Eastport (closed)

[Makisan]

She let out a yell that echoed through the room, her hands pulling at the blankets. Left, right, flick, bite, all were the right tricks to bring Terra close to her peak. She glanced down at him, reaching down and pushing his face more into her thighs. She whimpered his name, her breath picking up.

"FFFFFFuuuuuckkkk,," she cried out ten minutes later, her body twisting and contorting as she came into his mouth, her thighs locking up, squeezing his head. She whined when Marcus moved from her, her body still locked up.

Goosebumps raised from her skin when he ran a hand down her leg before pushing them apart as he crawled back on top of her. She looked up at him in a haze, trying to focus on the moment.

"... what?" Was her reply when he said something to her. She laughed, leaning up and kissing him, enjoying her taste on his lips.

 

[ThaDonger]

Stepping back as Terra's body shook, her legs tight together as she rode out the remainder of her orgasm. Marcus places his hands on her knees, opening her legs once more as he slides his hands down her inner thighs.

Gently crawling up her body, her eyes closed and head pressed firmly into the mattress, he leans in and whispers "You taste devine"as her eyes meets his again.

It was clear she had not paid attention or was lost in that one moment as she laughs before kissing him deep. Marcus shares her orgasm from his face with her, as her mouth kisses him deeply and her lips taste her juices.

Terra's moust heat greets the tip of his shaft as the share each others mouth. Marcus couldn't resist his urges as he pushes the head inside her, stetching her walls open as he does.

He lifts his body up on his hands, chest tight as his weight is transfered aboved her. With a push of his hips, he slides deep inside her...to use her words, balls deep.

 

[Makisan]

Terra snapped back into the moment, spreading her legs more to let Marcus in. She took shallow breaths as he pushed into her, her toes curling when he finished. She looked up at him with a grin, the mouthy person he had known back in his face.

"How does your cock feel inside me, hm?" She asked, sitting up on one elbow, a hand reaching up and holding onto his neck as she started grinding her hips against his. She moved one leg up, wrapping it around his waist, pulling him in deeper.

"Now, fuck me," she whispered into his ear, biting on the lobe. She used her other arm to hold onto his neck as well, using her leg to gently guide him in and out of her wetness. "Or I'll fuck you," she finished, licking his lips as she pulled on his hair, pulling his head back, her tongue moving down his chin, his neck.

She placed a hand on his chest, locking eyes with him as she moved her hips while moving his hips with her leg, creating a rhythm 98% of Eastport didn't know about. She watched his eyes struggle to stay open, a grin that even a masochist would find a bit terrifying. She licked his cheek when he broke eye contact, her other leg wrapping around him as well. She pulled him closer, her breath in his ear, light and sensual.

"You can keep up, yes? War girls are never fun," she whispered to him, keeping her legs locked around him as she somehow managed to flip their bodies so that she was on top. She sat up, pushing her hair back, looking down at his sweaty face and body. "War girls don't offer up any challenge, afraid of the men using their services will kill them."

She stirred her hips, watching Marcus let out a hiss and groan. She let out a chuckle, reaching down, putting two fingers in his mouth.

"You'll be alright, war boy," she teased, winking at him, trying to get him "play" back.

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus' mind still clouded by rum and this ongoing experience. As she flips them over, taking him by surprise, his eyes lock to her. He body shones in the low light as drops of sweat run down her body. He hears Terra's words, her taunts if you will.

As she pushes her fingers into his mouth, he sucks them gently, as his ringht hand moves up her wet body. Thesmall river the runs her cleavage wets his palm as his hand wraps her neck. He squeezes, lifting her head as he stretches his arm to the ceiling.

He feels her pulse beneath his skin, racing through her veins. Pushing her fingers from his mouth, Marcus sits up right, pulling her by the throat to his mouth. His free hand cups her ass from the bottom as she sits atop him, straddled.

He bites her lower lip, pulling it from her mouth. "Fuck me!" His eyes glazed with pure lust.

