Dark Blade

by Tony Roberts

  Faer shook her head moaning in distress. “You must be disgusted with me.”

  “Surprised, but then I shouldn’t really be if I remember you’re half human and half Dark Elf. When I retire I might like to go to Keria for the parties, if they’re all like that last night. At least I’ll die happy. Well, if they have such a thing as the Kerian Kiss Dance then it might be an interesting retirement.”

  “What? Kerian Kiss Dance?” her heart shrivelled.

  Yes,” Territus frowned. “According to you, it involves the women dancing along a line of men, taking each by the neck, throwing them around once or twice then kissing them like its going out of fashion.”

  “No!”

  “Um, yes.”

  “How-how many were in that dance?”

  “By then most were intoxicated very well. A hundred I think.”

  “A hundred!” Faer’s eyes bulged. “And-and I kissed them all?”

  “A hundred pairs – that’s two hundred people. You kissed the lot. Females too.”

  “Oh by the gods – what a harlot!” she wailed.

  “Yes, it was at that point I beat a strategic retreat. Everyone who was still standing was joining in that one so I thought I’d best get out of there. I have my dignity to preserve.”

  “And I have none.”

  “True, but it was the best party I’ve been to for years and years. Drink that – it’ll make you feel better.”

  She sipped the infusion and gasped in relief. “Oh, that’s better – takes that taste out of my mouth. So – you weren’t grabbed then. How did I end up here? I was worried I – I …”

  “Abducted me? No, you were brought in unconscious by one of the seniors. Utterly gone you were. He put you on that small bed while I slept in this chair.”

  “Oh, Master – I’m soo sorry! What will people think though – I mean, the fortress harlot sleeping in your room!”

  “I made sure two guards were here all night. I had no idea whether you would surface, sober or not. So, you slept six hours. How’s the infusion?”

  “Good, its making my stomach feel better.”

  “That’s what I hoped it would do. The sooner you come to properly the sooner we can – ah – dress you appropriately.”

  “Oh, the dress – it-it’s a Dark Elf style dress.”

  “Yes, so I am led to believe. Looks spectacular on you. You made a fair number of girls jealous I can tell you.”

  Faer smiled and looked down.

  Territus eyed her over the rim of his mug. “I must say I was very relieved you didn’t enslave anyone. You had plenty of opportunity to do so.”

  Faer cocked her head and looked far away for a moment and the Blademaster realised Faer’s other side was speaking to her. She nodded. “My Dark Elf half enjoyed herself too much to bother with that sort of thing.”

  “You know, we hear nothing but bad things about the Dark Elves, if we hear anything at all. But if last night was anything to go by, perhaps we have misjudged them.”

  Faer looked thoughtful for a moment. “Dark Elves live mostly for pleasure, Master. That can be pleasure for pure enjoyment but it also is pleasure at someone else’s misfortune. They don’t care how, as long as they enjoy whatever they do. It could be through spite, sadism, love, lust, cruelty, passion, care, killing and so on. You could have great fun with one at one moment, then you could find they turn on you should they think that by doing so makes them feel even better.”

  “She tell you that?”

  “No, it’s what I sense. What I feel at times. Last night, I lost control and my Dark Elf took over. She – oh let’s say it how it is – I enjoyed myself, apparently! I just wish I could remember it.”

  “And die of embarrassment?”

  The two drank their drinks. Faer felt much better and stood up. She adjusted her dress once more. “Oh this dress stinks! It needs to be washed and dried. It smells of stale alcohol, sweat and I don’t know what else. Ugh!”

  “Take it off and I’ll arrange for it to be taken to the launderette. Your other clothes will be brought here.”

  Faer turned. “In front of you?”

  “Oh, no, I’ll turn my back. It’s not appropriate for me to – view your body.”

  She smiled. “You know, you must be just about the only male I didn’t kiss last night – in fact I’m assured that was the case. I don’t want you to miss out. After all, I’m going today and I’d like to leave you with a thank you kiss.”

