Slamming the door behind him Flagstaff stormed across the floor of the Sunken Flagon and nearly threw himself into one of the stools at the bar. Duncan, standing nearby polishing a glass arched an eyebrow at him but wisely said nothing.
"I swear to the gods Duncan, if Moire drags me out there one more time on some stupid errand to bribe or bully some poor wretch I'm going to join the bloody Watch to get into Blacklake." Fuming he quickly downed the drink Duncan placed in front of him. "Thanks Duncan."
"Think nothing of it lad." The innkeeper poured him another drink. "Though I must say I fail to see the problem. You wanted to work for the Shadow Thieves and you are. Quite a lot of work it seems eh?" Smiling he poured himself a drink and sat down next to the wizard.
"Pfft! Work? Duncan I have spent 3 days tramping up and down every street and back alley in the entire docks district collecting coppers from shopkeepers for protection and paying Watchmen to look the other way while I am doing it. It's a ridiculous waste of time and it's getting me no closer to Blacklake and whoever this Aldanon character is."
He paused a moment to finish his drink and pour himself another. "And every time I ask her about it she brushes me off, then today I find out she isn't even the one to make the call. So what? I've been doing all this work for nothing? Bah!" He slammed his glass down in frustration then cursed softly under his breath as he wiped the splashed liquor off his hand. Chuckling at the wizard's actions Duncan handed him a cloth.
"Well lad what did you expect? You'd walk into the city, announce your intentions and everyone would throw open their doors to you? Heh heh. Lad, Neverwinter has swallowed many a man without chewing. Can't say I know everything involved but I can't imagine getting you into Blacklake is as easy as getting you into the stables."
Making a non-committal grunt Flagstaff managed to stop focusing on his own problems and look around the empty common room. "Um Duncan? Where in the hells is everyone? You should be packed this time of day."
"Can't say for sure, but aye you're right." Shrugging his shoulders Duncan stood up. "Innkeeping isn't an exact science mind you, in any event I have some things that need doing in the back. Hold down the fort until I get back will you?" Without waiting for an answer he disappeared through a door behind the bar.
Sitting alone, hunched over his drink Flagstaff brooded over his situation, considered his options: which were few. Despite what he had told Duncan he had absolutely no intention of joining the watch for any reason. And that meant having to go through Moire and her gang…and this Axle who Moire apparently answered to. He was in a situation that he couldn't talk, bribe or threaten his way out of and it grated on him fiercely. He had to play Moire's stupid game until she gave him what he wanted. Hearing a sound behind him he looked casually over his shoulder at the druidess Elanee as she came into the common room. Their eyes met and both of them froze in place.
It was the first time they had been alone since that night, something that Flagstaff had worked to avoid. Her eyes were large, soft and beautiful and in them he saw a desperate question. A question he had no intention of acknowledging. Tearing his eyes from hers he turned back to his drink without speaking. The petite druid let out the breath she did not realize she had been holding. Her mouth worked soundlessly as she searched for the words that would not be rudely thrown back at her or responded to with venom and scorn.
The wizard watched her in the reflection of his glass and when she took a tentative step toward him he finally spoke. "What do you want druidess?" His words were impatient and cold as if he were being interrupted at some important task and not staring mindlessly into his drink.
Elanee faltered a moment at first then closing the gap between them to only six or seven feet she found her voice. "We need to talk." Her words sounded remarkably steady to her considering the flips her stomach was doing at the moment. Turning around he pinned her with those cold blue eyes.
"Oh we do, do we? I can't think of anything we might need to discuss." He waved his glass at her, a fake smile splitting his face, "But please indulge yourself. What do we need to talk about?"
"Can you really think of nothing? You know what Im speaking of. I do not believe it meant nothing to you. I know you felt someth…" Her words were cut off as he jumped to his feet.
"You can believe anything you want druidess, but that doesn't make it so."
"Stop calling me that!" Her shriek was as unexpected to her as it was by the wizard, and the shock on his face was worth the strain she felt in her throat. "I have been nothing but civil and courteous to you despite you being an insulting, overbearing boorish son of a goat! I have a name and by the Mere you know what it is!"
Caught off guard by the small elf's uncharacteristic fury the ice dropped from his eyes and involuntarily he took a step back from her. Seeing him retreat slightly she planted herself firmly in front of him and glared up at him through her long dark lashes. Seeing the confusion begin to lose out to the anger on his face she pushed forward. "Now I have one question for you Flagstaff of West Harbour." Pushing her face close to his, her eyes angry and intense she slowly and deliberately spoke. "Do you wish me to stay or go?"
"What in the hells do you mean? Go where…" The confusion and uncertainty were slowly draining from his face, anger being forced to the surface as he regained his mental equilibrium.
"You know exactly what I mean! Do not tell me I am imagining anything. Just answer my question." A note of pleading entered her voice. "Please….just tell me whether to stay or go….do you want me here or not?" Her eyes filled with unshed tears as they looked up into his glittering cold blue eyes. Again she thought for a moment that something more shone briefly out from behind his cold impenetrable walls. But before she could be sure, he turned his head away and spoke over his shoulder as he stepped around her.
"I wish you had stayed in your swamp." Catching the fabric of his sleeve gently with her fingers she halted him and he froze as if a vice had locked onto his arm. Moving in front of him once again she raised her shaking hands and placed them on his chest. She imagined she could feel his heart beating…was it just wishful thinking or was it beating as fast as hers?
"You didn't answer my question…do you want me to go? ...or stay?" Her voice wavered on the last word. Recalling the last time she had stood this close to him she felt her cheeks colour faintly. The eyes that looked down at her did not have the warmth that she had hoped for but neither were they as cold and forbidding. They gave away nothing at all. "Flagstaff?" her words whispered through the silence. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment then parted his lips to speak.
Just then the front door to the inn swung open with a loud crash. Elanee jumped forward and clutched tightly at Flagstaff's chest. His arms quickly came up to encircle her shoulders, pulling her close. When his eyes opened once more they were blazing a fierce blue as he glared at the man who entered.
