In a flash of bright light, Arek arrived in his 'pocket' plane along with
the dying Octavion. Arek wrenched his sword free from Octavion and yelled
for Caspenar. His 'butler' flew over to where Octavion was lying.
"What is it that Caspenar can do for you, oh mighty Lord?"
"I need you to look after this...thing...for me while I take care of some things. Make sure that he recovers to decent health, but don't let him leave your sights. Until further notice, you are not expected to keep up with your cleaning. You are only to look after him. Understand?"
"Oh yes, Lord of Murder. Caspenar will gladly look after this thing for you."
Arek nodded his thanks and then walked over to his planar portal. He touched a ruin on the wall and a voice filled the hall. "What is it I can do for you, God of Murder?" the voice inquired.
"I need you to find Tavion, the Cavalier Paladin of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart."
"The person can not be found in Faerun. Would you like me to look through other planes?"
"Of course."
Arek waited a few seconds until the voice once again spoke. "The person is located in a plane home to ferocious demons; the plane Koval. Unfortunately, I can not transport him here. You, however, may travel there with your plane. Would you like to do so?"
"Yes. Open up a portal to that plane."
"As you wish, Lord." The voice went silent, there was another flash of light and a swirling mist floated from the exit. There was a sort of explosion that came from the exit, and then Arek stepped through. He was transported to a fiery wasteland. If Arek didn't know any better, he'd have thought he was once again in Hell. He set off, beginning his search for his brother.
Back in Nashkel, Victoria left the room where Minsc was recovering from his wounds and revival. Valerine and Keara were in another room, sleeping soundly with their familiars. It had been three days since the fight at Durlag's Tower and there was still no sign of Arek and Tavion. The explosion that took out the tower was massive, but Arek had assured her that he would survive. She walked alone outside. The streets of Nashkel were mostly empty, save for the occasional beggar looking for handouts. She walked to the hill where she had been dropped off by the dragon that they had rescued. She looked to where the tower should have been and saw that the dust from the collapse had finally settled. She turned around and let out a scream as a wooden staff knocked her on the head, sending her into unconsciousness.
Arek headed along the rivers of fire, continuously looking for signs of life. He saw shadow movements, but no creature had yet confronted him. He rested at the end of what he thought to be a day, but his sleep was light and short. He wasn't worried about exhaustion; however, he'd gone much longer with no sleep at all. He climbed over a hill and looked into what he hoped was some sort of encampment. He walked down the hill and cautiously walked into the encampment. He made it to the center without any sign of life when an arrow whizzed past his ear and struck a rock. Arek turned around to see five humanoid creatures. These creatures were as tall as man, but were covered in fur from top to bottom. Arek had not drawn his sword, but instead stretched his arms out wide as to show that he was unarmed. The archer lowered his bow, but held the string back in case Arek turned hostile. One of the creatures stepped forward and spoke in a language completely foreign to Arek. Arek shrugged and tried to speak his own language. "I mean you no harm. I am here looking for my brother. His name is Tavion. Have you seen him?"
The creature looked dumbly at Arek, but then opened his mouth to form Arek's words. "Tay...v...on? Tayvon?"
"Yes, yes, Tavion." Arek said. "I am Arek."
"Air...ick? Airick. I Borash." The creature said.
"Borash, have you seen anyone like me? Have you seen Tavion?" As Arek spoke, he pointed to himself. Borash took a moment to work out what Arek had said, and then the creature nodded. He pointed towards a hut in the town and then walked to the hut while beckoning Arek to follow. Arek followed Borash and stepped inside the hut. Inside he saw Tavion's weapons and other equipment. He looked around the room and saw Tavion laying in a bed, his right arm, his sword arm, red with blood. "Tavion! What happened to you?" His brother turned his head to face him.
"Arek? I knew you'd come find me. It was Borash's archer. He hit me with an arrow, but he hit an artery. They haven't managed to stop the blood, and no one here knows magic. Have you brought Valerine?" He looked at the door hopefully.
"No, it is just me, but I can heal you just as well." Arek placed his hands over the wound and then moved them in circles. He muttered a spell under his breath and then watched as the spell shot into the wound. Tavion grimaced, and then relaxed as the spell went instantly into effect. The wound healed over, leaving only the dried blood around it. "Feeling better?"