  “Blade – Faerowyn – you don’t need to do this.”

  “But,” and Faer suddenly smiled in mischief. Territus saw her eyes change, contract to the slits he recognised. Her demeanour and voice changed suddenly. “I promise to give you a proper Dark Elf kiss, and one not dangerous to you. I promise, as a member of a royal line.”

  Territus looked unsure but Faer was around the desk, and lifting one leg over his lap and now she was straddling him. Her arms snaked around his neck. “And I’m not drunk, either.”

  “Faerowyn; this isn’t proper – I’m Blademaster of this school.”

  “And I’m a princess. Princesses outrank Blademasters. Something to remember me by, Territus.” She placed her lips on his, gently, then slowly kissed him, her eyes closing. Her lips sensually massaged his, and he made a muffled sound, then gave in. He was very apprehensive, but there didn’t seem to be any insidious clouding of his mind. She kissed him gently and sweetly, and he relaxed, shutting his eyes too.

  She ceased and leaned back, her eyes sparkling. “You see, Territus, we are not always the evil exploitative beings people call us.”

  He nodded, too sunk in the moment to speak. She slid off him and walked around to the other side. By the time she sat down her eyes were returning to normal. She smiled and waited for him to speak.

  “That,” he finally said, “was worth every moment. Wonderful. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure. Naughty I know but I had to before I went. You know, I really want to clean up. I do smell. I want to swim in the springs. I’ll need a drying cloth and a set of clothes.”

  Territus called the messenger in again and snapped out orders. Within a short time Faer had her change of clothes and a drying cloth. She went to a screen over the far side and Territus turned his back, studying the spines of some of his books. She called out it was fine and he turned. She was wrapped in her drying cloth and had a jacket over the top and a pair of trousers on. She looked bulky but it was cold out there. The rest of her clothes were in a backpack. “I’ll go have a clean-up,” she smiled. “You been down there recently?”

  “No, not for a long time.”

  She hesitated. “It’s nice.”

  “I know.”

  “I’ll be going then.”

  “Enjoy, Faerowyn.”

  She nodded and left, sighing. She went past the guards who smiled at her and she returned the look, self-consciously. Outside the hurried through the crisp, clean but cold air to the cavern entrance, and hurried down the tunnel to where the warm air began. Slowing, she puffed out her cheeks and came out in the pool cavern. She put her clothes in a pile and her drying cloth on top. Then she slid into the waters with a sigh of pleasure. She submerged and rose, wiping the water from her hair and face, and swam the length of the pool and back again. She was an adept swimmer, a legacy of her life in Selanic.

  She floated with her back to the edge of the pool and closed her eyes. The warm waters soothed her and made her feel more relaxed. She was apprehensive about a number of things, not least leaving Kaltinar, but her urge to follow her father’s path was too strong. She had to know.

  She sank under the surface and rinsed her hair, then rose up, blowing water from her face. She rubbed the liquid for her eyes and saw someone standing there. She looked again. “So you did decide to come after all, Master.”

  Territus nodded, looking round. “Long time since I’ve been here.” He held another pack. “Got a set of new clothes for you. When you get out it’d be nice to see you try them on.”r />
  “And would you turn your back this time, Master?”

  He smiled and shook his head.

  She smiled back. “Come on in the water’s wonderful.” She rose, going on tip-toes, her breasts rising out of the water. As an invite it couldn’t really be bettered.

  Territus began unfastening his belt.

  Faer had a thought. “What if someone happens by?”

  “I’ve put three guards on the entrance with orders to let nobody past.” The pulled off his tunic and began pulling off his boots.

  Faer watched as he divested himself of his attire, and her eyes examined his form. Aged but still in reasonably good shape. In his prime he would have had a fabulous body. Still got one, darling, came a familiar thought. Her heart began beating faster as Territus jumped into the water, sending up a splash. He submerged, then rose, shaking water from his head, and came up to her. He put an arm either side of her head, and looked into her eyes. “Faerowyn, if you don’t want this,” he said gently, “then just say no.”

