(A.N. I actually have about thirteen chapters of this already typed up,
I just wanna pace myself posting them to make sure I give each chapter the attention it deserves before posting them officially.
I've found myself noticing more mistakes and places that could be improved this way, and I want it to be the best I can for you guys reading it.
I'll be posting the first four chapters once a week on Saturdays, and from there once every other Saturday to allow myself time to edit and revise.
Please leave a review if possible, they keep me going. I'm always open to questions and suggestions. Much Love, C.)
Ch 2. Eastmarch
Taking a long, much needed swig of the Colovian Brandy that she'd kept stashed at the tavern, Eroeh threw her head back, relishing the warmth as it ran down the back of her throat. "That rough, huh?" Bishop commented as he exited the village alongside her. "You have no idea." She sighed as she wiped a sliver of escaped liquid from the corner of her mouth. Offering the bottle to Bishop, she eyed him as he chugged a mouthful like it were water. "Looks like you needed that." She commented. "That kind of week." he responded, passing it back.
Corking the bottle and placing it in her bag, Eroeh couldn't help but be curious about her new travelling partner. "So, you seem a lot more comfortable now that we're out of town." She asked, noticing his calmer stance. "How long you been living the life?" she questioned, her eyes never leaving his. "Grew up in the woods, so my parents used to take me hunting all the time as a kid. Been killing giants for sport since I was ten. We were a bit of a nomadic bunch, so we moved around fairly often. What about you, sweetness? What's your illustrious history?" he questioned back sarcastically. "My history? Well, my mother was a Breton from here in Skyrim, father was a Bosmer. I grew up in Valenwood and moved here after they died. Been traveling around from place to place ranging and barding and whatnot to make ends meet for the last few years. I just narrowly avoided my execution this morning, so it's been a rather interesting day for me." she trailed off.
"Execution? Ha! What in Oblivion did you of all people do, Princess? Steal someone's sweet roll? Kick a chicken?" he asked mockingly, not believing her for a second. "Nothing, funny enough. Just got picked up sharing a camp with a bunch of the Empire's Most Wanted. I'm sure not many people can say, 'Damn I'm sure glad that dragon showed up and started burning everything to the ground.' I mean it was a mess, but at least I made it out in one piece." She finished, awkwardly adjusting her pack. "A dragon? Really? And to think, I almost believed ya too." He snorted. "What? You mean to tell me you didn't see that big black son of a bitch flying over the barrow? I don't know how on Nirn you could've missed it, the sky was on fire for gods' sake!" she snapped, bewildered that he hadn't notice. She sighed, figuring that most people not involved with Helgen must not know after all. "You know, I'm supposed to be running to Whiterun to warn Jarl Balgruuf right now about the dragon. I sincerely hope that someone else is able to tell him." Rubbing the bride of his nose, Bishop sighed. "You know, if we take the shortcut through the woods instead of the road, Whiterun's just a half-hour walk from here. After you tell him though, we really need to get going. Hopefully, we'll come across some info while we're there to give us a better idea of where to look for Karnwyr. Surely someone in that town has heard something about it."
Letting out a sigh of relief, Eroeh set off running towards Whiterun. "Thank the gods, I really didn't need that on my conscience!" she called back towards Bishop, who was scrambling after her. "How the hell is she so goddamn fast?" he huffed to himself through gritted teeth as he chased her over the hill and through the underbrush. Finally getting within eyesight, he'd caught a glimpse of her as she sent an arrow flying towards a giant, nailing it right in the eye. He slowed to a jog as he closed the distance, nocking one of his own; unnecessarily it would seem as he watched his tiny companion scramble up the giant's back, dagger in hand, and wrenched its head from its spine at the base of its neck before grabbing it by the shoulders, riding it back to the ground as it fell. Just who the hell is this girl? Bishop thought as he became uncomfortably aware of a tightening sensation in his leathers. He cautiously adjusted himself before approaching his companion and the previously unnoticed group of warriors she'd been aiding. "Thanks for the offer, Aela. I'll stop by Jorrvaskr and speak to Kodlak if I get the chance. My partner and I are in a bit of a time constraint at the moment I'm afraid." He heard her responding all too politely. Sounded like she was trying to let them down easy, but what did he care either way, they had things to do.
