Diablo 2: Longing to be with you

Diablo 2 – Longing to be with you
By Lady Jasmine ( ladyofjasmine@gmail.com )

Chapter 4: The betrayal continues
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This is the rewritten version. (Oct 2007, originally written 2001-2002.)
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The wheels of the caravan creaked and groaned in protest as it spun over and over through the coarse sand. The sand sifted through the spaces between all the four wheels that had carried its passengers and cargo for the past few weeks. There were soft muted sounds as a result of the sinking slightly into the sand with each foot it went forward. The ride was bumpy and unstable, making the four passengers uneasy and fearing the gusting wind would threaten to tip the caravan over.

"Damn storm!" Warriv was heard cursing, desperately trying to get the oxen to continue the journey. Lut Gholein, their destination, was only a barbarian’s stone throw away... which in saying so meant it was close, but still FAR. The caravan driver couldn’t believe his horrible luck. Not only did he plot a bad and unstable course but he also steered directly into a sandstorm.

Rune shook his head and rolled his eyes at the caravan driver’s incompetence then glanced over at his beloved. Nevia’s normally soft features of her face were marred with an expression of mixed sorrow and despair. Her eyes, still red and puffy, were discreetly cast in the direction of Erix. The paladin preoccupied with sharpening his long sword in the corner of the caravan far from them. With each grainy sound of the stone running over the blade, Rune found himself inching closer to the prospect of grabbing the stone and smacking the paladin with it; it was beyond annoying.

He leaned back against the soft hay behind him and sighed to clear his mind. "What to do...?" he thought, closing his eyes and playing back the events of last night. Every detail came back to him, his anger at Erix, the sleeping root and his quest at hand, which turned out better than he could’ve ever dreamed of. "But it still isn’t permanent." His eyebrows furrowed as he gritted his teeth. "They could easily reconcile or learn the truth..."

"I’m out of water," Nevia sighed, turning her drinking gourd upside down to further illustrate her point.

Rune paused, a grin splitting his face as he handed Nevia his own gourd and quietly thanked her.

"Hm, for what?" she asked, looking rather puzzled, "I’m the one who asked for water."

A flippant smile crossed Rune's face as he shook his head gently, amused with Nevia. He looked so pleased with himself. It was a strange sight to Nevia that unnerved her slightly; it looked as though he was smirking.

"Oh, I know, but I’m thanking you.... for being here," he said with a simple smile.

Nevia paused, her thick eyelashes fluttering for a few confused blinks before shaking her head. She then glanced over at Erix; he still refused to even acknowledge both of them being present. If possible, he looked even angrier. It occurred to Nevia that it was possible he interpreted her actions and smiles as flirting rather than common decency.

She sighed. She just couldn't win.

Erix had said nothing since the minute he left Nevia’s tent that morning several nights ago. He was upset and understandably so. But, no quarter had been given to her to allow her to explain to him what happened; he seemed perfectly fine with remaining annoyed with her and remaining furious with Rune. Putting herself in his place though, it was understandable. Nevia would feel jealous—uncomfortably so—if she had been the one to confess her feelings to him only for him to turn around and wake up in the arms of another man.

She paused and it hit her. She had feelings for him too.

She groaned, shaking her head. She wondered if maybe he had someone on the side he could see. His jealousy was starting to rub off on her and her overactive imagination now had material to work with. A sickening feeling settled in the core of her stomach as an image of a dark skinned woman, naked and beautiful, smiling at Erix. The paladin groggily returned the grin as the woman lightly gripped in her hands his—

Nevia jolted from her reverie as water splashed on her leg. Looking down, she saw she had accidentally tipped the gourd in her hand and its contents was dripping on her leg. She quickly wiped the water away and took several deep and refreshing gulps of the water. As she drank, she could feel Rune’s eyes on her... but something felt strange. She could recall everything from long ago when she was with Rune, but something was definitely different and she couldn’t put her finger quite on what it was.

Nevia found herself wondering if Rune had really changed; was it possible that Rune was no longer the controlling and immature pig he used to be? Her eyes drifted to the wavering walls of the cloth wrapped over the wagon. The wind was viciously lashing at the canvas, like an angry cat scratching at a dry wooden wall. In the corner of her eye, she studied the rugged-looking druid. While Rune's looks still remained, Nevia could help but feel her heart clench as her eyes turned over to Erix.

