Rage

"Seems to me, trouble found you, my lord," said the old man, walking away.

Ashlard was lucky to have spotted her, he could see the market square from the balcony. But he only spotted Runë through a gap in the surrounding buildings. When he spotted that man place a hand on her, he immediately took flight...

Landing softly on the balcony, he carried Runë inside. Sitting her on the edge of the bed, he slipped her quickly out of her clothing, before scooping her back up, and carrying her to the bath. Finally releasing her as he sank into the water. With a warm feeling, Runë did not let go, so he wrapped her up again in his arms, holding her tightly against him.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Runë didn't move for a second, then nodded slowly.

"Did he hurt you?"

Runë turned her cheek, revealing the hand print running from her cheekbone, down onto her jaw, and even some on her neck.

Sinking lower into the water, he pulled Runë closer again, before humming his long slow tune.

Runë fell asleep in his arms, comforted by his power. Ashlard watched in satisfaction, how the bruise slowly mottled and faded. He would sit in the tub until it either got cold, or Runë woke up again... He was content healing her hurts for the time being.

As the water began to cool, his decision was made for him, when Runë suddenly stretched. Reaching up and placing her arms around Ashlard's neck. He nuzzled down against her, kissing her softly. Pulling away, she was smiling her big smile reserved for him. His heart melted for her, standing up, he carried Runë out of the bath. Placing her gently on the ground Ashlard handed her a towel. Soon they were dry and comfortable only to be interrupted as there was a knock on the door. Runë quickly jumping into the bed, pulling up the covers, while Ashlard returned to normal size. Slipping on a fresh pair of trousers and opening the door, he welcomed Ciray in with another bundle of clothing.

"Hello," she said with a smile, turning and spotting Runë, she turned red, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"Not at all, we just bathed," Ashlard said with a quick smile, Runë nodding in agreement.

"Well, Blain asked me to bring you these," passing over several bundles, "And can you give this to Runë. I'm sure she'd prefer me staying over here at the moment," placing a small package on top.

"Thank you," Ashlard said, "has this shirt been altered?"

"Sorry, I'm under strict instructions to refuse to do that this time," Ciray chuckled. "Oh, I've also been asked to come by during my spare time and teach you to read."

Ashlard's eyes lit up, he'd been thinking that would be the best way to communicate with Runë, "Yes, thank you, that would be amazing actually," he stammered out.

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Ciray said with a smile, and let herself out.

Ashlard carried the bundles to the bed, Runë throwing off the sheets, she quickly grabbed the small package, turning away, she opened it. Whatever it was, she almost bounced for a moment, clearly pleased. Turning back to Ashlard, she held out a necklace towards him. It was beautiful, a teardrop, made from the same stone her ring was. The gem was attached by a silver loop, to a heavy necklace, made of interlocking metal pieces. The metal was inlaid with more of the stone and Ashlard picked it up, he realising the band was stretchy. He wasn't sure how that was achieved, but it meant there was no clip.

"It's beautiful," he said, "Just like you." Stepping toward her, he raised it up to pull over her head, when she stopped him. Placing her fingers into his mouth, she looked deep in his eyes, before cutting the tips of her fingers on his fangs.

FLASH

Surging his energy, before the humming even began, he fed it straight to her, feeling the warmth of her mind, opening up to him. Pure, heartfelt emotion... Her desire... Her passion... Her gift...

FLASH

Ashlard couldn't help it, hot tears fell from his eyes as he dropped to his knees. He felt her gently slip the necklace over his head. Ashlard could feel the cool stone resting against his skin. Looking up into her eyes, Runë pulled him close in an embrace.

Once they were dressed, Ashlard heard another knock on the door, it was Ciray again.

"Come on, I've been sent to fetch you," she said with a smile.

Ciray took obvious interest in their matching jewellery. It matched well with Ashlard's red shirt and Runë's ornate crimson dress. Following Ciray out of their room, Ashlard quickly scooped Runë into his arms. He followed Ciray down the long stairs. After several floors, she looked back, spotting Runë comfortably sitting under one arm, wrapping her own around his neck.

Ciray gave an expression of betrayal, "Really?" she said, "Got a spare arm for me?"

Ashlard laughed, holding out his other arm in offer.

Ciray sighed, "I better not, Blain might find me something else to do if he finds out I'm slacking off."

