by Eden Redd
Thorrin stared as Vass grew more unhinged. Shoulders shook and she fought back the tears. In their youth, he remembered only one other time where she was this upset and it was when the family cat died. Vanessa was always strong but she broke down when Tiffany died on the bathroom floor. She had escaped and spent a few nights in the middle of winter on the streets. She came back, sick. Vanessa watched over her, feeding her with an eye dropper and soft cat food on a spoon. Tiffany licked the spoon and seemed happy to know she was there. Luis remembered even though he was only eight at the time, staring from the bathroom doorway. When morning came, Tiffany had passed and Vanessa cried for a whole day. It was the only time she showed weakness and she hadn’t shown it again until now.
The paladin reached out and embraced the dark-haired elf. Vass sobbed as she hugged him back. Long moments ticked away.
“Vanessa…I…” Thorrin began.
Vass pulled away, “No, fuck you! The trolls are your baggage now. You take care of them! I’m fucking out of here! Stay and get killed over and over again! You need to learn that fucking lesson!”
Thorrin stood helplessly as Vass turned and began walking away.
The elf turned her head when she was ten feet away, “Oh and that dragon bitch with you belongs to some secret dragon cult called the Sun Drinkers. That’s why they showed up. They hunt and exterminate trolls and anyone helping them. Good luck with that!”
The player watched as Vass walked into the darken forest and melted into the shadows. Standing for a long moment, Thorrin simply stared on. Death in the game didn’t bother him but with images of everyone in the house dying unnerved him. Somehow their plight got under his skin. Nothing sat well with him and he knew he had to do the right thing or he couldn’t forgive himself. Like ghosts, would it hurt if he saw them re-spawned? Would they be the same? Would they remember him or how he tried to save them?
Turning from the shadows, the paladin walked back to the house and stepped inside. Everyone seemed like they were on their best behavior but the seething hatred was still plain between Talisa and Emma. Ignoring their looks, the player began speaking about what happened in the forest. Saldor and his family were all ears. Soon Melina and Pyke were engrossed in the story. Emma and Talisa stopped staring holes into each other and turned to hear Thorrin speak. When everyone was caught up, the air seemed that much heavier.
The paladin let out a sigh as he turned to Talisa, “Vass has given up on your contract. She will not be taking to Talon Guard.”
Melina looked to Thorrin with wide eyes, “What are we going to do? How are we going to escape?”
Thorrin looked to the troll and smirked, “I’ll take over and get all three of you to Talon Guard after I stop Mad Morgan. I give you my word.”
A rush of relief spilled into Melina and Pyke’s face. Talisa gazed at the paladin, her own brow easing back.
“We have to alert the town about the Dread Lord,” Saldor said as he rubbed his chin. “I don’t know what we can do but they must know.”
“Your town will never stand a chance against a Dread Lord,” Emma said simply.
Thorrin tried to keep the doubt from his eyes as he remained silent. He knew the solution, he had to attain faith but so far, he hadn’t figured out exactly how to do it. The situation was far from romantic and seeing the fear and dread in their eyes only drove home how helpless they really were.
The apple farmer looked around to all the lost souls and to his family, “I think running off to tell the town at this time of night will only make things worse. We can tell them tomorrow. For tonight, you are all guests.”
All heads turned up and looked to the kind gaze of the farmer.
Saldor continued, “We don’t have much room. I would have to ask Talisa and her fellow trolls to sleep in the barn. There is a loft and fresh hay down. It should be warm and comfortable in there.”
“You would still have us, after what happened before?” Talisa asked with a soft tone.
Saldor smiled, “The elf was the one who tied us up and since she isn’t returning, it saves me the trouble of throwing her out. I know how difficult it must be for you, running from those who would take you back to a life of servitude. No creature in Lukken should ever be a slave.”
Talisa bowed her head, “Thank you for your hospitality. It will not be forgotten.”
The farmer bowed his head. When he stood up, he turned to Emma, “To have a dragon in our home is truly a blessing. We have a spare bedroom you can have for the night.”