He tilts her head back, her next white under his fingers. His mouth moves to the side of her neck, biting her flesh with his teeth, before kiss her neck. His hand grips hard on her ass, pulling her cheek to one side.

 

[Makisan]

Terra shivered, nearly cumming right there and then. She groaned, her eyes going in and out of focus from all the sensations happening at once. She let out a soft laugh when he responded to her, a gasp following as he bit her neck. She hadn't planned on leaving unscathed but for a split second, she hoped the bite marks and the light bruising from his fingers stayed on her neck. She dragged her nails up his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck as she started to bounce in his lap.

She pushed her chest into his, almost trying to make their separate bodies into one. She moved his hand away from her throat, licking each digit before putting three fingers in her mouth. She started to pick up pace in her hips, letting out a moan that got louder and louder each time she came down onto him. She let out a whine as she slowed down, the urge to cum taking over. She shuddered again, grinding against him, wondering about the mess she most likely made on him for a moment.

She wanted this night to last forever, the moon making way for the sun to rise in a few hours. She kissed him, her tongue darting into his mouth, coyfully twirling around his tongue and licking at his lips when she removed it. She started to bounce on him again, her stomach tightening up, her nails taking against his back, almost digging into him, as she locked eyes with him.

"I--" was all she could managed before letting out a low groan that turned into a loud moan as she started to cum, picking up speed to ride out her orgasm. She pressed her face into his neck, sighing as she finished, feeling the wetness that she poured on him was probably running down his thighs.

 

[ThaDonger]

With her face buried in his neck, Marcus bites down on her shoulder, teeth pressing hard into her soft flesh as he feels fall off the edge and cum on his lap. Terra relaxes on him, as does his mouth, leaving a big red teeth mark deep in her skin. He kisses her the spot, before kissing her neck with his lips and tongue.

Marcus' hand move up her back, the stream of sweat running down as he lays her on her back remaining deep inside her. With both her wrist in his palms, he pushes deeper inside her, feeling her hips rotate up and thighs lift. His thrust turn to a pounding, harder and harder, holding her hands tight above her head. He watches, her eyes closed and drops of sweat fall from his brow to her beautiful face, knowing he approaches his own orgasm.

He groans loud, his hips slow but push deep, grinding hard into her wetness, clinching his teeth. With the first shot, Marcus knows he fills her completely and moans out loud as it takes over him. Each press of his pelvis sends another stream deep inside her until he has nothing more to give.

Marcus collapse on top of Terra, searching for breath. He removes the sweat from her chest and neck with his lips, savoring the salty liquid. Her hands move in his grip before he relaxes it, releasing her from his hand.

 

[Makisan]

Terra laid there for a moment, feeling Marcus' seed drip out of her. She let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and turning her head toward him.

"Do you normally call on people like this?" she joked, opening her eyes and looking up at him. Her body felt like a cooked noodle, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a while. She slowly stretched out after a few minutes, slowly sitting up, trying to get blood flow going to her limbs. She took a deep breath and slowly stood up, wincing a bit, her hips and thighs still tender and tight. She smirked and shook her head.

"We shouldn't make this a thing," she said, rolling her eyes and laughing. "Goodness, however will I work tomorrow? I'm sure my patrons miss me terribly," she continued, picking up her pants and tossing them over her shoulder. She huffed, putting her hands on her hips, glancing out the window.

"Not quite sunrise yet... I should probably get going. I'm sure you have... other things to worry about," she said nonchalantly before letting out a yelp when Marcus pulled her back onto the bed. She shook her head, but intertwined her legs with his, pushing a hair behind his ear. "You're going to be in sooo much trouble," she whispered as she started to drift off.

She woke up to a scream, surrounded by trees and soldiers with a sigil covering their shields that was both familar and different. She walked barefoot and naked through the trees, following the sound of the horses rushing past her. She walked onto the group of soldiers she saw before, trying to see what they were looking at. When she looked up, she saw a bundle of red cloth swinging in the trees.

