PART TWO
THE PATH OF REPENTANCE

WARNING: One part of this chapter is R-rated. It's well marked and so is where it ends. You won't miss anything vital by skipping over the called out part, and it's not very long....

Chapter Seven
The Road South

In another week the roads had cleared enough for the small group to continue their journey. Dalamar had gone into town to buy a few horses for the trip as Meggin would need one to ride and it was a good idea to have one to carry supplies. After Hamlet there would nothing, not even a small town, all the way South to the road between Swiftwater and Barter in Kharolis. Dezra turned to Usha as she looked over her shoulder to the map, "Isn't Kharolis where Flint was from?"

Usha crinkled her brows in vague confusion. "Who?"

"Flint."

"Flint who?" asked Usha again.

"Flint!" Dezra rolled her eyes. "Flint Fireforge, he was a dwarf that my father and Tanis traveled with."

"Ah," Usha raised her brows. "I wouldn't know, Dez. That was before my time."

"Before mine too," said Dez, as she looked at the map again. "So... we're here..."

She put her finger on a point of the map that was just South of Qualinesti forest and Wayreth, but West of the Thorbardin mountain chain. Usha smiled and moved Dezra's finger southward a little. "No, actually, we are here. But you're close."

"I thought because of the forest...!"

Usha explained, "That patch of green denotes the heavy growth of Qualinesti and Wayreth, not the light skifting of trees. But it will become more plains and desert from this point on. But the driest part will not be until we are more South West," Usha moved her finger directly south of the entire mountain chain, but to the West of Tarsis, "Then the savannah will turn to sand. There won't be much else until the oasis where Tarsis now sits."

Dezra nodded, then asked, "What's a savannah?"

Usha looked at Meggin, and Meggin said, "She'll see when she gets there, Usha, don't you worry."

"Hmph," was Usha's only response.

"What's her problem?" asked Dalamar curiously as he rode into the yard leading two other horses.

"I don't know what a 'savannah' is," answered Dezra.

"Actually," pointed out Meggin. "I think what is truly bothering her is that your father did not ensure that you were educated."

"I went to school!" Dezra retorted. "When I was a lot younger, anyway."

"That's still not what we meant," Dalamar slid down from the saddle to stand on the ground. "We mean that your education in life was limited. Like he was coddling you, like he did Palin before his Test... and even after before we all knew of your Uncle Raistlin's deception. You have never been outside of Solace, have you?"

"Well, not really... no..."

"And that's what we mean," said Meggin. "I bet you were even left at home while he and his older sons went to Haven for supplies for the Inn."

"Actually, it was my mother and Sturm more than my father and Tanin..." pointed out Dezra. "But I see your point, and you're right. Us girls were left at home, even Palin was, because Father was that frightened of us being hurt."

Dalamar checked the saddles and the bridles, all the while showing Dezra what to look for, "Lesson one in your life, if you're going to travel, you're going to learn to look after your horse and be able to tell a bad horse from the good, and even bad bit and bridling from the good."

Dezra followed Dalamar as he went from horse to horse, checking each with the ease of someone who had spent long hours in a stable. Finally, curiosity getting the better of her, she asked, "How does a wizard know so much about horses?"

At any other time in his life, Dalamar would have struck dead, or in the least rudely brushed off the person asking that question. But after giving her an explanation like he had, he bit back his normal reaction and answered as calmly as he could manage, "Because– because in Silvanesti that was all I was good for. My caste was so low that I was a Stable boy and, in Silvanesti, born to only do magic that was for the good of my caste."

Dezra perhaps sensed that he didn't want to talk about it further and didn't press him. In fact, she was a little more than surprised at the sharpness of the tone and the anger within it. She was satisfied to watch him work and when she had it down enough to meet his grudging approval, she knew that it would be the last time, minus surprise inspections, that he would go near the horses. Now that there was someone else to do this chore that painfully reminded him of Silvanost he would no longer have anything to do with it. Dezra muttered, "Go adventuring. See the world. Be a traveling stablegirl..."

She didn't notice Dalamar's half smile.

