His Redemption (TheCorsair and Xana)

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The demon’s intimidation brought her out of her fantasy. Matthias might have tried to exert some control over the demon, but if she couldn’t escape his clutches, they was little her bed bound lover could do from afar. She didn’t doubt that the demon would keep her captive and use her until his threats were reality.

So she struggled against the cock pounding her cunt, and the talons gripping her hips. She was groaning wordlessly as she fought his defilement , feeling his claws dig in to hold her still, drawing more blood as she pulled away from him. He was never going to release her until he released his seed within her and rebelling against his desire left her hips and thighs shredded.

Suddenly, she was pushed down, face first into the dirt, his climax spurting against her skin, instead of inside her. She fought her harder, as he tried to push his spasming shaft back within her, fill her with his seed, and fulfill his taunt. Bucking and thrashing with all her strength, he was unable to finish inside her, his release running down her ass and thighs. She managed to turn now, connecting her steel fist into his ear, sending him down with both a blow and the potency of his orgasm.

On top of him again, she slammed her right into his face, over and over, until he was no longer fighting back. Demonic black blood covered her armor sleeve as she shuddered over him, angry with him for hurting her, angry with herself for not being strong enough to stop him. It took a moment to catch her breath and calm down, her body still aching in the aftermath of his assault on her. She came to her sense and check for a pulse, remembering his words from before. Find out what happens to him if you kill me. Was he telling the truth? Was he bluffing? She couldn’t risk it, couldn’t risk losing Matthias after they came so far together. She needed him now more than ever.

A pulse. He was alive, just unconscious from her attack. She slid off him now, still sore, still incensed, still reeling from the confusion of what happened. It was a struggle to get to her feet, with blood and seed mixing over her thighs. The last time she left him unconscious like him, he came back after her. Choked her and held her underwater What could she do? She didn’t have anything on her to bind him with, nor did he, or he might have done it to her already. At the very least she pulled his blade off of him, and sundered the lance, tossing the pieces in different directions. If he came at her again, she would have the advantage. She made her way to the Sarn now, eager to wash away this most recent intrusion against her.
 
Matthias stood in an empty, misty plain and stared at himself. Both were patchwork things - one pale and gaunt with a mask of human skin covering emptiness. The other a shadowy assembly of pale demonflesh and human form, stitched together with gokden threads. Each regarded the other with loathing.

"You stopped me!" one snapped.

"You were hurting her!" the other snapped back.

"So?" one sneered. "She wouldn't be the first. And she wanted it!"

"Not like that."

"You felt how wet she was! Sbe loved it!"

"She loves us!"

One spat. "Bah. Love. Don't make me laugh. You were fucking ber, too."

"That was you!"

"We both raped her." An evil grin. "You just kissed her while we did. At least I was honest!"

"I stopped you!"

"Oh? Then who was pounding her cunt when yiu were in charge?"

"Who was fighting you for control?"

"Who fingered that sweet slit, trying to get her off?"

"...I'm going to kill you."

"Not if I kill you first."
 
The rushing waters of the Sarn were cool this day. It soothed the ache and washed away the blood and seed. Aurianna stared down at the water, still trying to figure out what had happened, and what it meant, and how she felt about it. There was shame. She should have fought harder, she shouldn’t have given in so easily. She was pathetic. How was she supposed to protect this town when Hydranes arrived, if she couldn’t even protect herself from Matthias’ demon. How many would he kill, while she was paralyzed by the fear that killing him might kill the man she loved?

There was guilt as well. She enjoy it. Her rape. Was it because it was Matthias, in some form? She enjoyed it before her lover even tried to help, tried to make it easier to take. She was tainted. Just like the demon said. Maybe she wasn’t anything more than a demon’s whore.

She had taken a long enough break. There was work to be done, still. Maybe killing demons would relieve some of what she was feeling. Maybe, she thought, pulling up her pants, grateful the demon hadn’t ripped them off before he took her.
Jeoram, and now Matthias. Oh Ari you sure now how to pick them! She could hear in her head in Justine’s voice, playfully mocking her. The thought of her friend made her sad, wondering if she would ever see her again…

“Ari!” A familiar voice called a voice so familiar and fortuitous , Aurianna was quite sure she had to be imagining it. But it grew louder, and closer accompanied by the sound of galloping horses, to the point it couldn’t be denied.

“Justine?” Aurianna called, as four paladins came into view, their features unmistakable. Her friend rode right up to her, jumping off her horse and practically into Aurianna’s arms. Aurianna hold her close, still not entirely sure this was real, or if she had hit her head when she fought the demon. Just behind was a blonde woman with full plate and a great sword, who Aurianna recognized as Dianna, and a dark haired man with silver splint mail and a mace, who she recognized as Roland. Good friends, and capable paladins. There was a younger girl in chainmail Aurianna didn’t immediately recognize, but she was around Clara’s age, so she figured she was apprentice to one of them.

“Goddess, I was beginning to fear we wouldn’t find you alive. Especially since we nearly ran into the Host of Torment. We had to fight off several scouts in the last few days,” Justine explained, separating her body from Aurianna’s, but not pulling completely away.

“Well, since you aren’t trying to kill me, I am guessing you weren’t sent to hunt me down?” Aurianna answered, the happiness of seeing her friend briefly getting in the way of recalling the circumstances under which she fled the temple.

“The Lord Commander knows you aren’t murderers. You and Clara…” The younger girl piped in, smiling weakly. She looked around, seemingly disappointed to find only the older Paladin here. “Is Clara okay? Did she make it…?” The girl had a hard time forming the difficult words.

“She isn’t here, but she is okay. She went to seek the help of the dragon who rules this realm. “ Aurianna explained, finding it easier to believe that Clara might just return to her safely, if she continued to assert that she would.

“And the demon traitor? Matthias?” Dianna asked, hand on her weapon. Aurianna sighed.

Well, which one are you asking after? You have to be specific. Aurianna thought to herself. “He is in Monsford, recovering. We should head there, and I can fill you in on the situation. The townspeople might have hoped for a legion of Paladins, but I know they won’t turn down the assistance of four more.”
 
