Farondil took Arkan out of ear shot of Demorac. “He won't make it unless we get him back immediately.”
Arkan looked out to the hills where the party of angry barbarians would no doubt appear soon. “Get him and go. I'll stay behind and hold them off for as long as I can.”
Farondil stepped forward. “I would like to volunteer for this job.”
Arkan shook his head. “Sorry, but I'm the leader and I say I'm the only that gets to sacrifice himself today.”
He looked past Farondil at the group of prisoners they rescued. Jennifer was helping her parents to some water. Arkan wanted to say goodbye but she had such a big smile on her face that he didn't want to ruin it.
“Tell Jennifer I love her,” Arkan said.
“Good luck,” Farondil replied.
They clasped each other's arms and Arkan was off into the night.
Farondil helped Demorac to his feet and ordered the party to keep moving.
–
Jennifer was too busy making sure her parents were all right to notice Arkan leaving. It wasn't until they were far away when she looked around and couldn't find him.
She spotted Farondil at the back of the group with Demorac stumbling under his arm. “Is he okay?” she asked.
Farondil strained as he tried to keep Demorac from tripping over his own feet. “He will if we can get him back to the Kingdom.”
“Where's Arkan?”
Farondil didn't know how to answer. “He's scouting behind us to make sure that we aren't being followed.”
Jennifer looked behind them at the rolling hills. Farondil wasn't sure that she believed him but it seemed to work when she went back to her parents.
–
Arkan set up at the top of a hill and could see torch lights a few hills away. It wouldn't be much longer before the barbarians were upon him. He took out every arrow in his quiver and stuck them into the ground until they made a wooden fence around him.
If he was going to get out of this alive, he would need to fire every arrow as quick as he could. And he didn't feel like sacrificing himself today. Not when Jennifer was waiting for him.
He counted the arrows on the ground and cursed when he only got to six.
“Hope it's a small war party,” he said to himself.
He kept low to the ground to keep his position hidden. He needed the element of surprise. The light became brighter as the barbarians approached.
Arkan got onto his knees took an arrow out of the ground. He nocked it and pulled back the string until it was taut against his cheek. He waited until the first barbarian peaked the hill, his head just barely in sight.
He let go the arrow and it soared through the night sky until it landed with a thud into the barbarian's head. The man fell backward down the hill and Arkan could hear a commotion as the group discovered their dead friend.
The barbarians shouted an order for everyone to get down which is exactly what Arkan was hoping for. They had no idea what Arkan's position was or how many there were. The more time it took for them to figure it out and kill Arkan, the more time Jennifer and the Rangers had to get to safety.
Arkan nocked another arrow and waited patiently. It only took a few moments for another head to crest over the hill. Arkan let the arrow fly but the barbarian ducked before the arrow reached him.
“Damnit. Keep it cool and wait for the perfect shot. Only four arrows left.” He strung another arrow and stretched the bowstring.
Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a barbarian trying to come around the hill to scout out his location. An arrow through his chest made sure the barbarian wouldn't be able tell his group where Arkan was.
Three arrows left.
Arkan had no idea how big the barbarian group was. They were still hidden behind the hill. For all he knew, there could be thousands waiting to attack.
Two came running over the ridge, swords in the air, screaming a battle cry. Arkan didn't let that scare him. He fired his first arrow into the throat of one and immediately fired another into the leg of the other barbarian.
The barbarian left alive dragged himself up and over the hill. Arkan didn't want to waste his last arrow on someone who couldn't even fight anymore.
He pulled his last arrow from the ground and kissed its head. “You better be able to kill at least twenty barbarians when I let you loose.”
He readied his bow and watched the hill. The light from their torches still glowed against the dark night. Sweat dripped from his forehead. After this arrow he'd have to resort to close combat with his dagger.
Arkan waited and waited but the barbarians never came. He heard an order of retreat and the glowing light of the torches began to move away from him.
Arkan relaxed his bowstring and fell to the the cold ground from exhaustion. “The gods must be watching over me.”
Chapter Twenty
The Rangers, Jennifer, and the prisoners made it to Icebor as the sun crept over the horizon.
Farondil and Garel had to help the unconscious Demorac into one of the huts. “I'm going to need bandages,” Farondil said.
“I'll ask Jennifer if the village has any medical supplies,” Garel replied.
“Better get some ale too.”
“For you or for Demorac?”
Farondil laughed. “I think we're both going to need it.”
Jennifer stood at the edge of the village, looking across the river and to the hills. She thought that Arkan would come bounding over the hill at any moment.
