by Cat Wilder
A human female clerk actually wrote all of our information down, and then tied a leather cord around each of our wrists, with a number on it. That really made the visitors stand out in the crowd.
"Did you see the badges the guards wore?" Meike whispered after we passed through the gatehouse tunnel.
I did, but it didn't mean anything to me. Most soldiers and city guards wore badges of some sort, not unlike police badges IRL. Like their surcoats, a badge indicated who they followed. In some towns, regular citizens wore badges, too. Some people even wore a second badge to indicate what god they worshipped.
"So?" Elky voiced my thoughts.
"Silver badge, black dragon rampant," Meike said ominously.
"Draakenholm," Kahlan said. She shrugged. "I don't understand why that concerns us. I've traveled through the Kingdom of Draakenholm before with no problem."
"I point it out because dragon-shifters rule here, so the local Lord is probably a Dragon Knight. He might attack Tahki on sight." She stopped to look up and around. "I've already warned Tahki to be careful."
I'd never encountered a dragon-shifter, so I didn't know if they could be a threat to a real dragon or not. Since Meike looked worried, I had to assume the worst.
"Great. We need to buy what we need, and get the hell out of here as fast as possible," I said. "If you ladies will start buying food, I'll go sell the horse."
Elky and Kahlan looking longingly at the horse. Nothing we could do about it. The plan called for us to ride Tahki up to the Sacred Death abbey. By flying, we'd reach the abbey in hours instead of days or weeks. The horse had to go.
I watched Kahlan head for a bakery, Elky walk over to a butcher shop, and Meike headed into a magic shop. Figures. I wanted food for the trail, the elfmaid wanted magical stuff. My mistake. I should've asked her to buy lots of beer at the closest pub.
I found a stable next to an inn. The stable owner proved to be a wily half-elf, and he didn't like the gelding, the tack, or me for that matter. My haggling skill sucked, so he rolled me like a drunk.
As I walked away, with only three-quarters what I paid for that horse and tack the previous day, a pop-up alerted me it hadn't been in vain.
Congratulations, you have achieved Barbarian warrior, level 34! flashed across the bottom of my vision in bright red. And then it was replaced with… Congratulations, you have leveled up in the Skill Haggling, level 8!
I'd leveled up in a few skills since the assassins first struck, ruining our perfect little life in Tartha. None of them fazed me much, since I expected them from all my activity. But haggling actually made me smile. I really needed to put more effort into leveling up on that skill, since it could benefit me so much. So, pulling up my HUD, I studied my stats.
Name: Cormac mac Brocc Race: Human Class: Barbarian warrior
Level: 34
XP: 1
SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:
Health: 98%
Stamina: 99%
Charisma: 5 (1000 female only)
Mana: N/A
Swordfighter (Lvl 32)
Horseback riding (Lvl 29)
Hand-to-hand (Lvl 26)
Spear fighting (Lvl 22)
Wrestling (Lvl 20)
Archery (Lvl 17)
Shield fighting (Lvl 14)
Cooking (Lvl 10)
Foraging (Lvl 9)
Hunting (Lvl 8)
Haggling (Lvl 8)
Robbery (Lvl 5)
Dragon rider (Lvl 1)
"Daydreaming again?" Kahlan asked, startling me. That girl must have an amazing stealth skill. Only Meike moved quieter. "I hope about me."
"I'm never not daydreaming about you," I said, loving the smile that spread across her face. "But I was checking my skill levels and HP points."
She patted my arm. "Don't worry, Cormac. You'll catch up with Elky someday. Do you want me to speak with her about trying less hard so you can catch up to her faster?"
"You aren't as funny as you think," I said. How did she know I had set a goal of surpassing Elky? Hell, I was the man of the group. I should be the most formidable warrior. "But you look so adorable when you try to be funny."
She laughed as we headed toward the butcher shop. I preferred to buy hot, cooked meat to inventory until we needed it, but the ladies insisted it wasn't that hard to cook, and raw meat cost considerably less.
