A Dangerous captive

[cumnchat]

Before he went to see Hubert and speak to him Darius thought it wise to see how Fiona was, she was after all his priority along with the three babes she carried within her. Magda met him just outside the hut and spoke to him with some concern and warned him to be careful with her, not in so many words as to say you are not to make love but he understood her meaning,

'My son, she rests fitfully, probably because you were not here beside her. But she will soon be unable to walk without aid. She is now in discomfort and her belly will be causing her to be unable to do certain things.'

"Do not worry yourself Mother, I take your meaning and be certain I will never do anything to cause Fiona pain or harm her and our babes, they are too precious to me."

He entered the hut to find Fiona sleeping peacefully on her side, her long golden hair framing her head like an angel. As he approached her he could sense rather than hear his children calling to him,

'Father, how much longer must we stay here we are anxious to join you'

Darius chuckled, "I can see I am going to have my work cut out to contain your curiosity but it will not be long now, I ask a favour of you all, do not kick out at your Mother's belly it causes her pain sometimes but when she sings to you let her know that you enjoy it."

He knelt down beside Fiona and lifted her shift high enough so he could stroke her bare belly and then he kissed it three times, one for each child, he did not realise that his beard had grown enough to tickle her belly. Replacing her shift he cradled her head in his lap and kissed her soft sweet lips that smiled in her sleep.

"I am no physician but I can tell it will not be long before we really have our hands full."

He then laid her head back down on the pillow stuffed with goose feathers.

"I must go now and speak with Hubert and Igor and make plans as to how we can best deal with the approaching threat."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Within her the babies called out to their father, eager to be out in the world. And she, in her sleep, could feel her mate enter their hut. He lifted her shift to kiss her belly where the babies grew, protected. His beard tickled her skin and she moved in her sleep.

But she felt love as he held her and a wave of it passed over her. She knew that he would fight to the death to protect her and the babies that she carried inside her. He had protected her from the fearg.

He then left and she could feel the problem that brewed in the distance. But this time, she could not fight like before. Neither could Hetta for she too carried a baby inside her. So they would have to depend upon the men to protect them.

The gods came to her, their voice soothing her.

You chose well. Your mate will protect you and your progeny. He handled the fearg wisely.

After a while, she awoke. She was not as tired as she had been but she could tell that her energy was a bit low. She tried to stand but found it somewhat difficult.

It was welcome relief when Magda stuck her head in.

“I thought that you might need some help. The men have been meeting. There seems to be trouble on the horizon.”

“Thank you, Magda. I do need aid.”

With the woman’s help Fiona was able to relieve herself as the babies seemed to press against her insides. Then Magda helped her to the fearann to check on the women there. Many of the women there would rub her belly hoping to get a blessing, or become with child themselves.

Ayleen smiled and greeted her mother and the Priestess Perfect, and offered to aid Fiona until after the babies were born.

“I hope that soon I will be blessed with my own babies.”

 

[cumnchat]

Darius sat and talked with Hubert about his adventures since being swept away in the swollen river but first he had reassure him that Serenity was safe and well. Hubert confessed that although he would not have been able to fuck Serenity due to Fiona's spell he had feelings for her and had hoped that one day he would be able to reclaim his name and only then would he reveal his feelings to Serenity.

"That is very honourable of you Hubert, as of now you have your name and when I have finished talking to you you may seek out Serenity and declare your feelings to her, I don't know if she will return those feelings but I am certain that she is most grateful you were there when she fell into the river."

"I don't want her gratitude my Lord Darius I want her love, since being here in the village I have come to see that love freely given and received is best for all."

"Well said Hubert, I too was of your kind not so long ago, stealing women from their families and making them my slaves, most after a time submitted to me but I cannot say that any of them loved me except for Fiona and there is no feeling like knowing that you are loved."

He patted Hubert's shoulder and then got down to business,

"These vagabonds that you say are terrorising the countryside, how many are there? Are they well armed? Are they disciplined in the way they attack? Tell me all that you know about them and we can plan a way to defeat them."

Igor joined them in their discussion and they talked long into the night until finally Darius declared that once he knew how many of the Scum would fight they would finalise their plans.

He rose and stretched his large frame and went to his hut where Fiona lay sleeping he lay down beside her still fully clothed and threw a protective arm around her. He would sit with her and speak to the Scum in the morning.

 

[Opensesame54321]

She did not stay too long at the fearann as she had noticed that she was tiring easily. Magda had reminded her that three babies would do that to her.

Both Magda and Ayleen walked with her back to her hut and helped to clean the place up as she was unable to do so. They calmed her embarrassment at such and quickly had the place looking good. Magda fixed a pot of lamb stew for them, though there was very little lamb in the pot, but instead a hearty mix of wild greens and vegetables. She finally convinced Fiona to have a bowl though the woman claimed to not be very hungry.

“Nonsense! There are you and three babies to feed.”

While Fiona ate, Magda talked to her.

“One of my sons, one of Darius’ brothers, had fallen for one of the village girls. Her name is Oriana. Do you know her?”

“Yes, I do.” She smiled. “Oriana is good and kind, though a bit head strong. And she can have a fiery temper. But she has a kind heart, and a true love of all animals. I can speak to the animals because of the gods and what they tell me. But Oriana has a true gift to understand them.”

Soon Fiona was tired and Magda helped her into bed, staying with her until sleep came to the pregnant woman. It was some time later when Darius lay down beside her, throwing his arm over her sleeping form and splaying his large hand over where the babies grew within her, as if protecting all that was his.

Fiona felt loved and protected as Darius lay with her and she heard a voice. It was the gods and they placed a calming hand over her belly, giving her some relief.

Oh Priestess Perfect, tell your Priest that he already has the answer he seeks. If he will but ask himself, he will have his answer.

