A Soulless Masquerade

Another dull, boring inn on the edge of a massive walled city. Inside it, an average man sat across from a radiant, if not dark woman, both were beyond mad, only she hid it better behind her seductive smile.

Fuck. He thought, looking around as he managed to suck down the beer in his hand. What a shithole. Why are we here again?

She ignored her own drink in front of her and leaned forward to smile at him, saying nothing aloud, only in her mind.

We're here to kill the mageling girl. She cooed in his head. Now stop grumbling or you won't get any tonight.

He sighed quietly and nodded, putting the beer down with a look of genuine disgust and a louder thump than he would have liked.

His name was Shinji, and he was a bounty hunter. He wore the tools of his trade proudly, a sword on his back and light armor over his brown tunic and pants. His boots were metal, as were his gauntlets, which hung from a hook on his belt. He eyed his mug through his blue eyes and ran his fingers through his spiky black hair.

His lover, Shar, watched him as a wolf stalks prey. Her bright green eyes almost glowing in the lamplight as she purred softly at his tenseness. She brushed a strand of long brown hair from her face and reached out to touch his cheek, her own sword belted to her side as her breastplate scraped the tabletop as she leaned, giving him a hint of her figure under her tight pants and half shirt.

"Relax, lover." She whispered in his ear before she nipped it softly and sat back again. "We've got lots of time."

Shinji watched the Assassin a moment, longing for her, then sighed softly and nodded again. He'd loved her since they'd met a few years before, and he'd never once not taken her advice, or rejected her advances.

"Yeah... So I try and calm down some. It's just a mageling girl, right? What could the trouble be with this one?"

Shar grinned at him. "And she'll be delectable when she meets her end, I'm sure." She licked her lips.

Shinji wondered what it was like to not love a psychotic killer who enjoyed sex as much as killing, and got off on both... then he grinned and decided he'd be bored indeed.

"OK then... so anyway... we headed up into the room..."

They slipped into the quiet little room near the back of the second floor of the Inn. It was decorated almost sparingly, and Shinji liked it. He never cared for the huge manors and sprawling castles, he was a simple man, and simple worked for him. Shar was almost frustrated from the alcohol she'd had, and her hands were all over Shinji's back and behind as they walked into the room.

"It's small" Shar pouted, looking around in a faded drunken lightheadedness. "I wanna BIG room!" She spread her arms wide and nearly toppled over.

Shinji dropped both packs he was carrying, his and hers, to catch her as she giggled. He walked Shar to the bed to lie her down softly. She purred loudly and kissed him, and he returned it gladly a moment before breaking it gently and touching his finger to her lips.

"You're drunk." He said softly, taking off her breastplate and sword to lay them aside and make her comfortable.

"I'm wet too." She cooed, trying to tug off his armor, longing for him.

He sat beside her and took off his sword and his armor, then tossed his gloves and boots aside. He knew he needed to try to calm her down some, or she'd never want to stop.

She pulled on his shirt with a frown, then pulled her own up and placed his hands on her breasts, then moaned loudly.

Shinji relented and laid beside her, kissing her breasts each in turn, then proceeded to suckle from her. He slid his arms around her to hold her still as she squirmed with delight and moaned softly again at the touch of his lips to her skin.

He suckled a while, slowly calming her down enough to be manageable at least, then kissed her breast and sat up again.

She watched him through dazed eyes. Eyes that had seen the strongest men crumble and the most powerful fall. Strong eyes. Though now, between the alcohol and the love she felt for this man, she looked so delicate, so very needy.

"Shinji.." She whispered. "I..."

He smiled at her. "I love you too."

She lay back and was unconscious within a heartbeat.

Yeah, Lord Shinji... That comes later though... Anyway...

The next morning brought the lovers awake in each other's arms.

Shar was dressed in nothing but a smile, where as Shinji had kept his pants on at least, but both were in good sprits and took the time to relish the moment in each other's arms.

"Shar?" Shinji asked in a whisper.

"What is it, lover of mine?" She eased closer still and played with his hair, her breath hinted faintly of wine.

"This mageling girl..."

"Shh" She silenced him with a kiss. "Tomorrow. Today is ours."

Shinji had no time to argue the point before she began her conquest, her hands sliding down his skin to unbutton his pants. Slowly she stroked his treasure within, and he groaned softly.

"Yeah, baby." She cooed. "Give it to me."

He rolled her on her side and entered her, holding her to him as he took charge, much to her amusement. His hands gripped her tight, round behind as she squirmed and moved him deeper inside her with a soft purr. As he began to pump her lovingly. He suckled from her breast, holding her back so she was powerless to move away from him, even if she wanted to. He owned her for that moment, and she voiced that idea with a moan and wrapped her arms around him.

"Yes Shinji... fill me..."

Her soft cries drove him and he obeyed, moving deeper in her wet mound with every stroke of his hips, his lust growing, his wants few. She wrapped her legs around him now as he drilled her. Her body was hot and shook with extasy, his tensed and tried hard to grind her under him.

"Mmmm... so good, lover... so goo..." She trailed off into a whimper as her control gave way to raw passion, and she clung to him hard as he rocked her lovingly through her sudden and intense orgasmic interlude.

Shinji was far from finished, but he stopped his suckle to roll her on her back, never once breaking his rhythm or his hold on her. He slid his hands to her breasts to knead them gently as he waited for her to catch her breath. She was already shaking, but still he waited, just a moment more...

"S..shinj...ji" She whimpered, shuddering hard. "Don...d..don't s..sto...stop"

He again suckled from her as he held her close, easing her hips up slightly with one hand while the other stroked her hair, comforting her as she shook hard and instantly came again, her mind a torrent of emotions she'd never felt before, couldn't remember or even name.

Shinji slowed his pace, knowing she could take little more, and he held her much like a child now, his mind blank to everything but lust as he drove himself deep inside her and came hard, sending her into one last shuddering wreck of an orgasm that left her nearly unconscious, but still trying desperately to cling to him weakly.