He was the standard grubby street thug that Flagstaff came across every day. He grinned nastily when he saw them.
"Ah just who I was looking for. If you two young lovers will be so good as to come with me, Axle Devrie wants to talk to you." He smiled crookedly at them displaying several missing teeth. Frowning at the thug's 'lovers' comment Flagstaff quickly released the druid but moved to stand in front of her.
"You are mistaken, you grotesque troll, we are not going anywhere. You can tell Devrie that perhaps I shall see him tomorrow but…" The thug gurgled with an ugly chuckle and raised his hand. At the motion, men began filing into the room from every door. Street toughs for the most part but scattered throughout the throng were several hedge wizards and assassins that Flagstaff recognized as wearing the garb that marked them from Amn.
"I really do think that Axle will be seeing you tonight." said the man.
Running his eyes over the crowd Flagstaff guessed that there were maybe fifteen to twenty of them. He thought quickly: with Elanee's help they could probably kill them all, or at least enough so the others would run away. But then he would have to find his own way into Blacklake, and so far his attempts had not yielded any fruit. Behind him, feeling him relax, Elanee allowed herself to do the same.
"Very well. We will follow you," brushing past the leader he mutter darkly, "but I will not forget this." Having little choice but to follow him, Elanee gathered her cloak around her and with head held high walked after Flagstaff with as much dignity as she could muster.
* * *
"I am quite sorry for the somewhat intimidating invitation. My men sometimes get a little over ambitious. Over zealous you might say. A commendable trait to be sure in some instances but not all unfortunately."
The room they were sitting in belonged in the mansion of a minor noble not the den of the head of Neverwinter's thieves' guild. Axle Devrie himself lounged on a couch casually sipping wine from a crystal goblet apparently at perfect ease. Flagstaff and Elanee sat stiffly opposite him in plush red velvet chairs. A servant brought them a silver tray laden with wine and cheeses. Elanee took a bit of cheese to nibble, then made a face at the wine and shook her head. Flag ignored the servant entirely.
"I don't care how zealous your men are. You do that to me again and you can come and collect your men with a broom." The mage's voice was as icy as his eyes but he made a show of leaning back casually. "Now what is it you wished to talk to me about? I assume you did not…invite…me here just to discuss the behaviour of your men."
Chuckling, Axle sat up straight, "But of course not. No, I have brought you here because I believe we can be of service to each other."
"Oh really and how is that?" Flagstaff smiled coolly at Axle, a smile that never touched his eyes.
Axle absently waved his glass and the servant ran forward to fill it up. "Well it has come to my attention that you wish to enter Blacklake. I am already aware that Moire has promised you this if you help her. Unfortunately for you, Moire is a subordinate of mine and does not have the authority to grant you that which was promised."
"But you, I am assuming, do… is that right?" Elanee shifted irritably, while able to follow the conversation had yet to figure out why she was brought along unless it was simply that she was with Flag at the time. Having nothing directly to contribute to the conversation she instead began studying their surroundings hoping to see or find something useful in case they had to escape quickly.
"Oh most assuredly, there is no one higher among the Shadow Thieves then he who stands before you now." With a mocking smile he bowed slightly from his seat.
"So assuming you could find it in your heart to help me out of my predicament what would it be costing me?"
"Oh put your money away sir, I assure you I have little need for more. No, instead I propose an exchange of favours. What do you answer to that?"
"I answer that it sounds an awful lot like what Moire said to get me running errands for her." Flagstaff's lips tightened as he spoke.
"Yes well as I said Moire over extended herself with her promise of gratitude. I, on the other hand, can actually deliver. Assuming yourself and the Lady Flagstaff agree of course." At his words he made an elegant gesture toward Elanee.
"Me?" She blushed furiously, berating herself for reacting so visibly in front of this man. She cursed Flagstaff profusely in her mind for unsettling her wits so much.
The wizard waved a hand dismissively. "She is not my wife Axle, merely an elf who travels with me for convenience sake." Though the wizard appeared coldly calm on the subject Axle noticed the elf's face flinch slightly at the callous tone.
"Indeed?" Devrie turned a charming smile to Elanee. "Then may I have the honor of hearing your name my dear, that I may know what to call this image of beauty that sits before me."
Smiling slightly she arched an eyebrow at him while answering. "You may call me Elanee Master Devrie." Closing her eyes briefly she bowed her head slightly to him.
"Please my good woman, I must insist you call me Axle. And as long as you are in the city it would bring me much honor and pleasure if you would make use of my humble abode. As you can see I have many empty rooms and I have no doubt you will enhance the quality of the conversation here immeasurably." Elanee's eyes quickly darted to Flagstaff, then turning back to Axle she smiled politely to him.
"Well…thank you Master Devrie…I mean Axle. I am quite honored by your offer, I…"
Leaning forward Flagstaff cut her off coldly, "Do we have business to discuss Devrie or did you want to continue flirting with the hired help?" Emphasizing his words with a glare at them both his eyes finally came to rest on Axle's once more. Giving Elanee an apologetic smile he patted her hand lightly.
"Sorry my dear, back to business it would seem." Turning a cold smile to Flagstaff's frowning face he spoke briskly. "Very well. There was an emissary traveling from Waterdeep to Neverwinter. While crossing through the mountains it seemed he went missing. I require you to find him. In exchange for this I will guarantee your admittance to the Blacklake district. What say you?"
"I say, rather ask, why does a thief care about an emissary from anywhere? And why not send one of your flunkies? You seem to have more then enough fools following you." Crossing his arms across his chest Flagstaff leaned back and looked at Devrie with suspicion.
"Tell me my dear Elanee," he said looking to the elf with a faint smile, "Is he always this charming or is it just me that brings it out of him?"
"Actually, I believe you have caught him on a good day." Despite herself Elanee found that she liked this Axle Devrie. She had no illusions about how dangerous he may be or how phony his persona was, but he had quite a charming disposition and she couldn't help but answer back with the same. "Normally he would have started throwing threats around by now." She smiled blandly at the fuming wizard and popped a bit of cheese into her mouth.
