Rising

   Chapter Ten



   Methaniel woke to find the Wingling girl's naked form pressed tightly to
him, cuddled into his arm and resting against his body.  Her flesh was warm
and soft and the enormous curvature of her bosom squished against his hard
torso.  It was all he could do to simply control himself in that moment. 
He looked down at her, smiling softly as he watched the rise and fall of
her bosom and the light play of a smile curving her soft lips.  Her dark,
silken hair shone richly in the sunlight beaming through the window.

   Ahma was a wonder, and last nights activities had only further impressed
that fact upon him.  He had been with a virgin before, once.  It had been
an awkward and difficult thing.  Though she was willing, the girl had been
timid, extremely nervous, and a bit frightened.  While he had been
exceedingly gentle, likely more so than any other man would be, she had
still experienced pain and he had felt guilty.  This time was different. 
While he had been able to tell Ahma held some nervousness, she had
nonetheless been welcoming, encouraging, and had clearly enjoyed herself,
something that had only driven his lust on.

   Her body had been perfection, the most thrilling and enjoyable woman he
had ever been with by far.  Her flesh was soft and supple, yet firm and
tight, her bosom a wonder beyond words.  Her womanhood was likewise lovely
to look upon and joy itself to experience.  He had enjoyed the hairlessness
of her pussy, something he had experienced only once before, and then with
one of the army whores.  And her moisture...her cunt had oozed honey,
leaking it liberally and soaking his cock thoroughly.  This was a good
thing, considering just how incredibly tight and firmly her passage had
wrapped around him.  Had she not been so wet, he cringed to think of what
the friction would have done to her, and even to him.

   Ahma shifted slightly and her wings lightly brushed over his body.  She
nuzzled into him, even in her sleep, and her hand pressed more tightly into
the thick muscle of his chest.  Methaniel smiled wider.  She was lovely,
beautiful, perfect.  She was in so many ways a contradiction; she was
innocent yet, as she had displayed last night, wanting and lustful.  She
was gentle and kind, yet brave, and learning to handle a weapon faster than
some soldiers he had known.  She was subservient and seemed to embraced her
role as a servant, yet wasn't afraid to speak her mind and express herself.

   Before he even realized what he was doing, Methaniel bent down and
pressed his lips to hers.  Ahma's eyes opened slowly, and then she smiled,
softly returning the kiss as she pressed more tightly into him.

   The Master pulled back, knowing if he didn't he would never get out of
bed that day.  He smiled down at her, tightening his powerful arm around
her waist and pulling her close as he kissed her forehead.

   "Good morning, Master Merie," Ahma smiled beautifully up at him.  Her
smile lit her whole face and made her beautiful and angelic features all
the more lovely.

   "Good morning, Ahma.  Did you sleep well?"

   The Wingling girl nodded earnestly, and, smiling shyly, craned her neck
up to kiss him on the cheek.  Methaniel pulled her close, holding her tight
for a moment, caressing her back lightly with his large hands.  His muscles
bunched and quivered against her naked flesh, and Ahma shivered happily.

   Methaniel sat up and slowly rose out of bed.  Ahma watched him and
stretched, a smile on her face, her wings extending to their full length
and fluttered in an extension of the giddy energy she was feeling.  She
folded her wings back and smiled lovingly at her Master.

   "I have to go out again," Methaniel said as he pulled on a pair of dark
green slacks.

   "I promise I won't be long," he continued upon seeing the slight droop
of her shoulders.  He threw on a long sleeved tunic and stepped to the bed,
bending down and kissing her fully, deeply.  Ahma sighed happily, and
craned her neck forward as he pulled slowly back, extending the kiss for as
long as possible.

   Methaniel smiled at her and caressed her face.  "Rest for me.  Relax and
enjoy some leisure time.  Be sure to get something to eat, too.  I left
some coin on the dresser for you.  See Lanion and be ready for dinner when
I get back."

   His eyes flashed mischievously, shining bright and silver, and he
grinned at her.  "And be ready for tonight."

   Methaniel kissed her again and then pulled his boots onto his feet,
strapped his blade to his hip, and grabbed up his cloak.  He hesitated a
moment, then grabbed one of Ahma's scarves, the soft gray one.  Ahma gave
him a slightly puzzled look, but she was too distracted by the overwhelming
feelings of her own happiness to say anything.  With a final smile and a
wave to the Wingling girl who covered herself modestly with the sheets as
he opened the door, Methaniel left the room.

   Ahma braided her hair and put on her frumpy brown dress and her soft
gloves.  She strapped the blade to her hip and the dagger to her thigh
under her dress as she had yesterday.  She picked up the coins and left the
room, locking the door behind her.

   First stopping by the front counter, she discovered they offered room
service.  She decided she would stop by and see what they provided after
visiting Lanion.

   The horse was in the same pen.  He was chewing on yet another part of
the fence, having already ruined one of the rails.  He sniffed at her as
she walked near and snorted loudly.  Ahma smiled and patted his neck.

   "I know I smell like him.  You should be happy for us," she smiled.

   Lanion gave her a look that could only be called a glare.  Ahma spent
some time brushing him.  The stable did a decent job tending to him, but
not as well as the hands at the Manor would have..  She took care to groom
the horse carefully, spending extra time on the spots he seemed to enjoy
the most, such as the hairline of his mane.  It was a relaxing thing for
both of them and a simple pleasure Ahma enjoyed.  Lanion's coat was soft
under her fingers and his flanks rippled with muscle.  His clear enjoyment
of her attention and the way she brushed out his mane and tail shone in his
dark eyes.

   As she rubbed the horse's tender spots, her mind began to
wander...mostly in the direction of last night.  The experience had blown
her mind.  Master Methaniel's cock had been beyond her imagination.  The
size, the thickness and the wonderful way it made her feel had been one of
the best experiences of her life.  It made the troubles and hardships of
the past few months melt away and seem far worth it for the simple chance
to be with him.

   Moreover, his reaction this morning had made any leftover doubt float
away.  Not only had he been receptive to her body, but to her feelings as
well.  That relieved her greatly.  She hadn't really thought he would
simply use her, but to see that his actions and attitude toward her hadn't
changed, that he was the same sweet, loving, affectionate man, was
reassuring.  She did not know the extent of his feelings...not quite...but
she felt sure they were good.

   She was also greatly relieved that she had finally expressed how she
felt, and managed to do it in proper Wingling tradition no less.  She had
desired him for some time...possibly since she had even seen him.  His
being filled her dreams, and she had longed for his affection, his love,
and his body.  Finally she had expressed that, and nothing could have made
her happier.  She was his lover, and he was hers.

   Ahma hoped desperately that after the whole business with their being
hunted, after they found those who sought them and brought them to justice,
that she and Methaniel could build a life together.  Ahma was not sure if
it was even possible between a Wingling and Human, but perhaps it they were
able, they could have children.  She hoped he would want something of that
sort, but if he didn't, she could learn to accept that.  Her life was his,
in several ways now.  She would do whatever he wished.

