Battlemage Nonetheless Book 5 AdvocateChapter 7
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Riding into the small town, it was aptly named "Dresden's Last Chance"
There wasn't much to see but a few homes and a few businesses, maybe twenty to thirty buildings in total. Of course there was also the tavern that might have a spare room or two, but it was obvious that the Inn was more there for getting a drink than anything else.
The companions reached the town about mid day. Kat only wanted to stop overnight since they were so close and give the horses a break then push on. She wanted more cushion to get to the nest before she pushed on.
Kat had estimated it would take a week, including their stop over in the first town at the edge, before they got there. It wouldn't take as long because the Dragon's council was closer to reach than from where they started out. They could make it there in a couple weeks and be there in plenty of time to present their case if they didn't mess up.
They were two days out at best from the nest and they were surprised to even see this town here. It wasn't in any of Kat's memories. She wasn't really told what was on the way here by the Ancient Black Dragon, but she wondered if she ever even noticed this small settling.
This might save them from having to camp out another night in the wilderness.
Riding slowly up they weren't surprised to see hardly anyone around. A blacksmith shop was close by so they rode up and left their horses to have their hooves checked and decided to take a quick break out of the sun.
They normally would have rode at night, but after that first attack on Seth the first night out they decided that traveling during the day and protecting themselves from new dangers they hadn't ever seen before made more sense than chancing it.
As they walked up to the doors, they noticed that only a few people were inside. The tavern owner barely acknowledged them as they came in. He was a grizzled looking older man who looked too thin for his own good. He had on a grayish long shirt that was outside of his black pants and an apron on.
The man nodded their way as they took a seat and then started fishing something into four mugs out of the barrel behind him. They weren't sure what it was, but it had to be better than only the water that they had been drinking up to this point.
Taking a seat near the door, Dusty tried to casually look around the room as he did. He hated not looking around for threats any time he entered somewhere new. His first year in this world taught him that from his first tavern visit.
The man dropped the wet mugs on the extremely thick, yet very dirty table, and said "two crowns" and waited.
Dusty was blown away. At best it should have been eight coppers for four drinks not two crowns! For two crowns he could have gotten a thousand drinks! But he also realized that out in the middle of no where you could set your own prices.
Begrudgingly he paid the man and they sat around and quietly talked.
Dusty noticed Seth looking at him and he returned the look. There were nine other people in the room with them.
While the others looked to be probably residents of the small town, there were four, like themselves, who stood out.
There was a man similar in size to Seth. He had scars all over his arm that went down his shoulders into his sleeveless shirt. Dusty could see similar scars on his chest from his open collar.
There was a two handed broad sword near the wall where he was seated and by the size and extra wide blade it was apparent that it more than likely was his. He had salt and pepper black hair and had an eye patch over his left eye.
Next to him was a man who was dressed in light brown clothing, a cloth shirt and pants, and not much else in the way of protection. He had brown hair and the lack of armor or a weapon was noticeable. But he had a pouch that was slung across his chest from his right shoulder.
Dusty knew it was a travel bag, but he wanted to call it a man purse just once and have someone know what he was talking about.
Next to him was a light blonde man who was wearing a sword in a similar manner as Suzan across his back, but where as she had her harness around both of her shoulders his was across his chest. The man was thickly muscled and was generally similar in size to the first man.
But what caught Dusty's notice wasn't the men, but was the woman seated with them who was openly watching them all.
She had reddish brown hair that was cut short and looked like she had cut it with a sharp knife instead of scissors or shears. She could have easily been called pretty if she tried, but she had a look of "wildness" about her that you could just feel from her side of the room that seemed to make one think twice about taking a chance on her.
She had a long sword strapped to her waist, but where as the other men were barehanded she was wearing gloves. Something like what Calvary would wear for long campaigns on horseback.
Dusty couldn't get a general idea of what she was built like because from how she was seated she was partially obscured by the blonde man, but she looked to have a nice build on her in her light green short sleeved shirt on darker green pants.
Trying to look casual Dusty looked first at Suzan then at Kat. They also noticed it as well.
These were Dragon hunters.
But why were they here? Had they heard of Black's death and were after her horde? Was there another Dragon already in the area? Dragon's didn't share areas, so if there was then their job just got that much harder. And if the egg was damaged then they wouldn't be able to prevent the war that was coming.
Wanting to know the answer was quickly taken out of their hands as the woman seemed to just "bounce" her way up to the table.
As she approached, Dusty noted the slim figure that seemed pretty athletic from what he could see. She had long legs that made up almost half her body and slender arms. But on those arms he could see the small corded muscles that said she used her body a lot. As she approached she took off her gloves and folded them before she put them in her belt.
