Heroes come in all shapes and sizes (IC)

[milkmaiden38]

In the cellar

Tina looked at Devon for a long while. Then she looked down to the gloves tugging on one so it fit her hand better. Then she sighed, “Devon … when everyone is dead … there will be no profit. The dead don’t need coins. If my men join or don’t join it will make almost no difference.” She said.

“So … there is only the present to live for. What do I wish for … before I die …” She said thinking for moment. “I wish to talk to my mother. Tell her what I have become. If you can make that happen before the Garlik’s attack, I shall commit my forces to the losing side.” Tina said … knowing what she was asking was impossible.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He looked at Tina and nodded slowly, if only he could get Maut to bring forth her mother, the thieves was numerous, not trained warriors, but deadly when threatened. The city could do with more defenders,

"Then you will talk to her."

He stood, looking at the untouched drink, then at her,

"What is in it? Poison? Drugs?"

A small smile touched the corners of his mouth,

"It smells all wrong."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Tina could not believe her ears. Devon would bring her mother back … allow her to talk to her? How? It did not seem possible. Well, she would withhold judgment until it happened. Devon’s statements had put her in a better mood.

She smiled to him. “It is elven late harvest wine … a good vintage as well. Perhaps you really have lost all your sense of nobility!” She answered him. “Maybe you have eaten too many pine cones and drank too much tea made of flowers petals.” She chided him.

But in fact, Devon had been correct. The cup which held his wine was magical. Any fluid poured into it would take on truth potion like properties. Causing the drinker to tell the truth. But it did not alter the smell of the fluid. Devon guessed or somehow knew something was not right … he had always been clever.

“Devon you know my word is good. I shall commit my forces after I speak to my dead mother.” Tina reaffirmed. “I have enjoyed see you again … it is always a pleasure” She added with a smile. Devon stood up and nodded his head in recognition of her statement.

“Thank you … and make preparation to support the defense … as you also know … my word equally as good as yours.” Devon said with a smile as he walked back to the table and collected up his belongings. “I shall see you again soon” and he opened the door and was gone.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Mornings suck!

Megan and Isca both got up the next morning to the sound of horse hooves entering their room. It was Nester and Chez. Nester held and armful of weapons and armor and some strange looking sticks with boots on them. He dumped the whole mess on the floor with a loud crash.

Megan sat up in bed. Lucky she had slept in her clothing on with the exception of her boots. So nothing spilled out … as she sat up.

“Good morning” Megan said rubbing some sleep from her eyes. Looking at the two big centaur stallions. Both on them seemed upset.

“Explain the meaning of this!” Chez demanded pointing to the stuff on the floor.

Megan looked over to Isca … who also was staring at the pile on the floor. Megan slipped on her boots and got out of bed. She picked her way through the items “these look like swords and armor … based upon the size of the weapons … I’d say their were designed for humans or orcs.” She picked a shield, with an arrow sticking out of it. That seemed strange and then she picked up the strange boot device … it had a boot attached to a pole. She had no clue what it was for.

Chez spoke up “Just as we suppected. These are supplies for human fighters. We found these in a cart on the battlefield … abandoned. This is proof the humans and Garliks are allies!”

Megan knew that made no sense … but the evidence lay before her!

Zarik has got eye trouble

A few hours later that same morning … Zarik held his head witth both his hands.

“Five …” he asked the wizard again. Wizard Ardel shook his head yes.

“I thought you should know right away … 5 Mesobulbrons … on a more positive note … Brock and Gemini did not see any flying attackers. A few demon bat creatures … but they were only scouts and spies. There were no Goblins or Trolls or Orc … just LOTS of Garliks … most likely 100,000 of the undead creatures. They will be here in about 2 days” The wizard told the large … now stressed … minotaur.

Zarik pulled his hands from his head. “The legends only speak of one Mesobulbron … and we killed it! Now there are 5 of them!” Zarik said. The wizard nodded his head.

“I have told everyone to keep this a secret … we will lose all the defenders of the city if word gets out.” Ardel explained.

Zarik stood straighter, head back chest out. “I will tell them … an Army must know what it faces. Better to know now who will stay and who will run … vice during the battle. Wizard, I will need a defense … I need you and the other magic users to develop something. Also I need practical things the defenders can do … talk to Isola … she was there when we defeated the last one of these we faced.

Ardel looked at Zarik with admiration “Yes … We have already begun working on some ideas. I’ll have something for you in a few hours.” He said and then added “General … I’d just like to say … you’re the best general I have ever served under.”