   She patted Lanion and told him to behave himself as she finished
grooming him.  He nuzzled her hand briefly, then went back to chewing at
the fence.  Soon he would likely chew his way out of the pen entirely, the
evil thing.

   The Wingling girl returned to the inn and ordered herself some lunch. 
Though room service sounded appealing, she decided she shouldn't be
allowing a stranger into their room.  Master Merie probably wouldn't
approve.

   So to their room she went, carrying her plate.  She ate and set the dish
outside the door as the woman at the front desk had advised her.  She
changed from the grubby dress, now covered in Lanion's hair, and, after
thinking about it for a moment and giggling, donned one of Master
Methaniel's oversized tunics.  It fell around her, down to her knees.  It
was even large enough for her Wings to fit inside relatively comfortably,
folded against her back.

   She took her hair down again and spent some time brushing it out.  All
the while her thoughts dwelled on the Master.

   He was much more gentle than she'd ever thought he could be...his
sweetness and sincerity had made her comfortable and relaxed during their
lovemaking.  She was happy that he had taken her advances positively.  Now
she could look forward to more...interesting nights, to say the least.

   ***



   Methaniel found himself standing in the shadows of the same dilapidated
building he'd visited yesterday, gazing at the rough wooden door with his
thick arms crossed over his chest.  He wore his cloak with the hood drawn
up and he'd tied Ahma's scarf across the lower part of his face.  With his
cowl pulled low, the features of his face were hidden from view.  Had he
been in a less dangerous part of town, the look would likely have drawn
attention.  But in these worn streets he looked like any other who wished
to keep their features hidden from the many prying eyes.  Anyone interested
in maintaining law and civil decency stayed well away from this area of
Fernum.

   The door opened and the man nodded him in.  Methaniel advanced with a
slow, relaxed gait, but his every nerve was set on a razors edge.  The
doorman walking beside him was polite enough to keep his hand away from the
large dagger at his belt.  Methaniel knew every step he took was marked by
many hidden watchers, each of which likely held a weapon poised to cut him
down.  It was a dangerous bid he took, coming here, but his desire for
information, for a place to turn to, for something to act on drove him to
the very edge of caution.

   And here, on that most precipitous of edges, he balanced precariously.

   A chair scuffed along the wooden plank floor as Methaniel pulled it away
from the table and sat down.  The Nobleman glanced around the room; it was
a cramped little office, with nary a thing in it.  It was dim; a single
desk lamp and the weak sunlight filtering through the choke of dirt and
grime on the single window provided the only light.

   "Why're you here?" the man sitting behind the desk asked.  He was a
squat fellow.  A long scar edging the entire length of the right side of
his face added to a grim and serious appearance he purposefully maintained.
He regarded Methaniel critically with small, dark eyes set deep in his pale
face.  His demeanor was calm, confident.  He knew he held the cards here.

   "Information," Methaniel said simply, his words muffled slightly by the
scarf blocking his face.

   The man leaned forward slightly and propped his elbows on his desk,
gazing at him coolly.  "That's it?  You came to the Thieves Guild...for
information?"

   "If you can direct me to someone who has a more extensive informant
network than a Thieves Guild, I'll gladly leave," Methaniel countered.

   The guildman smirked softly.  "How I know I can trust you?"

   Methaniel tossed a small cloth sack onto the man's desk.  It contained
nearly all of the remaining coin he had left over from the bulging purse
he'd grabbed before fleeing the Manor, as well as all the coin he'd made
from selling pelts and meat along the journey.  It jingled liberally; the
man didn't pick it up.

   "How I know you ain't with the guard?"

   "Because," Methaniel replied, "If I was with the guard I would either be
someplace else, or you would be paying me to be someplace else."

   The guildman gazed at Methaniel for several tense moments.  Finally, he
settled back in his seat.  "Talk."

   "I want to know what interests Durinum has in this region."

   "Fernum, or all around here?" "All around."

   The thief shrugged.  "They ain't active in these parts.  Since Rien's
the closest thing to a capitol Rojinla's got, that's where the Durinians're
puttin' their attention.  Plus, Rein's the closest city in Rojinla to the
new Durinum border."

   "Their border has extended outside of the mountains?" Methaniel asked.

   "They pushed their front right up to what passes for Rojinla borders
last month," the informant explained.  "Claim they need the room to
maneuver troops `gainst the Naemer, or some load of horse dung like that.
Dunno why the council's lettin' it happen, other than they don't want to
get shit on by the Durinum military."

   Methaniel swallowed softly.  The war was progressing without him. 
Despite the direness of his situation, he was very uneasy with not being
involved in such things.  He wanted to know more, but couldn't ask without
arousing further suspicion.  As it wasn't vital to him at the moment, he
left the military matters alone.

   "What are they about?" Methaniel asked.

   "What're they ever about?" the man shrugged again.  "Lookin' to recruit
forces for their war.  Seems they're trying to go through official channels
to get an actual army put together from the city-states, but word is lately
they've started callin' up any mercenaries who'll take the job."

   "The council's allowing this," Methaniel stated instead of asked. 
"They've no way to stop the mercenaries from doing whatever they want,
regardless of their official policies, any more than they can stop you."

   "That's right," the man nodded.

   "Go on."

   "That's `bout it.  They trade and barter for goods for the war and they
try to finagle for better border terms."

   Methaniel nodded.  "I want to know about two people.  I believe they are
wanted by the Durinum authorities."

   "Why," his informant asked with narrowed eyes, "Are you so interested in
Durinum?"

   "I come from there," Methaniel replied.  The closer he kept to the
truth, the less likely he would be caught in a lie, he decided.  "I find
myself interested in their affairs, still.  On this count, it's more a
personal interests; these two fugitives are worth a lot of coin, and I'd
like to see some of it find its way into my pocket."

   A smirk played along the guildman's lips.  "Who are you lookin' for?"

   "A man...a Nobleman, I believe.  He goes by the name of Methaniel Ohren.
The other is a Wingling woman.  I do not know if her name has been
released."

   "Name seems familiar," the man commented.  "I seen the poster, I think.
They want him dead, with his head brought in as proof, and nothin' else."

   "And the woman?"

   "Her I ain't heard about.  But then, I ain't been lookin'."

   Methaniel nodded and crossed his arms over his chest.  "Any heads up on
the kind of competition I'm looking at for the bounty?"

   "Given the price?  A good piece," his informant guessed.  "It seems
they're serious enough `bout the whole business. .  It'd probably be smart
to move fast on this one if you want the coin to be yours."

   "Indeed," Methaniel muttered.  "One other thing.  I'm interested in...a
group.  They're likely assassins, and possibly tied to some overarching
organization."

   "You'll need to tell me more than that," the man ventured.

