Rising Thunder (Dynasty of Storms Book 1)

by Brandon Cornwell

  He could not see what she was doing, but he could sense and feel her movements. Her other hand gently lifted his testicles up, so they weren't being squeezed by his thighs, while her right hand moved gently up and down his length, slowly working his foreskin back.

  He was sitting upon his elbows, head back, reveling in what she was doing, when he felt the warmth of her lips pressing against his tip. Gasping, he fell back, his hips thrusting forward, seemingly of their own volition. She gripped his shaft, sliding her hand down to pull his foreskin back all the way, and took as much of him into her mouth as she could. Her tongue flicked against his head as her left hand intermittently massaged his testicles and the base of his manhood.

  With no idea what to do with his hands, he pulled her hair away from her face with his left hand, the other gently on her wrist. She bobbed up and down, taking about a third of his length into her mouth with each stroke, his hips rolling in time with her motions.

  His mind was racing. He had never been with a woman before, and though he had spent plenty of time envisioning it as any healthy young male would, he hadn't imagined it being anything like this. She seemed to sense his urgency, as she pulled back with a slight gasp of breath. He hadn't realized that he had thrust upwards with his hips. Not hard, but enough to push himself in a little deeper.

  She crawled up along his body, her nipples tracing twin paths up his thighs, his wet and slick manhood passing between her breasts. He felt her soft pubic hair brush against him as she passed his member, tickling from the base of his shaft to the tip. He kicked out of his trousers, leaving them both fully naked.

  She shifted her weight, rolling to his side, pulling on him to follow her. Laying on her back, she took his left hand and guided it between her legs. “Here,” she said, her hand over his, tracing his middle finger from the back of her womanhood, past her warm, moist opening, to the crown of her flower. She pressed down with his finger, making little circles, then slipping it down and between her folds, hooking it towards the front. “Like that.“

  He leaned over, his blood thundering in his ears. He copied her motions, alternating between rubbing her center and slipping his middle finger in and out of her femininity. Her damp hair was under his palm, rubbing him as she bucked her hips in time with his motions.

  Leaning in, he took her nipple in his mouth again, flicking it with his tongue, bringing a gasp and a soft moan from her. He worked his finger in and out of her, rubbing her clitoris on occasion, switching between her breasts with his lips and tongue.

  It didn't take long before she was gasping for breath, and the sounds she made excited him even more. She shuddered, her muscles bearing down against his finger, clamping on like she was trying to hold him in place. Her hips shivered as she bucked against his hand, forcing his finger deeper into her despite her grip. One hand grabbed his, pushing him harder into her, while the other grabbed a fistful of his hair, dragging his lips up to hers in a powerful kiss.

  Her tongue drove into his mouth with an urgency he had never experienced, so he returned the favor. As soon as his tongue parted her lips, she pulled on it, sucking on it for just a moment before breaking free, her breath ragged.

  His own breath came in short gasps as she wriggled about. He sat upon his knees as she moved from her back to her knees, facing him. Taking him between her lips, she gave him a few hurried passes, her tongue lingering on his tip, before she lay back again, her knees spread.

  “Come here.“

  That was all the invitation he needed. Settling between her knees, he placed himself at her opening, searching for the right angle. With how tight she was against his finger, he wasn't sure if he could fit without hurting her.

  Reaching down, she spread herself with one hand while taking his member with the other, guiding him to the right spot. Once he felt his tip slide in, he gave a single long, gentle push. She gasped as he filled her, wrapping her ankles around the back of his thighs, her hands passing under his arms to hold on to the back of his shoulders.

  She took about half of his length before he pulled back, then pushed in further. All of his indecision from earlier was gone, all of his reticence, and now the only thing that existed in this world was the two of them the heat between them.

