Lezard's Triumph

"Yes."

It was just a whisper, barely even spoken out loud, leaving Lezard with his divine hearing straining to hear her. Lenneth repeated herself, voice no more confident than the first time she had whispered the word, but it caused Lezard to freeze in disbelief. "Yes...?" He asked, his breath blowing against her ear, tickling her.

Lenneth sagged against him, body trembling as she said it louder this time. "Yes, damn you...!" Her fingers clenched into fists, resting on his thighs. It was hardly the sweet surrender Lezard longed for, but he would take what he could get. "Yes..."

She seemed almost broken, repeating the word over and over much like he had earlier. Lezard slowly shifted, turning her so that she faced him, hips straddling his legs. "Lenneth..." He was surprised to see his hand was shaking as he went to touch her face, almost fearing she would vanish before he could complete the movement. He cupped her cheek, and felt her lean into his touch with a soft sigh.

"Are you sure?" He asked, his breath catching in his throat as he stared into her eyes. Lenneth let out a short burst of laughter, a hysterical edge to it. But the blue of her eyes were calm, determined, and she nodded slowly, not daring to speak. At her nod he was pressing her forward, kissing her fervently. His hand slid away from her cheek, winding it's way into her hair, holding her trapped against his mouth.

When at last he pulled away, he could see her mouth was swollen, her pouty lips thick and full from the force of his kisses. He touched them, thumb brushing against her lips, feeling their softness. Lezard knew he was smiling, staring entranced at her lips, touching them in wonder. The sound of Lenneth's breathing eased into his awareness, soft pants that spoke of her nervousness. He glanced up into her eyes, seeing them gazing back at him uncertainly. He smiled to reassure her, moving in to kiss her once more.

His lips curved and caught at hers, gentle nibbles, the mage working to coax her into returning his kisses. Encouraging her passion, feeling Lenneth start to slowly respond. Hesitant, soft touches that meant the world to him. She moved against him, her hands touching his chest, and this time she didn't try to push him away. Lezard smiled against her mouth, finding her fingers were grasping, taking hold of the front of his jacket, Lenneth clinging to him as they kissed.

Lezard broke away from her, hearing her gasp, his lips brushing her cheek as he chuckled. He kissed her for that sound, easing his mouth down her skin, light puckering of his lips against her flesh. He dropped his hands to her waist, tightening his fingers on the silk of her dress, holding her against him. He kissed against the marks on her throat, the light bruises signaling his earlier attempts at possessing her. Lower and lower he kissed, past her collar bone and down the slope of her chest.

He bent his face over her bosoms, planting his mouth squarely between her breasts, kissing her there. His hair brushed against her breasts, the feathery soft sensation making her bite back a giggle. He smiled to hear mirth in her tone, nuzzling his cheek against her curves, finding them soft and pliant. For one brief moment he rested against her, just listening to the sound of her heart beating. It was an excited thing, fast and loud and it beat for him. Lezard knew this to be true.

One hand still on her waist, he reached up with the other one, lightly touching the front of her breasts. Lenneth made a sound, starting to move away from his hand. Lezard glanced up at her face, confusion in his eyes. She stared back, seeming to remember herself, forcing herself to be still as she nodded at him. This time she did not move when Lezard brushed his fingers against her breast, though she did gasp when he used his fingers to mold her supple flesh.

Lezard turned his face to the side, watching as his hand continued to play with her breast, feeling her nipple rubbing against his palm, hard with excitement. He smoothed down his hand until just his finger tips touched her, thumb and forefinger capturing the nipple between them. She jerked back in surprise when he twiddled them, a gentle rubbing of his fingers.

He shifted, bringing his face towards her neglected breast, mouth opening wide to fasten about a nipple. Lenneth let out a pleased cry, Lezard beginning to lightly suck on that hard nub. Her hands let go of his coat, reaching upwards behind his head. Lezard felt her curl her fingers in his hair, tips massaging at the scalp. "Ooh yes, Lezard, yes..." She murmured breathlessly, holding him against her chest.