It didn't take long for them to reach the main hall. As they entered the hall, and announcer called, "introducing, Ashlard, Angel of Tel Atun, Vassal to the Prince Horuth and his bride to be, Runë, of Thrarv."

All eyes turned to face them, Ciray got no introduction, but she wasn't upset. She quickly darted past to go find Blain. As Ashlard walked, arm in arm with Runë, several people nodded in greeting. More than one greeted him with the word, "Angel." Making their way towards the King, holding his Queens hand, Ashlard and Runë both bowed in unison.

"Your Majesty," he said quietly.

"Thank you both," said the King, "go, enjoy yourselves."

With another quick bow, they turned as one, and walked in the direction they saw Ciray move. She wasn't hard to find, again, linked at the arm with Blain. Ashlard thought for a moment, he wasn't sure if Blain had family. It quickly became apparent, he wasn't ordering her to bring food and drink... In fact, it seemed he was bringing her some. Ashlard smiled... Hope for the old badger yet.

Suddenly a man, stepped in front of him, slightly taller than Ashlard himself. He looked the man in the eye, his pale complexion clashed with his long dark hair, his look of disgust across his face as he eyed Ashlard.

"You'd do well to get rid of this one," he said, in a rich accent.

"Oh?" said Ashlard, "Any why would that be."

"She sleeps with the devil himself. You can hear her howling throughout the nights," he spat.

"That would be difficult," said Ashlard, feeling Runë grip his arm tightly. "As a mute, she isn't capable of howling."

"Regardless," the man said, "I saw the devil himself, lift her from the ground and carry her off. She probably has you under some sort of spell."

Ashlard paused for a moment, and the man continued.

"She should be stripped and beaten until confession. I the Emissary of the Southern Kingdom, Prince Greht, gladly offer my hand, in this service to you."

Runë was shaking now, gripping his arm so hard her knuckles were white. Placing a soft hand atop hers, he pulled her closer. Locking eyes with Prince Greht, Ashlard flashed them, like bright embers, the Prince suddenly going even more pale.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind," he said, hissing slightly, before restoring his eyes to normal and stepping around the Prince he took several steps towards Blain.

"I challenge you," called the Prince.

Ashlard's heart dropped, kissing the top of Runë's head, he pushed her gently towards Blain, before turning. "What kind of challenge?" he asked.

"A duel."

The King suddenly appeared, looking furious. "Prince Greht, what is the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"You allow this filthy creature and his evil bride into your lands," he said with a sneer. "They have insulted me, I cannot allow this, so I challenge, winner takes the girl-"

"No," said Ashlard, "Runë is not my possession, she is with me on her own free will, she has no obligation to agree to these terms."

"The terms of your people mean little to mine," sneered the prince, "In my land, a woman's worth is what's between her legs, and she would make me beautiful sons."

"A challenge has been made in my presence... I'm sorry Ashlard," said the King, "what are your terms?"

"A life for a life," Prince Greht said, "If I win, I want the girl."

"And if you lose?" asked the King.

Eye's narrowing, "you can have MY girl."

Grabbing a young woman roughly by the arm, pulling her around to face Ashlard. She was young, beautiful, but Ashlard with his keen eyesight, saw the odd swelling around her face and jaw, expertly hidden with layers of makeup. The collar around her neck made her a slave of sorts. She stared straight at the floor, not daring to move an inch. But Ashlard caught her quick glimpse, was that hope?

"Anything else?" asked Ashlard.

"As a duel, we use swords, no fancy claws, you can't use your wings or scales," he sneered. "I have with me a lawmaker. He will pass on to my father that this battle was under my consent."

"Ashlard," said the King, "I'd rather not order you to fight, but I have little option, do not disgrace our nation."

Ashlard turned to Runë, she looked worried, he kissed her. "Don't worry, I won't let him take you."

Turning back, he was greeted with the sight of the Prince sticking his tongue down the throat of his companion. Pulling away, she coughed and he threw her to the ground where she stayed. If this was the Emissary... What was the rest of his kingdom like?

The Prince, walked over to a clearing, before removing all his armour and clothing save his trousers. An older man walked up to him, conversing in a foreign tongue, they reached an agreement, nodding, and the man stepped aside.

Ashlard removed his shirt, not wearing any armour. Blain approached him, handing him a short sword, recognising it as the one he trained with. Smiling his thanks, he stepped forward into the makeshift ring.