The four rode from the cottage and the village, riding to the South-East. Soon the forests gave way to balmy savannah and the rolling hills of Kharolis, which was the traditional holdings of the Neidar Dwarf, the Hill Dwarf. Eventually, in this savannah they eventually found a road and Usha, strangely, while still heading West, began to head North.

Dalamar, stopping his horse as he looked back down the road. "Usha, I don't mean to question, but why are we heading back North again?"

"There is a town this way, then the road branches south again," said Usha. "It's quicker to follow the road versus cut across country."

Dalamar nodded and began to follow again. Dezra rode in between them, looking from one to the other before asking, "We're heading to Barter, aren't we?"

Usha smiled, "Yes, we are. Given the route we have taken versus the route I usually take, we will first head to Barter, then South again to Wayend, then, and only then, we will have to cut across country and the trackless desert to the East, and Tarsis, along the coastline for awhile."

"And this should take, what, Usha?" asked Dalamar sharply. "A few weeks to Wayend? Then another month as we are forced to find purchase in the sands as our horses slip as they cannot find grip in the shifting sands?"

He reined in his horse sharply, "Usha, this is madness! That one part of the desert of which you speak is hundreds of miles across!"

"I have done it before," she said calmly. "There is a merchants path, a nomads path. The tribe of Bantere traverses this path every year. It is well marked. Not to mention that if we hurry, we can meet with the Sheik of Bantere in Banter and join with their caravan."

Dalamar still looked skeptical, but finally conceded, "Very well."

"Besides, Dalamar, it is well known among the desert people that 'the Miiro' traveled with Bantere and even married one of their daughters," was Usha's parting remark. "Consider it one step closer to what you seek– Raistlin's true daughter is of the Bantere tribe."

Meggin started at this, but stayed silent, as did Dezra. They did, however, share a conspiratory glance before following the two half-Irda. Eventually, the savannah gave way to dry desert with a few oasis dotting their path. Midway into the second day's ride, they came across a large oasis where a small pond with a geyser brought fresh water to the surface.

Unfortunately, they had to share it with another tribe of desert nomads that were not the Bantere clan. Usha reined in her horse as they came within sight. This might not be so good, she mused. Desert tribes, due to the lack of water and other life giving resources, tended to guard such resources jealously and often warred with the other tribes. Usha could not remember if this tribe, the Jahiwe, were currently at war with the Bantere. Dalamar rode up beside her as Meggin and Dezra hung back, "What is it?"

"Nomads, probably not friendly," she answered.

"You don't know?" he whispered.

"I can't remember for sure or not," Usha sighed. "The politics of the desert tribes are far more mutable than that of the Abanasinian Plainsmen. They could be at peace with the Bantere, at which point, we can approach and travel with them until Barter, or..."

"Or...?" asked Dezra, mildly frightened.

"Or we'll be received as guests, but if we travel together there is no way the Bantere will let us come close to them," said Usha. "Either way, I think we can approach."

Dalamar sighed in relief, "Thank the Gods, can we get this over with?"

Usha led them down to the oasis where the watch lit torches and waved them high to alert the guards of the visitors. She watched this carefully, noting the torch-language to see where she would have to stand with them, and seeing what she had feared, she leaned close to Dalamar and whispered in Elven, "I think we walked into the middle of a tribal war."

"Great," he muttered, also in Elven.

Dezra, while she hid her fear, sat nervously behind Usha as she addressed the Sheik. With a short bow, Usha introduced them, "My lord, I am Usha al-Irda, and these are my companions, Dalamar Argent, Meggin Talsin, and Dezra Majere."

The man looked from one to the other. For a moment his gaze settled on Dezra, but soon moved back to Usha. Dezra, while she was not under the man's eye, did not like the feel of his gaze. It reminded her far too much of some of the drunks that sometimes came through the doors of the Inn of the Last Home, the ones that tried to make a move on Dezra or Laura, but often, thanks to their father, only ended up back out in street where they came from and so nothing would ever come from it.

She got the feeling that if he wanted to, something could come of that gaze and this time her father was too far away to help her. "What an interesting group, led by a strong and beautiful woman."

"I am honored," said Usha. "For we are only passing through and request that we share the water of this oasis with you and your tribe for a night, and then we will be moving on."