"Yes...definitely....thunk" Tavion's head hit the cot he was one as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Valerine heard the half scream and ran out of the temple. What she saw almost made her scream. Hordes of Undead were running through Nashkel slitting the throats of guards on patrol. She looked around and saw Victoria lying on the ground. She ran over to her body and cast a healing spell, which brought Victoria back to consciousness. Victoria looked up at Valerine only to see the mages body ripped apart by a disintegrate spell. Victoria screamed and looked over to see a robed necromancer. She stood up and began casting a spell when the life was sucked out of her body as a sword sliced through her neck, sending her head rolling along the floor.
Minsc woke up to the sounds of screams. He stood up out of bed and rushed to put on his armor. He grabbed his sword, Lilracor, a possessed, talking sword as crazy as the wielder. "Come Boo," he said to his pet hamster, "there's butts to be kicked." He rushed out of the temple to a scene of carnage. Fragments of Valerine's body lay everywhere and Victoria's separated head lay at his feet, a look of terror frozen on her face. Keara came out after him with her staff at the ready. "Go back inside mage, this is a fight for men with swords, not for women with sticks." With that, he pushed her back inside the temple and barred the door from the outside. When he was certain she could not get out, he let out a war cry and rushed to find someone to fight.
Tavion woke up an hour later and found Arek sitting at his side, looking as bad as he did, but wide-awake. "Brother, you needn't worry about me, I'll be fine, you should rest, you have gone through hell."
"I'm alright Tavion, I've looked worse. How are you, are you ready to leave for my plane?"
"I think I can manage."
"Good, get suited up and we'll head back." Arek turned around and noticed something he hadn't seen when he entered the tent. On the other side of the room lay an unconscious woman. She had a long slash on the right side of her face. Arek walked over to the woman when her eyes opened. Arek stopped in his tracks and looked at her. "Can you understand what I am saying?" he asked.
The woman nodded her head. "My name is Abigail."
"Hello Abigail, my name is Arek, and that man over there is my brother Tavion."
"I know, I heard you talking when you arrived."
"How did you come to be here, and how did you get that cut on your face?"
"I was exploring some tower near Nashkel maybe a month ago when I was hit with a spell from behind and I ended up here. I was attacked a few weeks later when I stumbled into a battle between Borash and his tribe and a band of demons. One of the demons, a Balor, slashed my face as I stabbed my sword into its chest."
"You're a fighter?" Tavion spoke up from the other side of the room.
"No, I'm a cleric."
"Well, would you like to accompany us back to Faerun?"
"You mean you have a way of getting back? Of course I would like to come."
"Excellent, we'll leave as soon as you are ready."
Minsc charged into a group of skeletons with his sword swinging. He connected with the closest skeleton and sent bones flying. The next half- dozen met the same fate as Minsc flashed his sword faster and faster. Minsc reached the necromancer who turned towards Minsc and began casting a spell. Minsc dodged the spell, which hit a group of skeletons, which turned them all into fluffy little bunnies. Minsc laughed loudly and turned his attention back to the necromancer, who began running away now that his army was decimated. Minsc gave chase, pulling out his Elven long bow and began firing arrows. The first one caught the necromancer's robes and pinned it into the ground. The next two connected with the necromancer's elbows, shooting straight through the joint. The third and final shot through the back of the necromancer's neck and come out his throat. Minsc rushed over to the dying necromancer and tore off the mages hood. All that stared back was a fleshless skull. On the front of the robes was a symbol all too familiar...the symbol of Bhaal, the former God of Murder.
Arek and Tavion waited for Abigail outside the tent. When she finally came out of the tent Arek was awestruck. She was gorgeous. She had flowing, shoulder length red hair and amazing blue eyes. Her leather armor did great justice to the curves of her body and didn't leave much to the imagination. Tavion, noticing his brother's stare, elbowed Arek in the side. Arek shook his head, grateful that Abigail didn't notice his stare. "Lets get going, we have a little ways to go before we reach the portal I used," Arek said as he started the way from which he had originally came. The trio was about halfway to the portal when a pack of demons jumped out at them. Arek drew the Avenger, Tavion drew Dragonsruin, and he threw Abigail the Equalizer to use instead of her long sword. Arek stepped forward to fight the lead demon when the demon backed away. "We have no fight with you god-ling, only with the girl"
"Well you have a fight with me if you want to get to her," Arek challenged.
