A Payment in Love

Authors Note: So apparently I'm not allowed to ask for reviews. So, I won't! I'll just let you know that Weaves and I appreciate every single one. You guys are great.

There's still muuuuuch more to come, including their trip to Exodar, and uhm... other stuff. XD

Thanks for reading!

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It was not long before the door opened and in walked just what Ara feared, a very pretty blood elf woman already slipping off a heavy fur coat covered in snow, which she tossed off to the side, smiling as she looked over to the bed. "Oh what a dreadful trip," she said apparently not minding the sight of the naked girl sprawled out not far from the pair, or the two cozied up in the bed. "Ice Trolls making a fuss the last little leg as usual," she said with a shrug, "But they were fun to kill. So, one of your little play toys or did you hear I was coming and decide to get me a treat," she said eyeing both of the girls, and the naked Railen, mischieviously as she sat at the beds edge beginning to work the buttons of her shirt open revealing the hint of a very large busom before Railen shook his head and spoke. "No, you will have to get your fucking elsewhere for however long you have come," he said frowning, as the woman gave a confused look, eyebrow raising. "I'm with Ara," he said nodding to her, "And she doesn't like company," he said, purposefully not looking to the naked gnome they shared a bed with. Rosa frowned now, some how managing to look even prettier doing that, as she eyed the girl in his lap. Where as Ara was small, cute, and young, Rosa was tall, sexy, and had a fully matured body she had learn to use in those years, her hands moving to her hips as she stood from the bed. "Hmph," she said eyeing the girl still, "Little playthings," she mumbled almost too softly to be heard, "Fine, have your little fun, but when you do come crawling to my room, and you will, you will have to beg before you get your fun," she said, her eyes not leaving Ara, "Or is the little whore smart enough to know she won't be around long with me around hmm?" She asked softly.

Ara studied the woman as she entered, her worst fears written all over the woman. She was breathtakingly lovely, and Ara's dwindling self esteem vanished in a poof of smoke. The only thing keeping her from bolting from the room was Railen's promise, but when the woman began unbuttoning her shirt, her whole body tensed. When Railen's grim voice stopped the woman in her tracks, Ara was almost surprised. He'd meant it. He'd truly meant it. When the affronted blood elf beauty stood, Ara was glad... until she called her a whore. Ara shrank back into Railens lap for a moment, her eyes threatening to well up with tears. Then... something changed. The little draenai's eyes turned to fire, burning hotly with fury. "I may be a whore." She said calmly, though her eyes and tense muscles spoke differently. "But I'm HIS whore." She finished, adding a small smug grin and pecking Railen on the cheek. Colline giggled softly from beside them, indicating she was awake and watching the entire exchange.

Railen almost wanted to roll his eyes as the two women seemed to just stare down one another. Rosa gave a small little smile at Ara, "Well...some back bone in there after all maybe," she said with a shrug that seemed to show it didn't matter. "Perhaps I will let Railen keep you around for when we want a third...but Railen, just so you know," she said as she began buttoning up the few buttons she had managed to undo before being stopped, "your Chief wants you to come back, and so do I. I don't mind visiting you up here from time to time, but I am tired of this stupid little arguement of ours and your clan needs you," she said matter of factly. "Bring your little whores for all I care, I never minded sharing, but this mercenary company you will leave behind and you will come back to your home. For now though I will go and find my own room." She turned and went to her coat and slipped it on, smiling to Ara, "Well love, play nice with him, in the mean time I think I will have a pretty little collar made for you, and a leash to match. I am not as gentle as him, and besides when we aren't playing with you I am sure you will be quite the little entertainer back at the Clan's hold," she said with a little wink and walked out, though she did not shut the door so gently.

As soon as she was gone, the fury dissappeared from Ara's eyes and she sighed, sliding off of Railen's lap and pulling her knees up to her chest. "I can see why you married her. She's charming." She said dryly. She was hurting inwardly, the picture the blood elf had painted was one she could believe happening if Railen had not promised. He seemed devoted enough to her, but she could fully believe him capable of all the things the blood elf had said. After all, what had he said to her on the first day they met? "Are you going to behave, or do I need to put a leash on my little pet?" Recalling those words, she sighed, her forehead crinkled in worry. "Well.... she certainly gave you a lot to think about." She mumbled, eyeing her Orc. "Do you want to go back to your clan?" She asked quietly. Colline, sensing this might be a private conversation, slid off the bed quietly, stepping into her clothes and quietly exiting the room.

Railen shook his head some as he watched Colline go regretfully. He hated conversations like this, and if Colline was leaving that meant this could turn into a long conversation, just what he wanted. "Oh she's charming alright," he said with enough sarcasm she couldn't possibly take it seriously. "And there is nothing to think about," he said trying to put an end to this now, "I left my clan and her for good reasons and I like it quite a lot thank you very much," he said gruffly, folding his arms as he looked to the ceiling. It had been awhile since he thought about home, though on Rosa's visits he occasionally thought on it, but Ara seemed more than a little intent on being the only woman in his life.

