BLOOD LUST

Screams filled the fire-tinged night as the Darklord army retreated from the Fortress of Light, last bastion of men on the world of Magnamund. Human wizards chanted words of magick, hurling blue lightning and balls of flame into the milling masses of Giak warriors. Flesh melted like wax as Giaks bellowed in agony, running away from the Fortress' walls as undead Helghasts attempted to rally them with harsh commands and swipes from their ebony-bladed swords. As dawn lightened the smoke-filled sky, the last of the Giak legions disappeared from the horizon, fleeing south towards the fetid Hellswamp.

Mara, an apprentice mage, helped an injured soldier to a waiting medical tent where overworked doctors and clerics did their best to attend the many wounded from the vicious siege. The beautiful young woman heard the huge gates of the citadel grind open as horsemen rode forth to clear away stragglers and scout out the surrounding terrain. A male wizard entered the medical tent as Mara attempted to leave, snagging her loose sleeve with a tight grip.

"The Archmage has summoned everyone from our Order. We must report to the Tower of Sorcery immediately!" urged the nervous man.

"O.K.! Don't get so excited!" warned Mara. She jerked her robe free of the apprentice, then marched for the looming, gray tower of the Order.

Mara opened the wooden door guarded by two snarling lion golems and walked across the small entry room before climbing the spiraling staircase that rose up to the top of the mage tower. Warm crystal globes illuminated the stone ediface as Mara deftly made her way to the third floor of the building, then opened yet another reinforced door that led to the Flame Order's meeting chamber. Over a score of wizards sat at an oval table made of smooth marble, some with sheets of parchment to take notes, while others had goblets of wine near at hand. The Archmage of the Flame Order stood near the only window of the room, watching the spots of flame from the battlefield. Mara quickly took her chair at the foot of the table, then waited patiently without speaking until everyone had arrived and taken a seat.

"The battle is won, but the war has just started," began the Archmage before he left the open window and sat slowly in his high-backed, cushioned chair at the head of the table. "The Darklords are in full retreat, but they will regroup. When they regain their resolve, they'll be back, and even more bloodthirsty than before. We also have a new enemy to contend with, Gwena Starblade. The traitorous bitch killed Brandon and the assault squad we sent to kill Vashna. She did kill the Darklord, though, which will weaken the other Darklords further."

Mara gasped softly at the mention of Brandon. The mage girl had grown very fond of the young wizard of the Crystal Star Order who had helped her with her training and shown such confidence in her. She stifled her sobs, letting only a single tear trickle down her smooth right cheek.

"It's obvious that we must take the offensive," continued the Archmage. "We possess two Lorestones, but we will need even more power if the Army of Light is to be victorious. The Council has discussed the matter, and decided to attempt the retrieval of a powerful artifact, an item well known to everyone who has fought the Darklords and their tyranny, the Sommersword."

Whispers of wonder and speculation filled the wedge-shaped chamber until the Archmage called for silence.

"In order to maintain the highest level of stealth and secrecy, the Council has decided to send only one fighter and a mage to find the Sommersword and bring it back to the Fortress. I have decided that the apprentice called Mara will go on this quest," declared the Archmage firmly.

Gasps of surprise and angry mutters emerged from the other wizards at this strange decision. Surely a true mage would be better for such a dangerous task?

"Mara is young and inexperienced, but she has had some contact with Brandon before he left on his doomed mission. I believe that he instructed her in some Crystal Star disciplines before he departed, this should aid her in the quest for the Sommersword. The Crystal Star Order has long been allied with the Kai. She can use that link to find the enchanted weapon. Mara, will you undertake this vital quest?" asked the wizard.

"Yes, I will, sir," replied the red-haired girl without hesitation.

"Excellent. You will depart tomorrow morning with whomever the army decides to send. I suggest that you pack light and get some rest. I'll see you off at dawn."

"Yes, sir. I'll do that," agreed the young woman as she rose from her seat and bowed at the waist to all of the assembled wizards.