  She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. Her heart threatened to burst out of her ribcage. It was now or never. Courage, girl. “Make love to me,” she said quietly.

  Territus nodded slowly, smiling, and took her in his arms. She slid her arms up to his face and kissed him slowly, ignoring the pleading from within to be allowed full run of this situation. No, this was her time, her pleasure. She felt herself being picked up and pressed against his body, and she held her breath and tensed.

  He was gentle, considerate, and definitely a man.

  They both dried themselves alongside one another, she sitting on a small flat-topped projection of rock, he on the edge of the pool. She combed her hair, her drying cloth wrapped around her body, but allowing her legs to be on full view.

  “I’ve known a few women in my time,” Territus said, rubbing his chest vigorously. “A number of whom I’ve shared a bathe with,” he smiled in remembrance, “and they all do exactly the same as you’re doing. It’s lovely to watch.”

  Faer looked at him and smiled. “It was wonderful, Territus. You’ve made me feel so – grown up.”

  “You are eighteen, Faerowyn. You are an adult.”

  “But up to now I’ve never felt like one. I don’t know if you know what I mean, but this has made me feel – complete.”

  Territus rubbed himself dry and began dressing. “I’ve wanted to make love to you ever since I saw you that day you arrived. You took my breath away.”

  “I did? What – and you never said anything? How could I have affected you so?”

  Territus buckled up his belt and stepped into his boots. “It was your father who started it off. All this story about his daughter and so on, and waiting for you all these years. It played on my mind on and off, and the closer it got to your sixteenth birthday, the more I wanted to know what you looked like. Of course, you might never have arrived; you could have died or something may have happened to prevent you from coming here. But when you landed from the ladder and spoke your name, I knew the wait had been worth it. You were more beautiful than I could have imagined. And here’s me at my age, too! Of course, I thought you’d never even consider me as a lover; I am old enough to be your grandfather after all.”

  “Age doesn’t concern me; it’s the man within and you’ve been wonderful to me, even when I’ve caused you problems.”

  Territus stood before her, a pleased look on his face. “When you laid yourself on a plate to me I was afraid to accept. Me afraid! Gods in the heavens. I berated myself. So I grabbed my courage and three guards, and this pack here,” he pointed at his feet, “and rushed here.”

  She stood. “I’m glad you did. Oh, my new clothes you said. What new clothes?”

  “We thought you needed some on your journeys. I got our best makers here to design and make you a set of decent clothes. Go have a look and put them on. I’ll put those other clothes into your pack.”

  She opened the bigger bag and pulled out a pair of long leather boots. Her eyes widened. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Thank you.” Then there was a fur-lined grey over-jacket. A neat dark pair of trousers, and silken undergarments. She shrieked with joy. “Oh yes! This must have cost a fortune! Where did you get these?”

  “Try them on. Just the undergarments. It’s a long time since I’ve enjoyed a young woman in just those.”

  “Lecherous old man,” she giggled and dropped her drying cloth to the floor, standing totally naked before him.

  “And you’re a naughty tease.”

  “Not as bad as I could be,” she said. She slipped on the silken garments, a mini chemise and a neat tight fitting loin cloth. She slowly turned full circle in front of the Blademaster. “Well?”

  “I’m tempted to take them off and make love to you again.”

  She giggled. Then she slipped her elven chain armour on and then a dull yellow tunic with the Kaltinar badge sewn on the breast. Finally she put the trousers, boots and jacket on. She picked up the pack and threw it over her shoulder. “They’re beautiful. Thank you,” and she kissed him.

  He bowed. “I’ll see you at lunch. I have a few things to sort out before then. Prepare your horse. Your dress ought to be ready soon.”

