Clouds of Tyranny Page 18

  Ray walked over to Eve’s table where she was sitting next Ruthie and Ruthie was sitting across from Alex; Ray sat next to Alex. “Good fish,” said Ray rubbing his stomach. Eve reached over and grabbed Ray’s hand and held it in the middle of the tabletop as she smiled at him. Alex smiled at their display of public affection, “So, how’d you guys meet?” “I saved his life about three years and he couldn’t help but make me his girl,” smiled Eve devilishly. “How modest of you,” said Ray sarcastically, “I was traveling through the haunted forest-“ “In the south, I’ve been there,” said Alex, knowing the dangers. “Right, and I was attacked by the blood wraith…I know, I thought it was just a myth too. When out of nowhere came this tiny little girl from the tree tops planting her knife, which is bigger than she is, into the back of his spine as he flailed around not knowing what had happened. Then, it just vanished.” “I remember walking over to this grown man laying on the floor bleeding from his left arm that had been scythed by the wraith’s sickle,” explained Eve making it sound like he was a weakling. “So, I’m laying there dying and she says, ‘kinda big to be so weak’ with a huge grin on her face,” scoffed Ray. “Dying? Barely a flesh wound,” said Eve. “That’s when I joined the Returners and we were a couple for almost a year before I was sent here.” Eve frowned, “That was the hardest day of my life.” “Wow, that’s a great story,” smiled Alex at Eve. “I never get sick of hearing it,” said Ruthie rubbing Eve’s back. Alex looked to their hands intertwined on the table and asked, “So, what now?” Eve and Ray looked at each other desperately, knowing that they couldn’t be together since they were so far away from one another; the Returner’s cause always came first.

  Locke and Julius finished their fish and walked through the ‘Returners’ door and down the hall to Lars’ room. “Here it is,” aid Locke, “The sheets were already changed according to Smith.” “Sounds good,” said Julius admiring the room that was canvassed in painting done by Lars, “Did Chuck do these?” “That’s all Lars’ doing, but if you find an apple core or chicken bones lying around; that’s Chuck’s work,” laughed Locke. “Locke?” said Smith from the hallway standing with Sam and Eve, “I’m going to put these two in the spare room.” Locke nodded affirmingly, “Fine, but there’s only one bed, unless one of them doesn’t mind sleeping on a gurney; the infirmary has a few vacant ones at the moment.” “That wont be necessary,” said Eve, “I’ll sleep in the women’s dorm with my people, I’m not above that.” Eve smiled at Smith and went back toward the dining area. “I’ll take him to the spare,” said Locke to Smith. “Very well,” said Smith before making his way to his own room. Locke looked back at Julius, “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.” “Thanks Locke,” said Julius.

  Locke led Sam to the spare bedroom that lay far from the rest of the rooms down a separate corridor adjacent from Smith, “How’s Bella?” Sam hung his head as they walked, “She passed, Locke.” “How? When?” “About six months ago. Imperial ambush at the camp costing us eleven soldiers; that’s why we moved our location.” “Geez, well here we are,” said Locke opening the door to the spare room. Sam walked in after Locke, it was a fair sized room with a bed, a small round table with two cloth-padded chairs on either side, a small stove made specifically for cooking canned food or heating water for coffee. The walls were matted with imperial-issued swords, guns, and a bloody imperial flag. “This was made into an imperial anti-shrine, hope it doesn’t make you too uncomfortable,” said Locke going over to the cupboard in the corner of the room. “I like it! I have a sick sense of humor as you know,” chuckled Sam. “Don’t we all?” said Locke confidentially pulling a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet as Sam gave him a confused look. “It’s also where I store a few of my things, help yourself.” Sam sat down at the table and was joined by Locke who was removing the top from the half drunken bottle. “Now we can catch up,” said Sam taking the bottle and drinking some. “I remember when you were injured, does the eye still itch like crazy?” “Nah, don’t even notice it anymore. But I still don’t look in the mirror.” “Neither do I.” “Hell, if I had a beard like that I wouldn’t either,” said Sam pointing at Locke’s sloppily growing facial hair, “Looks like in between the legs of the last woman I was with.” They both laughed maniacally at Sam’s cruel joke. “I haven’t had time to shave,” said Locke making excuses for himself. “I don’t blame you. If Alex was my girl I’d never get out of bed.” “Pretty nice, eh?” “Mmm, that doesn’t begin to describe it. I bet she’s a tiger in the sack, am I right?” “Well…” “What? Don’t tell me your shy all of a sudden. I remember back in the day you used to let me smell your fingers.” They both chuckled and Locke cleared his throat, “No, I mean…” “Oh! I get it! You haven’t had her yet. Where’s the old Locke I remember? The man that used to dominate a girl before he even knew her name.” “There’s something about her. She reminds me of Alisa…except for the hair of course.” “Physically maybe, but on the inside she’s the complete opposite.” Locke took a long chug from the bottle as he thought about Sam’s words, “Maybe your right, but there’s something else…” “What?” asked Sam taking a drink. “She’s tough, possibly the toughest woman I have ever met.” “That’s a turn on!” “Tell me about it.” “Ain’t she a little skinny for you? You usually go for the fatties.” Locke scoffed heavily, “They weren’t fat, they were-“ “’Thick’, I know I know. You call ‘em thick, I call ‘em fat, husky, hippo-ass.” “Image is nothing when you get to see the inner beauty of a person; their strength, their weakness, their perfection, and their flaws.” “This is true, my friend.” “Enough about me, how’s your old lady?” “Karen? Oh she gets better everyday and more beautiful. We have a second on the way.” “Congratulations.” “Thanks, hope I get a son this time, but if I don’t I’ll love another daughter just a much.” “But it would be nice to have someone just like you, only smaller.” “Here here!” yelled Sam holding up the bottle.

