Forbidden Fantasy Ch. 03

Thank you for staying with this so far. It's rough going, but I hope to keep you interested. Sorry it has been such a long time since the last installment, but reality intrudes where fantasy lays. So read on...

~Kevin~

*

I was washed up and dressed before Father showed. I was glad that Flora was able to give us that much time because to my Father's perceptive mind he would know something was up as I was normally meticulously groomed whenever I visited a patient, even if I had to stay there over night. "Here he comes," said Jacob in the same tone I would have used if it were a rampaging boar. I nodded and was sitting at the table when Father and two of the tribal elders knocked on the door.

"How are you this morning, Jacob of Ivywell?" They stepped into the cabin when he invited them in and the only one not surprised to see me already there was father. "I see you had to make sure he was sound, Kiven."

"Of course Father. Elders," I said with a formal bow. They returned it, a bit flustered by me being here. Something told me they were planning something that I would not have approved of. I may not have official say in the council, but when a patient was concerned my word was law.

"I am well. Healer Kiven is a credit to your race and his teachers." Father nodded as if it would be no other way. "Won't you please sit? I feel as if I should be asking your permission. Again I thank you for your hospitality."

"Think nothing of. We are truly honored you agreed. Not many would have gone to lengths you did to seek to avenge a wrong." Jacob nodded to the praise. "Your injuries do not seem to have given you cause for lost sleep."

"No, but what Healer Kiven was able to find out did. If I repeat anything you know please stop me." They nodded, seeing that this would be over faster if they did know something. "You know of the Dragon wars." They nodded so he left that part unsaid. " Ingalome'stracazillio is coming back." Only one elder gasped, and he was by far the oldest one there. He may have been alive when the war was fought. "I will let you fill the other Honored Elders in at you own leisure. He comes from the Swamps of Sorrows and most of the goblins Healer Kiven and I slew were sent by him to destroy Ivywell. I have vowed to destroy that clan to the goblin or die trying. But with Ingalome'stracazillio on the move it seems such a paltry thing. With that fell black dragon gone the Black Claw will fall into disarray and disband.

"There is also the red to consider." This made them confused.

"Father, Honored Elders, Jacob of Ivywell and I have learned of a great Red dragon held prisoner by Ingalome'stracazillio. Should the black be killed it will only free another dragon...the last dragon." Shocked looks were passed around by the elves. They knew that no dragons meant that the races would no longer band together against that single foe. Magic would decline without the balance, and then the world would die much faster.

"I see," said my father, and I did not doubt that he did see. "Is there a time that this wyrm will come?"

"Not that that filth knew. If he has this many goblins on his side then it must be soon. I cannot tell you what to do, Honorable Elders, but I plan to hunt this beast down and slay it. The red should be grateful and maybe consent to enter a long slumber." They all scoffed at that idea. Left idle for so long the Great Red would not consent to this and they knew it. "My counsel, should you wish to hear it, is to prepare the goodly races. Only together can we destroy this beast and its minions."

"The Elves will stand against it," my father said with finality and I knew they would do it. Even the Lost Elves, those of the black skin, would not tolerate a world where they had to hide in fear even in their lightless homes beneath the ground.

"And the dwarves most likely. The humans and halflings may be a problem as they're spread far and wide, but we all know the kzinti will be in the front line." I was glad that Flora's father had remembered the cat people whose hatred of dragons was so deep they would kill their entire race to bring down the last dragons.

"Do not forget the Centaurs. Their bows will be needed." Elves and centaurs were allied tentatively and the contests of archery when we met were always excellent. My father turned to Jacob and nodded. "Your advice is good, Jacob of Ivywell. If you do plan to track this beast to its lair then it behooves me to make sure you have the best of what me may supply. Our smiths will come..."

"Father, please pardon the interruption, but it is a two hour hike from the village to here," I said in Elven to once again remove myself from any closeness with Jacob, "and longer if they carry enough to outfit a human of his size."

"Then what do you suggest, son?" His tone said he knew what I was going to say.