   Methaniel nodded.  "I don't know how specific I can be.  They've only
recently come to my attention....they're good.  They use bold tactics, and
they don't seem to be worried about being caught.  All I really know is
that they operate out of Durinum."

   He didn't really know that, of course.  Those who sought his life could
have their operations set up anywhere.  But they'd attacked him in Durinum,
twice, and that was all he had to go on.

   "Sorry," the man scowled.  "Should've asked a few years ago, before
Durinum's war started getting' so ugly.  That part of our informant network
is gone."

   "Where can I look to, then?"

   The man considered for a moment, rubbing at the thick stubble at his
chin.  "Ever heard of the Cerlothlor Library?"

   Methaniel nodded.  "Yes.  They are south of Rajinla...in the Airbend
Plains, yes?"

   "Right."

   Methaniel leaned forward in his seat slightly.  "If I go there, I wish
to do so...discretely.  I don't want to use the main road, or any well
traveled roads, for that matter."

   "And?" the guildman prompted.

   "I'm sure you could suggest an...appropriate route."

   The man smirked.  "And what makes you think any route I suggest wouldn't
be heavily preyed on by my guildmates?"

   Methaniel reached forward with careful slowness and tapped the desktop
directly in front of the bag of coins.  "There is honor among thieves," he
said softly.

   "How you figure?" the man sneered.

   "I'm useful to you for one thing; coin.  You have all of mine now.  And
I'm still breathing."

   A soft snort came from the thief, but he didn't argue.  "You got a good
memory, or I need to write this down?"

   "Actually," Methaniel said, "I was hoping for a map."

   "A map?"

   "Of the area," the Nobleman explained.  "As detailed as you have,
showing all the major settlements in the region and as much of the
surrounding wilderness as has been charted."

   The thief watched him for several moments, then reached down and took
the coin purse in hand.  He bounced it several times, weighing it
distractedly before setting it back down with a nod.

   "You got a way of handlin' yourself," he commented.  "For that, I'll
give you a one of our best maps."

   He stood and walked to the small shelf behind his desk.  He rustled
through several velium scrolls, then turned and set it on the desk top.

   The scroll spread out before Methaniel, revealing a careful worked map.
It was quite detailed, complete with markings notating rivers, valleys,
hilly regions and forested thickets and groves, as well major landmarks,
roads, and settlements spread out across the land.  It showed from Fernum
down to the bottom reaches of the Airbend Plains to the south of Rojinla
lands.

   The disguised Nobleman nodded his satisfaction.  "And the route?"

   The guildman wordlessly pointed to a trail noted upon the map's surface.
Methaniel eyed it for a moment and found it to be relatively safe.  He'd
take a closer look later.

   "Very good," Methaniel stood and accepted the re-rolled map with a nod.

   "One more thing," the thief said.  He reached for another rolled map on
the shelf and handed it to Methaniel.  "A map of the continent," he
explained.  " `Case you need to find your way some other place."

   "Why?" Methaniel asked frankly.

   "You gave me a lotta coin for a bit of information and a map.  I like
bein' square with someone.  If I ain't, it's bad for business."

   The guildman whistled for his man to see Methaniel out and turned his
dark gaze back onto the taller man.  "You got guts.  I like how you handle
yourself.  My boss would like you."

   "Another time, perhaps," Methaniel replied to the unspoken offer.  The
guildman nodded, and his doorman escorted Methaniel out.

   ***



   Methaniel opened the door to the room he shared with Ahma.  She caught
her sitting up in bed with the blankets pulled up to her stomach, clad in a
tunic that looked oddly far too large for her, reaching for her shortsword.

   She relaxed and beamed a happy smiled up at him as he stepped into the
room.  He returned her smile, put the rolled up map on the dresser, and sat
down in bed beside her.  He took her into his arms and kissed her, deeply.
Ahma shivered in his arms and pressed tightly to him.

   "What's that?" Ahma said, nodding at the parchment after he released her
from his kiss.

   "A map," Methaniel replied, smiling down at her.  Ahma reached up and
slowly, somewhat shyly ran her fingers through his rich copper locks.

   "To?"

   "Rajinla and the neighboring regions.  In case we need to be someplace
and don't know where it is."

   "You were gone all this time to get a map?" Ahma asked in confusion.

   Methaniel chuckled lightly.  "Not quite.  I was searching for
information about our hunters."

   "What did you find?"

   "Not much," Methaniel sighed.  "I think all the leads available here
have been explored.  I've decided the best thing to do now may be to search
elsewhere.  Have you heard of the Caelothlor Library?"

   Ahma considered for a moment, then nodded.  "Yes.  Your father mentioned
it a few times." "What do you know?" Methaiel asked, smiling softly.  Ahma
shrugged.  "It's been around for many centuries.  It's said the elves
gifted the library to the first generation of Humans to settle in that
region, though many races now frequent the archives, if I recall correctly.
It's been growing since it was first erected.  Your father said it was the
most complete archive of information on the entire continent." "Very good,"
Methaniel smiled, squeezing her hand.  "My father taught you well." Ahma
blushed slightly.  "I suppose.  He wanted me to know as much about books
and libraries as possible, since I was to be tending his study and he
wanted his books to be as well cared for as any public establishment.

   Methaniel leaned back against the headboard and smiled at her.  "We'll
gather supplies tomorrow and leave town the next day."

   Ahma nodded, smiling widely and nuzzling into him even more closely.  It
came as a relief that they would be leaving the awful city.  And besides,
she felt a good measure of excitement at the thought of visiting Cerlothlor
after hearing so much about it for all these years.

   "So we won't be going to Vertu?" she asked.

   "No.  I think this may turn up better information," Methaniel replied.

   Ahma gazed at him as they fell silent, looking upon his face.  Even
through the cloth of his shirt she could feel his muscles rippling and
bunching powerfully.

   The Master bent his head to kiss her.  He pulled her close, gathering
her in his arms as the kiss deepened.  Ahma practically purred with
approval.  She savoring his.  Her lips parted and the Nobleman's tongue
slid into her mouth, caressing her own tongue, slipping along it and
writhing with it as she sucked ever so gently.  Methaniel smiled and
enjoyed the taste of his young lover's mouth.  His hands slide along her
back, caressing, massaging.  She was enfolded in his embrace.

   Lowering his lips to her neck, Methaniel sucked and kissed softly at the
pale, sensitive flesh.  Wishing to encourage him further, the Wingling lass
sent her fingers playing through his hair.  His tongue slid across her
flesh and he nibble gently at the nape of her neck.  Ahma's body began to
race with arousal.  A deep wetness formed between her legs.

   Methaniel drew back, kissing her lightly several more times.  He gripped
the sheets, pulling them back to climb into bed along with her, and then
froze in surprise.