"You will never find my body," yelled into her ear, causing her to cry out in pain, falling onto her knees onto the leaves, onto the wet stone on a castle that seemed distant and close in memory. Lightning crashed in front of her, 3 figures standing to face each other, one standing alone on the right side, 2 others on the left, one of them standing behind the other.

"You are a cowardand a liar," the voice from before screamed out against the thunder.

A puddle of blood bloomed under Terra's knees, the pain of twenty arrows surging through her body as they slammed into one of the figures on the left as the body in front fell to the side.

Terra gasped, quickly sitting up in the bed. Her heart raced, her eyes trying to focus on if the room she was in was real or not. She felt sick, her skin clammy. She took deep breaths, trying to fight back the hot tears from whatever that was. She slowly climbed out of bed, trying not to disturb Marcus. She grabbed her pants and quietly tiptoed her way back into the study to grab her shirt and pack. She stopped by the desk, grabbing a fresh thing of parchment and dipping the quill in ink. She scribbled two notes, folding both in her pack before getting dressed.

She had things to do today, sure, but she was in a study! She walked through the books, pulling out a book about Lord Brian and his advisor 'Red', flipping through the pages, trying to find the juicier bits. Apparently Lord Briand and Advisor Red were from rival families but due to some circumstantial war, they became fast allies and friends.

Lord Brian went on to marry Lady---

"Ugh, booooooring," Terra said, pushing the book back in its place.

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus wakens, knowing something had to have stirred him. He can barely remember the bed move and shake beneath him before it went calm. He felt a uneasy as he assumes Terra up and left without saying a word to him He looks around the dimly lit room, candles almost extinguished. His hand searches for Terra among the mess of skins and linen covering the bed. He sits up and climbs from the mattress, walking around his chambers nude. He tosses another couple logs on to the fire, watching as embers rose and the flame glow brighter.

A faint voice from the study gathers his attention. He turns and walks in the direction of the voice, not bothering with any cloths. In the door way of the study, he stops and places a hand up on the frame. He watches as Terra places the book back on the shelf.

"Not your read?" he ask, breaking the silence in the room.

Terra turns, startled at first until the voice registers familiar. She sees his muscular body blocking the doorway, merely a shadow in the frame. See turn backs to the shelves, redirecting her attention to what she was doing. He walks across the room, wraps his arms around Terra from behind, pulling her close against his body.

"I can honestly say, I have never read any of these books" looking around before he starts laughing. "I though you understood when I pulled you back to bed, you were not permitted to leave" kissing the mouth shaped bruise on her shoulder. "At least not yet."

 

[Makisan]

"I can honestly say, I have never read any of these books"

Terra blinked, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"That... What? All this knowledge and all these stories at your disposal and you haven't-- wow...". She tilted her her head, smiling at the kiss.

"So I can't even grab my things? Wonder around your castle? Find your secret harem?" She teased, pulling out another book about Lord Brian, flipping through the pages. Her sudden interest in what happened almost 150 years ago must have sparked from that nightmare, the sigils on the shields still burned into her skull even if the rest of the dream had long since disappeared.

She turned to face him. "Is okay if I borrow a few of these? I promise to return them in a week." She had so many questions that the books could answer. So many of them could be just fun in general to read.

She could never spend her time reading as a child, too busy learning letters and numbers, the way a knife works, how it's supposed to feel in your hand, how to clean it, how to kill people with it.

"In another life, I'd be a housewife in the mountains, cooking and reading," she laughed, shaking her head at such a terrible, childish idea. This was her life now; a cursed child that had grown into a woman who had no motivations that were her own. Since childhood, she was in training to fulfill a duty she didn't sign up for. All she knew was how to operate her tavern and the hidden tenants that were beaten, scratched, stabbed into her. When she was her smallest, she was caught under a table, reading a book about dragons and royalty and heroism only to have to snatched away, being dragged to the fireplace where her trainer tossed the book into the fire. When she cried in protest, her trainer pulled her by her hair, dragging her to a closet and locking her inside for the rest of the night. Terra never picked up a book to read on her own ever again.