Ara nodded, sensing this was a topic he did not want to discuss. "Alright." She said quietly. "I was just curious, I'm sorry. If you ever do want to talk about, I will listen, but I will not bring it up again." She hopped off the bed without another word and headed over to the tray Colline had brought the night before, tearing off a hunk of bread and bringing it back to the bed, offering half to Railen. She chewed her portion in silence, thinking over what he'd said. He said he had good reasons, she didn't doubt that. What they were he seemed reluctant to share, so she wouldn't pester him further. He had promised he would not succumb to Rosa's charms, he had told her he had good reasons for leaving, and that was the end of it. She knew her mind would dwell on it a bit, but she would not speak of it again.

Railen shook his head at the offer of bread, looking at the girl sadly. It was still night out and he was tired, and seriously considered trying to forget this as he laid back against the pillows but gave another sigh. Reaching up he rubbed the girls back lightly, moving down to run over her tail lightly giving a soft tug. "There was war between a few clans, my father, the chief of the Bloodstones clan...my clan...had been leading half of our warriors in our offensive to bring to heel the other clans. The Bloodstones against five other clans, all larger than us, but my marriage with Rosa brought us some unexpected...friends. We had been married a few years, two little girls both lost to sickness in the same year, up until then I was happy with her," he grudgingly admitted. "We had a son the year I left, and it is because of his death, dying in a fire started in a raid on our village, that eventually led to me leaving Rosa and my home. There are codes of honor among Orcs, and my father decided, along with Rosa, to break those for vengence sake." He shrugged a little still not looking away from the ceiling. "They massacred two villages before I found out, me and my warriors were fighting elsewhere. I raged about it when I found out, and when I confronted both for the murder of those who could not fight they simply said it was justice," he snorted. "I can't say I never have killed an innocent, raped and burned, pillaged...but to do that...two villages...and then the rest after I left..." he shook his head grimly.

Araminta listened silently, nibbling on the bread every so often. When he was done, her eyes were glistening with tears, tears for him and the sorrow he had been through. She put the bread down on the side table and moved to his side, letting her hand rest on his cheek, turning his face so she could look into his eyes. "Thank you." She said softly. "Thank you for sharing that with me. I am sorry to have dredged up your sadness, but it has helped me to understand you more. I am sorry you had to go through something like that. And, as far as you having done the things you have done in your time.... I would like to remind you that you rescued a young, innocent Draenai from the jaws of a fate worse than death, cared for her, nourished her, and treated her like a princess... all the while not asking for anything in return except what I was willing to give. To me, that shows that you are a good man." She finished her little speech with a kiss on his lips and a smile. "And I l... like being with you." She stuttered a bit on those words, almost blurting out something she was not sure was ready to be said just yet.

"And I like being with you as well little one," he said quietly as he looked down to her, seeming to only hear the last little bit. "I suppose I have treated you well enough," he said kissing her between her horns as he stroked her hair lightly. "What I have done is behind me, its not so wrong to me where I come from as it is wrong from where you come from, I don't feel nearly so bad but..." he sighed. "Well, I have told you it, that is my story in short," he said pulling on a horn a little. "Never worry over asking your questions," he promised, "You can do little to upset me, and little more that you can't make me forgive you for," he smiled, "You do seem to have your ways to make things much better," he said playfully as he rubbed her hooves lightly.

She smiled down at him. "I do appreciate you sharing yourself with me." She said softly. "One day, if you would like to hear it, I will share myself with you as well. It is a boring story, I will warn you.... my life was not very exciting until I met you." She kissed the tip of his nose and rubbed his tusks, then pushed on his side gently until he rolled onto his stomach. Climbing on top of his back, she straddled his lower back and began rubbing his shoulders gently, carefully relieving stress in the techniques taught her by her mentors. Massage and therapy was a part of her healing training, and she had excelled in it. Her tiny hands worked wonders on his massive muscles, rubbing and stroking the tension out of them.

"Well...I might have asked now but..." he growled pleasently, "I think sleep is starting to feel good," he grumbled as he felt her hands seemingly getting all the right spots. It wasn't long until the big orc was asleep under the little draenai girl atop him. He was a snorer indeed. Waking early the next morning it took him a few minutes to realize the night before hadn't been a bad dream and somewhere in the fort Rosa was waiting for him. He rolled over tiredly wondering where Ara had gone off too, still too drowzy to realize what was around him.