Erix and her had met in a very simple way; he had asked if she was interested in traveling together once due to the path being notoriously plagued with magic-thriving creatures as well as hulking creatures that could only fall to a sword. It had been a convenient exchange but they'd both emerged finding a person to trust in each other.

How she met Rune was a different story however. She was much younger and more of a free spirit... In her home village of Rotinn is where they had met. She had been doing things she shouldn't have.

***

"Neeeeeevia!" a soft voice hissed within the forest, looking up at the trees.

Light peered eagerly through the thick and majestic trees. Within a rather tiny clearing, a small delicate-looking girl angrily placed her hands on her hips and yelled up into the trees once again.

"Nevia!!!!!"

The girl ran several steps forward, placing a left hand on a rough tree trunk as she called out the name again. From just behind the calling girl, a very young girl appeared, running from the edge of the forest to her.

"Verr? Fouwnd her yet?" she asked in a smallish voice.

"No, Elia," she sighed. "Sorceresses aren't supposed to climb trees." She was quoting the high sorceress in the same authoritative tone as she used.

From up above, Nevia fell down, yelling the whole way down. She nearly would’ve landed on Ella had she not quickly jumped out of the way. The green-clad girl landed on the moss roughly. Elia immediately started crying, launching into hysterics about the girl possibly being dead.

"Owwww...!" Nevia slowly got up, brushing off the traces of the dark green moss sprinkled on her attire.

The young woman, around 16, laughed and crouched down to eye level with the little girl, who was still sobbing. "I’m sorry, did I scare you?"

Elia nodded feebly, still wiping her red and puffy eyes, "Nebia’s a meany."

"You’re crazy," Verynia muttered, shaking her head and lightly punching the girl’s arm as Nevia gave Elia a hug. "What’re you doing here anyway? If the teacher found out you’re hiding from--"

Nevia waved her hand carelessly at the young girl, "Oh, spare me, please. That old crone has trouble telling the difference between a thawing potion and a stamina potion. And I’m not hiding from her... I’m just..." she paused, not sure what to use as an excuse as Verynia’s eyebrow arched, "Well... NOT hiding from her. I dunno, you'll make up something good, won't you?"

Verynia shook her head, took Elia’s hand and sighed, "Whatever, I’ll just tell her you’re looking for some lemongrass or something." With that, she took Elia with her, leaving the young woman alone in the forest.

Nevia smiled, watching them walk away, "And now—"

A sudden rumbling sound started her. Puzzled, she looked around, staying silent. In the distance, somewhere in the forest, she could hear an angry hissing and crackling sound. She wasn’t sure what it was, but either way, she ran in the sound’s direction, drawn by curiosity.

Bright red light glowed on Nevia’s tanned skin as she stared in amazement from behind a large tree. A few meters away from her a powerful twister was angrily grinding against the trees violently. The strong and thick branches of the surrounding trees swayed in the wind like thin decaying vines on the brink of death. SNAP! A rondo of splintering snaps of the over-powered trees was heard everywhere at once. The once proud and strong tree limbs fell to the ground. Nevia stared and watched as a mass of brown fur and muscles sauntered into view a top the pile of destroyed forestry.

The young sorceress’ eyes widened as her eyes descended upon the bloodshed of evil-influenced creatures behind the bear. Gargantuans and Fallen Ones lay slain in their own pools of blood, half-absorbed by the moss of the lush green forest. Nevia was dumbfounded briefly before she concentrated on her magicks for battle, despite her under equipped state.

"Frozen armor," she whispered under her breath, a blue twinkling light spiraling up from the ground and twisting around her body, giving off a light glow in the forest.

Digging her boots into the soft ground for proper footing, Nevia’s hands were placed in front of her chest, seeming to grasp an invisible ball in front of her. She could feel all the energies in her body gathering and churning together to produce the magicks she desired.

"Fire bolt."

A quick swirling red light exploded from her hands towards the bear. The small red comet was easily dodged. The massive bear growled low before charging the young sorceress.

Her eyes shutting tight in fear, Nevia held her arms up defensively and screamed as a deafening ‘CRACK’ followed. She felt pressure against the front of her body and then on her back, forcing the breath out of her. She landed hard to the ground, the bear on top of her, pinning her down.

