Did you know... There are PICTURES of Maera, in case you were wondering what a Dragonelf looks like. A lovely associate of the project on DeviantArt has made protraits of her. Just look up Maera on DA and check her out.

VI

Arkail soon noticed the absence of Inquisition's agents in the woodlands around the village his clan lived in. He had returned to his family, to his wife and son, together with Marhlok, his father. Normally, hordes of agents would spy around and question human villagers in the surrounding lands, but never get close enough to the Orcish villages to detect them. Ark knew he was sought after, like every leading member of the rebellion was, but the Inquisition was weakened, and the Orcs were careful. They knew this land, breathed its air and drank its water, it was in their blood and souls. He was back home, and the Inquisition was at a disadvantage. The weirder it was that the agents seemed to have disappeared over the last weeks. Even though he thought that it was a step strange to comprehend, he was not unhappy about it. It gave the Red Breath clan the chance to reorganize and form an assault detachment towards the wall to free the remaining slaves from places the rebellion had not reached yet. He sometimes wondered what his buddy Styx was doing, or Arkence, the mage. He just knew she survived the rebellion and had gathered the last mages to revive their order, but he didn't know where she was. Styx was probably doing just fine, surviving, as was his biggest talent. Yet, the Orc often thought about seeing him again, to introduce him to his family and talk about old times. Maybe one day. For now, Arkail's focus was on freeing his kin.

Styx cowered on the point of a ledge that poised over the city far below, shrouded in the shadowplay of the last rays of the evening sun. Half of his body was covered in the shades, his tattoo glowing faintly.

He had really tried to stay away from the Library for some time, but he just couldn't. Instead, Styx kept stalking Roderick and Maera as well, still worried about her and what that son of a bitch might do to her. Sometimes he sneaked after the human, sometimes after the Dragonelf, and the latter not only because he was worried, but also because he desperately missed her company and longed for the sweet pleasures she could give him.

Not only for that. He also longed for seeing her smile…

Forget her, Rakash, a nasty voice inside his head said.

Styx frowned down at the maze of crooked lanes and ramshackle buildings of the city as the sun disappeared behind the horizon. The shadows grew thicker, hiding the labyrinthine old alleyways and roads deep down in darkness, covering it in a faint golden hue.

You've had your fun with her, but now that's over. She's found a prettier toy to play with, so move your ass and kill something.

It's not only because of the fun. I miss talking to her. I miss her voice, Styx told himself.

You only miss the fucking. Forget it. Compared to a handsome, intellectual gentleman, a rat like you will always lose out. It was just a matter of time, and you knew it, Rakash, the voice snarled. His head throbbed with pain as it rang between his ears. Styx forced himself not to question the origin of the voice. Not to think about it, just ignore it, bury it deeply in the muddy back of his mind with all the other horrible mental waste. Styx breathed heavier, gazing down at the fainting orange light. It almost looked like Amber dust.

No, that's not it…, Styx thought. I need her. She helps me. She feels good.

Rakash… You never needed anybody. You don't need anybody now. You are a survivor, and you take lonely any time. Don't show any weaknesses! You've already acted way too wimpy in her presence, it's disgusting! Do us a favor and forget this useless bitch. She doesn't give a shit about you.

The voice sounded almost enraged, making his headache worse with every angry word. Styx felt like his head was wrapped in wool, and swayed a little. The maze of the old town blurred, got closer. He almost lost his footing on the ledge, and with a gasp he got a grip on himself.

The sun had set, the golden hue faded away. Darkness covered the world, and his tattoo shone brightly.

Styx shook his head.

No. It's not that easy, he thought. I don't care what she might think about me. I gotta protect her.

The voice inside his head laughed insanely.

Fool.

Styx continued stalking Roderick and Maera for quite a few days, always watching their steps from the shadows, with a burning pain in his body whenever he saw them together. Roderick was the world's biggest asshole just as usual. Maera seemed to be sad most of the time. Even though it also made Styx sad he hoped with all his heart that it was because she missed him, but more likely because she was still angry with him.

