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Caught Fire
Part 10
by Dari (writedari@gmail.com)
Within the next few minutes I found out one important thing about my new life here at the Academy in
Mendala – living with more people than you can count on a single hand only complicates life. While I
followed Drake down the winding corridors to his quarters he got caught up by no less than three
colleagues, and when the last brought up what sounded like a pressing matter our errand talk got
postponed to after midday, and I suddenly found myself with half a day of absolutely nothing to do.
Why that irked me I couldn't say, but it did.
It was probably getting lost twice on the way to my own quarters that made the difference, but once I
was back in what now doubled for my home I just couldn't sit still. With only five people around here
that I personally somewhat knew, and four of them likely caught up in their teaching or studying
capabilities I went out again to look for the only person who might just have a little time at her leisure.
Miraculously I found Lathea's quarters within the next ten minutes, and while I still felt a peculiar mix
of apprehension and hope when I knocked on her door I was glad when she opened, and even more so
when she smiled at my probably unexpected showup.
“Not that I mind seeing you here, but shouldn't you be occupied with something? Like learning, and
stuff?” As always I couldn't quite say if there was a sarcastic tone to her words but chose to ignore it.
Shrugging, I looked around at the sunny courtyard behind me.
“What I should do is start my first errand for Drake, but he got hightailed
on the way to provide me
with the details, and now I have half a day with nothing to do but bide my time.” At her raised brows I
sighed. “And as no one yet cared to show me any resemblance of training grounds I can't even burn off
my energy. Without probably immolating the whole compound here, that is, and I don't think that
would be a great start for my career here.”
Lathea nodded sagely, and was just about to answer when shouts and the telltale sounds of a commotion
went up somewhere nearby. A few moments later a gaggle of ganders, so to say, came running by us,
leaving the stench of sweat and dust in their wake. I could just aim a hesitant smile at Gellin that he
returned with a bright one of his own, and off were they again only to be followed by a much larger
crowd of other fellow warriorstobe,
high in pursuit.
Once the yard had quieted down again Lathea pursed her lips and then shook her head. “I might be
prejudiced from profession and age, but sometimes they really behave like trained monkeys. Without
the training.” I certainly didn't disagree, but before I could come up with a halfway sophisticated
answer Gellin was back, this time sans the others. He came to a halt between us, and only when he
gulped down air rather noisily did it occur to me just how out of breath he was.
“Good morning, ladies!” I couldn't say if it was her role as his teacher that got Lathea scowling at him,
but his grin only widened at her dark face, but it was to me he turned next. “Sorry to impose myself on
you, again, but it wouldn't be too much to ask if I could hide in your room for a few hours?” Now it was
my turn for a frown, both at his words and the question, but when his gaze turned even more pleading I
shook my head.
“Of course not, I'm sure you'll find the way much faster than I do, I guess?” He grinned brightly, even a
bit feverishly, and suddenly leaned into me, with his hands coming up to cup my face. The kiss he
planted on my lips was hot and passionate, and rather wet, and took me totally by surprise. Before I
could neither protest not give in to him Gellin was off again, taking a corridor I wouldn't have guessed
could lead in the direction of my quarters. I really started to hate this maze.
Being a bit less likely to get startled than me Lathea had the sense to shout a question after the young
fighter. “Percy again?” Gellin skidded to a halt just before he could take a turn out of our field of
vision. “Yep, finally got me kicked out today!” And as if that would explain everything he was off.
To my heightened curiosity it apparently did, at least judging from the face Lathea made. When she saw
my questioning look she leaned against the frame of her door with her arms crossed over her chest.
“Some nasty business. Care to take a walk into town? I so don't intend to be here to have that mob
descend on me when they finally realize that their prey took off in a different direction.”
I nodded, and off we went. While we made our short way through the administrative centre of the
buildings to the exit I tried to make sense of the little I could gather from Lathea's mien, but that wasn't
exactly much to work with. She only looked genuinely annoyed, but like Gellin himself rather
unconcerned. Thinking back to his slightly disheveled state, as if he had been in a rather nonverbal
confrontation just before running by us twice, the whole thing made even less sense.
Once we were out of the Academy grounds Lathea unerringly steered me down the road to the
seamstress I had yesterday tried to avoid visiting with her, but at my brief attempt to pull that trick a
second time she just told me to stop fretting, and I was doomed.
While I was getting measured by the seamstress, her two apprentices did their best to embarrass me by
showing me an array of certainly too clingy dresses. In the meantime Lathea finally launched into an
explanation of what I had just witnessed in front of her door. It all boiled down to one thing: stupidity.
Apparently Gellin had had some personal problems with one of the other trainees, a young lordling
with a rather impressively long name, but who was commonly only known as Percy. The dear younger
sister of said Percy had turned out to be a rather promiscuous woman on her last visit to her brother,
and since Percy had walked in on her happily riding Gellin there was even more animosity hanging
between the two. Both in their early twenties and with way too much strength at hand Gellin and Percy
had since been the bane of each others existence, but as Gellin was just a lucky boy off the streets while
his contender had already the reign over estates several times the size of the city's surroundings, it
wasn't that much of a surprise that Percy had finally succeeded in getting Gellin kicked out of the
training program. As of today, apparently.
I had to admit that the story kind of made me a bit concerned, but as Lathea seemed rather bored I did
my best not to worry. It wasn't like I even knew Gellin well, even though we sort of had had sex on two
consecutive days in a row, but I would certainly miss him around here, and at least I would have been
flustered when rid of my home and employment both. But at least I knew that I was probably hiding a
fugitive, of sorts. Oh well.
After she had finished that tale Lathea launched into some other stories, and about an hour later we
went back to the Academy, leaving a stack of orders for dresses I was not yet sure I would ever find the
courage to wear. At least I loved the colours, and most went fabulous with my auburn hair, and the
black and blue hues of my tattoos. One would think that modesty would dictate me wearing something
that completely covered the intricate markings on my body, but I had to admit that my vanity had won
big time again.
At the gates Lathea took her leave after having made sure that I would find my way back, and this time
I even made it without getting lost. In hindsight I chided myself for not just walking down the beach and
finding my housings that way, but brain power evidently wasn't high on my list of attributes of late.
Getting scorned and thrown out of your life does that to you, I guess.
Not really surprisingly I found Gellin sitting on the floor of my living room, idling his time away with
sharpening and oiling his sword. I did my best to ignore the blade lying over his thighs, and treated
myself to a cup of cool water from the bucket he had thankfully refilled already. The heat was definitely
taking its toll on me, and I surely didn't look forward to summer approaching in a few weeks. How
Gellin could manage in his sturdy leather armour I certainly didn't know.
“You made it here safely, I guess?” At least no new scabs had joined the few on his face that had not
been there yesterday evening, while a slight bruise had started appearing low on his jaw. In spite of the
gesture having to hurt Gellin just smiled brightly and shook his head. “Thankfully no. Percy certainly
doesn't know you, so he should have a hard time finding me here, for the next hours at least.”
He scratched his chin, and winced when he touched the blotch on his jaw. At my frown he grinned once
more. “I guess Lathea told you the whole story of my demise?” I shrugged and drank some more water.