Nevia’s eyes opened and the pure terror shone from her dark irises instantly changed to bewilderment. A bear was no longer on top of her, but a young man, clad in furs and leather. She stared quietly, her mouth slightly open with no words coming out. "He has such nice eyes," she found herself thinking though the danger was still obvious.

The sorceress took a deep breath and immediately screamed. Acting quickly, the orange-haired man clamped his hand tightly over the young woman’s mouth.

"Don’t scream!! It’s ok, it’s ok!!!!" He tried to calm her and pointed at the large branch lying where she stood before. Nevia’s eyes darted to the broken branch and then the point of breaking on the upright tree trunk nearby. Her cry stopped and the man’s hand was removed from her face.

The orange-maned man smiled as he gently brushed a lock of her hair out of her eyes. He stood up to his full height and held out his hand to her.

"Sorry to scare you like that."

Nevia didn’t answer, she ignored his hand and slowly came to her feet. She was staring shamelessly at him, examining every single detail she could come across - things like, the small orange hairs sprouting on his chin, the small scar above his right eyebrow and the strong angles of his jaw.

The man sent her his most devastating smile possible, the kind he knew that made some women blush or turn away and giggle. This young woman however refused to be embarrassed; she held her ground and stared back at him with such obvious interest and intensity it made him want to avert his eyes. Immediately, he smiled a more honest smile to this young woman who suddenly became more and more interesting to him. She was definitely someone who needed a little fun in her life.

"So... what’s your name?"

***

"Nevia?"

She lifted her head from the ground and looked up at Erix, surprised that he was even talking to her, "Um, yes?" The paladin gave a small smile. "We’re here. Welcome to Lut Gholein." His hand swept out, displaying the majestic, yet crumbling, buildings. Nevia stared blankly. Even though she knew that it was a desert and it was regularly abused by the harsh winds, she still was expecting something a bit grander of a city that survived so much against all odds

She paused, looked around from where they stood, a far corner of the desert city, surrounded by unpacked crates, sand and the tired oxen. "Um, where’s Rune?" She quickly added "and Warriv?" to her question.

"He said he wanted to explore the city by himself. Warriv is checking up on some old friends, like El... uh..." The paladin hesitated, forgetting the name. "I don’t know. But, I got a room at an inn..... for all three of us, or, if you want, I could just get my own room or sleep in the caravan...." The sorceress bit her lip, feeling uncomfortable with the silence between them.

The man’s face displayed signs of struggle. He was trying to summon up his courage. "Listen... Nevia, I think we really should talk."

She quickly nodded, "Good, I really want to. I’m so sorry about--"

He shook his head to stop her, "No, not here, somewhere private. Can you go to the inn and wait for me? Oh wait... give me your equipment first."

"Why?" she asked suspiciously, thinking that he’d generously upgrade her equipment again.

"Fara's the blacksmith of this city, remember? I can ask her to repair them for us and get a small discount."

***

From behind a stone wall nearby the inn that Elzix owned, Rune watched as his prize, his Nevia, went into the building. When she was no longer in sight, he leaned his back against the wall and muttered angrily to himself about how his plans were starting to unravel. Rune did not like to lose. He was not going to have failure on his hands when his prize was so close at hand.

He loved Nevia, he cared for her, and he was a fool for letting her go. Perhaps it was too late to redeem himself and prove to him he was still worthy of her affections, but it wasn't too late to at least eliminate the competition. If Erix wasn't there, then just maybe she would turn her eyes his way and look at him once more with the same desire she did once.

The same desire before he broke her heart.

While Rune personally didn't have any issues with Erix, it was unfortunate for the paladin to be the one who stood between him and Nevia. He couldn't let anyone stop him. While it was possible that Erix could love her the way she deserved, he truly doubted that Erix would forsake his God and his holy mission for her.

Rune muttered to himself. Maybe Rune and Erix weren't so different after all.

The druid shook his head, ignoring the fleeting memories of that past that were threatening to flood him. He couldn't let the past interfere, not again. Nevia was hurt enough by that. If anything, Nevia deserved happiness, and Rune was just the man to deliver it to her. The plan had to commence.

His eyes narrowed fiercely and darted past a dark-skinned female, most likely the blacksmith, to Deckard Cain and then old man selling potions to a leather-clad assassin. The female assassin suddenly stopped talking to the peddler and turned her head towards the druid. She stared at him quizzically for a brief second then turned away, watching his movements from the corner of her eye.