Styx pondered over and over again what he had done wrong and why he was being treated so unfair, and the nightmarish voice told him to be angry with Maera in return for being such a naïve idiot. Deep inside, though, he knew exactly why she was so angry, and he could understand her frustration. She wanted him to come clear about his jealousy and their relationship instead of blaming her for doing things she had every right to do. As if it was that fucking easy. Thinking about this made Styx's head hurt, and the raging voice reached a volume that made him want to slam his face against the wall.

He was very aware of the fact that Maera was not bound in a relationship and technically free to do whatever she wanted. Styx was pretty sure that it wasn't about Roderick being attractive to her, it was about the principle. At least he desperately hoped so. Concerning flirting, the same went for Styx, he also could get himself a bunch of girls if he felt like it. Apart from the fact that he would probably, no, most certainly never find another person like Maera, Styx didn't want to. He wanted no one else. But he couldn't talk about this mess inside his head with Maera. It was chaos.

Styx knew that hiding in the shadows like a total nutcase didn't make the situation any better, but he couldn't think of another thing to do. He didn't want to address the Roderick-matter again to not make Maera any angrier, but he also couldn't do what she wished for. He couldn't put into words what was going on inside of him, he just knew that seeing Roderick with her set alarm bells ringing in his head and made his blood boil with fury and fear. Fear to lose her. Styx knew that he had to watch over Maera, or else something bad was going to happen. His sharp instincts told him to keep a keen eye on her and that asshole Roderick, even if that meant to crawl through the rafters like a rat while that dickhead was hitting on her.

After some days of silent prowling, watching and cursing, Styx's worst nightmare seemed to become true: Roderick invited himself over to have supper with Maera, and she accepted.

Quiet as a short, ragged gargoyle, Styx watched from the rafters of Maera's chambers as the two were eating and chatting at the very same table that he and Maera normally sat at. Roderick did most of the talking, being an arrogant asshole, as always. Styx had been worried that Maera and him might be getting into more suggestive topics, but to his great relief Maera seemed to just have looked for some distraction. Roderick tried to flirt in such a slimy way that Styx was tempted to throw up at more than one occasion, but luckily Maera did not chime in. He didn't know what he would do if she did. Loose his mind, probably.

Even though Maera did not flirt back for now, Styx sensed danger. It got later, and the sun went down, and Roderick stayed and stayed, babbling on about how awesome he was and how pretty Maera looked. Boiling with rage and anxiety, Styx sat and waited for Roderick to leave. Finally, Maera stood up.

"I'm going to bed now, if you don't mind", she announced.

Up in the rafters, Styx gave a sigh of relief.

"Oh, quite the contrary, hottie", Roderick said. "I don't mind you to go first, it gives you the chance to change into something more... form-fitting than those unflattering robes. If you were wondering, I have a thing for pink lingerie. I'll join you shortly after and attend to you with all my burning passion." The human stepped up to her and firmly grabbed her hand, stroking her cheek with his index finger. Styx almost lost it in his hideout. What the fuck was he thinking?!

Maera looked puzzled.

"Roderick, are you trying to get me laid?"

"What... Of course, most beautiful flower that ever bloomed north of the Wall! I couldn't but notice the way you were looking at me since we met the first time, the longing, hungry gaze in your wonderful eyes whenever I was close to you... I felt how much you wanted our bodies to entwine in all-consuming passion. And I will grant you that wish and satisfy you in a way you've never experienced before!", the human answered dramatically.

It took all of Styx's self control to not leap down between them, beat the shit out of Roderick, shove his tongue down his throat and cut him into tiny strips with his dagger. He knew exactly that if he got seen now, Maera would know that he had been stalking her all the time and she would probably be so disappointed that she never spoke to him again. It was her choice alone, she didn't want him to control her, and surely she didn't have to explain herself and who she slept with since she was not bound in a relationship... Styx knew that, that was part of why she got angry with him in the first place. And yet, Styx remembered the utterly sad look in her eyes when he had failed to get clear about everything. She had hoped for a certain answer, and he had disappointed her. Styx wasn't sure if she had been hurt enough to see him off forever, if she even cared to see him again. If so, she might be interested in another man to warm her bed, just as he had feared, even if it was a total dick like Roderick.

