Harvest Tournament (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 2)

by Edmund Hughes

  “There’s room for you behind me,” said Laurel. “We could even sleep out under the stars, if we wanted to. There are no clouds in the sky, and I don’t think it will get too cold.”

  “Oy, it usually doesn’t!” A new voice, gruff and masculine, cut into their conversation from the darkness beyond their fire. Hal rose to his feet, reaching for his sword and realizing that he’d taken it off while eating dinner and left it on the other side of the fire. Before he could move to grab it, four figures emerged from the darkness, all of them armed with clubs or daggers.

  “Oh, don’t mind us,” said one of them, a tall man with a chunky build. “We just saw the fire and thought we might come and investigate. We tend to these lands, you see.”

  Laurel had left her sleeping bag and was exiting the tent to stand next to Hal. He found himself wishing that she’d stayed where she was. Hal still had his pistol in its holster, and his finger twitched as he considered pulling it out.

  Firearms aren’t common weapons in Krestia’s Cradle. I won’t be able to threaten them off with my pistol, given that they won’t recognize it for what it is.

  “I’m afraid we don’t have much to offer,” said Hal. “We have some tea, if any of you are thirsty.”

  “Not much to offer, ay?” said the leader of the group, bending to pick up Hal’s sword from where it lay next to the fire. “A warm fire, some tea. That does sound nice. Of course, you being here, camped out on our land, means that you’ll be needing to pay the tax.”

  “We’re just travelers,” said Laurel, in a quiet voice. “It’s not as though we have much money to spare.”

  It was the honest truth. Most of what Laurel had had on hand had been left with Vrodas as payment for him tending to the homestead in their absence. Hal caught a glimpse of the chunky man’s face in the flickering orange firelight. All of his attention was focused on Laurel.

  “There’s more ways you can pay than just with money,” said the man.

  “I think it’s time for you and your men to be leaving,” said Hal.

  “Hal…” Laurel took hold of his arm, squeezing it anxiously. “Don’t do anything stupid…”

  “You should listen to your wife,” said the chunky man. “She’s way more convincing than you are. Maybe me and my men each take a turn talking to her in your tent, and then we’ll all be on our way, just like that? No need for anyone to get hurt, you know.”

  Hal drew his pistol. The reaction from the men was about what he’d expected, curiosity rather than concern or wariness.

  “One last chance,” said Hal. “I’m a gem holder, just so you know.”

  “Not a bad bluff, but we’ve heard it before,” said the leader of the men. “Why don’t you take a walk and let your wife do the talking?”

  The man took a step toward Laurel and Hal felt the last of his patience erode. He cocked his pistol, focused on channeling the ruby essence in his heartgem, and cast a Flame Shot at the approaching figure.

  It struck him in the shoulder with enough force to knock him off his feet. The man’s shirt instantly caught fire. He screamed and rolled on the ground in a desperate attempt to extinguish it.

  The other three figures hesitated for only a moment before rushing forward, trusting that their numbers would be enough to overwhelm Hal before he could attack again. Moving quickly, Hal pulled Laurel behind him and cocked his pistol, readying it for another spell.

  He realized an instant too late that he’d drained the heartgem of its entire store of ruby essence. The nearest man brought his club down. Hal barely managed to get his head out of the way, the blow landing hard on his left shoulder and dropping him to one knee.

  The pain was nearly enough to wind him, but he managed to focus through it. Hal spat at the man, not out of petty rebelliousness, but for the water his saliva contained. Pulling his heartgem out of his shirt, he shifted it into a sapphire, the deep blue glow filling it as he channeled Wave Blast.

  The water spilled loose in a dark deluge, knocking the man with the club back onto the camp’s fire, which unfortunately was immediately extinguished by the wave. The other two men managed to stay on their feet, but they took several steps back in surprise, leaving Hal with enough room to reclaim his sword.

  Now my heartgem is empty of sapphire essence, too. Can I really win when it’s three against one?