"Dammit," Rune lightly spat. "Where’s Warriv?"

"Right here," his deep and jolly voice replied.

Rune whirled around and nodded at the jovial caravan driver, "Oh good. I was looking for you. Listen.... we need to..." he paused, his smile broadening, "talk." He pulled him out of sight behind the stone wall, which created the ‘market square,’ and lowered his voice. "Do you know what ‘goddess’ is?"

"No." The caravan driver answered much too fast.

Rune's gaze bore into the driver's skull with a deep anger. "I know that Erix used it on Nevia." He paused as Warriv blinked in surprise, shaking his head. ...The hesitation and surprise from the driver threw the druid off. Was it possible...?

"Erix didn't do it..." Rune said slowly, studying Warriv's expression intently. That can only mean..."

Rune narrowed his eyes. "You did it."

Warriv opened his mouth to lie, but the words didn't make it out as Rune's fist swung out hard, catching the driver in the jaw.

The force of the hit stuck the caravan driver back into the dusty bricks of the building. The jagged bricks hurt, pressing into the man's back. It felt as though the brick imprint would remain on his clothes and muscles beneath.

Warriv pathetically raised his hands over his face, begging for mercy. "I didn't mean to! I was doing a favour for Erix!"

"Favour? What kind of favour?" Rune demanded as he flexed his fists again. He grabbed the grey cowl neck of the man's shirt and dragged him to his feet. The dust of the buildings crumbled off, landing on the dark blue cloth of Warriv's tunic.

"Nothing!" he explained nervously. "I thought those two kids needed a push in the right direction!"

"So you set it up so Erix could rape her?!" he thundered, his voice reverberating off the walls of the dirty back alley.

"No! It wasn't like that!"

"How many times has this happened?"

Warriv remained tight-lipped, however his resistance lasted for only two more well-targetted punches from Rune. The story flooded out as to how Warriv spiked Nevia's drink, hoping the long caravan ride and the break would provide Erix the time to woo Nevia. he didn't realize he had put so much in however. The potions man who gave the herbs and extracts gave him no indication as to what a proper or safe usage would be.

When it came time that Erix noticed, Warriv figured maybe it was a test for the two of them. Lord knows Erix kept talking about being tested by God in every aspect of life. Perhaps Nevia's heated condition was the right test on Erix to prove how much he loved her, by not taking advantage of her.

"What?!" Rune was livid. He was sputtering, his face was red and his knuckles were white. "When was this?"

Warriv lowered his head, "In the caravan.... a few hours before you showed up."

Rune stared in shock. "In the caravan?" he repeated, narrowing his eyes. "You were listening in?!!"

"N-no!" he cried. "I'm not like that. I left them in the back and left for awhile--"

"--So, you didn't actually witness or hear him raping her then?" Rune suddenly asked.

"It wouldn't have been rape!" Warriv countered. "Erix loves that woman. It would not have been rape."

"She was unconscious!"

"She's an innocent who doesn't know how to act around men!" Warriv's display of sudden courage was met with another punch.

"She WAS an innocent!" Rune spat furiously.

"No..." Warriv muttered, wiping the back of his hand against his split lip. "Erix did not rape her... I assumed that Erix would, but he's more honourable than I thought possible." Warriv's voice suddenly faded as they both suddenly heard a voice from the other side of the wall that he could never mistake for anyone else. Erix.

Even though he was scared, Warriv fell silent, his interest piqued, also listening in.

"Do you think you could fix this?" Erix asked. A few metal clangs were heard before the female was heard.

"Sure," she replied cheerfully. "It’s good to see you, Erix."

"You too, Fara."

"My, the years have passed... You're looking young and fit as ever," Fara's strong but sultry voice was not lost upon the desert winds, neither was her suggestion. However, Erix paid no heed.

"It's all the traveling and training," he answered politely.

A pause struck before Fara's laugh started as a low rumble. "If only this was another place and time... right?"

A sigh. "Fara... that was a long time ago."

Rune's eyebrow arched up quizzically. "Warriv... were they lovers?"

"Partners," he corrected him in a hushed voice. "I think she wanted more though."

"So..." Fara started up again. "Can you meet me at Atma’s place later?"

"Huh... the bar? Why?"

"Just to catch up on old times, that’s all," she replied warmly. "Please? I’ll even pay for the drinks and everything will be done by then."

"Uh, yeah... sure.... when?"

