by Eden Redd
Laying on the bed, Trystan realized his robe would be much too heavy for this environment. Sitting up and back on his feet, he quickly disrobed and rummaged through his back pack. Pulling out a nice flowing shirt and pants, he quickly dressed and looked at himself in an oval mirror by the door.
Stepping out of his room, Trystan spotted Nia, Jenny, Aznara and Sunara standing in the hallway in bathing suits, talking with towels under their arms. The mage was stunned at how beautiful all four women were, their suits adhering to their bodies.
Nia turned to Trystan and smiled. “We are going to the beach. Put your bathing suit on.”
Trystan looked down at his clothes. He was ready to go to the docks to see about getting a ship. He didn’t think everyone would be running to the beach so quickly.
“We should try to book a ship.” Trystan said simply.
Jenny stepped forward, her busty chest barely contained by her single piece bathing suit. “We have plenty of time to get a ship. Let’s enjoy some of our time here.”
“I think we should stay focused and……”
Jenny cut him off. “Trystan, we may be on vacation but I’m still your boss. We are going to the beach right now. Get your suit and join us.”
“Yes, Mistress Jenny.” Trystan said absentmindedly.
Nia and Aznara started laughing.
“He still thinks he’s at work.” Aznara cackled as she pointed at the mage.
Trystan felt his face glow hot as he reentered his room. After a quick change, the mage stepped out in swimming trunks, sandals and a towel over his shoulder. The women in the hall turned to him and eyed him with approving nods.
“That’s better.” Jenny said with a smirk.
Reeko stepped out of his room in black swim trunks, sunglasses and a towel over his green shoulder. Trystan still felt like they should get a ship but knew after what had happened on the train that everyone still wanted to relax. The mage thought an hour or two wouldn’t hurt. The group walked to the elevator, brimming with excited energy.
On the beach, the companions walked out on the hot sand. Mist drifted off of Trystan’s shoulder, forming into Sylk. The mage smiled as she bounced excitingly and stared off to the ocean waves.
“See you soon master!” The siren said as she ran off.
Trystan smiled as Sylk jumped into the ocean waves and disappeared under the surface. The woman walked ahead with floppy hats on their heads and sunlight bathing their bodies. The mage couldn’t keep his eyes off of them as they reached a spot and put down beach blankets. Nia glanced over at him and gave a small smile. Trystan could feel she was still uncomfortable. The eye patch covering her eye only made her more self-conscious. Trystan was about to walk to her when Sunara took her arm and dragged her toward the ocean. Aznara was already running, her body bouncing as she jumped into the waves. Reeko ran after them after dumping his stuff on a blanket.
Trystan was about to follow when Jenny lay on her beach blanket and beckoned to him with a finger. The mage looked to her and had a sudden urge to run. Jenny tilted her sunglasses forward and gave a wicked grin. Trystan took one step forward and the librarian shook her head. Feeling possessed, the mage walked over and sat down next to the busty librarian.
“Isn’t it nice to sit and take in the sun?” Jenny said as she laid back.
“The water looks like fun. We should join the others.” Trystan sat, arms around knees.
“We will. I just wanted to talk to you for a little bit.”
Trystan’s eyes looked to the sand. “I know why you want to talk.”
“We should clear the air. You were ready to ditch me after we made plans to come here together.” Jenny said softly.
“You bullied me into coming with me.” Trystan said flatly.
Jenny was silent for a moment before speaking again. “I’m sorry.”
Trystan raised an eyebrow and glanced over at the buxom blonde.
“It feels like you’re playing hard to get. I thought if I pushed hard enough that you would give in to what you really want.”
“I really want us to be friends.” Trystan said looking to Jenny.
Jenny peeked over the rim of her sunglasses to make eye contact. “Men look at me and most of the time they only want one thing. This is something I’m fine with because I often want the same thing. I couldn’t understand why you didn’t want to be with me especially after that time we spent in the vault.”