“The condensed version of it, I guess.” I stopped short then, trying not to look too mischievous.
“Although I wonder, should I rather say you fucked up, or you fucked round?”
Gellin answered me with the briefest of leers, but then hung his head in an imitation of shameful rue.
“Well, I guess both are legit. I just hope that tale didn't damage your high regards of me?” I ogled him
for a moment before downing the rest of the water. “We met when you were fucking me together with a
whole bunch of other guys, with the evident marks of previous abuse still angry red across my butt, just
what high regards should you be able to damage?”
His theatrical sigh made me smirk. “I guess I can rest assured then that you won't judge me wrong, oh
fair maiden of valour.” That didn't really deserve an answer so he got none. Never minding that Gellin
visibly sobered then. “Thanks for letting me stay here for the moment, though. It's one thing to draw the
collective wrath of the retinue of a lordling on you, but another to have them chase you with their
swords drawn.”
I wondered about that for a moment but he still didn't seem overtly concerned. “You're very welcome.”
He answered my smile with a sweet one of his, making it all too plain what said high born lady had
seen in him.
Changing the subject before my knees could get any weaker I sat down in one of the chairs my
furnishing spree had already yielded. “Do you already know what you'll be doing now?” Gellin
shrugged and put the sword away for good after a last checking glance. “I don't know yet. Going
mercenary, probably.”
Just what a coincidence. Or stroke of luck, even though I had stopped believing in that a long time ago,
and the recent events hadn't exactly changed my mind there. Apparently some of the grudging feelings
must have shown on my face as Gellin hurried to speak on, although he misjudged the reason for my
misgivings by far.
“Mercenary's not a bad job. Pays relatively well, I get to see the world. Get to get away from here before
Percy succeeds in neutering me. Might not be the glorious life of a knight in the royal courts but I never
saw myself in that role anyway. In the end they'd expect me to stop chasing women, or the gods behold,
even marry one!”
His words once more brought a grin to my face, something that hadn't happened a lot during the last
weeks either. Damn, if this went on like this I would be enjoying myself before the end of the day.
Couldn't have that now, could I?
“So you are looking for work right now? I might have something for you there.” He smirked for a
moment but when my brows drew together he reigned his features in. “No stupid comments, I get it. So,
what kind of work?” “Drake wants to send me on an errand to fetch something for him from an
associate of his, and he already mentioned that it might be wise for me to get some backup. I guess
having you tag along is easier than hiring just any mercenary in the city.”
Gellin thought about that for a moment before nodding. “Okay, sounds good to me. When are we off?”
I shrugged. “I still have to talk about the specifics with Drake, but I think that we can get going right
after that.” The fighter nodded again. “I wanted to ask Drake anyway whether he needed someone for
his staff, might as well do it then.” At my questioning look he grinned and winked at me. “Drake has
been known to require some thuggish help from time to time even apart from having fun in his
dungeon. I'll tell you more later, if you want to know.”
I just nodded, and got up on my feet again. “We might as well see if he has time for that now, it's
probably late enough already. Or do you think that your bane and his minions still roam the floors on
the lookout for you?” Gellin shrugged while standing up and buckling his sword belt again.
“I think I can take the chance. You're officially my boss now, so I can even hide behind your skirts if
need be.” I felt my brows knit together again and Gellin smiled all the brighter. “You're a sorceress after
all, right? Second rank from the blue of your tattoos. Percy might be stupid, but not suicidal. And it's
not like I'm the first guy his sister fucked, just the nearest at hand.”
I shook my head in resignation and went to the door, with Gellin falling in behind me. Boys will be
boys, I guess? Still, I'd rather not brandish my magic around, even more so that I didn't exactly know
what I was allowed to use in public here, and who might take offence should I overstep my limits.
Soon it turned out that I needn't have fretted as the corridors were empty and the mob nowhere in sight.
We arrived at the door to Drake's quarters only five minutes later, still unhampered. Anthony let us in
without the usual innuendo if one didn't count the stare he directed at me, and Drake bade us right into
his study.
Once seated in the room that was about twice the size of my whole quarters and overflowing with
books, scrolls, and a strange assortment of stuff on shelves I once again wondered why Tane lived in
such a hovel of a hut. Thankfully Drake went right over to talking before I could wonder why I still felt
so bad about not living there any more.
“So I see you picked up our resident scoundrel on the way over here?” I briefly grinned at Gellin sitting
in the chair next to mine before answering the sorcerer. “He more like hid under my bed for the last few
hours, but I guess that amounts to just about the same.” Drake allowed himself a small snort and fixed
the warrior with his intent gaze. “I figure you are looking for work now that you finally succeeded in
shirking off those pesky bonds?”
Gellin nodded, and the look on his face said quite clearly that there was really more to the story than I
knew. “Yeah, I already thought about asking you for a job. We've worked well together in the past, and
now that I'm no longer hampered by the pretence of leading a lawful life my expertise could be useful
for your venues.” It was all too easy to have pictures of the day before yesterday swim up in me, but
somehow I doubted that Gellin referred to our little gathering. Yet as he had already stated that we'd
have enough time for talk later I held my tongue now.
Drake didn't even consider that for long but nodded and extended his hand for Gellin to shake.
“Certainly. As a matter of fact I might already have something lined up.” He looked at me then, and the
fighter nodded. “Jeanne already said that you were sending her on an errand, and I thought I'd be of use
there.”
Drake inclined his head, and after shuffling around in the papers of his desk pushed a hand drawn map
and two smallish leather purses at us. “I need someone to make a trade for me with an old friend of
mine. On the map you see the meeting point, shouldn't be too hard to find. In the purses you'll find
money for your own expenses, and some gems for the payment.” He then went on explaining the few
details we might have to bother about, and within ten minutes we were already back on the way to my
quarters for packing.
The sun was still high in the sky when we rode out of the city gates into the surrounding countryside.
Gellin had gotten two horses, provisions, and gear for staying in the wilderness for us in no time, and
while I still didn't trust the meek gelding he had helped me scramble onto it could have been worse.
Like the chestnut coloured stallion he had gotten for himself, for instance. The way that horse kept
eyeing my feet made me itchy.
Ten minutes into the trip, while we were still following the broad road out of the city that was clogged
up with wagons and travelers on foot, I knew that this was going to be an interesting journey. Because
with every single step the stupid horse made I felt jolts zap through my body. And I'm not talking about
my butt or thigh muscles being unused to riding.
We were just about to turn off the main road onto a seldom used dirt track that veered off towards one
of the small villages within walking distance of Mendala when Gellin turned around in his saddle to
look at me, and upon seeing my face he even made the stallion turn around to face me, a manoeuvre my
horse thankfully ignored to just trod on. I exhaled slowly to do my best to get my voice less breathy than
it wanted to come out.
“Something wrong?” Gellin's watchful eyes stayed on my face for a few seconds longer, to the point
where I was about to get flustered. “Why are you staring at me like that?” He shrugged then, and turned
the motion into bringing his horse around and next to mine, staying this way so that conversation was
easily maintained.
