Adventure of Rekka Ch. 08

A stuffed doll of some sort of animal caught his attention, and he smiled at the thought of this warrior woman owning such a thing.

"Very. Circe, the Scourge of the West casts a very long shadow," Sarah said with a sigh. "Luckily I'm beginning to learn strikes from the shadows have benefits all their own." She said, flashing a small fierce grin.

Scipio nearly dropped his pipe at the mention of the infamous orc general. Not many of the demons were known by name, and hers was very near the top of the list. Those at the quarry town would likely never know how close they'd come to doom.

Had Suidaena perished and news reached her mother these lands would be as wartorn as the worst areas of the western front, if not more so.

"You weren't exaggerating being a queen amongst orcs then, I see," he said.

"Mmph, more than you'd think. Call me Sarah, please. Suidaena is just more theatrics, honestly," Sarah admitted.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sarah," Scipio said, bowing slightly from his seated position, hand on his chest for a moment. He found her name pleasing, foreign to the names of his own people though it was. Leaning back again he considered this complex and layered young woman he'd have mistaken for a brute filled with lust and little else before speaking with her.

It almost made him believe she would let him go if he asked. He wasn't that foolish, though. He was likely stuck with her until she tired of him, and the thought was becoming less and less unbearable as the unusual encounter carried on.

"Just to be sure, what would have happened had I made a break for freedom the moment we were alone?" Scipio asked, puffing away contentedly at his pipe while his hand seemed to wander further up her leg without guidance on his part.

"Well then, we wouldn't be having a pleasant conversation by the fire, my sweet Scipio," she said, touching his shoulder for a moment. "Suidaena, Queen of the Orcs, would have had her girls run you down, strip you naked, and hold you on your back in the middle of the camp for me to show you why you shouldn't run."

"Double damn. Missed opportunities, I suppose," Scipio smiling to himself before blowing a smoke ring towards the ceiling. "Still, I'm pleased to be meeting the real you, honestly I'm entirely surprised that you're so.. well, not the monster I'd come to expect, if you'll excuse my frankness."

"Oh, I can be monstrous when I choose, I tend to save that for fighting, or.. mating. At least, I was supposed to. You're the one not acting like you should, you know. If you didn't have that bad habit we'd be on the floor getting to know each other without words."

"Are you disappointed, my lovely?" Scipio asked, a little concerned. Perhaps he should put away the pipe and not betray her expectations, there was little point trying to escape his fate. He was beginning to realize why he heard reports of men defending their captors during attempts to free them. He half-heartedly attempted to pull the pipe from his mouth, but his hand rebelled, holding the pipe steady at his mouth.

"Not very long ago I would have been devastated. I thought I knew everything. Now? No, the opposite. Not after meeting my new friends," Sarah said, smiling warmly at him and placing her hand on his, which was now mid thigh and sending sweet shivers up her spine.

"Everything I thought I knew changed when I spoke with Rekka, a sweet little hellhound," Sarah began, a knowing smile forming as Scipio stiffened. He was anxiously searching the shadows for flaming eyes.

"Don't worry, she has a husband. And that's just it.. you're like him, almost. She didn't even have to force him, he seemed to be happy to capture himself. She said he liked her from the moment they met, and I can hardly doubt her word from the way they get on. They treat each other like.. like this, really. They talk and laugh and.. and love each other."

Hellhounds were rightly feared by any who encountered them, fighting one resulted in casualties without fail. Their speed, strength, and above all their ferocity when fighting for their own lives was impressive, but when defending their young a hellhounds rage was legendary. When one was found to have established itself sending average soldiers after it was nearly useless, requiring the Order's assistance. Even then he'd read reports of Order units being lost to a man.

Scipio had only encountered a hellhound briefly while on patrol during his tour of the front. The squad had considered themselves lucky to receive only bruises and broken bones as she tossed them away like children. Ignoring the groaning soldiers scattered about she sauntered toward the tallest man in the squad, a green recruit who'd been boasting of his courage and strength only moments before, now flat on his ass staring in horror. Throwing him over her shoulder she had laughed mockingly while jogging unhurriedly away, her prize wailing his misfortune. None of the survivors would admit it but they shared a silent prayer of thanks for not being chosen. No attempt was made to mount a rescue.