  After Terra spent some quality time with Lars, she made her way to the women’s dorm that was now full what with all the visitors from around the western region of the continent. She walked toward her bed where Eve, Alex, and Ruthie were talking while Ten sat on her bed staring into her book. “Hi Ten,” said Terra not expecting a response. Ten looked over at Terra and smiled politely without being verbal. “Hey Ruthie,” said Terra, “What’s goin’ on?” Alex and Terra just gave each other an uncomfortable look. “Hey Ter, this is Eve,” said Ruthie cheeringly. Terra extended a friendly hand, “Nice to meet you, I’m Terra Bordague.” “Yes, the spellcaster, right?” asked Eve. “Yeah, but I’m still learning.” Alex casually left the group, due do its awkwardness and went to the other side of the bed where Ten was reading with her back turned to the other girls. “Jill? Whispered Alex, “Do you drink?” Ten’s eyes drifted up from her book to look at Alex and nodded a ‘yes’. Alex began walking towards the door as Jillian leaped off her bed and followed. Eve watched the two of them till they left the room, “Wow! You can cut the tension with a knife.” Ruthie chuckled at the obviousness of it, “They a little bit of a spat a while back. Alex called out Terra in the training room and Terra blasted her with a spell. All over Locke.” “Oh,” said Eve realizing what prompted the feud, “Cuz she stole your man?” “What?” yelled Ruthie and Terra simultaneously? “You know, cuz their together.” Terra eyes became lifeless with realization that Alex and Locke were a couple. Eve’s spirit fell to the floor, “Sorry, I thought you knew.” Terra felt downtrodden. That little slut, she thought, Will she steal Lars from me too? “Anyway,” said Terra attempting to change the subject, “How’d you two meet?” Ruthie straightened up as she began to tell a story the only way she could.

  “Me and Locke had just gotten to the continent after leaving Listka. I was seven and a half, I remember cuz Locke’s birthday is six months to the day from mine. We were traveling through the hills and to the east I saw a small town with smoke rising from several of the chimneys and I said to myself, ‘maybe I
can get a cake or something for Locke.’ Not that it would’ve mattered anyway, Locke has a tendency to forget his own birthday.” “That’s an odd thing to forget,” said Terra. “His father died on his birthday.” Terra frowned and allowed Ruthie to finish her tale. “Anyway, after several minutes of begging him to veer off our path to go to the town, he finally gave in. He kept saying, ‘It’s only midday, we have plenty more traveling in us’ to a seven year old. No one ever said he was the fatherly type, but that changed as we spent more time together. We traveled east to the small town of Saint Vlomario. Locke got us a room at the inn while I ‘explored’ the town. When in actuality I was looking for a gift for Locke’s birthday. I saw a bakery with beautiful cakes in the display windows which were very dirty, but that didn’t take away from the beauty of the food. I can still remember the cake I wanted; it was a broadsword sticking out of a large rock.” “Excalibur?” asked Terra. “Yup, I know that now that I’m older and more book savvy.” Eve smiled, “I remember when Ruthie walked into the store. She was tired with dark circles under her eyes consistent with a traveler’s face. She wore faded denim shorts and a long shirt. She walked up to the counter and dropped several silver coins on the counter haphazardly and said, in a high excited voice, ‘I want the sword cake for my boyfriend’. My boss stared at the silver for a second before saying ‘not enough, go away’. He was a real ass sometimes…okay, all the times. Ruthie looked as if she were going to cry as she began picking up her coins one by one. Then, I came out of the back area of the shop and said ‘I’ll pay the rest’. I didn’t have any money, but my boss just took it out of my pay the next week.” Terra smiled at Eve’s kindness, “That was nice of you.” “Sure was,” said Ruthie, “Then the dirty, mean man walked away to fetch my cake. Eve stayed at the counter and we introduced ourselves to each other. Then, I invited her to enjoy the cake with us that night; two people singing to him sounds better than one.” “Yup,” nodded Eve, “Then, before you know it, it became three travelers instead of two.”

