Choose Your Chains (Closed for haremfaery)

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian was trying to navigate his reaction to Jassin. He seemed suspicious, but he could simply be inquisitive. Cillian had done the friendly chat as sideways information gathering thing so many times. Given the way he was feeling, he started to wonder if he could ever again have a polite conversation. But this was a business relationship. He didn't owe Jassin any answers. Though he didn't want to poison the relationship.

"I appreciate your confidence in me to think I have a plan. If I knew what I was doing, I would have returned to society less chaotically. I made a good spy. Not sure what else I'm good for." Cillian let out a yawn. "I think I should turn in for the night. Don't want to fall asleep on the horse tomorrow. We are so close now."

As Cillian lay there trying and failing to fall asleep, he rolled the idea of what to do next around in his head. There was a measure of truth in that answer. He didn't have a solid plan. The only thing he knew for sure was that he wanted Desire to part of that life. In that brief moment between professing their love and when everything went to hell, he had wondered what they would do upon reaching the freehold. He had pictured asking her to sail away from all the conflict. But now, with the idea of an alliance, he might be able to live with her in the Freeholds. Could they do that? Just be. They had both spent years behind enemy lines. What would they do now? Farm?

Cillian did eventually fall asleep with the image of Desire on the porch of a modest home as he took a scythe to wheat. He didn't know the first thing about farming. He also didn't know how to live a quiet life either, so whatever they did, he'd just have to figure it out.
-----
The next morning, Vuduin took Cillian's place on the saddle with Siora. Cillian rode with Desire. Under the watchful eye of everyone else, they could keep the groping to a bare minimum. While Cillian didn't mind whispering in Desire's ear, he wasn't telling her all the dirty things he wanted to do to her, at least that morning.

"I have to ask; what's your impression of Jassin? He seemed very chatty and a bit nosey."

 

[haremfaery]

“Jassin, yes. I thought he just wanted the gossip. He asked me about how I felt about you being married. How we decided to work together. I think he’s dying to ask me about my dancing and being on fire, but he hasn’t had a chance. He’s the odd man out in the group. Maybe he’s trying to fit in." She paused to think more carefully. "But if I was being paranoid ... he is a bit too nosy.” She leaned back against Cillian and laughed a little as if he said something funny. No sense letting Jassin know they were talking about him behind his back. “Guess we should keep an eye on him. Even if he’s only gathering gossip for his house, I wouldn’t want anything to compromise House Farceran, if only for Siora's sake.”

She squeezed his thigh. “I think putting Vuduin and Siora together was a good idea.”

They rode in silence for awhile. The warmth of Cillian at her back The gentle motion of the horse. The passing scenery that looked more and more like home. Home. How strange that sounded. It almost seemed ... safe. But that was a dream. There were slavers and pirates and bandits and any number of people up to no good. She fought her way back to the languid feeling of riding with Cillian.

She sat up straighter and tried to concentrate on the road. “Beshaba’s Tits, Cillian." She murmured, "Do you think we could wander off tonight? Knowing I have to behave just makes me want you more.”

She wanted all this to be over so they could start to figure out how to be together. How to build a future for the two of them. She couldn't see Cillian farming—it was a waste of his skills if nothing else. She certainly couldn’t see herself as a farmers' wife.

Desire turned her head. “What about an inn or a tavern?" She realized that Cillian hadn't been privy to her train of thought. "I was thinking about our future. I think it could be fun to live in a city and own a tavern. We could keep up on the news, meet new people... We’d definitely know who the pickpockets were. What do you think?”

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian was surprised to hear Desire express concern for Siora's well being. It was a shift from the obvious anger before. Though, things were different now that Siora wasn't an obstacle for Desire and Cillian's relationship, at least not a substantial one. He decided not to remark on that change of heart. He didn't want to stir up anything that might still be lingering from the colossal fuck up regarding his relationships with both women.

When Desire squeezed his thigh, Cillian jumped a little. It was amazing how even when they had done things far more intimate and far more depraved, that something like that touch would still be enough to send a shiver down his spine. However, he remained aware enough to hear what she said about Siora and Vuduin.

It really was no longer anywhere near Cillian's place to dictate such things, but he thought that Vuduin was the kind of man that Siora deserved. Vuduin was honorable and actually wanted to remain in Ulfamel. If Cillian could finesse his way out of his marriage and stay with Desire in the Freeholds, Vuduin wouldn't make a bad lord of the manor. He was just, and he knew what it meant to actually defend the place.