"An hour and a half is enough," she said confidently.

Rune smiled to himself as Erix and Fara made their farewells. A plan was already forming in his brilliant mind.


"You better listen up and do what I say if you don’t want to be banished from this city and other cities. One word to the townspeople, or worse, Jeryn, and you’d be on the road for a long time."

***

"I’m sorry," Nevia sobbed. Her arms were around Erix and her face was buried into his shoulder. The cloth of his shirt absorbed her tears as Erix’s fingers ran through Nevia’s soft raven hair. "I.... I should’ve told you sooner."

In the center of the room stood Nevia and Erix in an embrace. They had been that way for the past twenty minutes. It had started within the five minutes Erix walked through the door.

"Look, you shouldn’t cry over the past, right?" he stroked her hair gently, speaking in a soothing voice.

Erix was trying so hard to stay calm and not start punching holes through walls. He was angry with himself and Warriv. That goddess potion was the root of the problem. If Warriv hadn’t drugged her water and if Erix had the decency to throw out the water once he was informed of it, she never would’ve been with Rune. It was Erix’s fault for Nevia to have made love with a person as repulsive as Rune.

Erix felt almost a deep enough hatred burning within him that it tempted him to walk away from his holy vow of defending life; he wanted the druid to die. But it wouldnt' solve anything. There was still the issue regarding Nevia. He had a life he needed to move on to and he didn’t want to be consumed by all the hatred for one single human. Also, there were several things that still went unanswered.

"I have something ask," he slowly started, guiding the sorceress across the room. He lead her to sit down on the nearby chaise. "Do you love Rune?"

Nevia’s face reddened to matching the colour of her puffy red eyes. "I don’t know." She shook her head, suddenly letting loose a small and inappropriate laugh, "I really don't know the answer..."

"You said you loved him once."

She turned her eyes away. "I know, I know I did once but... I don't now. I don't think I do."

Erix nodded solemnly, cursing rapidly in his mind. The confusion had to be the result of the wily druid's appearance. In the paladin's mind, things would have been neatly placed and perfect had he not shown up, had he not invaded the intimacy that Erix was hoping to build up towards. He wished Rune hadn't came into their lives, that they knew nothing of the Goddess drug and that Rune didn't sleep with Nevia.

He turned to Nevia again and, in the calmest voice he could muster, he asked, "Do you still love him?"

The sorceress stared at him, a sincere but sorrowful look in her eyes, "I honestly don’t know... I'm sorry, Erix."

He nodded, trying to figure a way to clear the woman’s mind and understand it himself. He slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, sitting directly in front of her. He was almost afraid of what he was going to ask next but it had to be put out there.

"How do you feel about me?"

She gave him the same look and the same words but with more tears.

Erix sighed, "You’re never sure of what you feel, are you?"

She nodded, "I’m sorry... but I... I can’t imagine anyone being sure of anything in life."

The paladin stood up, shocked by her words. He shook his head slowly at her. "I don't believe that."

She apologized again and was quickly interrupted, "No... this is not about what you feel, but the idea of no one being sure of anything in life. Because if that’s what you believe, Nevia, you are wrong and I’m proof."

Her lower lip trembled, she knew what was coming. She knew what he was going to say and she felt both scared and happy at once.

"For a long time, I have been sure that you are the one I want. You’re the only one for me," he murmured softly, his jaw tensing slightly at having to admit to such a risky truth.

Nevia held her breath as he hesitated, pursing his lips and looking as though his mind was scrambling for something to hold on to.

"I’ll admit that your... friend," he said, the word ‘friend’ with such an icy tone, "does bring out a lot of the competitiveness in me, but any man would have the same effect on me. Especially if they have the ability to take the woman I love away from me."

The room was filled with a pregnant pause, then they both spoke at once.

"Erix.."

"Do you want him to take you away from me?"

Nevia blinked. "What?"

"Or were you never really mine to begin with?"

Tears were streaming down Nevia’s face, she leapt out of her chair and into his arms again, knocking him over back onto the bed. "Don’t say such strange things," she said, hugging him tightly, the side of her face pressed against his chest.

Erix’s arm snaked around her waist as his other hand crept to Nevia’s head, running his fingers through her soft and thick hair. The soft fragrance of flowers in her hair was more enticing to the paladin than the feel of her weight upon his body. He pulled her closer to him so their eyes were leveled.