  “So, that’s why there’s friction between us, I don’t hate her, it’s just she needed to be put in her place. I’m better for Locke,” explained Alex to Jillian. “Interesting, something like that would never fly in Velxeer, my captain would simply get rid of one of us if that had happened. Different worlds.” “Very different. So, Jill, tell me: you got a man back home?” Jillian frowned at the question, “In the Velxeer military it is forbidden for a man or a woman to be involved romantically or sexually; it segregates us from our duties.” Alex raised an eyebrow at Jillian’s answer, “I didn’t ask for the answer you give to your superiors when asked of your policy, I’m asking you as a fellow soldier and a woman; days of war and nights of love, right?” Jillian smiled at the realization of being caught even though they tried to be professional about her ‘job’, “His name is Edward. He owns the armor shop in town, please don’t tell anyone.” “Relax Jill, your secret’s safe with me.” “Thank you. Thankfully we have yet to be caught. All I want is to be with him for the rest of my life. I can leave the military in ten years if I wish. Velxeer allows you to leave when you either serve twenty years or become useless.” “Allows? That’s awful. Just run away and marry him. Open a little shop somewhere in the south.” Jillian sighed, “I can’t, I have an obligation with my people and my kingdom…though I want to.” Alex took a big drink and passed it over to Jillian, “How’s the bed play?” said Alex winking. Jillian blushed as she took a long sip trying to keep up with Alex, “It’s very romantic the way he makes love. It makes war bearable.” “I know exactly what you mean. Release is vital.” Alex pulled a cigarette from her pocket and offered it to Jillian. “No no no,” said Jillian, “I’ll throw up if I have one of those.” Alex shrugged, “Suit yourself.” Alex lit the cigarette then took a long puff. After several more drinks Jillian got up, put on her ‘Ten’ face and retired to the dorm as Alex sat there and smoked a few cigarettes as she contemplated everything going on right now; Locke, the battle in Harmon to come, and the growing hostility between her and Terra..

  Sam was beginning to feel tired from all the alcohol in his system. “Alright madam,“ said Locke as he stood up and headed for the door, “Get some sleep. See ya in the morning.” Sam crawled to the bed and was asleep before his head hit the pillow. Locke laughed as he closed the door very quietly. Locke killed the bottle as he walked down the hall back to his room; he wasn’t drunk but feeling ‘happy’. He was almost back to his room when he heard a warthog attacking a mongoose coming from Pearl’s room, “Man, that girl can snore.” He opened the door to his room, his candelabras were lit and Alex was sitting in his wooden chair smoking a cigarette in her nightclothes; sky blue Speedo shorts and her white half shirt exposing her toned belly. “I was about to give up on you,” she said seductively smoking her cigarette. Locke stood there taking her in and despite his greater judgment he closed the door behind him.

