Mortal Enemies, Eternal Lovers.

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

She stiffened as she felt his hand pulling upon her arm, her demeanor changing and instantly putting up her guard in response to his questioning. She should have known better than to have come over and try to have a conversation with him. Of course this would be what he wanted to talk about after what had happened earlier that day. She tried to think of how best to reply, having already decided earlier that it would be too risky to reveal who she really was to any of the crew, ESPECIALLY him since he was the only human there not from a Neutral city.

"I already told you before why I want to go deeper," she told him as she pulled her arm from his grasp and took a step back from him, "I did not come on this expedition in search of riches. I want to explore the ruins in the deeper tunnels and I can't very well do that if we turn back to the surface so quickly."

She eyed him with suspicion as she added, "But what about you?"

"You told me that you were a thief before and had joined this crew to make a new life for yourself," she pointed out, "What interest would you have in continuing deeper if we'd already found enough treasure in the Hanging City?"

 

[EroticLiteracy]

“What do you mean me?” He said bristling in surprise and worry when she turned the question back around on him. He hadn’t expected that even though he now realized he walked right into it. She already suspected there was more to him than he was letting on. This pointed question would confirm it no matter what he said. All it took was one look into those stunning eyes of her to know she wouldn’t give it up. If they were going to be moving on together and without the rest they needed to have some sort of trust amongst each other.

He looked at her for a few more seconds before he finally spoke.

“I’m not a thief” He admitted reaching up to scratch some of the hair growing back on the top of his head.

“I can’t tell you who I am” He told her raising his hand to stop her “What I can tell is this. Whatever is happening below ground is affecting both humans and elves. Our entire continent is shifting and it’s getting worse with every passing month. I’m here to try and figure out what is going on and to stop it. So I have to go down deeper to the space you marked, the space where the movements are happening”

He let her take in and understand what he was saying before continuing.

“Now can I trust you to follow me down below when we get there?” He asked her point blank.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana's eyes narrowed slightly at Pond as he raised his hand to silence her, but she didn't interrupt try to interrupt again as she crossed her arms over her chest and allowed him to continue, her eyes taking in his face with scrutiny as he explained his reasons for wanting to go deeper into the tunnels and searching for any clues that he might be lying to her again. She found none. In fact his expression was so sincere and open now that she had no doubt that he was telling her the truth.

Worry filled her gaze as his words sank in. The entire continent was shifting and the source of the movements was the exact space in the tunnels that she was being drawn to by her visions. There was no way that it could be a coincidence. She just had to reach that spot! She was even more determined than ever now.

"You can trust me," she told him with a nod, "Whatever is going on down there, I want to stop it just as badly as you do."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

“I hope I can” He said when she mentioned trusting him “I have no idea who you are and what you seek in the tunnels but right now it seems like we’re all the other has”

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t sure about the entire situation. She and her kind were his families mortal enemies. He had no doubt that if she knew who he truly was she would stab him in the back. Did he really want to be alone with her?

Did he even have a choice?

He knew the answer. Going deeper into the tunnels alone was suicidal at best. Anything and everything could be down there and there was also the matter of the tremors. If someone or something was causing them he would need help to destroy it.

“It’s your turn for watch” He finally said removing his hand and moving towards the camp “I’ll see you in the morning”

And with that he left her alone with the dead.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana watched Pond's expression after he announced that they were all the other had. He seemed just as uncertain about the idea as she was. Her mind screamed at her that she must be crazy. Their kingdoms had been enemies of one another for centuries. The fact that she was actually considering traveling into the tunnels alone with him was absolutely insane! Unfortunately if the rest of the crew chose to turn back so soon it seemed like it would be her only option.

She heaved a sigh as he began to walk back towards camp and left her alone with nothing but her thoughts and the coffins for company. She looked around at them and once more had to suppress a shiver. They were his ancestors, not hers, and she drew no comfort from them. She abandoned them, making her way over to the stone staircase instead and began to ascend. Maybe she would feel a little better once she'd put some distance between herself and the ground. She could pretend that she was back home upon her balcony, or perched upon a cliff's edge while scouting her prey on a hunting excursion of some kind.

