Champions

"I just had the strangest dream..." she began.

"I know," David replied, "I think I had the same one."

Feeling her head raise from his chest, he looked down into her eyes and saw her confused look.

"It was a dream I have a lot. I was back at the COP, and I was taking cover from a sniper as usual, then it changed. I saw you, and an old man that I assume was your father, being attacked. I didn't realize it was you at first, but as soon as I recognized your voice I had to protect you, so I stopped them. Then I picked you up and you kissed me," he explained.

"I had the same dream," she exclaimed, but then her eyes began to tear up, "but at the end you were hurt, and you were dying right in front of me."

"Yeah, there was that," he replied, trying to sound matter-of-fact. "But it was just a dream. I'm fine. I'm right here, and I'm not the least bit hurt."

Wiping the moisture from her eyes, she lowered her head back to his chest and the quiet resumed for a few minutes. Eventually she let out a sigh, and started to talk again.

"I've been having that dream for two years, ever since I lost my father. I hate it. I hate the guilt, and the feeling of powerlessness I wake up with every time. But this time was different. This time you saved me, and if you hadn't been hurt, I think I would have woken up okay this time."

"I've been having that same dream for months now. It's always the same, except I never run away from the rock, and therefore never get shot. But this time you were there; and I couldn't let anyone hurt you, no matter what happens to me," he told her.

She reached over and slapped his bicep, hard. "And just what the hell am I supposed to do after you die to protect me? Huh, genius? How am I supposed to keep going without you?" She wasn't ready to discuss how deeply her feelings for him ran, but that dream had scared the heck out of her.

Realizing that his words to her now were a make-or-break moment for their relationship, his sleep addled mind scrabbled desperately for the right answer to that question. Then suddenly, inspiration hit him like mana from heaven. "I guess that means that after I save you, you have to save me."

She snorted at the absurdity of his statement, and began to pull away from him. She didn't get far however, because he wrapped his arms around her tightly and pulled her back into him while continuing his explanation.

"You are an amazingly smart and powerful sorceress. I have no reservations about putting my life in your hands, because I know it will be safe there. You are more than capable of protecting me, but don't think for a second that I won't do the same for you. We're together now, and I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure we stay that way."

Hearing his words, she relaxed. He was right, although his choice of wording could have been better. She agreed that he was the kind of man that would protect her no matter what, just as she was the kind of woman that would do the same for him. Together they would protect each other, and may the spirits grant mercy upon those that tried to hurt them.

***

Laurena lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She could not seem to fall asleep, because her mind was overflowing with thoughts about David, and what he had done to her body. It had been the best Blessing she had ever experienced. Her orgasms had been more powerful than any she had ever experienced before, and when she had awoken minutes later her body had literally hummed with aftershocks of pleasure.

Yet, when she looked over and saw the slow, gentle lovemaking of David and Sapphire, she realized that her Blessing with the Champion had been barely a shadow of the passion he could bring to bear. How much better could it be, she thought, if he looked at me the way he looks at her?

This was the main thought that was running through her mind at the moment, and her jealousy towards the Dracian was growing steadily larger each time she thought of David's strong arms wrapped around her, and his enormous manhood filling her like no one ever had before, and his eyes filled with love for her. That last thought was the most surprised. She had never really cared if anyone she blessed developed feelings for her. She knew it was important to love and be loved as part of the ceremony, but not is such a direct and specific way. She wanted him to love her. And she wanted to love him in return. But she could think of no way to make that happen. He seemed perfectly happy with Sapphire, and she had already caused so much damage to their interactions that she was lucky he was even speaking with her.

Frustrated, the acolyte rolled onto her side and tried to fall asleep. As her mind finally began to drift towards the world of dreams, she wondered if she would have a chance with the Champion if Sapphire were out of the picture...

***

Elsewhere, that same night...

"Shadow Lord," the large man greeted Cassius with deference.

"Shadowmaster Whisper," the Shadow Lord returned the greeting. "The Night Lord has an important task for you."

"I am the Night Lord's servant," Whisper replied.

