The Guardian (closed to Last_Rider)

The jungle was silent, too silent for Kaiya’s liking. The sounds of birds and insects were almost absent from the air, which was unusual for such a beautiful day. Kaiya walked slowly among the trees, looking for the danger she was sure was present out there somewhere. Her nose wrinkled as a foreign smell assaulted her nose and she sneezed softly. It was a smell she had she recognized as the smell of danger, the smell of human. Unbuckling her knife from her belt, she crouched at the side of the trail and lay in wait for whatever, whoever was out there. It was not long before she caught sight of a young man coming down the trail. A low growl sounded in her throat as she watched him, her anger at his trespassing rising quickly. Still she made no move to approach him, her green eyes watching intently.

There had been others before him, other humans that had dared to defile the pristeen sanctuary of the forest that she called home. Including the ones that had murdered her parents in cold blood, leaving her and her sisters to take over the job of taking care of the forest and its inhabitants. Because of this, she had grown to hate humans and everything they represented. Not many men left the forest alive after coming to her attention, especially ones that hunted the animals or did other damage to the forest. It was yet to be seen if the man before her was one of these or just an innocent in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Taren walked slowly, enjoying the press of the jungle around him. He didn't usually care much for traveling, ironic given his occupation as a mercenary/scout. But this jungle had a generally nice feeling. It was close, and somewhat menacing, both of which he found appealing.

Teran stood a little over 6 feet tall, and was slender of build, but strong. He carried 4 knives, though they were more akin to short swords, strapped on his hips and across his back. He was scouting, and doing a little treasure hunting along the way.

It was the treasure hunting that had brought him to this area. He knew there wasn't much in terms of gold and treasure, but he was pragmatic enough to know that there was more than one kind of treasure. Strong wood was valuable, as were minerals. He was feeling lucky, and guessing both were somewhere around here.

Teran paused, moving off the path he'd observed and hefted a small chunk of rock. He noted a few veins of different metals and put the rock in his bag, he knew people who could tell him if it was valuable. He drew one of his knives and carefully carved a piece of wood from the trunk of a large tree.

He tested it in his hands, it was strong, but also supple. Perfect for weapons, building materials, or artisans. He smiled to himself as he also put the sample of wood in his bag for later analysis.

Teran wore leather leggings, sturdy traveling boots, a rough but serviceable woolen shirt and dark brown cloak. He sighed heavily, the press of this place making him sweat profusely as he started back, whistling softly to himself.

Kaiya winced as she watched the man carve a piece of wood from a nearby tree. Another low growl rumbled in her throat as she watched him. She knew what he intended by the samples he was collecting. If she let him pass through the forest unscathed it wouldn't be long before he returned, perhaps with others, to collect the wood and minerals that were abundant in the forest.

Rising to a standing position, she allowed her long white dress to slide back down over her firm, young hips. Remaining hidden behind a clump of trees, she took a deep breath, taking stock of the situation. There was no way she was going to allow this man to leave, but, by the weapons he was carrying and the sheer size of him, she knew it wouldn't be easy to stop him. Untying a pouch that was hanging from the leather belt at her waist, she drew out a small stone covered in ancient symbols. As soon as the stone touched the bare skin of her hand, she started to feel the strength of the magic hidden in the stone vibrating through her body.

Chanting a spell of strength, she stepped from the trees into the path of the man, her green eyes shining brightly with the magic that was now taking effect inside her. She smiled at him in an almost predatory way, her slim 5 foot 6 figure posing no visible threat.

"Who are you that dares enter my forest," she said, her voice seeming to almost carry on the breeze towards him.

Teran almost jumped out of his skin when the young creature stepped in front of him. She wasn't human, not fully at least. Beyond that he couldn't tell, but had been in enough battles and wars with creatures beyond human to recognize the difference.

Her white dress was out of place, it was too clean for this jungle. That should have been his first clue, but he ignored his instincts. He didn't do so often, and always paid for it, but there was no way this girl was a threat.

