Masks of our forefathers (closed for La Reina)

[La_Reina]

Shaundi was already thinking of the midday meal. She suddenly wanted a warm spiced meat with hot buttery bread. The juices seeping into the bread giving it a new zang taste with every bite. The meat so tender it melts in your mouth. The flavors coming together to literally make you moan in passion from just one bite. Shaundi smiled at her internal thoughts. Sometimes she got excited over the little things.

Shaundi nodded not sure what the big deal would be to clean the colors. "I guess I could get some colored leather. It'll wipe right too, right? Some blues and definitely some red to set off my hair and complexion." Shaundi thought aloud going over every color she could think of and every sort of clothing from boots to her brassiere. She had just paused in her thoughts when he asked her that question that sent her mind reeling.

"Wha- well, what do you mean? I mean yes of course. Like I love my mother very much. I'm pretty sure that was real."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He smiled at her response and turned his head back to the fireplace,

"I loved once, but she was taken from me."

He suddenly got to his feet,

"Come Shaundi, let us go get you that clothes that you want."

He took a heavy cloak from the door and slipped it over his shoulders, his axe following shortly after that, slipping silently into it's place at his side. Looking through what was left on the hooks behind the door, he held out a light grey wrap, it would look like a blanket on her, but it also would keep out the cold.

"Wear this, it is cold outside."

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi nods and takes his empty bowl along with her own into the kitchen area. There isn't much dishes and she places them down so she'll clean them later. She does a quick inspection of his cabinets noting for only a few ingredients she would like to get herself. She quickly goes back into the other room to see him putting on a long, dark, intimidating coat. She glances behind her to the room where she left her mask and decides she'll 'conveniently' forget it.

Shaundi takes the massive wrap and lets it drape around her. "Thank you." As she stares up into his face/mask she tries to see the expression in his eyes. "What was the name of the girl you loved? Why is she gone now?" Shaundi stared into his eyes trying to read anything. She hated his mask as it held his face from her and the little slits for eyes barely was wide enough for her to see anything more than the fact that he could see. "Was she someone you had to kill?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He smiled behind his mask, sure that she could not see it. He rarely smiled.

"I would like you to wear your mask when we go out, otherwise I will have to get violent with you again and I do not wish to harm you more than I should."

Her questions made him think back of years past,

"The disease that had first struck our city still dwells inside it's walls, the fact that you are still alive and well proves that you are immune against it. She was taken from me by the disease, two days after we have professed our love, she died."

He stated it so matter of factly that he could have told her that the weather is not going to improve any time soon.

"Now please the mask...or would you like me to command you to do it?"

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi nodded at his words of the mask and she turned to retrieve it when he started speaking. She wondered what this woman did for a living or her personality to be in love with such a cold man. Everything about him was cold, but she knew that wasn't true. That was the surface. What most people don't look past. He was warm inside and kind and ... well yeah a dick too.

"What disease? What was her name?" Shaundi would have asked a million more, but his sharp tone caused her to stop and turn to the room behind her. With a sigh she went into the room and took ahold of that damned mask. As much as she hated it she loved it. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She slid it on and she had to admit it made her look more exotic even if it hampered with her vision. She came back into the room the Giant One was in and paused waiting for his next command.

"Zahul. Did you love her greatly?" Shaundi risked placing a hand on his arm to show him she was being sympathetic. Shaundi didn't know a love like that. She only knew the rape, the shame, and the intense hatred that was burning inside. Which reminded her. "Can I take my weapons?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He flicked the cape over his head,

"I loved her more than what I love Zahul, the city which I will guard with my life."

Almost like his hand had a will of its own, he reached up and patted her hand, showing that he understood her sympathy.

"Yes, please take your dagger with you, when you are proficient you will get a blade."

As an afterthought he added,

"The disease is the one I told you, the one that killed so many of our people in the old days. It clings to the walls of Zahul, like mist clings to a woolen cloak."

He unlocked and pushed open the door, allowing her to exit first.