Zarik smiled back at the old wizard “Thank you … but perhaps your praise needs to wait until we survive this coming battle.”

Ardel nodded “I’m pretty sure we won’t be surviving … so I thought I’d say it now!”

“Fair enough!!” Zarik laughed clapping the wizard on the back "now get me a defense from these floating eyeballs!"

 

[Iscaa]

Isca figures out the puzzel

Isca rubbed her eyes trying to wake up from a much needed sleep as soon as she saw Chez and Nester come barging into their room. Nefer gave a low growl at the rude intrusion. They dumped a bunch of articles on the floor, Chez lost no time talking in highly agitated voice about what he thought it meant. Meanwhile Isca soothed Nefer while staring at the pile. As he went on, she got out of bed, (fully clothed mind you) and stepped over to the pile to get a closer look. Finally she held her hand up while frowning thoughtfully,

"Now hold on....hold on there Chez...this just doesn't add up to me. Think about it a minute, what is that boot on a stick? and the notched swords and arrows all found in an abandoned cart you say?"

She looked the pile over again, bent down picking up the stick with a boot on the end, still frowning she glanced at Megan before planting it on the floor and moving it a step or two. Looking back at the pile of swords then the boot again, she looked up at the two centaurs,

"You know I believe this is some kind of phoney plant to make it look like the humans and Garliks are allies, and may I add not a very good one at that. Now think about it, have any of your people seen or killed any humans with the Garliks? I know I haven't."

She waited to hear if she was wrong, all of them looked at each other shaking their heads. Isca then smiled,

" Gentleman...and Megan since we seem to agree on the fact that no humans have been seen fighting along side the Garliks...this has to be a set up. If they manage to keep our races from becoming allies...we will be that much easier to destroy. I think their strategy is to divide and conquer! What do you think?"

She saw that Megan agreed with her in her conclusion, she now waited for the Centaurs to see it as well.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Nester, the handsome young stallion, saw it right away. “The witch makes an excellent point … Sire! These boots on the stick are used to make false tracks … lay some human sized armor and weapons around the battlefield and some tracks … it would fool everyone but the best trackers. The garliks have been playing us as if we are donkaur*!!

*Note to reader: calling a centaur a donkaur (donkey-tuar) is a big insult

Chez picked up his front leg and looked down at his hoof … then he looked over to the two magic user’s feet and the boots they were wearing. “Mmmm human do change their track prints often …” he picked up one of the sticks with the boot on it and looked at it. “This serves no other purpose … but to make false prints. Nester, you will need to go to the Centaur war council and present this evidence.” Chez ordered.

The senior stallion looked over to Megan “What if the human’s planted the cart … to confuse us? Maybe this is just a trick by the humans?” He questioned her. Megan smiled “check other battle sites … see if you can find some human bodies … or if the human tracks appear to be made by these and not real people walking. Another approach … put all your spare forces against the garliks … and play defense against the human for a while. With Palamar under attack, even if the humans are trying to trick you … they are pretty busy for a while. If you attack the garliks and regain some of your lost villages … the opening of a second front on the garliks will help you … and indirectly assist the humans. You can’t lose!” Megan suggested.

“Your words carry wisdom” Chez agreed. He turned to Nester “We have much to do” He said and both centaurs trotted out of the spare room.

Megan quickly picked up her travel bag and headed out the door … “time to free one really big dragon!” She walked out into the courtyard and found both dragons sleeping together, curled up next to each other.

“Time to get going” Megan said “and no barrel rolls this time .. ok!”

Nas and Venar-surr heads both popped up … their great eyes open. “Ahhh you are taking all the fun out of flying!” The two dragons got up and stretched as Isca and Nefer arrived. Megan smiled at the two “Nice going in there … I knew something was wrong with that boot on a stick … just could not figure it out.”

 

[milkmaiden38]

Mud, kissing, and the female spot

Ardel was listening careful and taking notes as Isola spoke. “Please tell me again what happened to you after Nas smashed into the Mesobulbron and you were covered in mud … but before the Mesobulbron blasted you with the full death ray”

Isola nodded her head “Ok … as I said before there was so much mud on me, it took three baths to get it out of all sorts of spots”

The wizard raised his hand “What spots?”

Isola was surprised by the question “You know …spots”

The wizard sighed “Please tell me what spots … it might be important”

Isola face turned a bit red “Well … my ear holes … and hair …and ehh you know … my female spot”

“What female spot?” The wizard asked.

“Where babies come from … that spot” Isola said a bit miffed … Zarik who was nearby at another table ... looking over a map of the surrounding country side burst out laughing when he heard Isola answer.

