Surface World 2

by Ed Montalvo

  Tatiana charged. “She is insane,” Rem hissed then followed. Tuke held the rear as Seeker snuck in. The princess made quick work of the first two. The last frenzied, allowing Rem to dispatch it easily. Seeker looked disappointed. She didn’t get a chance to do anything.

  “What is the matter,” Tuke asked.

  “Yeah, you look like someone took your puppy,” Rem added.

  The surprised look on her face made them chuckle, “Puppy? No, I was hoping…,” she looked confused, “…puppy?”

  “It is a pet…” the look on her face made him stop and chuckled.

  “I will explain,” Tuke offered as they cleared the room. Dregous stepped through the threshold looking drained.

  “Hey Dreg, you look awful,” Rem smiled. Dregous scowled at him as the Half Elf snickered and continued clearing.

  “He is correct, you do not look well?” Tatiana led him to a chair.

  “I should have studied that spell with care,” he repeated. “I presumed incorrectly. Different would have been acceptable… this,” he groaned, “this was not remotely what I thought,” he propped his elbows on the table and buried his face in his hands. “I feel awful,” he sighed.

  “You rest,” she patted his shoulder and went to shut the door. They tried to remove the webs, but it was too much.

  “Drink…?” Tuke offered Dregous.

  “Gratitude, no.” The prince ran the instructions of the casting and realized the words were not only the description but the intent.

  Tatiana noted how Seeker looked at Dregous as she helped with the bodies. She couldn’t blame her. It’s only natural they would bond since they’re the only Dark Elves. She feared his attention would drift.

  “It is swifter if you torch it,” the mage offered.

  They reentered the room. Rem used his flint and dagger. It flashed suddenly licking his face as he closed the door. Flames leaped in, and harmed nothing. Moments later they stepped out. “Clean burn,” Rem muttered.

  Tatiana was surprised of the flash burn as she comforted Dregous. On the table, were more coins and a set of bone dice. Seeker searched them, recovering more coins and tucked it into her new purse.

  The Drouwen prince thought of the town guards talking of recent goblin activities. Goblins chased him and the Ayrians. Goblins also chased Rem's party. Then they stumble upon a large goblin group led by a human mage. He kept his observations to himself and retrieved his new books to help keep him focused. When he set the book on the table, he studied them and recalled when he first discovered the sigil on the cover. He noted his conclusion in his journal. Was the mage an academy member? If so what was he doing with goblins? What will happen when he’s discovered dead? The puzzle fueled his adrenaline, clearing his mind.

  “Feeling better?” Tatiana sat opposite him laying her chin on her folded hands studying the prince through her hair.

  “Agreed, you look ready to go,” Rem commented.

  “Better…,” she stole his breath, her near white eyes behind her black hair distracted him, “You have alluring eyes,” he absentmindedly confessed.

  The princess hid her delight his attention didn’t drift and smiled brightly awaiting more. None came, “What is the matter?” she softly sighed.

  “I am formulating another way to cast the webbing,” he deciphered that earlier. His discovery was too presumptuous and needed more information. More answers may lie deeper in the labyrinth or in town.

  “Good…, I almost got sick,” Tatiana made a funny face.

  Dregous felt playful, leaned forward, “Truly?” he took her hand, “Come,” he tried kissing it. She feinted pulling away.

  They chuckled as the others watched. Rem commented they looked cute. Tuke and Seeker agreed. Tatiana blushed; Dregous released her hand and cleared his throat, making small talk.

  “Time to go,” Rem announced. Seeker took point with Tuke behind her and Rem on his heels.

  “The smile that brought an Empire to its knees,” the prince whispered.

  Tatiana felt her cheeks burn, “You place me too high.”

  The corridor was clear of webs and rejoined at the tee–intersection. The hall continued seemingly endless, “It is a long stretch,” Seeker commented.

  “It would be hell to go undetected that far…,” Rem looked at Tuke. “Just making a point,” he shrugged.

  “I have to agree,” Dregous padded Tuke’s shoulder. The priest sighed. “I know Tuke, I know.”

  Tatiana noticed Rem’s mannerism. He seemed more sympathetic. What happened to him, she wondered.