With thunderheads darkening his face, Flagstaff sprang angrily to his feet. When he spoke his voice with thick with suppressed rage. "If you two are finished with this foolishness, you will answer my questions Axle or I will be leaving now and gods help whomever gets between me and the door."
Axle lounged back almost casually and stared at the enraged wizard through narrow eyes for several heart beats; during which he slowly sipped his wine. Carefully setting the crystal goblet down he answered.
"The area the emissary has gone missing in is called Old Owl Well. It is an area that until recently has been under orc control. Greycloaks have a…tenuous... hold on it at best just now. But to answer your questions more specifically, I do not send my own people as none of them are equipped to handle the level of danger likely to be encountered in those mountains; let alone if a rescue from the orcs is required. And I believe your other question was why would I care about an emissary from Waterdeep? Well your answer is nothing. I care nothing for this emissary. What I care about his having a man with influence and position in Neverwinter that owes me for saving their life. Is that all clear enough for you? Good, now do you accept or not? Your company has become trying."
Two pairs of glacially cold eyes struck cold sparks as the two men measured each other up for a long moment.
"Very well….if it gets me into Blacklake I will find this fool of an emissary for you." Flagstaff turned to head for the door as Axle spoke once more.
"I am so glad we could come to an understanding. I will have my men outside escort you to the city gates where I have some horses and provisions stored. I understand the road is quite long and rough, however I believe you will have all you need waiting for you." The smile and charm had come back with the wizard's assent.
"Escort me? I have no intention of leaving this instant. I have other business to attend to first, then I will see to our agreement." At Axle's words Flagstaff had frozen and turnied as he spoke, regarding Axle with an expression that recalled a smooth sheet of ice.
"Oh did I not mention it? How careless of me." He smiled toothily at the wizard. "You see the thing is, the Nine have sent their own people to find him as well. And it will do me no good at all if you find him after they do. And as they already have a head start I will be needing to you leave very soon. Immediately in fact."
"We agreed to no such thing Devrie. If I wanted to be somebody's hound I would have joined the Watch."
"Well of course I would not dream of forcing you to do anything against your will. You can certainly do whatever you like. However I require that the person who does me this favour leaves within the hour. But if you have other business to attend to I will have to find someone else. Have yourself a pleasant day, sir. I am sure Moire will have some more 'important' work for you to do tomorrow."
Raising his glass in salute, Axle nodded graciously to Flagstaff. Standing completely immobile the wizard stared, unblinking, at the casually seated man. Tensely, Elanee watched Flag, her clenched hands hidden within the folds of her cloak. Rarely had she seen him this angry and was not at all certain what his reaction would be. After what seemed an eternity the set of Flagstaff's shoulders relaxed slightly and in a voice cold with controlled anger he agreed to Axle's terms. Striding over to the doorway he stood waiting, his eyes on Elanee. He was very obviously waiting for her to join him. Elanee rose smoothly to her feet and gave a polite smile and nod of her head to Axle.
"Ah, my Lady Elanee, before you go I have an offer for you. While your…um…benefactor, is away on business I would like to once more offer you the run of my estate for as long as you wish, in whatever capacity you may need. I understand you are currently staying at the Sunken Flagon. I assure you I can offer much more in the way of hospitality." Taking her hand in his, he let his lips brush it gently.
Flag's voice rose harshly from across the room. "I do not believe this. Did you not just tell us we needed to be out of the city in an hour?"
"No sir, what I said was that I require you to be out of the city in an hour. I do not recall including this enchantingly lovely lady in our negotiations." As he spoke he did not take his eyes from Elanee's darkly lashed, almond shaped green eyes. Her hand still in his he squeezed her fingers briefly. "So I believe the choice to be hers."
While not at all taken in by the man's words she couldn't help but notice he was fairly attractive. And, were she honest with herself, she would have to admit she was flattered by his words and actions. Elanee had come across many strange customs and behaviours in her recent travels to the various towns and cities and had had to adjust to the differences. She had to admit this was one 'civilized' behaviour that required no accommodating. Even though his mannerisms and actions were courtly and respectful she was not so naïve as not see what his true intent was. Such actions and attractions being a part of the natural order of the world she took no offense to it and was in fact flattered. It was the civilized man's habit of acting brutally and violently on these feelings that angered her and she thought darkly to herself recalling the events of not so many days ago. Banishing such thoughts from her mind she smiled dazzlingly up at him. Opening her mouth to politely tell him that she must regrettably refuse such a fine offer, she suddenly became aware of Flagstaff standing at her shoulder. Feeling him tightly, almost painfully grip her arm just above her elbow she looked up at him with surprise and irritation.
"No Axle, it is not her decision. Nor is it yours. She came in with me and she will be leaving with me. If we must depart within the hour then we will. And I will be burned in the nine hells if I stay in this house a moment longer." His words came out from between clenched teeth. Maintaining his forceful grip on her arm Elanee allowed herself to be marched through the house. Once outside she tore her arms from his grasp and glared at the wizard.
"Just what do you think you are doing? Let go of me! What are you…"
Cutting her off sharply the wizard brought his face close to hers, "You listen to me druidess, if you want to come back and be Axle's little whore you are welcome to it but for right now…."
Their words were interrupted by several of Axle's armed men coming out of the house behind them. "We have orders to escort you to your horses at the edge of town, so lets not be all day about it." Forming the escort around them they headed off to the city gates with out further ado. Flagstaff, seething inside, walked calmly between his guards neither speaking nor looking at Elanee.
* * *
They had made the journey to the city gates without a word and now, several miles outside of Neverwinter, still not a word had been spoken. Flagstaff rode slightly ahead of her no matter how she tried to catch up. Every time she would try to move her horse beside him to talk, he would increase his horse's stride until she fell back again. Other then that he paid her no mind whatsoever. After their second hour of silence Elanee sharply reigned her horse in in the middle of the road and dismounted.