When Desire suggested, they rendezvous tonight for another tumble in the woods, Cillian's body responded. As if his cock pressing into her backside wasn't enough of an answer, Cillian said, "I'm sure we can find an excuse to slip away."

Though he did begin to wonder if there was even a reason to sneak away. Everyone was aware of their love affair. While they couldn't have a repeat performance of their ride out from the Empire, that didn't mean they'd have to pretend the pair weren't going out into the woods to fuck as discreetly as they were able. Everyone at this point knew they were fucking, so why the bald attempt at subterfuge? Old habits die hard.

"We just have to be sure we aren't placed on the same watch," he said. That was unlikely to happen because it was evident that self-control and attentiveness were an issue when Cillian and Desire were together.

Cillian cocked his head to the side when Desire mentioned running an inn. It wasn't something he'd ever considered before, but he didn't think it was a bad idea. He had worked as a bartender a few times as part of jobs. It would be a place to pick up gossip, which was just about as good as having a spy network. And though he didn't think it would be good to happen all the time, fights broke out at taverns, or some belligerent drunk got handsy. It would allow Cillian to keep his fighting skills sharp, even though he'd refrain from using a dagger. Stabbing patrons was just bad for business.

"I think that's a wonderful idea. I still have some coin I'm owed for my service. And I'm sure I could 'find' and other funds needed to buy or build an inn."

They were close to the border but it was late in the day and they didn't want to appear like they were trying to sneak across the border. Instead, they'd sleep a few miles out and cross in the daylight. When they made camp that night, Cillian didn't try very hard to hide his escape off into the woods with Desire. He wasn't announcing it loudly, but he saw no point in attempting stealth.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire spent the rest of the day pondering being an innkeeper's wife. She supposed she could learn to cook, but it might be better to hire someone to do that. She could perform and wait tables. She imagined falling into bed with Cillian after a long day serving customers. Safe, secure. They could have children. They would be Tieflings, of course. But they might have Cillian's eyes. She tried to picture Cillian with horns and a tail and nearly laughed out loud.

