BLACKOUT
CHAPTER TEN
I May Fall
Hello and welcome back to another chapter of my favourite story to write!
To answer a review about Sammael, no he isn't Apollo, I'm sorry :-( everything will be explained shortly.
Anyways, enjoy!
C10
I May Fall
Asha groaned, her head was pounding and she had a serious headache, "What the hell happened?" She asked the man sleeping beside her.
Sammael didn't answer, he was dead asleep. Asha glanced out of the window and found that it was still dark, but she couldn't hear anything from downstairs, which meant it was either extremely late at night, or early in the morning.
She looked over at her companion, finding that he was actually quite adorable when he wasn't annoying her. His black hair fell into his eyes and his mouth was slightly open. Asha sighed, stretching she got out of bed and paced over to the tub, turning it on she watched dreamily as the hot water poured down into the big bath. Once full she stripped and slid into the water, letting out a moan of gratefulness, resting her head against the tub Asha closed her eyes.
"I see your awake." A low voice said.
Asha's eyes snapped open and she met the grey of Sammael's. Giving a slight shriek she ducked her head down, "Do you have no shame!?"
Sammael chuckled as she grabbed the closest thing, a bar of soap, and chucked it at him. He ducked it easily and shook his head, "I will be on the bed if you need me."
"Just go away!" Asha growled, her cheeks red with embarrassment. She watched his retreating back, fuming.
"Were you pretending to sleep?" She called out, quickly grabbing a towel and hopping out of the bath, she wrapped it around herself.
"Maybe." Sammael answered, laughter in his voice, "I didn't see anything. Promise."
Asha huffed, walking from behind the cover and over to her backpack, all the while she glared dangerously at Sammael, "Give me a reason not to beat you up!"
He held up his hands in surrender, "You need me to get to Hera's Temple, also you wouldn't want to beat up my beautif-"
She chucked her book at him, it hit his chest and he laughed, "I don't see anything beautiful, just a pervert!"
"You were staring at me before, it was quite flattering." He grinned at her, taking in her bath towel, "Are you going to stay in that?"
"No you idiot. I'm grabbing something to sleep in." She mumbled, she groaned when all she found were her old clothes. Something hit her back and Asha looked over to find one of Sammael's shirts, "Thanks."
She slipped behind the cover and pulled the shirt on, it was huge on her and covered everything. She pulled it up to her face, smelling Sammael on it. Giving a cough to hide her embarrassment she walked out and jumped onto the bed, poking Sammael, "Shove over, your worse then a dog."
He frowned, then gave her a once over, "You look good."
She gave him a shove, rolling onto her side, so she was facing away from him, "Go to sleep."
He gave a laugh, laying down on his back and closing his eyes, "Your so forceful."
"You haven't seen nothing yet." She growled, "You continue talking and I will kick you to the floor."
Sammael gave a huff, "I'm not a dog."
"No, that's why I'm tempted to kick you off. I would never do something so mean to a dog though. Only to you."
"Huh." He murmured, "That dog or cat question. You like dogs?"
"Yes." Asha answered, then she turned around to glare at him, "Be quiet, I have a headache."
"You only drunk two of those. And you said you weren't a light weight." He turned on his side.
"I underestimated the power of those drinks," She paused eyes creasing in confusion, "You had the same amount as me."
He chuckled, "I'm not a light weight."
"Go to sleep." Asha snapped, turning away again, she tensed when his arms wrapped protectively around her waist.
"Sweet dreams." He murmured.
Asha sighed, closing her eyes and falling into the abyss of sleep.
The sunlight fell in waves across the open plain in front of them, the grass moving gracefully like a dancer in the wind. The forest had opened up to this field shortly after they left the inn. Whisper cantered across it gleefully.
"What's the name of this place?" Asha asked Sammael, who looked over his shoulder and grinned at her.
"Hera's Plain. Since the temple's main road is just over," He pointed to where they were heading, "There."
She glanced over then pinched his shoulder, "You mean to tell me we were this close to the temple this whole time?! Did we really have to stay overnight at the inn?"
Sammael shrugged, "Unless you wanted to ride through here in the pitch black night, sure. But I thought you would like to see the place in the light. Plus there's a better chance of not getting eaten if we travel by day."
