Summerwine & Wintersweet

Gone was the serene lake. The waters ragged like the ocean during high tide. A breaker crashed against the sand and spat out a drenched woman. The crowd cheered. She coughed and spewed up fluid. Watery slime clung to her hair and robe and glistened on her skin.

"The Watcher." Her voice was rough, but the crowd cheered again. She turned and stumbled to the water.

It calmed around her. Gentle waves licked her knees when she bowed down and cleaned herself. The black-robbed Elder Eye hurried to her side. They embraced. She whispered something and he helped her rid herself of the wet fabric. Small, red, round wounds covered her back and more slime was running down her legs. I cursed, but could not look away.

The waters roared and another wave carried back the man in white. He, too, was welcomed with cheers and he too stumbled back to the becalmed waters. Gasping, he fell on his back and let small waves wash over him.

A roar. Out on the lake a maelstrom had formed and two women were caught within. Open-mouthed and wet-haired they struggled against the tempest; screaming or moaning or gasping for air. One was grabbed by tentacles and pulled towards the middle. Then the surface closed and they disappeared.

The man, now naked, was facing us. The same swollen, red discs covered his chest, his cock and his legs. White fluid still clung to his legs. The Elder had reached his side and fed him fruit.

Calm. The leftmost woman stood naked, her tattered garment washed away. She walked towards the beach. Her small steps the only flaws on the giant, sunlit mirror. Without hurry she moved; unencumbered by the inflammations and undaunted by the slime leaking from her pussy.

The other two reappeared. They had reached the shallow waters and stood there, still dressed in their ragged robes. The black one hurried to their side, conch in hand.

On his signal, everyone began to move. Half-walking, half-pushed, I followed. Some were running, rushing into the water.

The Elder Eye again blew his horn and out on the lake a tree appeared. No island, only the wet trunk and the green crown; heavy with dark, blue fruit.

I reached the water's edge and, reluctantly, put in a toe. Despite the fresh cold, I hesitated. Ahead of me, half-naked men and women jumped in and made haste toward the distant goal.

"Good luck," my drinking buddy walked, calmly, past me and entered the water. He was fast. I sighed and took the step. Then another.

When the water reached my hip, I jumped in. I dove beneath the surface, past the doggy paddling man in front of me and easily fell into the old rhythms. After a few strokes, I lifted my head and risked a look. Some, my buddy likely included, were ahead by far, but I was doing well enough compared to the mass of splashing bodies around me and behind me.

Then it reached me. I felt it suck on my sole and shuddered when the rolling, rubbery flesh crept along further. Behind me someone screamed. The woman ahead of me turned and swam, faster than before, away. A sting pierced my lower leg, then another. I stopped.

I sank. I was pulled below. The tendril had not moved past my legs, but I could already feel the pressure on my chest. My heart was pounding. I saw the light above and moved again. Another sting, but I could move. I could turn back. I did not.

My lungs were burning and my arms felt like lead. My legs were numb and I could still feel its spongy touch. Yet the tree was close. The group ahead had already reached it and had turned around. They passed me by, seemingly untroubled by menace below. He flashed me a smile and gifted wordless encouragement; before his head and fruit-juice blackened lips dipped beneath the waves. I fought on, wearied and tired, until I touched the tree.

Another sting, then I was lifted, with surprising gentleness, high into the crown. I plucked a fruit and bit into it. Juice coated my lip. I tasted water, fish and almost retched. Then I fell.

With the tentacles withdrawn, the swim back was easier. The distance took its toll, nevertheless. The last strokes were pain and I crawled rather than walked onto the beach.

The sand was warm. The gentle sun dried me and I slowly regained my breath. The fishlike Elder blew his conch and summoned the swimmers. I rose and limped over.

"Watcher's blessing. All of you did worthy deeds today." We clapped and those with air in their lungs cheered. "Those of you who have tasted of the deep: kneel and receive your reward." He draped yellow flower garlands around our necks. I did not stand up after. "And for the fastest these prizes." Three, my acquaintance among them, received chains made from copper disks and beast's teeth. I offered my congratulations after, but he was soon surrounded and carried away by friends and admirers.

There was no more mist and no more ice on my way back. I stumbled along the perfectly mundane path. Fresh mud squelched under my steps as I walked past reeds and around puddles of stagnant water.