“Nothing, you just look a little distressed.” I had to swallow hard when the stupid horse made a sidestep
off the track and hurried to arrange its footing again. This was so not going to be fun. Ignoring the look
on the warrior's face I did my best to pull up a vision of serenity around myself.
“That's probably because my horse is so frisky.” He pointedly looked down first at my gelding, then his
stallion, and back again before bringing his eyes right to my face. Even I could clearly see that while my
horse trudged on as if it hadn't a care in the world his tried to pull away at every second step, needing a
lot of direct control to stay as slow and measured as it did. “You've got to be kidding me, you're afraid
of that dozy of a ride?”
He made it sound even more incredulous, but I did my best to hold his gaze while my fingers cramped
further into the reigns. It wasn't as if the fright part were so out of hand either. “So what, I'm not used to
riding. Horses, at least.” The last part came out a little strangled in hopes he might take the badly laid
out innuendo, but for once Gellin proved that he could think with the brain above his waistline.
“No need to fret, he's really a docile boy. A whole lot more so than you seem to enjoy your human
males. And probably a lot less man that is, too, but that's why I got him for you.” Even though my heart
was still racing I had to laugh at that, only increasing when Gellin didn't get his unhappy words at first.
“What, you're jealous of a horse? So you get me a neutered one?”
His answering sigh was rather dramatic, but after a second he stopped shaking his head and smiled
again. “Well, at least chances are less you'll run off with him then.” He let me glower for a few
moments before talking on. “But you know, geldings generally are the docile horses that even rather
inexperienced riders can control, so before you draw some more wrong conclusions I hereby want it
stated that this was my only motive.”
I decided there that we had had enough horse talk for the rest of my life, and tried to angle the
conversation towards a topic that might even keep me involved enough to quell both horse induced
distractions.
“So mercenary it is for you. Don't you even feel a little regret over having been kicked out of the
Academy training program? You must have been with that for a while at least.” Gellin shrugged, and
after the motion had to reign his stallion in again, the cursed animal taking the opportunity of
distraction to make a nip for the nose of my gelding.
“Nah, I've never seen myself going through with that to the end. You see, no reason to frown at my
future profession, either. It's not as bad as someone of your kind might think.” Sure enough that got me
to look at him sharply, if with the residues of the smile still lurking about. “And what kind might that
be?” The young fighter shrugged. “Nobility of course. I mean, you're a woman and training in the
Academy, that does tell a lot about your background. You're probably a younger daughter of one of the
Lords of the Realm, born too late to be of much use for marrying off, and having you study here at least
gets you off the treasury of your father. Right?”
I could feel my smile going nasty, and leaned a little closer to Gellin. “You saw where I lived for the
better part of last year, do you really think a noblewoman would be contend with that?” He shrugged
but looked rather not fazed by my feral look. “I wouldn't have thought that any woman of high standing
would let someone tie her down, spank her cute butt red like a tomato, and push her head on into a gang
bang. Believe me, the matters of your previous housings have been the last item I have been wondering
about you.”
It was hard not to blush at his recollection but I somehow managed, although my voice was a little
strangled when I went on. “Then I'll have to enlighten you about my background, I guess. Well, I'm the
youngest of three children, with two elder brothers. My father was indeed happy to have me out of his
house, mainly because then he wouldn't have to pay, should I ever intend to marry.”
Gellin's face turned a little bewildered. “An only daughter and he was happy not to marry you off? You
sure that's the reason he sent you to the Academy?” His dark tone and smirk said quite plainly what he
thought of that, and in turn I did my best at an indignant sniff.
“Let me assure you, I was still a virgin when I left my home. It was rather me defending my
maidenhood that got him to throw me out.” Now his look really became incredulous to the point that I
had to laugh, and finally give up this game of leading him around. “To be precise, it was because I
torched half of the field behind the house because the neighbour's eldest son tried to take advantage of
me. And with that ruining nearly a forth of the yearly harvest I couldn't exactly blame him.”
Some kind of doubt started to cloud the fighter's face, so I went on talking, even tearing one of my
hands from the death grip on the reigns to briefly touch his thigh. “I'm a farmer's daughter, Gellin. My
father couldn't have afforded to even marry me to someone of remote standing, even if that had been a
farm smaller than ours, and after the incident he cast me out. I worked as a cook's apprentice in a tavern
for several years until they in turn set me on the road when their barn caught fire, although that was not
my fault. Only then I went to the Academy in Midriver to apply for a scholarship lest I don't incinerate
myself the next time I either loose my temper or get frightened enough.”
If I had thought him staring at me before I couldn't say what he was doing now, as his eyes were nearly
bulging at my tale. Once he got over the imminent shock he asked the question I had been pondering
myself for the last few months, even more so during the recent days. “Just why did they even take you
then?”
I shrugged, trying to fight down the slightly uneasy feeling rising in my gut. “I guess I really must have
been a threat to myself and the people around me then, or else they would just have ignored me. It
wasn't like they cared a lot anyway, as they were too happy to bundle me up and send me off with Tane
in the first place, but what can I say, I guess I have some talent.”
Still bewildered Gellin did his best to get his senses back together, his face taking on a slightly musing
expression. “There are not that many sorcerers around, I figure they try to train everyone with the
ability. I mean as far as I know Mendala is quite the head quarters for you fire people, and you know
yourself how much space you take up.” I nodded at that. I certainly didn't know exactly how many
sorcerers with the ability to control fire there were in the Academy, but there couldn't be more than ten
in Mendala, me already included. Probably Tane and Chelsea, too, even though I was not yet ready to
attribute her enough talent for the claim.
The train of thought suddenly made my former thoughts untangle as if by magic. Oh my, what a great
exhibition of naiveté I had once again brought to the light. While Tane had never even remotely given
me the understanding that I was something special, if viewed analytically I of course was. With only
one in a hundred being able to work any kind of magic, and only a very small percentage of those being
sorcerers, having the ability to master the most elusive of all elements surely singled me out like
nothing else. And there I had been wondering just why Drake was so fast to get me all settled and
pampered with.
Some of the incredulity must have shown on my face because Gellin returned to staring at me fixedly. I
shook myself out of my brooding, and at the questioning raise of his brows I shrugged. “Ah, nothing, I
just realized that instead of being like overjoyed about the folks here taking me in I could probably have
asked for unthinkable amount of goods, and they would have given me all that and still been grateful for
me to sign on. Well, another lesson learned.”
Gellin actually laughed when I clucked my tongue in playful vexation. “Fairest of maiden all, you've at
least acquired yourself some very trustand
faithful fighters at your beck and call, rest assured that you
won't wile away your time alone.” I laughed wholeheartedly at that, and not even the answering jolt the
horse made when I moved too much in the saddle could dampen my mood. It just made me suck in my
breath really noisily.
Suddenly alarmed Gellin scowled at the horse, probably expecting it to be on the verge of tearing off,
but when he saw the gelding still walking in his measured step he frowned back at me. “Still afraid of
this steady sack of fleas?” I nodded instinctively, but the sudden gleam in his eyes didn't bode too well.