"Let's see what you're made of," said the Prince.

Spinning his blade around, throwing it into the air and catching it behind his back, showboating. Before suddenly slashing out. Ashlard catching the blade at the last second. A flick of his wrist later, the Prince caught Ashlard's blade a fraction of a centimetre from his face. Now the real duel started, hacking and slashing at one another. The Prince wasn't able to match Ashlard's speed, but Ashlard wasn't skilled enough to made an advance...

They were evenly matched, before a feigned stab at Ashlard's ribs, turned into a quick slash. Cutting deeply into Ashlard's leg above his knee, Ashlard jumped back with a hiss. He was mad now, after landing his blow, the Prince started to gain some confidence. Attempting a wide slash, Ashlard quickly stepped forward, smashing the pommel of his sword into the Princes face, shattering his nose.

The Prince recoiled, cursing, he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"We can stop if you like?" said Ashlard.

"And give up the chance of carving up your pretty little bed warmer!?" he roared. "I think not!"

The prince stepped forward with a wild overhead slash, Ashlard quickly stepping aside. Parrying a stab to his ribs, Ashlard realised he had to stop this, at best, he would free that poor girl. At worst... Runë would be given to this despicable man.

Coming to a decision, Ashlard jumped back, drawing the Prince into a moving fight. Dodging wild slashes left and right, the Prince, dripping with sweat finally lost patience. Charging straight at him, attempting to spear him through the middle, Ashlard twisted at the last second. The Princes blade sinking into Ashlard's side, exiting just short of his spine. The sound of breaking glass and a scream, caught Ashlard's attention. Looking up, Runë had dropped the glass, her face white with shock. But the Prince's woman was the one who had screamed. How much she hated him, to want to be abandoned in another land, in a foreign castle.

Ashlard turned back to the Prince, seeing his greedy eyes flick towards Runë as he began pulling the blade free. Exactly what Ashlard wanted, the Prince was holding the hilt with both hands. Ashlard simply grabbed the Princes hands, preventing him from releasing his sword... Preventing him from using it. Ashlard raised his blade in line with the Princes heart, listening to it suddenly beat harder... And with a quick shove, the Prince looked down, seeing the sword piercing his chest.

Ashlard could feel his heart, beating against the tip of the blade, twisting, he pushed it all the way through, watching the Prince tense up in pain. Agony flashing across his face for only a brief moment, before going limp, falling from Ashlard's blade with a thud. As Ashlard stood there panting, the old man, approached Ashlard with an open book.

"Name," he said, his accent thicker than even the princes.

"Ashlard, Angel of Tel Atun, Vassal of Prince Horuth," remembering his full title.

The old man scribbled it down before he snapped the book shut.

"On behalf of my King, we wish to thank you for his sons honourable death. You acted with both grace and dignity," turning to face the King. "Our agreement stands, please allow me to return to my lands with the Princes body."

King Raynor looked shocked, "Granted," he managed to say. Several guards approached with a stretcher. Transferring his body onto the stretcher they lifted the Prince.

"Wait," called Ashlard.

Without flinching, he pulled the Princes blade free from his side in a single pull, laying the blade across the Princes chest.

"My thanks, the woman is yours to do as you please, she is hereby banished from our lands," he said, leading the guards from the room.

Ashlard stumbled as someone ran into him. Turning, he wrapped his arms around Runë, pulling her into an embrace. He looked up at the Princes woman, she was stunned, staring at him in awe. Ashlard met Blain's gaze, he shrugged and approaching the woman. Ashlard knew he'd look after her.

Ashlard turned towards the King, bowing slightly. He turned away without speaking, leading Runë outside into the night. Picking her up, and taking a few hobbled steps, Ashlard managed a hop. Surging his wings down he slowly lifted off into the night, heading back towards the tower. Landing was far easier, the constant breeze from the ocean allowed him to gently set down.

Runë quickly pulled free of his grip, moving to his injured side. She helped him hobble indoors, Ashlard leaving a trail of Blood across the floor. She laid him down in front of the fire, beside the bath, quickly stripping off her dress, she bent over him. Ashlard didn't bother arguing. He placed a kiss along the side of her neck. Smiling as goosebumps rolled across her skin, before gently biting down.

