Thanks to those who left reviews on the previous chapter. Feedback and critique is always appreciated.
To be honest, I use this site, and therefore this story, to get all the smuttiness out of my system I like to write but can't do so otherwise. So while I will continue writing a story here, there will be heavy doses of sex and smut, depending on the chapter and characters involved. If you want to compare this to another story or stories, fair enough, but I'm not worried and don't particularly care what or how other people write their stories. Theirs are unique on their own. If you like mine, that's great and I hope you enjoy what's to come. If not, it's disappointing, but while I might make subtle changes thanks to your feedback and suggestions, I'm going to continue to do what I want to do as I'm not changing at the whim of a couple of reviews, and I barely take notice of the ratings considering what can be considered hot or not throughout the site varies wildly. Some chapters will be story focused with perhaps one smutty scene (such as what is coming below). Other chapters will have little story and will be pure sex and smut. Each chapter will contain at least one sexualised scene because that's what I want to write, and I believe that's the whole point of this site, and therefore this story.
Someone did mention through feedback via email that my chapters are not that long. The average chapter in a novel is between 3,000 to 5,000 words (according to Google). I aim for between 6,000 to 8,000 words most of the time as I think that's quite a good length. When a chapter is uploaded, they're usually between 2 and 3 pages long. I'm not sure about yourselves, but I don't want to read page after page all at once. I like my stories broken up into small pieces, just like a novel.
Anyway, they're just my thoughts. Continue to let me know what you think either in the comments or via feedback email, and you will receive a response. If you send feedback via email, include your email address so we can correspond if you'd like.
Hope you enjoy what's to come.
*****
Chapter 8 -- The Village
*****
Solona was still fast asleep when I woke up. Carefully extracting myself from her body, I kissed her cheek before I managed to dress without waking her. I looked down at her sleeping form and knew I had a stupid smile on my face. I could already think of plenty of words to describe her, all of them positive, and I looked forward to a lot more with her. I managed to leave the tent without her waking.
Stretching and yawning, a few people were already up and milling about. With no breakfast available, we'd rouse everyone early in an effort to get to Redcliffe as soon as possible. Taking a seat next to the campfire, I was quickly joined by Leliana and Cerys. I knew exactly what they were going to say.
"Sounds like someone enjoyed themselves last night," Cerys stated.
"We didn't have sex."
"I'm not after details. Just stating a fact."
"I'm assuming she's still asleep?" Leliana asked.
Now I looked at them smugly. "Three times would leave anyone requiring a longer rest."
Cerys just playfully punched my shoulder. "Show off."
"As long as she enjoyed herself," Leliana added.
I couldn't help the smile as I said, "She did. It was a nice evening."
Once everyone else was up and the camp was being cleared, I returned to the tent to see Solona still fast asleep. I crawled above her before gently kissing her cheek. Doing that a couple of times eventually woke her up, turning onto her back so I could kiss her lips. "Good morning," she said after a little make-out.
"Good morning. We're getting ready to move."
"Already?"
"You're the last one to wake up, Solona."
She started to laugh before yawning. "That's because someone wore me out." She pulled me down for a hug, thanking me for a wonderful night, before I helped start to pack up inside the tent, then folded up the tent itself, packing everything onto the cart. Helping the young and the old up onto it too, we were soon ready to move out, hopeful we'd make Redcliffe without further incident. We'd been delayed enough as it was.
We were all rather hungry, so Cerys said those of us walking should march quickly for Redcliffe, assess the situation and then get food ready for all of us. It was a fine idea, so Cerys, Alistair and myself took the lead, taking Leliana and Solona for good measure, leaving everyone else to protect the refugees, confident there was no further darkspawn presence around.
I should have known better. Approaching Redcliffe, we were stopped by a pair of frightened town guard, babbling about undead rising, death and destruction. They couldn't tell us much about Arl Eamon, but told us about monsters descending from the castle, and the undead rising from the nearby lake. I don't think I was the only one to sigh. I was left thinking nothing we would do was going to be easy.