Her eyes watering up, Nevia closed her eyes and the salty tears gracefully spilled down her cheeks onto the paladin’s face before he pulled her close for a kiss. Their lips touching in a shy exploration of each others mouths. It was a deeply intimate moment that Erix had wanted for so long, and now just even a sample of it made his body thrum to life.

Erix smiled, pulling away slightly, gently nibbling on the sorceress’ lower lip as he did. He breathed her name softly and raised his head to kiss her again, this time with more passion. Their tongues slipped past each other’s accepting lips again, slowly dragging along and savouring the delicious contact as their tongues met in a small quarrel.

Nevia giggled and pulled away at the tickling sensation of Erix’s tongue tracing the roof of her mouth. A warm sensation was rising in her body. She smiled at Erix and shyly met his lips once more.

His mouth claimed hers again as his hands latched onto the soft curve of her slim waist. He kissed her urgently through her smile. His arms tightened around her waist as he felt her tug on his shoulders, leading them down to floor.

He was more than happy to oblige; Erix slowly laid down on top of her on the floor, whispering her name though it were a soft redeeming litany on his tongue

Nevia blushed as she felt all of the delicious weight of his body pressed against hers. The paladin was kind enough to spare her from being completely crushed. He didn’t know if she would be uncomfortable if he didn’t at least prop himself up on his elbows.

The sorceress’ small and delicate fingers laced together behind Erix’s neck as she raised her head to kiss him again. He however avoided the kiss to plant one on her forehead. She paused, watching him watching her. It made her want to avert her eyes; he gazed upon her so adoringly it was beyond embarrassing.

"Gods, you’re so beautiful," he whispered.

Nevia sheepishly looked away, "You’re only saying that because you want some."

Erix frowned, "No, I’m not."

She laughed. "Oh really?" Her eyebrow arched as she turned her gaze down. "What is that? A clasped orb in your pocket?"

"Actually...." Reaching with one hand, he pulled out a clasped orb from his pocket. "Fara said this isn’t in need of repairs."

Nevia stared at her weapon and flushed red. Taking it from him, she tossed it aside and shook her head in disbelief, "Well, THAT ruined it."

"Sorry."

"No, don’t be sorry. I think that’s funny.... kind of embarrassing for me though..." she paused thoughtfully, still looking blissful. "I’m a lousy seductress, aren’t I?"

"Is that what you're trying to do?" he asked, kissing the side. His tongue darted out, wetting the corner of her lips

She moaned his name softly. "I think it is..."

"Nevia..."

Erix gently turned her face so she could look at him. When her irises were clearly focused on him, she took his right hand and guided it to her chest, firmly placing it on her left breast. Erix sucked in his breath quickly when his hand contacted the softness of her cloth-covered breasts. He looked deeply into her eyes and hesitated before asking if she really wanted to continue.

"If you say no, I'll understand," he said with a low and inappropriate laugh. "But you have to say it now, I don't think I could stop myself." To emphasize his point, his hips pressed insistently against her thigh to allow her to feel the hard ridge of his penis.

She blushed instantly. "E-erix, I care about you a lot," she started hesitating as she found herself wondering what it would feel like inside her. Between her legs, she was already moist, desperately wanting him to part her legs and dive into wet heat that awaited him.

"I get the feeling I'm not going to like what you're going to say next..."

"How do you feel.... what about Rune?"

The paladin’s expression darkened on that name. It seemed that Rune's name must have also been a horrific curse as his erection suddenly fled. "What about that bastard?"

"... Doesn’t it bother you that I slept with him? And now you want me in the same way?"

Erix rolled off of Nevia and sat on the edge. "Honestly, yes. It does. I feel like slicing off that bastard’s—"

"—Don’t call him that... He's not the only one to blame," Nevia replied softly. "He’s not a horrible person."

"Yeah, he is," he muttered angrily, his mouth twisting to keep his temper in a slight state of check. "How else do you describe someone who takes advantage of a woman in that state?"

His eyes fell immediately after that the words came out. He instantly recognized his hypocrisy; he nearly took advantage of Nevia. In fact, he had wanted to. In the caravan, he desperately wanted to drop trou, ruck up her skirt and lose all sense of reality in her lovely body. Now, the memory burned a deep shame inside the paladin.

Nevia immediately noticed the sudden change. "What? What is it?" She quickly sat up next to him on the edge of the bed, leaning down to look up at him.

