Phantom Campaign

by Eden Redd

  Noss looked around with wide eyes and a happy smile. “I don’t think I can go to sleep. I’m so awake! I just want to run around in circles and climb stuff!”

  Isani and Ressa shot each other a glance and a smile before the dranar stood up.

  “Noss, come with me to the upper deck. We can look at the stars and talk until you're ready to go to sleep.”

  “Sure!” the kobold grinned as he was up on his seat, jumped onto the table, crossed it and jumped onto the floor.

  Ressa put her hand on his small shoulder, guiding him out of the dining suite and sliding the door closed after they left.

  Dax sat, wine glass in his hand. Isani was a few seats away, swirling wine in her glass as crimson eyes lingered on the mage.

  “Alone at last,” Isani whispered.

  Dax eyed the shadow elf, the liquid warmth of the wine filling every cell of his body.

  Isani leaned back in her chair, her body relaxed and her often tight leather outfit, a bit loose. She wasn’t wearing her cloak and seemed comfortable, making sure Dax could see her uncovered cleavage.

  Dax nodded, his own energy spent from the excitement of the day. Muscles relaxed as he sat, the wine doing its job. Mentally, he was exhausted. Physically he was tired, but a spark touched his inner core, lighting a fire.

  “I can see it in your eyes, you have a lot on your mind,” the shadow elf said before she sipped her drink.

  Dax remained silent, mentally trying to keep the dark thoughts at bay.

  Isani put her wine glass on the table before her hand moved to the side of her leather top, just by her ribcage and pulled on a buckle. The top loosened further before she removed it and let it fall to the floor. Firm breasts bobbed to freedom, gravity having a tenuous hold on them. Dark nipples stood as the shadow elf picked up her glass and took another sip.

  “Since that night at the party, I thought you had second thoughts. Ressa visits me often, but she only likes a certain activity,” Dax said plainly.

  Isani smiled. “Ressa is a special case. She likes to get to know someone by their taste. Once she feels she has drunk enough, she is free to share her body. She tells me how delicious you are and is working up the courage to sleep with you properly.”

  Dax tried to keep eye contact, but lost the battle with a glance here and there. “You two have a unique friendship.”

  Isani’s eyes blinked slowly as she spoke, “To others, it may seem strange, but for us, it is who we are. Our life and friendship were shaped a certain way and now, we cannot be without each other.”

  The shadow elf slowly stood up and placed her glass on the table. Fingers snaked into her leather leggings, pushing them down and sliding them off. Boots and leggings lay on the floor as Isani stood up and picked up her wine glass again.

  Dax was mesmerized. Isani’s athletic, but sensual form was dark in the lantern light. Her dark skin absorbed the light, but it did not hide her curves. A white tuft of hair glowed above her womanhood before pink bloomed a sliver in the light. Strong thighs moved with caged power as she sauntered over and stood before the mage, sipping her wine.

  “We can talk about anything you want,” Isani said as she put her wine glass down again.

  “You deal in secrets. What’s a secret between us?” Dax asked as his gaze slid over the shadow elf’s naked body.

  “A specific secret or something you wish to know,” Isani bent forward, breasts hanging before Dax as her fingers deftly worked his robe.

  “I leave it to you,” the mage whispered as his robe was instantly opened.

  Isani looked down at the bulge in Dax’s small clothes and licked her lips.

  “Interesting question,” the shadow elf whispered as she hooked her fingers into the fabric and pulled.

  The mage didn’t need to move as the rogue pulled down his small clothes in a blink, the fabric falling to his ankles and he stepped out from them. Isani took hold of his robe and pulled it down from his shoulders. When the robe slipped off, the rogue smiled at the rigs on the mage’s arms.

  “Let me help,” the shadow elf said with a sultry whisper, each hand on a rig.

  Dax didn’t know how she did it but the leather straps loosened and both rigs were pulled off and gently placed on the floor.

  “There, much better,” the shadow elf said as she lifted a leg and straddled the mage, his throbbing member squeezed between them.

