by Luke, Monica
“A word, my lord,” he requested, as he moved away.
Baric looked at him curiously, but followed. “Speak you words.”
“You have found her,” Laad understandably said, “Dare you keep yourself from her by coming with us. Enjoy her and your son, my lord. Such was the only reason you are with us.”
Baric sighed, he knew they would be gone no less than two more moons.
“Yes,” Baric nodded regretfully, “Yet there is an oath that I and you must uphold, which is to protect the kingdom from those bound to bring it down. I am bound to my oath.”
The toil of separating the men and women now solemn, as none spoke, once all were ready to march, Laad lined them, with Loth riding next to him.
“Four mountains to the west there are traders that settle there in the spring and summer. Sell the women to them, and the men to those who offer a price for them along the way. Tarry not with price take what they offer for them.”
“Where shall we gather?” Loth asked, as he looked at the men and women.
“Near Orem just before The Mountain of Ash is where we will camp,” he answered, “As we pass it to shorten our journeys many times the men ride down and attack us. It is a good time to deal with them”
“So be it,” Loth said.
“Loth,” Laad called out before he rode off, “Be wary and move with haste. We will be waiting.”
Loth nodded; then hurried away on his horse while signaling for the men to follow him with the tied men and women.
As Laad watched the other men load the spoils from the nomad camp to take back to WorrlgenHall, he happened to look down and noticed a polished copper trinket in the sand.
Curious about it, he got off his horse to look closer, picked it up with one finger, and blew the sand off it.
“Such gifted charms they have,” one of the men, who passed him, said.
“Yes,” Laad agreed,” as he thought of Nona and tucked it in his belt.
The hour late, Baric decided to leave before first light, but moved from the smoke and earth seared nomad camp.
In no mood to ride, Laad also decided to wait for light and stayed with Baric’s camp before joining the other men.
“Send word back to the men,” he ordered one of the others, “We ride out before first light when all are joined again.”
The man nodded; then jumped onto his horse to ride out.
“Wait!” Laad shouted, as he reached into his belt, “Take this with you and give to it to the blacksmith.”
Laad paused for a moment and thought of what would look pretty around her soft arms. “Have him melt and coil it into an ornament to grace the small arm of one very beautiful.”
The man took the charm, and tucked it into his belt not bothering to look at, then rode off.
As he watched him ride out, he sighed to himself and his mind now flooded with thoughts of Nona. The air nicely cool and everyone settled for the night, he decided instead of sleeping inside his tent, to sleep looking up to the stars.
After letting out a tired groan, he plopped himself onto his blanket; then put his hands behind his head and stared upward waiting for his eyes to become heavy.
“Ah, Nona,” he said under his breath, as he thought of his unborn child in her womb and his son, “Never have I ached to be home so badly.”
His mind flooding with thoughts of them, he smiled to himself as images came to him of them by the fireplace as he sat sharpening his sword watching them, or of all of them eating as he told her of his day.
He thought of how as they slept, she would wrap her leg around him, or how when he woke, he would turn and caress her thighs before getting between them.
“Such want,” he sighed, feeling himself becoming rigid with thoughts of her.”
Fighting the feeling of arousal, Laad turned onto his side to sleep, but as always, before he actually went to sleep, he spoke to Nona.
“Feel my love,” always his final words to himself as he drifted off into sleep.
**
That same night as Ovfren lay sleeping, his head turned towards the wall of the tent while he slept, when he opened his eyes only one thought at once came to his mind, as he quickly turned it.
“Ah,” he looked delighted at the pleasing sight near him; followed by a groan of pain when he tried to move.
The day long, and his night before without much rest, fighting to keep his eyes open, Ogorec sat vigilantly by Ovfren instead of out in the camp, but fatigued and worn, had dozed off.
His face looking peaceful as he slept, Ovfren sighed comforted and couldn’t bring himself to wake him, but as he shifted his body an unintentional groan did.
Slowly, Ogorec’s eyes opened, his obvious delight of Ovfren his first sight also, he stood.
“Do not try to move,” he ordered and went to the flap to adjust to it make sure no one could see inside the tent.
“I am healing,” Ovfren said, still trying to move, “How long have I slept?”
“Well long,” Ogorec said, as he walked back over to him; then put his hand tenderly on his head, “For the men to worry.”
“The men…”
“Me,” he confessed and smiled.
“And is it why you sit and watch over me?”
“It is.”
His mind still filled with worry, but relieved Ovfren was awake, Ogorec looked away to kept him from seeing it on his face, but unable to resist, he looked back at him
Ovfren’s glance always pulling him into his eyes, as if uncontrolled he felt himself being pulled closer, his eyes moving back and forth from Ovfren’s eyes to his lips, as he was.
“Such a risk you shall take,” Ovfren whispered, as he watched Ogorec’s mouth coming closer to his to stop him, “To kiss me in such a way in this tent when others could enter without warning.”
“Dare I look at you,” Ogorec whispered back, only stopping long enough to quickly reply, “And into those eyes and not kiss you?”