   Ahma smiled shyly at him, blushing softly even as she made no movement
to cover herself.  Methaniel gazed upon her, naked from the waist down. 
The Wingling girl spread her legs open slowly, revealing her perfect cunt,
her flawlessly smooth, bald mound and lips.  The rose pink inner flesh
already shined wetly, covered in a sticky sheen of juices.  A trick of
honey leaked from her hole and spread along her inner thighs.

   "I thought you might like a present, Master Merie..." Ahma said as he
glanced up at her.  Methaniel smiled, and shifted till he crouched on the
bed in front of her.  Ahma's heart began to race, sure that he would soon
be inside her.

   But the Master surprised her by sinking down even lower.  His head slid
between her legs.  Her body jerked in surprise as his lips wrapped around
her plump, fleshy mound, and sucked at it firmly.  As his lips worked on
her sex she tried to relax.  He sucked and slurped at her pussy firmly,
aggressively.  He shifted back slightly and pulled one of her thick,
hairless outer folds into his mouth.  He sucked at it, nibbling ever so
softly, tracing the ridge of it with his tongue.  Ahma writhed at the
unexpected new sensations.  She had never thought of this, not really, but
the Master had started this and she wasn't about to deny him.

   Especially when it felt so deliciously wonderful.

   Methaniel lashed his tongue up and down the length of her slit, tasting
her exquisite honey.  He flicked his tongue over and over along her swollen
pink inner flesh.  His lips occasionally sucked or kissed at her folds and
pulled at the soft flesh of her plump vulva.  He traced circles around her
swollen, throbbing clit with the tip of his tongue but avoided touching it
directly, stimulating the hyper-sensitive flesh but teasingly leaving it
unattended for the moment.

   Ahma slowly gyrated her hips, not even thinking of what she was doing.
Unbelievable sensations washed over her, similar yet so very different from
the ones of last night.  One hand snaked down her body to encouragingly
caress and rub at the Master's hair, feeling the shaggy strands sliding
between her fingers.  Her other hand reached down to squeeze and lift her
enormous, heavy bosom, scooping it up and pressing her fingertips to one of
the orbs still covered by Methaniel's large tunic.

   The Nobleman caressed and rubbed Ahma's thighs and occasionally reached
down to squeeze and fondle her full sculpted ass, feeling the tight firm
muscle under the soft layer of pliant skin.  His tongue lashed about her
pussy, sliding along the increasingly soaked flesh as he licked and
nibbled. Her thighs and cunt quivered in pleasure.  He smiled, swallowing a
small mouthful of her sticky sweet juices.  With one hand he spread her
flower open, fully exposing her clit.  The swollen nub popped out of its
hood.  Methaniel grinned, glanced up at her, then attacked.

   His tongue lashed along her clit.  Ahma jumped and let out a deep,
quavering moan as pleasure shot through her body suddenly, sweetly,
sharply. He continued to pleasure her, licking firmly and occasionally in
quick, flitting licks, sometimes swiping the entire length of the flat of
his tongue in a hard stroke.  He wrapped his lips around the pulsing nub.
He pulled at the little nerve bundle with his lips and sucked firmly.  His
tongue mashed at it, pushing it down and sending more and more pleasure
coursing through her body.

   The girl gave a buck of her hips as a powerful surge of pleasure
consumed her.  She moaned and then nearly screamed, pressing her pussy hard
into his face and forcing her clit needingly against his prodding tongue.

   "M...Master....Master Merie..." She moaned, running her tongue along her
lips.  She tweaked her thick stub of a nipple through her tunic, pulling at
it, pinching it and making more pleasure flood over her.

   Methaniel flicked his tongue rapidly along her clit as he strove to
drive the girl crazy.  He pulled back slightly and scooped some of her
flowing cunt juice from her folds with one of his fingers.  He spread it
onto Ahma's throbbing clit before working his tongue along it once more. 
His pace picked up, his tongue lashing along her the pleasure bud harder
and faster.

   A massive explosion burst through her.  A hard, wrenching tense of her
body made her rigid with pleasure.  Sunbursts flashed in her eyes and her
mind, and her cunt and breasts ached with so much pleasure she thought she
would never again come down from that enormous orgasmic high.

   Ahma slowly sat up after her rapturous orgasm.  Methaniel took her into
his arms and gave her a hug, smiling down at her.

   "Did you like that?"

   "It was wonderful," she sighed, smiling beatifically.  "I didn't know
men...well...did that to women."

   He smiled, caressing her hair gently.  "Not all do, my love.  Many find
it...distasteful."

   Ahma's brow furrowed as she gazed up at him.  "Do you?"

   Methaniel guided her hand down to his groin.  Ahma gasped, her fingers
instinctively curling around the fat bulge in his trousers.  "Does it feel
like I find it distasteful?"

   "No," she breathed lustfully.

   Methaniel tucked her hair behind her ears, his roughened fingertips
tracing her cheek.  "I take it you know that women can do...similar
things?"

   Ahma froze, staring up at him.  She struggled to push the memories of
the abuse at the Stewards hands from her mind, but it was impossible. 
She'd been able, somehow, to keep from thinking of such things last night.
Perhaps it was simply that the acts were different, in her mind; Master
Methaniel making love to her hadn't seemed the same at all to what the
Steward had subjected her to.  But this...

   "Yes, Master," she said softly, trying to smile.  She did not want to
displease him.  She would pretend everything was okay, and perhaps she
could make it through this thing without him noticing her uneasiness.

   But it was too late for that.

   "What's wrong?" Methaniel asked, his brow furrowed with concern as he
gently placed his hands on her shoulders.  He searched her face, alarmed by
the disquiet he found there.

   "Nothing, Master," Ahma said.  She felt a tightness in her chest as
panic settled over her.  She desperately wanted to please him, and she knew
such an action would do so.  But she felt such a swirl of other emotions
that she could hardly think straight.

   What if he could tell that she had been with another man in that way? 
Would he be angry?  Would he think her spoilt, used?  Would he think she
was some kind of whore?  What if he no longer wanted her?  She felt
sickened by the fact that her mind wandered to the Steward at all.  She had
thought the Steward's hold over her gone.  But here she was months later
with the man of her dreams, the man she loved, and that vile abuser had
given her pause.

   She hated that fact.

   "Tell me," Methaniel insisted, his voice gentle but firm.

   Ahma stared into his eyes.  Tears rose and spilled quietly down her
cheeks.  She began to softly cry.

   Methaniel gathered her into his arms and onto his lap, cradling her and
murmuring soft, soothing words into her ear.  He rocked her back and forth
like a small child as she clung to him tightly.  Her crying was subdued, a
slow outpour of her wounded feelings and the memories of the awful
treatment she'd suffered.

   "I'm sorry," she said after a moment.  "Oh Master, I am so sorry..."

   "What is wrong, Ahma?" Methaniel asked quietly as he caressed her soft
hair.  "What has upset you?"

   Ahma hung her head and swallowed heavily.  "You will be very upset."

   "I would know what has made you cry," Methaniel replied, pulling back
slightly so that he could look into her eyes.  "Have I done something?"