He held her close, unmoving except to cover her, then closed his eyes and left her to dream in his arms, safe and secure.

It's a damn funny sight to see a mighty mage turn red speaking of a woman... You gotta see it once sometime.

Shar awoke in a cold shiver and a sob. She caught her breath and looked around the dark room.

"Shinji?" She whimpered, very unlike her usual self. "Shinji?!"

"Shhh." he spoke from the darkness of the corner, poking at the dying fire with a stick "I'm here, Shar."

She cried softly and curled up under the sheets, her lean frame shivering beyond her control.

"Hey hey now." He left the fire to consume the stick as he sat beside her, confusion on his face as he pulled her close, holding her as if she were his own child. "What's with the tears, sweetie?"

"I had a dream..." She stopped herself. "No... I need to tell you some things... some... personal things..."

"Well no shit... Anyway... she tells me all this shit and I'm all pissed and ready to kill something... and she gets this look in her eyes...

Shar stared into Shinji's eyes like a frightened little girl, pulling the sheets over herself, very aware of her openness.

"I'll protect you, Shar. Your secret will always remain between us., I swear it on everything I hold sacred."

She managed a smile and rested her head against his chest. "Th..."

"You're welcome." He kissed her softly and lay her down once more on the soft bed, covering her as he would a daughter. "Now get some sleep, we have a long day tomorrow, and I need your help."

She blinked, and Shar the little girl was gone in a flash of bright eyes as Shar the woman thought of the mission and the girl they were sent to kill. "Can I play with this one before we destroy her?"

She had a special place in her fantasies for other women, and the thought of a little girl... Shinji knew her cravings well, and he knew what might, and quite possibly would happen once they found this mageling.

"We'll see." He replied and walked back to the fire to stoke it up again to ease the chill in the air as well as his soul. "Get some sleep."

"Aren't you coming to bed, lover?" She whined softly.

He finished playing with the fire and walked over to lay down again, pulling her close, roughly, just how she liked it. "Now get some sleep."

She did sleep, with a smile.

Fucking mages...

Shar awoke to find Shinji gone. A note lay on the bed where he slept, and reading it, she smiled.

Went on down for breakfast and a drink. Let's do what we came to do, we need to talk.
-Shinji the Enforcer

She was washed, dressed and ready for battle a few moments later, leaving the room as they found it... lonely.

They sat together for hours, sipping ale and discussing plans. They knew the mageling girl was in a town nearby. They also knew what she looked like. The only missing bit of info was exactly how powerful she was.

Rumor had it she'd defeated an entire army of warriors without standing from the rock she sat on in the forest where she'd study her spell craft... of course, rumors were just that, rumors.

Shinji shook his head and drained his third ale.

"This is getting us nowhere." He grumbled. "We have a week left to kill or capture her."

"And we'll do both, lover." Shar grinned. "Have we failed yet?"

"No, but..."

"Then we'll simply continue our streak."

Shinji nodded and eyed his empty mug with a boyish pout.

"Time for us to be going, lover." Shar cooed, standing and slipping a few coins on the table. "Later we can drink all we like, but first, we have a job to do."

"Yeah." He stood. "Time to earn the pay."

"So anyway..."

With three days left to find, capture and destroy the mageling girl, Shinji found himself wondering just where he went wrong.

Camped on a hillside overlooking a river with two broken bridges, he sighed for the hundredth time, watching the caravans and travelers on the near side argue with the lines of soldiers on the far side. The soldiers had destroyed the bridges under orders from their king and weren't letting anyone across, much to the dismay of anyone traveling northward.

"Now what?" Shinji asked Shar, who dropped beside him and handed him an apple.

"Can you swim?" She looked at him, as if seeing him for the first time.

He nodded. "Swim, yes. Fight and swim, no." He nodded toward the soldiers patrolling the far bank of the river. "I could take those guys, but not after a swim with my gear... and I'm not leaving my gear."

His gear consisted of simple armor, a sword, gauntlets, metal boots and the clothes on his back. Nothing fancy or magical or anything unusual, but all sentimental. His sword was a gift from his Father, passed down through generations of his bloodline. The armor was custom made just for him and had saved him numerous times. His gauntlets, the final gift of his brother as he lay dying with an arrow through his chest. The boots were given to him by Shar when they first met. They had traded, the boots she couldn't wear, for a spare cloak and a quiver, since he had no bow.

Shar nodded and leaned back to think. She too hated the thought of losing anything she may need later. Most of her equipment was found or taken from various places, such as dead enemies, but she'd managed to find a few interesting trinkets, some of which were magical.

They sat silently for a while, listening to the bits of arguments and insults hurled from both sides of the river and carried on the warm wind. They knew if they could get across this river, they'd be in Kilborne by nightfall, and finding a mage girl in a city devoid of magic shouldn't be difficult in the least.

"Nothing but a damn river, and it's the only thing keeping us from finding this fucking kid!" Shinji punched the ground, his metallic gauntlet clanging heavily against the hard packed earth.

"Easy lover." Shar whispered. "Let's not draw attention to ourselves, just in case."

Shinji sighed and leaned back against a tree, Shar scooted closer and snuggled against him.

"We'll get through this." She murmured softly. "This is nothing, we've been through worse, remember?"

"Yeah." He replied and put his arm around her as his mind wandered into the past.

"Sit the fuck down then... On this side of the river... Let's see... oh yeah..."

Shinji snapped from his wandering thoughts to a few drops of rain falling softly on his face and trickling down his cheek. He knew what this meant. Besides getting soaked, it meant trouble.

Shar purred and smiled, the woman in her loved the rain, the freedom it personified. Shinji watched her playfully catch a few drops as the storm rolled in and fling them at his face with a grin.