"Flagstaff, this is ridiculous. And I assure you I will not ride a foot farther until you speak to me. I will not ride all the way to Old Owl Well in silence while you sulk." Crossing her arms beneath her breasts she stared at him sternly. Turning his horse around swiftly he rode back toward her.
"Sulking? Sulking am I?" His words were cold and sharp but his eyes burned with anger. "I am not sulking I am fighting down the rage that makes me want to strangle you and leave you by the side of the road for the ravens." He did not raise his voice, his words came out quiet and dark as he too dismounted.
"Me? Wha…" Elanee's eyes widened in surprise. That he had been angry she had no doubt: that had been quite obvious. That the rage was of such magnitude, and directed towards her was something she had not expected.
"Oh do not act like you do not understand druidess. I basically get kidnapped by a thief and murderer, dragged across the city and thrown into a house where I am told that all the 'work' I have done for that fool Moire the last 4 days has been for nothing. Then while I am being bribed, threatened and coerced into traveling into the middle of a bloody war for something that doesn't matter to me in the slightest, I am forced to watch you and Axle carry on like a whore and her client trying to close the deal." His jaw began to ache from clenching it as he spoke. As he angrily strode toward her Elanee fell back a step or two but at his last sentence her eyes blazed to match his, and she stood toe to toe with him.
"How dare you! You have no right to…"
Not pausing with his words he spoke right over top of her. "The whole time while I am being jerked around like a fish with a hook in its mouth the two of you sat there…flirting. Him looking at you like a dog in heat trying to decide which room to rut you in first, and you looking at him with such an open invitation I was surprised you didn't spread your legs for him right there!" His whole body shook with rage now, but looking in his eyes she saw something more then anger, something he was desperately trying to hide. She felt her answering, offended anger subside slightly and when she spoke her voice was quiet.
"And why do you care with whom I choose to 'rut' with? You have made it very clear that you want nothing to do with me have you not? In fact I believe you promised to kill me if I so much as touched you." Straining to keep any emotion from her face she looked up into his. Turning away abruptly he began pacing, keeping his eyes from her.
"I do not care whom you bed, druidess. You can take Khelgar to your room or give yourself away on the streets of the docks, it makes no difference to me, you can open your legs to all of Neverwinter for all I care. What I cannot stand is not being in control of my life. And since I have come to Neverwinter I have not had a say in anything! I merely run back and forth and do as I am told. And to be ignored by this…this Devrie fool while you and he talk about how much use you'll get out of his bed…" His words trailed off into angry splutters. Fighting to keep the cutting pain and anger his words caused from her face and voice she spoke, wiping away the single tear that escaped from her eyes.
"Then why am I here, Flagstaff? Why did you insist on forcefully dragging me out of there and all this way?" Ignoring her he continued his pacing muttering to himself. "Why!?" Fists clenched in anger and hurt she shouted the single word.
Unthinking the wizard spun to face her and shouted back. "Because I need you!" Both of them froze, their faces mirrors of shock. Regaining his composure first, Flagstaff turned away and mounted his horse. When she next saw his face it was once more the cold unemotional mask that always faced the world. "I did not have time to gather any of the others, after all I cannot slaughter an entire mountain of orcs on my own. I will need someone to tend my wounds, make the evening meals and so forth. And as you are the only one I have here, I suppose it is your help I will need." He made no move to say anything further or to move at all, he just sat on his horse looking down at her with that impenetrable expression on his face.
Elanee stared up at him, her mind a jumble of emotions. The anger and hurt were still there but underneath them now was something else. Something small that flickered and wouldn't allow itself to be extinguished. Hope, joy, vindication, she could not put a word to the feeling. Tearing her eyes from his she bowed her head a moment trying to settle her mind and collect her thoughts. Feeling her mind calm she made a decision and raised her head once more.
"You say that you have need of my services as healer in this dangerous place you are headed to. Ordinarily I would be happy to help." She kept her words calm and collected, with a stern edge to them. Much like the voice she used when haggling with a merchant she knew was shifty. "However as I have no reason to go to this place and you have given me no reason to wish to do you any favours, I demand a fee. And this fee will come in 3 parts." Seeing the wizard's brow darken and his mouth open angrily she raised a hand to forestall him. She had to still her face to hide her surprise when he actually closed his mouth and allowed her to continue. "The first part of my fee is that you allow me to ride beside you, hear whatever information you hear and have the opportunity to voice my opinion. I will not require that you act on my words: merely that you listen. Do you accept this first part?" She looked at him, coolly arching an eyebrow.
Frowning at her he thought it over looking for hidden meaning in it, making him promise more then he thought. Finding none he nodded to her his crinkled brow smoothing slightly. "You ask only that I let you ride at my side and that I keep no secrets regarding this task ahead of us? And that I let you speak? Bah, as if I could stop you. Very well I agree. What is the second part of this fee of yours?"
Ignoring the scorn in his voice she kept her eyes locked on his. "Secondly you will not shout or raise your voice to me in anger nor will you insult or belittle me. And of course I in turn will promise the same to you. Do you accept?" She stared up at him with forced blandness, watching the anger roll across his face. This will be a hard one for him, she thought, remembering how often his anger ruled him. Finally he nodded his head sharply not trusting himself not to break the promise with the words of the promise itself.
"Very well then. My final condition," She drew a breath. This was the most important one to her. All others she could and in reality would have to accept some bending on and give some leeway with. She was even willing to negotiate the first two almost entirely away if he agreed to the third.
"You must call me by my name." Seeing him open his mouth once more she hurried on. "No more 'elf' or 'druidess'. Should you wish to speak with me you must use my name. Those are my conditions. If you cannot accept them I shall turn around and head back to Neverwinter this instant!"
Elanee glared up at him defiantly, hiding her racing pulse and frantic mind. She knew that despite his actions in the past and what he might do in the future she could not let him travel into such danger alone, but neither could she continue on with the man like this. Every day she felt another piece of herself die, either through his actions towards her or seeing him with that tiefling's tail wrapped around him. Hiding all these emotions behind what she hoped was an uncaring, unemotional mask she stood her ground and waited for his answer.