   "No," Ahma shook her head emphatically.  "No, Master, it...it isn't
you."

   She wiped at her tears and took a deep breath, trying to gather her
resolve.  "I am sorry Master, I should have told you this before we
became...close.  I..."

   Ahma faltered for a moment, sniffling as she suppressed her sorrow. 
Methaniel sat patiently watching her, caressing her hair with one hand as
he held her close with the other.

   "I have...been with a man," she confessed.  "Not in the way we were last
night," she added hastily at the surprise on his face.  "I mean...that
is...with my mouth."

   Methaniel nodded slowly, watching her.  By the expression on her face,
he did not believe this fact was all that was responsible for her distress.

   Ahma clung to him, bowing her head once more as she pressed her face to
his shoulder.  "The Steward, he...he blackmailed me, I suppose you would
say.  He told me that if I did not pleasure him, he would not feed me, nor
any of the other servants.  I had no choice, I could not let them starve
because I was unwilling to do something distasteful.  I would never have
been able to live with myself.  He seemed to think to fully mate with me
was...dirty.  He took my mouth for his pleasure."

   Her tears began to flow once more, sliding down his chest.  He caressed
her hair, his jaw tightening.  How he wished he had run the vile Steward
through with his blade when he'd had the chance.

   "Are you okay?" Methaniel asked at last.  Ahma nodded, sniffling again.
Methaniel gently cupped her chin, raising her face.  He bent his head and
kissed her tears, which brought a small smile to her lips.

   "I love you," Methaniel said simply.

   Ahma's heart leapt at his words, her ill feelings banished at such
things coming from his lips.  She had given her everything to him, shown
her love by submitting her body to his ministrations.  She had felt he
thought more of their encounter than a simple night satisfying his lusts,
but to hear him actually say those words...

   "I love you too, Master," she smiled softly and nuzzled into him again.

   "Ahma, please know that I never want you to do something you are
uncomfortable with.  I do not want to ever distress you.  If you are ever
uneasy about anything we do, tell me.  I wish things between us to only be
filled with happiness and pleasure."

   She nodded and turned her eyes back up to his.  "You aren't mad?"

   He smiled softly down at her and caressed her hair.  "Yes, I am.  But
only at the Steward.  I only wish that I could fully punish him for the
wrongs he did."

   "He is gone now, along with the others," Ahma stated, and she suddenly
realized that fact made her feel better.  She did not revel in the
Steward's death; she only felt sure that now he could not misuse her, and
that she was beyond his influence.  He would never be able to hurt her
again.

   "I am not unhappy with you," Methaniel said gently.  "If you had been
with a man in such a way by choice, I would still not be unhappy with you.
I have been with women before you, and you take me as I am, do you not?"

   "Yes," Ahma replied.

   "Then who am I to do otherwise?"

   "You are a man," Ahma pointed out.

   "And you are a woman," he smiled, "And your sex does not determine
whether or not it is acceptable for you to lay with someone, as far as I'm
concerned.  Your choices are your own."

   "You are very understanding," Ahma said wonderingly.

   "I try to be," Methaniel nodded.  "As I said, if you had been willing,
it would not have mattered, and that you weren't...well, how could I
possibly hold you responsible for something you did not even want a part
of?"

   "You do not think I am...spoilt?"

   "Ahma," Methaniel lightly traced his fingertips along her graceful
jawline.  "I think you are perfect.  I do not think anything could spoil
you in all the world.  You are a precious and beautiful person, and I will
not think any less of you no matter what is in your past.  I love you for
who you are, not who you have been."

   Ahma wiped her eyes and smiled up at him.  She hugged him fiercely,
burying her face into his chest for a moment before rising up to press her
lips to his.

   "Thank you," she whispered into his kiss.

   Then she pressed her body to his, deepening the kiss as she shivered at
the feel of him.  She slowly slithered down the length of his body,
lowering herself toward his lap.

   "Ahma," Methaniel said, his brow raised in worry as he placed a huge
hand on her shoulder.  "You don't have to.  Please, don't do this simply to
please me.  I understand why you don't want to."

   "But I do want to," Ahma said, and she knew her words were true.  "I
want to do this...with you."

   "Are you certain?" Methaniel's voice was still edged with nervousness.

   "Let me do this, Master," she whispered.  "Let me see if this can be a
good thing, too."

   Methaniel released her shouldered and nodded slowly.

   She pulled loose the ties on his pants.  His cock pocked out of the
fabric.  It had deflated somewhat from the uneasy situation, but Ahma's
attention and her kiss had already stirred it back to life.  She stared at
it, feeling her heart beating faster in nervousness and anticipation.  She
took it in her hand, wrapping her fingers as far around the incredibly
thick shaft as they could go.  The Master's member pulsed against her palm.
It was very warm.

   She moved his cock toward her face and slowly opened her lips.  They
shook slightly with nerves.

   This was not the same, she told herself.

   With a deep breath Ahma lowered her head.  Her lips caught slightly on
his skin, so she withdrew and wet them.

   The second time his cock slid into her mouth easily.  She took him in,
working about four inches of the pole into her mouth before it slid toward
her throat.  She waited for a moment, adjusting to the feel.  This was
different indeed.  Methaniel's cock stretched her lips widely in order to
fit his imposing girth, something the Steward had never been able to do. 
It tasted distinct and powerful, a taste that was very Human, very male,
but completely unique to him.

   She found, with a start, that she rather enjoyed the Master's taste. 
All thoughts of the Steward and such unpleasantness faded from her thoughts
and she became focused on what she did here and now.

   Ahma slowly began to move her head up and down his shaft.  His cock felt
very nice, especially going through her lips.  She increased her pace a
bit. She knew what he would want; if nothing else, her past experience had
taught her some things.  She began to make soft, sensual slurps, the noises
of her efforts filling the room as she took a firm hold of the base of his
cock and sucked away.  She allowed herself to drool on his dick,
lubricating him and moistening his meat's passage in and out of her mouth.

   His taste filled her senses and the feel of his swollen cock gliding
along her tongue and against her lips drove her to enjoyment.  Being this
close to his wonderful cock made her pussy want it even more, and she
became more energetic as the moments passed.  She traced her tongue around
his cock while she sucked, surprising him with her skilled touch.

   Methaniel responded positively, lightly putting his hand to the back of
her head and holding it to his throbbing cock.  His fingers massaged her
scalp in slow circles, gliding through her hair reassuringly.  Oddly, Ahma
liked that very much; it had always been a negative motion in her past
experience, but now it was loving and encouraging.  She even found that she
liked the way it reminded her of their now rather complicated
master-servant relationship.  She sighed happily and bobbed her head in
deep, long strides.

   The more she slurped on his cock the hornier she became.  Within minutes
she sucked furiously on him, moaning as her pussy put her in lustful agony.
She very badly wanted a fucking, but she knew she would wait.  Her Master
deserved this, he deserved to see the lust he inspired in her and that he
could make all her worries and pain better.