Stopping at Seth's side she looked at him for a few seconds before she started tracing her finger up and down his forearm as she then looked up to stare at Dusty. Her cool blue eyes seemed to almost pin him to his chair as she stared him with undisguised intensity.
Suzan and Kat were shocked at her completely brazen attitude and Dusty was confused. What was the woman doing and why was she trying to look like she was making a play for "both" of them at the same time. Did she think she was good enough that she could honestly handle both him and Seth?
"Howdy, see you all are here for the same thing that we are. Names Taylin, what do you say you combine with my team and we all take out that Black beast and share the treasure? It's not like there won't be enough to go around," said Taylin as she first smiled at Dusty then at Seth, totally ignoring the other two women.
"What makes you think we're hunting Dragon's?" asked Kat coolly.
If she couldn't have Dusty then no one else was getting to make a play for him in her presence. It also irritated her to be dismissed like this by the woman as unimportant.
"Female warrior carrying a sword that looks to be too big for her, you're a female mage obviously, male warrior with a huge axe that I bet is even more impressive looking up close to the ladies once he gets to swinging it their way," said Taylin as she licked her lips at Seth.
Seth looked up at her like she was crazy.
"And one male though I'll admit I'm not sure what is his specialty seeing as he doesn't have any weapons, but he's certainly got my attention and probably is carrying a lethal weapon of his own. I bet he's just hiding it and is waiting to show the right person how it works," said Taylin now licking her lips at Dusty.
Dusty fought every urge in his life to keep from looking at Suzan. He was sure this was irritating her, but he didn't want to look like he was deferring to her judgment, but it wouldn't matter as she spoke before he could.
"The only one who's ever going to see "that" weapon is me," said Suzan coolly herself.
"Oooooo, the possessive type huh? Don't worry its not like I came over here empty handed. I do have three males with me to trade with. Doesn't matter who you ladies pick, take it from me they won't disappoint. If you want to know what their specialty is before hand, so you can better choose, I can tell you but you won't believe me until you have experienced it first hand," said Taylin smiling big now at Kat and Suzan.
She guessed by her response that Dusty was Suzan's and Seth must be Kat's. She acted like it didn't matter who she spoke with so that the females would claim their men and make it easier for her to gauge who she could sleep with first based on the female reactions.
So far to her it looked like it would be tall, big, and ruggedly good looking first, and then later good looking and muscles after ruggedly good looking told him how good she was. She would ball his eyes out and he would be too tired to take a breath once she was done with him and then the other would be interested in some as well.
"No thank you," said Suzan tensely as she locked eyes with Taylin.
Taylin started to feel she was unwelcome and her demeanor changed. She hadn't ever backed down from a threat and wasn't going to start now. The room suddenly grew tense as the two stared at each other for a few moments.
"No thank you to sharing the men or to joining with us?" asked Taylin in a dangerous voice.
She wasn't used to not having her way.
"Does it matter? We have our own business we need to do and it doesn't include you," said Suzan as she stared at Taylin.
"You know it can be quite dangerous around here without friends. We've been here a long time looking for that nest. If you think we're going to give it up to someone just because they want to keep it all for themselves, you're kidding yourself," said Taylin softly.
Dusty recognized this for what it was. Taylin wasn't used to being spurned, but now she was getting ready to vent some of that frustration on his wife.
"Look we're not here to kill anything. Can we just go back to each group doing their own thing?" asked Dusty.
"Hush honey, Momma's talking right now. I'll be with you in a minute handsome," said Taylin without taking her eyes off Suzan.
Her response got the reaction she was after, she saw Suzan's eye tighten and her hands twitched. Taylin recognized that as a sign Suzan was a heart beat away from fighting her. That's fine she wanted a good fight anyway.
Even if she didn't get the male, a good fight always got her blood pumping anyway. Stefan wouldn't know what hit him once she was done with this bitch Taylin thought.
Before the obvious fight could break out Kat stood and quietly walked to the counter.
Everyone in the room, who was watching what played out at the table, watched her approach the tavern owner. They talked for a minute quietly, and the man, while animated, eventually smiled and reached out his hand.
Kat counted out ten golden crowns from her purse inside her shirt and then returned it. The man smiled as he nodded and then seemed to turn his back on that side of the room and busy himself with other things.
Returning back to her seat Kat sat down.
Taylin stared at her suspiciously before Kat spoke.
"Ok, anything that gets broken is paid, but I really wish we could get by with just this," said Kat flatly.
Taylin looked at her strangely as she smiled at Suzan and winked. Suzan seemed to relax and then smiled back.