She didn't realize she was clinging to the book for dear life until Marcus reached out to touch her shoulder and she instinctively jerked back, as to not have this small semblance of her innocence taken away from her again. Her face turned red in embarrassment, turning away from him. She suddenly felt tired again. She pushed the book back into it's spot, walking away from the bookcase, back to the bedroom, her eyes full of resentment and angry tears.

 

[ThaDonger]

"I never really had the opportunity to study many of these. I left for war when I was young remember." Marcus explained, loosening his hold on her and looking around the study.

Terra was completely right, there are mountains of knowledge and history within these walls, yet Marcus has not taken the time to read it. There are the books he wss required to read for his studies growing up, but as far as taking it amongst himself to study further, that is something hehas yet to do.

He looked at her with a puzzled look on his face when she asked to borrow a few books. In his privileged mind, everyone had books and studies to do. Why wouuld she need to borrow books.

As she pushes the book back into it's resting place, Marcus couldn't help but look confused as she walks out, back in the direction of his chambers. He pulls the book back out, examines the cover before looking back at her, seeing her disappear through the doorway.

Carrying the book with him, Marcus walks back into his chambers and finds Terra standing out on the balcony, looking over Eastport in the calm of night. He walks behind her, wraps his arms around her tight, pressing himself against her.

"Terra, you need not ask. Of course you barrow them. Keep them as long as you need." He nuzzles face against her cheeks. "You may even read here if you like."

Marcus can feel the tears running of her cheek as it touches his nose. He turns her around, facing him. He hands the book to her, her hand reaching out, taking it from his hand. He looks her deep in the eyes, wiping her eyes with his thumbs.

 

[Makisan]

She laughed, sniffling, nodding her head. "No tears..." She repeated back to him. Her face lit up with pure joy when he handed her the book, throwing her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"Thank you!" She squealed, pulling back and looking at the cover. It was a book on how to make various meads with the natural ingredients around and outside of Eastport. Some of them she never heard of before and was excited to try. She sighed, holding it to her chest for a moment before putting it at her side. She sniffed, wiping her eyes with her free hand.

"Why are you even up anyway?" She asked him, puzzled. "It's way to early for a lord such as yourself to be up," she continued, following Marcus inside, pulling her in from the chilled air. She set the book down on the table next to the bed, getting undressed once more before crawling back into bed, pulling one of the thinner skins up to her chest. She watched him move around the room before getting back into bed with her. The warmth from the skin and his body made sleep return to her as she yawned, laying her head in his chest, only to pass out a moment later.

When the sun peeked over the balcony hours later, kissing the parts of her that weren't under the skin, causing her to stir and open her eyes. She quickly sat up, looking around the room, her hair having a serious case of bedhead, her eyes still a bit puffy from crying. She was in the middle of the bed, unsure of where she was for a solid minute before she noticed Marcus was missing. She heard someone at the door, looking around for somewhere to hide. She was a commoner and shouldn't actually be here. She quickly tossed off the skin and crawled under the bed, watching the door swing open and a pair of feet enter the room.

 

[ThaDonger]

Never before has such beauty graced his eyes, Marcus thought to himself. The way Terra crawled back into bed, pulling just a light skin over her naked body. He walks around the bed, climbing back inside and pulling Terra against him, feeling her head on his chest as sleep took both of them once again.

For Marcus, sleep is a luxury. He gas not had a full nights sleep since his return to Eastport. His thoughts weigh heavy on him, so many rely on him to make the correct choices. His greatest fear...failure.

After a couple have passed, Marcus climbs from bed and walks to the fireplace. The fire has grown dim, only embers remain. He tosses some logs on the fire and walks to a back corner of the room where his chamber pot sat on the floor.