"So, I agree to these things…to let you speak, to not yell and to use your name, and you will follow me, follow my orders, work as my healer and take over the camp chores? All that for so little?" he sneered openly at her. "Very well EL-a-NEE. Get back on your horse, we have a long way to go before we make camp tonight."
Slowly mounting her horse she thought about what she had just agreed to. Thinking that he had agreed to her conditions far to easily she wondered if maybe she had made a mistake after all. She had hoped that with those conditions, over time, he would come to speak and treat her decently. Riding beside him she began to wonder if maybe she had made a mistake.
* * *
According to the beasts of the forest, Old Owl Well was a week away at least. After two days of traveling Elanee was surprised to find that she had not once needed to remind Flagstaff of his promises. Not that they spoke a great deal; the only time they did talk was when he inquired about the weather for the day and if any of the animals knew the road conditions, and Elanee herself had given up attempts at small talk after the first day. He was not rude; he would just not respond at all. She could find no complaint in his actions,but he simply would not hold a conversation with her or do more then glance in her direction.
As far as camp chores went there was precious little to do. The food supplies Axle had prepared for them consisted of dried meat and fruits with a few loaves of bread. Along with their water bottles Devrie had also supplied them with a couple of wineskins and large flask of something a great deal stronger. They settled into a camp set up routine each night. Conjuring fire came easily to the wizard and he would incant a small fire and set some of their water to boil in one of the pots provided in their packs. Elanee, being in her element, would explore the woods around their camp and report back with any sources of fresh water and bring back any food she managed to forage, usually in the form of berries and tubers. The meal was always eaten in near silence and soon after the fire would be doused and they both would head to their blankets on either side of the camp.
The silence ate at Elanee, she searched desperately for something to say but always her words dried up looking into his cold blue eyes. She thought up and discarded several rather desperate plans to entice a reaction out of the wizard. She even was considering slapping or kissing him just to see if he would even respond to that but the memory of the last time she had kissed him kept her still.
During their third night's camp the silence was finally broken, and it was broken by Flagstaff.
"How long have you been watching me?" They were staring into the small camp fire from opposite sides just after they had finished their meager meal. His words were spoken softly and he did not take his eyes from the flames. So accustomed to the silence, Elanee jumped slightly as his quiet words pierced the darkness.
"Wha…what do you mean?" Stammering out her reply the druid panicked for a moment thinking he had caught her staring at him through her long lashes, watching the firelight play across his beautiful features.
The wizard raised his eyes and looked at her. Flagstaff's eyes gave away nothing, no anger, fear or even curiosity and Elanee wondered how much hers gave away. "At Skymirror, the druid there, he said you had been sent to watch me." His blue eyes bore into hers. "So, for how long have you been watching me?"
"Oh….well is time really so important? Suffice it to say it has been long enough." She tried to smile at him but it melted under his intense, emotionless stare.
"How long?"
Sighing slightly, Elanee looked away from him and gazed into the trees as if seeing something within the shadows there. "If I recall correctly you were about 8 years old when my circle decided to check up on you." She remained staring into the shadows afraid to look back at him, not knowing what his reaction would be, not knowing what she would see in his eyes. After several minutes of silence she risked looking back at him and found his blue eyes still waiting for her.
"Eighteen years. You have been watching me for eighteen years. Watching everything I have done. Seeing me when no one else could. Is that right?" His unwavering eyes held hers, his voice soft and steady.
Unable to look away, she felt herself falling into those eyes and she heard herself whisper a faint, "Yes." He sat staring, searching into her eyes and the minutes seemed to crawl.
Abruptly he stood up, looking down at her and seemingly struggling to speak. Finally settling simply on, "Goodnight." he crawled into his blankets without a backward glance and turned his back to her and fell asleep. Late into the night Elanee stared, long after the fire burned down, into the embers. Since Flagstaff had overheard the elder at Skymirror she had envisioned many different reactions from him; anger, hostility, mockery, laughter, almost anything other then that quiet voice and still face that hid what she was sure were chaotic swirls of thought.
As dawn broke Elanee emerged from her blankets to find the camp already packed up and stowed on the horses. Of Flagstaff there was no sign, his horse and supplies were still present so Elanee was not concerned that he had left without her. She bundled up her bedding and checked her horse and still there was no sight or sound of the wizard. A quick walk around the perimeter of the camp easily turned up his foot prints. After a moment's consideration she decided to follow them, he had been gone long enough now that she began to wonder what had happened to him. On the previous two mornings he had been so adamant about being on the road as soon as the sun crested the tree tops, and the sun was well above them now. Quickening her pace she followed his tracks deeper into the woods.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later she was still following his trail and her thoughts were becoming increasingly concerned. If his trail continued on as it was it would soon come upon a small river she had noticed last night when she had first scouted around. Very soon she began to hear the river up ahead of her but could not see it yet through the trees. The noise grew louder, then through the leaves and bushes she caught a glimpse of sunlight reflected on water and a moment later she saw a flicker of movement near the river's edge. Hoping it was Flagstaff ,she slipped into the underbrush and with a quick spell her skin and clothes shifted colours to match the leaves around her. She effortlessly glided between the trees making no more sound then the passing wind.
Passing through a dense patch of bushes her view to the river was suddenly clear. And standing at the water's edge she finally saw him. He stood with his back to her quickly pulling off his shirt. Opening her mouth to call out to him she froze as he then slid his breeches down and stepped out of them leaving him naked to the morning's light. She watched unmoving as he reached his arms over his head and arched his back stretching. With a soft grunt he lowered his arms and bent down to retrieve his clothes from the ground. Turning towards her he walked to the tree line and hung his clothes from a low branch. As he walked, Elanee had had leisure to view the whole of him.