Once she felt she had gone far enough she sat down on the edge of one of the steps and let her feet dangle over the edge as she peered down at the camp bellow. She pulled out the apple that he had given her before and polished it against the front of her top before taking a bite, silently counting down the minutes until her watch was over.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

THE NEXT DAY

Rodan woke before everyone else. Dawn was filtering in from a crack in the ceiling letting tiny slivers of sunlight in that were prettier than illuminating. He watched them dance for a few minutes tracking them with his eyes before getting up and going about his morning. He tip-toed away from the camp and then began his morning run. The room was nothing more than a large circle and so he ran on the outside two simple laps that left his shirt sticky with sweat.

Once he was done with his work out he carefully took his bundle of clothes and moved into the outer hall. He thought back on their journey from yesterday and remembered a small river that ran down deeper into the tunnels. He made his way to it taking several wrong turns before finally finding the river and the pool it ran down from. He stripped keeping his sword close as he dived into the water and let the dirt and grim of the tunnels wash away. He floated for a few seconds thinking about the events of the night before ducking his head under and submerging himself in the small pond.

MEANWHILE

“Up and at em everyone!” Voltaire shouted from the top roof of the carriage. The small man looked like a rooster on the top of the cart crowing at the group to wake up. The group slowly began to wake up grumbling in response and shouting curses at him as Voltaire chuckled.

“While you lot were sleeping it seems our friend Pond was already preparing for the day” Voltaire said pointing at Pond’s empty bedroll “You lot want treasure right?”

“Surprised he didn’t take the time to slit our throat” One of the men said snorting “The little weasel”

“I’m going to get breakfast started while we move” Voltaire explained hoping off of the cart “You lot get your things so we can keep going. Larianna! Can you go find Pond please? Let the boy know that we’re getting ready to move.”

“Maybe I should go boss” One of the other women said coming over to Larianna “And go get him”

“Larianna can do it” Voltaire said waving his hand “Right Larianna?”

He didn’t bother to wait for her answer instead waving her off and moving about the camp. The women and men of the camp each sent her a small smile of support before going off to handle their own jobs.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana awoke with a jolt as Voltaire shouted from the roof of the carriage. She sat up and looked around her as the others in the group stirred awake, her heart pounding within her chest and her pulse racing in response to the vision she'd just had. This one had been very different from the ones she'd had thus far however.

In her dream she'd seen herself alone with Pond, his arms moving to wrap around her, though not in an attempt to trap or harm her in some way as she might have thought. Instead he pulled her body tight against his own as his lips met hers in a loving kiss, his hands exploring and caressing her body as she melted against him, not once showing any sign of protest or attempting to pull away. Quite to the contrary, she'd seemed to enjoy it all a great deal.

But that was absolutely impossible! She had to be mistaken. There was no way that what she had seen had been a vision. It must have just been some kind of strange dream somehow brought on by her conversation with him the night before.

She convinced herself that his must be the case as she got up and began to pack up her bedroll before suddenly stopping, her head jerking over to look at Voltaire as he asked her to go find Pond to let him know they were readying to leave.

"Me?" she voiced in surprise.

The rest of the crew seemed just as surprised as her at the suggestion, the other female member even offering to go in her place, but Voltaire didn't seem to notice and insisted again that she be the one to go. The others offered their smiles of support and she did her best to manage a smile back, not wanting to show how unnerved she was by the task as she finished rolling up her pallet. Picking up her weapons that she'd kept laying close beside her during the night, she fastened the quiver back across her back and headed off.

With her sharp eyes and experienced tracking skills it wasn't difficult to figure out which direction he had headed. She followed his boot marks in the dirt until they lead her to a small river flowing through the tunnels. They must have passed it the other day, only she hadn't noticed since she'd been seated inside the carriage with the others. Pond having been perched on the roof would have been aware of it here she realized.

Hearing a splashing noise she moved forward, coming to a small pool that seemed to be the source of the river. There she found Pond, swimming within the water. She felt a blush rise up into her cheeks as she suddenly realized that he was swimming completely naked and quickly raised her hand to cover her eyes, though not before she'd accidentally gotten a good view of his impressive physique in the surprisingly clear waters. She cleared her throat slightly to make her presence known.

"Excuse me...um...sorry to bother you, but Voltaire asked me to come and find you," she explained, "We're going to be heading out soon."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

He heard someone coming up through the tunnel and rose out of the pond. Water ran down his lean body rivers that traced his abs and the narrow V of his hips. He moved over to the sword by the edge of the water wrapping his hand around the pommel and slipping it into the water. He slid his body deeper into the water watching warily and ready to jump out if needed.

