The Coming Darkness - closed for JadeKnight

[SandS13]

Selakir was awake. The rest of the temple was asleep. She could hear the deep breathing of all the other women. She couldn't sleep. Something was bothering her but Selakir couldn't pinpoint what it was.

She stood, barefoot and in her white nightgown and left the room. Her bare feet made almost no noise on the stone floor. Her feet carried her towards the temple. She needed guidance.

Selakir sat and closed her eyes.

'Goddess, please...help me. Something is pulling at me. I do not know what it is. Please guide me, tell me what to do.'

She inhaled slowly and waited. The temperature changed. She was already cold but she felt colder suddenly. Goosebumps raised up on her skin. Her nipples grew hard and she began to shiver.

A wind blew and tugged at her long, black hair. The flames on the candles danced.

"I am here child. I am here to help."

Selakir heard the goddess' voice. It scared her. She had never 'heard' it, only felt her presence. Now she was answering her call.

"You sense it, the coming darkness. The gods...we see it and it will devour all it crosses. I need you to be my voice. My presence. A man is coming. He will come and he will bring destruction and hurt. He will come with weapons but he will be all that can stop the darkness."

Selakir frowned. "I do not understand. If he is the saviour then what will he need me for?"

The wind brushed her cheek. "Oh child, he will not know that he is chosen of the gods. You must guide him, tell him, show him. He will reject it. You must find a way. You will be the piece he needs to fight and defeat the darkness."

Lashes fluttered. "Me?"

"Yes, you. You are my tie to this realm Selakir. You are my chosen."

"Yes Thelonus, I will look for this man. I will do what you ask."

"You will not need to look. He will come to you. He will find you."

The wind blew and Selakir sensed that she was now alone once more. Green eyes opened and looked to the roof. Now she had to wait for this man.

 

[JadeKnight]

While not having a huge reputation, The Black Crows were still a bandit band to be feared. They had spent the last five years building and earning the reputation of striking the richest targets in the region, often striking and disappearing as quick as they appeared. They were deeply entrenched in the slave market, often providing slaves when they were unable to plunder riches.

"Are you sure we should be here, boss? It's a temple and sacred place."

Draco sneared for a moment at his underling as he stood on the crest of the hill with a small band of his underlings behind him, waiting for the signal. He just waved away the concern.

"I got word this place was ripe for plunder. And what did I say about questioning my orders?'

Draco turned and backhanding the young man for a moment, causing him to whimper and rub his face as Draco turned back to watch the place for a few moments longer.

 

[SandS13]

The temple was quiet. Behind its border wall the buildings were silent and dark save a few lanterns. The lush gardens were still and waiting for the morning when the acolytes would wake to weed and harvest the bounty.

The high priestess prided herself on the temple and those who served the goddess here. They helped the community - feeding them, clothing them, birthing babies and healing those they could.

They led an ideal life here in the temple. All money, wealth that was contained within and there was a stock pile, was there to help those that needed it. Repair homes, purchase livestock, anything that might be needed to help. Sheltered and naive to the worries out there. No one would dare attack and risk the wrath of the goddess. They had no idea what waited for them outside the walls.

Selakir was still in the main temple, contemplating what the goddess had told her. A man would come, a hero. He would, with her help, conquer this darkness that was coming. How would she know this man? Maybe he would come looking for help here at the temple.

With a soft sigh she stood and left the temple. It was cool and a little windy as she stepped back outside. She realized she should have worn something on her feet. The ground was cool and damp under her feet. She also realized that a robe would have been a good idea. Her thin nightgown did little to save her from the wind.

Selakir thought she heard something and paused in her journey back to the bunkhouse. The wind blew hard once more whipping up her long hair and tossing it about. Her arms wrapped about herself. A strange sensation crept up her spine. Something was coming.

 

[JadeKnight]

Draco's band was much larger than the five he currently had with him. Since this temple was more of a scouting mission than a true plunder one, he had decided to only bring a handful with him. He knew he wouldn't get much treasure on this raid, but it would help him gauge if he wanted to return.

Usually only wearing a pair of leather pants, special enchanted ones at that, he felt a shiver run down his spine when the wind blew past him. He could almost swear he picked up a voice on the wind, but dismissed that to his imagination.

When he felt it was time, he lifted one hand and gave a motion for the men to move forward. While his men scaled the walls of the compound, he chose to fly over them. From his height, it didn't take him long to spy a lone woman, Selakir, near the building they were behind. He landed on the ground as the men reached the inside as well.