"Recovering?" Roland asked, surprised. "But... why would..?"

Justine glanced westward, nodding towards the mountains. "The Godslayer, no doubt. I've heard he cares little for who or what enters his realm, so long as it behaves."

"And how long would that be?" Dianna chuckled, voice grim. "It's a demon, after all."

"Longer than some Paladins, I wager," Rolnd muttered, and then clasped hus hand to his mouth as he realized he'd said it aloud. "Afodisia! I... forgive me, Aurianna! I didn't think!"

"No, you didn't," Justine glared, before turning her attention back to Aurianna. "Anyway, now that we've found you... were you on your way back to Monsford?" She glanced ariund. "What brought you out here, anyway? The dam?"
 
Justine invited Aurianna to climb upon the back of her horse, and Aurianna held her close as they rode, relishing the comfort of having Justine around. But she wasn’t sure exactly how she was going to answer their questions, especially about Matthias. She hadn’t told Justine about things with Matthias, just vaguely that they were talking.

Justine knew about the teenage crush, but she had no idea about the sexual tension that brewed between them since her return. No idea about the time Aurianna threw herself at Matthias, begged him to use her, seeking to punish herself for everything that happened. She didn’t know that Aurianna had planned to see and seduce Matthias that night before he was to be put on trial, and that she was to escort the Oracle on her pilgrimage Had things gone different, she didn’t think she would have ever told Justine.

Well, she would have to tell her now, at least some of it. Somehow explain to her friends that she was with him. At least he wasn’t a demon anymore. Just a traitor to the order. Luckily, there were more pressing concerns, like the defense of Monsford.

“Yeah, I was scouting the dam. We are going to try to break it when Hydranes attacks, delay her advance some. Force them into the forest, where we can set up traps and ambushes. Really, we just have to survive until Lord Verrier shows up.” Aurianna explained.

“Lord Verrier?” Dianna asked, riding to the right of Justine and Aurianna.

“The dragon,” the girl clarified, from behind. “Clara told me about him. He is Afodisia’s mate.”

Roland snickered, “Blasphemy. The Goddess and the Godslayer?”

“War makes for strange bedfellows,” Aurianna explained with a shrug, “Should probably refer to him as Lord Verrier while here. We have enough enemies as it is, without making more of the townspeople.”

The ferry was up ahead. The five Paladins climbed abroad and made for Monsford. Ingrud greeted them at the gate, “So they did send more Paladins,” She replied with a weak laugh, “Honestly we are grateful for all the help we can get, at the moment.”

“Well, allow me to introduce Lady Justine Orlais, Knight Commander of Archers on the Seraphim Wall. Lady Dianna Lestrad, Knight Commander of Calvary, Lord Roland Tempus, Paladin and …ummm” Aurianna looked at the girl. She was pretty sure she had seen her at the temple, hanging around Clara sometimes. What was her name?

“Paladin Aspirant Susanna Orlan,” Justine offered, “My apprentice.”

“Right,” the mayor nodded, shaking hands with each of them. “Why don’t you join me in the war room, so we can discuss our options, and I can fill you in on Lady Aurianna’s plan.”

“I’ll join you guys in a moment. I need to check on someone first.” Aurianna mentioned, as Ingrud lead them away.
 
"Well," Martin grunted, rewrapping Matthias' torso. "It appears you've managed to go almost half a day without tearing any stitches. Very well done."

"Your sarcasm is duly noted," Matthias responded. "And what is the verdict?"

"Everything is healing well, particularly given the source of the wounds." Martin finished with the bandages, and Matthias rolled back on his back with a grunt. "There are no signs of infection, let alone sepsis. If this keeps up - and if you can resist the urge to tear anything - you may be fully healed in a matter of weeks." He considered that for a moment. "Well, no. That is, perhaps, a touch optimistic. Two months, easily, until all of the wounds are healed."

"Two months?" Matthias echoed, sitting up a little. He immediately winced in pain, as the torn muscles in his back complained. "But..."

"No buts," Martin interrupted. "You've not got just a few cuts. You have significant damage to your back and leg muscles - the hooks embedded in your bones were barbed, and I had to cut deeply to remove them." For the first time he favored his patient with a kindly smile. "You're quite lucky, in fact. Any one of those implements could have resulted in amputation. You were just lucky enough to be tortured near one of the finest physikers in the Kingdoms."

"Some luck," Matthias muttered.

"It's all relative. Unlucky enough to be tortured by demons, lucky enough that I was near at hand. Lucky enough to have the love of a fine woman, unlucky enough to be far too injured to... ah... fully enjoy her charms." Martin rose. "Frankly, though, I'm surprised you can stand or walk right now. I'd have thought the pain would be crippling."

Matthias shrugged. "What can I say? I've grown accustomed to pain."
 
Aurianna hesitated as she reached the door, pulling her hand back before they gripped the handle. Would Matthias blame her for what happened? She tried to push down the doubts, remind herself that he tried to come to her aid, in his own way. He hadn’t judged her or looked down at her for anything else why was this different? Still, she couldn’t shake the guilt, and impotent rage, the hurt. Nearly turning away now, she heard something through the door.

"Some luck."

"It's all relative. Unlucky enough to be tortured by demons, lucky enough that I was near at hand. Lucky enough to have the love of a fine woman, unlucky enough to be far too injured to... ah... fully enjoy her charms."

She flinched at the compliment. Charms…didn’t feel much likes charms now. At least there wasn’t any temptation to disobey his order in that regard. No desire, just need. A need for closeness and comfort. The door opened and she stood face to face with Martin.

“Ah, Lady Aurianna. I was just congratulating him on keeping his wounds closed. I hope you aren’t intending on anything demanding this visit?” he chided her teasingly.

“No,” she said curtly, digging fingers in her left palm. It didn’t work so well on the right hand, given the lack of flesh. Martin noted her expression and decided against saying else. He merely nodded and stepped around her, leaving the door open. Aurianna looked to Matthias, trying to give him a weak smile, but not succeeding. She closed the door behind her and sat on the bed next to him.

