@visualspice ( I hope this works? Let me know if I took too many liberties!)
It had been a few weeks since she'd parted ways with the God of War.
Sunniva had returned to the nearest church, been cleaned, washed and given a new robe. A new blindfold. Time for prayer. Time to reconnect with Ansgar after being in the middle of a warzone - a place she really should have never been. There had been rumours floating about Krah Mordeth going on trial for the very things she pleaded his case for and she'd begged and pleaded to go.
Amazingly, they didn't find it suspicious when she'd had a vision. A vision of Krah becoming a new man. One who wasn't so bloodcrazed. One who could help instead of cause more problems. Instead of hinder.
It was a lie. Sunniva had seen no such vision, but as the most 'blessed' at that particular church and cursed with a strange sickness - that she used to gain their pity - she was allowed to go. Spoke and wove tales about the vision. The blessing of Ansgar. He wouldn't want Krah dead, a blessed Mordecai that he was. There was still time for him to learn. She could take him. She
would take him. A pilgrimage. Sunniva wasn't really thinking about her intentions.
Mostly she felt like she owed him something.
Her wounds healed decently, most of them being superficial and skin deep. Or meat deep in the case of her thigh and it angered her that every time she touched it she thought of him.
No doubt, if she hadn't woven her tale he'd be hung.
They were probably waiting for them to go off and for him to kill her. Perhaps for her to falter in her lie but there was no tremble in her voice when she explained this vision of his turn around. Of being a great leader. Of not reveling in the bloodshed. Could he be? Sunniva supposed he could be a good leader but ... There was too much ego.
Still, there were two horses, saddled up for the 'pilgrimage' to the various churches going along the country side. Holy sites to pray at. Ask forgiveness to. Sunniva swallowed thickly, pressing a hand to her chest while she fought the wave of nausea morning had been giving to her the past week but she did her best to remain stoic, hand sliding down to her thigh and she frowned when she touched the tender spot on her leg.
He was to be delivered to
here at sunrise. The horses were generously provided by the duchy because in the long run... A violent war crazed man was more useful alive than he was dead and if they could find a reason to keep him in the war to any degree it would be a good one.
As long as he was on their side at least.
So, impatiently, Sunniva waited, looking a vision in her white robe, hood pulled up. Her tumble of wavy red hair looking like gold in the morning sun and occasionally scratching the horses on the nose when they nosed her for pets.
There would be two choices. Go with the Sister on pilgrimage or Hang.
After the whole ordeal of bridges collapsing and the opposing army tearing down half the villages outside of Reajh; it was perhaps good fortune the Grand Duke's men had persevered; though no one rightly thanked General Mordeth for anymore help than he had given. Him being in chains just moments before was not forgotten and as he was rechained and thrown into a piss-smelling cell-
He began to wonder if hanging wasn't what they all cared about. And here he was hoping they would still praise him and fuel him with more propaganda of blood shed.
Though he couldn't help but recall a vision from a long time ago; one about his ego-a nd one about his disgrace. Certainly, he believed it meant that one moment of weakness in his youth so long ago- one where he actually had some care towards the foolish death of another. Here, however, he began to wonder back to that time in his life...
And what he wouldn't give to have another good fuck before he was hung. That's all life seemed good for anymore. So he was surprised that, by this time he was dragged out from his cell; his face a mess of dirt and hair as he was placed between two choices-
The hangman's noose, which he had already come to expect...
But the other...
He couldn't help but stare at the red haired rider for a long time. They wanted him to do what? To go on a pilgrimage?
"What kind of crock of shit is that? Our God is a God who craves war. What good is a man who holds a blade if he can't use it to cut down and make his enemies suffer and bleed?"
If Sunniva had eyes to roll she'd have done it. As it was, hearing his voice made her heart flutter and her stomach drop. A bit of rage burned in chest and she wanted to toss a rock at him.
"We must atone for our sins," she claimed, "you're given two options. Come with me and finish the journey a free man or die a rat. Today. No one will remember you for anything but being a fiend and deserter if you're hanged today."
Had any others present said anything, they were ignored as Krah had eyes only on the blind woman.
"And what sins do you want to atone with me?" he asked, daring to take a step near her.
"My sin is wrath. Craving revenge." She frowned at him, backing the horse up, "destroying a bridge." Sunniva gave her head a shake, "i'm giving you an opportunity to start anew." Her voice got quiet, "my other sin is greed. You have more to offer the world than a drunk murderer," maybe. Pronanly not. "I dont want you to die, i'd like you to come with me."
"Is this a threat or a promise?" he asked, smirk dangerous and the men still confining him pulled at his chains. "You say I have to atone for those things... Why? I'm a fucking General-" He grunted, feeling the men struggle to hold him. "I obey the law and my sword."
Though perhaps more his own sword than the law.
Why couldn't he get it through is thick skull that...!
Sunniva tried not to sigh.
It took a great deal of effort.
"Come with me," Her voice was clipped, "Or die. Those are your options, Krah. I had to pull every single string within my reach to get you the first option," She sneered though quickly enough she just looked irritated. And tired. "Just... Please. Make your choice."
"Well now that you put it like that," he went on with a crooked grin. "You should have said that first. I'd rather follow the fucking hot ginger girl than hang." And he grinned up at her blind face. "That's what you wanted? For me to make a choice. Well I've made it. I'm all yours."
There was no relief.
Which was odd. Sunniva had worked for weeks to get him some sort of plea bargain. He didn't deserve it. God know he didn't but... He'd saved her. There was a driving need to pay him back and... No. Sunniva was selfish.
Krah was lucky for it, maybe.
"Good," She turned her head to the guards, "Let him up on the second horse and then give me the chains, we're leaving immediately." And she nudged her own forward, then she paused, "Everyone is to be notified that if he's seen without me he's to be killed on sight. The word should travel as quickly as we do," Sunniva sighed and wished she had eyes.
Simply to roll them. Regret filled her now that she was in his presence again. A quiet little reminder that ... She wasn't very fond of Krah at all.
He didn't need help getting on his offered horse, but was already claiming it as his own. Once he was saddled, he continued to hold his arrogance.
"Lead the way, my mistress."
Sunniva nodded and gave the horse a nudge.
"We're not going to be riding too long, just far enough away from here to get supplies and..." She wrinkled her nose, "You bathed and presentable looking." She paused, "Is that acceptable?"
"Only if we share a bath," came his response without skipping a beat.
"Fine," She snapped back, "Anything to get you bathed, You smell awful." Sunniva tilted her head up, "I'll ever wash your hair for you." And the pace was an even one, the sights not too amazing, and it didn't take very long for them to get to the town, the journey silent. Sunniva borrowed the sight of various people to make the right turns to the stables and she guided Krah's horse with her, removing herself from the beast of burden and standing, fixing her clothing but not before resting against a post and doing her best to catch her breath and not succumb to the dizzy spell.
His name was a pleading little gasp from her lips before her legs crumpled under her, cheeks flushed and clammy, and despite her eyes always being closed it was clear she had fainted.
Although the journey wasn't a long one, it was filled with an eyeful of the red woman's ass, and comments about how good and tight she was to fuck- and will be to pleasure once they were both finally without clothes (or even with clothes, not that he cared!)
He was quick to dismount, not paying much attention to his charge, though a squeak of his name had him turning, just in time to watch her crumple to the ground.
Barely managing to catch her, he skinned his knee good on that one, but held her limp form with some concern.
"What the Hell... Hey, Blind Lily... What the fuck..." And he gave her another shake.
Sunniva was aware not long after, in warm arms with a strange voice cursing. A gentle frown and she snuggled into the arms before she jerked up, swooning ever so gently.
"Im sorry," she groaned out, shifting away, rolling away onto her hands and knees, holding at thee wood of a stall. A shiver, flushed, tired. Sunniva swallowed thickly, frowning. What was wrong with her?
"Ive been sick sometimes." She confessed, grabbing at her horse for her bag, "come along," she steeled herself, "we've a room to get and a bath to make you use."
Krah watched her, face crooked as he frowned.
"Sick for some time?"
So she was blind and compromised? What the hell. Did the church just accept any broad with adharaism?
Sunniva shook her head.
"It comes and goes. Only for a week or two," she pressed a hand to her face and sighed, "im not sure if its worse or better than the sniffles. At least i feel decent in the afternoons" Sunniva tried to smile and nodded towards the stable door, "come along," she rolled her shoulders, "you smell awful."
Krah naturally interpreted it as she got sick every few weeks, but what ought he to care? Then again, he was supposed to be in her care. And though he knew he could easily over power her... the fact she could swoon so easily and fall into this state? It just made the situation all the more pathetic.
"I can't say many inmates would smell pretty after a long rot in jail," he bit back, but followed after her anyway.
"Exactly. Why do you think we're stopping here instead of carrying on?" Sunniva tossed her hair over her shoulder and drew her fingers along the wall. She'd been here earlier. Secured them a room with specifics. Two beds. A bath for after they arrived.
It was easy enough to borrow the sight of others and guide Krah to the room. Her bag - which held a change of clothes and some soap - was dropped beside a modest bed, closest to the window before she sat on it and sighed. "The bath should arrive soon, then you can wash up, we can get some rest and be off bright and early," she smiled before leaning back, head tilted back. Though, she paused, "erm... what part of the day is it?"
"What part of the day do you want it to be?" he asked with a crooked grin.
Sunniva frowned slightly. Then stuck out her tongue, "late afternoon," she answered truthfully, "so we can clean up, eat and then go to sleep early."
"And if I told you it was morning?" came his jest of a reply. Even though he was haggard, he still had the energy (and gall) to one up her.
Sunnica frowned at him, or at where his voice was coming from. "I know how time works and even though you smell awful it doesnt... Smell like morning. So!" She traced her fingers along the furniture in the room before sitting on a bed, and folding her arms "I'd call you a liar and tell you to take your bath and go to sleep."
"And you honestly think you could make me do whatever you please?"
It was a challenge, but one he might consider if the context were.. more appealing.
Sunniva sighed, slinking back on the bed to rest against the wall, hands redting on her thighs. Her mouth opened the same time someone knocked on the door and there was a metal tub and a few people to pour heated water into it. Sunniva kept silent for the time she they were in and she only spoke again when the door was closed.
"No, youre a grown man who is indeed very stubbornal but," she smiled and got comfortable, "now, take your bath please. Then we can go eat."
"You made a promise." He approached her, a hand sliding up her arm. "Why don't you let me get you undressed?" And his fingers were already fondling over her straps.
Sunniva smacked at his hands, "I promised nothing," right? "I only said that to get you moving," still, his hand on her - even so innocent a place as her arm, sent fired to her core and a flush to her cheeks. She turned her head away, frowning, "i'll still wash your hair?"
He moved, fingers now pulling at the ties of her dress.
"How about I wash you out?" he went on, lips moving near to her neck. "Inside.." He gave her another kiss. "And out."
Sunniva frowned and leaned away, "i didnt save you because i wanted you in my bed," her hands smacked at his again in a fitile attempt to make him stop, the kiss made her shiver and more heat flooded her system. "So ... please just..." she waved her hand towards the steaming bath, frowning.
"And if I bathe... Wouldn't you just soil me again?" he countered, a strong hand finding her thigh, then moving to slip up her leg, to the hidden heat beneath her skirt.
Sunniva froze, heart pounding so hard she felt dizzy. A gentle futile shake of her head, "Please," and despite her words she rolled her hips against his hand, hands finding his neck to cling, "this isnt what i saved you for," she breathed out, hating herself for being so weak.
Sunniva swallowed thickly, shifting again to pull herself farther away, slinking to the other side of the bed and sliding off. "I wouldnt want to soil you any further," she cleared her throat, "get in the damn bathtub and stop trying to.. to..." she stopped talking, simply blushed and hung her head down.
She should have been expecting this. Why hadnt she thought ahead?
He licked his fingers.
"Trying to what? Fuck you..?" he went on, approaching her as he worked at his pants. SHe'd hear the belt being tossed aside first, then his pants dropping to the ground.
"Yes. That. Im a Lily. We're not supposed to," she cleared her throat and turned around at the sound of his pants, frowning ever so slightly when she found herself trying to imagine what he looked like. Still turned towards the wall, she pressed her hand against it and sighed, thinking the sound of his pants was him getting ready to use the bath.
She'd hear other clothing fall to the floor, before quiet, but strong foot falls draw near. A hand moved to her thigh, lips on her exposed skin.
A soft gasp and she turned her head, mouth drawn closed. "Krah," Sunniva sighed, "why are you doing this?" Her voice was soft, confused, her hand moved to his on her thigh and she gently tried pushing it away, even though that was the opppsite of what she wanted to do.
"You know very well why," came the husky growl of his voice. And soon his face was inbetween her legs, teeth nibbling at the sides of her undergarments while his hands hungrily crept towards her hips.
Sunniva gasped, one hand on his head, fingers in his hair and the other pressing against his chest. They were futile attempts to make him stop, but felt her knees tremble anyway and she leaned against the wall, flushed, heart pounding. "What are you doing?" Her voice was breathy and confused, "please dont bite me."
"I won't.." he growled, moving a large hand to move aside the clothe in his way, before his lips kissed roughly at her sex, while his bristly beard scratched at the insides of her legs.
Sunniva squealed, shifting slightly and shifting her legs to keep the inside of her thighs from his bristly beard. Her hand went to his hair and her breath hitched, a soft gasp. "What are you doing?" She gasped out, knees starting to buckle, alarmed at how heated she was getting.
She'd know what he was doing soon enough, for his tongue shoved into her sex and he began to gobble her up.
Sunniva's knees buckled with a heated moan, her face pressed to the wall and she rolled her hips against him. This was a thing people did? Her fingers dug into his hair, pressing him closer to her core. "I cant stand if you do that," she gasped out, clawing at her dress. It was so warm. Was it this warm before?
"There's no need to stand," he groaned against her, licking his lips, then her clit, which he nibble on lightly before pressing heated kisses against it. And then his tongue lapped her, and made entry again.
Taking his words to heart she sunk down, fingers working at the ties on her dress, flushed, heated. Panting, half naked, she was laying on the floor, needy and eager. His name was a greedy whisper and she spread her legs wantonly for him, "don't stop, oh God," her were pressed to the back of his head, fingers fisted in his hair.
He wasn't about to stop. He was already nose deep, breathing in her smells, tongue lapping into her taste. She was so warm, so delicious. Soon his large hands grabbed her by the ass, smashing her against his face as he feasted from her with a savage tongue. And he worked into her deeper, swifter and using all of the angles a tongue had an advantage of.
Oh he'd have this Lily not only weep.. but sing from pleasure.
Sunniva gave a soft cry of surprise, breath hitching. She worked at the ties of her clothing, feeling too clothed, too confined, too hot. Why was this a thing? Once she was sufficiently undressed, her clothing pushed into a pile above her head, hair a red mess, the sheer chemise the only article of clothing left she had on.
"Ah!" Was a little squeak, back arching, breasts bouncing. Luckily for Krah, Sunniva had a lovely singing voice because it wasn't long before she was giving cries of pleasure unable to hold them back. There was no existence without a foot radius of them, her fingers dug into his hair, and she ground herself up against him, seeking more of the sinful pleasure.
"No," she panted, "You- ah- you have to stop," she was simply stating rules, she didn't want him to, "I'm a Lily," another panting sob, another grind of her hips, "I can't do this. Oh god. Please, I'm going to --" She choked on the words before she came with a sharp cry, back arched, legs spread wantonly, hands having moved from his head to squeeze her breasts, nipples hard little beads between her fingers, while aftershocks kept her twitching on the floor.
This was absolutely not what she'd saved him for.
Perhaps one day she'd be able to appreciate the side benefit of it though.
For now though, she could remain panting on the ground.
He pulled away, his hulking form a hot shadow over her's. He didn't give her a chance for a reprieve as he licked his lips and stole a heated kiss. She'd be able to taste herself on his lips, and he even slipped in a bit of tongue, before lapping his way down her neck to where he positioned himself over top of her, dick prodding her soaking entry before he devoured her breasts in a mouthful and slipped his dick into her all the way to the hilt.
His eyes rolled back at the overwhelming pleasure of his entry. He filled her up completely, his girth some women sang was like that of a horse. The Gods did truly bless him, and he truly wanted to use it to make this angel sing.
As he moved, it was nothing short of quick little bucks like an animal might as he was tasting her and building up his need. He growled and lapped his tongue around her nipples, sucking on them and tasting them in a frenzy as his hips built up speed.
Then he grabbed a fist full of her hair and yanked her face close, smashing his lips against her's and demanding in a growl, "Tell me why I can't fuck you." And his dark eyes looked into her's as their foreheads were pressed, his eyes half lidded, and his gaze, lusty.
The kiss caught her off guard and she moaned into it, finding herself growing even wetter at the taste of herself on his tongue. Tremors were still running through her and then she was full. A heated cry, a moment of going tense, head tilted back, mouth drawn tight. Her breath was heated little pants and her hands were on his shoulders, wanting to push him away for being just a little too big for her and pulling him back.
His mouth at her breasts sent her into a feverish desire and she rocked her hips against his, fingers digging into his flesh.
This wasn't a bath!
but her desire and her heat made her forget everything but the strange man above her.
His hand in her hair made her yelp and she arched her back and rolled hips, gasping at each little movement because she could feel everything. "You-" a little pant after kissing him back for all she was worth, " I can't," Her hand went to his cheek, thumb trailing over his jaw before she pulled him in for another kiss, "I belong to the church, I'm the churches. This is--" Sunniva swallowed thickly, turning her head away slightly at the pleasure, "this is wrong. I'm not supposed to feel like this," She panted out, curling her arms around his neck to cling while pleasure overwhelmed her, "You're supposed to be having a bath," she finally whined out, shuddering and twitching around him.
His powerful arms held her like a vice, which hardened the muscles to let her feel his true, raw power. He was unrelenting in his claim of her, her words only eliciting a delighted growl as his lips moved to her neck and throat, beard scratching roughly, painfully at her skin.
His hands then moved lower, gripping her ass tightly and forcing her body to be as close to his as it could, his entire length filling her to capacity, as he grunted and growled like an animal, takign teeth to her flesh and biting with enough force to leave a mark, and a short, sharp bit of pain.
"In this moment you belong to no one," he growled, mouth claiming her left breast. "No one.." he went on, lips now to hers with a hungered fever. "Except for me."
What was he doing to her? Some great seducer. Sunniva clung to him tightly, pleasure drawing her belly tight. Her legs curled around his torso and her fingers dug into his back, nails no doubt biting flesh.
The bite, the jolt of pain started the first wave of pleasure and she gasped sharply, bucking her hips. "More," she gasped, the pain adding to the pleasure. The heat grew and she felt a wave of wetness between her legs, tightened around him like vice.
"I... I dont want to..." a tip of her head and a heated moan, her hair a red curtain. "Make me yours," she finally growled out, "please. Not the churches. Mark me," she bit his shoulder and bucked her hips feverishly, "I need it."
Her begging elicited an animalistic side of him that made him grab all of her long, thick red hair into a fist, and he jerked her head into that firm grip and looked her square in the eyes.
"You are mine," he snarled, fucking into her in sudden, sharp thrusts. "The God of War claims you," and his lips smashed hungrily against her's.
He moved over her now, pinning her against the wall, so that the hard stone scraped at her flesh and each thrust he made brought her immense pain. But the pleasure, he knew, was only amplifying, and his short, sharp thrusts were growing more needy, his breath, coming out in garbled wheezes mingled with growls of his growing frustration and need.
"Revoke your vows for me," he commanded, a powerful hand now moving to pull her face so their eyes were square as he worked over her. "Pledge your body, for all it's worth, to the God of War who fucks you now."
Like a bubble pops Sunniva's heated tryst with Krah had her hesrt racing for other reasons. Everyting still felt so good, her body still craved it. His words though. Sunniva turned her head away, flushed and panting. Each movement dragged out a moan.
"We have to stop," she whined, breath heated, "we're not suppsed to." Panic had her heart racing, "what if i get caught?" Still though, going so long without had her rolling and rocking her hips regardless of her words. "Youre no God, i can't, I can't," and she pitched her head against the wall and wailed her pleasure to the ceiling, legs tight around his waist, holding him deep inside her while her orgasm rocked through her core.
She wasn't the only one who peaked. When she began to writhe in her pleasure, he grabbed her by her hips and rammed into her deep, then deeper still until he was riding off of her climax and crying out as he shuddered over her form, filling her with his thick hot seed.
Panting now, he remained poised above her, still dizzy from his lust. He looked down at her face, then pulled away, dick still hard and shining with her wetness.
"No God?" he barked a laugh. "I'm sure you just saw heaven." He scoffed. "No God."
He approached her, and grabbed her by her hair.
"Do you forget just who I am?" he asked her, looking her wildly in the eyes.
Sunniva pushed him away slightly.
"Get off of me," she panted out, trembling, "i didnt... this isnt what i wanted. I just wanted to help you," her words were quiet and she moved her hands to grab for her clothes , "we cant do this again. Please."
He sneered.
"Who are you fooling, doll?" he asked her, staring her down. "I'm the fucking God of War."
He stepped closer to her, and pulled her into his strong arms.
"I want, I take, I conquer."
Sunniva's heart skipped a beat and her hands pressed to her chest. "I dont want to be a toy to a man that doesnt even know my name," she hissed, "unhand me. Please."
"You're name?" he laughed. "You're a Lily. Lily's don't have names," he told her cruelly.
It stung.
Sunniva ducked her head down, wincing at the feeling of his come leak from her. Still, the roughness of their coupling sent shivers to her core and she moved her hands to cover her breasts.
"I'm not a Lily anymore. Once im done here with you ill repent my sins. Be cast off as some harlot," she hissed.
"Oh?" His,laugh was gruff. "Why? So we can fuck, good and proper?" His eyes danced at the prospect, but he merely snorted and stepped into the bath.
He sighed when the waters reached his knee before he reclined. He then opened his eyes, the woman clearly in view.
"You're a fool. You should have let me hang. Half the country wants it anyway."
Sunniva ducked her head down, sliding down the wall to curl her arms around her legs and tuck her head on her knees. Where there had been heart hammering lust and heat was now a sense of dread. Loneliness. Emptiness. Her chest ached and she'd never felt quite so alone before, even when there was evidence, a painful throb of just how alone she hadn't been.
"No. No more... No more..." Sunniva swallowed, "Fucking. I'm trying to help you. I gave you the options. Either come with me or hang." She sighed, covering her face, for once she was glad she was blind. At least this way she couldn't watch him with the strange sense of heartbreak she felt.
Alone. Worthless. "Once I confess I'll be excommunicated. Acting little better than a whore. I deserve it," She mumbled to herself, moving to paw at the clothing she'd removed in haste and pulling the chemise back on before grabbing for the bed and curling on top of it, facing Krah but doing little other than laying on the bed.
Krah snorted.
"You know you're wasting your time being angry, especially since you know we'll fuck again."
"We're not," she snarled.
Right?
She pressed her hands to her face and curled her knees to her chest, "You... You can..." she swallowed, "Go use those women that cost money," She blushed brightly, almost rivaling her hair, "I can't see it. I'll just... Cover my ears." And feel awful because that could be her. Sunniva swallowed thickly and squeezed her legs together, trying to ignore the warmth between her legs at the idea of doing it again.
"You've ruined me," she barked at him, grabbing the closest thing - her cloak - and throwing it at him.
He simly laughed at her. And laughed and laughed. The cloak landed no where near him.
"I think I,will and I'll use your generous coin. And fuck my whores right next to you, so you can hear all the fun you're missing before youd naturally join in. " He paused and grinned like the devil. "Ever been in an orgy?"
"You can pay them with your charm," She snapped back, angry now, "You're not allowed. I was lying. You're to remain chaste for the rest of th-- Naturally join in?!" Sunniva sat up and turned to face him - mostly from habit instead of to look at him, for obvious reasons. "Naturally! Who... No! Nothing about this," she waved her hands at her lower area, "Is na.." she frowned, "Is natural for me. I... I lose myself when we... I'm not myself when..." Sunniva bit her lip and flopped back down, making an angry noise. Angry was a good mood to be in. Kept her from being aroused. "No. And I never plan on it."
Krah cackled.
"Is that a promise?" And he lifted up a foot, scrubbing at his toes.
Sunniva threw another article of clothing in his general direction and frowned when she heard it fall to the floor. "That I won't be part of an orgy? Yes, that's a promise," She sat up, frowning, to him she'd appear mostly naked still, the clothing she put on covered almost nothing. "You're a strange man, General," She breathed before flopping back down onto the bed.
"You know.." he went on, voice cocky as ever. "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep."
Another article of clothing - a stocking - went flying his way. "I assure you, thats a promise I intend on keeping. Really. An orgy." A wrinkle of her nose in disgust, "its bad enough we... you and I... its ... just take your bath!" And she took the pillow and covered her head, curled away from Krah, angry at herself and angry at him.
Krah had had his fun, and the grin he wore was a satisfactory one. She'd hear him moving in the waters, scrubbing away at his body with soft grunts of breath. After a time, the scrubbing turned to rinsing and eventually, she'd hear him step out of the water the same time there was a knock on the door.
