Sex, Spies and Muspar'i

Chapter 1

The morning mist that settled about the base of Ker'Leor will be gone in two hours. Two hours of free road. Two hours for the traders to move their precious cargo and pray to avoid the telescopes of marauding scouts spying on today's victims. Movement off-trail is also recommended under the shroud of mist, as Morah Vines are attracted to motion and vibration. Then you have wood trolls. No worries being seen, as you'd have to trip on them to get noticed. A careful traveler can embark from Theren Keep or El Bain's and pass through the mountains without trouble. If they follow the morning mist.

- o -

Alden lifts his hand from beneath a gray-white speckled cloak and rubs a knuckle against one eye. He yawns silently and stares at the water below. The rocks on this side of the lake provide refuge from wandering vines that prefer the soft forest floor. This alcove is only accessible from the water. Thankfully, Ker'Leor Lake only contains fish and frogs.

Mist hovers a foot above the cool water, with tendrils curling down to the smooth, glassy surface. Alden yawns silently a second time and hugs the cloak about him. Slowly he arches, stretching his back. The weary pre-dawn wait turns into heart racing excitement as a signal finally appears - ripples.

Meandering thoughts vanish as the reality of the sign registers in his Mind.

Yes!

But excitement turns into confusion as he notices a second series of ripples coming from another direction.

What the...?

He mumbles a curse and quickly removes the camouflage cloak. Rolling it into a small bundle, he stuffs the cloak into a hidden nook and checks each dagger in the bandolier strapped across his bare, black- painted chest. After a slow exhale, he slips the toes of his shadowy black sandals into the cool water followed by the rest of his oiled and painted body. With a shiver and a deep inhale, his head disappears beneath the surface as he pushes off the rocks and swims toward the source of the first series of ripples.

Emerging next to an old tree that had long ago fallen into the water, he peers from underneath the trunk and recovers his breath. Kneeling on the rocky shore, a single form is visible through the mist. Covered with a brown hooded cloak and hidden from the path behind several boulders, the stranger brushes something off their buckskin pants with brown leather gloves. This is not Gallin.

And it's not one of the Baron's Guardsmen. Alden's eyes widen as he realizes the kneeling stranger is grasping body parts in a rather amorous manner. He watches the hooded stranger lift their leather tunic and dip a gloved hand into the lake. They splash the cool water across a smooth tummy and the bottom of breasts! Is this some ritual?

He continues to watch the stranger rub her crotch through soft buckskin pants with one hand and squeeze a breast with the other. She rocks back onto her feet and squeezes her thighs against a crotch-clenching fist while sliding an open palm across one breast to squeeze the other. Leaning back, she thrusts her hips forward and drops to her knees, writhing with silent pleasure.

Very interesting...but this isn't Gallin.

Alden dips beneath the surface and swims toward the source of the second set of ripples.

"Come on, come on, BE here!" A white-bearded dwarf hisses while standing on the pebbly beach of the Ker'Leor Lake. He picks at the end of a rope tethered to a dappled mule standing ankle-deep in the lake and drinking thirstily.

Turning sharply to face a sound on his left, the dwarf brandishes a long iron dagger. Pointing it outward, he scans the mist and gasps as a dark, crouching form emerges further to the left.

"Goddess!"

The mule lifts its head, water dribbling from a whiskered chin, and looks back from around the stuffed crates. The dwarf takes a deep breath and holds the dagger to his chest. Alden stands up and grins, teeth gleaming in contrast to the smudged black and green paint on his face. He puts a finger to his lips.

The dwarf hisses quietly, "You're supposed t' be here soon as I give the sign. By Tasmine, I'm, riskin' my neck waitin' for ye. Mist is clearin' soon an' I gotta pass the Keep." He waves his dagger southward and tugs on the lead rope, directing the mule back to shore.

Alden runs his hands along the kegs and crates tied to the pack animal. "No worries old friend. Therengians have no clue what you carry... unless you're smuggling other contraband?" He grins at the dwarf and removes a small grey bag from the back of the mule. "In plain sight? Are you crazy... do you know..."