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi thought she heard the sadness creep into his tone though his words were matter of fact. She felt for him. For any man or woman who lost a loved one be it wife, child, or friend. Hell, she missed her mother though she loved her new found self. She could never go back to the old Shaundi. Than again she was now a slave though she didn't truly feel like one. She nodded when he patted her hand and she went off to get the dagger and holster strapping it to her outter thigh and feeling more bad ass.

She went out the door this time looking more at the walls. She hadn't realized it, the walls, were a disease and could kill her. She was indeed lucky she didn't die once she stepped foot through those gates. The gates where she thought she would be free. Shaundi snorted at her own thoughts. At least she had a bed and soon warm food. So she had to cook a little. She was a peasant back home too. Not too much as changed except she couldn't leave and she wasn't being hunted for murder. Tit for Tat if you ask her.

As they walked they came upon a market. Shaundi smiled and skipped ahead looking at all the ingredients to buy. Some she knew others she did not. She picked up a few things and sniffed them making sure they were fresh. Shaundi picked out a few things; okay she shopped like she was going to feed a family of six, but she insisted she needed every bit of this. She wasn't sure how much her Giant One made or if she was bankrupting him. She figured he would tell her especially since she still needed clothes. Right now she was content on purchasing items to eat.

That was until she glanced up and saw the prettiest black cloth with a reddish undertone. It was almost as if she was mesmerized. She walked up to it and turned it inside out. Inside was a deep red that almost matched her hair. She realized it was a dress. The sleeves were slashed and held together in ties, as well as the neckline of the dress. If you pulled on the strings that held the dress together the sleeves would billow open or the dress would expose the flesh of the woman. The hem of the dress went to about mid thigh and it too also had slashes so that it had slits going to the hip.

Shaundi loved it. Loved it even more for it was an actual color though she could tell the dress was meant to be black not red. Still if she wore it inside out it still worked and she still got the color she so wanted. Still, she didn't think she was worthy of such a thing. After the mask and the food she had to be racking up the bills. So she walked over to other garments that were plain and inquired about these though her eyes kept straying back to the dress. Maybe she could ask about some sort of wage the Dark One could give her and she could buy the dress herself one day.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He of course noticed her fascination with the dress, it was a thing of beauty. Luckily he have saved so much in his lifetime that he just had to nod at the merchant, he stopped and chatted and coins slipped from one palm to the other that it almost did not happen. During the chat he made sure that the dress would be delivered to his home. He followed Shaundi, noticed how eyes followed her, he forced himself to look at her as a woman and found that she was very attractive, her walk was actually sensual, he of course saw the danger in her and he finally understood why Daniv had to have her. A grim smile touched his lips, she was buying so much that he would be hard pressed to carry it all, but at least she seemed less haunted now.

She browsed through the plainer clothing, his eyes searched and found several dresses he thought would fit her, but one outifit caught his eye and he grinned to himself. Moving slowly over to the merchant, this time he openly paid the man as there was many leather goods and no suspicion would arise from his purchasing. The same orders were given, he mused what Shaundi's reaction would be, but he was a patient man, he could wait and see.

 

[La_Reina]

After buying so much Shaundi lost sight of the dress. She looked around frantically and was unsure if the shoppe keep moved it because she had turned it inside out or worse someone purchased it. Shaundi went back to where the dress was moments before, but it was gone. She missed the outfit Zahl bought for her while she was looking for her own favorite garment. Saddened Shaundi returned to the Dark One and was ready to go home.

"Do we have any more stops? I would like to return to your home and start the midday meal." Truly she was just saddened that someone had purchased the outfit before she could. She lifted some of the things she purchased, but most of it was lifted by The Strong One. She was amazed he could carry so much and she saw herself wondering what it would be like to be lifted in those strong arms. She shook her head and stood by his side waiting.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

"If you have all the food and clothing you need, then we have no more stops."

He scanned the crowd, noticed a few strange glances in their direction, but it did not bother him, he had his axe with him and it would be foolish to attack The Executioner in a public place. He had no misgivings about his power, but what would tax him was that he would have to look out for Shaundi as well. When it became clear that she was downcast over something, he started to move them towards his home.