The look on the paladin’s face was mixed pain and disbelief. He looked paler than a scared necromancer... if such a thing existed.

"I’m just the same as Rune? Aren’t I?" is what the paladin thought. He wanted a rock to crawl under so he wouldn't have to face the reality. "I did take advantage of her.... Not as bad.... but still. If I hadn’t, maybe she wouldn’t have ended up having sex with that disgusting druid. This is all my fault..."

"Erix? What’s wrong?" Nevia gently shook his shoulder, getting worried.

He slowly got up. His thoughts were growing fuzzy to avoid getting angry with himself. He turned to Nevia and kissed her reverently on her forehead. "I forgot, I’m supposed to meet with Fara. Please wait here, I’ll be back soon. I won't take long, I promise," he said, quickly heading to the door before Nevia could protest.

The door closed behind him and she was left staring at it. "What was that about?" she thought, confused. "Sometimes I just don’t understand him."

She sat up from the floor and straightened her clothes with a sigh. She didn't like that uncomfortable feeling running through her. Her body was feeling very much alive and longing for searching hands to run over her body and satisfy her. She was left without satisfaction and nowhere to banish the sexual desire that remained.

A small knock at the door suddenly startled the sorceress. She walked up to the door, hesitating and hoping it was Erix coming back... but that was unlikely. He didn’t have to knock. "Yes?"

The owner of the inn was heard from the other side. "Miss? That man who left just asked me to send up a bottle of wine and pour two glasses for when he returns."

She sighed happily and opened the door, "How nice," she commented, letting the owner inside. The smallish man smiled back, carrying a silver tray with two glasses and a wine bottle into the room. He set the tray down on the nearby table and uncorked the bottle as Nevia sat down at the table, submerging herself in her own thoughts again.

"I never thought he was capable of being such a thoughtful man..." she thought happily. "Even though I can guess a hidden motive... but, it is sweet. And is that hidden motive really so bad if I want the same thing of him?"

Once the quiet man had finished pouring one glass of wine, he quickly left, taking everything but the filled glass with him. Nevia was about to point out his mistake but he exited the room in such a hurry that her hesitation was all he needed to shut the door behind him.

"Huh... strange guy," she stared at the filled wine glass, puzzled. "He said Erix asked to have TWO wine glasses.... ah well, I’ll just call him back after."

She picked up the glass and took a small sampling sip of the wine. It tasted awful.

She frowned, "What is this stuff? It’s horrible." It took her a few seconds to realize her mistake. She had forgotten that wine tastes different in every region and that she had conveniently forgotten she didn't like wine. However, it was a sweet gesture and she didn't want Erix's thoughtfulness to go to waste.

When she finished her drink, the sound of shattering glass followed. Then the darkness claimed her.

***

In the bar, smoke wafted through the ceiling's support beams. The scent of the heady smoke settled on the cloths and surfaces of the bar. The ambience of the establishment left something to be desired, but the hidden menu only known to a few patrons gave them something to spill other desires into.

Atma smiled at the druid wistfully. "So, you’re the one."

The ambient sounds of the sailors drinking and gambling threatened to drown out her soft voice if Rune had not learned how to concentrate on one sound like he would on one opponent. Propping up his arm against the bar and leaning in, he smiled back. "I am. So...you know why I’m here then?"

Though Rune was speaking to the cloaked and wise looking woman, his eyes were ogling a serving girl whose white blouse was pushed down her biceps to offer a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage.

The woman in purple silk nodded, looking rather miffed. "I know. Apparently Warriv knows Elzix too."

The druid nodded, smiling at another ‘waitress’ dressed in a bellydancer’s costume as she passed by. "So what’s the problem then?

She narrowed her eyes, drumming her gold ring adorned fingers on the wooden bar. "Elzix and I have come to an understanding over the years. He sends travelers to me for drink and entertainment and I send them to him for a soft bed. Never have I been asked to do such a deed to make my patrons in OBVIOUS need of a bed."

"Is there a problem?"

Atma’s thin lips pursed together tightly. "I don’t have a problem with it, but my girls do." She glanced over at a nearby table where one of her ‘girls’ seated herself in the lap of a customer to allow the drunk to press his face into her cleavage for a small price.

He glanced at the spectacle before returning to the owner. "... Exactly HOW can they have a problem with it?"