"There are three visitors to our town. One is a Dracian trader named Sapphire, the second is an Acolyte of Eros named Laurena, and the last is a man named David. These three have annoyed the Night Lord and he wants them eliminated. You have one day to complete this assignment. Keep it quiet if possible, but ensure they are all dead before the dawn after next. The Night Lord commands you to use two teams to guarantee the success of this mandate."

If Shadowmaster Whisper was surprised by this assignment, or the amount of force he was instructed to bring to bear, he did not show it. "Do you have any recommendations for how it should happen?" he inquired calmly.

"The trader and the man were in town today searching for someone who traveled through here two winters ago, named Galen. I suggest arranging a meeting to give them information about the man, and using it to ambush them in an out of the way location, if possible. Shadowmaster Blade had his best team observing them all day, so I recommend you discuss the matter with him as well, for he may have some insights that could aid you in this endeavor," Cassius instructed. "The Night Lord also commands that this be done away from the temple and the priestess. Whatever you decide to do make sure it is nowhere near that building."

"It will be done," Shadowmaster Whisper told his superior solemnly.

*** Chapter 29: Ambush ***

252030MAR13 DW

Wistful Bard Tavern, Exitibus, Erosius

"Wasn't this guy supposed to show up already?" David asked Sapphire, annoyed.

The pair was sitting with Laurena at the Wistful Bard Tavern, having just finished dinner. They were waiting to meet with a man that was supposed to have information about Galen. One of the crafters that Sapphire had met with yesterday came to the temple that morning with news of a man that might have information for them. He had arranged a meeting for them at this tavern, but the contact was supposed to be there at sun down. That was about two hours ago.

"Yes he was," Sapphire replied, struggling to contain her own annoyance.

She had awoken late that morning, a tad nervous regarding her and David's sudden confessions of love, as well as the wonderfully amazing sex, of the previous evening. The shared dream had only made the night that much weirder. Yet, she had barely begun to worry when David rolled over and snuggled up behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist and kissing the crown of her head. Her fears had evaporated and her heart had swelled with love for the amazing man that held her in his arms. Of course, neither had changed after the ceremony, so they had slept in his bed naked. Sapphire was reminded of this when she felt David's hardness pressed into the crack of her ass. But they were both enjoying the tender embrace too much to worry about it. They lay there together, basking in each other's warmth for what seemed like both the span of a single heartbeat and also an eternity. Eventually they agreed to rise and greet the day. David had to restrain himself when he saw her climb from the bed, naked and glorious in her beauty. All he wanted to do was drag her back to bed, and make love to her until neither of them could stay awake. But he also knew that her first sexual experience was less than twelve hours ago, and she might need time to process it before she would be ready again.

After dressing they met Phoebe and Laurena for breakfast, and it was during this meal that the crafter had arrived and arranged this evening's meeting. Neither she nor David was particularly happy when Laurena asked to go with them, but they could not afford to alienate her since both were still fulfilling Astinus' penances. Now she and David had been stuck with her here for almost three hours, both wishing they could be back in their quarters at the temple with one another, rather than being forced to endure Laurena's presence. It certainly was not helping their dispositions that Laurena was determinedly trying to convince David to attend another worship service on the following night.

"David, now that you finally participated in a full worship service, and received the Blessing's of Eros, do you have a better understanding of love?" she had inquired earlier.

He had been staring at Sapphire with happy contentment at the time, while Sapphire had been scanning the room for their contact, and only noticed his stare when the acolyte had asked the question of him. Without even shifting his gaze he replied "Definitely," winking at Sapphire with a smile. This had caused her to blush and look away, but she had also reached under the table and snaked her hand into his, giving it a firm squeeze.

"That is great!" Laurena had continued with enthusiasm, not realizing the true meaning of his statement. "I think if you attended more services you would gain a deeper understanding of our religion, and be finished with your penance in no time."

Still looking to Sapphire, he gave her a questioning look after Laurena's statement. Sapphire gave him a teasing smile, but also a slight shake of her head, letting him know that their 'worship' would be a private affair from now on. Sapphire was actually tempted to go again. She had been surprised how much she enjoyed watching David and Laurena together, but the jealousy was still there as well. She also didn't like Laurena enough to share David with her again.