"I bought a variety of breads this time," Kahlan said. "And some pastries. Mostly blueberry, strawberry, and apple." My face must've lit up, because she giggled and pulled an apple pastry out for me. "Enjoy."
"Thanks. I love you more than sugar," I said.
I froze, spotting two women in all black leather, but no hoods. Their hair was pulled back in ponytails, and they arrogantly strode down the street side-by-side, studying everyone with cold eyes. Nun-assassin floated above their heads.
"I doubt that," Kahlan said. "In fact – "
I grabbed her, yanking her behind a wagon. "Shhh."
I dropped into a squat and watched the approaching Sacred Death assassin-nuns. Heart racing, I considered what to do. Then Kahlan spotted them, gasping. I started to shush her, but then Elky stepped into the butcher stop's door, still speaking to someone inside. The two assassins turned toward her, moving faster.
I scrambled under the wagon, and then raced to cut them off. They proved faster, pulling swords before shoving Elky back inside. I followed them in, sword in hand. Kahlan came in fast on my heels.
"No trouble!" a man shouted inside.
One of the assassins had a sword to Elky's throat, while the other turned back toward us. Swords clashed, and I found myself toe-to-toe with a dark-haired, dark-skinned assassin. She looked pleased.
"Halt, or the Amazon dies!" the blonde assassin said.
I froze. What could I do? And then Kahlan stepped between the two assassins, and grabbed them both by the neck. I started to cry out, but then the two assassins collapsed bonelessly at our feet.
Elky found her voice first. "You killed them?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm not allowed to kill," she said. "But I drained them of health, leaving them too weak to move, or even stay awake. They'll recover in a few days." She looked me in the eyes. "I did not make them helpless so you could kill them, so don't."
No arguments from me or Elky. I grabbed Kahlan's hand, and off we went. We found Meike still in the magic shop, haggling over a talisman. We grabbed her and ran, explaining on the way.
Tahki, I called with my mind. We're in trouble. Come pick us up!
Chapter 26
Cormac
"Slow down," Kahlan said. "The assassins won't be moving for a few hours, and now we have everyone staring at us."
She had a point, so I slowed to a walk. All four of us panted furiously, and I trembled, all juiced for battle. I just wanted to hit something, but I tried my best to act calm and unconcerned. And then a loud, obnoxious clanging started. Worse than a bell.
We continued up Main Street, moving quickly, but keeping it below a jog. That didn't fool anyone. We were strangers in town, moving toward the gatehouse at a brisk pace. They figured it out, and as we approached the gate guards came running in.
"Shit," Elky said.
"Ah, crap," I said, pulling my sword as they surrounded us. Then I mentally called out to the dragon again. Tahki! We're in serious trouble!
I'm on my way. Coming in from the west, low and fast.
"Halt! You are under arrest."
"Arrest!" Kahlan cried. "For what? Two Sacred Death assassins attacked us, and you want to arrest us for self-defense? Arrest the assassins."
"We didn't kill them," I said.
The officer scowled at us, eyes narrowing. "They're nuns."
Kahlan stepped forward, arms wide to show off her white dress. "I'm a priestess!"
The soldiers wavered, some looking unsure, others still intent on taking us down. I didn't like the hostility in so many of their eyes. All had their swords out. My stomach soured. They didn't need to die over Lord Quinton
's and the assassins' obsession with us, but I had no intention of allowing them to help our enemies capture us.
"Elky," I whispered. "Keep Kahlan and Meike between us. Meike, can you blast a path through them to the gate? Preferably without killing anyone."
The soldiers heard me, of course, and started closing with us with grim faces. Didn't look good.
"I can do better," the elven sorceress said. She closed her eyes, muttering under her breath. "Quickly, press up close to me."
I backed up against her, as did the others. Meike threw her arms out to either side, and shouted a strange word.
Ka-boom!
There was no fire or flash, but I felt a percussive force knock half the air out of my lungs. It blasted all of the soldiers away, slamming them against buildings, wagons, and even the gatehouse walls. One and all looked stunned.
