Consequence Of Choice (Nekrosilisk88 & darkangel76)

He laughed. "The only reason I can fight like that, is because I've been doing it for so long. Six years of training, and another four years of raw experience to build on it. That's ten years of experience Elana, you can't expect to gather all that in one night swinging a stick. Give it time, and if you really want to, I'm sure you'll be able to put my ass in the dirt one of these days."

Asrath looked down at the ground. "It was something else that caused to take me so young, but I can't remember what it was. I know they told me once, but its been so damn long."

Elana chuckled as Asrath commented on how one day, if she truly set her mind to it, she could perhaps best him, or at the very least, equal him in a fight. She didn’t think so, but the fact that he saw potential, had a belief in her. It was more than she could ever ask for. She hoped that she could at least one day become a quarter of what she saw in him.

Suddenly, Asrath looked down and added, “It was something else that caused to take me so young, but I can’t remember what it was. I know they told me once, but it’s been so damn long.”

Tilting her head, Elana asked, “Have you ever thought about finding out why? Finding the one who knows that information so that they can tell you, perhaps explain things more to you?”

Elana thought maybe being able to recall such things would be good for Asrath. Maybe even give him some answers to questions she was sure he had about himself. Or help him discover what it was he had to live for. He’d told her that he hadn’t found it yet. Maybe some insight would help him find the path to discovering such things. She wanted to help him find that path, like he’d helped her. She wanted that more than anything.

Asrath looked to the mountains that separated them from the coastal regions he'd grown up in. The temple was there, the place where he'd been consecrated as a warrior of Krath. Now he found himself wondering if it was time to go back, time to ask that question. He looked over his shoulder to Elana and shrugged. "Perhaps, either way we're going to Seras. It's the gateway to the coastal regions. The Temple is in those lands."

He rode on for the rest of the day, answering her questions as best he could till dusk began to settle in. He then led them off into the woods a till he found a clearing in sight of the road. There he dismounted, and started making camp for the evening.

Elana nodded as Asrath told her that his temple lied near the gateway to the coastal regions. The same lands where her own temple was located in the city of Seras. She wondered how far away his temple actually was from Seras and if they’d stop there either on their way to or after she’d given her news to her order about departing from them after having arrived at her current destination. Or if he’d just leave her all together once he got her safely to Seras or worse yet, if he’d follow through on his vow against liars, and go on his journey of self-discovery by himself. The thought of him leaving her behind made her heart twist painfully. She hoped he’d take her with him. But she wouldn’t ask it of him. She wanted that to be something he decided on his own without any influence. If he chose to take her with him, she’d follow. If not…

The day wore on and Elana’s legs felt sore. Riding a horse was difficult work and hard on the muscles. She hoped it wouldn’t take her body too long to adjust to such travel. Regardless, she found riding to be quite enjoyable. She longed to get better so that she could actually make the horse run rather than just walk. The thought of the wind blowing her hair and caressing her face as she rode upon the beast’s back at a run seemed rather nice.

All too soon, the sky began to darken. Asrath came to a stop and then led Elana off the path and into the woods until he found a clearing. He dismounted his horse and began to start setting up a camp for himself and Elana for the night.

Elana awkwardly dismounted her horse and began to help Asrath set up the camp. She heard the light babbling of a small stream nearby, which made her smile. Fresh water sounded wonderfully delicious not to mention refreshing. She tied up the horses and as Asrath started gathering wood for the fire, Elana gathered up some smaller pieces of her own. As she searched for wood, she found the small stream. It wasn’t all that far from their camp. She walked back with her wood and set it down for Asrath to use.

“There’s a small stream over there. I’m sure you heard it,” Elana smiled. “I can bring the horses over to it so that they can drink while you get the fire started, if you’d like.” She paused. “I promise not to wander far, it’s just behind that small clump of trees.” She remembered what happened the last time she wandered off and where that had almost gotten her. She didn’t want to repeat such a thing, though she felt more at ease knowing that at the present they weren’t being followed, at least not that she knew of. Looking at Asrath, she waited for his response to her suggestion.

Asrath nodded as eh pulled out his flint and steel. "Sounds fine, keep your saber ready though." He watched the sparks fly to the kindling, waiting patiently for the the wood to catch. It was harder work then it looked like. Yet even as he was watching the fire, his other senses were taking in his environs, the smell of the woods, the sounds of its creatures.

