Disclaimer: Warhammer Fantasy and Goblin Slayer are the original works of Games Workshop and Kumo Kagyu respectively. I own nothing here except for the few OCs I created and this story is purely for entertainment purposes only.
Warning! This chapter may contain sexual themes that might not be suitable to young audiences. Reader discretion is advised.
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Earning A Lady's Favor
Nightfall once again covered the land under its dark embrace, and the path before him was lit only by lamps hanging from posts along the streets. The Essental looked busy enough during the daytime, but at night they were all almost completely empty. Mauser's workshop was one of the few with light streaming from its windows, as the aged Master Gunsmith was no doubt still practicing his deadly craft. The streets were now bereft of passersby, save for the small groups of Free Company Militia tasked with patrolling them. They kept a diligent watch over things with handguns shouldered and swords strapped to their waists, ready to step in and quell any threats towards the local citizenry with steel and lead. Be it mundane or otherwise.
And of course, none of them failed to spare the apparently customary glare or suspicious stare as he passed them by. But apart from this, they all kept their distance and did nothing to impede him, which he was silently grateful for. It would seem the old Sergeant already spread word about Lady Tanya's new directive, and ordered them all to stand down. Perhaps with time, they would all grow to trust him more, see that he was not an enemy waiting to stab them when their backs were turned, but a staunch ally against the dark and foul.
Or maybe not. Old fears and hatreds were not so easily erased, this he knew all too well.
Still, with the likes of Hans and Felix showing much promise, there was the hope that in time, things would get better, a chance for a brighter future. And with such wise and just nobles like Lady Tanya in the lead, such a thing would come to pass. All it took was enough security and some relative peace. Both of which he could provide. He would try at least.
All these quiet musings of his faded away, as he finally reached his last destination in the village for today. The house before him had a rather rustic design, but obviously sturdily built and properly maintained, and noticeably larger than all the other houses within the village. A simple wooden fence bordered the whole property with a small gate at the front serving as the main entrance. The front door of the house remained closed but one of the windows were currently left open, though the curtains kept him from seeing more inside. The garden at the front was also well-cared for, with many assortment of flowers and herbal plants that he did not quite know the names of. Though he did notice a few of them bearing a distinct resemblance to some poisonous varieties that he found during his travels from years passed. Something that he filed away in his mind for later.
He waited for a bit longer as he studied the place, eyes narrowing just the slightest bit in suspicion. Deeming the potential risk worth taking, he opened the gate and took his first sure step into the property. And that's when it happened. The slight humming in the air, the abrupt change in temperature, the sudden billowing of the winds, and the rather peculiar appearance of a small flock of ravens. He remained where he stood, just a foot away from the entrance as he calmly observed all that was happening around him, though he was ready to act at the first true sign of danger.
It would seem the owner of this humble abode possessed skills far beyond the ken of mortal men, and sought to toy with him. Or perhaps it was a warning, a small demonstration of her powers? He was not certain which one is. But he would not be so easily deterred either. And so he continued forward, walking down the short path leading towards the front door.
The winds continued to blow strong, the humming in the air went on and more of the ravens gathered and perched atop the roofs and fences. Yet still he was undeterred as he soon reached the door. He was fully alert, somewhat apprehensive, maybe a bit nervous, but he was not afraid. And so, after what seemed like an eternity to him, it all stopped. The uncomfortable chill in the air was gone, the humming had ceased, the winds had finally calmed and all the ravens gathered around him had mysteriously vanished, as if they were never there to begin with.
It would seem this house's mysterious owner had finally deemed him worthy, or at least, not much of a threat to her. No reason to disabuse her of that notion. He waited still however, ever vigilant. Waiting for anymore surprises to arise. And one soon came, in the form of an audible click, followed by a steady creaking of hinges as the door before him opened. Seemingly of its own accords.
As the entrance to the house finally opened, he saw nothing inside, except mist. A mist so thick that he could not see anything beyond, and radiating a pale light that felt both cold and warm to his skin. One look at this mist and he could tell it was definitely unnatural. Otherworldly.
He pondered his way forward, weighing the risks and the potential rewards. Of whether or not he should continue with his plan and meet with the owner of this strange place and chance whatever dangers that might be lurking beyond. A meeting with a sorceress was not what he had in mind when he agreed to her suggestion, and one who was all but unknown to him. And meeting one in a place where he was robbed of sight was most foolish, something his own master would have berated him for.
He considered abandoning his current plan and simply head back to the Stahlhart residence. And he was about to do just that as he slowly turned around.
"Come to me."
When a voice suddenly whispered to him, making him stop. He turned back towards the mist filled entrance and stared at it with renewed suspicion. It was spoken softly, melodic and beautiful, yet still contained within it an aura of command that was unmistakable. But most of all, he heard the words not with his ears, but with his mind. As if it spoke directly into his very thoughts, strange though as it was.
"Come."