“Jennifer, do you know where I could find some medical supplies?”
She turned to find Garel behind her but her attention went back to the hills. Her hands were clasped so tight together that she couldn't even bring them apart if she wanted to.
Garel knew exactly what she was worried about. “He'll be back. Arkan knows how to take care of himself.”
“I know. But I still fear that he will never come back.”
“We need bandages for Demorac. Do you know where we can find some?”
Jennifer sighed and began walking through the village without saying another word to Garel.
She brought him to her home that hadn't been touched since that day the barbarians raided. Her parents were inside picking up pieces of broken pottery.
“Mother, can we get some bandages? One of the Rangers is seriously injured.”
Eliden nodded and ran off to the kitchen. She came back quickly with so many bandages that they were falling out of her arms. “Will this do?”
Garel nodded. “Thank you those will do fine.” He took the bandages from her and ignored the ones that had fallen on the ground. “I'll be off now. I must get these to Farondil.”
Jennifer was left alone with her parents. They all hugged for several minutes, enjoying each other's love.
“Thank you for coming for us,” Raldar said. “But never do that again!”
Jennifer was shocked by his booming voice.
“We could never forgive ourselves if you were hurt because of us.”
Eliden agreed with him and Jennifer could only stand there and accept it. “I know I'm sorry. I just couldn't let you both become slaves to those barbarians.
They hugged again with a lot of kissing on the cheeks.
“I'm just glad were all back home and in one piece. I guess we have your Rangers to thank for that.”
“I think I will cook them a glorious feast,” Eliden said. She noticed that Jennifer wasn't even listening to them anymore. She seemed far away. “What's wrong dear? Shouldn't you be happy that we're all back here safe and sound?”
Jennifer shook out of her daze. “I am happy. It's just that Arkan is still out there.”
Eliden smiled. “You care for that man, don't you?”
Jennifer blushed. “Well I'm not sure.”
Eliden took her hand. “You're my daughter, Jennifer. You can't hide your feelings from me.”
“I think I'm in love, Mother.”
“That's great news!” Eliden hu
gged her.
Ralder stood there with his arms crossed. “I will have to approve of this man before you can go with him.”
Jennifer couldn't confess that she'd “gone with him” already. Her parents wouldn't understand.
“I just wish I knew that he was all right.”
Jennifer left her hut and went back to the river overlooking the hills. The stream was quiet today, a few fish could be seen swimming in the clear water. A figure appeared over the hill. Jennifer couldn't quite make out what it was.
It almost looked like a barbarian. He wore a furry coat just like they did.
Jennifer thought that this could be the beginning of another raid. Losing her parents again would be unbearable. She looked around for someone to call out for help when she heard a familiar voice across the river.
“Did you miss me?”
Arkan was back.
He stumbled down the hill towards the river. He had a barbarian coat around his shoulders and his bow stowed behind his back.
Jennifer couldn't wait for him to come to her. She jumped into the river and sloshed her way to him.
They met in the middle of the river and Jennifer jumped into a hug that almost knocked Arkan over.
“Easy there,” he said.
Jennifer kissed him a hundred times before she stepped away and examined him. “Are you okay? Are you injured?” She checked under his coat for any signs of blood.
Arkan grinned. “I'm fine. Just very tired.”
“Let's get you back to my house so you can rest.”
“First tell me how Demorac is?”
Chapter Twenty-One
Arkan entered the hut that was being used as a makeshift hospital. Some of the prisoners they rescued had been injured in the raid on Icebor and they had not been treated while at the barbarian camp.
Arkan passed a few beds until he came upon Demorac. He lay still with his eyes closed, taking shallow breaths. All of his clothing was stained dark with blood. Arkan kneeled next to the bed and held his hand. Demorac stirred for a moment but never came conscious.
Farondil approached Arkan from behind. “He's been severely injured. But I think he's going to be okay.”
“We wouldn't have been able to pull this off without him. He must've held off dozens of barbarians.”
“And I assume you did the same,” Farondil replied.
“A war party was on our tail and I was able to scare them away with a few arrows. They didn't even get close enough to touch me.”
Farondil slapped him on the back. “That's why you're the leader of the Rangers of the Dark Forest. Now get out of here so Demorac can get some rest.”
“Rest sounds good right about now.”
“I can set up a bed for you here.”
“No, I think I'll go back to our camp in the Dark Forest. Send word if Demorac's condition worsens.”
Arkan left the hut and found Jennifer standing outside her home. “I'm going to go back to my camp.”
“You've been on such a long journey. Shouldn't you rest here?”