He signaled for two to come with him while the rest went in search of the treasure room. The three of them moved silently through the grounds, coming upon Selakir from behind. With practiced movements, they were upon her from behind. One man quickly pulled her arms behind her, tying her wrists together with a piece of rope. Another slipped a gag into her mouth, tying it behind her head before Draco pulled a bag over her head.

"This one is mine."

He whispered to the other two before lifting her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and motioning for the other two to join the rest. His wings flapped slowly and steady as he lifted up into the air with the woman over his shoulder.

 

[SandS13]

It happened so quickly. She had no time to scream. No time to warn the others. Her arms were pulled behind her. A gag shoved into her mouth. Her eyes were wide as a bag was pulled over her head.

Her mind screamed and she struggled against the bonds but it was of little use. She was a priestess, not a fighter. She was slim and the man who had her was not. She was over his shoulder and it felt as if wind was now rushing by her. Her nightgown, a thin cotton, fluttered.

She screamed against the gag and tried to kick.

'Calm little one....be at ease.'

Selakir could feel her long, black hair against her face. It was getting in the way of her breathing. Her heart was racing. Where was he taking her? Where were they going? Why had he taken her? How were they flying?

'Calm little one...calm...'

The goddess was talking to her but Selakir was too frightened to really hear it. Tears fell from her eyes and mixed into her hair. The now wet strands began to stick to her face. It made her feel even more trapped.

She slumped. She stopped fighting and began sob.

'Stay your tears. Take strength from me. I will not leave you. I told you, you are meant for something. You are needed to ensure that he conquers the darkness. He has found you.'

The goddess' voice filled her head but it confused Selakir more. He? He who? The man who had taken her? The one carrying her away from the temple? He could not be the hero the gods were counting on. It wasn't possible. This man and the men who came with him bound her and were likely doing unspeakable things to the others.

It felt as if the blood had drained from her body. What was he planning to do to her?

 

[JadeKnight]

It wasn't long before they had arrived at the large wagon they had brought to cart things back in. He landed beside it carefully, checking to make sure it hadn't been spotted. Once he was satisfied, he sat her down on the side bench on the right side of the cart. He left the hood on, but whispered in her ear for a moment.

"Be a good lady and you won't be hurt."

He left her in the back with a leg shackle around her left ankle attached to a metal ring set into the bed of the cart.

Since the men only carried a couple of burlap sacks each, they wouldn't be able to carry much treasure with them. They had foundt the other ladies serving the temple, but left them alone for now. They foundt the treasure room quickly enough, soon filling their bags up.

It was nearly dawn by the time the men returned to the wagon, laden down with stolen coin and jewels.

 

[SandS13]

Selakir was lost in her fear and sadness and it did not register immediately that they had stopped. That they were back on the ground. She still hadn't come to terms with the idea that they had been up in the air.

He jostled her. Selakir felt herself lowered and put onto something hard. She tensed. The urge to run was strong. The voice in her ear made her freeze. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up.

She didn't want to be hurt but she also didn't want to be here with the bag over her head. She felt it, the ring, cold and hard on her ankle. She whimpered against the gag.

A breeze blew tickling her leg. She felt a presence by her side. 'I know you are scared child. I know that you will face hardships. I am sorry for this. It is important. He is important. He is what will stop the darkness but he needs your help. It will not be easy but you will have my strength.'

Selakir wanted to be comforted by the goddess' words. She had promised herself to the goddess. She had said she would look for him, wait for him. Now she wasn't sure she wanted to be the goddess' representative, her voice. She felt her faith and strength waiver.

The goddess touched her arm. 'Stay strong.'

Time passed but Selakir couldn't know for sure how long. She was shivering and her ears picked up the sound of men coming near the wagon. She was tense. Would they have other priestesses? What did they do to the temple?

 

[JadeKnight]

Since they were far enough away from the temple to not get caught, the men yelled and hollered about the wonderful score. They did pause for a moment seeing her chain before they tossed the bags of treasure in around her.

"We find quite the haul boss. Plenty of women to sell and plenty of treasure for the taking."

Draco was silent for a moment moments as the men piled into the wagon around her. He shook the reins for a moment to get the horses underway before speaking.

"Then you better hope we got a pretty good haul this time around. We aren't going back."

"Why not boss?"

One of the men groaned with disappointed as he answered.

