Chapter 25

I panicked again when I woke up from the dream, as both my arms had gone numb. When I looked at both, I saw tuffs of red hair on either shoulder or it dawned on me what had happened. The only thing I wondered was ... why? While I had been shocked at the surprise of Lillian and Janet sleeping on me, I had not realized how much I had missed the sensation. It had been nearly a year since someone was sharing my bed to fight off the tremors and, during my time away, as well as during the trip here, I had been sleeping alone. The weeks in between my return and our trip to Retvan were spent searching for Violet and I was sleeping alone then, too. I would bring it up with them in the morning; for now, I would enjoy the sensation of having someone with me and hope that I could sleep the rest of the night undisturbed.

I was fortunate that no more dreams plagued me, but when I opened my eyes, I found them still cuddled into me, their heads resting on my shoulders. I could feel that both women were wearing a shift, though I felt there was little else worn and I was painfully aware of the copious amount of breast being pressed into me. I tried to calm myself, before anyone got lost in their hormones and emotions, because now was not the time for something like this to cause strain and tension. After ten minutes of focus and meditation, I had finally gotten my body to calm down, that is until both women began to wake up. Watching two curvy, voluptuous redhead vixens stretching after a long sleep would cause any red-blooded man to be blinded by lust and cause them to do something, they would all regret. Especially when their shifts rode up enough to expose the soft red curls that were nestled between their firm, toned thighs. That final thought - of how it could possibly ruin things - was the only thing that kept me in check.

“Good morning Janet and Lillian,” I said with a disarming smile. “Is there a reason why you both decided to join me in bed?”

“Janet saw you having a fit in your sleep and could not wake you, “Lillian answered, concern apparent in her voice. “She woke us up, asking Liza, Celka and myself how to help with it. Liza told her how Violet had figured out that a bedmate would help, though she was no longer available to do so. She suggested that Janet climb into bed with you, but she was too nervous to do it alone, so I offered to join her.

Both girls nodded enthusiastically, causing their chests to bounce and sway underneath the shifts and causing me to become aroused once again.

“While I appreciate the display, as well as waking up to someone sleeping in bed with me, I do not think such displays are wise. Do not misunderstand me, if there was not so much at stake and things with Violet were not so problematic and uncertain, things would be very different. There would be worries that I was murdering you both, as we would not leave the room until I was sated and that would take a while with both of you to fan the flames of my lust. Right now is not the time for that, so I would ask that you refrain from teasing and pushing the limits I have set. As I told you last night, Janet, once this business with Brenson is all over I want everyone who has an interest in me to sit down and figure things out, because I do not want anyone to feel spurned, cheated or cast aside.”

Both girls nodded again with enthusiasm, along with knowing smiles at what was happening to their bodies as a result. I let out a growl which caused them to jump away giggling, with Lillian running from the room and Janet running to collect her clothing and armor. She turned her back to me and gave me a quick glance, before she pulled her shift off. Her nude form was revealed to me, accented by the daylight pouring into the room. The soft, yet toned back tapering into a tight, firm buttocks. Her long, lithe legs showing strength but a softness that was very alluring. I could not rip my eyes from her as she began getting dressed, bending in such a way as to tease, yet not show her privates or her breasts to me. I felt sad when I watched her take a bundle of cloth and begin tightly wrapping it around her chest, to ensure that it fit within her armor. I knew it could not be comfortable and the briefest image appeared in my mind - of me massaging the aches from them after a long day in the armor. I had to shake my head clear and I heard her giggle as she watched my reaction before continuing to get dressed. I grabbed a fresh shirt and put it on, followed by my boots, and told her I would be down in the dining area when she was done.

I went to the toilet quickly, before returning to the building to get breakfast. I found everyone sitting at the table; some were already eating while some were just sitting down. Janet and Lillian were at the tables of food, collecting what they wished to eat for breakfast, talking quietly between themselves. I shook my head with a laugh and made my way to the table, to collect some food for myself. Everyone seemed to be focused for today and I was hoping that everyone would arrive back safely. If they were able to get some information, then I would consider that a bonus.