The only question was how to solve the problem of Cillian's marriage to Siora.

~~~~~

Desire found a spot not too far from camp, but not too close. She had her bedroll laid out and ready for Cillian's arrival. Yes, everyone knew they were fucking, but they didn't have to rub everyone's nose in it. And she didn't have to worry about how loud she might get if they were farther away.

Would they be able to maintain this passion once they were ensconced in the Freeholds? Would they even be able to stay together? They still hadn't solved the problem of dissolving his marriage without damaging Siora's reputation. Just her luck to fall for a thief and a spy who had morals.

She heard Cillian as he entered the little clearing. It seemed he wasn't being too discrete either. She practically tackled him and kissed him hard. "Beshaba's Tits, I want you." She kissed along his jaw to his ear.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Phyrra gave Cillian a knowing smile as he headed into the woods. She and Tarron were on the first watch. Cillian wasn't sure exactly why Phyrra had seemed so happy that he and Desire were back together, and he couldn't exactly figure out why. He'd abandoned his little sister. She had every right to be angry with him, but she'd done more to patch up his relationship with Desire than he had. But he didn't want to interrogate that too much now. He wanted to meet a bronze skinned tiefling in the woods and do all manner of unclean things with her.
Desire's directions were simple enough, and he soon found her, in a small clearing, the night stars above them. Her breeches had been cast aside, her long tunic looking very much like a short dress.
It wasn't long before she was on him. It had been hard riding with her all day, and he was happy to see he wasn't the only one who'd been just barely holding back. As her lips traveled up his jawline, he wondered if this passion was something they could maintain, And if it faded, would they still have enough to sustain a relationship. Those thoughts were drowned as soon as her lips touched his ears.
There was only the briefest moment their lips broke apart when Cillian whipped off his shirt and tossed it aside. It wasn't the most graceful fall as they went to the ground, but soon Cillian's cock was inside Desire as she rode him for all she was worth.
He leaned back, just a second, ready to peel her tunic off when he saw it, a bright flash of crackling lightning. He threw Desire off of him and to the side as he rolled away, a fraction of a second before the lightning bolt struck the bedroll, almost entirely obliterating it.
He only gave Desire the briefest of glances to make sure she was okay before pushing himself quickly off the ground and diving behind a tree. His belt with his daggers lay on the other side of the fragments of the bedroll. He wished he'd had the presence of mind have rolled in that direction. Though, Cillian had been more than a little distracted at that moment. He felt lucky he was at least aware enough to get them out of the way. Weaponless and shirtless with his prick still hard and jutting out from his breeches wasn't the best way to be dressed for a fight. And he didn't even know who attacked them. He peered around the tree and saw Jassin. He regretted not sticking a dagger in the wizard's ear as he slept as it became evident that his apprehension had been justified.

 

[haremfaery]

"Beshaba's Tits!" Desire gasped as she hit the ground and rolled into a crouch. She looked at the smoking bedroll and trusted that Cillian was under cover somewhere. He did his best work in the shadows. Her belt with her daggers was on the ground near the bedroll. No way to get to them just yet.

She began dancing and made it behind a tree when the next lightning bolt struck where she had been. Whoever was firing them must know she was mostly immune to fire. Had more bandits come back to try again? She kept dancing, readied her own fire bolt and shot it to where the blast came from. She kept dancing, a moving target is hard to hit. Another blast shot out and missed her. But still she couldnt't see who it was. They kept hidden in the trees. Surely the others would have heard the commotion by now?

She retaliated with another blast of her own. A tree took the hit. Where was Cillian? She didn't want to hit him by accident.

A blast hit her, but this time she saw Jassin. "Traitorous bastard!" She screamed. Her body became flame. Flames shot from her fingers. It was a clear hit, but Jassin knew fire was her mode of attack. If he was smart, he would have some protection against it.

Where was Cillian? Where was everyone else?Tymora's Luck, please tell me he didn't kill them before coming after us.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

While Jassin was engaged with Desire, Cillian could get to his belt and, more importantly, his daggers. He didn't waste time with his belt. He just pulled the blades from their scabbards before slipping back into the shadows created by the magic tangling between Desire and the traitor.

Jassin, a deep sleeper agent, had been waiting for the moment for decades. This was what he'd been sent to do—to prevent alliances with the Freeholds, to foment the ongoing war. The death of a diplomatic party, just outside the borders, with one survivor from a noble house to report the slaughter by Freehold citizens, would be enough to shatter any chance of peace. The only thing left for Jassin to do was murder his traveling companions.

He'd cast a spell to protect him from fire. He wasn't foolish enough to come unprepared, though his protection would only last so long. There was a reason he wanted to eliminate Desire first. She was the most powerful fighter the group had.

Phyrra and Tarron heard the crackling blast coming from the direction they had seen Desire and Cillian slink off in. Tarron turned to his sister and said, "Wake the others." He didn't give her even a moment to respond before he was running towards the sound. By the time he arrived, everything was chaos happening all at once. He could see the slinging spells between a figure and a flaming dervish he could only assume was Desire. He didn't have time to marvel at her elegance and grace, nor her raw power, because he was running towards her advisory.

Tarron didn't have the stealth of his brother. He ran through the woods, breaking every branch and snapping every twig between him and his target. Jassin turned Tarron stumbled in surprise to see the attacker was someone who had acted as an ally. Jassin took the opportunity to fling lightning in his direction. The elf was lucky enough to dive behind a tree, only feeling the small, supple hairs on his body stand on end for the static charge.