"Stealing from a temple brings bad luck. You guys better hope nothing bad happens. This is the only time."

He whipped the reins again, getting the horses to go faster. They had at least a couple days of travel ahead of them, which he wanted to cover quickly enough.

 

[SandS13]

Their cheers and celebration seemed loud despite the bag on her head. Selakir knew it meant they did not fear being found or caught. She felt her stomach drop.

No one was going to help her. Despite the goddess' reassurance she still didn't feel strong or sure about him or the situation the goddess had presented.

She could hear the bags hitting the wagon near her. The wood creaked and rocked as they climbed in. Selakir felt their presence as they took their places. It seemed like there were just so many of them. She hung her head and tried to be as small and unobtrusive as possible.

Her head moved a little, turning in the direction of the talking as the leader, the one who stole her stated they would not be coming back here. He stated that stealing from temples brings bad luck. It confused her that he would be so superstitious and yet stole a priestess.

She could help but wonder if he had any idea what the gods seemed to have in store for him. She wasn't entirely sure but if what the goddess said was true their very existence was in jeopardy and he was supposed to save them.

Selakir realized she hadn't really gotten a look at him. The kidnapping had been so quick. This thought caused a fluttering of fear to start in her stomach.

The journey felt long though she had no real way to tell the passage of time or distance. After a little while her head bobbed as Selakir fought her tired body's desire for rest. Her arms were bound and there was no comfort in the way she was sitting. She fought it as best she could though. Her stomach gurgled and rumbled at one point early on. She had not broken her fast when she was taken and she had been awake a fair amount of time in the temple. Her natural rhythms were off.

Selakir moved her lips against the gag. They were dry and the bind was chafing at the corners of her mouth. She slumped, feeling defeated.

 

[JadeKnight]

They had continued on for a little bit before the cart finally came to a stop in the shade of a large tree. The men were talking among themselves as they broke out some bread and water for them to eat.

Draco laid the reins down as he moved to the back of the cart. He had one of the men scoot over so he could sit beside Selakir. He pulled the bag from over the head, giving her a moment to get readjusted to the light. He pulled the gag from her mouth carefully before placing a piece of bread in one hand and a small mug of water in the other.

"Here, I am sure you are hungry and thirsty. These should hold you for a bit."

"Hey boss, when do we get a turn?"

Draco scowled as he looked at the young man, barely into adulthood. This was his first raid, so Draco wasn't too fond of him. Draco normally preferred the more experienced raiders on his raids, but he had decided to make an exception this time.

"You will not touch one hair on her. She is mine."

The young man pouted for a moment, obviously not liking the answer. The other men tried to scoot away as much as the small cart would allow, Draco's scowl deepening.

"Aw, come on boss."

Draco stood up and kicked the young man in the chest, knocking him down into the pile of bags. Some them burst open, the treasure spilling out as the young man groaned and rubbed his chest in pain.

 

[SandS13]

The wagon lurched to a stop. Selakir did her best to remain seated as it did. She moved her head a little from side to side as if trying to look but she was really focusing on listening, trying to get her bearings and a sense of the situation. She didn't know anything about these men other than one, the leader it seemed, had taken her.

That wasn't entirely true. She also knew that the gods needed this man. That however was not at the forefront of her mind. Survival was.

There was movement to her side and Selakir tensed. She could hear the men chatting and what sounded like eating. Her stomach painfully reminded her that she too was hungry.

The cover was removed from her head. Her hair was a mess, covering her face. Selakir recoiled and blinked against the sudden change in light. Her head turned and her eyes slowly focused on the men and in particular, the one beside her.

The blue eyed, black haired elf stared wide eyed at her captor. He did something she had not expected. Her gag was removed and she was given bread and water. No sooner were they in her hands than one of the men, a young one at that, commented about having a 'turn'. Selakir instinctively recoiled. Her body moved towards the man beside her as she tried to move away from the one who commented.

His voice was in her ear as he commented that she was his. She felt the blood leave her face. His. Yes that goddess had told her that he would come. Yes she had to convince him that he would be the hero that would save the gods and the world but that was not the same as being....his.

Selakir bit her lower lip to keep from crying. She moved away from him once more. A part of her knew it had been instinct that drove her that tiny bit closer to him but she was so scared that she wished she hadn't.

The man got up. Others around the wagon had already moved as if knowing what was coming. Selakir did not know and she watched as he kicked the young man. She stifled a yelp. This was the hero of the gods? This man who commanded fear from his men? A hero needed respect and leadership, not fear and violence. Or at least they did in her mind.

