For the Whored: Beyond

Katie ducked her head as she rushed through the Grove. She didn't want it to affect her, but in reality, she had no choice. Sunwood was right, she needed Elunara. They had touched her in places she didn't want to be touched yet. She wanted to find the right man, the right lover, and be touched by him. For him to explore the sensitive parts of her body. Holding the basket up like a shield in front of her chest, she jogged past portal lake. Acting like nothing bothered her only lasted so long.

"Katie!"

Katie halted and watched Ryan run up.

"Where have you been?" Ryan looked up and down. "Why are you so disheveled?"

"I had a picnic in the Grove." Trying to straighten out her dress, she continued her path to Tippy's inn.

"Are you sure that's wise?"

Katie froze. "What do you know about the Grove?"

Ryan turned several interesting shades of red. "Nothing in particular. It's uh... well, what if you fainted and no one was around to help you?"

Rolling her eyes hard enough to start the edge of a headache, Katie sighed. "I. Am. Fine." She grit out through her teeth. "I don't need a babysitter, I haven't had a fainting spell in..." She hesitated. The truth would just drive her nuts. "Days."

"Still." He took her hand. "I worry about you."

"What about Carla?"

"Carla?"

"You told me the other day you've been having dinner with her. How is she doing? You were worried about her too."

Ryan shrugged. "I've had dinner there twice. Her father is a nice man, likes to talk about being a soldier. He retired when his wife died so he could take care of his only daughter. I think she's fine. At least, if her dress collection is any indication." He laughed.

Katie made a face. "What?"

"It's kind of a weird in-joke we've started. I don't know how to explain."

"When you figure it out, let me know." Katie sighed. "I need to return this basket." She turned and slammed into someone else, and the basket dropped to the ground. "Really? Is this how my day is destined to go?"

"Forgive me, beautiful lady, I was not watching where I was going." The man bowed as he scooped up the dropped basket.

Katie looked up at him. "Oh, I saw you the other day."

He cocked his head to the side and smiled. "I think I'd remember a beautiful lady like you."

"Probably not. You seemed upset when you left Elunara's."

Stephen froze in place. "What do you know about Elunara?"

"She commissioned me to write a book. I went by to take her some pages, and you almost trampled me trying to leave. I'm sorry, was I not supposed to know?"

Stephen shoved the basket into Katie's hands. "Excuse me, I have to see to something I'd forgotten about." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "If all goes well, maybe I will see you again at some point." Turning away, he took off running.

Ryan frowned at the exchange. "That guy is from Grogek's advanced corps."

"Odd."

With a sigh, Ryan rubbed the back of his neck. "Would you like to go to dinner with me?"

"At Carla's?" Katie made a face.

"No! Gods, no. With me, tonight."

"Well, I can find out what Tippy is making."

Ryan fiddled with his fingers. "I was thinking somewhere a little quieter."

Katie sighed and raked her fingers through her hair. "Not tonight. I'm a little stressed right now. I actually want to give Tippy her basket and then go find Elunara. I've had a trying day, and I just want her."

"Oh. Ok. Well, you tell me when and I'll make it happen."

--

Katie made her way down to the training yard, finding Susan sitting on the platform, she sat down.

"Come to write?" Susan eyed a blank canvas, twisting her head this way and that.

"Not really. I want Elunara."

"She's at home today."

"Does she have clients?"

Susan thought for a moment. "I'd wait about thirty more minutes before heading down there. She's got one, but she'll be done soonish."

"Alright."

"You seem sad, dear."

"I'm a little messed up today. I just want to talk to Elunara about it."

"Of course. Elunara is the expert in all things." Stopping her analysis of her canvas, Susan turned to Katie. "Sweetheart, if it's any consolation, you can always speak to me. I may not be the best, but I am an ear."

Katie shook her head. "Men are stupid."

Susan trailed her sights over to Ryan. Ryan was spending so much time staring at Katie, he screwed up in training and had Mark yelling at him. "Men, or a man?"

"Men. Well, a few men. I don't know." Katie put a fist to her forehead. "It's jumbled. Why did no one tell me about the Grove?"

"Something happened at the Grove? It's broad daylight." Susan looked up at the sky.

"So, you knew?"

"Honey, it's a secret to everybody. Why were you in the Grove?"

"I was taking Sunwood his lunch."

Susan blinked down at Katie. "Sunwood?"

"Don't tell me there's something wrong with him too."

"I don't know a thing about him, other than he's Elunara's friend. Did Sunwood do something?"