While the remaining Flame wizards argued and debated the Archmage's wisdom, Mara left the meeting chamber, making her way out of the Tower of Sorcery and into the Fortress proper where her small quarters were located. The slim mage girl walked into her small room, then grabbed her satchel, placed it on top of her cot, and proceeded to fill it with spare clothes, her spellbook, and some blank parchments to write things on. Someone knocked on her closed door, and with a soft sigh, Mara stood up to face her guest.

"Come in," said Mara with impatience.

"Hi! I heard that you got volunteered for a mission. Sorry about that," said a cheerful young infantryman with short, brown hair and a wide smile.

"Thanks, Luk, but I really want to go. I'm going to get the Sommersword, then I'm going to ram it in that slut Gwena's gut," promised Mara with venom.

"Whoa! You must have really liked that mage, Brandon. I've never seen you so angry before," commented Luk while he took a chair from the girl's small table and sat down.

"He was intelligent and kind. He took more time to help me then most of my teachers. He didn't look down on me just because I was a girl," said Mara wistfully.

"Oh. Hey! I've got something you might be interested in," replied Luk with a sly grin.

"What?" asked Mara suspiciously.

"This," said Luk as he reached into his pants and withdrew a small, silver ring. "I bought it from a passing merchant, he said that it was enchanted to protect the wearer from physical harm. Would you like it?"

Mara took the shining ring from the eager young man, then examined the item closely. The silver band did have magick runes etched upon its inner surface. Glyphs of protection and warding that would emit a light magickal field to prevent wounding from blades or missile weapons. The magick was weak, but it would prevent several blows before its power faded. Mara slid the ring onto her left hand, then smiled warmly at Luk in gratitude.

"Thank you. This is a thoughtful gift," said the red-haired beauty.

"It isn't a gift. You know what I want," replied Luk with a leer.

"It isn't hard to guess," retorted Mara with a sigh before she pulled off her red robe, revealing her lush, naked body.

Luk licked his chapped lips with lustful hunger, then quickly undid his breeches and dropped them to the stone floor. Mara lay down on the bed face forward, with her firm, shapely ass pointed at Luk as he walked closer and began rubbing her warm flesh with his callused hands. Mara closed her eyes and pursed her full, red lips as Luk knelt down to lick her pussy, sucking lightly on the lips of her cunt before inserting his tongue deeply into her tight fuckhole. Mara moaned softly as Luk squeezed her ass cheeks then burrowed his tongue in her vagina, licking her wet honeypot until it grew slick with her juices. The naked girl bit her lower lip as her butt rose and fell with Luk's eager probing of her snatch. The horny soldier licked across the mage girl's slit, then sucked tightly on her clit until it grew hard with arousal. Stroking his own rock-hard penis, Luk stood up, then rubbed his cock against the prone girl's red-haired crotch. Mara gasped for breath when the young man thrust his member into her dripping pussy, driving it deeply into her warm belly. The naked girl moaned and grunted as Luk fucked her throbbing cunt, filling her vagina with his engorged meat. The thrusting man caressed and slapped Mara's sweet ass then ran his hard hands across the smooth, creamy skin of her back.

"Yeah, bitch, moan! Beg for it!" muttered Luk as he pushed into Mara's cunt, relishing the feel of her pussy as it sucked hungrily on his tool.

"Fuck me, Luk. Fuck me like a whore!" moaned Mara as she licked her red lips and grasped the end of the bed tightly.

The wiry fighter thrust roughly into Mara's slit until she shuddered with an orgasm, then he spun her around onto her back and spread her slim legs apart. Mara smiled slutfully and squeezed her own round breasts as Luk rubbed his thick cock against her inner thighs and labia, then replaced his rod inside her glistening wet pussy. The naked girl panted loudly as Luk pumped in and out of her, holding and licking her legs while he filled her clenching lovehole with his member. Sweat glimmered on Mara's white skin as she pressed her hands over her head against the cool wall of her room, pushing her crotch harder against her lover's big cock. Luk released the girl's legs, then grabbed her firm tits and squeezed them tightly. Mara moaned with pleasure as the man leaned down to suck on her pink nipples, making them hard with lust while he bit them and devoured her sweet flesh. Grunting with release, Luk pulled his cock out of Mara's tight pussy and shot hot cum across her firm stomach and tits. The naked girl closed her eyes briefly, then gathered the man's jism with her fingers and licked them clean.