The wizard smiled “Thank you … please continue”

Isola was about to begin again, when Devon walked into the castle room.

“DEVON” Isola gasped, stood up and ran to him. Hugging him “How are you … Where have you been? Wait … don’t answer any of those questions” she said and kissed him deeply.

At first Devon seemed to want to complete the kiss … but Isola was not going to stop. Then he seemed to decide … this was kind of fun so they just kept kissing.

Zarik looked over to Ardel and said loud enough for both of them to hear “Really …you two need to get a room!” This time Ardel laughed. The two kissers separated both looking deep into each other’s eyes.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He smiled at Isola and wrapped an arm around her, drawing her close as he looked over at Zarik,

"Word on the street is that there is a minotaur general in the castle, it seems that you have been burdened with a title General sir."

Devon gave Zarik a grin,

"The royal families have been called up, the resident Rangers will fight and there will be more of them coming in from the surrounding areas, you will have a good amount of elite archers at your command."

He looked at Isola, then brushed a stray strand of her hair out of her face,

"I met with the King of the thieves guild, she said that she would stand with us, but there is a slight snag. I need to talk to Maut and I don't see any walking skeletons around."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Isola, Devon, Zarik and Ardel (a foursome?)

Isola was not the jealous type … but felt she needed to say something “SHE … the King of the Thieves guild is a SHE? I hope she looked like a troll with a bad hair day.” Isola kidded Devon, but something told her this woman was pretty. Devon smiled at her comments.

“Tina is smoldering hot to look at … my heart melted when I was in her presence. Her eyes were intoxicating, like a fine elven wine, her voice smoothing and filled with confidence, like a slow moving stream flowing over rocks in the sunshine … charming, fetching.” He explained as he clutched at his heart …swooning

That was enough teasing so Isola hit Devon’s shoulder. “Hey … enough already!” She said.

Devon smiled bigger “Isola … Tina only tried to drug me twice … and drop through a trap door. Not my type ... trust me.” He laughed.

Zarik had walked over and handed him the little black whistle Maut had given him. “blow on this … and Maut might show up … we were near a graveyard …that might help … don’t know. Did you need to see the battle plans?” Zarik asked.

“Sure” Devon answered and both of them headed over to the table. Zarik explained the trench and the crossing points … and a few of the tricks he had come up with. Devon suggested a few improvements

“When the battle comes … we’ll each take charge of a sector.” Zarik explained “you’ll have this one …” he pointed it out to Devon. “This sector over here needs a good commander still … or does Tina want to be in charge of special operation section … i.e. dirty tricks department?” Devon did not know … and told the big minotaur he’d ask her.

Their business over, Zarik decided to tease Isola a bit too “Oh and if this thief is as good looking as you said … could you introduce us? I might take a fancy to her?” He said

Ardel the wizard joined in “Me too! Introduce me too!”

Isola grunted “MEN!!”

Can you say “loop to loop”

Venar-surr looked over to Nas. She spoke in dragon tongue “Loop to Loop?”

Nas nodded back, “Excellent idea” he answered in dragon tongue. Then the two dragons took off … Megan was better this time and did not scream, but she did hang on tightly.

Both dragons gained altitude … Nas carried Megan and Venar-surr carried Isca and Nefer. When the time was right both dragon grinned evilly “Hang on!” They laughed and suddenly drove towards the ground then they each did a loop to loop … as the humans hung on for dear life!

“STOP THAT” Megan yelled “that is REALLY NOT FUNNY!” but both dragons were laughing so hard … they did not hear her. For the next few hours the dragons flew level and swiftly as they neared Sabretooth Mountain. Then something odd happened.

Venar-surr spotted them first. “Nas … two a clock … I see two demon flyers … do you see them?” She asked.

Nas grunted “yes … they are chasing something … let’s take a look … hang on” he warned Megan … and banked right and started to drop altitude and pick up speed. Megan had not seen anything in the direction Venar-surr had indicated. After a minute she saw the two green objects below and in front of them. Based upon that she realized just how good dragon eyes were!

As Nas and Venar-surr got closer … the giant winged creatures were at least ten feet tall. They had features that were clearly demonic, with large fangs and pointed ears. Nas and Venar-surr had seen it earlier... but the demons were chasing a small dragon …. A baby dragon … it was only 4 feet long … and it was tiring …as the demon were gaining on it. Nas and Venar-surr nodded to each other … and added speed to their flight. As they sped up to the unexpecting demons … what were they going to do?

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He just chuckled and inspected the whistle,

"So you blow this whistle like a usual one?"