"By chance have any of you heard of a group of bandits pit fighting around these parts?" she asked the trio. "All I know is there's whispers of a ring somewhere in southern Eastmarch. Maybe it's the one you're looking for. Somewhere near the hot springs if I remember right. Hadn't been out there to confirm it though." The taller, more brutish looking one answered. "Thank you Farkas, that's a really big help." He heard Eroeh respond way too sweetly as she placed a delicate hand on the man's muscular forearm, causing the giant of a man to blush. She then turned to face Bishop. "Hey, you caught up!" she smiled, still winded. Spotting a long, sweaty, white-blond curl pasted to her face, he absentmindedly used one finger to brush the stray lock behind a pointed ear. "Well how was I supposed to know you'd move so fast on such tiny legs?" he quipped. He then tried to get a rise out of her by thumping her nose. She blushed, puffing out her cheeks and huffing as she turned back towards the town walls and stomped away.
Truth be told, Bosmer were the smallest race in Tamriel. She was taller than most he'd seen though, being built more like a Breton, yet still a whole head shorter than himself. "So, despite having that heavy ass pack on, how in the hell are you so quick? You don't look anywhere near beefy enough to pull that off as easy as you did." He questioned, eyeing the gentle sway of her hips as she walked ahead. "Years of running, Bishop. Eventually you get good at it." She snapped back, refusing to look at him. "And climbing up that giant the way you did? That was crazy. Unexpected and entertaining, but crazy. I mean, who in the hell does that, besides maybe those insane bastards prowling the Reach." He hadn't noticed her flinch at the comment. "Grew up in a migratory forest, Bishop- you either learned ways to catch up or you got left behind." She sighed, relaxing the white knuckled fists she hadn't realized she'd made.
"Halt, city's closed with the dragons about. Official business only." A dour looking guard stated matter-of-factly from the city gate. Before Bishop could say something rude, Eroeh piped up beside him. "I've news from Helgen about the dragon attack, Ingmar." She said plainly, staring the guard down. "Of course, the Jarl will want to see you right away. We'll be watching you, elf." he brusquely responded, pushing open the large wooden doors and waving the pair inside. Eroeh raced through the town, bounding through the marketplace and up the stone steps as smoothly as a deer in flight. "Dammit, Eroeh, would you slow the hell down? What are you, part spriggan? Fuck's sake, woman!" Bishop cursed as he fell behind, caught up in the traffic of the daytime marketplace. Giggling as she left him in the dust, Eroeh continued on to Dragonsreach, the capital of Whiterun hold. Slowing down along the catwalk into the hold, she bowed her head to the guards as they let her in.
Bishop cursed as he finally made his way past the absurd crowd of people, looking up just in time to hear the hold doors closing. Deciding he wasn't going to rush after her again, he dragged his feet, taking in the sight of the newly blooming Gildergreen in the cloud districts center, and the all too annoying sound of the priest, Heimskr, spewing his pro-Talos dribble from the side. The man sounded as if he would lose his voice at any moment, and Bishop could only hope he'd be so lucky. He looked up, catching a glimpse of an old man working the famed Skyforge behind the legendary Companions hall, Jorrvaskr. He simply huffed in its direction, indifferent to the mightier-than-thou faction of glorified mercenaries. Ascending the stone steps leading to Dragonsreach, he was met at the door by none other than his companion, who was leaving. "That was quick." He commented, turning around and following her back down. Her brows were furrowed, and she was worrying at her lower lip with her teeth as she stalked her way down the steps, taking the shortcut around the center of the cloud district to get to the gates.