The door opened slowly and Ara entered, holding a steaming tray of freshly cooked meat and a large mug of ale. "The fearless bunny hunter went out and fetched us up some breakfast." She said with a grin. She was wearing her new robes and she'd braided the sides of her hair, leaving most of it free. She set the tray down beside the bed and scrambled on top of Railen, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a rather large kiss on his lips. "Good morning, handsome." She butted her nose against his cutely, then handed him a bowl of the meat. She picked up the mug of ale and took a sip, coming up from the glass with a bit of foam stuck to her nose.

"My brave little hunter," he said with a smile, nuzzling back as she handed over the bowl of food, "Thank you little one," he said as he ate a bit of the meat. He laughed as she took her sip of the ale and leaned in giving a long wet lick to her nose to remove the foam, "Mmm...that is a good drink," he said teasingly as he looked at her again and noticed the braids, "Something more for me to tug on?" He asked playfully, his fingers toying with the braids.

She blushed as he licked the foam off her nose. "You're welcome." She answered with a smile, handing him the mug next. "Well, you tug on everything else, I was expecting you to tug on those too." She said with a grin. "But if you wanted to use them as handles, I wouldn't hold it against you." She nuzzled him and began snacking on the meat herself, sliding into his lap to do so. "Mmm... one of the priests down in the infirmary knows some good offensive spells he said he'd teach me. I might go practice with him at some point, if that's okay. Dalen... you remember Dalen, the draenai who saved me from that awful human... Dalen has offered to escort me around so that you're free to do what you like.... if that's okay. I don't wish to take up all of your time, and you did say you had some boring affairs to take care of before we made that trip to Exodar." She said, sliding her hand along his leg as she nibbled.

He pressed his hand playfully into her hand, "Well as long as you don't bat your eyes too much at him," he said teasingly, biting at her neck some as he took a long sip of the ale. "But that seems like the best idea," he agreed, "I do have work to do, and that way we can leave sooner. Though I do wonder how your parents will take to the idea of their tiny, pretty, innocent little girl bouncing on a big thick orc cock," he teased.

She blushed bright red at his words and smacked him playfully. "Well, I'm not intending to paint that VIVID of a picture for them. All they need to know is we are together and happy, no matter what my brother has told them. I think my father will like you, he's not a normal Draenai. He's a warrior, like you... a paladin though. He'll appreciate your strength. My mother will be a bit harder, she's a mage and always wanted me to end up with a magic user." She rolled her eyes. "And hopefully, we won't run into Arathon. He's the suitor I had before I left for Ironforge. He's a stuck up, wimpy little man, I can't bear to look at him. I prefer my men big and strong." She cooed at him, running her hand appreciatingly along his big muscles. She leaned over and kissed him deeply, running her tongue along his before pulling away and bouncing off the bed. "I'll see to my... other duties when I get back later." She said with a grin. "And like I said... handles..." she teased, grabbing one of her braids with each hand and tugging gently to illustrate her point. "Stay out of trouble." and with that, she danced out the door, her little hooves clattering lightly as she trotted down the stairs.

Railen couldn't help but laugh as she clacked off and away. Fang was gone, but Dalen was waiting as promised, as was Colline, the two chatting some as they headed off with Ara. Once they reached the trainer the other two sat in the corner to watch Ara train some, continuing their talk, though Dalen kept a careful eye on Ara. An hour or two into her training a particularly entoxicating smell of perfume filled Ara's nostrils as a silk like finger brushed along the girls horn from behind. "Well my dear," Rosa said with a little smile, "I hope you have enjoyed my husband," she said emphasizing the word husband. "I wonder though if you are worth him," she said with mock concern, "He does need a strong woman...do you think you are suitable hmm?" Her finger trailed down the girls horn, along her cheek, and to her chin to make her look up to the taller womans eyes which flashed mischieviously.

Ara angrily tilted her head away from the woman, backing away a foot or two so she was not so close. "Whether or not I am worth Railen's time is his own business, not yours or mine... and he has already expressed his wishes in the matter." Dalen had risen in the corner, watching the exchange warily, but Ara motioned him down with a small gesture. "What he needs is someone who genuinely cares for him, and he has that in me, strong or not." Ara really wished to not pick a fight with the taller woman, she knew she was probably not a match for the seasoned warrioress, even if she had improved drastically... and she was already drained from her training session. "I know you are trying to entice me into a fight, but I will not give you the satisfaction." Turning, she walked back over to Dalen, who had one hand on his sword. "I wish to go now." She said quietly, and the draenai nodded, escorting her into the courtyard. Colline followed silently as well.