As the embers took , he dropped down, breathing on them , coaxing a flame from them, shortly afterward, the campfire was burning, and ready. He looked off towards the stream where she had taken the horses, and he could dimly see there shadows. She was something else. He wondered what the elders would say to him when he brought in a priestess of Girion. two years since he'd had any communication with them at all. He wondered if they thought he'd strayed.

Elana smiled and nodded as she went to untie the horses and lead them to the small stream. She checked for the saber that Asrath had purchased for her, making sure it was easily accessible and ready in case she needed it. Satisfied that she could get it if needed, she began walking the horses to the stream. She glanced over her shoulder at Asrath as she walked.

Once at the stream, Elana brought the horses toward the cool, refreshing water so that they could drink. Almost instantly they dipped their heads down and began drinking up the babbling waters.

Smiling, Elana petted the horses. “There now. I’m sure that’s much better.” The horses shook their manes and gave a soft stomp of their front hooves, which made her laugh a little. “Well, I’m glad you like it,” she said.

Happy that the horses were pleased with the water, Elana sat down next to the flowing waters of the stream. She took off her shoes and cape and placed her feet in the water. It was cold and made her shiver, but the slight chill felt wonderful. Shifting her position a little, she scooped up some water with her hand and drank. The water tasted delicious. Smiling, she scooped up more and rubbed it over her arms. Pulling up her dress a little, she then rubbed some of the cool water on her legs. Her skin got goosebumps as the water slowly soaked it, but it was so nice that she hardly cared.

As Elana watched the horses and enjoyed the water, her thoughts drifted to Asrath. She wondered what he was thinking. He was such an interesting man, full of so much beauty underneath those walls he liked to keep built up around him. She was glad that he was slowly letting her see past them and hoped he’d let her see more. She wanted to see more. Smiling, she stood up and waded in the water as she approached the horses.

The horses whinnied a little as they drank. “I’m glad you’re finding this so refreshing,” she whispered as she gave them each another gentle pet. “But we have to go back to camp soon.” Her voice sounded happy, full of life. She then went to retrieve her shoes and cape before readying herself to lead the horses back once again.

Asrath pitched one of the tents he'd bought. He'd gotten everything in pairs to avoid any undue questions, though he'd known they'd only need one of certain items, such as the tent and sleeping bag. He'd had one woman offer him sex in exchange for his services, but he'd refused that offer. He wasn't going to change that policy here. First and foremost in his mind, it would degrade what they'd shared, and would hopefully share again. Secondly, he couldn't violate his code.

His mind drifted to the previous night. he remembered how beautiful she was, how good her skin felt against his, and how her soft and gentle caresses felt against his coarse and hardened body. He'd enjoyed that night, and just the remembering it was enough to stir him for more. He looked back towards the stream, and saw her leading the horses back to camp. Smiling he walked over to her, and brushed her hair back, before pulling her in for a kiss. He slid his tongue into her mouth relishing her taste, before breaking away. "Come on time for training. Do well, and I'll let you decide who's on top tonight."

Elana led the horses back to camp. As she walked, she saw Asrath look over at her and stand up. There was a slight smile on his lips, which made her entire body feel warm. When he approached her, he gently brushed his fingers through her long, nearly black hair and pulled her close. Almost instantly, she felt a wave of giddiness and anticipation wash over her, anticipation for the feel of his lips against her own once again.

Asrath’s kiss was soft and wonderful. Elana let out a small contented sigh at the contact and felt her entire body ignite when his tongue slipped past her slightly parted lips. When he pulled away she found all the warmth that started to consume her body seep away, replacing it with a sort of coldness.

“Come on time for training,” Asrath said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Do well, and I’ll let you decide who’s on top tonight.”

Elana couldn’t help but giggle at Asrath’s words. But the thought of sharing more intimate moments with him made her body feel warm once again, despite the current lack of contact. She nodded and went to tie up the horses. Once tied, she removed her saber from its location on her horse’s saddle.

As Elana walked back over to Asrath, she held her saber in her left hand, examining it a bit more closely than she had earlier during their travels. She looked at Asrath and smiled as she approached him, rubbing her body ever so lightly against his.

“Quite the motivator, aren’t we,” Elana said somewhat playfully. “I’ll do better than you can imagine.” Her cheeks slightly red, she slowly backed away, readying herself for her training lesson.

In one fluid movement, Asrath stooped down to the ground, picking up a branch as he rose, and swinging lightly. He nodded as she caught the blow easily on the sabers blade. An early mistake, and an had habit to break once learned. he knew this from personal experience. "Catch blows with the flat, or the back of the sword, never the blade. Best learn that now, so you don't have to learn it later."