Trystan let his shoulders sag. “There was a lot going on. I wish I could explain it.”
“I still think about that night. It was so much fun. You were so aggressive and all I wanted was to please you but now I see what you’re going through.”
“What do you mean?”
Jenny turned her head and pushed her sunglasses up to cover her eyes. “Seeing you with your friends, I can understand the difficult position you are in. You love Nia but anyone can see she is falling for Sunara, hard.”
Trystan was quiet as he turned his eyes to the ocean and could see Nia splashing and playing with their friends.
“While you were locked away in your room, I sat and talked with Nia. She is a lovely girl and has deep feelings for you. What happened to her eye was tragic but she is strong, she will overcome. She loves you but it seems her heart is growing bigger for the blue haired succubus. You have given her space but you may have to take her back.”
“Jenny, I appreciate the advice but that is something for Nia and I to work out.” Trystan huffed
“I am only talking to you about it because we are friends, aren’t we?”
Trystan felt a stab of guilt. Here he was trying to be a friend to Jenny and it backfired on himself. He hated to admit she was right but the mage felt like he had no choice but to agree. He wanted to talk to Nia about what was happening but he spent so much time focusing on the quest that he pushed their talk to the side.
Jenny took in a deep breath, large breasts straining against thin fabric and nipples pointing. “Trystan, as a friend, I’m here for you any time you need me.”
Trystan found himself staring at Jenny’s chest as it rose and fell with every breath. “I sometimes get confused on what that exactly means.”
The corner of Jenny’s mouth curved into a smirk. “I’m here to ease any suffering you may have. Now you should join the others. I want to soak in the sun for a while.”
Trystan looked away and stood up. Pushing Jenny’s words from his mind, the mage made his way to the water. Friends splashed and played in the ocean. Wendy was chest deep in the water with her master on her shoulders. Aznara was on Red Fang’s shoulders. Reeko and the succubus clamped hands and tried to wrestle the other one off. Red Fang and Wendy the Ogre smiled and growled. Nia cheered and clapped as Sunara floated on her back.
Trystan broke into a run across the hot sand. The mage crashed into the water and swam to his friends. He joined in on the cheering as Reeko barely held on. Wendy’s single horn pointed at the succubus on Red Fang’s shoulders but Aznara would not be deterred. A twist of the hand and a pull, Reeko was sent flying into the water below. Aznara put her hands up in triumph while Red Fang paraded her around. Wendy scooped up her master and placed him back on her shoulders.
“Rematch!” The goblin shouted.
Aznara growled loudly and they locked hands once again. The good feelings were infectious. For a moment, Trystan forgot about their quest. Nia bounced in the water, shouting and cheering. The mage gazed at her, taking in her moment of happiness, etching the memory deep into his mind. Webbed hands touched the mage’s skin. Trystan quickly dove his hands under the water and took hold of Sylk’s wrist.
“Ha! I knew you would sneak up on me!” Trystan shouted as he pulled up the siren.
Sylk was held above water, a big smile beaming back at her master. Trystan kissed her blue lips. He then hoisted her up and threw her into the water. The mage started to swim as his familiar swam after him. Nia urged Trystan to keep swimming with cheers. Bodies glistened in the sunlight as the fr
iends played on for the rest of the afternoon.
Nine
Trystan stumbled toward the elevator with a drunken smile on his lips. The afternoon spun into the evening as the sun slowly disappeared over the horizon. After spending a few hours at the beach and nearly burning his skin, the mage suggested dinner and everyone jumped at the idea. Stomachs crying out for a meal, the group made their way back to the hotel and to freshen up. Meeting for dinner filled everyone with smiles as they sat down and ordered. The hotel dining room was more than adequate for the companions and they sat down with ravenous appetites.