Her eyes slid over his body starting at his eyes and moving over his shoulders remembering how they felt under her fingers. Traveling downwards her eyes came to rest between his legs. Soft as he was now, the sight brought to the forefront of her mind what was always lurking in the back. She felt the flesh between her own legs twitch at the sight and her hands tingled at the memory of feeling her fingers wrap around him.
After he had turned around and headed back to the water, Elanee felt the urging ache of her body trying to pull her after him. Sliding her hand between her legs she firmly pressed her swollen lips through the fabric; as her body shuddered in response she bit her lower lip to keep from gasping out loud. Gently stroking and caressing herself she watched as Flagstaff waded out into the river and pulled himself out into the deeper center, swimming to the far bank. Back and forth in the cold water he swam. Watching him Elanee continued to stroke between her legs, never allowing the pleasure to build too high but taking a sort of comfort from the weight and warmth of her hand and the feel of her fingers.
A short time later she watched as Flagstaff pulled himself out of the water. Shivering slightly from cold and exertion he walked a short way from the water and chanting under his breath summoned a small orb of fire that gently spun around him, warming and drying his body. As his skin warmed and the beads of water evaporated from his body Elanee noted that the temperature of his skin wasn't the only thing rising. Her breath caught as she watched the shaft between his legs slowly rise and harden. She felt the soft mound beneath her fingers heat up as if that same fiery orb were beneath her, felt her lower lips moisten and slide against each other. Fully dry now the wizard reached down, and gripping his hard length stroked it several times. Elanee felt her insides clench up watching him and it was with disappointment she saw him glance up at the sun, mutter and let go of himself before walking over to his clothes.
As soon as he began dressing she silently crept away and once out of earshot ran the back to the camp. The whole time she ran, every stride caused her to feel her swollen slick lips rub against each other and the sensitive, swollen bump they concealed. She arrived at the camp slightly out of breath and wholly aware of every inch of skin on her body; the cloth of her shirt brushing and caressing her nipples, the legs of her pants sliding over her hips and thighs, the cloth between her legs binding and forming itself to every curve they were suppose to hide. Trying to calm her breath she busied herself checking her horse which didn't need checking and repacking her bags.
After her third time going over her horse Flagstaff finally walked into what was left of their camp. While she waited Elanee had tried to think of various excuses as to what she had done with her morning in case he should ask. She couldn't help but glance down to the crotch of his pants looking for the bulge his hard member must be making. Blushing as she saw what she was looking for she lowered her head and hid her face behind her long auburn hair and retightened the saddle girth. Flagstaff either didnt notice or was pretending not to, quickly mounted his horse without a word and once she too was mounted rode back to the dirt packed trail that passed for a road.
That he mounted and left without speaking was not surprising to the druid, he did much the same every morning. What was different was that this time he had waited until she was mounted and ready before leaving. Previous mornings she had had to ride quickly to catch up to him. Not that he was obviously waiting for her, he appeared to be organizing his reins and making sure everything was secure. But as she watched him from the corner of her eye she noted that he seemed to be just going through the motions; he shuffled the reins around but didn't actually change anything, and as soon as she was mounted and ready suddenly everything was to his liking and they left.
Shortly after they began riding she became aware of a rapidly growing problem. Her nether regions, having not had the time to properly calm themselves, were rapidly reacting as her body slid and bumped its way over her saddle with the motions of the horse and the changing gaits. As they progressed the problem got worse. After a mere 30 yards each bump of the beast beneath her caused a wave of pleasure that emanating from between her legs to wash through her entire body. Tensing her body kept the slight tremors that moved through her body from being visible to the wizard next to her but heightened her awareness of the wet area between her legs. Trying to fight the tide that threatened to carry her away she looked everywhere but at the man riding next to her, but no matter where she looked the sent of him filled her nose. The light smell of sweat that blended into that certain smell of his skin, bringing with it the sharp memory of the last time she had smelt his skin and sweat so close to her. Less then a minute later, fighting back the memories she suddenly hunched over in her saddle and bit on her lip trying to hold back the small moan that escaped her lips. Clenching her fists around her reins she gasped and breathed deeply as she felt the muscles between her legs loosen and the feel of her climax passed her.
Raising her blushing red face, she looked up into the slightly frowning eyes of Flagstaff. Lowering her eyes she waited for the scathing mocking comment, words degrading her sexually, mentally and any other way he could fit an insult in. She waited silently, too embarrassed to say anything or even look at him. After a minute or two of silence she felt a tentative touch at her shoulder. Surprised she looked up at the wizard and thought somewhere in those distant eyes she caught a glimpse of what might have been…concern? Compassion? Or was she just imagining what she wanted to see? When he spoke to her his harsh words were at odds with the gentle touch of his fingers on her shoulder.
"Are you well drui…hrm…are you well?" He stared at her intently, "Are you ill?" His tone became more impatient as she stared up at him without answering.
Elanee's thoughts spun faster then leaves caught in a whirlpool. Am I ill? What is he asking? Oh gods! He thinks I cried out and doubled over in pain! Oh thank the gods and all the woodland spirits.
Stifling a deep sigh of relief she turned her eyes back to his once more and tried to smile at him. "Yes, thank you I am fine now. It was…um…cramps…I…I think the berries I picked last night might not all have been fully ripe." She forced out a slight chuckle. "I shall be fine now do not concern yourself anymore on it." With a grunt he turned from her and moved his horse into a canter.
Pausing for a minute to regain her composure Elanee smiled slightly. I can remember a time not so many days ago when he would not have stopped to ask how I was or even pretended to not get ahead of yourself girl, she chided herself, you've been hurt enough without you building yourself a platform to be pushed from. Take it for what it is but remember he can be charming when it suits him. It does not mean he is sincere. But he's never shown concern before, was her argument.