But while Phyrra was more silent, Tarron's brazenness had drawn Jassin's attention in their direction. It hadn't taken her long to rouse Siora and Vuduin, as they had barely closed their eyes, and she was only a few feet behind her brother. She was able to dodge the lightning as well, but Jassin, seeing them both there, decided to use a fireball to take care of them.

Tarron hadn't seen much war, but he'd seen enough to know what Jassin was about to do. Just before the blast, he threw himself in front of his sister, protecting her from the explosion. His final breath drew the flames into his lungs. He kept his sister alive, but she was still severely burned from the blast.

Jassin opened his mouth, but no one would ever know if it was to gloat or cast his next spell. Cillian drew one dagger across it, silencing the traitor forever. But Cillian wanted to be sure the man was done, so he drove the second dagger into the mage's back. It was poetic in a way, the traitor being stabbed in the back. He looked up in time to see Siora healing Phyrra as she cried in pain from her burns. It was triage. She might have been able to bring Tarron back, but she couldn't take the chance. She chose the certainty of saving Phyrra's life instead.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire could cast fire bolts all day and not get tired. But they didn't seem to be doing anything against Jassin. Her spells, her weapons--Seven Hells--her entire body was all about fire. And fire wasn't wasn't even singeing Jassin's hair.

Her dancing was keeping Jassin from making any mortal wounds on her, but she was not immune from lightning or freezing blasts. She knew she was taking damage. He was trying to wear her down.

She changed tactics and danced close enough to strike him with her blades and dance away again as he readied another spell. The fire on her blades might not burn him, but the sharp edges could still cut.

Unfortunately, getting close enough to cut him, meant she was easier to hit. Jassin cast a spell that made her arm go numb. It was all she could do to keep from dropping her sword. She danced away so he couldn't hit her again.

She heard Tarron before she saw him. Jassin did as well. She saw Tarron--and Phyrra dodge the lightning Jassin threw at them. She was too far away to do anything but scream a warning when she realized Jassin was readying a fire ball. She charged him, but she was too late. Too late to save Tarron and Phyrra. Too late to kill Jassin.

There was Cillian making the kill. She stopped dancing. Her body and swords were back to normal. Siora was healing Phyrra, but Tarron lay still as stone. "Nonononono." This was all wrong. She ran to her back and grabbed two healing potions. She darted back to Tarron and lifted him up. She pulled out the stopper with her teeth and tried t pour the potion into his mouth. He wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead. He was an arrogant prick, but he didn't deserve to die this way.

The liquid dribbled out of Tarron's mouth unswallowed. His skin was blackened and blistered from the fire ball. His armor was burning hot but it was nothing to Desire. She looked up at Cillian. Her tears felt hot as they trailed down her cheeks.

She didn't think about what this might mean for Cillian. For the both of them. That would come later, when reality asserted itself again. With his brother dead, Cillian was now the sole Farceran heir.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian looked at his brother's charred corpse in the embers left over from the battle as Desire tried in vain to pour the red healing liquid into his open mouth. He wasn't exactly sure how to process the whole event. There was no great love between Cillian and Tarron. Still, the animosity was never to the point where Cillian had wished Tarron dead, outside of the peak of his anger after he found out he'd slept with Desire. But it wasn't an anger he was still carrying with him. He chose not to process it, at least not yet. Instead, he took the situation and put it into the most logical order.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Desire, he's gone. Save them for yourself so Siora can focus on Phyrra."
Then he went to his sister's side as her eyes fluttered open. Siora's magic was already working its way through her body, healing the blistering burns and dulling the pain.
"Tarron?" she croaked.
Cillian shook his head.
Phyrra was working through her thoughts in a much deeper way than Cillian had. Tarron was not a good brother, or a good man in general, most of the time. He had been petty and cruel. At the moment before she passed out from the pain, though, she'd seen him at his best, defending his family. Maybe that was what he'd always been doing, not that it justified his actions, but it might explain his motivations. She'd never get the chance to ask him.
Vuduin was securing the area, stamping out the small fires before they spread while making sure that no one else would be sneaking up behind them.
It wasn't long until Siora had healed Phyrra to the point where she could walk with only a steadying hand from Siora. She winced a little; the recently healed flesh was still pink and sensitive. Cillian turned back to Desire and made sure she had recovered.
That was when Vuduin stepped forward and said, "I'll return to camp and grab a shovel."
Cillian looked up at him. It seemed such a strange suggestion since the proper thing to do would have been to bring Tarron's body back.
"Vuduin, why—"
"Because, if we bring back one body, then your father might have questions about what happened to yours."
Cillian startled slightly. The so recent betrayal had him on edge, but this was Vuduin, the most honest man he knew.
"What are you talking about?"
"My dearest friend, you died here, defeating a traitorous mage who planned to break any chance of peace. At least, that is what I could report to your father. It's the only way you can be free of your duties." Vuduin paused for a moment and then said, "And your marriage."
Cillian would have easily understood the plan coming from anyone else's lips. Vuduin suggesting deception was making his already overtaxed brain grind to a halt.