Asha sighed, gazing over the plains once more, it really was beautiful, because of the contrast between forest and grass. The colour's were different too. In the plains many different wild-flowers bloomed with their vivid colours. But the forest was all a single, plain colour, green, "I guess it is nice, thank you."
"By the Sun!" Sammael exclaimed and Asha looked up in shock when he laughed loudly, "You actually said something nice!"
Asha grumbled, "And that's why I don't."
She looked away from the enchanting plains, and up the tall hill that they were approaching, on top of it rested a huge temple, pillars of marble held it up. It somewhat resembled the Pantheon, but not as large.
People were lined up in front of it, holding various gift's for the goddess, "How are we supposed to get in?"
Sammael grinned, holding up some money, "Bribery. Even in temples it works."
"I can give you some if you want." Asha offered, reaching for her wallet.
"Darling, I don't need money. I get paid quite well for what I do." Sammael said, Asha stopped her reaching hand.
"And what exactly is that?" Asha asked, she was curious, all she had seen him do was chase her around. But he shook his head.
"It's a secret." He answered, "Unless your on my side, which you aren't, I can't tell you."
"Sure sure." Asha muttered, "But seriously, do you need some money or anything like that?"
"Anything?" He asked, turning around slightly.
Asha blinked at him, not understanding where his thought process had gone, if he had one, "Yes, anything that would be beneficial to you."
"How about a kiss? We could pretend to be lovers wanting the blessing of the goddess." Sammael suggested, "That would help make the money toll lower."
"No." Asha snapped, "That would just embarrass me. And it's not good to lie to a goddess."
He nodded his head, "Your right. Maybe we can save that one for another tricky situation though?"
"There won't be any other tricky situations, not with you at least. I'm going my own way after all this is over." Asha stated, she saw the look of hurt in his eyes and sighed, "You will probably stalk me wherever I go anyway."
"No, I won't be. After we finish with Hera, I need to head back to Troy." Sammael explained, "I probably won't be seeing you for a few months."
Asha's eyes widened, "But why?"
He shrugged, "I haven't completed my mission, therefore I have to be punished."
"What exactly was your mission?" She knew it was about her, but didn't know the details.
"To convince you to join the Sun." He laughed, "It didn't go to plan."
She blinked, "You could easily overpower me and take me away right now."
"Neutral ground." He muttered.
Asha looked up, finding that they were climbing the hill that the temple rested on. It was even larger up close. Whisper easily shoved by the people that were crowding the entrance.
Sammael started to take his money out when a priest approached them. But Asha wrapped her arms around him and beamed as lovingly as possible at him.
"Hello!" She called out, grinning from ear to ear.
"What are you doing?" Sammael whispered to her.
Asha shrugged, nuzzling her head into his shoulder and smiling sweetly at the priest, "My name's Asha and this is my husband to be Sam."
Sammael made a sound of surprise then relaxed, cradling her hand, "We wish to ask the goddess for her blessing."
The priest nodded, smiling at them, "If you can give a gift to the Goddess, perhaps I will allow you to pass through?"
Asha gave a cry of happiness, clinging closer to Sammael, "Really! Thank you so much." She watched as Sammael dismounted from Whisper and handed her his hand. She took it gladly, sliding off the horse and into his strong arms. She blushed slightly at the contact, but leaned upwards to place a chaste kiss on his cheek, "Thank you." His cheek was rough with a slight stubble and she felt him catch his breath.
"Your really getting into it." He muttered, handing the money over to the priest.
Asha shrugged, leaning into his ear she whispered, "I'm a good actor." She then bounced forwards, following the priest closely.
"So how did you two meet?" The priest asked, looking back at them.
Asha took Sammael's hand in hers, "I was at the beach when I met him, it was love at first sight. Though my parents do not approve." She huffed, "But who can deny true love?"
The priest made an embarrassed cough, "That's nice."
"We wish to marry as soon as we can." Sammael said, then with a cheeky grin he added, "So we can explore our love even further."
Asha saw the priest stumble in his step and she poked Sammael in his ribs, he laughed casually, slinging his arm around her shoulder.
"You started it." He whispered in her ear.
Giving a grumble she winked at the priest when he turned around.