  He unsheathed his sword, knowing that if he didn’t try, Laurel would be the one to suffer. Falling back into one of the combat stances Cadrian had taught him, he advanced on the men, picking the one that he’d knocked off balance with Wave Blast to attack first.

  “Enough,” came a strong, feminine, and slightly accented voice. “Bitch’s blood, Langden! You are pathetic.”

  A short figure in a heavy cloak emerged from the darkness, kicking the man Hal had injured with Flame Shot as she went by. Hal recognized her even before she’d pulled back her hood, and slowly shook his head in disbelief and confusion.

  “Zoria?” he said. “…What?”

  Her expression was hard to read in the dim starlight, but her broad smile made up for it. Hal stared at her, her pointed elven ears poking out amongst long dark brown hair. She extended one hand to the side, and an instant later, her runic spear materialized, glowing with an eerie violet light.

  Hal’s hand tightened around his sword hilt, but Zoria’s attention shifted off him. She walked over to the men, brandishing the weapon at each of them in turn.

  “I already explained to you, surfacers, that women were not to be touched,” said Zoria. “Do you really value your lives so lowly as to defy my word?”

  The men muttered apologies, and each of them hurried to turn out their pockets, tossing a variety of coins at her feet.

  “You were working with these bandits?” asked Laurel, her voice outraged. “Robbing innocent travelers? That’s disgusting!”

  “Working with them?” Zoria chuckled. “They attempted to rob me, as they attempted to rob you. All I did was take possession of this pathetic group. Yes, they still operate as bandits, but most of the money came from worthy targets. I let them keep a small share, while taking the rest for myself.”

  “Zoria…” Hal chewed his lip, appreciating her timely appearance and help while also agreeing with Laurel’s assessment.

  “You forget who I am,” said Zoria. “I am not from the surface. The fact that I take only coin, and not money or lives, is a concession on its own. And beyond that, I only act against bulls and only those carrying weapons.”

  “So it’s okay to rob people as long as you stick to armed men?” asked Hal. “Interesting logic.”

  “Unbelievable,” said Laurel.

  If their judgements affected Zoria, she made no sign of it. She took coins from all of the four bandits before slamming the butt of her spear against the ground and waving her free hand dismissively.

  “I have no more need of your services,” said Zoria. “Be gone, you sniveling wretches. And if you attempt to take revenge against me, I will make your deaths… very painful.”

  The bandits hesitated for only a moment before hurrying off into the darkness in the direction of Ostreach. Zoria stood at the edge of the camp, still holding her glowing, magical spear. Hal was suddenly reminded of their first encounter, the fight that had taken place between them, and how long it had taken him over the ensuing few days to finally come to trust her.

  CHAPTER 9

  “It’s good to see you again, master,” said Zoria. Her voice was laden with the sarcastic mockery that defined so much of her personality. For a time, Hal had kept her as a prisoner, or a slave, according to her. She hadn’t forgotten, though Hal didn’t understand why she insisted on using the fact to tease him in a way that was so self-effacing.

  “Yeah…” said Hal. “Likewise. I guess? I appreciate the fact that you intervened when you did, but…”

  “She isn’t staying at our camp,” said Laurel. “This is ridiculous! She’s a lunatic, Hal!”

  “A lunatic headed in the same
direction as the two of you,” said Zoria. “You are traveling to the capital city of this realm, are you not?”

  Hal hesitated before nodding.

  “We are,” he said. Laurel glared at him, clearly annoyed that he’d revealed their destination.

  “Strength in numbers,” said Zoria. “Is that something you surfacers understand, or is it beyond your intellectual capacity?”

  “You are misery itself!” snapped Laurel. “No. Halrin, I will not allow this rude, sour, elf woman to travel with us! I forbid it!”

  Laurel’s voice had shifted, taking on the same element of command that she’d used back when Precia had been staying at the homestead with him. Hal gritted his teeth, feeling his face flush with embarrassment. Her tone wasn’t lost on Zoria, either, who slid in closer to him, making a show of ignoring Laurel.