"Run," Meike cried.
Tahki, we're about to run out the gate.
The big albino centaur suddenly trotted in through the gatehouse, stopped and pulled two curved swords. Elky caught my eye, tapped her Shield of Isis, and I knew she had it figured out.
I'll pick you up on the road.
"Elky, take the lead," I shouted, waving Kahlan and Meike ahead of me. "Head straight down the road."
The centaur laughed, battlejoy spreading across his brutish, orcish face. Elky let out a jubilant Amazon battle cry and charged. They met a dozen feet in front of the gatehouse tunnel in an explosive clash of steel. The centaur put all of his strength into his first strike, which she blocked with her shield.
The shield's magic blasted the centaur away. Since he loomed over her, the repulsive magic hit him at an unfortunate angle, lifting the beast up and slamming him against the gatehouse's stone walls a good ten feet above the tunnel.
I grunted when he hit the wall. That had to hurt. Bad. I kind of felt sorry for him, but not for long. Elky didn't hesitate. She took off running, with Kahlan fast on her heels. Meike hung back a little, both hands glowing red-orange fire. I had to urge her on.
I spotted Tahki as soon as I cleared the gatehouse. The dragon was still a few minutes away, but streaking toward us at phenomenal speed. That's when I heard the horses.
"Mounted soldiers coming!"
The women glanced back, and Elky began cursing. "Stupid cavalry is supposed to save us, not kill us."
I chanced a look back. It slowed me down, but when I saw a full company of heavy cavalry coming after us, I found renewed strength and speed.
"Run faster!" I shouted.
Elky took off, followed closely by Meike. Kahlan began to slow down, so I scooped her up and ran like my life depended on it. Didn't matter. Even Meike couldn't outrun a horse.
Scatter, Tahki cried in my head. I'm going to flame them.
Don't kill them! I said. Then I shouted, "Scatter before Tahki breaths fire!"
Elky and I turned left, Meike turned right. Tahki reached us at that instant, opening her mouth wide to breathe fire at the cavalry troops. I heard a bugle blast, and the troopers scattered off the road as well. Dragonfire bathed the empty road where they'd been seconds before.
Happy? Tahki said in my mind.
Very.
The dragon landed in the middle of the road, and then let out a dinosaur sounding roar. I noticed most of the cavalry horses went stark raving mad, either racing away or trying to buck off their riders. The dismounted troopers headed for the city as well.
"Mount up," I called. "Fast."
I ran up to Tahki. I helped Kahlan up first, then Meike behind her. Elky took the rear, bow in hand. The sorceress also looked determined, and a little scary. Kahlan looked around with big worried eyes, so I patted her foot.
"It's going to be okay, baby."
She started to reply, but turned toward the town with huge eyes. "Oh no!"
I spun around to see a black dragon rising out of the town. The dragon knight? My heart skipped a beat, maybe three, before I scrambled up into the saddle.
"Tahki, don't forget we're riding precariously back here," I said. I had a strap to keep me in the saddle, but all the women could do was hold tightly onto spine spikes.
No promises.
The dragon took off so fast I worried we'd lose one of the women. I even strained at my strap. Who knew something so large could move so fast? She proved able to turn on a dime in midair, too. In a flash, and a whole lot of disorientation on my part, we headed due west and away from the town.
The dragon knight came after us.
Do mages ever ride dragon knights into battle? I asked.
Sometimes, Tahki replied. But not necessary. Dragon knights are all battle-mages. Now be quiet, and let me and Meike handle this.
Meike?
As if in response, the sorceress unleashed a thunderous lightning bolt at the dragon knight. A faint purple bubble appeared around him, blocking the lightning.
I looked back at the elfmaid. "Are you shielding us like that, Meike?"
"No. My shield will not expand that big," she said. "Shut up and let me concentrate."
The dragon began a loop around back toward the town. I realized she planned to engage the other dragon. Bright purple orbs appeared around the dragon knight's front feet.