Luk put his pants back on, then walked to the wooden door of the room. Turning briefly to face the panting, naked girl, the man smiled and said, "Good luck. I hope you make it back."

"Me, too," smiled Mara as she watched the soldier close the door behind him.

====

The day passed uneventfully for Mara as she packed her few belongings and studied her spellbook until she could see the magick words with her eyes shut. The lovely mage girl ate a light lunch of fruit, cheese, and wine, then attended lectures by the Flame Order instructors until late in the night. With fluttering eyelids, the young woman returned to her room, then slept soundly until the sun rose from the east. Awakened by the warm glow of the rising sun, Mara quickly washed her face, then donned her red robe and belted on her short sword. She tied her long, red hair with a green, silk ribbon, then grabbed her satchel bag and rushed to the main gates of the Fortress. Panting for breath, the sweating girl bowed gracefully to the Archmage, who awaited her near the towering portals of the citadel.

"Well met, Mara. Are you prepared for your journey?" asked the old mage coolly.

"Yes, sir. I promise to bring back the Sommersword as soon as possible," replied Mara fervently.

"Good. Time is not on our side. We need the artifact soon so that we may attack the Darklords and drive them from our world. May Kai and Ishir bless you, child," said the Archmage with a light smile.

"Thank you, sir," responded Mara with bowed head before a huge warrior led two war horses up to the Fortress gates.

"Are you Mara?" asked the fighter gruffly as he gazed at the petite girl with disdain.

"Yes, I am Mara of the Flame Order of Mages," replied the girl proudly.

"I'm Captain Kruger. I'll be leading this mission," said the heavily muscled man tersely as he shoved one of the sets of reins into Mara's small hands. "No long good-byes. Let's go!"

"Good-bye, sir," said Mara before she quickly climbed into her horse's saddle and snapped the reins, sending the strong animal galloping out of the Fortress' gates in order to catch up with Kruger.

The two companions rode for hours without rest. Mara panted for air as the hot sun beat down upon her, making her robe sticky with sweat and road dust. Kruger said nothing as he led the way south, towards the Great Divide that separated North and South Magnamund. The riders reached a large, calm river, then proceeded to follow it southwest towards the coast. The day passed without incident, Mara did her best to keep the grueling pace without complaint. As the sun disappeared to the west, Kruger stopped his horse in a large flatland, nothing but grass and the occasional bush decorating the countryside. Mara gratefully halted her steed and dismounted, stretching her sore legs and chaffed thighs.

"We'll make camp here," growled Kruger without looking at the travel-sore mage girl. "Take a kettle and get some water from the river."

Scowling at the gruff warrior, Mara took a kettle pot from Kruger's saddlebags, then walked slowly to the swirling river and knelt down at its bank. The red-haired girl quickly filled the pot with clean, clear water then leaned down to drench her sweating head and face. Rising up quickly, Mara threw a long trail of water into the air from her hair and slowly combed out her long tresses with her fingers.

"Hurry up with that water, woman!" shouted Kruger impatiently.

Muttering several vile oaths, Mara picked up the full pot and stood up, then walked unsteadily back to the camp where Kruger had started a small, smokeless fire.

"About fucking time," spat Kruger as he snatched the pot from Mara and settled it on a crude spit.

Removing a large pouch from one of his saddlebags, the burly fighter poured coffee into the slowly boiling water then stirred it with a long dagger.

Mara sat on the opposite side of the fire from Kruger, then opened her own saddlebag to retrieve waybread and some dried meat. The travelers ate in silence, then drank mugs of steaming coffee as the stars began to emerge in the sky. Kruger drained the pot dry, then cleaned it out with a rag before replacing it in his bag. The taciturn warrior sat watching the fire with legs crossed while Mara watched him through slitted eyes. The fighter looked up to see Mara gazing at him, then smiled cruelly with a gap-toothed grin.

"You're a pretty little thing," said Kruger softly as he watched the girl hungrily. "I haven't had any pussy since the siege began."

"I wonder why, you're such a charming companion," shot back Mara sarcastically.

Kruger snarled with rage, then leapt across the campfire and pinned Mara to the ground.