There was an oppressive silence for a few moments. She didn’t even look at him, or look at anything, just looked off in a daze. Finally, she broke the silence with a sigh. She reached for his hand, and tried to meet his eyes.

“The temple did send some paladins, as it turns out. Not enough to nearly to make a difference but…” Aurianna said, avoiding the obvious topic, for the moment.
“After Clara and me, apparently. Seems your former fiancée is pretty damn good at her job.” She explained. It should have been a relief, but it didn’t feel that way. Maybe if things weren’t so grim here? Yet she wasn’t sure she ever wanted to return to the temple. “Dianna, Roland, Justine and her apprentice, Susanna.”

“They know you are here. Not sure If they are still going to try and take you in. Certainly not until things are safe here. If they are ever safe here…” Aurianna mused, not sure, she could keep her false optimism.

“I don’t know what I am going to say to them. They don’t know about…us. Whatever we are now,” Aurianna said listlessly. “They still think you are a demon traitor, which is…ah…half true I supposed.” She chuckled grimly. She met his eyes now, vulnerable and concerned. “I didn’t think I was going to have to anyone about our… night together. I never thought it was going to be anything more than brief moment between us.”
 
Matthias rubbed his stubble-rough chin with his fingers as he listened and thought. "To tell the truth," he said, 'I assumed that I would be dead the following morning. Most likely burnt at the stake." A shrug. "It could still happen." Leaning forward, he rested his bandaged hand on her gauntlet. "But we were lucky enough to have... well, whatever it is we have." A pause. "Had."

Leaning back in the bed, he met Aurianna's gaze. "Because, no matter what I feel for you. What you feel for me. You know that - now that the Order has found us - there's no future. Not for me, not for us. Soulless husk or not, I'm still Matthias the Traitor. I betrayed the Order, betrayed the Goddess. Even without my demonic soul in my body, I'll still be sentenced to death, Ari. I'll still burn."

His eyelids slid down, half-closing his eyes. "You have a future, Ari. You and Clara, if she survives. But not me. And if you try to hold on to me, you may not have one either. And you don't need me, anyway." She started to protest, and he leaned forward and placed a finger on her lips. "It's true, and you know it. Even when I was... even when I was a Paladin, Ari, I knew you would be everything I could only dream of being. Stronger and greater than I could ever aspire to. And now..?"

Sighing, he slumped back and looked away. "Now I'm a traitor, and a mere husk of a man." His voice softened, laced with bitterness and self-loathing. "And I was there, Ari. I couldn't stop him... stop myself. I didn't want to. Some part of me..." He looked away, unable to bear her gaze. "Some part of me enjoyed it, Ari. I can't blame the demon for everything I did. Everything I've done. All he did was... give me the power to do it."

He bit his lip, still staring at the wall. "You don't need me. Not a broken husk of a monster, in human shape."
 
She came for comfort but there was none here for her. She supposed she deserved that. In some ways she supposed she deserved all of it “Are you…” what was even right term for their relationship. Was it even a relationship, or did they just fuck on occasion? “Are you done with me?”

“You are always pushing me away…Is it because you don’t want me? Don’t want to be with me?” She stared at him, as he turned away

Anger. Anger replaced the pain. She stood now, glared at him. “I risked my life for you. I could have died. I can’t…I can’t lose you .” She was breathing hard, angry tears welling in her eyes. “You don’t get to give up on us like this. It’s...it’s not fair.” She moved away from him, pacing the room, trying to hold back the need to put her fist through the wall.

“I don’t have a future at the temple, “ She asserted to him, gripping the wooden dresser. “I can’t go back. I won’t go back. Not after…” She splintered the wood with her gauntlet. “I’ll serve the Goddess, so long as she have me. But not at the temple.”

“I am not giving up on you Matthias. On us. I faced down Hydranes, and I would do it again. I would, no I will reclaim your soul from Baath Me’el. “ Aurianna declared. She met his eyes now, her own full of determination and zeal, glowing more vibrantly than usual. Full of the grace of Afodisia.
 
Matthias forced himself to meet Aurianna's gaze. For an instant his eyes clouded over crimson, then turned hazel with a flicker of gold lighting. "I'm trying to push you away because I want you, Ari. Because you are amazing. Wonderful. Because you deserve better - far better - than something like me."

But she refused to listen. Typical, really. She'd been willful and headstrong as his apprentice, and those traits were only magnified as his lover. Her declaration that she had no future at the Temple surprised him, but ber declaration that she'd reclaim his soul brought a smile to his lips.

He reached out and drew her close, then pulled her into an embrace. "You would, wouldn't you?" he said, wonderingly. Closing his eyes he buried his face in her hair and breathed, content in the feel and scent of her. "I don't want to lose you, Ari. Not now. But... I'm a coward. And a monster."

She started to say something, and hecsilenced her with a gentle finger in her lips. "The things I've done... if I still had a soul, it would be a thing if filth and disease from my crimes. Without my... without the demon, it horrifies me to recall them." A pause. "Horrifies and fascinates me."

He sighed. "And I can't blame the demon for it. Because part of me still wants to commit those crimes. I love you, but..." he bit his lip. "But part of me just wants. Wants to take you by force, like I... like the demon did, this afternoon. To beat you, rape you. To revel in your pain, and my power over you."

The image those words brought - of Ari beneath him, trying to scream and beg as he choked her and fucked her - made him shift uncomfortably as he felt himself grow hard. "I don't want to hurt you. But I'm afraid I'll try."
 
Aurianna let him pull her into his arms, resting her head on his chest. She needed him, needed the comfort of his embrace, and the warmth of his love. Still, he tried to dissuade her, shushing her with a gentle finger.

"The things I've done... if I still had a soul, it would be a thing if filth and disease from my crimes. Without my... without the demon, it horrifies me to recall them." A pause. "Horrifies and fascinates me."

“If you were just a demon, you wouldn’t have risked yourself to save me from Baath Me’el. You won’t have denied yourself when I threw myself at you at the temple, when I begged you to fuck me. You could have taken me any of the dozens of times I was asleep before you while we traveled to Monsford, while you know I dreamt of fucking you. There is more to you than the demon. There is the man I love as well.”