"Actually, Laurena, I think I'm good. I got more than I ever imagined I could during last night's service," he told her. He finally looked at the acolyte, but also gave Sapphire's hand a loving squeeze as he continued, "And I want to hold onto it for as long as I can."

Laurena continued to politely try to encourage the Champion to attend another service, but he continued to deflect and refuse each request. After nearly an hour of this Laurena had finally given up, and they had spent the last hour and a half alternating between pointless small talk and uncomfortable silence. The pattern was finally broken moments ago by David's question.

"He's late," Sapphire continued her reply to David's inquiry, "and I can think of no reason why he would be."

"Well, what do you want to do?" he asked her, wishing she would just call the whole thing off.

"I think we've waited long enough," she finally stated, granting his wish. "Let's go back to the temple and turn in," she said, turning to give him a wink and a sultry smile.

"Yeah," he agreed quickly, faking a yawn, "I'm beat. I can't wait to crawl into bed," he added with a wink of his own.

Leaving the coins for their meal on the table, they rose to leave. David had finally asked Sapphire about the currency of the realm that afternoon, and the explanation was interesting.

"Until recently the economy was mostly trade based, goods and services. But about thirty years ago some explorers found a metal in the mountains that was unusual, extremely useful, and nearly impossible to craft magically. It became one of the most sought after commodities in Erosius, and the Erosian clergy decided to turn it into the currency of the realm," she said, then pulled a platinum coin out to show him. It was small, about the size of a dime, and stamped with profile picture of Eros on one side and the words "Love is Eternal" on the other side.

"Hmm," he said, inspecting it. "I'm going to need to spend some time trying to make some of these."

"Well, if you can I'd be surprised," she replied, "Only a handful of the most gifted crafters are skilled enough to make them. Even my mother struggles with them."

He returned the coin, and decided to put the idea on his 'to do' list. Unfortunately, that list kept getting longer.

Leading the way out of the tavern, David took a quick look around once they were outside. It wasn't too late in the evening, so there were still a few people walking the streets. The important part was that no one seemed to be standing around, or giving them anything more than cursory glances. He was wearing the same load out as the previous day, but in the light of the half-moon his manner of dress stood out quite a bit less. He hadn't spotted either of the men from yesterday yet, but he was still vigilant.

The trio made their way down the main road, back towards the temple. When they were about half-way back David noticed that the traffic along the road had disappeared. Taking a moment to look around, he realized that the once bustling street was deserted. Concerned by this discovery, he reached into the tactical pouch on the left side of his vest and drew out his NODs. He was dressed as he had been the previous day, so he was wearing his boonie hat, not his helmet. That meant he couldn't clip the NODs in place, instead being forced to hold them with his off-hand. At least be able to take a better look down the alleys they were passing. Switching the device on, he held it up to his eye and began to look around.

***

"They are approaching the ambush site Shadowmaster," the hooded man in dark clothing informed his superior.

"Good. What about witnesses?" Shadowmaster Whisper inquired.

"Taken care of. We began moving people out of the area as soon as we received word that the group was on the move."

"Excellent. Now focus on the objective. Reports indicate that the sorceress is quite powerful and will be the hardest to take down. The acolyte is not a full priestess, and is magically insignificant, and the man carries no long weapons, only a few knives. Keep your distance and take them out with archers, only close in if you have to," the Shadowmaster issued final instructions.

"It will be done my lord."

***

Laurena was tired, bored, and irritated. She knew the odds were against her, but she simply had to try to convince the Champion to go to another worship service, the sex was just too good. But he wasn't interested, and she was irritated because he was now the first man to ever turn down an opportunity to receive a blessing from her. Lost in her own ruminations, she did not notice David's pace slow as she turned down the alley that was the shortest route to the temple.

