Wanderers on the Road

[Snapespersephone]

I wash the rest of my body clean of dust and road grim and then with a grin I call out again, "oh James would you be willing to give my hair a proper wash? It has been so long and I do love clean hair."

[guardtherealm]

With a large smile, I enter the room again. "I would love to."  I take the soap and lather my hands.  Then reach my hands around your neck and pull your long curls back and begin to wash them.  Taking my time to make sure they are clean, and because I am enjoying being this close to you in a state of undress.  I grab a bucket and fill it with warm water, and pour it over your hair and then proceed to wash it again.  "You know I may need some help getting clean as well. Would you like to sit and soak a while longer? I can bring your towel when you are ready."  Instead of leaving I take a seat on a soft chair in the room and watch you lean back in the steaming water and rest your eyes...

[Snapespersephone]

I soak for a bit longer before opening my eyes and smiling at you. "Mmmm I think I am ready to get out and dry off. Would you like to help me dry off James? Then I will go down to her the bath dumped and a new bath drawn for you. I doubt you would want the same dirty water I used."

[guardtherealm]

I bring you a towel, and you step out of the tub.  I am taken aback by you as you step into the towel to dry off.  Then I head to the door, and poke my head out.   The young boy from earlier is waiting.  "Please have more hot water pumped into the tub please."  I turn to see you pacing around the room in your towel.  "Liliana, I layed fresh bed clothes out for you, the wardrobe came stocked with sleeping linens.  Not that I mind seeing you in a towel."  Moments later more hot water begins filling the tub, and I salivate at the opportunity to sit a relax.

[Snapespersephone]

I make my way to the bedroom and pull the freshly pressed night dress over my head watching as it flows to my feet ending in a cute ruffle. I look myself over in the mirror enjoying the semisheer nature of my new outfit before coming out. "are you in need of any help James?"

[guardtherealm]

I am in a daydream about you in the tub when I hear your voice.  '' well I wouldn't turn down a nice scrub if you are offering. ''  I smile towards the door as you walk out in your night wear.  My jaw practically drops.  '' I'd have to say that you clean up quite nicely lilian.. You make a man blush. ''  as you scrub me a knock comes at the door and a note slides underneath...

[Snapespersephone]

I hand the soap and brush to you before rinsing my hands in your bath water and going for the note. "Oh it is adressed to you. would you like me to read it to you (obviously you would read for me) or would you like to read for yourself?"

[guardtherealm]

"I am assuming it is from Ganodos.  Feel free to read it to me.  I'd imagine he wants to see me as soon as possible."  Thank you Liliana..

[Snapespersephone]

(yea you need to tell me what it says)
I open the letter and then sitting on the floor begin to read to you. "Lord....

[guardtherealm]

'Lord Stanworth, I was disheartened to hear of your demise, however it seems you may not be as dead as one would have thought.  I would implore you to come to my quarters on the 3rd floor at your convenience.  Signed, Gandos the Great."

"Gandos the Great, huh, seems the old man has let his wealth go to his head.  Well then, I must see him immediately.  Would you like to come with, or if you like you can stay here and rest.  It is just day break, and I we have hours before we can leave, so feel free to relax."  I throw the letter into the fire, and go to the room and dress.  I come back out and take in your figure in your gown, words failing to leave my lips..

[Snapespersephone]

I smile at you as I grab a traveling cape from my bag pulling it around myself to hide my sinful nightdress. "Do I look ok to visit with your friend, or would you rather I stay behind so the two of you can be alone?"

[guardtherealm]

"No, I would love to have you there.  He will not be able to refuse a beautiful girl.  Maybe keep your cape undone a little and give the old man a little extra incentive to help us."  I wink at you with that and we head to the third floor.  Stationed outside his room is a strange looking man with tattoos covering his body.  He carries a long curved blade on his side and his hand reaches for it as we approach.

"Gandos already has a lady, take this whore elsewhere." the guard spits at us.

My primal rage kicks in and I take the man by the throat, and lift him off his feet.  His curved blade falls to the ground.  "She is my bride, and you will apologize. Then we are going to see Gandos, he sent for me."

The man gurgles out an apology and we head inside.  The room is dark and smokey.  Smelling of sweet opium smoke and perfume.  A dark skinned girl is curled up nude on the bed, and Gandos is bent over a thick ledger.  He turns to see us, and makes eye contact with you, then me, then you again.  I clear my throat to get his attention back.  He gets up slowly and comes over and embraces me.

