Mikael watched the merchants as they wound their way along the twisting mountain path. The year was entering one of the quarterly trading seasons, and Mikael knew the group he overlooked would be heading to the southern ports. From there he could only guess at their destination, although from the barbed armour the chief guard had donned it looked as if they would be journeying west.
He leant on the small wall surrounding one of the Sanctuary's many balconies. For a change he had chosen one facing away from the lake, and though the water's splendour was absent, the vista was no less magnificent. Tall mountains rose on either side, whilst beneath him the woods -- punctuated by rocky scrub -- descended into a vast valley. It was beyond the farthest hills, he knew, that civilisation truly began, though smaller villages stood nearer.
He continued to eye the group of traders as they started to pick across a particularly narrow part of the pathway. A slight drop fell away to their left, and though tumbling down it would not be fatal for a human, one of their animals would not fare too well -- and nor would their wares.
Mikael was not concerned for their safety, however. The group was clearly well-seasoned, and he supposed they had faced far worse on their long journeys in the wilderness. To survive, a merchant needed to have capable instincts, or at least the coin to hire someone else who did. And that is exactly what it looked like had happened here -- the four guards who stood at point around the caravan certainly looked more than adequate in a fight.
He had come up to the balcony to relax and read. The midday sun was bright overhead, and its rays warmed his skin pleasantly. A faint dampness hung in the air, the leftover residue of the previous night's downpours, and the appeasing sight and smell of nature infused him with refreshing vigour. The book he had brought with him was a rather weighty tome, but it had caught his eye in the library and he would not be daunted by its size.
A shout caught his attention, and Mikael's gaze snapped back to the merchants. He was instantly alert, and his muscles twitched, readying himself for action despite being without his weapons or armour.
He did not need to worry; one of the group had merely slipped down the muddy slope, and now stood with evidently wounded pride at the bottom, hands on hips and noticeably crestfallen. Raucous laughter reached Mikael's ears as the taunts of the man's companions echoed through the mountain air, and a faint smile crept across his face. A caravan's camaraderie was something he had always enjoyed, even though a lesser man would find it unbearable. One had to be able to hold their own in the unrelenting war of words.
But then again, I do here, too
, Mikael chuckled to himself. The girls he spent his time with were no slouch in a jovially barbed exchange, and all his experience battling wits with his travelling companions had not prepared him for the keen intellect of his Sisters.
He paused as he heard footsteps on the stone stairs behind him, muffled but not too far away. Standing up and turning, he leaned back on the wall and waited, the laughter of the merchants fading as they passed into the trees.
The footsteps grew closer, yet were still muffled, as if their patter was cushioned by something more luxurious than a simple sandal. His curiosity abated as the curtain was drawn back, and a lovely form stepped through.
Good afternoon
, flared a striking set of golden letters, and Mikael smiled.
"Good afternoon, Quintia."
I did not expect to find anyone else up here, but I suppose I should not be too surprised. It is a wonderful vantage point, after all.
"That it is," Mikael said, stepping to the side as his beautiful Sister wandered over. She leant on the wall with her forearms, surveying the views this balcony offered.
Mikael, too, surveyed the view, but not of the wondrous scenery that abounded. Instead, his eyes were trained intently on his Sister's stunning body, her tight, red velvet dress doing little to disguise it. Her long, slender legs ran to a firm ass, which was highlighted as the mage leant over gracefully. The dress continued upwards, hugging her slim stomach, before being pushed outwards by the wonderful swell of her large breasts. Above them her cobalt blue hair began, falling around her neck and framing the gorgeous face that looked out over the valley. The mystical gem embedded in her forehead shone bright green, its light mainly swallowed by the much brighter sun, although occasionally a flash of viridian would dance across her features.
After a moment she turned to him, and her mouth curled into a smile.
See anything you like?
she grinned, the words glowing just above her head.
Mikael laughed, winking at his Sister, before turning back to look over the vista once more.
I hear voices, but I see no people
, the words continued, this time forming like clouds in front of Mikael, before dissipating just as quickly.
"There is a group of merchants nearby," Mikael replied. "I was watching their progress earlier."
Will they be safe
?
He smiled. "Yes, perfectly. These mountains do not seem dangerous, and they looked quite capable of handling themselves, anyway."
Good
.
Mikael turned to his Sister once more, and she regarded him with a friendly smile. Her gem, however, had changed colour slightly, and a tinge of blue had entered its otherwise green glow.
He laughed. The sparkling jewel made it hard for his Sister to conceal her true intentions.
