straight up arena fight, he is a lot stronger,” Luna answered.

  “And in a fight, you are trying to win?” Jean didn’t let her slip out.

  “Depends… how hard would I be trying?”

  “Fully. Suppose you both truly want to kill each other,” Jean specified.

  “Then he would be food.”

  I don’t like to think about this… I really don’t.

  “Anyway, I believe I have some more business to attend to,” Jean concluded the meeting.

  “Thank you, Jean… for everything,” Luna whispered.

  I don’t know how else to put it.

  “By the way, James asked me to deliver you this,” Jean smiled and tossed her a large pouch. Luna just stared at it. Then jumped up and hugged him strongly.

  “AAGGH!” Jean grunted in pain.

  Sorry! I just can’t help myself.

  “Thank you. Say James I thank him as well,” she said, half sobbing.

  Jean just smiled warmly and left. Luna just sat there, overwhelmed.

  James… are you becoming a caring father? I don’t know what to say. Jean was always extremely kind to me, taught me how to measure people and repair armors and weapons. He also taught me how to trade and how to live like a human… mostly like a human. But to receive kindness from James? I don’t know what to say. I don’t know what to do.

  Ah well, time to count the spoils so I know how much more I can drink tonight! I hope I will have enough to repay Iowen on the dress and shoes. That would be really sweet! I could also buy the next set of drugs instead of murdering its owners!

  Luna took the heavy pouch and opened it. On top was a crumpled note, beneath it a large pile of coins. Luna took out the note and read it.

  “To my sweetest daughter, I send this from all my heart. James.”

  Luna got tears into her eyes and reached into the coins to enjoy them.

  Wait a second… that’s not gold! That’s old corroded copper!

  The pouch itself is worth more than all the coins in it! Pouches are worth nothing!

  JAMES! You heartless bastard! You! YOU!!!

  Both Raven and Iowen were nowhere to be seen. With nothing better to do, Luna went to track the strange woman from earlier.

  Everyone I know has ditched me, so maybe a stranger will save the night.

  She picked up the scent quickly. The strong scent of roses was unmistakable. She found her at the second bar, leaning on it while enjoying a drink. She was observing the room.

  Like a hunter seeking its prey.

  Luna stalked around a couple groups of people, sneaking all the way to the girl without being noticed.

  “Seems like you have found me,” she smiled towards Luna when she approached. “Want some more?” she purred as she stuck out her tongue.

  Ugggh! My knees shake just when I see that thing.

  Luna leaned on the wall next to her.

  “Got a name?” Luna asked.

  “Yen, you?”

  “Luna.”

  “Alright, Luna, this is what is going to happen,” Yen breathed. “We are going to drink; then we are going to dance and then, if I am pleased, only if I am pleased, then perhaps I will give you what you want.”

  “What makes you think I want anything from you?”

  “Nice try, Luna, but you have no cards in hand to play with. You will do all you can to please me; otherwise it’s just you and your hand tonight… again,” Yen smiled poisonously, “but you are used to that aren’t you, no reason to fix something that is working… or is there?”

  “Do you really have to be so mean about it?” Lune tried.

  “No. But I enjoy it.”

  “Why can’t I just run into some nice people for once?” Luna exhaled.

  “There are hundreds of nice people in this hall and yet you ended up running after my sweet ass. You don’t want someone nice, you want someone dangerous and I believe you know why.”

  “So... are you from one of the teams too?” Luna tried to pivot the topic.

  “Do I look like someone who is going to run like a hamster in a wheel to amuse the unwashed masses?”

  “Why are you here then?” Luna asked.

  “To have fun and enjoy some sweet muff,” Yen replied.

  Luna was stunned by the bluntness and Yen seemed to be delighted by that.

  “Sounds like you liked mine,” she finally managed to squeeze out of herself.

  “You have it wrapped nicely and it’s borderline unused. I can enjoy fresh meat from time to time.”

  “Can we just skip to the part where we go to your room?”

  “No. You will earn it by amusing me first.”

  I hate to admit it, but I actually do not have anything better to do or any better prospects. Actually, I have no other prospects. I do know she is someone very dangerous and, if this is a trap, I am walking into it blindfolded and naked… which seems likely. But… that’s what actually excites me about this. That and what she did with the tongue because while that was likely greatly enhanced by the drugs I have been taking, it was still so good it felt unreal.

  “Alright, Yen, is there anything that I can do to make your evening more pleasant?” Luna offered in a sweet voice.

  “Now you are talking.”
>
  Where the hell has she disappeared to?

  Suddenly, Luna couldn’t find Yen. She sent her for some snack and now that she came back, Yen wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

  You are kidding, right? I have been your good little puppy for the whole night and you just disappear?

  She searched for the scent of Yen’s perfume.

  You aren’t getting away that easily.

  Luna traced the scent. It led to the upper floor, then out of the complex of halls that held the event. Luna didn’t bother looking around and just followed the scent. It led her through the complex of the large mansion. Suddenly Luna found herself in a dark hallway full of closed doors. She went by the scent and stopped by one of the doors. She tried the door and they weren’t locked. Luna slid into the room and closed the door behind her. The room had a thick carpet and was decorated with flowers. Sound of burning flame was echoing through it; the light came from a door leading to the adjacent room. Luna stalked through the room without making a sound.

  The smell of flowers blends in with the perfume. This feels like a room Yen would have.

  She went to the other room and saw Yen sitting on a large couch in front of the fire. She wore nothing.

  “Happy to see you did come, in the end,” Yen smiled at her and turned.

  By the heavens, what a body!

  “I allow you to drop your clothes,” Yen announced.

  Luna did, quickly and efficiently.

  “Rushing, aren’t you?”

  “What if I am?” Luna stepped towards her.

  “Stop,” Yen ordered and Luna did so instantly, without thinking.

  “AHAHAHA!” Yen laughed.

  “Alright Luna, let me show you something,” Yen smiled and sat to face Luna straight. Then she spread her legs. Afterwards, she clicked a hand and to Luna’s amazement, the skin on Yen’s left thigh split and blood flew out. The skin closed itself instantly, but the blood remained in the air and then flew toward Yen's crotch. The blood seemed to have multiplied, twisted and turned and formed something that Luna could describe as a phallus straight above Yen’s genitalia.

  “That’s blood magic! That’s forbidden!” Luna exclaimed, not knowing whether she should be amazed or horrified.