"Who are you that dares enter my forest,"

His second warning, her voice didn't speak to him, not like it should have. It seemed to float, the very air seeming to aid her words on their journey towards him. Again, he ignored it.

"And, pray tell, which deity made this your forest little one?"

Teran took another step closer to her, one of his hands on the hilt of his Killing knife.

Kaiya's face flushed with anger at the patronizing tone in the man's voice. She could almost feel his arrogance as he took another step towards her. Her eyes widened at the sight of the wicked knife on his belt, but, she paid it little heed. He wouldn't even be able to get close enough to use the knife on her if she didn't want him too, so it was no threat to her.

"That is no business of yours," she replied, her voice taking on a coolness that would make most people shiver in fear. Showing no fear, she took a step towards him, her other hand still holding the knife she had taken out earlier. "I ask you again who are you and what business do you have here."

Teran was surprised at her poise. He was taller, better armed, had more experience, she should have been afraid. He was curious as to why she wasn't, perhaps he'd ask when his knife was against her pretty neck.

"My business is my own. I don't make it a habit of responding to people who act beyond their station."

He fully drew his Killer, his free hand now resting on his Skinner. It wasn't really a skinning knife, but he liked the sound of it.

"I suggest you stand aside girl. I have no interest in confrontation, and I don't like killing women if I can help it. But make no mistake, if you don't stand aside I will lose no sleep leaving you to rot here in your forest."

His eyes had gone hard, his knees bent slightly to facilitate greater mobility.

Kaiya shook her head at his adacity. He really thought he had the upper hand in the situation. He had no idea what he was up against. Her eyes flickered from the knife in his hand to the other on his belt. Both of them would have posed a formidable threat, if she had been anyone else.

Laughing softly, she stopped and slid the stone into its pouch on her belt, leaving her hands free. She had no doubt that he would attempt to carry out his threat, no matter how useless the attempt would be and she wanted to have her hands free to ward him off.

"Put your knife away boy," she said, her eyes bleeding to a dark yellow as her anger rose. "You will only end up hurting yourself. Your human weapons are no threat to me."

Seeing that he was not about to back down, she sighed and shifted her own knife in her hand. Before he had a chance to react, she was behind him, her own knife held precariously against the soft skin of his throat, her other hand encircling his throat.

"You can try to kill me, but, I guarantee you, it will not be I that is left to rot on the forest floor," she whispered in his ear, the blade of the knife digging into his skin.

Teran gasped. How in the Nine Hells had she got behind him so fast? Her knife wasn't the best in terms of craftsmanship, but certainly was more than adequate should she decide apply more pressure to his throat.

He'd been in worse situations before, but the acrid taste of fear smothered his tongue as her breath reached his ear. He swallowed, feeling his throat move on the blade of her knife as he considered his options.

She must have some magic, that was the only explanation for how she'd got behind him. It also explained the vice like grip she had, there was simply no way that a girl as small as her had a natural grip like that.

Teran slowly re-sheathed his knives, then undid the harness that held them. It fell soundlessly to the soft carpet of leaves and grass beneath their fee. He'd been captured before, had the scars to prove it, and knew that captivity was preferable to death.

"All right then," he slowly raised his hands to chest height and moved them out to the side, "I'm Teran, if I'm going to die I'd at least like to know your name."

Kaiya waited silently as Teran removed his knives and dropped them to the forest floor. She could almost smell his sudden fear and she growled softly in the pleasure of it. It had been a long time she since she had captured a human male, but, it was something she always revelled in. She got great pleasure from their fear, from their begging when they realized their fate, it made her position that much more enjoyable.

"Teran," his name sounded foreign on her tongue as she spoke, her breath still tickling against his ear. She moved him with her as she kicked his knives out of his reach and then removed the knife from his throat, her hand now clasped tightly on his arm. "My true name is not known to this mortal world," she said, her voice soft, yet firm. "I am known to the few humans who have survived their encounter with me as Kaiya, to some as Mistress Kaiya. What you call me will be determined on whether I let you live or not."

Placing her hand on his back, she pushed him roughly to his knees and took a step back from him, testing to see what he would do next.