Once they were out of the city and back on track, Eroeh's expression softened slightly, though still chewing her lip. "You alright? I know Bosmer are cannibals and all, but I don't think eating yourself counts towards the mandate." He joked, trying to pry an answer out of her. "Everything's fine, they just want me to go into the barrow near Riverwood and find this old stone tablet that's supposed to have something to do with the dragons. I told him I had other business to tend to first and then the court wizard got all huffy with me- Even though I said I'd still do it. Asshole." She grumbled the last word, probably hoping Bishop wouldn't hear her. He did. "Good to know where your priorities are. Find any more info on those bandits?" he asked, relaxing some. "Yeah, they're holed up in a place called Cragslane Cavern. Even sounds sleazy if you ask me. The steward was kind enough to mark it down for me. Apparently Balgruuf has tried to contact some people about it, but since it's technically Eastmarch territory, he can't get much done without getting Ulfric involved, or it being construed as an act of aggression. So, they're glad we're heading out that way anyhow."
She then placed her forefinger and thumb on her chin in thought as she walked, her other arm rested comfortably across her middle. "I bought some potions and stuff from that snotty court wizard for the trip; hopefully we won't need them. I would have stopped by the marketplace for food supplies as well, but it's so crowded it was making me feel claustrophobic." She shivered, rubbing the sudden chill from her arms. "Anyways, I'm sure I've got enough for the trip out there so long as you don't mind helping me raid the bandit's food stores while we're there. I mean, they'll be dead, so it's not like they'll need it anymore." She thought aloud, waving one hand dismissively. Bishop smiled to himself, this girl was certainly fascinating. With as gentle and clear as her speech was, he had been expecting someone with a lot more moral standing. He was certainly glad to be wrong for once.
Bishop stopped in his tracks as he saw Eroeh crouch down, drawing her bow silently and nocking an arrow. "Something's in the grass, 20 paces off just ahead near the trail marker." She said, just barely loud enough for him to hear. Nocking his own arrow in kind, he lost sight of his elfling companion in the brush, the soft sound of her leather armor rubbing being his only indication of where she'd gone.
Before he could chide her for vanishing on him, a copper colored sabre cat pounced from the dry grass just short of him, quickly getting Bishops arrow to the eye. Another arrow whipped by, harshly slicing along the beast's throat before a second was planted just behind its ear. Paralyzed and bleeding out, Bishop took his dagger to the cat's forehead, finishing it off and wrenching the blade out. "You know that first shot missed, right?" he said smugly, wiping off his knife. "No, it did just what I wanted. Check the cut." She said simply, retrieving her arrow from the soil by Bishop's feet. "Severed artery. Damn. Gotta say that's a pretty good shot; cut clean through." He complimented, her only response being a rather smug bow before spinning on her heel back towards their destination.
He followed behind her, watching her full hips sway with each step. "Question, Princess" He started. "Why in the hell does your armor have so many laces on it? Surely its gotta take forever and a half to get dressed. Or do you just cut it all off at once and re-lace it later?" He asked, a naughty smirk gracing his face. "It's for custom fitting- all I've got to do to adjust it is loosen or tighten the laces. And if it catches fire, the laces will release so I can get it off in a hurry, rather than trying to pry it off like normal leather armor. Fewer buckles is less weight and less noise so I move more quietly, and it shows just enough skin to distract most enemies at least for a moment. Never met a bandit that couldn't help but stop stare at a decent pair of tits." She responded, chuckling to herself.