  At two-thirds of his length, he felt resistance, and she winced. “Gently, “ she cooed, “that's enough for now.“

  He nodded, his breath shaky, and pulled back slowly, building in rhythm and speed as he felt himself nearing climax. Despite his best efforts, he pushed a little deeper each time, but she seemed to be able to take it with each new thrust. Her eyes were squeezed shut, little sounds coming from her as she rolled her hips with him.

  Just as he built to climax, she clamped down with her legs and hips, sliding the last inch of him into her. Her shaking hips ground against him as he thrust hard, supporting himself on his knees and left hand, his right hand around her back to hold her close to him. He could feel his climax pouring into her as her center clenched and unclenched, feeling like it was squeezing him for everything he was worth. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt before, and a low, rumbling, wordless growl escaped his chest. She buried her face in his chest, a long “Mmm,” turning into a sigh as she relaxed under him, her backside resting against the fleece.

  He rolled to his right side, her right leg still kicked up over his left side, holding them together. She bucked her hips playfully, causing him to jump from sensitivity. She giggled again.

  “Did you enjoy yourself, Elias?”

  He ran a hand through her raven black hair. Pulling her head back, he kissed her deeply.

  “That was amazing!“

  “Good, ” she said, resting her head on his arm. Soon, she was asleep, and he was not long after.

  ~ ~ ~

  His eyes snapped open, which he immediately regretted. It seemed as if the drummers from the night before had spent the evening pounding on his skull instead of their instruments.

  He had rolled to his back in the night, and the morning sun filtered through the thatch walls of the three sided structure. He sat up, looking about. Coral was nowhere to be found. Had he been dreaming? He shook his head, which he also immediately regretted. He had certainly drunk far more wine than he should have last night. He may have been raised in the Northlands, but he hadn't inherited their ability to drink without ill effect.

  It was maybe halfway between dawn and noon, the sun low over the eastern arm of the mountain, but already it was warm out. He could hear the villagers bustling about, a few of them visible from the open side of the shelter, which faced the south, towards the water. He caught a familiar flash of blue skin and raven hair, and saw Coral swimming. He stood then, abruptly conscious of the fact that he was still naked. He cast about for his trousers, then drew them on. He felt like he needed a swim as well.

  The sand was still cool against his bare feet as he approached the gentle waves of the waterline. The firmness of the wave slope felt good against his feet, and the lapping waves against his ankles were soothing.

  Coral caught a glimpse of him, and waved, treading water for a moment. She slipped under the water, and surfaced much closer than Elias thought she would. She was, apparently, a superb swimmer. He waded into the water of the cove, catching his breath as the cold water surged around him with the waves. He waded in until the water was up around his chest by the time Coral reached him. She swam up to him, treading water in the flowing tide.

  “Good morning, Elias! Did you sleep well?”

  He nodded, shivering slightly. “I did. And you?”

  Coral grinned, her teeth as white as pearls. “I slept like the dead!”

  The waves rolled about him, lifting him up for a moment before his feet touched the ground again.“You were gone when I woke, I wasn't sure what happened.“

  She floated up to him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. “I woke up a little early and felt like swimming. Are you hungry? There is meat and fruit, brea
d and water in the lodge.“

  He nodded, using his arms to tread water for both of them.“Breakfast sounds good.“

  They left the water together, walking across the warming sand towards the lodge. Coral was wearing her halter and loincloth again, but on the beach, she had a woven grass skirt laying on the sand.

  Pausing for just a moment to tie the skirt in place, she took his hand, and though she couldn't twine her fingers with him, she wrapped her hand around his and held it all the way into the lodge. A few of the tribe members watched them enter the building, a few of them chuckling and pointing. Elias blushed a bit, his ears burning, but Coral was smiling.

