Author's Notes:
This story is erotic fantasy, set in a world of magic. I reserve the right to be listed as the author of this work, wherever it is posted. If found posted anywhere except Literotica.com with this note attached, this story is posted without my permission. © Darkniciad 2000-2007
The sexual situations in this story will be far ranging, and may prove disturbing to some readers. Please be warned that the villains of the story are really evil, and the things they do are not glossed over, or toned down.
I make use of modern weights and measures quite often in my work, because those are the weights and measures of my fantasy world. I know many fantasy readers prefer more archaic terms, and I hope those readers can overlook my use of miles, feet, and other such measures.
You really need to read the previous parts of the story to know the characters and the storyline. This tale follows Danica in her day-to-day adventures, with the greater plot emerging slowly at first. Think of it more as a serial than a novel, and you'll be in the right mindset.
This is an edited version of this tale, making use of what I've learned since starting to post at Literotica, and the services of my tireless editor, Roust Writer.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
The companions worked on the details of their plan until nightfall, and then went to their rooms. Mara joined Bear and Janelle, while Nara followed Brandon and Cheron. Danica shared the night – and her body – with Terran.
The next day, everyone sat down to hammer out the final points of their plan. By midday, Danica felt that they were ready. Everyone gathered his or her equipment and prepared to head into their most dangerous confrontation yet.
Under cloak of invisibility, the group quickly moved toward the center of the wood. The companions carefully avoided the numerous creatures stalking the wood, the monsters growing more organized by the day.
Danica knew they were within Illusion's domain when a maze of illusions sprang up around them. Now within the heart of the area that misdirected scrying magic, only Danica’s magical protections prevented the companions from finding themselves hopelessly lost amidst the ever-changing trails created by the illusions. No creatures accosted the companions within the area, the illusions apparently designed to keep them out as well.
The group let their invisibility lapse, knowing it was useless against a master of illusion, and continued cautiously penetrating deeper into the area. Illusions and phantasms assaulted the companions as they neared the heart of the wizard’s domain. The companions ignored the first, and quickly destroyed the phantasms as they attacked. The first phantasms of an ogre magi and accompanying ogre lasted only seconds, the companions barely pausing to destroy the magical constructs before pressing onward.
The group emerged into a clearing, and themselves surrounded by illusions and the remaining phantasms. The illusions proved no distraction, the companions now so used to dealing with the magic that they could completely ignore it. The two remaining phantasms, a wyvern and a small red dragon, proved far more difficult to ignore.
Janelle and Venaru both loosed missiles at the wyvern as soon as they broke into the clearing. Janelle put a second arrow in the air while Venaru reloaded his crossbow, and she fired a third when he fired again. Celes sent a barrage of magical missiles into the creature as it swooped down on the companions.
Danica, Terran, and Mara led the assault on the more dangerous dragon. Their magical missiles sailed into the phantasm, causing it to roar in rage. The dwarves, Nara, Brandon, Cheron, and Bear charged the dragon, led by Cheron's hurled mace.
The three fighting the wyvern dived aside as it swooped at them, and then jumped back up to fire at the illusionary monster once more. Danica had a moment to glance at the cabin-like structure in the center of the clearing before she had to rush away from the lashing tail of the dragon phantasm and hurl another blast of missiles into it. Danica’s quick glance revealed that the door was ajar.
Both phantasms weakened under the barrage of the companions’ assault. Danica thought she heard the sound of a chanting voice coming from somewhere off to her right. Nara suddenly spun, breaking off her attack on the Dragon, and stretched out her hand toward the trees at the edge of the clearing – where Danica had heard the voice.
An obviously female scream erupted from the area as Nara's mental attack ruined whatever spell the woman had tried to cast. Danica and Nara both rushed toward the area, the weakening phantasms no longer demanding their attention.
The woman was trying to rise as Danica reached her. Danica lashed out with her mind and telekinetically shoved the woman back down to the ground hard. She heard the breath blast from the woman as she hit.
Nara arrived then, and she stretched her hand out at the woman. Danica saw the enemy wizard’s eyes roll up in her head as the illusionist slumped unconscious to the ground.
The phantasms faded into harmless illusions no longer possessing the power to cause harm. The companions ignored the tattering remnants of the phantasms and rushed toward the women at the edge of the woods.
Danica waved them away. "We have her. Get into the cabin and take anything you can find. We don't want to leave anything here for the monsters and the other mages."
The rest of the companions hurried into the cabin while Danica watched Nara bind the unconscious wizard's hands and put a gag into her mouth.
Celes stepped back out of the cabin and warned, "The illusions are breakin'. We found the thing what was givin' them their power. We'll have curious critters breathin' down our necks any minnit now. Let's get ourselves outta here."
The companions gathered at the center of the clearing. Bear walked over to help when he saw Danica and Celes struggling to pull the illusionist over to where everyone gathered. He slung the bound woman over his shoulder as if she weighed nothing and carried her back to the others.
The companions joined hands and vanished from the clearing a few moments later.
{*****~~o~~0~~o~~*****}
"So, our master of illusion is a woman," Terran remarked as the companions looked upon one of the foes that had pulled the army in the wood together. The illusionist lay on a table, the companions taking the time to catch their breath and regain their composure before reporting the capture to the Commander.
"And not a bad lookin' one at that," Brandon declared.
Danica looked at the woman and agreed with Brandon that the illusionist was indeed striking. She had auburn hair that hung to her shoulders, perfectly framing a face with full sensual lips and long lashes. The illusionist had average size breasts, but they were perfect for her figure.
"It would be easiest if we were to learn what she knows here, before reporting to the commander," Nara suggested. "One of you ask her questions, and I can glean the truth from her mind. She may speak falsehoods, but the questions will turn her mind to the truth, and I will know it."