With that he continued with the light blows as she attempted to intercept and block them, only making a near impossible to block attack when she was foolish enough to block with the blade. He smiled as she improved, still not perfect, but much better. At the rate she was learning, he could probably start teaching how to do more that defend herself in a few days.

Asrath swung his branch at Elana and she did her best to pay attention to the things he told to do and to avoid doing. It was hard, but she tried her best. She knew she was making mistakes. She only hoped they weren’t too pitiful and that at the end of the lesson, he’d still see some sort of potential within her.

Elana still felt awkward holding the saber, but as the lesson wore on and Asrath instructed her how best to move and hold the blade, she felt a little more at ease. Though she felt far from graceful. She wanted to move the way Asrath did. As if he was one with the weapon he held in his hand. Even with a mere branch, he seemed to be part of it, like it was an extension of him.

Asrath swung another blow at Elana. She could see that there was no way to properly block it unless she used the blade of the saber. Not wanting to make the same mistake she had in the beginning and from time to time when her mind concentrated too much, she just dodged it. She moved her body away from the blow and stood ready for another possible strike.

“Damn it,” Elana muttered to herself, her cheeks red from the exertion as well as from feeling like she’d missed something, missed seeing a possible block.

And then, for some reason, not wanting to think on her possible mistake and rather than waiting for Asrath to swing his branch, Elana swung her saber. He blocked her easily enough and she wondered if taking the offensive had been the right thing to do given that she’d seen no way to block his earlier strike and made a snap judgment that maybe taking the offensive would help. But she honestly didn’t know. She wanted to show him that she could learn this, that she could be strong. She hoped she was succeeding because she still felt like she wasn’t doing very well. Especially after her latest actions. Only she’d never let on that she felt as such because she wanted him to be proud of her, to believe in her. And she knew wallowing in misery over such a thing wouldn’t help her improve. It would hinder it.

Elana backed away just then and held up her saber in a defensive stance. She wondered what Asrath was thinking of the lesson so far, if he was thinking that she still showed that same promise he saw in her earlier.

Asrath nodded his head as she ducked out of the way of his blow. She was learning faster than he'd expected. He'd figured he'd have to smack her a few more times before she'd think to dodge. When her attack came back, he defelcted the blow without a thought.

"Very good Elana." he spoke as he swung yet again, testing her defenses. "You couldn't block it so you got out of the way. Takes most a good deal longer before they think to do that. You're strike was a bit clumsy, but we'll get to attacks later, for now focus on defending your self."

As she backed away, he shouldered the stick, and cracked his neck. "That's enough for tonight. you're improving, and you did well tonight, so as promised, its your call." He winked at her, and walked back to the tent.

Elana couldn’t believe it. By moving, she’d done the right thing. She hadn’t missed something like she’d originally thought. The idea of that made her feel warm inside and hearing Asrath actually compliment her made that feeling even stronger. She knew she had a long way to go, but at least now she felt the tiny spark of confidence somewhere within herself.

Suddenly, Asrath stopped swinging his branch. “That’s enough for tonight. You’re improving, and you did well tonight, so as promised, it’s your call.” He gave her a wink and made for the tent he’d pitched earlier.

Elana felt her cheeks redden a little, her skin get hot. Smiling, she walked towards the tent and entered it just after Asrath. Inside, it was small, but there was enough space for the two of them. And given how close they’d gotten over the past few days, she wouldn’t have minded if the space had been less than what it was. She knelt down on the sleeping bag in front of Asrath and looked into his eyes.

Her eyes fixed to Asrath’s, Elana slowly began to remove her clothing. It was torture for her, but she wanted the moment to last as long as possible. First she bared her shoulders and then each arm. She then let her gown fall down to her waist, revealing her chest, breasts and belly. She continued looking into his eyes as she slowly slipped her gown over her bottom and then down along her legs, baring them all.

Skin flushed and heart racing, Elana shifted closer to Asrath and gently touched his face, her fingers running through his hair. She smiled at him as she let her hands rub along his chest until they found the edge of his shirt and slipped ever so slightly underneath the material.

“Let your student pleasure her teacher for being so patient with her,” Elana whispered as she leaned forward and placed her lips against Asrath’s.

Asrath returned the kiss as he closed his eyes. He helped he remove his clothes, though he soon abandoned the task to her, and let his hands roam over her smooth skin. The sensation he felt from her was so different from every other woman he'd known. It almost seemed as if he could feel the life in her as his skin met hers.