"Taylin have you heard of a Battlemage?" asked Kat.
"Sure, so has every child. It's a popular fairytale that is used to 'teach kids that they can achieve anything', right?" she said to Kat as she used two fingers on both hands to frame her words as she spoke.
"Not exactly, Battlemages are real. Ever hear of the Kingdom of Stelmore?" asked Kat.
"Again another fairly tale, no one man leaves a crater like that. It took them close to three seasons to fill that in they claimed," said Taylin.
"I wish it were true. The Battlemage you seem to have heard of but seem to discount is seated right in front of you," said Kat smiling.
Dusty nodded and smiled at her.
Taylin looked at for a second before she burst out laughing.
"Good one, but you have to have better stories than that," said Taylin.
"He doesn't need to carry a weapon because he is one," said Suzan softly as she took and held Taylin's gaze.
The cool manner in which she did it unsettled her a bit. This was different than when she was pissed off at her earlier. Something in Suzan's manner changed and it made Taylin a bit nervous.
"Dusty, I paid for the table. What would you say it is? I'm guessing it's at least six to six and half inches thick, so that shouldn't be a problem for you. Could you please give Taylin and her friends a demonstration of what you can do?" asked Kat as she got up and moved back from the table.
Seth, catching something was up grabbed his mug and he moved back as well. Suzan smiled as she took hers and Dusty's mugs and backed away as well.
Taylin watching them to make sure they weren't trying to surround her, looked back at Dusty as he looked up at her and smiled.
Almost as if it was an after thought Dusty hit the table so fast that Taylin wasn't completely sure she saw his hands move. One second he was standing there and the next the table seemed to explode into a shower of splinters and wood.
She flinched as an afterthought but the table was long gone by the time she did.
Looking back at him she saw him smile, and with his right arm still extended where the table used to be he opened his left hand and said "fireball" and then a flaming orb was held there as he looked her in the eyes.
Taylin looked at him incredulously as he watched her. The other three seemed to find humor in her reaction.
"What was that!" asked Taylin in shock.
"That's my husband Dusty Reynolds. He's the current Battlemage," said Suzan with a smile.
Taylin looked at him for a minute still in shock, and then to everyone's complete surprise she appeared to be giving him the sexiest look she could as she smiled and lifted her index finger to her lips. She then twisted it with her head slightly down as she watched him and sucked on it for a moment.
"Oh no honey, we're not through with each other by a long shot," said Taylin softly and then turned and then quickly left before anyone could respond.
"Oh yes you are," was all that Suzan said calmly before she started to ignore Taylin on the other side of the room.
The woman kept making eyes at Dusty as they sat there. But he ignored her as they tried to unwind before they spent a quick night and got back on the road. The other three men seemed to be watching Suzan and Kat a lot as they moved their chairs around in a half circle around their table and watched the four of them.
They were surprised that while this was a Tavern it had six rooms, four on the second floor and two on the first.
They took three and entered the dusty environment. Dusty cast a spell and made sure to remove any vermin that were sleeping in the straw covered bed. He then went to Seth's room and did the same. After opening the windows in the waning light the group decided to call it a night.
Just after midnight Dusty felt the call of nature. Rolling over he kissed Suzan briefly and then got out of bed.
The only problem with their rooms was that in this poor town there weren't any indoor facilities so Dusty had to let himself outside to use what was there. Sleepily walking around to the side of the building he found the outdoor urinal.
It was an open room style setup with three walls and no doors. The open wall faced the blank side of the building next to it so that the men couldn't be seen easily. It could accommodate three men easily standing side by side. There was a room next to it that had a sit down toilet and that had a door.
He was just finishing up and was shaking it when he felt someone simultaneously reach around and grab his equipment from his hand with one of theirs, while at the same time sliding their other hand along his chest from behind.
Dusty jumped about four miles as he tried to turn around and stuff himself back in his pants to get out of the grasp of whoever grabbed him, so he could see who it was.
Looking back he saw it was Taylin and she was licking her lips as she watched his antics.
"What are you doing?! How did you get behind me? Why didn't I hear you?" asked Dusty in irritation.
"Honey I have to sneak up on a creature that can hear a mouse move from almost half a mile away. I can be completely silent when I need to be and get really loud when I have to. You know, under the right situations," said Taylin seductively as her voice almost seemed to have a growl to it now.
While Dusty was still fiddling with his pants, she slipped her arms around his neck and started trying to kiss his neck and face.
Dusty started trying to fend her off with one hand as he finished fastening his pants. She switched to trying to feel on his chest as he fought her off.
