Ch 6
The four friends ride through the village. Not a single person is in the fields. Instead, eyes can be seen peeking from the corners of windows. Scared to be seen, any appearance of human life quickly disappears. The world has shifted drastically since Winston and Veronica arrived here. Winston looks at the girl to his side and she gives him a cute smile and then sticks out her tongue as she realizes he is staring at her. Veronica is wearing brown pants with a billowy white top. Covering this is a thick leather vest that serves as light armor covering her chest and sides. On her waist is a sword adorned with a golden handle and jewels. Her long crimson hair is braided and thrown over her shoulder. Her body, short and athletic, rides atop a white horse. Growing up, she had been an active athlete and the head of the school's cheerleading squad. Now, in this world, she is making her way as a swordsman.
Unlike Veronica, Winston is the exact opposite. He grew up playing video games and avoided most physical activity unless it involved walking to the kitchen to find a snack. He is short and skinny with short cropped hair. He too is wearing brown pants, but his blue silk shirt is ripped. A reminder of a previous attack, of which he barely survived. Beneath him is a black horse that is vastly past her prime. Winston pats her on the side of her neck as she continues to keep up. Several months ago, he and Veronica had graduated high school together, then they were mysteriously brought to this world through a magical portal. Although he tried to understand how it works, he learned that the surface of water can be used as a barrier between worlds. Since then, they have been on adventures they could never have imagined.
Ahead of him, he sees Emma raise her hand, signaling a stop. Her large dappled mare prances around with unease. Emma is tall and beautiful. Her long black hair flows down her back, hiding the long blue dress that covers her body. Her unnaturally large breasts stick out in front of her as her deep blue eyes are focused on something in the distance. She still keeps her ears covered, although everyone in their group knows she is a Woodland Elf. Winston peers off into the distance, but sees nothing. She has been teaching him magic, but this is obviously her elven senses at work. Whatever it is she sees is imperceptible to Winston and Veronica.
Illian nods towards her and begins to ride forward. Illian's long blonde hair blows in the wind as his ears stick out proudly. He too is an elf, but a different breed. Being a High Elf, he told Winston, is far more respected. Illian is dressed like Veronica, and he has a long mighty sword strapped to his waist. One evening, while drunk, Illian told Winston that he was once the general of the High Elf army. But after being banished, he had been stripped of his title. When Winston asked about the banishment, Illian said the reason wasn't important. What was important is that his cousin, the Queen, had tasked him with finding Winston and Veronica. Now that he found them, they are traveling to meet her.
For several days, the group has been traveling, towards the Elven Holy City, of which Illian declared they must arrive before the Fall harvest, a week away. He claims that an Elven prophecy declared the end of his family line, if a person known as the Defiler isn't stopped.
As they have ridden, they have witnessed the decay that travels behind him. In his wake is a sickness of which the group has learned how to cure. Almost like a fairy tale, one must be in love with their one true love, their soulmate. Winston and Veronica had beat it when they admitted their love for one another. Mere days ago, Emma and Illian had also acknowledged their love to one another. Unfortunately declaring love isn't enough. It must be with the one single person that destiny has placed in your path for love. Those who are infected become mindless sex craved zombies who run around every night seeking sex. Most men end up dead, if they don't have the stamina to last all night. If they are unable to keep the multitude of woman satisfied, they are usually beaten and killed. Now, as the group travels from village to village, distrust for anyone who may carry the sickness is obvious.
Winston is startled back to the present as he hears Veronica's horse snort. He looks back into the field and sees Illian returning with a second rider. The group sits tense as they watch them grow closer. Soon Winston sees the second rider is smaller than Illian, but she has the same blonde flowing hair. A quick glance at Veronica shows her unease, as she sits with her hand on her sword.
Illian waves and he appears to trust the other rider. Emma signals him, and the two riders approach. As they get near, Winston begins to see a large number of similar facial features. His observation becomes answered as Illian, with a huge smile on his face, introduces the other rider as Samanda, his little sister.
They stop and setup camp for the night at which time Samanda gives her message. "Brother, the only surviving member of the High Elf Council needs you and your friends to ride to the Holy City with all haste. The Defiler has seduced our cousin, the Queen. They call upon the General to call forth the army and stop him."
Illian looks at the ground frowning, "I have been banished. I no longer lead the army." During the exchange, Winston looks at the girl, judging she is no older than himself and Veronica. She wears a suit of silver chainmail armor. On her chest is the emblem of an anvil with wings surrounded by gold. She turns to look at Winston and smiles. He notices a small dimple in the side of her cheek as her soft features highlight just how beautiful she is. He feels a twitch in his pants, which he uncomfortably attempts to cover.
Illian walks off with his head downturned. Winston sees the glint of a tear before he turns away. Emma stands up and follows him. As the couple walks away, Veronica stands and says she will stand the first watch of the night. She turns and gives Winston a passionate kiss, and then strides off into the darkness. Samanda gives another smile to Winston, allowing it to linger. "So she is your mate?" Winston nods at her, but she continues to smile at him.