The dwarf shakes his head and pokes a similar bag tied to his belt. "I carry this one now in case the guards decide to get hungry. Better than drawing suspicion by hiding that bag in grains or a keg." He coils up the rope and points the mule's nose back to the road. "I gotta go while I have mist. There's someone on the other side of the lake, which is why I came this side."

Alden nods and ties the bag to his bandolier. "Don't worry about them. Hire a caravan guard next time."

"When I pack a caravan, aye. But not a single mule." The dwarf leads the mule back to the path. "Til next time, friend."

"Safe journey." Alden whispers as he enters the sparse tree line. He follows the trees along the shoreline until he arrives at the rocks and fallen tree where he glimpsed the strange woman.

She remains unseen from the path. Alden watches as she picks at her pants. No longer is she grabbing herself.

Or was she? Maybe the mist was playing tricks with my eyes.

The stranger turns slightly, trying to catch the morning light better to examine her thigh. Dark curls of hair dangle from beneath the brown hooded cloak. Several yards away, a trader's mule clip-clops on smooth, travel- worn stones. The strange woman abandons her task and looks up cautiously, revealing reddened cheeks and beautiful lips. She pulls her cloak closed and slowly sneaks around the side of the large rock, exposing a small knife in her hand.

"You don't want THAT trader." Alden whispers nearby.

Startled, the woman turns and tilts her head, peering into the trees and rocks and shadows.

There, that one moved.

She inhales and takes a step back, rising to meet her opponent. Barely noticeable, she glances side to side for an escape route. She boldly states, "I can kill you with one gesture."

Alden pauses, certain that she is alone. If she had not been, she would have spoken louder to alert any companions nearby. He stands up and moves forward, extending both green-painted hands. "I'm not going to hurt you. Obviously you're new to the area."

She smirks when she realizes he is alone. "And you must be the Therengian Minister of Tourism attending a swamp troll conference?" With her face still hidden beneath the brown hood, she raises her chin. "You are more likely an insane ranger who enjoys running around the forest half-naked and smeared with charcoal. You're in luck, as I seek the services of a skilled tracker such as you."

Alden leans back and ponders how profit, sarcastic or not, always seems to get his attention. He lowers his head menacingly and gazes at the stranger several feet away. "I could just kill you and take your coin." He watches her continue to stand defiantly, threatening him with her little knife.

Knife? If she can kill me with one gesture, then why does she need a knife?

She scowls, "Dolt. Do you think I would travel with anything more than ferry toll? Take me to Langenfirth and you will be paid for your services upon arrival."

He ponders. Langenfirth? That's not far. Why does she need help getting there? Unless she really doesn't know this area. He points east, testing her, "Lang? but that's a day out of my way."

She nods. "A day's wage then. Do you accept?"

He grins. Lost, completely lost. Great, I'll walk in circles and make a daylong trip out of this? No, too dangerous without armor.

"Deal. Wait... are you being chased by a mage... or a paladin, or Muspar'ians?" There are some things I don't get involved in, period.

She lowers her knife and steps down from the rock ledge. "I am late for a meeting in Langenfirth. And quite honestly, I am lost."

Alden nods and walks forward. Although he can't see her eyes, he can tell by the subtle smile that she is admiring his 'stalking' outfit. He extends a green-painted hand, while keeping his other hand resting on the hilt of a dagger in his bandolier. "Then my services are yours."

She extends her hand, considers his strangely painted skin and lowers her hand, "Why are you painted like that? Are you not cold?"

He chuckles. "I was... hunting, I mean scouting, guarding... That trader hires me from time to time to protect his caravan. He pays well for guards on long trips." He appraises her tunic and pants, exposed briefly as she closes her cloak. "Your clothes are new, but torn. How long have you been in the wild?"

She ignores him and points to the path, "We should go as soon as possible."

Alden turns, smiling, as he gestures for her to walk beside him. "I don't trust you yet. We walk abreast for a while."

"Very well." She walks alongside, more than arm's length away, as they head south. "My garments... I could swear the foliage here seems to reach out and grab you. How long were you watching me back there?"