Taking mental note of what she bought and what he had, it seemed like he was in for a real feast. Something to look forward in such a bleak day. He watched Shaundi as she walked, he wondered how it would feel to run those tresses through his fingers and running his hands over her soft skin. He smiled to himself, such thoughts was just silly. She was with him against her will, there would happen nothing of note, unless he of course took her...but that was not an option for him yet.

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi nodded at the dark one. She was ready and as she walked she thought of a good mid day meal. She already knew she wanted to make a soft bread and she was thinking that she'll make pot pies. First, she needed to get out of these smelly clothes. She noticed people were looking at them and she was sure it was because they could smell her. She was starting to get embarrassed by the looks knowing she was the cause.

Shaundi was grateful when they finally made it to the house. She rushed him after Zahl and was already taking off her shirt. She pulled off the smelly, offensive material giving Zahl a flash of her round, full breasts, before she was pulling on a short dress meant to be worn in the home. Her jeans were pulled off and the clothes were hastily taken into the washing room to be cleaned. Shaundi felt much better and returned to the Dark One and their groceries. The dress came to mid thigh and was naturally black though it floated a bit when she walked. She liked it, because she liked to feel the material float around her thighs when she stopped moving.

Once the groceries were put up Shaundi started making the meal she had planned out. "I hope you like pot pie with warm bread," she called out to Zahl from the kitchen. She didn't hear an immediate reply so she continued on taking his silence for a yes as she thought of the gorgeous red dress and what she would have looked like in it.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He was seated in his chair, allready new logs was burning in the fireplace and with his axe in his lap, he gently stroked over the well used wooden shaft and tested the blade. With a grunt he got up and fetched his cleaning and sharpening tools, then settled down to cleaning and sharpening the blade once again. Of course it had not worked yet, but the sharper and shinier it was, the much more fear he instilled and it was that fear that helped to maintain order. He realized that Shaundi had asked him a question and he was not certain of the pies she spoke of so he decided not to reply. In his life as a soldier he had eaten things that would make a person shudder, so whatever she had to offer, could not be any worse.

Soon the sound of wetstone sliding over steel filled the air with its rhythmic resonance, he smiled as he worked, this was one of the few pleasures he had. He left Shaundi alone for now, she had her work to do and he was doing what he did when there was nothing else to do. First food, then training, why he took pity on her he didn't know, he had executed children, women, men in the wars he killed anybody who raised a weapon against him and his fellow soldiers. Maybe he was going soft in his old age? The thought struck him as funny and he grinned, of course from outside, no emotion could be seen through the mask, nor in his body language.

After finishing with the blade of the axe, he placed his equipment back into their spot, settled the axe into its place above the fire place and gathered more wood. He softly stalked into the kitchen, he knew that she didn't hear him and of course the first sound he had to make was when he opened the oven door. He settled the wood on the ground, placed a few pieces inside and coaxed the coals to live and pretty soon fire licked at the wood he had placed inside. He closed the door and got to his feet, turning to look at Shaundi,

"To light a dead fire,"

he pointed at the equipment where they sat on a shelf and then walked out again.

 

[La_Reina]

The sound of a blade being sharpened in the background lulled Shaundi into a false calm. She was packing the pies with a creamy sauce, vegetables, and meat. She was aware when the sounds stopped and she paused waiting to hear her name and if he desired anything from her. She heard nothing and went back to slowly putting small holes in the tops so that the food would cook evenly.

She turned sharply hearing the oven door opened. She almost yelped when she saw the Dark One bent over just a few feet from her. She didn't even hear him enter. Damn, for such a big man he was quiet. "Oh, you startled me." Shaundi smiled warmly having taken off the mask and setting it on the counter. "Thank you. The food is almost ready needing to cook for a bit." Shaundi wiped her hands on the towel and as Zahl left she turned back to the kitchen and began cleaning up.

Just as Shaundi was taking out the food to cool there was a knock on the door. Shaundi stepped out of the kitchen and looked at Zahl. "I'll see who it is." Shaundi turned to the main door just as the knocking turned into banging. She jumped and stared at the door not quite sure to answer it. She reached behind her and grasped her blade from a side table. She slowly turned the knob and didn't recognize the masked man.