“If that's the case, then why are you rather flushed than white in the face?” A good question, but even
for that I had a fast answer. “Because it's hot around here! The sun is baking me ever so slowly, that's
why my face is all red. Would be even redder if I were not forced to ride this demonic fiend.” Even I
realized that I was putting on a little too much here, but that last effort to throw Gellin off trail didn't
succeed anyway.
With his eyes intent on mine the fighter leaning over to me until our bodies were nearly touching. “My,
my, if I didn't know better I'd say someone but the horse is getting a little frisky here.” I held his gaze
for about a second but then had to look away, only making him guffaw in triumph. “Well, well,
apparently I do not know better! Gah, this is rich. And there I was already wondering how I could get
around the awkwardness of asking you to join me on my bedroll tonight. Guess I'll rather have to fend
you off by then, eh?”
It was not really hard to stare at him balefully, but he just kept on laughing. “You stop that this very
minute, or you'll see just how much willpower any sorcerer can throw into the game! Those will be
some really, really lonely nights for you!”
I guess not even I myself believed my words, but Gellin just found my tirade all the more amusing. Still
he did me the courtesy to dampen his mirth to a slow if inviting smile, and I just couldn't let that go on
like this.
“It's not my fault that I'm getting all horny here! I mean who could have thought that such a stupid
horse makes such a lot of, uhm, friction!” He just kept on smiling, if even a little brighter. “I have to
give you that, you are by far the most insatiable woman I've ever seen, and I have been around a bit. I
could understand that sitting astride a horse for a whole day with your whole body jostled through
might make someone with your tastes of comfort a little hot, but I sure didn't expect that to happen
before we are even out of sight of the city.”
Somehow his words sounded a little accusing, if for sure not meant that way, and I was all too ready to
defend my moral high grounds, as low as they might have sunk during the last days. “It's not the sitting
astride, or the way I'll be going to ache once this is over. Nothing there yet at least.” His smile only
widened again. “What is it then? A little too comfortable around so much manpower?”
I groaned, and suddenly this all was getting a little tiresome. So I hefted my gaze on his and did my best
to stare him down. “Don't be stupid, I'm not that kind of afraid of horses! But haven't we been screwing
around the last two days? I can't have made that small an impression.”
He blinked several times, and then the smile diminished when his brain caught on. “You mean ...” He
let that trail off unsaid, but the sudden jaded look in his eyes made it all too clear that he had gotten the
hint. If said that way it probably wasn't that hard to guess, I was nearly sure that there couldn't be too
many women around who had their clits pierced. At least I thought that.
Silence fell with a considerable weight over us, and I did my best to ignore the feeling of lust welling up
all the more now that I was left without distraction. God, that was awful. In a very nefarious way. If this
went on like that Gellin would really have to keep me off him by the end of the day, and the knowledge
that tomorrow we wouldn't be riding for a few hours but likely from sunup to sundown really made me
cranky.
“Uhm, if you want to walk a while we can do that, or, I mean, if it's that uncomfortable ...” Judging
from his stammering and the hesitance of his voice I really must have been scowling quite a bit, and I
only slowly tuned that down when I looked over at the fighter again. I held his gaze for a whole ten
seconds before I finally spoke.
“That won't be necessary. It doesn't hurt or anything. It's just that you were dead on, it really makes me
horny, really really horny. That's all.” When I said it this time, careful to stress every word separately he
was the one to actually pale, but only for a moment. The grin I had been holding back kind of made the
corner of my mouth jerk, and in no time Gellin was smirking at me again.
“My, my, a bitch in heat, and all at my disposal. Now that I know that I'm going to make you work for
that satisfaction you so crave.” For a moment I thought getting angry about getting called a bitch in the
face, but then we had been a little too intimate for me to take offence. And it really didn't bother me, it
was more like my sense of propriety called for it while the rest of my mind, and my body, screamed
right for us to get it on. Thankfully I could restrain that urge, yet, but playful banter was well within
what I allowed myself to indulge in.
Cocking my head I did my best at a sultry look while languidly licking my lips. I was instantly
rewarded by Gellin swallowing hard repeatedly, and the next time his horse tried to change gait he
muttered a curse under his breath. I guess there were some advantages to being a woman on horseback.
“Let me hazard a guess, if that horse of yours keeps jostling you around like that you will be way too
bruised so I can take you up on that offer come nightfall.” I smiled with a little too many teeth showing,
and Gellin winced. “Okay, you win. Care to change the subject? Either that, or I'll grab you right off
your saddle and have you here in the grass before that bastard can castrate me.” I just kept on smirking,
but was all too happy to oblige. It wasn't as if I were too keen on getting too lusty before we stopped for
the night.
Somehow we made it through the day without incapacitating ourselves. We talked nearly the whole
time, and while it was also a means to bide our time through the rise it was quite pleasant, too. It also
made me realize what I had missed so dearly during my time with Tane up in the hut – a real friend.
Taken, it had been possible to talk about most matters with Tane, but he had usually only bothered so
much about my life apart from what directly concerned us or my fire wielding. It had been quite a while
since I had just talked about anything with someone. The fact that there was no awkward stopping when
we did breach into a slightly sleazy topics was just as well.
When the sun turned towards the horizon we reached a small village, but one look at the way the people
stared at us made us decide to track right on into the wilderness beyond. While I watered the horses at
the common spring Gellin got some roasted meat and fresh bread for us so we might enjoy something
but durables for dinner, and off we went again. In the end privacy usually won out over comfort with
me.
It was a good two hours later before we stopped for the night, shortly after the fiery ball of the sun
disappeared over the hills. Our surroundings had changed since the start of our trip, near desert turning
to rolling hills of grass, with the edge of the forest we needed to cross into just a few minutes on foot
away.
We made our camp nestled against a huge tree, the great roots providing for comfortable sitting on or
leaning against. I watched Gellin trying to start a fire for gleeful five minutes, and nearly startled him
into fullon
shock when I ignited the whole bunch of leaves with a single flare of concentration. I guess
he felt rather stupid then about forgetting just who he was traveling with, but it certainly provided some
entertainment, at least for me. For nearly an hour, as it turned out. But he in turn took his frustration
about getting laughed at out on me soon enough.
During the day I had more than once sworn myself that the moment I had some free time at my leisure
once we were back again I would get over to the hut and maul Tane for good for inflicting this torment
on me. By the time I finally got out of the saddle and was forced to hobble the three steps over to my
root seat I was a hair breadth away from teleporting over there right here and now. Just the knowledge
that I would have to walk at all over there kept me rooted on the spot, pun intended. Yet my discomfort
of course didn't go unnoticed.
We had just finished dinner when I noticed that Gellin was getting more silent from minute to minute,
while his eyes nearly bored holes into my body. Even after half an hour I still had problems getting
comfortable on my root bench, and I once more cursed under my breath. When I looked up again Gellin
was suddenly standing in front of me, the fire flickering at his back casting his face fully into shadows.
He sank to his knees in front of me, his face coming to the same level as mine. I made no move to stop
him when his hands came to rest around my waist, slowly pushing my upper body back until my
shoulders settled on the root behind the one my butt rested on. His fingers lingered for a moment longer
before strafing down over my hips and thighs to gently stroke my calves.