"Listen, bitch! I'm the leader of this little expedition, and I don't expect any shit from a little cunt like you. You'll do as you're told and you won't give me any shit!" commanded Kruger with a cloud of spit.

"Whatever you say," whispered Mara as she struggled weakly against the large man's grip.

Gazing lustfully at Mara's beautiful face, Kruger leaned down to lick her cheeks and neck, leaving a trail of saliva on her smooth, white skin. The fragile girl moaned with fear and loathing as Kruger kissed her roughly on the lips, forcing his large tongue into her small mouth as he explored her throat wantonly. Breaking away from Mara's red, sweet lips, Kruger sat up, then pulled off the helpless girl's robe and gazed hungrily at her lush, naked body. The muscular warrior leaned down to suck on Mara's breasts noisily, licking and biting her pink nipples until they grew hard with arousal. Mara groaned softly as the strong fighter took her tits individually into his hot mouth, sucking on her sweet flesh with pleasure. The naked girl tried to break Kruger's vice-grip on her wrists above her head, but the man was too strong.

After sucking and licking Mara's firm tits, Kruger untied his breeches and let his erect cock fall free. The grinning fighter rubbed his tool across Mara's full lips and nose then pushed it into the prone girl's warm mouth.

"Suck it, bitch! Lick it like a whore!" ordered Kruger while he fondled the naked girl's breasts and pinched her nipples cruelly.

Moaning with fright, Mara slowly began sucking on the hard cock, taking it deeply down her clenching throat. Kruger groaned with pleasure, stroking Mara's rich, red hair as he thrust into the girl's mouth, fucking her red lips with his meat. The naked girl sucked tightly on Kruger's penis, her cheeks pinched with effort. She sucked along the length of the man's cock, then swirled her tongue around the head of his rod before licking along the shaft. Kruger pressed Mara's head against his crotch as she sucked on his hairy balls, filling her mouth with his sweaty orbs. The naked girl moaned with unconscious pleasure as she tasted the man's cock, making it drip with her saliva as she licked her way back to the head of his tool, then wrapped the engorged cock with her warm, red lips.

Kruger backed away from the panting girl, then stood up briefly to turn Mara onto her stomach with her firm ass pointed up at him. Drooling with pleasure, Kruger knelt down, squeezed Mara's ass painfully, spread her cheeks apart and inserted his cock into her wet fuckhole. The naked girl moaned loudly as Kruger pushed his member into her tight cunt, filling her womanhood with his throbbing fuckpole. Mara clenched the ground with her hands and closed her eyes as she panted loudly, her ass moving in time to Kruger's strong thrusts. With meaty thumps, the burly fighter pushed in and out of Mara's warm snatch, relishing the sensation of her pussy clenching around his rod and sucking it hungrily. With a loud grunt, Kruger shot his load into Mara's womb, filling her void with cum until it dripped down her smooth thighs. The stubble-chinned fighter grabbed Mara by the hair and rubbed his jism-soaked dick across her face and lips until it was clean.

"Lick it slut! Lick that cum with those hot lips of yours," commanded Kruger gruffly.

Watching the powerful fighter with wide, green eyes, Mara slowly licked his seed from her lips with her delicate, pink tongue. Kruger smiled as he watched the naked girl clean his cream from her face, then he returned to the other side of the fire to get some sleep. Mara lay back down on the soft ground without putting her clothes back on, letting the warm breeze caress her naked skin as she cried softly to the stars.

====

Gwena Starblade, newly self-appointed Queen of Helgor, stood before an open window and watched the legions under her command prepare to march south. The one-time Kai apprentice was dressed in form-fitting, black platemail armor, with a long black cloak, high-heeled black boots, and a leather choke collar around her slim white neck. The Ring of Power rested on a finger of her right hand, glowing with a warm, golden light. Gwena's long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail that hung down her back, exposing her delicate, pointed ears. The Elf woman's crisp, blue eyes observed the hundreds of thousands of Giaks and Helghasts dispassionately. They were merely pawns to be used in the grand game of global dominion. Abydos, an undead Helghast Lord and her chief advisor, strode quietly into the cold, stone chamber and knelt respectfully behind Gwena, patiently awaiting her notice.