"You. This is your fault." Shaundi recoiled at the man's anger as he literally pushed past her, but didn't get far. Zahl was waiting and looking menacing. "You're slave is a murderer. Her people are here to take her and execute her, but are willing to let you execute her if they can watch."

"NO," Shaundi yelled. She knew she couldn't run. Zahl would hunt her so she decided to try and reason with her protector. "He raped me. I killed him and I'm the one that is wrong. NO. I don't deserve to die, because he was of a higher class than me. Please Zahl."

"She is a slave. You can get another. We will not go to war over her."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He grunted,

"Our laws does not extend to her, their laws does not extend to us, a fair trial can not be held as the accuser is dead and we will only have her word. There is only one way to bring the truth forward and the only way they can get her from me IF she is guilty."

The man looked a bit upset at Zahl's words,

"The Trial of Blades Clyde, I call on the Trial. If she is guilty I will die, if she is innocent she stays. That is our rules, rules that the magister himself have set down, if the outsiders refuses to abide to our rules, we will go to war. That is how it works."

Clyde was shocked,

"You will place your life in the hands of a murderer? An Outsider?"

Zahl looked at her, then back at Clyde,

"She has as much right as the next person, like I said there can be no fair trial, so this is the only way to find out if she is guilty or not."

Clyde shook his head,

"One day you and your rules will be gone."

Zahl stretched to his full length,

"The rules and regulations comes from the magister himself, do you wish to question his word?"

Clyde shrank away, backing slowly towards the door,

"No...no...no of course not...I will deliver the challenge to them."

He fled out of the still open door out into the drizzling rain, Zahl turned his attention towards Shaundi,

"If you are lieing and this is a way to get me killed, the city will tear you apart and give what's left to your hunters."

Without a further word he turned and moved silently to his sword collection, gingerly lifting a huge sword from its mountings, it was well-used, but also well looked after. Picking up his cleaning and sharpening utensils he sat down and prepared to clean and sharpen the blade.

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi listened to the exchange. She thought she could hide here, but she didn't do a good job of covering her trail. She didn't think they would come all the way here for her. She had been stupid, angry, and now she was fucked. Would Zahl kill her? He threatened many times and he had put her in place a time or two as well. She wasn't afraid of him, but had a healthy respect knowing he could and would do as he said. But she wasn't the wrong one this time. It had been justice.

As the conversation ended. Shaundi could only blink. She was happy Clyde left and she slammed the door after him to show her own support of her Master and her anger. Though when she turned back his chilly eyes bore into her. "I swear I am not lying." Zahl left and Shaundi felt like she had to prove it. Food could wait.

She approached the Giant One and placed her hands on his stopping his movements. She slowly took his blade and sharpening tools and placed them beside him on the nearby table. She moved very slowly sorta asking permission as she moved. She straddled his lap and reached for the mask, but hesitated as her hands glided over the metal. "I want to show you my appreciation. I want to make you believe that I wasn't lying. I want someone strong to be my first. I need ..." she couldn't explain how much this meant to her and wasn't entirely sure why she wanted to explore her sexuality with him.

"You must take off the mask so I can kiss you. May I kiss you?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He watched her, it was strange at how she reacted, he was the one going to his death if she was not telling the truth. But her touch felt so cool on his hands, so soft, he wanted to feel more. He did not reply to her as she touched his mask, he first lifted his hands to run them slowly through her hair, they felt like silk and slid through his fingers like water. He finally moved his hands to his mask and undid the clasps, removing the mask he looked at her.

"You may if you really want to."

He did not say that he could only believe her if he survived the Trial of Blades alive, that would have ruined the moment for her, he gently touched her hair again and for the first time she was able to see that sad little smile touch his lips.

"You have lovely hair, they suit you."