"They’re quite taken with Erix, you know," she explained, shaking her head. "I think they want him for themselves... for free." Atma muttered to herself, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. "It would be terrible for business.

Rune shook his head. "Obviously you aren’t well informed. That WAS my original idea... but I have something better in mind—" He suddenly stopped.

Something was strange. He felt a pair of eyes on him and seeming to dig into his back. He turned his head to find the female assassin he had seen in the ‘marketsquare’ sitting in the corner, her eyes shooting daggers at him.

He returned the icy gaze. "Assassins," he muttered, tempted to walk up to her and spit in her face. Instead, he turned back to Atma to fill her in.

***

The female assassin quietly watched, trying to read what the druid was saying to the bar owner by the movement of his lips. She couldn't figure out what they were saying and unfortunately she never bothered to learn how to read lips. Although she knew that it wasn’t like her to be so involved in other people’s business, her woman’s intuition was telling her that this person wasn’t really a stranger.

"I think I might know this guy...." the assassin thought to herself as she lifted her ale to her mouth again, taking down the drink in deep satisfying gulps. He looked familiar een though she had never laid eyes on him.

"YOU!"

In the door, a male paladin stood proudly and unarmed, pointing angrily at the druid as though he wished his hand could become a sword and slay the warrior. Beside the man stood another paladin, Fara, the great blacksmith of Lut Gholein who put her sword down to pick up an iron hammer instead.

"Paladins.." the assassin thought darkly, tempted to walk up to them and spit in their faces. The male paladin's face looked so familiar to her though. She was more tempted to walk up to him and ask if she knew him from somewhere.

The druid stood up straight and grimaced. "What is it now?"

The assassin watched as the male paladin walked up to the druid and punched him right in the jaw. That hit made the orange-haired man stagger back weakly with a glare.

"I should kill you for what you did to Nevia," the paladin growled, cradling his knuckles and grimacing.

The paladin’s words immediately hit the assassin. "Nevia...??" she thought excitedly. The assassin's eyes assessed the druid up and down several times. Nevia's description of him matched Rune perfectly. Automatically, she recognized who the paladin must be.

"Erix!" Furious, Atma quickly ran to the other side of the bar, standing between the two men. She looked furious at Erix but instead turned her venom on Rune, her hands on her hips and her lips pursed tightly like she was preparing herself to spit poison in his eyes. "You! Young man, I want you to leave. There’ll be no fighting in MY bar."

Rune stared blankly. "What?"

"You heard me. Leave."

Only Rune and the assassin were on the right side to see Atma's discreet wink.

With nary another word, Rune quietly left

The assassin had a bad feeling settling in her bones as Atma turned to the paladin and offered him a free drink to calm him. She spoke in soothing tones and syrupy words to apologize and force him to accept her apology drink.

"Please, I insist. You too, Fara."

In the end, he accepted the drink as did Fara. However, the assassin had already left, trailing after the druid in sheer curiosity.

***

Rune hurriedly ran through Lut Gholein towards the inn. "Elzix!" he yelled as soon as he spotted the innkeeper. Elzix was doing the same thing he had been doing since Rune first talked to him. He was standing nervously in front of the inn, rubbing his hands together with a fearful look set on his thinning face. "Well?"

Elzix nodded, "Yes, once Nevia drank the sleeping root mixture, I carried her to the closet, just like you instructed me to."

Rune nodded, "Excellent. So, everything’s alright then?"

He hesitated, "Yes... it is."

The druid breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing he wanted was Erix being the one to ruin his plans. "Atma has agreed to slipping in both of the ingredients," he paused to admire his hard work. "This is all too perfect. Well done, Elzix. Are they "

The innkeeper nodded as Rune left without another word. He quickly returned to business, trying to attract the people on the streets, mostly travelers, to stay in his lodgings. He approached a young and agile looking assassin. "Miss, how about staying the night at my inn? It can get awfully cold out here in the desert.

The assassin looked up at the double building and glanced in the direction the druid had gone. "Yes, I think I’ll stay for the night."

She quickly handed him the money needed and made her way up to her room. No sooner had she turned the hallway did she miss Erix leading Fara into the inn. The two of them were unable to keep their hands off each other.

More curious than that was Erix calling Fara by the wrong name.

"Oh god Nevia..." he breathed as the woman moaned, his tongue tracing the delicate shell of her ear.


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