If Maera refused the human, it would mean that she probably still wanted Styx to be with her. If she accepted Roderick's offer... Styx had failed, and lost her. Maybe. Maybe not. It was so damn confusing. Styx experienced a pain worse than anything he had ever felt in his entire life, ripping him apart from the inside. All he could do was wait helplessly for her decision, swearing quietly and desperately hoping that Maera refused that asshole's offer. He didn't know what to do should she agree with Roderick. He didn't know whether he could bear the pain.

"Roderick, I was always flattered by your compliments, but I never expressed the wish to sleep with you. Sorry to say that, but if you got the impression that I wanted to, you were mistaken. The answer is no", Maera said politely and pushed his hand away.

Styx was so relieved he almost couldn't handle the emotional ups and downs he was going through right now. Excitedly grinning and ears pricked with tension, he waited for Roderick's response. The human made a mortally offended face.

"What... You refuse?!"

"Yes. I don't want to."

"Wha... NOBODY ever turned me down, you hear that?!", he shouted angrily.

"Well, looks like I'm the first woman with some taste. I'm not that easy to have, by the way. If you'll excuse me, I'll go to sleep now. Alone", Maera said firmly, turning away.

"You know very well that you want me!", Roderick growled, reached forward and grabbed her arm. "I am heir to the Lord of Mezdé and you should be thankful that I care about you, greenskin!"

"The hell... Let go of me!", Maera shouted, twisting in his grip.

"Shut up, bitch!"

He hit her across the face.

Maera gasped with pain and shock. Roderick rudely wrenched her to the floor while she desperately tried to wriggle free.

Something dashed down from the rafters and knocked the human to the ground.

Everything they saw was a glimpse of a shadow, and Maera's arm was free and Roderick lay on the ground with the most pissed Goblin in the world sitting on his chest, beating the hell out of him.

"You fucking son of a bitch! For fuck's sake, I swear if you get your slimy hands on my Maera just one more time, if you even get close to her just one more fucking time, I'll turn your pathetic life into hell until you wish you've never been born! You hear me? Never!"

Styx kept hitting and cursing, explaining Roderick very vividly that even thinking of Maera again might just be the last thing he ever did.

Maera had recovered from the shock quickly. As she was sure that Roderick wasn't going to harm her again, she asked Styx to stop, as she wanted to talk to him herself. Standing in front of the cowering human as blood ran from his nose, she glared down at him with a disgusted expression, her eyes burning with fury.

"Stand up, asshole. I'm very disappointed, I thought you actually were a notable researcher one could work with, and not some fucking skirt chaser that treats women like shit. Now tell me, why did you think I'd want you in my bed?"

Roderick staggered a little, but made it to stand upright. His face looked pretty bad and, more importantly, the arrogant glitter had vanished from his eyes.

"Damn, that cruel monster… I… Maera, you know you are quite attractive, and you signaled that you were interested in me", Roderick finally said feebly.

"And why the fuck did you think I'm that easy to have?", she asked coolly.

"Well… Isn't it obvious? When I heard that this... thing there… " He made a quick step to the side when Styx glared at him angrily. "… was sharing your bed sometimes, if that is even true, I thought you might be open for somebody more... You know. Somebody more decent and handsome to match your taste. You deserve someone better."

Styx shivered with disgust and anger, but when Maera raised a finger he reined back his fury.

"Let me get this straight... You thought that I had a bunch of terrible one-night-stands with Styx and since you believed that it might be disappointing for me, you were so noble to make overtures to me in order to prove how much greater in bed you are, and me talking politely to you was enough to convince you I'd agree?", Maera asked slowly, raising one brow.

"Erm... Yes?"

"Styx, cut off his nose and stuff it in his gob."

"Oh, you fucking bastard, I'm gonna enjoy this...", Styx growled feral and drew his dagger. Roderick went even paler.

"Wait! Wait, don't, please let me explain... Maera, you are being unfair! I mean, what that ragged monster does with you is just exploiting you! He wants to get in bed with you, to fulfill his bestial needs! He's only with you to use you for making out. I mean, just look at him for a second! He's an animal, driven by an animal's desire! So why are you even angry with me when I just tried to improve things for you? I would have been gentle and passionate, and clean, besides, and you would never forget a night with me…"

Styx lost it.