Rosa grinned as she watched the draenai girl walk off but followed. "Such a brave little child you are..." she said in an icy tone, "I come to you with a little challenge and you run off with your tail between your legs," she said with a dramatic sigh. "If you trust him as much as you seem to 'care' for him, then this will be a small thing indeed. We will settle this how they do in his homeland, in a way. The two of us fight, if you win I will not go sneaking into his bed, and trust me he won't refuse me if you aren't around," she promised, "If I win however, you let me share his bed tonight instead of you...I mean, you do trust him don't you?" She practically cooed the question. "What will one harmless night mean if he can be trusted not to bed me during it...you risk little," she said with a sweet smile.

Ara stared at the woman. "Oh, you're a brave one, challenging someone you know to be less skilled than you. I have no problem admitting I am not the warrior you are, I am still training. I am not refusing to fight you, but I am refusing to right now. I am not enough of an idiot to place myself in an unwinnable situation. And yes.... I do trust him. I do not, however, trust you. I know not what you are capable of and what you might do to make him forget his promises to me." Ara spoke firmly, her hands clasped in front of her, staring up at the larger woman without a trace of fear in her face. "But while we're on the subject of Railen, lets discuss why you want him so badly. He is exceedingly appealing, to be sure, but there are others out there who are almost as appealing who would bed you in an instant. I think you want him simply because he does not want you. I may be young, but you are foolish... you cannot see where you are not wanted. Now, leave me alone, if you please." Ara turned to walk away again, Dalen in front of her and the small gnome following.

Rosa frowned now at the latest worlds from the girl, gripping Ara's horns as she tugged the draenai to face her, her nose practically to the girls. "Listen to me child, I want him because he is mine," she said holding up a hand with a silver band on it, "You are simply being daddled on his knee as a play thing," she said sounding far less composed than she had before. "He was my love before you ever set those cow eyes on him," Rosa said in a whispered hiss, "He is still upset over something that has happened long ago...he will be forgiven for walking out on his clan, and I, when he comes back." She pushed the girls horn away enough to make her stumble, "When you decide you aren't a child come find me and I will wrap your tail in knots when I am done with you..."

Ara's eyes flamed up when the woman touched her, and when Rosa made her stumble she snarled, her little teeth bared in fury. Her skin sparkled suddenly with electricity, bolts snaking over her skin everywhere. Her arms shot up, her hands reaching towards the sky. Above her, the overcast clouds suddenly became dark, beginning to swirl in a vortex. Huge booms of thunder sounded and four large lightning bolts slammed into the ground around Ara, none near Rosa or Dalen or Colline. The little draenai wasn't a master of her art, if she had been Rosa might already be dead... Shamans were not to be played with. She was, however, very angry, and the blood flowing through her veins, royal blood, was full of power she was only beginning to be able to tap. "I said I would not fight you for him." Ara growled through clenched teeth. "But you WILL NOT TOUCH ME." The last words were punctuated by the ground around her shaking as four totems rose from where the lightning had struck the ground, the mystical magic symbols swirling on the side. Most of the people in the fort had run outside at the sudden booms of thunder, and were now watching the furious little shaman with wide eyes. Colline sucked in a breath. "I'm gonna say her meditation helped alot." She breathed to Dalen, who nodded as well, dumbstruck at the sign of power. Ara lowered her arms slowly, lightning still crackling over her skin and the sky still swirling above her in an angry vortex. She stared at Rosa, her hands by her side crackling with electricty in case the blood elf tried anything.

At the sign of lightning Rosa had taken a few steps backward as she eyed the girl. She certainly was stronger than the rogue woman had imagined, but she had fought shamans before and this one above all she would not allow to frighten her. Two throwing knives seemed to appear from no where as she threw them at the girl with a hiss, she wouldn't kill Railen's pet for fear of making him angry, but smacking the little bitch around some seemed to certainly be in order. The blades were tained with a particularly fun poison she made to slow the body's movements and then paralysis and fever for some time.

Ara stood calmly, a small smile on her face. She said she would not fight the woman, but she was not going to sit idly by and let herself be hurt. Nobody could fault her for protecting herself. One of her totems flared to life, a low hum sounding. In mid air, the two knives shot downwards and buried themselves in the ground in front of the totem. "I wouldn't advise that." Ara said calmly. "That would be my protection totem, it doesn't particularly like flying projectiles. I also wouldn't advise trying to turn invisble, my tremor totem will prevent that." The lightning continued to flicker across her skin, and she continued to stand calmly, not allowing herself to be shaken. She cast no offensive spells, she did not attempt to harm the elf in any way. Colline turned and raced as fast as her stubby little legs could carry her across to the large meeting room where she knew Railen would be conducting his business. Pushing the heavy door open with a grunt, she elbowed her way inside and past everyone. "Railen! You'd better get outside fast. Rosa challenged Ara, ara said no, but Rosa started pushing her around. Ara's really mad.... so far she's just deflecting everything Rosa's doing to her but I'm frightened, that rogue woman is a mean one!" Colline stopped to take a breath, her little hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath from the running and the mass of words she'd just spoken.