He sighed. "And I can't blame the demon for it. Because part of me still wants to commit those crimes. I love you, but..." he bit his lip. "But part of me just wants. Wants to take you by force, like I... like the demon did, this afternoon. To beat you, rape you. To revel in your pain, and my power over you."

"Matthias, I…I just gave in.” She admitted, clinging to him now. “This afternoon. I don’t know if it was just the feeding, or that he is part of you, but… my body remembered. Remembered and reacted, and wanted it. Even when he hurt me, my body…” She sighed “I could have fought him off. I should have fought him off, but… I wanted it.” She buried her head in his chest, but he shifted away from her. He was clearly repelled of what she had told him. By her shameful admission.

"I don't want to hurt you. But I'm afraid I'll try."

“Then I will have to be stronger. So you can’t hurt me. So I won’t let you hurt me. Not unless that is something…something I want.” She said finally, exhaling as she said it. “I don’t know Matthias, I guess it helps with the burden and shame I have been carrying. It seems backwards, but I feel like I have some control over it. It’s like, I am hurting myself, but I can stop it when it’s too much. It’s…pathetic, I know.” She sat up now, pulling away from him.
 
Aurianna buried her face in his chest, unfortunatly managing to push her chin right into one of the smaller stitched wounds that adorned him. He shifted a little as she spoke, trying to hold her and comfort her and still move her chin. "You are stronger than me," he said, finally. "And believe it or not, I understand. After all, you're not the only one in this relationship who's been..."

His voice trailed away, and his arms tightened around her. "Been... well, violated. And I know that, if it happens enough, then trying to convince yourself you enjoyed it is a survival mechanism." He stroked her black hair gently. "I can't imagine what it mustbe like when someone you love does it."

For a time he was content to lay there, listening to her breathe. "Now. What are we going to do about these Paladins?"
 
“Well, I don’t think I can take them on all at once. Justine could take me out from 200 yards, Diana would cut me down as she rode by on her horse. Roland would be a close match, given that he is well armored against my weapon, and I am not well armored against his. I’d definitely break some bones in the process. And Susanna is Clara’s friend so I’d died of guilt if I hurt her.” Aurianna mused, giving in to morbid humor for a moment.

“I could try the truth. It’s just crazy enough to work,” Aurianna offered, scooting herself closer to Matthias’ face. “That I love you, and that I have this crazy idea to redeem you through that love.” It was the first time she said the idea out loud. It was the first time she even allowed herself to fully realize what she wanted from their relationship. And the things she wanted could only come if he were redeemed.

Before he could protest or argue, she pushed lips to his, shutting him up in the same way he was quieted her before. Well, not the same way, but still, she moaned into his mouth as her tongue slid over his, seeking the comfort of his touch. She might not have wanted to fuck, but she still wanted to be close to him, feel his body against hers, and his arms wrapped around her.

“Ari, are you here?” came Justine’s voice as the door swung open. “By the Gods, seriously?” Justine said with a sigh, as she caught the two in a tender embrace. Her hands covered her face as she sighed, and slid them down, not even sure where to begin with the scene before her.

“I’ll admit, even the demon traitor is a step up form Jeoram but…” Justine said as the couple disentangled mouths and arms from each other. Aurianna sat up on the bed, hand still intertwined with Matthias’, meeting Justine glare with pursed lips. She started to speak, but Justine wasn’t done.

“Holy hells, what happened to you? You look like shit. And yet…human?” Justine appraised, eyeing the injured man in bed. “When the council people spoke of ‘The Wizard Matthias’, I thought it was some kind of bizarre lie. And I know you are a much better liar than that, Ari.”

“It’s a…long story. Maybe I can tell it later, once the sun goes down. For now though, we are losing precious sunlit hours we could be using to fight demons,” Aurianna protested, trying to change the subject.

“No Ari, you aren’t wriggling your way out of this so easily. If you have time to make out with your traitor boyfriend, you have time to tell me what is going on,” Justine countered, sitting herself down in the nearby chair, “So, how long has this been going on?“
 
"Boyfriend?" Matthias echoed, somewhat incredulous. "Boyfriend? Really? Neither one of us is 15, here." He thought about the question, then. "Hmmm... what do you think, Ari? Do we count the start of our relationship from the time I first fed on you, or from the time we fucked in my cell?"

Justine gaped at that, and Matthias chuckled. "Personally, I think it dates to the first feeding. So, about two months? Oh, and are you Justine or Diana?"

"Justine," she answered absently, staring at Aurianna. "Two... months..?"

"Or three weeks, if you time it from..."

"Two months!" Justine was on her feet now, practically shouting. "Are you crazy, Ari? I mean... I know you... but..." she gestured vaguely at Matthias. "He's a demon and a traitor! I don't care if..."

"Only half-right, these days," Matthias interrupted.

"... you had a... what?" Her attention turned back to Matthias. "Half right?"

He raised an arm, showing off his bandages. "The Lord of Tornent," he explained. "She captured me a few days ago and, ah, had some questions. I was't precisely cooperative." He licked his lips, eyes suddenly haunted at the memory of torture. "The finale was, I'm afraid, getting my demonic equivalent of a soul torn out."
 
“You’ll have to excuse me if I am short on pity, at the moment,” Justine scowled at him, turning her attention back to Aurianna. “Why?”

“It’s…it’s a lot of things. He understands what I went through, and he doesn’t look down at me like I am tainted or broken. He saved me, twice-“ She tried explaining, holding one knee close to her chest while the other hung off the side of the bed.

“He doesn’t get credit for saving you when he captured you in the first place, Ari!” Justine argued, slamming a palm down on the wooden table. “He is just as bad as Jeoram! Manipulating you after what happened, taking advantage of you.”

“He didn’t take advantage of me! I threw myself at him at the temple. After the first time with Jeoram. I begged him to take me, in the throes of self-loathing. He wouldn’t. He wouldn’t hurt me, even when I was hurting myself.”

“But he did later, apparently.” Justine disputed, arms crossed over her chest.

“No that was different. I wanted that, and not just to hurt myself. I wanted him, once, before his trial. I never thought it would lead to anything else.” Aurianna clarified, reaching for his hand now.

