-Chapter Nine-

They traveled for days, stopping only as long as necessary. Bishop led them further and further into Luskan territory and constantly grumbling as they did. Casavir was loath to admit Bishop did indeed have phenomenal tracking skills. He couldn't wait for the time he had to spend Bishop in their party to come to an end. Bishop was constantly making lewd innuendos at Lana and kept too close to her for Casavir's comfort. Lana didn't seem to mind and would hurl replies at Bishop with flippant ease. Casavir was even more uneasy when he noticed she would sometimes smile and return Bishop's comments with something lewd in return. This was not a side of Lana he had ever seen and he did not like it.

They were only a day's travel from the town of Ember and decided to make camp for the night.

Everyone spread out around the fire in their customary places. Lana was near Casavir's side, unpacking her bedroll with Bishop on her other side. Bishop unfurled his bedroll, stood and stretch, looking Lana over and said, "It seems a chill is in the air, tonight might be cold. Care to share my bedroll?" Casavir muttered under his breath when Lana smiled and replied, chuckling, "Not tonight I think." She undid her bedroll, flicking it into place a few times, standing and placing her hands on her hips and assessing the bedroll.

Bishop leered, "Well then, I will have something to dream about and look forward to,"

Casavir chuckled inwardly when he noticed Lana nonchalantly pick up her bedroll and flip it closer to his own.

Casavir tensed as he heard light footfalls stop behind him. He waited, anticipating an attack but unsure how to roll fast enough to his feet and grab his sword. Casavir was surprised to feel the corner of his blanket slightly lift behind him. He could smell the unmistakable scent Lana's lavender soap as she slid under the blanket behind him. He felt the softness of her thin cotton tunic rub against his bare skin as she pressed herself against him. He felt her firm breasts thrust against his back through the thin fabric. She began to caress him slowly with one hand, sliding her hand up and down his bare arm. Casavir felt her shift up onto her elbow as she leaned over to grab his ear with her mouth. She gently nibbled and bit, he gasped at the exquisiteness as ripples of pleasure coursed over him. Lana continued kissing her way down his neck while reaching across his bare chest. She kneaded and stroked his pectorals occasionally twining her fingers into his thick black chest hair.

A sigh of pleasure escaped his lips and he rolled onto his back to look at her, "My lady, the others will hear."

A sly smile flicked across her lips. "Then we will just have to be stealthy. Good thing I'm skilled at that," she teased. She bent her head to kiss his mouth. He reached behind her head, fingers twining into her loose hair. He returned her kiss as the passion mounted between them. He pulled her down across him and she wove her hands into his hair.

Casavir's other hand roved down her backside, caressing her firm muscles. She broke his kiss and looked into his eyes, passion burning in hers. A little flick of a smile crossed her lips as she again bowed her head to nuzzle his ears and neck. Casavir bit his lip hard to keep from moaning out loud. Her hands resumed their path down his bare chest and her mouth followed the path her hands had made.

She moved lower, nuzzling and kissing his collarbone and his neck. She moved lower still, scorching kisses down his chest. He could not stand the ecstasy as he clutched and kneaded her back. His hands moved lower to caress her hips and thighs, grasping her firm buttocks and kneading them.

She paused slightly and smiled up at him as she shifted positions. She knelt by his side and bent to blaze a trail of kisses across his chest. Lana continued kissing and nibbling down his belly. He groaned in pleasure as she progressed past his navel, his anticipation building to a fevered pitch.

Casavir sat bolt upright as a dull thud hit his side, both hands on the ground behind him. Casavir sat a moment, trying to get his wits back. Bishop stood looking down at Casavir and sneered, "It's your turn to stand watch paladin." He smirked and said, "Pleasant dreams?" flicking a look at the obvious tented blanket across Casavir's lap.

Casavir grunted, standing as he awkwardly tried to cover himself while trying to collect his gear so Bishop hopefully wouldn't be able to see his discomfort. Casavir muttered some very unpaladinlike phrases under his breath at being caught in such an embarrassing position. Of all the people to see that! Damn it!! He flushed crimson and tried to not let Bishop see his face.