With a deep breath, she suddenly awoke. In the dark, the fire was merely embers and providing a light warmth to the cool night. Darius snores were like a low rumble, a comforting sound to her. His beard, not as long yet as it had been when first he took her, brushed against the back of her neck.

Even in his sleep, he pulled her closer to him, his hand laying claim to her body and the babies of his seed that grew within her belly. She felt the warmth of his body even through their clothes. Her mate. Just thinking those words made her slick between her legs and she missed their joining. The feeling of him pounding into her and leaving his seed deep with her womb had always thrilled her.

She stirred and awoke Darius, his lips kissing the back of her neck as he rubbed her ponderous belly, trying to give her relief.

“Love, the gods have sent you a message. They say that you already have the answer you seek. All you must do is ask it.”

She waited a minute before asking, “Do you have your answer?”

 

[cumnchat]

'Love, the gods have sent you a message. They say that you already have the answer you seek. All you must do is ask it.'

Darius knew the question and in his heart he knew the answer.

'Do you have your answer?'

"Yes Fiona I know the answer and I could not be prouder, I will speak to the men of the Scum and ask them if they will fight with us, for us, I will tell them that all those who fight will become true villagers with their own chosen names and free to live their lives as a man should. We will win the day with the advantage of surprise and superiority in numbers, you understand of course that I cannot allow you nor Hetta to accompany us, you have the future of the village in your bellies and must be protected."

He held Fiona in his arms and kissed her before he made his way to where the men known as the Scum lived. He called them all together and explained why he needed them and the rewards if they fought alongside him. He knew the answer already and before he had finished speaking they were slapping each other on the back and cheering.

"You have three hours to prepare yourselves, to sharpen swords, spears and axes those that were taken from you will be returned if you speak to Igor,"

He left them and collected his armour and a mighty WAR HAMMER Come AXE then sat sharpening it, whiling away the time before they left. As the time approached everyone gathered in the square to see them off and wish them luck. It was strange to see the men from the Scum standing in a group on their own but Darius encouraged the villagers to go and speak to them, as he said to one villager,

"You will not be courteous to a group of men who are willing to perhaps give their lives for us for no reward except the right to a name of their own choosing?"

He could not see Fiona anywhere so he ducked into his hut and found her being attended to by Magda and Aileen.

"Her time is close Darius, be as quick as you can,"

He knelt down beside the pallet and took her hand,

"I wish I could be here my love but if the babes arrive before I get back you know the names we discussed for the boys."

"DARIUS, WE MUST GO" Igor called from outside the hut, he rose and his large frame filled the doorway as he turned for one last look at Fiona.

 

[Opensesame54321]

Darius had no sooner left to go speak to his men than Fiona felt a pain rip through her gut. She gave a cry out and began panting. In a bit another pain tore through her and she cried out, being heard by one of the children playing nearby. Zeb, a child of about seven, was worried and came to the entrance of the hut, calling out to her.

“Priestess Perfect, are you in trouble?”

“Please go get Magda for me. She is one of the new women.”

Soon Magda came running, bringing Aileen with her. They found her doubled over, her legs wet and a puddle on the floor of the hut beneath her. They helped her lay down on the pallet before sending Zeb to get three or four more women from the fearann.

It was then that Darius entered, his tall frame filling the doorway.

Her time is close Darius, be as quick as you can

She gritted her teeth and tried not to cry out in pain, and Darius knelt down beside her, taking her hand and kissing her. She looked up at his face - a warrior’s face - and felt love and pride at him. Her mate. Father of these babies anxious to face the world. Priest of their people. Willing to lead them into battle against those that would do harm to their village.

I wish I could be here love but if the babes arrive before I get back you know the names we discussed for the boys.

She heard Igor calling out to Darius. He kissed her, then stood and headed for the door of the hut. With one last glance back at her, he turned and left as once more the pain ripped through her and she screamed.

Soon the hut was filled with women. Even Hetta, her own time at least another full moon away.

“I thought that I had more time.”. Fiona looked to Magda as the woman had at one time born 5.

Magda looked between Fiona’s legs, seeing definite signs that the babies were well on their way. She nodded to Ayleen and the young woman turned to the other women working in the hut to prepare for the babies. Some she set to go gather water. Others were set to various tasks. Most of the women had birthed their own children and already knew and understood what would be needed.

Magda looked down at the woman sweating and in pain. She knew all too well how much pain the poor thing would be in. Of all the women gathered here, she alone had birthed more than one child at a time. She herself had barely survived birthing her 5, and the youngest son had almost been lost, being born with his face blue. But for a wise old woman, the wee thing would have died.

Coming this early could be bad for these babies and it would take all the knowledge that she possessed to ensure that when Darius returned home, his wife and three babies were still alive.

“I know, but it would seem that the babies have other ideas. This will be long and hard. I will not lie to you. It will be dangerous also. Dangerous for you as well as your babies.”

Another pain gripped Fiona and Magda held her hand as Fiona squeezed it tight. The woman gritted her teeth to keep from crying out and once the pain had eased, the women helped ease Fiona out of her shift leaving the nude pregnant woman laying on the pallet, her swollen belly moving as the babies tried to he born.

Meanwhile, outside the hut awaited the old men and the women and children of the village, worrying about their men that had headed off to fight with their enemies, and worrying about their Priestess Perfect and the babies being born inside the hut. And worrying about the fate of their village.

 

[cumnchat]

Saying farewell to Fiona was painful for Darius, he had wanted to be there for the birth of his children and on hand to comfort Fiona. He saw the pain that she was in and said a silent prayer to the gods asking them to ease Fiona's pain but they replied that it was Fiona's choice that they did not interfere in any way, so they could only watch.