The voice whispered to him once again within his mind. He hesitated a bit more, still unsure whether he should risk confronting this mysterious sorceress, woefully unequipped as he was and lacking in information. And if there was one thing he discovered long ago, was that heading into the unknown while lacking a proper plan or the right tools, was one of the surest ways to die.
But in the end, he decided to take the risk. He had come this far and had waited this long, so he mind as well see it though the end. Whatever petty tricks wshe had under her sleeves, it would gain her nothing, for he was not some weak-willed fool on his very first quest. And if his demise was what she intended, then she would have to do her absolute best as a hunter, because he will not be easy prey.
Gentle, amused laughter soon echoed through his mind, almost in response to his latest thoughts. A slight frown made its way to his lips before he pushed all his other worries to the side and step forth with purpose.
He passed into the mist, and immediately he felt the odd sensation of walking through water as it swallowed his form. He held his breath on instinct and briefly considered wearing his Breath Ring, thinking he might have been transported to the bottom of a lake or some other more hostile environment. He did not feel any sense of weightlessness though, nor did he feel any pain. So he kept walking forward at a slow but steady pace, unable to see anything around him. But soon enough, he could see the mist slowly fade.
The first thing he noticed was the sound of flowing water coming from a nearby stream, which fed into a large pool lined with moss-covered stones, apparently waist deep. As the mist continued to fade, trees were next to come into view, tall and vibrant, with trunks thicker and wider than a normal man, clustered around the large pool. He looked down and he could see himself standing upon rich and healthy earth, covered with verdant green grass that reached pass his ankles. And among the soft grasses were flowers of different types and colors, already in full bloom and emitting a distinctly pleasant fragrance.
Then he glanced up into the sky, and found the moon strangely in full view. The thick and ever present clouds in the heavens having seemingly parted to allow that silvery-white orb to shine through, bathing the grove with its pale light.
He had to admit, it was rather comforting to see the moon, the true moon, once again after such a long time. Pleasant memories soon arose, filling his heart with both happiness and deep, deep longing. How long has it been since he last stared at the beautiful orb in the sky, with his beloved wife at his side. With his back upon the ground and his head resting comfortably upon her thighs, admiring the way the moonlight illuminated her beautiful face as she looked down upon him with so much love and need. How long ago has it been since he last enjoyed such pleasant and peaceful moments, without the threat of Goblins weighing heavily upon his mind? How long has it been since he had left her, and the wonderful life that they had built together?
How much longer must he make her wait before he finally decided to return?
"Come back to me, alive. No matter what it takes." The last words he said to her, shortly before he left for war.
"I will. Just not yet… not yet." He quietly whispered his plea, hoping it might somehow reach her despite the incredible distance between them. He clenched his fist, willing himself to remain calm and resolute despite the anguish within his heart.
"Beautiful, is it not?"
He finally heard her speak, and her words prevented him from wallowing further within his own misery. He did not turn towards her yet nor did he deign to give her an immediate reply. He simply continued to stare at the moon as he considered his next course once more. Yes, he could not go back. Not when his work here remain unfinished. He only wished it would not take too long. And with her finally here with him, his work might be made easier and quicker. He hoped.
"Indeed, it is." he finally replied to her after a while.
Soft laughter reached his ears shortly before a pair of slender arms reached from behind and wrapped around him in a warm embrace. He calmly looked down at her hands, so delicate and flawless, as they slowly and gently caressed his muscled chest and core. He would be lying if he said he did not find her ministrations pleasing, in the same way her ample mounds, so soft yet also firm, were pressing against his back. He find it rather amusing, that he only ever started noticing such details and came to find enjoyment in them, when he and his beloved finally consummated their love. Had they not, then doubtless he wouldn't even notice what this sorceress was doing, much less understand what she was trying to say.
"In these lands, it is a rare thing to have nights where Mannsleib has revealed itself, especially in such fullness. Many a romantic tale was born during such pleasant evenings." She said to him. Her voice as sweet as the the richest honey and as beautiful as the purest of silvers.
"I suppose so." Was his neutral response, agreeing with her, somewhat. He neglected to mention that nights such as this were also the beginnings of many a tragic tale. His being one of them.
Her hand continued to rub his chest, dainty fingers seemingly tracing every line and contour of his hardened form, while the other hand did much of the same as it slowly began to travel lower and lower.
"Then would it be so wrong, should you and I start a new and lovely tale of our own? One that could even last through the ages if we so wished." Her next words to her, sultry and so full of desire, almost a whisper.
"Not entirely." He cast a downward glance. Soon her other hand finally reached its intended destination, and it began to gently but oh so lovingly caress his groin.
"Ooh, as I suspected. It seems you are not so unarmed after all, hiding such a… potent weapon as this." She exclaimed, her surprise noticeable, and obviously pleased with what her errant hand had just discovered. She giggled rather girlishly before she continued. "Perhaps you should live up to your name once more, and slay me with it."
He could not help but smirk at that, somewhat amused by her choice of words and not so subtle use of innuendos. Oh, he would slay her alright, should she ever prove to be a threat. And with cold steel and searing flames, not his manhood.
