The dark comfort of nightfall greeted the warrior as she made her way into the sleeping village. A brilliant blueish glow from the full moon above lighted her way across the land. She was the only soul traveling at this lonely hour. It had been several nights since she had left her bard to make the travel through the mountain passage. An eternity away from her bard. A bard she could call her own.
Her boots passed silently over the soft ground separating her from the inn. A comforting place to rest and relax which she intended to take full advantage. Her friend and companion would be waiting inside. They would greet each other and for a few satisfying moments, they would hold each other in a short embrace. Sometimes... she wished the bonding could be longer. But there was time enough for that.
The door opened effortlessly as if to welcome her. Upon entering she saw there were several travelers still inside. Each with a tale to tell. Each with their own heart's desires. Her eyes searched through the faces to find her own desire. Her soulmate and friend.
But sadness was all that she would see this night. A gentle frown passed over her face as her wish was denied. There was no familiar greeting or gentle hug. There was no sweet smell of scented hair as she held her love. Only the few passing faces of unknown people greeted her. She looked down sadly and found a table to sit beside.
A man of some strength and years approached her. She looked up to him and saw handsome features to his appearance. He was a warrior and if this had been an earlier time, a time when she had been more dark than the night, she would have been drawn to him. She let the thoughts pass through her mind with a slight smile.
He introduced himself as an Athenian soldier. A veteran of the border wars. She could see by the hardened strength of his hands that he knew battle. The scars were like stories to her. They told a tale well.
The warrior invited him to join her. He expressed his gratitude by ordering a drink for her. When he returned, she took the dark cider from him and brought it up to her lips slowly. Light amusement played in her eyes. She could tell that he watched her with interest. He desired her in some fashion. It was a skill she knew all too well in the past to control men. She pressed her lips in to moisten them.
They spoke for some time of their respective battles. Each had seen their fair share of the sword. She was impressed with his tales and so she told a few more of her own. Upon mentioning her bards name, he mentioned her by her name. She was surprised, but he assured her that it was her own bard who had been here earlier. The bard had left with his friend, a brother from the same army that he loyally served. They were to set up a campfire for the night, so that she might join with them.
So her bard was waiting for her afterall. She thanked him and stood from the table, intent to return to the night and find her companion. A turning of the room caused her a moments pause. The dizzying sensation happened once more and she found herself holding tightly to the chair. The man asked of her health and she admitted, with the conservation of food for the days of travel, the combination of drink with no food might be the cause.
The man insisted she spend the night in the tavern. He would pay for a room if it meant her well being. She thanked quietly, accepting his offer. He promised her friend would be told. He took her hand to guide her. She looked up to his eyes and felt a growing like for the man. A desire almost spoken but not yet mentioned. They made their way down the hall to the end room where she fell to the bed. He stood there... for a few moments before turning to leave.
Darkness claimed her as she heard the door shut. She was consumed by the night and slept deeply. Dark images of the past flowed through her dreams. Images of battles and victories. Images of friendships forged and loves that were lost. Her dreams brought her eventually back to the room she was in. They were confused and difficult to remember, but they involved her bard.
The warrior stood in the room with her bard. Both held each other silently as the sounds of a fire and heat of its flames were seen. The fire was lit, not only in the room but also in their hearts. She stood there silently looking up to her bard. A gentle touch to her face sent feelings through her that made her trip worthwhile.
She remembered the unclasping of armor, the untying of lace, the brush of a warm shoulder against her own as they stood facing one another. Nothing but the warm air separated them. And then... there was the warmth of their bodies pressed against one another. The taste of a sweet kiss and the holding of one another. Their passions moved silently in the room as the fire burned within them.
The dreams blurred once more as they so often did. She focused once more to find her bard behind her. They were standing close to one another as her soulmate kissed her bare shoulder. And then... and then a strange sensation overcame her. She began to stumble but her love caught her.
She opened her eyes in the dream once more to find her bard much stronger than before. Of a greater strength that she had recognized. She smiled though as it was nice to feel her bard once again. She reached down to take her love's hand and kiss it. Only then did she notice the scars.
Her bard was not with her in this moment of closeness. And the room... all too well known for her dream. Even as her dreams faded to black and returned, it was always the same room. Without further reasons, she knew that it was not her bard's warm body that pressed against her, but the man who had brought her here.
She could feel his chest pressed against her back. His hands as smooth as they were traveled slowly down her leg as he kissed her shoulders. She could tell that he desired her. She could feel... that he was ready for her. She turned around slowly and looked into his eyes. They were handsome eyes. Dark and inviting. Her arms rested on his shoulders as he lifted her. He took her to the bed and placed her there. As he moved to lie beside her and take her into a night of passionate ecstasy, she reached out for him in an unexpected way.
A faint cry of pain was all that she could remember. Her fatigue and lack of sleep kept her unfocused. She did however see the man fall down onto the bed. Not of any pleasuring delights or intent, but of her actions. His hand reached up to his neck as he looked to her.
She stood from the bed and looked down to him, a silhouette of her unclothed body like a heavenly shadow between him and the fireplace. He remained speechless as he looked upon her. She knew what he wanted and she knew it was something she was not ready to give. Something she had not intended to give. Not to him. It was the drink. Something had been placed in the drink. She had realized it even as he carried her to the bed. He had thought to be with her this night, with or without her consent.
As she gathered her warrior's clothing, she could hear his labored breath. It took some time for her to adjust her leathers and armor. Some time to balance herself and slip into her boots. She did smile for a brief moment though. The feel of a warm bear skin rug and a fire nearby had been comforting. But she would not be given to a man's lusts... not without her own desire. She took up her weapons and slowly made her way to the door.
The warrior could still hear him rasping for air as he remained unclothed on the bed. She could not remember the pressure points that were chosen. The night was so very confusing for her. Paralysis or death could very easily await him. Either was a suitable justice. He was unable to speak or move. By morning his worries in this world would be over.
She made her way outside the room and shut the locked door. A few steps to test her concentration showed improvement. She had a far greater concern. The man had mentioned a friend who had traveled with her bard. She made a silent promise that paralysis... or death... would be the least of his worries as she made her way out into the moonlit night.
To Be Continued.....