  “Ignore them. You're just new to them, a novelty. Your meaning will be proven in the weeks and months to come.“

  Marl approached them from the side. “This is true. Most of our people here don't fully understand what you represent to us.“

  Elias frowned. “And what exactly is that? I am only one mercenary.“

  Marl smiled. “Look not at what you were, or what you are. Think instead of what you can be, and what you will be.“

  Elias opened his mouth to say more, but Marl held up a hand. “We will speak more of this later. Now, you should eat and enjoy the morning. You must go and speak with your companions from the ship. They will be of great assistance in the coming times.“

  Elias was quiet as they filled shells with slices of roast pork and fruit bread from the night before, mulling over what had happened. Coral noticed his mood and stayed close, but quiet. After they had gotten their food, she led the way back to the lean-to that they had used the night before.

  When they got there, Elias saw that someone had taken the sheepskins and mat, replacing them with a larger mat and more skins. Bouquets of wildflowers hung from woven cords, lightly scenting the mid-morning air, while baskets of fresh fruit were arranged by the opening of the structure.

  Bananas, passion fruits, and pomegranates were all in the same basket, with various citrus and grapefruit taking up another. A wooden bowl held a mixture of berries, of which Elias recognized strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries. A few jugs of water with some ceramic cups finished the small banquet.

  They sat in the sand, chatting as they ate. Coral told him about life on the island, and Elias told her about life on the mainland. She was especially interested in the mountains and forests.

  “So, your mountains do not breathe smoke and fire like ours?”

  Elias shook his head. “Not in thousands of years. They are much taller, but I think their fire has gone out. All but a few are quiet. I have heard that there are mountains in the far north where the ice never retreats, that still shake and pour fire, but I have never seen them.“

  She nodded, chewing a bite of fruit bread. “The islands to the west of us have given up their fire, too. The farthest west is the Hollow Island. Legends say that it was once a great island, like this one, but there was a cataclysm that pulled everything but the volcano under the waves. Over the years, the mountain collapsed into itself, letting the sea into her. It was considered a cursed place. Now even more, since the pirates have claimed it as their own.“

  Elias pondered as he ate. “What do the pirates do? I mean, I know they need oarslaves, but they didn't seem to like elves as such. They talked about elves wasting away, not having the longevity that humans did.“

  Coral furrowed her brow. “They hunt us for capture. There is an island close to their stronghold where all of the trees have been cut down. They make our people farm food for them, raise their animals. They leave no boats on the island, so they cannot escape. At least half of our number reside there.“

  Elias lifted a jug of water by one of the handles and poured two cups. “How many other villages are there?”

  Coral sipped the cool water. “There are three on this island, which we call Matomato Rapa. It means Green Giant. There is at least one village on each of the five others that are not held by the pirates. Our largest village is on Taonga Tama, the farthest west of the islands still under the control of my people. The name of the island means 'Rich Son.' It is this village where most of our warriors and craftsmen reside.“

  Elias nodded, pondering as he finished his meal. “I think it is time for me to go back to my companions in Port Greenreef.“

  She stood then, smiling. “Very good! I will prepare immediately!”

  Elias caught her by the hand. “I think, Coral, I should go alone. I need to convince several people to help us, and I think it would be easier to do if they didn't know about... us.“

  Coral frowned then, a sharp look on her face. “Are you ashamed of me?”

  Elias released her hand as she pulled it back. “No! Why would I be ashamed?”

  She crossed her arms under her breasts. “Then why do you not want me to come with you? Why are you hiding me from them?”

  Elias was bewildered at her sudden turn of mood. “I'm not hiding you from them!”

  “Then I am coming with you.“

  Elias blinked. “It's not that I do not want them to know about you. Not at all. It's that if they think I am being influenced by a pretty girl, then they might not take me seriously.“

  Coral did not relax her stance. “And why not?”

  Elias squirmed a little under her scrutiny. The scene must be comical, he thought, a giant being cowed by a tiny elf maiden. “It was... known that I had no experience with women. Now I will be coming back with a beautiful elven girl, asking my crew to risk their lives for her benefit? I doubt they will see my request as unbiased.“

  Coral's look softened for a moment. “Hm. This may be true. Perhaps if I accompany you as a liaison from the tribe?”

