He nodded, “I get that, it sounded much worse than I’d meant actually. I was being flip.”
John observed, “That’s what humans call putting your foot in your mouth, it happens.”
Bria snickered, “If it makes you feel any better, the other two issues are much more worrisome.”
Katie shook her head and bit her lip.
He shrugged, “You’ll do fine, just stick to magic as much as possible in a fight, for the next couple of centuries.”
Katie laughed, “Fine, I was planning that anyway.”
Arielle broke in, “We should pick the pace back up.”
Katie nodded, “It’s starting to feel really urgent, I can’t say for sure, but I feel like it’s going to happen tomorrow around mid-morning. We need to be there when it does.”
He frowned, “My people and the dragons can fight back, we’d been ignoring them because they didn’t do any damage, but we have the numbers back home.”
Katie shook her head, “Hendricks needs to be there, if he’s not… right now he’s more important than I am I think. My job is to get him there, and know where he needs to be.”
They started off into a canter for a while, which made conversation impossible.
At Katie’s urging, Arielle refreshed the horses twice before they slowed down again for a while. It was late afternoon before they started into the mountains. They were going to make it back tonight, but it wouldn’t be until after nightfall…
It felt good to be home among the great trees.
He heard Katie mumble something and turned his head with a questioning look.
She blushed, and said, “It looks just like my dream,” and she looked up into the city above the canopy.
The trees were normal oaks of course, but the concentrated magic of their elven tribe meant larger than normal growth, and of course grown into useful shapes, like hollowed out rooms and homes inside of the trees of themselves. He led them to the stairway, a tree in the center of the area. It had a circular stairway running up, circling the hundred-foot-wide tree multiple times. Any elf could easily climb up any tree, the stairway was for their allies to use, and in case of attack would retract into the tree itself.
He said, “The council will want to speak to you, afterwards you’ll be shown to a guest house.”
Katie nodded absently, a light smile on her face as they mounted the stairs, “That sounds perfect, we should get some rest for tomorrow.”
He reached back, and took Arielle’s hand, a statement to his people of his intent. He smiled when Arielle blushed prettily, and entwined her fingers with his.
“No one said nothing about no heights,” he heard the panic in Hendricks voice and the man’s drawl was particularly strong.
Bria’s voice was amazingly soothing, “You’re just fine, relax.”
The man muttered, but he was still coming. The council chambers was in this very tree, in the center of their village, or city. It was done that way on purpose, so visitors had no reason to go any farther, unless invited of course. He led them through the arched entry in the tree, down a short corridor and through two wooden doors leading to the council room.
He looked behind and saw the same surprise and awe on Katie’s face, and wondered what dreams she was talking about. He nodded to the council as they stood in front of the elaborately carved table, and chairs. His mother raised an eyebrow, glancing at his and Arielle’s joined hands. Trielle shot them both a smile, and Lian… didn’t look like he cared at all.
Sianne spoke, “Welcome, I know it’s getting late, and the enemy comes quickly, but if we could hear a more complete version of events?”
He went first, and they covered their mission, then sat back and listened to Katie tell her story, starting from the dream of standing in this very chamber, in an old man’s body before they were sent away to the other realm, and waking up to the staff, and a tornado. He listened fascinated, she’d told him parts of the story before, on the road and around the campfire, but she’d obviously glossed over the details.
He was surprised when the first question had nothing at all to do with tomorrow’s threat.
Trielle asked Katie, “What would you suggest we do. It seems that the human governments in the area are torn apart, and things are in chaos, should we approach them, or keep our distance.”
Katie frowned, “What do you need from us, from humans I mean.”
Sianne raised an eyebrow, “We require peace, and to be left alone. We have no need of human assistance, or products.”
Katie tilted her head, “Maybe that’s the problem. Humans do not like to be in debt. If you assist them, they will seek redress, at least the ones with a sense of honor and pride. Handouts are… demoralizing. On the other hand, if you separate yourselves completely, humanity would be offended, and quite possibly jealous, and as absurd as it sounds, angry you didn’t assist them when they were in need.”
Lian laughed, “So what does that leave us?”
Katie shrugged, “Find something to trade. Without sprays and technology human farms and animals will be subject to disease, and the crops may rot and be infested with bugs or other animals. Even if you don’t need to trade, do it anyway, help, and charge. Humans have their own magic as well, but not as widespread, so… that’s my advice, help but allow them their pride.”
Trielle asked, “You would have us lie?”
Katie shook her head, “No priestess, I am saying find something they have that you need. You use candles do you not? Clothes? Soaps? I am guessing you don’t create these things through magic since it’s unrelated to the nature of the forest, perhaps you could trade for those kinds of things?”
Sianne asked archly, “And what will our candle and soap makers be doing when they’re out of business?”
Katie frowned, “Perhaps they will be doing nature magic for the humans, and bringing the candles back here to sell? I don’t know, I just know if you don’t trade with the humans, there will be an imbalance, and if you let them starve, when at a wave of your hand you can heal their failing crops, they will hate you for it. If you don’t charge them, they’ll be bitter and think you believe yourselves better, and it will create friction. I’m not saying that’s a cure all, but it’s a place to start, humans love to trade.”