He place the whistle in his mouth and blew, a silly quaking sound issued from it and Devon had to suppress a laugh, but the one wall disappeared behind a black portal. Devon stared as Maut stepped through the portal, the cold voice snapping,

"Zarik if I have to come here every few moments..."

He trailed off as he saw that Zarik was not the one who called, his cold gaze ran over the small group, settling on Devon.

"Why did you summon me Ranger?"

Devon was shocked, at a sound the death knight could just step through a portal. Scary! He shook himself and explained what he needed to get the thieves to join the defense of the city. Maut crossed his arms over his chest,

"Devon, I can not allow her to step from the realm, bring the thief to me and I can allow her to see her mother. But there will be NO touching at all. Make that clear to her. Now I have work to do."

Maut turned and stomped through the portal, it closed behind him.

 

[Iscaa]

Dragons and Babies

It was not easy for Isca and Nefer to hang on while Venar-surr had her Loop to Loop fun. Nefer dug her nails in deep while whining all the while. Isca quickly put a sticking spell onto her and the cat, telling Nefer,

"Get your nails out of my shoulder....OW!!!"

After that fun was over, the two dragons behaved for the next few hours. Until Venar-surr, spotted something that only they could see at this range. It wasn't long before they had flown close enough that they could see the objects were flying demons chasing what looked like a baby dragon. As the two dragons desperately flew to get near enough to help the wee thing, Isca prepared to throw her now famous fire balls at the evil creatures.

The first one she let fly hit the closer one right at it's eye as it looked up in surprise at the incoming dragons. That not only took out it's eye, the creature was put off balance ending up in a falling spiral. But it very quickly shook it's ugly head snarled and righted itself, flying back up to the tiring baby. Isca by that time had thrown a few fire balls at the other demon, causing it to be distracted. She then leaned closer to Venar-surr 's head and shouted,

"Can you get yourself under the baby dragon? I am hoping I can reach my arms around it hold it to me. Then I can help it on your back giving it time to rest abit."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Dragons, Dragons, everywhere

Nas watched as the Venar-surr moved in and Isca attacked the first demon creature and then the second. He decided quickly these demons had also lost their proper fear of dragons. Soon they would discover what dragons could do! He moved over with a great flap of his wings to achieved the correct angle and then BLASTED the undamaged demon with his fiery breath … The flames were so hot they burnt off the demon’s bat like wings in seconds … there was a screech as the demon plunged to the ground followed by a crunching SPLAT. Megan screamed “Good Job … Nas!!”

Nas just growled … as he angled for the remaining demon … but that one had had enough. Its eye badly damaged it took off flying away from the baby dragon. “Don’t let it get away” Megan yelled “Those things are the eyes and ears of the demonlords!” Nas banked and flew after it … his great wings beating to catch up to the remaining spy demon. Megan pulled out her crossbow and took aim. Her first bolt missed. It was difficult shooting one handed on the back of a dragon … but her second bolt ripped through one of the demon’s wings, her third landed in a leg. As the thing screamed in anger and pain. The damaged wing and movements to avoid the crossbow bolt made it easy for Nas to catch up. Like a great bird of prey …he swooped down on the demon his clawed front paw clutched the demon’s head and started to squeeze.

“OH DEMONLORDS … REMEMBER THE POWER OF DRAGONS!” Nas roared.

There was a “POP” sound as there was nothing left of the demon’s head but gory. The demon’s head had been smashed into a pulp. Nas released the now headless demon which plunged to the ground.

Meanwhile Venar-surr had recovered the tired baby red dragon and turned back towards Sabretooth Mountain. It did not take long before Nas and Megan caught up. 20 minutes later the group landed before the entrance to father dragon’s lair. The massive stone doors leading into the mountain were closed as expected.

There were signs of dragons’ tracks and the smell of brimestone all around them … but for now … they were the only ones here. The baby red dragon spoke dragon tongue to Nas and Venar-surr “Thank you … my mother and brothers should be here.” He said looking for them … but saw nothing. His eyes then looked upon the two humans which had dismounted and now walked around the area. “Do you eat them?” The small dragon asked of Venar-surr.

The emerald dragon eyes lit up in amusement “No” Venar-surr said.

“Why do you help them?” The small dragon asked

“I will answer your question with a question. Why did we help you?” Venar-surr answered.

The small red dragon looked confused “I don’t know ...” He said.

“What is your name?” Venar-surr asked

“Admir” He answered.