"Very well then." The demon drew up to its full height and lunged at Arek. Arek ducked under the beast and slashed the Avenger upward taking off a wing. The demon roared and charged again. Arek leapt into the air and slashed his sword in a line down the demon's back splitting it in two. The other demons fled soon there after and Arek and the other two continued on their way. They reached the portal without further incident and Tavion walked through first, followed by Abigail, and then by Arek, who closed the portal behind him. Arek spoke up as he arrived into his pocket plane to see Abigail staring wide around the plane. "Welcome to the Throne of Murder, where I preside as the God of Murder."
"God of Murder? But how can you be a God? You look like a mere man?"
"I'm more of a demi-god. I haven't fully accepted the role of God of Murder, but I have taken up the responsibilities my father Bhaal had." Arek laughed, as she still looked confused. "Trust me, it's better for you that I not explain this in more depth, just accept that at the moment, I can live and die like everyone else in Faerun can."
"I can accept that," Abigail replied with a little smile on her face.
Arek turned to Caspenar. "Well, how is my guest doing?"
"Well, Lord of Murder, sir, he is alive, but just barely. I could finish him off I could, if you wished?" the imp asked, looking hopeful.
"No, I will heal him as best I can and then hand him over to the Order for judgement."
Abigail turned around to face Arek. "You work for the Order?"
"I am a paladin in service of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart."
"That is how I know you. I have heard tales of your deeds: fairy tales. Tales of knights and swords, great deeds accomplished and greater enemies vanquished. You are a living legend to the younger members of the Order. I, myself, strive to accomplish a little of what you have."
"Trust me, it wasn't easy, I had a lot of help. Imoen, Anomen, Tavion, Jaheria, Viconia, Minsc, Victoria...oh hell, Victoria! Tavion, we need to get back to the others. Would you care to come with us Abigail?"
"You saved my life, of course I will come with you."
"Tavion, grab Oc and bring him along, we'll put him in the jail at Nashkel until we leave for Athkatla." Tavion grabbed Octavion and restrained him and then pulled him over to the portal. Arek stepped in front of the portal. "Take us to Nashkel." Suddenly, a portal appeared and Arek stepped through, followed by everyone else.
Minsc stared into the bottom of his empty flask. "Waitress, more ale for Minsc and Boo, saviors of Nashkel!" he shouted. The waitress hurried over and refilled his flask. He went to drink when the doors of the tavern opened and a man clad in dragon scale armor strode in, a two-handed sword on his back. Minsc ignored the newcomer. The newcomer, however, noticed Minsc and walked over to the drunken ranger.
"Savior of Nashkel eh? And what about the mages you were supposed to watch? Two are dead and the third is worried about where in the Hells you are. And what about your fearless leader? Where is the man who cowers when a town is attacked?"
"You WILL NOT talk about AREK that way!!!" With a drunken war cry, Minsc stumbled to his feet only to look into the face of his leader, Arek. "Oh, look Boo, it is Arek, our fearless leader. I am sure he wants to know all about the fight for Nashkel....oh...oh no. There is much to explain."
"Don't worry Minsc, I have heard all I needed to hear. I came here to drag your hide back to the inn so you can recover, we'll be leaving in two days time." He put Minsc's arm around his shoulder and walked him to the inn next door.
That night Arek sat up in bed thinking about Victoria, wondering if he should have waited to go after Tavion. He missed her company, and her warm body against his in bed. Arek knew that Tavion was happy to be back with Keara, he heard their excursions tonight, and they were three doors down the hallway. As much as he missed Victoria, however, he couldn't stop thinking about Abigail. She was gorgeous. Her body was perfect, almost goddess-like. He couldn't believe he was forgetting about Victoria already. Had he not cared deeply for her? Or was that just a spur of the moment thing? His thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft tap at the door. Arek got up and opened it without realizing he was half-naked. On the other side of the door stood Abigail, dressed in a white gown that did very little to hide what lay underneath. He opened the door further and before he could say anything, she kissed him passionately on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her and backed into the room. They broke their kiss before they got to the bed. "What was that for?" Arek asked.
"For rescuing me, and I felt that you shouldn't be alone tonight. Tavion told me about Victoria. I'm sorry for your loss."
"As am I, but I haven't been able to get my mind off you. Your beauty has distracted me ever since you came out of Borash's tent."
"Well at least its not just me, I was attracted to you the moment you stepped in to that tent and found your brother." Without further word she kissed him again and took off his trousers as he took off her gown. They explored each other before Arek laid Abigail down on the bed. As he mounted her and the intercourse began, Arek couldn't help thinking how right it felt. When it was all said and done, Arek smiled for he knew there was no way everyone in the inn didn't hear Arek and Abigail.