“Ari,” Justine sighed, shaking her head. She turned toward Matthias now, ire building in her eyes, “How can you be with her, after what you did to her?! You took her captive and subjected her to rape at the hands of Baath Me'el, and his court! How can you do that to her, and then decide you want to be with her?”
 
"Oddly, I stopped looking for pity about a decade ago," Matthias replied, shrugging his shoulders. "I just thought that you might be interested to kniw that there's a second version of me skulking about, fully demonic and possessed of much of my knowledge."

But he fell silent as Aurianna and Justine quarreled, entertaining himself by silently running through vocabulary exercises. The Primal Tongue was ill-suited to human mouths, after all, and even his limited mastery of it required constant practice and exercise. Justine's loathing of him didn't bother him - it was to be expected, really. But the pain in Aurianna's voice as she tried to make the other Paladin understand?

He hadn't understood hiw much of a bitch a conscience was, until he'd lost it and then regained it.

And now Justine turned her wrath back on him, demanding to know how he could be with Ari, after dragging her to the Ebon Keep. He yawned, working his jaw and tongue before he spoke. "Curiously, we were discussing that very subject right up to the point that she decided to end the argument." He squeezed her hand. "I'm of the opinion that I'm genuinely a bad thing for her. A soulless husk of a traitor. She, on the other hand, believes I can be redeemed."

"And what do you think?" Justine demanded, fire in her voice.

"I haven't the slightest idea." He shrugged, then winced. "Your Oracle seemed to have the same mad idea, so perhaps it is possible. I..."

"You had her raped, traitor!" Justine's hands were balled into fists, her grip on the footboard causing the woid to groan as it compressed. "And you dare…"

"Yes, I did." The candor of the response caught her off guard. "And I was in line to be her..." He thought for a moment. "Eighth. Just the next demon, violating and torturing the captive. Maybe while the ninth and tenth had her as well. And I assure you, she hadn't even begun to suffer, when I intervened. Even with what had already been done. Laemon would have seemed a gentle, considerate lover."

Justine started to speak, but he kept going. "And no, I don't know why I did. I just did. Because..." He shrugged. "Maybe I'd gone mad. Maybe the sight of my greatest apprentice awoke something. Or maybe it was just because I wanted her. I don't know."

He met Justine's gaze without flinching. "And now? Now that the demon has been torn from me? Her mad desire to be with me is my greatest hope and my greatest agony. Because maybe, just maybe, there is hope for me. But I've got a conscience again. Tiny and malformed, but real. And I cannot forget what I did to her, and that memory is worse than anything the Lord of Torment did to my flesh."

He smiled a feral smile. "So you'll forgive me, Justine, if I don't give two tugs of a dead dog's cock for your contempt. Yes, I hurt your childhood crush and your goid friend. Badly. And there is nothing you can do about it, and there is no vengeance you can take that woukd be more terrible than what I have experienced in the Ebon Keep and now experience from the festering ulcer that was once my soul. So you have tgree options."

He held up his goid hand, and began counting. "One: deal with it. Two: piss off and bitch somewhere else. Three: kill me, and grant me the mercy of no longer getting harrowed by this accursed conscience'"

With a sigh, he slumped back in his bed. "I honestly don't fucking care which you choose. But do it quick, because I'm tired."
 
Aurianna felt numb as they fought. Justine’s repetition that he had her raped, digging into her skin, troubling her nerves, and bringing back the painful memories. And Matthias had added to it, going into almost vivid detail about what had and would have happened to her, had he not intervened. She felt sick to her stomach, and she stood now, turning away from the two people she loved most in the world.

“I don’t have time for this,” She said, as she stopped in the doorway, trying not to let the pain come through in her voice. She picked up her spear and headed for the city limits, needing to bathe her blade in the blood of demons to cleanse her anguish.

“I hope your conscience eats you alive, you piece of shit,” Justice snarled at him. hateful green eyes burrowed into his for a while, before she turned to catch up to her friend, “Ari, wait!” She had to jog to catch up to Aurianna’s long, purposeful strides, cursing the nearly nine inch height difference between them. “Ari!”

“You just never know when to drop it, do you Justine?” Aurianna snapped at her, not stopping her pace, knowing Justine was barely keeping up.

“He is an asshole! I take back what I said about him being a step up from Jeoram. The worst fucking-"

“Worst fucking taste in men, I know. I am sorry things never worked out between us, Justine. You said yourself we worked better as friends,” Aurianna hurled at her, climbing the steps two at a time.

“Is that what you think this is? Jealousy? Get over yourself, Ari! Unlike you I can actually leave my childhood crushes in the past.” Justine barked back, huffing in irritation and from running up the steps three at a time. “This is genuine concern, from your best friend, the person who has had your back through everything. He is going to hurt you, and badly I am sure.”

“I didn’t ask your opinion or advice on my relationship. We are in love, and that’s what I need right now.” Aurianna stated, reaching the top of the wall. Justine screamed out in fury at the declaration, and slapped Aurianna hard across the face, whipping her head to the side. Aurianna just stared at her friend, as images of throttling her against the nearby wall danced in her head. She shoved Justine hard, slamming her tiny friend against the stone, pinning her there with the shaft of her spear.

She wants to kill him. Your lover. She wants you to herself.

Aurianna shook her head, squeezing the thought from her mind. “The fucking Dark Choir!” She screamed at Justine.

“What?” Justince screeched at her, trying in vain to claw at the grip of Aurianna’s metal hand.

“The Dark Choir is making us fight each other!” Aurianna howled at her friend, fighting the urge to gouge out her eyes. With a frustrated howl, she jerked the spear away, taking off in the other direction. She leapt from the wall, rolling along the ground to mitigate the impact. Justine appeared at the edge now, scanning the tree line.