As the band of men left the village Fiona's screams of pain could be heard coming from their hut. Darius was sorely tempted to go back to be with Fiona but resisted the temptation as he knew if one of the men were in the same situation he would not allow it, they needed every man they had if they were to be successful.

In the past when he was a roaming brigand he would have led the men in song, singing of past victories and deeds of valour that they had witnessed or some that were legendary, today though, he was silent, worrying about Fiona and the babies.

"The camp is about half a mile away along the track."

Hubert's voice shook him out of his reverie and he was once more Darius the warrior, thinking, planning, weighing everything in his mind.

"If it were my camp I would have sentries posted at least two hundred paces outside the camp so we must assume there is one not too far away, complete silence from now on, if we sight any sentries deal with them quickly and quietly, then we surround the camp and watch, wait until nightfall then we attack."

The plan was simple and should work well, Darius had no qualms about killing men while they slept, they were the enemy, a danger to his village, to Fiona and his, hopefully, newborn children.

They moved forward slowly, just off the track leading to the camp, two sentries were dealt with quietly and efficiently, before long they were looking into the camp where the enemy was amusing itself with several frightened women who had been stripped naked and being passed around a circle from one man to another who used the women as they saw fit. Sometimes a woman would have two or even three men using her, their cries of shame and despair falling on deaf ears of their captors.

"We can do nothing for them at present but when we have taken the camp the women can have their revenge." Darius muttered to himself through gritted teeth.

Then he tensed, out of the largest tent came a female in leather armour, the bandits all bowed to her as apparently she was the leader.

Darius's eyes narrowed when he saw her, he knew the Vixen of old, she was cold and merciless, it was no wonder her men bowed to her.

"This is a battle we dare not lose." Growled Darius under his breath.

 

[Opensesame54321]

The voices of the gods had been heard, but Fiona had assured them that in this instance, despite that fact that she would be birthing the future Priestess Perfect, she must approach this as a mere woman. A woman in all her frailties. A woman like the other women of the village.

She was well aware that she could die. Or that one or all of the babies could perish, gone before their lives had begun. But as long as there was breath in her body, she would not let that happen. She would fight to protect her babies. Her children. Her family.

Another stab of pain ripped through her and she screamed. Inside her the babies fought to be first to enter the world. She looked down and could see their movements neath her skin. An elbow here. A tiny foot there. Already she could feel her daughter waiting first, anxious to see the world. Ready to grow up as the future Priestess Perfect. Their sons would be great warriors, leaders of men, protectors of their people.

She could not see beyond her swollen belly as the women bent her knees and smeared an unguents around the opening of her sex, scented with herbs to entice the babies to appear, and to hopefully provide some comfort from the pain. It may have smelled good but it was no protection from the pain.

Once again she screamed while the women wiped the sweat away with a cloth and offered advice as to how to survive this ordeal that she must endure. Slowly, painfully the minutes turned to hours as she grew hoarse from her cries of pain. She could feel the impatience of Aideen waiting to be born. Yet she could tell that it would be Justus and Sirius that would cause the trouble.

“You must now push, Fiona.” She could hear Magda’s voice through the haze of pain. Fiona could merely nod her understanding as two of the women raised her to a half sitting position and Fiona pushed with all her might, her screams filling the village as slowly Aideen entered the world.

 

[cumnchat]

If Darius was worried when he saw The Vixen was the leader of the enemy he dd not show it, he set his jaw in a determined look and told them,

"The woman who leads them, I want her taken alive, she has much to answer for, to die on the field of battle is too honourable for her."

Igor looked at him in surprise,

"You know her Darius? How?"

"Oh yes I know her, I know her well and what she is capable of." He did not mention that once upon a time he and The Vixen had been lovers.

As they watched hidden among the trees they saw her lift her head and sniff the air, a cruel sneer came on her lips and she raised her sword and cried out,

"COME OUT AND FIGHT DARIUS, I KNOW YOU ARE THERE, I CAN SMELL THE FEAR OF YOUR MEN."

All around him his men looked at each other in wonder, how did this woman know they were there? They were meant to have the advantage of surprise.

Darius had to calm his men if they were to fight to their full potential.

"She knows nothing for certain, she is merely guessing, stay still, stay calm, stay silent, let her believe she was wrong." He said this to calm his men although he knew in his heart that she did indeed know they were there.

They waited patiently for the sun to go down and darkness fell but before that Darius noted that the guards had been doubled so it was unlikely that a frontal attack would be successful as it appeared that surprise was no longer an option. Darius didn't know if it was possible but he prayed to the gods to aid him just this once and allow the goddess of the woods to help them, FAUNA. She had helped once before so perhaps she could do so again.

"You asked for my aid Darius, how can I help?"

Fauna appeared out of the darkness a pale blue light surrounding her. "The others cannot see me Darius, I am only for your eyes."

"Thank you Fauna I am already greatly in your debt but if I am to win this battle and keep the village safe I need your help. I have a plan but only you can make it work."

"Tell me this plan of yours and how I can help."

"This may seem a strange question but how many boar could you gather here in thirty minutes?"

Fauna smiled, "I am way ahead of you Darius, I suspected something like this when you summoned me, there are thirty five big strapping boar not five minutes away, they will cause pandemonium amongst your enemy, but let me warn you any that are killed must be paid for with a human life."

"Then that is how it will be, and thank you again Fauna."

The bushes parted and in filed thirtyfive wild boar who stood waiting, their little red eyes glinting. Fauna spoke to them in a series of grunts then turned to Darius "I have done what needs to be done, when you are ready just call out 'GO' and they will charge into the camp and cause havoc, you must be close behind."

"I am confident now that we will win the day, I thank the gods for their help and protection."

Fauna disappeared back into the forest as silently as she arrived, meanwhile the boars stood waiting for the order.