"Tarron's death is tragic, but we can make some good come out of this. I'll be back soon with a shovel and an ax. That will give you some time to decide if we'll be using the shovel to bury him on an ax to cut branches and make a sledge to carry his body. But we can't take too long to decide, because I'm sure Freeholders saw that explosion and some might come to investigate. We'll need a story to tell them."
Vuduin turned to leave as Cillian looked at Desire.

 

[haremfaery]

Desire leaned back from Tarron's body. Cillian was right, there was nothing she could do for him now. She downed what was left of the bitter fluid. Now that the fight was over her wounds were making themselves known. As the adrenaline faded, she felt exhausted. She opened another vial and downed that one. It healed her body but her spirit would take more time. Especially as she thought of the implications of Tarron's death. Did she want to return to [can't remember the city or country's name just now] to be Cillian's mistress as he took his place as heir? Would Cillian even consider it? And once again, what of Siora. Desire had great respect for her. Could the three of them come to an arrangement?

She stood and went to Siora and Phyrra. She took some comfort that Phyrra was now ambulatory.

She was still lost in her thoughts when Vuduin asked about an ax or a shovel. When he spelled it out, it took a moment for her to realize that Vuduin's solution could be the answer to everyone’s problem. That was, if Siora and Phyrra would go along with it. It seemed a win-win for Siora. She retained her position and would be free to marry again. Cillian and she could remain in the freehold. Buy that tavern they had talked abt. Make a life for themselves.

She realized Vuduin wasn't being selfless in this either. She knew he had feelings for Siora. This would also give him the chance to woo her. He was loyal to House Farceran. He'd be a good choice. But it was devious and not really something she expected from Vuduin. She wouldn't flatter herself that having sex with her had opened him up to a world of possibilities--a world where he didn't have to be so ... noble. He had his own desires, perhaps he was just being pragmatic about it.

She wondered why she or Cillian hadn't thought to fake Cillian's death. Subterfuge was their stock-in-trade, after all.

Desire went to Cillian. "This could work." She looked at Siora and Phyrra. "But you both have to agree." She thought Phyrra would be all for anything that would make Cillian happy. Siora though ... Would she go along with this? She had nothing to lose (except for Cillian) and so much to gain.

Siora looked thoughtful. "You'd never be able to return, Cillian. But this seems to be the way out for the three of us."

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Epilogue

"Four of us," Phyrra said. "I 'died' too."
Cillian looked to his sister, a slight look of shock.
"If I return home, not only will father be furious I left, he'll soon marry me off to some man to consolidate more power. I'm not interested in that for so many reasons, brother."
"Siora, you'd be the only heir to the Farcern household. If that's something you're okay with, then I see no reason for anyone but you and Vuduin to be the only survivors."
And so it was decided that only Siora and Vuduin would be the only returning members of their party. They buried Tarron in the woods and continued to the Freeholds. Siora was able to broker a peace, returning home with an envoy of Freeholders for protection. As Lady Farceran, she continued to work on strengthening the bond between the elves and the Freeholds. The Empire didn't stand a chance.
But for Cillian, Desire, and Phyrra, that conflict was distant outside of the occasional intrusion. Desire was right about the inn. It was the perfect place for an ex-spy. Gossip was the stock and trade, but he didn't have to get his hands dirty.
And the fear that domesticity would quell their passion was unfounded. The thrill of death was replaced with a growing trust as Cillian learned to let go of his secrets.
Lord Farceran passed away not long after Siora's return. It wasn't long after that she and Vuduin were married. They were a perfect fit for each other in more ways than one.

 

[haremfaery]

It made sense to say Cillian and Desire also died in the attack. Cillian for the obvious reasons Vuduin had stated. For Desire, it meant that she didn't have to keep looking over her shoulder for Empire assassins. They would be safe. They could make a life for themselves in the Freeholds.

Phyrra wanting to stay surprised Desire at first, although the girl had a strong independent streak--just like her half-brother. And, as she learned later, Phyrra had no need or wish for a husband.

Phyrra eventually found a nice Tiefling girl and settled down. She became the town healer and helped the farmers with their crops.

The three traveled back for Siora and Vuduin's wedding, in heavy disguise. The reunion was a happy one. On the way back to the Freeholds and their inn, Desire told Cillian that she was pregnant.

That was the first of four children. All of them Tieflings. Since the pact Desire's ancestors made left no room for anything else. However, the two boys had their father's eyes, pale skin and dark hair. The two girls took after their mother. None of the four had Desire's extravagant ears or horns.

Desire had little call to use her flame dancing as a weapon and mostly danced to entertain their guests. Phyrra also made her learn a spell to contain and control fire--just in case.

Both Desire and Cillian knew that he would outlive her. For years, they ignored it. Eventually Desire knew they had to talk about it. She encouraged Cillian to seek happiness after she was gone. The thought of him pining for her for another lifetime was something she couldn't bear. There was also their family to think of. Cillian would live to see many generations.

She wanted him to take lovers, or another wife. She made Phyrra promise to keep her brother from falling into despair.

They lived a full, happy life together. Something neither of them ever thought would be possible.

 

[HeyYoureThatGuy]

Cillian vowed he'd be a better father than his. He did that and more. He was able to do something he'd never thought possible. He lived a normal happy life. Thanks to his 'death' he didn't have to constantly look over his shoulder.

After she died, he did his best to carry out Desire's wishes. And while he did take lovers, he never married again despite Phyrra's prodding. Neither did he sire any more children. Desire was his one and only true love. He died surrounded by his descendants.

Fin