“There! I see some movement twenty yards to the south.” Justine called, pulling her bow out. Aurianna charged in that direction, launching up as the three withered bodies came into view. She skewered one against a tree, it’s jaw coming off its hinges as her spear pinned it there. She pulled the curved blade she had taken off the demon and slashed at the second, hard erratic motions that hacked it to pieces. One arrow hit the remaining one in the eye, and two more followed close behind, hitting it in the throat and heart. Aurianna continued to rage it her final enemy, still standing only by the ferocity of her assault. Black bones and body parts littered the ground, as Aurianna heaved in unbridled frenzy.

“I think we should stay away from each other until we kill off the rest of these demons. Because I still want to beat you into a bloody pulp.” Aurianna called to Justine, a warning as much as it was a confession.
 
Dianna sipped a mug of dark beer with a stiff head, and sighed with pleasure. "After two weeks in the Demonlands," she said, savoring the taste, "we have truly been led to the Promised Land." Another swallow. "I should have visited the Twelve Kingdoms long ago."

"Really?" Roland said, sounding irritable as he honed his dagger.

"Yeah. This is good stuff." She drank some more, then wiped foam from her lips.

Roland grimaced. "Do you have to go on about beer, Dianna. Every town, beer. Without fail."

"I like beer," she reminded him, draining the mug.

"It just gets really fucking old, you know. Listening to you prattle on about it." He slammed his dagger back into his sheath and rose. "I'm... now fucking what?"

She'd held up a hand, cocking her head to one side. "Do... do you hear something?"

"No, I don't fucking hear anything, you lush. And stop trying to..."

She slapped him once, across the mouth. "Snap out of it, Roland! It's the Dark Choir!"

For a moment the dark-haired Paladin glared at her. Then the words she'd uttered seemed to penetrate his skull. "Fuck!" he declared, racing across the room and grabbing a large bag. "Come... on. Let's get... to... work!"


Justine nocked and fired, nocked and fired, nocked and fired. Her hands shook with fury, spoiling her aim. What was wrong with Aurianna? She was fucking a traitor, the very one who'd had her raped. And she was defending the bastard. Couldn't she see just how stupid she was being? And then, throwing her youthful crush back in her face like that. Bitch. Stupid bitch. Stupid fucking cunt deserved...

She shook her head, trying to clear the alien influence. Intellectually she knew it was the Dark Choir. Oh, she was angry. But... not like that. But the droning, the horrible singing right at the edge of hearing, made concentration almost impossible. Her hand shook again, and an arrow went wide of a fleshless demon.

Afodisia! They'd set the town to civil war. Set these stupid, godless peasants to squabbling and murdering each other like the animals they were. Serve the heretics right, though. Venerating the Godslayer as...

A deep, whining sound tore through the air, followed by the wild skirling of pipes. The grip of the Dark Choir's voice left so suddenly that she staggered, mind reeling as her own will fully reasserted itself. Looking around, she saw Roland standing atop the gates of Monsford, bagpipes booming and playing as Dianna waved her greatsword above her head. With a wild, ululating battle cry she lept from the wall and charged across the field, scything down the closest of the remaining Choir. "Try to keep up, Justine!" she laughed. "I don't miss!"
 
Aurianna stalked through the trees, covered in demon blood. Slick black fluid coated her spear, covering it’s golden glean up a quarter of the way. The curved sword she had pulled off the demon was similarly painted ebony, nearly enveloping the surface of the blade. She had gotten quite a bit of use out of it, today. She still preferred her spear, of course, but there was something visceral about the sword that appealed to her, in her current mood. The feedback back she received when the blade slice through flesh and muscle, severing body parts with brutal power. She had left large swaths of dead in her path, as she moved through the forest. It wasn’t like her, not usually.

With her spear she was precise, accurate. She rarely did more than was necessary to defend her foe. Piercing straight through a vital organ, and moving on to the next foe. Their deaths were quick, and occasionally merciful. But she didn’t want efficient now. She wanted the rage, the feel of a body falling into a heap of blood and guts as she sliced it open. Her muscles ached form the exertion, the exertion that differed from the movements necessary to wield her spear. She hadn’t bothered keeping track of the enemies she felled this day. The only tally she kept was the blood staining her arms and armor.

She sat on a log by a creek of the Sarn, wiping down the blade, as the sun burned red on the horizon. She didn’t feel as irrationally mad anymore, but she was still angry. Justine was never going to understand what she saw in Matthias. Hell, Matthias hardly understood what she saw in him, and she had to admit, she was having a difficulty putting it to words.

She thought back to the first feeding, the event he saw as the start of their relationship. The admission had surprised her, and she wasn’t sure she agreed with his assessment. It was the first she thought there could be something between them. It was but a few moments of tenderness between them, as he looked down at her, and caressed her face and hair. He wasn’t trying to comfort her, after what had happened, but it was comforting, a brief moment of safety in his arms.

He could have raped her then. He certainly expressed the desire, and she had felt his hardness against her body. Things between them would never have gone this way if he had. He would have been just another man who hurt her. Was why she fell for him? Because he showed a modicum of decency, and didn’t hurt her? Because she needed that, then? Because the feel of his teeth burying into her flesh and drinking her life dulled the pain? Because he understood and had gone through far worse, when he sacrificed himself for her?

He felt bad about what had happened to her, what he had put her though. Was that enough? Enough to warrant her love? She thought so, but it felt hard to justify. Fuck it, why did she need to justify it? If Justine was her friend, if she really cared about her, she would accept it. Accept that Aurianna had found some happiness in a world where such things were fleeting.

“Ari?” Justine called from downstream., Aurianna glanced at her direction, and didn’t immediate want to beat her face in, so she figured they had taken out enough of the Dark choir to make a difference. She just nodded , rising off the sword before replacing it on her belt.

“Ari, I…I was to say sorry. For hitting you. It was…”

“It was the Dark Choir,” Aurianna said flatly, scrubbing her spear. The demonic blood was sticky, and hard to remove when it dried. “I’m sorry, too.”

“I still don’t think Matthias is good for you,” Justine lectured, joining her on the log, “human or not.”

“And I still don’t want to hear it.”

“What are you even going to do? You know they are going to kill him once we all return to the temple. “ Justine pointed out.

“Well, I for one, am not going back to the temple. And I doubt Matthias is going to go willingly.” Aurianna explain, as she spear began to shimmer once more.