"I think not." He said quite pointedly, and further emphasized his statement by firmly removing her hand. She whined in obvious displeasure at being denied her newly found toy, but he did not care. He soon turned around and faced her fully.
One of the other things he started to notice more and appreciate, after he and his beloved wife shared their first night, was the beauty of women. He had seen the female form countless times before, and he had even laid witness to the act of copulation in the most abhorrent ways possible, more times than he would care to count. Yet he was unaffected by it all, so repressed were his emotions at the time and so single-minded was his desire for revenge upon the green menace. But in the years after he and his wife first shared a bed, as well as the many times he had spent together with his other former lovers, he had finally developed a fascination for the fairer sex.
And as he looked down upon her, he was forced to admit that this sorceress was most pleasing to the eye. Her beauty could easily match that of any highborn lady, Human or Elf. And despite her simple commoner's dress, she actually carried herself with a grace and poise that would not look out of place within the King's royal court. Had he been a lesser man, he might have easily fallen for her charms. Unfortunately for her, his female friends could also rival her in terms of beauty. And he knew all of them most intimately already, so he was more or less inoculated against her allure.
The chestnut-haired sorceress was clearly annoyed at his rejection, an unpleasant frown now marring her otherwise gorgeous face.
"And why not? You didn't seem to mind at all when we first kissed, so why the sudden change?" She said to him and rather testily at that, amber eyes staring into his crimson orbs, willful and challenging.
He calmly met her smoldering gaze with his own cold stare and stated. "You caught me unawares the first time. That will not happen again. And I came here because you claim to have something that would prove useful to my cause. Give me what I need, or I shall take my leave and never bother with you again."
She glared at him most indignantly for a moment, before she pulled her hand from his grasp and marched pass him with an angry huff. "Fine! Have it your way!"
He watched her as she sat on one of the large stones near the pool, arms folded beneath her impressive bosom and a very unladylike scowl upon her face.
"Merde tout! Est-ce trop demander, d'etre baise par un homme magnifique?!"
He could help but raise a brow at that. Though he didn't exactly understand the words she said, having spoken in her native tongue, he could easily guess that she said something rather filthy just now. And soon, he couldn't help but allow a faint smile to cross his face. She may be a powerful sorceress of some kind and was undoubtedly quite dangerous an opponent, but at the moment, she was acting like a willful child that had been denied her favorite meal, the grace and poise she maintained all gone. She reminded him of a certain High Elf in a way. More fond memories there.
She caught him smiling at her though, and the glare she sent him could have frozen a man thrice over. She probably could. But it soon disappeared though as she schooled her exquisite features into a cold mask.
"Tell me, why do you not want me? Am I not beautiful enough? Am I so ugly, that even as I throw myself at you, still you want nothing to do with me?" The sadness within her voice could not be ignored, as well as the hint of bitterness within it.
He let out a sigh as a small sliver guilt wormed its way into his heart. Perhaps he was a bit too cold when he dismissed her advances so readily. But he meant nothing wrong by it. Even after all these years, he still had much to learn on how to properly talk to a lady. Seeking to rectify his earlier mistake, he decided the honest truth was his best recourse.
"On the contrary Miss De Gaul, you are one of the most beautiful women I have ever met in my life. Any man would consider himself blessed by the Gods to have you."
Right there, a simple and honest truth, born from careful observation and years of personal experience. And it appears to be enough to mollify the saddened sorceress if the noticeable blush on her cheeks was anything to come by.
"Then why do you refuse to make love to me?" She asked soon after, her expression more curious this time, though some disappointment still lingered. "You say any man would want me, but why does the one man I desire most remain uninterested?"
And at that, he gave her a rather comforting smile as he said. "Because this man has long since vowed to love only one woman and no other. Hence why I refuse to lay with you. It would not be right."
Her eyes widened upon hearing those words, her surprise evident. Her rigid and almost defiant posture slackened as her harms fell to her lap. And a moment later, a soft yet wistful smile soon graced her luscious lips as she looked at him and said.
"It seems you truly are an honorable man, Goblin Slayer. Though I can't help but wish you were just… a bit less honorable."
"But then I wouldn't be who I am. And you would not be interested in me."
A small laugh escaped her lips as she finally smiled brightly at him once more, regaining the same cheerful demeanor she always displayed back in the village. "That is true. I find this hard to believe, but I actually envy your wife very much right now. She should consider herself most fortunate, to have a man so devoted."
He merely nodded at that, pleased by her words. But then her smile turned rather mischievous and a noticeable glint was in her amber eyes. And he soon found himself becoming wary again.
"Unfortunately for her though, she's not here. Which means she can't do anything to stop me from tempting you." She spoke most suggestively, eyeing him with a smoldering gaze so full of hunger and desire.
He kept his cool and gave a rather careless shrug of his shoulders. "Do your worse. It will avail you nothing."
She only laughed at him in amusement, a smug look on her face as she soon rose from her seat and approached the pool. Stopping just a couple feet from it, he watched with some bemusement as she began to slowly loosen the laces on her dress and bodice.