David had closely observed their route earlier, because it was how his mind worked now. Between the training he received from Mr. West and his experiences in combat, he could no longer walk around blindly oblivious of his surroundings. Every person was a potential threat, every piece of trash on the roadside was a potential IED, and every narrow alley was an ambush point. And this particular narrow alley was a truly epic suckfest. No doorways, overhangs, or containers broke up this part of the eight foot wide and one hundred foot long path. The adjacent buildings were all two stories tall, and there was no cover to speak of. He had decided that there was no way in hell he was going to walk it twice, and had informed the women after they had passed through it earlier in the evening that they would not use it on the way back. But he was so busy scanning the area with his NODs that he didn't realize where they were until after Laurena had already turned down the alley.

"Shit," he cursed.

"What is it David?" Sapphire asked him.

"I told her we weren't supposed to walk back this way," he replied in annoyance.

"LAURENA," Sapphire yelled to the acolyte, "REMEMBER WHAT DAVID SAID EARLIER. WE ARE WALKING BACK A DIFFERENT WAY TONIGHT."

Frustrated the acolyte stopped walking. She had been moving at a fast pace, and was already thirty feet down the alley. "WE ARE ALMOST BACK. CAN WE JUST USE THE QUICKEST PATH? IT IS LATE AND I AM TIRED," she called back loudly.

Turning a questioning look to David, he didn't notice it because he was carefully scanning the alley and rooftops with his NODs. He thought he saw a small motion atop a building about halfway down the alley, but when he looked closer he couldn't see anything more.

"David?" Sapphire tried to get his attention.

"No," he finally answered quietly. In a louder voice, "No Laurena, we are taking a different route. It will not be much longer."

Even more annoyed now, she walked back to them in a huff.

***

"Sir, they are avoiding the trap," the dark figure said.

"Damn," Shadowmaster Whisper cursed. "Attack them now. Move your ground team to intercept and have the archers move along the rooftops. Don't let them get away."

His subordinate nodded and hustled off to carry out his orders while the Shadowmaster cursed his poor luck. This unknown man was becoming a major annoyance. They had carefully watched the group's path to the tavern, and identified this location as the perfect ambush site. There was no reason for the threesome to take a different route back, but it seemed that the man was determined to do so. If any of his men had given their position away he would kill them.

***

Laurena rejoined the pair on the main road, and David was about to continue his walk to the next cross street when he saw movement on the same rooftop as earlier. Turning his NODs back to the location he saw a pair of men carrying bows running toward them across the building tops on the left side of the alley, and another pair running along the roofs on the right side.

"Shit, we got company," he told the women, drawing the pistol from his right thigh holster.

When the pair turned to see what he was looking at, all three heard a door banging open to their right. Turning to the sound, David raised his pistol and braced his firing hand with his left. Without the NODs he was not able to see as well in the moonlight, but the four men pouring from the doorway twenty feet away weren't exactly hard to spot. They were carrying swords, axes and daggers, and charging directly at them.

"Motherfuckers," was all David said before this fight began in earnest.

As is always the case in combat, multiple things happened at the same time. David quickly aimed at the nearest target, and fired two rounds center mass into the charging man. Laurena cried out in fear and ran behind him, and Sapphire began chanting a quick spell. Shifting his aim a few degrees to the right, David pumped two more rounds into the next closest target, and then he had to dive to the side and roll away from the third and fourth attackers, because they had closed the distance and their attacks were trying to occupy the same space where his head had just been.

Laurena was frozen in terror. She was suddenly right back on that mountain trail, tied to a pole, and was waiting for the unspeakable acts to begin. She had managed to move a few steps behind David, but then she had stopped, standing in the street petrified by the sudden attack.

Sapphire was pissed. She was remembering the ambush that had taken her father. She refused to lose David the same way, and as she gathered the power to violently defend him she smiled viciously as he quickly killed two of the attackers. Maybe he didn't really need her help, but she was damn sure not going to sit this one out either. Casting forth a spell of telekinesis she was surprised to find it far more powerful than she was used to. But as she used her magic to try to knock the attackers from their feet the spell just washed over and past them, having little effect. "They are protected from magic," she alerted her companions.