“Remember your place here.” Ovfren sighed wanting to feel his kiss, “But know we also will have our time and place.”
Ogorec let out a discouraged groan, realizing how easily and readily he lost his will around Ovfren always longing to hold, touch, or embrace him in some way.
“I wish it was now,” he said, and sat back down tormented.
“Just as I do,” Ovfren whispered; then began to reach for his hand.
“For life.”
“Yes, Ovfren,” Ogorec spoke, remembering their vow and held Ovfren’s hand, “For life.”
Just as both pulled their hands away, the tent opened.
“He is awake,” a guild turned, and yelled out; then closed it again.
Soon afterwards, Baric walked inside.
“Such a wound for a stray arrow, yet it found its mark well. How do you feel?” he asked, as he walked to Ovfren.
“It is a small wound,” Ovfren tried to assure him.
Baric slightly laughed. “It is what we reason small that kill us.”
“He is like a stubborn oxen that nothing can bring down,” Ogorec added, “He will be well in no time.”
Baric nodded.
“We have twenty children among us now. I reason it wise you go along with the men who take them back to WorrlgenHall. I see no cause for you to scout if you are hurt.”
“Back to WorrlgenHall,” Ovfren said surprised, “This wound is but a small wound.”
“No one wrestles in his sleep from small wound,” one of the men added.
Ogorec didn’t turn, but annoyed with the man’s words quickly let him know it.
“I gather you have other tasks to tend other than standing here looking out of place,” and quickly the man cleared his throat, and left the tent.
“No more words,” Baric insisted, “You ride back with the men who take the children.”
Thinking nothing of it, he quickly walked towards the tent opening, until he noticed Ogorec not behind him.
“Ogorec come,” his simple command before h
e flung the flap open, then left without looking back again.
Ogorec eyes closed tightly as he turned and fought the urge to look back at Ovfren, yet he controlled himself and walked out of the tent too, and then closed the flap behind him.
“My lord,” Ogorec said, as they walked, “Such a time we have journeyed with no sign of enemies other than in the Valley of Tul.
“Such is true.” Baric nodded.
“I reason allow Laad to journey more, “Ogorec added, “He is well prepared for such, and it is his purpose.”
Quickly, losing the resolve he had not long before, Baric again nodded. He did indeed long to return to WorrlgenHall with Ecia and his son.
“I must speak with Laad of the matter.”
Just as he had planned, after the sun rose, when Laad was about to ride out, Baric approached him.
“Laad,” he called to him.
“Yes, my lord.” Laad turned.
Baric looked to the children loaded into the wagons; then to Ecia holding his son.
“My words have been swayed this night,” he said, “And I reason it wise to return to WorrlgenHall.”
“Yes, my lord,” Laad agreed, and gave an approving nod.
“What is your course?’
“We have been tried, my lord,” Laad reasoned, “We have journeyed far and seen nothing other than those in Valley of Tul.”
“Tried,” Baric repeated, “I question to what purpose.”
“One way or another,” Laad said, and looked out into the plains, “It shall be made known to us soon.”
“Then journey no more,” Baric’s command, “We shall all return to WorrlgenHall as one.”
“If granted, I will wait just before the land of Orem for Loth and the men; then we shall ride to the Mountain of Ash. Long have the people pestered us with their attacks as we pass.
Baric nodded. “Let it be done.”
Chapter 16
Even after the time of mourning had passed, Queen Seda still held deep her pain from the loss of her child and her smiles few, her words fewer, all who looked into her eyes, only saw sadness; instead of once beaming eyes.
Although, her body mended, she refused to leave her chamber, if she even got out of bed, and such was her sadness, she would not go to the gathering hall to sit at the king’s side while he dined.
Worried for her, as each day she seemed more sullen than the day before, King Rone ordered servants to take her food to eat in their chamber, yet she only nibbled from whatever they brought; then sent it away.
Her words also few to him, each night King Rone held her close hoping she would open to him, but she held her thoughts and pain within, and as her silent suffering grew greater, his heart now felt torn from him.
Unsure what to do, each day he asked for an account from the servants on her state, and as all told him the same; that she spoke to no one, including Nona and hardly ate, worry overcame him of losing his queen, not to illness, but to sadness.
Such was his worry, one evening, while he sat on his chair as a man spoke before him about a problem with his land, although he looked at him intently; he heard nothing he said.
“Come back after this day,” he finally interrupted him, as while the man spoke he dwelled on the matter of Seda an idea came to mind, “I am done with court for the day.”
As all stood, the king looked to his son Bayl.
“Hold court for me,” he ordered, “I have a pressing matter to attend that will keep me away.”
Realizing he should have done what he now planned to do long ago, King Rone hurried to their chamber, and each step wider than the other, became anxious.
“No one is to come to us,” he ordered, as he passed the guard, “No one.”
“Yes my king!” the guard understood clearly.
When he entered his chamber, he saw servants sitting together in the outer chamber sewing, but did not see Seda.
“Where is the queen?” he asked, as he walked.
“She has not left the bed chamber,” they stood, bowed, and spoke.
As they spoke, the king looked to his left, again noticing another day of barely touched food.