A small smile appeared on Emma’s lips, “Thank you kind sir.”
“It’s the least we can do since your kind will bring us luck and hopefully a swift end to the war.”
Saldor stepped over to Thorrin and clasped a hand on the paladin’s shoulder, “Will you speak with me for a moment?”
Thorrin stood immediately and nodded. Together the farmer and paladin stepped through the ruined doorway and onto the patch of earth in front of Saldor’s home. The stars twinkled in the sky like diamonds against a black canvas.
“I’ve seen the look you’re carrying, a man who must fight an impossible battle. My grandfather told me stories of his great battles and great loves.”
Thorrin stared blankly at the apple farmer, “Thank you but I’m not sure….”
Saldor cut him off, “Knights have their concubines, rogues steal hearts, clerics heal with their bodies but paladins require faith.” Saldor said with a sly smirk.
Thorrin raised an eyebrow.
“Thorrin, you are strong but it is clear you must become stronger. Why don’t you escort the trolls to the barn, I will make sure your dragon is comfortable in my home and keep her out of trouble.”
Thorrin felt a rush of heat to his cheeks, “I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything and let nature take its course,” Saldor said with a small laugh.
Ten
Thorrin walked with a lantern in his hand and uncertainty in his heart. Three trolls followed, eyes looking from side to side as if ready for any kind of ambush. The paladin calmed his nerves with a soothing inhale and then exhale. The air seemed cleaner, pure even. The player lost track of his thoughts as he again wondered how a virtual world could seem so real.
Reaching the barn door, the paladin handed the lantern to Talisa. Hands took hold of the bar and pulled. The door slid easily and Thorrin was greeted with a wave of warmth. Stepping inside, Pyke was last as he took hold of the door and pulled it shut behind him.
The barn was of good size. Several stalls lined one side and two horses stood, eyes closed and lost to dreams. The rest of the barn was empty save for stalls with fresh hay, a ladder and a loft with golden, softer looking hay practically hanging off the side. The warmth was cozy and the air held minimal odor. With relaxed nerves, the paladin took the lantern and hooked it on a nearby wooden pillar.
Melina and Pyke nearly hopped like young children to the ladder, eyes wide and small smiles. Melina climbed first with Pyke close behind. Thorrin watched as they made it up to the loft. Standing up, they fell back with open arms into the golden hay, a small giggle spilling from Melina’s lips.
“Sleeping in the forest has been hard over the last two weeks,” Talisa said with a faint smile.
“A good night’s sleep is probably what everyone needs right about now,” Thorrin returned the smile
The troll eyed the blonde-haired paladin, “What do you need, Paladin?” Talisa asked with sly innocence.
Thorrin looked to the beautiful raven-haired troll. Standing at six feet five inches, she had the paladin beat by four. Even though she stood taller than him, her strong demeanor seemed to change and she appeared smaller, a little more exposed. Eyes taking in her beautiful hour glass form, the paladin noticed the gash on her leg had still not healed.
“I need to look at that wound,” Thorrin said with an even tone.
Talisa looked down at her thigh and back to Thorrin. Without a word, she moved to one of the big empty stalls. T
he player followed, his heart thumping in his chest. Something stirred deep within the holy paladin but he pushed it to the back of his mind. He could read the situation but questions invaded his desires.
Talisa turned, seeing a look of concern on the paladin’s brow. Dark eyes reflected his wide shoulders, thick arms and handsome features. A tremble spiked up her arm as he reached out and took her wrist. Lips parting, her voice was caught in her throat.
“Lay down so I can heal you,” Thorrin said, feeling a prickle of heat flush his entire face.
The troll nodded, bending her knees and comfortably sitting down and laying back. The hay was on a slope so her upper body was raised. Thorrin knelt down, fingers circling around her wound, questions assaulting his mind and body.
“It seems like you want to ask me something?” Talisa said with a blank expression.
Thorrin ran glowing fingers over the wound, causing the troll to wince, “I’m sorry. It should take a moment to heal it.”