"I'm impressed," I recognized the red-haired warrior's voice from behind me. She too wore the yellow flowers. And a new copper and bone necklace. She walked, hand in hand, with another woman.

"Kind of you to say," I answered. "Though I will admit, I am satisfied rather than impressed with your success."

"Oh?" She laughed.

"I do pride myself on my perception." I bowed to the other woman.

By complexion and hairstyle I judged her a local. She too was adorned with flowers and trophy chain. And she too wore loincloth, chest-bindings and nothing else. Yet with her raven hair and stockier build she looked the darkest night to the other's raging fire.

"Meyhm," I finished with a flourish, "trader, scholar and," I winked, "master of many tongues. Allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations on your success - " I turned back to the redhead, "successes."

"Thank you?" the black-haired warrior said. Her cheeks were shaded by a hint of red. "J - we aren't - that is... ." She fell silent and wrapped her arms around the redhead's waist.

"I am courteous, not blind. Especially since I already had the pleasure of meeting - " I paused and nodded, but the redhead did not offer her name, "your fr - companion before."

"You saw her with Whisper in the Night?" the local woman asked and hugged her companion tightly.

"Anyway," said companion said, "give her", she grinned, "give Source of Boundless Pleasure my -ow," the other woman had hit her side, "best."

I nodded.

"Oh - and be... ." She was interrupted by aggressive kisses.

"Care...last...coin anyways," were the words she managed between moans and kisses before we reached sandy land and they hurriedly waved goodbye.

I lingered. For a while. The wintersweet did no longer addle my mind. Fading sunlight had turned from heat to warmth. So I lingered. I washed myself, then sat in the temperate water. It did not relax me.

She had rested in the shade, alone. No one else had found the clearing. "Wine?" she asked. Judging by her smile, I did not need to answer. Still, she moved close to me. Her hands were warm and soft. She touched the flowers on the necklace and smiled. "Beautiful," she whispered. I offered it to her. She bowed down and allowed me to place it around her neck. "Wine."

I found my clothes. Checked purse and insoles. Counted the coin with relief and dressed myself.

When she returned from her tent she had again undone the buttons on her shirt. She sat on my lap and we shared the wine. In silence, but for pressing kisses.

"Mighty Merchant. Stalwart Stallion." Her hand rested on my lap. We kissed and our hands met on the flower.

"Wisdom in Wine." She had not offered her name. Neither had I.

She nodded. Touched the pustules on my leg. "Strength of Limbs. Strength of Soul."

I grimaced. "Whisper in the Night. Source of Boundless Pleasure."

She giggled. "Tricky Tongue. Thief of Tales."

"The," I paused, grimaced again and touched my lips with my tongue, "red Raider sends her regards. She's," I cleared my throat, "preoccupied."

"She won - didn't she? Teeth Trimmed," she half-closed her eyes, "she's impressive. To be courted by her - it's - I was very lucky." She emptied our cup and slipped away. "I suppose the second best will do." She threw herself in my arms and forced her lips against mine. "Prosperous Pet. For me and me alone."

I did not bother to protest.

"Lemme clean up."

She danced in the sunset. Fabric flowed from her denuded form as she collected rugs and swung rags. I mostly watched. Until she kissed me and took me by the hand.

We walked through shadows. Occasionally, we were bathed in orange and pale red. Later in silvery moonlight. More shadows and she moved close to me, shivering.

"Look. By the tree." She had bounded ahead, into the shadows, but had not released my hand. I heard the moans before I could spot the shapes. She pulled me deeper into the undergrowth. Closer.

We half rounded the ancient warder and I counted four couples.

"Oh, I so wish we could find a spot. It's a good look to share," she said. "Almost as good as fucking my Winning Warrior," she whispered.

And around we went. Attractive shades in the twilight were not enough for her. I was pulled closer. Three men on their knees. Closer still. Two women, leaned against wood. She had pushed me near enough to see the sweat glisten on their naked forms. And she had leaned in closer still. Almost kissed in turn each of the three pairs of lips wrapped around three cocks. For a moment she touched mine. I moaned. I placed my hand on her thigh and moved up. She moaned. Hot breath on my ear. "Not here." She pulled me and I limped back to the path.

Starlight and distant voices. She danced ahead and I followed, bound by her hand. Round the bent, another tree. Soft moans and shapes moving in the shadows. Her kisses were my command and I needed no other.

