Gaia's Champion Ch. 10

"Which is what?" Darren asked, stepping into the conversation.

"We know that neither Eva nor Amelia is with him. He walked into his apartment last night with two women waiting for him inside. One was a redhead, and another was a strawberry blonde. I couldn't get a good look at them from the angle on the street, but they seemed quite taken with the man," James reported.

"So, we know that they're not with him. That doesn't mean that he knows nothing. I'll have John monitor him. He has a little more experience with this so he should add something to what we know," Chad mused.

"What about us? How can we help?" Matthew wondered.

"You can help by going through everything we've learned about the friends that Amelia was camping with. One of them must know who she's staying with, or where she and her mother have gone. Here are the materials you need to go through," Chad said as he went back to the table he was sitting at.

He picked up a thick file folder and handed it to the men, which they accepted gratefully. They then bowed in respect and were dismissed to their work. Chad went back to the table and sat down, wracking his brain over who Jason could be connected to. Darren asking him a question jarred him out of his thoughts.

"I'm sorry Darren, could you repeat that?" he asked, his mind refocusing.

"I'm asking if I can be the one to punish Jason when we learn who he's associated with? I have a few things I'd like to do to him, for the embarrassing things he's done to me!" Darren growled.

"What things?" Chad asked. Darren then listed several of them, which Jason had done to him in high school. It astounded Chad that anyone would want to try attacking an upstanding young man like Darren! The fact that this Jason had done so and with impunity was something that angered him!

"I agree that this Jason must be punished for his transgressions! But we must keep our eyes on the objective, and that is to find your sister and your mother. Once we find them and have deduced who Jason is associated with, you will be free to do with him as you wish," Chad assured the young man.

Darren grunted happily and rubbed his hands together in anticipation of the revenge to come.

******************************

Amy and Elizabeth were out for a run through the local park, making good time. Elizabeth was puffing hard, trying to keep up with and barely managing it. Amy had wanted to go out for a run and insisted on dragging Elizabeth along, needing a running partner.

Though she knew it was a terrible idea, getting into better shape had been something Elizabeth had been wanting to do for a while now. Amy convincing her to come with was where it would all start, she supposed. Though her stamina needed work, her legs were taking it well, as she had to do a lot of walking at work.

"Halfway point is at the top of the hill Liz! We'll take a quick break when we get there!" Amy called out to her lagging friend.

Though the hill was small, maybe a dozen meters in height, it seemed a mountain to Elizabeth. Not one to shy from a challenge, she pushed herself, a few steps behind Amy, but matching her pace as she climbed. A minute later, both women were standing atop of it, overlooking most of the park. Even Amy puffed a little and Elizabeth was glad to see that she wasn't the only one who found the hill challenging.

"This... this is great! I swear, I've never felt so alive! So... free!" Amy exulted.

"And it only gets better from here," Elizabeth commented, the rest doing her lungs good. "I'm happy to see you becoming your own woman now!"

"It's not something I'm going to give up. Not now, not ever! I will never go back to the way things were before! I refuse to be a puppet, dancing to whoever pulls the strings or plays a tune to make me dance!" Amy said vehemently.

With the look on her face, Elizabeth believed it. She was happy for her friend and lover, who had discovered her newfound independence. Damned be anyone who tried to make her give it up! Amy then steered the topic away from her family, not wanting to speak further on the matter.

"So, is sex between friends always this fun?" she asked with a snicker.

"Not to my knowledge. But then again, not everyone can share like we can, can they?" Elizabeth asked, as she remembered the weekend fondly. Hell, she was getting moist just thinking about all the hot sex they've had so far, nevermind the things to come!

"I'm thinking we should pay Jason a little visit in the very near future. As nice as it is having him around, I'd like to fuck his brains out at his place. Besides, I'd honestly like to see what kind of man he is," Amy said.

"See what kind of man he is?" Elizabeth questioned.

"Yeah. You can tell a lot about a guy by the way he keeps his place," Amy told her.

"Hmm. I suppose that line of thinking could apply to guys," Elizabeth agreed.

"That and I like the feel of a live, warm cock inside me," Amy confessed with a smirk. "Dildos are great, but nothing beats the feel of a throbbing dick, stretching you out in every way possible."