Krah raked a towel through his hair and turned towards the door.
"Yeah?" But he didn't get a chance to even answer it, as the door was thrown open, and a man holding a cross bow shot Krah right in the chest.
Sunniva gave a startled scream, hands flying to her mouth.
She didnt have to see to know what happened.
Instantly she went to Krah, hand on his chest. "What's the meaning of this?!" She yelled, voice shrill. She let go of him, she could still see herself through the assailants eyes - practically naked, tousseled hair. Anger radiated as she stood in front of the wounded Krah. "Get him a doctor you heathen!"
But the heathen had other things in mind, as he gave the woman a dark smirk and aimed the next bolt at her. Krah barely had a chance to react, his hand snapping out and- the bolt went through his palm and stuck.
Another gasp and a jump.
"Why are you doing this!?" She yelled before surging forward to wrestle the crossbow away. Stupid. Stupid of her to think this monster could be reasoned with. "Someone help!" She cried, a hint of panic in her voice.
Krah growled. If he was pissed before, now he was down right furious. Grabbing Sunniva by the shoulder, he basically threw her aside and stormed forward, grabbing at the man's throat who had been scrambling to protect his crossbow from the holy wench.
And the confrontation was over and done with before Sunniva might even have realized Krah had finished it at all, for he had taken the man's cross bow after snapping the one stuck in his palm, shoved that clean into the other man's eyes before proceeding to bash in the man's scull until it was nothing but a puddle of red goo on the floor.
Sunniva tripped, landing hard on her side wtih a grunt of pain. Though she stood up quickly. The sounds were awful. "Stop it," she moved her hands to rest on his back, "Krah. Stop it. He's dead," her voice was shaky and she got on her knees, hands on his head before she wrapped her arms around his neck, "please. Please? Stop."
Krah stopped and threw the crossbow aside.
"Crossbows dead, too," he replied gruffly, and grunted as her weight applied too much pressure on his wound. He pushed her back, then fisted the bolt shaft before snapping it in two. Then he moved to rip some of his attackers clothing off, yanked out the bolt, and began to bandage himself up.
Sunniva was shaking like a leaf, lips thin. Maybe this was a lost cause. Maybe none of this would be worth it.
Who was she kidding. Of course it wasnt. She just wasnt willing to give up someone who made her feel like she was on fire to the very core of her being.
While her intentions seemed pure. A Sister guiding a lost, angry brokwn man, they were entirely selfish.
"Don't use that," she breathed, "its dirty," she moved to her bag, fishing out a night gown - soft and well used - she moved to kneel beside him and press the night gown into his hands. It would leave her without but she wasnt exactly thinking of that at the moment.
The owner of the place wandered to see what the commotion was not long after the incident. "Oh my God," he stared, retched, and Sunnive placed a hand on Krahs shoulder.
"That man..." she shook her head, "he shot my companion with an arrow, probably intended to force himself on me after he'd..." Sunniva shook her head, "i demand a new room. I dont..." a shake of her head and the owner looked down before nodding dumbly.
He'd seen the crossbow when the man came in. Didnt think he'd use it. "Of course, gather your things Miss. Does your escourt need a doctor?"
"Doctor?"Krah gave a dry laugh. "As long as you're the one payin'..." It was kind of his fault anyway, and though he had countless wounds over the year, he wasn't going to try his luck it wouldn't fester if the doctor was free.
Sunniva sighed, still trembling. Still aftaid.
But why?
For him? She gathered a towel and pressed it into his good hand to cover himself up with it. No doubt he didnt really care though.
They were led to a new room - she hadnt been specific so it was a single bed - of course. And she grew frustrated . "Well!? Fetch a doctor!" There was a pause and she took a quick glance at the room from anothers eyes, found herself to be quite undressed but sat herself down anyway.
"Get on the bed and wait for the doctor to patch you up, Krah," her tone cold while she leaned back and waited, finding herself exaughsted for reasons she didnt really know.
Krah only obeyed because he wanted to sit, but it hurt to do so as he grunted. He was still barely clothed, just a simply cloth draped over his legs, which didn't really hide much of anything, as he examined the wound on his hand, holding it up towards a light before moving it around to see if it had done any serious damage to his mobility.
No, it just hurt and was stiff. He closed his hand into a fist, and lifted his eyes to his other wound, which was of more concern to him than the other.
"I hope you don't mind this happening a lot," he went on, poking at the wound and testing his mobility with this other one as well. "Our small entourage was no doubt broad casted, and now a lot of men who want my head will be hunting after us just as fast as this other one did. And there'll probably be a lot more than just one."
She hadnt thought of that.
Sunniva bit her lip and ducked her head down, a strange pang in her chest. The last thing she wanted was for anyone to get hurt and the first day clearly had other ideas. "We'll avoid staying in populated areas. Check in at the churches and then be on our way," she sighed and pressed a hand to her forehead.
Though after a moment of standing the evidence of their couplijg decided now was a great time to let gravity do its thing and she went several shades of red, tucking her legs closed and curling her arms around herself. She hated how he made her feel.
Hated it in the same way she hated having to breath manually sometimes. Which was not at all. "I'll be more alert," she said softly, "The last thing i want is for you to die." The last words were mostly to herself and she ducked her head down.
The doctor showed up not long after, a middled aged man who looked a little too long and a little too interested in Sunniva before he tended to Krahs wounds. "Just looks meaty," he said, "dont put too much pressure on it or use it too much, might bleed again." Some simple bandages, "good thing youre so big. Bolt like that woulda gone right through the little lady," and he chuckled and nodded and as quickly as he came he was done and the door clicked closed.
The wound cleaning was a boring affair, and were it not interesting to him that the doctor's eyes oogled Sunniva, he might have simply began to snore and sleep. Once the wounds were tended to, he tested his mobility before giving a look to the doctor. He was about to comment if he wanted payment, there was still the orgy...
But for once he kept his yap shut. Even he was too tired for that.
"I don't know about staying in a church," he muttered, kicking back into the bed and closing his eyes.
"For your sake anyway, we should avoid them." Cause he's love to bed any of the other religious beauties who would bewilling to open their legs.
"Checking in," she corrected, voice soft, "we'd check in and leave. So they dont think youve kidnapped me." Sunniva said tucking her legs up on the chair and resting her head against it. Then she frowned, "for my sake?" She asked, "whats that mean? Do you plan on sneaking me into a confessional and having your way with me?"
His eyes were closed, but his smile was open.
"That wouldn't be that bad of an idea..." he mused.
"Thats a terrible idea," she huffed and decided that she didnt want to sleep on a chair. So, carefully, she stood up and made her way to the bed and moved to lay down on it, "I'm too old and too important to sleep on a chair," she stated, giving Krah a gentle nudge with her elbow, "we'll put a pillow between us and then nothing will happen."
Krah didn't bother to even open his eyes to look at her.
"Don't worry about it. I'm too tired to take advantage of you. Just worry about that in the morning."
Sunniva nodded, eyes closed as well.
There was a set of candles on the bedside table and with a sleepy wave of her hand they were blown out and Sunniva curled up on her side, arms curled around her pillow. Taking up as little space as possible on the bed. Easily enough she fell asleep, deep and dreamless.
Krah slept, and he slept well. Perhaps a bit too well and for too long...
But he had taken to fever, and his body was scorching. No doubt Sunniva could awaken by that discomfort alone- not to mention he was sweating enough it soaked the bed.
Sunniva shifted, uncomfortable. Her hand touched his side and she froze."General?" She breathed, hand trembling, "Krah?" She smoothed her hand up his side to his face. "Wake up," she breathed, going onto her knees beside him on the bed, she pushed her fingers through his hair.
"Please?" A tremble ran through her of fear. She didnt want him to get sick. He had to be foolhardy and well because if what she fesred about herself was true and not absolute denial... her hand passed over her tummy after a moment and she fought off the normal wave of morning neausea.
Something cool.
She gathered the bottom of her night gown and found a basin of water, dipping it into the water she returned to the bed to pat at his face. "Krah. Wake up, i need you to wake up."
Although it took some time, he eventually did wake up with a groan, and pushed her wet clothe aside.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Sunniva frowned, "youre covered in sweat." She whispered, "and you have a fever. Im only trying to cool you down."
"Fuck."
Krah sat up and looked down at his sweat slicked body.
"Ansgar's balls. I thought we wouldn't have to deal with this. What was the point of a doctor if I was to get sick anyway," he growled, moving to stand.
"So you wouldnt bleed out?" She questioned, shaking her head, pressing a hand to his belly. "Would you like to rest today?" She asked softly, hand moving up and down his chest, trying to sooth but mostly sating her curiosity on what he felt like.
"Rest?" he sounded almost offended by the idea. "What I'd like to do is soak in some cool river." And he moved to stand, as if attempting to do just that- and the limp cloth that had once covered him left him once more open to the senses.
Sunniva shot up, a curious tilt to her head.
"Is there one nearby?" She questioned, "i'll need to accompany you but.. you needed worry about your decency," she teased, sliding off the bed and going to her bag to get some clothing.
"Decency?" he made a face. "Fuck decency and all it stands. We were all born naked." And he strolled clean over tot he door, throwing it open and pausing to see....
The inn keeper standing there, pupils going quite small at how the naked man towered over him. Krah just looked at the man with a grunt.
"Can we help you?" he really didn't want to have to get into a fist fight when all he wanted to do was cool off. He was irritated beyond belief.
The inn keeper gave a little tremble.
"I.. I.." he eyed Sunniva hunched over and then gave Krah an accidental once over. Quickly enough Sunniva had pulled on a plain beige dress and her head popped up beside Krahs arm, her hand resting on the elbow.
"You need to pay if-if-if you're staying past noon," another tremble to his voice and he turned away just as quickly.
Sunniva nodded, "of course," blind as she wasnt she wasnt exactly thrown of by Krahs naked self. "We'll pay when we return. My things being in her should be collateral enough." And while she spoke she tied a drape around Krahs middle to hide his nakedness from the poor inn keeper.
Krah yanked the clothe from her hands and sneered at the inn keep.
"You heard the woman. Now fuck off." And he slammed the door in the man's face and turned to glare at Sunniva.
She sensed his glare. Sunniva backed away slightly, frowning. "What?" She whispered, "whats wrong?"
He rested a hand against his temple as he felt the world spinning. He was barely able to recover from blacking out as he paused a moment, and shook his head.
"Let's go find a cold river. We can fucking freeze the damn fever out."
A nod and Sunniva took his elbow, "I'll help. Please dont get sick, not so soon." She chewed on her lip, waiting for him to lead them along.
He sneered.
"You act as if I did this." He jerked at her arm on his, but continued to stalk forward, wearing little and caring little. And once they were outside, he began to feel the full affects of the fever, as another wave of dizzyness sent him tripping over his own two feet.
Sunniva held his arm, leaning in when he stumbled. 'I'm sorry " her voice was soft and she ducked her head down, frowning, " we'll find a river," she nodded, holding onto his arm despite his protests.
Her apologies kept pissing him off. He glared at her through glossy eyes.
"Shut the hell up with all your pissy holy virgin gutted apologies." The world still wavered. "And yeah," he grunted, staggering as he moved like some lumbering bear. "We'll find a damned river." If it killed him
Sunniva frowned deeply and turned her head away.
Never in her life had she met someone who infuriated her so greatly. Or had her belly heat up so quickly. Sunniva let her hand press against his arm and she followed, "why not just request a bath?" Her voice was soft before she caught the arm of a stranger.
No doubt they were a sight.
"Is there a river near by? My companion insists on sitting in one," if she had eyes they would be rolling in exasperation . The older man she grabbed the arm of- alarmed by her accuracy - instructed them towards the nearest cold water body.
When Krah heard the water, he wasted no time stumbling into it. He used his large hands like a bowl and scooped up water to splash across his face. Damn the water being too shallow. This wobbly state infuriated him as he dropped to his knees and plunged what he could of his head into the waters and released his breath as the cool waters streamed past.
Sunniva followed the best she could.
Really.
It wasn't her fault she tripped, luckily for Krah though, she only landed in the water. It was a startled gasp and she sat up quickly, torso soaked through and her red hair plastered to bits of her. It took a moment too long to get up and out of the water, but she covered her hands over her chest after wiping the water and hair from her eyes.
"Well that's cold!" She hissed, plucking at her cold wet clothing, luckly for her - or what she thought - krah was face deep in water and wouldn't notice how the clothing clung to various parts of her body now. What use was this. She rested a hand on his back, feeling along his hot clammy skin.
"Krah," She said softly, smoothing her hand up and down his back, "Do you feel better?"Because she wanted to get away from here fast, last time there was running water and Krah around a terrible mistake had been made, which led to terrible consequences and the current situation she was in. The sooner she and Krah were away from water, the better.
Surely that was the deciding factor of her wanton behavior. A lie, but she could pretend.
This time around was different. Up stream was a pair of fishermen, their boat nestled against river reeds. Further down was another pair of men, arguing beside a half sawed tree. The others, which consisted of a small family walking along a river side trail, seemed to only notice the pair in the cold water briefly while a beaver kicked away beneath the waters, leaving angered bubbles and mud in its wake.
"Krah?"
Her voice was quiet and she frowned.
Did he left his head from the water? How long did he just... Put it in there for.
Her hand went to his back and she smoothed it up and down the heated flesh. What a mess this was. Then again, it was Sunniva's life. Of course it was a mess. When wasn't a mess. She went to help and only made it worse, as per usual. Finally, she stepped back and gave his leg a kick, "Get out of the water!"
She'd hear him stumble a few steps in the water as he stood up. He was still feeling hazy, but the water felt good. He took a moment, a few more good, hearty large hand fulls of river water and took to drink, before closing his eyes and smoothing a large hand down his soaking wet face.
Water dripped off the ends of his rough, water slicked hair, and his beard that- by now, was growing rather lengthy and was curling at the ends from the water. Even still, he took a moment to drag a second hand down his beard before he turned to Sunniva- and what a grin he wore.
"I think I'm feeling better. Want to have sex in the reeds?"
Any worry she had dissipated in a moment.
In fact, despite the fact she couldn't see his face, she could hear his grin and she stood up, put her hands on her hips and frowned at him. "No, I do not want to have sex in the reeds," she wiped her hands off on her clothing and crossed her arms over her chest. "Come out of the water, we have things to do that are not sex." Sunniva huffed and turned to walk away, ramming her shoulder into a tree before she did her best to look like she hadn't just done that.
"Which way to where we were staying, please," She finally said quietly, lips pursed and arms still folded. "I'll pack us up and then we can start on our way, your wound should be fine."
Oh but his eyes never left her form.
"Your stance speaks other wise," she'd feel his breath on her ear as he managed to get close to her. He was surprised he hadn't fallen over. He was still swooning, but he at least felt better. Hell, better enough to consider a fuck, anyway. Then again, he'd always find a means for that.
"You seemed pretty impassioned about it before." After all, they had both survived falling off a bridge and had quite a lot of fun, river side.
Yep, now he had a boner.
Stance?
Sunniva slowly unfolded her arms to her sides and frowned, gooseflesh rising on her skin from his words to her ear. Then her arms folded back over her chest because her nipples had hardened in anticipation and she pressed her arms closer to herself. What an awful man.
"Krah," Sunniva whispered, reaching ever so slightly to put her hands on his chest - to slide them to his arms, "There are things to be done, and you said there were people right there." In which direction was right there she wasn't familiar but... He'd said so! "You were hurt. We have places to be. Please Krah." Her voice was exasperated and she gave his arms a squeeze.
Oh, she didn't like it in public? This amused him and he leaned in close enough so the scruff of his beard scratched her ear.
"Fucking in public can be some of the best sex you'll ever have."
But he left it at that. He was still a bit heated with fever, and even though turned on...
He knew he wouldn't last long on a fuck- but the Gods know he'd try if given the chance.
"So what are you waiting for?"
It was hard to tell which he was implying, that was, until he moved away.
Sunniva frowned and blushed deeply at his words. Her hand moved to rub the itchiness his beard left behind on her ear and she pursed her lips and let out a huff of breath.
"I am waiting for you to escort us to our room so we can pack up, get on the horses and begin our journey." Her voice was level and she held her chin up. She wouldn't be distracted again! Sunniva grabbed his arm and held his wrist tight, her mouth filled with saliva and she swallowed "Come on. Please? Please? Stop playing so we can go. The sooner we get the over with the sooner I...." Sunniva went quiet, frowning before she took a few steps away, a hand to her stomach before she went pale, felt along the tree and vomited beside it.
Wiping her mouth she leaned against the tree and held a hand to her stomach and the back of the other one to her forehead. What a mess. What an awful mess.
Krah made a face.
"I didn't realize you were that repulsed by me." He smirked and studied her. "And here you're lecturing me on being sick. You can't even hold your breakfast."
He was such a cocky bastard. Not even offering her an arm, he moved forward.
"Are you coming?"
She seemed to get around just fine without the need of his arm.
Sunniva felt bad.
"That's not..." She frowned again, stomach churning. She didn't feel ill a few minutes ago but... Sunniva shuddered, head down, her hair falling over her shoulder in a thick red braid. Quickly, and she hoped subtly, her hands went up and down it to make sure she didn't throw up on it.
She had not.
Sunniva listened after he spoke, reaching out a hand to grab at least something of him.
She had missed and listened to his footsteps intently, arm out to grab something. Someone's shirt in her hand but... No. The body heat was different. "Krah," She said simply, feeling sick now, and he'd just abandoned her.
"Krah, please, let me hold your arm or your shirt or something," Sunniva called, frowning, taking careful steps forward, just in case something was in the way. "You don't repulse me, I just... Get sick in the mornings sometimes," It was a new strange illness that she was very unfamiliar with and she figured if she explained it he would at least guide her to their room.
He was a petty, petty man; and just left her to her devices. She got herself into this. Could she blame him? It wasn't like she didn't know what sort of a man he was when she decided to rescue him. Hell, he'd take the noose; but he'd also take some sex.
Of course, he'd need a woman for that-
Sunniva, of course, wasn't the only one that would fawn over him...
Then again.. she never really fawned..
Infact, a lot of their sex was pretty... heated; in a rather fun, angry kind of way.
He must be getting soft due to his fever, cause he paused to turn and check on her when a man with a loaded cross bow stepped out from the reeds.
"Well, well, well... It took me long enough to find you, but I never thought you'd be this easy to catch. Oh well, a bounty is a bounty."
And the man shot Krah from just twenty paces away.
Sunniva spoted him.
A jolt of someone's vision and there she was off in the distance, not nearly as far away from Krah as she thought she was. Her mop of red hair, pale faced. Krah there. A crossbow.
"Krah! Look out!"
Sunniva screamed and then she was back in her own head. Darkness. No vision. The voice spoke and she moved as quick as she could to him. He was going to get hurt again. Sunniva's heart pounded and she felt dread in her stomach. He'd been hurt already. Maybe they should have just done it in the reeds. They wouldn't have been found, maybe? No, they would have. This man would have shot him anyway. Still, she rushed forward, she hadn't heard a click and she did her best to push him aside.
As long as the bolt didn't go into his chest, right? Then it'd be okay, right? She couldn't let this big stupid man get hurt anymore. It was a terrible start to their journey and Sunniva was having none of it anymore!
He got fucking shot. Fucking shot in his damn arm as he let out a growl of pain. Snapping the bolt, he jerked it out, ignoring the hot, angry blood gushing down his arm and crossed the short distance to get at the man.
It was hard to tell what was happening, but Sunniva would be able to hear it. Krah's fists to another, the cries of the other man as the attack was unrelenting, and then the sickening crack as his face eventually caved in; and if he weren't dead enough yet, Krah slammed the half broken bolt into the man's eye socked, twisted it and kicked him to the ground.
He had taken his crossbow, restocked it, and aimed it at his body, shooting him over and over again until the bolts were gone. Then, still feeling the rage consuming him, he lifted up his heavy boots and smashed them down ontop of the man's head, until the sickening crunch was heard and his brains oozed out of his face.
He was panting heavily, and began to see starry spots and feel hot all over.
"Fucker." He tossed the crossbow at his smashed body, and turned, almost falling over, before righting himself just enough to begin back on his way; Blood now staining his entire arm, and now it was cracked on his fists, which mingled with the splattered blood of the dead that now speckled him, all over, from hair to boots.
Sunniva was chilled to the bone.
Not for the man. Not because of what Krah did, but the potential that perhaps, someday, some fit of rage would send him over the edge and right towards her.
Swallowing carefully, she slowly slid forward, feet dragging along the ground. "Krah?" She whisepered, hearing him draw closer. Her hand moved out and her fingertips touched his arm. The slippery blood let her know he'd indeed been wounded. "What was that. Are you hurt badly?"
If she touched him, and if she could see, she'd see the tail and not just have heard it-
and it was more gruesome a sight than one might ever believe.
Krah's breath was haggard, and once again, the damn fever reminded him of his place as he fell a little, catching himself on Sunniva, the pair falling against a tree.
Sunniva did what she could to suffer the blow of him against her and her against the tree, her hands curled around his torso but he was a giant of a man and she was just a small woman. "Krah?" She whispered, her cheek pressed against his chest, one hand smoothing up and down his back, still she felt nauseas but... Her hand was slick with his blood and she gave a panting little breath, fear making her throat tighten.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be this awful, it was selfish of me to..." To save his life? "To make you come with me. I should have just pulled some strings to get you free'd. To make better choices. But..." He'd probably never change and she'd made a grave mistake, as surely as she knew what made her sick in the mornings. Sunniva breathed carefully again, practically crushed to the tree, "Krah, you're okay though, right? You feel so hot."
Krah groaned dizzily. He laughed, despite his state.
"Hot?" he snickered. "You should feel inside my pants."
But he wasn't obviously going anywhere anytime soon, nor was he trying to, crushing her or not.
Sunniva sighed.
At least he had his sense of humour.
Though she was sure that, should he be holding his guts to his neck, he'd be spouting hilarity. So, Sunniva sighed and smoothed her hands over his back, or what she could, in a hopefully soothing motion. "I have, remember? I meant with hot with fever, not erections."
He looked down at her with a cheeky grin.
"Is there a difference?" he asked, grinding against her lewdly. It was obviously forced, or maybe out of habits, since his eyes looked strange. They looked feverish. But there he was, one stubborn ox about to collapse and still was talking about sex.
Sunniva sighed, worried. Her forehead was pressed to his neck, she could feel his heartbeat and she moved hand to his chest, thumb smoothing over it before she moved to, try to hold him a little better. A little less crushed against the tree. "Krah, sit down, please?" She whispered, "You have me pressed so hard against this tree I may give birth to a dryad."
If he was going to oblige, it was hard to tell, but like a large tree being cut down, he fell. Someone should just have yelled 'Timber!' because the God of war fell, and he fell down hard.
Sunniva caught him.
Well, she didn't catch him, so much as be in the way when he fell and she gave a squeal of right and a heavy groan when she 'woke' up. Dazed. Dizzy. She'd seen stars from knocking her head and she felt herself under a heavy body. A shoulder on her breasts, which meant his face had his the ground whoops.
Sunniva wiggled out from underneath Krah with grunts and groans and "How are you so heavy?" she groaned angrily, finally freeing herself, panting and red faced. The river. Sunniva crawled to it. Hands plunking into it before she grabbed her dress and tore off the last few inches of it. Soaking it before she brought it back to Krah, pressing it against his neck, wiping where she thought the blood was. "Krah, I don't know the way back to town," she panted, growing a little frightened, "Please wake up? Please?"
He didn't stir, and the only image gained from him was the back of his eye lids.
Sunniva was angry.
Irritated. Angry. She chewed on her lip, tried to wipe the blood off of his arm and she swallowed carefully before she finally pressed her head to his chest. Maybe he was dead? No, he couldn't be dead. It wouldn't have been that easy. "Krah?" She whimpered out, giving his shoulder one last shake. Nothing. Fine.
Sunniva stood up quickly, dragging her feet until she found the gravel path and she followed it. Of course, while she was worried, she was more angry, and while she was angry, she knew no one would help an angry woman. So, she pressed a hand to her mouth and faked crying while she walked. Loudly. Obnoxiously.
"Oh... Oh no," she cried, one hand to her stomach. Then she started to rush, well, walk faster. The sounds of footsteps were heard and hands were on her shoulders, "Miss?" Was a panicked mans voice, a brief moment and she saw herself covered in blood, a smear of it on her cheek.
"My husband... my husband was attacked," She fake sobbed, grabbing he strangers hands and tugging him towards where she recalled Krah being, "He managed to fight the attacker off but he's fallen and won't get up." Another fake hiccup, convincing, or at least she thought so, and she moved her hand to her lower stomach, cupping her abdomen, "I took him out here to ... to tell him about..." Sunniva sobbed again and the man rushed to where Krah was, ready to help.
"He's huge!" The man complained and Sunniva sobbed harder, one hand on her abdomen and the other one covering her face. Sunniva knew the attack was getting worried glances.
"He did that?"