She yielded until she was pressed against the bark. Moonlight mirrored in her eyes and love on her lips. Her hands were gentle, but unyielding. I kissed her neck and the valley between her breasts. "Ohhhh." She was loud. Loud enough to drown out the lovemaking behind her.

"Not enough," she moaned, "can't you hear 'em?"

She had guided me down, past her belly button. My head was covered, hidden under her skirt. In darkness, I tasted her and listened. Heard my own heartbeat and her moaning, shifting and moving. Suddenly, a scream. Flesh hit flesh, fast and faster. Another scream turned to high pitched moaning. She grabbed my hair.

"Take me ass," she said. "Fuck my ass." Louder.

She turned and I rose. Her belt jingled. She grabbed my hand, then found my cock. Her hands were warm and wet. I moved closer.

I fumbled, touched and found her entrance. She bucked and cursed. Louder than the ones behind the trunk.

"Harder. Faster."

I pressed, gently against her tightness and tasted the nectar on my fingers. Then wine and vomit. A heavy hand on my shoulder.

I had not heard them. Had not heard the falls of six pairs of naked feet and had not heard the metal on the men's belts. The largest one removed his hand from my shoulder when I turned around.

"Stranger. First the perverts and now an outsider. Ain't nothing sacred no more?" He touched the naked breasts of the woman in his arm.

"I meant no offence. Truly." I did not even attempt to put away my erection. "If there is anything... ."

"Lemme." She brushed past me; closed the second button on her shirt and kicked. He yowled in pain and sank to the ground.

"Run." She had hit his crotch hard enough to break the wood on her sandal. I followed her as she ran, stumbling until she kicked away the other shoe.

We ran through under-brush until we could no longer hear them behind us. Crossed trails and paths until we reached the beach. Ran through the sand until we reached the long pier. She swam and I walked across the wood.

Wet and naked, she welcomed me on her boat. Under kisses she stripped me of cloak, shirt, boots and pants. Then I heard the fluttering of wings.

The birchpeepers ate the nectar from her outstretched hand. I marvelled, still dressed in hat and underpants, at her form and at the magnificent insects. She motioned me closer.

I felt the soft proboscis on my hand, heard her laughter in my ear and then felt her lips pressed against mine. "You're still dressed," she whispered and then I was not.

Both insects still fed from my hands when she dropped down and wrapped her lips around my cock. She touched my ass, my belly and my legs while her tongue danced along the shaft. I shook, touched her face with stained hands and the peepers fled. She laughed. I groaned. Louder when she continued.

There was a need. All day I had watched and all day I had been teased. She seemed more desperate, yet. She slobbered, she swallowed and she sucked. Her hands soon touching me and soon touching herself.

"Yes, Lawbringer's mercy, yes!"

She attempted some answer, but was tongue-tied and gagged by cock.

Instead she grabbed my ass, but I resisted.

"C'mon, c'mon - ohhh c'mon!" She swallowed my balls and jerked my length.

"Show me - ohhhh - oh."

My seed hit the deck. She laughed and caught the second spurt. And the third.

"Needed that - didn't ya?"

I heard her swallow then felt her lips on my skin. She kissed my neck, then kissed my lips. I exhaled and relaxed. "Thank you," I whispered, "I've been so - so - thank you."

She laughed and kissed my earlobe. Her hands were warm and gentle on my arms. Her feet, dancer-like, between my legs. I was too slow.

Suddenly she lunged and I was thrown overboard. Water splashed and when I resurfaced I could her laughing from above. I splashed at her until she jumped.

She swam, swanlike in silvery moonlight, and I paddled. I could not escape the water she threw in revenge, but her kisses soothed my sore muscles. She teased until she found my member reawakened and receptive to her touch.

She jumped and climbed with feline grace back on her boat. I accepted her helping hand and managed to reach up on our second attempt.

"You need succour."

I followed her bellow deck, to the the small room with the big bed. She bade me sit and proudly presented red liquid in a bottle made from glass. She removed the cork and drank.

The room smelled like ripe fruit and hay flowers. She moved closer. Sweetness on her breath. I reached out, but she danced away. I let myself fall back and felt straw on my back. She laughed and I could hear her take another drink. I could smell hayberries and her lips tasted like fire.