He chuckles. What am I doing?

- o -

After traveling all morning and taking twice as long as necessary to avoid any passing travelers, Alden and his companion arrive at El Bain's Rest. He unlocks and opens the door to a cedar cabin. He glances back up the path, listening intently before he steps inside and closes the door. "Cozy, but this isn't Langenfirth." The woman says, observing the decor. She smells the stuffy air and glances at barely-used furniture. "Collect the items you mentioned and let's be off. The sooner I get to Langenfirth, the more you get paid."

Alden grumbles. Hurry up, hide, hurry up, quiet, hurry, hide. She's cracked for sure. Late for a meeting, yes, but paranoid of the route there? She better have coin... or I'll lead her into the hands of a Therengian guard.

"Cast a cool breeze and relax for an anlas or two. I have to change out of my stalking uniform." He smiles and grabs a leathery bundle from the ottoman before stepping into the open bathing room. A curtain falls, blocking the doorway.

The overdue, paranoid and lost woman slowly circles the main room and listens to Alden pour water in a bin and begin scrubbing off whatever disguise he was wearing. Freak. She winces and glances down at her pants.

"Goddess!" she hisses. "These thorns are driving me mad."

She glances at the curtain to see that small black loincloth pooled about her guide's feet. Splashing busily and scrubbing his skin, it's obvious that he'll be longer than expected. She stops before a wide chair in front of the only sunny window. Turning her backside to the light, she drapes the end of her cloak over the back of the chair.

Alden announces from behind the curtain, 'It's taking a bit longer than I thought! This pigment is supposed to be hard to come off in the water. Lucky me."

He peeks through the side of the curtain with one dry eye. Whoa, is she... I must have water in my eyes again!

She twists, and inspects her backside as she runs her fingers and palm slowly over the doeskin pants and the back of her thigh. She pauses to pinch at the lump of a protruding thorn. She plucks the tiny thorn from the buckskin pants and places it on the windowsill. Finding several others that have worked their way underneath, she pauses to glance at the curtain before unlacing the front of her pants. She peels them down to her knees and searches the inside of her pants in the sunlight.

Alden wipes his face and peeks out from the side of the curtain again. He gawks silently at this paranoid, late-to-meet-someone-woman examining the inside of her pants pulled down around her knees. Morah Vines. She didn't even have a clue. Lucky for her she was traveling those parts in the early morning or else she'd have made a rather beautiful compost pile. Damn table - I can't see her ass. He turns back to scrubbing his arms, faster.

She continues plucking thorns from her buckskin pants. Several suspect areas reveal no thorns or stickers, meaning they might be small enough that they stuck in her skin. She slowly rubs her fingertips over bare ass and thighs, discovering a stray pricker here and there. Several areas with swollen, long scratches match the slashes in her pants. She rummages inside the pocket of her cloak and pulls out several green leaves mashed together, with moist pink clumps inside. She smears a bit of the salve on her finger and then applies it to the scratches on the front of her thighs.

"Nilos?" Alden's asks, his voice nearby. NEARBY! She chirps and turns slightly, holding her hands sheepishly over her exposed lower half.

"It's... all I had. It soothes the itch but doesn't seem to help much otherwise." Her eyes, still hidden in the hood of the cloak, gaze upon her guide's wet, clean chest and strong arms as he buckles the cinches of his tight-fitting leathers into place.

Alden frowns. "I have Jadice. It'll do the trick." He nods in the direction of the table, then realizes the opportunity. "Oh I'll get it..." He reaches for a stone mortar as she tries to shuffle toward the table with her pants binding her knees. He grabs the stone mortar from the table and faces her, the closest proximity they've had all day.

She remarks coldly, "Remember that I can kill you with one gesture."

Alden kneels behind her and gazes at her smooth ass and thighs. "Uh...I haven't forgotten. Think of me as an empath for a few anlas, only here to heal you." He dips his fingers into the mortar and scoops a glob of creamy white Jadice pulp. He reaches up and smears the herbal remedy over a cut on the back of her left thigh.