"Are the legions ready to march?" asked Gwena softly.

"Yes, Your Dark Majesty. We await your command," hissed the Undead Lord.

"Is my dragon steed prepared?" asked the Elf woman.

"Yes, Holocaust is saddled and impatient to fly," replied Abydos.

"I mustn't keep him waiting," smiled Gwena coldly as she turned away from the window and walked purposefully towards the room's exit.

"What is your strategy, Mistress?" asked Abydos curiously. "The commanders will want to know."

"We'll march south, taking Rhem and Duadon within the month. I want to reach and conquer Mogaruith within two months," said Gwena with lust in her blue eyes.

"An ambitious timetable," remarked Abydos. "I hope that the troops can fulfill it."

"If they don't, I'll personally rip the cocks off every one of my commanders. Maybe their replacements will serve me better."

"I'll be sure to let the legion officers know your discipline policy," replied the Helghast Lord with a smirk.

"You do that," said Gwena before she opened the door to the tower top where her dragon mount awaited her.

Dawn emerged slowly over the riverbank where Mara and Captain Kruger made camp. The muscled fighter adjusted his chainmail vest and leg plates, then finger-combed his short, brown hair before fastening on his swordbelt. Tugging on worn, black, leather gloves, Kruger replaced his saddlebags on his horse's saddle, then turned to watch Mara put on her red robe and gather her own belongings.

Still sore from Kruger's rape, Mara was pale and red-eyed from crying. She slowly crawled into her saddle, then followed the warrior without a word as he turned his steed southwest and began galloping. The two travelers rode steadily all morning and afternoon, stopping only long enough to rest the horses and relieve themselves. As night began to cloud the sky, the two adventurers reached the port city of Darke. Passing through the city's tall northern gates, Mara and Kruger rode into crowd-choked streets, searching carefully until they found an inn near the harbor. Dismounting in a nearby stable, Kruger paid a stablegirl to feed and groom the horses, then led the way to the inn itself, which was just beginning to gather the evening's crowd of sailors, dockworkers, and merchants. The two travelers took a small table on the north wall, then ate an inexpensive meal of chicken, bread, and cold ale. After eating, Kruger nursed a mug of ale while he watched the serving girls move among the tables, taking orders and dodging grasping hands. The rough warrior lowered his right hand under the table and rubbed Mara's left leg, caressing her limb slowly through her robe.

"Ready for another night of loving?" asked Kruger with a cruel grin.

"Not just yet, Captain," replied Mara nervously as she rose from her chair and began walking towards the exit.

"Be careful, it's dangerous out there," warned Kruger with a gap-toothed smile before he resumed ogling the serving wenches.

Mara closed the wooden door after her, then inhaled the rich, clean air of the bay, clearing her mind of pain and the fear of facing Kruger again. Watching the stars across the clear night sky, Mara left the inn's dimly lit courtyard and began walking south, towards the harbor. Ignoring the alleys that she passed, Mara was completely surprised when two large hands grabbed and pulled her into the stygian depths of a garbage-choked alley. The slim girl was slammed painfully into one of the alley's walls, making her vision blur. Four big men dressed in sailor's garb surrounded Mara, leering at her with wild, drunken eyes.

"The little girl wasn't watching her step," chortled a short sailor with a hoop earring in his left ear. "What's say we help the girlie out?"

"Let's check her for clues," suggested another, tall sailor before he ripped off Mara's robe and exposed her naked body to all of the horny men.

The sailors drooled with lust as they gazed at her full, round breasts, flat stomach, and inviting, red-bushed pussy. A shirtless, hairy-chested sailor pressed his body against Mara's nakedness, rubbing her tits with his chest as he groped her shapely ass and tongued her mouth with his wine-soaked probe and lips. Mara tried to scream for help, but the hairy sailor slapped her hard across the face, then punched her in the stomach so hard that her legs buckled. He grabbed a handful of her long, red hair, then kissed her hotly on her red lips, exploring her throat with his coarse tongue.

"C'mon, quit hoarding the bitch!" complained the short sailor. "I want some pussy too!"

"Don't blow your load," retorted the hairy guy before he leaned down to suck deeply on Mara's tits, biting her pink nipples into hardness, then licking them wetly.

