The Saga of Tallia the Unwilling Ch. 03

Liandra could say not a word. She could not speak. Tears streamed down here face. This revelation -- these words, they struck her so hard they burned. "Mother," she at last cried.

"Oh, my daughter," spoke the fire. "I would have spared you this trial, this travail, but I know now as I knew that night in far Amathus that you would never be free of this darkness until at last the third eye is forever shut. Now let me go. Death comes for us all soon enough. Linger not with ghosts, sweet Liandra, when already you have found family enough to last a lifetime..."

Tallia pulled her back from the fire and Hilarius poured water on the Liandra's blistered hands.

"Are you alright? You stuck your hands in the fire!" said Hilarius. "It's alright. It's not a bad burn."

"Did you not see her?" said Liandra. "My mother! She was here! She spoke to me in the fire!"

"We ... we heard nothing," said Tallia, "but then we were... rather busy."

"Yes, you were lost in the throes of passion," said Liandra dreamily. "It was your divine sex that called up the angel of the Lord and Lady of Love."

Hilarius looked at Tallia. "See she's fine and just as crazy as ever." Hilarius paused. "Wait...your mother? Did Tallia and I just have sex in front of your mom?"

And everyone laughed at once.

***

The trio were still high as the clouds for hours longer, but they were off the peak after that. Hilarius and Tallia were wrapped up together in the bear skin cloak. Hilarius rested his head on the shoulder of his warrior goddess as they cuddled beneath its warmth. Liandra, on the other hand was not easily contained. She still roamed the cave naked but no longer tried to actually give the fire a hug. Her blistered hands were wrapped in gauze with a soothing balm she had applied.

They chatted about everything and nothing, but finally hours later Tallia finally broached the subject that weighed on both her and Hilarius' mind, "So, what did the fire say?"

"There are three ways into the fortress. And that we have everything we need to be victorious. We have to trust in ourselves and not give in to despair."

"That's it?" said Hilarius. "That's the great revelation? 'The answer was inside us all along?'" The rogue paused. "Actually, that's pretty great. I have to remember to write that down."

"I understand now," said Tallia. "I understand why you're doing this. You are not here as an agent of any temple or god. You are here because the Three-Eyes killed your mother."

"He did," whispered Liandra. "But it's more than that. Revenge can only take you so far. You said it yourself back on the banks of the river Deng, Tallia. 'Let Nien and Duc be his last victims.' Arion cares nothing for mere mortals. He has left a vast swath of human wreckage everywhere he's ever been. And it has to end. It has to end here."

Tallia nodded. "It will. You know... I saw something in the fire to. She didn't speak to me but she did smile."

"Who did you see?" asked Liandra.

"Khira Golden-hair," said Tallia.

"A lover?" asked Liandra.

Tallia shook her head. "A common whore on the streets of Yaath'Xin. She was as often as not addled on dream powder or dragon-leaf. She didn't even have actual golden hair. She had short black hair, but she wore a wig because she thought it made her look more beautiful."

"Your mother," said Hilarius.

Tallia nodded. "She died when I was nine years old. She was murdered too, not by a three-eyed wizard who threatened a kingdom, but by a local thug who thought she owed him paltry coin. I killed him. He was the first man I ever killed. I did this years later when I was older and at last strong enough to do the deed. I weep no tears for him but it was a big mistake -- it did not bring my mother back to me and he had friends. It started a chain of revenge killings. It's a long, stupid, boring, bloody story -- but it ends with me captured, imprisoned and sold as a slave. Revenge is a terrible business, Liandra, and not one that ever has a happy ending."

The priestess nodded. "Wise words, dear Tallia. You would have made a fine priest!"

"I prefer honest work," said the Amazon.

"Honest work?!" scoffed Hilarius. "Gods save me. I've had my fill of honest work."

"Damned thief!" laughed Tallia. "Well, at least you are good with your tongue."

Hilarius looked genuinely hurt. "Good? Madam, you wound me! No, I am not good. I am deft at the cleft, skilled at the jill and a hit with the slit. I am gaga about the cha cha, mad about the minge, a goner for the gash. I quiver and quake before a quality quim. I am giddy for the kitty, eager for the beaver, hot for the spot and utterly besot by the honey pot."

The two women paused and stared at the boastful little rogue. "See. Good with his tongue," spoke Tallia at last.

The trio laughed and frolicked long into the night, trading jests and stories. There was no more sex to be had. For all the priest's chanting about the divine powers of love, the actual act seemed to hold little interest for now. The god's flesh's effects faded but slowly and it was almost dawn before they finally found sleep next to the dying fire. They slept in a huddled, naked heap. Tomorrow would be upon them soon enough.

And tomorrow, at last, they would face Arion Three-Eyes.

To be continued in Chapter Four: In Through the Backdoor...