Lian spoke up, “I think she makes sense, but we should move on now, what of tomorrow? Are you certain that’s when they’ll attack?”
Katie shook her head, “It’s just a guess, based on the feeling I have about the balance. Next time I’ll be a better judge, but it can’t be more than a day or two before the event I am here to address happens.”
Sianne asked, “And what will you be doing?”
Katie looked uncomfortable, “I would presume the elves and dragons know best how to protect this city in the trees. I will be waiting with John, Hendricks, and whoever else wishes to stand with me. I believe the balance will tell me exactly where to go, maybe even exactly where to stand, when the time is right.”
Nim said softly in a hurt voice, “I will be by your side as well.”
Katie smiled, “I’d hoped you would my friend, but I didn’t wish to speak for you. You are my friend, and my mentor, but never under my command.”
Nim smiled back.
Sianne replied, “Very well, and it is a pleasure to meet the new bearer of the mantle of balance. I’ll let you get some rest. C’belle will take you to your guest house, and be available if you need any assistance.”
She nodded her head, and left, following the maid. Nim, Hendricks, and John followed her out.
Sianne smiled, “And you son? Where will you stand tomorrow?”
He smiled, “If it’s all the same, the new bearer could use close up sword support, just in case something gets by her magic. John is coming along quickly, but I do believe he could use assistance tomorrow in protecting her. If it is permissible, I would also request Arielle and I be allowed to bond tonight.”
Trielle asked Arielle, “You wish this as w
ell?”
Arielle nodded firmly, her voice was hopeful, “I do high priestess.”
Sianne shook her head, “What about the feast, you are my son and heir, the people will expect a feast after your bonding.”
“We discussed that, we can have the feast tomorrow night, along with the victory feast. Will that suffice?”
Sianne frowned, “You want to be bonded before you go into battle, is there something I should know?”
Arielle waved her hand, “No… I’ve had no glimpse of the future from the goddess. This is… we don’t want to wait, plus, it will make us work together better in battle as well, sharing our thoughts and magic.”
Lian nudged his mother, “They’re just young and impatient.”
Sianne smiled, “Very well, it shall be so. One hour, in the temple.”
They both nodded, and he kissed Arielle chastely, said farewell to Bria, and then they went their own way. They both needed baths, and to put on clean clothes…
The after bonding feast was an open invitation party, something to be celebrated as two elves joined together in a life bond, and could easily grow out of control. The bonding itself however was between the two elves, the priestess, and the goddess, none others could attend. He had arrived at the temple first, which wasn’t really a surprise.
His mother Sianne had given him a hug, and a kiss before sending him inside with well wishes. He took in the room, Trielle was standing in the center, the temple itself, was in a very old oak tree, and was filled with life. Flowers, soft loam, plants, and even smaller sized trees. Statues of three goddesses stood nearby, the three graces of Charites, which had been adopted thousands of years ago as a human goddess in the Greek pantheon.
Charites was not only nature, but also beauty, charm, and fertility. It was why the elves were so appealing to the eyes, and their voices could charm the birds out of the trees. The elves did not have an abundance of children, but after the bond the first child would always come, more following every century or two, elves that weren’t bonded… simply didn’t conceive.
He didn’t speak, Trielle was communing with the goddess, and was enveloped in a white glow, so he waited. Arielle did not keep him waiting too long, and he caught his breath at the sight of her when she walked in. Her beautiful ash blonde hair was up, revealing the graceful curve and silken fair skin of her neck. Her smile, a smile filled with love that was only for him, brightened his heart and steadied his nerves. She was in the white robes of a priestess, but those robes accented her beauty, and clung enough to hint at the curvy smooth supple body beneath.
She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen inside and out. He thanked the goddess she was sent on the mission with him, and wondered if he’d have been stupid enough to keep avoiding her if she hadn’t come.
Arielle took his hand and squeezed it as she joined him in front of the high priestess Trielle. They waited patiently for her communion to end, and Trielle opened her eyes and smiled after a few minutes.
He felt Trielle’s magic as she sung a spell in a lyrical voice, and then he could feel more than the magic, he felt the presence of the goddess herself, at least in spirit.
Trielle asked him, “Do you vow to accept Arielle as your bonded for life, to share with her in all things and become one with her before the goddess and clan.”
“I so vow,” he said without hesitation while staring into Arielle’s bright blue eyes.
Trielle turned to Arielle and asked, “Do you vow to accept Kurien as your bonded for life, to share with him in all things, and become one with him before the goddess and clan.”
Her strong melodic voice was full of joy and certainty, “I so vow.”
He felt the connection between them start to build, he could feel her emotions, full of joy and happiness, and love. He also knew the bond would strengthen over time, and they’d be able to share words silently with each other, but he wasn’t thinking about that, he was lost in her as their emotions fed off of each other. His joy and her joy seemed to reverberate together, and rise higher. He was so lost in his bonded that he didn’t notice Trielle quietly leaving the temple, all there was in that moment was her, and her emotions tangling and mixing with his.