"I haven't decided whether you will live or die Teran," she said, sliding her knife back into its holder. "It has been awhile since I have had the company of a man, I am sure I could find other uses for you alive."

Teran watched her kick his knives away. He was already coming to grips with the reality of his situation. He hadn't been ready for magic, a stupid oversight on his part, and there was a very good chance it would be his last.

He settled onto his knees after she shoved him down, definitely magically enhanced strength, and locked eyes with her. She might kill him, but despite his fear he wouldn't die a coward.

Teran was surprised when she stepped back, almost offering a chance to escape. He didn't take it, he wasn't the smartest guy in the world, but if she had got behind him earlier, she could easily do so now.

Despite the dire situation he couldn't help a smile at her words, "It has been awhile since I have had the company of a man, I am sure I could find other uses for you alive."

"I can't imagine why you've lacked for company, your attitude is simply stunning, and your generosity would shame a paladin."

Kaiya was used to being in control of her herself and keeping her anger in check, but, his words grated upon her, making her anger flare back to life, the air suddenly becoming tense around her. Lashing out, she slapped him roughly across the face, the sound resounding through the silent forest.

"You will speak to me with respect, Teran," she growled, her voice heavy with anger. "Your life is now in my hands and as it is, you are making the decision to end it more agreeable by the minute."

Unrolling a heavy rope from her belt, she pulled his hands behind his back and tied them tightly. Grabbing his hair, she pulled his head back, revealing his throat to her. Her hand shifted back to the hilt of her knife, but, she didn't withdraw it from its sheath. It was all too easy to kill him right there, but, the feel of his body so close to her was bringing other ideas to mind, ideas that were making her body respond in ways she had never felt before.

Teran was surprised when she struck him. He'd been hit before, hit harder than she had struck him. What surprised him was her anger. Guardian's were passionate creatures, or so he'd been told, but never truly out of control. He was mildly pleased with himself that he'd gotten to her.

He shook his head a little to clear it, but caught the tail end of her little rant on being spoken to with respect. He had no intention of doing so, respect was earned. When she earned his he'd speak to her that way.

Kaiya's threat against his life was more relative to him at the moment. Still, if she really wanted him dead should would have killed him already. That didn't mean she wouldn't kill him, just that she wanted him alive, at least for the moment.

"I want to live Kaiya, that's only natural."

His words were interrupted by her hands yanking his head back, again exposing his throat. He couldn't help the quickening of his heart as he realized just how easy it would be for her to draw her knife and slit his throat.

Teran did feel her body against his, not at all an unpleasant sensation had the circumstances been different.

"I want to live," his voice was softer now, his mind still functioned though, "But I wont beg for my life. If that's the pleasure you want you wont get it. I've been tortured before, I've never begged for my life to be spared. I tell you now I want to live. But if you intended to end me, I intend to meet my God's with dignity."

He didn't know how she'd react to his words, but he meant them. He could be made to beg, but he would never beg for his life, he'd rather have it ended than live like a coward.

Kaiya let go of his hair and pushed him away from her in disgust. Her anger still boiled deep inside her, but, this time not from anything he had done or said but anger at herself for not keeping her control. She had seen the smugness on his face when she had slapped him and it was almost enough to make her slap him again, but, she held back, not willing to give him the satisfaction of getting to her again.

"If I decide to kill you, you wouldn't have time to beg," she said, her voice holding a warning in itself. "I intend to make you beg. There is nothing I love more than reducing an arrogant man to begging at my feet, but, I assure you, you will be begging for me to kill you before you will be begging for me not to."

Grabbing the collar of his shirt, she pulled him swiftly to his feet and pushed him ahead of her towards her dwelling. She had made the decision for now to keep him for her own amusement and pleasure, something she had not pursued in a long time.

Teran stumbled when Kaiya pushed him, her enhanced strength lending a helping hand as she propelled him forward. He went straight, until she pushed him to one side, then he went straight again, until corrected.

By the time they were approaching Kaiya's dwelling Teran was well and truly lost. The jungle seemed to part for them as they moved though it, though he did stumble on roots occasionally, he wasn't about to give this woman the pleasure of watching him fall on his face with his hands bound behind him.