   Her tongue lashed and swirled around the underside of his shaft in large
circles, gliding up to caress along the swollen sides and press lovingly
against the hard, thick flesh pole.  Her fingers squeezed and massaged
along the exposed portion of the Master's member.  She occasionally gasped
for a breath, but refused to release his throbbing cock from her mouth's
embrace.  She moaned and sighed pleasantly with each exhale.

   Methaniel smiled down at his Wingling lover, caressing her soft hair and
gently holding her.  He relaxed and allowed her to set the pace and tempo,
not wanting to push her or rush her before she had fully shown she was
prepared to such things.  Her energy and enthusiasm amazed him, and her
eager and skilled technique made him shiver in pleasure.  He hadn't
expected her to so fully embrace this, especially given what had happened
to her.  He was pleasantly surprised, to say the least.

   The Wingling girl slurped and sucked at him harder and faster.  She
sucked deeply, her cheeks hollowing with the force of her suction as she
slurped loudly, sloppily on his cock.  Saliva thickly coated his fat shaft
and dripped down Ahma's plump, stretched lips, soaking them.  The moaning
whimpers she let out thrilled him to no end, vibrating his cock pleasantly
and combining the sensation with the myriad other arousing feelings she was
inducing upon him.

   She slipped a bit more meat into her mouth.  The head of Master's cock
pressed against the back of her throat, almost making her gag, yet she
continued her attention.  Her lips worked at his cock greedily and her
tongue lathered along the rigid flesh in broad, firm strokes.  Methaniel
shuddered, his cock quivering in her mouth, causing her to work it in and
out even more.

   A thick, stickly stream of gooey pre-cum leaked from the slit in his
cock head and into Ahma's sucking mouth, pooling on her delicate tongue. 
She slurped it down and slid her tongue happily all over the drooling head
of his cock.  She was stunned by how sweet the sticky stuff was and moaned
in delight.  She continued to slide his cock deep in her mouth,
occasionally pulling all but the head out so that she could feast upon his
sweet, syrupy pre-cum.

   Her full lips stretched around his meat.  Even her hand was becoming
slick and wet from the excess saliva leaking out as she slobbered lovingly
all over his shaft.  It made gliding her hand up and down easier, and she
jacked on his cock firmly as she suckled.

   Methaniel pushed her head now, helping to fill her mouth, though he did
not force his way past her lips.  His touch was simply encouraging and
showing her what lust she drove him to.  He thrust his hips forward.  Slick
movements of her tongue and moans of want filled his senses.  He pumped her
mouth as her lips clamped down hungrily on him.  The warmth of her mouth
encompassed him and she slurped hard up and down his impressive length.

   Methaniel grunted as he began to cum.  She plunged her head down on his
cock and sucked as hard as she could.  His cum blasted along the back of
her throat in long, sticky ropes.  Ahma'w tongue slid along the cum jetting
into her mouth, tasting the sweet, slightly bitter, thick jism.  She
swallowed several times as it boiled and spattered into her mouth and down
her throat, pumping in almost faster than she could keep up with.  A thin
trail of the sticky goo leaked out the corner of her lips as the Master's
creamy seed dribbled to an end.

   He pulled back, releasing her head.  Ahma swallowed once more, taking
all the cum piled in her mouth down her gullet.  She coughed slightly but
otherwise relished the experience.  She wiped the cum leaking down her chin
with her fingers and licked them clean.

   She came to the decision she was going to come to enjoy taking her
Master's seed in this way, as well.

   Methaniel smiled softly as his eyes met hers.  An unspoken understanding
of love and adoration passed between the couple.  Ahma's lips were still
wet with saliva and her enormous bosom heaved softly.  He reached down with
one large hand to caress her cheek.

   "How would you feel about that being one of your...regular duties?" he
spoke, his voice teasing and mischievous.

   "I wouldn't mind at all, Master...especially if you reward me for my
efforts," she replied with a soft smile, her eyes boldly devouring his
form.

   Methaniel chuckled, loving her spirit.  "And are you ready for that
reward, now?"

   Ahma glanced down, shocked to find Methaniel's fat cock growing once
more to a full erection, becoming more and more engorged by the moment.  It
throbbed and pulsed with blood and life.  She nodded, the haze of lust
clouding her eyes more heavily.  "Yes, Master...I'd like that very much."

   Methaniel gently laid Ahma upon the bed, letting her adjust her wings
comfortably as he eased his oversized tunic from her body.  He kissed her
deeply and Ahma sighed, moaning and trembling with anticipation.

   He slid downward and his mouth played sensually at the enormous, fleshy
mounds of her bosom.  His tongue found her nipple and lashed over it,
licking and stroking the thick nub before drawing it between his lips for a
heavy suckle.  He tugged and pulled at the pink nipple with his lips, then
lightly nibbled it with his teeth as his tongue washed around it, bathing
it with warm moist saliva.  His hands squeezed and kneaded at the great
orbs, sinking his fingers into the pliant, plentiful flesh.

   Ahma moaned thickly and squirmed at his delicious treatment.  She
reached down to cradle her Master's head to her aching bosom, giving
herself over to the powerful sensations his mouth and hands stirred within
her.  His teeth nipped extra hard at her nipple, causing her to yelp
softly. Yet she pressed her breasts all the more firmly and insistently
into his face.

   After several long, luxurious moments with his face buried in his
Wingling lover's superb cleavage, Methaniel pulled back.  He dragged her
nipple with him, stretching the heavy bosom slightly outward before letting
it bounce and jiggle back into place.  He smiled down at Ahma, who spread
her legs wide, revealing her juicy, beautiful cunt to his hungry eyes. 
Honey leaked liberally from the slightly splayed slit.

   Methaniel climbed onto her, rubbing his cock briefly along her soaked
gash to get the head of his shaft moist and sticky.  Ahma moaned and
writhed.  She arched her hips upward, attempting to force his fat cock into
her tunnel and end his teasing.  He gazed into her eyes, smiling at the
utter want and need Ahma's chocolate gaze projected.  Careful not to be too
entirely rough or aggressive, Methaniel thrust his cock firmly into her,
stuffing her hole with meat and stretching her recently deflowered
womanhood all over again.

   She squealed with delight as he entered her.  She still felt slightly
sore, but she didn't care; she'd endure anything to experience that
heavenly stretched, full feeling.  All she felt was pleasure and excitement
as he filled and completed her, uniting with her body.  It was as it should
be, she thought; he belonged inside her.  She wrapped her legs boldly
around him.  The walls of her pussy clenched on his cock firmly.

   Methaniel began to thrust into her tight hole, slowly at first, but
gaining speed steadily.  Her cunt eagerly accepted his invasion.  It pulled
at his cock, as if begging for more.  The warmth of her wet core made him
groan in pleasure.