"Sunwood is adorable." Katie sighed. "He saved me."

"Saved...?" Susan sat up straighter. "Why would he need to save you?"

"That's why I need Elunara."

"Forget her client, go find her now." Susan pointed towards the house.

--

Elunara stood on the porch, waiting, watching. "Shoot me, you fucker." She whispered. Her client had left almost an hour ago, and she'd been on the porch ever since, willing the assassin to attack her.

Stephen made his way to the woman on the porch. He resisted the urge to run up and grab her. "Elunara, I need to speak with you."

A smile crept across her lips. "Come on in, lover."

"Is that what I am to you?" He followed her in the house, careful to keep his hands at his sides.

"If you want to be." With the tips of her fingers, she brushed the underside of his chin. "What brings you my way?"

He grabbed her hand and pressed his mouth to the inside of the palm. "I... I want you. But that's not why I'm here."

"I may be a goddess, but I'm no mind reader."

"Have you told anyone... about us?"

Cocking her head to the side, Elunara regarded Stephen thoughtfully. "Everyone is aware I have visitors, and everyone is aware that I am a sexual beast. No one know exactly what goes on with each individual person in my house. My own husbands don't even know what we have done. Not even Grogek."

Stephen relaxed. "Good." He raked his fingers through his hair. "Good. I..."

"Had reason to worry? Sweetie, it's me. Do YOU even know what all I've done?"

"Not... well, there are rumors, and I've read some of your books in the library."

Placing a hand on his cheek, she smiled. "Read all of them, know me better, then you won't have to worry."

"I..." He began to close his eyes, leaning in to her as his lips brushed hers. Suddenly, he jolted backwards. "Damn it, it's not supposed to go like this."

"Like what?"

He twisted away, pacing back to the kitchen, before turning to her again. "You're supposed to break this fixation, so that I may find a wife. So that I won't look at a pretty woman and feel this overwhelming guilt that she isn't you."

"Oh, Stephen..."

"I thought I found her..." He flipped the hair out of his eyes. "For a brief moment I saw this woman, just a slip of a girl. So delicate and beautiful, and slightly sad, a little... out of sorts. And I thought to myself... there she is. That's what I want. And then out of her mouth slips your name, and I crashed again."

Elunara licked her lips and considered. "We can work with that. We can find this girl, and I can help you."

"I don't want her to be you. I don't want her anything like you."

"I didn't mean we turn her into me. I meant we figure out what it will take for you to see her and only her. If you can find one woman this way, then you won't need me anymore. It's just a matter of... redirecting your little—" Elunara was interrupted by frantic knocking on her door. Walking over to the door, she pulled it open.

Katie collapsed forward. "Oh, Elunara! I need to speak to you, please. I don't... I don't know what to do."

"It's you..." Stephen whispered.

Elunara's ears pricked. Looking back at Stephen, she noticed the way his eyes bulged, and his jaw had dropped.

"Katie, sweetie, I'm kind of in the middle of—"

"Oh!" Katie jolted straight up. "I'm so sorry. This... this is kind of important, and I just..." Dried tears sprang anew. "I just need you."

"Stephen, I hate to do this, but I'm throwing you out."

"Of... of course." He bowed.

"Katie, sit on the couch. I need to see him out." Elunara guided Katie to the couch, and after she was satisfied, followed Stephen out the front door. "Listen, Katie NEVER gets upset. I have to express this to you fully. If she's upset, it's bad. Very bad. Now, you and I will talk, ok? Just, not now."

"Please, maybe she needs my help."

"Honey, if I can't help her, no one can. But, you'll be in consideration if she needs a man's help, now go."

Stephen frowned and tried to look over Elunara's shoulder. "Alright. I'll go."

Concerned for the situation all around, Elunara closed the door in Stephen's face. Ryan was not going to be happy with this turn of events, but she wasn't turning down any opportunity.

"Now, what...?" Elunara blinked at Katie, curled up on the couch, her face buried in the back of it. Concerned, she rushed to Katie's side. "What happened? Is it your father again?"

"No!" Katie sat up on her elbow. "I was attacked in the Grove."

"Attacked?"

"I was taking Sunwood his lunch, and these three men... they... they..." She grabbed Elunara and buried her face in Elunara's shirt.

"They raped you?"

Katie shook her head violently. "Sunwood saved me... mostly. They yanked at my clothes, they put their hands all over me. My legs, my breasts, my... place..."

