The Lone Apprentice

by I K Spencer

  "You are the victor this time Guardsman, though in battle a well-placed kick right now would release that hold."

  "True," he said, releasing her. "Though in battle, such a hold would quickly become fatal."

  Teya did not move away as she massaged her arms where Anthen's hands had gripped her tightly. Anthen could smell her hair and feel her firm bottom pressed against his middle. Surely she was aware of her affect on him but seemed unconcerned. She turned around to face him and smiled warmly, a hungry look on her face that could not be mistaken.

  They leaned forward and kissed gently. Their lips met tentatively, then with increasing passion as their bodies pressed together. They dragged each other to the shore, never breaking the endless kiss and fell to the ground, half in and half out of the water. Anthen was overcome with pent-up desire for her and he sensed her need was just as strong. Her mouth tasted so sweet and her lips were soft. His hands sought all her flesh while she loosened his loincloth. She struggled with her own undergarments, then ripped away the thin material with a sigh of satisfaction. She guided them together with a lustful moan and urged him on with her hands. He had never experienced such passion in a woman; her moans grew louder and she spurred him to move faster and faster, her body moving against his with matched swiftness. Their lovemaking was intense but brief, their desire so strong. With matched cries they culminated the act, then Anthen slumped forward, collapsing on top of her.

  "I needed that," she groaned with pleasure. "That was incredible!" She cradled him in her strong arms and legs.

  "Aye," he whispered. Feeling as though he were crushing her, he started to rise.

  "Not yet?" she softly suggested and encouraged him by holding him firmly in place. "This is nice too is it not?" She moaned again as he relaxed once more. "Do men in your homeland run away after coupling?"

  "I do not know," he answered, embarrassed by the question but detecting nothing but curiosity in her tone. "The women I've been with ... seemed to want it that way. They seemed, I don't know ... relieved that it was over."

  "What a sad lot in life your women seem to have," she replied. "All they endure and to not take joy in coupling; that is a sad existence." She released him with a chuckle. "I can see you are not at ease though, so run away if you will."

  He rose to his knees. She folded her arms beneath her head and sighed with relaxed satisfaction, making no move to cover her nakedness. Encouraged and intrigued by her relaxed manner, he lay back down on his side facing her instead. He reached out to caress her smooth, strong legs, hesitated, then did it anyway. He loved the combination of soft skin and firm muscle. She winked at him and smiled broadly. It reminded him of the satisfied look on her face after the feast Garrick had prepared.

  "This is heaven," she sighed. "I could lie here in the sun like this the rest of the day!"

  Anthen closed his eyes. He knew what she meant; he couldn't remember a time when he felt such peace. They lay for a time without speaking and he thought she might be dozing.

  "Do you smell that?" she asked suddenly.

  Anthen sniffed. He could smell a faint odor reminiscent of the bay but much less offensive. "I think so."

  "Kind of like the bad water but different?" she probed.

  He nodded.

  "That is the sea. It reminds me of home."

  "Did you live near the coast?" the guardsman queried.

  "No but I've spent enough time there. It is just one of those smells that evoke certain childhood memories for me."

  "I see." He knew exactly what she meant. He'd noted that certain smells reminded him of the academy.

  "Anthen!" she exclaimed in excitement. "Let's spend the night in a real bed in Portal! I have not slept in a bed since before I was taken prisoner!"

  Anthen hadn't thought about it but didn't see any reason not to. It would be near dark at the earliest before they were finished securing supplies and a better mount for Teya anyway. "It is a good idea. Teya, that reminds me, do you have something less conspicuous to wear?"

  "One liaison and you're ready to make me act like a proper woman of the realm eh?" she teased and pushed him good-naturedly to his back. She rolled over on top of him, kissed him fully, then rose. "You will see. I can play the part."

  He watched as she rummaged through her pack and pulled forth a badly wrinkled skirt. She winked at him as she slipped on a fresh shift and a top, then stepped into the skirt. She finished the costume with a pair of flat sandals and kerchief tied over her hair.