“Admir, Dragons are very powerful, we can defeat most creatures … in single combat … but if others work together against us … they can become powerful, more powerful than a single dragon. A wise dragon knows this and even wiser dragon figures out dragons working together are a very powerful force … the wisest of dragons realizes dragons working together with others races is the most powerful of all forces!” Venar-surr explained.

There was a roar as a massive red dragon could be seen flying around the peak of sabretooth mountain. It was a huge female red dragon. It headed directly back to the large stone doors. Soon two other huge male red dragons appeared and headed for the stone doors. Two smaller baby dragons could be seen flying near the female dragon.

Nas turned to Venar-surr “Three mature adult reds!” he growled. Venar-surr nodded understanding what Nas was saying. It was bad luck. Red dragons were not the most intelligent of dragons and these were massive ones. Each larger and more powerful than Nas. Venar-surr and Nas would not be able to defeat them.

The red dragons landed before them. Admir leapt into the air and flew to his mother.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Devon and Tina

Devon reentered the cellar … and saw Tina behind her desk. She looked the same as before except she had a small coy smile on her face. She had a new game she was playing this time. An unspoken challenge for him. He placed his weapon on the table again as his eyes scanned the room.

“Better” He said “Your body guards have made an attempt to hide that is worthy of my skills” Devon said smiling.

“They are honored by your words.” Tina said as a smile broke across her full red lips. Her piercing blues however, did not smile yet … as she looked out at him through her dark red hair. “Please point them out” She asked.

Devon smile grew bigger … “There is one against the wall … over there” he pointed “wearing an invisibility ring … or perhaps having consumed an invisibility potion, I have not determined which. Another has decided to hide behind the false wall to your right.” Devon stated with confidence.

Tina laughed “The old Devon would have known which a ring or a potion … you are slipping!” She laughed and her eyes now smiled too. Both body guards again came out of their hiding spots and bowed to him. The invisible one had in fact worn a ring.

“You are both dismissed.” Tina told her body guards. "Please come and have a seat ... I shall not offer you a drink this time ... it will just go wasted." She said pointing to the chair in front of her desk.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He shrugged,

"If he had not stood like he did, I could have figured that out. But localizing it over his stomach gave it a dual impression."

He sat down and looked at her,

"I have found a way for you to speak with your mother."

I saw the look in her eyes and held up a hand,

"But you have to hear the rest. You will have to go with a companion of mine and he have made it clear that you are not to touch your mother. From what I saw you will also have to refrain from talking to any other spirit you encounter."

He held up the whistle,

"If you agree to this, I can call him now."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Tina’s eyes looked hopeful. She stood up from the desk. “I shall not touch her or speak to other spirits.” She repeated back to him.

She thought back to the night that had changed her life. She had been banished to her room. It was late at night; she could hear the noble yelling at her Mom, repeatedly stating that she was a whore, a slut. She was very afraid, afraid of what the noble could do to Mom. She ached to talk to her, to rescue her … but she was only 10. Then there was a slap and a crash and her mother was dead. Tina did not know it … but later she would find her dead mother. She was all alone in the world. She wondered what would happen next … that was so long ago … Now she wondered what she would say to her mom?

Tina’s jaw became firm “I’m ready for your friend.” She told Devon.

Devon blew on the whistle … and the portal reopened. wall disappeared behind a black portal. Devon and Tina stared as Maut stepped through the portal

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut

The whistle's call came sooner than he had expected, he opened the portal and stepped through, as he saw who was with Devon he searched the threads of life and found that she had many deaths on her hands, but only one thread that bound her.

"Come with me."

His voice colder than a crypt, it even had a slight echo to it. Then he stepped through the portal and Tina followed him. He turned to face her,

"Who do you wish to converse with?"

She looked around at the murky land around them and then at him,

"My mother."

Maut nodded,

"Say her name."

Tina took a breath,

"Elvira Blair"

There was a loud wail and in the space between Devon and Tina a white whisp of light appeared, then it settled and started to expand into a form, soon her mother's face appeared, but she was ethereal, no substance whatsoever. Maut stepped up next to her,

"You are not allowed to touch your daughter, you know why and you would not want that."

The spirit nodded, Maut looked at Tina,

"Say what you wish to say, I will stay close to prevent interruptions."

He started to turn and paused, his gaze found Tina once more,

"Beware King of Thieves, I know you carry magick, if you try to use it to take your mother from this realm, you shall stay here in her stead."

Then he turned and stepped away to give them privacy

 

[milkmaiden38]

Tina slipped the amulet of re-animation back in her pocket. She should have known the deathsknight would have been able to detect such a thing. He was a good example of magic of that type. But it had been a risk worth taking; with it she might have been able to bring back her mother from the land of the dead.