"Sweetie, that is sexual assault. Just because they didn't insert their dicks in you doesn't mean it's not. Tell me who did this to you."

"I don't know. I'd never seen them before today."

"Does Sunwood recognize them?"

"I... I don't know." Katie shuddered. "He didn't seem to. And they hurt him. They stabbed him in the arm and the ribs. He's... he's fine, he healed himself, but there was blood and everything."

Elunara stroked Katie's hair. "Come now sweetie, I think you need a soak."

"A soak?"

"In my delightful hot tub. Come now, you'll feel better, I swear it."

--

Katie spoke about Sunwood, her past couple of days and the events after her attack. Once Katie was settled in the tub, Elunara brushed her hair out of her face. "Let me deal with your dress, ok? It's dirty and torn."

"I'm sorry." Katie sniffled.

"For what?"

"Not being stronger."

Elunara sighed. "After what you told me, I'm amazed you're this put together. Let me deal with your dress, and I'll be right back. Don't worry about anyone walking in, the signs are up."

Katie nodded. "This does feel better."

Elunara made her way to Tulani's studio.

"Oh, Elunara, I didn't expect to see you today."

"Can you fix Katie's dress, and do you have anything special off rack I can give her?"

Tulani considered. "I don't usually have anything like that, but I figured since Katie was yours, I should have her something special. I've been working on this one thing in my off time."

"I'll take it."

"Anything I should know?"

Elunara growled. "She was attacked in the Grove."

Tulani gasped and dropped her pencil. "What in the world was she doing down in the Grove?"

"Taking Sunwood his lunch for Tippy."

"No woman goes to the Grove by herself."

"Your location does not make you a free target."

Tulani closed her eyes. "I know that. Gods, that poor girl. Where is she?"

"Soaking in the big tub."

Tulani got up and began digging through her projects. Finding the dress she was after, she draped it over her arm. "I'll see her personally. The dress might need fitted properly."

They walked hand in hand back to the tub. Katie was curled up, her arms wrapped around her knees.

"Cold already?" Elunara frowned.

Katie shook her head. "The tub is so big, and I feel so exposed."

"Maybe this will help." Elunara gestured to Tulani.

Tulani held up the dress. "I hope you like it; I haven't had my usual interview with you to find out what you like. I figured the blue dress would match your eyes."

The aforementioned eyes grew wide and Katie scrambled to the edge of the tub. "It's gorgeous! And it's mine?" Reaching out, she fingered the edge of the material. "It's so light and pretty."

"Come on out and you can try it on."

"Oh, but..."

Tulani smiled. "We're all women here, sweetie. Let's get you dried off and in the dress, ok? We can leave if you'd be more comfortable."

"I..." Katie looked back and forth. "Alright." She climbed the steps out of the tub.

Elunara wrapped a large fluffy towel around Katie and began rubbing her down. "There we go." She hugged the shivering girl tightly. "You're safe with us."

Katie nodded. Drying off, she held out her arms and let Tulani slip the dress over her head. Twirling back and forth, she examined the lovely dress. "Oh, I feel like a princess."

"And it's not even my best work. Come in for a consultation and I'll design you a gown for the annual ball."

"A gown? For me? But, I don't have any money."

Tulani kissed both of Katie's cheeks. "You have us. You are Elunara's, so you are ours. Come, be a part of our family." She pulled Katie into her arms.

"I love this family." Katie whispered, laying her head on Tulani's shoulder. "You're all so warm and loving, and High General Jordan, who must have thought I was an idiot, treats me like I was his daughter sometimes. He's so nice to me when I see him at Tippy's. At least, he treats me better than my own daddy."

"No one will hit you here, little love." Elunara brushed her lips on Katie's head.

"Can I go show Sunwood my dress?"

Tulani and Elunara looked at each other.

"Are you sure you want to go back to the Grove so soon?" Tulani asked.

"I can escort you." Elunara, brushed Katie's hair back.

"No." Katie straightened her shoulders. "I won't be afraid. You told me to not be afraid of daddy, I won't let some big jerks make me afraid to see my friend."

"This is quite different." Elunara frowned. "There were three."

"I want to prove I can be by myself. Besides, Sunwood saved me once, and I trust him to do it again."

"I would feel better if I went."

"But..."

Elunara shook her head. "I won't escort you directly, I'll follow you. I need to find those men and get them out of Stormwind. A disease like them will rot and fester. Who else have they attacked that I don't know about? You may go into the woods by yourself, and I'll follow until I know you're safe at Sunwood's cottage, but you'll not see me. If anything, you're my well protected bait to lure those assholes out."