* * *
The rest of the day passed almost pleasantly from Elanee's point of view. The seemingly permanent dour expression was gone from Flagstaff's face. And while the coldly distant expression he wore now wasn't exactly friendly towards her, it was a far cry from being scowled at all day. And to her even greater surprise he actually spoke with her a couple times and inquired after her opinion. The first time she had almost missed her chance to answer. So used to the silence, the very fact that he started the conversation had caught her off guard. Granted, both times they spoke it was on matters regarding the mission they were on, but he volunteered more then single word answers and expected her to do the same. Asking her opinions of the mountains ahead of them and the orcs and environment of Old Owl Well, he appeared attentive to what she had to say and seemed to take her opinions seriously. Though she had to admit, seeing how he took anything was hard to tell when his face gave away less emotion then a stone's would.
The day grew exceedingly hot under the clear blue sky. As evening fell and they made their camp it seemed even the darkness of night would not dissipate all of the day's heat. Soon after their small camp was set Flagstaff muttered something about looking for somewhere to top off their water skins. Watching him disappear into bushes, she figured she would take the time he was gone to change into something a little cooler.
Yesterday while going through the supplies that had been packed for them she had noticed, among the extra clothes packed, a thin linen robe. It wasnt much to look at but it was a much cooler fabric then what she was wearing. With a small grunt of triumph and a smile, she pulled it from the pack and shook it out. Quickly stripping down she took a moment to let the hot breeze dry some of the sweat that ran in rivulets down her body. Closing her eyes she stretched and reveled in the feel of the air on her naked body. With a small shiver of pleasure she quickly pulled the linen robe over her head and slid it down her small frame. While adjusting it she took stock of how it fit her.
Hmmm…a little tighter then I like and the neck line is somewhat low, still it is better then sweating in those other thick clothes of mine.
Elanee began preparing a fire for their evening meal and only a few minutes into it the wizard returned with their filled water skins. The wizard said nothing but walked over and crouching down placed the water skins next to the druidess. As he straightened himself and turned Elanee did the same, meaning to not be in his way when he stood. Bumping into each other face to face, Elanee lost her balance and began to fall backwards before the wizard's hands shot out and caught her elbows and steadied her. Even in the short time after she had changed the sweat from her body dampened the dress, plastering it to the curves of her thighs and breasts, accentuating more then hiding. Flagstaff watched as a bead of sweat rolled down her neck, slid over one breast and disappeared between them down her robe.
Flagstaff had actually arrived back at the clearing several minutes prior to his appearance. Having found a suitable spring closer then he had thought he had returned in time to find the druidess stripped and stretching. Freezing he watched her taut figure move around the camp, then as she first slipped into that robe and began with the fire. Seeing her preparing their food suddenly reminded him of the water bottles he was carrying. That was when he had finally stepped back into the camp.
Standing before her now, it was her naked glistening body he saw and he felt the ache in his arms to hold her and in his loins to enter her and posses her. Elanee's face looked up into his. Her large green eyes opened wide with longing, her lips parted invitingly begging for his lips to be brought to hers. Turning from her abruptly he heard a small gasp as Elanee stumbled forward a step or two before catching her balance.
"I have something to do, do not bother with any food for me." The words came out harshly over his shoulder. And as he strode into the woods once again he didn't see the pain in Elanee's eyes as she sunk to her knees, or the tear she couldnt stop from falling into the dirt.
* * *
Angrily Flagstaff stalked through the trees and bushes of the forest. Fool! Idiot! He berated himself. Keep yourself under control! You remember what happened last time right? The elf is more trouble then she's worth. Look, you haven't had sex in almost have a week. Neeshka kept you well used and you're feeling the lack with her gone that's all. Just take care of it yourself and get your mind back on the business at hand. You need the elf because it is going to be dangerous. No other reason. Now stop thinking about what's between her legs and start thinking about how you are going to find this stupid emissary.
Grunting angrily the wizard pulled open his breeches and gripping his shaft tightly began to quickly stroke himself. As his fist pumped up and down he brought to mind every memory of the tiefling he could recall, images flashing through his mind. Grabbing her horns as he thrust deeply into her hot wet mouth. Tasting her when he slipped his tongue past her lips and into her dripping hole. Feeling her stretch around him when he first slipped inside her. His fingers wet with her slickness. Seeing her above him, below him. The images spun faster, but when he cried out, it was not the tiefling's name he called.
* * *
After Flagstaff had left Elanee had not bothered with the meal, she was no longer hungry. Laying curled up in her blankets despite the heat, she stared blankly into the fire. I know he wants me. I saw it in his eyes this last time for sure. Why does he turn from me? What is it he fears? Repeating these questions to which she had no answer over and over in her mind she felt herself drift into sleep.
Coming back to their camp, Flagstaff doused the flames with a small ice spell. Looking around, his eyes came to rest on the sleeping druidess. As she tossed and mumbled in her sleep his eyes never wavered. A moment or two passed and finally taking his eyes from her he lay out his bedding not far from hers and then he too stretched out and fell asleep.
* * *
The fifth day of their journey saw them back in their saddles before the sun had fully risen. Flagstaff insisted they get an early start to make up for lost time yesterday. Elanee thought he just did not want to spend any time near her if he could help it. So she rode beside him, her thoughts bittersweet. The rest of the day passed pleasantly enough, though they still hardly spoke. The path they rode on began to get harder and harder to follow as the day wore on. By the time they made camp for the night the trail was little more then a goat path.
After the evening meal of dried meat and stale bread again, Elanee walked up behind Flagstaff where he sat slowly feeding the fire. Gently placing her hands on his shoulders she softly spoke his name. Right away his body tensed up at her touch and he quickly pulled away from her. Standing up he mumbled something about being tired and without looking at her, retired to his blankets.
Watching him lie down she frowned, puzzled. Well I didn't expect that. Where did all his fire go? All that anger and rage, always threatening to overflow. The caustic, mocking insults. Every time I have ever tried to show feelings for him he would explode in anger or insultingly laugh at me. Why is he different? Why does he now run from me? Her frown deepened. By the gods I put up with him pushing me around and tearing out my heart with his words, when he wasn't ignoring my existence, for long enough hoping and praying. I will not put up with him hiding and sulking. What going on in his head he better have it sorted out by tomorrow night. With those final thoughts she too found her blankets and let sleep claim her.