He kissed her softly, or she kissed him, he wasn’t entirely sure which. He undid her robes, and caressed her body as they flowed down her curves into a puddle of cloth around her feet. She slowly undressed him and then they lay on the ground together, joining, making love in the presence of the goddess, sealing their bond and making it permanent.
It was an amazing experience, and one hard to quantify as he felt her every touch, and his every touch on her. They were literally one in the pleasure of their joining, and when they rose to the heights of bliss and came together in rapturous ecstasy, the bond solidified. There was no need to speak, their shared emotions said it all, and when they dressed he took her to his home.
He wondered for a minute, if sex was that good for bonded couples, how they ever got out of bed in the mornings. The shared sensations had been quite overwhelming.
Arielle laughed, “Be good love, we need to be awake and alert in the morning.”
He smiled and knew she only half meant that, they still had time for another round, or two, when they got to their bed…
Chapter 24 – Tarrock
Tarrock watched the small scale demonstration and was satisfied, and impressed, with his science officer. There was a first time for everything apparently.
The humans they had found were in the room with the experiment, and were gasping and clutching at their throats, one was vomiting. He watched with a fierce smile as they breathed their last.
Plants and even a small tree they had dragged inside the lab started to rot and wither before his eyes.
He asked, “How effective will this be outside?”
The scientist said, “Anything within a mile will die quickly, five miles will get sick, and slowly die. After that…” he shrugged, “It depends on the wind, the full area affected will not be uniform.
Tarrock nodded, his eyes alight, “And you have two of the full sized devices?”
The science officer nodded, “Yes, there weren’t enough materials in this town to make more.”
Tarrock smiled, “And the distraction?”
“Those weapons are ready as well sir.”
Tarrock nodded in approval, “Very well, Garrock, gather the crew, we leave in ten minutes.”
Garrock replied sharply, “Yes sir,” and smartly headed out the door.
He felt a bit of impatience as he waited for the crew to gather, and then they headed back toward the mountains. They could run fast, but it would take at least ten hours before they arrived. Sometime mid-morning as it was late night right now, though they could see just fine by the light of the moon.
His plan was rather crude, but he had confidence in it because of that. They would attack with the main force of their crew, set fires, kill what they could, and then escape. The main attack of course, was merely a distraction, the true damage would be after they bugged out, from the presents their scouts would leave behind.
If it worked they would head far to the east on this continent and repeat the process, the tree creature had been cooperative enough to reveal a second infestation of magical creatures on the East coast. He truthfully didn’t believe they’d be able to find and destroy every last one, not with a mere two hundred crewmen, but what other choice did he have?
Chapter 25 – Katie
Katie awoke to the sound of her own sensual moans, her back was arched, her legs were spread, and she could feel John’s very talented tongue in her most private of places. She smiled languorously and ran her hands over her stomach, and onto her breasts. Lightly teasing her own undersides before pinching her nipples as she arched her back, ground against his face, and cried out in ecstasy.
She wondered for a moment how she slept long enough to get so close to orgasm before she woke up, but that thought fled her mind as his lips claimed hers.
She moaned at the taste of her own pleasure as he speared her and felt pleasure shoot up her spine. She felt wanton and desperate for more of him as she wrapped her legs around him, and thrust up as she pulled him down, wanting him deeper, wanting it harder.
She could never get enough of this man, and she’d never felt so full, or pleasured, before she’d had him inside her, filling her, stretching her, and reaching all the sensitive places deep inside of her.
“Fuck, John, that feels…” she gasped his name as she felt the pleasure break over her body and mind again like a tidal wave, and she surrendered to it completely, to him in complete trust, riding the pleasure of him, letting it wash away her control and all of her concerns as he started to piston in out of her hot moist center while she tightened and fluttered around him.
She caressed his chest, neck, and face when she could move again, and locked her eyes on his. She felt him stiffen further, and expand, stretching her out.
He whispered, “I love you Katie.”
She gasped as she felt his burning hot length twitch inside her as he buried himself deep, and he started to fill her. She loved him too, and wished to say it, but her voice was cut off as she joined him in ecstasy once more, her body greedily claiming that offering as she squeezed his invader in her tight velvety sheath and milked it out of him.
When she could speak again, she said breathlessly while returning his gaze, “I love you too.”
They kissed softly, and lay next to each other for a while, recovering from their intense joining. She felt several aftershocks of pleasure shoot through her body as he pulled her against him and held her.
John asked, “Ready for the day?”
She giggled, “Absolutely.”
After a bath to get cleaned up, they rounded up Hendricks and Nim, and then went down to the courtyard. There were a great number of elves there, close to a thousand, and maybe fifty dragons at a glancing count. She found Kurien and Arielle through the magic, and headed that way. There was something different about them, they were connected through the magic, obviously so, but she didn’t have the time to sate her curiosity about it, as Sianne started to speak.
Emergence: Return of Magic book 1 Page 16