"You little cockslut!" Elizabeth jibed.

"I am and I'm proud of it! Speaking of which, I think you could do with a good stuffing yourself Liz. If the way you rode Jason that first time he took you is any sign, you're hungering for it as much as I am," Amy pestered her friend.

"I hate it when you do that!" the thicker woman groused.

"What?"

"Reading me like an open book! I will admit, I could go for a thick dick stretching me out right about now," Elizabeth stated bashfully.

"Well, that's what you get for having a friend who's fucked you so hard that you screamed bloody murder. I know things about you now," Amy teased.

"Like what?"

"You'll find out, eventually," Amy giggled. "But I agree that there are few things better than getting stretched by a good hard cock. Watching other people fuck comes a close second."

"You like to watch people fuck?" Elizabeth wondered curiously.

"It was something I discovered while we were up at Teardrop Lake. When I watched you and Jason screw at the hot spring, I couldn't remember being turned on more!" Amy went on, her voice husky in remembrance.

"Oh? So you are a bit of a voyeur then?" Elizabeth snickered.

"Maybe. I don't know, there's so much that I have yet to explore sexually! With so much to do, I don't even know where to start!" Amy gushed.

"Hmm. Well, I have a few ideas about that," Elizabeth smiled.

"What kinds of ideas?" Amy asked, curious.

"Well, we should get back home first, before we talk any more about it. Don't want folk strolling by knowing my business," Elizabeth stated, while glaring in a particular direction.

Amy followed her lover's gaze and found that it settled on some blonde white woman, walking on by. She appeared to be talking a leisurely walk through the park, but also eavesdropping on their conversation. The moment Elizabeth turned her gaze to her, she moved on, making it look like she was going about her business. Amy growled softly, hating when people put their noses into other people's matters.

"I hate busybodies!" Amy growled.

"Feeling's mutual. So, are we going to walk home?" Elizabeth asked hopefully.

"Nope. Jog the rest of the way and sprint the last block!" Amy said laughing, before she tore out. Elizabeth grumbled but ran to catch her, knowing that the days ahead would be painful, but worth it.

******************************

Xaera and Phalmina were busy watching the show Outlander, before pausing it to grab some food. Jason, before he had left, had taken care to show them the ins and outs of how modern appliances worked. This included the fridge, the stove and the microwave which Xaera was using to heat some frozen patties. Phalmina, on the other hand, was busy washing up some fruit from the fridge before placing it all into a bowl.

"You seem awfully excited!" Phalmina snickered.

"Having survived these years on whatever Gaia provided and refuse from humans, I suppose I am a little excited!" Xaera responded.

"Sorry. I keep forgetting about that," Phalmina said apologetically.

"It's all right, Mina. I just hope that these days will last," Xaera replied a little sullenly.

"If I have any say in the matter, these days will last for a very long time! I'll make sure of it," Phalmina told her friend.

"How?" Xaera asked. "It's not like you have footing here in the human world and though Jason is fun to be with, he will eventually cast me aside."

"I seriously doubt that would be the case. He seems to have an... affinity for women who aren't human," Phalmina told her.

"Hmm! I've noticed! But what happens when that fades? When he decides that it's best that he sticks to his own kind? I'll be forgotten," Xaera said sadly.

"Though he is a human, he differs greatly from the druids of old. He does away with titles and honorifics, thinking them worthless," Phalmina began.

"What??"

"Yeah. He feels that humanity has gone too far in its pursuit of claiming this world as their own. How they've plundered and pillaged this world for their own gain. He spoke of how there are individuals at the top, which I can only assume as his rulers, take what they wish, hoarding everything for themselves. They do not share any of their vast wealth with those less fortunate. He sees it as a betrayal of the proper way of life," Phalmina explained.

"That is... different! He does not pursue power?" Xaera wondered, well acquainted with how humans worked.

"He does, but only to safeguard those who need it and to keep it from those who would abuse such power. Whoever his parents were, they did a damn good job of raising him right!" the fairy woman enthused.

"Hearing all of this, it sounds very much like it! Maybe there are more like him out there," Xaera stated hopefully.

"I would guarantee it! But we have to be careful, especially you, since you can't walk around during the daylight hours," Phalmina said.