The tall sailor grabbed Mara by the left arm, then pulled her away from the wall and the hairy guy. The naked girl was pushed onto the slime and sewage-covered ground, then spread-eagled, with one sailor keeping her wrists down while another spread her slim legs part and kept them firmly restrained. The hairy-chested sailor knelt between Mara's shapely legs, fingering her warm pussy with his hands before he leaned down to lick her cunt with his drooling tongue. Mara groaned softly as the sailor licked her snatch, probing inside her fuckhole with his long tongue. The short sailor knelt near her head, caressing her long hair and soft cheeks before releasing his erect cock and rubbing it across her face. The helpless girl tried to keep her mouth away from the sailor's tool, but he clasped both of his hands on her head on forced her to stay still so he could place his rod against her soft, wet lips. Moaning with fear and loathing, Mara could do nothing as the short sailor pushed his hard cock into her mouth, probing deeply inside of her throat until she started gagging. Grunting with pleasure, the short sailor began fucking the naked girl's mouth, moving his member in and out of her orifice while her lips caressed his slick meat.

The man holding her arms down began sucking on her heaving breasts, filling his mouth with her sweet flesh, then licking up the valley between her soft mounds. The sailor sucking Mara's pussy buried his face in her crotch, probing her tight honeybox until it grew wet and dripping with arousal. Sitting back, the hairy sailor untied his pants, allowing his engorged cock to fall free. Rubbing it briefly against Mara's warm slit, the sailor inserted his pole into the prone girl's clenching pussy, thrusting his tool deeply into her belly. Mara moaned softly, her lips fastened tightly over short man's cock in her mouth as he rammed it in and out of her small throat. The sailor sucking on her tits moved from one to another, biting her sweet nipples, then licking the sweat glistening off of her white, smooth flesh.

The tall sailor moved forward, pushing the other men away from the panting Mara so he could turn her over onto her hands and knees. Taking the hairy man's place, the tall sailor freed his own hard-on, then squeezed Mara's upraised ass with both hands. He slapped the naked girl's ass loudly until it grew beet-red, enjoying Mara's yelps of pain. Placing his cock against Mara's quivering labia, the tall sailor pushed into the naked girl, filling her cunt with his meat pole until it pressed deeply into her womb. Mara groaned loudly until the short sailor returned his cock to her mouth, making her suck deeply on his member while he caressed and pulled her red hair. The hairy man caressed Mara's anus with his slick tool, then pushed into her asshole, filling her small opening with his meat. The naked girl moaned loudly as she was violated painfully, her breasts bobbing in time to the men fucking her pussy and probing her mouth. The last sailor slid under her firm stomach, licking her pale flesh, then sucking loudly on her dangling, full breasts.

Mara closed her eyes, tears dripping down her drawn cheeks as she sucked deeply on the short man's cock, wrapping her warm, red lips around his tool until he groaned with pleasure and cummed across her face and hair. The men fucking her pussy and asshole cummed together, spurting hot cream across her ass and naked back. The man sucking Mara's tits untied his pants, then moved his crotch so that it was under the naked girl's cum-dripping mouth. The short sailor forced Mara's head down onto the prone man's pole, making her lick and suck on his meat until he shot his load into her open mouth, then making her lick the moaning man's cock clean of jism.

The four men retied their breeches, standing up to gaze coldly at the naked girl on the filth-encrusted ground.

"Want to take her back to the ship? She'd make a great fucktoy for the crew," suggested the tall sailor.

"Nah. Let's sell her to a slaver. She'd bring in five hundred gold crowns, easy," said the short man.

"Let's give her to the clerics of Naar. I like watching their blood sacrifices," snarled the hairy sailor.

Before the last sailor could make a remark, a sword tip burst through his stomach. Gurgling on his own blood, the man fell, revealing Kruger standing at the mouth of the alleyway. Too surprised to draw their knives, the remaining three sailors stood frozen while Kruger charged them, swinging his blade in a wide arch that cut off the hairy sailor's head. Shouting in anger, the last two sailors drew their curved knives, slashing viciously at the enraged warrior. Kruger dodged their unskilled attacks, then stabbed the tall sailor quickly in the throat. As the dying man fell clutching his spurting neck, Kruger raised his sword with both hands, then chopped down, slicing the short sailor open from collarbone to crotch. Panting for breath, Kruger wiped his blade clean on the short sailor's leather vest, then turned to gaze at Mara, who lay in a pool of blood, cum, and excrement.