He considered her words, would he beg her to end his life? There were times, on the southern continent, in a deep dank torture chamber when he'd considered it. But he hadn't. Even that evil horrible creature, he never learned what exactly it was, hadn't broken him that badly.

Teran wasn't the biggest, strongest, fastest, smartest, or most eloquent. But he had risen in fame and standing though will. He'd taken his gifts and worked diligently on improving himself, and was rather pleased with the results. He was well known, respected, feared in some circles, and a fairly good-hearted man.

He resolved, he wouldn't beg her to kill him. Doubtless she'd make him beg, she was determined and probably quite skilled in those areas, but begging for death was like begging for life, he could never look himself in the eye again if he did.

"Perhaps you'd get more company if your residence wasn't so difficult to find."

He fully expected another whack for his insolence, but he was also sincere.

Kaiya's hand twitched as she focused on controlling her impulse to slap him again. He had touched upon a sore spot. It was true her dwellings were well hidden in the forest, but, there was a reason for that. If just anyone had been able to stumble upon where she lived, she was sure that eventually someone, somewhere would find a way to overpower her and take her away from her beloved forest. So in reality, her seclusion was for her own safety, but, it also caused a very lonely life.

Her parents had died while she was still young and had not had the chance to find her a lifemate. She had the company of her sisters when they came to visit, but, since they had not been chosen to be the new guardian, they had moved into the nearby village to live their life among the humans. The only male company that she ever had was from men that she had captured in her forest. Men that either tried to kill her or tried to escape, leading to their own death at her hands. She had yet to find someone that would be with her for the remainder of her life.

She was so deep in her self pitying thoughts that she almost passed by the narrow trail that led down to her humble dwelling that was cut into the side of the hill. She turned him down the short trail that opened up into the clearing before her home. Crossing the clearing, she opened the door of her home and pushed him inside, the heavy wooden door slamming shut behind them. Saying a quick locking spell to keep the door from being opened by anyone but her, she pulled out her knife and cut the ropes that held his hands.

"You will stay here with me until I decide what to do with you," she said matter of factly. "But, there will be some privileges you will have to earn. First, you will remove all your clothes. Clothes are a privilege not a right."

Teran was surprised when she didn't hit him again. But then again, pushing the same button twice didn't always get the same response. He walked in silence as she directed him, until they came to her home.

He was surprised, he'd expected a simple one room hut. This wasn't like that at all. It wasn't a lavish palace, but it was decently sized, and quite comfortable looking from the outside. Kaiya opened the door and then shut it after they entered. Teran knew enough magic to recognize a locking spell, one that he couldn't break.

He rubbed the circulation into his wrists after she cut him free, his eyes still on hers. She had a nice figure, there was no denying that. He chuckled at her comment about figuring out what to do with him, "Just another possible reason you're without a male."

"But, there will be some privileges you will have to earn. First, you will remove all your clothes. Clothes are a privilege not a right."

Teran wasn't ashamed of his body, though he had plenty of reason to be after all he'd put it through. First he removed his cloak and boots, he folded the cloak and placed it neatly against a wall as he didn't see any hooks. Next came his shirt.

His torso was strong, that much was evident from his build. A few scars dotted his chest and ribcage, mostly from stab wounds. A deep scar ran diagonally from his left hip to his right rib cage. A few scars littered his forearms and upper arms, but nothing truly impressive.

Teran took a deep breath and unlaced his leggings, dropping them. He wasn't well endowed, sporting the average six inches when fully aroused, and fortunately his cock and balls had avoided much abuse during his captures. A few hairline scars along his sack from an explosion from a wizard, but the damage that had been directed to it was more crude, usually blunt trauma which he had managed to recover from. His left thigh was missing a fair sized chunk of flesh and muscle, a troll had decided he look tasty. Beyond that a few paltry slash scars appeared on his calves and thighs, nothing that any soldier wouldn't have.

Teran kept his gaze on hers as he folded his clothing and placed his boots on top of the pile which he presented to her.