"Are we ready for battle men?"

Each man acknowledged in his own way, nodding or raising his hand. "Remember the Vixen is to be taken alive."

He gathered the men behind the boars and shouted

"GO"

 

[Opensesame54321]

Time seemed to stretch on forever, and the periodic pain that would rip through her, forcing her to focus on the babies and leaving her very little time to let her worry on Darius and the men. Hetta was there by her side, doing all that she could to provide aid and support and she knew that her friend too would be worrying about her own mate, Igor.

She lost any idea of exactly how long the labor lasted but after what seemed an eternity, the first child was born, and Aideen entered the world with a cry.

The wee babe’s cry was thin and reedy and Aideen waved her little fists in the air. The gods waited and watched, and they whispered in Aideen’s ear.

WELCOME, AIDEEN. WE HAVE EAGERLY AWAITED YOUR ARRIVAL.

Suddenly the baby grew quiet, as if listening to someone that only she could hear. Hetta knee that in her arms lay the future Priestess Perfect and whispered to the babe. “May the gods bestow upon you all their blessings.”

Fiona longed to hold the babe in her arms, to coo and kiss Aideen, and yet there was not time for that for the next child was on his way.

Justus was proving to be real pain, feeling as if he were dragging her insides out with him. The pain was so intense and her screams seemed so much louder. Magda was worrying as not every woman was built to birth more than one child at a time.

She looked up into Magda’s worried. “I thought that it would get easier rather than harder.”

“You are tired. Try to rest between the pain.” Magda tried to reassure her son’s wife, but she was afraid. Darius would be heartbroken should he return from battle to discover that his wife and sons had died in childbirth.

 

[cumnchat]

The battle was over almost as soon as it began, the boars charged and uprooted tents and with the occupants trapped inside they were easy prey for Darrus's men following closely behind, the tents that weren't collapsed were set on fire and as the enemy poured out of them to escape the flames they were cut down without mercy. The only tent that wasn't touched was the one that The Vixen had disappeared into.

Darius lifted the flap and entered alone to be confronted by The Vixen, standing naked as if waiting for a lover. The light from the flames flickered over her voluptuous body, casting shadows between her legs hiding The Vixen's secret place that had once enchanted Darius.

"Welcome Darius, have you come to take me prisoner or to just take me as you used to? I do hope it is the second, I have missed your tongue and your manhood teasing me."

Despite himself Darius found himself remembering and wanting her but he shook it off,

"Vivian, your charms no longer work on me, I have found my one true love, even now she is carrying my children and will be giving birth very soon."

"HAH, and what will you do then until she looks attractive again? She will be fat and flabby and will be out of bounds to you for some time whereas I am here and available, ready and willing to have you inside me again."

Again Darius felt his desire increasing and tried to put Vivian's exquisite body out of his mind, he was weakening quickly until he heard the gods whispering to him,

'WELCOME, AIDEEN. WE HAVE EAGERLY AWAITED YOUR ARRIVAL.'

He knew then that Fiona had birthed the first of his children and he couldn't betray them or Fiona.

"You will be waiting for ever then Vivian, I am immune to your body and your charms."

The Vixen's face changed from a seductive smile to an ugly snarling, sneer as she curled her lips over her teeth.

"You have had your chance to have me again Darius but from this moment be warned. at the earliest opportunity I will slay you and your family."

"If that is the way it is then I had best kill you right now, Vivian."

"That you will never do, that is your one weakness you always have to be merciful."

Darius called Igor in,

"Igor, cover her and chain her we shall take her back to the village, make sure that there always three men guarding her she will try to seduce one lone guard, maybe two."

He left the tent and leaned against a tree gasping and sweating, he knew how close he had come to succumbing and betraying Fiona and his children, now he had to get back and meet his new family.

 

[Opensesame54321]

The pain seemed all-consuming and yet Magda continued to encourage her to push Justus out.

Suddenly Magda looked worried and stopped her.

“Please wait a minute, Fiona. The baby is coming out wrong. I need to turn him around.” Instead of the top of the baby’s head, she had seen the toes of the baby. He was coming out wrong and both male babies and Fiona could die.

Hetta could easily see that something was wrong. Whereas at the beginning Magda had seemed so sure of herself, the woman now looked worried and was sweating. The woman turned and said something to her daughter, Ayleen, before turning back as Ayleen left the hut. Hetta followed the young girl out.

Recognizing Ayleen as the weaker of the two, she grabbed the young girl’s arm, stopping her.

“What is happening? What did your mother say to you?”

“I don’t have time to talk...”

“You talk now. I am here to protect the Priestess Perfect...”

“Then she will die if you do not let me go.” Ayleen jerked her arm from the grip of the very pregnant woman. “I need to go get some herbs that my Mother keeps. I suggest that you pray to your gods that my mother is not delayed any longer or it will be too late.”

Ayleen rushed to the hut where her mother lived, leaving a very unsure Hetta worried as to what to do. The sound of Fiona’s scream drew her attention back to her Priestess Perfect and this cry was worse than any of the others. Hetta returned into the hut to find Magda attempting to turn the baby around in Fiona’s womb while the other women worriedly looked on as they hugged each other.

Hetta was frightened. If she stopped Magda, then her friend Fiona and the two male babies left inside her womb would die. Or, what Magda had planned could kill them just as well.

 

[cumnchat]

He could feel Fiona's agony as they made their way back to the village, her cries echoed in his head and he could not keep the worried look off his face as he urged everyone to move faster.

"FASTER, FASTER, I must return as quickly as possible, Fiona needs me."

Vivian the Vixen kept taunting him,

"She will die Darius, leave you alone with no one to warm your bed, could you bear that? I could be persuaded to replace her, you well know that I am more than capable of satisfying that tree trunk between your legs."