"James it is so good to see you.  And your lady here.  I see you have moved on quite fast.  And you are so cold. Are you sick."

I give him a look, and the attack on my keep comes into his mind.  He realizes why I am cold, then looks at you.  "Her too."

"Yes, she was my wifes ward, her father is an small eastern lord who passed years back.  She is now in my care, and I mean to take her as my bride someday.  On my escape I found her dead, and had to turn her asl well to bring her back.  I come to you for help.  We need to start a new life, and I know how close you were with my father.  Please anything you can do with be repayed double when we are settled."

"Nonsense, you name it and it is yours. You were like a son to me as a child, and your father would curse me from the heavens if I turned you away.  What is it you need?"  I look over to you, and make a snap decision.

"A ship.  Or passage on one to the isles of Tortana.  The islands are weathly and take all who arrive.  We should be able to get started as traders or something from there."

"Lucky you, I have a ship leaving to Tortana in two days.  I can schedule it to leave at night, and you should be in the isles in a week. Are you sure she wouldnt be safer with me?" he gives me a laugh, "Go rest, anything you need just ask.  I will also have something to quench your thirst delivered in a few minutes."  We embrace again, and he goes back to the girl on the bed and his ledgers.

We reach our room and moments later the door knocks.  A young girl comes in wearing a slim, loose, blood red dress.  She walks into the bedroom and sits on the bed.  We look at each other and peek into the room.  She exposes her neck to us and says "Drink, I am here to fill you."

[Snapespersephone]

I look at her like she is crazy but then the smell of her blood  makes my mouth water and I approach her and gently bite her neck letting her blood fill my mouth as I gather her small frame closer to me trying my best not to hurt her while I drink.

[guardtherealm]

I watch you drink from her and am surprised how she seems to like it.  I know I am enjoying the show as well.  Walking forward I pull your head from her neck to preserve her life, and kiss you.  Tasting the blood from your lips.  Then I take her neck in my mouth and drink the energy into me.  She starts to grow pale, and I stop.  Laying back full and renewed.   She gets up from the bed, bows at us and leaves with a smile.  "Well that was interesting, I guess old Gandos thought we looked hungry.  Plus the man is an old perv, so we should have figured.  How do you feel about boarding a ship to the isles?  This country has nothing to offer us now, we would do better to be far away from prying eyes."

[Snapespersephone]

"it sounds lovely but I will not play at being your wife on the Isles. either We marry there or we are just companions almost like siblings. I will not compromise myself for any man James, and if you care you will not want me too. you have until we arrive on the islands to decided and then we will either start planning our wedding or start acting like siblings." I then lay beside you and close my eyes as if in sleep.

[guardtherealm]

This girl knows what she wants.  I lay there and think about your offer.  My feelings for her grow stronger by the moment, and I would hate to lose her.  Yes she would stay with me, but as a daughter or sister.  That would be fine, but I do not think I can not have her.  I take your hand and look into your eyes.  "Liliana, I would be the luckiest man on earth if you would be my wife, but I do not want you to make a rash decision.  Are you sure you can be a man in his 40's?  Are you even attracted to me that way?"  I hold you hand tight and push my body closer to you.

[Snapespersephone]

"yes of course i can be with a man in his 40's I always knew that my husband would have years and experience beyond my own. As for my attraction to you trust me it is there and has been for a long time. Now hush we must sleep if we are to go and get you cloths for our new life."

[guardtherealm]

The night comes with a quickness, I am becoming comfortable with you and am beyond words at the love brewing between us.  "We are lucky this city is bustling, I should have no trouble finding a shop open.  Would you mind picking the clothes for me, I have to admit to being terrible when it comes to fashion."  We leave the inn arm in arm, and on the way out I pay the inn keeper for another night, and have a another note send to Gandos thanking him for the ship passage and the girl.  We stroll the city, and I buy you an iced red wine.  Finding a shop is easy as there are a few to pick from.  "This one seems fine, shall we get some things for our trip?  Feel free get yourself something as well.  Also, I think I will trade the amulet and some of the jewels to Gandos for gold coins.  That way once we reach the island we can have the money to start our lives."  As we are stepping into the store I see a jewelers two stores down.  "Liliana, why don't you go in and start pulling some things together for me. I am going to go use the restroom down the street." 

