Honored By Avalond Ch 01

The ornate gates of Avalond shut behind Kiera. She gave them one last longing look. Would she ever see them again? The pink rays of the rising sun reflected off the bronze engravings, arcane sigils to ward off intruders. She remembered the words of the archons, spoken to her with gravity moments before the heathen arrived. She had committed them to memory. It was her duty, the ultimate one, the one the heathen could not know about.

She turned her eyes to him now. He already had his back to her, walking down the road. His strides were almost twice hers. He towered over her shorter elvish form, rippling with muscle. She admired his physique even as she tried to keep pace. He wore a breastplate of leather and steel, leaving much of his limbs exposed. His tan skin was criss-crossed with flowing tattoos of unknown meaning. They were nothing like the magic runes she had studied her whole life. Across his back, strapped to his pack, was a wicked looking axe. An axe that had recently become famous in this realm. As famous as the name of the man who bore it: Thelion the Cleaver.

Using her staff as a walking stick, she travelled behind him. She would have asked him to slow down, if only he did not intimidate her so much. She needed to make a good first impression. As the path led to the woods, he stepped off of it, slinking with practised movements between the trees. Kiera tried to follow, but she struggled, making too much noise.

After breaking one branch too many, she was met with a stoic glare from the warrior. His dark eyes were fierce and intense. His strong jaw was marked by a brutal scar from what seemed to be both a cut and a burn. His close cropped black hair contrasted her own blonde locks. The warrior was perhaps her age, though in human reckoning. The signs of his mortality were beginning to show though there was on obvious vitality to his movements. He was certainly handsome, though unapproachable. He didn't say anything, just staring, before continuing on. After that she stuck to the path while he roamed the woods nearby.

It was almost three hours of walking in silence before she finally gave in and asked him to rest for a moment. She tried her best to not make it a desperate plea. The young mage suspected the warrior was doing this on purpose, trying to test her. As she conjured some water in her chalice, Thelion ate a few dried fruits, silently watching the woods for signs of danger.

"You won't find any enemies here, my lord," she says, finally mustering up the courage to break the silence. "We keep the lands around Avalond well secured."

His eyes flitted back to her. His face was perpetually scowling. He didn't say anything. The young elf continued.

"Perhaps you might tell me where we're going?"

She thought he was going to just ignore her as he slung his pack over his shoulder, indicating it was time to get moving once more.

"Garad." His deep voice reverberated between them.

Kiera was careful not to let the surprise show on her face. He had actually answered. She wracked her mind for mention of the name and recalled a small town, about three days north of Avalond. She had never been but the young mage was nothing if not studious. With that, they took up the journey once more. Breaking down Thelion's walls would be no easy feat.

***

Thelion did not like this already. Most heroes of the realm would be honoured to be assigned a companion from the mighty order of Avalond. After all, it was a rare thing. These mages were skilled and bound to serve, providing many tools to aid in his quests. But right now, the man could only think about how she was slowing him down.

He was an outlander, preferring nature and silence to the company of others. And he was a hard man, wary of strangers, with a heart well guarded. Kiera seemed to understand that on some level. She rarely spoke to him, and respected the distance he kept. Thelion had not even put on the bronze necklace that marked their bond yet. She wore hers dutifully, displayed around her neck. The symbol it bore was unknown to Thelion.

The first day of their travel had gone without incident. The elf mage was right, the surroundings of Avalond were one of the safest areas of the realm. That would prove different as they approached Garad. The rumours about it were disturbing to say the least.

Thelion found a good place to camp, in the shade of a large stone outcropping. Without saying a word or looking at Kiera, he began setting up his personal tent. He would need to find wood for a campfire if they wanted to eat something warm.

"My lord, shall I light a fire for us?" the elf woman asked, her voice quivering.

He nodded. "Yes. And stop calling me that."

She looked like she was about to respond, but decided against it. Instead she cleared out a small area with a wave of her staff and closed her eyes. Drawing a symbol in the air, she murmured something incomprehensible. Then, a small fire appeared in the clearing. She smiled proudly to herself before making brief eye contact with Thelion and quelling her joy.

Even the simplest tenets of magic were beyond Thelion, but he had seen plenty of it before. Often those who dabbled in it sought personal empowerment, fuelled by ambition and selfishness. The warrior tended not to trust those who wielded it. But a fire was a fire. It gave off light and heat. But no smoke, a useful characteristic he noted for when they might not want to attract attention.

Kiera moved beyond and drew a book from her belt. She flitted through the pages until the found what she was looking for. She read the words, drawing complex sigils into the forest floor with her staff. Thelion took this moment to properly look at her for the first time.

The young elf mage was about a head shorter than him, with flawless pale skin that had no sign of scar or callous. Her wavy blonde hair shone almost golden. Her big green eyes were narrowed in concentration as she pursed her pink lips. She wore a white robe that left her slender arms bare, and a slit revealed some of her toned legs. The looseness of the robes could not conceal her curves however. Thelion instinctively took in her shapely rear, wide hips, narrow waist. His gaze lingered upon her impressive chest the longest, straining against the fabric. Despite a full day of travel, her clothes and skin were immaculate. No doubt a vain trapping of magic.

She was the very image of innocent beauty, almost angelic. And yet some lustful urges began to form in Thelion's mind. He shook his head, banishing them and getting some food over the fire.

***

Kiera could feel her companion's gaze over her and she almost lost concentration on her spell. She persevered and after several long minutes, a spectral door appeared in front of her. She peeked inside for a cursory glance before closing it, satisfied that it worked as intended. Then she conjured a pair of chairs by the campfire, closer together than Thelion would have liked.