"Stop that! I'm married and I love my wife and family! No one is screwing that up for me! I won the lottery with them and I'm not taking any chances!" said Dusty emphatically.
Taylin seemed to lean back and smile playfully at him for a moment.
"Funny choice of words, screwing I mean. That's what your wife has been doing for the past few minutes since we've been out here jawing. No sense in you not getting yours since she clearly is getting hers," said Taylin with a playful smile.
"What are you talking about?" asked Dusty as all color drained from his face.
"Just after you left your room Davic went in. He's been in there a while now and I'm sure they aren't just trading names. He went in for one thing and one thing only, I'm sure by now he's getting it, so why not just do what she's doing and see what your missing," said Taylin as she started for Dusty again smiling.
But she stopped short as Dusty seemed to be agitated and wasn't reacting as she expected. Maybe she should have gone after the other one who was in bed sleeping. She liked this one better, but the other one would have been less of a challenge since he and his woman were obviously fighting since they weren't sleeping together.
"Oh my God we have to get him out of there! We have to do it before it's too..." was all Dusty got out before there was a scream from his room above. It was clearly male and he was in great pain. There was another one that quickly followed that one.
While Kat had waited that morning for the three of them to arrive quite a few men had tried to "chat her up" as they passed by her going either into the city or as they left. Even in her generally loose fitting travel garb they saw the gem that she was. Somehow she managed not only to talk to them in a friendly manner, but she also managed to get some useful information while not offending anyone or giving the impression that she was willing to go to bed with any of them. Even though she...
The four women entered the large city and quickly blended in with the rest of the inhabitants. Suzan was just a little unhappy Dusty wasn't with her though it had only been a little over a week since she left Dusty and headed out for the mission. Although she missed her husband, she was also really charged up to be here and was well ready to take on a new mission like this. It took them several days of travel by ship and a few more days of hard riding and just barely stopping for anything...
Amber came into the house and kicked off her boots. She then put her pack down beside the door, took off her twin swords, and then leaned those swords against the door next to her pack. Her parents would be around somewhere, and after she found something to eat she would go find them. She had dropped Logan off in town, as he wanted to visit, but she only wanted to go home and unwind. As she walked down the hallway she had the same thoughts she usually did when she passed through...
Dusty felt like he was submerged in warm water. It was strange because while he couldn't see, he could feel everything. The feeling made him feel like he was surrounded by nothing and yet at the same time by everything. He could feel shapes, colors, sounds, even smells. He could sense everyone around him and as strange as it sounded he could sense himself. It was like he was looking at himself but he wasn't looking at himself. As Dusty was trying to puzzle that out, he felt child like...
Dusty and Suzan reached the double doors that lead to the council chambers. They had passed a few offices that the council members and others made their own. Now they were at their destination. There was a single desk outside the council chambers, and at it sat a very striking and attractive red haired woman. She looked to conceivably be in her mid-thirties, but with mages that didn't mean anything. She was dressed in similar robes as the guard out front with the same sash over her...
Nathan and Ariel were at the city of Lake's End walking around and speaking with the various people who lived there as they waited for their contact to get in touch with them. Someone had sent a work request notice to the guild about a two person job that needed to be done, and they requested the two of them by name. It was a simple escort job, but the request that accompanied it asked that both of them come a few days early before hand and discuss the job, as it was private and sensitive...
Wolfgang wouldn't admit it but he was really looking forward to Kat's visit shortly. She had just called to say that she was close and would soon be at his home, and once they broke the connection he found he was rotating the crystal phone around in his hands and staring at it as he thought about her. Ever since Dusty's phones started to be the rage it had made his life far easier. Of course he wished he had access to these phones a long, long, time ago but Dusty wasn't born during the...
Dusty and Suzan quickly made a few plans between them, agreed on them, and then set about separately doing them. First thing Dusty wanted to do was make sure the kids were taken care of. He knew that getting DJ started on his training was important right then and so he made a quick call to Lori. Talking as fast as he could Dusty then explained what was going on and why he needed to send the kids to her home. Telling Lori he had the emergency covered he made the plan to send their kids,...
Dusty, Suzan, Daniel, and Rachel all suddenly appeared on the pad next to Lori's home. The pad was large enough to accommodate five riders on horseback, but it was the four of them standing next to Dusty and Suzan's horses. Waiting while Dusty and Suzan took their horses to the stable, the four of them returned to the front of the door and knocked. "Lori seemed pretty excited when I called her, I wonder why," said Suzan as they waited "Bet she's discovered something new again. She...