Sunniva nodded, "He was angry! I could have been hurt!"
The man took a deep breath and did his best to haul Krah up and slowly but surely, dragged him back to the town.
Had the man known what sort of lug they were dragging into town (let alone his own house, because of course the man offered for her injured husband to at least rest up there while 'things were figured out'. He found out just enough from Sunniva to realize not only was she pregnant, but blind- something he should have guessed by the oddness of her eyes. It was still strange. She seemed to get around alright. Though who was he to judge? She was blind her whole life. She was probably just used to it.
He felt his arms were about to be pulled from their sockets by the time he got Krah into his house, his teenage son helping the moment he was at the front door. His entire family was there, young daughter, and his pregnant wife, as well. When she found out, of course she was all over Sunniva, babying her but also feeling the need to tell her what was what. She was a big talker, used a lot of words, most of which were loud. Naturally, she was critiquing Krah's disposition, or rather, questioning how such a lumbering man could have ever fallen.
"Seems right awful a simple fever coulda done this to a man of that size. You say he beat a man to a pulp?" the woman shook her head. "Probably was his own brash behavior I reckon that done this man in. What does he do? He looks like some sorta soldier." And when her yellow haired daughter came into the room and was gaping at the scene, the woman was yelling, "Maddie, get the hell outta here! And Raul, help your father undress the lunk."
Sighing, the wife turned to Sunniva as she shook her head.
"Reckon you ought to know my name by now. Just call me Maudie. Daughter's Madeline, but we just call her Maddie. And you met Bo, my husband and our son Raul just turned thirteen."
She took a moment to eye Sunniva over.
"First babe, ain't it? I take it not your first love, but one ya wanna keep, eh?"
Sunniva wanted to throw back her shoulders, lift her head and declare herself for what she really was. A Knight of the White Lily. Daughter of the Duke of Folkvar. However, she simply nodded quietly, pretended to be a demure little wife and swallowed her words. Also hunched her shoulders forward, head tipped down. They were nice, helpful people.
Even though everything they said about Krah was true, she had to bite her lip - which she pretended was because of worrying. Even made to wring her hands. Mostly she'd tried to get Bo to just... Drag Krah back to the place they were staying - that's where their things still were. But, he'd insisted.
"He's..." Sunniva chewed on her lip, "Currently he's just traveling with me, he used to be a soldier. We're... Looking to move." She lied, not really sure of what sort of cover story she should say. It was too late to tell the truth, regardless. Her hand reached out to touch Krah's shoulder before she pulled it back and held her hands in front of her.
Slowly, Sunniva turned to face Maudie, "Not my ...?" A frown, "I don't understand. But yes," She kept her hands in front of her, "Uhm... The first. He doesn't know, I'd like it if you didn't tell him when he wakes up."
Maudie laughed brazenly and patted Sunniva on the shoulder.
"You don't have to put on much of an act around here. My kids try it too often and I always catch 'em lying through their teeth." She shook her head. "Whatever the real reason it, don't worry. There's no war in this house hold and the way I see it, people are just people and if we don't help each other out then we're about as damned as the lot of 'em." But who knew which side she was spiteful of.
She turned to see Maddie chewing on the ends of her hair and gave her a smack.
"Stop that! What are you, a horse?"
The snort Maddie gave would suggest the opposite of her reply, but her mother shooed her off.
"No need for the lass to be around. Can't say once your man's clothes're off if we'll be abl to change em. Man that big, Ansgar's name, we might have to fit him with a horse's saddle!"
Sunniva sighed, looking at Maudie.
She'd always been a terrible liar. Usually, it was a lie of omission more than a made up story. So she turned her head down and nodded. She'd simply say nothing. A heavy sigh and Sunniva put her hands on her hips.
"Wait, naked?" Sunniva frowned, "I... I'm sure his pants can stay on, can't they?" Her voice squeaked and she cleared it again, then she remembered. The girl. Krah. Sunniva licked her lips and hesitantly, turned to Maudie, "How... Old is your daughter?"
"Maddie?" her face skewed. "She's only seven, but brat thinks she's older than Raul."
Sunniva gave a little nod, swallowing carefully. "Well, this... He's kinda..." Sunniva frowned, "Scary." A sigh and she pressed a hand to her forehead, "I'm sorry, I never intended for us to get... here." Bo went about removing what Krah had on his torso, the angry wound from the night before and the first person looking for a bounty.
She almost felt bad for him, "Once... Once he wakes up we can go. I have horses. We'll just get him on one and... Head out." If no one has stolen them. Sunniva prayed to Ansgar that he was feeling giving and gracious.
If Maudie would have known the sort of scary she meant, she might not have laughed the way she did.
"Dear," she went on, patting her shoulder. "It's not too late to leave the heaping bull, baby or not."
Sunniva frowned at the idea.
"I can't..." If she wanted to leave him she would have just... Let him hang. "I'm blind," She announced, lips thin, "I can't exactly get around on my own, Ma'am."
And that had Maudi in tears. She gave Sunniva a few heavy pats on her shoulder.
"Oh, child... how old are you?" she looked her over. "Can't be much older than me."she deduced. "You seem to get around alright, no eye sight or not." Of course.. her tongue was mighty proper. An interesting prospect in itself. Maybe she wasn't from this side of almost poor?
Sunniva squared her shoulders then.
"Please, Ma'am, I greatly appreciate your and your husbands help," She announced, placing her hand on Maudie's. "I just wanted to get my Giant Lug to where we were staying." then she turned her head slightly, crossing her arms over her chest, then she mumbled 'I'm in my twenties'. Just... The earlier side of twenties. It never occurred to Sunniva to ask how old Krah was. What if he was... Old. Sunniva pulled a face, it occurred to her she'd never really gotten a good... 'Look' of him, except for her hand against his scratchy face.
"Just..." Sunniva sighed, "I appreciate the help. I just need to get him to wake up so we can go."
If she wanted a good look at him, she'd be getting one now, since Maudie left a hand on her shoulder and sympathized. But she was looking at Krah- every naked, hulking inch of him. He had to be of some age, but obviously no where near the 'too old' category, for any wrinkles to be seen would have been on his face but the rest of his body...
It was walls of pure muscle; and his face, rugged, yet handsome enough as he slept. It was clear how he had gotten away with women the way he did.... crassness aside, hew as quiet the looker; up and down.
"Let the lug rest, or at least let my husband rest before we attempt that one." She gave a laugh and let her hand slip away.
"Are you hungry, lass? We got a bit o' mead we could share. And some heavy bread, if you're okay with it."
It would be wrong to blush.
Sunniva wanted a quiet awareness of her surroundings and she borrowed Maudie's vision and that was a penis. Sunniva chewed on her lower lip and tilted her head. Why was this woman staring at Krah's dick. The vision wandered and Sunniva did indeed, get a good look at her... Giant Lug. Too bad he couldn't always be asleep. He looked gentle. Perhaps even nice.
Still, it was useless to wish. Wishes were cheap and achieved nothing.
"I... I am..." Sunniva trailed off, resisting the word no, "I'd love something." She pat at her pockets, "I don't have any of my things with me but... Before we leave I'll... I'll make up for your kindness." This woman was helping her from the goodness of her heart. Not because she knew who she was. Right? The world went dark again because this woman would just not stop staring at Krah. It was making her, dare she think it, jealous. A chew of her lower lip and she reached out a hand, catching Maudie's elbow with alarming accuracy. "I'm sure you're right and he just needs to rest," She confirmed. Rest. Naked. And alone. What a mess she'd made. Things were going from bad to worse because now Krah was naked and with her luck he woke up fully aroused and extremely angry.
It was hard not to stare at a specimen such as Krah. Bragging went straight to his head, but even as ruthless and barbaric as he was, the way he was sculpted, the scars he bore, even the way he slept... told a story behind the invincible wall known as the God of War. Even he had to be a child, someone's son, an awkward teenager. Ego's aside, if anything, there was a determinedness to the man. Who else would refine their body, or maintain an ego so close to the 'T'?
A sigh and Maudie left the room, leaving Bo and Raul to handle the behemoth if he awoke. She offered Sunniva a smile. "Got a name I ought to call you?" she went on, fetching some bread and mugs for their drink.
Sunniva wasn't too sure what to do, but she politely smiled all the same. "Sunny," not a lie but also not the entire truth. It had been a nickname, once upon a time. Not for very long though. "That is..." She paused, no... " Kevin... And he is my husband." And her voice took a posessive note. Sunniva hadnt liked how maudie had been staring. It was rude.
The way she presented her husband wasn't lost on Maudie, and Maudie couldn't help but think how such good looks on a man was wasted on someone without eyes. She studied Sunniva's face before forcing a grin.
"Sunny?" she could have scoffed. "I suppose you're Kevin's sunshine?"
It took a lot of effort not to cringe.
Why wasn't Krah waking up? He should be awake and ready to go! Not sleeping! Sunniva gave a forced chuckle, "yup. Light of his life," she pat her hands together, " That's me." The lie was evolving. Had Krah even ever said her name?
She couldn't recall.
"About that bread?" Sunniva continued, smiling, head tilted, "While we wait for My Husband to wake up. Poor man doesnt need an audience."
Maudie couldn't help but laugh.
"Your husband seems impressive enough from what I can tell. My husband says there was quite a display." But her laughter died as she thought it all over...
And the pretty girl before her, perhaps too pretty that's why her eyes had been gauged out? And the man....
Something didn't seem to add up. Either way, she tried to clear away the doubt for at least the moment as she cleared her throat and offered over a quarter loaf of the bread.
"Here, eat up. It's not much but it'll sit heavy in your belly for days!"
Sunniva smirked, "I suppose impressive is one good word for it," she confirmed taking the bread. Obviously she owed these people. She'd done no work for the food in her hands. "Thank you," she said softly and went about eating. It was tough and tasted plain but it was better than nothing.
"Is he badly hurt?" Sunniva whispered, "Is that why he isnt waking up?"
"I was about to ask you. Did someone hit him over the head?"
Sunniva frowned, "he hit his head when he fell?" A frown and she lifted her own head, turning over her shoulder like she was trying to look into the room Krah was in. "Why? Is that bad?"
Maudie laughed so hard she choked on her mead.
"Ansgar's name, lass! I was just pointing out how hard it seems to render a man of that size unconscious!"
There was an unfamiliar bristling she felt. Why was this woman laughing? Still, Sunniva kept quiet and simply sighed and ate the bread. "Thank you for your help," she said softly, head down. "Maybe I shoukd go back... or something? Hold his hand while he wakes?"
Maudie tried to calm down her laughter.
"Hold his hand? A man that big and you think he needs his hand held?" It amused her more than it ought to but she shook her head. "If anything, we ought to get some cool water and a cloth for you. If he's with a fever it'll help."
That made sense.
"I tried that before," She pouted, "But it didn't work." Then again, how many times had she dealt with sick or injured people. Never. Perhaps she'd walked through a battle field infirmary but she'd never helped. Sunniva nodded, "I would appreciate that. To do it again. I assume waking up and seeing someone will help with the..." She paused, not sure if she even found it true, "The anger."
"Ansgar's name, lass... Is he sick in the head or something?" she was making quite the deal over the man's anger mismanagement.
"Honestly?" Sunniva pondered, "Probably."
A small shrug, "I suppose he'd be scary to people. He is, actually, but..." Sunniva shrugged, "He's all I have right now and I'm not about to throw that away." A tense smile and she stood up, having gnawed the bread and feeling quite full she smoothed her hands over her dress and frowned, "I... Don't remember my way back," She admitted, "Is it far? If you tell me I promise to try to avoid bumping into walls."
"Way back? Way back to where?" the woman asked, giving her head a shake.
A purse of her lips.
"Back to Kra---evin," Sunniva smiled, "I've sat down and I've plump forgot if he's in this room or the next." A small bite of her lips and she held her hands in her lap, "A wet cloth would also be appreciated. I want him to wake up sooner rather than later, you understand."
The family was more than obliging. While the big lug slept, they offered to keep watch. When he was still old cold for most of the day, Bo offered to escort Sunny back to the inn.
"It's too dangerous to move him." And did the girl realize just how hard and uncomfortable it was? He'd rather deal with the hassle of their presence for another few days than have to heal up all the muscle pain he was still feeling that day. H ejust hoped he hadn't pulled something serious as he dragged his ass here. But in the end, something about his intentions got his wife all riled up. So he had been getting laid plenty, and ignored the pain when his wife went into a round three each night.
A sigh.
Sunniva didn't want to go.
No doubt if Krah woke up he'd terrorize the whole family. Maybe even make moves on the wife. Sunniva was under no illusion that she was... Unique or needed by Krah. Sure she was perhaps a unique conquest but... Jealously bloomed in her chest at the idea of Krah with someone but she quickly stamped it out. She'd made her bed and now she had to lay in it.
"I would... Yes, please." She finally said, giving Krah a pat on the shoulder before they left for the inn. The walk wasn't too far, a few minutes, long enough to be a decent length of walk but short enough for her to remember where and that they were still in town. Their room hadn't been touched and Sunniva thanked the inn owner, paid him graciously and went about her nightly routine. Too tired to bathe, she simply changed out of her clothing into a simple nightgown before she sat on the bed and brushed her hair, unable to sleep.
As promised, Bo returned to get Sunniva the next morning. He could only report, Krah hadn't awoken. It was strange, even to him. Maybe something happened to his head. It seemed to be a theory with the entire family. After all, what else could bring such a large man down this way?
Sunniva was dressed and ready for the day by the time Bo got her. Mostly, she was expecting Krah to barge in, angry. She'd slept fitfully, waiting for him to angrily return. How dare she leave him there. Nothing though. Now she was getting worried.
Slowly, she refused to leave his side, her hand pressed to his cheek. Despite the fact that she'd betrayed her vows as a White Lily she prayed to Ansgar. Pressed her forehead to Krahs, her hand to his cheek, the other over his heart. She prayed. A soft whisper under her breath. A gentle sigh against his face. As the day progressed and her voice went hoarse she started to doubt her love for God. This person here couldn't just... Never wake up. That was unfair. There were so many things left she had to do.
Sunniva had made it her job to save the poor lost soul of Krah and Ansgar couldn't just take it away from her!
More days came and went. Then the rains came. Rains with winds. In Connlaoth, there was always wind. No storms, no down pours, just steady streams that, at times, would let up just enough to bring in the sunshine.
But the rain was there when he awoke, nearly a week was spent at their place, yet there he was. There was no fanfare, and most of the house was asleep. And he, awake, quiet, and just staring at the ceiling.
Sunniva had, conveniently, fallen asleep in the chair set beside him. She'd left her things at the inn but had practically moved in to be beside her 'husband'. Barely she'd left Krah's side from pure stubbornness. She'd paid the family generously for putting up with Krah and herself, it wasn't an amazing about but... Generous enough.
The sight of a ceiling was odd to her and Sunniva jerked away before her world went black again. Who would be...? "Ansgar's blessings, Krah," She panted, sitting up quickly and walking on sleep heavy legs to him. Her hand went to his chest and she pressed her other to his neck, looming above him, "You're awake." Breathless and happy. Why was she so happy. Her hand went to his cheek and she pressed her forehead to his chest, "I thought you'd never wake up. I was so worried."
Honestly she'd have given it another week before she left him behind to his own devices but... He was awake now. That was what was important, right?
Krah's face skewed, he still looked around as if he were lost. He could see the tumbling, fire red of her hair laying in a wake across his body. But even still... He winced as she moved over him, and sat up suddenly, roughly shoving her aside, kicking off the blankets and standing, eyes wincing when he came in contact with the dying flame of a single candle lit in their room.
Angry.
That was good right?
"Wait," She had stumbled but didn't fall, Her hands moved to his arms and she held onto them. "You've been sleeping for almost a week," Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, "Just... Sit down. Please?"
His face skewed, and he angled it sharply to one side. His brow creased as his eyes widened.
"A week?" his voice was rough, like gravel, and dryer than winter air. He choked on his very words as he growled and moved forward, only to stop suddenly, as he gripped on tensely to the back of a nearby chair.
"I've been asleep..." his eyes were frantic, grip so tense ont he chair it began to shake- as if threatening to burst.
"I've been asleep... for a week!?"
Sunniva moved to his side, trying to press herself between him and the chair. Her hands on his arms, her touch gentle.
"You're safe," She whispered, thumbs moving over his arms. It was entirely selfish of her not to leave him behind. Not wanting to seek out a new companion. Not wanting to make herself look useless in the fact that she couldn't keep a single companion for a month.
"I don't know what happened but..." Sunniva sighed and shook her head, "Do you hurt anywhere? Maybe you should lay down again. Do you want some water?" Her hand moved on top of his on the chair by trailing down his arm and she gave it a squeeze.
That's when the chair snapped in half, and just as the family came along to investigate the screaming, he threw the pieces at the opening door.
"A week!? How the fucking hell does one just sleep for a god damn week!?"
Sunniva frowned deeply, grabbing his wrists and doing her best to hold them down. Or at least away from the chair.
"You were hurt!" She snapped at him, "You hit your head! You probably rested up every injury you'd ever gotten the week you were sleeping here! You think I didn't try to wake you up?" Sunniva took a breath and pushed at him, "Why are you so angry?" She finally growled at him, "You don't have duties to attend to except to guide me and I've been here! With you! You're fine, dammit, so stop being such an awful house guest!"
"Don't you fucking lie to me!" he roared, his entire body shaking, tense, and if he could- about ready to spit fire. "You fucking poisoned me! You little wretch," he growled, stance growing dangerous. "Get over here so I can kill you!"
Why did that hurt so bad?
Still, he was being an asshole and she half wished she had something to hit him over the head with so he'd be quiet for another week. "Why would I go through all the trouble and resources I did to get you out of being hanged if I was just going to poison you, you idiot!" Of course, she wasnt about to tell him the real reason. Maybe. "I'd have let them just kill you for me!" Her foot stomped to the ground to accent her words and she shuffled a little closer to his voice, just to see. Would he really kill her? Probably.
Powerful hands grabbed her by the shoulder, fierce, and eyes cut into her like knives.
"Who do you think you are to just push around and dictate the moves of the God of War?" he growled between his teeth, his voice and demeanor threatening, and his grip tightened even more so, bruising with promise. "You should have let me hang."
The family knew well enough what was going on. Krah- this was HIM. THE God of War. THE mad as a dog general who tore up so much of the Connlaothian landscape. A man so set with anger that- despite fearing for Sunny's life....
They worried more about their own, as they slipped out the back door and made haste- rushing towards the authorities.
Shoving her aside like trash, he tore the door open, half tearing it from it's hinges as he began to storm his way towards the front door. He saw no evidence of his things, something that only made him fume all the more, before he looked at the front door, not even fully closed, and noticed some family rushing off down the street.
Sunniva opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Then she collided painfully against a wall, gasping sharply before sliding down and onto her knees. It would be too easy to just let him walk away in a fuming rage.
Sunniva was stubborn though and she was foolhardy enough yo get back up and rush to find him. Of which she forcefully collieded with his back. Her hands reached out and she fell back on her ass with a sharp gasp. Now fuming angry she got up carefully.
"I was selfish," Sunniva started, "I didnt orchestrate this for you. You're a one trick dog. All you know how to do is ... is get angry! Everything makes you angry! I'm not stupid enough to think traveling the country and going to churches is going to change you." Sunniva felt her chest tighten, but she kept her hands down by her sides, not being able to bear reaching out to him because she knew he'd just throw her hand away.
"I did it for me. Because I thought... I thought maybe we had something besides sex by a river and... I couldn't let you die before I figured out what it was " Sunniva sighed and dropped her head down, " If you leave they'll kill you. That was the deal. You finish this with me and you'll have a little more freedom. Please. Don't leave me alone."
Something stirred behind the anger, but his patience had already grown thin. She was wasting her breath, and she knew it; and he didn't care how rough he was when he shoved her aside.
"Fuck you you bastard lover of the church. I do things for me, and for me only." he snarled in her face, a hand fisted into her shirt. "If you think for one god damn second there is any value for you here then you should have just hung the noose around your own damn neck."
And he shoved her until the wall crack behind her before storming clean out the door.
"You're still naked!" She screamed after him, Sunniva moved to quickly follow him. Though she stopped short and gasped in pain, a jolt running up her back. "Krah!" Though this scream was more in panic at the unfamiliar pain along her back. Sunniva hobbled to the door, panting, flushed. Angry. Scared. "Krah, please come back!"
What could be happening? Panic filled her and she trembled on the door step, unwilling to comprehend what was happening. "Krah..." she cried, head down. Foolish. Stupid. Let him get caught by the authorities. Another jolt of pain. Her shoulders hurt. Her back hurt.
Why did he hate her so much. She was only trying to help. "I just wanted..." she panted down, fingers clenched. "Krah!!" She screamed again, "please!"
It wasn't her damned screaming that had him pause, but the sudden arrival of armed men on horse back- local knights, by the looks of it, and other military men and those from the town who were quick to grab their swords. It didn't take long for them to surround him; the giant baffoon was tall and naked and obviously without any weapons.
Then a man issued the order,
"Put your hands up! You're under arrest for disturbing the peace!"
Krah only looked at the man, then at all of the men before he let a grin split across his face.
"Disturbing the peace? That's a good one."
The men seemed undisturbed.
"We are aware you were a General..."
"Were?" Krah cocked his head, eyes glinting dangerously, even with all of the swords pointed at him. "Last time I checked we're still at war."
"And last we checked you had fallen out of favor with the Grand Duke himself."
No!
Sunniva hadnt worked so hard for this just to have it taken away by four soldiers. Not now. Not yet. After maybe. After she figured everything out. It took a good deal of effort to stand up, holding her abdomen and limping towards the cluster.
"Halt!" She barked, only slightly hunched over.
"Krah!" She pushed her way into the cluster, head turned up. Pain radiated from her but... she could keep it up. Just for a bit. "My name is Sunniva Avarali, daughter of the Duke of Folkvar. This man is my companion and he is under my watch. He's recently recovered from a grevious injury." Sunniva paused to hiss in a breath, pale and shaky, "I think I require a doctor," she instructed one of the men on horse back, "go and fetch one."
Bewildered, no one obliged. They were already angry enough Krah was here and causing a disturbance- now what was this woman going about and trying to command them for?
At their look of disgust, Krah laughed, which only served to piss them all off even more.
"that's right. This is the daughter of a duke, and my fuck-whore." He gave a shake of his hips lewdly and grabbed her roughly by the arm. He pulled her close, pressing her against his rough, hot body as his member began to rise at this new attention.
"She and I need attention, so a fucking room would be nice and hell.. who needs clothes?"
The men didn't appreciate any of the mocking and the orders were barked and two men nearby held up crossbows.
"Oh look, the fucking cavalry is here."
Sunniva cried out in pain at being pulled to him and she tried to ripped her arm away. She felt dirty. Used. Selfish. Angry. Hurt. Nothing. Nothing was worth this pain. How selfish of her to think she could help him change. Help him grow. Offer something potentially wholesome for a man who'd only experienced whores and war.
"If you aren't going to even try then they may as well shoot you now," Sunniva gasped out a cry, relishing the warmth of his body against her back and the pain that radiated along her spine, "I think you destroyed the only reason I saved you anyway so what's the point anymore!" She didnt try to get away though, trembling with pain, even pressing closer if only for warmth.
And at that, the man laughed, a wicked noise that echoed throughout the town. He had nothing. No hope, no future, not even clothes to swathe his body. He didn't even fight it when one of the man dared get closer to him, yanking Sunniva aside when he turned with her in his arms to yell,
"Fire now, men! Take the man down!"
The laugh made something inside her snap.
It was a battle of wills and she felt herself get torn away. It became a battle of what she wanted and what she was getting. What she was getting was far from what she had desired and so, Sunniva ignored the pain that radiated and pulled away from her supposed savior.
One of them would win this battle and she was stubborn enough for it to be her.
If there had been one thing she'd inherited from her mother it was a streak a mile wide of just pure stubborn. So, she pulled away from the guard and moved in front of Krah again, her back pressed to her front. Words had been said and she knew that they had nothing in common. There was nothing to keep them together beside her fleeting idea of romance. There was nothing but a battle of wills and she tipped her head up.
"Absolutely not," She said calmly, "If you shoot him you'll have to shoot me and you'll all be tried for treason for the murder of a Duke's daughter." She took a deep breath, ignored the way her body trembled and how badly she wanted to simply sink to the ground. "I have him under church authority and despite what you feel about this brute of a man he is mine and the only person who is going to end his life is me if I deem him nonredeemable." Her voice held a deathly calm, her hair was wild red halo around her head as the wind picked up.
"Get back to your posts," she frowned, "I will find him clothing and we will gather our things and leave tomorrow. This man is my responsibility and as such he is under church authority." Another head tilt up and she knew Krah wouldn't play nice. Still, her words were true, no matter what her stupid companion decided to chirp out. "Leave. Now."
For once, Krah was speechless. The men fared the same, not sure what to do since their fingers were just itching on the release. But after a moment, they were commanded to stand down, but not commanded to leave.