"Cute." He smiled a bit. "You done playing, we have to find shelter."

Before she could answer, her mood changed.

The thunder rolled in with a booming chorus of raw power, and the woman was instantly replaced by the child in Shar, who was terrified of thunder and lightning. She hugged him tight, terrified.

"Calm down now, sweetie." He held her, looking for somewhere dry to be. "I won't let the lightning get you, I promise."

She nodded and buried her face in his tunic as he draped his cloak over her and held her close. For a moment, time stood still, and Shinji knew he had everything he could ever want, and he knew why he did what he did.

He loved her... He loved Shar... and not just a physical love, he knew that now.

As he held her, the travelers on the near side of the river withdrew into their tents and covered wagons to wait out the storm. Meanwhile, the unlucky soldiers on the far bank were scrambling for shelter of their own.

"Shar?" Shinji knew this was their only chance to get across that river, but it would be tricky. In her condition, she'd be powerless to do more than follow where he led her.

"Mmm?" She looked up at him. Her eyes moist with raindrops and tears, but she trusted him, even like this.

"We gotta swim across that river in the rain, sweetie. Can you stay with me? It's just a little ways, then we can make camp and get warm and dry."

She bit her lip and thought that over as a child would, weighing her options and looking at the river and the darkening sky.

"Will you tell me a story before I sleep?" She whimpered, terrified.

"Yeah, sure." He smiled at her. "Anything you wanna hear, I promise."

"OK." She looked as determined as she could. "Let's go then."

Shinji took a moment to grab her pack and tie it to his own, then held her close and made his way toward the river, staying within the cover of the trees. He knew the soldiers chaotic frenzy for shelter wouldn't last long, and even though they were distracted, it only took one set of eyes to sound an alarm if he was spotted.

Once he reached the river, he knelt to toss in a few leaves, watching them carefully to test the current. With the rain pouring, the river wasn't to be taken lightly.

"S'fast." She murmured beside him, still clutching him tightly. "We still gonna swim it? S'lotta water, and s'really fast."

I always loved that... how she talked. Such a turn on.

"We can make it." He told her. "I'll help you."

Shinji secured his gear and sighed, then stepped into the water, which was surprisingly warm.

"Just like a bath, Shar." He grinned, trying to keep her calm. "Nice and warm."

'S'warm?" She crouched and touched the water with a soft hand, then blinked. "S'warm!"

"Yeah. Come on, I'll race you across."

Shar could never resist a challenge, at any age, and she dove into the rising water, surfacing and swimming toward the other shore. She'd gotten just under halfway across when the current began pulling her down river, and she panicked. Her swim became a terrified splashing.

"Shinji!" She cried. "I'm sinking!"

He easily caught up with her and wrapped an arm around her, kicking hard to keep afloat with the extra weight of Shar's gear along with his own on his back. "Just keep swimming. It's OK. I got you!"

They swam in silence. Shar giving an occasional whimper of fear, while Shinji stayed totally silent except for little words of encouragement to her. He knew he'd make it, as long as she did. He had to...

The river fought them as they struggled onward. It pulled them ever downward and away from the shore with all it's rain aided fury, but to no avail. The weary swimmers reached the other shore and collapsed in panting fits, hugging each other unconsciously and passing out from the exertion under the gloomy sky.

"Ey!" Shinji felt a light kick to his side. "Wake up ya bums!"

Shinji's groan sent the man back a few steps, and he opened his eyes. Ignoring the man and his spear, he looked over Shar, making sure she was well.

"She sleepin'?" The man asked, wary, but alert.

"Yeah. Luckily for you." Shinji dropped off his double pack and sat up to eye the man. "Put that damn thing away before I put it somewhere painful."

The man stood tall, obviously proud, despite his ragged and unkempt appearance. His well crafted spear obviously was kept in good shape, and was held in the hands of an expert.

"Ya both better get movin' if'n you don' want those soldiers findin' ya." He said calmly.

Shinji thought a moment, then looked around. "Where the fuck are we?"

"Near ten miles downstream from them bridges that go toward Kilborne." the man said. "Ya fall in or somethin'?"

"Or something... yeah." Shinji stood and re-secured his packs, then lifted Shar and carried her close, watching her as she whimpered and opened her eyes slowly.

"Shinji?" She murmured.

"I'm here." he replied. "Rest now."

Shar nodded and lay quiet and still in his arms, too tired to argue.

"Shinji the 'nforcer?" The man asked. "Yer father is Hayato the True?"

"Was, yeah." Shinji turned to look the man over closely. He'd never cared for strangers much, and he was always reserved when he dealt with people he didn't know... especially ones who knew him and his family.

The man stood quietly, his face that of a knight or a soldier from long ago. Very proud. He had dark eyes and blonde hair, now a bit long and dirty. His clothes were torn from living in the wilderness, but in fairly good shape, if not muddy from the storm. His spear was finely crafted, and longer then most.

"How did you know my father?"

The man shook his head. "I ne'er met 'im face ta face, mind ya except on the battlefield. His reputation was astoundin'. Damn shame he's gone now."

"You were a dragoon?" Shinji remarked aloud, eyeing the spear.

"Yup. Sure was." He sighed and grinned. "Long time ago though. Now I'm just a hermit in these here woods."

"Thank you for your help, then." Shinji bowed a little, careful not to bother Shar. "We should be going now."

"There's an ol' cabin up this path 'ere 'bout two miles. It's my winter place, but it's yours for as long as ya need it. Ya ain't in no condition to travel for a day at least, and food would do ya both good." he grinned.

Shinji nodded. "Thank you again." He turned and walked up the path without another word.

The man watched him go as the storm cleared and the sun shone down through the trees. He smiled and leaned on his spear as the sky filled with a rainbow that seemed to end down the path Shinji had left down.

"We're e'en now, Hayato. Ya saved my ass once by not killin' me, an' now I'm savin' yer son's. I hope it's enough, old friend."

