Fool's Errand: The Assassin and the Princess

[haremfaery]

Rhavana tensed as she felt her peak coming. She tried to hold off, to prolong the bliss, but it overwhelmed her. Her her entire body quivered as she came. Her orgasm rolled through her in waves of bliss as she bucked and squirmed.

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean groaned, feeling her release. Her clenching muscles urged him to join her. He cried out, knowing how close he was. “I am close my lady.” He warned her as he picked up his pace.

 

[haremfaery]

"Rhavana, call me Rhavana." She moaned. "Do as you will, Tarean." She urged him.

 

[The_gladiator]

“God Rhavana, I am going to cum,” he growled bending low so his breaths tickled her ear. His hands sliding up to trace over the tips of her ears as he gave one last thrust, beginning to cum inside her.

He rested there for a moment before he pulled back and turned Rhavana in his arms, gently tucking her head against his chest as he stood there recovering from such a powerful release. Surprising himself with the tenderness of his gesture.

 

[haremfaery]

She clung to him for a long moment willing herself not to cry as reality flooded back. She stroked his back then stepped away. "Thank you, Tarean." She shivered in the damp air of the cave and stepped close to the fire.

 

[The_gladiator]

He offered her a gentle smile, “Thank you,” he said gently. He reached out to her, and then let his hand fall back to his side a bit of the awkwardness setting in. She did not seem to regret the situation, but she did seem troubled.

Finally, he spoke, “I would say our first task tomorrow will be to get some supplies, so we do not go hungry or don’t remain cold.” He said noticing her chill. “I apologize for not having better accommodations for you princess…Rhavana,” he corrected himself. His words were not mocking, they seemed genuine.

 

[haremfaery]

"We are safe here--at least for a time. I could not ask for better accommodations right now. " She nodded at his plans for the next day. She looked at the rough ground and picked up her chemise. "We should sleep." She dressed back into her breeks and chemise.

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean nodded and checked on his tunic, finding it still damp, he returned to her still naked. Laying down he opened his arms to her invitingly.

Much had happened he wondered if she needed to talk about anything. “I am sorry for the loss of your loved ones in the raid.” He finally offered quietly.

 

[haremfaery]

"I'm sorry as well." She laid down and let him wrap her in his arms. "They shall all be avenged. And you shall be rewarded." She actually snugged against his chest. Her eyes closed and she was fast asleep.

 

[The_gladiator]

He found himself smiling as she lay against his chest. He stroked her hair softly as she fell asleep. He almost wanted to tell her that he had already been rewarded, but didn’t.

The next morning, he rose early, trying not to disturbed her. He moved to put on his damp clothing and with his dagger whittled a sharp stick to make a makeshift spear. He crouched at the edge of the small pool, hunting for a fish to capture for their breakfast. They both would need their strength. He had found some likely safe to eat berries and mushrooms as well. He was patient, but he was about to give up as futile if he did not catch one shortly.

 

[haremfaery]

Rhavana woke up cold and stiff. She stretched until her bones cracked. She stood and stretched again. She found her clothing, clean but still damp, and got dressed.

She went in search of Tarean picking up more kindling for the fire as she went. At least the sun was up and the day promised to be warm after the rain of the day before.

She found him at a pool, fishing. "Any luck?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean shook his head to her question. “No, and We can’t afford to wait long. There is no way that we weren’t followed. Chron is a tenacious bastard. I did not realize that he was as intelligent as he appears to be, unless he lucked into your party.” He seemed to be trying to make sense of what had happened.

He straightened to his feet. “Did you get the fire going again?” he asked, “Since I didn’t get a fish anyway, if you haven’t, I wouldn’t recommend starting one, smoke can be seen in the daylight for a decent distance.” He stepped closer and handed her some of the berries he had found. Opening the belt pouch and taking her hand in his cupping her palm to hand them to her. It seemed like after what had happened the previous evening, he was less hesitant to touch her casually. Casual touch was built into most elven cultures. He had had to hide that pattern for far too long while among the humans.

 

[haremfaery]

"I was just gathering kindling. I suppose I should have been looking for edibles instead. Not that I'd recognize any." She took the berries from him and ate one. "We could forage as we go. I do not want to meet Chron again." It send a shiver through her.

"What should I do before we leave? Are we taking the canoe again?"

 

[The_gladiator]

“Don’t worry, I am familiar with most of the edible food around these parts. It’s not too dissimilar to my homeland in climate.” He shrugged.

He seemed to consider her question, mentally reviewing their path. “There is a village downstream. We may be able to sell the boat there in exchange for supplies.” He handed her a couple of the mushrooms he had found next.

He headed towards the small cave. He kicked at the remains of the fire, scattering the ashes, not wanting to leave too much evidence. When he was satisfied, he pushed the boat back out into the water, holding the double-bladed paddle. He had to admit to himself that riding in the boat would be less awkward after the night before, either that or it would be more so. Only time would tell which.

 

[haremfaery]

Rhavana took the mushrooms and tried to brush the dirt from them before eating them, but they still tasted more earthy than she would have preferred.

She settled into the canoe. "That can't have been enough food for you. Let us hope we can get some at the village."