Pointed in the direction of the Chantry, we entered to find at least a hundred frightened civilians. Many looked at us with a mixture of hope and fear, wondering if anyone recognised the Warden symbol. Though if news about Ostagar had made it here, then the fear, though unfounded, was understandable.
We were pointed in the direction of a man called Teagan, who was apparently the brother of the local lord. Even better, he recognised Alistair, and I don't think I was the only one who suddenly had questions. Cerys looked startled as the two conversed like old friends, and she eventually asked, "How do you two know each other?"
I think Teagan immediately realised we didn't know the story, whatever it was, and expertly avoided the question. Cerys wouldn't let it go though, now just focusing her questions on Alistair. He wilted, but he didn't answer, simply assuring her that he would tell us the truth later. I found the use of the words 'the truth' quite interesting, wondering just what the hell he was going to tell us.
Teagan then explained what was happening, and Cerys immediately offered our assistance. She then explained our predicament, and he immediately offered the refugees shelter, while he would personally go see the local tavern owner to ensure all of us were fed and watered during our stay in Redcliffe. We waited at the top of the hill for the refugees and rest of our team to arrive, not having to wait long. Pointing the refugees in the direction of the tavern first, before heading to the Chantry, we gathered our group in a circle and explained what we were doing. Everyone agreed to help... except Morrigan, of course. I nearly slapped her and she knew it.
"Something wrong, Dragonborn?" she called as I marched away.
I stopped and glared daggers at her, before I turned and started to walk back in her direction. Alistair stood in my path, and I'd probably have hit him if he tried to stop me. It took Shale to actually pick her up and carry her away to prevent me doing something... to be honest, I'd only partially regret. She hadn't wanted to help the mages. She now didn't want to help the villagers, either in Honnleath and now apparently here in Redcliffe. The longer we travelled, the more I knew she was only there for her own reasons, and I still didn't know why.
After sating our hunger in the tavern, we split up and started to organise defences. Alistair and I worked together with half a dozen Templars, led by a man named Ser Perth. He only had the protection of the villagers on his mind, and listened to any and ideas that came to mind. Meeting with Cerys and the others in the middle of town, we immediately put our plans into action, setting traps all over town, and ensuring we would filters the monsters and undead into killing fields. That was the hope, anyway.
Knowing we'd be up all night, we headed into the Chantry and made sure we got a couple of hours' rest. Leliana and Solona slept by my side, though as we were surrounded by the others, and also in the Chantry, all we did was sleep. I woke up before everyone and had another chat with Teagan, trying to tease information out of him in regards to Alistair, but he insisted that I must speak to the man himself. Cerys woke up before everyone and we headed outside.
"Has Alistair told you yet?" I asked.
"No, and I mean to find out. If I found out he's been lying..."
"Maybe not lying. Maybe there's a reason for this secret."
"It's possible."
She grabbed my hand and led to the edge of the lake. On the hill in the distance was the castle. It looked quiet. So was the village. It was eerie, almost as if no-one was alive. We knew the undead would come from the lake, though we still had some time. The sun hadn't quite disappeared yet. Having me alone, Cerys took the opportunity to give me a hug. "So... Alistair?" I wondered.
"I like him. He's nice. But... He's not you. He's definitely not you."
"So what are you saying?"
"I know you haven't always been comfortable with who I am to you. I remember the word you gave my father. But he's no longer here, and you're now mine. In a good way, of course. But I want you, Ragnar. Just like Solona, just like Leliana, just like anyone else we're bound to meet who'll have an immediate attraction. Shit, I think even Zevran likes you!"
"Are you sure about this? I'm already worried about Solona."
"That's because you care more than you think you do. That's why she spoke to us first. We told her all about you, at least what we know. I accept it. Leliana definitely accepts it. And you're a hero already to Solona. Yes, she's young and all, but the heart wants what it wants."