"Anything else," he paused a moment, "Kaiya?"

Kaiya watched him as he undressed, her eyes taking in every scar and mark on his body. She knew by the amount of damage to his body that he had seen and been through alot in his life. Most likely almost anything she threatened to do to him would be nothing compared to what he had already encountered. Still, she was sure there was something he still feared, something that would have him down on his knees and begging. It was only a matter of time before she figured out what it was.

All in all, despite the scars, his body wasn't too bad to look at. It could definitely have been worse. Walking slowly around him, she ran her fingers lightly over the scars on his chest and arms. She had the power to make the scars go away if she wanted to, but, for the time being she was content on just exploring his body with her light touch.

"You have seen alot haven't you," she said softly, her fingers trailing along the scar on his hip. "But, you never expected anything like me did you. I have to admit, I expected you to fight me more. No worries, I intend to rid you of your arrogance, that should be a challenge in itself."

Taking his clothes from him, she put them in the closet and locked the door. Turning back to him, she gave him a predatory smile.

"As you probably noticed, I have locked the door and there is no means for you to escape," she said, brushing her hair from her eyes. "If you do manage to escape somehow, I will find you and then you will regret that you even tried. The next thing is how you will address me. You will address me as Mistress Kaiya or just Mistress, do you understand?" She knew she was most likely to get an arrogant response from him, but, that was what she wanted. She wanted an excuse to show him his place, to bring him to his knees before her.

Taren watched Kaiya's eyes as she took in his body. He stayed still as she walked around him, her fingers touching him. He shuddered, both in memory and excitement as she traced the scar on his stomach.

"You have seen alot haven't you," she said softly, her fingers trailing along the scar on his hip. "But, you never expected anything like me did you. I have to admit, I expected you to fight me more. No worries, I intend to rid you of your arrogance, that should be a challenge in itself."


"I thought about it, but I'm not stupid. You didn't just get lucky, you have magic, I don't. Without your magic I could probably defeat you, but I wont waste my energy on a lost battle."

His hearbeat quickened at the smile she gave him. Teran knew the look of a predator, a huntress, when he saw it. Another blast of fear struck his spine, but he controlled it. Fear was natural for this situation, that didn't mean he had to act the coward.

At her brief list of titles she could call him, he very slowly shook his head.

"Mistress is a title I reserve for either those who pay me very well, or those who have earned my respect and request it. To date, you meet neither of those criteria Kaiya."

He kept looking her in the eye, knowing he was throwing rocks at a basalisk, but unwilling to give in simply because he was afraid, or simply because she wanted it.

Kaiya could feel her anger rising once again at the insolence of his words. She swallowed it back down, her calm demeanour betraying none of what was going on inside her head. It wasn't as if she had not expected the response she got, it was just the way he had so arrograntly said it, despite the fear that she knew he was feeling. It was time to give him a taste of what she was capable of.

"You will regret those words Taren," she whispered in his ear, her fingernails becoming claws as she partly shifted her appearance. Placing her claws against the bare skin of his back, she slowly dug them into his skin as she run her hand down his back, leaving red, bleeding gashes in their wake.

"You will beg me for the honour of allowing you to call me Mistress when I am through with you,"she said, her voice alluding to what was yet to come. "Until then, you will be punished each time you use my name to address me."

Teran gasped and clamped his eyes shut, the feeling of her claws excruciating as they dug deep furrows down his back. For the first time in his life he was grateful for the scar tissue, there was no feeling in it so he got respite when she tore it open.

Teran gasped for air when he claws left him, he could feel the blood running down his back, down his thighs and dripping onto the floor. It had been a while, but the sensation wasn't an unfamiliar one to him.

His leg shook just a touch from the pain and adrenaline dump pushing through his body. But this wasn't too bad, it hurt, and he'd have more scars probably, but he'd endured this and worse.

Teran swallowed as she came back in front of him, his eyes still on hers as she intimated what was to come. He couldn't escape, and if he managed to kill her the spell would never break, trapping him here.