"The ban must be lifted." The elders all spoke as one, my father's eyes boring into mine but I did not back down. Letting them get it out I waited, then I slammed my fist onto the table and they silenced. "The human will come to the village or you can find yourself another healer. This ban will be lifted for this war or we will all die. Injured are my jurisdiction and that is tribal law older than all of your many centuries combined. Any injured, even those yet to be injured. That means as of now, with war on the horizon, all of you are under my jurisdiction whether you like it or not. The ban lifts now. The humans will need allies not barriers, the dwarves will bring their wares here as this is closer than all other places. This may, by virtue of being the center of most of the races, become the meeting place for the war council.

"The ban lifts or the world dies around us one tree, one child, one elfling at a time." I sat down and looked at each in the eye. None wanted to admit that I was right, that while this war was going to happen I was in charge, but I was the lead healer for very good reason and no one here could gainsay that.

"He is right," said the Eldest. "Healer Kiven is correct in his words. Law states that with war the healers lead. As Head of the Healers his word...is law. The ban lifts for this war." The other elders grumbled but could find nothing they could use to refute both me and the Eldest.

"The ban lifts," my father seconded. As one the elders stood and left without another word. When the door shut I sagged into the chair and let out my breath.

"And what was all that about?" I told him. "Really? I can enter the village?"

"Yes. I would still recommend staying out. There is no telling what the individual elf might do to you. I..." I stopped and shook my head. "If you require help to get to the village I shall be here." My tone had gone formal and he looked hurt but then guessed we were being eavesdropped on.

"I thank you for your help, Healer Kiven. I will need a guide, nothing more." I nodded and stepped outside.

My father stood not ten feet away with his arms crossed over his chest and an unreadable look on his face. I could think of nothing else I wanted to do more than fight openly with my father. Tensions were expected when I had to override him, but this went far past that. "Kiven."

"Yes, Father?"

"I am appalled at your tactics in the presence of that human. This decision should have been done in private." I nodded that he was right. It really should have been so, but I could not take it back. "The ban is lifted, and I have one more thing to say before I depart." I waited. "I have never been more proud of you." I looked at him curiously. "You took charge of a bunch of old elves, myself included, and you did not back down. Some ways are hard to get rid of for us older elves, but I see in that human something I have not in years. Honor. I hope to see more of it when the humans and dwarves come."

He turned to go. "Father?" He paused and looked back. "Thank you. For understanding why this must be so."

"I don't understand son, which is why you needed to take charge so soon. I'm too set in my ways to deal with a war that includes humans on our side. New ideas for a new time." He turned and left.

Once gone completely I looked to see Jacob leaning against the door jam with his gear slung over his shoulder. "He is a stern elf. But he knows when he is wrong."

"That is why he is the chieftain. Come." He closed the cabin door and followed me. When I was sure no one was around to see us I fell back a step and took his hand. He smiled down at me and halted. "What?"

"Facing down the council for me?" I smiled and got on my toes for a kiss. "I love you."

"I love you too. Let us hurry before they send a search party and catch us with our britches down." He chuckled and we set off at a swifter pace. He could guess the way to the village well enough but he would have missed it without me there to guide him.

The entire village was waiting for us when we came to the clearing. For many elves this was the first time being so close to a human. For the younger ones this was the first time ever seeing one. "This is Jacob of Ivywell," I said loudly. "He is a brave and noble warrior against goblins and their ilk. In the pass many died by his actions and he has been given the honor of being the first human to set foot in the village. There is trouble brewing on the horizon and with the threat of war, the healers are taking charge as is custom and law. Until the threat passes, the ban is lifted so I suggest you get used to it. I am sure Jacob of Ivywell will speak with those who know the human or dwarven tongues. I hope you will all welcome him with the open arms of allies and offer him every respect due to one who fell many goblins that may have killed more of our kin. Should you have any questions the Honored Elders will answer what they can." No one said a thing, not that I expected them to. I went to my hut and let Jacob in. The noise outside started immediately. "I hate political things."

Jacob grinned and nodded. "You did very well, Healer Kiven," he said since there were still some injured in my hut. "I do believe I am well enough to be on my own if there will be an elf gracious enough to house me while I am here."

"I will," came a voice from the back. I looked at the speaker and nodded. Jondal was a very brave swordsman, some said foolhardy. He was also one of the few I had been intimate with and knew that he vented his endless frustrations with hiding himself from the village. That is what gave him his edge and his prowess.