"A night with me isn't so bad anymore, is it wench?" asked Kruger sarcastically before he bent down to pick up Mara, then proceeded to carry her slim, filth-covered body to the inn for a bath and some rest.

====

Helgor was quiet, deathly quiet, as Rachel and Jemma walked down its darkened streets. The two vampire women sniffed the cold air, searching for the scent of the Elf woman, Gwena. Only a small garrison of Giaks and a few city dwellers remained after the massive advance of the Giak army. Flying with the speed of thought, the two beautiful women entered the tower chamber where Gwena had watched her soldiers assemble.

"Where has Gwena gone?" asked Jemma, the younger vampire.

"South, evidently at the head of her great army," replied the coldly alluring Rachel.

"Should we return to the Darklords and inform them of her troop movements?" asked Jemma.

"No. The Darklords will have Kraan patrols guarding their territories. We follow Gwena. When the right moment comes, we must be ready to dive in and kill her," said Rachel with a predatory grin.

"As you wish, Mistress," nodded Jemma before both women took to the air, flying silently after the Elven Queen like two hunting hawks.

Mara awoke with a soft groan, rubbing her swollen eyes with her right arm before she rose from the soft bed and reached out for her clothes. With her red robe in tatters, Kruger spent the morning finding the girl replacement garments. Mara slid the white, cotton shift over her naked breasts without comment, then pulled on skintight deerskin breeches. Brown, flat-heeled leather boots went over her small feet up to her knees. A red tunic covered the shift, then a leather vest covered with designs of birds and a fairy dragon. Mara fastened her belt, which held a short dagger rather than her lost short sword. She pulled her long, red hair over her collar then let it spill loosely down her back. Her dressing complete, Mara placed her satchel over her left shoulder and left her small bedroom to meet Kruger in the common room. She found the burly fighter sitting at a table finishing a large breakfast of hotcakes and milk. Sitting across from the engrossed warrior, Mara grabbed a warm hotcake from his plate and popped it into her mouth.

"Hey! I thought you wouldn't be hungry after your little tryst last night," remarked Kruger with a scowl.

"I need to keep my strength up with all you guys fucking my brains out at every opportunity," retorted Mara as she snatched another hotcake.

"Good point," said Kruger with a leering grin before he resumed eating his breakfast with relish.

Mara stole several more hotcakes, then drank deeply from Kruger's mug before leaving the fighter to check up on the horses. Both animals were clean, well-fed, and were currently being groomed by a small girl with blonde hair. Mara patted the girl softly on the head, then moved to stroke her white mare's glossy mane. Kruger came into the stable eventually, then saddled both horses before paying the stablegirl some silver and leading his mount towards the courtyard's exit. Mara followed the fighter quietly, then climbed into the saddle of her mare as Kruger rode slowly towards the harbor. Deckhands and slaves moved along the piers, loading several ships with cargo before the vessels put out to sail. After searching for two hours, Kruger found a ferryboat to carry both travelers across the Great Divide into Southern Magnamund. With the horses safely tied down, the raft pilot pushed away from the pier, commanding a team of rowers to guide the sturdy craft south. Kruger stood near the bow, gazing at the far off horizon, while Mara sat next to him on a small bench.

"Can you feel the Sommersword yet?" asked Kruger quietly.

"No. I haven't tried yet, I keep getting distracted," replied Mara bitterly.

"Try now," ordered Kruger.

Mara closed her green eyes, then frowned softly as she entered a light trance. She began breathing as Brandon had taught her, focusing on the magick that flowed around the world. Like a jab of lightning, Mara sensed the power of the Sommersword pulsing like a living thing as it searched for a worthy bearer. The blade felt the girl's presence, greeting her warmly as a kindred spirit, then filling her mind with images of a dank, corrupt swamp far to the south. Before breaking contact, the Sommersword sent her the image of a temple, a small pyramid of obsidian stone surrounded by decayed trees and festering pools of water. Mara gasped for breath as her eyes snapped open, then she placed both hands on the bench as she regained her senses.