When the elf known as Ana revealed herself he sighed in relief. He used his free hand to lift himself out of the water just as she came in and said they needed to go. He noticed the way she turned away and looked down blushing as the realization that he was naked in front of her ran through his mind. He glanced back toward the water contemplating diving back in. A part of him didn’t mind her looking and even felt a small tingle of pleasure at the way she blushed and turned her head….

He froze at the revelation his hands on his clothing. She wasn’t looking at him a fact he was glad for because it meant she couldn’t see his blush. Since when was he interested in her seeing him in such a state of undress?

“Thank you for coming and letting me know Ana” He said finally pulling on his pants. He dressed quickly pulling his clothes on and buckling his sword to his belt. Once he was ready he came over reaching out and gently tapping her slender shoulder. When she turned back he gave her a soft smile.

“Ready when you are” He said moving down the tunnel and back towards the camp.

“Did they change their minds? Or say anything about it?” He asked her softly in fear that they were listening out “Or are our plans still on?”

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Feeling Pond's gentle tap on her shoulder Lariana had hesitantly turned back around to face him, the blush still showing slightly in her cheeks. While she had been waiting for him to dress the sight of his naked body before she'd turned away had caused her to flash back to the dream she'd had of him the night before. She wondered what it would feel like to have his body pressed up against her as it had been in the dream. Her dream self had certainly seemed to enjoy it.

Now fully dressed he announced that he was ready to go and she nodded, doing her best to push such thoughts from her mind and following beside him as they both made their way back towards the camp to rejoin the others. She kept her gaze straight ahead as they walked and did her best to keep her mind focused on the subject at hand as he asked her about the plans they had made the night before.

"Unfortunately it seems that it may still have to be just the two of us," she explained, keeping her voice soft to match his own, "No one has said anything else about it so far."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"I figured as much" he said sighing and scratching his beard. He glanced at the elf named Ana once more gauging her and trying to come to terms with the plan. He trusted her to a point it was just hard to put down generations of antagonism. He reminded himself it was his families war not necessarily his.

"We play it by ear" he said stopping her and reaching out to touch her shoulder "just be ready to move once we are in the hanging city"

He nodded at her and stepped into the burial chamber slash crypt. The rest of the Morning sped by as the group ate and packed up their camp. In an hour they were back in the cart diving deeper into the twisting winding tunnels.

Time seemed to slow with the lack of light and sound. The tunnels were large and expansive twisting and turning like snakes. The cart illuminated a small space in front of them but most of the tunnel was dark.

Eventually they spilled out into another large chamber covered in the glowing rocks from before. Their was a narrow bridge that spanned a large chasm and at the opposite side of the bridge lay a city that hung from the ceiling above and connected via bridges.

"This is it!" Voltaire shouted happily "the hanging city!"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana had stopped walking when she felt Pond's hand on her shoulder, a slight blush returning to her cheeks again as she was forced to turn an look at him. She nodded her agreement in response to his words and then the two of them made their way back into the crypt to join the others.

----------------

Hearing Voltaire's shout she rose from her place inside of the carriage where she had been sitting with the rest of the group and quickly hoisted herself up through the opening in the roof to ride on top as she had seen Pond do the day before. It had been too dark to see anything of interest in the tunnels before, but now that they had arrived at the city she was very curious to see it for herself.

Her eyes went wide with wonder at the sight. It almost looked as if the entire city had been formed into giant stalactites hanging from the high ceiling of the chasm. With all of the bridges connecting everything it almost reminded her of her home in a way, except with the city being carved into stone instead of wood.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"There it is" Voltaire said once more for empathizes as his eyes swept over the city.

The party began to move across the large bridge that hung over the opening. If anyone was brave enough to look down they would see a deep black hole that seemed to swallow everything up. It was impossible to tell how deep it went and no one was willing to find out.

Once they crossed the bridge they found themselves in a small town square. The glowing rocks were plentiful here and cast everything in a warm green glow. A few structures that looked like guard houses dotted the square. Two staircases to the left led down deeper into the city.

"This must be the gate" Voltaire said coming over to a crumbled stone wall.

"How do you want to play it boss?" One of the men said crossing his arms "We go off and find treasure?"