"There are certain rules even the nobles should oblige," the leader informed, curtly. He looked at Krah, who still said nothing, but had a savageness to his dark gaze. "A man like this is seen by all as an enemy of our nation. He spoke out, time and again, even just now, to prove where his loyalty lay." He gave Sunniva a once over. How easy it would be to back hand the blind girl and just take the bastard down.
But even he knew who this woman was, and realizing, if what she stated were true, he himself, would not wish to face the ire of the Grand Duke.
"Take your things and leave this town at once. This is the only option you have." He glared at Krah. "Clothe your bastard and be out. My men will follow, to ensure this happens withint he hour." He gestured to his two swordsmen at his side, who were quick to stand near to the woman, but not too close. Even without a weapon on him, Krah was an imposing presence. And even more so to all- being naked and ready to go.
Sunniva kept her chin up but her mouth closed.
This was what she wanted.
Her arm curled around his forarm and she pulled Krah along. "Please just... Comply," She said briskly, voice weak. Weary. There was still so much pain. Everything ached. The pain along her abdomen and spine lessened as time went on and her anger helped keep her upright. For a time she was glad she was without eyes because surely she would have cried at least a little.
Luckily, their things had been at the families home and their horses tied up close by. A few things were probably missing and while the things were gathered and attached to the horses she left a generous sum of money for the family. For their trouble. For the lies she told.
Sunniva cried out in pain to be sitting astride the horse, pressing a hand to her abdomen again, pale with pain. Still shivering. There hadn't been time for a doctor and she was bitter towards Krah for causing a scene. A needless issue. A lesson learned. The hour was almost up and she held onto the saddle horn, a cold sweat on her forehead while she waited for them to be escorted away from town.
Once they were outside of town, the men who escorted them lingered for a few moments more before reporting back that the pair had left. Krah was still silent, eerily so, as the pair rode onward down the dirt path. It was dark by now, of course it was, and anything could be lurking in the shadows. But as they moved further and further away, Krah couldn't help but laugh. And Sunniva would soon find his rough hands fetching at her body, ignoring clothing, ignoring honor as he pressed his body against her and growled hotly into her ear,
"Get off the horse and let's fuck."
Sunniva shuddered at his breath.
"No," She panted, body still radiating with pain, she pushed at him, arms weak. No doubt she was covered in bruises, "Don't touch me." Her breath felt heavy in her chest and she choked on her words, mouth filling with saliva while she tried to wriggle away but also not touch anything.
Should she mention it?
"I saved you because I'm pregnant," She finally gasped out, "And I don't know ..." A shudder and she went quiet, "I think I'm not going to be for long. It hurts," Her breath escaped her in a sob, "Krah, why did you kill your baby? I just wanted to give you a second chance because," Sunniva stopped pulling away from him, let herself soak in his warmth, "Because I was selfish. Because I didn't know what to do and... And pulling strings and lying was easier than being..." Her chest tightened and she ducked her head down, "I thought... I thought maybe... Can we rest for the night?" She breathed, oddly calm, "I just need to rest. Please?"
He paused at her words. His body was tense, his ears hearing hot winds as his lips curled.
"Pregnant?" he laughed. "You know you're not the only woman I've gotten pregnant." But oh, it was an interesting prospect. "Although you might be the first daughter of a duchy who's to sire one of my bastards. And one so holy.. promised only to the great church."
His hands were still tasting her, before he retracted them with a gruff snort.
"And why am I the one to blame? You opened your legs, and you got in my way." His words were dark, and not with a single ounce of sympathy.
"Of course not," She panted, leaning forward on the saddle. Rest was wanted. Needed. Her body screamed for it. Every inch of her hurt and she squeezed at the reins of the horse, shuddering and trembling with her pain.
"I didn't blame just you," she said softly, "I ..." Swallowing carefully, "I just wanted your help," Sunniva felt as young as she was then. Scared. There was no God behind her. There was no graceful Holy light. There was only selfish mistakes made and she would have to live with them and right now they hurt. Physically. Mentally. Her chest ached. "I'm aware of what's been done and... You put yourself between my legs, so you're equally to blame," She snapped then fell quiet.
"I don't want anything from you, if..." She swallowed, "If this... I ... I only wanted your help," She finally sighed, leaning forward, wincing while she nudged her horse along. It would be easy to get lost in the woods. Just... Leave Krah behind and just... Go. The horse meandered along, going whichever way he wanted and Sunniva let him.
"My help?" Krah laughed, a rough and cruel noise. "Do you know how much I'm worth?" He wondered if he might even be worth more than this damned blind whore. "Why would I help?" If he wanted kids, he would have time to have plenty. But he did not. Never would, and only wanted the fun between the legs of women, not the consequences they always tried to remind him ended up there.
Sunniva laughed, it was bitter and humourless.
"You're worth nothing," She stated simply, "Everyone wants you dead. You're a dog. You're used up and I'm your only chance of being anything anymore is with me." She took a deep breath, "And I didn't mean help with... With any child." She spat out, angry. "That's an unfortunate consequence of what we've done." Sunniva ... Didn't want to... Not lose it, right? Was she apathetic?
"I meant... Just..." A deep breath, "I don't know. Just shut up and let's go. You're not tired and I don't want to sleep in the forest." Another little breath, then she paused, went tense, "I'm trying to give you a second chance. A place in the world that isn't being a War Hound," She finally ground out, "Why do you resist it so?"
He made a face at her suggestion.
"Why would I want any of it?"
Sunniva sighed, head ducked down still.
"Because it might be worth it, have... Have you ever loved anything except for blood shed and blades? Anything?"
Krah made another face.
"What a fucking question to ask." But then he grew quiet, almost as if he were remembering something long forgotten.
"Is that a yes?" Sunniva asked softly, curious, frowning, "Why... Why can't you..." She sighed, shoulders forward, sighing, "I just... I just wanted to help." She said again, "You're not... You're not a monster."
He snarled, but he felt hollow.
"There's no point. We all live, fight, fuck and bleed until we die. Weaknesses will bring you closer to your grave." Like this sightless shore. She wasn't going to last long. Who knew how she even got this far. It was a joke.
Sunniva shook her head.
"Couldn't there be more ?" She asked simply, curious, with her mind off of her pain it ebbed away. There had been nothing to indicate that, aside from pain, anything was wrong and she swallowed thickly, "If anything and everything will be done until you die... What's wrong with a weakness?" Perhaps there had been a loved one who was taken away too soon and now... He simply... Sought a way to forget about it.
"If I had accepted being blind and done nothing because it was difficult..." She shook her head, "The most rewarding things are usually the most difficult to do. That's why they're rewards. Do you understand?"
Her trying to school him was as pathetic as it could be. His gaze cut into her after she spoke. But he said nothing and cut that gaze away. Maybe there was some sort of mild respect for her, if only briefly. But anything of the sort was fleeting at best.
"Even blind bastards have to find means to survive." And perhaps it was only then he thought a bit more into it, about her not even having eyes, no eye sight.. no visual...
Yet she willingly opened her legs to him. She couldn't even see him to appreciate all that he was. It was kind of messed up. Then again, he never thought two shits about it before. Probably never would.
"The blind leading the blind?" Sunniva said softly, voice dark.
"You take so much for granted, Krah," Her voice was soft and she finally stopped her horse. Anger spitting in her chest. "Why are you so against everything?" She hissed, swinging off the horse, knees buckling for a moment before she rushed to the sound of his horse, blindly reaching for the reins before she grabbed them, and stopped it.
"Do you hate me so much for keeping you from dying?" She hissed, fist tight on the reins, "because we can end this. I can slit your throat here. Let you rot on the road if you think you're beyond change and growth because that is all your future holds for you. Rotting on a battlefield. Just another faceless, nameless solider." An eerie calm, "You won't be remembered as a God. You'll be remembered as some giant bastard who deserved nothing good and got exactly that."
Whatever spirit of her's was coming out, rising to challenge him of all men, had him simply challenging back.
"Then go ahead and try it." A rough hand gripped her blade to pull her closer to him from where it was hung at her side. "See how far you get in slitting my throat, Lily."
"My name is not Lily," She said simply, tugging her dagger from him, "And I don't want to slit your throat." Sunniva sighed, face falling. "Why can't you understand that? Have you never had anyone?" She whispered, "Have you only had whores? No parents? No friends? No real lovers?" A shake of her head, angry.
"Why won't you let me help you?"
He hated it. Not kind of. He simply hated. All of it. All of what she said, because despite the fact he reveled in that sort of a life-
It truly was all he had, and only then did he begin to see, just a little bit, in how it might be held with such negative regard. So he did the only thing a man like him could do-
and punched her, and punched her hard.
And at her fumbling he could only laugh.
"You help me?" he snorted. "You honestly think you're so high and powerful?" There was a dangerousness to his tone, one he didn't bother to hide. "Your just as fucking awful as I am." Perhaps it's why he stuck around. He knew he could get laid, have a good fuck.
But he was the fucking god damn God of War. And who was she?
Just some petulant rich kid kicked off to the church when she probably lost her own eyes to some virgin god or who knew what else. Maybe her father took them. But did he care? Should he care?
The hit caught her off guard.
What hit wouldn't?
Her teeth had tug into her cheek and she felt blood in her mouth. It flowed freely and when she opened her mouth to talk it was only blood that dripped down her chin and then she simply laughed. " That just proves I'm right," She snarled, cheek hurting. Everything hurt but anger drove her. "About everything." The dagger at her hip was pulled from it's sheath and she held it tightly in her hand, blood still dribbling down her chin.
Still, it was a calm walk when she moved to him free hand on the horses reins again, "I can end it for you here now," She breathed, blade in hand, rage hot in her belly, "I regret nothing I've done or did with you," She said honestly, "I don't regret the child I carry still. So I offer to give you peace from this cruel world by my hand, Sir, So that I won't regret you dying by your own foolishness."
Rage.. anger, that was something he could relate to- something that was far more natural than air. But he could see her coming, she could not. And she'd feel the power of his grip when his hand crushed against her wrist of her blade hand as he was now standing before her, no longer on a horse, or even one to cower when a threat was before him.
It was all he knew, it was his turf. But he wasn't there to fight her off. Instead, he grabbed her blade just then and felt the bite of the knife as he guided her hand, and let the blade cut just enough into the rough skin of his throat.
"What? You want to be the hero of this war? Then slit my throat, bathe in my blood and feed it to the bastard you're carrying when it falls out." His words were cold, biting; and his grip, almost ot the point he'd break her wrist.
He laughed coldly at the idea.
"You'd be bored and dead by the time you'd realize what you'd done."
Then he shoved her hand away, but didn't move from where he stood, right up into her face.
"If anything, take that blade to your belly. Or to your own damn tongue." She lost her eyes, what'd she need her damn tonguef or anyway? Her words could be as bothersome as a cold winter's wind on your bare ass.
Sunniva helped the blade along, guided as it was to his throat. The grip hurt terribly and she visibly winced against it. Still, she could practically feel the blade slice his skin and she was honestly a little surprised, but she listened.
"There will be no heroes to this war," She hissed, "Least of all me for killing you," Sunniva was at a loss. Why was he being so difficult.
When he tossed her hand away, the blade went with it, grip wreak from his powerful grip. The sound of it hitting the ground made her wince and she simply reached a hand out, pressing gently fingers to the blood on his throat. Slippery and hot. Sunniva licked her lips, the tang of iron heavy in her mouth. "We bleed the same," She whispered.
"Is that what you really want?" Sunniva's voice was soft, such white hot rage burning through her she started to go cold, "You're like an impenetrable fortress, you're all walls and all I want is in." Sunniva hung her head for a moment, pulling her hand away to bring her bloodied fingers to her lips. "It even tastes the same," her voice was soft but she let her hands drop to her sides, not bothering to wipe her own blood from her mouth, "I don't know what you want," She breathed, "Do you want to be angry? Do you want to drown from choking on your own vomit from a night of drinking and whores? What do you want, Krah."
At that he laughed, a forceful, raspy sound.
"You act as if its some fucking mystery. What do all men want?"
A frown and she shook her head.
"A family? Someone who loves them? Trust? Friendship?" Sunniva took a deep breath, "Just because you're a man doesn't mean all you want out of live is sex and alcohol."
He sneered.
"Any of those things can be bought. But even a rich man, or the fucking grand duke crave the very thing even a bastard like me desires. But I don't fucking buy it. I take what I want. I do what I want. And there's not a fucking whore, god or king who can stop,me."
Sunniva shook her head.
"You can't buy someone's trust," She snapped moving closer, heart pounding in her chest. Anger making her pain go away, "You can't buy love and affection except for a few hours and that's only... Lust." Sunniva sighed and started to turn away, "Let's just go. Either way, you're stuck with me if you want to live, because if you're caught alone you're a dead man. Get on your horse, we're going to ride through the night and then rest in the morning."
"I don't need to buy anything," he sneered. " I take." He looked her over then away. "I'd rather fucking walk."
What an infuriating man. Sunniva was sure his special talent was just making people feel the most they could. Digust. Anger. Pleasure. Sunniva wiped the blood from her mouth before she felt for her horse, pressing against it before she sighed heavily
Now she was bone weary.
"Nevermind. We're resting," Sunniva paused, "I'll pay you if you find us a little clearinf to rest in." For obvious reasons she was unable to... Scope one out.
He sneered. His fever had dissipated. All of that sleeping could be to blame, but he ignored her request and kept a firm hold of the horse's reins.
"I rested enough." And he kept walking.
What an infuriatung man.
"Fine," she ground out, teeth clenched.
It was surprisingly graceful as she got up onto her horse. Nudging the beast along. " Why do you hate me?" She finally growled out.
He laughed, becoming more content with her contempt.
"I hate everyone," he went on, smile growing. "Few are worthy of anything more."
"Oh," at least that eased the sting.
"Well. How does one become worthy of more?" It was a general curiosity that made her ask, Sunniva's mouth hurt and she ached all over but... She didnt want to be weak. Didnt want to be seen as less. Not in front of him
He sneered.
"It's not worth it to explain if you have to ask."
Sunniva sighed.
"Fine," a pause, "have you ever met any of your possible children?"
Krah didn't respond at first. Why did she care about that.
"Yeah. They all think me seeing some drooling baby with shit smelling pants will change that I don't care about them, or the fucking bastard. A night of fun was a night of fun. It's their fucking consequences, not mine."
He had a reputation. If a woman was so ignorant to forget that, it wasn't his fucking problem.
"I take it you're quite handsome," Sunniva paused for a moment before shifting in her seat. What about her bastard? Sunnivas heart picked up for a moment, breath heated in her mouth. "I'd... Heard about your reputation," she admited quietly, "I just didnt think it could happen to me. Truthfully, the plan is to visit churches, we can pretend you're redeemed - because God knows you're not going to change unless you want to - and ..." Sunniva took a deep breath, "I'll have my child in Folkvar, my mother will care for it and I'll pretend none of this ever happened." The words tumbled out and she knew once she was done she'd get a dismissive comment from Krah.
"Then, you won't be my problem anymore."
His eyes shined, but he didn't laugh, nor speak. Not for a long moment. Her talking made him think, and thinking made him tired. He'd rather not have to think- about her, about some baby he'd never care two licks about, or even their destination.
"Fucking right." Of course he was handsome, and had the body of some damn God. Women swooned, men envied him. He loved and ate up all of their jealousy. They deserved to be jealous and remain in his shadow. He was more potent than the fucking sun.
"All women are the same." And his body was like any other man's- it wanted one thing and he just took whatever he wanted. "Hell, it's almost boring having so many throwing themselves at me."
But he worked so god damn hard at the war. So much stress and pent up energy...
It was pretty much the best thing ever he had so many legs spread open for him.
But then he thought back to what she said.
"Folkvar..." Where the hell was that again? And why did he have a feeling it wasn't just the next town over.
There was a type of bird she'd heard someone talk about once. It loved its own reflection and if given the opportunity would starve to stare at its self.
Sounded like Krah.
"Boring?" She echoed, " I'll try not to throw myself at you," which would be easy. Had she? Or had it only been him begging her for it? Sunniva didnt mention she'd keep other people from throwing themselves at him, too. Wouldnt want the God of War to get bored.
"Folkvar," she repeated, "south-eastern Dutchy. Right in the corner," Sunniva sighed, "we've a long way to go before your head is off the chopping block. Long enough to get me home under the guise of your redeption. We part ways any sooner than that and you're as good as dead."
And at that, he couldn't help but laugh.
"If it were only so easy to kill me.." he mused, not to her- but perhaps, to the world.
"You would have been a pin cushion in that village," she said dryly, "You're welcome." Then Sunniva sighed, anger bubbling in her gut.
"How did I ever let myself do that with you," she was disgusted with herself, "you're a terrible human being. You have the emotional capacity of rocks. If I was going to have sex with anyone I could have done far better than you."
At that, he tossed his head back in a laugh and grinned at her from over his shoulder.
"I'm pretty sure you'll never do better than this."
Sunniva scoffed.
"I'm sure I could. Hearing him say my name instead of Lily would already put him leaps and bounds in front of you."
"What's the matter with your title?" he jabbed.
"Its not my name," She growled, "Do you even know my name?"
"Does it matter?"
"See? Emotional capacity of a rock. Lets just go," Sunniva snapped, "I'm done talking to you." And she fell silent and eventually... Asleep where she sat, hunched over the horse
He knew he should have been more than happy she finally just passed out. But truth of it, he was actually enjoying making her upset. So it left him with nothing to do. Sure, he kept moving forward, guiding the horse. But soon that grew boring, and even he was just... tired.
So like she had requested earlier, he unwittingly found himself a place for them to rest. Though he did little to rest, the little nook in the land was cozy enough, out of the wind. He had a forgotten talent for it. He never liked being as poor as he once was, and had always done anything in his power to find the most convenience out of a location, or situation.
It was partially due to this skill that helped him on the field of battle, a keen eye to see what was before him and calculating all fo the ways to make it into his favor- and in turn, the favor of the Grand Duke keeping an iron fist on the war. Too bad what came with any skills came the most lousy of personalities. But it was how he wanted it, how he had lived since the day he could make decisions for himself. A bastard father, a path he'd cut himself-
and he'd make himself bigger than the world.
The little wench from Folkvar was just a nice distraction. He had grown somewhat tired of the war anyhow, and all of it's laws, it's rules- Rules he rarely abided by anyways. And he adored people syaing his name, knowing his name and all the immortality that that inspired. He'd never be forgotten- this war had become too scarring for it to ever be forgotten, and he- one of those men that dug those scars deep into the ground.
He was too big, too proud, and too awful for it not to carry further with the winds. He'd be known as just that- the most awful general that ever lived-
The worst and most poisonous vision of the God of War- Connlaoth's Ansgar.
he was Krah. A General, a villain, and known by all.
The horse was tethered, and he found himself kneeling beside a stream, Sunniva's body nestled into the nook between some rocks and a cushion of moss. The sounds of water were calming, as was the chirping of birds so late in the day. He cleaned his face now, he cleaned his teeth, and even took the time to just clean up himself. The crude knife used to trim down his beard did too good of a job that he had to go all the way to clean shaven- something he hated with all the power of his being. However, he was a fortunate man that he knew by day's end, he'd already have stubble breaking through and a fresh beard growing.
For now, he had been dried off (mostly, aside from his hair) which fell in matted wet rings along his shoulder. That too, he cut, just a little, to keep it at bay. He didn't fancy hair any longer than his shoulder, and it was getting too long for almost him too stand.
Grooming aside, he settled in near to Sunniva and.. despite the fact they were probably being hunted down like dogs...
he folded his strong arms over his chest...
And fell asleep.
It was easy to stay asleeo when she couldnt open her eyes. Too tired to kick up a fuss she was aware she'd been moved but once Sunniva was off the horse she snuggled down against something soft and passed out again.
The next time she woke up she'd found herself pressed against something warm. It was breathing but not furry so... Sunniva wasnt sure how much time had passed but her hand slowly moved up a chest, gently pressed to a neck and then... A smooth face?
Who... Sunniva didnt want it to be Krah, but if that wasnt him... Who could it be? He didnt smell like sickness and sweat anymore and Sunniva frowned slightly before she used her hand to trace his jaw, fingers lightly trailing over his lips... Just to make sure. The jaw felt right but... What had he done to his face? "Is that you?" She whispered, thumb still drawing over his bottom lip.
Grumpily, he swatted her hand away and turned to sleep some more, half snoring a curse her way to let him sleep.
Phew!
That was absolutely him. Good.
So, quietly, she crawled away. Listening for his breathing to be calm and slowly she peeled her clothing off. Bruises were ugly and blooming along her back and her cheek. Bruises shaped like his hands were on her shoulders and every other place was tender to the touch.
Still, tucking her dress aside , she went about washing herself, leaning forward and dipping her hair into the water. Having no idea what time it was, the feeling of sunbeams on her flesh was welcome and Sunnica knelt by the water, taking deep breaths.
She prayed for patience. She prayed for her soul and finally she prayed for forgiveness. Still naked, she layed out in a patch of sun along the stream and the warmth lulled her to sleep again, curled up, her hair a red fan around her head.
When he woke up, he nearly fell over. He was a heavy man, and even caught off guard himself, he was a bit hard to keep steady. With a hand flat on the ground to catch himself, he used the other to swipe his hair away from his face, and spotted...
"Damn." Was Sunniva just laying there.. naked?
Naked as a jay bird.
A gentle breeze managed to make its way through and she frowned, curling a leg up tighter before moving to her back and sighing. "Close the window," she grumbled out, stretching her arms over her head. Curled up beside the stream on a warm patch of grass she looked like a nymph, and she was facing away from Krah when she was finally aware of herself.
Right. Must have fallen asleep. She paused for a moment, listening for Krah. Hearing nothing she sat up, arms arched high above her head in a stretch, giving a pleased little hum and feeling toasty warm. Had she been alone...Her fingers trailed over her thigh for a moment before she raised to her knees and went about looking for her clothing by touch, frowning because she couldnt remember where she put it.
It wouldn't matter. She left out a bone for a dog. And she'd feel a warm, powerful hand creep up her leg as another captured behind her head and held her stiff and facing him.
"That desperate to fuck me already?" he growled hungrily, lips moving up her neck, then lower.
"Aww, shit," she hissed. His touch made her pulse skip and she hated it. Hated how this awful person made her heat up and her insides flutter. "No," she lied, lifting her hands to push at his, "I bathed and then I fell asleep. I didn't mean to," but still, her hand pushed through his hair and her heart raced.
"Just... Help me find my clothes and ... It'll be fine." Sort of.
"Why?" he asked, breath through kisses down her neck, leading towards the tips of her breasts.
Sunniva swallowed thickly, squeezing her thighs together. Ashamed at what he made her feel. He was awful and terrible and she hated him and... "why?" She arched her back, moving her hands to cover her breasts, "Because this is a bad idea. Because I shouldn't want this with you. You hurt me," she cried, shifting slightly. "Don't I have bruises?"
He didn't pause, lips over her breasts. He even kissed them through her hands.
"A man has to make his claim," he growled, moving to pull a hand away, then the other.
Sunniva resisted... but not for long. Her hands were pushed away and she moved it to cup his cheek. He felt... More handsome? With the clean shaven face and she sighed, leaning up on one elbow. "Why make a claim if you don't want me?" She asked, conflicted, "What are you claiming?"
She'd be able to feel the smile of his lips.
"That you are mine, even if you think you don't want it. That you crave me long after I'm gone," came his growls, tickling in hot kisses down her body, to where he paused and nursed hungrily on her breasts with a hand and hiswet mouth.
An arch over her back to press closer, mouth pulled into a thin line. Sunniva tried not to gasp, but she did and she pushed her fingers into Krah's hair to hold him to her breast and she curled her legs up higher and she whined. "But I don't want to," She moved her free hand to push at his shoulder as sure as she held him close. "I don't know how to want anything," She panted, flushed, angry and aroused and... Angry! "I don't want to be yours," She hissed, letting her head tip back so she could breath to the sky.
His tongue played with her breasts, lapping over her sensitive tip before a strong arm came down and hoisted up her leg. It was fluid when he opened his pants, he was already rock hard and wanting. Andshe'd feel him, pressing into her, first hard like a knife, but soon, after a few heavy rocks, she was wet and leaving no friction at all within her soft insides.
he was moaning, eyes rolling back as he rocked into her and growled against her shoulder as he bit, "You don't have a choice."
A lusty moan and she tipped her head back, fingers digging into his shoulders before he drew closer. One hand held his head to her shoulder and the other curled around him. Sunniva panted and moaned into his ear, legs curling around his middle while she rocked against him, needy and wanting. "I think this is the only time we get along," She panted into his ear, fisting his hair and turning her head to bite his ear, "And even then we don't." Sunniva lost herself to the movements, rocking against him mindlessly to ease the tension. A... productive outlet for the anger.
Gooseflesh covered her body and she trembled against him, lower lip between her teeth to help muffle her moans while she pressed her face against his neck. Though, she did her best to dig her nails into his back when she could, under the guise of heated passion.
He growled and bit kisses up her shoulder before devouring her lips.