  Elias shifted in the sand uneasily. “I know these men. They would say I was doing it to try to find a way into your skirt.“

  “Then I won't wear a skirt.“

  Elias dropped his face into his palm. “That's not what I meant.“

  “Then speak plainly!”

  Elias looked up at Coral. Despite their intimacy the night before, he really did not know her well at all. He leaned back on his elbows and exhaled sharply.

  Coral's emerald eyes met his, and her stance softened a bit more. She stepped over him, and sat on his lap, straddling him. She rested her arms on his shoulders, clasping her hands behind his head, looking down. “I am worried that you won't come back.“

  Elias sat up, setting his hands on her slender waist. “No. No, I wouldn't do that.“

  “But how can I know?”

  He lifted her chin, bringing her eyes to his. “I promise you that I will return. I have nothing else to offer but my word. But I will return.“

  “He speaks the truth.“

  Both Elias and Coral turned to see Marl leaning against a walking staff, watching them from under his wide-brimmed hat. Elias was suddenly very conscious of the fact that the seer's daughter was straddling his lap.

  Marl held up his hand. “Don't be shy. I wasn't born yesterday. However, the sun is high already. If we want to make it to Port Greenreef before the heat strikes, we need to get walking. You should stay here, my daughter.“

  Coral scowled at him, rising to her feet. “As you wish, father.“ The last word was spat with as much attitude as could be respectfully thrown at an elder. She turned on her heel and walked away, towards the lodge.

  Elias rose to his feet as Marl chuckled. “I'll be in trouble when we return. I imagine you will be as well.”

  Elias had no response. He just watched her go, ruefully rubbing a hand through his hair. “I truly do not understand her.”

  Marl laughed, patting the giant's arm. “Elias, I have lived for four and a half centuries, and I do not understand her, or her mother. There are some mysteries that are not meant to be known.“ He gestured to the east. “Let us go.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  1st Waxing Grain Moon, Year 4368

  Elias trod along the trail, the sun beating down on his bare shoulders. He was glad that his skin had
retained its tan during the time he spent in the oar deck, else he'd be burning to a crisp now. Marl seemed comfortable enough under his hat and poncho, though Elias couldn't fathom why. Any cloth on his shoulders now would be stifling.

  The usual sea breeze was completely absent at this time. The sky was clear and cloudless, but the weight of humidity had settled over the island, obscuring the distance in a bluish-white haze. Sweat poured from Elias as he climbed the ridge between the Seagate and Port Greenreef.

  Marl handed Elias a water skin. “Drink. You need it much more than I do.”

  Elias paused under the shade of a mango tree. “Are you sure? I don't want to take from what you brought for yourself.”

  Marl waved the objection away. “I am fine. I've lived in these islands long enough to become accustomed to the heat. You will acclimate too, in time.”

  Elias unbound the stopper and took a long drink. Resting his back against the tree, he looked towards the port, then back towards the village. They were roughly halfway between the two, about three hours of walking ahead of them. He passed the skin back to Marl, who took a short drink, then stopped the skin back up, binding it with the leather thong.

  They rested for a moment in silence, the hilltop eerily silent. Elias leaned against the tree, while Marl sat on a rock, looking out over the sea. Even the songbirds were quiet in this heat.

  It was Elias that broke the silence. “Do you really believe that I am the one who will deliver you from the pirates?”

  “Yes,” said Marl without hesitation.

  After a moment, Elias asked, “Why? Why me?”

  Marl turned to face the young giant. “Why did the gods pick you, or why do I believe that you will be the force that frees us?”

  Elias pondered that for a moment. “Both, really.”

  Marl nodded, collecting his thoughts. He drummed his fingers on his walking stick, a long, simple white pole of polished wood. “When I went to the summit of the mountain, I lay in the waters until the gods spoke to me. I did not know how long I floated there. As I meditated, the gods granted me visions that showed a giant figure standing on a pirate ship made of bones.”