“What are you talking about Ari? Rielle cleared your name. Lord Mykel knows what happened was self-defense. He wants you to come back.”

“That’s all well and good, but I am still not going back,”

“Why? So you can stay here and fuck the traitor?” Justine accused.

“No, because six Paladins stood by and watched as Jeoram beat me. Held me down so he could batter me. Held me down so Jeoram could rape me upon the altar, and gladly took their turns when he finished. Because they threatened to do the same to Clara. Because they would have killed me, if Matthias hadn’t killed them first.” Aurianna explained, her eyes never leaving Justine, even as Justine shook in horror at what she heard.

“Ari…”

“Six fucking Paladins, Justine! Six Paladins thought it was perfectly fine to fuck me, because Jeoram gave them permission. As if my body belonged to him, and he could give it away as he pleased. And that was just the six he had with him that evening. How many fucking Paladins would have had to bear witness to my violation before one would stand up in my defense? Why was it that the ‘demon traitor’ was the only one who thought what they were doing to me was wrong?” Aurianna tore into her, shaking in her own pain, tears flowing freely from her eyes.
 
Justine had a retort ready to go, and it burned on her tongue. But she met Aurianna's gaze, and saw the hurt and the betrayal and the rage there, and swalliwed it. "I..." she ran nervous fingers through her hair, and sighed. And then she hugged her friend, close and tight. "I'm sorry, Ari," she whispered. "I didn't... I wasn't there, when... when you needed me."

She sniffed, and squeezed Aurianna tight again. "I still say you have terrible taste in men. Because you have a taste in men at all." The joke was weak, and her laughter a little forced. "But if you have to choose one, better the one that helped you. Right?" She forced a smile, but the expression quickly faded. "Just... be careful, all right?"

Just then, a new voice joined in. "Hugs? All right!" Powerful arms circled them both as Dianna lept forward and embraced them. "We," she declared, "are awesome! Nine of the bastards. Nine! First round's on me!"

She started back towards Monsford, then stopped and whirled to stare at the other two women. "Coming? We've got a victory to celebrate! Afodisia, but you two look grim." Striding back over, she grabbed them by the wrists and gently pulled. "You'd think I interrupted something, not declared a celebration!"
 
Aurianna held Justine back just as tightly, seeking that physical comfort in her friend after the hurt feeling from before. “You couldn’t have known,” Aurianna assured her as she apologized, and felt guilty for not being there. “I couldn’t forgive myself if something would have happened to you. Hell, the guilt over Clara’s lost innocence at witnessing it and being threatened weights just as heavily on me as my assault. Maybe someday I’ll be able to put it behind me, and come back, but I am not ready yet.”

Diana’s exuberance was a nice diversion from the pain and empathy both women were feeling. “I could so use a drink, after today,” Aurianna admitted, forcing a laugh. She wrapped her arm around Justine’s shoulder as they walked back to Monsford under the setting sun.


Gathered around table, the four Paladins and one aspirant drank to their success, and, for some, to drown the pain of the day.

“So, what brought you guys here, anyways? I thought I was doing a good job of hiding our trail,” Aurianna asked, chucking as she took a drink from her pint.

“It was Sue’s idea, actually,” Justine explained, motioning to her apprentice. The girl blushed as she smiled from the apparent pride in Justine’s voice. “She said Clara often spoke of her home town, and we all agreed it made the most sense for you guys to head here.” Aurianna nodded, taking another drink.

“So, what is the plan tomorrow, exactly? The mayor said something about “Wizard Matthias” and I was thrown off,” Diana asked, already working on her second mug.

“Well, she wasn’t lying. Matthias knows magic, and he offered to use it to help with the battle. We are going to flood the plains, and force the army to march south. She will still send her fliers at us, which number about a thousand, but we could hold them off. I am even more confident, now that you guys are here.” Aurianna explained.

“Are you sure it’s smart to trust the demon traitor?” Roland asked, finishing off his cup.

“Well, he is just a traitor now a days. He got captured by Hydranes as we made our way here, and was tortured for several days until his demon soul was ripped out. So, there is little risk he would betray us for her sake.” Aurianna justified, deciding against telling them about her relationship with him. She just shared a knowing look with Justine.

“So, you have been here the longest, you can take command. What do you want us to do?” Diana asked, obviously referring to Roland Sue and herself. It unspoken, yet known that Justine would be on the wall, taking advantage of her strength.

“I expect all of you to take up bows as well. We are still outnumbered two to one there,” Aurianna instructed. “If we can eliminate her aerial forces, we stand a chance of making it out alive.”

“And what are you going to do?” Roland pried, declining a second glass.

“I will lure the force into the trap. Get as much of the force in front of the dam as possible to be swept away when it floods,” Aurianna clarified, indulging herself in a second drink. She rather enjoyed the relaxing buzz she had going.

“So, how are you going to avoid getting caught up in the torrent?” Roland prodded further.

“I have a plan, and I am pretty sure it will work. I am putting that in the Goddess’ hands.” She confirmed, putting up a sheepish smile.

“Ari…” Justine said with a sigh, slightly concerned. She couldn’t deny that her friend had the Goddess’ own luck. It was the only way she could have survived all the stupid things she had done over the years.
 
Diana refilled Roland's mug. "Drink up. Piping's thirsty work." She poured herself another mug as well. "Now, I've got a couple of questions myself."

"Really?" Justine asked, surprised.

"Yeah," Diana laughed. "I mean, my role in strategic planning is generally smashing and killing the thing the strategist points me at. But even I can see a few fatal flaws in the plan."

"Like what?" Roland asked, pushing the mug away.

"Drink up," Diana said absently, pushing the mug back. "Gotta keep your throat healthy." Her focus returned to Aurianna and Justine. "First, our plan depends on Matthias the Traitor? Realkly?" She looked from one to the other. "I mean, yeah. We've got a common enemy and all. But... you know. Lockhaven. Sutter's Pass. Shit like. He'll probably try and rape and murder us, maybe even in that order." Her eyes locked with Aurianna's. "I was part of the relief forcesent to Lockhaven. I've seen the shut he's done to us - Paladins and common folk alije."