The whole time we kept our gazes locked, and only when he seemed satisfied with me watching him
did he look away. His hands slid under the fabric of the hem of my dress and moved upwards again, this
time trailing over my skin. I actually started to tremble just a bit when he reached my thighs, but I made
no move to stop him when he bunched the whole fabric up at my hips and repeated the whole
manoeuvre, only this time pushing my panties off my legs on the downstroke,
while gently nudging
my thighs apart on the way back up.
With his hands still firmly on the inside of my thighs Gellin stopped, and just stared at my bare crotch
for several moments. I really didn't know what he was so fascinated with, but with the intricate tattoos
running down over my labia, the ring through my clit, and my general state of clear arousal a few
possibilities came to mind. Or he was just plainly unnerving me.
When he exhaled his breath blew across the exposed flesh of my clit, and the former tremble became a
real shudder. His eyes moved up my body to stop at my face, and I clearly saw the raw lust on his
features. Whatever he saw on mine seemed to encourage him, because next he lowered his head, and
with the most tentative touch licked over my clit.
I groaned at the sudden surge of need thumping through my body, instinctively grinding my crotch up
to meet his face. Without further hesitancy his lips closed around my clit and sucked greedily, making
me nearly buckle off my seat. Once he was sure he got my attention he started to lick and flick his
tongue all over my privates, concentrating somewhat on the throbbing bud on top, but also darting his
tongue into me.
It was nearly embarrassing how fast he got me to come, but instead of stopping then like I had expected
him to he pushed his hands flat under my ass to get a better grip on me, and went to work in earnest.
That's when I stopped thinking for a long, long time, and transformed into one needy bundle of nerve
endings.
Somewhere after my fifth climax I stopped counting, and there wasn't any brain in me left when his
licking caress was backed up by his teeth. At first it was just a gentle grazing that could have been
accidental, but when he actually started to nibble on my clit and bite my swollen pussy lips to the point
where he might have drawn blood any semblance of control I had left evaporated. I came so hard that I
bucked too much for him to continue, which was just fine with me. Clearly my body wasn't prepared to
take any more of this.
When my world stopped spinning again I found myself in a huddle on the ground, staring up at the
leaves above me. I blinked several times to clear away tears I hadn't realized to have cried, and looked
around me a bit disoriented. My, what a ride. And technically there hadn't yet been any riding involved.
Screw that, right now the only thing I was concerned about was the pulsing centre of lust between my
legs, and the clear determination to get rid of the empty feeling inside me.
Casting a look around I found Gellin propped up against the root I had formerly been sitting on, a rather
broad grin on his face. He made as if to talk, but the moment I was able to will my body into motion I
hurled myself at him, my lips drawn back in a snarl when I found his pants still in place.
Seconds later that problem was solved and I had his hard cock in my hand. He seemed more than ready
to go, and there was no guessing needed for the state of my nether regions. With a groan I moved
myself so I straddled him, and drove myself right down on his prick.
I missed, probably because of all the juice running down my thighs to my knees, and instead of
sheathing him in my pussy I got a little too much a little to fast up my ass. That hurt pretty badly.
Enough to make me cum, yet again.
I guess it was a good thing that my body took over there and I started moving on him way before my
mind had overcome the shock. I rapidly tore at my dress, doing my best to yank it up over my head and
off my body, but once my head cleared it Gellin's hands were suddenly around my upper arms, forcing
them down behind my back with my dress tangled all over.
One look at his face and I realized the gesture had been deliberate, an easy but quite effective way to get
my arms all bound and out of the way. There was no will to protest left in my anyway so I went right
back to humping his cock.
He let me burn off some energy that way for a few minutes, but before long his hands returned to my
back, and while one got a good grip on my dress the other slipped into my hair, yanking down quite
painfully once he had gathered enough of my tresses for that. I cried out in pain and obediently arched
my back to relief some of the stress, while stopping my futile pelvis rocking.
Teeth first grazed my hard right nipple, then bit right into my left to stay there, and Gellin started
pumping into me without any sign of holding back. Only then did I realize just how small my own
movements had been, but he did plough into my like there was no tomorrow, so I stopped complaining
instantly and just let him sweep me along.
I came again, and the hard gripping of the muscles of my ass contracting around his cock forced him to
stop for a second or two, but instead of giving me my wellearned
respite just then he took up fucking
me right away again, only faster still. The already subsiding orgasm came right rushing back into me,
and my back felt like breaking when I arched it even more. I came so hard it really hurt. And it was
great.
I only dimly noticed when Gellin finally climaxed himself, the hot spurts of jizm lost deep in my ass.
Once he let go of my head and untangled arms I just flopped down onto the ground like a lifeless rag,
still panting so hard that my lungs had serious problems even processing the air coming in. My head
spun, and I had a hard time even staying conscious.
Wow. Had been a time since that happened.
Somewhen during the next minutes my awareness slowly returned to normal, and a lot later my body
finally quieted down. It was a while until I even contemplated moving, and I was all too grateful when I
felt Gellin first untangling me, then rubbing the mess on my thighs down with the torn, and probably
burnt, remnants of my dress, until he finally gathered me in his arms and somewhat bumpily got me
between the sheets of our collective sleeping rolls.
“Mind if I cuddle up at your back? I somewhat desperately need some human contact right now.” I felt
myself smile at the quiver in his voice and murmured something that hopefully sounded inviting, and
was all too happy to melt against his body when strong arms drew me into his embrace. I certainly
understood his sentiments, I could do with some grounding right now, too. Hopefully that would jump
start my brain somewhen during the night.
So we lay there, side by side, staring into the fire while time seemed to move around us without even
touching us, it seemed. My pulse just wouldn't slow down even though my muscles went all slack, and
my body ever so slowly started coming up with complaints about the heavy use it had just been
submitted to. The content smile on my face definitely hurt less than the dull ache of my thighs, or the
rhythmic throbbing of my ass and clit.
Gellin softly moved behind me, slowly as if not to wake me, and I put one of my hands up over his
cradling my body to his chest. When our fingers brushed against one another he spread his to let me
intertwine mine with his hand.
“I don't know about you, but that certainly has been more rewarding than the parody of sex yesterday
evening. Let's just pretend that didn't happen, okay?” My grin widened for a moment, and when I
waited for the already familiar pang of mourning over Tane I was left disappointed. Either I was a lot
less hurt than I had thought, or my heart was still happily beating between my legs. Probably just that. I
so couldn't care less at the moment.
“I generally don't like telling guys just how much I liked fucking them, as it totally screws with their
egos, but that was just incredible.” Gellin chuckled softly, and then slowly kissed my neck just beneath
my jaw. “I'll just measure the amount of your satisfaction on the times you came.” I had to laugh when
his kiss became a long, wet lick, and he slowly turned me around to face him. He looked as dishevelled
as I felt, with sweatdrenched
hair sticking all around, and his usual easy grin had a definite twist to it.
“So, incredible, huh? I guess that means you'd like to do that again sometimes?” Like in once I could
summon any semblance of strength back into my body, but I only offered him a smile instead of the
eager grin and nod I wanted to give. He seemed to get my meaning allright anyway. “You really are
some kind of woman.”