Lezard sucked harder, tongue swirling over the tip of her nipple, his other hand letting go of her to touch her hip. His fingers bent, gathering up the silk, slowly drawing the skirt upwards, exposing her legs. Lenneth seemed to be lost to the pleasure of his warm mouth, crying out encouragement as he suckled and laved attention on her breast. He pulled back, breath blowing against her wet nipple, and she shivered.

Lezard glanced up at her face, seeing her eyelids had drooped, Lenneth looking at him through half lidded eyes that could not hide the desire shining forth in the azure of her iris. Her hands were caressing his scalp, gentle pressure exerted from the Goddess, urging his head back to her breast. He turned to the other nipple, his tongue snaking out all around it, never quite touching it. He allowed only the ghost of it's presence against her, making Lenneth whine out, "Lezard! Don't tease me so!"

And still he continue to circle around it, wetting her areola with his tongue, even as his other hand slid under her skirt. His hand rested on her thigh, raising goose bumps where he touched, and he slowly raised his hand upwards, sliding along her skin. His fingers brushed against the waistband of her panties, pulling on that thin strand of material. With a muted growl he was tearing it free, wrenching off her the panties' tattered remains.

Lenneth gasped at his ferocity, taken aback by his eagerness. She opened her mouth, but he didn't give her time to protest, lips closing in on her nipple, turning her words into a garbled cry of joy. Even as his mouth worked, sucking her down into a raw abyss of desire, his fingers caressed against the curls at the apex of her thighs. He sifted through them, finding her center, sliding a finger along her folds. He nudged her lips apart, dipping a finger into her moist heat, finding her starting to get wet. Lezard sought to help her along, fingers teasing her, sliding up and down her crease. Lenneth wiggled in response, grinding herself against him, moaning loudly.

"Lenneth..." Lezard gasped, freeing her nipple from his mouth. "I need you...desperately..." A low keen of desire was his answer, Lenneth whimpering and biting at her lip, trying to keep from crying out as he continued to stroke her. He added another finger to her core, sliding it into her opening, slowly pumping his fingers in and out of her. Lenneth tossed her head from side to side, and he could feel the quiver in her legs as her body reacted to his ministrations.

Her fingers were digging almost painfully in his hair, Lenneth hanging desperately on to him, Lezard's hand on her lower back keeping her positioned on his lap. She cried out in sorrow when he withdrew his fingers, chest heaving slightly from exertion. Lezard placed his hand in between their bodies, fumbling with the front of his coat. Buttons snapped open, falling to the floor, his fingers brushing against the buckle of his belt.

Even as he worked to unfasten his belt, he leaned in to kiss her, desperate attention meant to keep her lost to desire, Lezard fearing if he gave her even an instant to think she'd tell him to stop. It was his greatest fear, the necromancer worrying that at any moment all this would come crashing down around him, that Lenneth would tell him no. AHA! He thought with relief, the belt opened at last. His fingers skirted the velvet of his pants, hastily ripping open the laces of his breeches. He sighed as some of the tension in his pants eased, Lezard freeing himself.

Still kissing Lenneth, breaking apart to graze his lips against the side of her neck, he reached for her hand. Gently he pulled it free of his hair, bringing it between them, resting it on his hard length. A gasp from Lenneth, her eyes snapping open, wide and staring at him. "I can't wait any longer my love." Lezard crooned out, curling her fingers around his shaft. He all but melted under her touch, urging her hand to move, to stroke him harder yet. She complied, Lenneth feeling him thicken and lengthen in her hand, growing larger yet, her eyes showing amazement at his size.

Lezard let out a moan, feeling her hand tease along his erection, slow friction that nearly drove him mad as he sighed into her neck. She was moving her hand, up and down, skin like warm silk. Lezard couldn't help but laugh, rubbing his cheek against her neck, wanting to arch into her hand. He groaned again, feeling the squeezing pressure as she gave an experimental flexing of her fingers. "Yes, like that my dear..."