Again she kissed me. She straddled my hips, kissed my neck and chest. She moved upright and grabbed my cock. I twitched and grew, reached out my hand and touched her chest. She moaned, her eyes half-closed, and finally I entered her.

She rode and scratched my chest.

"Finally." Her voice was hoarse. "Ohhhhh. No - now get - yes - ohhhhhh." She coaxed me upright and ground herself against me. "Drink and take your strength."

I drank. Sweet and heavy. Only hints of the familiar zest which she stole with her kisses. She drank, spilt wine and I licked it from her chest. Again she drank and we shared with intermingled tongues.

She pushed me backwards and rode with abandon. Blonde hair covered her face and only left parted lips.

"I'm close," I managed to say.

"Good," she increased her fervour, "ohhh - so good." Her breasts were bouncing, up and down.

I touched her side. She bowed down, kissed me and rocked on.

We came together.

She did not stop. I remember kisses and the taste of wine. Ludicrous lights danced in front of my closed eyes. Her hair was soft on my nose and her movement was gentle. Then hard and fast. She whispered something. A mockery followed by more wine. I felt her lips on my manhood and pawed at - at something.

I remember burning need. Twice or even trice. Close to bursting and her driving ever on. White spewing forth and her stained skin. More wine and more mockery; then darkness and oblivion.

I awoke with sand in my mouth. Turned and squinted at the blazing sun.

"Good morning," a voice said.

I tried to sit up, but throbbing pain shot through my head. I cursed and lay back. The pain subsided and was replaced by the ache in my arms and legs. I cursed again.

Slowly and carefully, I turned and opened my eyes. One of my boots stood amid the gentle waves and beyond I saw the lake, blue and beautiful.

"That bad?" the voice asked. Female and familiar.

I moved. In front of her on the beach I saw my hat.

The red-headed warrior laughed and rose from the barrel. "Check your purse."

She found my pants for me and I checked. Panicked, I hurried back and lifted up the boot. I opened up the insole. "Where's the other?" I searched frantically, "where's my money?"

"She took it." The large woman handed me my shirt. "She left your wine. You're already better off than I was."

"Urgh." My headache retuned. "Why didn't you warn - ," I paused, "why did you come back if she stole from you? And why didn't couldn't you be clear yesterday? Don't tell me your Shadow Warrior's kisses were inescapable."

She lifted up the barrel. "Do you regret what happened?" she asked.

I winched and touched my aching head. "I do. Obviously, I do."

"And will you still regret it tomorrow?" She walked along the beach and I followed.

"I... ." Even through the pain, I remembered the taste of her lips. Remembered her body, beautiful in the light and enchanting on the edge of dream. "No," I admitted, "but you could've given proper warning still. I might have hidden my money - or something."

She shrugged without stopping. Wine sloshed. "That might've offended her. And it is kinda funny to watch instead of being watched for once."

I grunted and deserted the single boot. Barefooted I followed.

"I'd been hired by the Earl of Ingveer. Was with his son for almost a year and we travelled up and down on - doesn't matter. He was an asshole, but his daddy paid well. And then - ," she turned around, waved her hand and almost dropped her load. "Fuck. I mada a lot and she stole it." She laughed. "No one helped me with my clothes neither. So," she smiled at me, "could be worse."

"You're a mercenary, then?" I asked.

"Yes." She did not turn around.

"And you're from one of the boreal tribes, right?"

"I am."

"Well then," I walked faster, "I figured I'd head northwards. Sell my wine there." I saw her nod. "And I would like to offer you a job. I can pay."

She laughed.

"Well. Quite."

She laughed louder.

"I'd be willing to split the profits."

"Fifty-fifty?"

"Seventy-thirty."

"Sixty-forty."

"Deal," I said.

She set down the barrel and turned. We shook hands.

"And you'll have to spot me some money. I still have the cart, but... ."

"Sure." The sand was warm under my naked feet.

"I'm Jes," she said - suddenly.

"Hm?"

"Jes. Short for Jessarine. Jes."

"I'm Mehym."

"I know."

"Right. Right. I guess it's good to finally learn your name, but - is it me or do people around here just not use names?"

She laughed. "It's a religious festival - ain't it? And there's power in names - I think - so we use the können. Especially while the gods are around." At length, she explained the use of poetic names. I figured I had aped the custom well enough on my own, but her voice was soothing and I was happy to listen.