She folds the leaves around her salve and places the packet into her cloak, holding onto the back of the chair for balance. For balance indeed. Her nipples and mound have been on fire again for the past several hours. During their journey she had snuck a few covert squeezes and pinches, but now with her ass exposed and another person's fingers...

"Almost done." Alden smiles. He continues smearing the Jadice pulp over the most severe scratches on her ass and legs. "You went through a lot of thorny bushes trying to stay off the trails." His fingers linger, carefully rubbing the pulp over the smallest scratches now.

She bites her lower lip and holds herself steady against the chair. Nipples, hot all day, throbbing. She lifts her shoulders and twists slightly, rubbing an arm against her breast. "Pardon? traveling... yes, the thorns. Thank you."

Alden slowly admires her ass as he flattens his palm against the inside of her thigh. She clamps her legs together and turns, bending slightly to grab her pants and pull them up.

What was that? Something shiny between her legs? If I had half a brain I'd... kill me with one gesture, that's right. She must be referring to the one-fingered Gor'Tog salute.

Alden licks his lips and stands up, cheerfully asking, "All done?"

She turns and deliberately pushes him out of the way as she yanks the end of the cloak from the chair. "We are most certainly done. I didn't intend to make a show of it. They're only scratches in hard to reach places. Next time, you will hand me the herbs to apply myself."

Alden sticks out his tongue and pantomimes silently behind her. Hand me the herbs. Don't touch me. Don't help me. Look at my ass. He drops the mortar on the table with a clatter and then pulls his leathers up over his arms and shoulders and finished buckling them tight. "I'm no pervert. Well, I mean, I wasn't going to do anything. You've got me by the purse-strings." He grins.

She finishes tying the laces on the front of her pants and pulls her cloak closed again before facing him. "If you're ready... lets be going."

Alden notices a boxy bulge beneath the fabric of her cloak as she adjusts the folds. He walks to the door and lifts a hand-stitched traveler's pack from the floor. "Let's be going then" He opens the door for her and gestures outside.

Chapter 2

On a scenic route to Therenborough, the village of Langenfirth is nestled against the western shore of Lake Gwenalion. A ranger's haven, this outpost is little more than a waypoint and fishing village. With the optimism of traffic to Muspar'i, this village will grow along with the flow of travelers. It's only a matter of time before Therengian Guards establish a barracks here to stem the flow of illicit goods. For now, Langenfirth is still a small village, a place where everybody knows their neighbor, a fact nobody will admit to.

Alden scrambles up a hilltop and looks down into the valley below. Gwenalion Lake sparkles in the afternoon sun. A huge, ancient fir tree towers over Danduwen Forest, marking the center of Langenfirth. The dark moon Katamba hangs low on the horizon, difficult to see by sunlight and wispy clouds. Higher in the sky is the faint red disc of Yavash.

Alden points to chimney smoke rising from the treetops below. On the lake, sailboats gently sway with the wind. "Langenfirth. We'll be there within an anlas."

His temporary employer nods and gestures ahead as she crests the hilltop. "Then make haste." She gestures ahead.

Alden sidesteps down the hill, ahead of his unidentified traveling companion. He glances back to be certain she follows.

I'll be glad to get this golden goose off my back.

Renewed with the sight of their destination, the pair marches downhill and disappears beneath the canopy of the Danduwen Forest.

- o -

Standing outside the only multiple-story building in town, the stranger offers a pouch to Alden, "Thank you for the guidance, and for keeping us off the road."

Alden smiles and accepts the pouch. "Nae, thanks be to you for your generosity." He squeezes the bag, testing its weight. "I'm celebrating this successful journey with an ale. Care to join me?" He opens the well-worn door of the rustic inn and gestures inside.

She shakes her head slightly. "No. I need to find someone."

"Well, if you don't find your friend..." He smirks and steps into the dark entrance. "...My invitation stands." The door swings shut behind him.

The stranger turns and walks around the corner of the building. She glances about and then heads southward.

