shadow0015: I loved writing that scene. They're both so twisted in their own ways…no wonder they ended up in bed together. ;-)

Chapter Six

Rays of sunlight streamed through the room, falling across the fighter's face. Saronax growled and opened his eyes.

"Well.I see that you are finally awake. Ihope that your pathetic exertions of last night brought at least one of us some measure of pleasure." A sarcastic voice stated.

Saronax looked across the room. Viconia sat in a chair, fully clothed and glaring at him.

Saronax pushed several bangs away from his forehead before speaking. "Pathetic? It sure didn't take you long to go back to being a cold-hearted bitch."

"I am merely disappointed. Your performance pales in comparison to a drow male. My skin simply crawls with the thought that I allowed your rough hands to touch me!"

"I don't understand you. Last night you were practically begging me to hold you and this morning you're acting like I forced myself upon you!" Saronax roared.

"Do not deny your salivating male desires, fool. I found the thought of your touch pleasing, but now I know better…you are no more than a boy in men's clothing!"

"You're not wonderful yourself you whore! What? Do you want me to pay you for your services? Like the calimshite merchant? Is that what I am to you? A PAWN?"

Viconia stood up, livid. "How dare you refer to me as such! You bastard!"

"Bastard am I?" Saronax got out of bed and grabbed Viconia's arm. "Then what's stopping me from taking you by force right now?" He asked, his eyes burning with almost savage rage.

Viconia shook her arm loose from his grip. "I know you too well, Saronax. You would never do that to me, or any woman for that matter."

"You understand me?" He sneered at her. "Is that how you managed to convince me to sleep with you last night? I can't believe I let you talk me into that!"

"Concern yourself with it no longer, then! I shall go and scrub your foul stain from my skin and attempt to suppress my gorge should you approach me again!" She turned around and walked towards the door.

"You do that! Now that I think of it, do you want me to pay after you finish scrubbing yourself or do you want me to pay you right now, harlot?" He called after her.

Viconia spun around. Before Saronax could blink, Viconia walked up to him and punched him in the jaw. Astounded, Saronax felt his mouth. Blood stained his fingertips.

Viconia gave him her iciest glare before storming out of the room. Saronax let out a stream of obscenities after the door shut.

"Wow, Sarr. I didn't know you knew that many curses." said an awed voice from Saronax's pack.

Saronax walked over to his pack and pulled Zake out. "How much of that did you hear?"

"Nothing except for the cuss words. Why do you-" Zake cut off abruptly. "Holy mother of shinys! What happened to your back?"

Saronax turned his head. Many long deep scratches decorated his back, products of Viconia's passion the night before. "They're 'gifts' from the Viconia." He said bitterly.

"She raped you?"

"In a sense."

"AHA! I knew she wanted todo you! Bob owes me ten gold!"

"Bob?"

"One of the people in my head."

"…Right."

"So…where is Vicky?"

"Why would I care where that slut is?" Saronax snapped and sheathed Zake. After donning his armor, the fighter stepped out of the room.

XXXXX

Saronax glared at Viconia across the bar. Barely two days had passed since the event between the two and Viconia was already speaking to another man.

Salvanas gave Viconia what he thought was a dashing grin. "Hmmm. I always love a dark, brooding woman. I sense that you have a sensuous nature, my elven beauty."

"You don't know the half of it, male." Viconia said flatly.

"Indeed? Perhaps we could…find someplace more private and discuss thee things we have in common…?"

"You do not interest me, male. And doubt you could withstand the force of drow passion."

"I would be willing to die if that it took to partake in your swarthy lust, my dear…"

Viconia's could feel Saronax's gaze boring into her. "Hmmm, suddenly I am tempted…"

Saronax had seen enough. He stood up and walked over to Salvanas. "Could I speak with you for a minute?"

Salvanas whirled around, ready to make an angry retort but stopped when he saw the burly fighter that stood behind him. "Okay." He said weakly.

Saronax lead him to another part of the bar. "Listen, there's something you should know about the drow you were speaking to."

"Oh?"

"She's slept with nearly every man she's met south of Nashkell. For your own good, do NOT sleep with her. I heard one guy woke up missing a kidney." Saronax lied.

Salvanas paled.

"And I've heard from reliable sources that she has a horrible case of crabs…" Saronax lied.

"Crabs?"

"You know, it's a sexually transmitted disease in which-"

"No! I…I know what it is." Salvanas said before walking away, babbling a quick apology to Viconia, and practically running out of the Copper Coronet.

Viconia walked over to Saronax, glaring. "What did you say to him?"

"Never mind that."

"Why did you stop him?"

"To protect the rest of my gender from you." Saronax snapped and strode away. I knew it was a mistake. I knew it. Saronax didn't stop until he reached his room.