"What is it that Caspenar can do for you, oh mighty Lord?"
"I need you to look after this...thing...for me while I take care of some things. Make sure that he recovers to decent health, but don't let him leave your sights. Until further notice, you are not expected to keep up with your cleaning. You are only to look after him. Understand?"
"Oh yes, Lord of Murder. Caspenar will gladly look after this thing for you."
Arek nodded his thanks and then walked over to his planar portal. He touched a ruin on the wall and a voice filled the hall. "What is it I can do for you, God of Murder?" the voice inquired.
"I need you to find Tavion, the Cavalier Paladin of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart."
"The person can not be found in Faerun. Would you like me to look through other planes?"
"Of course."
Arek waited a few seconds until the voice once again spoke. "The person is located in a plane home to ferocious demons; the plane Koval. Unfortunately, I can not transport him here. You, however, may travel there with your plane. Would you like to do so?"
"Yes. Open up a portal to that plane."
"As you wish, Lord." The voice went silent, there was another flash of light and a swirling mist floated from the exit. There was a sort of explosion that came from the exit, and then Arek stepped through. He was transported to a fiery wasteland. If Arek didn't know any better, he'd have thought he was once again in Hell. He set off, beginning his search for his brother.
Back in Nashkel, Victoria left the room where Minsc was recovering from his wounds and revival. Valerine and Keara were in another room, sleeping soundly with their familiars. It had been three days since the fight at Durlag's Tower and there was still no sign of Arek and Tavion. The explosion that took out the tower was massive, but Arek had assured her that he would survive. She walked alone outside. The streets of Nashkel were mostly empty, save for the occasional beggar looking for handouts. She walked to the hill where she had been dropped off by the dragon that they had rescued. She looked to where the tower should have been and saw that the dust from the collapse had finally settled. She turned around and let out a scream as a wooden staff knocked her on the head, sending her into unconsciousness.
Arek headed along the rivers of fire, continuously looking for signs of life. He saw shadow movements, but no creature had yet confronted him. He rested at the end of what he thought to be a day, but his sleep was light and short. He wasn't worried about exhaustion; however, he'd gone much longer with no sleep at all. He climbed over a hill and looked into what he hoped was some sort of encampment. He walked down the hill and cautiously walked into the encampment. He made it to the center without any sign of life when an arrow whizzed past his ear and struck a rock. Arek turned around to see five humanoid creatures. These creatures were as tall as man, but were covered in fur from top to bottom. Arek had not drawn his sword, but instead stretched his arms out wide as to show that he was unarmed. The archer lowered his bow, but held the string back in case Arek turned hostile. One of the creatures stepped forward and spoke in a language completely foreign to Arek. Arek shrugged and tried to speak his own language. "I mean you no harm. I am here looking for my brother. His name is Tavion. Have you seen him?"
The creature looked dumbly at Arek, but then opened his mouth to form Arek's words. "Tay...v...on? Tayvon?"
"Yes, yes, Tavion." Arek said. "I am Arek."
"Air...ick? Airick. I Borash." The creature said.
"Borash, have you seen anyone like me? Have you seen Tavion?" As Arek spoke, he pointed to himself. Borash took a moment to work out what Arek had said, and then the creature nodded. He pointed towards a hut in the town and then walked to the hut while beckoning Arek to follow. Arek followed Borash and stepped inside the hut. Inside he saw Tavion's weapons and other equipment. He looked around the room and saw Tavion laying in a bed, his right arm, his sword arm, red with blood. "Tavion! What happened to you?" His brother turned his head to face him.
"Arek? I knew you'd come find me. It was Borash's archer. He hit me with an arrow, but he hit an artery. They haven't managed to stop the blood, and no one here knows magic. Have you brought Valerine?" He looked at the door hopefully.
"No, it is just me, but I can heal you just as well." Arek placed his hands over the wound and then moved them in circles. He muttered a spell under his breath and then watched as the spell shot into the wound. Tavion grimaced, and then relaxed as the spell went instantly into effect. The wound healed over, leaving only the dried blood around it. "Feeling better?"
"Yes...definitely....thunk" Tavion's head hit the cot he was one as he slipped into unconsciousness.