“Leave us,” he said, “And in the morning, do not come until you are called upon.”
Again, they bowed and hurried away, then once gone, King Rone walked to his bedchamber, but found it empty.
Thinking nothing of it, he turned; then looked to the heath expecting her to be in a chair in front of it, which she sometimes was while she waited for him to come to bed, but it was empty too.
Not seeing her at the table either, quietly he made his way up the stairs that led from his chamber to the roof; then when he reached the top, he saw Seda standing against the wall staring out into the black sky.
He said nothing as he made his way to her, then once next to her. His heart feeling as if it would leap from within him from the very sight of her, he wanted to pull her close, but instead, leaned against the wall and stared out too.
“Such darkness is above us,” he said, as he sighed, “Yet in that darkness the stars grace it and make it a beautiful sight to behold.”
As he spoke, he moved closer to Seda; then placed his hand onto hers.
“For some time,” he said softly, “You have been withdrawn from me.”
Seda said nothing as he spoke. Her eyes still looking to the sky, but in them, he saw that they had begun to glisten.
“Is there still love Seda?” he asked, “Or now have you pushed me out of your heart?”
Her eyes now filled with tears, they formed little droplets on her eyelashes, then fell onto her cheeks and rolled down her chin.
“How can your tongue ask me such words?” she whispered, yet she looked away.
“Even now you look away from me,” he said, as he turned her chin to face him, “What have I done to turn your heart from me?”
“My king.”
“Husband,” he softly reminded.
“My husband,” she whispered, “I am in fear.”
“In fear of me?” he asked wounded.
As she looked at the hurt in his eyes, she now openly cried.
“Fear to open my heart again. It hurts to love something and have it stolen away so unjustly.”
“Such that I know,” he said. His hand still on her chin, he continued, “As well as my daughter, I lost Queen Nohla one that I loved and by the grace of God, I found love again with you.”
“I was only a servant,” Seda said, “Queen Nohla was already of high born blood, and she gave you sons. I lost the one precious thing I could give you.”
“Seda,” he said moved, “You speak as if you will never bear a child again.”
“I cannot bear to lose another child and have not given myself to you for that fear,” she confessed, as she looked down, “And I know you will send me away.”
From her words, he sternly looked at her.
“You will look at the king,” he softly ordered.
Slowly, she raised her head; then looked into his eyes.
“Only time will heal what you feel,” he said, “But, I made you my queen and that you will be to me as long as I am king, and who I love as long as I live.”
“I have withdrawn from all such that I have not even given myself to my husband,” she whispered, “It has been some time, yet you spoke nothing. Have you delighted yourself with bellars or another?”
King Rone sighed.
“Delighted?” he then said, slightly wounded she would believe he would, but understandingly “Why should I when beside me is one who pleases me in all things, such that the very touch upon her skin turns me rigid with want. I will wait for such pleasures again.”
“Then no one?”
“No one.”
“Then wait no more my king and husband,” she whispered, as again an unyielding want for her husband pulsed through her body.
Humbly, she bowed her head, as she dropped her robe; then pulled the strings of her bed gown, which fell to her feet and her naked
body glimmering as bits of light and shadow from the a half moon and torches fell upon it, he looked at her awed at the curved form of her alluring body.
At once, his eyes never leaving her eyes, forgetting that he even had it on, the crown upon his head fell next to his feet followed by his belt, his tunic, and his undershirt.
As his boots flew off his feet with a wild fury, when he began untie his pants, she took his hand and did it for him.
Her hand upon him, she gave a tug and loosened its tie and as they fell to his feet, she touched his already swollen shaft.
“Such truth in your words,” she whispered, “Rigid you are. I fear you will burst at any moment.”
“Oh, my love,” he groaned, as her soft hand gripped him, “Your fear may be well true. One thrust and I know much will gush from me fiercely.”
“Then so be it,” she whispered, as she pulled him to her by his rigid want, “But I warn you king, the queen has set her mind to please you well this night. I hope you are well rested.”
“Rested or not,” he said eagerly, “Each time I have no fear I will not be able to harden for you.”
As Seda let go of his rigid want, she felt it brush against her; then as he pulled her close and kissed her hard on her lips, before she knew it, he had her body pressed to the stoned wall.
Much taller than she, he towered over her as he leaned down to kiss her hard; then as she felt her feet leave the roof, she realized he lifted and placed her on a flat stone so their bodies could be somewhat even.
Quickly, he moved his leather pants from around his feet and pressed her again to the wall with his own body; then as he gripped the back of the wall for leverage, she felt his rigid want slide into her.
As she felt it, she gasped swearing from their last his manhood had grown even larger; then as ten thrusts lead to twenty, then forty, she breathed heavily and grabbed his muscled back and taut rear.
“One more thrust and you will feel me wave across your manhood,” she moaned, as his upward thrusts pushed deep into her.
“Let it wave,” he breathed out hard; the pressure building in the base of his shaft letting him know he was close to exploding.
As now his thrust to many to count, again Seda gasped as her womanhood waved and quivered.