"What are you doing?" he couldn't help but ask.
"I had a long and busy day at the inn and I worked a bit of a sweat. I need my evening bath." She said as matter of fact as she continued to undress. With her dress properly loosened, the comely sorceress then gently pulled her dress down and let it fall onto the ground.
The moon shined down upon her fair and unblemished skin as Giselle now stood as naked as the day she was born. With nary a hint of fear or embarrassment, she leveled a sultry gaze upon him, an inviting smile upon her lips.
"You can come and join me if you want."
He was silent for a moment, impressed by this young woman's complete disregard for propriety and her apparent lack of inhibitions. He did not know the cultures and traditions in these lands, but from where he came from, women generally do not stand naked or bathe in front of a man that wasn't her husband. But then again, she did say she planned on tempting him, which meant she still has not given up on her amorous pursuits, despite his clear rejection and reasoning earlier. Oh well, there was nothing he could really do to stop her, so he will simply continue to act as he always does. Remain uninterested.
"That will not be necessary." Was his even reply.
She let out a soft harrumph before turning away from him. "Then you'll just have to enjoy the view while you wait."
He watched her slowly descend into the pool with fluid grace, every movement making her lush hips and firm ass sway rather tantalizingly. She dove beneath the cool and clear waters, remaining submerged for a few seconds, before gently rising up once more, eyes closed as she loosed an almost euphoric sigh. Despite his earlier words to her, his naturally inquisitive and critical mind could not stop itself as he began to study the sensual creature before him, along with all the natural gifts the Gods saw fit to bestow upon her.
Water streamed down her form while glittering under the pale moonlight, looking like liquid stars slowly coursing down her skin, giving her an almost ethereal quality. Her long and chestnut colored hair clung to her flesh wetly, reaching just above her luscious rear. The two delectable globes of nourishing flesh that were her breasts, hung heavily upon her chest, shaped like large twin teardrops capped with rosy-pink buds. And he noticed a tiny mole just slightly above and to the left of her navel, seemingly carefully placed there to draw attention to her flat and lean belly. The way her shapely hips flared gave a good indication as to her ability to birth strong and healthy children, while equally shapely thighs and lean and slightly muscled legs supported her exquisite frame. And finally, nestled in between those thighs was the rather small and delicate looking pink flower that was her womanhood, barely hidden from view by a small patch of thin and soft brown hair.
Yes, had he truly been a lesser man, he would have given in to his baser instincts already and sought to ravish this stunning creature before him. His prior vows of faithfulness cast aside to sample the forbidden fruits of her sinfully delicious body. Thankfully, he was not some desperate man starving for womanly attention, and so he did nothing but casually admirer her.
"You stare overmuch."
He was interrupted from his thoughts. He took his crimson eyes away from her supple curves and met her amber orbs once more. A knowing smile was on her face as she gently rubbed herself, almost as if she was fully aware of his thoughts just now. Curious.
He just gave her a small shrug and said. "Simply enjoying the view, as was instructed."
That only made her smile widely at him, certainly pleased, before she began to float rather lazily upon the water. But as enjoyable as it was to watch a gorgeous woman bathe in front, he needed to get down to business. And business was what he intended here, not pointless pleasures.
"So what is the true reason you brought me here?"
"I'll answer your questions later, dear Slayer. Right now, the water feels quite delightful and I wish to savor it." Was the comely sorceress' rather lazy response.
He narrowed his eyes at her and said. "Then I shall leave you to it then. I will go back to the Stahlhart residence."
He was just about to turn around and do just that when her next words surprised him. "You probably won't get back there in time for lunch tomorrow, so I would spare myself the effort if I were you."
At that, he looked back towards her and cast the woman a suspicious stare. "You're meaning?"
She didn't answer him immediately, simply swimming across the pool in a rather sedate pace before finally resting her back against one of the smooth stones ringing the edge. She draped her arms over the pool's edge and calmly met his gaze, looking utterly relaxed and unconcerned. Eyes twinkling in barely hidden amusement. A moment later, she finally spoke.
"This grove is hidden somewhere in the middle of the woodlands of the Stahlhart lands. Around twenty-five miles away from the village of Essental. So unless you plan on walking all the way back, I suggest you spare yourself all the effort and just wait for me to return you there."
He remained silent in the face of this not so insignificant revelation, not at all pleased by what he heard. Twenty five miles away? It would take at least an hour to reach the village by horseback, and he left his horse tied to one of the lampposts back in the village. Going back on foot was also foolish, not to mention very dangerous, especially during nighttime where all manner of beasts prowl the woods. So he was essentially trapped in this place, all because of her doing. He did not like that fact. Not one bit.
Despite having already reverted back to his normally stoic demeanor, the sorceress was still able to sense his displeasure as she quickly gave him a placating smile and spoke again. "Worry not, I have no intention of trapping you here against your will. I only wish to be with you somewhere private."
