4. The True Measure Of Oneself
"You want me to buy your freedom?" Olivia inquired.
"Yes, I loathe what Vulwin Yllahana and his Wife have done to me to feed their own disgusting pleasures, and... I would really like to remain here with you." Melinda said with heartfelt conviction.
Olivia turned around and faced Melinda in the basin, Melinda gasped and quickly looks away from Olivia's ample chest, blushing furiously.
"There is nothing that I want more than to see an end to this forced labor system, so I will do this and you will be free to do as you please, Melinda."
"Oh, thank you so much, Lady Olivia." Melinda said, ecstatic with joy before leaning over and capturing Olivia's lips with a soft kiss, which catches the Knight totally off guard.
Realizing what she's just done, Melinda is immediately regretful.
Melinda quickly extricates herself from the basin, grabbing a towel and wrapping around herself before making a hasty exit, Olivia quickly followed suit and pursued Melinda, gently grabbing her right hand and pulling the ebony Human back to her, Melinda gasped as she made contact with Olivia's swelling breasts.
"Melinda, you needn't apologize for doing what you felt in your heart. And truthfully, I have to say that I enjoyed your kiss very much."
Melinda blushed at Olivia's comment, as they settled in for the night, Olivia and Melinda talked about possibly going to Nojon and searching for Olivia's Mother, Arlath.
Vulwin entered a room, a lone, lithe figure stood, veiled in the shadows of the dark room. He couldn't decipher the figure's gender, it became clear that he was dealing with a woman the moment she began speaking.
"What do you want?" she asked without turning around.
Vulwin swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat before he spoke.
"You are the Assassin Swiftlock?"
"Maybe, who wants to know?" came the curt reply.
"The King and Queen of Osai, I have a job that I think you may find lucrative."
Swiftlock slowly pivoted and elegantly walked out of the shadows, her crystal blue eyes shimmered in the darkened room like jewels.
"I'm all ears." she said with a sinister grin on her face.
Vulwin explained what he and Lillian wanted done- Olivia killed and Melinda brought back to the Palace in Osai, Swiftlock agreed because she had always wanted to do battle with the famed Crimson Mage Knight.
He tells Swiftlock where Olivia lives and that Melinda would likely be there too.
"So, Nojon is a four day journey by horse?" Olivia said to Melinda, who nods.
"And we need to be wary of bandits and highwaymen who will seeking to make a name for themselves by robbing someone of your noted reputation." Melinda adds.
"I understand, Melinda."
"I am still curious about something, Olivia."
"What is it, Melinda?"
"You're a Noble, when you rescued me, you could have made me become your servant and I would have been honor-bound to oblige your every wish or desire. Why did you not do such a thing?"
Olivia smiled warmly at Melinda, she slid closer to Melinda on the love seat that they were seated on.
"My job as a Knight is to protect those who are not able to defend themselves and also give them freedom whenever they are being oppressed, I only wish for your freedom, Melinda. No man or woman should be enslaved to another, whether they be a Noble or a Commoner."
"Well said, Olivia." Melinda says before adding, "Could I kiss you, please Olivia?"
"Yes, of course Melinda." the brunette replied.
Melinda leaned over to kiss Olivia, but the brunette Knight stops her.
"What is wrong, Olivia?" Melinda inquired, a small amount of fear in her voice.
"We're not alone, Melinda." Olivia says as she grabbed her sword, she then looks at Melinda.
"Go and hide somewhere, I will find you."
As much as she didn't want to leave Olivia's side, Melinda didn't want to hinder the Knight in this upcoming battle.
Melinda hurried out of Olivia's house, taking one of Olivia's horses and riding off into the night.
Swiftlock used her Divine Hammer to destroy Olivia's front door, as she stepped through the remnants of the door, the assassin found Olivia standing there alone, her sword at the ready.
"Who are you? What business do you have with me?"
"Vulwin Yllahana, my employer wishes you dead Crimson Mage Knight and his Slave, the Human, Melinda Warner to be returned to him in Osai."
"I, Olivia Benson, The Crimson Mage Knight and sworn Protector of Televaria cannot and will not allow you to succeed in your mission. Assassin, speak your name so that I may know who it is that I am doing battle with."
"I am Swiftlock of Demnar, The Silent Wolf Assassin." Swiftlock says before charging Olivia, her Divine Hammer raised with deadly intent.
"Critical Smash!" Swiftlock yells as she brings her hammer down hard, thankfully Olivia used her superior agility to avoid Swiftlock's attack and counter with one of her own.
"Burst Strike!" Olivia shouts. Her sword's blade began glowing red and she charged Swiftlock, the seasoned Assassin set her defenses, but Olivia knew that she still had the advantage over her adversary because the Burst Strike technique was specifically designed to be able to breach any defense.
Olivia swung her sword, easily cutting through Swiftlock's defenses and knocking her outside, leaving her slumped up against a tree, badly bruised but alive.
Olivia stepped outside her house, her breathing ragged and labored, exhausted Olivia fell to one knee before throwing up blood.
"Well...I always wanted to face you in battle, Olivia Benson, Protector of Televaria and I say this with all humility: You are the finest warrior that I have ever faced in battle."
"I thank you for the compliment, Swiftlock of Demnar. You are a fine warrior yourself." Olivia said as Swiftlock stands up on shaky legs, slowly Swiftlock walked over to Olivia.
"Olivia Benson, because you have bested me in battle, I am honor-bound to give you either my weapon or myself to be used by you as you see fit. Which do you choose?"
"I-." Olivia begins, but is cut off by a mysterious, lithe figure running up behind Swiftlock and violently stabbing her in the back.
"I knew you were too weak to prevail against the Crimson Mage Knight." Rapidblade said in a harsh whisper, his voice only audible to Swiftlock.
"R-Rapidblade." Swiftlock wheezed before falling forward into Olivia's arms.
Olivia shoots a hateful glare at Rapidblade before easing Swiftlock down onto her back on the ground.
"Assassin, tell me your name, now."
"I am Elliot Stabler of Nisoor, former Knight Of Televaria, like you. In fact, I was supposed to receive the Mantle of The Crimson Mage Knight but I kidnapped one of the King's daughters and defiled her before I hung her." he said smugly.