"Thank you for the horses," said Marie as she looked over at Seth smiling. "I'm happy to loan them to you all. I'm just sorry how you received them, but not that you have them," said Seth. "I am too. I wished those men didn't have to die while helping others as they did, but I know those people in the town appreciated their sacrifice," said Marie to Seth. Seth just nodded as he rode. They rode in silence while they were sticking to the main roads in the forest so that they could...
As the five of them worked their way through the dungeon, they were surprised that they no longer found any opposition. There just didn't seem to be anything that approached them or tried to attack them. That bothered Dusty. They had just gone from having wave after wave of ghouls attacking for over an hour to an eerie quiet. The only thing that made it worse was the occasional dripping sound of water from somewhere in the distance as they made their way deeper into the dungeon. "This is...
Melkin had to admit that Dusty was coming up in the world. When he brought him here he was someone who had nothing and had to start at the bottom. The council thought that this was the best way to do it and that it would make him more dependant on them for things he needed to survive while here. But not only had he started with nothing and grown, but he had been knighted, received a title and land, and was now turning a pretty decent profit. No one had expected him to be able to prosper...
"With us not finding any trace of what's happing during the day it looks like we're going to have to venture further into the woods at night," said Suzan as she looked at Dusty and Seth. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean we've still not found a single trace of what is taking off with the people from around here," said Dusty as he turned to look at her. "I say we give it at least one more day, maybe two tops, before we go looking for any danger that we may not need to buy for...
The next morning Dusty got up very early, before the sun was even close to coming up, and started packing his pack for the next mission. As he pulled out clothing to take with him he noticed the suede leather jacket and jeans that he was wearing when he arrived here hanging in the wardrobe in the corner of his room. Seeing them once again took him back to when he first appeared in this world just under over a year ago. A lot of things had changed. First of all he now believed in magic. It...
Dusty started to run into the room, but he stopped and took a good long look around first looking for traps. As he stepped into the room he saw Galvin as he basically finished hanging his wife next to Daniel and Rachel from a hook by a chain around both of her wrists. When Galvin stepped back he could see that her shirt was ripped badly in the front and one of her breasts was in danger of spilling out of her already heavily overworked bra. He watched Galvin seem to take a good long look at...
Two men stood looking at the prone form of their leader. They just received the report that the man wanting to join them, a Christopher Jones, was just killed by someone a very powerful. It didn't look like magic that killed him, but they also had no idea at this point how he died. The men weren't too broken up about it because they felt the fool was wrong to be experimenting on children and they wouldn't miss him. He contacted them before with a deep desire to join their ranks and said...
"Mmmmmmm ... do you really need to get up and go work out so soon? The sun isn't even up yet. You really should come back to bed. I need you. I mean I really need you. You could just as easily work out with me instead you know," said Suzan softly but in her deep raspy voice. Even with just barely opening her eyes, she knew that she had her husband's complete attention. They had gone to bed the previous night in the buff and she could see his response to her request instantly. He was...
During the first week that Dusty and the others had left Marie and Seth had met with the King and Marie trained in the yard to keep up her skills, tone her body, and generally keep busy. The King gave her one of the outer rooms that faced the parade yards so that she was well away from the other nobles but close enough that she could work out in the yard and visit with Seth. King William gave her a knowing smile as his secretary briefed her where she would be staying. Marie smiled back at...
Once out of the chamber Dusty smiled and raced down the hall to grab Suzan's hand as she was still storming down the hallway, and pulled her trembling frame into an embrace. As he did he noticed that her face was unreadable, but he could see as he did this that she was still very much pissed off. While pulling her close he buried his face in her hair. "I'm sorry honey, but should have told you that you broke nothing. If I hadn't been so caught up in self pity I would have spoken up...
"Well my dear it has been almost two weeks, I don't believe they are coming back before the time limit," said Queen Morigan as she looked over at Rachel while she stood apart from the other women. Rachel was sitting and trying to look at ease, but it was an effort with all the various other Lady's and ladies in waiting around. All the various forms of nobility were hanging around the audience chamber making light conversation about nothing and gossiping. As Rachel tried to look like she...
Dusty arrived with his friends at the kingdom of Stelmore. The first thing they did on entering was to head straight for the castle to talk with King Roland about the attacks. Reaching the city gates it was obvious that the city was on high alert. On trying to enter the capital city they had to get off of their horses at the gate and lead them into the city. The guards then separated them, and two guards checked them one at a time. One held a serviceable pike on them as the other one...
A bloody and very upset Suzan and Anita made their way back to the palace just as the Sun was cresting over the horizon. They had already made the stop by Tabitha's mother's house the night before to inform her of what happened. Needless to say it wasn't something they wanted to do, but knew that they had to and it was something they owed the only real victim to pay the ultimate price. Even though Suzan felt she should tell her, Anita insisted that because her death was her fault she...