XXXXX

"I have been thinking about how you have refused to take up your destiny as the son of Bhaal...You have no impetus to carve an empire, and you are certainly no Lord of Murder.I have decided you are weak and cowardly, not fit for the godsblood flowing within you." Viconia said the next day as they walked through the woods towards the Umar hills.

"My destiny is my own, Viconia.I'll not discuss it with you." Saronax snarled.

"Yes...that is the Saronax I now expect. Brush me off, refuse to meet a challenge; you are unworthy...like a worm you meet your destiny on your belly." Viconia sniped.

"Okay, what the Hell is your problem? Why is it that every time you open your mouth, you spew shit?"

"You nauseate me, Saronax...is that not reason enough?I look upon you and I see something that I would rather squish under my boot!"

Saronax sighed in exasperation. "Again you snap shut on me. Is it so hard to deal with someone as an equal, Viconia? Like Valas was to you?"

"Arrgh! How irritating you are when you presume so! Get away from my sight! Away!"

XXXXX

That night Saronax watched once more as Viconia strutted around the bar, attempting to aggravate Saronax as much as possible by flirting with other male patrons. Finally, Saronax had enough and walked out of the building.

The warm air of the night greeted Saronax as he stepped outside. Not sure of his direction—and not really caring—Saronax made his way down the road. The fighter stopped at the river when he heard an approaching presence.

Viconia walked over to him. "I have a confession to make to you. Give me your ears for a moment and listen, if you possess the sense." she declared.

Saronax scowled at her. "I have no interest in more of your games, Viconia." He started to walk away but Viconia grabbed his arm. "That is too bad. I refuse to allow you to push me aside, regardless of your sullen mood or overbearing demeanor. You will listen to me, Saronax."

She took a deep breath. "You wish to know of me? You wish to learn what I am like? I shall tell you the truth of it, then. I have lied to you, Saronax, lies upon lies. My tale of the farmer in Beregost? A lie. I laid with him many times, seducing him to get the things I needed. It was his wife and townsfolk that drove me out. Like a succubus I have whored my way to Amn, taking what favors I could gather through sweat and passion. I earned passage with tongue and moans, Saronax, with more males than you can count. And you are nothing compared to them. Any of them. So, then.What do you think of that, Saronax? What do you think of me now?"

Saronax searched her face. Viconia's gaze was determined and angry but another emotion showed though; deceit. "I think you are lying.Why are you trying to push me away?" Saronax asked, genuinely hurt.

"I am telling you that I have had rivvil by the dozens, that I allowed their saliva to cover me, allowed them to use me for their pleasures! And I enjoyed it! I am a creature of dark lusts, you fool! Why are you not disgusted by this! Turn away from me, spit on me and curse my name, I command you!"

"Liar! I'm not those other men! I've seen the real you, Viconia! I won't let you push me away!"

"Bastard! Stubborn bastard! Jal khaless zhah waela! Why must I trust you! WHY! In trust lies death! Leave me alone! I will not be dominated! Stay away!"

Saronax suddenly reached out and covered Viconia's mouth with his palm. Viconia let out several indignant yells but Saronax silenced her by whispering, "Quiet, wench. They'll hear us."

Viconia didn't know who or what he was describing but fell silent anyway. Several robbers stepped out of the woods. "Too late." Saronax muttered.

"Hand over yer possessions and the lass and we'll let ye go, lad." The leader promised.

"Why her?"

"She's quite a looker. She'll fetch a nice price on the slave market."

"Go fuck yourself." Saronax replied calmly. He had left both Zake and his spear at the inn so he brought up his fists and went into a fighting crouch.

One of the more impulsive bandits roared and leapt at Saronax, brandishing a rapier. Saronax ducked the blow that was aimed at him and delivered a solid punch to the bandit's unprotected belly. The bandit grunted and dropped his sword. Saronax grabbed the blade and swiftly gutted the bandit.

Another bandit rushed in to fight Saronax. They began a complex fighting pattern, their blades clashing continually in almost perfect rhythm. Viconia stayed back and chanted spells to help Saronax. So engrossed in a spell Viconia was that she didn't notice another bandit sneaking up behind her.

Viconia let out a yelp as the bandit tackled her. She tried to struggle loose but the bandit was too strong and pinned her to the ground. The man grinned and reached towards her waist.

Saronax roared and pulled the bandit off of Viconia, dangling him in the air and stabbing him in the ribs. The fighter let the bandit drop. "I think that's all of them."

Viconia nodded and started to stand up when her eyes widened. "Look out, male!" she screamed but it was too late. The leader thrust his knife in Saronax's back.

Arrow Maker: Cliffhangar. Bwahahaha.