Selakir didn't think about the treasure. She knew where it had come from. She didn't think about how the others would wake to find destruction, missing items and her, gone. Did they know it was a raid and not that she had stolen the things and fled? It was a lot, more than one elf could carry alone but that didn't mean they would not consider that possibility.

'Peace...strength...patience...' The goddess' voice in her ear.

Selakir closed her eyes a moment. When she opened them she looked downwards and took a sip of water. She was afraid more violence would break out.

 

[JadeKnight]

Draco sat back down beside the priestess, his face softening as he watched her eat and drink. He didn't say anything, just made sure that she was taken care of. After all, he wasn't cruel enough to make her go without food or water. It was actually rare that he did something like he had, but he knew that sometimes he had to make sure his rules were followed.

Once everyone had eaten, he climbed back into the front seat. They were off at a good clip, but it wasn't anything too much. The men talked among themselves as they rode down the road, speaking of what they planned to do when they got back.

They didn't stop at all over the next two days, keeping a steady pace. Draco gave her food and water when the rest of them ate, sitting beside her when it was his turn to take a break. They took turn on the driving of the cart, or leaning against each other when they slept. He didn't touch her, but he studied her thoughtfully from time to time, admiring her beauty.

 

[SandS13]

Selakir ate slowly, sipping the water after every bite. He sat back down next to her. She was very aware that he was watching her. She kept her eyes down. She was fearful that she might do something to incur his wrath.

Over the next two days he was almost...kind to her. She was confused and a little worried that it was a ruse of some kind. The goddess spoke to her over those days as well, reassuring the woman and telling her to be strong and patient.

He didn't touch her. He sat next to her but other than giving her food and water, he did nothing to her.

For her part, Selakir used the journey to observe the men and in particular the man who had taken her. He was red haired. His face was lean and long. His ears seemed slightly longer than her own. He was muscular. From what she could tell he was a man used to work. Selakir blushed a little as she looked at him. He was handsome if she had to admit it to herself. The two things that surprised her were the horns and the wings.

The wings explained the flight. Selakir replayed the moment in which he took her and the way the wind rushed over her. It was him, the wings. She tried to wrap her mind around the concept. she had been sheltered since her childhood. She had only known elves, she had been a part of the temple since her very early years. She had never travelled and many didn't come to them who were not elves.

Horns. wings. Eyes....so green and almost shining it seemed.

Selakir tried to be calm but there was an underlying current of fear. He didn't know about the gods, the darkness. He didn't take her because of that, no he took her for other reasons.

By the second day Selakir wanted nothing more than to stand, walk around and to bathe. She found the courage to speak to him. He handed her bread and water.

Selakir slowly looked at this face, her voice soft. "Thank you. Where are you taking me?"

 

[JadeKnight]

He gave her a little smile when she finally decided to speak. Not that he really blamed her, being abducted into a strange new world. He sat beside her as he watched her eat.

"We are heading back to where my band and I live. We are but a small part in a much bigger community. However, you will be dropped off at my home first. There is no need for you to go to see the boss."

He reached up for a moment to brush some of her hair from her face, watching her for a little longer. It wasn't long before he had to take over the driver's seat once more.

 

[SandS13]

Selakir held her breath as he finally spoke to her. He was actually gentler in nature than her first impression of him had been. Given that her opinion had been formed from being kidnapped and then watching him kick a man...

But he had hit the man after he complained about not being able to do, well she didn’t want to imagine what he wanted to do. Then there had been the food and the fact that he had not laid a finger on her.

She wasn’t sure what to think of him. Kidnapped yes but the goddess said this man was to be a hero and Selakir had to be with him. So kidnapped with a higher purpose it would seem. That idea was a strange concept to wrap her head around.

“Your home?” He brushed hair from her face, an action she might have thought was endearing if there was not still an under current of fear. Then, the man was gone again to drive the cart.

Selakir hung her head and tried to rest. She was exhausted and felt gritty. She was sore for sitting as she was and of course, from subconsciously trying to make herself as small as possible. When one is trapped one tries to be unnoticed. She wanted the men to ignore her prescience for her sake and theirs.

His home. His home....her place was to be with him. She was to stay with him.