As we were finishing our meals, a soldier and an elderly gentleman came into the dining area and made their way over to us.

“I am sorry to trouble you sir,” the man said, in a soft and friendly voice. “Are you Davik, from Cartha?”

I stood and extended my hand, “Yes, I am Davik. I take it you were the man that the guard told me to expect.”

“Yes, I am,” he answered, taking my hand in his and giving it a friendly shake. “My name is Sebastian. If you are free, the Patron will see you now. He only asks that you leave any and all weapons behind, as he is not comfortable around them.”

“Then I am afraid he will have to move the venue to somewhere he will be okay to be around them, or I will have to leave tomorrow without seeing him.”

I pulled out the document from Edgar and showed it to the man, as well as the guard that was with him.

“This is a document from my Patron, detailing that I am to have an armed escort at all times, regardless of circumstance. There is one document in his files in Cartha and, as always, another was sent to the capitol.”

“I will relay the message sir, perhaps if you told me the nature of your visit, I could tell him in hopes that he chooses to meet.”

“I am here to try and build trade with Retvan, Cartha has begun to develop new methods in the fields of carpentry, lumber and house design as well as forming an exclusive trade deal with Fardun for their wood and Dru’Tirk for their fish. We were hoping to fill a need of Retvan’s and in turn get shipments of ore sent to our town.”

“If I recall, we provide Cartha with all the metalwork they need, as they lost their smith some nine or ten years ago.”

I nodded and replied, “That is correct. However, we have once again opened our smithy and were hoping to adjust the flow of imports to refined or unrefined ore. Retvan will of course get a portion of the profits, on an annual basis, for all goods sold from the ore. However, the same would be required of any items or goods shipped from Cartha that are sold in Retvan.”

“I would have to see an example of the work you are referring to, before I say anything of that nature to the Patron.”

I bade my friends goodbye and gestured for Janet to follow when Lillian got up, as well.

“I am going to head out and see what herbs and other medicinal vegetation is around Retvan. Sebastian, is there something I could get that would allow me to get back into the town when I show it to the soldiers outside?”

“Yes, there is. Vickar, please go get a day pass from the guard post for the young lady. Quickly please, as we do not want to keep the young lady waiting.”

The guard nodded and left the dining hall, as we all began heading out for our various tasks. Sebastian followed us to the stable next door where we showed him one of the wagons, after showing the soldiers stationed there the medallion and ring. He marveled at the lock boxes and space, as well as the construction of the wagon itself.

“How long does it take your men to build a wagon such as this? Can they instead modify an existing wagon?”

“I do not know the exact details, but I would think a wagon like this would take a month, at most, to make. This wagon was built without the lockboxes initially and my men added them to it a few days prior to the trip up here, so I am confident that they would be able to upgrade a wagon with little issue.”

“That will be a most impressive feat if it can be done, would any of them be willing to move to Retvan to produce the wagons and upgrades?”

“I cannot speak for my men, but they have expressed a desire to remain in Cartha. I would suggest that the Patron create a document of offer, that will outline requirements as well as compensation for moving from their home. I will present it to them, and a reply would be sent back as soon as we could get it here.”

“I will do just that,” Sebastian replied. “Thank you for your honesty, Davik, it is refreshing and a lost commodity these days. With the unsavory elements that have made themselves prevalent in Retvan over the past twenty years, honesty has declined somewhat. The Patron and soldiers have done what they can, but the influence of whomever is responsible for this change, is far too insidious.”

“I am sorry to hear of your troubles. We had something of a wolf problem for the past few years, but we were recently able to get that sorted out. Have you had any troubles of that nature?”

“We have seen fluctuations in the wolf population around Retvan, but nothing that has caused us to worry. Usually they disappear for the blood moon and we see no sign of them until a few days after.”

The lack of wolves might have been sign of Voguel nearby, but I would have to ask Janet once the Patron’s representative had left.

