The Long Road to Ruin Ch. 29

"I do, very much so. I will expect my share of it as well. I, for one, don't work for free," Shiloh retorted as Christano snickered softly.

"Truth be told, I myself am not interested in treasure, with the exception of the Golden Chalice. You may feel free to take whatever we find that is of value. Though, I doubt there will be much of real worth to be found. So in order to find said treasure, we need to head up to said temple. It is an arduous journey and shall take much of the remainder of the day. I wish to reach it before nightfall. And despite the fact there isn't much to fear on this island, there is the local wildlife. If you are ready, shall we go?"

"Are you sure you aren't overtaxed from your nocturnal escapade? Your Lady looks a bit flushed. Perhaps you got her with child last night and she should remain here at the boat and take it easy?" Shanna joined in, her eyes possessively devouring the paladin.

Shiloh picked up the taunt where Shanna left off, further goading the two holy warriors. "I think I should have found a bed warmer last night as well. I mean with all the boat rocking going on from you and your sailor and Christano and Myra, well I'm surprised that the boat didn't capsize."

Myra's face grew redder, her glare even more furious, "How uncouth of both of you to speak like dockside floozies!"

Shiloh rounded on Myra, pulling Darkstar from its sheath, and held it to the golden mailed cleric's throat. "Call me a whore and I shall drop you where you stand."

Myra backed away as she caught sight of Shiloh's demon eyes. "Hellspawn," she hissed, clutching her mace firmly.

"The last person that called me that suffered greatly at my hands," Shiloh replied as she twirled her sword through her fingers then flipped it up, nearing Myra's head. Myra paled as the knife arced down toward the side of her face. A rush of air brushed against her cheeks as it passed by. The cleric opened her mouth to scream, but nothing more than faint little whimper came out as she saw the lock of her chestnut hair hair dangling from Shiloh's dainty hand. Eyes round and gaping at the strand of curling hair still clasped between Shiloh's fingers, Myra backed up a step or two. The look on her face was priceless. She retreated behind Christano. "Don't test me, honey."

Myra nudged Christano huffily. "Aren't you going to do anything besides ogle them?"

He turned to look at her. His hard calculating eyes glittered back at her defiant ones, "Careful with your words, lest I be forced to punish you." His words were soft, for her ears only. Each pronounced word fell from his stern lips like chips of ice. "Ladies, let's move on. I'm not pleased with your current behavior. You, Shiloh, would do well to remember your place. You are the hired help and will not raise your weapon against my lady love again!"

"In that case, you self-righteous bastard, I quit! At this moment I could easily pay the captain to take me back to Betancuria and you'll never get your precious chalice." Shiloh marched over to Christano and stood eye to eye with him, staring into his stormy gray eyes that were normally so light, they were nearly transparent. That lent an even deeper and blacker hue to his pupils. He seemed to have no necessity to blink, because he met her gaze without movement. "You need me a hell a lot more than I need you."

The paladin turned bright red, sputtering with anger. "Remember your place, wench."

His dominant attitude incensed Shiloh. "No, you remember yours. You have no idea who you're speaking to," she ground out menacingly. "You, Sir Paladin, are a lowly peasant beneath my boots. My father was High King Rolan Aurelius III and I am Princess Shiloh Cheval Aurelius. And just because I am in hiding from those despicable Dhorn doesn't mean that my title no longer holds any weight. One day, I shall take back what is rightfully mine."

He backed off, eyeing her speculatively while slinging his shield over his back and taking his morningstar in hand. "That is neither here nor there, though. We hired you to handle locks and traps which you accepted. And I tell you this now. Myra and I were in Betancuria long enough to learn that the Royal Family and everyone associated with them were killed in that coup by the Dhorn. Furthermore, I do not like nor will I tolerate your tone of voice or that because you think you are royalty that you have the right to speak to me in such manner. Now since you have enough money to pay the captain for his services, perhaps we no longer need to pay you for yours. Perhaps I shall tithe it to the Church instead where it can be put to much better use."

"Oh no you don't. You will pay me. And I don't think I'm royalty. I am ROYALTY! Pay me or else I'll extract it from your holier-than-thou hide," Shiloh moved her nose mere inches from his, her eyes firming locked with his as the repetitious refrain of kill him, bleed him, make him suffer my wrath danced about in her head.