  Locke placed the empty bottle on the shelf hanging next to the door and slowly walked over to Alex who put her cigarette out in an empty coffee can. He stood over her as he looked down at her beautiful face that was filled with lust; he put his hand on her cheek and caressed her face. Her lips strayed over to his knuckles and began kissing them. She put her right hand on the back of his neck and pulled him down to her and whispered, “You can’t throw me out this time; I wont let you.” She no longer had to pull; he was willing and pushed his lips against hers. Their mouths opened in concordance with each other; tongues dancing together. Locke’s arms wrapped around the small of her back and she responded with wrapping her legs around his waist as he lifted her into the air as they continued with their tongue in each other’s mouth. Locke spun around and eased her down on the bed as her legs straightened out flat on the bed as she rubbed her flat belly. He lay supported by his hands planted on the bed looking down at her body. He slithered down so his mouth was at her belly button, he kissed it lightly then slid his tongue around it creating a ring of warm saliva that made her shiver. Her hands rubbed his back as she looked down at him admiring his technique. His hands slid up her ribs finding their way into her small excuse for a shirt and felt her excited nipples against his fingertips. His tongue slid up the center of her sternum as he lifted her shirt up to her neck to see what he already felt; beautiful, perky breasts that called his name. She retorted by pulling off his shirt to see his hairy chest and broad shoulders; in doing so she noticed several scars on his torso. She looked at him looking at her body and licked her lips. He glided his tongue up to her right breast and kissed it gently as her breathing escalated. Locke opened his mouth atop her areola and began to suck her nipple. She let out a soft moan of pleasure as she squeezed the other nipple. He realized he was neglecting her, he slid his tongue over to her other breast. She slid her left hand up to his hair and her right hand down to caress his butt over his pants. The harder he nibbled on her nipple the harder she gripped his hair. Her moaning got him even more excited as he began to grind his hips into her pelvis as she felt his hardness push against her; she was getting impatient. She put her hand under his chin and brought it up to her as they shared yet another deep throated kiss. “I want you to taste me,” she whispered as he felt the hot breath from her words hit his mouth. He kissed her chin, then between her beautiful breasts, followed by her belly, then swirled his tongue on the flesh just above the waistband of the underwear as he began pulling them slowly off of her over her thighs. She was no stranger to the thralls of lovemaking and raised her ankles into the air so her underwear could be smoothly removed. He pulled them over her ankles and threw them to the floor, as once again her legs were open inviting him to kiss her moist crease. He gazed at it for a brief moment; it was perfect, like another man had never touched it. He lifted her left leg and lightly kissed the inside of her ankle and slowly kissed down till he got to her inner thigh. Once down there her legs spread even wider as he kissed around her vagina until she begged for more. He smelled in between her legs and let out a lustful breath befo
re gently swiping his tongue up and down her spot. Her fingers found their way into his hair and pulled as he licked harder and deeper as he pushed his tongue inside of her. She moaned heavily, “Oh baby, lay down for me.” Locke came up for air and laid down next to her on the bed and began stripping his pants off as she sat up and began helping him strip. She giggled as they both struggled, “Get those fuckin’ things off.” Locke smiled as they finally managed to remove his pants and she moved her head down to his waist and brushed her tongue against his shaft that now stood upright. She rubbed his leg as she opened her mouth and took him halfway into her mouth and generating some saliva before sliding her mouth up and down on him. Locke’s hand found it’s way under her body as he slid his middle finger up inside of her in order keep her excitement up. She slid her mouth all the way down his hard penis and let out a moan as her mouth hummed around him. She lifted her mouth off of him not wanting to wait any longer for the final act. She rubbed his pecks as she lifted her right leg over his pelvis and leaned forward to kiss him as she pushed him inside of her. “Mmm,” hummed Locke as he felt her wetness rain around him. “Oh!” moaned Alex as she felt his thick member push inside of her. She forced her tongue down his throat as she pressed herself against and away from him steadily. Locke slid a hand over her bottom and squeezed in as she rode him slowly. Locke’s mouth found its way back to her breasts as he had more fun with them. “You like those don’t you, baby?” asked Alex rhetorically. “Mmhmm,” said Locke with a mouth full of flesh. Alex leaned back so she was sitting on him upright and began to quicken her pace moaning in ecstasy placing her hands upon Locke’s chest for leverage. Locke’s hands were on her vibrating legs while she bounced and he writhed in pleasure, trying to hold on as long as he could; not for her, but because it felt so good. Alex was groping herself as she bounced on his rock hard penis with her eyes closed out of the pure pleasure of the experience. Locke felt her insides beginning to contract queuing him to add to the action. He pushed his hips up as she came down on him, which made her scream louder and louder with each thrust. He felt her vibrate and freeze as he exploded inside of her as they shared a mutual climax. She leaned her head back and panted in complete exhaustion like she just finished the battle of her life. Her body swung forward and collapsed on top of him as he stayed inside of her. She kissed his lips sensually as hers hands stroked his cheeks and his arms were around her back. They breathed heavily into each other’s mouth as they looked into each other’s eyes in the candlelight. She lifted off of him and slid her body next to him and kissed his chest before laying her head on it to go to sleep. She fell asleep first as Locke rubbed her bare back until he too drifted off to dreamland.