"You already know I have no time nor need for dalliances." He cut her off, having lost all patience for further pleasantries and meanderings. "I must return to Lady Tanya and Lady Anna so I can watch over them, lest something untoward may happen during my absence."
She nodded sagely at that and patiently answered. "I understand, and once more, you need not worry. For I have already cast a spell upon the Stahlhart residence, as well as the rest of the village. And this spell will serve to protect them from the servants of the Fell and the Ruinous."
"And what of those belonging to the Foul? Can your spell stop a group of Goblins from breaking into their home and murdering them?" He challenged, his crimson orbs piercing into her amber eyes.
She noticeably recoiled at his statement and she soon cast her eyes downwards, unable to meet his stern gaze. Her arms soon fell to her side as she sunk slightly deeper beneath the waters, now looking rather saddened and humbled.
"No, I'm afraid not. The blessings given to me by my Lady, while considerable, still has its limits." She spoke moments later, a hint of bitterness within her words. But she soon looked up and met his eyes once more. "But my Lady is also generous, and she sometimes bestows upon me visions of the future. And no harm shall fall upon Tanya or Anna this night, I promise."
He refrained from saying more as he pondered her words, his worries not fully allayed. He knew not if she spoke the truth or she was just rambling all sorts of nonsense, nor did he care about this Lady she spoke of. For all he knew, she was just one impeccable liar and actress and all this was just a waste of his time. But in the end, he decided to trust her. At least for now. And if what she said was true, that among her abilities, she also possessed the means to see into the future, then that would be an enormous boon to him in all his future quests. If he could find a way to acquire her aid that is.
"And that is why I brought you here, for I am in need of the services of a professional Adventurer. So you can consider this meeting as a negotiation of sorts, with your latest client." She finished with a wink, a pleasant smile upon her lips once more.
He nodded at that in understanding before he resolutely said. "What would you have me do?"
"My, so eager. I like that."
She swam across the pool towards him until she reached the edge. She then sat upon the shallower part of the pool, supple body facing sideways as she leaned on one arm. With such close proximity, he was allowed a impeccable view of her delightful form and though it somewhat pains him to admit, his eyes drifted down once or twice from her face towards the valleys of her bosom and even further down towards the tiny crevice of her womanly entrance. And she did not mind in the least.
If this was a negotiation, as she said it was, then Giselle certainly possessed more leverage. Able to entice her opposition with everything she had to offer and making them agree to all her demands. A dangerous opponent indeed, and it wasn't simply because of her magic. But then again, so was he.
"Before I inform you about the details of your newest quest, allow me first to present to you the rewards you would receive should you succeed." She began, amber eyes never breaking contact with his own stern gaze. When he simply nodded, she continued. "Earlier this day, you asked me for potions and magical elixirs. I can give you that, and much more. Not only can I brew several new vials of your healing potion or concoct remedies to certain poisons and deceases, and not only can I create an elixir that would give you a temporary increase in strength or a sudden burst of speed, but you would also have everything else that I possess."
"I have no need of whatever pleasures your body might give." Came his sudden interjection, his stern mask never falling.
That only served to make her laugh and bring a bright grin to her face, eyes twinkling and full of mirth. "That's not what I meant, you silly man. Although, I would be happy to add that to your payment, should you wish it."
"There is no need." He answered quite dryly, hiding his annoyance. She merely shrugged her shoulders at that though, which had the added effect of making her womanly assets jiggle. Must focus.
"The offer still stands, should you ever change your mind." She then gestured with her hand as she continued in a more matter of fact tone. "I was actually thinking of helping you in your personal quest to hunt down Goblins."
"You would help me slay Goblins in battle?"
"Should you desire it so, yes. But fighting a battle is only one part of the problem, dear Slayer. Knowing where that battle will take place and knowing the fastest route to reach it is another. I would act as your guide, using my power to commune with the land to help you search for the myriad of Goblin tribes hidden throughout the Empire. And let me tell you, the Empire of Man is a truly vast place. Even when using the quickest and best kept roads, it would still take you months to travel from Essental in Ostermark, to the Imperial capital of Altdorf in Reikland. And that is if you do not encounter any complications along the way."
He nodded at that in understanding, in full agreement before he pointed out. "And you happen to possess the power to travel vast distances in a matter of minutes."
"Correct! Top marks to you for being so attentive." She happily exclaimed.
He merely grunted at that before he decided to address the next issue. "All of this will serve me well. Such favors however are not freely given, nor are they earned by simply killing a few bandits."
"Rather astute of you." She quipped.
"So tell me. What sort of monster must I slay in order to earn your favor."
"Not a monster." She shook her head, her demeanor now growing much graver. "Something far worse, I'm afraid."
His eyes narrowed at that, feeling somewhat skeptical. Something far worse she said? For him, nothing could be more foul and more vile than Goblins. The amount of suffering and misery they have caused throughout the ages was immeasurable. Their potential for destruction, should they be allowed to grow in strength and numbers, was cataclysmic. Thus, there were very few evils in the world that could match the dangers posed by the green menace, and even less could hope to surpass it. So what sort of enemy could it be, that even a seemingly capable sorceress like Giselle is forced to seek the services of one such as him?