“Well, I will be off,” Sebastian said with a smile. “I will talk to the Patron and have an answer for you by morning meal tomorrow. Please do enjoy your day in our town and I hope that your endeavors prove fruitful today.”

We shook hands and he made his way out of the stable just as the soldier returned and handed me a small, rectangular piece of metal, not bigger than my palm.

“This pass will allow your friend to leave and return freely within our land. Make sure she does not lose it as they are limited in supply and we do not want the wrong sort gaining possession of one.”

I thanked him and shook his hand, before he turned to leave the stable. I gestured for Janet and Lillian to follow, as I made my way out of the stable and onto the road. I turned and handed the pass to Lillian, who placed it within a pouch on her belt.

“Janet, you heard what he said, about wolves leaving the area during a blood moon. Are you familiar with any reference to Voguel influence causing something like that to occur in Vishant?”

She was lost in thought for a few minutes before she answered, “Yes, I do believe that it is a sign of Voguel presence. Since Voguel are much larger and more intimidating than wolves, regular packs will leave the area until their presence is gone. We believe that Voguel give off an aura that is felt and feared by animals - especially wolves - given the nature of the curse. If they are leaving during a blood moon, then there stands to reason that a Voguel could be present somewhere in the town, or in the surrounding area.”

“Lillian, while you are out, please be careful, I do not want you taking any unnecessary risks. While finding where Brenson is hiding away is important, it is not more important than your life, or any of our friends’ lives.”

She nodded and smiled, before walking away and a part of me wished that she did not need to. Visions of the dream flashed into my mind - visions of what happened to her - and I had to fight back the urge to run over and beg her not to go. I had not expected that I would have grown to have such an attachment to her, given the nature of how we first met. Now, I could not bear to see her end up hurt, or killed, by this conflict.

“Davik, are you okay?” Janet asked, concern evident in her voice. “You have been preoccupied since you woke up this morning.”

“Well you two did give quite a show,” I replied with a chuckle, “but I know what you mean. I had a dream that was incredibly vivid, in which all my friends but you and Lillian had been tortured and killed. When I reached the room where their bodies were, Lillian was being whipped and beaten and, as I was about to save her, I was hit with a curare dart. I was unable to stand or move, unable to help her and was forced to watch her attacker slit her throat right in front of me.”

Janet let out a gasp and pulled me into a hug. “I am so sorry, Davik, that must have been awful to watch.”

“That wasn’t all of it. A hulking man entered the room dragging you kicking and screaming inside. He backhanded you, leaving you stunned as he picked up her corpse. Lillian’s lifeless body was tossed aside like a piece of garbage and you were put in her place. They did not even try to torture you, as the cloaked figure stepped forward and slit your throat even more violently than Lillian’s. Then Brenson whispered in my ear that I could not win, and I woke up just as I began to feel the edge of his blade begin to tear into my throat.”

I felt tears at the corner of my eyes and fought to keep them from falling, as I tried to calm myself. Janet never let me go, nor did she say a word, until she felt the tension in my body ease.

“I am so sorry you had to go through that, even if it was a dream. To see something so horrific, there is no wonder you were feeling off, but the dream does have me worried.”

“What would make you worried?” I asked, slightly confused. “It was just a dream, with my fears getting the best of me, that is all.”

“There is a belief, that old ones can influence any who are connected to them. While Brant was the one that bit you, Brenson was the one that turned him. Old ones are powerful and even without training he may have figured out how to connect to you through your dreams. He may not even be fully aware of it himself, as most old ones are taught by their masters how to dream walk when they become powerful enough. He is probably dreaming the scene of what he wants to do to you and your friends, and you are being pulled into it by his will. If he knew what he was doing, he could torture you for information, to find out where you are. Let us hope he does not figure it out, else you may never want to sleep again.”

“Is there any way to block him?” I asked, panic evident in my voice. “A ritual, totem or tonic?”

“I am not completely sure, else I would tell you right away, but perhaps you could use it to your advantage.”