Even as he murmured and kissed her neck, he was moving his hands, sliding down, down her waist, lifting up her hips. Lenneth's hand fell away from his manhood, her hands going to steady herself on his shoulders. He dropped his right hand to his lap, fumbling with his erection, lining it up with her entrance. A low throaty moan escaped him as he felt the tip of him push against her wet folds. So close, and yet miles to go. Her dress fell over their legs, hiding what they were doing from view. Lezard looked up, looked Lenneth in the eyes, wanting to memorize her expression at that moment.

Lenneth's face was flushed, pale cheeks with just a hint of pink to them. Her lips were parting open in a moan, an appreciative cry at the feel of him. And her eyes, large and luminous, a clear blue that held tiny reflections of his own face within them. Her hair curled around her face, tiny wisps of platinum luxury. Both hands now on her waist, fingers tightening, guiding her down slowly.

Lezard moaned, feeling her spread open, taking him in inch by delicious inch. Further down he eased her, until he filled her all the way to the hilt of him, Lenneth crying out, her eyes closing as she moaned. Her head fell back, her throat offered up to him, and he took it, kissing the hollow front of it. He could feel the hard back of the throne against him, but he didn't mind it. He had hoped their first time would have been in a soft bed, but his fears had led them to this moment, paranoia making the man worry that she'd change her mind before a suitable bedroom could be located.

But she hadn't, and now it was too late for no's, for protests and tears. He smirked against her throat, and told her, "I'm going to move now Lenneth." He saw her nod her head, breathing lightly. Lezard rolled his hips, pulling back, using his hands to help ease her off his length. He let out a hiss of pleasured air, body mourning the loss of the tight, warm fit of her. And then he was plunging back in, her body welcoming him, a perfect fit that nestled all around his length.

Lenneth sighed, she moaned, back arching, fingers digging into his shoulders. She squeezed and she held him, seeming as though she would never let him go, even as he slid in and out, building up a delicious friction that had them both crying out. Her breasts bounced, bosoms heaving from the force of her bouncing on his lap, Lezard's eyes drawn to the sight of them. He stared at the creamy whiteness of her breasts, and then he was falling, burying his face against one. His tongue darted out to taste her, even as he growled out, "Move your hips."

"Like this?" She asked, doing a move that had his toes curling in his boots.

"Yes..." Lezard groaned, pleased. He rained kisses down on her breasts, pressing his mouth against a nipple, laving attention on it. Over and over he pumped into her, hearing her cry out again and again. Lezard lost track of time, lost to the amazing feel of her, feeling as though he was enveloped by wet satin that clung to him, not wanting to let go. His hands were moving, caressing in circles on her back, holding her on his lap as he thrust into her.

Lezard could feel the tremor in Lenneth's thighs, feel her breathing speed up, seconds before she was arching her back, body spasming all around him. She cried out his name, enthusiastically pressing her lips against his, moaning out her release. Lezard eagerly drank down her cries, tongue thrusting into her mouth, rubbing against hers. He bounced her harder in his lap, feeling her clenching all around him, seeking to milk him of his seed. He resisted her siren's call, plunging in and out, bringing her a second time, and then he gave in. Spurting, crying out her name over and over, "Lenneth, oh Lenneth!"

Lezard pulled her in a tight hug, hips still moving, even as he started to soften, to go flaccid. Kisses all over her face, on her cheeks, on the tip of her nose, and of course her mouth. He laughed delighted, leaning back against the throne, holding her against his chest. She sighed, loose and relaxed, resting her head on his shoulder. "I love you Lenneth." He whispered into her ear.

She didn't say it back to him, much to his disappointment. It hurt, a lot more than any of her previous rejections had done. He touched her hair, one arm still on her back, stroking through the loose strands. Lezard realized he might have gained access to her body, but her heart...her heart still eluded him.

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Alicia ran down the path, kicking up clouds of dirt in her wake. The path winded around the castle, flat stones being laid out sparsely along the trail, slowly turning it from stamped down dirt, to a well used cobblestone pathway as it drew closer to the town. Her booted heels clicked on the stones, the princess purposefully being loud, wanting all within distance to hear her coming.