"Dragoon?" Shar asked softly, all comfy an dry in a soft bed as Shinji lay beside her some hours later. "What's that?"

"A Dragoon was a Dragon Knight... they rode dragons like calvary rides horses." Shinji said softly, stroking her hair. "They're trained with lances and spears, and have a unique style of combat. Very powerful guys, but most are very trustworthy."

"Like a Paladin?" She asked, still sounding child-like.

"Kinda, yeah. Only they aren't so much holy as they are just and fair... to everyone, not just good or evil."

"S'like they're judges..." She closed her eyes and snuggled closer.

"Yeah, something like that."

Shar whimpered suddenly. "We gotta finish that job..."

"We have two days left." Shinji replied. "And if we don't find her in time, we just don't get paid. We've got money saved up, it's not important."

"You're giving up?" Shar looked at him, confused.

"I dunno." He sighed. "I've been thinking that this would be our last job, and maybe we could settle down together, just you and me."

Shar looked almost relieved and hugged him fiercely.

"You want to call it quits?" Shinji asked her quietly. "Just disappear, you and me?"

"Yes." She nodded. "I only kept doing jobs because I thought you liked them so much, with your honor and everything... part of me liked the adventure, but lately..."

"Lately you feel empty, like it's no fun anymore." He finished for her.

"Yes." She closed her eyes once more and completely let herself be held.

"Rest then and think it over." Shinji kissed her and held her close, taking in her warmth and her scent, determined to protect her and make her happy. "We can talk about it more tomorrow."

"Tomorrow..." She murmured and was asleep almost instantly.

Meanwhile, I'll watch over you.

Fucking mages... Cool! Bacon! Damn I love bacon... Gotta remind myself to compliment the cook...

Shinji awoke to a gentle kiss... a strange kiss... not a Shar-like kiss...

He opened his eyes and stared into those of a young girl. She was perhaps twelve if a day. She had radiant eyes, a very bright green, and her hair was long and blonde and silken. She smelled of flowers and her lips tasted of wild berries, very sweet and soft.

Before he could stammer out a confused question, she touched his lips with a tiny finger and smiled.

"I heard you were looking for me." She whispered.

Gently, he reached beside him. Once he realized Shar was still sleeping peacefully close by, he relaxed, though his eyes narrowed. "Yeah." He replied softly.

"You were sent to kill me too, weren't you?" She bravely sat beside him on the bed, either unafraid, or out of her mind... or both.

"Yeah... but I changed my mind." He sat up carefully, so as not to wake Shar. "I'm not a killer, I just do my job."

"But if your job is to kill someone, you become a killer." She replied calmly, smoothing her dress and looking very much the lady Shinji knew her years from being.

"That's true, but it's not like I took it personally... and I never tried to kill if I could help it."

"Neither did those you've destroyed over the years. They took nothing personally but they still live no more."

Fucking mages...

"Look little girl..."

"Kaellian." She replied softly, looking around the room as if she was an honored guest.

"Whatever..." Shinji grumbled. "Look, I'm not going to kill you, so whatever you want..."

"I want to meet my future King." She grinned.

"I'm no King." Shinji replied flatly.

"Not yet, no." She replied.

Shinji thought a moment, then stared at her.

"And if I killed you now? Changed my mind and just destroyed you? Then what?"

"Then I'd be dead, and you'd be rich, but not a king."

She wasn't afraid, Shinji knew that now. She was completely unafraid of him, of death, of the entire situation. That, more than anything, made him re-think his strategy.

"Shinji?" Shar awoke with a whisper. "Shin..." She saw the girl, and in a flash, she narrowed her eyes, the woman again replacing the child.

"Hello." Kaellian smiled and curtsied gracefully to Shar. "Did you sleep well?"

"What do you want?" Shar growled, easing up to a crouch, despite being dressed only in one of Shinji's spare tunics, which fit her like a dress.

"As I told Shinji, I came to see my future King, and his Queen." She replied sweetly.

Shar raised a slim brow. "King? Queen?"

She nodded. "King and Queen. To rule together. To give back for all you've taken. Sounds fair to me."

"S'what happened next..."

Shinji watched the girl.

It was clear she was unafraid, but he still wasn't sure if she was crazy, or just very sure of herself. Shar wondered if maybe she'd just given up.

"I want you both to know that if you decide to kill me, I won't fight you." She said softly, watching the couple on the bed. "This isn't my decision, it's yours."

Shar cooed. "We can still get our money and settle down, lover."

"This is too easy." He replied. "What's the catch?"

"I surrender my fate into your hands." Kaellian knelt beside the bed. "My life is yours."

"Mmmm." Shar grinned "She knows when she's out matched."

"No, she knows something she's not telling." Shinji stood, pushing the girl backward with a foot to pin her to the floor. "Talk. What do you know that keeps you so damn smug?"

Kaellian smiled sweetly.

"Well? Spit it out!" Shinji snapped.

"Maybe she wants to play the game out." Shar said quietly, catching on. "She knows she can't win, but she wants to play the game to it's end."

"The cards were in your favor from the start, Shar... but I have to know how it ends!" The girl almost pleaded. "I have to know!"

"Then we'll play it out, and change the rules some." Shar purred and eased Shinji aside, kneeling over the young girl on the floor. "Let's raise the stakes, Hmm?"

"Now... you're going to torture me?" She whispered.

Shar only shook her head and grinned evilly, holding the girl's sides as she moved to straddle her legs.

"You're..." The girl shook.

Shinji shook his head. "I'll be just outside, in case she slips past."

"Oh no..." Kaellian struggled now, watching Shinji go. "I didn't expect... I thought if I gave up... I'd..."

"You've walked into your own trap, my little mouse." Shar leaned close to lick her lips. "Caught and held like a rat."

"Mercy!" She squeaked, shaking hard.