"Who are you two?" asked Rory quietly as he stared at them. "Rory we're still your friends, but we're also different people than who you know. I promise I'll answer all your questions later. I'll meet you back here in about an hour or so. "Watch over Terrance. I don't believe he'll die, but if I'm wrong come get me. But for now I need to hurry and get Ariel to our room. I'll explain why I need to do this as fast as humanly possible when I return," said Nathan quickly. Moving...
"Everyone, you are here for a reason and it is something that has an effect on your lives both in the past and the future," began Brianna as they were all seated around the living room. As the last to arrive, once Matt and Rayne showed up it was time to get started. As they looked around at their children and their spouses, they both couldn't believe how much the boys took after their father, even down to having the same silver forelock now in their hair as well But knowing this would be...
Galvin sat on the cliff side with his legs dangling as he sat overlooking the city. It was a very prosperous city that originally had been a town that was built against the side of a cliff so that it could only be raided from one direction, and all the defenses had been developed to protect from that direction. But over the years the town had grown, as well as changes in modern warfare. Now if someone wanted to give the city a good pasting they could do it in relative safety from where he...
Aric was sitting the table mentally going over preparations for dinner. It was his week to cook. While Brianna was coming along with her cooking, he was still far better he thought with a smile. But she was getting better, and she was better at cleaning and laundry so he had no complaints. He was glad they took turns switching on and off each week. Even though he tried to stop it, his mind kept drifting back over the last few seasons. After Brianna and Aric were settled in they traveled a...
"And that all happened just a little over ten seasons ago?" asked Nathan slowly. The way this young man was acting he thought it was all recently at least in the last couple of seasons. Not something decades ago. "I left the city and I've not returned. Not even to see my family," said Elliot nodding yes. "But what happened to Kathryn after you left or the man she was with? Did you ever find out? Did you even want to know?" asked Nathan. As he thought about it, he realized that he...
Suzan could tell by the rising and setting of the sun that she had been here at least a week and a half so far. She wasn't sure what was going on with Dusty and her friends, but she really wanted to see them again. The first few days she was there she refused to eat, though after awhile she decided starving herself before she found a way out didn't make sense. But she refused to eat with the Queen and Prince under any circumstances. She just flat out refused to see them. Everyday she...
Once they came to the city they asked for directions and they headed for the address they were given. They found themselves in front of a very large museum with rod iron gates that were swung wide open. They entered and were shown into a very nice, but a very cluttered office. There were books stacked on every table. But at least the center desk was clear. As the secretary showed them in she smiled big at Dusty and offered him her hand as she showed them all into the office. And once he...
After making their way to the address in question they noticed that there was a light coming from what looked to be a cellar door. As they opened the door they saw there was a lantern lit by the door but the others close by it were out. But a few feet after those the rest were lit again. Marie said she was going first, and they followed her down a narrow passageway that seemed to go down for about two stories then leveled out. As they leveled out they realized that they were headed to a...
Dusty and the others made pretty good time over the last day and a half to the huge mountainous expanse in the desert. Dusty would never have expected this if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. It didn't make sense, but he was still learning things. There was one point when Kat called them close and said they were being followed. Dusty leaned over his horse, using just one stirrup to support his weight, reached into an inside pocket, and then hung like that as he buried something close...
Dusty got up early the next morning and found that not only was DJ up, but he already finished some light stretching, completed a run around the house a few times, and was now seated at the kitchen table entertaining himself as he waited for everyone else to get up. Laughing to himself he found it interesting that the boy had similar habits as himself. "I see your up early, any reason for that?" asked Dusty as he got a cup of something out of the icebox and then leaned against the counter...
"Hi welcome to the Winters, Taylor and Owen law firm. How may I help you?" asked the extremely beautiful young lady coming down the hallway. As Dusty stopped to get a good look at her he found his breath taken completely away. She was about 5'9" in some nice shiny black four inch Patten leather pumps. It didn't appear she was wearing stockings, but her legs were tanned and very well formed, but he was trying not to stare and only took a very quick look at them as she approached...
Early the next morning found the group of six riding away from the castle as they hurried to the Kingdom of Patella to speak with the Queen and see what was going on in that land. As the rode down the road, Dusty started talking about something that was on his mind. "Was it really wise to leave Marie alone with Seth?" asked Dusty to everyone as they rode their borrowed horses towards the Kingdom of Patella. He waited until they were well away from the capital city before he asked so no...
