Noble By Deed - Casting Off Convention - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Cordain had a flair for language, as did his sisters, and Christi's embarrassment continued, although a great swell of pride accompanied it as the story unfolded for the company.

The men, even those who had so callously muttered about women in the company, showed a high level of respect to Christi from that point forward. Most everyone took the time to congratulate her personally, as the group marched onward, including Raptor and Rochelle.

Having a full meal - and the added treat of beer - once the company reached the home of Cordain's acquaintance raised their spirits even more. Christi, Rochelle, and the three siblings sat near the large tent, talking for a few minutes more before going to bed down for the night.

"Your resistance to magic is quite phenomenal for one not versed in the Art," Cordain remarked. "Have you ever considered studying the Mystic Arts?"

Christi drank the final swallow from her cup of beer and shook her head. "No. All I've ever known is practice with my sword and daggers. I'm not exactly the type to learn magic."

Cordain smiled at her. "One may combine the blade with the Art, as I do," he argued.

"Not exactly something I'm liable to stumble into," Christi responded with a shrug.

"I will copy some of the easier spells for you when we have reached our home," Celeste revealed. "You can at least see if you have some aptitude, if you will not stay and try to learn from me."

"I'll look. Some magic tricks could come in handy in a fight," Christi admitted.

Rochelle yawned and stretched. "Okay, I've been up forever... not counting our magical nap. And I'm going to bed."

"As should we all," Cordain stated.

"One more day on the road, and then it's time to celebrate," Rochelle said as she opened the tent flap and walked inside.

Christi yawned, exhausted from the march and the fight with Aruld, who was at the moment being transported to a magistrate to be punished for his crimes. Christi echoed the other warrior-woman, "One more day. I'm off to bed too."

Cordain nodded his head respectfully and went to his own small tent as the women bedded down for the night.

Christi awoke deep in the night, her breathing quick, and her face flushed, having had a vivid sexual dream about Celeste. The ache between her legs was so strong that she had to assuage it with her fingers beneath the blankets.

As her eyes opened, her body still trembling in orgasmic release, Christi thought she saw Rochelle's eyes open. Closing hers to a narrow slit, she looked at Rochelle again. After a few moments, she decided it had been her imagination.

With a final shudder, she pulled her hand from her panties and drifted back off to sleep.

Rochelle licked her lips and took in a deep breath, savoring the hint of Christi's arousal in the air.

"I will be so glad to see home again," Corrine remarked, as they ate the noon meal the next day.

Celeste added, "As will I. I have learned a lesson about depending upon my magic to carry me through the dangers presented by traveling alone."

Rochelle asked, "So, what's this Dalesholme like? Any decent inns and taverns? I'm looking to celebrate a bit, before we hit the road again to join up with the rest of the Hawks. I'm ready for some comfort."

Cordain laughed and replied, "You will find that the taverns provide a great deal of pleasurable diversion. The city is accustomed to mercenary visitors, and some even make their home there, when they choose to settle for a time. As to your accommodations during your stay, I hope that the two of you will guest with us."

"Isn't that going to breed some bad blood with the rest of the company?" Christi speculated.

Rochelle blew a raspberry. "Nah... we won't be there long, and they'll all be so drunk the first day that they won't even remember it. You've certainly earned your right to enjoy a bit of special treatment, Christi."

Christi shrugged and asserted, "I was just doing the job we're being paid to do."

Rochelle clapped her friend on the shoulder and said, "The point is... you did it damn well."

"I agree," affirmed Cordain. "I will ensure that no large fanfare accompanies your stay, despite the likelihood that our mother might wish otherwise. I plan to provide the accommodations for the rest of the company at the finest hostel in the city, and they will thus retain the coin they would have otherwise spent on lodging for their entertainment."

Rochelle laughed and grabbed Christi's shoulder, exclaiming, "So quit worrying, and enjoy your reward for a job well done."

Celeste suggested to Cordain, "They should have the guest rooms in the East wing, near the stairs." She the turned to Christi and Rochelle and said, "The rooms are adjoined by a bath... a warm one."

"This is getting better every minute," Rochelle remarked.

Raptor shouted out, "Get your boots on, and get ready to march! I'm ready to collect my pay, and find a place to rest my carcass where there's a bunk between me and the ground!"

Rochelle stood, shouldered her pack, and asked Cordain, "How much longer?"

"Three... perhaps four hours," he replied, "We should begin seeing the farms that surround the city within a few minutes."

Rochelle took a deep breath and said, "I can almost smell the beer already."

Christi laughed as she shouldered her own pack, and the company prepared to move out.

Continued in Chapter 8