  Isani laid her arms on Dax’s shoulders, hips moving slightly as her almond shaped eyes watched him with seductive power.

  “To answer your question, my secret about us is that we’ve been watching you for so long, this moment doesn’t feel real.”

  Dax felt wetness touch his inner thighs as Isani’s hips moved slightly. The mage’s cock throbbed in between them, but had not found its place within the beautiful shadow elf. The air grew warm as energy returned to the mage, the naked shadow elf teasing him with slow and deliberate movements to entice and enthrall.

  “A simple secret, one could easily toss away. Tell me something more.”

  Isani shook her head. “No, it's your turn to tell me a secret.”

  Dax sighed as his body vibrated with need. “I’m afraid of you.”

  Isani gave the mage a playful smirk, “Afraid of me?”

  Dax nodded. “Afraid I’ll fall for you just like I fell for Fern and Zarra. I fear falling for you and Ressa.”

  “You didn’t mention Nuria,” Isani said with a breathy whisper.

  I didn’t forget her.

  Isani pressed her bare feet down and lifted her hips. A hand snaked down, taking Dax’s rock-hard member and pressing it to her wet valley. Pink folds spread as gravity helped the shadow elf to sink down. Inches spread her inner world and a small gasp fell from her dark lips. The moment froze time, the shadow elf slowly sinking down until she reached the base.

  “Now… isn’t that nice,” the shadow elf said with a sultry whisper.

  Dax couldn’t deny it. Isani felt amazing, her tight valley squeezing him, but her hips not moving. The heat between them grew into a simmering fire and Dax felt the chains of control slipping away.

  “I can feel how much love you have. It’s… why I was afraid. I remember you, smiling and talking with Symon on so many occasions. Ressa and I wanted to have you, but we couldn’t until we felt sure.”

  Isani pushed her firm breasts into Dax’s face as her hips moved with slow power. Dax was lost in dripping heat, his mouth finding a home on her nipple. Tongue licking and caressing, a small gasp fell from Isani’s lips as she moved slightly on his thick manhood.

  The mage pulled away slightly. “Are you sure now?” the mage asked before he clamped his lips around her nipple and nibbled.

  Isani nodded with heavy breath as she clutched the mage’s head to her chest.

  The couple grew quiet as their bodies moved to a primal rhythm. Wetness flowed between them as Dax took hold of her plump ass. Fingers grabbed at flesh, holding the shadow elf to him as she moved barely an inch or two, keeping the mage deep within. The outside world slowed down as they held each other like they were lost at sea and only having each other.

  “Dax… I’ve wanted this… for so long,” Isani hissed in delight.

  The mage looked up with half-closed eyes, seeing the shadow elf lost to blissful sensations. Her body moved, upping the tempo. Thighs flexed as she felt the call of nirvana and she chased it.

  “Are we through with telling secrets?” Dax asked with an amused smile.

  Isani’s body moved with determined needs. The tempo increased, her body moving on his manhood with urgency. A tremble ran along her body as goosebumps rose along her silky skin.

  The shadow elf shook her head, eyes closed and brow tight. “No… Zarra asked us to be part of your clan.”

  Dax helped the shadow elf along, helping her rise and fall on his member. “What did you say?”

  Isani’s body thundered with urgency. Nerves tightened as she thrust her soul on the mage’s cock. The deep pit within wa
s full and yet it cried out for more. The moans grew silent as Isani’s entire body tensed. When the dam cracked, a soul crushing whimper hissed from her lips as nerves exploded into magical fireworks.

  Wetness surged, drenching the mage’s lap and the seat he was on. Dax held Isani by her waist, keeping her close as she trembled, sinking down to his base. Pleasure blasted senses as she lingered, her hips moving of their own accord. Another orgasm bloomed, followed by another.

  “We said yes… I said yes,” Isani said in a sensual whisper.

  Dax rose up, one hand holding the shadow elf to him. She was surprisingly light as he used his other arm to slide the plates and cups on the table to one side. Dining ware clinked and moved until half the table was clear. Grabbing the shadow elf, he gently laid her on the table and took hold of her waist.