She turned a corner, passing by the front entrance of the castle, wondering if the doors were still barred. The town loomed close, Alicia slowing her run to a walk. She wanted to put some distance between her and her friends, and yet she still wanted to be close enough to get back to them easily enough. She nervously glanced over her shoulder, seeing no signs of pursuit. That was a mixed blessing, the girl feeling bad over the trick she had pulled on Rufus and Arngrim.

Forgive me. She thought, bowing her head in silent prayer. She walked past empty houses, peering at their darkened windows, wondering if anyone hid inside. Her hands touched picket fences, curling around the wood posts, feeling regret at the destruction of her home.

Further into town she traveled, eyes darting from side to side, seeing blood splattered onto the stone, a dark red smear that spoke of the attack that had occurred just two short months ago. Hard to believe my world turned upside down such a short time ago. mused Alicia. She noticed the blood stains increased the deeper she went into town, a bloody trail leading her towards something. She idly followed it, until sudden realization struck her, a silent gasp escaping her lips. She was headed towards the town square, heading to the courtyard where many a bloody execution took place.

Father! She thought, tears squeezing out of her eyes, body cringing back at the memory of his beheading. Alicia shook her head, turning on her heel, desperate to flee. She wanted to get as far away from that place as she could, and her legs tensed to run. She got a few feet forward, when a blurred shadow landed in front of her.

"Going somewhere Silmeria?!" Dallas demanded, his remaining hand held up before his chest, fingers curled into claws.

"Dallas!" Alica cried out, a mixture of fear and relief in her eyes. She took a hesitant step back, then forced herself to be still.

"You don't sound surprised to see me..." He noted.

"I've been waiting for you." She confessed. "Waiting and hoping you would appear before me."

"I've been waiting for you too..." Dallas replied. "Waiting so that I could kill you!" He lunged forward, swiping his hand at her front, trying to scrape his nails across her clothes. Alicia gasped, leaping to the side, seeing Dallas whirl past her.

"Dallas wait!"

"I'm tired of waiting!" He snarled, turning around. His sickly yellow eyes narrowed, rage blooming in the center. "No more Silmeria, no more!"

"I'm not Silmeria!" She cried out, still not drawing her sword. "It's me...Alicia...you remember, don't you..." She dodged his slashing claws, staying one step ahead of him at all times.

"A...Alicia?!" For a minute confusion shown on his face, and he stopped, staring at her.

"That's right..." She nodded hopefully, a small smile on her face.

His eyes narrowed, the hate back in them. "You and Silmeria are one and the same!"

"No that's not true...AHHH!" He slashed across her arm, the cuts stinging. Working on pure instinct, the princess drew her sword without thinking, ready to defend herself. "Dallas stop!" She held up her sword before her, hands steady, not betraying the shaking she felt deep in her soul.

"I won't stop until you're dead!" He roared, and rushed at her, screaming at the top of his lungs.

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"Alicia!? Alica!!" Rufus shouted again and again, taking frantic steps to the left and the right, hands held out before him. "Alicia!"

"Stop your bellowing!" Arngrim shouted, hands fumbling at the packs on his belt. He opened and closed the flaps, searching for something. "She's long gone by now."

"No...I can't believe it...how could she do something so stupid!" Rufus was still shouting, as though he has lost control of his voice along with his eyes.

"She's impulsive and stubborn. We should have seen this coming..." Arngrim winced, feeling his finger tips touch something sharp. "Where is it...I know I have some panacea on me..." His fingers dipped into another container, brushing against a bottle. He felt the label, feeling the slightly raised glass design on the front and smiled. "Here it is..."

"Hurry!" urged Rufus. "We have to go after her!"

"I'm rushing as fast as I can..." Arngrim muttered, thumb pushing the cap off the bottle. He carefully brought the panacea to his face, tilting back his head. He maneuvered the bottle over his eyes, hoping his aim was correct. He blinked, liquid splashing into his eye. Slowly he moved towards his right one, dripping more of the liquid into it. Slow blinking from him, the darkness fading, replacing with blurred surroundings.