He blushed bright red, "This is where you can pray to the goddess. I will leave you, so you have some privacy for your thoughts." He then literally ran away.
Asha gave out a laugh, releasing herself from Sammael's grasp. "You didn't have to go that far, you scared the poor soul."
Sammael shrugged, "It was fun. Thank you."
Asha smiled, then looked around, taking in the huge marble statue of a half naked woman. She was beautiful, "Is that Hera?"
"Yes." Sammael nodded, he gestured to the huge throne that stood at the feet of the statue, it had engravings of couples, family and feasts, jewels scattered across it. A huge red carpet led up to and Asha walked up it.
"What do we do now?" Asha asked Sammael who shrugged.
"You pray." A voice said, it was a woman's, and resounded with authority, Asha glanced up in fright.
On the throne a woman sat comfortably, she was stroking the fur of a huge golden lion, which purred like a house cat. The woman was spectacular, her body was all curves and sharp edges, her face sporting a set of beautiful green eyes. She looked to be in her thirties, but didn't have any grey hair. Instead her hair was a beautiful gold and flowed down past her shoulders.
"Your Hera." Asha stated the obvious, then glanced at the huge lion, which watched her with intelligent golden eyes, "And the Nemean Lion."
"Who's mate you killed." Hera stated, her voice wasn't angry.
"It tried to kill me, I acted in defence, and it killed my horse." Asha bit back.
Hera waved a hand, "It does not matter much, she was the least favourite out of his mates. You did him a favour."
"Pardon?" Asha asked, eyes wide, "You mean there's more?"
Hera nodded, "Of course. You do know what happens when a male and female mate, do you not?"
Asha blushed nodding her head and glaring at Sammael who chuckled.
Hera suddenly stood up, "But. I am not over it yet. You must do something for me, and in turn I will reward you." She walked over to Asha, gazing down at her formidably.
Asha bowed her head, "What can I do for you?"
"There's a city called Thebes, it is close to the sea, so you can take the ship your friends have to it. It will be at war with a man called Demede's. He is a prince, and wants to conquer the world. Teach him that only the god's can rule this world, then come back here and I will reward you." Hera said, her eyes locked with Asha's.
"How can I stop a war?" Asha asked, "I am just one girl."
"You do not need to stop the war, only the destruction, the rape, the pillaging of my temples. One girl can do that. Tame the man." Hera said, then she turned away and headed towards her throne once more.
"Ta...tame him? What do you mean by that?" Asha asked, but Sammael had stepped forwards growling.
"Demede's will hurt her before succumbing to her, don't tell her to do something impossible." He snarled at Hera, he stood in front of Asha.
The Nemean Lion growled at him and started to stand up, but Hera hushed it quickly, turning around with fire in her eyes, "I am the Goddess here. And she will not come to harm. I would not allow it. She is the Chosen One after all."
"So you know about that? I didn't think you god's did." Sammael said, eyes narrowed.
"Chosen One for what?" Asha asked, stepping in front of Sammael and cocking her head, "No one is telling me anything."
But Hera didn't answer instead she swished her hand, "Remember the quest Asha Stormgrey. I will take you to your friends, and if Demede's attempts to harm you I will help."
Then Asha had the feeling that she was falling, she looked over to Sammael, his eyes were wide and one of his hands stretched out to try and grab her. Asha reached out her own hand, but before she knew it he, the temple and Hera were gone and she stood on a beach. The waves were lapping gently on the sand and seagulls called cheerily.
Asha looked around, finding a ship anchored on the shore, it was small and lithe with a silver sheen to it. Beside it stood three figures, and she knew who they were.
With one more glance towards the direction the temple was Asha sighed, turning around and heading to her friends.
A quest!? Yes!
I wasn't sure if I should put it in or not, but decided that a bit more action would suit the story better. It's so sad that I had to leave Sammael out of it, but he gets his turn to shine soon. If anyone has read either King of Ithaca, or David Gemmel's series they would know who Demede's is. A quick note that this story is passed around their timeline's, but not actually set to it. The Trojan War is in approximately three-four years from now.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter and Asha's acting skills, she's going to need them soon.
This chapter was shorter then usual because I pumped two out in two days. :P
Next chapter will be up shortly.
SB7 as always Reporting Out!