  "Will this do?" She curtseyed and slouched to conceal her unusual height.

  He nodded. She could pass for a peasant woman if one did not look too closely.

  "All right, I am convinced that you can be comfortable after mating," she said with a laugh, indicating his nakedness with a wave of her hand. "You better get dressed, though, before I get other ideas."

  Chapter 37

  It was still light when Anthen and Teya rode into the town of Portal. Teya rode behind him on Rorc and they used the old mare as a packhorse to further the image of her as a typical woman of the realm. They had also veered west to enter the town from the road to the south instead of riding in from the direction of the desert, and Dolonar.

  The warrior-woman had initially complained bitterly about having to appear subservient, even promising to one day return and offer to best any man there. Once they started, however, as Anthen had predicted, she rode quietly behind him with bowed head, playing the role to perfection.

  They proceeded directly to the first inn they came upon and Anthen secured a room for the night, after leading the horses to the stable in back. The room overlooked the quiet main street, which Anthen surveyed briefly before closing the curtains. Teya went directly to the bed and sat on it to test its comfort. The room, well lit and clean, also contained a fireplace, a table and a few chairs.

  "This bed is so soft Anthen! A hot meal and a fluffy bed; we are going to enjoy this."

  "Yes," Anthen agreed, thinking about the next several nights in the unfriendly desert. "Let's scout for supplies while it is still light."

  Teya took his arm as they left the room and headed for the street. Anthen enjoyed her closeness but it was especially disconcerting after the day's surprising turn. He held no illusions that it meant anything though; she was merely playing her subordinate role as his wife or mistress.

  The shops were closed for the night but they gazed in the windows and identified what they needed and where they would purchase each item. They needed to be careful to not make it obvious that they were attempting a trip through the Misean Desert. Cidrl could have someone keeping watch for them and word of anyone dumb or crazy enough to head out into the wasteland would travel through town faster than even the lewdest bit of gossip. They needed mostly food staples and medical supplies but they also needed to obtain a noticeable number of waterskins.

  The pair strolled the length of the short main street to the northern edge of town, where they could see the vastness of the Barren Sea spread below them. The town was situated just a couple of miles from the lifeless water, as close as anyone wished to reside.

  Portal was a supply town like Gates but much smaller since, unlike Gates, mostly uninhabitable lands and far fewer people surrounded it. The town drew mainly miners from the mountains and some farmers from the northern periphery of the border plains. Its residents owned and ran the shops, inns, taverns and brothels that supplied the needs of the hardy folk of the region.

  The two warriors used the last of the light to survey the stock in a horse trader's corral, where Teya chose a couple of the best mounts. Anthen would come back in the morning with the old mare to trade and procure for her, whichever of the two looked best on closer inspection.

  Full darkness had descended by the time the pair strolled back down the street to the inn. The clear sky was broken by a few clouds and the night felt chilly for summer, with a cool southerly breeze blowing down from the mountains. With the town surrounded by mountains, desert and sea, Ant
hen guessed they saw their fill of rough weather. Near the center of town they passed noisy taverns. Most of the town's visitors came from far away and did not come often so the burgh had a reputation for noisy revelry.

  When they arrived back at the inn, the duo went directly to the common room, selecting a table near the fireplace that offered a view of both the door and the stairs to the rooms above. It was getting late for dinner and the smoky room was fairly empty.

  "Should I order what I want or would that not be proper?" Teya whispered.

  "I really should."

  "Well then make sure you order a feast. I am famished," she replied with a smile, only half-teasing.

  A matronly woman came over to Anthen and the pair listened while she listed what was left in the kitchen. Teya gave a slight nod at each item she wanted and when Anthen had finished ordering their meal, the flabbergasted serving woman gave them both curious looks and hurried out to the kitchen. Soon the table was heaped with food and the pair immediately attacked the plain but tasty fare.