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi waited wondering if he was going to let her see his face again. She shivered as his hands went through her hair. She shook out her mane so he could get as much as he desired in his hands. She wasn't ready to admit it, but his touch felt good. He was so sure, confident, strong, manly, and she knew she was slowly melting sitting on his lap. She smiled as she saw his hands reach up and go to his mask. When he removed it Shaundi was struck again with how lovely he was. She kept expecting him to be scarred, or ugly, or something but he was always so handsome and she couldn't figure out why he would hide such a nice face.

"The red is so vibrant. I used to be call evil or the Devil's child." Shaundi laughed. When she was younger that used to hurt her, but now especially today she liked the name. The anger helped kept her going when she was seeking her revenge. Shaundi leaned forward and let her lips slide over his. She moaned at the contact and went to go deeper, but pulled back. She stared at him quizzically.

"Why are you so sad? Is this not what you want?"

 

[DeathsKnight]

The touch of her lips was feather soft and warm, he found that he wanted more, but she withdrew from him. He looked at her, running a finger tip over her jaw,

"I am not sad, it is my smile. I never need to smile, the mask covers it."

He gently traced the pad of his thumb over her lips, so full and soft, he knew that he had to kiss her again, he moved closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her lips, moving from her lips to her cheek, back to her lips. Only then did he draw back and leaned against his chair.

He ran his other hand over her slender back, she felt good under his touch and that was just through the clothing.

"It could be that I appear sad because my life is ruled and governed by another and I have nothing else but the rules and regulations."

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi could only arch an eyebrow. This was his smile. It seemed so sad. Or was it awkward. Whatever it was it wasn't a smile. She could only trace her fingers over it over and over. She wanted to cheer him up, but his own fingers were touching her and he was leaning it closer to her. She would have deepen the kiss, but he was trailing kisses over her face, neck, everywhere. A small moan escaped her lips as a shiver traveled down her body.

Shaundi sat back and nodded. "Tell me about it. What are these rules and regulations that you must obey."

Shaundi trailed her hands down his chest while watching his face for any signs aside from his words. It was the nonverbal signs that she was looking for so she knew what he really thought or felt.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

"If I must recite all the rules, then we will be here for two days at least,"

Again that little smile,

"But the main rules I follow is to uphold our laws, keep the streets clean of criminals and follow the orders of the Magister."

He looked at her, strange that even when she sat on his lap she seemed so...fragile, yet his mind told him to remember how dangerous she was.

"At least I know that in this decision, the magister will not break his own laws, he would rather go to war."

He lifted a hand and cupped her face in his warm palm, gently tracing his thumb over her cheekbone.

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi smiled at his little joke. She nodded seeing the rules were simple except for that last one. "I hope not. I will do anything to not go to them and die. I don't want to die Zahl." She rubbed her face into his hand like a cat and kissed the inside of his palm. This was the only man that could protect her and she thank the Gods they had sent her into his grace. Though she didn't like this sad side of him.

Shaundi slowly turned her head back to him and a cold smile crept upon her features. Her eyes were alight with mischief. She leaned back making sure her hot center pressed down on his groin. She rolled her hips and body so that she was rocking against him. She bit down on her lip not meaning to do this action so many times, but it felt so good. Finally her hand felt the blade and she slowly moved up making sure to keep the blade hidden.

She leaned in close as though she was going to kiss it and without warning she brought the blade to his neck. "So what is lesson number 2 Master?" Shaundi laughed in his ear a soft whispery sexy sound. "How would I get out of this WITHOUT throwing me off or standing up." Shaundi wiggled some more and this time she let out a soft moan as she felt him contact with the spot she would love to have him enter.

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

He could feel her press up against him, her heat radiating even through his pants, it seemed that Shaundi had more on her mind than just staying alive. He had to admit that her touch was devilry and that her movements was arousing him. That was a feat unto itself as he was not one to easily become aroused, he contributed to the fact that its been so long since he felt a warm touch.

The cold touch of steel against his throat and her words, sharply reminded him that she was not one to be handled without caution. He looked into her eyes and without a word or even a sign of reaction, his old sword pressed into the side of her neck. While she was moving against him, his mind and his hand have not been idle.