The door rattles as someone fumbles with the latch. Entering the room, a young maiden carrying a tray walks inside. She heads to the table on the balcony where Marcus would have his breakfast every morning. She does not announce herself as she walks through his chambers gathering the outfits from around the room.

Unknowingly, she has collected Terra's cloths with his and placed them inside a woven basket. As she straightens the bed, Marcus walks into the room and quickly covers himself with his hands. "Excuse me" he says aloud, heading to his wardrobe.

Returning with only a pair of pants on, he finially notices Terra is not to be seen. "Have you..." Then thinks twice about the question he was about to ask. "That will all, you may finish later" he tells her, hurrying her out the door.

He turns back to the room, scanning for any sign. "Terra" he says in a high whisper.

 

[Makisan]

Terra's head popped up from the side of the bed, slowly standing up.

"She has my clothes," she said, dumbfounded. She started to laugh. "Well, fuck!" She placed her hands on her hips, making a face that said she should have known better. She smiled at Marcus, laughing harder. She shook her head, taking a deep sigh.

"If she took my pack of clothes then I'm royally fucked," she said rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms. "I blame you for this," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him.

The wind carried in the smell of his breakfast. Her stomach groaned loudly. "Of course," she mumbled, patting her stomach with her hand. "Of course the one time I decide, no, forced to sleep over, I lose my clothes and I starve. Yeah, this is a beautiful day."

She fell onto the bed, face first. She screamed into the mattress, which turned into laughter. She rolled into her back, her body shaking with stifled giggles. "I hope my bar isn't on fire, it's been like 3 days since I haven't been there. One of the girls volunteered to run things for me if I go "missing", so hopefully she picked up the slack. ...hope she isn't pissed that I have shown up for three days," she said loudly, mostly to herself. She looked over at Marcus, raising an eyebrow at him.

"What?"

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus stood there, smiling and laughing inwards as Terra paniced. Throwing herself on to the bed face first, he could not help but let out a laugh. He turns to his wardrobe, pulls a silk shirt out and walks to where Terra lies on the bed.

As she turns over, he peers deep inside her eyes with a larger smile.

"What?"

Marcus burst into laughter and tosses the shirt to her. "Come eat"

Terra slips the silk shirt on and walks to the table behind Marcus. He pulls her chair out, the scoots her in before taking his seat. "You think her taking your cloths is bad, I just hope she doesn't think the women's cloths are mine!"

He paases her the tankard of fresh juice. He takes the loaf of bread, tearing two pieces, placing one in front of her. He sits back in his chair, admiring her in his shirt.

"You eat" he tells her, taking a bite from his bread. "I'll see if I can get you some cloths."

 

[Makisan]

She tore a chunk of the bread off and popped it into her mouth.

"Oh, no, they are not women's clothes. They're just smaller sized men's clothes," she said matter of factly. "This shirt feels nice, but I don't have the coin for silk," she said, taking a sip of the juice. She peered into her tankard and took a longer sip.

Terra was silent as she ate her food, looking at the houses and shops of Eastport, going further out and looking at the mountains far off in the distance. She placed her chin in one hand, twirling the fork on their shared plate with the other as she started to daydream about the life she actually wanted. To be able grow a garden and hunt for her own food and making her way into town for shopping. She sighed, closing her eyes as the slight breeze moved around, blowing her hair across her face.

"It's very nice out here," she whispered, slowly opening her eyes and looking over at Marcus. "So, what do you plan on doing now? I'm sure you entourage of ass kissers have lists of things you need to do. I really do hope it's a ball. A masquerade would be beautiful. I was never allowed to even glance at the idea of going to one. The last happened when I was 16, if I remember correctly. I snuck out and climbed a tree that was right outside the window of the great Hall and I watched all the ladies twirl in their fancy gowns... I wouldn't wear one like the ones they were wearing--- I'm rambling." She smiled bashfully, putting the fork down and leaning back in her seat, going back to her mountain daydream.