Talisa’s blue shapely thigh vibrated for a second before the wound puckered and sealed. Thorrin channeled wisdom points into healing points. It didn’t take much and after a few seconds, the skin smoothed away. It looked like she was never injured.
“Thank you, Paladin,” Talisa said.
“I do have questions, if you don’t mind?”
The troll lay where she was, gazing at the human on his knees before her, “After everything you have done, you may ask me anything.”
Thorrin nodded, “Why did you leave your home? What made you decide to save Melina and Pyke?”
Talisa’s eyes met with Thorrin’s, “I was a sergeant for my master. He was a good master to me but his appetites knew no bounds. His harem was vast and he liked to dominate all who loved him. I often sat in meetings while he gave orders and forced slaves to please him. He liked when others watched. It gave him a sense of seductive power. In our society, it is not unheard of to do such things but he had a cruel streak.”
Talisa took in a deep breath before continuing, “Melina and Pyke were among his smaller lust slaves. He would whip them and strike them until they were covered in gashes with tears in their eyes. I had seen it too many times and it started to affect everything I thought of my master.
“You should understand, my master was a fine troll in the public eyes. He was a hero and many admired him for his service. It was behind closed doors that he was a sadist. Only his slaves and those close to him knew what he really was.”
Talisa looked away, “One night, I was bringing a report that the Middle Kingdoms had been taken. The door to his bedroom was open. Melina was crawling out, gashes all over her body and tears streaming down. I went to her and looked inside. My master was asleep but Pyke lay on the floor, unconscious and bleeding. Melina crawled into my arms and begged me to save them, take them away from all of this pain.”
The raven-haired troll clenched her teeth before speaking again, “I gathered both of them up and took them to a cleric I could trust. I knew then that this could not go on any longer. Leaving a master is a punishable offense where those that are caught are treated like sex objects before they are executed. It’s an old law and not used very often but I knew my master. He would use it as an excuse to inflict greater pain for his pleasure.
“We left that very night. I gathered some supplies and we struck out on our own. We managed to reach a town and spoke with a thieves’ guild. They put out the word for anyone willing to take us to Talon Guard. We were on our way to meet our contact when we met you.”
Thorrin stared at the troll, heart swelling.
Talisa continued, “I had a special blade with me. I used it to pay for opening the contract for our safe passage. I have seen so many evil things in my service but I didn’t want to believe my own kind could do such things.”
“I know what you mean. You try to do the right thing when so many others try to fuck each other over.”
Talisa turned her eyes to the paladin and grinned.
“Pardon my language,” Thorrin said as he looked to her.
“No need. It’s refreshing to hear a warrior of holy justice act like a normal man.”
Thorrin stayed on his knees but leaned back on his ankles. Hands reaching down, he took hold of Talisa’s boot and pulled it off, followed by the other.
“You do not have to do that. It is our custom to share myself with you to show my appreciation,” Talisa said as she sat up and reached out.
Thorrin waved her hand away, “I would rather show my appreciation my way. You have been through a lot and I want to help you relax.”
Talisa hesitated before laying back. The player took hold of a blue foot and pressed his fingers to it. Soon his palm pressed against the inside and fingers kneaded her delicate arch. Talisa let out a small gasp as tingling bliss charged up her foot and ankle. Thorrin worked his hands, massaging her foot over and over again, not looking up. It was one of his favorite things to do when he was with someone. The world can be a harsh place and feet can take the most abuse. Kinks glowed in his memory as he remembered that he picked the Caretaker kink. To help sooth away their pain was one of his turn ons, and it caused warmth to rise up his neck.
Talisa let out a blissful sigh as the paladin worked his magic fingers, “No one has ever….”
“Taken care of you, I can tell by your squirming. Let me rub it all away,” Thorrin smiled.
Talisa simply nodded as her eyes closed. Fingers moved in between toes as strong hands massaged muscle. The troll’s body reacted with small movements to his powerful touch. Thorrin admired how she moved to his caress. Long moments passed before he let go and began on the other foot.