"I thank you, Honored Warrior." Jacob gave a bow.

"Jacob of Ivywell, this is Jondal Remoradin, First Sword of the Council. All that means is he knows how to stick things with the pointy end better than most others." Jacob grinned as Jondal laughed and then winced from the pain of a broken rib. "I'll make my rounds and then see about what I'm expected to do as leader. Knowing law and responsibilities are too different things. I believe since you shall be sharing lodgings that you should get acquainted." I went to the first cot to start visiting my patients.

Jacob went over and sat on the stool beside the bed. "Again I thank you, First Sword Jondal. I doubt many would be as kind as you." Jacob was being honest and all of us there knew it. I doubted anyone else would have even stayed in the room with him if they did not have to be there.

"Please, call me Jondal. I don't expect that honored stuff all the time. Gets tedious." I heard the grin in his voice and knew that he was having the same problem I had with Jacob being so close. There was just something about the man that exuded sex appeal.

"I'm glad to hear it. Kiven over there can be a bit...uh..." he was searching for a diplomatic word.

"Traditional. Trust me, Jacob, he can be down right old fashioned about station at times that I wonder how we ever became friends." I walked by the cot on my way to get some new bandages and kicked his foot gently which got a smile from both. "Still, I'm glad he had the healer's gift rather than another. He's patched me up more than I ever care to admit and does it without any squeamishness about blood or entrails or nudity. Healer Tansy cannot deal with male patients since she cannot stand the sight of a male naked." I stifled a laugh. It was true that she specialized in females but Jondal had over exaggerated it a bit.

I had checked on my last patient and came to the duo as they were comparing battle scars. "Got this one from and orc boar spear," Jacob was saying as he showed off the large scar on the back of his calf.

"Nice. See this one?" Jondal said an pointed to one right above his eye. "Drake bite. The matching on is on the back of my head." Jacob held up his hands in defeat.

"Done?" They nodded simultaneously. "Since the rest of the patients are well enough to go home you can sleep here one more night Jon. Not that I'll put up with your snoring for longer than that." He grumbled good naturedly.

Jon looked at the two of us and nodded. "Strange to see Kiven in love." Jacob stayed straight faced but I groaned. "What? You don't think I know how you look when you're smitten, Kiven? The look in your eyes when you gaze upon this undeniably appealing man is no less than his when he looks at you."

Jacob looked up at me with question. "Jon's a very close friend." I turned to Jondal with my sternest gaze. "If you let this slip I will remove your balls and feed them to you. Better yet I will fold you in half and and make you eat them while still attached." Jon just laughed and took our hands.

"Hey, I won't tell a soul. I mean Flora should know."

"She does already. Is this the reason you offered your home?" I asked and Jon nodded.

"I could see it in your eyes and I knew you would not house him here. That would be too obvious. So you asked, as a huge favor, that I house the big hairy human. Of course, being in your debt a thousand times over I said yes to cancel all of that debt." I laughed and leaned over to smooth back his hair. "Of course since I am injured you'll need to check up on me repeatedly in my home." I saw what he was getting at. He was giving us a place to meet without fear.

"See what I've had to deal with in my life?" I asked Jacob who was grinning like he knew all about our background. "Thank you, Jon."

"You can thank me by letting me watch. Hot interracial sex? Count me in!" I groaned and thumped him in the forehead with my finger.

"If you lucky, we may let you join," Jacob said with that grin that made me want to kiss him and hit him at the same time. So I did. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. I was trying to make him moan but he ended up making me come up gasping for air and I know I was showing obvious signs of arousal.

"That was so sexy," Jon said in a hushed voice. There was a noticeable growth under the blankets and Jacob looked at it with a smirk. "What?" he asked with a bit of accusation.

"No wonder he was so tight." I blushed so red right then that I wished I could sink into the ground and die. Jon laughed almost loudly, wincing with every jostle. Then he stopped and glare at Jacob.

"Is that an insult about my size?" Jacob just grinned back. I stepped between them and looked at both.

"That's enough, boys. Yes, compared to you, Jon is smaller, but I will say this. His stamina more than triples yours." They both nodded and glared. Then they shook hands and called it a draw.