Her mother now looked at Tina.

"You really need to eat more, Tina," Elvira Blair said to her daughter. “You look too thin!! … Believe me, you'll never find the right guy if you don’t take of yourself."

"Mother …” Tina said almost in tears … “I can’t believe you are … chewing me out for my weight … You use to say that to me when I was 10!!”

“Well … have you found a man yet?” The ghost asked her.

“No …” Tina answered still a bit shocked about how the conversation was going.

“What about your friends … Lana and Britten?” Her mother asked.

“Both married … I'm the only one of all my friends who's still single," Tina replied.

"That's because you're too picky and won't give anyone a decent chance … plus you are TOO THIN … eat more!" Her mother said. “What about that nice ranger fellow … Devon … he is handsome”

"Mother … I have so much to tell you … is this the most important thing to talk about?" Tina asked a bit depressed.

Elvira ghostly eyes soften “I’m very proud of you … the King of Thieves … you did everything on your own. But I’m dead … you may die soon … you and everyone in Palamar are going to be fighting for life … life itself ... yet you have not taken part in it. Produce life … have some babies … give me some grand children to haunt!” She said laughing “Because when you are gone … I need someone to give my advice too!”

Tina smiled she wanted to give her mom a hug. "You're right, it just my personal life is a pretty depressing topic. I’m surrounded by liars, con-men and thieves!”

“I’m very proud of you Tina" The ghost said “And I love you very much, but that is a choice you have made ...get out a bit more.”

Tina felt the tears coming. She was so happy that her mother was proud of her and seemed happy in the afterlife. She looked at her smiling mother and burst into happy tears.

"Oh Mom, you are right!" Tina sobbed "If I weren't afraid of killing us both I'd give you such a big hug!"

Elvira watched the tears flow down her daughter's face, as they dripped from her chin.

"Don't cry Tina" she cooed gently "There is much to do to defend Palamar … just remember I'll always love you, always". When she uttered the last word Tina’s mother faded away.

Maut stepped back from the shadows “Time to go” he stated flatly.

“Is there any way I can bring her back … her life was cut short … unjustly … is there any magic to repair this unfairness?” Tina asked

 

[DeathsKnight]

Maut

He stared at Tina, then his head tilted to one side,

"Unjustly...let us speak then of the children murdered by Garliks, let us speak of the children killed period. Let us speak of house holds broken up and the hurt and pain caused by deaths of mothers and their fathers."

He leaned closer,

"Your pain is just one person's, I know of everybody's pain. Your wish is not the first ever Tina."

He shook his head,

"I am sorry, there is no way."

He paused,

"Unless my lady deems otherwise. But that is up to her."

He motioned and the portal opened behind her,

"Return to your realm now."

 

[milkmaiden38]

Tina Blair's piercing blue eyes were glued on the Knight. What he had said was correct and hard to listen too. But it was the truth. It was reality. She wiped her tears away and nodded to Maut.

“Thanks you” She said. She pushed her red bangs away from her face. Pulled the mithral chainmail shirt straight. She noticed how big it seemed on her tall and thin body.

She smiled to herself. Her mother was right, she was too thin. She looked at her hands and the scars on them. Then she said to herself “take part in life … produce it … have babies.” Tina put her hands down and stood up straight “BABIES … my mother must be crazy!” she said and she walked through the portal.

Devon was there on the other side. Tina smiled at him and walked towards him “Can I get a hug?” She asked.

Devon shook his head and said “No … I can’t keep track of where your hands are”

Tina smile got bigger “I promise no tricks on my word.” Devon smiled, “Ok” he said. They both hugged for a long while as Tina decompressed.

At the end, Tina pulled back from him and asked. “Devon … have you ever thought about you and me? We make a good pair … I know there is a woman in your life right now … but pretend … for a moment … what do you think?”

 

[DeathsKnight]

Devon

He looked at her, he thought seriously about it and then shook his head,

"Wouldn't have worked Tina, not with your hatred of royalty and what passes as my history."

He rested a hand on her shoulder,

"I know of a man you could have a look at."

He gave her a grin,

"He taught me all I know."

 

[milkmaiden38]

General Zarik and Baron Marcus were reviewing progress in the make shift battle command room in the castle.

“The trench is nearing completion.” Zarik stated

“Amazing!” the Baron exclaimed. Zarik just smiles with a bit of pride showing through adding “Minotaurs are pretty strong and good diggers … Still need to install the surprises”

“The booby traps in the houses near the wall are coming along now that the” The baron cleared his throat “Rogue’s guild is helping. How did Devon pull that one off?” The baron asked.