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus laughs as Terra comments yet again on throwing a ball. Reaching forward, grabbing some grabes, he puts one in her mouth and smiles. "I think I may just do that! A ball, a masquerade ball" he grins, sitting back in his chair and eating a hand full of grapes. "Of course all the local business owners must attend. Even that woman who owns the Redheaded Muff"

The sun is fully above the mountains by the time they finished breakfast. Marcus walks to his wardrobe and pulls a long piece of silk fabric from the top.

"Here, wrap this around you, keep the shirt" he tells her, walking to her.

He holds her face in his hands, kisses her deeply on the lips. He pulls his own cloths for the day and dresses. "Maybe as a prominent business owner, you. Should find someone to manage your tavern" smiling as he laces his boots. "Free your time for other endeavors"

Marcus stands up and walks to his chamber doors. He looks at her almost embarrassingly, "Leave the way you were brought in last night." He hangs his head in shame as the woman he just spent an incredible night with must be snuck out his chambers. "Kenneth will meet you at the bottom to escort you out."

He exits his chambers and makes his way to the Great Hall to hear this days affairs. His mind is clouded however, his thoughts on Terra and when they can be together once again.

 

[Makisan]

Terra grinned into the kiss, leaning into it and giggling like a school girl.

"Maybe as a prominent business owner, you should find someone to manage your tavern. Free your time for other endeavors."

She snorted, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Yes, maybe I should," she replied, rolling her eyes.

"Leave the way you were brought in last night. Kenneth will meet you at the bottom to escort you out."

The smile on Terra's face disappeared as she wrapped the silk around her. She nodded slowly.

"Right... Yeah... I will," she murmured, watching him leave, leaving her alone. She huffed, turning around and walking into the study, her pack still on the floor. She changed into fresh clothes, shoving the silk into the bag. She walked the bookcase one last time, grabbing the book she skimmed through about Lord Brian and Red, another book about the many shield sigils in the lands and a book about the castles in Eastport and surrounding areas. She shoved them into her pack, slinging it on her shoulder, leaving the study and going out the back way that Marcus told her, slinking through the shadows, bypassing Kenneth as she hid in the shadow of an old armor set. She stuck out a tongue at him, walking through the kitchens, stealing a piece of bacon and leaving the keep, waking toward the Muff. She got excited again. A ball was happening. She had to get help from her working girls to make her dress. She knew exactly what she wanted to wear.

 

[ThaDonger]

"Kenneth!" Marcus summons. "Send word that there will be a Ball in 3 nights time"

Kenneth rushed off to have word sent throughout the city.

Meeting after meeting, complaint after complaint, Marcus' head spun from the days activities. Running a kingdom is much more difficult than he had ever imagined. His father made it look effortless. Maybe it was his counsel that afforded that.

Marcus gets an idea while in his last counsel meeting, one he knows would not be well received, but the choice is his and his alone.

"That will be all for today" Marcus frustratedly says placing boths hands on the table and standing.

As the room stands in their customary ways, Marcus heads to his study, hoping not to be followed. He walks the books, running a finger over them as he passes. Looking out over the mountains through the open balcony, Marcus turns and heads down his private entrance, the same he sent Terra down that morning. He meets Kenneth at the bottom with two personal guards. "I'm headed out for a bit" grabbing his sword and hat, "You two with me."

They ride down the street in the direction of the piers. As they approach the Muff, the sun is beginning to set over the bay. Marcus dismounts as does his two guards and walk into the tavern, looking around for a place to sit.

 

[Makisan]

The Muff seemed extra packed that night, since it had been nearly three days since it had been opened. There weren't any tables... Up front. One of the redheaded girls quickly walked over to them, bowed in greeting and walked Marcus and his knights through the busy tables, the bar getting quiet and murmuring when they passed. She lead them to a private room, opening the door and letting them inside.

"I'll let Mistress Terra know you're here, m'lord. Excuse me," she said, bowing and leaving, slamming the door shut, the common rabble being muted severely.