Railen only caught a little of what the girl rushed out before trying to catch her breath but understood enough. Standing he moved past Colline quickly and headed outside to see the two women facing off against one another, Rosa unleashing a second wave of daggers, letting the girl tire herself out by holding onto her powers for so long. The totems would not last forever, and when they fell the little bitch would...Rosa gave a sudden yelp as a much taller figure lifted her by the scruff of her neck and set her a few feet back, another hand lifting Ara much the same way, ignoring the shocks. Railen looked down at the older woman and looked to Ara to see if she was ok, not sure if any of the knives hit, knowing the poisons Rosa liked were none to pleasant. "What in the Hells is going on here," Railen snarled, shaking his head some as he looked toward Rosa who just stammered quietly under her breath about simply taking care of womens business not looking at the orc.

Ara quickly deactivated her lightning shield as soon as she realized it was Railen holding her. She nodded slightly at Railen when he looked her over, but stayed silent. She would not stoop to the elfs level and become a tattletale, so she simply stayed quiet, looking at the ground. Her totems sank away, leaving cracks in the dirt ground. The sky above them slowly became light again as her vortex spun away. After a moment of silence, Dalen stepped forward. "I know this does not concern me, so please excuse my imposition, but if the little one will not speak for herself... The elf challenged m'lady to a duel... over you. M'lady refused and attempted to walk away. The elf would not let her, grabbing her by the horns and almost making her fall. That is when Ara protected herself.... but nothing more. She did not attempt to harm the elf in anyway, simply defended herself." Looking down, the draenai gestured to the five daggers protruding from the ground, a slight hiss of steam coming from where the poison was eating into the dirt. "The elf, however.... well, see for yourself." Beside him, Colline nodded, having made her way back outside. "It's true." She said softly. Ara looked up at Railen. "I'm sorry..." she stammered. "I didn't mean to cause you any trouble. I will not fight her over you, for that would be admitting she has a claim over you... which you have promised me she does not, and I believe you. I will not, however, let her push me around."

"And you don't need to allow her to push you around," he said eyeing Rosa some. "I told you we were done," he said speaking only loud enough for Rosa and Ara to hear him, "I was fine with keeping things...physical...for a time, but that is done," he said as he glanced to Ara slightly. "You try to harm Ara again and I will not go this easy on you," he said, Rosa looking like a child being caught doing wrong and being lectured for it. "I want you gone in two days time, you have no reason being here other than me, and," he sighed a little, "I told you enough, there never will be an us again." Rosa simply stood looking up at him and glanced at Ara before storming off, a dangerous look about her as Railen turned to Ara giving her a questioning look.

Ara looked drained, she refused to let it show around Rosa, but the fight had drained her. "Sorry." She mumbled again. "I appreciate you intervening, I don't know how much longer I could have stood out." The crowd slowly began to dissappate, everyone going back to their duties. "I... need to go rest." Ara said with a sigh. "I'm going to go take a nap with Fang in the stables, that's safe enough. You get back to your business, sorry to have pulled you away." She turned to Dalen. "Dalen, go get some rest yourself, I will be fine with Fang." The warrior nodded and headed towards the kitchens to get a bite to eat. Ara pecked Railen on the cheek and headed towards the stables, arms wrapped around herself. Colline watched her go, then looked up at Railen. "She's hurting. Not from anything you did, mind, but she feels bad that all this trouble is partly her fault. Whatever issues you had with Rosa before, Ara's only making them worse... or thats how I think she feels, anyway." Inside the stables, Ara looked in vain for Fang. When she didn't find him, she sighed. Stepping into one of the empty stalls, she slipped out of her robe, then shimmered down into her wolf form. Nosing open the back door to the stables a crack, she squeezed out and took off across the snow, letting her mind wander and her gaurd down.

Railen frowned as he nodded to Colline, "I will go talk to her..." he promised giving a small smile to the gnome, "You can talk with her later, you might do some good in making her know she has done nothing wrong," he said with another sigh, going to the stables. He noticed the robe tucked away and picked it up lightly as he looked around, noticing the small crack in the door and wolf prints leading away. He couldn't find her he knew but...Heading off he found Fang chewing on a bone and sent the wolf out to find Ara, not to bring her back but to keep her company and safe. Once the wolf left he headed up to his room drinking some liquor he kept stashed away and laid in bed reading and relaxing, waiting for Ara before falling asleep.