"Galen? Galen? Yes I know of him. He's one of those mages who seated themselves on their useless council. Don't you know that his meeting you was no accident? He was assigned to watch you. He also wanted to make sure that you didn't go power mad and crazy. While you may be stronger he's always hidden his true strength from you. "And you do know the reason that he took so long to help your son and his wife when her powers truly activated was because the council really didn't want to...
While still stunned from Gemma's story, Brianna looked down at the table and said "But, but, I don't know if he even likes me back. What if he doesn't think I'm attractive enough? All the other women here are so beautiful, and I'm not that special. I don't know how to walk around like they do or how to flirt with him. And I don't really know how to cook very well. Everyone else is better than I am at everything." Gemma, looked at her stunned for a moment, paused and then started to...
Andrea sat next to the bed looking down at the face of a sleeping Daven. It was hard to believe watching him that this was the same face of the young man who was the terror of husbands and fathers alike. Likewise it was hard to believe this was the same face of the young man who was well known as well for his uncommon attractiveness. If it wasn't for his barely hidden arrogance, that few who got close enough to him could see, she herself might have found him more attractive. He always...
DJ slowly came to, and as he did, he tried to get his bearings based on the last thing he remembered. The last thing he clearly remembered was hitting the ground hard and then ... nothing. While DJ lay there trying to figure out what was going on, he noticed a couple things. One he could hear an argument going on in the distance. He tried to focus on it, but he was distracted because his head was at an odd angle. It wasn't the fact it was unpleasant or anything, but he was lying on...
When everyone arrived in front of the home of Lori and Mark Miller, DJ was suitably impressed. To him it pretty much screamed mage from the start when you looked at it. He had seen lots of movies, books, and animations, and some of the designs gave him that impression. Their house was what he would have called a one story ranch style wrap around that had the front door and porch in the center of the structure and what looked to be separate rooms, or wings, on either side of it. It wasn't...
Reaching the edge of the city, just past the market square that she often visited, Suzan and Anita noticed that hardly anyone was around the homes there. Looking around as they reached the edge Suzan could see that something had gone horribly wrong. There were doors that were broken in, overturned stands, and destruction everywhere. Trash and broken items littered the road. Still in shock Suzan asked "What happened here, what is all of this?" "This is what happens when Trolls raid our...
DJ, Amber, Logan, Marilyn, and Jason reached the last city just outside of Lori's home without too much of a problem. They would soon be at her home to start DJ off on his training in magic. The trip was eventful with many men who kept asking after Amber and Marilyn to do everything from sitting with them, asking for a dance, to the blatant request to visit their room. Some didn't even want to wait for nightfall for that to take place. Marilyn often got most men to leave her alone by...
"Are we ready?" asked Marie Seeing everyone nod at her they started out of the gathering hall and headed down the road in the general direction of the city that they would eventually start their assignment. Marie knew that this mission was one that was given to Dusty by the council, via their guild, and she knew like always he would fill them in. He always shared all info with the team, but away from prying eyes and ears. As they walked Dusty was surprised at how Marie didn't seem to be...
Almost seeming to leap over the mess she had just made by the door, Lindsey jumped for Dusty and he just barely caught her before she tackled him. Dusty suddenly found himself holding a hysterically crying Lindsey as she seemed to break down in his arms. Not sure why he did it, Dusty couldn't help but notice that she was dressed in the same short brown outfit as the rest of the serving girls. She couldn't have been there all that long as her tanned and well formed legs only made the...
"Did you get what you needed?" asked Lori as they left Chris's home "Yes and no. I reported in and let them know what I found, but I know now even less about him than I did when I started," commented Dusty to Lori. Lori realized that Dusty probably wanted some privacy to ask some questions. One being why Lindsey was here and another about Chris, and she was sure he didn't want an audience. "Well thank god you came back when you did, we were running out of things to say to him while...
The night of the party was amazing. Somehow the ladies knew just who to see to get outfits for the party. Most missions didn't even include a party so they didn't pack dresses, but were still happy to find some to use to get dressed up for the occasion. Even Lindsey was happy with the outfit for her. It wasn't a large party or even a grand one, but it was a chance for them to talk to others and let their hair down for a bit. It was being held at the summer home near the edge of the town...
As soon as Marie closed and barred the door to her room she started to sweat again. Even though she was sure that at the time the cramps would kill her, she was used to getting the mild form so she was able to endure, but now she thought she was going to crawl out of her skin. She had to have sex and she needed it now! That was the only thing she wanted to do right now. That drug in her system was making it slowly her sole desire and the only thing her mind focused on. She couldn't...