Rufus stood with his back to him, hands on his hips, impatient as he tapped his foot. Arngrim walked towards him, touching his shoulders. The half elf jumped, startled. "Relax..." Arngrim said soothingly, turning the elf around to face him. "I'm just going to use this left over cure on your eyes..."

"Okay..." The half elf raised his face trustingly towards Arngrim, the warrior touching his face. He used his fingers to spread Rufus' right eye open wider, shaking the bottle, blearily seeing a fat drop fall from the container into Rufus' eye. He went to touch the man's left eye, bottle held over it.

"Explosion!" A voice screamed out, the spell causing the ground to shake with tremors as fire burst out of the crack that fissured open in the ground. With a scream and a yell, Rufus and Arngrim were knocked off their feet, slamming into the ground. The panacea bottle smashed to smithereens, the precious liquid spilling onto the dirt.

"Gyne!" snarled Arngrim, getting to his feet, hand reaching back for the handle of his sword.

"Gyne?!" repeated Rufus, half blind in one eye, the other's vision yet to stop blurring. "Is Dallas here too?!"

"Dallas is with the Valkyrie!" Gyne was laughing, a hissing sound that escaped between his clenched teeth. "But you needn't worry about her...not when your own deaths are at hand!" He thrust out his hand, the dark sleeves falling back to reveal gnarled skin, threaded with dark blue veins. "Frigid Damsel!"

A maiden made of pure ice appeared at his side, her hands inhumanly large. She lunged at Arngrim, claws slashing at his chest. He brought up his blade to block, seeing lines of ice form on the metal. The frigid damsel screamed out her fury, slashing again and again, desperate to claw him open before the spell sent her back to the netherworld.

Rufus had his bow in his hands, bad eye clenched shut. He briefly aimed his arrow at the ice maiden, but soon shook his head. With his vision distorted, he had a hard time keeping track of her movements, worried he might hit Arngrim instead.

"I tire of this!" shouted Arngrim, swinging his blade at the middle of the ice maiden's body. She screeched as he cleaved her in half, ice chipping off her frame. The two pieces of her body hit the ground, still twitching. Arngrim didn't bother to watch her death throes, he was already running at Gyne, bellowing at the top of his lungs.

"Explosion!" Gyne shouted, causing the beserker to fall back from the crack that appeared in the ground. Gyne continued that awful laughter, the sound grating on their ears.

"Let's see if you can stand the heat when it's turned on you!" shouted Arngrim, legs tensing up. "Finishing Strike..." He leapt forward, free hand going to the pouch on his belt, searching out the grenades he kept in stock for his finishing move. "Final-----"

"Fire storm!' shouted Gyne, and Arngrim let out a curse, jumping backwards as the flames licked up and down his body. He bit back a scream, not wanting to give the twisted mage the satisfaction of hearing his pain.

"Think you can dodge this?!" demanded Rufus, shooting out a barrage of arrows. They torpedoed towards Gyne, but fell flat, harmlessly slamming into the ground before him. "Damn it!" Rufus swore, knowing his depth perception was still off.

"Stay out of this Rufus!" Arngrim shouted, not wanting to get hit by the half elf's arrows. "I'll take care of this cockroach!"

"Yeah, you're doing a brilliant job of that!" retorted Rufus, notching another arrow on his bow string.

"Insects all of you!" shouted Gyne, casting another fire spell at Arngrim. Rufus let another arrow fly, and again he missed. Gyne let out that hissing sound, not even bothering with the half elf, considering Rufus no threat at all. Instead he focused all his energy on Arngrim, lobbing spell after spell at him.

Rufus gritted his teeth, hating being ignored. I've got to do something. He thought. But what?! Memories came to him, of the time when he was a young boy, his teacher training him in the finer points of archery. She had tied a blindfold over his eyes, urging him to listen to the sounds of the forest, wanting him to learn how to rely on senses other than his eyes.