Untying a length of black ribbon she'd had wrapped around her hair, Eroeh pulled her white-gold curls loose, shaking them out to cool off in the midday sun. "Where'd you get that shit anyways? I can't think of anyone who'd sell something so impractical to anyone." He asked, genuinely curious. Bishop had never seen anything like her gear, and he'd been all over Tamriel. "Made it myself years ago. This is an older set that I never got around to dyeing, and since my black set was left behind and possibly destroyed in Helgen, this is what I had handy in my stash back in Riverwood." She responded, shrugging nonchalantly. "Oh yeah that reminds me. So… you and Faendal…?" He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, his voice thick with curiosity. His keen eyes had caught her planting the kiss on him up on the mill platform. "Oh gods, ick, no, he's family. First cousin to my father, for whatever difference that might make to you." She responded in disgust at the idea of her and the much older, cheery hunter as an item. "Why, are you interested?" She asked, a coy smile spread across her face. "No, princess, just wondering where I'd need to ship your barely protected carcass back to should your sad excuse for armor fail." He responded smugly, stretching his arms behind his head. Eroeh simply cut her eyes at him.
He was right, this armor set hadn't been worn in ages, the laces having been generously loosened to accommodate her much grown assets. Thinking back, she'd still been a scrawny teenager the last time she'd had it on. Looking down even she was ashamed at just how much skin she was exposing. She'd really grown so much since then, and it was only now becoming painfully apparent to her. Readjusting her chest piece, she grumbled to herself, trying to tame her unruly breasts. "Gods you things are such a nuisance, go back into your places already, I don't have time to fight with you right now." She gritted quietly through her teeth, trying her damndest to stuff the obstinate balls of squish back into their respective cups as she walked.
Bishop, of course, was watching with a lupine grin as Eroeh seemed to forget his presence at her side. "Need some help there, Ladyship?" He asked, his voice dripping with mischief in her ear. His sudden closeness startled her, almost causing her to trip, her right hand still wedged tightly inside her armor. "Dammit Bishop! No, I do not need your help. What I need is armor with more chest space. If I'm lucky my other set is still intact and just buried under a busted cart or something back in Helgen. I intend to find out. Gods know it took forever and a half to make, and it's got all my best enchantments on it." She sighed, giving up on her unruly breasts, deciding it's be better just to loosen the corset and pull the leather up to give them whatever semblance of coverage she could. "Damn, woman! You hidin' anything else in there?" he asked, finally seeing just how much of that ample cleavage she'd somehow stuffed in her top. "No, thankfully. I wish they'd just shrink back to where they were in my teens, honestly. Things are just a pain to deal with. But no, Dibella saw fit to bless me with these monstrosities." She grumbled, at least able to breathe a tad easier now. "Or rather, monstrosi-titties."
Bishop groaned in disdain at her joke.
Spotting a tall, sturdy oak tree nearby, Eroeh darted for it, swinging herself gracefully into the branches before scurrying up as high as she could reach. Seeing her head poking out of the foliage, Bishop became rather nervous wondering if she would fall. He cautiously positioned himself underneath her, ready to catch her in case she did. "Would you get your crazy ass back down here before you fall and break your neck? The hell are you even doing up there anyways?" He chided from the ground. "For your information, I am VERY surefooted! And if you must know, I'm trying to gauge how long its gonna take us to get where we're going!" She shouted down to him, causing the limb she was on to wiggle suspiciously. "I can see the springs from here! And if that's the right patch of mountains on the other side, it should only beAH!" she was cut off by her limb bowing in the breeze before snapping abruptly under her weight.
Before she could hit the ground, though, her ever-prepared companion caught her bridal style- the impact knocking him down into the grass on his ass. "My hero~" she cooed before planting a comically loud smooch on his cheek, smushing her face into his in doing so. "Crazy wench, you'd have died if I hadn't been here, ya know!" he chastised, dropping her roughly on the ground. "OW! Ass…" she grumbled, rubbing her sore bottom. "As I was trying to say, it should only be maybe four days journey from here if we cut directly across. I spotted a giants' camp a ways off that's in our path, but we should be able to avoid it. Unless you're looking to take them on for sport." She air-quoted the last word, referencing Bishops earlier monologue. He shrugged indifferently. "Fine by me." Was his only response.
