The Saga of Tallia the Unwilling

Instead she now had the sword. Her feelings about the weapon remained complex. It now rested in a plain leather sheath that hung from her belt. The blade was, cleaned, oiled, bright, beautiful and unquestionably functional. It was impossibly sharp, incredibly light and seemingly infinitely strong. It's ivory pommel was adorned with a heavy silver counterweight and a dark green jewel of unknown pedigree mounted in the center. In summation, the sword was an ornate and terrifyingly effective implement of death that if you believed the weapon itself (when it had deigned to speak) was crafted by the gods. But of course it was impossible to forget the curse it had lain upon her.

And on top of that, Tallia now wore a cloak made of the bright white bear pelt, clean and well-fitted to her. It was honestly too warm for these climes and seemed likely to spend as much time stowed as worn in the Rice Lands, but still it cut an impressive figure. It was also wonderfully functional as a warm fur blanket, soft on one side, waterproof leather on the other. Hilarius had also employed a local craftsmen to fit the bear's horn with a silver mouthpiece, transforming it into a blaring war trumpet. These were both, again, ridiculous expenses they could not truly afford. But Tallia had to admit, she found them both quite splendid.

She looked in the small metal mirror. The face she saw even now did not seem like it was her own. But what was also clear was that she was still a warrior, well-kitted and ready for whatever may come. "But can this be me?" she mused aloud.

Just a few hours ago, she had her first sexual experience in some weeks and she had it as a woman. Her new sex was licked, she orgasmed like crazy and she reveled in every moment of it. And though she hadn't actually done it, she had been one whisper away from asking Hilarius to fuck her. Gods on high and in hell, did she feel a pang of regret? This was crazy. At the very least, this was happening way too fast. It wasn't like they hadn't fucked before. Hilarius had taken Tallus' cock too many times to count. But that was back in the Ludus, when they were locked in a cell together and when each day to follow promised almost certain death.

But they hadn't died. They had survived... time and time again they had survived the insane spectacles of the mad prince's arena. And why? Because they watched each other's backs. Every single murderer, monster and beast in that arena had only their own life on their minds. But Tallus and Hilarius, they risked their own necks for each other and that had proven a potent advantage.

They were partners, yes, travelling companions, yes and even friends, yes, though it occasionally caused her actual physical pain to admit that. That man could drive a monk to murder with his many failings. But were they now destined to be lovers? It was all too much to make any sense of.

She shook her head, pushed these thoughts from her mind and tried to focus once more on practical concerns. There was much crucial gear that they lacked for the journey ahead. She had no bow and that would making hunting all but impossible. They had one horse between them, a dray horse named Bradus whose name meant something like 'pokey' and who neither of them could ride because they had no suitable saddle. Anyways they needed the beast to haul their gear, her armor and fresh water.

What they really lacked was food. The town had been feeding them as part of their monster hunting arrangement, but that gratitude was, as of midday today, at an end. They had one small bag of rice, a few scrounged scallions Hilarius had found growing wild roadside and a very scant supply of dear duck meat sausage their last coin had bought. That was not going to last them long on the road. Tallia considered trading her war horn for more, but she was certain she would get next to nothing for it here in this farm town and... well, she didn't want to. After all, it was a present from Hilarius.

"Fuck this," she again said aloud to no one. "Time to get on the fucking road."

Tallia grabbed the last of her gear and slung it over her back. There was seemingly nothing she could do about the food, spear, bow or anything else now. This much was certain -- there was no employment (beyond back breaking labor on a rice farm) to be found here in this backwater town or answers about how to undo her curse. The time to leave was now. The road back to Yaath'Xin was a long one and they had nowhere near the money nor provisions they would need to complete the journey. So, that meant finding work along the way -- honest work, if possible. She had no desire to resort to dishonorable banditry.

Hilarius was already downstairs waiting, sporting his usual wicked smile. Somehow even though they had spent most of the money outfitting her, he seemed better dressed. The rogue was wearing a fine jacket and pants of dark blue and high leather boots. He also always looked spectacularly guilty as if he had just finished committing some outrageous criminal escapade. Or that may have just been his I-just-got-laid face. Regardless, as she walked down the small stairs into the front room of the inn, he gave her a whistle.

"The money was well spent. You do truly look like a goddess. So, where are we off to now, oh brave and beautiful Tallia?" asked the leery little rogue.

"We are going to find your fucking wizard and get my damn dick back."

To be continued in Chapter Two: The Quest for a Dick...