Tahki, I don't want to fight him, I said. Do everything you can to evade and escape.
The dragon knight turned into an intercept course.
I won't run from a fight!
Another lightning bolt shot out from Meike. Our foe answered with a purple ball of energy. Tahki turned sharply, and her wings beat hard. She surged forward, pressing me back into the saddle. Kahlan gasped, both arms and legs around her spike. Even Elky hung on with both arms.
Dragonfire erupted out of Tahki, splashing across the dragon knight's back and left wing. He continued unscathed as far as I could see, but then slowed down considerably. Meike's next lightning bolt pierced his shield, opening a small rent in his right wing.
I saw opportunity.
Tahki, I have a plan! Fly straight north as fast as you can, I commanded.
What are you…
Just do it!
The big red dragon turned to the north in a big arch, and then took off like a bat out of hell. I watched the dragon knight turn to pursue.
Faster!
The dragon sped up a little. It proved enough, because the black dragon broke off the chase and headed back to town. I sighed and relaxed.
Bummer, I said. It looks like he's afraid of you, Tahki. You can slow down now.
She turned her head, regarding me with a fierce yellow eye as big as my head. Hmmmm.
I graced her with my most innocent smile.
Head for the Abbey of the Sacred Death, I said.
According to Tahki, the abbey stood atop a mountain, in the heart of the Wykar Mountains. The flight there would take six hours, but she could do it easily without any rest stops. We would arrive after dark, but would give us all the next day to study the abbey and come up with a plan of attack.
Chapter 27
Cormac
I woke feeling especially good, and strangely excited. I lay on my back, with Kahlan snuggled up to my left, and Meike snuggling to my right. I found Elky much lower, and responsible for my feelings of glorious well-being.
"Mmmm," the Amazon moaned, head bobbing up and down.
My cock stiffened a little more, as my hips rose off the ground. My hands closed around warm, naked boobs, neither of which belonged to Elky. As she worked her hot, wet tongue, and sucked so wonderfully, I started pinching, pulling, and rolling the other two women's nipples. Soon all four of us were writhing, moaning and groaning.
Elky pulled off, crawled up over me, and then slowly impaled herself on my erection. The blonde beauty released a low, wanton groan as I penetrated and slid in deep. Kahlan claimed my lips at that time, while Meike kissed, nibbled, and nuzzled my neck and shoulders.
Wake-up sex is the best!
I heard the dragon's grumble rumble off to our right, and then in my head,
Shut up. It's not fair.
I didn't know what to say to her. Most mornings my girls took turns riding the "one-legged horse." Honestly, it only took about ten to fifteen minutes. The order in which they took their turn changed, but they rarely allowed me on top during wake-up sex.
Elky started grunting with each deep penetration. She leaned forward, hands splayed on my chest as she stared down at me. She thrust her hips faster and faster. I knew she was close, hungering for it. My insides responded, and that rush to climax started as I thrust up to meet her halfway, over and over and…
"Oh, hell yes," Elky whispered hoarsely. "Ooooooh."
Hearing and feeling her come pushed me over the top. A blissful smile spread across her lovely face as we basked in the afterglow.
"My turn," Kahlan said.
Meike objected, and I sat up to avoid a fight. After kissing Elky good morning, I lifted her off and stood up. Meike and Kahlan cried out, but I waved them quiet. The sight I beheld left me cold inside.
"The Abbey of the Sacred Death," I whispered.
The abbey squatted atop the next mountain over, dark and ominous in the pre-dawn darkness. I spotted numerous flickering yellow windows, and torches lit the inner wards. I say wards, because the abbey looked more like a castle than a nunnery.
"Actually, Tahki says its name is 'Abbey of Vyx Triumphant,'" Meike said.
Vyx, Goddess of Vengeance, ruled supreme there. An evil goddess for an evil religious order.
"Tahki never said anything to me."
"She loves you too much to correct you," the elfmaid said.