"He must be the bravest man, or if you'll excuse me, maddest fool that ever lived," Scipio replied, trying and failing to envision a pleasant conversation with one.

"A bit of both, really. Mostly the fool, and somehow that's his best quality. You'll understand when you get to know him better," Sarah said, thoughts of Bill bringing an amused smile to her face.

"I was so completely jealous. Mamono almost never find that kind of love. We've been fighting so long. I never even considered it would be possible to catch a man that didn't hate us, fear us, or both."

"I understand," Scipio replied, feeling both the weight of the dagger and his years of soldiering under his belt.

"Pardon my ignorance, you mentioned mamono. Is that your tribe's name?" Scipio then asked.

"Oh, yeah, sorry. Mamono are, well, all of us. The people your people are fighting. We don't call each other monsters and demons unless we're really mad, you know?"

"Mamono, how interesting. Thank you for informing me, Sarah," Scipio replied, mentally reordering his vocabulary so as not to say anything that might offend his host.

"Do you hate us, fear us, my Scipio?" Sarah asked, her voice poised and serene.

The soldier in Scipio found it admirable how she was capable of projecting such a confident front. In other circumstances he knew she would be a leader he would be proud to follow into battle. Many of his fellow officers lacked such qualities, and he as well when he went too long without his pipe.

"Well," Scipio began, taking the pipe from his mouth and staring thoughtfully at the ceiling, "I truly don't know. I'm a soldier. I feared for my life at times, which I've found can keep you alive if you control it. Hate? Not particularly, it's nearly useless when fighting, more of a detriment."

He paused to consider, looking at his hands covered in sword calluses and old scars.

"Honestly, I didn't feel much. Can I tell you I haven't had a conversation anywhere near as enjoyable as this in.. well, years? Longer? Now that the worst has happened, no offense meant I assure you, I feel as if I've woken from a dream." Or a nightmare, he thought.

With this he grew more thoughtful, his brow furrowed. What had he been doing for the last decade and more? His duty, his all encompassing duty. He'd barely been a human being, his world shrunk to nothing more than giving and following orders. Fighting, killing, surviving. He'd been marching smoothly through life towards its inevitable conclusion. He tried to envision a future filled with more of that and his stomach curdled.

The war, the end of humanity, he found himself uncaring. They were such hugely abstract problems, nearly meaningless. Maybe both sides deserved to fade away, if the only other solution involved endless wars resulting in countless forgotten and dying soldiers.

"No, I don't hate you," he said, looking her in the eye.

With a squeal of delight Sarah slid to her knees before him, hugging him almost too tightly as she pressed her face into his chest. "Oh Scipio, my dear sweet Captain! I'm so happy you feel that way!"

She surprised him then by pushing forward to press her lips to his. Scipio dropped his pipe into his goblet in order to focus completely on the kiss. It started off sweet, gentle, getting to know the taste of each other's lips. Just as their passion began to heat, Scipio running his hands through her hair as Sarah pushed hers between his open coat, she pulled back.

"What, I'm sorry? Did I offend?" Scipio said, passion thickening his words.

"No! I just.. I'm not sure where to go from here. You.. You were supposed to, you know, just sort of attack me. It should have sorted itself out. I don't know what to do next," she said, looking down.

Scipio didn't laugh, that would be rude, but he did smile as he brought a rough callused hand to her cheek.

"I hope you'll forgive me if I don't simply attack you, I may be a soldier but that word doesn't fit the mood, do you agree?" he asked, caressing the side of her face.

"No, I guess not. Could you.. could you show me what comes next?" she asked, smiling shyly.

"My lovely, it would be an honor," Scipio replied.

Looking around he spotted a pile of blankets, furs, and a huge assortment of pillows and cushions. Drawing them both to their feet he led her over to the cozy looking nest.

Abruptly Sarah pulled away, rushing back to her throne to pick up the package of pipeweed. She pulled a large handful from it and walked over to the firepit, sprinkling the pungent herbs over the coals. Immediately the room filled with the sweet and cloying aroma, overpowering her own.

"There, that should keep you as you are, I want this to be.. real," she said, turning to smile at him. She then realized her mistake as Scipio seemed to be whimpering and holding a hand longingly at the fire.

