Chapter 38

Walking into the Flagon she saw everyone looking at her expectantly. They had all changed into regular clothes already, and she wished she could go do that, but things needed to be sorted out first. Casavir and Sand had walked to one of the nearer tables and as she followed, her eyes fell on Bishop sitting at his usual table and glaring at her. Guilt twinged through her as she remembered her actions a week ago and she decided she needed to make amends. Bending down she told Casavir to wait and then walked over to the ranger. As she approached she saw him stiffen and a wary look entered his eyes.

"I am not sorry for hitting you Bishop because you really did deserve it for what you said. However, there was no call for me to take it further like I did. I'm sorry for treating you in that manner, you didn't deserve that. Will you accept my apology?" She finished and waited to see what he would do. He just stared at her for a long time before he finally nodded. Turning, she went back to stand next to Casavir. She called for silence and then told her companions what they had learned tonight.

"It would take us more than a week to get there on foot, so Lord Nasher is going to provide us with horses. That should enable us to get there in half the time," she finished and as expected, the dwarf was the first to complain.

"Horses! Dwarves don't ride horses lass. No way am I gonna sit on the back of some stinkin' horse," Khelgar grumbled.

"We may or may not have trouble on the way, and we'll be riding hard, so those who go will have to be able to handle their mounts. So I am going to have to ask you to stay here Khelgar. I am also going to have to ask you to stay as well Grobnar." She smiled as the gnome just grinned and said no problem. "Elanee do you know how to ride?" When the druid shook her head she sighed, "Okay, then you'll have to stay as well. I know that you could take the form of some animal, but it wouldn't conserve your energy like riding does. Is there anyone else who is not comfortable on a horse?" When there was no answer she turned to Bishop. "Bishop, if we run into problems we may have to go out of our way. You know the lands around here better than anyone and can help us find a trail when there doesn't seem to be one. I need you to accompany us." She felt Casavir tense, but he didn't say anything. Finally she saw the ranger nod. "We leave at dawn," she finished.

She sat down beside Casavir and saw him looking at her, a frown on his face, and knew he was not happy that she was taking the ranger. "I know that the two of you don't like each other, but he has skills that are needed and I can't ignore that."

"Why did you apologize to him?" Casavir asked softly, his voice sounding a little hurt.

"I felt guilty for treating him that way. Not only that, but what I did brought me down to his level. It was innapropriate behvior and you know that, regardless of how good it felt at the time." As she watched him, she saw a small smile cross his lips before he nodded his understanding. Smiling she looked up as Duncan came over with some food for them and then headed back to the kitchen. They had just started eating when Nevalle came in and headed for their table.

"Sir Nevalle, please join us for some dinner," she invited him, pointing to the chair across from her. As he sat down Duncan arrived with some more food which he placed before Nevalle.

"I'm to provide you with horses and supplies for your journey. Just tell me how many are going with you and I will bring them over at dawn," Nevalle said as he picked up a fork and began to eat.

"We will be a party of six. We plan to ride as hard as we can to reach there, but I think it will still take us at least three days, for we will have to rest a little on the way," Natheran answered as she began to dig into her food.

"I will take care of it." He started eating again and then stopped after a few bites to look at her with a slight smile on his lips. "You know, you almost had both Nasher and myself laughing tonight at how you handle that woman."

"Oh, I agree, most amusing," Sand stated, a satisfied smile on his face. "I especially liked that part about being inept. She looked like she'd swallowed a hedgehog."

They all started laughing at that. "I just wish I knew what she was really up to. She didn't warn us about Garius out of the desire for peaceful relations, that's for sure." Natheran sat musing on the subject. What did the woman really want?

"While I think you're right, we have nothing to go on, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens." Nevalle finished eating and stood up. "I'll go make those arrangements now." Bowing to her, he left.

"If we're to be leaving at dawn then I'd best go see to gathering the things I will need," Sand told them as he also stood up to leave the inn.

This left just Natheran and Casavir at the table to finish their ale. Leaning over she whispered to Casvir, "I would love to have a bath before bed, perhaps you would like to wash my back." She watched as his eyes grew dark and a wolfish grin came to his lips causing her stomach to flutter.

"As you command, my lady," his voice was husky and standing up he took her hand.

Together they went to their room and started removing their armor. She pulled her hair out of it's ponytail and felt him come up behind her to run his fingers through it, causing little shivers to run down her back. Kissing her neck he moved away to fill the tub. She removed her boots and saw him watching her from the door as she started removing her under garments. "You really enjoy watching me undress don't you," she laughed huskily as he just grinned.