It was ten minutes before Terra walked through the door, carrying a jug of rum, a bottle of mead, 4 tankards and a bowl of nuts and a bowl of fruit, setting it on the table.

"Sorry for the wait," she breathed, rolling up her sleeves and putting her hair up. "I can I help you tonight?" She asked, her skin seeping with sweat, the linen shirt clinging to her chest, the outline of her nipples peeking through.

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus watches as Terra enters the room, stray hairs plastered to her face with sweat, her shirt clinging to her body. He turns to his men, "Excuse us". His guards nod and step through the door, leaving the two inside the room together.

He stands and looks her over. "Decided to eat dinner at yoour place tonight" he smiles, pulling a chair from under the table. "Sit with me."

Marcus takes two of the tankards and pours the rum, pushing one in front of her. "About this morning. I should never have sent you off like that" he hangs his head. "Did the cloths fit?"

He takes a long drink from his tankard, placing it on the table loudly. "Look, I've come to offer you something, a seat on the counsel." Marcus looks up at her, almost convinced she will turn him down.

 

[Makisan]

"Decided to eat dinner at yoour place tonight. Sit with me. About this morning. I should never have sent you off like that. Did the cloths fit?"

Terra was suddenly irritated. Did he not see how crowded the tavern was? She had to help in the kitchen, help run items to folk, help clear tables. She didn't have time for whatever--

"Look, I've come to offer you something, a seat on the counsel."

She blinked, quickly be sat down and downed half of her tankard. She swore and shook her head, taking a deep breath before looking at him, glaring. Was it the rum? Was she upset that he told her this on a busy night?

"I need a week, two tops. So I can find someone to run the Muff," she grunted, getting up and leaving the room to go finish her duties of the evening, getting permission from him to leave be damned. She did send a maiden to deliver the special of the night to him and his guard; grilled salmon, drizzled in a sweet sauce rice and grilled asparagus soaked in butter and salted to perfection.

She went through all the emotions that night, the two that showed up the most being anger at Marcus for just throwing that job at her and shame for ACTUALLY saying yes and leaving her post as a bar owner, even though she was supposed to.

She didn't see him leave, too busy in the basement getting more bottles of mead, counting out how many she still needed to take for the ball in three days. She got angry again.

"He sure is asking a lot of me," she grumbled, slamming her hidden reserve closed and rushing back upstairs, putting bottles on tables before running back down to her another barrel of rum.

At the end of the night, she paid her workers double and still had more than enough to pay the girl to make her dress in a hurry. Once she finished mopping the floors, she went back to her room, undressed and flung herself on her bed, falling asleep almost immediately.

 

[ThaDonger]

Marcus is taken back by her sudden departure. He assumed she wanted what is best for Eastport. What better way than a voice at the table?

As the bar maid brings in his food, Marcus is convinced at this point Terra will not return. "Thank you" sitting a couple couns on the table for her. Even though he really rode all this way to see Terra, he ate his meal out of respect for her and the people.

Opening the door, his guards had finished thier meals and standing, waiting for him Marcus looks around the quiet room, scanning for a sign of Terra. "We are done here" walking his way to the front door and leaving in a full gallop.

That night he sat on his balcony, his place of peace. He toys with the strings of his tunic, mind racing a thousand miles an hour. He walks through the study, examining the books as he walked. "Age of Marcus II" caught his eye.

Freeing the dusty book from it confines, he begins walking back to his balcony seat, thumbing through the pages. Marcus knew he was third of his name, but being sent off to war at such a young age, he never really learned of the others.

He settles in by candle light on a cool night, opening the book at the beginning...500 years ago, beginning...

 

[Makisan]

The next few days were a blur for Terra; between getting the hundreds of bottles of mead out of her secret stash, to getting certain items ready to get cooked for the ball, to taking the silk shirt and silk wrap to one of her maids to get fitted into a dress, Terra was stretched thin and anxious.