He was brought out of his musings when he noticed her rise. With water dripping from her naked form, she calmly stepped out of the pool. Then with a simple wave of her hand, a gust of wind soon passed through the grove and with it motes of light began to form around her. He watched with some fascination as the wind served to quickly dry her hair and body while the lights began to gather and cling to her skin, slowly covering much of her form. Moments later, the lights soon faded, and in their place was an elegant and tasteful dress made from the richest of velvet.
The dress she now wore preserved much of her modesty, yet it also fit snugly around her torso, accentuating her lovely curves and left much of her shoulders and chest uncovered, allowing one a decent view of her impressing cleavage. An elaborate headdress made of pure gold and studded with a single lustrous ruby in the center sat atop her head, while a pendant attached to a chain made of the finest silver hung loosely from her neck.
Dry and fully clothed in her newest garb, the comely and ever mysterious sorceress soon approached him with near perfect grace, walking barefoot across the soft and grassy earth with delicate feet. Now that she was no longer wearing her commoner's dress or was openly flaunting her naked body like before, she reminded him very much of some highborn lady of great status and power. And he strongly suspected that she actually was, yet for some reason has chosen to hide her true identity under the guise of a simple maid.
Now standing just an arm's length from him, Giselle tilted her head upwards and looked into his eyes. And he had to do his best to contain his surprise, for he finally realized that the woman standing before him was no longer the same one he was talking to earlier. Physically she was still the same, her face remained unchanged. But it was what he saw within her eyes that made her look like an altogether different person. Gone was the young and mischievous maiden with a passionate heart, and in her place was a matriarch of ancient wisdom and knowledge. One worthy of respect and veneration.
"You seem most surprised, my dear Slayer. It is only I." She finally spoke once more, her lovely voice tinged with amusement.
It took another moment for him to gather his thoughts before he bowed his head slightly in respect and replied. "Apologies. You seem much more different than before."
She nodded at that in understanding and smiled. "I do not fault you for thinking so. After all, the young maiden you know as Giselle de Gaul is from another time, from a life long passed, and one that only comes to the fore when I seek to conceal myself, from those who wish to do me harm."
"I see." So that was her disguise then? If so, then she acted her part incredibly well. Though he can't help but wonder if her prancing around naked in front him was also part of the act.
"Then whom am I speaking to now?"
She nodded obligingly before she held onto both sides of her long and flowing skirt with her gloved hands, and lowered herself slightly in an elegant bow. "I am Giselle LeBlanc Alexandrine de Gaul, Damsel of the Lady of the Lake."
She stood straight once more and soon her regal face look quite saddened as she spoke again. "And as I said before, in return for all the rewards I would give you, I would need your services, my dear Goblin Slayer. To combat a most terrible foe, one that I cannot defeat alone."
"Give me a name, and where I might find it." He answered without hesitation, his mind already set on the matter.
She was silent for a moment, looking rather unsure, worried. Before she let out a sigh, almost as if in resignation, before she finally answered. Not with a simple explanation, but a short yet ominous poem.
"Within a fortnight, under Morrslieb's baleful light, a Dark Hungerer shall come. It seeks to devour the Maidens of Steel. To feast upon their hearts, savoring its unholy meal. And as the final hour grows too late, through all the sorrow and blood and hate, the Dark Hungerer shall meet its end. Yet only by wrathful thunder and vengeful blade, delivered by the One Who Defies Fate."
He remained silent as he looked away from her and pondered the meaning of that strange and rather dark poem. It was a prophecy of sorts, he deduced as much. And what he had suspected was true. He would be fighting another dreaded servant of the Dark Gods. This certainly complicates matters for him. The last time he had to fight a servant of the Chaos Gods, it was with a certain Dark Elf Sorcerer who tried to summon a mighty Daemon into the mortal realm. He was victorious of course, but only because he had assistance from his friends. He wouldn't have succeeded otherwise.
Now he had to fight another servant of Chaos, and this time, his old team was no longer with him. Complicated indeed. But not impossible, nothing was. And besides, no matter how terrifying or annoying the servants of the Dark Gods can be, Goblins will always be worse than them. Still, this would require a lot of preparations and careful planning if he is to succeed. Which also meant he needed time.
He looked back towards Giselle. The lovely sorceress was still staring at him expectantly and also a bit nervously. No doubt anxious if he would accept her quest or not. She need not worry though, his mind was already set on the matter. He just needed more information.
"The prophecy mentioned 'within a fortnight'. When will the attack happen?"
"Tomorrow night. I received the vision from the Lady nearly two weeks before, just a few days before you first arrived." She quickly explained, now much more hopeful.
He frowned upon hearing that. He had about twenty-four hours left then, or probably less than that, which is hardly enough time to prepare for an adequate defense. But he will have to do what he could in the time he had. Then there was enemy troops compositions.