  They kissed again, and he left, whistling. She smiled and turned full circle, feeling on top of the world. Her sword rested against a rock and she put the sheath on her back and fixed the buckles of the straps to her belt and across her shoulders. “Well, girl, you’re ready for the outside world.”

  The walk up to the surface was one where she thought long about her time there, and in a way she felt sad. It had been the best home to her and now she was leaving.

  The dress was ready and she picked it up, storing it amongst her belongings hanging from bags on the horse. The stablehand assured her everything would be fine. She looked at the sky. It was time for lunch. Her last meal there. The hall was full and heads turned as she came in. Grins, whistles or good-hearted greetings came her way, and she smiled and walked as saucily as she could along the central walkway. Confidence was growing within her daily, and making love had made her feel so much better about herself and the world in general.

  Her friends were at their table, halfway up. “Hey Blade,” Limkel called out, you look great. Lovely outfit – is that new?”

  She sat down. “Yes – the school got me it. A leaving present.” She looked at the table. “What is for lunch?”

  “Dark Elf Blood Wine,” Pappis quipped.

  Quenia slapped him.

  Faer looked at Quenia. “I’m so sorry about your dress – I was mortified when I was told what I did to it!”

  “That’s fine, everyone else did theirs. We all got our dresses into the seamstresses today. They’re going mad.”

  “And – I kissed everyone?”

  “Including old Kuliman.”

  “No!” Faer was appalled. “He’s seventy if a day!”

  “Made him feel twenty by the look on his face,” Pappis chuckled.

  The table laughed, and Faer finally joined in, shaking her head. When the meal was drawing to a close, Territus stood up and rapped on the table for attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we say goodbye today to someone who has become so well known to us all that we need no introduction. I won’t bore you with a long speech; all I shall say is that she is a unique individual who we have taken to our hearts like nobody else here. Dark Blade.” He smiled and held out a welcoming hand.

  Faer got up and made her way to the top table, applause and cheering sending her on her way. She shook hands with the masters at the table and turned round. She filled her lungs. “I depart today with a feeling of sadness; I will miss you all, almost as much as you will miss me, by all accounts.” A ripple of laughter passed round the room. “This place has been a real home to me these past two years and I have made some very wonderful and close friends.”

  “Mostly last night,” a wag called out. More laughter.

  Faer felt her cheeks glowing hot. She cleared her
throat. “Ah yes well that’s a tale for long winter nights. I go however because I am driven. My fate is out there, my future. I know I will have many adventures, but I shall always remember my time here on the Blade Mountain. I love you all. Farewell.”

  She began her walk towards the exit, and was cheered on her way. Tears stung her eyes. She turned and looked back at Territus who was leading the people out after her. She turned again and walked to the stables. The mare was waiting stolidly, and she led it out into the open along the courtyard towards the gatehouse.

  They were gathered there, in a long line, either side of the path. She nodded to them, smiling through eyes that were watering, and came to the end. The masters were there, and she shook hands with them all, until only Territus was left.

  “Master,” she said, her throat tight.

  “No longer your master, Blade, just Territus.”

  “Territus. I’ll miss you so much.”

  “And I you. Take care.”

  “Write to the village – you know that’s my next destination. I will want to hear from you.”

  Territus nodded, then took hold of her arms and held her close, kissing her long and deep. The entire courtyard cheered.

  Then she mounted up, wiped her eyes, waved one last time and rode out into the open. Her adventures lay before her, her quest to follow her father and find her heritage.

  She was Dark Blade.

  Also by Tony Roberts

  Kastania Series – available in paperback or ebook format

  Empire of Avarice

  Prince of Wrath

  House of Lust

  Casca Series – available in paperback or ebook format

  Halls of Montezuma

  Johnny Reb

  The Confederate

  The Avenger

  Napoleon’s Soldier

  The Conqueror

  The Anzac

  Devil’s Horseman

  Sword of the Brotherhood

  The Minuteman

  Roman Mercenary

  The Continental

  The Crusader

  Blitzkrieg

  The Longbowman