Zarik shook his head and said out loud enough for Isola to hear “He must be really good in bed … that was one of the rogue leader’s demands … that he sleep with her as well as talk to her dead mother”

Isola yelled back from the couch “Devon is good in bed … I can attest to that … however General Zarik … you are not a very good liar, the sleeping part was not one of her demands”

“Have you found that fighter I requested” Zarik asked the baron getting back to business.

“Well yes and no …” The baron said

“What does that mean?” Zarik asked.

“Do you have some time for a walk?” The baron asked with a big smile.

“Sure” Zarik answered … knowing this walk was going to be very interesting.

30 minutes later … the two military leaders stood on a street corner looking at a sign hanging from the wall over a door.

“Throbin Hood (Prince of Beavers) Brothel” the sign said.

Zarik looked at Baron Marcus “Really …. Throbin Hood?” he asked

“Yes” The baron laughed “It is one of the highest class brothels in town … several of my best knights come here to blow off some stream.” He explained.

Zarik grunted and said “I think something else gets blown off too!” They entered the brothel and met a beautiful girl in the lobby. She giggled, “Oh another one of those Minotaurs … you BIG stud bulls are turning out to be our BEST customers!!”

The baron groaned and spoke up “No … we are here to talk to your bouncer, a Draxx Sawtooth”

Zarik was a little upset … his troops were under orders not to harass, taunt, rape, or rob, humans. He grunted … he had not mentioned sex ... so the troops had not broken any rules .... an over sight on his part.

The girl took them into a bar area … people were busy cleaning up from a fight. A Knight and Minotaur lay knocked out on the floor. Standing against the bar was one of the largest Lizardman, Zarik had ever seen. He was over 7 ft tall with light blue and dark purple scales … different coloring than the lizardmen he had seen in the town of four winds. But the most strike thing was the lizardman’s eyes … they were bright red.

“There is the best fighter in all of Palamar” Baron Marcus said pointing to the lizardman.

Zarik looked down at the knocked out Knight and Minotaur and then back up to the lizardman bouncer. “I think I need to talk to him!” Zarik said as the two walked over to the lizardman.

 

[Iscaa]

Isca and Megan surrounded!

Once Nas and Venar-Surr had landed at the front door of Father Dragon's Lair, both Isca and Megan were very glad to climb off their shoulders and feel the sweet earth under their feet again. They watched as the baby dragon spoke to Nas and Venar-Surr. They had no idea what was being said, just hoped it was good.

As the conversation went on, suddenly a loud roar was heard, the girls turned their heads while Nefer peeked from behind Isca's long dark hair. To their great fear they saw a large red female dragon come flying towards them. Just seconds behind they saw two more what must have been huge males from their size. As they flew in closer two small baby dragons could be seen just behind the female. They all looked predatory with smoke coming out of their nostrils as they swiftly flew toward them.

Nas turned to Venar-Surr and growled,

“Three mature adult reds!”

Venar-Surr nodded her head thinking, (This is not good...not good at all, I know for a fact that Reds generally shoot fire first then ask questions.) Both Isca and Megan both saw from their dragons' reaction that this just might not turn out very good for their little group. Isca leaned towards Megan whispering,

"Oh....I have a very bad feeling about this!"

With a big flourish the red dragons landed, causing dust and even small rocks to fly through the air. As soon as the dust settled Admir leapt into the air and flew to his mother. Isca and Megan moved over to stand between Venar-Surr and Nas, hoping against hope that the dragons would be able to come to some kind of understanding without having to resort to flames and such.

The red female spoke first,

"What are you doing here and why is my Admir with you?"

 

[wombat9966]

Draxx watched warily as the two figures approached him. He had just had to deal with two customers who had thought their high status as defenders of the city earned them the right to manhandle the girls and he hoped that these were not friends of theirs come for revenge. Oh he was not worried that he would not be able to defeat them, it was just that the girls hated to loose the time they could be earning coin.

The Human was the first to speak "So Draxx I see you have had to earn you keep again this night," he said indicating the bodies being dragged out into the street. "How often does this occur?"

"Not asss often asss it used too. Now it isss only when they get too drunk or when they are new."

The man nodded to the Minotaur beside him who had been sizing him up since he had stepped in the room. Draxx had also noted him and filed him under his to watch list. This Minotaur was a warrior. His muscles had come by years of swinging weapons, not physical labor and Draxx had already spotted several old scars. The most recent one seemed to be damage to his horn.