He knew what she was to him now, though he wouldn't say it for fear of giving her false hope. He knew that he'd get her safely to Seras, but what would happen there he couldn't say with any certainty. If they refused to pay him he'd have to kill her, but he knew the act would destroy him, and he'd spend the rest of his days destroying the ones who had forced him to kill her.

He pushed those thoughts from his mind however, the moment was all he cared about for now. He wouldn't let anything get in the way of the that. He was happy just to let her lead this where she wanted to go, and just enjoy the sensations, and the bond that was developing.

Elana felt so alive as her body came into contact with Asrath’s. Every touch, every caress made the fires within her burn, and more brightly than she’d ever imagined possible. The beauty she saw within him only heightened everything she was feeling. Yes, she had feelings for this man. Feelings that ran deeper than she’d realized.

Elana was still unsure of where Asrath stood in that regard, but she hoped. Though she’d never say for fear of asking too much of him. She knew full well of his vow against liars and something deep inside her disturbed her about that. She knew that by leaving the order, her chances of the Girion priests doling out payment on her behalf would go from slim to non-existent. She wondered what Asrath’s choice would be then. She knew what she hoped for, she knew with all her heart. Suddenly, she felt her eyes prickle with tears as she recalled her dream from the night before. But despite all that, she held them back. She wanted to enjoy what she could out of life. The little she was sure she had left.

Pulling away a little, Elana looked into Asrath’s eyes. Her eyes were wet with unshed tears. To hide her fears, she smiled at him, her tummy feeling fluttery and her skin so very hot as she did so. Pushing the scary and morbid thoughts from her mind, sh let her body just take over. Yes. She wanted him. She wanted to please him. And not just out of lust.

Gently, Elana rubbed Asrath’s chest with her delicate hands, the hard planes of his body a stark contrast to her soft curves. She moved onto his lap and straddled him. Slowly she began to rub her body against his, making the ache she felt starting to form between her legs, grow bit by torturous bit. She leaned toward him and kissed his chest, nipping, licking, tasting. Everything about him was oh so very tantalizing. Only he could satiate what she felt growing inside.

Carefully, Elana placed her hands on Asrath’s shoulders. Using them for balance, she lifted herself up and rested herself against his tip. She could feel him hardening at her touch. She wondered if he wanted her as badly as she wanted him. Closing her eyes, and biting down on her lip, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his.

Trying to suppress the overwhelmingly strong emotions coursing through her veins a bit, Elana whispered, “I want you so badly, Asrath. Will you have me?”

Asrath looked into her eyes as she looked at him. Somehow during his thoughts they'd ended up up on the ground, and now he was as naked as she was. He saw the tears in her eyes, but couldn't tell if they were joy or sadness coming forth. He'd never been good at reading emotions, not even his own.

He watched her as she straddled him, and began to caress and kiss his body. Every touch and nip was arousing to him. Soon he was hard enough that his body was aching. When her tongue began to dance its way across him, he sucked in a sharp breath. The pain was something else, it hurt, but it was sweet since he could see she was enjoying herself. As she braced herself against his shoulders, he could feel the tip of his shaft at her entrance. He was dying now to be inside her.

Elana whispered, “I want you so badly, Asrath. Will you have me?”

He wondered what kind of mad question that was. Could she not see how his body was reacting to her every touch, just the very sight of her form. He looked in her eyes as he spoke. "Elana, come what may, I will always desire you, and if you allow me, have you."

Elana smiled. Asrath said exactly what she wanted to hear, what she needed to hear. Slowly, she pushed herself down along his length. She could feel him stretching her muscles, filling her up completely. She gasped a little at the sweet invasion, the pains of virginity a distant memory. When her body sheathed him entirely, she used her thighs to move upward until just his tip remained inside of her. It was agonizing, but she refused to take things too quickly. She wanted to savor the moment for as long as she could, she wanted it burned into her memory.

Elana looked down into Asrath’s eyes as she pushed her body down once more, a small moan escaping her lips as their bodies came into full contact, hips locked together. She leaned down and kissed him deeply, slowly. As she kissed him, she could feel a stray tear roll down her cheek. The beauty she felt in their joining was just unlike anything she’d ever known. She knew that it was moments like these that had been part of what had been missing in her life. She had no doubts.

As Elana drew her body upward once again, she threw her head back so that Asrath couldn’t see the tear she knew that had fallen. She let her long, nearly black hair fall around her face, brushing it away from sight. Her gray eyes full of such life and more, she looked deeply into his gem-like eyes, trying to peer into his soul.