FLASH

Soft humming... He hummed back, revelling in the great sea of her emotions, feeling the warmth of her love as waves crashing through his very mind. Pride... Joy... Relief... Love...

FLASH

He pushed her gently away, feeling the wound on his side. It was already closed, it seemed the more energy he gave her, the more often he could feed, and the faster he healed. Saying his thought out loud so she could hear, Runë thought about it for a moment, before shrugging and offering for him to bite again. Laughing, he rolled, falling into the bath, dragging Runë in with him.

Ashlard held her close, kissing her gently, moving down her neck, he heard her gasp, making eye contact again, she was breathing heavily, wrapping her legs around his waist. Ashlard pressed her against the curved edge of the bath, and bit gently into her neck, pushing his pelvis towards her, he groaned into her skin. The feeling of her silken folds wrapping themselves around him was exquisite. Ashlard released her, straightening up to stare into her eyes. He was surprised when she leaned forwards, licking some of her blood from his chin.

Runë didn't swallow it however, just giving him a cheeky grin. Ashlard took that as his queue to lean into a deep kiss. Sucking her tongue into his mouth, the intimacy of her actions driving them both to new heights. This time Ashlard came first, exploding within her. The moment he started, Runë pulled back from the kiss, her eyes squeezed shut as her own orgasm wracked her body with pleasure...

It was a week since the incident with Prince Greht, Ashlard had been left alone. Even Runë was getting restless, she felt cooped up in their tower. He watched her silently, shifting uncomfortably on the rug, head in one of her many books. With a sigh, Ashlard clambered to his feet, attracting Runë's attention as he approached her. She smiled as he bent and kissed her, silently giggling as he pulled her to her feet. Ashlard led her out onto the balcony before turning his back to her, dropping to one knee. Runë quickly took the hint, climbing onto his back, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and fitting her feet snugly against his hips. Ashlard, stood, reaching back, holding her legs firmly, and casually leapt, head first from the tower.

Snapping his wings open, he circled around the tower, before using the oncoming sea-breeze to rise higher into the air. Soon they were high above the city, looking down, people looked like tiny dots. Ashlard turned, facing the mountains, spotting a lake, it was deep in a forest, surrounded by thick woods. Ashlard pitched down, the sound of rushing wind cutting out everything else. He levelled out over the tops of the trees, gently banking around a few taller ones, before they opened up. The lake was crystal clear, he could see right to the bottom, he circled it, maybe a few hundred meters at it's widest point. Ashlard swooped low, dragging his hand through the water, it was cool, but not cold.

But before he could think about taking a dip, Runë suddenly leapt, straight off his back, head first into the water. Ashlard rose up quickly spinning around, seeing Runë torpedo through the water before rising with a splash. She smiled up at him as she flipped onto her back and started swimming in circles, just watching him. Ashlard, not wanting to be outdone, flipped 180 degrees in the air, diving straight down. He cut a deep arc through the water, bursting to the surface behind Runë. Snapping his wings forward and throwing water over her she laughed silently. Soon they were splashing and kicking water at one another, laughing and enjoying the water.

Before long, Ashlard took Runë, pulling her onto his chest, while he swam backwards towards the shore. She lay comfortably on his chest, staring into his eyes. How he loved her so... Once on shore, they found themselves on a short sandy stretch. Ashlard grabbed a few branches making a small pile. He and Runë quickly stripped off their wet clothes, laying them out on a bent branch, Ashlard, with a quick burst, ignited the pile of branches. Runë just sat, smiling while she stared around the forest and out over the lake. Ashlard couldn't make out the scent of people in any direction, and it occurred to him that they were probably the only ones who knew about the lake, and that gave him an idea.

"Runë," he said, "what would you think about living in a place like this one day?"

Runë just smiled, nodding enthusiastically.

"Our children will love it here," he said gently, "they would be safe."

Runë just stared for a few moments, before breaking out in a huge smile, mouthing the word "babies."

Ashlard moved closer to her, and she in turn, laid on his chest. This would be a safe place for their babies... Ashlard woke with a start, not realising they had fallen asleep, he gently woke Runë, pulling her close. He could feel she was cold, so he held her tightly for a few minutes, taking in the scent of her skin. But as the sun began to dip below the trees, casting the lake in darkness, the pair slowly got dressed.

"We'll come back here one day," said Ashlard, "I'll build us a home, then we'll never have to leave."