At that I pursed my lips, but I was still too lazy to feign any kind of hurt feelings to tag along. “What
kind?” He held my gaze steady while slowly licking his lips. “A tasty one.” Of course I blushed then,
which in the light of recent events was even more shameful, but apart from his grin momentarily
quirking into a smirk he left that thankfully uncommented, and instead went right on. As if that would
diminish the colour burning on my cheeks.
“I really have to give you that, I've never been with a gal who enjoyed herself so much when I was
fucking her like that.” At least I could still look him in the eyes, even if my face felt like burning up. I
hoped that the flickering light from the flames did a few things to hide my embarrassment, but although
that kind of talk was unusual to me, it was strangely comforting, too. For once a guy who not only
fucked me but who seemed to want to make sure I had my fun along the way, too.
Which kind of pushed me into a slight dilemma, because the way Gellin smiled down at me just then he
looked a little starstruck, and probably like I would have expected a lover to regard me after gently
making love to me for hours. Not that I preferred the actual reality so much over that scenario, but it did
open the question whether he even knew what he had inflicted upon me.
His next sentence sounded a bit more like the guy who thoroughly liked banging a woman hard, but
also confirmed that fear. “For once, I've never seen a gal get that off on anal sex. Makes me wonder
why some complain so much about it hurting, when you pull it off like that.” I exhaled slowly while
searching for the words that direly needed to be spoken. Why that was so hard I really couldn't say.
“Uhm, that was actually a mistake, I should add.” His face went a tad placid for a second, before doubt
started clouding in. “Mistake? Like you accidentally enjoyed yourself?” I grunted at his mocking tone
in exasperation, and shook my head. “Not that, you oaf! That I got your cock up my ass was a mistake.”
Now he really looked dumbfounded. “But you came instantly! Isn't that a sign that you like stuff?” I
rolled my eyes at him, and momentarily wondered just how he could be so naïve. From Drake's little
gang bang session he should still remember that I didn't just get off on sensual stimulation. Heck, I had
even told him of all people then that it was also the pain component of rough stuff that did me in.
My momentary silence only seemed to push him to really wrong conclusions as the look in his eyes was
already shifting towards trying to form an apology, so I hurried on to explain. “Yeah, it is, and I did
enjoy myself quite a bit, but that doesn't mean it didn't hurt like hell.” And there I had ever claimed to
have a sort of way to gently break stuff to people? Gellin sure looked horrified once my words hit
home. Just like me to gross out the guy whom I so willingly let do stuff like that.
Even in my still befuddled state of mind I realized that the conversation was rapidly going downhill,
and I had to stop this before we hit bottom. There was really no gentle way to phrase this, and once
again a pang of regret went through me. At least with Tane I had never had such conflicts, he had
always known quite how much he hurt me. And how much I got off on just that. But it probably needed
some strength of character to pull that stunt off, too.
I slowly extracted my hand from Gellin's, and when the hurt in his eyes just surged I could have hit
myself. Hurriedly I brought my hands around his face and forced his eyes back to look straight into
mine. “Stop thinking that train of thought this very moment. First, I talk. Then you can think again
about just how sorry you feel, and for whom.” His jaws clenched under my hands as if he was about to
protest, but either my strong tone held him silent, or he did remember some of the things that had come
up when we first met.
When I saw that he was listening I took a last steadying breath before starting to talk. This really
shouldn't be so hard to express, but my throat was strangely clogged up. “Listen, it hurt. In fact, most of
what you did to me hurt. But that's exactly why I liked it so much, and why I came so often, and so
hard. And when I tell you this it's not because I want to freak you out, or make you feel bad because of
how you treated me, but just so you know why it was that easy for you to turn me into a screaming
puddle of need, and make me come all over again.”
I let the words sink in, and only when I saw his face stay passive I realized why I was suddenly all
freaking myself. Until now every man who had treated me like this had known better than me that I
could take it, or hadn't cared more for my wellbeing
than his own satisfaction. I was still sure that Tane
wouldn't have put me through what he did if he hadn't been sure that I would like at least the greater
amount of it, but with Drake it had been more of a satisfaction of his baser nature than giving me what I
craved. The only one I was really sure to have just acted based on my own reactions had been Gellin,
inadvertently giving me what I craved without realizing what came along with it. And now that I had
spelled that out for him he probably couldn't take it any longer.
Silence fell and stretched out between us, making it all but impossible not to feel the strain building. By
now the look on Gellin's face was nigh unreadable, and I slowly let go of his face. This was so not
boding well. The shaky breath he finally took even less.
When he found his voice again it was raspy, and had lost all of the cheery quality it had held during the
whole day. “I guess it must sound stupid to you, but I am really sorry that I hurt you. I won't do it
again.” I tried to speak up then, but the surge of anger suddenly in his eyes made me shut my mouth
again. He did some more steady breathing, all the while looking straight at me, until the anger bled
back into bleakness.
“I'm really sorry if I am not able to provide you with what you think you need, but I won't just do you a
favour if it damages my own integrity. I think you know better where to get that from.” With that he got
up, leaving me curled under the bedding. I tried to come standing to follow him, but he just murmured
something about needing to be alone and walked out of the illuminated circle the fire provided.
Just great. Another ego I had bruised beyond the point of return. This was so not my month.
When I could concentrate somewhat again I started dividing the bedrolls, and lugged mine over to the
opposite side of the fire. Suddenly shivering in the cold I got a spare shift out of my saddle bags, the
thin linen nearly fine enough to see through the fabric. Feeling utterly alone I curled up again on my
makeshift bed, and stared into the licking flames of the camp fire. If this wasn't ending soon I was
going to choke on my life sooner or later.
I was still awake when Gellin returned but feigned to be asleep, just so we didn't have to finish our
conversation. I wasn't even sure if I slept during the night, it certainly didn't feel that way in the
morning. We ate breakfast in silence, and after packing everything up again continued our track.
About thirty minutes into the forest Gellin finally broke the awkward silence but just to strike up some
really lame conversation. I tried to contribute some more or less wise things to it, but after a few
minutes we were silent again, and apart from minimal talk stayed that way during the whole day. By the
time we stopped for the night I was annoyed, more than a little sore from all things horse related, and
my ego felt even more bruised then my butt.
Gellin left with a mumbled remark about going hunting although it was nearly fully dark, so I stalked
off in the other direction to the stream gurgling by within shouting distance of our camp site. Even
though the weather here was quite a lot warmer than what I was used to, the water was just as cold as
any spring water I had ever bathed in. I undressed with haphazard jerky motions and waded out into the
shallow pools the rivulet had worked out of the bedrock.
I actually had to sit down so that the water could lap up to above my breast, and it was so cold that my
teeth instantly started to clatter. I didn't care, all I wanted now was to be clean, and possibly away from
Gellin. I was even so far as to contemplate just opening a portal and sending him back to Mendala to
continue on my own. If not for the possible stupid remarks I would earn for that I would have done it
already.
When my toes stopped hurting from the cold and started to get numb instead I climbed out of the water
again. Flopping down in the soft grass on the river bank I first thought about just drying myself and
returning to the fire, but after a few moments of sitting in the cold, shivering, I felt something very odd
crawl up to me – calmness. For the first time since Tane and I had ventured forth to my Test of
Challenge in Mendala I felt calm again, centred. Just as if the last few weeks hadn't happened at all.