"In pairs of two" Voltaire said studying the gate more "Decide amongst yourself. Dont go to far! Two levels down for now"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana had looked around her with interest as they'd entered the square, noting too with Voltaire the crumbled wall that appeared to have once been the city gate. Strange, she thought, that it should be so damaged while the rest of the structures seemed to be intact. Had there been some kind of attack here back when the city was still occupied?

Her ponderings were quickly interrupted however when Voltaire announced that they should break up into pairs of two to go and explore the city. Remembering the plans she had made with Pond should they need to venture out just the two of them she quickly lifted her gaze and found him where he stood within the square, ignoring the surprised looks of the others as she made her way over to him.

"Ready if you are," she told him with a slight nod as she met his gaze, clearly indicating that she had chosen him as her partner for the task.

 

[EroticLiteracy]

The others in the party couldn't contain their surprise when she elected to go with him. He could see it in each of theirs eyes the distrust. He glared at them each in response and had to bite his tongue as he grabbed her hand and brought her towards the staircase leading down.

"Starting to think we would be better off on our own anyway" He grumbled reaching into his pack and pulling out a torch. He also fished out his fire stricker and after a few minutes of messing with it got the fire going on the cloth.

"lets go" He said holding the torch up and moving down the stairs. The sound of his boots hitting the stone sounded out as they moved into what looked like a foyer. A once magnificent chandelier lay in the center of the room its cracked diamonds and glass reflecting the light of the torch.

"I hope the rest of the rooms aren't like this" He said lifting the torch and eyeing the many treasures in the foyer "This is enough to keep them all happy"

MEANWHILE

"Come to papa!"

A greedy smile crossed the face of the man as he inched deeper into the room. He could hear the others digging around behind him and steeled himself. He had no intention of sharing the jewels he spotted on the mantle. They were as fat as his eyes and practically radiating their wealth.

He moved further away from his partner as he inched toward the mantelpiece. Once he reached the mantle he turned making sure none of the others could see him before reaching to grab it. His fingers stretched out as he touched the jewels practically drooling as he grabbed the first one.

Before he could grab the other one a stone hand shot out of the fireplace. It wrapped around his ankle and pulled him into the hearth. Any screams he made were stifled as the stone hand clamped over his mouth and dragged him deeper into the fireplace.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana's eyes went wide as Pond lifted his torch higher and better illuminated the room they were in, her eyes catching sight of not only the diamonds of the chandelier but also the many other valuable items within the room.

"Yeah, lets hope not," she agreed as she stepped forward to finger some of the pieces of the chandelier with curiosity, but not attempting to pocket any of them.

She began to explore around the room, wondering about the people that had once lived there and what had happened to them.

"Speaking of the rest of the crew...," she began, glancing back over her shoulder at him.

"I apologize for the way they reacted when I picked you as my partner just now. They're just trying to look out for me," she explained, "They think you might try to hurt me since you're not from a Neutral City like them."

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"There a bunch of idiots" He growled shaking his head and moving to study the jewels.

"I would never harm you" He said a faint blush staining his cheek as he picked up a few of the precious gems.

"We should grab a few at least" He remarked pocketing them and moving over to the next mantle "That way we don't look to susp-"

His words were cut off as the room began to shake. The broad male reached out as he started falling grabbing the mantle he was closest to and using it for support. The shaking continued get more and more violent as a black shape shot out of the fireplace at the center of the room.

"Watch out!" Rodan shouted moving away from the wall and towards her. He grabbed the shield off of his back jumping forward to clear the remaining space just as the black shape through a large hand at her.

He brought the shield to bear and took the full force of the punch. He felt the entire shield vibrate as it dispelled the energy and winced at the pain of his arm being slammed into. He knew it would bruise in the morning but tried not to worry about it as he and her were driven back across the space.

"Some type of creature" Rodan remarked as the figure stepped forward into the light of a glow crystal. Its body seemed made from rock and lacked every human feature except for eye slits.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana had been so distracted by the sudden violent shaking of the room that she had not noticed the figure dashing out of the fireplace at her from behind. At the sound of Pond's shouted warning she looked up and began to turn but it was already too late, her eyes landing on the figure attacking her just as it's hand reached to strike her. Without enough time to do anything else, she threw her hands up and braced herself for impact...

But it never came!

Instead she watched in amazement as just before it was about to strike Pond threw himself in front of her, his shield raised, and took the impact of the blow upon himself in her defense. Even then though the force of the blow was enough to knock the two of them back. She quickly regained her bearings though, reaching back and withdrawing her two fighting knives that had been strapped to her back.