"And a boy am I? Need I remind you, Kiven, that I'm two hundred years older than you?" Jacob's jaw dropped.

"You're over three hundred?" There was awe in his voice.

"Three hundred and sixty six to be exact. I have studied the sword for over two hundred years and I will say this, Jacob. I would be hard pressed to match you with your weapon." A sincere and worthy complement. "I saw the two of you killing in the back which is how your father knew you were there. Kiven is superb with his maces but you?" Jon shook his head. "I am glad I am not your enemy Jacob of Ivywell. And if you are this close to Kiven then I would like to call you friend."

Jacob's face filled with emotions that were probably foreign to him now. I knew he loved me even after so short a time, but to hear something like his from a person who had no real reason to say it must have been a shock to the wall of rage and ice he had to put up. I could almost feel the war within him. For so long he had been friendless to save his heart from more pain. "To hear those words..." I placed my hand on his shoulder. "To think when I went hunting goblins I knew not I would be making friends."

"Friends can be found in the oddest places. So how did you two meet up to take on the goblins?" Jon asked and I smirked.

"Take this to you grave or I will break every bone in your body," I said and for once Jondal did not make a joke of it. He could tell I was very serious. "He was here during the first goblin fight. He killed twenty-eight of the thirty-two from that smaller band no one claimed to have killed. I killed the other four. Brought him here, healed him, made love to him in this exact cot." Face went from scandalized that I brought a human into the village to aroused that he was laying in the place that we had sex. "From here we went to the Pass. You know the rest."

He looked at Jacob with a big grin. "You two got together fast. Very fast. I know that Kiven has more of a sex drive than every other elf I know, including myself, but isn't that very fast?" He thought for a moment. "Did it happen in less than an hour?"

"Yes. You know my curiosity. Here was the first human I had ever had contact with. He was injured and I had to get to his wounds. Off came his armor and I saw something I had only heard about." Jon gave me a look like he was riveted and hanging on my every word. I slid my hands down Jacob's sides and tugged his shirt over his head. Jon's eyes were saucers as he saw the exquisite muscle covered by that dense chest hair. I ran my finger through it and got a half lidded smile from Jacob. "All this muscle, the hair, the fact that he was human made me think about seeing him naked." By the expression Jon had on his face he was thinking something along the same lines. I pulled Jacob to his feet, making sure my doors were shut, and untied the belt that kept on his breeches. They fell to the floor and Jon gasped as he saw not only Jacob's thick legs, which he knew was my favorite part, but the skimpy loin cloth that could not hold his ample member now that he was getting aroused. "I had him down to this to treat his thigh.

"Then Flora comes in and tells me I am an idiot and covers for me the next morning when he wakes and I look into these green eyes. Then he took my hand and pulled me into a kiss. He had barely enough time to eat breakfast before," my smile was languid and seductive and both of them got that look in their eyes. I untied the loincloth and pulled it off to expose that mighty meat and Jondal whimpered in both lust and fear. The elf who could take on a hill giant by himself was afraid of that fantastic phallus. He could not take his eyes off of it as it twitched with the beat of Jacob's heart. I stripped off my robes and showed him that I was just as hard as Jacob. Then I gave Jon a challenging look.

"I can't compete with either of you." Jacob knelt and pulled back the covers to give us a look at Jondal's own five inches. It was pointing towards his chin and harder than I think I had ever seen it, the rolling veins of it making the already thick manhood thicker. Until Jacob, Jon had been the thickest I had ever had and Jacob was only thicker by less than a half inch in circumference.

"Competition is useless anyway," Jacob said and slid his hand down my friend's leanly muscled torso as gentle as he could so to not hurt the ribs that were bound. When he got to that hairless groin he lifted Jon's member off his stomach and began to stroke it slowly. Part of me felt I should be jealous of this, wasn't that correct to feel when your partner was attracted to someone else? But it made no sense so I guess that is why I felt only the stirring in my orbs and a feeling that I was glad they were going to get along this well. But then Jon had been attracted to me because of my muscle which was an oddity, and I knew here was more muscle on the ultimate taboo. "There are things you will ever be better at than simply because you were born with the knowledge. I was born with that." Jacob smiled and leaned his head down and took the shaft into his mouth and Jon's breath stopped.