"Has your vision shown you if this 'Dark Hungerer' would bring any minions with him? And if there are, how many?"
"I am not entirely sure, the vision was given to me in fleeting fragments, so I do not know all the details, only that this servant of Chaos will come." She then quickly added. "But I have encountered him before, and he is a truly cunning and manipulative monster. Able to trick and seduce others to his cause. So I suspect he has many followers under his dreaded banner."
He let out a small grunt and nodded slightly, considering the information given. He didn't have any exact numbers to go on, but from what she told him, he should expect the arrival of a force numbering between several dozen to a over a hundred. And each with varying weapons and other unknown abilities. Then there was this servant of the Dark Gods himself. He knew not what he was capable of, but he suspected he would be a formidable opponent in battle. So he'll treat this as if he's going to fight against a large warband of Hobgoblins lead by a particularly powerful Goblin Lord, and prepare as such.
"Does this mean you accept the quest?" She immediately asked, a smile now on her face once more. When he simply nodded in confirmation, her smile grew much wider.
"Merci monsieur Slayer!" She exclaimed ecstatically before she quickly lunged at him and captured him in a very tight embrace. He couldn't help but smile a bit, not really annoyed by her actions. Even if she had discarded her disguise and assumed her actual role as the servant of some divine entity, that cheerful and energetic young maid he first met was still there.
She soon loosened her hold on him a bit and stared up into his eyes, her lovely smile faltering as she became more demure. "I must confess, I have been wracked with worry since I first received the vision. And each day that passed I grew more and more desperate. The attack by the Greenskins certainly did not help matters. So I am truly grateful you agreed to help me."
"Is that why you lured me here and tried to seduce me?" It was not an accusation, just simple curiosity. A light tinge of red soon graced her pale cheeks as she looked away, now looking rather embarrassed. And here he thought she was completely devoid of shame. Was that an act as well?
"As I said, I was desperate. I need to protect Tanya and Anna, and I am prepared to do anything to accomplish that. You are the only one I know who is capable enough, so I had to find a way to enlist your aid." She paused for a moment as if to consider something.
"Even if it meant basically whoring myself to you." She said somewhat bitterly, a fierce blush on her cheeks.
"You didn't have to do that. There was never any need for you to debase yourself, you only needed to ask." He said to her somewhat chidingly, feeling some sympathy for the young woman.
Her face soon twisted in annoyance as she cast him with a stern glare and promptly hit him on the shoulder, though not really hard enough to hurt. "Then you should have said something from the beginning! So I wouldn't have had to go through all that trouble! By the Lady, do you know how terribly nervous and embarrassed I was? I felt like I was going to die of shame!"
"I hadn't noticed. You seemed like you enjoyed it." Was his rather nonchalant reply as he couldn't help but draw some amusement from her little confession.
"I was trying my best to be convincing." She growled out through gritted teeth.
A soft rumbling chuckle came from him as he gave her a soft smile, shortly before he decided to go back to the most important matter at hand. "At any rate, I need you to send me back to Essental, so I may begin my preparations for the coming battle."
Her eyes widened in surprise before she quickly nodded at him. "Oh, of course."
She closed her eyes and began to mutter something in a strange tongue that he could tell was different from her native Bretonnien. Just like before when he first approached her house, the temperature suddenly dropped and he could hear strange whispers all around him. Moments later, the same otherworldly mist appeared once more. Gathering all around them, growing thicker and thicker until there was nothing else he could see except Giselle. But unlike the previous time, he no longer felt any apprehension since he now know without a doubt the owner of this mist was his newest ally.
Minutes passed and the mist began to fade once more, slowly revealing the familiar houses and establishments that comprise the village. He looked around him and it appears they had landed just outside Giselle's house. He could see his horse in the distance tied to one of the lampposts, still right where he had left her. The friendly beast neighed upon seeing him and started to pull on her reins, eager to rejoin him.
He started walking down the short path leading out of the property when he felt a soft and delicate hand grasp his own.
"Wait."
He heard her say and so he stopped and turned slightly back towards her. "Yes?"
A noticeable redness was on her face as she seem to hesitate for a brief moment before finally mustering up the courage and said. "You don't have to go back just yet. It's already rather late in the evening, so you can spend the night here with me. And I also brought some food from the inn earlier so I can also prepare supper for you, it won't take long."
He stared at her for a bit, confused by her little proposal. "You don't have to keep trying to gain my favor. I already agreed to help you with this quest."
Her face soon frowned slightly in annoyance as her blush grew deeper. "That's not why I'm doing this! I just…"
She paused for a moment, looking rather embarrassed, though her eyes were also tinged with worry. "I just want to spend more time with you, before tomorrow happens. I… I don't know if another opportunity will arise."
He took some time to consider that, suspecting this to be just another part of her act. Or perhaps this Damsel was truly quite taken with him, that even after rebuffing her attempts earlier and revealing that he already loved another, she was still trying to pursue him. If she was, he had a difficult time understanding why. Regardless of the truth of her feelings, now was not the time for such things. Right now, he had to start getting ready for the coming slaughter.