* * *
By noon the following day the path they had been following had disappeared. With no markings to follow they continued on through the woods in roughly the same direction the path last took, hoping to find some kind of trail marker. As the day progressed the trees grew sparser and sparser. Rocky outcrops grew more common and the ground began a steady slope upwards. Onward they continued as the ground grew rougher and harder to travel. Evening drew in and still they saw no sign of the trail or of Old Owl Well. As the sun finally sank below the horizon Elanee dismounted.
"What are you doing? We are not taking a break here." Glaring at her Flagstaff jerked his head at her horse, indicating he wanted her to mount. Ignoring his look she began leading her horse to a relatively flat and somewhat soft looking piece of ground a short distance away.
"You are correct. We are not taking a break here. We are camping here."
"Excuse me? As I recall, I am the one in charge of this little trip. And I say we are not stopping until the trail becomes clearer." Tightening his reins sharply in agitation, his horse danced sideways.
"The path will not get clearer Flagstaff. We are lost out here and wandering around in the dark will not help us. Unless of course your goal is to break the legs of one of these beautiful creatures."
"Lost? How in the nine hells does a druid get lost in the wilds?"
Elanee glared sharply at him, "I am lost because I do not know this region and I do not know where this Old Owl Well is. If you wish to know the cardinal points I can point out north and east to you. Or I could tell you from which direction the winds blow. However I do not become an expert on a place simply by being within a 100 miles of it."
"Well then go ask one of your stupid little animal companions then. You druids are supposed to be able to speak to all the creepy crawly things out here. So ask one for directions." Warming to the argument his voice began to rise.
"I can communicate with them but it is not the same form of speaking as you and I, or rather between me and a rational intelligent being would take." Her voice took on a sharp edge as his rose. "And whom exactly would you have me ask? The ants beneath your feet? Or maybe the beetles behind me. If you are thinking they have anything useful to say about this well of yours you are a fool." Scowling at him she turned and started walking away.
"Fool, am I?" Muttering a string of expletives the wizard smoothly dismounted and stalked after the druidess. Just as he caught up behind her she spun around and reached her hands up, grabbing his hair and planting her lips firmly on his. The wizard froze for a moment then pulled away from her stuttering.
"What in the hells are you doing?" His attempt to look furious and intimidating was hampered by the fact that he was slowly retreating from the advancing druidess. As she walked toward him she started punctuating her words by jabbing her finger into his chest.
"I am sick of listening to your lips tell me one thing while the rest of you says another. So by the wind and wood you better start thinking quickly." Quickly twining her arms around his neck she once more pressed her mouth to his. Gently parting her lips her tongue tentatively brushed against his mouth. Meaning to push her away Flagstaff placed his hands on her hips but instead found his arms encircling her waist. Lips that were held firm against hers melted softly and opened to her. Gently at first their tongues met, exploring and caressing. Suddenly Elanee felt herself lifted off the ground. The wizard's arms locked tight around her and picked her up, crushing her body against him. The kiss, so gentle and soft at first, changed to one of intensity and passion. Their lips no longer explored and caressed. Now his lips met hers forcefully, bruising her. Her mouth matched his passion, begging, demanding more from him. Wrapping one of her legs around his waist she thrust her hips against his, feeling him rising beneath the cloth of his pants.
Finally pulling their lips apart, their bodies still pressing against each other, they pressed their foreheads together and stood breathing heavily. Finally opening their eyes, she smiled faintly at him as she ran her fingers through the short hairs at the back of his neck. Still breathing deeply he parted his lips to speak.
"Elanee…" It was the first time he had spoken her name in what felt like ages. It was the only time he had ever said it without distain or rebuke. It sang in her ears like a celestial choir.
"Oh good! More travelers!" a happy voice chimed behind them. "I was just starting to get lonely. I've been singing about the trees but you can only find so many rhymes for leaves before it gets repetitive. I suppose I could try bark next, or root perhaps…root, boot, loot, toot. Hmmm…last time I used toot it didn't go over well. Some people just don't appreciate art enough I suppose. Like that sonnet I wrote about a man with an enormous rooster. Personally I thought it quite fitting to call it 'Ode to a giant c…'"
"Who in the hells are you?" Pulling himself from Elanee's embrace Flagstaff strode over to the new arrival and stared down at him. Quite a ways down. The new arrival was a gnome.
"…I said I know it's a word for a part of the anatomy but it is also a perfectly good word for a rooster. And with the double meaning it let me….Oh…my name? Didn't I say? I was sure I told you or perhaps that was the snake I saw a little while ago. Well I am sure I told it to someone."
Completely oblivious to the wizards ever growing scowl the gnome continued his triad. "Not that the snake told me its' name, terribly rude I thought. I had just quite politely said, 'Hello there my scaled companion my name is Gnomehands, Grobnar Gnomehands. Fine name isn't it? Fancy me being a gnome and having a name like Gnomehands.' And can you believe he didn't even respond to such a courteous greeting? I even sung him a song to break the ice in case his reluctance to speak was due to shyness. But he just slithered away without so much as a by-your-leave! It must be the cold blooded thing, I've never noticed lizardmen to be very friendly either. But then you two seem most friendly.
Are you on your way to Old Owl Well? I thought I might go entertain the Greycloaks there, you know sort of a moral boost for all their hard work? Do think I might get a chance to speak to an orc? I am afraid I don't' know much of the orcish language. But I have always wanted to learn some orc songs, do you think they might teach me? I hear they can be somewhat violent on occasion.
I think we should probably camp together tonight don't you? We can exchange stories and have a great time. Best to be together in case the orcs attack that way at least one of us can explain to them we are just hear to learn their songs before they manage to kill all of us. Is this where you are camping tonight? What a marvelous spot you have chosen. Why don't you two unpack your blankets while I make the fire. I have a quite a good song I wrote about making fires. Now how did it go again? Oh yes…"
The gnomes song was momentarily drowned out by a quite impressive string of curses. This time it was not coming from Flagstaff.