 

[JadeKnight]

It wasn't much longer before they came upon a small manor. Once the carriage was stopped, He hopped out first. There was a small bell by the gate, which he rang for a moment. It wasn't long before the gate opened and a young woman's head peered out. Seeing Draco standing there, she stepped out quickly and curstied. He smiled and nodded before pointing at the priestess.

"Help her down and clean her up Claire. Have her presentable by the time I return."

The young woman bowed her head before helping Selakir down. Draco also handed a bag of the treasure to Claire.

"I'll be back by nightfall."

With that, he gave a little nod to Selakir before climbing back onto the cart and was soon down the road out of sight.

 

[SandS13]

They stopped. The men in the back were restless. Selakir wondered if they were taking a break of some kind. She tried to moved her shoulders a little, to ease the tense muscles. Days of sitting and little rest had left her sore and stiff.

She heard the sound of a bell. Selakir frowned. Were they in the community he spoke of? She heard him, saw him point at her. Her frown deepened. A young woman came and helped her out of the cart. She was slow moving due to her stiff body and apprehensive about the situation.

Her nightgown was covered in dust and dirt. Her hair was knotted in places. Selakir felt as if every inch of her was covered in the dust of the road. The man nodded to her and the cart was gone.

Wide eyed, the elf looked at the woman. "Where am I?" Selakir looked around. Her eyes fell on the manor house. When he said he was taking her to his home she imagined a hut, a small stone house maybe but not the manor that laid before her.

"This is his home?" Her confusion was quite apparent in her voice. "Who is he?"

 

[JadeKnight]

The young woman smiled a little at the priestess's question.

"That's just Draco. He's my father's right hand, so to speak. Come one, let's get you cleaned up."

Truthfully, the whole thing was a illusion that he had cast himself to make things look better than they were. In reality, the whole place was one big ruin. It was just masked by by some magical symbols that he had placed around the ruins himself. He had kept his magic to himself, so everyone else thought what they saw was real.

She was led to the small tower to the left of the house, the stout wooden door opening easily. Amazingly enough, much like the outside, magic was used to make it to be so much bigger than the outside. It was a large bathing area, wooden planks serving as flooring. A large stone tub filled with hot water was in the center of the room. There were several windows that let in the natural light.

Normally, this would be something that ordinary folk would question, but a spell was in place to make most people think this was ordinary. The young woman moved to kneel beside the tub, picking up a washcloth and soap.

"The water should feel nice after that long ride."

 

[SandS13]

Selakir was very confused. She followed but the woman's answer didn't really help. She had a name so she could say it was more than had known before.

In the house, Selakir looked around. She still followed the woman but took in her surroundings as best she could. It was not at all what she expected.

She was reluctant to undress in front of the woman but she also looked at the bath with such longing that the emotions warred within her. Selakir turned her back to the woman and slipped her nightgown over her head. She covered her breasts and climbed into the tub quickly.

"Your father? His right hand? What is your name? Does this place have a name?"

The water was hot and did indeed feel nice on her weary body. Selakir thought about the journey and her eyes began to tear up.

The wind blew threw the room and on it the voice of the goddess reached her ears.

'It is good little one, gentle one...rest now. There is much work and hardship to come.'

Selakir sunk into the water, her hair moving about her like inky tendrils. "Is he a cruel man?" She looked to the woman. So many questions waiting for answers. Fear and worry were clear in the elf's eyes.

 

[JadeKnight]

The woman was quiet for a few moments as she waited on the priestess to get in the water.

"My father is Darrius Kolan, head of the Blood Mongers. Draco just leads his own little band in the clan called The Black Crows."

She moved the washcloth over the priestess's body carefully, trying her best to get her clean.

"No, Draco isn't a cruel man. He's gotten the reputation of being the bandit with a heart in the clan. He does have a temper sometimes, but he tries not to take it out on anyone if he can help it."

Setting the washcloth aside, the woman picked up some shampoo, carefully getting Selakir's hair clean as well.

"Oh, this is the countryside of Macedonia. I think you'll like it here."

 

[SandS13]

She let the woman wash her. Selakir was shy and unsure but between the kidnapping, travel and hot water she was too weary to fight it. She listened to the woman as she described Draco and this place, the clan.

Her hair was washed and Selakir could feel herself getting drowsy with the relaxing action. “What will he do with me?”

Her voice was sleepy and she leaned back in the water to rinse her hair completely. She was drained. The small cat naps in the cart had done little to help her fatigue. The constant worry about the other men, even though she was sure they would not touch her. Then there was her kidnapper and the man who didn’t or know he was to be a hero. Selakit has not yet worked out how she was supposed to explain the goddess and the vision too him.