Even tied as she was, Vivian was a striking figure, full high breasts, shapely hips and a tempting round backside, her mouth was accentuated by plump luscious lips which she sensuously licked. With her hands tied she managed to open the front of the dress that had been found for her and she caressed her breasts and pinched her dark brown nipples so they stood out, beacons on twin snowy white hillocks.

Darius did his best to ignore her taunts but the memories of times past kept invading his thoughts, nights they had spent together with her legs wrapped around him as he fucked her again and again.

"Tempt me as much as you like Vivian but you will never replace Fiona, IF she dies then the rest of my life will be spent in celibacy in honour of our unwavering love for each other."

"AH, but that is the crux of it isn't it Darius? Your love isn't unwavering, you are tempted to take me up on my offer. When we get to your village, even if Fiona is still alive she will look old and haggard, not the beauty you saw before you left, she will not want you in the way that I want you, but you can have me until she has recovered, when she does you must then make your choice."

The village came into sight and Darius ran forward shouting for Fiona,

"FIONA! FIONA! I am here, do not leave me, give me my children and live, the gods are with you."

 

[Opensesame54321]

In between her cries, Magda seemed to be reaching up inside of her and twisting her insides around. The pain was excruciating as the mother of her mate worked, sweat dripping from the woman’s forehead.

She thought that she could hear Darius, but he was far away and his voice was faint. Hetta stood behind Magda, looking at her worriedly as she rubbed her own swollen belly.

“Priestess Perfect, call upon the gods to protect you and the babies. They will do it,” Hetta urged her.

Fiona shook her head.

“Please, my friend, just call out to...”

“NO!” Fiona gritted her teeth in pain. “In this, I am just another woman. Just like you, or Magda, or...AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRR...”Fiona’s voice became just a growl of pain.

Suddenly Ayleen was there with a cup of strong tea, urging her to sip it slowly. After a few minutes the pain began to lessen and she felt herself weakening. She did not want to die, yet she felt time slowing down. The hut grew dim and the women faded from her view as a buzzing filled her ears. She could hear the whispers of the gods, telling her to keep trying.

FASTER, FASTER, I must return as quickly as possible, Fiona needs me.

She could hear Darius. Her Darius. Her mate. He sounded worried.

“Fiona, push! Push!”

Suddenly she was slapped and her cheek stung as her vision cleared. Magda was there as was Ayleen and Hetta and the other women.

“No more tea. Not right now. Now push. PUSH FIONA!”

The tea had dulled some of the pain and she did as she was told. In the background she could hear her daughter crying, seeming to know already that life was a struggle.

How long she worked to birth Justus she did not know. It could have been hours, or not. But this babe ‘twas larger than his sister and she felt every inch of him as she pushed to birth him.

She could hear Darius, closer now.

FIONA! FIONA! I am here, do not leave me, give me my children and live, the gods are with you.

‘WELCOME, JUSTUS. WE HAVE EAGERLY AWAITED YOUR ARRIVAL.’

Fiona fell back against bedding, exhausted and feeling as if she had been in battle. Panting, one of the women wiped the sweat from her face as Magda passed the screaming baby to another woman while the wise woman cleaned away the mess between Fiona’s legs.

“Catch your breath, Fiona, for you have one more child. Let us pray that this one is in the right position.”

 

[cumnchat]

Darius was barred from entering the hut where Fiona was struggling to give life to their children but even from outside he could hear the screams of pain from his mate.

"You must let me in and be with Fiona, she can hold my hand and draw on my strength, if ever Fiona needed me it is now."

The woman barring his entry went into the hut and returned no more than a minute later.

"Your mother says you may enter but be warned, Fiona and the two remaining babes may still die, give her every ounce of strength that you can."

The hut was dim but he could see Fiona laying on their pallet where they had experienced so many wonderful moments together. Her legs were spread wide and Magda was struggling with her hands inside Fiona, she lifted her sweating face up to Darius.

"Help her to fight my son, I fear that she may give up and die. She needs your love and your strength."

He knelt beside the pallet and took Fiona's limp hand in his big paw like hand and whispered to her,

"FIONA! FIONA! I am here, do not leave me, give me my children and live, the gods are with you." He pressed his lips to her damp forehead.

"You have my love Fiona now you may have my strength, it is there for the taking, you have a duty to perform, deliver our children and raise them along with me, you must not fail them or me."

He couldn't tell if Fiona heard him or not but it seemed an eternity before Justus came into the world screaming his lungs out. Magda moved quickly to separate him from his mother and wrap him up to be cleaned by Ayleen.

"WELCOME, JUSTUS. WE HAVE EAGERLY AWAITED YOUR ARRIVAL."

Darius took a quick look at his firstborn son then returned to Fiona's side.

Magda was quietly cleaning between Fiona's widespread legs and whispering words of comfort to her.

'Catch your breath, Fiona, for you have one more child. Let us pray that this one is in the right position'

Darius was so relieved that he managed a joking remark,

"Well done Fiona, it is so gratifying that you have finally learned to take my orders seriously."

After a brief rest Fiona was birthing her third child which was much easier than Justus and was delivered in a matter of minutes. She was exhausted afterwards and very weak so Magda gave her a mild sleeping draught so she night rest before taking on the task of feeding the three hungry babes.

Darius went to speak to Vivian to see if she was prepared to leave with no support and weaponless. Vivian laughed in his face and lifted her naked breasts to him,

"Weaponless? HA, these are the only weapons I need, men cannot resist them as you well know Darius, you have suckled on them many a time and filled me with your spendings, you will do so again, of that I am certain."

 

[Opensesame54321]

She was exhausted. Three children can wear a woman out, not only carrying them but birthing them. The pain during the birthing of Justus had been the worst, but then she was thankful that Sirius had been relatively easy. The voices of the gods still echoed in her head.

