Chapter 14

The hour was late and the party had finally wound down. Bishop had watched it all from his corner table. That self-righteous paladin had left long ago, probably to go polish his halo. Probably thought that if Tyr saw he was actually having fun he would smite him down to the depths of the abyss. The elf and the farmgirl had left not long ago, and that worthless drunk Duncan was passed out on the bar. The stupid gnome was off in a corner tinkering with some piece of junk, humming to himself all the while. He looked at the table Natheran was sitting at and saw that the dwarf was so drunk he was about to fall off his chair. He saw her laugh at something the tiefling said and get up to grab one of the dwarf's arms. Together the two of them got the dwarf on his feet and half-dragged, half-walked him to the back rooms. Downing the last of his ale, he rubbed his eyes and got to his feet, deciding to get some sleep himself. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Natheran come back in and head toward the bar, where she tried unsuccessfully to wake Duncan.

"Don't worry about him girl, I'll get him to his bed. I've done it before," sighed Sal. "Go on to bed. We'll see you in the morning."

"Thanks Sal, goodnight. Goodnight Grobnar," Natheran called to the gnome. The little bard waved a hand cheerily at her and resumed his tinkering.

Bishop's lips curled in disgust. Anyone that incessantly cheerful deserved to be locked in a zoo with the label 'most annoying creature in Faerun' on the bars. He held his breath as she walked in his direction, but she didn't notice him standing there in the shadows and went right past. She tripped against a chair leg, almost losing her footing, and a little giggle escaped her. Well now, it looked like their pretty little leader had had one too many, he snickered to himself. That meant her guard would be down and she would be easy prey. He remembered Ember and the feel of her hand on his arm and the smile on her face. He remembered the flash of desire in her eyes after their little verbal exchange in the gith base, and he knew she wanted what he was offering. He had told her he would collect what she owed him, he just hadn't thought his opportunity would come this soon. Her lithsome body would do as payment in that matter, whether she was fully aware of what was happening or not. Only saints like the paladin required a woman's full consent before sleeping with them. He, on the other hand, held to no such standard, and he took advantage of every opportunity that came his way. And there it was, in all its innocent beauty, he snickered to himself. Quietly he followed her as she headed towards her room, humming to herself. He had just followed her around the last corner, when he saw her lose her balance and fall against a door with a dull thud. Just as he was about to go to her, to offer his 'assistance', the door opened and out stepped Casavir, who looked down in puzzlement at the girl giggling on the floor. Ducking back around the corner, he silently cursed. Of all the doors she could fall against it had to be that holier than thou jackass', and of course he was still awake.

"Are you alright my lady?" Casavir asked, staring down at the top of Natheran's head.

Bishop stifled a derisive snort. Idiot, coudn't he see that their precious leader was drunk?

"I'm sorry Casavir, I didn't mean to wake you," Natheran giggled. "Could you help me up? I don't want to fall asleep on the floor," she held out her hand.

"Of course, my lady, forgive me," Casavir said as he took her hand and helped her up. "You didn't wake me, I haven't been to bed yet."

"Are you alright? You look troubled," she peered up at him. She could see that something was bothering him and hoped that he wouldn't clam up, again.

"That man we have taken on, Bishop, I don't trust him or his intentions. I don't like the way he looks at you," Casavir couldn't keep a frown from his face. "Please, be very careful in your dealings with him."

Bishop felt the anger explode inside him at those words. Who in the hells did that pompous jerk think he was to pass judgement on him? He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"Thank you for your concern, I'll be careful, I promise," Natheran said softly. "It's nice to know you're looking out for me," she couldn't keep a pleased giggle from escaping.

"Forgive me...it's not my affair, I just felt compelled to warn you," Casavir felt his face flush as he realized he might have overstepped his bounds.

Damn right it's not your affair you self-righteous bastard, Bishop thought. He felt an overwhelming desire to walk right up to them and beat the crap out of the paladin. He controlled himself, but just barely.

"It's late, my lady, and we both should get some rest. Allow me to see you safely to your room," Casavir held out his arm for her.