"There will be plenty of time for that later. I must be off." He said with some finality as he pulled his hand out of her grasp and walked away at brisk pace, leaving a much disappointed and worried Damsel behind.
As she watched the Slayer ride off at full gallop, she let out a shuddering sigh, eyes forlorn. She truly wished they could have spent more time together, before the end. She only hoped what he said was true, that there will be plenty of opportunities for them later on. How she wished it would be so, for she did not possess the same confidence he had. That same unwavering resolve he possessed. She may have been gifted with great power, but she did not possess his inner strength. And she clung desperately to that strength with the vigor of one cast adrift in a stormy sea.
And so with her heart open wide, she clasped her hands together and bowed her head. And quietly pleaded to her Lady once more. Wishing, praying, that even though Her errant servant had fallen far from Her light, She would still prove merciful. And with Her divine grace, allow them all to see another dawn.
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Grail Damsels
More formally known as Damsels of the Lady, Grail Damsels are powerful Human sorceresses hailing from the fair and fabled lands of Bretonnia. The majority of children who begin to exhibit magical talents by the time they reach puberty are normally visited by the Fay Enchantress. She then takes them to a mystical realm simply known as the Otherworld. Children who go to this mysterious realm are mourned by their parents as if they had died. The boys are never seen again, believed lost for all time. The girls however return many years later, fully grown, as holy Damsels.
As the priestesses of Lady of the Lake, they travel the lands of Bretonnia and enforce her will, as well as protect her temples and holy places. Due to their unique position as the Lady's favored servants, Grail Damsels exist outside of Bretonnian law and are not beholden to all the social customs that apply to other women. And no man, not even the most headstrong and traditionalist of Bretonnian noblemen, may insult or criticize a Damsel of the Lady. Not even when her back is turned, lest they incur her wrath.
Just as how the legendary Grail Knights are gifted with physical abilities far beyond the reach of even the greatest Imperial soldier, so too are Grail Damsels gifted with magical abilities beyond that of even the most learned of Imperial Magisters. For while a Magister of the Imperial Orders of Magic can only ever master one lore of magic, a Damsel is able to master two, that being the Lore of Beasts and the Lore of Life. The more experienced and talented Grail Damsels are said to be capable of mastering the Lore of Heavens as well.
Damsels of such power are known as Prophetesses, and are among the most venerated members of Bretonnian society. Their wisdom and talents sought after by even the proudest of lords and princes. And just like all Grail Knights, Grail Damsels are long lived and never age, forever appearing as young women of peerless beauty and grace.
In times of war, the armies of Bretonnia are accompanied by these fair handmaidens of the Lady, using their gifts to bolster warriors in battle, commanding the earth to rise up against those who would defile all that is sacred and sacrosanct, and calling forth the heavens to smite the wicked and the unholy.
In times of peace, the Grail Damsels assume the role of advisors in the courts of Bretonnian nobility, helping them to better rule their domains in accordance to the Lady's wishes. They also offer guidance to any Questing Knight who seek the holy Grail, aiding them in their long and dangerous quest to become a new Grail Knight. And as such, it is not uncommon for Grail Damsels to take on Grail Knights as their lovers and protectors.
There are no known documented cases of Grail Damsels giving birth due to such unions.
-The Slayer's Guide to the Peoples and Places of the Known World by Elector-Count von Morder, High Lord General of Sigmar's Most Vaunted Imperial Guard
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Author's Notes: This will be the last peaceful chapter geared towards character introduction and development, as well as the end of our commercial break of lighthearted ecchi fluffiness. The next chapter shall finally bring us back to our regularly scheduled program of Grimdark. And when I say Grimdark, I mean it. Just giving you all a bit of warning before hand. Also decided to add some canon lore info at the end of each chapter, slightly truncated of course and edited to not make it too long. Let me know your thoughts about this.
Much thanks to all those who reviewed. Your words and praise really helped to keep my inner muse rolling. I hope you'll all enjoy this latest chapter and continue to share your thoughts on the story. As for the poll, in two more chapters, it will finally be closed and the our Elf contestant with the most votes shall finally take his/her place as one of the future teammates of GS.
One reiviewer mentioned about the Asur tendency to screw over Humans if it means it will get them ahead. This is actually generally true canon-wise. They might be a whole lot nicer here compared to their Warhammer 40k version, but they still view Imperial Humans with disdain and treat them little better than their more Chaos-aligned brethren. But whichever race of Elf will end up winning the poll, whether it be Asur, Asrai or Druuchi, I shall incorporate that person into the main story and write them in strict accordance to their latest Warhammer lore, their personalities and traits matching what is typical of their race, though I will be using some artistic license when creating the more subtle nuances of their character. So I strongly suggest you all read up on each of the Elven factions before you decide to cast your vote. They will have an impact on Goblin Slayer's journey, for better or for worse.
Anyway, that will be all for now. Next chapter shall arrive somewhere next month. You all take care now. John out.