"What the hell are you even thinking, asshole? You know NOTHING about me, or Maera, or us! Nothing! You just want to abuse her 'cuz she's a fucking beauty! For fuck's sake, you hit her, you arrogant son of a whore! You hurt her! I would never even think of hurting her! I enjoy just being near her and listening to her voice or watching her read just as much as I enjoy having sex with her. So don't you fucking tell me I was using her, that's what you wanna do! You only see her pretty body! Maera is the most interesting, warmest and most wonderful person I've ever met in my entire life and you shallow-brained son of a whore just don't see it!", he yelled.

As Styx was ranting on, Maera just stared at him unbelieving, stunned with emotion. Styx suddenly realized what he was doing and stopped abashed. He saw her expression, and their gazes locked. The two looked at each other in awkward silence and Styx could almost feel the unspoken words hanging between them. He forgot to breathe, frozen with shock.

What the hell had he just said? It had touched her deeply, he could see that in her eyes. There was a fiery glitter behind the dark hazel color, the very same one he had seen in them in their first night, when they had started talking, when Maera had kissed him for the first time.

The look they exchanged spoke volumes, Styx felt, but they were written in a language he couldn't understand. Still, a warm, fluttery feeling of affirmation filled him, making his head swim and chasing shivers down his spine. He knew he had not lost her.

After a few heartbeats that seemed like an eternity, Maera turned to Roderick.

"Styx, give me your dagger. Roderick, I'll say this just once, so listen closely. You'll get the fuck away right now and better never talk to us again, or I'll cut your pathetic little prick off and stuff it in your arrogant stupid face myself, and I'm gonna enjoy it", she said softly, her eyes burning with the wild angry fire Styx had already seen on her. He had to grin, despite himself.

Roderick lifted his hands in defense, white with panic, and ran away without looking back. When he was gone, Maera turned back to Styx, tears in her eyes.

"Oh Styx... I'm so sorry..."

Styx didn't say anything. He just walked towards her and took her in his arms, pressing her close. She buried her face in his hood. Styx closed his eyes and deeply inhaled the scent of her hair, incredibly glad and relived that she was with him again.

"I don't know how I could mistrust you... You knew it all the time, and I was too haughty to see how badly that guy wanted to treat me. I was such a bloody asshole to you, Styx. Can you ever forgive me...?", Maera sniffed.

"I thought that I'd lost you, my beauty", Styx said quietly.

"You certainly haven't. Quite the opposite."

He smiled and pulled her closer, feeling the rise and fall of her chest as she was breathing, feeling her unusually warm skin under her woolen robes. His tiredness was forgotten.

"I must apologize to you, Styx. I was... I was so angry, and I..." She sighed, tears running down her face. "I guess when you told me what to do, I took it the wrong way. Can't stand it when I'm told to do stuff without explanation why. I wanted to know why you reacted like that. I wanted to know what… How you think about all this, about us. You never tell me why you do something, Styx, or what you feel."

"I'm not good at that kind of stuff, I admit. In fact, I kinda suck at that. Feelings and all that shit can be... unsettling for me", Styx said. "But I can tell you that I'm SO not sorry for stalking you. Watching you bathe is really nice. Quite a sight. Kept me from feeling lonely for a while."

She laughed at that.

"You wouldn't have slept with him, would you…?", Styx asked reluctantly.

"What, that arrogant little snob? I'd rather eat a cockroach. No, I just thought that when I ignored his flirting, he was kinda entertaining to talk to. Working becomes more enjoyable when you get along well with your colleagues. But let him in my bed? Never even thought about it", Maera laughed. Then her expression softened. "You should know that I have a different kind of taste."

"And that makes me the luckiest bastard on the continent", Styx replied. On the inside, he cheered with relief and triumph. Maera put her hands on his chest, avoiding his gaze.

"I know you don't like talking about that and if it's so hard for you, I won't bother you with it. But... Just tell me: What you said to Roderick about me... Was it the truth?"