Drawing my knees to my chest I wrapped my arms around my legs and let my forehead rest on my
knees. I certainly didn't know where that had come from, but I really welcomed the feeling to not have
to jump right out of my skin every waking moment.
I must have sat there for at least an hour, judging from the time my skin had needed to dry, and dew to
turn up where river water had been before. The cold still made me shiver enough to warrant a good grip
on myself to stop from uncurling my position involuntarily, but it could have been worse. As in hot like
during the days. At the moment I was just content.
Low cursing wafted over from where our horses were bound to trees for the night and I turned my head
to look back at what Gellin was doing. He certainly didn't look as if he had hunted down anything,
which did not exactly surprise me in the end. Suddenly tired of sitting here on my own I got up and
slipped into my clothes again to then go back to the camp.
The fighter briefly looked up when I approached, and only mutely signalled at the wrapped bundle
containing my dinner at the corner of my bedroll. With a smirk I sat down, noticing that his bedding
was lying exactly across from mine, as far away as he could go without being too obvious. I chose to let
that go unremarked as there seemed no sense in talking about that.
By the end of the meal my patience had worn thin already, and I just couldn't keep my mouth shut any
longer. “Could we please stop this now, and behave again like halfway responsible adults?” My tone
was a little more acidic than I had intended, and Gellin looked at me rather sharply. “It takes two, you
know?”
The vestige of the rest of my new found calm was already crumbling, and I had to get a really good grip
on myself lest I not do anything stupid. Hearing him address me with that mixture of hurt and verbal
puppy eyes was nothing that helped me here. “That's why I said we, not you or I. And stop scowling
like this, you don't even have a reason for it!”
I inwardly groaned at myself when I realized that while my mind tried to settle things the message got
hijacked on the way to my brain to come out all scrambled, and as if I were already that keen on
escalating things. Maybe I was. But this farce was so not what I was equipped to handle. Judging from
the face my opponent made he thought along the same lines, sadly not with places traded though.
“Why are you even acting that bitchy? It was you who claimed yesterday that everything was alright!”
Hurt male pride, exactly what I needed now. As if I had any experience in handling that in a way that
got me not thrown out of homes, or something. So I took a rattled breath and did my best to at least
appear calmer. “And I assure you again that I am just fine.”
With the words some of the heat went out of my temper, and I tried again to steer the conversation into
the direction I wanted to be headed. “I guess I can understand why you are that upset with me, and I'm
sorry I made you feel like that. It won't happen again, I promise.”
Gellin just stared at me for ten seconds straight before finding his voice again. “Are you really that
insane, woman? You have no way of knowing how I feel!” I held his heated gaze although I really
wanted to punch him, but for once my experience of the last few months paid off. Compared to Tane
Gellin was a real whelp when it came to getting my temper to flare, and I certainly knew that violent
behaviour on my part was not an option. So I gritted my teeth again and forced the words out that I had
so hoped never to have to say to anyone.
“In fact I do. You are disgusted by me, and my preferences. As I said, you won't have to touch me again.
If you want to, I can even now open a portal for you ...” My words trailed off when the fighter suddenly
got to his feet to tower over me. He might not look like so much, but he certainly intimidated me now.
“Disgusted with you? Bloody hell, I'm disgusted with myself!” When I just stared at him he growled
and made a move as if to start pacing, but stopped before he had even turned around. “How could I not
be disgusted with myself, I abused and hurt you, and apparently even intimidated you enough so you
find all sorts of delusional excuses!”
This was so running towards hilarious that I couldn't even start to begin to sort this out. But getting to
my feet was a definite start, I really didn't like people towering over me. Gellin didn't even look around
at me although he must have seen the motion, so I decided to make my stand just here and now.
“Do you seriously think that someone like you could even intimidate me if he tried?” That at least got
his attention, and he turned around, his face all hard lines, with his eyes filled with hate, and probably
selfloathing.
“Why shouldn't I? I think my deeds speak well for themselves in my favour.”
Again my time to stare at him, but I soon got over the astonishments. “You really are serious, right?” He
nodded, and I went on before he could interrupt me, careful to punctuate every word. “Even with your
superior strength you would need minutes to seriously hurt or kill me, and even if I were drunk I would
just need a single thought to burn you to cinders right where you stand. Your kind doesn't intimidate
me!”
I guess Tane would be proud of me for saying such words, and actually meaning them. Not that
thinking of him helped me a lot at the moment, but when Gellin just kept staring at me I certainly had
to think about the way my former teacher had sometimes glowered when I had messed up pretty bad
again, preferentially deliberate. And it put the current situation into even starker relief.
“Gellin, listen to me. You didn't do anything wrong, or anything I would scold you for, or what I would
hold against you. I know that this situation is not easy for you, but please, believe me, if anyone is to
blame here at all it is me, not you.”
Once more he tried to protest, but rather weakly compared to before, and it was easy to talk right over
him. “You never intimidated me, and you certainly didn't force me to anything. You did your best to
please me, and it's not your fault that I need more than most decent men are ready to give. I've just been
too selfish to consider that I was asking too much of you.”
That nearly sounded insightful, and certainly not like me. I had never before in my life been any kind of
diplomatic, and my own words even surprised me. Just as well that no one else would ever hear of this
or my reputation as unrepentant bitch would suffer for sure.
My words seemed to soothe Gellin some more, if not ease his mind completely, and slowly the tension
started to drain out of his body. I did like him a lot better when he didn't look intend to jump into his
own sword.
When it became apparent that I was waiting for a reaction from him he finally spoke up again. “What I
did is still wrong, even if you claim to have led me along. There are certain things you simply not do,
even if a woman as asking for them.” I bit down hard on my tongue not to blurt out anything totally
inappropriate, and instead crossed the distance between us. He only barely flinched when I put a
hesitant hand onto his arm.
“You're a good guy, you know? But there is really no reason to flog yourself over this now. If I hadn't
told you how it had felt for me you wouldn't even have known that you hurt me.” The anguished look
was back in his eyes, and I finally understood what I had been missing all along.
“You feel so bad because you didn't realize what you were doing to me, right? That's the reason why
you're acting like this.” There was no sense in questioning that from the way he suddenly hung his head.
Once again I asked myself how he had ended up doing what he did under Drake's supervision and could
remain so clueless.
And then it hit me, all out of the blue. It was not really fair to think of Gellin as naïve as I had myself
needed a few minutes to get to the core of things. And what was left was not that hard to grasp now that
it was in plain sight. Trust and honesty. The two things I had gotten so accustomed to in my time with
Tane that I didn't even consider that others worked under different sets of rules than my mind now did.
And I guess I could place a good bet on where exactly Tane had acquired that quirk.