Trystan’s smile grew wider as he rode the elevator to his floor. The meal seemed to taste better than he ever thought it could. After dinner, they all proceeded to the bar for drinks and the good times rolled on. Talking and laughing filled the late afternoon into the darken evening. Worry seemed to slip away from Trystan as everyone talked with excitement in their voice. The beach town had a relaxed vibe that only fueled their good feelings. As the drinks flowed, Trystan thought he would like to come to Lantern Beach when he wasn’t on some dire quest.
The quest did take a back seat to the festivities. It was easy to worry about it tomorrow for they were living in the now. With slightly burned skin and worn out muscles, the mage thought of his hotel bed. He wanted to sleep his life away, comforted by pleasant memories and beautiful mental images of the day.
A stream of mist poured from Trystan’s arm and Sylk blinked into existence. The siren pressed her near nude body against her master’s and kissed him deeply. Trystan returned the kiss with closed eyes and happy thoughts.
“I love when your drunk. It makes it easier to take advantage of you.” Sylk whispered.
Trystan opened his eyes half way. “Maybe for a little bit. I’m so tired.”
Sylk eyed her master with wicked thoughts. “When we get to the room, lay down on the bed. I will take care of you.”
Trystan grinned at his familiar and the elevator stopped. The doors opened and Sylk guided her master out onto their floor. The mage glanced up as they walked down the hall. Nia and Sunara had left the bar about ten minutes before he did. When he and Sylk walked past Nia’s door, small muffled moans floated through the door. The mage looked to the door and a second later, his heart grew heavy.
Sylk looked to her master but quietly guided him to his room. Walking through the door and shutting it behind them, Sylk gently pulled her master to the bed and sat him down. Trystan stared off, sad thoughts spilling into his drunken state. The smile he carried before had faded and a gloom cast a shadow over his spirit.
Sylk went to the double doors leading out to the balcony. She opened them and a freshening warm breeze floated in. The sky held a dark cloud or two, the crescent moon glowing in the distance. The siren whispered a few words and her thin bikini faded from view, revealing her naked blue skinned body. Trystan looked over and gave a weak smile, eyes returning to the floor.
The siren looked to her heartbroken master. Urges pushed at her to make him feel better but concern overrode her initial plans. Sylk stepped with webbed feet over soft carpeted floor and sat next to her master. A webbed hand touched his and held it.
“She is leaving me.” Trystan said in a low voice.
“No master. She loves you. She will never leave.” Sylk tried to sound reassuring.
“I wish I could believe that. I really do. She took a bolt meant for me and it scarred her face.”
“Does the scar bother you?”
Trystan shook his head. “No. She is beautiful inside and out. I wish she would believe it.”
Sylk grew quiet.
Trystan continued. “Nia never had to worry for much. She is so beautiful and full of life. It was easy for her to get adopted. Her new family treated her like a princess and she was never left wanting. I don’t think she ever considered if something truly life altering would have such an effect on her.”
“You think what happened to her eye caused her to question her life?”
Trystan looked to his familiar. “It wasn’t just the scar. She was hurt pretty bad from the battle with the slimes. If the healers didn’t get to her in time, then she might not have made it.”
Sylk looked down and kicked out her feet.
Trystan looked on as well. “I don’t know what to do? If I try to get close, she will resent me. If I stay too far away, she will think I don’t care.”
Sylk nodded. “If I were you, I would go to her and let her know my feelings.”
Trystan turned his head slightly. “It is surprising hearing that from you.”
The siren shrugged. “I know our bond will never break. But the bond between you and Nia needs to be healed.”
Trystan was silent for a long moment. The mage took a deep breath and stood up. “You’re right. I need to tell her.”
Trystan began walking to the door. Sylk’s oval eyes widened and she was on her feet, running after her master.
“Now? Maybe we should wait?” Sylk said alarmed.
“No, I’ve waited long enough. I can’t go on this quest with this hanging over my head. I need to tell her now or I never will.” Trystan took hold of the door handle, turned it and stepped out into the hall.