Inside the jewelers I find a beautiful ring, it shines in the dark light of the room, and almost pulses with energy.  The stone is clear as mountain water, and on either side has two deep red stones the color of blood.  "I would like this ring my good man. "  He brings it out and my hands shake touching it.  Our funds are not unlimited, as most of my treasure was destroyed or trapped under my keep.  But Gandos will help us with more gold, and I do not worry about money when it comes to bringing a smile to Lilianas face.  I pay the man for the ring, put it in my pocket, and start trying to decide when to give it to you.

"Ahh Lili, it seems you have been busy."  The little old tailor is darting around pulling fabrics, and measuring.  He smiles at me, and runs into the back. 

[Snapespersephone]

"Oh yes I told my new friend Fredrick that my betrothed and I were to set out on our bridal trip and I was not sure what he or I would really need. He is being ever so helpful and those cloths that I got from the duke he said were unsuitable to my coloring so he bought them and has decided to make me a bridal trousseau in exchange for them and the ring that he gave me." I show you my naked finger and the now empty bag of clothing I brought along with us. "I hope I did it correctly James as I really was unsure of what was needed."

[guardtherealm]

'' I'd say you did perfectly.  Have Frederick load this all into a trunk and deliver it to our room at the aleswell Inn. We leave tomorrow night. ''  the ring grows heavy in my pocket.  I'll give it to her on the  ship, when we are surrounded by water and stars.   'we leave the store and walk hand in hand,  not talking just acting like a normal couple. 

' we should return to our room soon.  I would like to settle our money first.  Then we can relax until we depart.  ''

[Snapespersephone]

I nod and look around seeing the puppy again and tug on your sleeve. "may I go look while you settle the money? I have alittle bit of my pin money from my father left." My eyes shine with the thought of petting and cuddling with the puppies and maybe getting one of my own.

[guardtherealm]

'' I'm not sure I feel comfortable leaving you alone.  But I am just down the street.  Don't be long and come knock on the slavers door if I am not in our quarters.''  I squeeze your hand and kiss your forehead.  I practically run to our room not wanting to leave you for long.  The guard let's me right in and pull out our jewelry too  trade.  The slavers eyes glow and I know he will take it all.   The girl on the bed perks up as well and gandos throws her a necklace and looks at me. '' don't worry I'll pay you for it. ''

[Snapespersephone]

I walk into the pet store looking over the puppies oblivious to the man who followed me in as I go directly to the box of squirming puppies. "Oh look at you little cuddles bugs. Oh I know James would love your fuzzy faces too." I then reach down and grab a tiny brown and white furball cuddling it close to my chest, and then turn to look for the owner. As my eyes room the tiny shop they meet the man from the night before who smiles.
"Oh well if it isn't the mysterious princess who haunted my dreams last night." he walks forward to see which puppie I have. "Oh look the little guy is smitten with you. I must insist that you take him home with you." I open my mouth to ask the price. "oh no my dear I will not hear of taking your money. He is ment for you all I ask is a little kiss from you."
I start backing up clinging to the small animal. "no please I can't possible kiss you in exchange for a puppy. I will pay you and leave thank you." I reach for my small purse when he grabs my arm and yanks me against him.
"Now listen you little whore. I know that man is not your husband and your father or brother wouldn't kiss you like that. Now drop the act and give me what you are giving him." he presses his fingers into my arm making me cry out before he back hands me bringing up my rage. Before I can stop myself I am on top of him with my teeth about to puncture is throat.

[guardtherealm]

I'm enjoying a drink with the slaver when I feel a strong pain deep inside.  Without thinking I jump from my chair and am bursting into the store as your teeth sink into the man. The shopkeeper screams and I rip the man from you and throw him through a window to the street outside.   I grab you and we dart though the gathering crowd and sneak back inside the Inn. We reach our room and I notice you are still carrying the puppy.  'what was that all about. I knew I shouldn't have left.' '  the puppy squirms and jumps down.  '' looks like we have a new friend as well. ''

[Snapespersephone]

I drop to the floor sobbing  and covering her face in blood red tears. Then I lift up my arm that still has the handprint form where he grabbed and squeezed my arm and look up with the bruise still on me cheek." He called me a whore James, and said that he would geve me the puppy for a kiss, when I refused he squeezed my arm and slapped me. I just saw red I don't know how it happened. I just lashed out."