The pair were sitting in silence for a time, watching a portion of deer flank roast over the flames on a skewer. Kiera was uncomfortable but tried to embrace the silence. The sooner she got used to it, the better, she figured. As Thelion took a gulp from his wineskin, she looked over at him. She noted that he was not wearing the necklace of bronze that matched hers. Clearly, he was not relishing having a new companion. And yet, the elf knew she could prove her worth to him. She also knew that some part of the heathen was open to her presence, else he would not have accepted her as a gift.

"My lord, why do you not wear the amulet? I wish to understand you, so that I may serve."

Thelion gave her a sharp look, as if annoyed that she had interrupted the stillness. Then, he gave her a response, albeit a curt one. "Tell me about it."

"It marks my bond to you, a symbol of my service. The rune signifies 'connection' in the arcane tongue. Not just a physical bond, but a more esoteric one. It is also laced with enchantments that I have placed on it."

Thelion did not seem surprised by that. In fact, it was likely the reason he did not have it on. He stared at her, listening intently. Kiera continued explaining.

"Firstly, while you wear it, we will both instinctively sense where each other are. Secondly, it will grant you a certain protection while you are near me. Not from blade or blunt force. But from mystical powers."

Kiera looked back into the fire, unable to face the experienced warrior's gaze. He might see through her. He might learn about the third enchantment, the one the archons wove into the bronze. Her duty to Thelion was important, but it was not the most crucial. That task must remain shrouded in secrecy.

Out of her periphery, she saw the man nod in appreciation. He took the amulet from his pouch, inspecting it. Kiera took a deep breath to steady herself after omitting the truth, then turned her eyes back to him, awaiting a response. It came, after a few breaths.

"Thank you. I will wear it. But know this: you will need to earn my trust. My guard is not so easily lowered. Perhaps that will discourage you. If so, you are free to return to Avalond now, or any day henceforth."

Although Kiera could have guessed his disposition towards her, she was grateful for his honesty. But she knew she would not give up. She would not return to Avalond as a failure. Thelion probably did not realize what she would be subjected to if she left his side.

The elf mage saw something hurt behind Thelion's eyes for the first time. Perhaps, he was not all hard edges. She nodded in understanding.

"Yes, my lord."

"Don't call me that," he growled, even as he put the charm around his neck.

***

Thelion and Kiera barely exchanged a word after that. They ate the venison with nothing but the crackling of the flames and the chirping of nearby birds as their backdrop. When it was time to turn in for the night, Kiera invited him to enter the floating door she had conjured with her. Thelion declined, preferring the familiarity of his own tent. She assured him that no one would sneak up on them as she spent a few minutes warding their camping area.

After the elf had vanished inside, he sat by the fire a little while longer, watching it dim over time like a natural flame would. He was trying to formulate a plan for their arrival at Garad. But his thoughts kept drifting back to his companion. She seemed earnest and willing to aid him. She had no arrogance, and she was not trying to desperately force an alliance. Maybe she would turn out to be a useful asset. Garad would be the first test of that.

Eventually he turned in, stripping off his armor and his travelling clothes. He slept nude, with his axe within easy reach. He decided to wear the amulet to bed, just in case. Sleep came quickly. But it was not undisturbed.

Thelion felt a pressure between his legs. Warmth enveloped his member, sending pleasure through him. It had been a long time since he felt such things. Violence drove him. Solitude shrouded him. Passion had eluded him for many years. But in this dream, it was so vivid. Shivers of lust coursed through his veins as he felt his cock throb in excitement.

Kiera coalesced into being. Her curvy elven form was at his knees, clad in a lacy nightgown in light blue. Her lips were wrapped around his shaft, forming a tight seal as she bobbed up and down in a slow rhythm. Her tongue swirled around his tip as she gave an intense blowjob. Her beautiful big green eyes stared up at him, twinkling with a desperate hunger. Her muffled moans send vibrations through his shaft. A delicate hand cupped his balls, gently squeezing them.

Thelion could feel the tension drain from his body as she worked his cock with her pretty mouth. He let out a primal groan as he took in the sensations. With a loud 'pop', she removed her mouth, strands of drool dripping off the tip. She looked at it briefly, admiring the size and the shape. Both her hands were on it now, her fingers unable to wrap around the full girth. She pumped along the length nice and slow, drawing out another groan from Thelion.

"Does that feel good, my lord?" Her eyes were back to staring at him, gauging his reaction, seeking his approval. He could feel himself nod, the pleasure making him lightheaded. She lewdly stuck out her tongue, running it eagerly along the underside of his shaft, flicking it against the sensitive underside of the swollen head. Then she was stroking him again.

"I am your loyal servant, my lord." Her hands were twisting with each stroke, her spit letting her glide along his full length easily. Thelion could feel his seed bubbling, the pressure in his large balls increasing.

"Spill your essence for me, hero of the realm." Thelion's hips began bucking of their own accord. He let out a moan, matched by her own. She took him back in her mouth, increasing the tempo of the sucking. The pleasure was at a crescendo, the release so close. And then he awoke.

His mind was a haze of desire and frustration. He almost reached for his axe just to release his turmoil through violence. His cock was rock hard, pressing against the bedroll, pining for attention. He tried to ignore it. But he failed. He wrapped his hand around the shaft and gave it a few slow strokes. The images of the dream had not faded. They were more vivid than ever. He let them run through his mind as he pumped his stiff member.

Outside the tent there was daylight. The sound of Kiera shuffling about nearby made Thelion stop. His urges, repressed for so long, would be banished once again by duty and self-control. As the warrior began dressing, he did not suspect that the amulet had already begun its work. His guard towards his elf companion was already being lowered.