Ara had a good run out in the woods, the cool air and the wind racing through her fur bringing a smile to her face and peace to her heart. She was just heading back when the huge shape of Fang lumbered out of the woods. Ara raced over to him, butting her head against his leg affectionately and woofing at him. She brushed her tail against his nose and then took off towards the stables and home, racing him back. Fang was bigger, but she was faster, and she made it back to the stables a full minute before he did. She shivered out of her wolf form, and had just finished pulling her robes back on when a hand circled her mouth from behind and an arm around her waist. Before she had time to scream or react or even put up her lightning shield, someone stabbed something into her side. The poison swept through her quickly and she fell into a heap on the ground. A booted foot aimed a kick into her stomach, and then the tall, cloaked figure walked out of the stable, closing and locking the door behind her. When Fang reached the stables a few moments later, he found Ara's unconscious figure and whined worriedly, nudging her with his nose. Meanwhile, a dark figure slipped into Railen's bedroom, slipping silently out of their clothes and sliding under the sheets with him. An expert hand found his shaft beneath the blankets and a tongue licked his ear.

Railen's cock quickly grew hard in the womans hand, shifting some as he felt the lick at his ear. "Mmm...someone is feeling better," Railen said, shifting some to run a hand down the girls side as he frowned a little. As his hand cupped the girls ass he felt the lack of a tail and his eyes shot open to look at Rosa sitting above him. "What in the hell..." he said quietly, moving in his blanket some to look at her, his eyes adjusting to the dark.

Rosa grinned slightly. "See? You can't resist me. You know I know how to take care of you. And don't start with the 'I didn't know it was you' crap, you knew full well it was me.... you just can't resist." She slid down his body, letting her soft skin press against him. "She's not here taking care of you... I am. Who knows where she is right now, but she's not here with you, is she?" Rosa smiled down at him, her beautiful green eyes hungry with lust. Down in the stables, Ara groaned and awoke, rubbing her head. The poison was supposed to last hours, but her poison curing abilities dampened that considerably. Fang licked her face reassuringly and whined, pushing against the locked door. Ara stumbled to her feet, finding balance on the floor, her little hooves struggling to keep her upright as her head swam. Moving over to the door, she placed her hands against it and yelled a word in Draenai. The door shuddered, then burst open. Ara staggered out into the snowy courtyard, Fang following her. Her side was bleeding from the stab wound but she ignored it, simply placing one small hand over the wound to try and stop the bleeding. "Railen." She whispered to herself, staggering towards their apartment in an almost drunken stupor. Fang whined, trying to support her with one hairy shoulder.

He gave a small harsh laugh, lifting her by her hips to the other side of the bed as he sat up. "Like it is hard to get my cock hard," he said sarcastically as he shook his head. "Ara went out for walk..." Railen said as he stood next to the bed looking down at the woman. "Get your clothes on and stop trying, I told you," he said as he tossed her her robe as he circled the bed. "Do you see me still wearing my ring? No...we are done," he said quietly, "I have been gentle with you about that fact until now but you just don't seem to get it and I am going to put a stop to it. I don't want to see you coming after me any more, understand? And if you try hurting Ara once more..." he cut off at that as he stood looking over her.

The door creaked open at that moment, and the moonlight flooded the room, highlighting Ara leaning against the doorjam for support. Her hair hung around her and she was still holding onto her side, blood trailing through her fingers. Her eyes took in the situation, Rosa naked on the bed, Railen standing over her with a hard cock. Rosa took advantage of the moment by licking her lips and grinning, insinuating that she'd just been sucking him. Ara took in a sharp breath, her muddled head seeing only what was in front of her, not the real picture of Railen glaring down at Rosa. "You.... You POISONED me and STABBED me, you bitch!" She breathed, pointing at Rosa. "I would KILL you right here if it wouldn't make a mess." she hissed. She didn't even look at Railen. Fang's shoulders filled the doorway, but he was too big to fit inside and he whined loudly, looking at Ara worriedly. Ara took a step forward and let go of the doorframe, almost falling over from her dizzyness. The poison still ran through her veins and weakened her. "How could you..." She breathed in Railen's direction, before she collapsed to the floor with a groan. Rosa took advantage of the situation and grabbed her robe, fleeing from the room, knowing Railen's wrath would soon follow her.

Railen would have stopped Rosa from running out if not for seeing Ara fall to the floor. He scooped the girl up easily enough, looking to see if Rosa had gotten out and scowled but looked worried to the girl he held in his arm, bringing her to the bed, touching her wound lightly. "Oh little one..." he grumbled softly, grabbing bandages and some water though it wasn't hot and he didn't have the time to as he pulled open her robe to wash it clean gently. "It...it wasn't what you thought..." he said softly, not knowing how consious she was, what semblance of hardness gone as he stroked the girls hair gently. Rosa's poision wasn't working so great, but it was working far too well for his liking.