He watched as she walked towards the tub, his eyes caressing her long legs and her full breasts. He could feel the heat building in him already. As she stepped into the tub, he picked up the cloth and soap, and then began to wash her. As he ran the cloth over her breasts he saw her close her eyes with a little moan. He continued running the cloth down her stomach and over her legs. Leaning her forward he began washing her back and slowly moved around to run the cloth between her legs. As he stroked her he heard her gasp and shudder, then whisper his name. Finally he stopped and leaning away saw her looking at him with fire in her eyes. He leaned over to kiss her deeply, plunging his tongue into her mouth, moaning at her taste.

Pulling her lips away she whispered in his ear, "My turn to wash you, my lord." Stepping out, she grabbed a towel to dry herself and watched him as he undressed. She let her gaze roam over his face and chest, then down to his legs. Seeing how hard he was already caused a heat to spread rapidly through her. After he had climbed in she took the cloth and started washing him as he had her, only she started with his back. As she rubbed the cloth over him she heard him moan at the feeling. Moving to his chest she saw that his eyes were filled with raw desire. When she ran her hands down towards his groin she saw him tense, and when she wrapped her hands around him she saw his eyes close and he groaned. As she continued, she saw his jaw clench and his body shudder. "Enough lady" he finally managed to gasp out. Smiling she stopped and watched as he rose up from the tub, her eyes greedily taking in the sight of his powerful body. She gasped as he suddenly grabbed her to him kissing her fiercely, and she felt him grinding himself into her body. He picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down on it and covering her body with his.

Hungrily he kissed her skin and taking her breasts into his mouth, licked and sucked at them one at time as she ran her fingers through his hair. He ran his hand down her body and plunged his fingers into her moist center causing her to arch her back and gasp. As he continued to fondle and kiss her, he felt her body writhing under him and heard her moan out his name. He knew she was near to the peak and moved his mouth down to lick at her as his fingers continued to plunge into her. He felt her grab his head to hold him to her, her sharp cries of pleasure inflaming him. As she climaxed her whole body shuddered. He leaned over her to kiss her and gasped in surprise as she pushed him onto his back and then straddled him.

Staring down at him she ran her hands over his chest. Leaning forward to kiss him hungrily she felt his hands move up to her breasts to caress them. Moving down his chest to his stomach she kissed and nipped every inch just as he had done to her and heard him moan. Moving lower she ran her tongue down him then took him into her mouth. His whole body tensed and his hips thrust up at her as his breathing came in short gasps. As she continued to lick and suck at him she ran her hands down his legs feeling him shudder. Glancing up she saw his head was thrown back, his eyes were closed, and his teeth were clenched. He was totally lost in the feel of what she was doing to him. The sounds of his pleasure caused the fire in her to burn hotly once more.

He couldn't believe how she made him feel. She was making him so hot that he thought he would burst into flames. Finally, unable to take any more, he grabbed her head and begged her to stop. When she pulled away he shoved her down on her back and parted her legs with his. Reaching down, he felt her, and saw that she was once again moist. Positioning himself he pushed himself into her slowly, teasingly. Watching her eyes close he began thrusting slowly and deeply into her body. She started moving with him and soon was whimpering, trying to get her body closer to his. Closing his eyes, he began to thrust harder and faster, gasping at the intense pleasure being inside her was giving him. He felt her arms and legs wrap around him holding him as she moaned his name over and over again. Together they rushed toward the peak and plunged over it and he felt her teeth bite into his shoulder as she came. Shuddering in release he held her tight whispering her name in her ear. Finally their bodies stilled and their breathing slowed.

Rolling to the side, he gathered her in his arms, and buried his face in her hair and neck. He hadn't thought it was possible, but every time they made love, his desire and love for her grew. He knew that she would be the only woman he would ever truly love. If he lost her then he would not want to continue on without her. The thought of life without her made his body clench in fear.

"Casavir, what's wrong?" She pulled away to look at him and saw the look of love mixed with fear on his face. "What are you afraid of?"

"Losing you," he said simply. "I love you so much. You have become my life, my reason for being. When I first met you I had thought I wouldn't ever be able to love again, and I just wanted to die honorably in battle. Then you came and gave me hope for the future. I don't think I would be able to live without you."

"Why are you afraid I'll be lost to you?" she gently rubbed her hand in his hair and along his jaw.

"There are dark forces gathering, and I feel that they are after you. You will be in the middle of it all, and even though you will have me at your side through everything, I still might lose you and that is what I fear."

"I don't want to lose you either. The thought of living without you scares me too. I know that war is coming, but I also know that as long as we stand together, we can weather any storm. It doesn't pay to dwell on what might be, let's enjoy what we have here and now, and let's leave the future be." Softly she kissed him and then snuggled into him.

Holding her close he realized that she was right. Sighing, he closed his eyes and fell into a dreamless sleep.