- o -

Alden walks past the ascending split log staircase, the reception desk, and enters the Tavern Room. Even mid-day, the room is illuminated with candles and the fireplace is roaring. The windows on the sunny side of the building are shuttered closed. Most of the outdoor light streams in through a series of shaded windows facing Gwenalion Lake.

A halfling near the door glances up briefly as Alden walks past Then he turns back to his ivory pipe as he leans back and props his feet on the table. Alden moves between the tables and sits away from the others. He removes his traveler's pack and sets it in a chair. Three larger men near the windows are drinking and laughing. A bard, probably paid to entertain, sits on a stool at the end of the long bar, eating a sandwich. On the floor behind him is a large case with a pair of tambourines resting on top.

The bartender, a comely Elothean lass, gestures toward the new arrival and says something to a serving girl with a tray full of mugs. She nods and heads to the table with the barbarians. Ignoring their server, the barbarians continue laughing and waving their hands as they recount some poorly remembered and overly embellished tale. Alden turns and rubs his palm against the tabletop. Several cuts, scrapes and gashes in the wood have blackened with age, varnish and unknown goo. Over here is an inscription: "Dragaera was here". A limerick is scratched in here... something about a dwarven woman having two sets of bearded lips, and over here someone has recently scratched a crude panther leaping in the air.

"What can I get for y... ALDEN?!"

"...huh?" Alden looks up and yelps as his vision is obscured by a whirlwind of scarlet fabric and a person's weight descends onto his lap. He waves his hands and grabs the form in front of him as he looks up to a smiling face with beautiful hazel eyes and dark red hair. "BELLA!? By Idon! I didn't recognize you... your hair?" His hands caress her hips.

"Ye like it? Went down to Leth for this one." She squeezes her thighs against Alden's lap, and wraps her hands around the back of his neck. "Mmmm, elves." Her eyes twinkle as she grins down at her friend.

"Aye, elves are good with their hands." Alden smirks.

"And other things." Bella grinds herself against his leathers. "You in town on business or pleasure?"

Alden chuckles, "Pleasure of course." He leans forward and bites at the embroidered neckline of her camisole, pushing his nose between her breasts.

"You're lucky I'm a spontaneous girl." She grins and slips her hands from his neck and slides off his lap. "Grab your pack." She unties her apron and lifts it from her neck. "Daria, I'm taking my lunch break."

The dark-haired barmaid shares eye contact with Bella and nods as she fills another mug with ale.

Alden chuckles and follows Bella through the Tavern Room door, past the reception area, and up the split log stairs.

- o -

The stranger, whom Alden never did get the name of, emerges from the reed barn and stock pens. Glancing about, she turns and heads back up the road. Turning the corner, she walks beneath a hanging sign that reads "Telgar's Inn", and opens the door.

She walks past the stairs and stands before the front desk. She drums gloved fingers on the desktop and then glances at an overturned paper tent and the open log book. Ah-ha. Year of the Dragon, 342. Two entries - a Mr. Underhill arrived today and someone checking out named MoonStalker Necidem. She turns the page and reviews previous entries - Brynnhilde, Praxle, and some trader with fancy writing named Apu. She flips the page, creating a slight gust that causes the paper tent to flutter on the desktop. With one fingertip, she turns the paper tent over, revealing a printed announcement: "Out to Lunch."

She clenches her teeth and looks around. Her eyes focus on a door behind the desk. A small hand-painted sign hanging on the door reads: Office. Walking around the counter, she raps her knuckles on the door and listens for a moment.

She knocks again, impatiently, and then thumbs the latch and pulls the door open. Peering inside the unlit room, she counts several brooms, a bucket and a several hooks on the wall immediately in front of her. "Office my ass." She closes the door, glances toward the front entrance, then the stairs, and finally the hallway. She turns and heads through the door of the Tavern Room.

Glancing about the bar, she notices a group of rowdy men near the window, a man sitting at the bar in front of an empty plate and the barmaid wiping some mugs dry. She walks past a halfling cleaning his pipe and approaches the barmaid.