"Oh! Don't worry, I know how much you like this stuff, there's a whole crate back there, enough for a good long while before we have to raid more!" she teased.

"Marry me," Scipio sighed, feeling as if he had found some kind of paradise filled with luxuries, a beautiful woman, and perhaps a little light pillaging. He thought he might enjoy early retirement.

"Oh, Scipio, my darling, what do you think we're doing?" Sarah replied, her heart melting.

Scipio supposed that might be true, and not sure how to feel about it. He knew from reports that the 'mamono' once having chosen a man would not cast him aside for another, and die to defend him. What he'd previously considered as no more than a mating ritual seemed to have far more significance to Sarah. Though it was not his choice he felt grateful it had been Sarah and not one of the others outside.

"I see.. Not one to stand on ceremony? Or is this common for your people?" Scipio asked, taking her hands as she returned to him.

"This is how it's done, of course. I've caught you, now we'll be together forever. Why, do your people do it differently?" Sarah asked.

"Very. Priests are involved, generally. Family and friends if you have any. Papers are signed, that sort of thing. Very official, taxes are taken into consideration," Scipio replied, realizing it sounded fairly dull and loveless.

"Oh. Well, we have none of that. We have each other, and that's all that matters," Sarah stated, finding the thought of priests and tax men watching them make love amusing. Maybe you were taxed less if the more you impressed them. "We don't pay taxes, but I could call a few of my girls and your men in to watch if it's important to you."

"No, no, I'm fine with a more traditional wedding, certainly," Scipio said quickly, not wanting an audience.

"If you're sure," Sarah said without guile, "So.. should I push you onto the furs or are you supposed to?"

"Um, no, I don't think that will be necessary. I believe it would be more appropriate to remove our clothing first," Scipio answered.

Sarah beamed a smile, relieved to be under such thoughtful tutelage. As she excitedly began tugging at the myriad buckles and straps which made the majority of her leather outfit Scipio brought his hand over hers. She looked at him, puzzled.

"If you'll allow me, I think you will find it satisfying if I were the one to undress you, my lovely," Scipio said softly. Sarah shivered at his words, warming to the idea immediately. Nodding her approval, she let her hands fall to her sides.

Scipio's eyes roved over her body, seeking the most advantageous position for his opening strike. His eyes settled on a buckle that appeared to be holding the line between her fortified breasts and invitingly exposed midriff. Wasting no time, he slipped through her defenses as he skillfully defeated the unwitting clasp. The battle was over before it began, the other buckles succumbing to his onslaught with little resistance.

Sarah shivered, biting her lip as Scipio's hands roamed her body removing her armor, caressing her softly as he exposed what little the leather left to imagination. Her legs began to shake as he slipped loose the last strap attached to the slim leather guard holding her breasts in place. Gently he slipped it free, letting it fall into the growing pile of straps and buckles he had stripped from her.

Her breath hitched as he cupped her breasts, squeezing her gently as he hefted them and fondled. Scipio was amazed and delighted with their form, perfectly rounded topped with delicate nipples. They were light pink, contrasting strongly with her caramel brown skin, his mouth watered with desire. He had never experienced such softness, his fingers sank into her with decadent ease, the flesh springing back into shape immediately upon release. The armor, inadequate though it appeared, had been heroically concealing what could only be described as mountainous. With great willpower he restrained himself from climbing these glorious slopes, and with a last lingering caress he turned his attention to what remained to be discovered.

Sarah immediately took over in his place, kneading and squeezing her breasts with barely suppressed need. She watched him kneel before her, eyes wide with desire, breathing heavily with anticipation. After simply loosening her armor here and removing her shin guards he surprised her by standing back up.

"Why?" Sarah whined slightly, he had just been getting to the good part.

"Let me lay you down, my lovely, I've only yet begun," he replied, caressing her cheek before taking her by the hand. He lay her down gently, somewhat surprised to find her weight belied her form, likely connected to her incredible strength. A lifetime of physical training and combat allowed him to lower her to the furs without issue, for which he was thankful for. If nothing else this moment made his unhappy life as a soldier worthwhile.