Talisa took long breaths as her head leaned back. The strong troll woman was turning into putty in the player’s hands and he was enjoying every second of it. Another question burned into his mind. The player wanted nothing more than to continue but the sad story Emma had told him came to mind. He had to know, if only to set his mind to ease.
“I heard a story about your kind, a terrible story that happened long ago when dragons and trolls fell out of love with each other.”
Talisa opened her eyes half way, “I’m sure your dragon told you many awful things about my kind.”
Thorrin continued to massage Talisa’s blue foot, “I know you weren’t there but it haunts me.”
Talisa writhed to his touch, drinking in his handsome but concerned face, “She told you about the massacre where trolls destroyed dragon eggs, the very ones we were caring for. I can only tell you what we learned about it. A group of trolls bent on jealousy and hatred wanted to deal a powerful blow to our dragon lovers. What I’m sure they never told you were that it was only that group that committed that evil act.”
Thorrin listened with open ears.
Talisa continued, “There was a group who did it but they never tell you what truly happened during and afterwards. They did indeed come to the rookeries with hammers and blades but many of the trolls caring for the eggs gave their lives to save as many eggs as they could. Troll slaughtered troll before the dragons discovered what was happening. Nurse maids fought to the bitter end, defending unborn dragons.
“When it was over, the remaining trolls who committed that vile act escaped, while the remaining nurse maids were killed by the dragon lords, never having a chance to defend their heroic actions. The trolls who escaped came to the southern cities, thinking they were heroes but the truth came out.”
Talisa leaned her head back and closed her eyes, “The trolls who committed the act were executed by their own people. They received no honors and were buried in unmarked graves. To this day, no one knows their names. Despite their deserved deaths, it could not prevent war.”
“I’m sorry,” Thorrin said with a whisper.
“It happened a long time ago. We teach that lesson to our children to show them the value of honor. Like many, some take to it while others do not.”
The paladin continued to rub her foot as the troll writhed to his to
uch. The warmth in Thorrin’s chest grew as hands and fingers moved from Talisa’s foot to her ankle and then her calf. The sound of rushing blood filled Thorrin’s ears as he eyed Talisa’s curves. With her eyes closed, lips parted and she sighed again. Thighs parted just an inch and Thorrin’s gaze fell between them at her tight leather covered valley.
Thorrin moved with skilled grace, massaging her thighs further and further up. Talisa’s hands moved to the buckles under her arms. With deft hands, she unfastened them. The player barely blinked before her armored leather top came away and was thrown over into the next stall. Leaning back, large blue breasts were free with dark blue nipples pointed.
It was then that the paladin felt over dressed in his armor and clothes. Touching his palm to his chest, clothes and armor faded from sight. Talisa gazed at his muscled body and broad shoulders. Smiling, she reached up as he was on his knees, fingers touching the small curly blonde hair above his manhood. Hunger bled into Thorrin’s eyes as he stared at her nearly perfect body. Fingers curled around her leather bikini bottom, he pulled them down. Talisa lifted her rump up to aid the paladin. After it cleared her feet, the player tossed them aside and admired the troll’s naked form in the lantern light.
“Take what you desire,” Talisa said in a sultry whisper.
“My desires are secondary,” Thorrin said as warm hands touched her thighs and spread them a little further.
Talisa looked up as he lowered his face to her valley. A surge of bliss rose, catching the troll off guard. Head falling back, she moaned as Thorrin’s tongue grazed her valley.
The paladin looked down, taking in the beauty of her womanhood. It was smooth except for pink glistening lips. Tongue snaking out, he ran it along her thin line. Warm thighs closed around his ears and he looked up. Talisa’s round breasts rose and fell. Beyond them, her lips parted with heavy breathing and eyes closed shut. The taste was intoxicating as his gentle caresses turned and pushed in deeper. When he grazed her engorged clit, a sharp gasp sang out. The troll writhed and moved as Thorrin wrapped his arms around her thighs and held them open. Inner thighs touched his cheeks. Wetness spilled from her opening onto his tongue and lips. Burying his face in her blue valley, Talisa trembled and trembled again.