"Quiet!" Shar hissed.

Kaellian bit her lip to stay quiet, her eyes never leaving those of the woman atop her.

"Maybe if you tell me what you know, I won't hurt you... much."

"I..." She swallowed hard. "I see things. The future... and I saw you and Shin..Shinji... as a King and a Queen..."

"And you thought if you got on our good side, you could maybe share the wealth? Hmm? Is that your game, my little mouse?"

Kaellian nodded slowly. "I... wanted a family... a home."

"Quiet!" Shar hissed again. "I need to think."

The girl whimpered, but remained as quiet as she could.

"Such a pretty one, aren't you?" Shar asked as she gently started to unbutton the girl's dress. "I bet you've never been touched either, am I right?"

"N..no..."

"How old are you, my little mouse? Twelve? Thirteen?" Shar eased her dress off her, leaving her in simple panties and a silk slip, both a pale white, a defining contrast to her well tanned skin and golden hair.

"F..fourteen." She squirmed.

"You're not lying to me, are you? I hate it when I'm lied to."

"I..I swear! Fourteen!"

Shar leaned close and licked the girl's lips again, tasting her as she relaxed her grip just a little. Her eyes bright as she watched the girl's every move, sizing her up.

"Don't... hurt me. Please?" Kaellian whimpered.

"Not so brave now, are we?"

The girl shook her head slowly.

"I'm going to get up now, and I want you to sit on the bed behind me." Shar sat up on the girl, caressing her sides eagerly. "If you try to escape, you'll be dead before you make the doorway. If you try any spells, I'll track you down and slay you. If you so much as THINK of running, you'll wish you'd never been born, am I clear, my little mouse?"

"Perfectly." Kaellian found her fear had stolen her voice, and she knew her spells were useless without the words.

Shar stood slowly. "On the bed with you."

The girl stood, terrified, but managed to make her way to sit on the bed. Putting her hands on her lap and trying to look as dignified as possible in her underclothes, she tried desperately to stay calm.

"Good. You do as you're told... that's a plus." Shar grinned and slipped off Shinji's tunic, walking over to the bed to admire her new prize.

Kaellian stared openly. She'd seen few women naked, and this one that stood before her was stunning. Her figure was near perfect, though her breasts were smaller than she'd seen, they were round and seemingly perfect. She was in great shape, strong, athletic, and slender. Not the usual women she'd seen in the bathing spots throughout the forests and in the bathhouses in town.

"My little mouse is blushing. Are we nervous? Warm and tingly?"

She blushed harder and looked to the floor. "I..."

"That's a little thing called 'lust' my pet. It's a double edged sword. It can be a tool, and a weakness all at once." Shar explained quietly, easing the girl back on the bed and taking off her slip.

"I feel so..."

"I never told you to talk!" Shar hissed.

Kaellian shook anew as the woman again straddled her legs.

"Fourteen you said?" Shar asked softly, running her hands up the girl's bare chest to caress her budding breasts, admiring her every virgin curve with a sweet, evil smile.

She nodded and whimpered, though less scared of the woman and more of the feelings she'd never felt before that raged within her young body.

"You'll mature nicely, I think." Shar put in. "You're built nicely. Curves in the right places, in great shape, and still growing... a late bloomer, but you'll become a pretty flower."

"Thank you..." She whispered.

"On to buisness." The woman grinned and pinned the girl's arms to the bed. "What else have you seen? You're a seer. You've seen other things. Tell me about them."

"I'm not sure I should..." She replied softly. "You know too much about your future and you mess everything up..."

Shar glared at the girl, but held her tongue. She knew the girl was right about that much at least, but what about other things?

"Tell me about Shinji's future." She cooed, licking the girl's cheek. "Are we together forever?"

Kaellian closed her eyes tight and locked up, saying nothing.

"We're not?!" Shar stared hard. "What happens?!"

"It's... n..not w..w..written in s..stone." Kaellian whimpered. "It's all... fuzzy. I'm n..not sure..."

"Breathe my little mouse." Shar whispered, caressing the girl's chest and sides.

The girl took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then another, then slowly relaxed somewhat.

"Good." Shar purred. "Now, about other things you've seen..."

"What... other things?" She opened her eyes slowly, losing herself in Shar's green eyes almost in a daze. Her hands eased to her sides and she lay still.

"Tell me about this King and Queen thing. Where is it? How does it happen? Where do you fit into this?"

"I... I see crowns, and a castle... but I don't know where it is..."

Shar sat up slowly, letting the girl lay still beneath her. She thought her options over carefully, then purred again, admiring the young girl's face.

"We'll become King and Queen, and you join us as our 'Daughter'... in return, I spare your life and you do as I wish. Is that a fair bargain?"

Kaellian's eyes brightened. "You won't kill me?"

"No. I've killed enough people... but don't think for a moment I won't make you suffer if you do anything to screw this up for Shinji and I." She narrowed her eyes.

"Never!" The girl squeaked. "Anything you want!"

"Everything I want." Shar corrected, purring and caressing the girl's chest again.

Kaellian moaned softly, then looked confused and ashamed.

"I'll teach you how to be the woman you so want to be, little mouse..." Shar thought about that for a long lingering moment, then cooed. "My daughter."

"Mmm, She was nice, baby..."

Kaellian shivered a little as Shar looked her over longingly.

"Pretty." Shar grinned and moved down her legs to admire her entire body. "Very pretty."

"T..thanks..." The girl stammered, terrified.

"Quiet."

She swallowed hard and nodded. She'd never been looked at like this before, and she was fairly shy anyway...

"A strong foundation to build on." Shar murmured aloud. "What to build though..."

"Can I call you... Mother?" She whispered.

Shar pondered that for a long time. She lay down atop the girl, her head on the girl's chest, her hands on her sides as she almost clamped her legs around her, holding her still and quiet, losing herself in the girl's thundering heartbeat.