--

Katie ran her hands over the delicate filigree pattern down on her stomach. "I still can't believe this is mine."

"You look lovely, Katie." Elunara fiddled with a lock of Katie's hair. "You already slay the men, wearing this, you'll knock 'em dead at forty paces."

Katie fiddled her fingers. "I don't know what you mean."

"No," Elunara shook her head. "you don't."

They stopped at the edge of portal lake. Katie frowned down at the pathway to the Grove.

"You don't have to do this now." Elunara brushed Katie's hair out of her face.

"Yes, I do. I want to. I want to prove to myself I can. I told Sunwood I would visit him every day. If I can't go back now, with you watching me, maybe I never go back. And that's just not fair."

"Good girl. I'll be watching." Elunara faded into the shadows.

Katie stared at the empty space for a moment, before turning towards the path. Taking a deep breath, she started to walk. Down the pathway, to the embassy, she began to relax. Even passing the amphitheater she was fine. It was when she reached the edge of the Grove that she started to feel nervous. Biting her lip, she hesitated. Squaring her shoulders and holding her head high, she started to march. Stumbling a bit, she grabbed the fabric of her skirt and began to hurry along through the trees. Making her way to the back she found the little cottage. Letting out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding; she made her way around the back.

Curled up in the center of the flowers, Sunwood appeared to be napping. Katie started to step forward, but then she realized what was wrong. All around her, the garden was trashed. Flowers were trampled, broken, and smashed. She stooped down and picked up a crushed flower.

"Sunwood?" She called, confusion holding her in place. After a moment she ran through the trampled flowers. "SUNWOOD!" She dropped down beside him. Worried she would hurt him further, she held her hands above his broken and battered body. "Sunwood?" She whispered. Placing her hands gently on his side, she began to run her fingers through his fur. Finding patches of blood, she shook him. "Sunwood! Wake up! Please wake up!"

Sunwood started to groan and turn over. "Katie?" He whispered.

"Oh, you're alive!" She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I was so worried." She leaned back. "What happened?"

"Those bastards came back with friends. Better armed... in full armor." He groaned and sat up. Looking around, he sighed. "They really destroyed everything didn't they?"

"It's all in ruins." She whispered. "They just... they just ruined everything." Standing up, she turned and fled.

Sunwood buried his face in his hands. She'd never come back now.

Katie scrambled through the Grove, stumbling and tripping over every little thing in her haste.

Elunara met her halfway. "What's wrong?"

"They came back, they attacked Sunwood."

Elunara turned Katie around and gave her a shove. "Let's go."

Together they ran to Sunwood's cottage. Stepping around behind the cottage, Elunara rushed to Sunwood's side. "Are you alright?"

Sunwood blinked at Elunara and then at Katie. Katie was standing beside the cottage, her hands clasped together. "I'll live." He stood up with some effort.

Elunara put her hands on his shoulders and concentrated her energy. Pumping him full of her healing energy, she returned him to his normal state, if a little bruised. "Anything else, you can heal yourself."

"Thank you, Elunara."

Katie rushed over and wrapped her arms around Sunwood's waist. "I was so worried!"

Elunara walked around the garden, looking for any sign. Finding a small insignia, she frowned. "Well, this looks familiar."

"What is it?" Katie looked back, unwilling to free herself from Sunwood.

"Nothing of any importance to you. I just recognize this from the training yard. One will lead me to another. Don't you worry, little heart."

"Oh, Sunwood." Katie sighed. "Your beautiful garden. Whatever will we do?"

"We?" He peered down at her.

Nodding to herself, Katie looked around. "I'll just have to help you rebuild."

Sunwood looked down fully at Katie. "You will?"

Stepping away, she started towards the back edge of the Garden. "Oh, no. Your orchid!"

Sunwood sighed and made his way over. "I suspected they had..."

Elunara disappeared from the area.

"You have blood on your dress." He murmured.

Katie looked down. "Oh." Sighing, she fingered a wet spot. "Maybe Tulani will know how to get it out. She just gave it to me."

"You look..." A million words came to his mind, and all were rejected. Standing there, covered in dirt, blood, and delicate filigree, she was an angel in blue and white. "Beautiful." He finished.

"Thank you." She blushed.

"You came back." He started to reach for her but rejected the idea.

"I said I would." She picked up the smashed orchid. "And I stand by it, I'll visit every day. I'll work hard."

"Katie, your health... and you have a book to write."