"Why thank you Sir Knight," she giggled again as she took the arm he proffered and let him lead her down the hall.

Peeking around the corner, Bishop saw them stop at her door and just stand there looking at each other. He waited for the paladin to leave and go back to his room but it didn't happen.

Looking up into Casavir's eyes she saw the concern for her in them, but she also saw something else. This wonderful man did desire her and unable to resist, she reached up to kiss him. She felt him resist a little and then a shudder ran through him. Suddenly, she found his arms around her and he was returning her kiss fiercely. The feel of his mouth on hers and his arms around her caused a warm tingling to run through her. This was what she had been hoping for since she met him and it felt wonderful. His lips left hers to trail down her neck and she shuddered at the pleasure that washed through her body. She felt a heavy languor flood her limbs and she pressed herself against him, moaning as she felt his hands on her skin under her shirt. The tingling became a heat which spread throughout her body. When his hands reached her breasts and started caressing them, she gasped out his name, the pleasure he was giving her making her head swim.

The sound of his name passing her lips penetrated the fog of his desire. He had to stop this, he couldn't take advantage of her like this. Desperately trying to regain control he pulled away from her. Looking down he saw her eyes glowing like twin flames, the desire in them burning brightly, and he felt his control slip. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths. "Why did you stop?" her voice, filled with confusion and hurt, washed over him. Opening his eyes he saw the tears in hers and felt as if a giant fist had clamped around his heart.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to take advantage of you like this," he whispered, feeling shame wash over him. "I want you more than I ever wanted anyone in my life, but not like this." He could see she didn't understand what he was talking about. "You've been drinking and this makes you vulnerable. If you come to my bed I want it to be with your full knowledge and consent, with full awareness that it is me you want I don't want you to ever have any doubts or regrets about your actions. Some people would call me a fool for turning away, but I couldn't live with myself if I ever caused you any kind of pain. You deserve better." He didn't tell her that he was afraid it was the ranger she truly wanted and not him. He had seen the looks they exchanged on the trip back and it scared him that she might want the ranger, for the man would destroy her innocence and break her heart. However, it had to be her choice, and only with a clear head could she make a conscious decision about whom she wanted.

Natheran felt her face heat with embarassment over her actions. She had guessed how deeply he felt about her and she shouldn't have behaved like some common floozy. He was always so kind and thoughtful towards her, always treated her with respect, and here she was causing him pain with her actions. She didn't mean too, it was all those wonderful feelings he stirred in her that made her act so impulsively. Unable to meet his eyes now, she turned to open her door, and suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over her, almost falling again because of it. She felt him pick her up and carry her to the bed, where he gently laid her down and removed her shoes. He pulled a light blanket over her and leaning down, kissed her gently on the forehead. He left, quietly closing the door behind him, and she just stared at it for a while thinking about what had almost happened. She may have been a little drunk, but she knew that she wanted him, and she would have had no regrets. She would just have to show him, and she would start tomorrow. With the memory of his lips and hands on her running through her head she fell asleep, a small smile on her face.

Bishop furiously walked into his room and slammed the door, not caring if anyone heard it. The little tease had stood in the hallway and let that bastard grope her like some dock whore. During the whole trip back from Luskan, the saint had made sure that she was never alone, all because he wanted to be the one to get into her skirts. So what does he do when he gets the chance? Nothing. He walks away. As for their leader, she obviously was playing some kind of game with them. What did she want? Did she want them to fight each other for her favors? She was a fool if she thought that would ever happen. No wench, no matter how beautiful, was worth fighting over, for they always disappointed you in the end anyway. Why bother when there were so many available women to choose from? He paced the room, seething over what he had just witnessed. Finally he stopped pacing and took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself so he could think clearly.

Okay, he thought, she wanted to play games, well so could he. He would bide his time. He would throw out little crumbs and lure her to him, stir her passions. He would make her come crawling to him and beg him to take her. He would quench his lust in her body until he didn't want her anymore. Once her halo was tarnished and her reputation was in ruins, he would let the saint have what was left of her. Grinning wickedly, he tried to imagine that day and what it would feel like when he finally had his revenge on both of them for the way they had treated him.