Styx hesitated, his thoughts swirling through his head like snowflakes. Had he really been himself when he had his outburst? He felt the uncomfortable pounding again and struggled to ignore the raging voice piping up. Then he looked at Maera's beautiful eyes with that hidden glimmer, the lips that he had grown so fond of, her smooth green skin. The way it felt to embrace her. The way hearing her voice chased away his weariness like the morning sun melted the mist. He was so relieved that she was finally safe again, that she still wanted to spend time with him... Styx felt a lot of things for Maera, a hell of a lot. He just couldn't tell what to call that mingle-mangle, that chaos in his head. He had never felt like this for anyone else, never in his long life. And he had never met somebody that seemed to feel the same for him, probably. It was new, and it was strange, and sometimes it fucking hurt and made him feel like he was losing his mind. And still, what he had told Roderick had been the utter truth.

"Yeah... I guess so."

Maera kept silent for a few seconds, as if she waited for him to say more. He couldn't, and right now he wouldn't, it was too much for him to handle. He quietly hoped that she would understand that.

To his relief, Maera seemed to sense how overburdened and confused he was, and just smiled. She leaned in to kiss him passionately, and Styx kissed her back, thankful for her silent understanding.

"I forgive you, little stupid. You're not angry with me anymore?", he asked.

"Of course not! You saved me from that slimy piece of garbage! Damn, his face when you were done with him was just priceless. My brave, strong, dirty, weird-smelling, swearing, wonderful Rakash...", she said jokingly. Styx grinned, picked her up and the way he normally dragged corpses around and carried her to the sleeping room. She was laughing like crazy when he dumped her on the bed and placed himself over her, kissing her again. With a quick movement, Maera flipped him over and sat atop him, pressing the smooth curves of her body on him. She stripped Styx of his armor as quickly as she got rid of her robe. Their snickers turned into quick breathing and moaning soon enough, and then the two lost themselves in heated embraces, trailing the other's body with hands and lips and tongue. Later, when Maera twisted on Styx, crying out his name as she climaxed, he had forgotten about what happened that evening. Almost, that is, for he would never forget the way she had looked at him when he had told Roderick about his attitude towards her. He hoped with all his heart that Maera would remain patient with him, remain willing to have him by her side, for he didn't know if he would ever be able to put his feelings into words the way she probably wished for. If she felt the same way.

Styx looked at Maera sleeping naked beside him, draped across his chest with a content smile on her lips, and despite all he's been through in the past weeks, he felt genuinely happy with every fiber of his being.

Whenever somebody asked why Roderick of Mezdé had left the Library, he was told that due to an emergency in his hometown he had had to depart quickly. That's what his colleague Maera had been telling them at least and nobody really bothered why that annoying guy had disappeared. Some researchers noticed that Styx, the Goblin Maera spent so much time with, had been a lot more balanced and less grumpy than the weeks before, which made his presence in the Library quite enjoyable for the staff members that shared his kind of humor, so he was more than welcomed.

Roderick wasn't welcomed anywhere.

He had left the Academy as fast as he could when that furtive beast of a Goblin had threatened to kill him. That unthankful little slut Maera... Sure, giving her a little poke to remind her of who had the say might not have been his best idea, but really, he had had best intentions, and that arrogant bitch had turned him down like a random common. He should never have tried to pick up a Dragonelf, those people might look pretty tasty, but turned out to be real snobs afterwards. Humans were much easier to poach. And also cleaner. And less green. Swearing about that damn Goblin and Dragonelf and pondering about how unjust he had been treated by those filthy creatures, he wandered through the twisted shady alleys of the shantytown. It was raining, the sun had set behind the dark-grey clouds a while ago, and Roderick didn't know what to do. He could make his way back to his hometown, but something held him here. He couldn't endure this outrageous humiliation. His father, the Lord of Mezdé, would never accept him back if he knew what had happened. Roderick considered inventing a nice little story. Nobody had to know the truth... No, the family honor of Mezdé had been tainted by some inferior Goblin, and he, the heir to his Lord father, couldn't just take this offence. Plus, his bruises had swollen so badly that he barely dared to show his formerly beauteous face in public. He had to take revenge. Blood revenge.