Sylk watched helplessly as her master walked down the hallway and stopped at Nia’s door. The mage gave a few hard knocks, alcohol fueling his bravery. The sounds from inside the room stopped. Trystan felt the first tendrils of nervous energy spiking trough his body when the door opened. The mage stared as Sunara stood naked before him, Nia’s scent floating around her.
“Trystan?” Sunara said with a touch of concern and dash of bewilderment.
“I need to speak to Nia.” The mage said as he stood his ground.
“Can she talk to you in the morning? We were in the middle of…..”
Trystan cut her off. “Now, please.”
The blue haired succubus tilted her horned head, stepped to the side and let the door swing completely open. Nia was in the bed, clutching a blanket to her body. She wasn’t wearing her eye patch as a star shaped scar with a white eye stared back at him. For a brief moment, Trystan took in her red hair and smooth skin, a jealous need rising to pick her up and carry her back to his room. Instead he stayed at the doorway.
Nia stared back. Eyes locking to Trystan’s, the red head turned away, a hand rising up to cover her white eye. Her good eye looked down, filling with regretful sorrow. Body shifted to the side as if she was trying to hide herself.
“Nia…..I just had to come over and say something. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. My heart belongs to you and it always will. I know things have changed but that doesn’t mean those changes will destroy what we have. No matter what you decide is best for you, I will be here. I will protect you. I will care for you. I will always love you.”
“Trystan.” Nia whispered as her eyes watered.
Sunara looked to the mage with wide eyes. “Trystan….you can join us. I’m sure neither of us would mind.”
Trystan’s shoulders sagged. “No. I think I will go for a walk. I just had to come over and say what I had to say.”
The young mage wandered off from the door. Sylk closed the door to the hotel room, bikini appearing on her body, she rushed to her master’s side and entwined her arm into his. Together they walked to the elevator. A webbed finger touched the button and silver doors opened. Stepping inside, the siren stared as her master had a faraway look in his eyes.
Outside, Trystan and Sylk took in the evening air. The mage tried not to think about what just happened. He wasn’t sure what to expect from Nia. Was she supposed to go running into his arms? Or was she supposed to tell him they could never be together because she had fallen for the blue haired succubus? The young man could not say. Sylk pressed herself close to her master, wanting to comfort him.
Together master and familiar strolled through the streets of Lantern Beach. Trystan could see why they called it as such. Lanterns along the cobbled streets and hanging from wir
es filled the evening with orange and yellow light. The further they walked, the more the colors changed from orange to yellow to green and to blue. It seemed that each street had its own combinations of colors and it only added to the magic of the seaside town. Sylk looked up with starry eyes. Trystan smiled gently, focusing on the lights and pushing away sad thoughts of the woman he loves.
The scent of the sea caressed their senses and a distant crashing of ocean waves pulsed like delicate white noise. Trystan kept the sad dark thoughts at bay but he knew it would only be a matter of time before they consumed him. Firming up his resolve, the mage told himself mentally that he would have to deal with the situation when the quest was over.
“She will come back to you. You both have a long history.” Sylk said surprisingly upbeat.
“Maybe. Or perhaps this is how she always wanted it to be? I will not cage her heart and I know she will not cage mine.” Trystan said as shadows covered his eyes.
Sylk looked up to her master. “Then she is a fool to lose you.”
“She will never lose me. We will simply go down different paths.”
The siren looked ahead as they walked. “You still have me and Gwen.”
Trystan smiled. “I am truly blessed to have my loving familiar and witchy lover. I never asked but I wasn’t sure how you felt about Gwen.”
“I love Gwen. She created me and gave me to you. I sometimes fantasize of the three of us, living by the sea. We would have a large house. You and Gwen would have many babies. I would help take care of them and we would all spend our lives together.”
Trystan raised an eyebrow. “Babies? Really?”
Sylk nodded. “Gwen is only eight years older than you. She can still have many babies.” The siren was quiet for a moment before speaking again. “If I could, I would have your babies.”