  Isani lay back, hand to her forehead as the mage drove his steel-hard member deeper. Hips moved with power as Dax could not keep his hands off the sensual dark elf. Isani whimpered in delight as she was now in Dax’s full control and she found herself rising once again to touch bliss’s peak.

  “That’s the melody. Play our song and drown us in it,” Isani gasped as she quickly began to lose control.

  Frustration, secrets, lies, and hope poured over the mage. Bliss powered along his body as he caused Isani to moan her delight. The connection between them blazed bright as their souls shined like two stars in the night. Dax huffed as urges pushed him to the breaking point, wanting to unleash himself on the beautiful woman before him.

  The shadow elf squeezed the mage as her legs curled around his hips. She pulled him close and the mage drove his member deep. Isani let out a shivering moan, her body once again drowning in a string of orgasms. It was enough for Dax to forget everything, his cock thickening.

  Inner walls spread and with a thrust, his molten seed spurted. Isani panted, lost to blissful swirls. Dax joined her, his body driving himself to blissful surrender, his cock spurting again and again. A glow enveloped the two as the mage curled forward, pushing his cock deep and Isani milking his cock of every last drop.

  The two stared into each other’s eyes, lost to the waters of paradise. Pools of radiance glowed as they mirrored each other’s affection, warmth, and love.

  “Very good… very good,” Isani whispered.

  Dax smiled.

  Isani stared into Dax’s handsome features and touched a hand to his cheek. “Now, turn me over and fuck me again.”

  ***

  Sweaty bodies lay on the floor of the dining suite. Dax was on his back while Isani lay next to him, her body against his and head on his chest. The couple had lost all track of time and had no idea how long they had been at it. Dax lost count of how many orgasms he had. When he mentioned it, Isani grinned and said “Eighteen.”

  The two laughed as they held each other before Isani took hold of his member and began to stroke it.

  “We should get some rest,” Dax smiled.

  “After a few more,” the shadow elf grinned.

  Isani propped herself up with one arm while stroking the mage with her other hand. “Since we are telling secrets, I should tell you about another one.”

  Dax curled his arm under his head and looked to the beautiful shadow elf. “More secrets?”

  Isani nodded. “I’m a rogue. There will always be secrets.”

  Dax nodded as a seriousness touched his gaze.

  Isani stroked him and spoke at the same time, “There is a reward for any information anyone can find on Nuria. I don’t know the details, but it seems her missing parents have caused a stir at the academy.”

  Dax raised an eyebrow.

  “Because I am involved with you, I didn’t take the job. Others have. I don’t need to tell you the rumors going on about her and I’m sure, since you two are close, you may know more than you're willing to say. As far as I’m concerned, it’s not for me to know, or Ressa.”

  “Then why tell me?”

  Isani smiled as she continued her masterful strokes. “I thought you should know. Take what you will from it, but I thought it was important enough to disclose.”

  Dax nodded. “Will you tell me the secret on how you and Ressa became best friends?”

  “We will, when the time is right,” Isani said simply before she slid down along Dax’s body.

  “For now, I want to taste what Ressa has been talking about.”

  Dax’s body relaxed as her lips wrapped around his cock, but his mind worked. The danger was growing and the mage could feel time slipping away. They had to act as soon as the campaign was over or Lyla might not make it to her safe escape.

  Thirteen

  Thick gray clouds touched from horizon to horizon. The air was cold and wet as the Sea Witch cut through turbulent waters. The gloom pressed down on brave hearts as students, professors, and crew stared out from the ship railings, seeing a mysterious island shrouded in tendrils of mists.

  Dax was toward the front of the ship’s bow, fingers curled over the railing. Friends on either side of him, they gazed at the foreboding island in the distance. It was a dark place surrounded by a vast sea. Waves crashed on the rocky beaches, white sea foam bursting into the air. Thick, hearty trees covered the land past the beaches, obscuring everything beyond normal eyes with shadows and dread.