‘Sleep little one. The time will come. The darkness will show itself and you will help him to know his calling. For now sleep.’

Selakir turned in the water to look at the woman. “May I rest? I did not sleep much in the journey.”

 

[JadeKnight]

The young woman smiled and shook her head for a moment at the priestess's quetion.

"That's something you will have to ask him yourself."

She finished rinsing out the washcloth in the water when Selakir asked about sleeping. This brought a giggle to the young woman for a moment.

"Of course silly. But the tub isn't the best place to sleep. You'll drown."

She helped the priestess out of the water, drying her off. She helped the priestess get dressed into a clean white nightgown before helping her to the main house. Much like the tower, the inside of the house was set to be much bigger on the inside. There was a momentary tour of the ground floor, a large kitchen, dining room and a sitting area. There was only one bedroom upstairs, where the priestess was taken to.

The bedroom was large, a queen size bed in the center of the room. It was covered with red silk sheets and a soft red comforter on top. Helping the priestess into bed, the young woman bade her a good night.

Draco returned to the hours as evening set in, pulling up in a horse driven cart himself. The young woman took the cart for herself, heading back to her father. She had told him that Selakir was asleep, so he decided to wait for her downstairs. He had a roaring fire going in the fireplace in the sitting room.

 

[SandS13]

A tired Selakir let the woman dry her off and only meekly attempting to hide her nakedness. A new, far cleaner white nightgown was pulled over her body. Selakir brushed her fingers through her hair to rid it of all the knots that had formed. It was clean and soft now.

She followed the woman up into the tower. The bed was larger than any she had ever slept in. The sheets were a deep red. Selakir's eyes were wide as she looked at it. It was luxurious. This was not what she was used to. The woman helped her to bed and after bidding her a good night left.

Sleep found the weary elf quickly and deeply.
-----
She woke with a start. The smells and sounds of the room were unfamiliar. Her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. It was late evening outside. How long had she been a sleep for? Her heart was pounding in her chest. Selakir pulled the blankets around herself and she tried to calm her fears and get her bearings.

Slowly she slipped out of the bed. It seemed that she was alone. Her stomach rumbled a little and Selakir decided to see if she could find the young woman again.

She moved down the stairs and back the way the woman had taken her. There was no sign of her but as she drew close to the sitting room she found the light of a fire and the sound of crackling flames. Selakir wrapped her arms about herself and entered the room, moving towards the fire. It did not take long for her to register another's presence. She froze.

"I am sorry. I was just look-" She looked down at her feet.

An unseen hand rested on her shoulder, giving her strength. Her eyes lifted to look at him. "I am Selakir, priestess of Maleara. Why did you bring me here?"

 

[JadeKnight]

He had expected her to sleep through the night, so her presence of being up was a little surprise to him. When she came down to investigate, he was sitting on the couch a few feet from the fire. A large black bear fur rug was taking up most of the floor between the couch and fire.

He did look up when he heard her coming downstairs and stood up. He gave a little chuckle as she looked up at him with her question.

"I would think it was obvious what I was wanting."

He lifted a hand up for a moment, his fingers gliding gently underneath her chin for a moment.

"When I first grabbed you, I had planned to sell you or something. However, looking into your eyes, I see you are something special. Someone I couldn't just throw away and needed to keep for myself."

He paused for a moment before moving his fingers to her shoulders, pushing the straps of the nightgown off to the nightgown pooled on the floor to leave her naked before him.

 

[SandS13]

Selakir was very still as he approached. There was something about his voice that caused goosebumps to form on her skin. She thought at first that maybe he knew about the darkness, about the god's plan but the way he spoke pushed that from her mind.

No. The darkness and the gods were not on his mind.

She didn't react at first. No one had undressed her before and it took a bit for her brain to catch up with what was happening. Selakir was naked now. The nightgown was at her feet. She instinctively covered her breasts with one arm and her sex with the other hand. She was pale in the fire light. Narrow waist and softly curved hips. She had the body of a woman not used to hard labour. Soft and supple.

"I-" Feared still her tongue. Perhaps he just wanted to looked....

'Be strong little one. You need to bond with him, to be his. You must become his, without you he will fail.'

The goddess' voice was little comfort to her.

"Please." A whisper. Selakir looked down. "I have never..."