They made their way through the springs with relative ease, bypassing the rather depressed looking giant without issue. Seemed his mammoth had gone down in the hot water and he just refused to leave its side after it'd died. Finally finding the cave, the pair took out the outside guard and uncaged wolves with minimal noise or difficulty. Once inside, they played rock-paper-scissors to see who'd get to take out the singular bouncer that was blocking their way. Bishop won, and as the guard went down, Eroeh tuck-and-rolled silently to the cage that lay just a few meters from him. Effortlessly picking the lock to the cage, she opened the door and offered her hand to the big, beautiful russet wolf that lay inside it. "You must be Karnwyr~" she said sweetly as he nuzzled against her hand appreciatively. He was bleeding fairly heavily in a few places, so she knew he'd been fought, but the fact that he was still relatively intact was a good sign. Bishop kneeled next to his furry brother, glad to have him back. "Hold him still, he's wounded. I have a potion we can use." Eroeh whispered, digging in a side pocket of her bag. Bishop held him still with little effort, as Karnwyr chose not to fight back. Pouring the contents down his gullet, Eroeh rubbed his throat soothingly to make sure he swallowed. Within seconds his gashes closed and his limp disappeared, revealing a much more alert and easygoing wolf. "How about we play a game for old times' sake, buddy. I'll shoot an arrow into one of these bandit bastards knees, and you can go rip his face off!" Bishop said with a newfound vigor.
Eroeh was already making her way into the main chamber, dagger in hand. To do this to such beautiful animals warranted death in her eyes. Dashing across the wooden walkway, she rushed a group of onlookers who were cheering on the current fight. Silent as a shadow they each fell in quick succession, throats cut deep enough to render their voices useless. Noticing the sudden silence, the keeper of the wolves turned in time to catch Bishop's arrow to his collarbone, and Eroeh's dagger to his neck. Carrying on through the cave, she ran into the ringleaders' den, calling on her Bosmer blood to ally a still caged pair of wolves to her cause. Unlocking their crates, she set them loose on the remaining patrons and organizers that had rallied around the bar. The poor beasts were already weak from being fought but didn't die before mauling their fair share of bandits.
Finishing off the remaining wounded patrons, Bishop took to raiding the food and ale, while Eroeh gathered the fallen canines in the center of the ring. "May Hircine give you peace." She said solemnly as she summoned a flame in her hand, igniting their corpses. Once she was satisfied that the fire wouldn't peter out, she made her way back to the leaders' den, looting a master-locked chest. Would be tricky to open… that is if she weren't the one cracking it. "Got some goodies in here, Bishop!" she called out, removing a few purses of gold, a handful of decent quality gems, and a couple of high-quality potions from within. Noting a shelf nearby, she eyed indistinct, violet-colored glass vials neatly arranged to the side. Opening one up, she took a whiff. "Ugh, skooma." she groaned, her nose wrinkled at the smell. She resolved herself to casually dropping each of the glass bottles with an exaggerated "Whoops" or "Oh, how clumsy of me" and accidentally stepping on those that didn't immediately shatter with the hard heel of her boot. Grabbing an expensive-looking enchanted staff from a container nearby, she was thoroughly satisfied with her success in that room.
Walking back, she could see Bishop relaxing at the bar, contentedly indulging in a bottle of ale and a mouthful of cheese. A lupine grin spread across his face as he dangled a fat coin purse at her. Smiling back, she held up the multiple sacks she'd found in the chest and tossed them one by one to him, his eyes lighting up at their weight. Walking up, Eroeh took hold of his chin, using the pad of her thumb to brush a cheesy crumble from the stubble just under his lip.