   Ahma cooed at the way he filled her.  Her pussy juice was flooding out
of her now too-full hole, dripping down her thighs and sprinkling onto
Methaniel's balls.  His cock was coated in the liquid mess.  It made her
cunt slippery, sticky, and easy to pound into.

   Legs squeezing tightly at his sides, she clung to him through each
thrust.  Her walls milked at him.  She was almost unbelievably tight.  She
felt wonderful, the subtle resistance of her muscled innards stretched
taught around his dick like a water-logged silk glove filling him with
equisite pleasure.

   They fucked for an immeasurable length of time, both too focused on each
other and the pleasure of their union to take any kind of notice of the
outside world passing around them.  Methaniel propped himself up slightly
to get extra leverage to use upon her body.  His dick splashed into her
flooded cunt, pumping along that sweet, sensual spot near the back of her
passage.  Ahma let out a pleased cry as her body quivered violently in
pleasure, tingles of joyous ecstasy spreading through her entire being,
even down into her toes.

   As he thrust into her core Ahma's moans and cries grew louder and
constant, escalating into tight screams of euphoria.  The way she gave
voice to her pleasure was sweet music ringing in his ears.

   "Do you like that?" he asked between deep, filling thrusts.

   Ahma nodded enthusiastically.  He smiled and shoved into her, hard,
making her cry out at the wave of heightened pleasure.  His cock throbbed
as he slammed in and out of her smooth, silky pussy.  He was less gentle
now, taking her heavily and with more power though still he held back to
avoid hurting her inexperienced body.  Wriggling against him, Ahma arched
her body.  Her heavy, proud orbs were slippery with their combined sweat
and slid against his chest.  She pushed her cunt upward, pressing her
steamy pussy into his thrusting dick, desperate to get more of him any way
she possibly could.  Her hungry pussy practically begged, producing obscene
slurping noises for his cock.

   Methaniel responded by pounding her deeply.  His large hands grabbed her
curving hips, holding her to him as his body pressed against hers.  His
cock worked in and out of her pussy furiously, ramming her womanhood over
and over.  The head of his cock wedged hard against the sensitive spot, the
spongy, blood engorged head giving her a feeling of hot liquid arousal. 
Thick girl-juices flooded down her ass, sticking messily in her crack.

   A loud, jagged scream ripped from Ahma's throat as heat and delight
exploded through her body in a seemingly never-ending burst of intensity.
Her whole being was briefly consumed.  Who she was, where she was,
everything but that glorious cock pounding her faded from her perception.
For a time, she was simply adrift in the rapturous, never ending explosion
that blessed, beloved cock granted her.

   She finally collapsed, shaking at the almost painful pleasure that was
slowly sliding away, giving her a sense of self back.  Her muscles twitched
for a few seconds as she gazed up at him.  "That...was amazing..." she
gasped for air.

   Methaniel reached to gently wipe the sweat from her forehead as he gazed
down at her, smiling.  The Wingling girl's body glistened and shone
alluringly, her giant breasts sweat-streaked and wet.  He bent down and
kissed her deeply.  He thrust forward, ramming his swollen cock into her to
the root.  Juicy, sticky honey exploded from her suddenly packed cunt and
splattered on her legs.

   "Would you like more?" he breathed softly as he pulled his lips away
from hers.

   She gave another nod, staring into his eyes, her wide brown eyes shining
softly.  "That would be very nice, Master.  It feels so good...you feel so
wonderful.  I could do this for the rest of the night and be happy."

   Methaniel pulled back till only the thick, spongy head remained inside
the girl's greedy little pussy before quickly, roughly ramming back in,
stuffing her full in a single thrust with his thick dick.  His cockhead
smacked lightly against her cervix as the very last bit sank into her.

   He smiled as she writhed in pleasure under him.  Her heated, passionate
moaning and whimpering mingled with the sloppy sucking and slurping of her
hungry pussy.  Ahma's moans grew even louder, filling the room again.  Half
the hotel could likely hear her.  Methaniel grinned at that thought as his
hand went to her wildly bouncing, flopping tits.  He would fuck her until
the other half could hear as well.

   Methaniel's cock plunged deeper, harder and faster into her tight
tunnel, stretching it even wider than before as his fucking grew more
insistent and powerful.

   She didn't seem to mind the new forcefulness of his stabbing cock.  She
eagerly thrust her bald cunt forward, eager to be filled.  One of her
delicate hands rested on her Master's broad shoulder.  The other slid down
to squeeze and pull on her enormous breast.  It was far too large for her
small hand, and the soft flesh spilled from between her fingers.  She loved
the excited glaze passing over her Master's eyes as she fondled her own
breast.

   "Tell me what you want, Ahma," Methaniel instructed between heavy pants.
"Tell me exactly what you want."

   "Yes, Master," she moaned, "I want you to fuck me a lot more.  Your cock
feels so good...I want more of it!"

   Ahma cried out loudly as he thrust into her deeper still.

   "Is that all?"

   "Oh Master," she moaned, "I want more fucking, please."

   A lustful smile spread across his face.  She was quickly becoming hooked
on sex.  He pounded into her roughly and watched as she moaned and writhed.
Her fingers found her big, thick nipples and started to pull and twist at
them, making her big, heavy breasts stretch outward just like he'd done
earlier.  The Master reached down and pulled her legs open wider, pulling
them up and holding them open.

   Ahma surprised him with her flexibility, able to nearly go to a full
split as he stuffed her greedy hole and stretched her wide open.  She
groaned and let out an even louder scream of ecstasy.  She eagerly threw
her legs open and took her pounding with pleasure, receiving his plunging
cock and marveling at how it opened her.  She could hardly believe, even
now, that her little hole was able to take all of Master's impressive
manhood.

   He thrust over and over into her, moaning as her fluids squished and
slurped at him.  Her pussy tightly sucked at his cock.  He filled her with
his cock as she gazed up at him.  She watched the pleasure gathering on his
face, the tightness of his muscles as his body tensed.  His dick quivered
and flexed inside her as he rammed her over and over, splashing juices out
of her clenching hole and coating her thighs in the honey.

   "Oh, Master Merie," Ahma moaned as she gyrated her hips against him. 
"All I desire is you...all I want is what you're giving me...I'm so happy
just like this!"

   She threw her arms around his neck, hugging her body to him, smothering
her breasts to his chest.  Her gasps filling his ear and the exciting
sounds of her cries driving him on, the Nobleman thrust deep into her,
sinking into her juicy quim.  Her passage milked him firmly, surprising him
with a wave of rippling inner muscle.  Coupled with her tightness and the
flowing juices dribbling from her hole, this created a sensation that was
unlike any he'd experienced.  She was easily the most pleasurable woman
he'd ever had.

   His body tensed and he lost control, his cum bursting forth from his
cock in heavy warmth.  Thick, gooey ropes of his seed fired deeply into
her, splashing messily along her insides.  Methaniel sank his cock in to
the hilt as he emptied his jism into his lover.  It coated along her
rippling pink tunnel, warm, sticky, thick globs that filled her deeply.