Kaellian closed her eyes and shifted a little, nervous, scared and very shy, but curious as well. All these feelings she felt, what were they? What did they mean? What was causing them? She had to know.

"Call me Mom if you like... Mother sounds too church-like."

"Mom..." Kaellian whispered. "Only in public, of course... but what about in private?"

"Mistress." She answered easily, caressing the girl's budding breasts. "Call me Mistress."

"Mistress..." She whimpered. "I'm cold... and I'm scared."

"Finally we get some truth out of you." Shar purred and pulled the blankets up, covering herself as she in turn covered the girl with her own body, laying still to let the girl calm some and get warm.

"I... I've never been... like this..."

"What, naked with another woman?"

She nodded slowly, embarrassed.

"My dear sweet little mouse." Shar cooed and licked her chin. "This is only the beginning of your lessons today and from now on."

"Lessons?" Kaellian asked softly, her curiosity perked.

"I have a lot to teach you, my daughter, and you'll learn... oh yes. So much to learn."

Fucking mages...

"Mistress?" Kaellian whispered, silently wondering if the woman had fallen asleep atop her.

"Mmmm?" Shar's reply was soft, loving.

"Thank you."

This brought Shar tense and curious in a heartbeat. She rose to her knees and eyed the girl suspiciously. "Whatever are you thanking me for, little mouse?"

"For taking me seriously." She managed a terrified, but warm smile. "Even though I'm only fourteen, you listen to me as if I were something special. An adult in my views and opinions."

Shar nodded and lay atop the girl once more. Her thoughts on the future. "You are special, Kaellian, and very smart, and I respect that... But if you think I'll go easy on you because I care..." Shar paused a moment, flashing the girl a dark smile. "Think again."

"I understand." She replied, shivering a little despite the warmth of the woman's body atop her, trapped close and held near by the thick blanket.

"No, you don't." Shar purred. "But you will some day."

"So... where were we... Oh yeah... After meeting the Princess."

The next day dawned muggy and dull, but warm. After a decent sleep, for the ladies at least, the three travelers found themselves walking up a well worn, but heavily entangled path through the trees.

Shinji was in the front, Shar took up the rear. They still knew little of the young Kaellian's powers, but she had managed to convince them she could fight if she needed to. Still, Shinji was a simple man, and with blades front and rear, he felt better about the whole situation.

Shar had taken Kaellian's gorgeous dress and packed it with her own things, and had dressed her in her spare clothes. The pants weren't tight on the girl, but they covered her well and still hinted at her striking figure. The half shirt was a bit much for the girl though, and Shinji had pitched in to add his spare tunic overtop, much to the girl's satisfaction.

And so it was, that the girl walked between the two hardened warriors, easily keeping pace and never once complaining or lagging behind.

"I'm impressed." Shinji said over his shoulder to her as they walked, his first words since he woke that morning. "Damn impressed."

Shar brightened at Shinji's comments. "You're not upset about sleeping outside, lover?"

"Not upset. A bit restless, but not upset. It's nothing."

Shar couldn't put her finger on it, but something wasn't right with Shinji.

Jealousy? She thought.

Kaellian left the two adults to their thoughts and pondered her own. It wasn't every day you were claimed by two stranger people than Shinji and Shar. Though, as strange as they were, they were loving, in their own ways... or at least she thought so.

"Hold up." Shinji raised a hand and dropped to a crouch. "We're there."

"Already?" Shar whispered, crouching and pulling Kaellian down with her, hugging her as if she were a stuffed animal or a favorite doll.

Shinji said nothing, but pointed just up a fork in the road where two guards dressed like those at the river sat.

He watched as they sat on separate rocks rolled or dragged to the spot between the fork of the main road. One was a taller man, skinny, but his movements were quick and perfect. Everything from the way he scratched his forehead to the way he spat was calculated and sure. His partner was a larger man, out of shape, but obviously smart. His armor was lined with golden strips, probably a symbol of higher rank.

"I'll take the slim guy." He whispered. "He looks more dangerous."

Shar grinned as the old argument started anew. "You think I can't take him because I'm a woman?"

Shinji shook his head, just like he always did when they had this argument. "I think you'll be better off taking the fat guy because of her."

Shar grew silent and nodded. She hadn't thought of having to protect the girl, and she almost regretted it... almost.

"You take Fat guy, I'll take Skinny man." Shinji repeated as he eased his sword from his sheath.

"Stay here, my Daughter." Shar kissed Kaellian on the cheek and rose, drawing her own blade.

As the two rushed off to battle, Kaellian couldn't help but smile. At long last she had the one thing she'd searched for for years.

Kaellian had a family.

Shinji crept silently out of the trees, took a breath and stood, forcing himself to relax as he walked toward the two men, his sword out and ready.

"Oy!" Fat man said and grabbed for his halberd. "We got us a blimey!"

"One with a sword, no less." Thin man said and stood as well, less visibly tense. His long sword appearing seeming from thin air.

"Is this just the boys, or can I play too?" Shar put in merrily from behind the two men, her own sword humming softly.

"I say, this isn't entirely our day, is it, sport?" Fat man said, pondering his target.

Thin man said nothing, and leapt at Shinji with a hard swing of his blade.

"Thanks."

Shar saw the skinny man leap toward her beloved Shinji, and something inside her snapped. Gone was the hesitation, the fear, even the tension and weariness of the day's long hike abated. Nothing remained but a single need, one she could easily satisfy...

The need to destroy.

Shar wasted little time in covering the few steps between her and the fat man who stood between her and her love. her sword was an arc of death before her.

Fat man may have been out of shape, but he knew his way around a halberd, and he deftly deflected the sword blade aimed for his neck away from him. Bringing the blunt end of his halberd upward, he caught the woman in the jaw, and chuckled as she reeled in pain.