  Dregous heard Rem mumble a jest about him being innocent. It conjured a rage deep within the ducal prince. He despised hypocrisy. It rolled in his mind, building, gnawing and twisting within. Heat rose from under his collar, his vision blurred as he focused on the back of Rem’s head. His deeper emotions fed his rage, separated from his family, hate for his people represented, the powerful loathing of the demon queen and what she epitomized, his love for Tatiana he couldn’t express. The prince felt a strange sensation, it shocked him seeing stress waves in the air heading toward Rem. He tried warning the ranger, but the ripples were too fast. The alien force went through the half Elf. Everything moved slowly, even the sound of their voices.

  Rem leaned against the wall, he looked confused as blood dripped from his nose, ears, and his eyes bloodshot. His knees buckled and twitched as he tried to speak.

  Tatiana noticed, “Rem…,” she looked at the others, “Something is wrong…,” she hissed as the prince reached for him.

  Tuke turned, “What happened?” he assisted steadying the Half Elf. Rem tried to walk as his body twitched.

  “I do not know… he just looked back with an odd expression and collapsed,” Tatiana looked between him and Dregous.

  “What happened?” Seeker spied both ends of the corridor.

  “Uncertain.” Dregous held him as Tatiana and Tuke picked him up.

  “Back to the room,” Tuke instructed. They laid him down, Dregous prepared his pack as a pillow. “Good good, keep his head elevated.”

  Seeker ensured they were still secured as she closed the door, “What happened?”

  “Pardon princess,” Tuke moved to Rem’s side and prepared his mystical healing.

  Tatiana’s face frowned with worry, “Gods…, Dregous what happened, did you see anything?” she whispered as she settled opposite Tuke and pulled out a cloth from her pack. The mage handed her his water skin. She cleaned the blood from his face then gently caressed Rem’s cheek. Her heart went out to him.

  Dregous analyzed the previous moments with Rem’s reaction, “I believe he was mentally attacked.”

  “What!” Seeker hissed.

  “Are you sure…. Ukko, how do we defend against that?”

  “Please, I need to concentrate,” Tuke focused, his palms slightly illuminated as he firmly held Rem’s head. The half-Elf remained unconscious. “Now we wait,” Tuke announced.

  “Tatiana,” Dregous said calmly, “We were not attacked.”

  “You just said we were,” Seeker reminded.

  “No…, I said HE was…. However, I think it was me,” The following silence was deafening.

  “What? What do you mean? How… how?” the princess demanded. Dregous explained what he thought triggered his latent talent. He confessed no knowledge of this unusual endowment.

  “It was an incident…, he is unlike his people,” Tuke glanced between them. Seeker felt a strong fear chill her spine. The prince exhibited an alarming power. Her heart skipped at the thought.

  Tatiana destroyed him; he didn’t want her fear. “I meant no harm,” he managed while considering Rem. His tone flat, distant and walked toward the door attempting to reassemble his shattered pieces. Am I a monster in her eyes now? How could I regain her confidence? Dregous feared losing his Angel and closed his eyes wishing for any guidance. He didn’t realize how defeated he appeared when he sat at the table.

  The prince continued to shock Seeker. He displa
yed an unknown power, and it meant nothing. What the princess thought mattered. She wanted to think of him weak, but instinct warned her the contrary. She felt a strong need to comfort him and refrained.

  “Dregous,” Tatiana whispered.

  The witch flashed in his mind and jolted, “You startled me,” he misled. Seeker wondered why he lied.

  “Oh, forgive me,” she stood behind him resting her hands on his shoulders. “Are you well?” He nodded. “Are you certain?” He regained his composure. “I know you would not hurt me,” Tatiana rested her chin on his shoulder, he froze. She held him as her wings blanket them. The table prevented her from covering them completely. His breathing shallowed when she rubbed his arms reassuringly. She slid her arms around his chest. Her touch was blissful though frightening. The sensation sent shivers down his spine as her warm breath brushed his ear. He struggled not to face her.

  “Dregous, you do realize we know it was an incident?” Tuke leaned on the table opposite him. Tatiana pressed her cheek against the mage, nodding. She wished her fear unrestricted.