  They were both most interested in the things they saw little of on the trail—vegetables, fresh fruit, bread, and desserts. They ate without speaking and did not stop until all the food on the table was gone, including an entire crowberry pie. They washed down the huge meal with large mugs of ale, another scarcity on their journey.

  Teya belched softly after the serving woman had cleared away the empty bowls and refilled the mugs. She took a long swallow of the ale and leaned back in her chair.

  "My, that was wonderful; I shall not need to eat for a week," Teya said lazily.

  "I may not be able to move for a week," Anthen agreed.

  "Well we can sit here and sip this fine ale by this fine fire until our food settles."

  They sat in silence awhile and Teya saw a faint cloud in the guardsman's expression. She had learned to distinguish subtle changes in Anthen's stoic visage by habitually watching the guardsman's face during the time that the beast was pursuing them. She had become reasonably successful at telling the difference between a normal look of concern and his premonitions of imminent danger.

  "What troubles you Anthen?" She hoped he was not troubled over the turn in their relationship, though she had little doubt that Anthen still harbored strong feelings for the temptress used against him by the traitor.

  "Oh ... these unfortunate people." Anthen finally answered, looking around the room at the few other diners. "I want so to warn them but of course that is impossible. They sit here, discussing the affairs of everyday life, completely unaware of how drastically life will change for them."

  "Will not Garrick send word?"

  "Yes. Pray that he does. Even so, the best they can hope for is to flee and save their lives. All else will be lost. The Dolonarians will surely take Portal and destroy whatever is left when we finally drive them out."

  "It is the people that matter," Teya said consolingly. "They will return and rebuild."

  "Aye, and that is what keeps me from warning them this very moment."

  After finishing their ale, their meal settled, the pair returned to their room. Anthen lit the fire that had been laid in the fireplace to take the chill from the room. When he rose from the chore, Teya was waiting for him, clad only in a nightgown.

  "One more thing would complete this perfect night." She stepped into his arms and smiled sensually, her already-strong desire fueled by an ample amount of ale.

  Anthen was unsure. He cherished Teya and found her very desirable but did not want to risk their close friendship. Plus Urvena still weighed heavily upon his mind.

  "Teya. I don't know... Is this wise?"

  She placed her finger against his lips and laughed softly. "We both know I am not a maiden submitting to your will, expecting something in return. I seek only comfort, a celebration of life in time filled with death." Her smile disappeared as she turned serious. "I wish to lie with you and if you wish to be with me, then that is all that matters. Anthen the last thing I wish to do is create more turmoil in you."

  She started to let her hand drop but he caught it and brought it to his lips, kissing and studying the strong but still-feminine hand. She traced her fingers over his face, then pulled him down so their lips could melt together in a long, soft kiss. With her help, he struggled free of his clothes and they moved to the bed. Soon her shift joined the pile of discarded clothing and she was bare except for a leather strap holding her tresses in a ponytail.

  Unlike the frenzy of that afternoon, they took their time, enjoying the experience fully and focusing on pleasing each other. Anthen was curious, eager to explore and caress her body, and Teya was delighted by the attention. He gasped at the image of her golden, glistening skin in the firelight and marveled at the hardness of her muscles, so unlike any other woman, beneath the softest skin he had ever touched. He was surprised when she reciprocated, soothing and exciting every part of his body. He had never even conceived that a woman would want to touch a man so. He loved the smile of obvious pleasure on her face as her hands caressed him. If all women in Teya's homeland coupled this way, then Arnedonian men were certainly a lucky lot.

  Teya moved over him and finally, after far longer than it normally took for the entire act for the young guardsman, they were joined together. Both perfectionists, they experimented and each quickly adapted to the other's changes. In top physical condition, they had the stamina and strength to continue almost without end so they continued well into the night, completely engrossed in the act and their mutual pleasure. When they finally culminated the performance they were both slick with perspiration and Anthen did not believe such intense pleasure was possible.