She thought for a moment. She no longer looked much like a princess in her dirty leathers and her stringy hair, but it was still clear she was an elf. "Do you know this village? Should I do something to cover my ears? Will me being an elf help us or be a liability?"

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean slid into the boat behind her, his legs on either side of her again as he tucked himself around her to paddle. She could feel him shrug at her questions, “I do not know it well, but we are close enough to the boarder that elves should not be a strange sight, even if they are uncommon. I have a dagger that should handle any trouble we run into.” He offered, that honest pragmatism in his voice again.

The boat slid down stream. There were signs that Taurean could see that their pursuers had traveled past them in the night, broken tree branches, even foot prints that he stopped their boat to examine. “We need to be cautious to not overtake them,” he said softly to her after observing the footprints. He shoved them back out into the current after spitting with displeasure over the side of the boat. “If Chron fucks up my chance for lunch, I won’t be happy,” he muttered sardonically.

 

[haremfaery]

Rhavana rested her arms on Tarean's legs. She tensed when he mentioned Chron. "Let us hope they continue to move ahead of us. It will buy us time to rest. And eat."

Floating in the canoe would be pleasant if it weren't for the reason they using it. She rested her back against his chest when current made it unnecessary for him to row.

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean paddled when necessary, steered with the paddle when it was not. Sometimes he kept one arm around her waist as the other used the oar like a poll to push them along, other times both hands were on it working it expertly. He did not take them too quickly. Yes, if they could stay behind their pursuers the opportunity to actually turn the tables on them might become possible.

“So,” he said trying to make conversation, “Were you and the other one close?” he asked referring to her maid who had died at his own hand. He knew it had to be eating at her at least to some extent, perhaps discussing her happy memories about the maid would be helpful to her.

 

[haremfaery]

"Tannith? Yes. We shared much together. I had never meant any harm to come to her. This was to be a small adventure. For me to learn more about negotiating, to learn more about humans. She was my companion and my friend. I will miss her greatly." Rhavana leaned back into the comfort of Tarean's arms.

"We grew up together. Like sisters."

 

[The_gladiator]

“You’re learning, that most humans aren’t quite worth your time,” he said a bit dryly as she paused in her story. He gave her a slight squeeze as she spoke describing how close they had been. He fought to be sure that he did not advertise what had happened to Tannith. He hoped if he told her she would understand, but suspected she wouldn’t, and they did not have the time or could afford the sound of her raging at him.

Finally, they arrived at a small dock. Taurean caught a poll and tied up the canoe to it. Getting out he offered the princess a hand out. “Stay close to me,” he urged as he led her towards the center of the village.

 

[haremfaery]

"It was my father's hope that we could once again work together with humans for the benefit of all. To stop the human squatters along our border. But after this attack, I'm afraid there will be war."

"Of course I will stay close." She let him hand her out of the canoe. She looked around at the village. The street, if one could call it that was muddy from the recent rain. People were out and about. They got a few looks but Rhavana expected that. Even in her dirty disheveled state, anyone could see she was an elf.

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean frowned when she mentioned war. He didn’t say anything that he wanted to. He wanted to tell her that her father was a fool if he let war start over this. War with the humans wasn’t the answer. Yes, they were led by a human but was it really the human kingdom. He suspected it really wouldn’t matter to the elves.

Taurean walked beside her in silence. He returned the looks they got with silent glares, which warded off most of them. Finally, he stopped in front of an open sided tent where fresh produce was played out. He began to look them over. “We don’t want your kind here.” Snarled a beefy looking fellow.

Brandon, for it was Brandon in Taurean’s eyes now looked up. “I can pay you in gold,” he patted his belt pouch, “Or silver,” he said producing his dagger with a flick of his wrist, the blade gleaming in the daylight as he walked the spinning blade over his knuckles. He wasn’t generally prone to shows of dexterity like that, but it sure made a statement as his eyes locked with the proprietor, who seemed to back off looking startled at best.

 

[haremfaery]

Rhavana was surprised at the human grocer's reaction to Tarean. Did humans hate elves so much? Or just half-elves.

She looked over the produce but was loathe to touch anything for fear to anger the grocer. Using all her charm, but not being regal about it, she pointed to the apples. "May we have those?" They would last long and travel well. She looked over the other fruits and pointed out others she would like.

 

[The_gladiator]

Taurean looked menacing as she indicated products she would like. He fell into the bad cop to her good cop if you will, or even a bodyguard role.

The Grocer looked unhappy about it but clearly wanted nothing to do with Taurean’s dagger. He slapped the ingredients on the counter. “Carrots, nuts, barley all joined the apples on the counter. Taurean jerked his dagger at some dried meat. The grocer refused, however when Rhavana made the request he acquiesced. “Ask him if anyone else has been to this village lately,” Taurean offered to Rhavana in elvish. Wondering if the beautiful princess would have better luck with the grocer, than he clearly was having.

 

[haremfaery]

Rhavana nodded to Tarean then turned and smiled at the grocer. "Maru hanan," she used a generic elven term of respect for a stranger. "Please forgive my companion. We have traveled far. We are hungry and tired. We just need a few things and we will be on our way." She paused while he wrapped the dried meat. "It seems to me that you don't see many strangers here. Has anyone else passed through recently?" She waited patiently for an answer with a pleasant look on her face.