"Who said I liked it civil?" he growled through pants, bucking into her in a steady, needy rhythm.
Eagerly, needy, she kissed him back, giving back as good as she got. Her voice was breathy and she tightened around him, growing closer to her peak. "No one would ever accuse you of being civil," she panted, rolling her hips into thrusts before she moved a hand down between them to help herself along, eager and needy. Instead of saying his name she bit down hard on her lip, refrusing to give him the satisfaction.
But then her lips were smothered by his own, a tongue shoving her mouth open as he moved faster, stronger and with need. He growled and pulled away, tossing his head back as he grew ragged, sweat plastering down his hair and collected all across his body until he paused, yanking her close and screamed out in sheer pleasure, a sound that was more like a roar like an animal than anything human as he began to pump her full of his hot seed.
Nails clawed at his chest, dug into flesh and Sunniva echoed his cry with one of her own. It was dainty in comparison and it hadn't been shrill, but her body had grown tense and she rolled her hips against him, feeling him come inside her. He was so hot against her flesh and Sunniva craved the touch. It was taboo and everything she wanted.
Sunniva let her hands fall by her head, tangled in her hair while she panted back against the ground, Krah between her thighs. Still she shivered under him, mouth open and taking in deep steadying breaths. "What do you get by supposedly claiming me?" She panted out, shifting her head slightly so it was in the sun, catching her breath.
Krah smirked and rolled to lay on his back, keeping her firmly mounted as he held one of her thighs, the other hand pressing against the small of her back. His dick was still in, good and deep as she could feel it, trapped around the velvet soaked muscles inside her.
"Pleasure," he growled hungrily, teasing her with another roll of his hips. "And power," he added, laying there and smoothing his hands up her perfect, soft skin. His undulations were purposeful, and slow.
"What are you feeling?" He asked,arching up to dig his dick even deeper inside her as he held it there, muscles tense.
Pleasure and power.
Sunniva shivered, giving a gasp when he moved her on top of him. It felt different from this way. She let her head tip back and she gave little twitches, still riding out her earlier orgasm. The little movements did little to ease her tension and she squeezed her hands into fists on Krah's chest. Teeth clenched, Sunniva let her head fall forward, the red of her hair a curtain between them before she pushed her hair behind her ear.
Just one little movement.
Sunniva rolled her hips against his little movements before she forced herself to stop. He wanted pleasure and power so... "F-feel?" She whispered, licking her lips, shifting slightly and sighing, "I don't feel anything," She lied, giving a little abortive rock of her hips because the pleasure was right there and she'd been starved it by rules. "You d-don't make me feel anything," Sunniva whispered, fingers pressing to his chest, while she bit her lip, trying to resist.
"Oh?" his grin was cocky, eyes half lidded. He moved up into her, nice and slow.
"Nothing at all?"
A little moan but she turned her head up and away, trying to breath through the involentary moan. "N-nothing," she lied again, back arching to bring herself closer to him, for more. Did she want this? Sunniva chewed on her lower lip, hands moving from his chest to stay fisted at her thighs. "Nothing at a-all."
His grin was dangerous, eyes like slits and his body moving not unlike the smooth, cool curves of a serpent-
In and out.
And out and In.
Real slow, tip to base so he could taste her all, and she of him.
A shiver ran over her body and Sunniva felt goose bumps prickle all along her limbs. The noises were making her blush because while she denied feeling anything her body protested such a claim eagerly. She hated him, everything in her being hated him.
With him going so slow, the movements so gentle, Sunniva imagined this might have been what making love was like. Not the heated angrt trysts she knew. Still, she gave a rock forward with her hips and bit her lip before she forced herself to freeze and put hee hands to her face. "You don't own me," but she clung to him eagerly with her thighs and he fit inside her so snug it was like she was made for him.
That's when he paused, a hand smoothing up her thigh clean to her hair where he fisted it and looked at her with a lusty growl.
"Then prove it. Show me you own me."
Did she?
Sunniva tensed, her breath was pushed from her and she smoothed her hands up his chest, nails dragging. Could she? He owed her his life. It was a selfish reason that she rescued him. It had taken a lot of work, a lot of smooth talking. A lot of bribes. Did she regret it? Sunniva licked her lips and gave her hips a little rock. No, she didn't regret it. If there was one thing she'd stopped doing it was regretting.
It wasn't like she could get pregnant again.
His words would get exactly what he wanted out of this, a hard fuck. Did she want to give him that? Another little movement of her hips, testing the movement before she picked up a rhythm. Fingers digging into his sides before she leaned down, kissing along his chest before biting his nipple. Her hand went to his neck, feeling along the cut from her knife, fingers delicate while her hips picked up the pace. The other hand went to his wrist, fingers tangled in her hair and pried it away, tangled mane, ignoring the sharp jolts of pain that came from pulling her hair.
If anything the pain zinged right to her core and she rocked her hips harder before she finally propped herself up, palms on his chest. "Keep your hands to yourself unless it's to pleasure me," She hissed, fingers digging into his abdomen for a moment before she rose up and fell against him forcefully. It wasn't for him. If Krah was going to present himself as worth little else than a lay then that was what she was going to use him for. At least while they were both naked.
Sunniva lost herself to the movements, rocking above him. Her lips were bitten red and sweat beaded at her forehead. The sun was hot against her back and she slammed herself upon him forcefully, needing to feel impaled by him. Needing to take out her anger. Frustrations. Her hair curled around her arms in tangled red waves and she ground herself down upon him, fully seated. Her fingernails scratched down his chest while she rocked her hips slowly before she tossed her head back, back arching. Her breath was heavy before she began to rub her clit in eager motions, grinding against him in a gentle rhythm.
"I'm..." She whimpered, fingers digging into his hip while she worked herself into a frenzy, more eager little movements, "Move, Damn it!" She demanded, nails clawing against his flesh. Voice a barking demand in her pursuit of pleasure.
But he gave her more than that. Krah, if anything, was an ambitious man in the manners of sin. And though his own hips bucked up into her in a violent crash of need, she'd feel half his fingers being crammed into her with no finesse. But he didn't need to, she was soaking wet- a salty mixture of her own sweetness and his seed. And those fingers itched forward, moving, writhing, a thumb massaging roughly her clit as his dick stabbed her over and over until greed got the better of him-
and he'd knew she'd be sore after it, as he fit his entire fist in there with his dick; and fucked her, screamed for her to scream for him.
Birds flew when her cry pierced the skies.
It was a strange mix of pain.
A strange tinge of pleasure and Sunniva gasped in a heavy breath of air while her brain told her the pain was wonderful and amazing and pleasurable. Of course, once she hit her crest, head thrown back, taking deep gasps of air it just hurt. A garbled cry and she jerked away from Krah, shivering still from her crest and pressing a hand to her groin. "What is your problem!?" She screamed at him, knees drawn to her chest, eyebrows furrowed. It was hard to glare without sight but she managed.
The feeling of fabric against her cheek let her know that she'd found her pile of clothing and she went quiet from the remnants of her orgasm made her shiver. The undergarment was pulled on easily enough - a sheer nightgown, basically, and she rose up onto her hands and knees to pant, pressing her face into her dress. "You just... You just punched me in the vagina!" And sure in the midst of it she'd had probably the most gut wrenching orgasm ever, but now she hurt and Sunniva grabbed a handful of grass and threw it in his general direction, limbs still shaky and while she was in pain she was still clearly aroused.
"I knew you were a monster but I didn't know you were a weird monster!" Another handful of grass was thrown his way before she winced and took a few more deep breaths.
Krah blinked, and couldn't help his smile.
"That's one way of putting it." And the first time he'd heard a fist job that way, too. To be honest, he just wanted as much of her as he could take in that moment. He didn't know why. Or maybe he didn't want to admit why.
He watched her clamber around uneasily, a grin still on his lips.
"Does it hurt?" he found himself asking, after throwing away asking anything nicer. Then again, he should have wondered why he even considered asking anything other than arrogance and lewd come backs. It seemed all he was good for. Concern, to him, seemed out of place in a heated moment like this.
Hissing still, she moved a hand to cover her mound. It was wet and stung and she carefully prodded with her fingers, Sunniva couldn't even remember where Krah was and no doubt she was giving him quite a show. Blind, she tested what she felt against her fingers and it didn't feel like blood but... "Of course it hurts," She whined, pressing her forehead to her forearm, ass still in the air.
"Am I bleeding?" She growled out, aware of what she was asking him but curious all the same. Turning her head over her shoulder like she could look at him, limbs still trembling, fire still in her belly. But now she stung and she bit her lip and her hand moved down, fingers bumping against her clit. A soft gasp, the pleasure mixed with the sting had her tense and she gave herself another curious nudge with her fingers.
Sunniva swallowed thickly, letting her head dip back down again. A soft gasp and just about everything was forgotten while she curiously explored herself. "I didn't..." She said softly, voice a husky whisper, while she worked herself "I didn't think this would feel good outside of ... Coitus." Mostly she was trying to explain herself as she started to work herself harder, back arching and spreading her legs slightly. Maybe... Sunniva sucked in a breath and rocked against her hand, the pleasure chasing the pain away. "Oh," She said simply before she balled her hand into a fist, "Why didn't you tell me I could just do this," She moaned against her arm, biting her lip and working herself into a frenzy, Krah all but forgotten on her mindless search for pleasure.
Oh, Krah was pretty much a cat in the cream, watching her stuff herself full of her fingers. She wasn't the only one getting all excited as his own strong hands moved to grab his member as he worked at his shaft and watched her play with herself.
But eventually he grew greedy and moved near to her, fist still pistoning along himself as he took his other hand to throw hers away.
"Move aside. It's time for me to play." And before she could stop him he moved to his knees behide her, hoisted her thighs apart before cramming hsi face inbetween her legs from behind. His nose was near in her ass but his mouth was chin deep in her sex, tongue wrestling in deep to taste the salty sweetness of her sex.
He moaned against her skin, vibrating against her as his tongue lapped and curled and jammed in deeper and deeper still to a quick and hungered pace as he ate of her, his turgid dick forgotten just briefly before his hand returned to guide her's there, as he wrapped her much softer, smaller hands around his member- which was so hard and pleasantly sticky from their first go around.
A startled sharp cry when her hand was thrown away and she protested briefly before his mouth moved and she dug her fingers into the grass. A hot moan and she arched her back, moving her guided hand along his shaft. Sunniva chewed on her lower lip, heat bubbling from her chest down to her core.
His name was an uttered groan and she slowly pushed him away from her as she crawled forward. It was nice, but it wasn't... Good enough. "Lay back," she demanded, putting her hand back on his shaft, working it carefully before she shuffled over him, guiding Krah onto his back before she guided his cock to her core. Lined up, she sank down on him with a lusty moan, "There," She said, head tilted back. Her hands had been nice but being full of the heat of him was better. Her hands moved over his chest and down his arms before she clasped his hands, threading her fingers between his while she rode him with abandon, eagerly and with needy little noises.
Krah's eyes glazed over with lust as he found himself on his back again. The way she moved, the way she took him had him cumming into her along with the first few rolls of her hips. But he was hardly finished. She'd feel him fill her and seep out, his seed dribbling down his body and giving Sunniva all the extra lubrication she could ever need.
His eyes rolled back as his body was already rising up for another orgasm, as he moaned, and moaned her name, as his hands moved of their own, strong and powerfully holding her as she took him, again and again.
It wasn't just lust that drove her.
Now it was anger and hate and Sunniva tipped her head back, mouth open while she panted and rode him with abandon. A heated grown, back arching when she felt him come in her. Sunniva finally leaned forward, hands on his chest before she rocked her hips a few more times and rose up, leaving him and hovering above him. "Scream my name," She growled at him, fingers digging into his chest, resisted any movement from him to bring them together again.
"Scream it to the trees and then we can fuck until the sun goes down," She panted, the sun behind her where they were, hair illuminated into a red halo around her. Sunniva lowered herself ever so slightly, just another little movement. Fingers digging into his pecs, breasts pressed together. Lust and hate were apparently decent aphrodisiacs because Sunniva trembled from want, but damnit, she was going to make him scream for her.
Krah growled at her through half lids as his dick pulsated with want. His hands were now on her hips as he said through pants, "You want me to scream to the world I'm being fucked by a Lily?" His dick twitched again. It seemed she wasn't the only one turned on by the heat, and by their forbidden coupling.
Still she hovered, nails digging into the flesh of his chest.
"My name," she hissed out. Her palm was flat on his chest before she rose higher, growling at him. "If you can't say my name then we're done here."
His eyes sparkled with a lusty, dangerous kind of challenge.
"And if I've forgotten it?" he purred, a large hand smoothing up from her soft belly, to cup and fondle a breast.
Sunniva shivered, swallowing thickly.
Forgotten.
Her hand grabbed his wrist and pulled it away. "Then you can forget this," her voice was a huss and she started to stand, grumbling
Except she wasn't going anywhere as he yanked her back ontop of him.
"Oh?" A hand moved through her tangled, red hair. "And if I remember it?" he asked, dick pressed hard against her inner thigh.
Sunniva panted softly, shifting to grind herself against him. "Then say it," she hissed, leaning down to press a kiss to his chest before biting the flesh.
Krah shivered, skin rippling over with lightly bumped flesh. His hands moved to grope her, hungered and devouring the soft mounds of her breasts. Fingers played with her nipples until the soft flesh turned as hard as it could, and he lifted himself up to eat of them, sucking on the tips, then nearly the whole thing before he growled, heated kisses up her neck to where he paused at her ear, a fist holding her hair behind her head as he growled, "Fuck me, Lady Avarali. Fuck me like you know you should. Because the Gods have denied you, and you have one right here... right now, to sate your anger on." he grinned. She'd he able to feel his teeth against her skin as he went on.
"Fuck me, Lady Sunniva Avarali. Make your claim on the God of War."
Even while being demanding, her back arched to his mouth and those demands were almost forgotten in the onslaught if pleasure. Head tipped back, his voice made her shiver. A heated hated man but she couldn't deny that he was passionate. His words had her chest tighten.
"Lady?" She whispered, her hands moved to cradle his head, fingers digging into his hair before she reached down to guide him to her. Sunniva sank down on him, head tipped back with a heated moan, she began to rock her hips, panting softly. "I'd have settled with Sunniva, in fact, I prefer it," she hissed, grinding down on him. And then she moved, "I'll claim my God of War," her hips worked to a rhythm and she worked towards her peak eagerly
Krah growled with pleasure, his fist tightening in her hair.
"What's wrong with your full name?" came his husky query as he let her work herself against him.
A little nuzzle of her lips to his chin and Sunnivas mouth caught his in a heated kiss. For a few moments she refused to answer his question, baffled as to why he would ask her something when they were doing this. Just a flat question.
"Its... a bit of a mouthful don't you think?" She panted, rocking harder, fingers digging into his flesh. "Krah," Sunniva panted, "I'm so close," and she worked harder and faster against him.
"A mouthful.." he growled, closing his eyes. "Sounds fucking nice."
His dick grew hard, like the heft of a spear, which is how he used it to start lancing inside her when she picked up speed. He couldn't let her have all the fun, and when he heard her panting that she was close, he nearly shot his load inside her, but instead, used that fist in her hair to smash his lips into hers and rolled her clean over, smashing her body against the ground so she was beneath hima nd he over her as he pulled her leg up and over her shoulder and began to fuck her with need.
"Gods be damned," he growled into her breasts, lips moving hotly up her throat as he fucked.
"Scream for me," he commanded. "Tell the world who you own."
Sunniva gasped loudly when she was pushed onto her back. Then it turned into a heated moan and she squeezed his biceps. His name was a heavy pant against his hair and one hand moved to fist in it. The other pressing against his lower back and her teeth sunk into his shoulder while she rocked her hips.
The little whimpers grew, "oh god," a little moan and "ohgodohgod oh my god," Sunniva's teeth sunk into Krahs shoulder and she squeezed tightly around him when she came. Muscles pulsating and her hips jerking, clutching onto the taildend of her orgasm. "Krah," she panted, "Krah. Please," her breath was heavy against the bite, and her tongue laved at the indents her teeth left behind.
If she wasn't already pregnant, hell, she'd be pregnant with a litter of his bastards by now from all the hot seed he pumped into her. But he was insatiable, and to have this woman in such a state... It only fueled his erection to something well past that of the normality of men.
He was sweat soaked as he was over her, grinning as his wild hair plastered against his face.
"Krah... Krah please... what?" he asked, using a curled fist to gently stroke at one of her flushed cheeks. "If I didn't know better.. I'd say you were at the mercy of War..."
Sunniva could hardly form words, her mouth was dry from her panting and she was getting an ache in her leg from curling it around Krahs hip. His words made her chest tingle and she brought a hand to his cheek, drew her thumb over his lips. Hear the grin in his voice.
"I.." Sunniva choked back a gasp, back arching, her arm curled around his neck to hold him close. "I am," she whined, rocking against him eagerly, mind lost to what she could do here with him but no where else. "Please," she whispered, fingers digging inti his flesh again as she slowly climbed to her peak. "Krah, please," her voice was hushed and needy and Sunniva wasnt even sure what she was begging for.
Begging or not, Krah was a cruel man and power was his ultimate goal. Always.
Now was no exception, as he watched her beg him and groan and move her hips...
only for his powerful hands move to stop her, to hold her still as slowly, he slipped his dick all the way out of her. Then even slower, began to slide his entire member back in.
What was he doing!?
"No!" She panted when he started to draw away, only to sink in again. Sunniva was a surprisingly lusty little thing to begin with, so this was just torture. "Krah!" She whined after a few moments of the excrutiatingly slow movements. "Just finish it already please!"
"Why?" he growled, voice husky and hot against her, hips still moving, awful and slow.
Sunniva turned her head, hands guiding his head down for a kiss. She rolled her heads and tightened her legs around his waist to keep him closer, "because this is torture," she whined, arms curled aeound his neck, "because I almost can't think beyond what you're doing to me," cane her final weak whimper, ugring him to move faster with the movements of her body.
His grin was wicked and his eyes, lustfilled. He didn't stop, only continued his painfully slow roll.
"Torture.." he gruffly purred. A hand raked through her hair as he kissed her roughly. "You speak as if it's a bad thing." To be kind, he gave one hard thrust into her, but paused, eyes just an inch away as he looked into hers.
"You're bedding a God," he reminded. "If I could lock you up, pin you tot he wall in chains and fuck your brains out, I would, and would be no less merciless."
Sunniva pressed into the kiss eagerly, giving a little needy moan when he pulled away. "It is," She panted, shaking her head. What a creature she'd turned into. A despicable woman, little better than a whore. Gorging herself on everything sinful denied to her. Sunniva arched her back and gave a lusty moan when he drove into her, an impatient wriggle of her hips. Her legs curling around them before she turned her head and bit down on his arm to keep her noises to a minimum.
Teeth still sunk into Krahs arm, she gave another needy rock of her hips before she pulled her mouth away, turned so her cheek was pressed to the ground. Body tense before she panted heavily, "Why can't you?" She pleaded, hands moving to his ass to press him to her. "I'm yours," She breathed, "Until the sun comes up again, anything," Sunniva panted, "Everything. Just yours. A sacrifice to a God," her voice was a purr and she wriggled again, willing to say just about anything if it got him moving again!
Her words did the trick as he forced her face to look at him and smashed his lips into her, body unyielding and insatiable as he began to fuck her good and hard.
"That's right," he growled, hot breath rumbling from his throat. "You're being claimed by war. You're mine." He grabbed her by the hair and pulled himself out of her with a grunt, shoving her so she was on her knees as he pushed her head down until she was nearly eating the mud. And there was only a brief second to line himself up with her before he shove dhimself deep within her again and began to fuck her like a dog.
Being claimed by someone set off a while new set of fireworks in her belly. It was sin. It was against God. Despite her wrong doings she belonged to Him. Krah's words though, had her tense. Forbidden feelings welling in her chest. Sunniva panted against his mouth and let him guide her to her knees, felt the grass press to her cheek.
"Krah," she whined, lifting herself up onto her hands, rocking back into his movements. "Oh God," she tilted her head back, going tense, "Krah!" the last cry was more a scream when she came again and then... With trembling limbs she was back into it, eager and willing for more.
Sunniva wasn't quite a hundred percent sure what continued on. When she was finally aware again she could taste the night sky on her sweaty skin and she felt boneless. Boneless and used. The guilt climbed back into her chest and she was curled up on her side, falling in and out of sleep.
What had she done? Fallen for it again. The need to be touched and to touch someone for herself. Carnal sin with, probably, the worst man on the planet. Regret stung in her gut and she curled up tighter on the grass, no doubt covered in... The early evenings activities.
Krah was well spent after several more rounds and he lay, sleeping, snoring at Sunniva's side. An arm was draped over top of her, the grass feeling nice and cool against his clammy skin. She was no doubt covered, inside and out, with his seed, making things sticky and uncomfortable. But did it matter? Krah was sleeping like a log, no doubt sticky from her own juices drying against his body and having mingled iwth his own. Then again, it was these things he lived for. Taking what he wanted with no one to tell him other wise. He was a god in his own right with those terms and so far, he really could do whatever the hell he pleased.
It pained her on many levels that she felt... Content.
Like having Krah's arm draped over her after a lustful afternoon was just what she wanted, that sleeping near through the night against a man was something she could only dream of. Sunniva wanted to curl into his chest, snuggle in and go back to sleep but... It was a fools dream. While she was clearly a fool she didn't cling to false hopes and instead she smoothed her hand over his arm a few times before she sighed and pushed it away.
There was an identity to uphold and she couldn't do that covered in... Sunniva pressed the back of her hand to her forehead before she slid away from him on their little patch of grass and moved to stand up. It was a fools errand because her knees were weak and her body was throbbing with pleasure still. Dammit. Sunniva ducked her head down and cursed before she crawled on her hands and knees, hand dipping into the stream.
The rest of her followed and she sucked in her breath with how cool it was. Still, too tired and too weak, she simply laid in it and let the water move over her. Wash her sins away. With her upper torso out of the water, she folded her arms over her face and groaned before slapping at the water. Angry with herself. There was nothing charming about this man. There was nothing endearing. Nothing. Why was she drawn to him so?
"I hate you, Krah," She hissed, moving her wet hands to fist in her hair. He ruined everything. He turned her beliefs on their head because... He'd not be struck down by Ansgar but all he did was lie and sin and take what he wanted. Another slap at the water and she flung some of it in his general direction. Angry now. Livid. Life ruined and it was all his fault.
He had been watching her. Of course he had. How could he have not? She was a beautiful creature, one a predator like he, she could never escape. His eyes took all of her in as she had her tantrum in the water. But he was too lazy to go to her. So he watched, smirking as she cursed his name.
"You weren't saying that twenty minutes ago," he said through a yawn.
His voice startled her so bad her hands jerked and she whipped her head around to face his direction. When had he stopped snoring?! Sunniva blushed hotly and opened her mouth though, quickly shut it. Slowly she removed herself from the water and walked to him, kneeling down in front if him.
Cold beads of water dripped from her and she reached a hand to lightly touch his face. "I was crying out for you," she said plainly, "you confuse me. I was told sex was a sin. That I'd no longer be an adhara if I did it. That i would be struck down by God!" She swallowed and gave a shiver when the breeze chilled her far more than the water did.
"I shouldn't enjoy what you do to me. But I do. When I'm so close to you I crave it." Sunniva ducked her head down, "I'm no better than a common whore and its all your fault! I hate you!"
Krah stretched out, lethargic at her rage.
"Your sin, not mine." he shrugged it off. It was no big thing. He fucked all the time. But he took a moment to appreciate her form. "I don't believe in a fucking God who makes humans holy." he sneered through a smile. "Or any God. Gods are for weak men to believe in, men who can't rise up on their own; pathetic in the shadows of their own."
Sunniva froze.
Slowly she ducked her head down, hands resting on her thighs. "What am I supposed to do without God?" Her voice was small and she turned slightly, head down, her hair falling over her shoulder in cold wet clumps. "I can't just stop. I'm a duke's daughter. An Adhara..." she paused and moved her hand to her stomach, the pain had gone away. Was it safe? Did it survive?
Did she want it?
"Rest," she whispered moving to lay down on the grass, her hands resting on her mostly non-existing bump. Did she want it to survive? "We'll head out tomorrow. Then we'll be done in enough time for you to go back to your life and... For me to ..." her hands smoothed over the flesh, "figure out what to do."
At her words Krah grew silent. And there was a long silence between them before she'd hear his laughter, which grew louder and louder before he simply barked it out.
"Many live without a God. The sun keeps rising, bastards keep getting born and old people die. That's fucking life."
Sunniva quickly curled up on her side, drawing her knees up. The shivers from the cold moved her but she deserved it. She'd sinned. There was no comfort for her. Not now. "I can't expect a man like you to understand," she said softly, "that wasn't my life, though surely I'll be having your bastard - though I'll never care to tell him who you are."
Krah laughed.
"It is your life." He told her, moving to admire the curves of her side. "You chose to fall to me, to open your legs, to take my seed. Everything. Fucking Ansgar's name right with a godless man. Your choice." He grinned. "And mine."