Valerine heard the half scream and ran out of the temple. What she saw almost made her scream. Hordes of Undead were running through Nashkel slitting the throats of guards on patrol. She looked around and saw Victoria lying on the ground. She ran over to her body and cast a healing spell, which brought Victoria back to consciousness. Victoria looked up at Valerine only to see the mages body ripped apart by a disintegrate spell. Victoria screamed and looked over to see a robed necromancer. She stood up and began casting a spell when the life was sucked out of her body as a sword sliced through her neck, sending her head rolling along the floor.
Minsc woke up to the sounds of screams. He stood up out of bed and rushed to put on his armor. He grabbed his sword, Lilracor, a possessed, talking sword as crazy as the wielder. "Come Boo," he said to his pet hamster, "there's butts to be kicked." He rushed out of the temple to a scene of carnage. Fragments of Valerine's body lay everywhere and Victoria's separated head lay at his feet, a look of terror frozen on her face. Keara came out after him with her staff at the ready. "Go back inside mage, this is a fight for men with swords, not for women with sticks." With that, he pushed her back inside the temple and barred the door from the outside. When he was certain she could not get out, he let out a war cry and rushed to find someone to fight.
Tavion woke up an hour later and found Arek sitting at his side, looking as bad as he did, but wide-awake. "Brother, you needn't worry about me, I'll be fine, you should rest, you have gone through hell."
"I'm alright Tavion, I've looked worse. How are you, are you ready to leave for my plane?"
"I think I can manage."
"Good, get suited up and we'll head back." Arek turned around and noticed something he hadn't seen when he entered the tent. On the other side of the room lay an unconscious woman. She had a long slash on the right side of her face. Arek walked over to the woman when her eyes opened. Arek stopped in his tracks and looked at her. "Can you understand what I am saying?" he asked.
The woman nodded her head. "My name is Abigail."
"Hello Abigail, my name is Arek, and that man over there is my brother Tavion."
"I know, I heard you talking when you arrived."
"How did you come to be here, and how did you get that cut on your face?"
"I was exploring some tower near Nashkel maybe a month ago when I was hit with a spell from behind and I ended up here. I was attacked a few weeks later when I stumbled into a battle between Borash and his tribe and a band of demons. One of the demons, a Balor, slashed my face as I stabbed my sword into its chest."
"You're a fighter?" Tavion spoke up from the other side of the room.
"No, I'm a cleric."
"Well, would you like to accompany us back to Faerun?"
"You mean you have a way of getting back? Of course I would like to come."
"Excellent, we'll leave as soon as you are ready."
Minsc charged into a group of skeletons with his sword swinging. He connected with the closest skeleton and sent bones flying. The next half- dozen met the same fate as Minsc flashed his sword faster and faster. Minsc reached the necromancer who turned towards Minsc and began casting a spell. Minsc dodged the spell, which hit a group of skeletons, which turned them all into fluffy little bunnies. Minsc laughed loudly and turned his attention back to the necromancer, who began running away now that his army was decimated. Minsc gave chase, pulling out his Elven long bow and began firing arrows. The first one caught the necromancer's robes and pinned it into the ground. The next two connected with the necromancer's elbows, shooting straight through the joint. The third and final shot through the back of the necromancer's neck and come out his throat. Minsc rushed over to the dying necromancer and tore off the mages hood. All that stared back was a fleshless skull. On the front of the robes was a symbol all too familiar...the symbol of Bhaal, the former God of Murder.
Arek and Tavion waited for Abigail outside the tent. When she finally came out of the tent Arek was awestruck. She was gorgeous. She had flowing, shoulder length red hair and amazing blue eyes. Her leather armor did great justice to the curves of her body and didn't leave much to the imagination. Tavion, noticing his brother's stare, elbowed Arek in the side. Arek shook his head, grateful that Abigail didn't notice his stare. "Lets get going, we have a little ways to go before we reach the portal I used," Arek said as he started the way from which he had originally came. The trio was about halfway to the portal when a pack of demons jumped out at them. Arek drew the Avenger, Tavion drew Dragonsruin, and he threw Abigail the Equalizer to use instead of her long sword. Arek stepped forward to fight the lead demon when the demon backed away. "We have no fight with you god-ling, only with the girl"
"Well you have a fight with me if you want to get to her," Arek challenged.
"Very well then." The demon drew up to its full height and lunged at Arek. Arek ducked under the beast and slashed the Avenger upward taking off a wing. The demon roared and charged again. Arek leapt into the air and slashed his sword in a line down the demon's back splitting it in two. The other demons fled soon there after and Arek and the other two continued on their way. They reached the portal without further incident and Tavion walked through first, followed by Abigail, and then by Arek, who closed the portal behind him. Arek spoke up as he arrived into his pocket plane to see Abigail staring wide around the plane. "Welcome to the Throne of Murder, where I preside as the God of Murder."