"Indeed," said the Sheik, and he thought a moment. "On one condition."

He stood and walked over to Dezra, who swallowed nervously, "This will young woman share my tent with me tonight."

"I'm afraid not, Sheik," said Usha. "Her father would quite literally kill me should I ever give Dezra to anyone not her husband."

"Ah, but in the way of my people, I would be her husband, and she one of my wives," said the Sheik.

"I don't think so," piped up Dezra. "Where I come from, a man only has one wife, as a woman only has one husband. Trust me, that arrangement doesn't attract me."

It was as if the temperature dropped ten full degrees in the tent, and the Sheik frowned at Dezra before grabbing her wrist and pulling her from among her friends and to his side, "I think perhaps you were under the impression that you had a choice. I do not see the young woman's father here to argue and therefore what I say goes."

Dalamar drew himself up to his full height, "Perhaps you misheard her, Sheik. A woman can only have one husband, and Dezra is betrothed."

"She is?" asked the Sheik.

"I am?" echoed Dezra in puzzlement, then she caught Dalamar's glance. "Oh, yes! I am honored by the offer, but it is as Dalamar said, I am betrothed..."

"And unless he is here, I take you, the renegade wife for my own to bring under my reign," said the Sheik. "It is written that any woman so caught out by a man with honor will become his wife."

"I'm afraid it is you that is mistaken," said Dalamar, thinking a little too fast for his own good, and his own mouth even caught him by surprise. "Because then by your laws, you cannot take another man's wife if that man stands alive in your tent when you make the claim on his wife."

"That is true," admitted the Sheik. "But the girl's betrothed does not stand in this tent..."

"–Ah, but he does," said Dalamar, grabbing Dezra's other wrist. "For I am Dezra's betrothed and you are making a move on my wife..."

For a moment everyone stood there in surprise. No one was more surprised than Dalamar, the consummate ladies' man who swore that he would never marry and therefore keep himself free, or even Dezra, who never thought that the Dark Elf would leap to her defense so swiftly. Usha lifted an amused eyebrow, "Why, Dezra, I never realized... but it now fits..."

"It certainly does," admitted Meggin. "They were always talking so quietly in camp and when they would saddle the horses together... but, indeed, it certainly makes sense..."

"Wait..." began Dalamar.

"It's not that..." also began Dezra.

The Sheik looked from one to the other, "I had heard rumors that the elves did not approve of intermarriages between the humans and the elves, but I never thought I would see such a secret love until now... very well. I stand here a defeated man."

With a clap of his hands, "I am honored that you would share this truth with me and honor me by not allowing me to commit such a grievous crime of adultery within your own very sight. Now, please, return the honor, recline in my tent with no hidden agendas, with no veils of secrecy."

Usha nodded to them and they reclined with the Sheik, who finally introduced himself, "My name is Horus, of the Jahiwe."

The meal, as befitting an oasis stay, was far richer in content than what would have been in the middle of the desert. Dalamar was on his first glass of coffee when Horus leaned over to him, "My honored Dalamar... I have just remembered where I have heard your name. You're the Dark Elf of Palanthas, are you not?"

Dalamar hesitated, but seeing that Horus already knew of him, there was no point in denying the cold truth, "I am."

"I can now see why you have chosen the Majere girl as your betrothed," said Horus. "A cunning move, my friend. How better to truly claim that Dark Tower than to marry the Master's own niece and therefore marry into the family. Then the Tower would be yours, not only because you were his apprentice, but also because of inheritance. Cunning, and brilliant. However... it is obvious, too."

"It certainly must be," said Dalamar, with a tinge of irony. "If everyone can see it plain as day as you can."

"That is not your aim? You honestly tell me this?" Horus seemed perplexed. "It was my aim. I knew the Majere name the second I heard it, and also recognized a Guardian when I saw her as well. Two Guardians, neither of them this one called Usha, passed through the desert many, many years ago according to my father. One was called Marion Uth Maleste, the other Raistlin Majere. I would have had young Dezra to also lay claim to the legacy, and I do not follow the Gods of Darkness. Why would you, who openly does follow at least one God of Darkness, not take such a cunning path?"