WELCOME, SIRIUS. WE HAVE EAGERLY AWAITED YOUR ARRIVAL.

All three of the babies welcomed by the gods. All three babies so blessed. And she was blessed that Darius had shown up when he did. And a blessing that Magda had been here. Or she and the boys would be dead.

The sound of a baby crying cut through the fog of her sleep and she stirred and reached a hand out.

“Princess Perfect, it is your daughter that cries for you.” It was a soft voice that answered her gesture.

“Aideen. She is Aideen.”

“Little fire. Such a perfect name for there is something that burns within this baby. At this moment I believe that it is a hunger.”

And there on that bed she fed her first born. The baby that would one day take her place. The future Priestess Perfect.

The tiny little mouth drinking from her breast, blue eyes looking at her so trusting. She stroked the red fuzz on top of the baby’s head as she cooed at Aideen. Across the room was another woman holding a screaming Justus demanding his time at the well.

Aideen seemed through and was quickly changed for the crying Justus. The baby was easily the biggest of the three, and he quickly latched onto her other teat, hungrily sucking his meal.

She had felt blessed to have Darius with her for part of the births. His strength had been a great aid to her. But she could also feel an evil
presence within the walls of their village. Truly evil. And it needed to be gone for she could already feeling some of the weaker men finding an interest in that evil. She quickly sent her thoughts to Darius.

My Love, beware of the great evil. Already she turns your men against you.

She could feel the danger radiating from where he was. He should never have brought it here for they were now all in danger.

 

[cumnchat]

Vivian laughed in his face and bared her firm breasts cupping them in her hands and offering them to Darius, daring him to touch them.

'Weaponless? HA, these are the only weapons I need, men cannot resist them as you well know Darius, you have suckled on them many a time and filled me with your spendings, you will do so again, of that I am certain.'

Darius couldn't help but watch as Vivian jiggled her breasts invitingly, he hesitated for a moment, sorely tempted by the memory of how they had felt in his hands when he and Vivian had been lovers, soft, firm globes of pleasure tipped with hard succulent nipples. He almost gave in to his desires and was reaching out for them when the gods spoke to him.

"Take care Darius, remember this is The Vixen, she cannot be trusted, betray the Priestess Perfect and you will lose her and your three newborns for ever. The Vixen will never bring you as much joy and pleasure as Fiona,"

A vision appeared before his eyes, the gods telling him this how Vivian would look in five years from now, a bent old hag with sparse white hair . Darius recoiled in horror and turned and ran from the hut in shame that he had almost betrayed his one true love

 

[Opensesame54321]

She was glad when Darius came rushing into the hut. There were two women still in there too as they carried Sirius and Aideen around, trying to rock them to sleep.

Darius looked flustered and yet angry. Angry at himself? Or at the evil that he had brought here?

She was tired but she knew that this was important. Dangerous. Deadly. Something not to be taken lightly. Right now she could not be weak.

She called upon the gods to protect her family and her village. After all, she was the Princess Perfect. Gathering her strength, she sat on the edge of the bed. One of the women took Justus from her arms and began to rock him back and forth, sending the baby to sleep.

“Darius, hand me my shift.”

He helped her to get to her feet, slipping the shift over her head. She knew that she did not necessarily look her best, but this was more important than looks. She had to show strength. Because she knew something about this woman that Darius and the other men did not know.

“Love, she is evil. Already she has wormed her way in several of the men’s hearts. She thinks me weak, but she is wrong.”

Holding her head high, the two of them headed over to where the Devil waited.

 

[cumnchat]

What Darius intended when he went to Fiona he had no idea, he only knew that he had almost, almost but not completely, succumbed and committed the cardinal sin against Fiona and the gods, taking another woman when he was bound to Fiona. He knew it was wrong but Vivian had placed temptation in his way, making it easy for him to return to his old ways of fucking any woman he fancied. He had previous experience of Vivian, six months of fucking her at least twice a day, she hadn't minded at all him using her, in fact she had encouraged him, it was only when he discovered that when he wasn't fucking her half of his band were taking his place and he had thrown her out for being unfaithful, now the boot was on the other foot and he was the one on the brink of being unfaithful to his love, the mother of his three children.

He didn't need to say anything to Fiona he could see the disappointment in her eyes but she remained calm and merely asked for her shift, he handed it to her and helped her slip it over her head. Against Darius she looked tiny, he towered over her yet at this moment in time she was the stronger of the two. When she was ready she bade him take her to The Vixen.

'Love, she is evil. Already she has wormed her way in several of the men’s hearts. She thinks me weak, but she is wrong.'

"I am sure you think you can defeat her in battle my love, but she is deceitful and cunning so I warn you, be on your guard, she has such a way with words that under no circumstances must you agree to anything she says, she will twist it to her own advantage."

They reached the part of the village that Vivian had already claimed as her own and she sneered as Darius and Fiona approached.

"I do not recall granting you an audience but as you are here we will talk and agree terms."

She sat down on a pile of cushions and let her shawl slip from her shoulders leaving her naked from the waist up and she stretched out a long shapely leg leaving very little to the imagination.

 

[Opensesame54321]

As they walked towards the square where the evil one was being held, she could feel the shame and worry in her mate. Nothing was said about that at this time. Later, when they were alone would be the time. Now, Darius tried warning her about this ‘woman’ at this time. But it was he that needed the warning - he and the other men.

She could see a small crowd of people gathered. Some to guard, some to watch. Some already turning towards this thing. This “Vivian” lay there soaking up the attention. When she ‘noticed’ Fiona, she bared her breast and stretched out her legs, giving all a view of her body.

I do not recall granting you an audience but as you are here we will talk and agree terms.