Ara was semi conscious and she heard his words, fighting through the haze. The poison was strong, but her magicks were stronger. Within a few minutes she opened her eyes, staring up at Railen. For a moment she was still, then she raised a hand to his cheek. "I'm sorry for doubting you." She whispered hoarsely. "My head was muddy from the poison and I saw what she wanted me to see." She coughed slightly, raising her hand to her mouth. "I'll be alright..." she said, looking down at her hand. "...I take that back... Railen, go get one of the priest healers." Her hand was tinged with blood, Rosa had aimed the stab well and punctured a lung, although only slightly. It was a cruel move, if the poison had worked, Ara would have remained paralyzed as she slowly drowned in her own blood, and as it stood now her lungs were slowly filling with it. Ara sucked in a laboured breath and coughed again, more blood coming out.

He frowned deeply and stroked her cheek gently and nodded, heading out to get one of the priests after throwing on pants, sending Colline in to watch her as the priests came in, heading out into the courtyard to find a band of his soldiers, some he trusted, to look for Rosa, expecting that Rosa had already fled the fortress. He went through a few rooms, including the one she had stayed in, to make sure she had indeed gone, his eyes flaring with anger as he hunted for the woman. His marriage would be over soon if he had his way, and in a blood manner.

Rosa was long gone, taking the few men she'd brought with her. Her quarters were empty, except for a knife embedded in the middle of the bed she'd slept in. The knife held her wedding ring pinned to the mattress... this was obviously her sign of relent. She was probably only giving in because she knew Railen would kill her if he saw her again, but it was better than nothing. Back in the room, the priest healer worked hard on the little Draenai. Her body kept wracking with bloody coughs, and it was quite a while until the priest leaned back with a sigh. "Ive repaired the damage to her lung, but now is the hard part. There's a lot of fluid in her lungs, it'll either drain out or cause an infection..., either is a possibility. If it causes an infection..." He trailed off, looking at Colline sadly. Ara was still on the bed now, unconscious. The priest sighed and rose, going to find Railen and giving him the same news.

Railen came in about half and hour later looking grim as he moved over to Ara quickly, glancing to Colline some. "Has she done anything since the healer left?" He asked softly crawling into the bed as he pulled the girls limp body up against him, her head resting in his lap on a pillow as he stroked her hair lightly, sighing some as he looked down at her. She looked far too weak, his fingers going to his cheek rubbing lightly as he shook his head angrily.

Colline sighed. "She woke up a few times and asked for you. Stick around, she'll wake up again soon. Believe it or not, she's less pale than she was before. I think she's getting better." The gnome said optimistically, sliding down off her chair. "I'll go get you something to drink and some tea in case she wakes up." The gnome walked outside, almost tripping over Fang, who was laying outside with his nose practically touching the door. He whined as Colline passed, and the gnome patted him on the head reassuringly. Inside, Ara's eyes fluttered open. "Railen..." she said softly, her blank eyes searching before finally focusing on his face. "Railen." She breathed with a smile. "Don't... don't worry about me... I'll be alright.... theres... theres no way I'm going to leave you. After all.... whose tail would you tug then?" She grinned slightly before slipping into unconsciousness again.

He laughed softly at her comment but frowned still as he held his arms around her protectively, getting comfortable as he held the girl. Taking the drink Colline brought him he sipped quietly, laying there tiredly, looking over the girl sadly. He stayed awake playing with her tail, or horns, his eyes drooping tiredly but he just watched her waiting for signs of improvement, or worsening, wiping what blood she coughed up away on the small cloth he held which was already bloody.

When morning came, she opened her eyes again at the sunlight streaming through the window. She felt much better, and her colour had returned. Looking over, she saw Colline asleep in a chair. Above her, Railen had finally succumbed to sleep, one of his hands holding her little horn, the other resting protectively on her stomach. Struggling to sit up, she pulled herself up by his shoulders until she could plant a kiss on his lips. "Wake up you big oaf." She said softly, a smile on her face. "I want kisses."

Waking up slowly, his hand fell from her horn tiredly, but he just smiled and kissed the girl a little more deeply than usual. "Oaf huh," he said waking up a little. "How are you feeling? You should not move so much, relax," he said gently, "Rosa's poisons are none too easy to get over, and I can't imagine being stabbed through the lung has done you much good," a small smile coming onto his lips as he nipped her nose tenderly.

She shook her head stubbornly and straddled his lap, holding onto his shoulders for support. "No. I want more kisses." She said petulantly, winding her arms around his neck and kissing him again. Colline had awoken to see the two snuggling and smiled, exiting the room to go get the priest. He walked in a few minutes later, laughing as he saw the pretty draenai straddling his leader. "Well, I don't need to examine you to know you're feeling better. If the infection had set in, it would have taken root by now. You'll be just fine. But you, sir." He said, looking at Railen. "You need to get some rest, or you'll be worse off than she is."