Dusty and Lori managed to get to the farm in question and find what they needed. After convincing the farmer and his wife they weren't nuts and they did have a valid reason for why they wanted the stuff, they managed to get them to help them distill plant into a pure liquid form. Dusty promised that the Mayor would take care of the cost and that they just needed to let him know what to pay Asking for the use of a horse and wagon to carry back the large barrel, it was well into the...
The event in question was the night Dusty and Lindsey went to a summer party two months ago at one of their mutual friend's house. To be honest Grace was more Lindsey's friend than his, but he got along well with her husband Peter. Their friends had setup a barbeque pit, games, horseshoes, volley ball, among a few other games, and they had a very large turn out. Dusty was talking and hanging out with some of the guys he felt more comfortable with even though he really didn't know anyone...
The next morning as Dusty slowly awoke he noticed that a slender arm was now draped over him from behind as he faced the window. It wasn't like he didn't know who it was without turning over. He would have to start locking his door at nights it would seem. As he got up he could see that Lindsey had fallen asleep next to him and had obvious worn only her towel into his bed from the night before, and now it had now fallen open. Without meaning too, he looked and was disgusted to realize...
Eventually Dusty was able to find and move into his new apartment. Regardless of how he looked like on the outside to anyone, he was finding it hard to stay civil when every fiber of his being wanted to throttle Lindsey whenever she was near, and it was slowly starting to get to him. Going to the gym and getting into a good scrap at first seemed to help with his frustrations, but lately as the months drug on that was starting to not be enough. There were times during that last month that...
"I'm going to kill that old man," thought Dusty as he groaned painfully and rolled over. When he came to, he found himself face down in a field of grass. He looked around, and he could see what looked to be a dirt road to his right and trees off in the distance. As he stood up he realized that it looked like he was no longer in the city of Indianapolis anymore. He couldn't see anything like skyscrapers or building in general. All he could see was a big open field with a tree line off...
Three things happened after that first night they all spent in an Inn. First as they traveled during the day Lori came out of her shell and would talk with Dusty. Even though she still had her quiet moments, she no longer scowled at him and now that they traveled together Dusty found that she often would walk beside him, look up at him, and inquire about his life before he met them. She would sometimes even smile at him from time to time. Second was that while Suzan would still play pranks...
"OH MY GOD! WHAT WAS THAT!" thought Dusty as he waved his hand around at the dust in his room. "Did a bomb just now go off in here?! If so it was a bad one, it only took out the wall." There was a very large hole in the wall where his bed used to be and the bed was now a pile of heavily burnt and damaged kindling. But Dusty was without his towel and he was standing there on display as naked as the day he was born. Lori might have appreciated the view if she wasn't staring stunned at...
"Yes right there, right there Dusty. Oh my god yes! That feels wonderful. You really are as good as you said," moaned out Lori as she smiled down at Dusty. Lori was lying on the bed completely naked and looking unbelievable as she played with her large breasts with both hands as Dusty toiled on. Dusty smiled up at her as he was working hard at pleasuring her. He was hitting all the right spots and he knew that she was enjoying herself immensely it seemed. As he felt her twitching and...
The museum was having a party a week before the showing and Dr. White decided to allow the guild members to come as guests. Marie thought he really must be desperate to have them work for him since normally the help wasn't invited to these things. The main surprise was that the museum paid for them to all get new outfits for the night as well. Dr. White said that it was so they wouldn't feel pressure to find something. He just told them to mingle and meet new people and see what the museum...
"Tell me again what you say you saw?!" asked Dr. White shocked. This was the first time anyone had any information on the deaths. Dusty had gotten the girls up as he headed to Dr. White's room. It was on the second floor of where they were staying. Dr. White came down to view the room then he sent word to Dr. Carmichael that there was another attack and he took everyone to his office, and while he waited Dusty covered what he saw again. "Like I said, it was a wolf made of fire. But...
"So it went well?" Suzan asked as she sat and brushed her hair at the vanity. She could tell by Dusty's large smile that he had a good testing. The vanity was the only furniture she had brought with her when she moved into Dusty's room and it was small enough that it took up no real space in the corner. Dusty always enjoyed sitting and watching her work on her hair. While she only wore makeup for some of their special times together he still enjoyed watching her movements. To be honest...
As they approached the castle they were struck by how "clean" it was. Most castles Dusty had come to notice were really dusty, dirty, old buildings. Since everyone who lived or worked at some of the various castle didn't have private bathrooms or running water to their rooms, an idea Dusty was still wrapping his head around, they often threw things they didn't want into the moat surrounding the castle. They did this for "convenience" instead of heading to the bathroom in the middle of...