It all made so much sense now, at least from what I could piece together from my own experience. I
didn't know who the lucky girls before me hand been that had enjoyed the hospitality of the range of
young fighters, but they had certainly been willing then, and likely not around once the adrenaline haze
dissipated and the bruises and hurts bloomed. I myself had also not bitched about the rough handling,
and thanks to the very alarming quirks my body was throwing around of late there had been no bruises
left when we had started off onto our journey. A small part of my mind taunted that common sense
alone should have been enough to let anyone decide for themselves what was enough, and what too
much, but lust and former experience could easily contort the bigger picture. My, my, what a harsh
awakening for Gellin indeed.
I thought about telling him just that then, but the way he behaved at the moment I wasn't sure that that
would help at all, rather on the contrary. What was left to me was to stay on track and play the whole
thing over me, and not entirely too truthfully.
“You know, it's really not my fault. But I'm so off these days that it's a wonder that I don't forget
anything as essential as to breathe.” When he looked as confused about my words as I had hoped, I
elaborated. “I'm heartsick. Heartbroken. It makes me act stupid, and I can't even concentrate most of the
time. That's why I've been so unresponding two nights ago. And why it yesterday seemed like the
greatest idea to just indulge in some hard, mindless romping in the woods. I let my guard down, and you
got burned in the wake. I'm really sorry, but I'm just not working right at the moment.”
I was really disgusted at myself for telling such lies, but I certainly preferred that over the constant
gloating that had been going on between us during the day, and Gellin didn't deserve to feel that way
about himself. My words seemed to soothe him some more, if a rest of doubt stayed in his eyes. Very
well, I wasn't here to grant absolute absolution anyway. I just needed him centred enough to work
properly.
“I'm glad if you really see it that way, but in the end it doesn't change a thing about what I did.” I
nodded, and even managed a small smile. “Then just don't do it again anymore. Let it be a one time
experience and warning to you. But don't let it eat you up, I'm fine, and so should you be.”
Suddenly tired I gave him a last squeeze and sat down again. This was all I was able to give, if it wasn't
enough Gellin would have to deal with it on his own. The way he sagged down on his bedroll and let his
head hang down certainly didn't bode well, but at least the tension bled out of his body.
I watched him in silence for a while, and then took the book Elana had sent me out of my saddle bags.
There was really no reason why to neglect my studies when I had absolutely nothing else to do, and
until Gellin proved talkative again I had to entertain myself somehow. Hopefully not for too long.
This night I could at least sleep, and once morning broke the efforts of my prep talk from last night paid
off, and my companion was in the mood for some talking again. We did keep it at trivial topics, but that
was better than nothing. I could deal with trivial, the same as I could deal with not having sex with him
come nightfall. The trip was just turning really boring.
To my certain dismay the rest of the journey turned out to be even less challenging, entertainmentwise,
and when we happened upon a small group of riders at the meeting point Drake had provided us with I
soon gave up any further hopes of excitement. They were all very polite, and the following meeting
with their leader was all but anticlimactic. One sack was exchanged for another, a short note to the
sorcerer was given to me, and only two hours later we were back in the forest, well on our way home.
In the afternoon I decided that we were far enough away from the hideout to go back home via portal,
and when Gellin didn't protest I brought us right outside the city gates. After the solitude of the forest
the bustle of people in Mendala was a nice contrast, but I really wanted to get this over with, so we
headed straight to the Academy stables. At least I had gotten a horse out of the deal.
We were just done unpacking the horses and leaving them with the stable men when a small commotion
rose at the front gates, and before I could decide whether it was worth inquiry or not a group of young
warriors came barging in. They were lead by a tall, blond man with trimmed beard and wellgroomed
appearance, and I didn't really need to see Gellin shrink behind my back to know that finally trouble
had caught up with him.
Somehow I had expected them to go straight for the other fighter, but Percy took the situation in with a
keen eye and instead bowed to me respectfully. “Good day, madam, I hope you had a save journey?” I
frowned at Percy for a moment before getting a grip on myself and trying to dust of my manners as fast
as possible. “Thank you for asking, all went as well as expected.” It was quite obvious that we had just
returned, and if he was really intent on tanning Gellin's hide I figured he had found out his whereabouts
days ago already.
Percy nodded, and was about to speak on after aiming a loathsome glance at Gellin, but I hurried to
interrupt him. “I am sorry if I appear rude, but I really don't have the time for idle conversation at the
moment. If you will excuse us, I need to be on my way.”
He looked a little dumbfounded, but as before was quick to reign his annoyance in. “Certainly. I had no
intentions in standing in your way. Please allow me to escort you to your quarters.” He actually waited
for my hesitant nod before offering me his arm. My hand shook just slightly when I let him guide me
away. Oh my, I really must be off if stuff like that made me go all dewyeyed.
While the rest of his men stayed back at the stable Percy led me into the main part of the Academy,
with Gellin trailing behind, working hard not to frown too openly. Once we were back in the shade
Percy stopped again, and beamed a rather bright smile at me. “But where are my manners, I completely
forgot to introduce myself. I am Parcival LeCough the Third, son to Sir Richard LeCough, Lord of
Argonton. And I am really overjoyed to finally make your acquaintance, Lady Jeanne.”
I felt myself blush ever so slightly, and quickly swallowed before I could loose my voice. “Please, just
Jeanne.” I was a little taken aback when he actually nodded without protesting, but then all mages and
sorcerers here went by just a first name, and I knew for certain that most came from noble families, and
likely still held their own estates. “Of course, but only if you call me Percy.” I nodded in what I hoped
was a gracious smile, and got one in return.
“Where to now? I have to admit that I was not informed beforehand where you were staying.” I felt a
little irritated at the arrogance in his voice, but hid it well with another bright smile. “I really have to
meet with my teacher first, so I would be just too glad if you would accompany me to Drake's. I gather
you know the way?” Because I certainly still didn't, but Percy, ever the gentleman, started leading me
down to one of the corridors branching off towards the right. “Certainly.”
He soon struck up some pointless conversation, and I only participated as I saw just how much Gellin
was gnashing his teeth. I didn't know where the sudden spitefulness hailed from, but I certainly needed
to bleed off some steam, and although playing petty games might not give me much satisfaction, it was
better than rushing through the Academy on my own, and getting repeatedly lost.
Before long I started recognizing the surroundings, and Percy stopped in the courtyard right before the
door to the sorcerer's domain. His ever present smile upped a few notches in brightness to the point
where his cheeks must have hurt, and he bowed deeply and breathed a kiss onto the back of my hand.
His nails were a lot better kept than mine, I had to realize.
“I know it is probably too much to ask, but would you grace me with your presence over dinner, dearest
Jeanne?” His tone told me that he would not take no for an answer, and with Gellin's gloat in mind I
nodded my head, even if I already feared to probably fall asleep from boredom halfway through the
meal. “It would be my pleasure, Percy.” He looked all the more the buffoon when he bowed again and
told me to meet him an hour before sunset in the Great Hall before making his grand exit. He certainly
didn't see me shake my head at his back.
When I turned around I had to bite my lip hard not to laugh out loud at the sour expression Gellin was
putting on display. “You are doing that just to spite me!” This time my grin was sincere as I went by
him to open the door. “Of course I do! And a girl wants to get pampered every now and then. Now stop
scowling, it's just one dinner. Think of it as my way to make certain he stays off your back.” Gellin still
didn't look amused but followed me inside, brooding in silence.
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