"Blimey woman's all mouth! Well I got something to put those lips of yours 'round." He grinned and twirled his halberd as his free hand patted the codpiece of his half plate armor with metallic sound of a ring he wore.

Shar growled and narrowed her eyes, then stepped forward and swung anew.Her blade rang twice off the metal halberd, and she shrieked in rage. Again her sword deflected off the man's weapon as she buried her fist in his face.

Fat man staggered and swung with his halberd to keep the woman a step or three away from him. Spitting out teeth and a bit of blood, he grinned.

"You'll pay for that, you whore."

Shar didn't waste any breath on a reply except for a stab with her sword. That of course being deflected, she easily spun and put every inch of her strength into the counter swing, hoping it was enough.

It was. Fat man held up his halberd to catch the arcing blow, and died with a look of surprise on his face. The sword cut clean through his weapon, his arm, and his neck, showering Shar in a spray of warm crimson.

She staggered and fell nearby, out of breath from the swing that nearly pulled her own arm out of it's socket.

"I'm coming... Shinji." She whispered and passed out cold.

"Here's what happened on my end..."

Shinji had no time to react as the thin man's blade whistled past where his face was a second before.

On the defensive, he parried blows from all sides and deflected some others, taking numerous cuts to his arms and chest. Little cuts maybe, but even the tiny ones sap a warrior's strength and can cost him the fight.

Fuck he's faster than shit! Shinji thought as he again deflected a blow to his face, leaving a cut up his cheek.

Thin man showed no emotion as he again swung his blade, catching the man across his metal gauntlet and back swinging to attempt to disarm his opponent.

Shinji caught the sword blade against his and caught his breath for a moment, and was just about to stick in a select curse or two at his challenger when he heard Shar's enraged shriek.

"Shar!" Shinji kicked the man and swung his own blade, determined to reach the woman he loved before she got seriously hurt, if she wasn't already.

"Got some fight in you, do you?" Thin man said as he easily deflected Shinji's blows with his own blade, moving it effortlessly and blindingly fast.

"Fuck you!" Shinji grabbed his sword with both hands, panting and swinging in a hard sideways arc.

"You're not fast enough." Thin man grinned and deflected the blade upward harmlessly.

Shinji grinned fiercely and brought the blade straight down, splitting the man nearly in two, nothing behind his swing but raw power and determination.

"Die, asshole!" Shinji growled as the man slumped from his sword and did just that.

"Yeah..."

Shar awoke with a dull ache in her arm. Kaellian was staring down over her. It was raining now, and the girl's hair was soaked from it, making it hang limp over her shoulders, giving her the look of a poor gypsy runaway. the young girl's face was soaked with raindrops and fresh tears.

"Daughter..." She managed weakly.

Kaellian sobbed suddenly and hugged Shar. "I saw the blood and I thought..."

"Nope, just tired." Shar hugged the girl back, then sat up remembering her last words. "Shinji?!"

"Right here." Shinji said from beside her, relieved. "You hurt?"

Shar grinned and flexed, then moaned and held her shoulder. "My arm..."

Shinji leaned close and looked her over a moment, then nodded. "Sprained, bad. it'll need to be rested for a while."

"I can heal it." Kaellian said quietly.

Both adults turned to stare at the child as the rain fell silently on the carnage around them.

"You can heal?" Shar asked.

"Yes." She moved closer and put her little hands on Shar's shoulder, then closed her eyes and began to chant. As her chanting grew more defined, her hands began to glow, and Shar gasped and moaned.

"Gods... it's true..." She managed.

Shinji watched in awe as the young girl healed the woman he loved with nothing more than a little chant and some touching of her shoulder. As awed as he was, he still caught her when she fell.

"Shinji?" Shar looked over, worry filling her face.

"She's exhausted." Shinji replied. "Must take a lot out of her."

"Do you love her?" Shar asked "As a Daughter?"

"Yeah..."

Shar's smile seemed to ease the rain some, and together, they walked down the road. Shinji carried the unconscious Kaellian as Shar wrapped her arms around him.

He HAS learned to be quiet and not stick his two cents in... so I guess that's all good...

They arrived at a spot near Kilborne at nearly midnight. Shinji stood, holding Kaellian in his arms, Shar beside him, and both of them staring in mixed wonder at tehe sight before them.

The city was round. The castle sat in the center, with it's double walls and it's tall towers for protection of the entire city in all directions. The city itself was round in nearly every way, from the cobblestones that paved the road to the circular houses and spires of the temples that were seemingly scattered throughout. On closer inspection, Shinji noticed the city was done in a wagon wheel shape, the most important buildings near the center, with roads along the compass points.

"Circles?" He wondered aloud, watching the torchlights and street lamps flicker dully in the moonlight. "What the fuck?"

Kaellian eased her head from his shoulder. She looked on the city and gasped. "This is it! The city I saw in my visions! The circle of fortune!"

Shar eyed the city carefully, seemingly judging it in her mind's eye.

"I gotta say it's not bad... looks strong, simple." Shinji looked the city over once more with determined eyes.

"Home." Shar whispered.

"Kilborne..." Shinji added in a mutual agreement.

"Someplace dry!" Kaellian smiled.

Shar couldn't help but laugh, and soon, Shinji too joined in.

"Someplace dry indeed." Shar nodded and started down the path.

Shinji watched her a moment, then followed quietly, ready to face destiny.

"Oh yeah..."

Shinji slipped on the cobblestones for the fourth time with a curse and a grunt as he righted himself again. His metal boots weren't made for walking on such slick streets, and he vowed if, somehow, he was to become king of this city, the streets had to go... or he needed new boots. He had his money on the streets.

"Slow down, lover." Shar replied from beside him, touching his arm and panting.

He'd kept a maddening pace through the darkened and quiet city, and though Shar and Kaellian both were in great shape, Shar was used to walking, Kaellian was not, and was having trouble keeping up.