  The prince desperately built walls to shield himself, “I am aware…,” he replied and gently turned to Tatiana, “I appreciate it…,” He tried to mask his brooding.

  Dregous calculated half a day passed, while Rem recovered. Seeker scouted the main entrance periodically. Tatiana and Tuke slept while he studied his tomes next to the princess.

  “Oh…, my head,” Rem mumbled.

  Dregous’s white eyes peered over his book as Rem slowly sat up. “Stay down, you will only worsen sitting up.”

  “I slept enough,” he cradled his head.

  Dregous sighed, “I warned you,” and softly recited the sleep chant. Rem yawned, laid himself back down and slept. Sensing Tatiana, he looked.

  The princess pulled the blanket off and whispered, “You should rest.”

  “You know I do not require much sleep,” he returned to his book.

  “You need to rest, to keep your mind clear…,” she reminded. “Worry not, I will wake you.”

  He couldn’t argue her logic, “You win,” he set his books aside.

  “I will keep watch,” Seeker offered, “You too require rest.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I rested when Tuke tended me,” she reminded.

  “Come,” Dregous indicated Seeker. “Your buckler please,” That word again, she thought.

  “What is it you do?” Tatiana sat on a chair then removed her thigh plating.

  “It is the same as Rem’s shield,” he replied. She grinned with satisfaction and sat at the table. When Dregous was done, he reorganized the chairs forming a pallet next to the princess then spread his blanket. Tatiana held her silence but was curious. Satisfied, he prepared to lay down.

  She patted her thighs, “Come,” she proposed innocently. He used his hood to shield against her thighs. The thought of her bare skin against his face sent shivers down his spine. Fear forced him to turn away.

  “Comfy?” she teased nervously.

  “This is so you would not forget to wake me…,” Dregous clarified. “Just do not send me to the floor.”

  She smirked, “Trust me,” she preferred his closeness than his reasons. Both forgot Seeker’s offer to keep watch.

  Dregous hoped she didn’t see through him. He wanted her close and soon slumbered. The prince awoke what seemed like moments later and found Tatiana’s padding open, exposing her breasts, stealing his breath. She whispered something but didn’t understand. Her thighs parted slightly and caught her scent. He animatedly faced her and caressed and explored her femininity. Her eyes closed and arced the small of her back.

  He relished the moment as his lips traced her breasts and kissed her passionately, inhaling her essence. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with steely white eyes upon a beautiful obsidian face with flowing platinum hair. It was the Drouwen female that prevented him from saving Lukous. Her face was etched throughout the imperial temples, the Demon Queen, Loathe. He leapt away knocking the chairs over stumbling back against the wall in shock, “fayhan…,” he growled wiping his mouth, spitting. “godah hehked fayhan!”

  Dregous’s reaction surprised the group. The priest sensed a dark presence. Seeker was about to speak, Tuke waved her. She held her silence as they observed the prince. Tatiana’s heart raced with fear.

  The nude Drouwen female smiled coyly, while seductively sucking her finger and caressed her hair, “Dregouc… bou angia,” she taunted.

  “You are not my mother…!” he growled loudly at the princess. Seeker and Tatiana watched in confusion. Tuke focused on a thin black mist about Dregous’s head.

  “fayhan noctourm fa,” she replied sweetly.

  “Leave me!” he hissed. The group glanced at one another. Tuke sensed a malevolent presence. His heart ping when he detected it emanated from Tatiana. He could barely make out a figure overlapping the princess but not mimicking her movements.

  “Feirmerma, adeh bahcue’chorre de iche de fayhan imourt’meica?” She waved a warning finger. “Fa et’ad adeh fayhan vecheh angia bou. Meica adeh bec fa fayhan loul’meica,” she slid her finger from her lips, between her breasts. With blinding speed, she rushed and grabbed his throat and crotch.

  Tuke’s heart stilled when he saw the thin black mist dart to Dregous. It pinned him to the wall and raised him just above the floor. “Dear heavens.”

  “Bou fa runehmo,” she hissed. “Meica, kunia fayhan angia,” she pinned him against the wall and pressed her lips to his with an unearthly strength while painfully fondling his groins.

  “Dear father in heaven…” Tuke prayed while searching for his holy symbol.

