Chapter two: Why Leili Loves Kierdis
The first snow of the year was falling softly upon the valley. One standing on the mountaintops could behold a serene carpet of white, beautifully reflecting the moonlight that appeared through the gaps in the fluffy clouds as the stars twinkled merrily above. In the clear night air the elevated observer would have also seen the torches of two weary travelers making their way down the stone laid road that snaked its way through the picturesque scene. One standing on the mountaintops would also be freezing to death in the high winds at the summits so no one was there, or if they were they were dead. Because of the freezing, fucking moron.
Lower in the valley, the two travelers were looking for a good spot to spend the night. As they rounded a corner, they spied an abandoned cottage with most of one wall missing. The roof was still intact and it would keep the wind and snow off though, so it was their best chance at a comfortable nights rest yet. Leading the way with his torch held high and his hand on his sword hilt Kierdis called out.
"Hello in the cottage!"
When no one replied, he stepped inside. Leili waited outside and traced some runes in the snow with her wand. As she was filling the runes with magic Kierdis came back outside and nodded to her.
"Looks safe. Nice and dry too. I'll go get some firewood. We might not even shiver in our sleep tonight." Kierdis said. Leili caught the look in his eye at the mention of sleep. It was obviously the last thing on his mind.
"Ever the optimist. I'll make a few more warning runes. Maybe set up a ward." Leili said. "Hurry back." She gave him a smile, letting him know there was a reason to hurry back. Kierdis smiled back and set off towards the woods a hundred yards from the cottage. Leili sighed after her travelling partner left. While the purely physical nature of their relationship up to this point was her fault, she was beginning to regret rushing into things. Kierdis seemed to be a good man, but Leili and him were too busy mating to have any heart to hearts. He was definitely a great lover, pleasuring her as no normal man could, but Leili couldn't really tell how he actually felt about her. Since their accidental first time, the two had been using one bedroll long before the nights became cold enough to make it a matter of survival. Leili had heard the gossips say that men usually passed out after sex and had no interest in cuddling. Leili had no idea, since she was the one that passed out wrapped in Kierdis' arms and... other appendages every night. She had come into this relationship thinking of him as a fuck buddy, and was finding out that she really wanted something more out of their liaisons. Maybe she could get in a few questions before they started tonight.
Leili did as she had mentioned and set up a good net of warning runes. Giving a shiver in the cold night air she went inside and set up a ward to keep out vermin. Taking out some food for dinner, she used some earth magic to make a fire pit. She began unrolling their shared bedroll, hers tucked into his, and cleared a place for sleeping. Everything she could do without a fire done, Leili began to take off her armor.
"You're going to want to keep that on." Said a voice behind her. Leili knew a lot of profanities and obscenities. A significant percentage of them escaped her mouth as she drew her sword and turned to the intruder in the door. After getting a good look at who was at the door, she was very tempted to use the rest.
"What do you want?" Leili said as she sheathed her sword. The witch walked inside without being invited and conjured a light. Leili was prepared to see a young girl that resembled her. She was not prepared to see a young lady the same age as her. It was like looking into a mirror with a change in palette. Where Leili's hair was pinkish-red and her eyes glowed with youthful fire, the witch had hair of lavender and deep violet eyes full of mystery. The lithe, curvaceous figures of the two were perfectly matched, though.
"I come to give you the next part of the prophecy. Surely you didn't think you were done?" The witch said in a familiar, cryptic, annoying, know-it-all tone.
"You got a younger sister? Works in Herger Burg?" Leili asked with a look of pure disgust on her face.
"Not that I'm aware of, and I'm aware of many things. Like how you're wondering if your man truly has feelings for you beyond the intentions of his manhood." The other woman said. Leili wasn't sure she could make her expression more disgusted, but she gave it her best shot.
"Where the hell do you prophesy types get this stuff? Whoever or whatever it is needs to mind it's own damn business." Leili said. "How did you get past my warning runes anyway?"
"Those were well done. I didn't notice them until I tripped one. I barely managed to rewrite one of the runes before the noise spell fired. It makes me wonder, why did you quit wizard school if you have that kind of talent?" The witch asked.
"What, your voyeuristic prophecy source can't read my mind all the sudden?" Leili teased.
"I only know what's needed for the next part of the prophecy. Even I get curious." The witch said while lifting her chin in a cutesy pout. Leili was already tired of this new witch and beyond tired of dealing with her "destiny".
"Is annoying me with personal questions after delving into my sex life what my destiny is supposed to be? Or were you here to actually tell me something?" Leili asked, while buckling the straps to her armored brassiere back on.
"Everything in time..." The witch said.
"..." Leili stared at the witch.
"..." The witch stared back with a smug expression on her face.