Dalamar thought a moment, "It was rather spur of the moment. I can admit that I can be cold, even ruthless... but there is something about her, I suppose. Something that called on me to claim her before someone else would take that opportunity, that love, from me. I want her, not the family she represents."

Horus leaned back and thought a moment as he looked over at the young girl, "I can see that point as well."

Eventually it came time to retire for the night. Horus stood and walked them out of the tent, but kept a hand on the shoulders of Dalamar and Dezra as he guided them out before the eyes of his tribe. "I give you Dalamar and Dezra, whom shall share a tent this night. The Gods watch over their now shared lives!"

A roar met them, and Dalamar looked at Dezra, who looked up at him with wide, frightened eyes as they were led to a tent to one side of the Sheiks tent. A slave girl led them inside and saw to the lamp being lit while demonstrating how it could be snuffed out and lit, should they require it. Finally, she left and let the tent panels slide close in many layers to prevent the sand, wind, and any noise filter in or out.

Usha watched this, a slight frown on her face as she stood beside Meggin, "Caramon is going to kill me."

"No, he won't," said Meggin, then thought a moment with a slight smile. "Okay, he'll threaten, yell, shout, and even chase you around Solace, but he won't literally kill you. I think–"

"That's a marginal relief, Meggin," remarked Usha.

"–I would still get a head start though," finished Meggin.

Dezra gazed into the light of the burner, her knees pulled up below her chin. She listened in this state as she heard the rustling sound that meant that Dalamar was already undressed and ready for bed. She jumped as his hand touched her back. "Would you relax?" he whispered. "See, I'm still wearing clothing."

She turned and saw that he still wore a light weight, if slightly translucent, black linen tunic and loose drawstring pants. "I don't know if I can..." she said, tears silently falling down her face. "I can't thank you enough for making sure that I wouldn't have to marry that Sheik, but I don't know if I can meet your expectations for a wife either."

"Relax, Dez," he said gently. "I said that because I knew you weren't ready for marriage and he would have stolen you from us had I not claimed you. Now, we will be getting checked on later, so perhaps it would be best if you also got ready for bed and at least slept, and I mean sleep as in the literal sense of the word, beside me in the same bed and so there will be no reason for them to question my words. I'll even turn my back while you undress."

Which he did, rolling over on his side so that all she saw was his black clothed back and his silky dark hair... No!... she thought to herself sharply. He may be handsome, but I'm not ready for what he would expect from me.

Not to mention that not only would my father kill me, but Uncle Raistlin would be absolutely livid at both of us...

She undressed from her traveling clothes and then dressed in her nightgown and slid in beside him. "Your feet are cold," he remarked.

"Yours aren't much better," she retorted.

He began to laugh softly as he rolled back to his back and lay with his eyes closes. "Dulak," he whispered and the lamp went out, bathing them in darkness.

"That's handy," she said.

"Hmm, it can be," he conceded. "Sleep well, Dezra."

"You too, Dalamar."

A few moments went by of near blissful silence, and Dalamar had almost fallen to sleep when he felt a slender finger poking him in the ribs. "Dalamar? Are you asleep?"

"I almost was," he whispered.

"Sorry... I have a question," she said. "What will happen if we end up traveling with them... we'll have to do this every night... what then?"

"Dez..."

"Yeah?"

"I would be lying if I said that I didn't find that prospect tempting," he said. "I wouldn't mind it. Would you truly?"

She was silent for so long he feared it was she who fell asleep. "Truthfully?" she asked quietly, finally.

His heart sank a bit at this, but then she answered, "I wouldn't find it all that hard to do either. Come on, I would have to be dead to not be able to admit I find you highly attractive. But if this gets back to either my father, or my Uncle, we're both so dead."

He chuckled then, "I'm not afraid of your father, and your Uncle is one of those types that after a certain age he lets go as children become adults. He wouldn't approve, but he would not interfere either."

"Oh..." came her quiet reply. "Dal... Dalamar... would you be mad at me if I told you that the only reason I didn't want to share your tent was because I've never been with a man before in my life... and I didn't think that my husband would be you?"