Christano's glare increased as lines crossed his forehead. "You are wasting precious time, wench. Just like YOU kept us waiting in Betancuria. I won't wait any longer on a primadonna princess and her outrageous antics. It's a long hike to the temple and who knows what dangerous wildlife we may encounter if the sun sets before we reach our destination. So again I repeat, let's go!"

Shiloh hit him soundly, her hand connecting with an obscene sound as it made contact with his jaw. She ducked and tumbled back away from him, reaching for her sword. "I could gut you where you stand," her hiss was low and demonic. Her eyes glowed with an inner fire. She could feel Bastian's dark blessing lending strength to her resolve to do harm to the sanctimonious wretch who stood before her.

The heated anger and disapproval that lingered beneath his cool facade nearly strangled her, cutting off the air to her lungs. "Put your little knife away, young lady. It goes against a knight's sworn oath to do battle with someone weaker than he. You don't want these fine witnesses to see you defeated," he retorted, dismissing her challenge. He turned from her, taking hold of Myra's arm and leading her toward the mountain trail that would lead them to the ruined temple near the mountain's apex.

Shiloh directed an obscene gesture at his retreating back then she motioned at Shanna who stood near Mero, whispering to him. She accepted a quick kiss from him before following her sister. Shanna smirked at the older girl, "That paladin sure is something else. He put you in your place. Though I suspect he thinks your place is on your back beneath him."

"He didn't and you're wrong. He's grasping at air. He's a controller. He's the type who has to have everything his way or he's not happy." Shiloh retorted as her eyes sliced across the verdant forest growth to her sister and pinned her with a mirthless tight grin. "I for one will not cater to his desires and neither should you. He had his eyes all over you, despite the fact that Myra was in his presence."

Hours passed uneventfully as the quartet of companions climbed the mountain trail. It was a tiring arduous journey fraught with boulders to climb over and fallen trees to scramble beneath. The boots she had chosen to wear came in handy. Innumerable times she slipped as small pebbles and stones rolled underfoot, her palms bleeding from stinging scratches. They were all suffering from it. It was if the mountain had taken on a life of it own and decided to discourage the ones who broke its solitude. A wry thought filled her head, if only they had a ranger with them to find the safe places to step. Ranger, she sighed, Anden. His presence would have helped them all immensely, but would have complicated matters. She refused to think out it. It was fun while she had him, contemplating keeping him close as her personal toy, but she knew in all reality that would never come to pass. He was too honorable to allow that. Honor, she scoffed inwardly. Best to let it all go now.

By the time they crested the summit upon which the temple sat, they were all winded and laboring for breath due to the grueling pace Christano had pushed them to. Looming before her stood a once magnificent edifice, but time had weathered its glory. Large chiseled pillars stood beside the grand staircase leading up to huge double doors that hung on their hinges. It seemed age had not been kind to this place. Evil permeated the very air, befouling everything it touched. Shiloh watched as Myra shivered and huddled near Christano.

"What is this place? Who was it dedicated to?" Shiloh asked, making a mental note to consult Bastian for further information.

"It was dedicated to an evil being whose memory had long since been lost to the ages before a sect of scholars found mention of Hyath in an old tome. Hyath was long lamented as the Deceiver of Souls. This place was overrun with debauchery, graphic reliefs of priests fornicating with female followers in deviant ways. I am glad my order put a stop to such goings-on."

"They sound like a wicked bunch of perverts," Myra added with a condescending sniff. "It is good that they were stopped."

"Shall we enter the temple, Ladies? I am eager to get under way," Christano reiterated as he motioned at the door. "Shiloh, you take point. It's likely to be very dark in there so we shall follow with a light source for you to see by."

"May I carry it? Lady Myra and yourself as well both have your hands full with your weapons. I have nothing but a small pack on my back," Shanna offered, smiling slyly at Christano.

Myra flashed a furious glare at Shanna before turning her accusing eyes upon Christano. "Must you encourage such behavior?"

"That's enough, Myra. Let us move on."

O.O

Shiloh slinked up to the rotten double doors and peeked into the darkness. An eerie silence met her ears. She touched the door, gently pushing it open. But age had taken its toll, causing it to crumble upon hinges and crash to the smoothly weathered granite entrance. She stepped around the chunks of debris and crossed the threshold of the ruin. Stale stagnant air met her as dust motes scattered with the influx of the fresh breeze from the outside. She automatically sneezed as the stray particles tickled her nose. Pale light trickled in behind her, dimly illuminating all but the farthest recesses on the grand room before her. Large crumbling frescoes held court upon the time darkened walls. Overgrown patches of fungus thrived upon the rotten piles of what must have been the pews for Hyath's followers to worship upon while thick cobwebs clung to everything else.