   Ahma orgasmed hard at the warmth being pumped into her body, the feeling
driving her over the edge.  She screamed her pleasure, arching her pussy
into his cock, grinding herself on his pubic bone.  Her pussy filled with
his thick cream as her orgasm thundered over her.

   Methaniel suddenly pulled out.  Her eyes widened as the last three
bursts of his cum spattered and spurted messily onto her body, dashing
messily on her hairless mound and then splashing in long ropes across her
slender belly.  It even left a single gooey streak of white across one
heaving breast.

   The Master let out a pleased sigh and climbed off her.  Sweat gleamed on
his wide, powerful chest and his eyes roamed along her spattered, wet body,
watching her now cum-stained bosom rise and fall, jiggling with each heavy
breath.

   "What did you think about that?" he asked softly.

   "That...was wonderful, Master," she sighed happily.  She rolled over,
pressing herself to him and nuzzling his chest with her head lovingly. 
"You certainly know how to please a woman."

   She looked down at her body, at the smear of white gracing her pale
skin, threatening to blend in with it.  "I've never heard of...this before.
Of a man emptying his seed onto a woman.  It looks nice..."

   He smiled and rubbed a few locks of sweaty chestnut hair from her face.
"It looks wonderful on you, my love."

   Ahma blushed softly and gazed at him.  "Thank you, Master.  I enjoyed
myself."

   "I think most of the inn knows that," he chuckled.

   Ahma blushed even darker.  "You think so?" she squeaked.

   Methaniel smiled and kissed her forehead.  "Don't worry, we'll be
leaving soon.  Are you hungry?"

   "Yes, I am," Ahma nodded.

   "I'll order some food for us.  Tomorrow we'll bathe thoroughly before we
set out again."

   "Okay," she agreed.  Her eyes twinkled playfully.  "Do you think I'll
have permission to use the nice bath this time?"

   "Of course," Methaniel laughed Perhaps we can get in the bath together."


   He rose from the bed and reached for his trousers.

   Ahma's eyes lit up.  "Really?"

   He couldn't help but smile warmly at her.  She was so lovely.  "If I
have my way, yes.  Bathing you would be fun...and I would enjoy having a
bath...somewhat different than you've given me in the past."

   She sighed softly and pulled the blanket up to her chin.  "I'd like
that."

   Methaniel smiled to himself as he tugged his shirt on.  Strange things
made her happy.  "I'll return shortly," he told her.  He bent forward to
kiss her forehead.

   "Rest, beloved."

   Ahma drew the blankets closer and murmured loving words as he slipped
away.  She was looking forward to bathing her Master...her lover.  She
could only imagine what would happen, given the change in their
relationship.



   ***



   A stranger approached Methaniel as he headed downstairs.  "Where did you
get that one?"

   Methaniel's hand unconsciously slid to the dagger at his side.  "Excuse
me?  I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean, sir."

   "The whore!" The man grinned widely.  "Where did you get her?  How much
was she?  The whole place wants to know!"

   Methaniel relaxed slightly and quickly lied, "I'm sorry, sir, I think
that was the room next time mine.  But let me know if you find out."

   "Ah, my apologies," the man sighed, then grinned wider.  "You'll have to
get in line once we do!"

   Methaniel shook his head and strode down the stairs.  Most of the inn
new of Ahma now, at least in a manner of speaking.  He believed his lie was
an effective one, and would deflect suspicion at least for a time.  Still,
he was uneasy; perhaps they should have tried to restrain themselves more.
With the bounty still on her head, the attention did not bode well.

   An enormous dish covered in an enjoyable assortments of food was
balanced on his hand as he entered their room again.  He smiled at Ahma,
who sat up from her light nap and stretched.  He beautiful wings fluttered
energetically as she returned his smile, then stared hungrily at the food.
Methaniel laughed softly and they began to eat.  Their meal considered of
two bowls of venison stew, a wedge of aged cheese to share between them,
two hunks of bread, a dish of baked, diced apples, and a small jug of wine.
The warm stew was the best part of the meal.  The broth was thick and
filling, and the meat had soaked up enough of it be tender to the point of
being cut into smaller pieces with their spoons.  The cheese was just a bit
too sharp and biting, but was otherwise quite good.  It was better when
broken and eaten with the bread, which had been prepared that morning.  It
was no longer warm, but still fresh and good nonetheless.  The apples were
lightly spiced with cinnamon and something else with a gentle sweet flavor,
perhaps honey or something of the sort.  The wine was weak and slightly
watered down, and obviously hadn't been chosen for vintage or quality. 
Still, it warmed their blood as the chill night crept closer, and went
decently well with the cheese.

   Both settled onto the bed with satisfied sighs after the food was
consumed.  With appetites for food and flesh both satisfied for the night,
they began to settle into bed.  Methaniel stripped off his gray woolen
tunic and got up to place two more pieces of wood onto the fire softly
burning in the hearth.  He turned to find Ahma sitting primly on the bed,
smiling widely at him, clad in his discarded tunic.  He laughed softly and
climbed into bed beside her.  He bent to kiss her lips softly.

   "You are amazing," he said softly.

   Ahma beamed with pride and love, smiling up at him, her eyes dancing
with the firelight.  "Thank you, Master," she breathed.

   "You don't have to call me that," he said softly as his heavy hand ran
with loving gentleness through her thick chestnut hair.

   "I know," Ahma said.  He was surprised but pleased with her boldness. 
"But I like to.  You are my Master...that has not changed.  Our
relationship has not lessened, only grown.  Now you are my Master, and my
lover."

   "You say such things," he replied quietly.  "I've never heard a woman
say such things before.  You are so unique, Ahma.  You show yourself to be
submissive yet equal to me, all at once.  How is it that you could wish to
be both?"

   Ahma shrugged and burrowed her head into his chest, a soft smile playing
across her lips.  "I do not wish to be both, Master...I just am.  I am
happy with this."

   "Dear, sweet Ahma," Methaniel murmured into her hair.  "You are such a
treasure.  I covet you, you know.  How could I do otherwise?"

   "I am glad to be coveted by you, Master," Ahma smiled.  "It makes me
proud."

   "I am the proud one," he smiled.  "I am a very lucky man, to have a
woman as you by my side.  You make even the grim things we go through seem
bearable."

   The lovers quieted and shifted for a few moments, finding the most
comfortable position as their bodies entwined.  Methaniel's thick fingers
idly caressed over the feathery softness of one of Ahma's wings.  She shut
her eyes, feeling a content pleasure that was different from the sexual
pleasantries, yet somehow equally as enjoyable, as she sank into a deep
sleep within her Master's arms.

   End Ch.  10

   Please send any comments/questions/critiques to
Crouching_Buddha2000@yahoo.com 


  
Rising Ch. 10