  “It’s up to you, master,” said Zoria. “Would you like another weapon in your party while traveling along this unpredictable road? We worked so well together the last time we set our sights on a common goal.”

  “Laurel…” said Hal, sighing. “Look. She has a point. My heartgem is completely empty after that last fight.”

  Zoria slid in closer to him.

  “Is that truly so?” She licked her lips, letting one of her breasts brush against his shoulder. “I’m sure you know as well as I do, then, just how valuable my… extra help, would be. Unless… wait a moment? Have you finally bedded your woman properly?”

  Laurel let out a furious snarl and kicked a dirt clod in Zoria’s direction.

  “By Darros, Halrin!” she shouted. “Listen to what she’s saying! She is just… infuriating!”

  Hal pushed Zoria back. He walked over to Laurel, took her by the arm, and led her a short distance away from the camp. Laurel shook his hand loose, and he made no move to replace it.

  “Listen to me, Laurel,” he said, keeping his voice calm. “Just for a minute. That’s all I’m asking.”

  Laurel crossed her arms.

  “Speak,” she said, again in that commanding voice that Hal hated so much. He ignored it, mastering his emotions.

  “I don’t like our prospects, as they stand right now,” he said. “If it’s still a week to reach Meldence, that’s a lot of time for us to spend on the road. And I’m only one man. I can only do so much to protect you.”

  “Precia and Broga managed alright,” said Laurel.

  Hal winced. As much as it pained him to admit it, he was pretty sure that the ogre woman would have been more capable than him in a fight, without his magic.

  “Laurel,” said Hal. “Try to think about this rationally. With Zoria with us, not only would we have her to assist in a fight, but I could also, well, you know…

  I could refill my heartgem. She’s already made it clear enough that she’s willing.

  Laurel didn’t need him to elaborate more on his meaning.

  “And there’s no way you could restore the ruby essence in it without us having to bring her along with us?” she asked. The tone of her voice was practically a plea, with a hint of frustration in it.

  “I can’t think of any other way,” said Hal. “Cadrian said the Temple of Lyris has herbs that they use to generate essence, but without knowing which ones or where to find them, it’s not helpful information.”

  Laurel didn’t say anything for a long while. Finally, she let out a sigh.

  “Fine,” she said. “But the tent is mine. You both sleep outside, under the stars.”

  “Unless it rains,” said Hal.

  Laurel muttered something, but didn’t object to the condition. As soon as they were back at the camp she slipped into the tent and tossed Hal’s sleeping bag out to him, apparently retiring for the night.

  Zoria had taken the time to rekindle the flames of their fire. The light allowed Hal to get a good look at her for the first time since being reunited.

  She had a petite figure, like all elves, though her endowments were on the generous side. Her face was pretty, with sharp features and exotic eyes. Her dark brown hair cascaded far down her back and was as wild as her personality. Her pointed ears jutted up out of it moved with a measure of their own will, almost like a cat’s tail.

  “I heard all of your conversation,” Zoria said to him, seemingly unconcerned by the idea of eavesdropping. “I didn’t expect you to come to my defense like that, master. You must truly fancy me after all.”

  Hal sighed and sat down next to her around the struggling fire. He wanted to be irritated with her, but couldn’t find the emotion for it. Zoria was an acquired taste, and whether he liked it or not, he’d developed a complicated fondness for her acerbic manner.

  He wondered if part of it was because of her role in killing Aangavar. She had, after all, been the one who’d struck the killing blow, even if it’d taken a few days to fully bleed the monster out. Hal’s revenge had been unsatisfying and empty in the end, but she’d still fought by his side, and done everything she could to help him along the way to getting it.

  Would she help me if I told her about the dragon rider? Would she help me find and kill the man in the golden helm?

  “You’re quiet,” said Zoria. “Should I be concerned?”

  Hal shook his head.

  “No,” he said. He shifted his thoughts in a different direction. “Zoria… Those bandits you were with. What was the real reason behind why you were with them?”