What if this ball went terribly wrong? What if her dress turned out ugly? What if--

The evening of the ball, she sent her cooks ahead of her, Kenneth escorting them to the kitchens and great hall to place the finger foods on the buffet tables. She stated behind, sitting on a bar stool as one of the girls painted her face to match the color of her dress, while the other added final touches to the fabric. She tapped her foot nervously on the floor. The one doing her makeup laughed, handing her a goblet of red wine. Terra sipped it, get nerves calming down as another girl entered the tavern with combs, brushes and pins.

"NOW ARRIVING, TERRA LANCE, FIRST OF HER NAME, OWNER OF THE REDHEADED MUFF," the announcer called hours later. The high class patrons giggled, wondering what crass and low class outfit Terra was going to show up in. They stopped when she walked through the door, a twinge of jealousy in some of the women's faces. Other women (and most of the men) wants to bed her.

Her hair was pulled up into a high, twisted bun, with small, yellow and white flowers placed throughout. Her eyes were the color of the morning, yellows and oranges and gold, her lips redder than the wine she had earlier. Her dress was the yellow silk shirt, which had the buttons removed and string added, the front now the back. Her shoulders were bare and also covered in flowers. The top cuffed at the middle of her shoulders and bellowed out, the sleeves covering her hands. The leg part of her dress, the red silk, neatly tucked in the top part at her waist and flowed out being her, large orange and red flowers sown onto the small train. The front had slits that started at the middle of her thighs and with each step, her thighs could be seen. She wore red heeled, ankle boots that were decorated with small yellow flowers.

She looked around, ignoring the stares and whispers of people who thought they were better than she, the lustful eyes of men. She bowed gracefully to the announcer and walked inside, heading straight to the wine table, grabbing a goblet.

4 glasses later, she was dancing and twirling with women who loved her dress, asking her where she got it, gently poking at the flowers in her hair.

8 glasses later, she took a bottle of her mead and walked towards the courtyard. She sat on the fountain of some man or other from years ago and stretched out her legs, kicking off her shoes. She sighed, leaning back on one hand, taking a long swig of mead and looking up at the almost full moon and stars.

She was having fun.

 

[ThaDonger]

Standing inside his chambers, Marcus examines the outfit chosen for him. Black silk trousers with gold stitching, black riding boots, a long black silk tunic with gold piping and his awarded honours displayed across his chest.

"You look very handsome my Lord" his elder chamber maid say, inspecting him, ensuring everything is proper.

Exiting his chambers, Barton presents him with a newly polished sword and bows. Not Marcus's thing, but the city desires it.

The Grwat Hall is packed. Many of the people attending, he has never seen, let alone met. Sticking solely to wine this evening, he barely has time to breath, what with everyone passing, introductions, Marcus learned first hand why his father despised balls, but held them anyway. It was a great way to meet and form alliances.

"I need air" mumbling as he turns and walks to the courtyard. Two guards dressed in thier finest follow behind. Just outside the doorway, he stops as the noise settles, looking up at the moon.

His attention moves to the statue off to his right. He sees Terra seated on the base, relaxed with a smile on her face. He walks to her side "May I?" Pointing to the spot at her side.

 

[Makisan]

She looked up at him and nodded, scooting over. She handed him the bottle, watching him take a deep sip.

"Goodness, that bad, eh?" She asked, shaking her head and looking back the sky.

"You look nice," she whispered, smiling. "Better than you hoped? Worse than you could ever imagine? Improvements? As a member of your counsel, I want your next ball to be better than the last," she teased, taking the bottle and having a swig. She stood up and sighed, grabbing her shoes with her free hand, glancing at his guards before looking down at him.

"Pity," she started, frowning at him. "Your duties are keeping you in that outfit." She winked and bowed at him. "You threw a lovely party, your grace. However, it's time for me to head home. Goodnight, Marcus," she cooed, her smile gentle and sincere. She turned around and headed down the stairs, towards the entrance of the keep, her barefeet enjoying the cool stone beneath them.