"I didn't..." Sunniva's voice got small, "I didn't think i'd become with child." She reached behind her, tore at some grass and tossed it his way. Most of it fell short. Then her arms curled around her middle and she sighed before rolling over to face him - not that she could see him.
"And that isnt fair! You're very pursuasive!" Another handful of grass was tossed at him, "and .. and... It feels nice. And... once you go away I wont be doing it anymore."
"Going away? And just where am I going?" he asked, eyes indulging of her very supple, curvy form, just perfect and on display, just for him. Only for him.
Sunniva moved her arm to prop her head on her elbow, tucking the leg on the top up and stretching the lower one out. "Once you're allowed to be free," she said simply, "you dont want a wife and children," the words were simple but she still felt a pang in her chest. Like she wanted that. "No doubt you'll be you again, I suppose I'll grow used to the idea that my child will have many siblings.
"'You'll be you again'?" He raised his brows at her question, laughter evident in his eyes. Not that she could see it. "I was never not me." Who did she think she was getting boned by?
Sunniva sighed before she impatiently used her arm to prop herself up, the thought of herself naked was a far away one. She'd been so for almost the whole day and it wasn't concerning her anymore - besides, there was nothing Krah hadn't seen anyway.
"You have to play nice," She stated, frowning at him, "At least for as long as it takes for them to decide you're fixed and to clear your name. So, instead of perhaps learning a lesson in humility and how to be kind, you'll go back to being a smelly pig of a man who has a penis almost as large as his ego." Sunniva turned her head away, hair falling over her shoulder, "So, you'll just be you again."
He snorted, eyes still taking her in with a lazy leer. A finger played with the ends of her hair.
"I was always me."
Sunniva sighed, hating how she leaned in slightly when she felt him moving her hair. Shifted her shoulders to thrust out her chest a little bit because she could.
"I know. I'm aware of that. I..." Sunniva sighed, "I'm just... Disappointed you can't choose to be a better version of you. Who doesn't just want to fight and f... have sex. But hold intelligent conversations or..." Sunniva flushed and turned her head away, "Settle down."
He paused fingering her hair.
"You must read a lot of books."
A partial joke. She was blind.
He gave her a half assed smile.
"Only fools settle down. If you settle down in life, it's over. See all the good it's done you?" This time he gave a light pull to her hair before he rolled to lay on his back, looking up at the clouds. So he was naked. He never cared much either way,a nd scratched off a bug that tickled his arm as he looked at the sky.
He rarely looked at the sky. What a waste.
Sunniva frowned at him, putting her hands on her hips.
Slowly she shuffled towards him until she was sitting on her knees and her knees were touching his arm. "Fine, not settle down," She paused to think of a new set of words, her hand found his arm and she traced an idle pattern along his bicep while she thought, "be content?" Did she want him to 'be content'?
Even if it wasn't with her. With someone else. A past love. A long forgotten fling he just couldn't forget... Would that be okay? "Do you never wish you could wake up next to the same person every day and know that they'll be sleeping next to you that night? Or do... You like the different faces."
"That's a strange question coming from a blind girl."
Sunniva gave his arm a light smack with the back of her hand,
"I wasn't always blind," she sighed, "And you didn't answer my question." Sunniva shifted to lay beside him, their arms touching because she liked the contact. He let her. He didn't judge her for it - though he seemed to feed into her judging herself.
"You don't know what I'd give to be able to see again," A bit of a sneer in Krah's general direction, "But you don't want that? Are you afraid that you'll lose it if you did want it?"
He turned to look at her.
"I don't lose anything. I take what I want." And that was that.
Sunniva sighed.
"Say you were infatuated. The only way to keep her was to marry her." She talked slowly just incase he didnt get it, "she goes away. You dont have someone you care about around anymore. Did you lose them? Or did you find a new hole to.plug with your dick and not care about her anymore?"
THis was getting annoying, as he sat up and grabbed her roughly.
"I told you, I don't lose anything. If I want it, it's mine."
He shoved her aside and moved to get his clothes. He was done here. Wasting anymore time in the grass might lead to her trying to talk to him again. And she was so damn stubborn. Well he was so damn ignorant. And he didn't care to think about anything she was going on about.
Marriage. Infatuation. Love. What weak things to be.
Sunniva sighed, her head ducking down.
It was easy to forget how young she was until she started talking to grown men od war about feelings. "Do you want me?" Her voice was small and curious, moving to get up onto her knees.
"I thought you were a nobles' daughter. Yet here you talk like a stupid girl." He sneered at her. "Would I fuck something I didn't desire? You've got all the right parts to get a man heated."
Sunniva just huffed.
"Ive been part of the church since I was a child. My parents gave me to it after my father removed my eyes, I am noble by blood, not by education" she sneered before she pressed her hands to her face before she stood up, "could you please pass me my clothes? I'm a little turned around and dont remember where I left them."
He simply watched her.
"Why would I help you get dressed?" Even if he was half dressed himself.
Sunniva sighed, flushed with irritation.
"Do you want me to just... Be naked the whole journey?" Her voice was clipped and she let her hands rest at her hips. "Fine. Fine! Ill just be nakes until we leave this little place." Sunniva grumbled, sitting back down and pouting. "Not like you haven't seen everything anyway!"
Krah's grin came easy.
"It would make things easier. ANd you're getting all flustered..." A hand reached out to touch her shoulder as she dared to move near to her. He should have kept his pants off. "Sex is a whole lot better when you're writhing and taking out your aggression on my dick." His lips found her shoulder, as he began to kiss at her, brushing her long hair aside as a large hand moved forward to cup a breast hungrily.
Sunniva flushed and turned her face away.
She hated how her body tingled at his touch and she moved her hands to cover her breasts and turned her torso away. "Stop it," she snapped at him, though she moved one hand away to push at his shoulder, "We're not having sex. I'm done with you! We're going to clear your name and part ways! You don't even want me!"
"I thought we already discussed this?" he purred, breath hot on her shoulder as his much stronger hands removed hers from her breasts so he could fondle them, rolling rough fingers over her nipples. His teeth nibbled into her skin. "Of course I want you. And I will.." His hands continued to grope, massaging her heavy breasts. "Because I always take what I want. And you have what I need.."
Damn him!
Sunniva opened her mouth to say something but it came out a squeak. Her skin bumped and her nipples hardered and his touch just made it worse and she flushed hot with shame before she was ready for him all over again. The rational smart side told her this was bad. This was stupid and this wasn't acceptable. The side she'd pushed down for so long begged her to give in because she knew, once this awful man was out of her life she'd never have this again. Never have passion and touches.
"Krah," she pleaded, moving her hands to cover his, "I don't have anything you need," She whined, pulling at his wrists. Ever touch made her breath hitch and she hated herself for it, "I just have everything you don't want."
His hands were much stronger than hers, and he ignored her attempts to remove him. Instead, his face went down, mouth indulging on one of her breasts.
"You're a woman," he breathed against her skin, moving to nurse and suck on the other one. "And a woman is what I need."
Sunniva sucked in a breath, but her hands went to his shoulders and started to push him away. Though she shifted her weight and tried not to shiver and gasp, "I'm Sunniva," she moaned, "Get off of me!"
Krah paused and grabbed her by her hair suddenly.
"Sunniva?" He pulled her closely, making sure it'd hurt. "Do you want me to say it's Sunniva that I crave?"
Sunniva yelped in pain when he pulled her hair and impulsively, she reared her hand back and slapped Krah across the face. It was a little off center and she quickly pulled her hand back. Flushed and angry. Her mouth was pulled into a frown and her chest heaved and her heart pounded with her anger. "I'm not a toy! I'm not some whore for you to slake your lusts on," Her hands trembled and she held his wrists as surely as he held her hair.
His grip intensed, surely ripping out some of her red hair.
"Yet you enjoy each game we play."
He snarled at her and let her simply drop, and moved away, hastily getting dressed.
"I...!" Sunniva started before she realized there was no bother. Krah would never change. While feeling stupid wasn't a common thing for her, around this... Horrible beast of a man it was a usual occurrence. Ducking her head down, still kneeling in the grass she curled her arms around herself. Stupid girl, she thought.
"You were right," She spat out, "I want you to crave me," She stood up, walking carefully to where she thought she left her clothes, "I want you to think of me. I want the idea of that annoying red-headed Lily to... To haunt you. But it won't. Because I don't mean anything to you and I never will. It doesn't matter to you that... That..." She couldn't say the words, so she swallowed them and she felt her foot press against some fabric. Good. Kneeling again, she moved her hands over it. Her dress. Good.
"I enjoy the game and then I get burned and I remember that I mean nothing to you. Just some... Stupid little girl who let you get her pregnant," The words were bitter and she smoothed her hands over her chemise calmly, not wanting to put it on inside out in anger. Being naked still didn't really matter to her, so she took her time.
Krah tossed his head back, giving a cruel laugh.
"You're not he only woman. You weren't the first, and you won't be the last." But then his eyes narrowed, agitated in his own right. "And it's not like you're simple. You knew what could happen."
As did he. But he knew he was much freer from any obligations. After all, it wasn't like the God of War could get pregnant. Though if he were to imagine, he'd probably have been knocked up over a dozen times by now. And all the kids would probably have been dropped off somewhere to rot.
Sunniva winced at the laugh.
Stupid foolish girl.
Still. She had a duty. A duty to herself, to God. Country. Even Krah. Pulling her clothing on, she took a deep breath. Anger was the wrong motivator but it was all she had. Fixing her clothing to look as unrumpled as possible. "I... Just didn't think it would happen to me," she admitted truthfully.
"And I thought i was different," her voice trailed off and she gathered her hair over her shoulder to fingercomb and braid it before she shook her head. "Maybe I am simple. I must be to think myself so potentially important to anyone else."
"You were different," he went on with a grin, ignorant of the poison in her words. "Most women of the church aren't so loose...nor as attractive."
Sunniva's face crumpled while she fixed her buttons. Crying was a messy thing and she felt the need to express her hurt but... No. "I am not loose. I am just foolish," she snapped, turning away and pressing her hands to her face. Gently smoothing her fingers over her empty eye sockets. "And i'm going to pay the price for the foolishness in time."
Krah was simply being himself. She should have known better. Still, Sunniva took a deep breath and pushed her feelings down. Not good enough for her family. Not good enough for the church. Just a notch in a belt. Sunniva, clothed, found a nice patch of grass and curled up. "Why haven't you just killed me yet."
"Why would I kill you? Your assets are still... "he leered her form hungrily. "Valuable."
But he didn't approach, simply watched her from where he remained, fiddling with the buttons on the front of his shirt, leaving the last few open to let the air cool off his neck and chest.
Sunniva curled up tighter.
"You think Im only good for sex," she said in a hushed voice, "you have a perfectly fine hand."
That's when he caught her arm, and forced her to look at him roughly.
"You know what I think? I hate the way you talk. It's pathetic and weak and makes you ugly. That's what I think." he sneered at it, growing tired of her 'woe is me' attitude towards him. The cycle was there. Nothing had changed.
"How did such a weak woman like you gain appeal with the church? Saving my life, for whatever this fucking redemption's supposed to be, was probably the biggest waste of your life- and mine." He was still sneering, muscles tense.
"And now it's apparently a waste of three lives." He threw her arm away. Why force her to look at him? This back and forth was getting them no where.
Eugh.
Sunniva winced.
Right. He was right. It made her angry and she hated the fact he was right but... He was. A hesitant little gasp from her when he turned her to him. Listened. Sunniva remained silent. Right. He was right. Why... Pity herself over a simple man who...
Taking a deep breath, she pressed her hand to her face and shook her head softly.
"You're right," Sunniva sighed, hating how awful she felt. Did she feel this way before everything had spiraled out of her control? Or did she feel like this because now she knew what it felt like to not be a puppet to the church and she knew that she'd have to go back. Without the church she was nothing. That information, she knew, was what hurt the most.
"My apologies, apparently you bring out the weak willed woman in me," She sneered at him, "My life is forfeit. The child will go to the church and I will return to..." Sunniva slowly got to her knees, standing up slowly. "It doesn't matter. We should move then. The horse has rested and we have a lot of land to travel."
He watched her with sharp eyes.
"Wouldn't the church hang you for getting knocked up?"
Sunniva frowned at him.
Then she shrugged.
"Perhaps," did she care? Sunniva tried to think. Did she have anything to live for? Was there anything she could think of that was worth living for? "Maybe the child of an adhara and the greatest general in Connlaoth will be worth enough to spare me from the rope," She smoothed her hand over her abdomen, tilting her head and seemingly thoughtful.
"Or get us both hung in them."
He was on a road to redemption, and just knocked up a woman bond to the church...
That probably was grounds for execution. Then again, he was always pushing the limits. Krah literally got away with murder. Slander, on the other hand... and against the Grand Duke, of all people...
Somehow, that was the only time anyone ever dared reprimand him. It was something to scoff about. Talk about trying to save face.
"Fuck them all and just do what you want. It would rid you of the church, and rid you of me." And it seemed she despised both completely.
Sunniva frowned for a moment and laughed.
"Do what I want?" A hand was pressed over her mouth and she shifted her hips. "I'm blind. I'm an adhara. Im not allowed to do what I want. I have nothing -I am nothing without the church. I had... " Sunniva turned away, "I daydreamed of something different, something simple." Her hand ghosted over her abdomen and she sighed, "but that will never happen. Not for me. Not with you."
"Don't remind me how easy it would fucking be, to simply snapped a collar around your neck and drag you off with me as my slave."
Sunniva sputtered, practically bristling.
"Excuse me?" She squeaked, surprised and a little angry, "Your slave?! What use would I be as a slave!"
He grinned savagely and caught her by the arm.
"The same use you have for me now," he growled into her ear as he pulled her near.
they were pressed so close. She'd feel his lips against her ear as he spoke. "Don't tempt me, Lily."
Sunniva growled.
"Tempt you to what," She growled, "You've already done your worst."
A hand moved through her hair.
'Theres always worse. Besides, one bastard in your belly's not a conquest." But was at least one good time.
Sunniva leaned back and frowned at him. The shiver that ran up her spine bothered her for the simple fact that his hand caused it going through her hair.
"I don't understand," and she didn't so she turned away, crossing her arms over her chest in irritation.
"Just like I don't understand your desire for a husband out of me." He sneered but she wouldn't see it. "The world doesn't have to revolve around husbands and wives and family."
Hell, he lived ALL of his life without any.
Sunniva couldn't see it, but she could hear it plain in his voice. "That's not what I want," She said simply. Right? Having a real family - aside from the church - had always just been... Daydreaming. Sunniva pressed her hands to her face and sighed. Confused and lost. Angry. "That's just what I daydream about. It's not even you," She admitted then frowned, " And if it doesn't revolve around family... What does it revolve around then?"
At that, he laughed.
"Living your fucking life. What else?"
Sunniva sighed and turned her head.
"Well I wish the best to yours," she mumbled. "Are your things gathered? The sooner we move the sooner we get to Reajh and the sooner I can..." Sunniva trailed off, "go home."
"My things are ready," he told her, tartly. "We shall go whenever you are ready, and if that is what you desire, my lady."
Sunniva frowned, her lower lip poking out. It was easy enough to get moving and with the belief that he was going to move with her Sunniva set on.
Though now she was a little turned around.
"Krah I need your help getting to reajh..." she sighed, "I'm afraid i've gotten rather turned around."
"Oh? Feels awful to need me.. doesn't it?" he asked, curling a hand to stroke at her cheek. "It's funny... wasn't I supposed to be lead into redemption by you?"
If there were eyes to roll...
Sunniva sighed and turned her face into his hand.
"It's a lie," she said simply frowning. "I'm selfish. I helped with this because I'm selfish and I thought I mattered at least a little bit to you. But I know better now. I don't matter to you. There's no redeption," sunniva sighed, "only lies. And you're good at those."
"Lies?" he was laughing now. "Girl.." he went on, placing a big, powerful hand against the side of her face, cupping it and forcing her to 'look' at him. "When the fuck did I ever lie to you? You knew what I am. The world knows it. I have no reason to lie."
Right.
Sunniva frowned.
If there was one person in the world that lived without lying to himself or anyone else... It was probably Krah. Her head turned down softly and she sucked in a little breath. "I apologize," she said turning her head from his hand, "I'm the liar. You, at least, live honestly. Even if its... you being you." And there was loads of imrovement for that.
He forced his hand to remain on her face, cradling it even when she no doubt, desired to 'look' away. A strong thumb pressed across her lower lips.
"Are you jealous?" he asked, voice lowered and gruff.
"Yes," she whispered, moving her head again. Lip tingling from his thumb, angry at herself from how easily his touched made heat coil in her belly. "I wish I could live as you do. Regard for no one. Caring for no one. Accepting that I may as well be alone for the rest of my life and indulge in whores instead of relationships with people." Sunniva sighed, "but I want those things. And I want to care."
"Then you should live like me," he told her, his thumb moving to her cheek. "Fuck the rules. It's your life. You could have any man you want. Your delicious. And very fuckable."
Sunnica ground her teeth.
"I can't! I am a Lily! I'm a Duke's daughter! My cousin is the heir!" She growled, "the only future any of that holds is being a whore and while i'm clearly too easily seduced I... Only want to bed one man. I just keep making mistakes with you."
He grabbed her face, smooshing her cheeks in a powerful fisted grab as he looked into her face and kissed her hotly.
"Then fuck only me."
A deep frown and she moaned into the kiss and her knees went weak but... a push of her habds to his shoulders. "Please don't do this," she whined, "That isn't fair."
"What does it matter?" he went on, his hand moving to cup her head, affectionately- a strange gesture from a man like him. "Your whole life isn't fair."
Sunniva turned her face away. He was... lying? Her face crumpled and she turned her head down. "Life isn't fair," she stated simply, "its not about to start now. Not here. Not for me," she swallowed, voice soft, "not with you. You'll... Just use me up and then throw me aside."
"Why would I throw a woman aside? And one as .... good at sex, as you?" He forced her head up as he spoke, staring at where her eyes ought to have been.
"Just because I fuck a lot, doesn't mean I can't crave the same fuck."
He wouldn't mind going back to her... again and again.
Now he was just confusing her.
Sunniva frowned deeply, feeling his eyes on her. Her own hands moved up to cup his face, her thumb drew over his lower lip and she shook her head. "I'm not a whore. I'm not just useful for sex. I'm done. It was wonderful and if I could just... Stay here with you forever and make love to you all day I would. But we can't."
She tried to turn away again, chest feeling heavy, "I'm already carrying a bastard you don't want. What more do you want from me?"
"What? You think I care about bastards?" His hands threaded into her hair, before fisting it in a rough grab, keeping her head up, keeping her head towards his.
"I only care about my life and what feels good..." His hands moved up her sides, appreciating all she was. "You think I'd let you just forget about me?"
Maybe there was an intoxicating charm about her being so... limited in what she could do. Perhaps it why they were so drawn together, both of them being so extreme of the other.
"I'm here to challenge life, to conquer, to take..... To become the God of War everyone fears," he went on, purring the words at her dangerously while pulling her against his body so she could feel everything he said.
It angered her, feeling herself shiver at his purr. Heat bloomed in her belly and warmed her thighs at his whisper. Sunniva only grew angry though and made a futile attempt to push him away. "You don't care about it. I know that," she whispered, growing frustraded, cheeks flushed.
"I don't fear you and if you expect me to go hide and wait for you so we can have sex you're sadly mistaken." Was he though? Sunniva knew she was powerless against his advances. A simple touch made her melt and she would greedily and eagerly accept it. "You confuse me. You muddle everything up! Im lost and confused and its all your fault. I wish i'd never met you."
"Oh, but you already have."
His smile was devilish and he forced her to remain close.
"And who said I'd want you to wait? Were you so pathetic, I wouldn't keep seeking you out."
"Can't you just..." she pushed her hands to his chest in a lame attempt to keep him away but she was pressed tight to him and she finally dropped her arms down. "What do you want from me, Krah."
He looked at her. These questions kept going in circles. But was it really her fault?
He didn't have an answer, but instead, moved forward, kissing her on the lips, softly, for once, then growing deeper with need.
It was easy to get swept up in it. Her hands moved to his arms and she gripped his sided and pressed herself tighter to him. Deeper into the kiss. Flushed, she pulled back, lips red. "That doesn't tell me anything," she whimpered.
And he only kissed her again. Another attempt at something strange.. and sweet, before deepening it, and coaxing her mouth open, tongue seeking hers.
A hot moan into his mouth and her arms curled around his neck. Head tipped back while she pressed her plush body to him, then... Sunniva jerked away, "Stop that! No more!" She turned away as best as she could, flushed.
Except she had no where to go, and he held her firm.
"What do you think will happen if you deny me?" he growled at her, voice a bit savage, if not, still lusty.
Sunniva whimpered in distress.
"You'll take what you want anyway," her voice was soft and sweet, but she still pushed away from him. "I know. I know. Why me?" She hissed, "I'm not special. Any Lily would do."
"Oh trust me," he growled, grabbing her face and kissing her fierce. "If there was nothing special about you... nothing.. conquerable, I wouldn't have even let you take me this far."
The kiss had her growling and she turned away. "I don't have anything... conquerable! You got everything already!"
"Then maybe I just like your fire," he told her, holding her tight and refusing to let her go. "Anyone can have anger and hurt and a sex drive as insatiable as mine. But... you do hold something... different," he growled, leaning in good and close. Surely she'd be getting bruised by the roughness of his grip. But he would not allow for her to leave his side.
Sunniva whimpered, head turned away.
"You're hurting me," she said simply, "can we please just go? The sooner we get to Reajh the sooner you can get back to your whores and leave me alone."
Krah's smile shrank into a snarl before he gave her a rough shove, though kept her in his arms.
"You ask a lot for a woman as powerless as you are." He sneered, observing her, but still kept her an arm's length away, but in his grip. "Do you know how easy it would be to just take you to any place that I want?"
And even so...
then why was it he hadn't done so? And why only inform her now? What good would it do? What good could it have done? And why linger and play?
"I am not powerless," she protested, though her voice was quiet and she turned her head away. A warm hand moving to his wrist to grab it before she squeezed it tightly. Sunniva ducked her head down, hating the fact he was right. Simple clay. "You haven't" she said simply, "and i know you wouldn't. Take me anywhere." She tugged on his wrists, "please. Let's just go. You'll be done with me soon enough"
He grew quiet, but she'd no doubt sense the frustration. Part of him hated to admit it, but even he wasn't as big of a fool as he let on. He had grown too used to the fame and power associated with his title as war general, and even more so the title which the people gave to him God of War. He walked a thin line right now, one that was a reminder to even a 'God' that he was still whipped into line beneath that of the laws of the Grand Duke. Perhaps that's what he hated so- that becoming such a famous 'tool' he was only realizing now that's all he ever was- even when he acted on his own accord for his own fame and thirst for blood.
He was still, at the end of the day, just another puppet to the Grand Duke. And he wanted that title and fame back enough to deal with a woman like this. He growled and shoved her aside, and moved passed her, body tense. No doubt even the blind would could follow his trail. That frustration was palpable. And he hated the fact he wanted to go back under any leash and collar. Even for money. He had money now. Sure, plenty of it. And any woman he could ever want.
Yet why did he find himself glaring back at the blind girl so hot to take him to the church?
It burned her how much of an asshole he was.
Sunniva sucked in air through her teeth, rushing forward when he went past to grab hold of whatever bit of clothing her fingers brushed against. "Krah!" She growled, fisting the fabric, "why are you always so prickly! I've done nothing to you!"
She wasn't the only one fisting clothing as he turned to her and grabbed her sleeve tight.
"You've done nothing?" he challenged, growling in her face. "Then what do you call what you're doing to me here? Right now? Huh?" He gave her a rough shake before pushing her back.
What was she trying to accomplish anyways? Did she have some sort of a complex? One where she felt some sense of duty or obsession to tame a wild beast?
He turned from her again, seething.
"Let's just get on the fucking road.."
But the moment his eyes moved towards the road ahead, he saw a most unwelcoming sight-
Men. Army men. And it seemed they were headed right in their direction.
A sneer and Sunniva turned her head away.
Why wouldnt he just let her help him?
Gently she bit her lip but remained silent. A gentle turn of her head and a heavy sigh before she followed after him numbly.
"Whats that?" She whispered, hearing footsteps, "Krah. What have you done?"
Krah swore.
"I did fucking nothing. But it seems there's a bunch of damn soldiers heading our way."
Soldiers?
Sunniva paled and a shiver sent her flesh bumpy. Why?
"Krah," she said softly, "don't fight. Please. Maybe theyre just passing through?"
He just grunted at her words and as the men, lead by one on horse back- obviously their leader- a Captain, came into view, Krah realized he already knew these men personally.
"Captain Waltrip." Krah's grin was a little sinister, and it was hard to tell in his tone if he was happy, or if he was mocking.
The man on horse back hefted the reins back and placed up a hand and called for his men to ease up- but then he realized who it was and barked out a laugh.