Her eyes widened with surprise and fear as the creature stepped into the glow of the crystal. It was entirely made of rock! Little good her knives or arrows would do her against a creature like that! Except...

"The eye slits..." she commented aloud as she noticed them, her grip on her knives tightening.

"It it has a weak spot, that will be it!"

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"My thoughts exactly!" He shouted picking himself up off the ground and raising his shield.

"You go for the eyes while I distract him" He said steeling himself for another blow. He jumped forward dancing with the large rock creature. He landed several solid blows but this time the young prince was ready for the force behind said blows and kept his feet. His arm would surely be black and blue at the end of this but it was worse it to see the beast topple from her attacks.

"Good job" He said shaking his shield arm a bit and moving back towards the staircase "We should go see about the others!"

He raced up the stairs with her leading the way and keeping his shield raised for any surprise attacks. None came and soon the two were spilling out in the entry way and into utter chaos.

Their party was under siege from a full host of the rock like creatures. They were dropping from the ceilings above filling the room with inhuman roars as they tried to crush the rest of the party. Voltaire and his group were situated at the front of the cart screaming and shouting as they tried to ward off the group.

"You two get over here!" Voltaire shouted his hammer swinging and taking out the head of one of the rock monsters "We're leaving!"

"What?" He shouted his eyes widening in surprising "But what about the treasure?!"

"No use in treasure if we are dead!" Voltaire shouted "We'll come back with more forces but two of our own are already dead!"

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

"Right!" Lariana agreed with a nod as Pond raised his shield and jumped towards the creature while she darted to the side and waited for her opportunity to strike.

Finally it came!

Just after the beast had struck Pond's shield and before it had a chance to raise its arms again she quickly threw both of her knives at it, the long blades landing squarely in each socket and piercing back into the beast's head. It didn't even have time to let out a cry in response before it toppled over dead. She then went over and retrieved her knifes before nodding in response to Pond's remark that they should see about the others and following after him.

She let out a startled cry as they came upon the entry way and she saw the rest of their party under attack. How many of these beasts were there?! Her eyes widened along with Pond's at Voltaire's remark that they were turning back.

"No! We can't turn back now!" she gasped to herself.

Noticing one of the beasts about to lunge upon the group, she quickly sheathed her knives and pulled out her bow and an arrow, drawing back the bow she released the arrow straight into the monster's eye and causing it to fall to the ground just in time.

"There's no time! There are too many of them between us and you!," she shouted back at Voltaire, quickly coming up with an excuse, "Go on without us! We'll cover you and then find our own way out!"

 

[EroticLiteracy]

"It's time" Pond said glancing over at her and narrowing his eyes. He raised his shield watching as the rest of the company began to move away. He eyed them with contempt even if he was pleased they were leaving.

"Let's move" He said moving in front of her and raising his iron circle shield "I want you to let me take the brunt of the blows and watch my back"

He was in command strong imposing. Every bit the strong commander he was meant to be.

Every bit the king he was meant to be.

"This way" He said nodding his head at the circular stairs leading down "Move with me!"

They dived in together moving and working as a team. He batted back the stone creatures forcing them back and crumbling them with powerful blows of his shields. He defended her most of all taking quite a beating as he moved to the circular stair case. They reached the center and the staircase in a matter of seconds. Pond glanced down noting the darkness that seemed to stretch into oblivion.

"You first!" He said ducking under a stone creatures swing. He slammed his shield up catching him in the chin and forcing the creature back.

 

[BlondeAmbition4RP]

Lariana felt hesitant to let Pond take the brunt of the blows on his own as he requested, but the strength and command in his tone as he instructed her comforted her and gave her the impression that he knew what he was doing. There was no time to debate the issue anyways, being in the middle of the fray as they were. Immediately she covered his back as commanded and moved behind him, using her own keen skills to help keep the stone monsters at bay as they made their way towards the staircase.

She nodded quickly in reply as he commanded her to take the lead down the stairs, side stepping one of the creatures as it lunged at her and stabbing it in the eye with one of her fighting knives.

"Right!" she shouted back and quickly began to descend the staircase, relieved that he was allowing her to lead the way this time.

Here sharp elf eyes would have a much easier time of seeing their way through this darkness than his human ones.