"It's all clear," she called back to her companions before moving deeper into the room, nimbly avoiding the refuse scattered on the floor. She waited near what had once been the altar, curiously viewing the reliefs surrounding it. It was as Christano described, robed priests fornicating with naked females, their anatomies exaggerated grossly. Shanna joined her, viewing the edifices with great interest. She giggled girlishly as she neared one particularly graphic depiction of a partially robed half man, half demon sinking his enlarged barbed demonic phallus into a naked writhing female.

"Help me," Shiloh softly called to Shanna as she struggled to right a once ornately carved basalt altar. It took all of her strength to set it back in its original spot. She breathed heavily, sucking in gulps of air. Shanna watched her curiously, her eyes darting from her sister to the depicted images and back to her sister.

"What are you doing?" Shanna asked as she finally knelt beside Shiloh, noticing she was quietly chanting in a low guttural language. Then Shiloh pulled forth her knife, pricking the tip of her finger, and allowed a solitary drop of blood to fall onto the basalt surface. Oddly it sizzled with energy, the air crackling around them with latent power.

"Hypu qa fu iaej xowjymywu. Hypu qa fu iaej dkaab." She spoke clearly and softly. "Give to me your sacrifice. Give to me your blood."

Shanna eyed her actions with great unease. She held her body tense, ready to run away if things went bad. "What are you doing?"

Shiloh snatched hold of Shanna's wrist, gripping it tightly. "Join me," she whispered, turning her glowing red eyes upon Shanna. "Give me your hand. This won't hurt a bit."

Shanna nodded softly as Shiloh brought her blade over, nicking the tip of the younger girl's finger. She held it over that altar and squeezed it, watching the drop of blood fall to the altar. Her mantra continued, deep and guttural. Her eyes met with Shanna's whose face had turned ashen white. "Do not be afraid, my sweet. There's someone who will wish to know. Join me, sister. Place yourself in his mighty care. Hail Bastian!"

Upon clasping hands, dark flames consumed them and swept them away to a void of blackest pitch by the dark entity's power. Flame flickered to life at the end of black and red tapers. They stood before an obsidian altar with silken cords crisscrossing it. Bastian materialized before them. Once more, he took the form of a very large man, at least seven feet tall, with long blue-black hair loose around his broad shoulders and piercing red eyes to match his skin that looked like rubies spun into flesh. He was still too handsome to be true. Again Shiloh's heart began to race, beating faster. "Hail Bastian, the Demon Lord of Lust, Hedonism and Vengeance."

"You have done well, my little pet. I am pleased with you. She will make an excellent addition to my flock. I shall feed upon her hate and need for vengeance quite nicely. I shall take care of you, little one, but first there is one more thing I require to seal our pact." He took her hand gently rubbing her knuckles before sweeping her into his embrace.

"What do you want from me?" Shanna asked, her voice cracking as her throat suddenly went dry. Bastian's reply came not with words. He kissed her long and deep until she was breathless. Then he worked his way down her body, brushing aside her skin tight armor with a flare of power and the flick of his wrist. She soon yielded to his kisses. He lifted her, placing her upon the altar.

"I must bind you, but I shall not harm you, my little precious. But what I shall do is bestow upon you my graces, if you would but do something for me," he murmured seductively as she found herself bound. He then climbed upon her. He reached down and cupped her breast, his rough thumb playing over her nipple. "Will you serve me, precious one?"

Shiloh sank to her knees before them, chanting the words aloud she heard in her head while gazing upon the onyx haired, ruby skinned being who would violently but deliciously initiate her sister into his harem.

"Yes!" Shanna gasped. His touch was like fire, a pleasure so intense as to be torture.

"Serve me and I will give you my dark blessing. Serve me well, and you will ascend in power like no other."

Shanna twisted against the grip of the taloned hands, desperate to touch herself and find release if Bastian wouldn't give it to her. The claw between her legs was now rubbing her wetness, sliding slowly back and forth between the nether lips. His tail lashed out, wrapping around her throat. It pulled her slightly forward, his cock brushing against her chin, her lips.