Rufus slowly closed his eyes, breathing softly. He strained his ears, letting the sound fade away, the elf listening to Arngrim's grunt and angry bellows, and Gyne's taunts. His focused narrowed even further, fixating on Gyne's grating laugher. "Leave the rest to me..." He whispered, raising his bow, turning in time with Gyne's movements. "Finishing Strike..." He pulled back his string, fingers tense. "Blinding Blaze!" He shouted the last out, fingers letting go of the wire, hearing it snap as the arrow came free.

He opened his eyes, Rufus seeing the colorful lights that accompanied his ultimate attack. They circled and swirled together, converging on the arrow head. It torpedoed towards Gyne, the wizard turning too late. With a loud thunk, the arrow head buried itself deep in his skin, impaling itself in Gyne's forehead. He let out a gurgled sound of pain, raising his hands to point at Rufus. Electricity crackled at his fingertips, weak but still there, the mage trying to get out another spell.

"Thu...Thunder Sto..."

"I don't think so!" Arngrim said, swinging his blade at Gyne's neck. It was a clean break, the head falling to the floor, his yellow eyes staring in shock at the sky. "Heh..." Arngrim spit at the ground, ignoring the body which toppled over. "Well that was a waste of time."

"Alicia!" Rufus reminded the warrior, and Arngrim nodded at the urgency in his voice.

"Let's go!" The beserker said, the two breaking into a run.

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"Dallas, don't do this!" Alicia was parrying his one armed attacks, claws scraping against her thin blade. "Don't make me hurt you!"

"You should have known this would happen if you came back!" He snarled, frustrated with his inability to land a blow on her. "Should have known one of us would have to die!"

"No one has to die!" Alicia said, her voice pleading, desperate for him to listen. "I've come to help you!"

"Help?" Dallas arched an eyebrow and laughed. "I need no help from you!"

"Listen to me, please!" Her sword was constantly on the move, turning this way and that, blocking his attack. "There's a cure for the Ghoul Powder curse. I took it...you can too!"

"No! I don't need or want a cure!" Dallas retorted. "I've never felt more alive than I do now!"

"That's not true, it's the curse talking not you..." Alicia said.

"It's too late to cure me Valkyrie!" Dallas said. "The only thing I want now is your death!"

"No, I don't believe that!" She shrieked. "If you really wanted me dead, you'd use your magic! Some part of you still remains, desperately hanging on, not wanting to hurt me! Dallas, give in to that part of you that is still human...give in and let me help you..."

"A...Alicia...?" He paused, his face becoming confused.

"Yes..." She smiled, lowering her sword.

"You are a fool!" He back handed her across her face, knocking her to the ground.

"Ahhh!" She cried out, scrambling to get up. Suddenly his foot was pressing down on her sword arm, his full weight bearing down on her wrist. "Dallas!" Alicia cried, letting go of the handle of her sword.

"It ends here Alicia...It ends here!" His eyes blazed with malice, and he pushed down even harder on her wrist. Suddenly an arrow struck him in the front of his shoulder, Dallas letting out a cry, stepping off her arm.

"You're right about that Dallas!" Rufus stepped forward, green eyes the angriest Alicia had ever seen. He was already drawing out another arrow, placing it against the bow's string. "One way or another, it ends today!"

Arngrim was behind the elf, his sword fastened to his belt. His hands were clenched into fists, a grim smile on his face. "Just let us help you boy..."

"Help?" Dallas laughed. "Like you did last time?!" He held up his arm, showing off his missing hand. The end of it had been cauterized by a fire spell to keep the undead ghoul from bleeding to death. "No thank you!"

"That was a mistake..." Rufus said heatedly. "But if you don't step away from Alicia you'll lose more than a hand!" Dallas let out a wordless scream of rage, eyes dropping away from Rufus' face to look at Alicia. Another arrow slammed into his arm. "That's your last warning!"

"Rufus...don't hurt him!" begged Alicia, slowly scrambling to her knees.

"Don't hurt him?!" The half elf repeated in disbelief.

"He doesn't know what he's doing!" She insisted.