“So we meet face to face, Ceann Olc.” There was a gasp among the people gathered, for Fiona had just called this Vivian “evil one.”

“So you know of me?” The woman smiled at Fiona.

“I think that it is my people that do not know you. They know not of your evil cunning ways.”

Vivian smile as she fondled her breast. “My ways are of sex and pleasure. Ask any that have lain between my thighs. Ask your own Darius and he can tell you of the pleasure I can give.”

Darius’ face colored as some of the villagers stared at him. But Fiona spoke up.

“That was before he met me. Before he became my mate. But after today, all gathered will know the truth about you. Ceann Olc. For that is your real name. You adopted Vivian after you saw the success that your half sister Lilith had.”

For the first time, the woman looked uncomfortable. “Those are tales told by ignorant people.”

“Those are truths told by those that know the truth.” Fiona lifted her shift over her head, baring herself before her people. Her belly, recently having held her 3 babies, sagged. Her breast, already heavy with milk, made even Vivian’s breast look lifeless.

“Ceann Olc, look you upon my body, for it has powers that yours does not have. It can give life. It can support life. Yours cannot. Never will your womb grow life, for you have no womb. No baby could suckle at your teat. For though you hold the guise of a woman, that is all it is. A disguise. Something to hide your true nature. Ceann Olc!”

As Fiona had spoken her body began to glow, the voice of the gods shining through her. Yet as she spoke, Vivian’s features grew darker and darker, anger showing on her face.

“STOP CALLING ME THAT NAME! That is not my name. Just ask your Darius.” Vivian smiled. “He knows me well. We are old friends, are we not, lover? Many was the evening that we lay together, with you sucking on these...” she lifted her breast as if inviting Darius to do so again. “Many the nights he spilled his seed inside me.”

Fiona shook her head. “Yet not once have you born a child to anyone. Why? Not certainly because of any herb you took. There is another reason. For you are not a woman. You are Ceann Olc. You are the Evil One. Spawn of the Great Evil. And I will reveal your true face to all. You she soon learn, Ceann Olc, that for you there will be no truce. No terms. For you will be annihilated this day. The gods have spoken.”

 

[cumnchat]

For the very first time in his entire life Darius did not go into battle leading from the front, he gave way to Fiona although he was never more than two paces behind her always ready and prepared to throw himself in front of any threat to Fiona.

The two women in Darius's life came face to face for the very first time and the air crackled around them both. Vivian fired the first salvo with a blatant exhibition of her voluptuous body, claiming that no man could resist her including Darius. Fiona remained steadfast and named her by her true name, Ceann Olc, Evil One, It seemed to knock Vivian out of her stride a bit and her face darkened as Fiona wen on to name Lilith as her half sister, that was a name rarely mentioned and only in whispers.

Fiona was now on the attack and she slipped off her shift and stood naked in front of the whole village, her body was not yet back to its normal perfection having just birthed three healthy children but her beauty shone through, her skin glowed.

'eann Olc, look you upon my body, for it has powers that yours does not have. It can give life. It can support life. Yours cannot. Never will your womb grow life, for you have no womb. No baby could suckle at your teat. For though you hold the guise of a woman, that is all it is. A disguise. Something to hide your true nature. Ceann Olc!'

Darius could feel that Vivian was becoming angrier and angrier and he feared what Vivian might do, he had seen her put an arrow in a man's eye from fifty paces because the man had not paid homage to her, he gripped his sword handle tighter.

'STOP CALLING ME THAT NAME! That is not my name. Just ask your Darius.He knows me well. We are old friends, are we not, lover? Many was the evening that we lay together, with you sucking on these...'

She lifted her breast as if inviting Darius to do so again.

'Many the nights he spilled his seed inside me.'

Fiona countered that with a withering attack on Vivian

'“Yet not once have you born a child to anyone. Why? Not certainly because of any herb you took. There is another reason. For you are not a woman. You are Ceann Olc. You are the Evil One. Spawn of the Great Evil. And I will reveal your true face to all. You she soon learn, Ceann Olc, that for you there will be no truce. No terms. For you will be annihilated this day. The gods have spoken'

Vivian erupted at this and flounced into her hut almost running it seemed,

"Round one to my Lady Fiona it seems."

 

[Opensesame54321]

Fiona knew that her words stung Ceann Olc, for with each word that the Priestess Perfect spoke, the mask of deceit became more apparent to the rest of the villagers. In a huff, the Evil One turned and practically ran into a hut. But there would be no rest for this one. It was Fiona’s job as the leader to protect them from this.

Loudly she began to laugh, to taunt Vivian as she hid inside the hut.

“See, she runs, afraid of the truth. I had been told that you were a mighty warrior but I see that you are only a lowly worm. Hardly worth me raising my foot to grind you under my heel.”

This seemed to anger Vivian and she turned and rushed right back out. Her face was contorted with rage as she rushed towards Fiona and she felt Darius tense, starting to draw his sword.

It was a small gesture. Fiona merely put an open hand out to her side, but Darius understood its meaning and sheathed his sword but kept his hand on its hilt. He was prepared to do battle with this thing that he had once slept with. She suspected that once he saw Vivian’s true face, it would make him sick.

“I could crush you with my little finger. I have more power than you ever thought of.” The thing spat on the ground between Fiona’s bare feet, and the spittle sizzled for a second or two before it fizzled out.

But if Vivian was hoping to scare her, instead her actions had the opposite effect. A smile played across Fiona’s lips.

“You are starting to show your true self, Ceann Olc. And you might try, wicked one, but though I stand here before you, naked, my gods protect me. Did not your half-sister Lilith warn you that there was one mightier than the evil that spawned you?”