Leaning against the bar, she whispers, "Excuse me, but do you know when the innkeeper will return from lunch?"

The barmaid smiles politely and nods, "Aye, ye can ask him yerself." She lifts the mug and towel in her hands and gestures toward the door.

Glancing over her shoulder, the stranger notices the halfling with the pipe. She quickly smiles at the barmaid, "Thank you."

The halfling wipes his pipe with a yellowed cloth as he watches the stranger approach his table. "What can I do for ye?"

She whispers, "I am to meet someone here. They may have left a message for me... a message for Sparrow."

He raises an eyebrow, "Ah, yes. I do have a message for a Sparrow person. It's under the Lost 'n Found box behind the desk."

"Thank you Sir." She turns to the door.

He lowers his pipe, "Need a room?"

She walks through the door, waving off his offer with practiced ease. She quickly ducks behind the front desk in search of the Lost and Found box. Nervously, she slides a wooden box from an opening in the desk and places it on the ground. A wide-eyed Ranger doll looks up from a heap of items in the box. She gazes into the dark opening of the desk. Discovering the prized treasure, she reaches inside and quickly snatches a plain brown envelope.

A thin wax seal has been stamped over the flap, embossed with a small bird shape. The stranger looks up from behind the desk and casually observes the area before ducking again. She slips the tip of a gloved finger beneath the flap and snaps the wax seal in half. The flap opens and she pulls a heavy card from inside. Written in small letters, the card reads: "Wait for me in the Suite upstairs." She replaces the card and closes the flap. Slipping the envelope into her cloak, she replaces the Lost and Found box and stands up.

She adjusts her cloak as she slips out from behind the desk and silently tiptoes toward the stairs. Glancing back at the Tavern door, then the front door, she clutches the ball-top on the stairway newel and swings around as she creeps up the stairs.

- o -

Alden drops his pack at the foot of the bed and watches Bella kick off her sandals and fumble with the lacing on her dress. He pulls a black leather pouch from his pack and stuffs it under his belt. Standing up again, he approaches Bella from behind as she lifts her arms to loosen the leather straps in her hair.

"Mmmmm," Bella moans as Alden's palms slide around her sides and caress her breasts through the camisole and bodice. "It's nice to see you too..." She grins and pulls the straps from her hair, letting the dark locks cascade over her shoulders. She closes her eyes and slides her hands down to meet Alden's, caressing the back of his fingers.

He squeezes her breasts and pinches at her nipples through the layers of untied fabric. Kneading her breasts, the loose fabrics peel apart, exposing her creamy skin. "As always, you are truly ravishing, my dear." He pulls Bella back against him slightly and rubs the bulging crotch of his leathers against her ass. He leans forward, pushing his weight against her as he caresses her bare breasts and pulls at the shoulders of her dress.

Bella lowers her hands and reaches back to caress her lover's hips. As he pulls the dress down, she withdraws her arms one at a time from the fabrics and leans forward to wrap her hands around the bedpost in front of her. She bends slightly, pushing her ass back against him, feeling the bulge in his leathers. "I've only an hour, so nothing time intensive. I'd much rather get to the naked part as quickly as possible." She licks her lips and grinds her hips back against Alden.

Clutching her hips, he rubs his stiff crotch against her ass. "I'll pay attention to your time. As for the pace..." Alden leans back and pulls the dress down completely, along with her shift and undergarments. He gazes at her beautiful naked ass, swaying, searching for his touch. "...that will be for me to determine." He lifts a hand and brings it down hard on her right ass cheek.

Smack.

Bella inhales sharply as her hips lurch forward, "Goddess!" She pins her knees together and gyrates, waving her ass in the air to cool the sting. "Ye... yes sir." She clenches the bedpost and pushes her ass backwards again, trying to feel Alden. "Sir?" She glances back over her shoulder.

He stands up again after pulling the pouch from his belt. With a grin he commands her, "Stand up."

Bella pushes off the bedpost and turns to face him. "Yes Sir."

"Arms up."

"Yes Sir." She raises her arms and crosses her wrists. Bella grins.