With a deep breath he locked eyes again, "I may beg you to be allowed to call you Mistress. But not yet."

From the scars on his body, Kaiya knew what she did to his back would not be enough to break him of his arrogance. It was only a small demonstration of what she was capable of. Still she could feel his body shaking beneath her hand from the pain, even though she would have loved to hear the screams that usually came with it.

"I may beg you to be allowed to call you Mistress. But not yet."

Kaiya laughed at his words, shaking her head as she ran her hand down his stomach and encircled his cock with her claws.

"You have seen what I am capable of boy," she said, looking into his eyes. "Are you willing to take the chance of me taking this further." With her words she dug the tips of her claws into the soft skin of his cock, not enough to hurt, but, enough to be a threat.

Taren felt his body shake as she placed her claws on his chest and trail down. He gasped when then took his cock between their tips and pressed. He shut his eyes, gulping down air.

Initially she stayed still, just letting the threat weigh on his mind. Then, she gently increased pressure, slowly but inexorably. With each passing second the pain grew, his body hunching over, trying to find relief, but unable to. Finally, before she could cause real damage he started speaking.

"P.please, please don't. Gods, please, M-Mis-Mistress."

The word tasted like bile to his lips, but he spoke it, tears forming in his eyes from the pain. It was so different, so much more exquisite, so concentrated. He could still fight it, if he had to.

Teran locked eyes again, his pleading as she seemed to consider whether to release his cock, or shred it.

Kaiya closed her eyes and shivered as she felt him trembling beneath her hand. At first she thought he was going to be able to stay strong and ignore her claws on his cock, but, as she gradually increased the pressure it didn't take him long to break down and give her what she wanted.

Looking into his eyes, she could see the pain clearly defined, pain mixed with a desperate pleading. She could also sense his fear, fear that she was going to continue her torture just to teach him a lesson.

"What was that boy, I didn't hear you," she taunted him, her claws sliding a little on his cock, tearing a little bit of the skin. She wanted this to be a lesson he wouldn't soon forget and if she had to damage him to do so, she would. She only had to use her healing powers after to heal the damage, but, the lesson would remain fresh in his mind. "Who am I? What are you going to call me from now on?"

Teran's eyes almost bugged out of his head as she slid her claws, tearing his sensitive flesh. He felt his gut clench, his body shaking just a touch as she taunted him.

It took Teran a second to compose himself, to come to terms with himself.

"Mistress," His voice was clear, but his voice caught after he spoke.

The tears that had been silently welling in his eyes spilled down his face as he fought with himself, and tried to fight the pain she'd forced on him.

"Please Mistress, stop," He ended with a pleading note, blood welling from the shallow cuts, running down his shaft and dripping from his sac to the floor.

His body seemed to be imploding onto his cock, trying to curl and protect himself from her claws.

Teran's tears almost made Kaiya feel sorry for him, but, then she was reminding of his arrogance and insolence and the feeling of empathy quickly disappeared. Instead she felt a smug satisfaction that she had been able to bring him to this point, able to reduce him to crying and begging.

"Don't you forget it," Kaiya purred in his ear, retracting her claws and shifting her hand back to human form. "Next time you even think about calling me something other than Mistress, remember that this time I stopped, next time, I won't." Kaiya's threat hung heavy in the air as she picked up a cloth and wiped his blood from her fingertips.

"I should just leave you like this as a further reminder, but, I may have use of your cock before the night is through and it is useless to me damaged," she said, running the soft tips of her fingers over the small cuts her claws had made on his shaft. Speaking a spell under her breath, she healed his cock where her nails had pierced. Next she ran her hand lightly down the gashes on his back, speaking the same spell. The gashes quickly disappeared, along with the old scar tissue that had been beneath them.

Looking down at the floor, she noticed the spots of blood that had dripped from his cock and back and she frowned. Following the blood back up his body, she noticed that there were trails down his ass and legs as well. She quickly found a cloth and wet it, handing it to him.

"Clean up your mess boy," she said, her eyes showing their amusement. For some reason she found it rather entertaining that she had just tortured the poor man and she was making him clean up the blood.