"Ansgar's fuckin' ball sacks, General Krah? Really?"
Krah gave the man a toothy grin and rubbed at his clean shaven chin.
"I almost didn't recognize you without your beard. Except I've actually had the privledge to see that clean as a baby's ass face before."
"You can keep that up and your head will look the same." But Krah's words were obvious in jest, no true or real threat as the Captain dismounted and the two men shook arms.
"And here I thought you were sent for dead. On some path of redemption, but what is this?" The captain turned his gaze from Krah towards the woman before he realized... "Wait... you.. is.. Are you actually following the White Lily?" Clearly this man knew Krah well.
There was some sort of laughter in Krah's eyes but he himself did not laugh.
"Well, you could tell fucking Ansgar I am. If that'll sate him."
"It'll sate the bloody Grand Duke is what it'll do. You know the whole country is talking about you."
"Oh?" Krah scratched at his ear. "Is that a fact?"
Captain Waltrip's eyes fell to the White Lily. "They say the daughter of the Duke of Folkvar has the privledge to lead you like a dog. Seems I had to see it to believe it. And here I thought you were just dead!"
At that, Krah forced a laugh.
"Dead.. Sure. Who could fucking kill me that easily?"
"Apparently not the Grand Duke! And apparnetly not even yourself since you're going to get your balls snipped at the fucking monastery now ain't ya? Or so I bet it feels that way, huh?"
Well.
Sunniva wasnt sure if this was better or worse that he knew these people. Worse. Probably. At the mention of her she turned her head away and ducked it down, flushing. Angry. Still, she turned her body and kept her expression neutral.
This is what she got for her selfish intentions. Her hands smoothed over her tummy and she pressed her plams to her abdomen. A shiver ran through her and she tilted her head up, "I am only seeking to better the country. If that involves escorting this man through a false redeption so be it. Its proving to be most troublesome."
"Only troublesome?" Captain Waltrip barked a laugh. His eyes took the young woman in much better now and Krah interrupted his thought.
"I know what you're thinking. And it's tight." His grin was toothy and the captain simply shook his head. "And who said I'd let anyone take my fucking balls?"
The captain shook his head again.
"It's good to see some things never change." His eyes returned to Sunniva. "M'lady, would you care for a more proper escort to help you bring this rascal to justice?"
Krah was giving that grin again with a subtle laughter to his eyes, but it was evident he was growing tired of the jokes.
"I don't think either of us needs a fucking escort. We've made it this far, haven't we?"
Was she being mocked?
Sunniva felt her flesh heat in anger, no doubt if her face were visible beneath her hood she'd be flushed and look ready to spit fire. "Don't be a pig," she hissed at Krah, disgust heavy in her voice after he'd made his comment. Sunniva would have kicked him but unfortunately there were so many viewpoints she couldn't quite see how close her leg was to his shin.
Shame flooded her system at how she'd been acting with the man and it took every ounce of willpower to keep her mouth neutral after being presented with the comment. "Thank you, Captain Waltrip but while his language is repulsive, Krah is correct. We have many stops to go and I fear it would take you and yours far too long to server as a proper escort to where we need to be - though I appreciate the offer and I'll mention your good manners when I finally return home." She nodded directly forward in thanks, assume she was being looked at while she was speaking.
It struck her then, after she declined. Why? She was a White Lily of the church. Why didn't she want an escort? Sunniva tipped her head down, knowing that she didn't want one simply because that would mean there were more people around and more people around meant there was a chance that she'd be seen for the fraud she was. Not mechanically, oh no. Sunniva was a very talented person but her faith? Her virtue? There was none of that left.
It was too late for her to turn Krah over to this group, too. Even as an after thought. Pity. "Come along, General. We have places to be and while I can travel in the dark, I don't know how well your sight fares in it."
His smirk was smug when Sunniva declined, and the captain only gave a lame shrug at Krah's near victorious smirk.
"Should you change your mind, I would hardly consider it unfashionable or rude," Waltrip added.
Krah snorted.
"I'd rather not share this time, Captain."
The reply gained a bark of a laugh from the other as he shook his head, eyes shimmering with mirth before he turned to Sunniva. "My lady." He moved to take her hand and gently kissed the top of it. "At least allow us to escort you part of the way. These towns... rumors get around and with news the God of War is here..."
"We'll be fine." She'd be able to feel Krah's presence right beside her, as if moving in like a protective dog. "Don't you got anything better to do? No whores to screw?" Krah came back.
The Captain only smiled.
"I believe I was talking to the lady."
It was a simple kiss to her hand but Sunniva was caught off guard. Part of the way? Krah's choking presence was definitely there. She could almost feel the heat radiating off of his body. "On second though, Captain, I think an escort for part of the way would be most welcome." She didnt take her hand back from the captain, but she lifted her free hand and rested it over her head.
"I believe the Generals first step towards forgiveness within the eyes of Ansgar would be practicing humility in the form of help." Sunniva tilted her head up and she smiled giving a small polite bow. "Seeing as how I'm responsible for the general, on his behalf I'm happy to accept your escourt."
Waltrip beamed and Krah clenched his teeth, all but steaming at rhe words that came from his blind leader.
But if this was the game they wanted to play...
"Fine. Fucking whatever. Someone needs to watch my back who actually has eyes that work."
The Captain's eyes danced wickedly at his words.
"Then allow me to gather my men. We were planning to move along anyhow and it shouldn't take us long to join you. I.. take it meeting back in this location in half the hour is acceptable?"
Krah's angry words pleased Sunniva and she made sure to keep her lips together and thing. "Half an hour- of course captain. We'll take a moment to converse while you're getting ready."
"Why do you feel the need to have your back watched?" She said softly, pressing her hand to Krahs arm with startling accuracy.
Krah's lips peeled back revealing white teeth.
"Come on, you're not that fucking naive, lily."
But now they had half an hour to kill and so the man moved with a purpose to the closest thing serving alcohol and ordered himself the tallest of beers.
Sunniva frowned, reaching out and holding a hand out for balance while he walked away and she followed closely. Soon enough they were in a building and Krah was barking out an order for a drink. Standing beside him she shook her head and sighed "Explain. Why do you feel like you need to have your back watched. Do you think they'll hurt or murder you?" She said referring to the captain. "If you're worried about that I'll go refuse his services right now. You're no good to me dead."
He ignored her; like she was some sort of insignificant flea. Once he had his beer, he knocking it back smoothly in a few great gulps and ordered another.
How dare he. Sunniva tightened her hands into fists and heard him order another one. How dare he?? Fine. If you can't beat them, join them. "One for me as well!" She barked, moving to take a seat, receiving the drink and guzzling it down. What Sunniva didnt see was the barkeep give Krah a concerned look at giving the Lily an alcoholic beverage. It wasnt quite as fluid or fast as Krahs and she took a moment to take a breath, but the empty mug was placed down and she smacked her hand on the table for a second. Which she quickly downed after more pleading looks to Krah from the Barkeep.
"I can't believe you dont trust me. After everything we've gone through." Sunniva said in a quiet voice that was raw with disappointment, "I saved your life and you've given me nothing but grief."
Krah belched, still ignoring her as he went onto a third drink.
It wasn't until he was a few gulps in did he laugh.
"You might need to drink more, Lily. Have you already forgotten who I am?"
"I wish I could forget who you were." Sunniva snapped, mouth catching on the words ever so slightly. At his suggestion she ordered another, digging into a hidden pocket to place coins on the table to pay for both. "Keep the rest," she said having felt the face of the coin and knowing she was over paying by a lot. After guzzling the drink she slid off the stool and grabbed Krahs arm, though she still pretending to be sober, so much drink on a mostly empty stomach showed. "We have to go meet them," she tugged on his sleeve, "or it'll be a... a kidnapping or something."
Like a rock, the big man couldn't be budged; especially not by the smaller woman who was merely tugging on a sleeve. He belched again then wrapped a large arm around her, scooping her up with one arm and dropping her unceremoniously onto his lap. Then he nodded to the Bar tender and ordered two more drinks.
Like a sack of potatoes she was lifted and placed on his lap. Sunniva frowned and didnt fight it. Instead she moved herself to sit with her legs on one side and her shoulder against his chest. Sunniva didnt notice the drinks, and instead sighed again and leaned her head against him. "You're the reason I can't have nice things," she grumbled. Worst of all, she did it to herself.
She was very comfortable looking and instead of grabbing the drink, she traced idle patterns on his chest with her finger tip, beside her rested head.
Krah leaned forward, pressing the woman against him with a strong arm, she- being able to feel the tight muscles of his chest as he did. He took a long swig then grinned down at her.
"What?" His breath was hot on her ear, scruff scratching against her skin. "My child not a nice enough reward for ya?"
Sunniva growled at him. It was human sounding, but it was a growl. How could he of all people remember that when she herself had forgotten about it for a short while. "You know as well as I do I'll be getting rid of it as soon as i can," her voice was as quiet as possible. Contraceptives werent an option anymore. Once, for a fleeting moment she daydreamed of simplicity. Gentle kisses at sunset cradling a baby in her arms. But they were just that. Dreams. And dreams disappear once you're awake.
"I imagine there are whole orphanages full of Bastard children of yours." She said bitterly, not removing herself from his warmth, even remaining leaning, but the venom in her voice was thick. "What's one more?"
He took another long pull.
"Well.." he went on, leaning in closer to her ear again. "You'll have to wait nine months to make some more."
"Who's making more?" She sneered, "I'm sure you will be. A pandemic of babies the whole way to our destination. Church will probably come up with some excuse on why baby births are following a shitty lie of a pilgramidge " Sunniva sighed, "why are you like this?" She snapped, "why can't you try to be a good person. What did the world do to you that you didnt force its hand into doing?"
Krah couldn't help himself as he laughed loudly. It even garnered a few looks. Before she could protest, hungry lips crushed against hers and he pulled her closer with near crushing force.
Yet he somehow was more possessive than strong in the motion before he pulled away to grin.
"Last I checked, you're the only one carrying my most recent bastard in your belly. " He paused a moment to consider..
"Unless you'd like to follow me over to the brothel "
His eyes sparkled as he spoke,beer lacing all of his words.
"Then again..." he moved forward to drag rough teeth down her neck. "Unless you wanna just fuck right here.."
Fire flashed through her veins when he gave her the kiss. The flame flickered for a moment and she found herself leaning into it, kissing him back but then he pulled away and reality sunk back in like a door of sunlight opening into a dark room.
"No, thank you," she whispered, a little out if breath from anger and the surprise kiss. Sunniva bit back a whimper when he dragged his teeth on her neck and it took remembering that there was a Captain waiting, people expecting them - not the fact he was a raging asshole that didnt care about her - to instead wriggle free, "please let me go, people are expecting us." Her toes pointed in her boots in an attempt to find the ground, but she was very high up between Krahs lap and the stool.
He.. was a predator , and at the first sign of a struggle he moaned and sunk his teeth into a more savagely playful bite upon her neck.
"Maybe I'm expecting other things, " came his husky heated reply as kisses moved up her neck.
"I don't care what you're expecting." She hissed out, moving a hand to place against his mouth and pushed back his head. While Sunniva was small, her strength wasnt insignificant. "This is not the time for that and we're in public. Get a hold of yourself, now"
All she had wanted to do was maybe get a little cuddly against his warm chest, but he had to go and ruin that. Because of course he did.
Krah smiled wolfishly through her hand before curling his larger hand over hers and moving it away.
"Sex in a bar is the most thrilling. Have I never fucked you against a table in public yet?" He asked, his eyes a blaze with lust and hunger and something almost feral.
Sunniva squeezed his hand and tried to pull it away.
"No, you have not and no you will not!" Anger bubbled in her chest, "I'm not a whore, Krah." her voice was a hiss, "now let me go. Surly the Captain will be searching for us by now."
"Oh do go on," came a voice. It was Captain Waltrip, and the man stood with a handsome grin at the table beside them. "Don't stop on my account."
Krah grinned, but it was deadly. It took a moment, but eventually his grip on Sunniva slacked and the larger man pulled away, only to turn his attention to his unattended beer. Which he aimed to finish.
The familiar voice sent a shock through her. Of course they'd argued in whispers - at least she had been speaking as quiet as possibly - shame roared through her veins and she pushed at Krahs arm to slide off his lap. "I'll wait for you outside," She snapped, hating how she felt
It was a cautious pace, her gait a little wobbly. She tapped into that holy God given gift to watch the world through others eyes while she walked towards the door with startling ease for a blind woman. Once outside she dragged a hand along the building. A sharp turn and she rested against the outside wall. A trembling hand to press against her red lips and the other resting over her abdomen. There she waited for Krah and the Captain to finish their drinks, and she was glad she wouldnt have to look at either of them.
The captain was accompanied by a trio of men, who they too, ordered a few drinks as they gathered around. The rest lingered nearby outside, seeming not to pay much mind to the white Lily as they prepped horses and simply mingled.
Inside, Krah was enjoying his drink, the captain ordering him another, which was finally getting the large man a buzz.
"Seems you got lucky on the bitch holding your leash. She's something to look at."
Krah sneered at the comment and slugged back more beer.
"Sucks cock good, but don't go getting ideas."
The captain held up his hands feigning offense as he faked a pout.
"Me? What makes you think I want your sloppy seconds, Mordeth?"
Krah showed his teeth but ignored Waltrip, peering out the window towards the direction Sunniva had disappeared.
"Will take atleast a year until that pussy's clean. "
Shame bubbled in her stomach and she turned her head to eavesdrop. Sunniva wasnt sure if she was disappointed he didnt try to deny they'd been together. If only to save face. Instead he further sullied her already ruined reputation and didnt say anything else.
It was the choice of hurt, that had her start to walk away. Borrow the sight of those around her to make her way back to the designated carea they were to meet at. She'd left her bags at the tavern, she realized bitterly, fingers tracing the bark of a tree before she sat down and leaned back against it, leaning with her legs curled to the side and her hands resting on her belly.
Her hair a tumble of red over her shoulders, Sunniva waited, head bowed head listening intently but it was such a lovely day and she was going to stubbornly sit here. No doubt with no more belongings because Krah wouldn't think twice about getting her bag of things.
No matter. Things were replaceable. The sun was warm on her cheeks and the breeze was cool. Before long she found herself dozing against the tree, looking as perfect a Lily as she wasn't any longer.
Krah was a stubborn, disgusting pig of a man, and although many men claimed to envy him and his war and women campaigns, none could compare to his crass and crudeness, and most wouldn't dare cross the lines the General trekked either. Truthfully, not many could stomach was he did, what he witnessed and what he'd love through. His life held many risks and many enemies that in his down time, he merely indulged in other means to risk his life though the whores he favored were much less damaging than the bar fights he so often loved to engage.
It took a certain, ruthless individual to even draw up the plans he put together, as if with little effort or calculation. Truth be told, his mind was ever calculating, eyes always on his parameters, ears always listening to everything. If he didn't, he would have been left with a sword in his back numerous times. And he knew how to even guard those who were his rear. His tactics were priceless.
So much that even Captain Waltrip knew what this whole pilgrimage meant- both to 'the God of war', and to the Grand Duke himself. The one thing, it seemed , the General wasn't immune from was the cold knives of the political faves that ran the kingdom.
If Krah couldn't save even the smallest shred of face, the Grand Duke would lose a valuable asset - that if which he could not afford. Even in the brief time spent away with this White Lily, word had gotten around and the mage supporters were starting to gain an upper hand- even though the war still heavily favored the Grand Duke.
The captain had left Krah to his drinks and made his way outside for a smoke. He took a long drag and noticed the White Lily, seemingly asleep by a nearby tree. Np one seemed to disturb her, but it was a strange sight indeed. So curiously he approached and watched her form in silence as he heard his men moving about to prepare for their journey ahead.
Sunniva had killed before. Brutally removed eyes. Set supposed mages on fire. Murdered and sacrificed. Once upon a time it was for acceptance. To belong. If she wasnt the best White Lily despite her failures, why even be one.
She'd failed already. Snagged like a fish after bait by a cunning mind hidden behind the guide of a fool. Underestimation was unacceptable and hesitation was defeat.
The birds had stopped chirping. They'd started up not long ago, after she'd settled down and began to doze. The lack of the ambient noise alerted her and she rose her head, unconsciously moving her legs to place between who ever is out there and that doomed life growing inside her.
"What do you want?" She asked, voice level. It was doubtful it was Krah. She knew he could be silent, but with her out here, alone, just out of sight of most people Sunniva knew by now he wouldn't have thrown away an opportunity.
If there was no one there, it was no trouble. It there was... She was listening.
"For a woman in such a position locked to the biggest war face of the nation, you're awfully calm," came the captain's casual voice.
Sunniva shrugged, "Should I be panicking and then falling onto a fainting couch?" She stood with practiced grace, hands at her side. "Perhaps be scandalized and offended?" She crossed her arms over her chest and brought a finger to tap at her lips, "I am calm, Captain, because I have no reason not to be. I have Ansgar's Blessing and it brings me peace and tranquility." He didnt need to know that she was just repeating words to convince herself of that. Peace and tranquility.
She needed boatloads of that.
Waltrip's brows raised.
"Ah."
He studied the woman a moment before he turned to study Krah through the window.
"I'm actually surprised you aren't cursing Ansgar's name."
Sunniva frowned, tilting her head in question. A careful step towards the Captain and she paused within reaching distance- mostly because she didnt want to speak so loudly anymore.
"Why would I be cursing Ansgar's name? He's done nothing wrong."
If only she could see, she'd see his eyes sparkling.
"Interesting.." he said through an exhale of smoke. "I wouldn't have guessed a woman charged to hold that man's reins still keep her sanity. Most women love or hate him." He paused, smirking as he took another drag. "Not.. usually both."
Sunniva's mouth dropped open for a moment before she flushed and crossed her arms over her chest. A frown and she turned her head away, "I love all of Ansgar's children," she lied through gritted teeth. Love and hate him. "Other than that, I havent the faintest idea of what you could be implying."
He sensed her emotions easily and held his smile.
"Love and hate are... not very different emotions. So much.. heat and passion and devotion to fuel such fires. I'm sure it's not hard to be confused. "
Sunniva pondered for a moment, "Captain, are you implying that I'm confused?" She scoffed and moved her hands to her hips, shifting her stance "I think they're very different emotions. I'd never sacrifice my life for someone I hated. Would you?" A tilt of her head, a smile on her lips, "are you confused by heat and passion and devotion?"
The captain gave a curious tilt of his head. The smile didn't leave his face, but he gained just a little more respect for the Lily just for that response.
"You aiming to get a confession out of me?" He flirted, flicking ash from his smoke aside.
Sunniva laughed and the previous frown had been replaced by a dazzling smile. She moved a hand to tap at her lips again, the mood turning playful. "A confession that's drawn out instead of freely given is rarely the truth. Surely you know this, hmm?" Sunniva tapped a foot and pondered, "Do you feel like you need to confess something?"
The captain eyed up her form. He could see why Krah entertained her enough to keep her around. He stepped closer, closing the distance more intimately .
"The night is young... there could be much to confess."
His voice got closer and she almost took a step back, instead making it look like she was simply shifting her stance. Sunniva held out a hand, "Well, should you feel the need to confess to one of Ansgar's Chosen," she said referring to herself, a nun, "I'm sure there will be time while you're escourting us for a few days until our paths are no longer headed in the same direction."
"I just realized I forgot my belongings," she said softly, giving a kind smile, hand still held out "would you be so kind as to escort me inside to retrieve it and my bag?" the unspoken meaning was that by 'belongings' she was referring to Krah.
The captain watched her coyly before grabbing her by the hand and halting her.
"What's the rush?" He peered towards the window. The men were all drinking. "You're belongings aren't going anywhere. "
"They aren't," Sunniva said slowly, that smile dissolving into a confused frown, "Which is why I'd like to go get them." She smiled again, a tight polite smile and tried to pull her hand away, "Apologies for assuming you'd escort me, I'll go get my belongings myself."
But the captain held her hand firm.
"Oh, but that would be ungentlemanly of me. And worse yet, be quite unasgarian of me," he went on, slowly stepping closer again. "So this.. baggage... you're.. really thinking you can redeem him? I mean... the road had to be long so far. The General.... I'm sure you've seen his true colors more than once. He damns the church, the rules, the laws..."
Sunniva frowned, standing her ground and not shrinking or turning away even though he was so close now she could feel his body heat at her side, "I can't help anyone who doesn't want help, Captain" She turned her face towards him, "it's about offering a chance. Something different. You wouldn't take an abused dog into a home and expect it to know that it's safe there. That it has a chance to learn how to be happy. That it won't be beaten every day and that it can just... Be." It was idyllic of her, "this is the... home. True redemption is a fools errand, there's only reflection and learning."
Another tug at her hand, "Captain, why do you insist on holding my hand now?"
At the tug, he laughed and kept the grip. Then the laughter faded as he studied her.
"You're.. serious here, aren't you?"
His face scrunched, confused. "You.." something came over him, his voice changing. "Oh.. God.. " And he laughed.
"Oh no.. no.. not you too." He shook his head, laughter fading. "You're either the biggest fool in Connlaoth or.." he laughed. " The biggest fool in the world! You can't teach an old dog new tricks no matter how good you think he fucks..."
That he never understood. What did the General have that he did not?
Sunniva smiled politely and let him laugh, arm going slack if he was going to hold onto it so tightly, maybe if she stopped tugging he'd loosin his grip so she could rip her hand away. "I don't owe you an explanation or excuses," the smile turned dagger sharp, "besides, I'm sure it would take a fool to recognize it in another, no?" A tilt of her head, "Perhaps you're just jealous that all this effort," she motioned to herself, "is being wasted on that pig of a warmonger instead of wishing pretty lies on soldiers going out to die in battle. Would you like a blessing, Captain? Perhaps I can pray over some water for you before you're on your way."
His hands gripped her's tightly, but then after a moment it loosened as he sighed.
"Surely you know this is all a farce?" Then his eyes narrowed.
"You can't be serious after the miles you've trekked with him. The church sent you on a false mission just to save face. Surely even a blind woman can see that."
Sunniva smiled at him, it was an odd smile. Dark on the edges and maybe a little feral. With her free hand she reached up to stroke his cheek and sighed softly, tracing the symbol over his chest as she moved away "Ansgar's Blessings be upon you and yours, Captain." And she snapped her hand away from his grasp and walked away, towards the tavern. Her gait too sure to be that of a blind woman.
To collect her belongings.
"Stupid stubborn bitch," he growled between his teeth and made after her, grabbing her by the hand and jerking her back roughly.
"You arrogant little b-"
And that's when the heavy fist of a god slammed with bone cracking force against his face.
Sunniva stumbled backwards, unprepared, she tripped over her foot and landed roughly on her elbow at the same time Krah smashed his fist into the Captains face. "Krah!" Sunniva shouted, moving quickly to get up, "Don't hit him!" she dusted off her arm, "He isn't worth the trouble."
She moved towards him, chin up, aloof and acting above him, "We won't require your escort services any longer, Captain. Have a lovely day."
Except the exit expected to follow such a response didn't come. Infact, as the captain wailed in agony, Krah's hands tightened into fists as he moved forward towards the downed man and grabbed him, hauling him up by his hair.
"Stop it!" Sunniva yelled, moving between them, putting her hands onto Krah's chest, having to reach up to do so "He hasn't done anything you wouldn't do. Just let him be. We don't have to travel with him now, you got what you wanted. Let's just leave. Please?"
Krah's strong form stopped against her hands . The heat of anger could easily be felt, she need not see it on him.
But soon the captain's men began to rush towards the screaming, looking from his wailing form to the general and Lily, hands resting uncertain on their blades.
The sound of rushing men had her leaning farther into Krah and she pressed her face to chest pretending to cry out in distress. "The Captain grabbed me!" she cried her voice sounding watery and weak. Distressed and scandalized. Curling into Krahs side, "please, let's just leave! I don't want to be here anymore! Please!" her arms moving to pull him away from the situation, voice pleading.
The men were confused. Their captain was still doubled over, and it seemed Krah Mordeth's eyes wanted to skin the man alive. But the men were no fools. They knew the powerful role the white Lily played, and for that, they stepped aside and allowed the pair to move away.
Sunniva tugged Krah along, trying to look panicked and scared. Visibly choosing Krah as someone to keep her safe - which wasn't actually that incorrect. A brute. Rude. Brash and short tempered, Sunniva remembered, pulling him along and away from the conflict, how many times he'd saved her from harm.
Sure, he caused harm, didn't seem to have a gentle bone in his body, but... Sunniva curled her fingers through his while she moved them to their horses. Forget the packs. It only had changes of clothes anyway and she could get more of those. He'd carried her up a cliff. Tended her wounded leg. Caught her when she fell. Then asked nothing for it until she brought it up.
"We're leaving," She said, voice hushed, a little breathless from moving frantically in an attempt to look panicked, "We'll follow the road and then we can correct our course at the next city to Reajh." There was a pause, "could you help me get onto my horse?"
He said nothing, lifting her effortlessly onto the horse. But then his presence was gone. it would take a few long moments for him to return, and he tossed and tightened the bags he'd gathered and wordlessly, the pair began to head off.