"God of Murder? But how can you be a God? You look like a mere man?"
"I'm more of a demi-god. I haven't fully accepted the role of God of Murder, but I have taken up the responsibilities my father Bhaal had." Arek laughed, as she still looked confused. "Trust me, it's better for you that I not explain this in more depth, just accept that at the moment, I can live and die like everyone else in Faerun can."
"I can accept that," Abigail replied with a little smile on her face.
Arek turned to Caspenar. "Well, how is my guest doing?"
"Well, Lord of Murder, sir, he is alive, but just barely. I could finish him off I could, if you wished?" the imp asked, looking hopeful.
"No, I will heal him as best I can and then hand him over to the Order for judgement."
Abigail turned around to face Arek. "You work for the Order?"
"I am a paladin in service of the Most Noble Order of the Radiant Heart."
"That is how I know you. I have heard tales of your deeds: fairy tales. Tales of knights and swords, great deeds accomplished and greater enemies vanquished. You are a living legend to the younger members of the Order. I, myself, strive to accomplish a little of what you have."
"Trust me, it wasn't easy, I had a lot of help. Imoen, Anomen, Tavion, Jaheria, Viconia, Minsc, Victoria...oh hell, Victoria! Tavion, we need to get back to the others. Would you care to come with us Abigail?"
"You saved my life, of course I will come with you."
"Tavion, grab Oc and bring him along, we'll put him in the jail at Nashkel until we leave for Athkatla." Tavion grabbed Octavion and restrained him and then pulled him over to the portal. Arek stepped in front of the portal. "Take us to Nashkel." Suddenly, a portal appeared and Arek stepped through, followed by everyone else.
Minsc stared into the bottom of his empty flask. "Waitress, more ale for Minsc and Boo, saviors of Nashkel!" he shouted. The waitress hurried over and refilled his flask. He went to drink when the doors of the tavern opened and a man clad in dragon scale armor strode in, a two-handed sword on his back. Minsc ignored the newcomer. The newcomer, however, noticed Minsc and walked over to the drunken ranger.
"Savior of Nashkel eh? And what about the mages you were supposed to watch? Two are dead and the third is worried about where in the Hells you are. And what about your fearless leader? Where is the man who cowers when a town is attacked?"
"You WILL NOT talk about AREK that way!!!" With a drunken war cry, Minsc stumbled to his feet only to look into the face of his leader, Arek. "Oh, look Boo, it is Arek, our fearless leader. I am sure he wants to know all about the fight for Nashkel....oh...oh no. There is much to explain."
"Don't worry Minsc, I have heard all I needed to hear. I came here to drag your hide back to the inn so you can recover, we'll be leaving in two days time." He put Minsc's arm around his shoulder and walked him to the inn next door.
That night Arek sat up in bed thinking about Victoria, wondering if he should have waited to go after Tavion. He missed her company, and her warm body against his in bed. Arek knew that Tavion was happy to be back with Keara, he heard their excursions tonight, and they were three doors down the hallway. As much as he missed Victoria, however, he couldn't stop thinking about Abigail. She was gorgeous. Her body was perfect, almost goddess-like. He couldn't believe he was forgetting about Victoria already. Had he not cared deeply for her? Or was that just a spur of the moment thing? His thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft tap at the door. Arek got up and opened it without realizing he was half-naked. On the other side of the door stood Abigail, dressed in a white gown that did very little to hide what lay underneath. He opened the door further and before he could say anything, she kissed him passionately on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her and backed into the room. They broke their kiss before they got to the bed. "What was that for?" Arek asked.
"For rescuing me, and I felt that you shouldn't be alone tonight. Tavion told me about Victoria. I'm sorry for your loss."
"As am I, but I haven't been able to get my mind off you. Your beauty has distracted me ever since you came out of Borash's tent."
"Well at least its not just me, I was attracted to you the moment you stepped in to that tent and found your brother." Without further word she kissed him again and took off his trousers as he took off her gown. They explored each other before Arek laid Abigail down on the bed. As he mounted her and the intercourse began, Arek couldn't help thinking how right it felt. When it was all said and done, Arek smiled for he knew there was no way everyone in the inn didn't hear Arek and Abigail.