Justine's gaze flicked to Aurianna's. "We have certain... guarantees."

"All right," Diana shrugged. "But if he steps outta line, I'll fucking cut him down."

"Yiur second question?" Justine prompted, trying to change the subject.

"How do you plan to bait a bunch of the Host towards the dam?" She threw down half her mug. "Any one of us is a prize, yeah. But they ain't gonna send thousands of demons for one Paladin."
 
“I mentioned he is just human, right?” Aurianna said, maybe a bit tipsy from her third glass. When had she drank like this last? “And horrifically injured. You look at him the wrong way and he is liable to go down. He isn’t going to be trying to rape or murder anyone.”

“As for how I intend to lure Hydranes forces, well…She wants me. To serve her. Made me an offer that was even a bit tempting. Which must mean she really wants me,” Aurianna explained declining a fourth glass.

“Tempting?” Roland eyes were on her, as he sipped at his cup, to get Diana off his back.

“I mean power and authority. A general in her army,” A pair of lovers, but she didn’t dare give voice to that thought, even if it drew scarlet over her cheeks. “If it weren’t such a waste, it might have been harder to resist.”

“A waste? “ Justine said, surprised by Aurianna confession.

“What’s the point of all that power, when there isn’t even anything to fully exert it upon. No challenge, no foes that would have reasonably stood in my way. What’s the point of selling my soul for demonic power if my only enemies were going to be townspeople? Doesn’t take demonic might to slaughter townspeople.” Aurianna admitted, lips loosen by the liquor she imbibed. She wasn’t prepared for the horror upon her comrades faces.

“Holy shit, you have been spending too much time with the traitor,” Diana said, giving voice to the thoughts on her ally’s minds.

“Huh? You guys, I was never going to actually sell my soul,” Aurianna insisted, suddenly shocked by the honesty she confessed, and the reaction it provoked. “I mean, we all want power, right? But what good is greater power if no one can oppose you anyways.

“I guess…” Roland, needing a deeper drink after that revelation. Aurianna felt self-conscious now. Judged.

“Uh, speaking of traitors who sell their souls, I am guess you guys had a plan in case Matthias wasn’t going to relinquish me and Clara so willingly?” Aurianna said, changing the subject. Diana nodded, fishing something from her bad and place it upon the table. A Demonqueller rune.

“That could actually be of use to me, if my plan goes well. Do you mind?”

“Go ahead. Just promise to wear it yourself if you decide to sell you soul. Cripple yourself for greater challenge,” Justine mocked, pushing Aurianna playfully. The table laughed, louder than they should, but they were mostly content on drink.

“I am going to head off. Check on our traitor before I retire. Hydranes will be upon us by tomorrow, almost certainly.”
 
Everyone watched Aurianna sway out of the tavern, then returned their attentions to their respective drinks. "I... heard about what happened," Diana murmured. "To her, I mean. It's..."

"I'd rather not talk about it," Justine muttered.

"No, it's..." Diana thought for a moment, choosing her words. "Goddess. I can't imagine..." She glanced at Justine. "Do... can..?"

Justine nodded at the unspoken question. "Yeah. We can. She's in a rough place right now, but she's a Paladin."

"So was Jeoram Sanal..." Roland murmured, darkly.

"Fuck you!" Justine exploded, rising to her feet. Roland scooted backwards, startled, and Diana's hand went to the hilt of her sword. "She is not like that bastard, and if you imply that she..."

"I... I didn't..." Roland stammered out, holding his hands in front of him. "I just..."

"You just..!" Justine snapped.

"You just back off," Diana said, her voice icy and level. "He didn't mean nothing by it, and you know it." She locked eyes with Justine. "Back off."

For a long moment, it seemed like she wouldn't. Justine stood there, fists clenched and body vibrating with pent-up fury. Finally, she forced herself to take a deep breath and unclench. "I'm calling it a night," she snapped, stalking away. "Hydranes will be here, soon."

Diana watched him go, then punched Roland in the shoulder. "Nice going, dumbass."



"I've never seen someone eat like that before," Elsa laughed. "Most patients bitch their heads off about broth."

Matthias handed the mug back. "I haven't tasted anything like that in a decade, girl. I suspect I'll thoroughly embarrass myself, once I get to eat real food again." He grinned. "Especially if raspberry tarts are on the menu. I'll..."

"In a decade?" Elsa sounded curious, now. "What have you been eating, then?"

"Blood," came the deadpan reply.
 
Aurianna opened the door without knocking, needing the comfort of the fallen paladin now. She was a little annoyed to see someone in there with him, but she was sure that was mostly the alcohol and stress of the day wearing on her. Besides, it was Clara’s cousin, the one who assisted Martin. She was feeding Matthias, while he rested, and making small talk.

"In a decade? What have you been eating, then?"

“Blood.”

Elsa laughed uncomfortably, and turned to see Aurianna enter the room. “Oh good, you’re here!” The young girl was on her feet already, “I’ll give you two your privacy.” She was out the door before either could protest, and Aurianna gave Matthias a look.

“This is exactly why I maintain a casual relationship with the truth,” Aurianna said with a sigh, closing the door behind the girl. She still smelt of beer, but her buzz was mostly washed away by the disturbed reaction of her friends to her admission. Wasting no time, she pulled of her armor and clothing at the same time. “Here I am trying to avoid answering difficult questions, and you are going around inviting more.” She lectured, probably not terribly effective, as she stood there topless before him. She wriggled out of her pants and placed both neatly on a chair, with her boots underneath.

She went through the clothes Ingrud had offered, picking a simple cream-colored cotton dress from them. Slipping it over her head, it was a bit short on her tall frame, landing it’s hem on her upper thighs. It didn’t matter, it was just something to wear to bed. She doubted Matthias minded all the much anyways. Cuddling up to him, she took a kiss, coming up needier than she intended. Hands came up to his head, pulling him closer to her, deeper into her mouth and his. She wasn’t sure what she wanted now, but she needed him. Legs tangling under the covers, fingers twisting in his hair, tongues intermingling, until they broke off the kiss to breathe.
 
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