“You have such beauty within you, Asrath,” Elana whispered as she moved down along him once more. Again she kissed him, her hips bucking against his as she let her lips move over his, her tongue slipping between them to explore his mouth further. Another moan, another gasp sounded from her lips. He felt wonderful and what was best was that the moment, the night, had only just begun.

Asrath couldn't see much past shadows. Without anyone attending it, the campfire had died down to a few smoldering embers as was providing very little illumination. He could see her shape, and little else, but that was enough for him. His hands gripped her torso as she allowed him entry into her body. He sucked in a sharp breath as she slid down the length of his shaft. It was exquisite agony as he felt the nerves in his head became overloaded with sensation.

As she came up, he could feel the ache begin to spread throughout the rest of his body. As she kissed him, he found himself fighting the urge for release right there. He wanted to endure for as long as he could for her. He saw white as she came back down on him, and fell backwards. It took all his concentration to hold out.

Elana relished the feel of Asrath filling up her body with each downward push she made. She fit around him tightly like a glove, a most perfect fit, as if they’d always been meant to join together in such a way. And the feel of his rough hands gripping at her hips, helping to both push her up and then pull her down against him only stirred her further, making her body want him all the more.

Elana could feel her breasts tightening, her nipples hardening more and more with each sliding motion she took. The sweet friction of their bodies rubbing together causing moisture to pool within her sex, making each successive slide easier and easier. She let out another moan as her body screamed for Asrath.

The pleasure consuming Elana’s body as she continued her slow, torturous pace was beyond overwhelming. Each time she slid down Asrath’s length, her hips connecting with his own, she began to grind herself against him. The sensations it created caused her blood to heat up, making her entire body feel hot, flushing it a deep shade of pink.

Another moan sounded from Elana’s lips and she began to slide herself up and down Asrath’s length a bit faster, a bit harder than before. She looked down upon his face, mostly in shadow now due to the dying glow of the fire, and smiled. Biting her lip she leaned down to kiss him once more, tasting his lips fully before breaking away and throwing her head back as she let out a loud gasp. She could feel his hands on her hips and then on her ribcage as she moved. She liked the way he touched her, the way it made her feel. Before him, she never felt so beautiful, so alive, so desired. Now with him, she felt like she was all of those things. And possibly more.

Licking her lips, Elana looked down at Asrath once more. She wondered if he knew or understood what she was feeling both inside and out. She wondered if he shared any of them. Sliding up his length, she let out a small whimper, followed by a contented sigh as she moved back down him once again.

Asrath's breathing became harder and more rapid as she continued her pleasurable assault on his body. With every movement she made, he could feel the sensations riding through his entire body. Every movement of her body made it harder for him to maintain control. He could see his vision slowly going to black as his mind shut down his eyes to compensate for the extra sensation coming from his shaft.

He slid his hands along her back, pulling her body down to him. He could feel her body growing warmer, and her blood coursing under her skin. Her skin felt like it was electrified to his touch, every brush of his fingers felt like crackling static. He buried his head into her neck taking in her intoxicating scent.

Elana buried her face against Asrath as he held her close, their bodies joined, moving in time together. Overwhelming sensations of want and need grew between her legs, radiating outward into her limbs, taking over her entire body, her mind, her soul. Nothing else existed in her world except for Asrath. He was the center of her everything. The only one she wanted to focus on. She kissed at his neck, nipped at his jaw line until her lips finally pressed against his. Again, her eyes began to tear. The emotions surging through her were just that intense.

Breaking away from the kiss, Elana looked into Asrath’s eyes. She placed her forehead against his, gasps and whimpers passing over her lips as she continued to move her hips against his. She could feel her body heating up even more, the urgency to reach climax growing stronger. But she wasn’t ready to so just yet. She wanted the moment to last a bit longer.

Elana sat upright, hips moving and grinding, and looked down at Asrath. She brought her hands to his face and gently caressed it. She gave him a smile before throwing her head back, letting her eyes roll as pleasure began to consume her. Beads of sweat began to drip down her spine, along her belly. It only added to the pleasure she felt. She let out another moan, another cry, her nails lightly grazing his chest. Tilting her head back further, more tears spilled along her cheeks. To her, the moment was so beautiful. She liked being one with Asrath, being able to explore him as he explored her. The intimacy she felt touched her so deeply. She truly never wanted to let go of such a feeling, now that she knew such things existed. Never before had she felt so alive and full of purpose.