"So," she started casually, "Now that Karnwyr is safe, what's next for the dashing duo?" she asked, nabbing a bottle of wine from under the counter, nonchalantly knocking another bottle of skooma she'd spotted to the floor without looking at it like a cat with a cup. "I gotta say, I didn't think a little lady like you had it in ya. I suppose I could be persuaded to stay; who knows what kind of trouble you could get us into." He answered, a not so subtle purr of interest in his voice. "Oh, I'm sure I can find something. I'm a woman of many talents, Bishop, so it'd be in your best interest not to underestimate me." She mused in return, matching his wicked gaze as she playfully booped his nose.
She'd peaked his curiosity, that much was for sure. He'd seen the way she'd effortlessly snuck amongst the onlookers, killing them all before they'd even had the chance to register what was happening. If he had to guess, based on her ability he'd peg her as a pro, but her personality was way off. Most assassins he'd had the displeasure of crossing paths with were withdrawn, paranoid, and painfully obsessive about neatness. The crazy wench still hadn't even realized that one of her tits was making a break from her armor. He was trying his damndest to keep from staring, but the pale pink bullseye was beckoning his attention, daring him to look.
Clearing his throat, he motioned towards her chest, an embarrassed gasp escaping her lips before she ducked down behind the bar to adjust herself. "Sorry!" she squeaked, "Thanks… for letting me know…" she muttered sheepishly as she tried to stuff the offending boob back into place. "Not that I wasn't enjoying the show or anything, but you really need to do something about that. We'll take the southern pass and stop by Helgen on the way back around to Riverwood. If your shit isn't there, you're buying something new, and I won't hear you arguing with me about it either." He stated, downing the remainder of his ale. "Fine by me, and I won't." She conceded meekly, a deep crimson spreading across her cheeks.
After gathering any food that could survive the journey back, the trio backtracked towards the Throat of the World, cutting across the massive mountain's southern side towards Helgen. They'd run across a hagraven nest along the way, both agreeing that running was in their best interest. Eroeh'd caught a firebolt in the back during their escape, burning the laces on her corset and leaving just the thin leather camisole underneath it to cover her. From that point on she'd had to travel with her arms wrapped around her middle, for one thing to keep her boobs from escaping, and two to keep the cold out. To keep the tone light, Bishop pestered her constantly to sing for him. She wasn't stupid. She could tell he was only asking to mock the profession, so she'd adamantly refused each and every time.
Even with her old cloak, Eroeh was freezing her tits off, and in no mood. Bishop, damn him and his full-blooded Nordness, was perfectly fine in the snow, even offering to serve as her bedwarmer. Though, with his tone of voice she couldn't tell if it was a serious offer or if he was just being gross. Gods knew it sounded tempting though once the temperature dropped. Rounding towards Helgen, Bishop took in the gravity of what Eroeh had told him the day they'd met. Some of the towers were still smoking now almost a week later, the scorched black walls of the town keep showing that something had been very determined to get in.
Kneeling in front of the executioners' block, Eroeh laughed despite herself at how funny it was that the damn block remained perfectly intact while the rest of the town was in ruins. Searching nearby, she spotted her oiled, rainproof rucksack, and was beyond grateful that it was unharmed beneath some rubble. Digging out her bag, as well as her stalhrim bow and its quiver of matching arrows, she walked over into one of the somewhat intact houses to change. Bishop decided to look around while she was busy, touching the still warm stone walls that'd been scorched by dragon flames. He noted the large, deep gouges that marked what looked like a temporary perch on an outer wall, dreading to imagine the sheer size of the beast that made them.
Within five or so minutes she was done changing; having cut the laces to quickly free herself of her old attire. Eroeh had learned the hard way from that first set that laces alone were a hassle, so she'd sewn small, hand-forged steel clasps along the insides of most of the revised version. Giving herself a once-over, she nodded in satisfaction, happy that now not only were the girls now properly corralled, they were warm. She'd lined her armor to protect against the cold and was more than glad for the foresight to do so. Walking up behind Bishop, she'd forgotten about the muffle enchantment on her boots, and scared him half to death when she'd placed her hand on his back. Once his heartrate returned to normal, he got a good look at his companion. The armor she'd been wearing before had been very ill-fitted indeed, smushing her now wonderfully curvaceous figure. He swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly feeling something akin to the Alik'r desert. This had definitely been a detour worth taking. He mentally high-fived himself for insisting on it.