"The hell he doesn't!" muttered Rufus, drawing another arrow. "Now get away from him!" Rufus ordered her, glaring at Dallas.

She stood up, turning to look at the mage. "Dallas I..."

"Move!" Arngrim was running forward, reaching her side in an instant. He roughly shoved Alicia to the side, shielding her body with his. The clawed fingers scratched across his bare back, opening up the skin. Angrim growled, and Rufus let another arrow fly.

"Get him!" shouted the half elf.

Arngrim nodding, letting go of Alicia. He turned to face Dallas, taking a swing at his face. His fist connected with his cheek, other hand coming up to smash into his jaw. Dallas staggered, dizzy and stunned, Arngrim taking advantage of his confused state to run behind him. He looped his arms over Dallas' shoulders, pressing the mage against his chest. The ghoul screamed and cursed, trying to break free, but his struggles were weak and ineffectual against the heavily muscled warrior.

"Do it now!" Arngrim said through gritted teeth, fighting to keep Dallas still.

Alicia nodded, and approached the screaming mage. He tensed as she drew near, eyes narrowing into a glare. "I'll kill you!" Dallas snarled. "I'll rip out your eyes, and smash them under my heels! I'll have you heart for my breakfast, and bathe in your blood, I'll..."

"You'll shut the Hel up!" Rufus shouted angrily.

Alicia placed her hand on Dallas' shoulder, and the mage screamed as though her touch burned. He thrashed about wildly, desperate to break free of Angrim's hold. The beserker's arm muscles bulged, showing signs of the strain as he held onto the wizard. "I'm sorry..." She whispered, her fist closing around the shaft of the arrow embedded in his shoulder. Her arm tensed, and then she was ripping it free, letting out a cry at the same time Dallas did. Blood spluttered against her blouse, and she dropped the arrow, watching as blood began dripping out of his wound.

"Hurry Alicia...the potion!" urged Rufus, moving her into action.

"Right..." She said, reaching into her pack. She removed the precious potion, uncorking it. Nervous hands held it up to the wound, letting the blood drip into the bottle's opening. All eyes were fixed on the bottle, watching as the concoction inside changed color. More blood dripped in, and then green smoke was flaring out of the bottle, an awful smell assaulting them.

"Drink up..." urged Alicia. "It will make you feel better."

"Never!" Dallas snarled in defiance. He turned his head to the side, lips pressed firmly closed. Alicia was visibly frustrated, unsure of how to force her friend to drink the cure.

"Let me..." Rufus said, his bow and arrows put away. He grabbed Dallas' by the chin, turning his face towards Alicia. His other hand clamped down on his nose, holding his nostrils' close. Dallas fought him, muscles in his neck bulging, but at last he opened his mouth with a loud gasp. Alicia was ready for him, thrusting the opening of the bottle into his mouth. Rufus forced his head back, the bottle draining down Dallas' throat.

When it was empty, Alicia pulled it free, and stepped back, anxious concern on her face. Dallas began gagging, trying to cough up the cure. But it was too late, the potent potion quickly taking effect, traveling throughout his body. Suddenly his back bowed, Dallas screaming wildly, fighting to get free. His legs lashed out, Alicia and Rufus backing away, leaving Arngrim alone to hold down the mage.

His eyes opened wide, staring straight ahead as he struggled, the yellow pulsating, fighting to darken to a brown color. It changed back and forth, his body slow to reject the ghoul powder poison. As they watched his skin began smoothing out, the bulging veins disappearing, leaving only the faintest of scars. He continued to scream, almost breaking free of Arngrim's grip.

Dallas slumped weakly in the warrior's arms, wheezing heavily. Alicia took a nervous step forward, touching his face, smoothing back the bangs that draped over one half of his face. She let out a gasp, relieved to see his eyes were human once more. "It worked..." She whispered, tears trailing down her face. "It worked!"

"Urm..." Dallas moaned, slowly becoming aware of his surroundings. "Alicia...what...what happened?!"

"It's a long story." She told him, tears still falling free. "I'll tell you all about it..."