"Indeed. We will have to delve into the very core of the people who could be potential allies. Just to be certain that we can trust them," Xaera agreed as the microwave beeped. She then turned around and retrieved her patties, all four of them, and carried them over to the couch.

"Agreed. But it will have to wait until we can awaken all possible portal stones in the area. We will also need to find other Gaian creatures we can find. If any are still here," Mina grumped.

"I believe that there may be a few lying around here and there but hidden from plain sight." Xaera replied.

"What makes you think that?" Phalmina wondered.

"When humans first came here, I knew of several powerful creatures that roamed the land around here. Some moved on into the deeper wilds, while others are still here. Many 'ghost stories' as I have heard them, tell me they are still here. But they refuse to leave the places that were once their homes. So, they do nothing but cause problems and grief for the humans living on their lands," Xaera chuckled.

"When Jason returns, we will have to ask him to help us look into these stories of yours. If there are other potential Gaians who are still here, their aid could help us greatly!" Phalmina told her excitedly.

"That we will! Now, let's get back to the show!" Xaera responded, before pressing the play button.

Phalmina crawled on the sofa next to her friend and started munching on the medley of berries in her bowl. The show transfixed them once again, each woman enjoying the various aspects of it. It was after the episode called 'The Gathering' where Xaera stopped the show and turned to Phalmina.

"Why did you stop the show?" Phalmina asked, somewhat annoyed.

"You said that I had access to magic, being part troll, right?" Xaera asked.

"Yeah?" the fairy replied questioningly.

"Teach me."

"I'm not sure if I can Xaera. Troll magic, though Gaian in origin, has its own unique way of doing things. Has its own unique spells and so on. I'm not sure I could teach you anything," Phalmina responded.

"Can you at least try to teach me?" Xaera asked.

"I... suppose we can. But you have to listen to what I say and not do as you please, thinking you know everything! Magic is a tool and in the wrong hands or used improperly, dangerous," Phalmina replied in a schoolmarm voice.

"As you say... Laerer," Xaera responded with a bow of her head. Phalmina smiled, as Xaera had called her 'Teacher' in Norse.

"We will start with the basics. Since your little romp last night," a comment that made Xaera blush. "you should now be able to sense the magic that Gaia has gifted you with. Can you sense it?"

"I don't feel or see anything. But I can hear... something. It's very faint... like a song carried on the wind," Xaera replied.

"Good! That means that the Troll magic is reaching out to you. Calling to you, asking you to embrace it," Phalmina told her.

"How do I do that? Embrace it?" Xaera wondered.

"You hear the song of your magic, so call out to it. Focus your will upon it. Draw it to you. It is power that stems from Gaia, but you are the one who is in control of it. Bring it to you, that you may bend it to your will," Phalmina told her.

Nodding, Xaera closed her eyes and focused. She could hear the beautiful and haunting melody. She focused her will on it, as Phalmina instructed, wanting to draw it to her, to hear it clearly. She kept focusing and sensed no change at first, but then slowly felt the sound grow louder and louder. Within a minute, the song surrounded her, saturating her being with its melody.

"Yes, that's it! You have drawn upon your Troll magic, Xaera!" Phalmina told her.

Opening her eyes, Xaera could see the glowing green energies surrounding her. It danced around her, wanting her to reach out to it. The song was beautiful to hear as it was to behold. Xaera extended her hand, touching the raw magical energy.

"Xaera, don't!" Phalmina warned, but it was too late.

The moment she had touched the energy she had summoned, it jumped right into her, absorbed by her body. Xaera felt a heady rush of power and energy and it was almost... orgasmic in how it affected her. She looked down at her hands, which were fairly glowing with magic, and she looked back up at Phalmina, who looked at her with disapproval.

"I told you to listen to what I said, didn't I??" Phalmina berated her.

"You didn't say anything about touching the magic! It was beautiful!" Xaera responded, still riding the high she was on.

"Yes, but now you have too much magic in your body! You need to discharge the excess, or you will die from it!" Phalmina almost yelled.

"How?? How do I discharge it?!?" Xaera panicked.

"Normally, you would do so with a spell, but now, I don't know!" the fairy cried. Xaera looked around, thinking there might be something in the apartment that might help. She saw nothing out of the ordinary, but then looked back to the windowsill where Jason kept some herbal plants.