"I guess we should tuck in and get some sleep." Winston stands up and walks to his bedrolls.
*****
Later that night Winston finds himself sweating and disoriented as his mind groggily wraps itself around a weird dream. In the dream, he sees Veronica walk by, while he is hidden in the underbrush. Underneath him is a warm soft, body. He feels light, delicate kisses on his chest as his weight presses down on the petite form. He feels a hand slide into his pants, stroking him awake. He lets out a light moan as his hand travels down the slim form in the darkness. Quiet coos come from beneath him as he hears a voice in his ear. "Take my virginity with your massive human cock."
This startles Winston. As he shifts his body to see the form beneath him, he sees long flowing white hair, barely visible in the moonlight. He jumps to his feet, startled, with his hard cock standing in front of him. Samanda's thin hand reaches up and begins to stroke him.
From out of the darkness, Veronica's voice calls out, "Honey, is everything alright?"
Winston stutters for a moment, as he tries to reply back. He feels Samanda's lips slide over the head of his cock as she begins to work his rod into her mouth. "I can't do this," he whispers to her.
He sees a shadow stand and walk towards him as Veronica calls out again, "what? I can't hear what you're saying." He tries to push Samanda's head away as she continues to stroke him.
Veronica comes into view in the dim light as Winston panics, trying to get away. He hears a giggle, as Veronica approaches. She glances at his rigid cock, and drops to her knees. She takes him into her mouth and then lets him slide out long enough to say, "it looks like someone is excited for me to get off watch? Let me go and wake Illian so he can take over." With this, Veronica again disappears into the darkness. Winston turns around looking for Samanda, but she is gone. Or was she ever there?
*****
Ariana's boat slides into the fishing pier of the village. She has been working her way up the river, but has gotten as far as her boat will allow. As she climbs out and ties up the boat, she looks around at her surroundings. Most fishing villages are full of activity as the fisherman bring in their catch, for the night. Instead, there is no one working. As she walks along the dirt path, she sees a pair of eyes look out from a window. Ariana waves, but the eyes quickly disappear. A quick search leads her to a small public building which appears to be the local gathering place.
Stepping to the door, she finds it is locked. She thinks to herself about how odd this is. Has the sickness had this much effect on everyone, even in an isolated village like this? She continues to walk around when her attention is drawn back towards the water. Another boat is gliding up to the dock. Quickly she strides in that direction and hails the fisherman on board.
He returns the wave, but it is obvious that there is fear in his eyes. "Hello kind Sir," she calls out, "I am seeking the opportunity to sell my boat, then I intend to leave on foot immediately."
His eyes scan up and down her body as he nods. She is still dressed in the short white skirt and thin top that she wore at the temple. Her clothing stands out starkly to her dark skin and hair. For the last four years she has made daily trips up and down the mountain, causing her to develop strong legs and an amazing butt that bubbles out underneath her skirt. She crosses her arms over her small breasts as she awaits the fisherman to tie up and climb ashore.
After a quick negotiation, she sells her boat for far less than it's worth. He has very few coins, but offers her dried fish, which will store well on her journey. Before she leaves, he offers her a nice warm stew. She thinks about how cold the nights have been as she looks up to judge the amount of sunlight left. She nods, and accepts, but she is also pressed for time. She is infected and must be out of town before darkness falls.
The small hut is actually very roomy as she looks at its furnishings. A clay cooking stove sits in the middle with an iron pot on top of the fire. A table and several wooden chairs sit on one side and a sleeping pad resides on the other side. She holds her hands to the fire, trying to warm herself after the days she has spent on the open water.
Behind her, she hears the fisherman chop a couple of potatoes as she realizes she hasn't eaten much in the last couple of days. She has food that she brought from the island, but while at sea, she felt sick and struggled to eat anything. She turns her attention back to the fire, as she hears the man approach from behind. She is about to turn and talk to him when she feels a sharp pain spread across her head as she is struck from behind. The last thing she remembers is seeing the warm glow in front of her, fade away.
*****
After packing up camp, the group of five climb back onto their horses and begin to ride into a patch of woods. Shortly after entering, they see a horse tied up to a tree. Off in the distance is a man laying in the road. Emma drops from her horse to check on him, as Illian and Veronica draw their swords and begin to scan the tree line. Within moments, the man awakens.
"Are you alright?" Emma shakes him lightly as she scans him for wounds.
Touching the side of his head, the man groans and then attempts to sit up. "I was attacked by bandits. I'm lucky to be alive."
"Bandits you said?" Emma looks at the others with an odd look. "We were camped minutes from here and saw no signs of bandits."
The man rubs his head some more as he looks around. "Where is my cart? All of my goods are gone."
Again, Emma looks about. With the moisture in the earth, their should be some tracks. Especially ruts from a cart. She stands and slowly backs away, not taking her attention off of the man.
From behind her, she hears Samanda's voice, "shouldn't we help the poor guy? Anyway, he is kind of cute."