Seeing the city from a distance, it had looked small. On closer inspection from the gates, however, Shinji was shocked to find the buildings were all larger than normal, made to fool enemies into thinking the city was smaller than it was. His rage had peaked from being tricked, and his march was the result.

"Father!" Kaellian cried out, stumbling, and dropped to her knees.

Shinji stopped cold as he was wrenched from his thoughts. Her voice was so fragile, so alone... so much like his at her age.. so much like his own voice in his dreams...

It was the first time she'd called him 'father', and almost at that precise moment, it all struck him like a meaty right hook from a hill giant. Bone numbingly hard.

He stood for the longest time, simply staring up at the castle before him as Shar crouched beside Kaellian in the roadway. The few people still on the streets at this hour steered well clear of the trio. Two armed warriors and their daughter was an odd sight, and no one wanted to be brave and find out what insane people drug their daughter off to battle. Shinji, though, paid them no mind. His eyes focusing on a tall tower at the exact center of the castle where a figure stood in a well lit window, staring down at the city. He couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman, and at that point, it didn't matter... all he knew was that must be the ruler of Kilborne...

"We rest tonight... tomorrow I take the throne." His eyes narrowed.

"Shinji?" Shar stood, Letting Kaellian rest on a nearby stool outside what seemed to be an armor smith. "What's gotten into you? You've changed so much in the last few days... is something wrong?"

"No Shar... everything's fucking right for the first time ever in my life." He turned to look at the most beautiful women he'd ever seen, his lips curled up in an odd mix of a bloodthirsty smirk and a warm, loving smile. "It's time we stopped running and cleaning up other people's messes and made our own future... for our family."

As his gaze shifted to Kaellian, who lay back against the cool stone wall, half asleep, Shar understood.

She'd always felt there was an emptiness to this man she cared for... no... loved. She'd wondered often about his past, and though he'd told her a lot, and never hid anything from her, there were things he left out. She couldn't blame him though, she too had left out pieces of her past, she supposed that was normal enough. It was then that she felt this was more than just a job to him anymore. I was the start of a new life, a real purpose for them both... a chance to be a family... something neither of them had had growing up.

"Tomorrow then." She said finally, grinning. "Tomorrow we turn this town upside down... and then we right it again and make it ours."

"Ours." Shinji repeated.

He made his way over to pick up the sleeping Kaellian, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Let's get some sleep, lover." Shar wrapped her arms around him.

"Yeah... and then we take what's ours."

Shar awoke first.

It was nearly noon. The sun was bright and very warm, and as she wiped the sweat from her forehead, she saw it.

Kaellian stood quietly, her hands clutched to her chest as if praying or scared. Her clothes and her hair billowed around her in a mystic wind as she hovered off the ground a foot or two. Her skin began to glow a bright yellow color, like sunlight, and her eyes became beams of emerald light.

Shar reached out just before the impact blew her backward, and she hit a tree hard enough to blur her vision.

The explosion awoke Shinji, and he dug his sword into the ground to slow his slide, then regained his footing and pulled it free with a grunt.

"What the fuck?"

"Shinji!" Shar's voice was pleading. "Kae's..."

Shinji didn't hear anymore. he was already running into the vortex. He had no idea what was there, or how he'd fight it, but he knew Kaellian was in there, and Shar was scared. he knew it was time to fight. Possibly time to die.

His battle scream as cut short as he took a blade through the chest. Though he slashed desperately and kicked himself off the massive blade, he knew he was doomed.

"Shinji!" Shar screamed and ran forward, sliding to a stop and catching him as he fell, cradling his head in her lap. Tears rolled freely down her cheeks, and she sobbed. "No! You can't leave me!"

"Shar... my love." Shinji coughed up blood, gasping for air. "I... love you... Don't... cry..."

The last thing Shinji saw was the huge blade take his beloved Shar through the spine. And they died in each other's arms.

Fucking mages.

The old Dragoon sighed again and leaned on his spear.

Before him stood a huge grave with two rough headstones. Both swords, Shinji's and Shar's.

"Damn shame. 'Youngins should be plannin' lives together 'n lovin' each other. Not be dyin' together." He shook his head. "Hope ya both be findin' yer happiness 'erever ya are now."

Bowing his head, he murmured a little prayer, the only one he knew. It used to be used for when a Dargoon's mount died, but he hoped it was at least serviceable. Once his prayer was done, he pulled out a little flask and raised it high.

"'Ta friends!" He drank deeply.

"Beautiful." Shar whispered, holding her love tight as they stood beside the Dragoon and stared at their grave.

"Yeah." Shinji wrapped his arm around her.

They were dressed in simple robes. Not black, not white, just plain brown. They were in each other's arms, and they felt no pain. They were happy.

"S'good we're together." Shar said softly. "But now what are we gonna do?"

Kaellian shuffled up behind them quietly. "Ready to go?"

"Go?" Shar looked confused. "Kae? You... You died too?"

"No Mother. I was never alive, exactly... See..."

"Let's go." Shinji said quietly, turning to take Kaellian's hand.

"Shinji? I don't understand."

"When I charged the vortex, I saw the sword, and I saw who carried it. I knew as I leapt I was fucked... but I also knew why."

He held out his hand to Shar, who, though confused, took it willingly.

"See, baby... when I fell on that sword, I saw myself holding it."

"You?"

He nodded. "Me. And when it killed you, I saw you holding it. In the end, we destroyed ourselves... But now we've got another chance. Another chance to be what we were meant to be. Free."

"Free..." Shar purred. "Let's be free... all of us."

And so, With Shinji carrying Kaellian and Shar holding him tight, they walked through a doorway and on to a new life.

By the ways... that mage... he's moved on now. Wherever the fuck we go from here. I made him promise he'd tell someone up there my story, so I wouldn't be forgotten... but, I ain't holding my breath. So. To him, and all his mage types... fuck off.