Of all his attributes, foreplay and domination are the ones I enjoy most. My submission will be rewarded. He can twitch his cock inside me just the right way to deliver the best orgasm.

She licks her dry lips and waits for his next command.

"Arms down, behind your back and turn around."

Bella lowers her arms and folds them behind her back, palms locked to forearms. She inhales and arches her back, holding her breasts out for him to admire. Then she turns and waits, a smile curls the corner of her lips.

Alden lowers something dark and soft over her eyes and then pulls it back around her head. He ties a bow and places his palms on her shoulders. "Is this too tight?"

She turns her head left and right, appraising the blindfold, then replies, "It's snug Sir, but not too tight, no Sir."

Alden's footsteps indicate his movement as he steps to her side. He places a hot palm on her ass as his other hand pinches at her nearest nipple, hard.

"Ow!" She bites her lip and twists as she leans into his hand.

"You will refrain from using the 'n' word. Is that understood?" He twists her nipple and pulls it.

Her reply is quick and sharp. "Yes Sir!" She winces and gasps with relief as he releases her nipple. The sensitive nub throbs. Bella shivers and for a moment hears his words, and hers, as if she was far away.

Alden steps away, his voice muffled. He has his back turned. "How have you been my sweet Bella?" He's doing something with his hands.

"I have been well Sir, thank you." She licks her dry lips again and inhales slowly, trying to calm herself.

Alden's voice turns toward her again, "The last time we had together was on the Lybadel, wasn't it?" His voice is near again, but he doesn't touch her.

She thinks, "A party on Aesry, yes Sir. The Lybadel." She grins, remembering the bunk in the Captain's quarters.

Alden presses something to her lips.

Bella recoils for a moment then tenderly kisses the object against her lips. His finger. She grins and kisses his fingertips again. Something else, wet. She licks her lips. It's sweet... honey! She kisses his fingertips again.

Alden whispers, "You did mention that this was your lunch break?"

Bella moans and closes her lips around his fingertip, sucking gently. The sweet golden nectar coats her tongue as she licks and sucks at the end of his finger.

Alden pulls his clean, wet finger from her lips and smiles, "My sweet Bella." He clutches her mound and wiggles his wet finger against her clit. "Are you dripping honey of your own?"

She stiffens and thrusts her breasts forward slightly, trying to lean against him. "Oh yes, Sir... I'm very excited." She shivers involuntarily at his touch.

Alden's palm cups her warm mound as his finger curls up and wedges itself between her slippery folds. He slides his wet fingertip back and drags it against her clit.

Bella gasps, "Goddess!"

Alden continues, "Remember that old soft jaguar-pelt strap I used to have, back when we were on the Lybadel? And how I slapped it against your breasts until it fell apart?"

Bella feels her nipples stiffen at the memory, "Oh yes Sir... I will never forget that!" She leans forward, attempting to grind herself against his hand.

Alden clutches her mound, squeezing it between his palm and fingers as he slaps her right breast with his free hand.

Smack.

"Oh!" Bella moans. A handful of short white stripes appear on her flesh. The marks quickly fade and then glow a warm shade of red. She inhales, "I want to fuck you."

Alden grins and tilts his wrist, inserting his finger halfway inside her as he grinds the heel of his palm against her clit. "I want to feel you from the inside, my pet."

The door swings open. Alden glances up at the intrusion. "Hey, can't you see..." His words fall short after seeing the hooded stranger he knows all too well. His gaze turns into confusion. "What are you doing here?"

Bella lifts her face, blindfolded, and tilts her head to toward the commotion, "Is that Daria? Oh goddess..."

The stranger stammers, "Uh, I'm sorry..." She steps back and pulls the door toward her. The markings on the door catch her eye. It is clearly labeled as the Suite. "Huh? Oh." Her mind races as Alden continues to stare. She glances up from beneath her hood and gazes at Alden's friend. "I'm...I was...is...?"

Alden glares, "Find your own room." Then he grins. "...Unless you've reconsidered my invitation?"