Railen shrugged a little, "No worries...I will have rest soon," he promised, not sure how willing Ara would be to allowing that. The priest nodded and gave them one more look and patted Fang on his way out who just laid there watching as the door shut. Railen gave a little laugh as he looked to the wolf, "Well, I think Fang is quite taken with you...you aren't flaunting that cute rear of yours too much huh?" He teased kissing the little draenai more.

She shook her head. "I only flaunt for you." She said with a smile, snuggling down against his shoulder. "The doctor is right, you should rest. But, before you sleep... I'm sorry again, for doubting you for a moment. When I saw you, and her naked... You made a promise to me and I should have believed you no matter what. I can't say it was just the poison muddling my mind. Forgive me?" She looked into his eyes as she spoke, the back of her hand stroking along his cheek.

"Of coarse I forgive you...I thought it was you who slipped in bed, thats why I was hard...didn't take much when I am asleep," he said with a little shrug, "And I know how you like waking me up so I just figured," he kissed her lightly and gave her braid a tug. "And I never have stopped you from flaunting yourself," he said truthfully, shifting to get more comfortable, rubbing her bottom gently under her robe.

She snuggled against him, nuzzling his neck lightly. "You should sleep, my sweet.... we both should. We've both had a long couple of days. Rest. I need to go thank Colline and feed Fang, but I'll be back in a few minutes, I promise." She nuzzled him and rose, tiredly making her way across the room. "Come on big boy." She said, scratching Fang behind the ears. She exited the room, leading Fang to the kitchen where she got him a bone, running into Colline, who gave her a big hug. "I'm so glad to see you better. I was worried!" The little gnome exclaimed. Ara smiled. "Thank you for everything, Colline. Could you do me a favor? I'm going to go sleep for a very long time. While I do, could you possibly make some inquires through the group to see if there are any mages about who have been to Exodar? I know once a mage has been somewhere he can attune himself to it and create a portal there. It would be nice if we could travel directly to Exodar when we go to see my family. Could you do that for me?" Colline nodded and Ara made her way back upstairs to Railen, trotting over to the bed and disrobing, sliding under the covers and up against Railen.

Railen stripped the girl out of her robe, his hands trailing her some. "Mmm I like just feeling that pretty little skin of yours," he said softly kissing her some. Holding her for a few moments he looked down at her smiling, "You know...Rosa did have one little suggestion I liked for my little pet," he said softly nipping her neck where the scars he had given her were still there. "A cute little collar for that pretty neck...no leash but just a jewelry collar," he said shrugging some, "And I really will have Colline get to work on those pretty nipples of yours some day," he said talking about the piercings. "Unless you don't like the suggestions," he said shrugging.

Ara purred happily as he stroked her skin, his large hands warming her. "I would hope I'm a little more than a pet." She said teasingly, kissing his bare chest affectionately. "But I will wear anything you give me... within reason. No chainmail bikinis." She said with a grin. "And I'm willing to let Colline pierce my nipples... refresh my memory, why did you say you wanted bells, so they tinkle when you slam your cock into me, right? Sounds like a good enough reason for me." She nibbled on his ear lovingly.

He laughed a little, "Well the bells are optional," he said shrugging, "But yes that was the reason. "And...yes...you are more than a pet," he said slowly, looking down at her thoughtfully as he played with her horns lightly, pulling her against him lightly and shut his eyes nuzzling into her as he bit her neck lightly, "Mmm...I love you..." he said gruffly, still toying with the horn lightly.

Ara nuzzled into him, not comprehending what he had said for a moment, then she froze. Sitting up slowly, she grabbed his tusks gently, turning his face to look into his eyes. She stared at him for a moment, trying to make sure she'd heard what she thought she'd heard, then her eyes filled with tears. "I love you too." She said softly, taking his face between her two hands and leaning forward to kiss him deeply. Pulling back, she wound her arms around his neck tightly, the tears continuing to flow down her face. "I love you..." She whispered again, nuzzling into his neck fiercely.

He was a little surprised at the response, stiffening some before he relaxed into the kiss, his hands rubbing her back lightly as he broke the kiss. Nuzzling her gently he smiled and wiped away the tears with his big fingers, craddling her lightly against him. "Well kiddo...get some sleep," he said after a little bit, giving her horn one last tug he shut his heavy lids as he relaxed, quite exausted at this point, smiling a little at her, his fingers moving against her even after he fell asleep.

She was too happy to fall asleep right away, and she laid awake against him for awhile. He loved her? She was so happy she thought she'd burst. She finally did begin to nod a bit, leaning against him, and she pulled the covers up to their waists. Right before falling asleep, she whispered into his ear "Goodnight... my love." Twining her fingers with his hand, she let herself slip into sleep.