It didn't take Roderick very long to find a way. When he was wandering around the most depraved corners and taverns of the town, he soon found the Inquisition's agents lurking in the shadows, questioning anyone who might know about their current targets. He had heard of them, and, to be honest, also admired them. Roderick had been a member of the Academy and therefore also supported the scientists and mages in their effort to help the rebellion, but deep inside, he had never agreed with the rebels. He appreciated the ideals of the Inquisition, the restrictions and curfews they enforced on those dirty Elves and other non-human scum. It made the life of so many honest, hard-working people a lot easier, with less of that strange green folk lurking around. Of course, he had had to hold his tongue in the presence of non-human Librarians and researchers. But now... Nothing stopped him from making contact with the Inquisition. He overheard some agents' talking, and finally one of them spoke about some Goblin they looked for.

Roderick approached two Inquisition's agents who were interrogating a ragged Dark Elf in some muddy side street.

"Excuse me, dear Sirs...", he started, but just a second later one of the agents pointed a dirk at his throat. Roderick raised his hands and shut up.

"What do you want? Who allowed you to disturb the Inquisition's business?", the agent asked. His voice sounded muffled and hissing behind the painted bronze mask he wore, his eyes glittering through the slits.

"I... I couldn't help but notice that you were talking about some Styx, if I am not mistaken and I..."

"Did you say Styx? What do you know about him?", the agent asked, now with excitement in his voice. The other agent, who looked just like the first one with his blue-and-red robes, the hood and the mask, kicked the Elf aside and joined, his dirk drawn.

"Tell us everything you know, in the name of his Highness the Bigot and the sacred Inquisition", he demanded.

Roderick sang like a bird. He told them about the Library, about Maera and Styx, and about how badly that monster had treated him, showing the agents the horrible wounds he had in his handsome face. They were less impressed by that than he would have wished.

"It was already known that the Academies support the rebel scum", one of the agents said. "There is nothing the Bigot will do about that right now. Not because he is not strong enough, but because his Highness has better things to do. What about Styx? Does he fit the description?"

"It's just that certain Goblin! There is no other Goblin able to speak, is there?", Roderick answered. The agents looked at each other.

"About that Dragonelf... What does she have to do with him?"

"I think the two are a couple. At least that would explain why that filthy rat dared to raise a hand against me, for I am known to be a marvelous duelist, but I didn't have my weapon with me, otherwise I would easily have killed that monster, and..."

"Silence. You think he feels something for her?"

"Disgusting, isn't it? I know, Goblins are known for their primal crudeness, but he seems to have at least a carnal interest in her, to satisfy his bestial desires..."

The agent raised a hand to silence Roderick once more, and exchanged a look with the other one. Roderick couldn't see anything they might exchange, for the masks hid their faces completely, and started to feel a little offended.

"That is all. You may leave now."

"But... Don't you think I deserve a little... reward? I am heir to the Lord of Mezdé, and I..."

"Silence! You may leave now." The drawn dirks made Roderick a little nervous.

"I was a researcher of the Academy! I know a lot about their contacts with the rebellion! I could be useful for the Inquisition, I know I could!", he babbled. The agents exchanged another hidden look.

"Come with us."

Roderick followed as the agents strode through the mud, their blue-and-red cloaks swirling behind, the red cross on them dancing like a bloody sword.

The Bigot was most pleased when he heard the news about Styx. Before, the Goblin had been like a shadow, always moving and never to be caught. Besides the Dark Brotherhood sanctuaries, whose locations where unknown, he had no fixed place to live in, which made it impossible to ambush him. Furthermore, he was more dangerous than any of his consultants would have guessed. Styx had already killed more agents and High Inquisitors than any other foe, besides the Butcher, maybe. It was not possible to capture him by direct approach, for he was quick, sneaky and very well skilled in the art of silent murder. Lying in wait in a hideout for him to come was not an option either, for he had no fixed hideout. But... The information that turncloak researcher had given them... With that knowledge, the Inquisition might have found a possible weak spot of Styx. A possible way to lure him in a trap. Make him come to them by himself, instead of wasting precious time and men hunting him.

"Bring me my chief gatherer", the Bigot demanded, standing in front of the large colorful window in the Grand Chapel. Moments later, the chief gatherer, the one he turned to when it came to special targets, entered, kneeling in front of the altar.

"Your Highness?", he asked, a tall man with a white beaked mask and red-and-white robes decorated with crosses. The Bigot turned around.

"Find me that Dragonelf named Maera, and bring her to me."