Champions Vol. 01

What the hell were Erosians doing at Able-Main?

That was when he heard the scream again, and he realized he knew that voice.

Sapphire.

Without even thinking he leapt from behind the rock, sniper be damned, and rushed towards the group. Drawing his M9, he snap fired two rounds into the chest of the first target, then shifted and fired two more into the chest of the man beside him. As his first two targets fell he continued to shift his aim and pick off the other three around his love, putting controlled pairs into either their heads or chests. The last one he shot from point-blank range as the man rose from holding Sapphire's arm and tried to rush him. Reaching her, he noticed she wasn't even looking at him. She was staring at the other group, tears streaming from her eyes and crying out "Papa. Papa! Please don't hurt him. You can have anything, just please don't hurt him!"

Looking to the other group, he realized the other three men hadn't even noticed his shots, and were still kicking and beating the man on the ground, who had stopped moving. Angered beyond reason, David drew his fighting knife while he ran to engage them. This was one of those times that his unusual hand preference benefited him. He was left-handed, but he shot with his right hand. So he could use both weapons with 100% effectiveness at the moment. His first victim didn't even realize he was dead until David's knife punched through his heart, thrust between his ribs from behind.

Twisting the knife to ensure his new 'pincushion's' internal organs were shredded, David pulled his knife back out and twisted a snap-kick into the jaw of the attacker to his left. Overloading the nerve cluster in the guy's face with the reinforced toe of his combat boot, the man's lights were out before David's foot touched down from his follow-through. The man fell to the ground unconscious. Turning on the last one, he noticed the man pull a sword, and decided enough was enough. He fired two rounds from the hip, one-handed, catching the guy center mass. It was laughably easy at this distance. Then he put one round into the back of 'pincushion's' head, and his last two rounds into the guy he had knocked out. Fuck taking prisoners. As the slide locked open he dropped to one knee and ejected the mag, dropping his knife and doing a tactical reload. Once his pistol was 'back in the fight' he scanned the area for any remaining targets. There were none.

He picked up his knife and wiped the blood off onto one of the assholes' shirts, returning the now clean blade to its sheath. Next he checked on Sapphire's father, but he was obviously dead. He had no pulse, his head was misshapen from the beating, and most of his bones were broken. Moving back to Sapphire, he noticed she was still lying on the ground, crying and whimpering. He reached down and scooped her up, one arm around her back and the other under her knees, hugging her to his chest and kissing the top of her head. She looked up at him fearfully, but her face soon brightened with realization.

David was here. David was holding her. David had saved her. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, hugging him as hard as she could. As he began to lower her legs so she could support her own weight, he heard the zip of another incoming round, but it ended in a wet slap. Suddenly his entire back erupted in pain, and he fell over. Falling to his knees beside Sapphire, he looked into her eyes as she looked into his. He realized that the entire time he was saving her he had been moving too much for the sniper to draw a bead on him. But standing out in the open, kissing the woman he loved, had gotten him killed...

David woke with a start, and realized he was lying on his side, staring into Sapphire's eyes. And she was staring back into his in surprise. Before he could even begin to form a question she had thrown the covers off of both of them and rolled him onto his stomach, checking his back for any signs of injury. That was when he realized where they were. They weren't on COP Able-Main, they weren't even on Earth. They were lying in bed together, in his temporary quarters, in the Temple of Eros in Exitibus.

Sapphire had only been unconscious for a few moments after their mutual climax, and the service wrapped up while they lay there beside one another, embracing in their post-orgasmic bliss. Laurena had awoken at some point without their notice, and left them to help Phoebe bid goodnight to the worshippers. Eventually the pair rose from one another's arms, and cleansed themselves and their robes before re-dressing. Then they walked hand-in-hand back to David's room, and crawled into bed together, all thoughts of food forgotten. They had drifted off to sleep in each other's arms, both of them content to wait until morning to discuss what had happened that night.

But now they were both awake, and given Sapphire's frantic movements he had to assume she had just experienced a dream similar to his. Once she had reassured herself that he was uninjured, she rolled him back over and gave him a relieved kiss. Returning it passionately, he snaked his arms around her body and pulled her down onto his chest, pleased to hear her moan of contentment. Breaking the kiss she slid down his body to rest her head on his chest. After a few seconds her voice broke the peaceful moment.

"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 a while now too. 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 happened 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 climaxes 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. The longer she thought of David's strong arms wrapped around Sapphire, and his eyes filled with love for her, the more her jealousy towards the Dracian grew. 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 in such a direct and specific way. She actually wanted him to love her, completely. 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 irritation.

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 bare body press into her. 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. Unbeknownst to him, Sapphire was thinking along those same lines. It was only through supreme effort, and a powerful need to use the privy, that she had been able to drag herself from the bed at all.

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 were particularly happy when Laurena asked to go with them, but they could not afford to alienate her while they were both still fulfilling Astinus' penances. Now she and David had been stuck here with the acolyte for almost three hours, and both of them were now wishing they were 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 have 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 she 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 Sapphire 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 negating 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 some of the jealousy was still there. She also didn't like Laurena enough to continue sharing David with her.

"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 deflected and refused 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 a 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 equipment 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 at any point today, 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 he would 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.