"So how came you to be working in this Brothel. It seems a strange place for a warrior of your caliber to end up," asked the Bull.

"I losst at a game of cardss to the owner. I wass doing well and thought i had a wining hand but sshe beat me and here i am."

"So you keep the peace here with your fists? Do you know any other ways of fighting?"

Draxx threw back his head and let out a guttural laugh that shocked the patrons and girls alike. Staring at the Bull Minotaur his eyes began to glow a fiery red and his tongue flicked out of his massive jaw.
"You amussse me. Assking a Kroxxigar if he knows how to fight is like assking a fisssh if it can swim. My body isss a weapon and I know how to usse many more, but my favorite iss my sssawtooth warhammer. I use it so well that I was given it'sss name. I hope that ansswerss your quesstion."

The men nodded to him and walked out leaving Draxx Puzzled as to what they had wanted in the first place. His only clue was a mumbled "He will do," between the two men as they left.
Putting the strange encounter out of his mind, he went back to work. After the fight no one would be any trouble for awhile so he was free to relax a bit. It was a busy night and the girls looked good and soon things were back to normal with them teasing him mercilessly. They had quickly realized that the big fighter that could beat any and all comers, was shy around women and putty in their hands. Groaning inwardly Draxx prepared for another long night of torment.

 

[milkmaiden38]

Keeping secrets at the Throbin' Hood was like keeping the prostitutes … virgins … it just did not happen. In less than 1 minute after Baron Marcus and General Zarik walked out of the bar … Cinnamon (Red-head), Bambi (Blonde), and Raven (Black-hair) came running up to Draxx. He was at the bar rubbing the sides of his massive reptilian face. Three buxom beauties, dressed in thin veils and silky pants all had their hands on his shoulders, hands and legs. Their huge breasts hanging out.

http://galleries.adult-empire.com/62/6255/489/big/1.jpg

Draxx eyes widen as he looked at the three women. The red-haired girl with the green pants was the first to speak. Her heavy hooters hung low and swung like a pair of unrestrained testicles every time she moved, each hooter capped with a palm-sized areola and a succulent, thick, pencil-eraser stub of a nipple. She said enthusiastically "Draxx … do you know who those people were?” Draxx just shook his head.

“The human was Baron Marcus, the leader of the human Army and the big minotaur was General Zarik, the leader of the Minotaurs.” she explained as she rubbed his shoulder.

The black-haired girl with the white silver pants was on his other side. “What did they want?” Raven asked. Draxx explain the conversation.

Finally the blonde with the pieced nipples that was standing in front of Draxx, One of her hands was on his arm … but the other was under his large crocodile jaw … and pulled his head up so he was looking at her eyes not her large breasts.

“Oh by the fires of the 9 hells … they are going to put you in the Army!” Bambi the blonde said … “This is serious Draxx! You need go in hiding … run from this place!” She advised.

“The bull named Zarik is talking to Eddie right now!” Raven said. Eddie was the small potbellied Gnome that ran the brothel. “You need to get out of here right away!” She said.

 

[wombat9966]

Draxx digested this news and then grinned. The girls did not shy away as most people did having gotten used to his ferocious face when he did, but they did shake their heads. They knew they had already lost their bouncer to the allure of battle. They all glanced at each other and gave a genuine sigh of resignation. No matter how much they had enjoyed teasing the big Lug they had loved having him here. The place had never been quieter and all of the girls had felt safer with him there. Hell half of them had secret crushes on him, but he had never tried to bed any of them no matter how many hints they had thrown his way.

"Well", said Raven, "I guess we are not going to be able to stop you but we can give you some incentive to come back alive."

"Oh we can definitely do that," agreed Cinnamon as she snuggled up to Draxx rubbing her breast's along his right arm. To her surprise his scaly skin aroused her nipples fiercely and she felt a warm tingle in her nether regions.

Bambi did the same on his left arm having the same response and finally Raven sidled into his lap and rubbed hers on his chest.

"You come back alive and the three of us are going to treat you to a night you will never forget Draxx, Free of charge", explained Raven. The three girls then kissed his cheeks and sidled away.

A minute later Baron Marcus and General Zarik returned to find a stunned Draxx still looking at where the girls had disappeared.

"Pack your things Lad," General Zarik told him, "You have just been recruited."
Draxx shook his head and awoke from his stupor. Giving the General a small smile he left to collect his weapons and few belongings and returned in two minutes. Then he followed the two men out of the brothel and into his more preferred world of battle and violence.