Despite still leaving gaps exposed to the open air, he noticed she was no longer shivering or complaining of the cold. "Resist frost I assume?" he motioned over her ensemble as a whole. "Hmm, among other things." She said confidently, glad to be back in her second-skin. This armor had been made of much better materials than the first; the rich, dyed black leather being lined with soft doeskin for comfort and warmth against her body. Her decorative skills had also improved greatly, making the embellishments on her armor shine clearly in the fading sunlight. Her oversized bearskin cloak had even remained intact, acting as a barrier of sorts to protect the rest of the items within the bag. She stroked the soft fur that lined the edges, grateful to once again feel it against her fingers. "Ready to go?" She questioned sheepishly, trying to avoid his stare. Shaking himself out of it, he awkwardly nodded in return and readjusted himself once he knew she couldn't see him behind her. Her elven ears could pick up the soft shuffle of his leather pants, as well as his barely audible complaining. And here I'd thought he wasn't interested in me. she thought with a smirk. This was turning into a rather interesting journey, indeed.
"Stupid wench…with her stupid tits…and stupid…hips…" Bishop grumbled irritably to himself, trying to adjust his now unbearably tight pants. When he'd agreed to let her tag along, he thought she'd been nothing more than a pretty face with just some half-decent cleavage for him to ogle until she decided that travelling in the wilds was too scary. Now, she was this… this… temptress, sculpted by Dibella herself, deadly as Hircine with a bow, and just as wild and unpredictable as the forests she'd come from. He wanted to know more about her- surely there was more to her than he'd seen, there had to be. He shook the thought from his head; reminding himself that he shouldn't care who or what she was, he didn't care about people. Why in Oblivion was he so mystified by the woman before him? Her tracks in the snow were the only indicator that she was even real, and not just something his ale-addled brain had created.
"You know," Eroeh spoke, slowing to a stop and checking their surroundings. "As good as my eyesight is, I'm no Khajiit. We should set up camp for the night since we're still a good distance from Riverwood." She finished, finally making eye contact with the Ranger at her side. "I'll set up camp if you can go gather firewood. That stone overhang over there is as good a spot to camp as any for the night." She finished, shrugging her shoulders. He nodded in agreement, thankful for a reason to be away from her for a while. Whistling softly, he called Karnwyr to his side, and the pair made off into the woods, leaving Eroeh to her thoughts.
Angling the bedrolls so both she and Bishop had a good view of the area around them, she smiled, thinking of how grateful she was to have someone with her. For the last two years she'd travelled alone. The downside was she didn't sleep much out in the wilderness. If she did, it was usually up in the trees, sitting up with her back against the trunk on some well-hidden branch. It was safe, but not exactly comfortable or warm. Sleeping in a perfect stranger's company for the past week hadn't exactly been an easy thing for her, given her trust issues and healthy skepticism. Something about Bishop seemed kindred to her, though, so she'd gone against her own rules and given the mouthy bastard her trust. It was exciting for her being in his presence; his confidence and cocky attitude made her feel alive. The fact that they were always so naturally in tune when fighting was exhilarating. She'd hoped against her better judgement that he'd stick around for a while, beginning to dread the thought of being on her own again.