"Could I discharge it into those?" Xaera asked, pointing at the trimmed plants.

"It's possible! Listen to me carefully, Xaera! You need to focus on making them bloom and grow, but slowly. You need to siphon it off into the plants, so they absorb the magic properly and don't explode!" Phalmina instructed her.

"Ok," Xaera replied as she closed her eyes.

She focused her mind in the way Phalmina told her but didn't go full on with a flow of magic. In her mind, she imagined a dam which was holding back a river of magic, which was nearly overflowing. She then allowed a small stream of energy to flow past the dam, touching the basil plant. Xaera then did the same thing with the parsley plant, then the garlic plant that Jason had on the floor.

Xaera kept on doing this until she the dam of magic was no longer in danger of overflowing. Then, one by one, she cut off the streams to the plants, letting the energies she had given them go to work. She opened her eyes and looked upon a very astonished Phalmina. The fairy woman was looking at the plants, then at Xaera, then back again, disbelief painted all over her lovely face.

"How... did you do this? Without blowing anything up?" Phalmina asked.

Xaera looked down and saw that the plants themselves were not only restored to what they were, they were thriving! So much so they had grown to almost twice their normal size, including the garlic plant, which had multiple shoots, rather than just the one! Xaera looked at the plants, then her hands, wondering how she was able to do this so effectively!

"Do you... have any sorcerers or the like in your human bloodline?" Phalmina asked with mild trepidation.

"I don't know. I never knew my mother or my father. I can only assume that I may have such gifts," Xaera replied a bit shakily, still coming to terms with her power.

"One thing I can say for certain, Xaera, is that you are a natural when it comes to wielding magic!" Phalmina said enthusiastically.

"Really?"

"Yes! Most who try to draw upon their magic like that are either killed or burn out their magical power! You drew upon enough magic to level this entire building but remained in control of it! I may not know how to teach you properly about Troll magic and what it can do, I will damn well try!" Phalmina stated, accepting her role as Xaera's teacher.

"Thank you, Laerer. I will be more careful when handling magic in the future," Xaera responded with a chagrined look.

"Good! Any more mishaps like that, and this building turning into rubble, would be the least of our worries. Are you ready to begin learning?" Phalmina asked the troll woman.

"Yes, Laerer."

******************************

Jason was finishing with grooming the lawn on a house, readying it for sod to be laid down. It had been a long and arduous day, but one that had seen the crew catch up to the workload they needed to be at. Jason had been hard on everyone in the crew, his own group especially, needing them to set the example. Because they had caught up to where they were, the crew relaxed their pace for the next couple of hours.

After pushing them so hard over the course of the last few days, he figured they all deserved a minor break from the hard pace he set. The ladies especially were grateful, as they needed some rest and relaxation over the weekend. The guys were of the same mind, looking to make good use of their beds in the coming days.

Jason chuckled to himself as he sat down, taking a quick breather before the shift ended. Most of the crew were already headed over to punch out, calling it a day. Smiling at how hard everyone had worked today, he thought to head over and give them a pat on the back. They had given their all over the last day or two, which warranted some positive reinforcement.

"Good job guys and girls! We are where we need to be and, with any luck, we'll see some additional crew show up on Monday! Way to hustle out there today!" he told them all.

"Aye, thanks! Never realized ye were such a beast mate! How do ye manage all that heavy lifting, with no muscle pulls or pain?" Terry wondered.

"Lots of exercise and climbing. But also, it's a state of mind. Pushing yourself to the limits and beyond is more mental than it is physical," Jason lied, fibbing to cover his newfound power. Though he had been careful enough, Jason was attracting attention from anyone who saw him work. The raw power that coursed through him begged to be used and he gave in, when he thought no one was looking.

"Aye! I'll have to look into figuring out how to do that!" Terry mentioned.

"That's fine by us, just as long as you make Wendy and I scream bloody murder tonight," Karen told the man, while draping her arms around him. Wendy emulated her friend, wrapping her arms around Terry, who was smiling like an idiot.

"Mina's suggestion a good one, was it?" Jason chuckled.

"Never thought how much fun it would be, sharing a guy," Wendy said while giggling out the side of her mouth.