  They lay quiet for a long time, each breathing heavily and savoring the lingering pleasure. Finally, Anthen opened his eyes and looked over at Teya, her skin glistening and aglow from the passion and exertion, a beautiful sight.

  "Teya that was incredible! I did not know it could be so. Arnedonian men must rush to their beds each night."

  Teya's eyes fluttered open and he felt warmed by the affection in them. "Incredible it was, Anthen, but you are mistaken if you think this an Arnedonian trait. I was just thinking that I now knew why the women of your country are so obedient."

  "I do not think so," Anthen said, chuckling and shaking his head.

  Teya's smile broadened and she rolled over and nestled against him, throwing her warm, bare leg over him. "I guess that means that together we have a special gift and are privileged to have found it." She kissed him fully, then rested her head on his chest and was soon fast asleep. Physical exhaustion and the comfortable bed soon caused him to drift off as well.

  Anthen awoke at his usual hour, before daybreak. Teya still slept peacefully so he did not disturb her. He slipped downstairs and bribed the cook to deliver them a tray, then went back upstairs. He stripped again and went through the exercise routine that used to be a daily event. He was just finishing when he looked up and saw Teya watching him. She had the covers pulled tight around her against the morning chill.

  "My, what a nice way to wake," she said and winked. "And such stamina. Impressive. I will be fortunate to be able to rise from this bed."

  "You just are looking for an excuse to sleep the morn," he teased.

  Someone knocked at the door and she started to rise, reaching for her sword. He signaled her to halt, whispering, "I ordered breakfast."

  Anthen threw on his cloak over his near-naked form and went to the door. He returned with a tray, heaped with hot food, coffee, fruit, and a pitcher of hot water for bathing. He set the tray beside Teya on the bed to entice her and poured them each a mug of the fragrant brew. He took a big swallow of the strong coffee and took the pitcher to bathe.

  Teya sat up and emitted oohs and ahs of pleasure as she looked through the food. "You better hurry up and join me if you fancy having breakfast," she said between mouthfuls.

  Knowing the woman's appetite, Anthen took the tease seriously, hurriedly finished his bath and joined her. The two lo
vers ate a leisurely meal, their hands straying to caress one another between bites. As before, not a single morsel of food remained on the tray when they had finished. Reluctantly, they left the warm bed and dressed to leave, their brief pause in the quest at an end.

  The pair split up to obtain their supplies. Clad in skirt and kerchief once again, Teya obtained a few waterskins and purchased food at the market alongside other women. Anthen went directly to the horse trader and bargained for a large, buff-colored filly with matching white tail and mane, getting little for the old mare. He returned to the stable with the new mount, then set out to get additional waterskins and some medical supplies.

  His mind busy composing a list, the guardsman strode into the apothecary, then immediately halted, the supplies instantly forgotten. He felt someone very close by watching him; he had been slow to discern the subtle feeling after the intense symptoms caused by the presence of the beast.

  He quickly scanned the busy establishment, looking for the source of his unease, as he headed toward the door as nonchalantly as possible. As he turned to slip out he nearly collided with the chest of a very large man, at least half-a-head taller, blocking the door and staring fixedly down at him. Cursing himself for not recognizing the threat before being trapped inside the shop, the young warrior turned casually on his heel without looking up and strolled toward the rear of the store, hoping for a second exit. After only a few strides, though, he felt the man closing and knew it was too late. He whirled around and faced the man, instantly recognizing the familiar pale eyes and mass of unkempt brown hair and beard that framed the wide face.

  Caluso had been three years his senior at the academy, a young man well-liked for his outstanding physical strength combined with a gentle nature and good humor. Anthen knew that the man identified him but his stare bore only the pure, malevolent hatred of one of Cidrl's walking dead. The spellbound man said nothing and the rustle of his sword, as large as any Anthen had seen, being drawn gave little hope of avoiding a confrontation.