Just as she finished arranging their camp, Bishop returned with a couple armfuls of dry wood, followed by Karnwyr carrying a particularly large branch in his mouth, looking rather pleased with himself. Giggling as she graciously took what looked like a sapling from him, she scratched him under the chin, earning her hand a slobbery lick and a dopey dog grin. "Karnwyr really is sweet." She said thoughtfully as the wolf trotted off, probably in search of an unsuspecting rabbit to maim. "He likes you, you know. You wanna know why?" he asked, causing her to turn towards him, not realizing his face was mere inches from hers. "You're not afraid of him. You understand what he is, and more importantly what he's capable of." He said, his voice low and amber eyes dark with an emotion she couldn't place. "Well once you understand an animal, there's no reason to fear it." She said, hesitating as he moved close enough that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her face. "Good to know we're on the same page then, Princess." He purred, his voice deep and husky so close to her ear.
Slowly grabbing his pack from behind her, he leaned back into his previous seat, smug as shit once he'd seen how red he'd made her with his actions. "Ass" she grumbled quietly enough that he couldn't hear as she arranged the wood and lit the campfire. She refused to make eye contact with him the rest of the night, looking instead at anything and everything but him. She knew what he was doing. It's not like she'd been trying to seduce him, but if that's the game he wanted to play, then so be it. If he was anything like her she was certain she could break him. This was one game of 'Nervous' she was determined not to lose. She couldn't help how her body had reacted to his little display earlier; it'd been ages since she'd been so close to a man, let alone been spoken to in that tone of voice. Hell, she hadn't even touched herself in well over a year now that she'd thought about it.
Thinking back to the sound of his voice and the feel of his hot breath on her neck as he leaned over her, she shifted uncomfortably on the log she sat on as she kept first watch. "Stupid ranger…with his stupid voice… and stupid, nice smell…" she grumbled ignoring the tingling heat she could feel building in her core. After a while, she checked the twin moons position in the sky, deeming it his turn to take watch. Carefully pocketing Bishop's knife from under his pillow and moving his bow out of reach, she changed out of her leather chest piece and corset. Now in a soft, billowy shirt that belonged to an old flame, she took her boots off and left her leather pants on underneath. Sensing no threat, Karnwyr, who'd woke up to watch her, laid his head back down and went back to sleep.
Seeing that his breathing was still slow and unchanged she lowered herself, straddling above his lap, hovering just out of touch with her hands hovering expectantly over his wrists. Pulling her hair over her shoulder, she lowered her lips next to the exposed side of his throat, gently whispering Bishop's name in his ear. She was so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. As he began to stir with a soft groan, she sweetly beckoned him to wake up, nipping his earlobe playfully with a sultry giggle. At the nip of his ear his eyes shot open, one hand grabbing at a dagger that was no longer there, and the other trying to pull himself up, only to be held fast against his bedroll by a deceptively strong hand with delicate, slender fingers. Whipping his head to look at his assaulter, his face burned red in the firelight as his amber eyes locked onto Eroeh's, her carnal gaze burning right through him as she smiled, biting her lip.
He swallowed hard, again at a loss for words. "Your turn for watch, Bishop~" She purred, kissing the tip of his nose playfully before slowly raising herself above him. The bottoms of her breasts were fully visible from his angle beneath her. He both cursed and praised her in his mind for her unwavering hatred of smallclothes. She walked away with a hand on her hip and a sway in her step, balancing the point of his stolen dagger on the tip of her index finger before swiping it out of thin air without effort, as if she weren't even remotely afraid of its razor-sharp edge. She tossed it behind her without looking, the knife landing handle-up in the soil just a few blades of grass away from his bare hand. Just who the fuck is this crazy wench? sped through his mind as he watched her calmly settle into her bedroll like nothing happened. He cut his eyes at her as he felt his manhood rising in his bedroll with a vengeance. Oh, it's on Princess. He thought maliciously, reaching for his quilted leather jacket.
Eroeh giggled to herself in her bedroll, she could practically hear the steam coming out of his ears, amused at the thought of a Bishop-Dwarven Centurion hybrid. That's what you get. She thought mischievously as she got cozy, falling asleep rather easily considering the positively fuming ranger that was supposed to be guarding her. While she slept, he pondered restlessly over all the ways he could get her back. She would definitely be in for it later.