"A slow or fast thrust is an option,"

there was a glint in his eye, the thought of her covered in blood and naked, submitting to his will came to him and predatory grin slowly crept over his face, revealing his strong teeth.

"But that would be so a moodkiller,"

the sword disappeared and a split-moment later her wrist was in and iron grip, without any effort he twisted her around, facing away from him. He took in the scent of her hair as his free hand cupped her breast, it was soft and pliable under his hand. He did not do more apart from feeling the softness of her body and the exotic smell of her hair.

"But this one I find much better."

 

[La_Reina]

Shaundi was surprised and impressed when she felt metal touch her throat. She smiled at him sexily. This was the sort of man who knew what he was doing. Especially in battle. She would do well to learn from him and she knew it. He was already teaching her and she knew just then she would be a force to be reckon with once she got just a fraction of what he knew. She saw his smile and she quirked her eyebrow at him. Now, what was that look for?

Shaundi's smile grew when he mentioned killing the mood. Yes, she was being devilishly erotic or trying to be. Her smile stilled when he grabbed her wrist and before she could do anything her position was reversed. She laughed which turned into a lustful moan when his hand touched her so intimately. She never knew she could feel so hot just from a caress there. She arched her back pressing her chest into his hand and not realizing she was pressing her bum into his groin.

"Yeah," Shaundi teased. "What about this?" She began rocking her hips and doing a little bounce. Something she saw at their last little outing. She was just imitating what she had seen before. She arched her back again this time so that she could see him although upside down. "Kiss me again. Please."

 

[DeathsKnight]

Zahl the executioner

The movement of her hips would have been much better for them both with him buried inside of her, but then again he actually doubted that one so small could actually take him, he of course was very curious to find out. At her request he leaned in, kissing her hard and deep, his tongue flicking into her mouth and teased her own tongue before he pulled away from the kiss, holding her bottom lip between his teeth. His hand squeezed her breast, the other still held her wrist, keeping the blade out of trouble for now. He released her breast and slid his hand down her body, down to her legs, slowly, teasingly he ran his hand up her soft leg, under the hem of her dress and stopped short of his destination. This time he kissed her with more passion, twisting her wrist and using that arm to pull her even closer to him. He knew that she would be able to feel his cock as it grew ever harder against her ass.

When the kiss finally broke he slid his hand further, cupping her pussy through her panties, slowly rubbing over her hot wetness. He was teasing, he knew that he was, but then again did she not start it? As he kept rubbing up and down and then in a circular motion over her panty clad pussy, he raised her arm, resting the edge of the dagger to the side of her neck. Using a deft little bit of pleasure, blood welled from her broken skin and he lowered his mouth to her neck, sucking on her blood, his tongue gently carressing the very shallow cut.

 

[La_Reina]

He kissed her and Shaundi moaned into his mouth. This was different than any other experience and she found she wanted more. This wasn't the outside surroundings or the atmosphere making her want to do things. This was primal. A man. A woman. And the eruption of feelings as they started that dance. Shaundi could feel her body getting hotter and wanting more, but she wasn't quite sure what more was. She parted her thighs wanting him there almost begging him without words to touch her, but he stopped just short and she thought she was going to lose her mind.

Shaundi used her hand that didn't have the blade in it to reach behind and between her and Zahl. She encircled his cock through his clothes and rubbed that hardness. It was big she could tell that. Than he touched her and Shaundi did lose her mind. She thrust her hips onto his palms and knew she has soaked her panties. It felt so good. She didn't want it to stop.

She didn't even notice when he started bringing the blade to her neck, but the tiny prick felt more pleasurable than pain. She tilted her head so he could suckle her neck and than she exploded. She came so hard, her body jerking, and bucking, her cries turning from gentle moans to soft screams as she felt herself being burned alive by electricity.

Shaundi finally came down off her high. She was breathing hard and a bit confused. She knew she had orgasmed. She wasn't that naive, but he hadn't been in her or anything. Actually, she was embarrassed. She knew her cheeks were getting red and she didn't know what to do. Finally, she tried to stand up stammering about needing to go or something.