  Zoria flashed a wicked smile, as though the question he asked was one she’d been dying to answer.

  “It could be that I just needed the protection,” she said. “I’m a single valkyrie, marooned on the surface, alone in a land of savages.”

  Hal didn’t say anything. Zoria’s smile widened even further.

  “Or it could be because I just like to dominate men,” she said. “You know it to be true. I wonder how much you want me to say on this subject? How would you feel if I told you that I took each of them to bed with me, every night, after we set up camp? That I took all of them at once, wearing those pathetic surface males out like fresh courtesans at a harem?”

  “Goodnight, Zoria.” Hal spread his sleeping bag out next to the fire, giving no thought to where she would sleep.

  “It was just a hypothetical,” said Zoria. “I didn’t actually need to let any of them touch me to dominate them. They were bandits of the weakest breed, and they followed me because they feared my magic. What little of it I still have left, as an honored valkyrie.”

  Hal sat back down, hearing something in her words that he’d never stopped to consider before.

  “You have such pride in your status,” he said. “Tell me. Do you have people waiting for you back in the Upper Realm? Friends? Family?”

  He remembered what she’d once told him, about how she’d been betrayed, set up and framed in a way that forced her out of the Empress’s graces and her homeland. It was all just conceptual to Hal, of course. He’d only gotten a single glimpse of the Upper Realm from his ride on Aangavar’s back, and what little he’d seen of the floating city from a distance had been hard enough for him to make sense of.

  “I do,” said Zoria, after an extended silence. “Or rather, I did. I doubt they would take pleasure in maintaining their relations with me after my manufactured shame. I had a life, master. A mother and a sister, and even a few close friends.”

  “You should go back to them if you get the chance,” said Hal.

  “Why?”

  “Because you can,” said Hal. “It’s an option, and even if they believe false truths about you, you have the ability to talk to them. To explain, and work things out.”

  He gritted teeth, feeling a sudden unwanted surge of emotion. He’d never forgiven himself for not talking things out with his father before the dragon attack on his family estate. The fact that Hal hadn’t been on speaking terms with Karnas when he died now seemed eternally petty to him, a stupid, stubborn bit of childish behavior that he would have to live with for the rest of his life.

  Zoria was still quiet. H
al took his boots off and slipped into his sleeping bag. The fire gave off some heat, which he appreciated. The unusual autumn warmth seemed to have passed and a chilly wind had begun to blow.

  He’d just closed his eyes and begun to lengthen his breaths when he felt Zoria pulling the fabric of his sleeping bag open. She slid in next to him before he could stop her, and it only took a single brush of one of Hal’s hands to discover that she was completely naked. She kissed him, and he kissed her back reflexively, only coming to his senses as the moment slid deeper into the depths of passion.

  “Not tonight,” he said, setting a hand on her chest to push back. The hand ended up on top of one of her nicely size breasts, somewhat defeating his words.

  “We’ve been apart for so long, master,” whispered Zoria. “And now I’m naked, lying alongside you.”

  She reached her hand down and slid it into his pants. Hal breathed out slowly as he felt it close around his shaft, fingers and palm soft and blessedly warm.

  “I don’t want to flaunt our… special friendship,” said Hal. “Laurel is annoyed enough already.”

  “So you have bedded her then?” said Zoria.

  “No,” said Hal. “It isn’t like that between us.”

  Zoria kissed him again, her hand stroking and rubbing in what little room it could find in his trousers. It was becoming harder by the second to refuse her.

  “If she isn’t your woman, then stop overthinking things,” whispered Zoria. “We could have such fun. You are my master after all, and I’ve been such a naughty escaped slave. Why not teach me my lesson?

  Blood rushed to various places in Hal’s body. Zoria kissed him, pushing her tongue into his mouth, and he was pulling her thighs apart and rolling her underneath him before he knew what he was doing. The voice of reason sounded in his thoughts as he made to pull down his pants.

  Laurel’s in the tent. She will undoubtedly hear everything, if we proceed.