The thing that called herself Vivian stood before her, the anger obvious to all that stood watching. She knew that everyone was waiting to see just what would happen. Ceann Olc stood there, her firm breast looking too perfect while her sex had the appearance of that of a virgin though she know full well that many men had lain with her.

On the other hand, Fiona stood tall and strong. Her breast had started to leak milk and her belly sagged, showing where recently her three babies had grown, nurtured and protected by her body. Yet her body looked well used though she had lain with only Darius.

Fiona took a step forward and it seemed as if the entire village held its breath, watching. There was a pause, and then Ceann Olc took the smallest step back. As Fiona’s body shone, it seemed that the Evil One’s body grew darker, as if falling in a shadow from a large tree. Yet overhead was the bright sun.

“Ceann Olc, give up for you have no chance of winning. Your time on earth is ending.” But the thing merely hissed at Fiona before focusing on Darius.

“Darius. Lover. You know me. You know me well. But I think that your woman is exhausted from giving birth. Look at her body. It droops and sags. Her breast leak. Never again will she look as beautiful and desirable as I do. Look you upon my breast. They are firm and round. Remember how my nipples responded to your attention. Remember well how I parted my thighs, how your sword frequently cleaved my sex, my legs holding you deep within me.” Slowly she sank to the ground and posed, her body attempting to entice Darius.

“Come and lay with me, lover. Let us show these backward people just what sex is.” Vivian held her arms out, as if tempting Darius to take her there.

 

[cumnchat]

Darius stood firmly with Fiona as the war of words raged between Fiona and Vivian, they traded insults but Darius and the gathered villagers could see that Fiona's taunts more often than not hit their mark, Vivian was stepping back until she drew upon reserves of strength from somewhere and changed herself back to the beauty that Darius had known, he remembered well her soft body and voluptuous breasts that he had suckled on for many nights, her body had been soft and receptive to his manhood but it seemed then that he could never satisfy her for no sooner had he staggered from her bed than someone else was there to replace him. Darius was tempted to call a halt to the war of words between the two as Fiona took another step forward and Vivian stepped back. Fiona's body began to glow as Vivian''s skin lost its lustre and he found he could see beyond the vision that Vivian was projecting.

Still Vivian tempted Darius,

'Darius. Lover. You know me. You know me well. But I think that your woman is exhausted from giving birth. Look at her body. It droops and sags. Her breast leak. Never again will she look as beautiful and desirable as I do. Look you upon my breast. They are firm and round. Remember how my nipples responded to your attention. Remember well how I parted my thighs, how your sword frequently cleaved my sex, my legs holding you deep within me. Come and lay with me, lover. Let us show these backward people just what sex is.'

Her words were tempting and under other circumstances he might have succumbed but unknown to him the Gods were helping him to see the true Vivian. The ground on which she stood became alive with black tendrils that wound themselves around her naked body and seemed to be feasting on her beauty. piece by piece she faded until the only thing left was her trueform an ugly horned creature that could only have come from Hell itself. Before there was any chance of the creature getting the strength to fight back Darius drew his sword and cleaved the creature in two down the middle and watched it fall and twitch on the ground before the black tendrils withdrew into the ground taking Vivian's remains with them.

 

[Opensesame54321]

With lightening speed, Darius stepped forward, a barrier between Fiona and Ceann Olc. His arm and the sword that he drew seemed almost a blur as he drew the weapon. For a brief instant the sun hit the weapon, shooting out a shaft of brightness. The onlookers gasped, with many throwing out their hands to shield their eyes from the blinding light.

With years of experience and power from the gods, Darius cleaved the the Evil One into two pieces. Twas not blood that spilled from the two halves but instead a black ooze that rushed out into the welcoming tendrils that writhed around the horrid creature.

Several of the women watching fainted and a few of the men fought to keep from throwing up. Yet slowly the twitching remains were wrapped within those black tendrils as they pulled the evil back down from whence it came.

With the battle over, tiredness overcame Fiona and she collapsed.

When she came to, she was being carried by Darius back to their hut. Already tired from having given birth, the battle with Vivian had further drained her. She started to talk but her mate tried to shush her. Though tired, Fiona persisted.

“Before the ground has dried where Ceann Olc was slain, you must spread salt. Cover it completely. It will use all that we have of the precious mineral but this is more important. It will keep her from returning.”

Like a man with work waiting, Darius entered their hut and laid Fiona on the now clean pallet. The women that had watched over the babies had cleaned things while the battle outside had raged. The kiss that her mate gave her was sweet yet world weary. Leaving her and their babies to the care of the women, he hurried out to do what was needed.

“The babies sleep. And so should you, Priestess Perfect. You have fought the battle well, but now is the time for rest.” The village woman watched, feeling it an honor to watch over the Priestess Perfect and the new babies.

 

[cumnchat]

With Vivian slain and gone back to her own dark world in the depths of the earth it seemed that a great weight had been lifted from Darius and the whole village but it had taken its toll on Fiona and she collapsed, sinking to her knees with her head bowed, her golden hair hung over her face, Darius picked up his mate and carried her back to their hut and the new born triplets, now, they could take the time to see them properly but Fiona had some final instructions for Darius although he tried to quieten her she was adamant that her instructions be carried out immediately,

'Before the ground has dried where Ceann Olc was slain, you must spread salt. Cover it completely. It will use all that we have of the precious mineral but this is more important. It will keep her from returning.'

He could see that Fiona knew what she was talking about and was fearful of Vivian returning, seeking vengeance. He ordered all the men to spread the village's whole store of salt on the ground where Vivian was slain and taken back by her demonic allies, the salt was spread thickly on the ground to a depth of about three inches and then tamped down with heavy logs which were then burned in case contamination.

When Darius was happy that the task had been done properly he then returned to Fiona and their children only to be told that all four were asleep.