“Right now, Jennifer, the only thing I want is to be close to you and in my own bed.” Arkan hooked her by the waist and pulled her in for a kiss. His tongue quickly touched hers and pulled away. Just enough to get a taste.
And just enough to convince Jennifer to do anything.
“I'm coming with you then. Only to make sure you don't collapse before you get to your camp.”
–
Jennifer and Arkan made it back to the Dark Forest to find the camp empty. The rest of the Rangers had stayed back in Icebor, meaning they were all alone.
“I'll get a fire started and you lay down,” Jennifer ordered.
Arkan couldn't argue with that. He found his bed of soft furs next to the fire and curled under. The heat of the flames warmed his sore limbs as he lay there.
Jennifer joined him under the furs and nestled into his arms. “I never got to thank you for everything you did for me.”
Arkan looked deep into her eyes. “I'd do anything for you. Anything.”
Jennifer couldn't help herself. She reached up and kissed him. Arkan's throbbing cock grew to great lengths against her leg. “Oh my gods. You're so big.”
Arkan's hand wandered under Jennifer shirt and grabbed her tits, kneading and massaging as they kissed.
They quickly stripped off their clothes until they were completely naked.
“Now let me thank you,” Jennifer said, laying a trail of kisses down his neck and chest. She made her way past his solid abs and found his bouncing boner. She gripped it like she would a sword and stroked him. Arkan bit his bottom lip and knocked his head backward.
Jennifer brushed the hair out of her face and inserted his cock into her mouth. Arkan's nails dug into her shoulders as her head bobbed up and down.
“You have no idea how good that feels,” Arkan moaned.
Jennfier wrapped her lips tight around his base and sucked hard. Arkan's eyes rolled back. She knew he couldn't last much longer. She desperately wanted his seed in her mouth but there was somewhere else she needed it more. Jennifer slipped two fingers between her legs while she went down on Arkan. Her fingers returned with sticky wetness.
She was so ready.
“I need you inside me, Arkan. Now more than ever.” Jennifer let go of Arkan's massive meat and straddled him.
Her dripping wet pussy was only inches away from him. “No more teasing. I can't take it anymore. Fuck me. Fuck me now.”
Jennifer guided his thickness inside her as she enveloped him. Arkan stretched her as he helped thrust. Jennifer gasped when she was completely filled.
Arkan watched from the bottom as Jennifer rocked her hips slowly. He basked in her beauty, enjoying every curve of her body. His fingers traced up her legs and to her waist, grabbing hard as she bounced up and down on top.
Jennifer knew the warning signs now. Her orgasm was close and there would be many more to come. The pleasure rippled through her legs and up her whole body. She bent over and used Arkan's chest for balance as she came hard.
Arkan pinched her nipples until they became rocks between his fingers. He sat up and sucked on her tits until Jennifer cried out from the pain and pleasure.
“I'm close, baby,” Arkan said.
Jennifer could already feel the next one coming. She wouldn't be able to hold it off much longer. She just needed to wait a little longer for Arkan.
She bent all the way down and kissed Arkan, feeling his warm spray within. Her own orgasm went off at he same time, her every muscle straining against the ecstasy.
Jennifer lifted her ass up and down until Arkan had finished all the way inside her. She didn't even bother pulling him out before she fell on top of him.
“I came so hard I can't even hear,” Jennifer said.
Arkan ran his fingers through her hair and tugged until she was looking right at him. “I love you, Jennifer.”
She wasn't sure she heard him right. Her head was still swimming. “I love you too, Arkan.” She said it too even if that wasn't what he said.
But it was true.
Arkan set her head against his beating chest and they both drifted off to the best sleep of their lives.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Two Months Later
Arkan and Jennifer stood before King Uzmar and an audience of hundreds in the royal hall. The sun bled through the stained glass making it the perfect day for a wedding.
Arkan wore his same old green tunic while Jennifer was draped in the most expensive white gown the kingdom had to offer.
Arkan was still shocked from when the King had given it to him a month earlier. The most expensive wedding dress the world had ever seen.
“For my Jennifer?” he had asked the king, examining the soft gown.
“You two saved the lives of my people. You deserve that and more.”
Arkan almost fell over when the King demanded the wedding take place at the castle.
Now he felt like a prince standi
ng before his princess with the whole kingdom watching.
Jennifer was sweating buckets from being so nervous. When Arkan told her the news about the wedding she didn't know whether to be excited or throw up. Since she was a kid she always dreamed of a wedding in a castle. But she knew that dream couldn't come true.
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