Bella's gasps as she recognizes the voice of the stranger. She whispers, "Sparrow?"

The stranger straightens, and opens the door wider, storming into the room. "Hey!" She glances from Alden to the naked form of Bella, then back to Alden. "You bastard! Get off my contact!" Her balled fists swing wildly at Alden.

"Whoa!" Alden ducks and tries to dodge, pummeled by his former employer. "Dammit, ok. STOP!" He parries her fists with his forearms and rolls head over heels, flipping over the other side of the bed. Confused yet mildly aroused, he snorts, "If you wanted to join, all you had to..." Alden can tell the stranger is not amused as she shakes her fists at him.

"Alden?" Bella rubs her face against her shoulder, trying to nudge the blindfold up, but fails. She turns and whispers in Alden's direction. "...Wait downstairs lover."

The stranger tilts her head and rests her hands on her hips, waiting.

Alden's shoulders sag as he pouts. He opens his mouth to plead for more time but recognizes the importance of this meeting. He grabs his leather pouch from the bed and lifts his pack.

Bella apologizes to the stranger, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming this afternoon." She scrambles to remove the blindfold as the stranger unties her arms. "I was occupied by lustful cravings." Her grin is more of a fake grimace.

The stranger retorts, "What do YOU know about lust, girl?"

Alden quietly closes the door as he escapes.

- o -

Alden shuffles through the Tavern Room door and drops his pack on a stool at the bar as he sits down. Daria, the barmaid, chuckles as she asks, "Who won?"

Alden smirks, "Funny. How about a Vykathi Ale?"

Daria nods and fills a mug. She smiles at Alden as she places the mug before him. "This one's on the house."

Alden smiles and nods silently as he clutches the mug and lifts it to his lips. The cool ale is refreshing.

The Tavern Room door swings opens and a tall woman stands in the doorway before taking a few steps inside. Her ornate silver half-plate glistens in the lights as she rubs a thumb along the hilt of a sheathed long sword. She bellows, "Anyone seen a stranger, a woman, traveling through here today?" She glances about with an extremely serious expression. Her beautiful face is framed in a polished silver helmet.

The bard at the bar lifts his head, and the drops his jaw as he whispers to himself, "S-Silver Order?" He reels backward a bit, stunned at his fortune.

One of the burly men in the corner laughs, "The only single ladies that come around here, we all know... intimately. Ha-ha-ha." He slaps his hand on the tabletop, laughing at his own joke.

Empowered by his friends boisterous behavior, another of the drunken group raises his voice, "Oh, Hodierna herself floated by earlier on a fluffy white cloud. Bah-hah-aha."

The female warrior scowls, "Piss off dolts. You should visit an empathy and get those internal head wounds taken care of."

Another member of the inebriated crew whispers to his friends, "Is she talking about you?"

Another armored female warrior steps into the doorway and whispers something to the first. She clenches her teeth and turns on her heel. Both of the female warriors leave, and the door slowly closes behind them.

Silence.

The bard blinks, the pats himself down, searching for a quill and parchment. "Were they wearing purple or blue tunics? Was it just two or did you see more in the hallway? Ohhh what material."

Alden frowns and gulps down his ale. He takes a deep breath and exhales, then drops a few coins on the bar and turns toward the door. His fingers absentmindedly search out each and every bladed weapon in his possession as he passes through the Tavern Room door.

He climbs the stairs slowly, listening intently. Silence. The door to the Suite is ajar. Alden pushes it open, not sure what to hope for.

Laying on the bed is the blindfold and straps that Bella removed, as well as a note and a pair of spidersilk stockings. The window is open.

Alden glances about, then approaches the bed and lifts the note to read:

Took a moongate. See ya next time 'Master'. Tell Daria that the temple called. Love, Bella

Alden glances up and inhales slowly, then notices a flickering shadow outside the window. He takes a step around the bed and then yelps. Dropping the note behind him he dives through the window and rolls onto the rooftop, disappearing into the black orifice of a moongate as it shrinks and then disappears.

On the street below, two armored warriors point up at the rooftop.

---