  The mage’s fingers tightened around the railing. The journey to Starfall Island was pleasant and filled with warmth. Coterie meetings were held every time they sat down to eat, discussing what to expect and detailed strategies. It almost seemed unreal, enjoying a fine meal while getting closer to a place that would test every one of their hearts, minds, and bodies. The mental images flowed, amongst conversations discussing survival tips, handling enemy combatants, and time management. Everyone who was part of the coterie took the discussions seriously, even Clive who knew they had to work together.

  When not dining and discussing the campaign, Dax sequestered himself to his cabin, drawing up cards. The mage had amassed over fifty different cards, but knew he couldn’t use them all. Some of them were simply upgrades to cards he liked to use. Others were new, but hadn’t been properly tested. With so much time focused on secret plots, intimate connections and academy work, the mage felt woefully under prepared. A thought stabbed into his mind, wondering if this was all part of the exam, to lure a false sense of security before being thrown into the fire. The thought sank lower, remembering that for the last two months, Professor Frost had been nicer and not as dour, unlike her first year. Death hovered in the back of Dax’s thoughts, knowing full well that in these exams, students did die. The cold reality of it drank the mage’s concerns like a fine wine on a chilly evening.

  “Listen up!” Counselor Skullcut began with a shout.

  All students, professors, and crew turned their attention to the scarred white-haired man.

  “Smaller vessels will begin docking with the Sea Witch to take on coteries. You will board and be taken to designated points along the island. I must remind everyone of the danger of this place. There may be monsters unaccounted for and new, unseen dangers. Stay together, help each other and take this exam very seriously. We don’t want to ship remains back to your families, if there are any remains.”

  Heads bowed and some gave gloomy nods.

  The counselor continued, “Grab your gear and wait on deck. When it is your turn, don’t hesitate to board the vessel. We want everyone on the island in just a few hours. Once everyone is on the beach, wait there until Professor Frost fires off a signal. You will know it when you see it.

  “Do not begin before the signal. Crew and select individuals will be monitoring the coteries. If a report comes back of anyone defying our order, you will be brought back to the ship and receive an automatic failure. Do we understand?”

  All heads nodded in agreement.

  Counselor Skullcut’s expression softened and a small smile appeared. “I want everyone here to know, we believe in every one of you. We will watch over you and protect you if we need to, bu
t know this, a true champion must stand on their own feet and lean on their companions only in the direst of circumstances. Remember your classes and your training and you all should come through this intact.

  “We’ll see you at the Lighthouse,” the counselor finished with a smile.

  Students bowed with new light in their eyes before coteries moved closer to each other, forming tight groups. Dax glanced around, seeing that some groups were bigger than others. It didn’t take much to notice that the Dragon Eye coterie was the smallest of all of them. The mage turned his attention to their ace card, Zarra standing with a kind smile.

  Symon took charge with a confident edge, “Get your gear and meet back here on deck. We have a campaign to win.”

  ***

  The wind picked up as cold seeped into uncovered faces. Dax and his companions watched as crewmen pushed the large rowboat back into the crashing waves. When the crew safely crawled back into the rowboat, they paddled back out to sea, making their way back to the larger vessels.

  The mage turned to see his friends as they waited. Fern was in her natural form, flying along the beach and eyeing the thick trees lining the shore. Symon stood, drinking in the surroundings. Clive and Nuria stood off to the side, the large mage practically hovering over Nuria as she looked out to the sea. Isani and Ressa had their hoods up, their lips barely moving as they had a silent conversation. Zarra stood with her eyes closed and staff in hand as if in deep prayer. Vance looked over his spellbook, the wind ruffling his spiky hair. Noss sat on a rock, the small kobold huddling in his thick robe, trying to stay warm.

  Dax made his way to the kobold, eyes filled with concern.

  Noss looked up, his small body shivering. “I thought Mist Haven Isle was cold. My people are not built for this kind of temperature.”

  The mage sat down by the shivering necromancer.

  Noss continued, “There is more than just a natural cold to this place. I can feel there are many dead spirits here. This place has known many ancient battles.”

  “That may work in our favor, since we have a necromancer with us,” Dax smiled.

  Noss gave a small smile. “It may.”