Sarah peeked between the valley of her breasts, their shape barely losing form from her now horizontal position, pulling to the sides slightly which Scipio found arousingly wanton. She watched Scipio kneel beside her, her body twitching and shivering with need. He took a moment to tease her, his fingers sliding just above the scant piece of cloth guarding her chastity. Taking pity on her shuddering whimpers he began sliding it free, revealing her maidenhood. Raising her legs he slipped in from her, turning his attention to her exposed sex.

She was completely bare, something Scipio could not have envisioned, never having experienced such a thing. This new revelation was obscene, sinful, thrilling him with arousal for reasons he could not put into words. Her glistening sex was as plumply seductive as the rest of her, soft and achingly inviting. He spent a moment slipping his fingers tantalizing close, teasing a frustrated whimper from her. Seeing she was nearing her limit, likely ready to grab him and force the issue, Scipio stood.

"No!" Sarah gasped, her lust glazed eyes now filling with reproach for a moment only to relax as Scipio began to undress. Her breathes came in heavy gasps now, a hand clutching at her breast as the other began rubbing wantonly at her sex. Watching Scipio remove his coat was the single most erotic sight of her life, driving her lust to new heights. When he removed his shirt, revealing his lean and muscled torso she sagged into the furs, the sight almost too much for her inexperienced eyes.

"Oh, my Scipio, so beautiful, I never.. You're perfect, my captain.." she gushed, hardly believing she'd caught such a perfect example of the soft and gentle men her kind so loved, her protective instincts raging to life. His body was a delicious patchwork of past scars and trained muscle. She could not have imagined a more exciting sight, his scars seemed designed to enhance his beauty. It was as though someone had poured through her wildest fantasies of this moment, enhanced her inadequate imagination, and brought him to life. His chest had a light pattern of hair, further down her eyes eagerly followed a short trail between his abs disappearing into his leggings.

Scipio felt a smile upon his lips as he listened to her compliments. He'd never been called anything akin to beautiful before, and found it touching. In fact he had always considered himself unattractive; his broken nose, hard angles and sharp features looked as though his face was carved inelegantly from stone. A face appropriate for the battlefield, but not the bedroom. Despite himself he found his heart lifted by her words.

Sarah watched in anticipation as he kicked off his boots, her hands covering her mouth as he began to remove his breeches. She went stock still as his member sprang into sight, fully erect. It was the single most desirable sight of her life, a feeling of need rising up from deep within her. Her hands moved about with nervous energy, clutching at the furs as she snorted gruffly in the way her kind was known to do in times of excitement and stress.

"You too are beautiful, my lovely," Scipio finally responded, breaking the spell Sarah had been under. "No woman I've known can compare, your body is a thing of wonder."

Sarah's face broke out in a wide grin, his words like an arrow to her heart. "My darling! Please, hurry! The next step, I need you!" She cried, writhing with passion on her furs.

"A moment, my sweet Sarah, don't worry. I'm afraid a woman's first time can be painful, and I'd like to do what I can to ease it," Scipio said, kneeling down beside her and hoping she would allow him to continue. He and his first sweetheart had been virgins, and the memory of their night together was not a pleasant one. He would do everything he could to make Sarah's first time pleasantly memorable.

"Lie still, my lovely. You will enjoy this, and it will make what follows more pleasurable," Scipio whispered. He kissed her neck then, enjoying her gasp. He began a slow tortuous path downward, pausing at her breasts to suck lightly at a nipple. She squirmed and called out his name, shuddering with delight. He moved lower, trailing kisses as he went, finally reaching her belly. Sliding between her legs, he parted them, which she assisted with approving quickness.

While she quivered with anticipation Scipio leaned in, his hands gently pulling her puffy lips apart, exposing her glistening pink inner folds. Rubbing his fingers gently over her, he found the smooth hairless skin a delight. The times he'd done this before he had certainly found pleasant, but this new experience would surely ruin him for anything else.

Wasting no more time he bent to his happy task, sliding his tongue between her lips as his thumb lightly circled her clitoris. Immediately Sarah's hands flew to his head, this wondrous act unheard of among her peers. She'd only prepared herself for manic penetration by her lust addled lovers, not this generous act he bestowed upon her.