He really was angry, Sunniva pondered, when he lifted her to her hose without a crude word or a grope. Then gone. The warmth gone. Disappeared. She sat on her horse, a little confused and concerned if she was just going to her on her own now and she'd been abandoned.
The fear was quickly quelled and then they were off. He'd gotten the bags.
"Are you okay?" Her voice was softer than usual, concern in her words. He was so quiet.
The temperature had dropped, thr winds picking up and rustling the trees along their path. And at first, he said nothing. Then it began to rain, a light, cool spritz at first, then more of it came in a gentle rhythm.
It almost was like he may not have heard her, or wasn't intending to reply, for the silence was long and awkward. But then he straightened on his horse, belching before he sighed out a growl and said, "It'll be another nine hours until the next place that serves any ale."
At least he wasn't dead. Sunniva curled in on herself and shivered, "Nine hours isn't too bad," she said, keeping her voice as straight as she could despite the shivering.
Another pause, "Krah, are you okay?" She asked again, teeth giving a few chatters, "why did you get so mad?"
He didn't say anything for a while, only reiterated, "It'll be nine hours until more ale."
It hurt to be shut out but Sunniva grew quiet after sighing heavily, head down. Her hair was soaked from the rain and she shivered like a leaf while they went, but she'd done it before. Gone on marches in bad weather.
If Krah wanted to march in silence, so would she. And so they went and Sunniva stayed silent until Krah decided it was time to speak again, though she got colder and colder by the moment and her teeth chattering was audible.
The rain continued all nine hours as they traveled, lightening only briefly and for less than half an hour. Eventually a small town came into view and the wayward General guided them to a barn where they could pay to tether up the horses.
In silence, still, he offered Sunniva a hand to dismount, and waited for her feet to both be on the ground before he moved back out into the rainy streets. The streets were littered with mud puddles, none of which the large man avoided.
He stopped only briefly before a tall, thin building , getting the door for his blind companion fully stepping inside behind her. There was afire going, which he stepped before, removing his soaked traveling cloak and hanging it near the open fire. Then he did the same with Sunniva's before taking a seat at a nearby table while a small, elderly woman approached.
"Long travels on a day like this one," She said, rather off the cuff. "Some soup and house ale to warm yee both?"
Krah nodded, giving a gruff, "Yeah " in reply before he turned to observe the mostly vacant dining room.
Sunniva did her best to avoid the puddles. She wasn't tired or hungry enough to step through mud and who knew what else. Get it in her skirts and track it behind her. Ruin the rest of her clothes. It was an odd ride, for him to be so quiet the whole time, and Sunniva started to grow worried about him. Did he get hurt when she couldn't see?
She couldn't help herself when she stuck close enough to him to feel his body heat - but then they were at a table and she sat politely. "Yes, please," She whispered as the lady offered soup and drink. The rain was a lulling noise now and she pressed her hand to her forehead before proceeding to finger comb her hair, wets in part. Tying it in braids as she brushed it.
"Do you have rooms to rent here?" Sunniva called out to the woman, "Or do you know if there are any nearby?" her voice was tired sounding a little more frail than usual.
The woman had begun to walk away when Sunniva asked and she paused at a door and turned towards the pair.
"It's been a slow day. All room's are vacant . How many you need? Just the one or two, deary?"
It was a weird internal struggle, Sunniva found, when she pondered for a moment before opening her mouth, "Two please. Beside one another, if possible. I don't want to be too far from my companion." A polite smile in the direction of the voice, and Sunniva went quiet again.
"Are you hurt?" she asked, "you've been so quiet."
Krah's eyes had only just then rested on the fire. The place being mostly empty had him tense as he cracked his neck. He went on to crack other things, like knuckles and his shoulder ,as she spoke and he eyed her. Then he leaned back a bit more casually in his chair and said, "two rooms? Ain't you afraid I'll give you the slip?"
A purse of her lips and she dicked her head down, she had only passingly thought of that. "No," she said simply, "I thought you might like some time alone. And I'll request keys for both rooms." Sunniva licked her lips and she sighed softly, "Unless you prefer sharing a room. Perhaps she has one with two beds? You're free to ask."
"Doesn't matter," he said, before she finished speaking. His eyes only brightened as the old crow brought out their drinks.
"I'll have the soup out next."
Krah guzzled down most of his drink as he called after the woman. ",Just keep the drinks coming."
It was small sips that Sunniva took, more interested in the food than anything else. It followed shortly as the woman has said and Sunniva ate carefully. It wasn't the most amazing food she'd ever had, but it was warm and tasted good. Sunniva asked for a second bowl and leaned back in a chair, content. Her drink halfway done, before the woman came by with the keys to the rooms.
"Now, these rooms are beside one another," she handed Sunniva a key, "This is for the far room at the end of the hall on the right, it has a bigger bed. Might be good for your companion. And then this one is just beside it. Staircase is right behind you, Love." Taking both keys, Sunniva stood and sighed, making her way to her room "come to my room for your key when you go to bed."
And if he left, then he left.
It would be sometime before Krah finished his drinks. He lost count after 8 as he stumbled his way loudly up to the rooms. He remembered well enough the invitation she gave him, opening the door to her room without knocking, his heavy weight nearly pulling it from the hinges as he stumbled in.
The large man held two , now half spilled, beer mugs in hand as he grinned.
"You went to bed without your fucking night cap," he went on with a grin, righting himself and lumbering over to her side.
Panic sent her blood sparking and Sunniva sat up quickly from sleep, heart pounding. It was weird, to be relived it was Krah. She sighed and pulled the covers back, sliding out of bed wearing a simple nightgown. She moved closer tentatively, reaching out to take a cup and move it to the night stand. "Thank you," she said simply, "I'll drink it later." She moved to take the key after placing the cup on the nightstand, "Let's put you to bed, hmm?" She placed her hand on his bicep and slid it down to put her hand into his now empty one.
"your bed is much bigger than mine, I checked." The key in the door and she pushed it open, "Do you need help getting ready for bed?"
He shivered as he felt her touch against his skin, a drunken hand moving, large and cupping her face.
"I know what would help," he went on, words hot and feral as his other set of fingers blindly fondedle hor clothing, seeking the ties or buttons to be rid her of it.
Sunniva gently took his hand between hers, "i don't think that would," she said gently, "You should put the cup down and I'll turn down your bed." and she turned away, pulling the covers down and fluffing the pillow, "I'm hardly going to take advantage of a drunk man."
"Take advantage?" Came his too loud bark of a reply. He growled hungrily and followed after, a large hand seizing her arm. He forced her closer , so much so that she could smell the alcohol rolling off him.
"I think you confuse me with a pansy, Lily."
Sunniva let herself be grabbed and in turn she grabbed the cup from him. Bed turned down, she reached a bit to plunk it down on the bedside table before she moved to take his now free hand in hers. "Not a chance, my Dear," a different approach today, she took slow steps backwards, until her thighs hit the bed.
"I would just feel terrible, you see, that you're not of sound mind." Sunniva lifted one leg up onto the bed and then the other, shuffling backwards on it. A soft gasp because the sheets were so cold, "come on, get undressed and ready for bed." She coaxed intending to slip off from the otherside.
Krah's smile was absolutely wolfish.
"Already on it," he assured. Clothing began to peel off, half his body already clambering onto the bed as he practically tripped out of half his clothes. A strong hand reached for her, daring to pull her closer.
Sunniva was careful to make sure she had one leg off the bed, the other kneeled. An anchor to keep herself from being pulled in or at least put up somewhat of a resistance if he tugged. Sunniva slipped her hand into his to pull him close and she wrinkled her nose.
"You should sleep," she coaxed, "get some rest." Then she gnawed on her lip and slid her other leg off the bed, but remained leaning forward, "What got you so angry and silent today? Could you tell me?"
"What makes you think I'd sleep? Not when I got a woman in my bed "
Technically, her bed. He grinned, positively wolfish and hungry . But then she spoke and at first it didn't register what she said, or atleast seemed that way until his expression wrinkled.
"You talking about the fucking cunt of a captain? Because I'm not here to chat," he reminded, teeth and words very sharp. But the hear remained, as always, as a hand reached for her thigh.
Sunniva closed her eyes when his hand was on her thigh.
"I am," she said simply, "I need to know what made you so mad," slowly she removed her leg from his grip as she slid off the otherside of the bed to stand across from him on the floor.
Was his grip laxed from booze or something else? And as she pressed the question, he almost seemed to get annoyed; sober.
"Mad?" He growled softly. "Is that what you're trying to do?"
But his gaze trailed to her stomach, to the obvious pregnancy he helped to conceive.
Sunniva shook her head, tilting so her hair pooled over her shoulders and curled at her hips. "No," she whispered, flushing, "I'm just worried about you. You got so angry." Her hands moved over her stomach, almost feeling his gaze.
"It wasn't like you," her voice was soft and she took a step away from the bed, "you should sleep, Krah."
Krah snorted.
"Not like me?" He could of laughed.
He didn't.
Then he grabbed her arm, roughly.
"Then What is this?" he then asked, pulling her closer.
"Are you letting this unborn child direct you?" He mocked. "Protective of 'im. Look how you already coddle it.."
Sunniva let herself be pulled in, gasping softly and frowning. "I may be angry at the situation but it's still mine," she said softly, "I think you hate me and this child," Sunniva climbed onto the bed as she assumed Krah wanted her to do.
"But of course I'm going to protect it." She was kneeling on the bed, a flowing mass of white nightgown and red hair. "What else am I supposed to do?"
It was then at those words something inside his foggy brains began to clear. And he began to realize something as he sat there and just stared at her.
"Oh no.. oh fuck no " And he stumbled his way out of bed.
The sound of him moving had her moving quickly. It was almost reflexive. He would pull her in, she'd pull away, he'd leave and she'd chase after him.
Her hand found his and she grabbed one of hid in both of hers, "What's wrong now? Krah!"
He pushed her away, shaking her off with a groan.
"I ain't fucking drunk enough for this." And dressed however he was, he began to make his way towards the door.
She moved again, slipping in front of him before curling her arms around his middle. Her head pressed to his chest, "what do you mean? What happened?"
"Just stop for a second and talk to me, please."
He was rough, shoving her away.
"Piss off and let me get drunk."
Drunker. But as he did so, he may have been a tad too rough and found himself swearing as he dove after her form and scooping her into his arms before he would have thrown her ass to the ground. Instead, now he had dropped to one knee and barely stopped her head from smashing into the stone floor.
He grimaced.
"Fuck me."
A surprised gasp and Sunniva was pushed aside, balance thrown off and she stumbled. Her fingers reaching out to grab at Krahs shoulders and chest.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, fingers trembling, and then the fire returned and she frowned, "and I do! Plenty! You're constantly wanting that. I was trying to get you to sleep!"
Krah growled as his curse was lost on her. He scooped her up; arms warm, powerful and strong, before unceremoniously tossing her onto the bed.
Then he stormed over to the nearest window and began to scream.
"Fuck me! Fuck me, world. Fucking fuck fuck fuck fuck fuuuuuuck!!!"
Panting, he stood there, hands gripping tense on the sill when he heard some person outside answer him.
"Try a brothel, you fuck head!"
Groaning, Krah truly debated finding that asshole and beat the living shit out of him. But as the sill broke from his grip, he just lifted his hands away, as if done with the whole fucking world.
For a fleeting moment, Sunniva thought maybe he was being sweet and tender. Maybe feeling some sort of niceness for her.
Then she went flying and she gasped loudly, landing on the bed. Window was opened and then yelling commenced. Sunniva crawled over and out of the bed, nightgown getting tangled in her legs. Was he sick?
"Krah?" Her voice was quiet and she took careful steps towards him, "did you just notice I was pregnant? I've been telling you for weeks." She swallowed and walked with her hand out until her fingers touched his back, "please tell me what's wrong."
He jerked away from those fingers.
"Don't fuckung touch me," he warned, dragging angered fingers through his hair as he shook his head.
He just needed a minute .
And an arsenal of booze.
Sunniva whimpered and took a step back. Her throat tightened and she pressed a hand to her chest.
"What did I do now?" She cried, standing confused and worried, taking a few steps back and out of the way. He absolutely radiated anger.
He couldn't take it. He fucking had to leave. And he slammed the door in his wake.
Maybe he needed to find a damn brothel. Fuck. When was the last time he had a damn woman that wasn't the fucking blind ass White Lily?
Fucking some whores and drowning in beer sounded good to him. Now he just had to find the damn place... which, in hind sight, should have been easy except he was so pissed off that it was now impossible for him to even focus.
And he couldn't have known his little tantrum may have just saved his life. Because if he hadn't been so erratic, the arrow that suddenly hit him would have sunken straight into his heart.
But as it were, the arrow hit him elsewhere, and now the God of War was angry. And now he had a focus for his broiling over rage.
The slammed door made her jump and Sunniva stood silently in the room, picking at her fingers and shivering at the cold. It took a moment for her to collect herself but she followed the cold air to the window before she closed it, moving to crawl into the bed and curl up in it.
Sunniva made sure to crawl into the middle of the bed, just because she could. Maybe if Krah came back to bed she could make him extra grumpy that he'd have no room. Sort of. What a butt. What was he getting so irrationally angry about?
It was hard to say how long Krah was gone, but by the time he returned he was exhausted beyond measure. The sun was about to rise and he smelled clean.
He didn't even bother to move Sunniva before collapsing beside her, or rather, some limbs all.over her. And he was snoring in seconds, even as daylight spilled in and there was a sudden pounding at the door.
Eventually, Sunniva fell asleep fitfully. Colder than usual and fully aware of the absence in the bed, the lack of weight making her brain itchy and unable to sleep. It came though and she woke up, startled when there was someone on her bed that smelled like a clean Krah.
Did he go bathe?
Sunniva wrinkled her nose and sat up, his arm at her waist from his collapsed self and she gently drew an arm over his hand and up his arm before he was snoring and she frowned gently.
Then there was knocking at the door.
She gave Krah a little shake, but he didn't budge.
Was the sun out? Nightgowns weren't the most practical guest clothing and she knew she'd be exposed. But all her things were in the other room. The knocking came harsher than before and she fought her way out of the bed before she went and opened the door a crack, hiding behind it because she was as good as naked.
"Hello?"
The armored men on the other side looked none too pleased, but at the sight of Sunniva, they hesitated.
"Ma'am, we hate to disturb you but we have a warrant for the arrest of Krah Mordeth. We were told he entered here this morning."
Sunniva frowned and tilted her head, alarmed at the news.
"Oh? I'm afraid I'll need more information than that,"
She moved slightly to put herself in the doorway, careful to make sure she wasn't exposed or too indecent. Her chin tilted up and she kept her expression defiant.
It didn't take much for them to notice her lack of eyes, but by the time they realized her dress...
The hesitation was brief.
"For his acts carried out last night. He owes much to the brothel & bath house. Disturbing the peace and..."
A really loud snore came from the other room.
It got awkwardly quiet.
"He is also suspected of murder."
Which.. if they had any idea Krah's reputation they would realize what a fool they sounded.
Sunniva sighed and let her head tilt, frowning and slinking through the door to close it behind her and stand in front of it. Sure she was in a nightgown, but she was tired and annoyed that her companion couldn't go one day without causing as scene.
"I'll need more information about both of those things, Sirs." Her voice was soft and she held the handle in both her hands, "Krah is a military officer you'll need to be more descriptive of 'murder' and the Duchy of Folkvar will pay for whatever the... brothel & bath house need if there are damages." There was a tightness in her chest, when a brothel was mentioned and while she wanted to hang her head, feeling hurt and abandoned that he'd spend the night with random faceless women...
Perhaps it was a dose of reality she needed.
"Explain, please. What murder is this supposed to be?"
Now with the woman standing right there, revealing well.. everything, the men oogled. Hesitating on their stance, the leader cleared his throat.
"And just what authority do you have to deny us arrest?" The man asked, words now more clipped.
Sunniva sighed, crossing her arms over her chest and defiantly lifting her chin,
"More authority than you think," She tapped her barefoot on the ground, "are you city guards? I've already told you the solution, why haven't you left yet?" Her eyebrows went up and she tilted her head, "It can't possibly be just me from you guys going in there and taking your quarry."
"Who are you, please."
The man hesitated but lifted his chin.
'Yeah, city guards." He eyed her. "You got proof to back your claim?"
"City Guards," She echo'd, lifting a hand to tap at her lip, "Interesting. Unfortunately you caught me asleep, so if you'd be so kind as to return later this afternoon, I'm more than happy to support my claims." Sunniva smiled at them, "As it is, I can prove nothing, because I am naked."
She opened the door and moved to go into the room, "Please return later after we've slept - I've already solved your problem, so you don't have to worry about us leaving. Have a good day, Gentlemen."
The men argued amongst one another until finally their voices faded as they left. Meanwhile...
Krah still snored from where he lay sprawled unceremoniously across the bed.
Sunniva quickly returned to the room, pacing for a moment before she ran her hands through her hair and moved to climb onto the bed. Should she wake him?
Probably. That bastard.
She didn't. Instead, she found the things she brought to this room and quickly got dressed, finger combing her hair and making she she'd tied her stockings off properly, not bothering to put shoes on. Today she braided her hair and finally when she was finished dressing she crawled back onto the bed.
Krah was warm and she easily tucked herself against his side, a leg throw over one of his and her head resting on his chest. "What are we going to do about you?" She sighed, hurt and annoyed that she was feeling hurt. At least he was warm, and she was taking full advantage of him being asleep and warm.
Damages to buildings. Murder.
Must have been a regular day of the week.
It was several hours before he stirred, arms naturally holding the woman closer. It wasn't a rare occurrence to awaken with a woman (or women..) in his bed, nearly glued to his side. But as the fog of sleep faded... hadn't he...
He felt a sickening pang grip his belly as he turned to regard Sunniva's form. She couldn't even look at him,appreciate all the man that he was. Her damn eyes were fucking gone yet here he was...feeling..
Feeling.. feeling.. feeling anything at all.
He was war.
What the fuck was even this?
It was getting harder and harder to hide the pregnancy. Thankfully it was still in the 'maybe she just ate too much' stage if you didn't know, but she knew. And Krah knew. There were attempts to hide it in good company, but here, Sunniva had fallen back asleep, turned on her side with her back pressed against the man like she were a cat and he was a warm beam of sunshine to soak up the warmth.
In her sleep, she curled an arm over her side to press her fingers to his form, unconsciously making sure he was still there, before she rolled over with a sigh and relocated her head onto his chest and throwing a leg over one of his.
He closed his eyes and sighed, irritability. Seeing how she stirred, he atleast knew she was awake and he took a moment to chew over his words, glaring up at the ceiling.
But instead of talking, he just let himself tense and stew.
The more Krah stayed quiet, the comfier Sunniva got. The more content. The more at ease. The thoughts from earlier with the guards weren't floating around and it was easy to pretend, just for now, that this was where she was supposed to be. Ansgar and redemption far flung ideas.
Could pretend that the man she was curled around wanted her. Didn't hate her. Didn't despise her. Wouldn't abandon her. Her fighters curled into a fist on his chest and she gave a contented sigh, trying to fall back asleep.
Thoughts he'd never share drifted throughout his mind as he lay there. Was this how some men really lived? One woman until he was old? Both just nestled like this each night?
Idly his fingers brushed through her hair, a reaction he didn't even realize he was doing until he stopped himself. What the hell was he doing? Yeah this was all fun ride, she- another conquest, like so many others before her.
Yet this was still...
different. And he hated it all the more because of it.
He sighed and closed his eyes.
He needed to get back to his fucking job.
"Please don't stop," she said softly, half asleep and warm and cozy, "I liked that." Referring to the hair petting. Nuzzling against his chest she sighed again and trailed her hand along his chest.
"I don't want to get up," her voice was grumpy, like she had a choice. Sounding, for a moment, less like Nun Sunniva and more... Content. Like she didn't want to get up because she was living some sort of dream.
He heard her. He didn't oblige. Instead he sat up and began to look for his boots.
"We're wasting daylight. We got places to be."
What a sorry state.
Sunniva had fallen back asleep already dressed so she just remained on the bed for a moment, mourning the moments of normalcy.
"Some guards came after you this morning, saying you destroyed a brothel and murdered someone." Her voice was stony and she sat up, one hand resting on her thigh, "What did you do?" A moments pause, "Krah, did you kill a woman?"
That got a reaction. He turned to his personal, eyeless whore.
"What?" He made a face, then thought back to last night. "I didn't kill a whore, just some fucking assassin who couldn't do his fucking job right." He itched at his wound.
Right... that.
He grunted and went back to his boots, shaking his head.
"And it's not my fucking fault he hid at the whore house. You take a shot at the God of war.." he went on with a crack to his neck, "That's fucking what you get "
That was a relief.
Sunniva sighed and let her head fall back, tension visibly leaving her body. Why did she believe him though?
There was a pause while she shimmied off the bed and her feet touched the floor quietly. She knew that if he had killed someone, he would admit to it. Boast about it. Laugh and go about his day.
"It would have made my job a lot harder if you'd killed someone, too," Sunniva sighed, smoothing her hand over her her belly. "Bad enough it's getting harder to hide this," she grumbled, trailing her fingers along the side of the bed to where she remembered leaving her bags. Ah. The other room.
With little fanfare, she left the room to go to the second one they spent money on but didn't use (how foolish). Soon enough, her boots were on, her cloak was tied up and covering her up and she was downstairs with her things, ready to go.
"Tits. They're probably mad because his blood painted the room," he growled, shrugging. "Now how am I to blame over how much a man bleeds? Besides, it's all fucking fair in war "
Never mind the Grand Duke having stripped him of his title...
A temporary inconvenience, surely.
He then paused beside her, eyeing her belly.
"You are getting fat, ain't ya?"
Fat?
Sunniva bristled visibly, cheeks turning red and shoulders drawing together before she turned slightly and folded her arms over her chest.
"Well," She paused voice going quiet and low, trying to think of a proper comeback - she didn't have one really, "I know you don't know how anything works that isn't your penis, but yes," Sunniva frowned, turning her face to the side, "have you ever even seen a pregnant woman before?"
The man snorted.
"You think you're the only one this dick's been in?" He laughed.
"You gonna lecture me next which hole the bastard will pop out of?"
He eyed her over ferally.
"I believe we were on our way?"
He moved to open the door...
Just as the guards from earlier just so happened to return, heading towards them up the pathway.
If Sunniva had eyes to roll they'd have rolled so hard the foundations of the building would have likely tilted. As it was, she only had her expression to convey her annoyance and she did her very best.
Her mouth opened to answer and the door opened, for a moment she thought he was being polite - which was unlike him - so she slipped in front of Krah in a few quick steps before leaving the building, trying to recall if the horses were to the left or the right. Maybe the left? She lowered her head, trying to listen for horsey noises but there was something else. Determined footsteps. Metal clanking.
The footsteps made her pause and she sucked in a breath, "Who is that?" She whispered, standing a bit outside the building, but in front of Krah. Her features steeled and she rose his chin, shoulders back, moving her coat to hide more of her body.
Krah grunted, studying the men.
"Just some guards.."
They made eye contact and Krah lifted his chin.
"Are you Krah Mordeth?"
He raised an eye brow, sharply.
"Don't you mean General Krah Mordeth?" Krah replied.
The men briefly exchanged glances.
"We're here to serve you a warrant for your arrest. Disturbing the peace, destruction of property.. murder.."
Krah's brow raised higher.
"Hell, I'm probably guilty of all of those fucking things more tines than I can count. You need to be more specific. "
The leader grew impatient.
'"In regards to last night," he emphasized, stepping closer and shoving the paper in his direction.
Sunniva stood in front of Krah, hands on her hips under her cloak and moved her hand - she'd heard paper, which meant she could snatch it. Slowly she pulled her hand back in, tucking it back into her cloak and holding her hands together under her swelling belly.
"Feel free to send that to the church and they can arrange his pick up when we've reached our destination," She cleared her throat and reached behind her to grab Krah's sleeve, "as it is, we were just leaving to get our horses and will be on our way to the next location, have a good day Gentlemen." And she slipped her arm into Krah's elbow and really hoped he'd lead them to their horses.
The men grew impatient with the White Lily, and their temper's being challenged.
"My lady, what concern is this of the church?" the man retorted, stepping closer to remind the woman this was hardly done and over with. But then Krah stepped forward, and only then did the man remember just why the General had always been so feared.
But he wasn't about to show it.
"Oh, but it's every concern of the fucking church. And even the fucking orders of the Grand Duke, unless... you think you're higher than both?"
Krah gave a cold smile at that, and the man, now visibly disturbed by this, glanced around at his equally uncomfortable guardsmen.
"No, it's not that- we just have our orders-"
"And we have ours," he went on, and took the paper from Sunniva, held it infront of him and spat the grossest piece of snot he could into it, before crumpling it up and slapping it's soggy contents into the man's hand.
"Take that back to your leader. The Lily and I will see you at the church."
And he did just that- and walked clean fucking away.