  “My lord!” Seeker shouted drawing her weapons.

  “Dregous!” Tatiana drew hers blade.

  “Silence! Leave him be!” Tuke commanded as he raise his symbol. “Your weapons are useless… mine is not.”

  The Drouwen female shoved her tongue in Dregous’s mouth passed his throat. His eyes widened in horror, desperately trying to push her off.

  “Gods, Tuke help him!” Tatiana demanded.

  “My lord what is happening!” Seeker shouted.

  “Silence!” Tuke snapped. He extended his symbol, “Oh blessed heavens empower me with the might of heaven to cleanse these ground from any malevolence.” he approached the prince. The priest heard a spine chilling wail as the mist dissipated. Tuke continued chanting as he formed a circle around the prince.

  Dregous screamed and dropped to the floor. He choked, coughed and panted, clutching his throat, while shielding his crotch.

  “Dregous?” Tuke said, Seeker watched and waited.

  Tatiana’s heart skipped, “What happened?” she was about to aid him.

  Dregous spoke through clenched teeth. “Stay, away!” he growled.

  Tuke cautiously stepped closer, “Dregous…?” the thin smoky blackness about his head faded. “Do you know who we are?”

  He closed his eyes wondering if he was still visioning. “Gods Tuke, I do not know if this is a sleep vision…. What is happening to me?” he looked around for anything that might assist him. “Please help me,” he pleaded softly.

  Tatiana remained seated, “Dregous, listen to me, you are not dreaming,” she glanced between Tuke and Seeker. Her heart weighed heavy. “Let me help you.”

  Tuke knew the dark presence fed his nightmare, “Pinch yourself with closed eyes,” Tuke ordered. “Only then will you know what is real.” The others wondered what that would do. Tuke explained if any of them did it, he would still be uncertain. Dregous must take control.

  The prince did as instructed, all looked the same, “What is happening to me?” he repeated.

  Tatiana grieved silently. Seeker studied him and put her weapons away and stood beside Tuke. “There, you see my friend, we are still here for you,” Tuke said affably.

  Relieved, Dregous described what happened as he walked to Tatiana. The urge to cry was overwhelming, leaned on a chair feeling drained, keeping hi
s tears at bay. Tatiana grew worried looking at him. He felt defeated. How could he defend against a Goddess?

  Tatiana didn’t think her gentle caressing would be the cause. The warmth of his chest filled her with fear even as he slumbered. Her heart thumped through her ears. She was about to confess but thought better. If he knew, he may get angry. She recalled his gentle sighs before the excitement. It was as though he was having a sweet dream.

  Chapter 9

  Prophets are blessed by their Deity; they in turn spread their word, performing miracles. I have mimicked their wonders. So, does that make me a prophet? Are they what we think or what they have us believe?

  Truth?

  Tatiana discretely spied Dregous. If the Drouwen goddess is responsible, why is she tormenting him?

  Seeker picked up the chairs. She saw the prince’s reason for his embarrassment as he secured his robes. She found his arousal attractive but undesirable.

  Tatiana’s pale cheeks blushed. “I meant you no disrespect,” he thought his reaction caused her flush.

  Tuke felt Dregous’s desire for the princess and his struggle for self-restraint. He has sensed others loving emotions, but he ached for her.

  “No no…, no need. Are you well?” Tatiana changed the subject.

  The two spoke briefly. Tuke thought it best to allow them their space. It wasn’t long before Dregous and Tatiana felt comfortable with each other again. Her heart skipped as she patted her thighs, “Rest?” she shyly grinned expecting his refusal.

  Dregous returned a wary smile and laid his head on her thigh, grateful she didn’t resent him. He prayed he had the strength to resist her. The princess reeked of tender unbridled passion he desperately wanted, though feared.

  Tuke stepped beside Seeker, then grew dizzy and plopped down after sensing the two. She steadied him, “Are you well?”

  “Um, I… I just suddenly felt dizzy is all,” he misled.

  Seeker wondered why the deception. He glanced at Dregous before answering. Did he sense something with the prince? she will not lose him again.

  The prince closed his eyes and thought of his father’s lecture regarding religion. Learn about the faith before committing. He needed guidance and hoped Tuke’s assistance when they return to town.