"Worship me, Shanna, and I will give to thee the means to power." He pulled Shanna's long chestnut hair back as he pulled her closer. The head of his cock pushed past her lips and Shanna opened her mouth wide to accept its girth. She closed her eyes, trying to relax, her tongue running along the underside of his cock. Her eyes snapped open as the demon pushed deeper yet, the head of his cock pressing to the back of her throat. She tried to pull away, but his tail prevented her from moving her head, and the claws held her body still. The talon in her pussy probed deeper, and she could feel it curling inside of her body. She felt her pussy clench around the digit, trying to pull it deeper inside.

"Delicious you are, my sweet pet," Bastian purred, the base of his cock resting against Shanna's chin, the head of his cock pushing into her throat. She worked her tongue against the cock invading her mouth as he pinched and twisted her nipple.

Shanna felt the clawed talon probing her withdraw slightly, only to be replaced by two of the digits. She moaned louder, both in pleasure and in surprise that it didn't hurt more than it did. She breathed shallowly through her nose, sucking hard on the demon lord's member. Bastian, for his part, started to thrust his hips back and forward, fucking Shanna's face. She felt her throat tighten around the thick head.

Suddenly Bastian pulled back, the head of his cock leaving Shanna's mouth with an audible pop, leaving her gasping for air. Bastian's tail unwrapped itself from her neck. He let go of her long hair. The taloned fingers in her channel pulled out, leaving Shanna to gasp with want. She squirmed against her bonds as Bastian slowly mouthed and lapped her breasts, biting and sucking her nipples with a vengeance, his tongue swirling over every available inch of succulent flesh. All the while his burrowing talons invaded her deeper and faster. She felt an orgasm building within her. The demon's fingers were now well lubricated as he pistoned them up and down in her dribbling sex. She felt herself shuddering, eruption not far off.

Then Bastian pulled away, leaving her lying helplessly before him, tied to his altar. His mouth watered as he gazed upon her. He was eager to taste something other than her creamy breasts. And, having every intention of tasting it, he slipped down her body, his mouth burning a trail to her thighs, which he immediately spread wide apart. His ruby demon eyes - pleased to have her at his mercy - gazing wantonly at the place where his fingers had been diddling happily mere moments before. Smiling down at her, Bastian then bent forward and began sniffing her glistening folds. His eyelids fluttered in rapture as his nostrils moved about her drenched slit, sucking in their fill of its arousing scent.

"Mmmm... smells good enough to eat."

Sticking out his long tongue, he lapped her slit slowly, from her soft triangle all the way back to the crack of her ass. He devoured her, his nostrils still crudely sucking in her scent while his wet tongue had its way with her downy treasure.

Shanna clung helplessly to her bonds as Bastian sought a feast between her legs. In moments, his animalistic licking was again accompanied by gorging sounds of gluttony as he slurped and sucked madly at her slit and every juicy fold around it. He devoured her drenched bush like a starving man gobbling down his first real meal in weeks. The tremblings she'd felt a few minutes ago when her breasts were being so devoured, and her pussy was being fingered savagely, were returning with a vengeance. Shanna screamed out with need to be fulfilled. It only got worse as intrusive fingers joined his burrowing tongue in those tender, glistening folds. Slender, talon tipped clawed fingers spread her petals wide, opening her up for his slithering tongue to savor. Bastian lapped her pussy ferociously, licking and sucking it dry, fucking it with his long, thick, squirming tongue, snarling his feral lust as the helpless Shanna careened madly toward orgasm. His stroking hand worked feverishly on the throbbing shaft of his insatiable cock. And when Shanna finally came, moaning loudly and thrashing wildly, Bastian exalted in her orgasm, slurping even more loudly as he lapped her geysering slit. He pulled away, rising himself above her.

"Will you worship me?" Bastian asked, the smile on his face revealing his neatly pointed teeth.

"Yes!" Shanna gasped as he covered her entirely, palming her breasts, squeezing them as he slipped between her thighs, pushed his swollen member forward, sliding all the way into her wet waiting channel in one go. She screamed as he breached her, feeling him plunge his entire, long, hard, massively thick cock completely into her. She arched her back and screamed at the pain of him tearing deeper into her than she thought possible. Then he did it again and again as she thrashed and bucked and screamed. She fought the bonds as he ripped deep into her over and over.