"No," he said. "Why would I be upset over the fact that you're a virgin, Dezra? So what if you're pure in that sense. And I didn't expect to be married... period."

She was silent again, and Dalamar took a deep breath and released it in a sigh, thinking that she had finally fallen asleep, but was surprised when she suddenly sat up, leaned over him, and kissed him sweetly on the lips. She lay down just as fast and lay on her side, facing away from him while he recovered from both the shock and surprise that surged through him, as well as another, more adult desire than began to smolder.

Dalamar, being how old he was, could be patient with a great many of things, but this one had taken him by surprise. Not to mention that she had taken the first move. He rolled her back over on her back and leaned over her for a mere second before hungrily seizing her lips in a burning kiss. Her fingers of her left hand entangled in his hair while he tangled his own fingers in hers, and she grasped his back with the other.

He took a breath as he stared down at her, his darkvision allowing him to take in every little detail in what little light there was while she could not clearly see him in the dark. What she could see sent sparks down her spine and she moved one hand inside the V of his tunic to feel the heated, but soft skin, beneath.

"Are you sure," he whispered breathlessly, feeling his desire slowly overtake his senses. "Because after this point, there is no going back for me."

"I am sure," she said softly. "I need you."

That was all the permission he needed as he slid her nightgown up and over her head to reveal her topless as she wore a simple pair of underwear underneath, but nothing else. His head moved down to nibble on a nipple as his hand kneaded and teased the other. Dezra moaned and arched beneath him, her knee gently rubbing his manhood accidently. For a moment she froze as she realized what she had brushed against but one look from him stilled her. She even wondered if he had ensorcelled her but was reassured when she knew that she had wanted this, wanted him, since seeing him. He'd had no need.

SKIP THIS PART UNTIL I SAY IT'S SAFE TO READ IF YOU'RE UNDER 18

A few minutes of explorations, of searing touches and deep kisses that required coming up for air as if they drowned in water and both of them lay unclothed on the bed. Time seemed to stand still as they simply stared at each other, Dalamar asking without saying a word, asking for permission... if she was sure... Dezra reached up and pulled him to her and moments later he paused at her entrance before sliding ever so slowly inside of her.

She moaned and arched in response, the pain of being taken for the first time rapidly disipating as the pleasure of what he was doing with his fingers sent electric shivers up her spine. Finally, when she felt as if the tearing was gone, they began to move to meet each other motion for motion, slow thrust for slow thrust.

They really had no sense of time, but a growing anticipation and tension caused the motion of meeting each other as if trying to make their two bodies into one, made them move faster and the sensations began to rise. Dezra's breaths came in short pants as she tried to take in breaths but found breathing too hard to control. Small moans escaped as the sensation began to rise, as if her very core was being touched. She opened her eyes to see that Dalamar held the same lost concentration as if he was in pain, but such a sweet pain! "Oh Gods," she moaned and then closed her eyes as thought fled and she felt as if her soul had been set aflame. "Oh Gods!"

Dalamar took one breath in and moaned once as he went taut, spilling his essence into her before collapsing into the pillows and trying to catch his breath. Dezra held him as he still idly played with her oversensitive nipple.

IT'S SAFE TO READ NOW!

"Did we just do that?" she wondered aloud.

"My dear Dezra, it's a little late to be going back on things now," he murmured drowsily.

She punched him in the shoulder and watched as he half heartedly rubbed it. "What is with you?" she asked. "You sure as the Abyss weren't sleepy a little while ago."

"It's a natural reaction... for a male, anyway... to be lulled into sleep after that," he mumbled, pulling her close.

Dezra let him pull her close and even reciprocated by allowing him to 'spoon' to her back with his arm over her side and she held his hand, massaging the fingers. She could feel him smile contentedly behind her, then he exhaled and was asleep. To be honest, she was also tired from that, but her mind was too active to sleep just yet.

Not only had he claimed her as his wife to the encampment, but had also claimed her in a more personal, more carnal, method. Father will be livid, she knew. But I don't care...

With that she fell asleep.

A/N: Hopefully I didn't, ah, squick anyone....