"Did you see it?" asked Kruger excitedly.

"Yes, it's in a temple within a swamp to the south," replied Mara softly.

"Sounds like it might be in the swampy area south of Otavai," muttered Kruger. "It's going to be a long trip."

"Great," said Mara with dripping sarcasm.

"I heard that," growled Kruger with a glare.

The raft crossed the Divide, then entered the small port of a fishing village. After paying the raft's captain, Kruger led the horses off the craft and onto dry land. The two travelers bought supplies in the village then rode steadily south until they entered a small forest. The sun barely reached past the tall oaks' branches, which forced Kruger to slow his pace. The companions made little progress through the trees, forcing them to make camp in a small glade as night fell within the wood. Kruger made a small fire, then killed several rabbits for supper. Mara helped cook the small animals, then served Kruger, who nodded tersely in thanks. They ate in silence, as usual, then Kruger built up the fire before wrapping himself within his bedroll.

"You've got first watch," said Kruger before he fell asleep.

Sighing to herself, Mara gazed around the edges of the glade, then stood up to go the bathroom. Moving into the trees, the lovely girl walked aimlessly until she found a group of bushes in a circle. Squatting down, Mara did her business, then stood up to return to camp. As she left the bush circle, Mara smelled a sweet, fragrant scent. Following the arousing musk, Mara traveled noisily through the forest until she reached a large, sharp-leafed plant with several wide, pale red blossoms. The slim girl leaned down to inhale the flower's rich scent, then she began to yawn softly. Drowsily, Mara sat down on the soft grass, falling down onto her back. Green, leafy tendrils reached out from the plant to caress Mara's soft skin, wrapping around her wrists and pulling her closer towards the quivering rose bush…

====

The rose bush dragged the unconscious Mara into its leafy embrace, wrapping sharp tendrils around her arms, stomach, and legs. A large, pink-red blossom leaned down to caress Mara's pale cheek, then latched a set of sharp fangs into her tender neck. The helpless girl moaned softly as the plant tore off her clothes then enwrapped her even more with green limbs. Flowers attached themselves to Mara's pert nipples, sucking hungrily on her soft melons while plant tendrils spread her legs apart, exposing her red-haired pussy to the air. A blood-red flower lowered down to Mara's open crotch, then extended a pulsing, phallic-shaped probe. Shooting forward like a snake, the blossom rammed into the naked girl's cunt, filling her tight fuckhole with its engorged rod.

Mara groaned sleepily as other flowers bit into her thighs, tits, and stomach, drinking her warm blood with predatory relish. The naked girl's legs dangled and kicked in the air as the phallic-flower pumped into her slit, sliding deeply into her belly as it absorbed her warm juices. Branches kept Mara in a prone position as the bush devoured her blood and fucked her pussy relentlessly until she orgasmed with a soft grunt. Cum trickled down her slim thighs but most of the fluid was consumed by the flower over her snatch. Mara's skin grew even paler, almost blue, as the bush sucked her life away.

Suddenly, a Giak emerged from the trees and slashed the rose bush with his short sword. Greenish ichor mixed with Mara's blood spewed into the air as the squat Giak freed Mara from the hungry plant. The naked girl fell limply to the ground as the Giak hacked the vampiric bush into little pieces. With the plant destroyed, the fanged Giak turned to gaze at his prize with lust. Mara slept, weak with blood loss, as the Giak wrapped her lithe body in a dark cloak, then placed her over his shoulders before marching back into the forest, far from camp and the warrior Kruger.

The city of Luyen lay in flames, its mighty walls cast down and its towers in ruins. Dead bodies of soldiers, merchants, women, and children lay like discarded toys upon the rubble-choked streets as Rachel and Jemma followed the destructive trail of Gwena Starblade. High-heels clicking, the two women walked calmly down the boulevards, undisturbed by the sights of corpses and mutilated flesh. Rachel's eyes widened slightly as she heard moans in a nearby alley. Turning left from the main street, the lovely vampire avoided piles of garbage and broken stone until she found two humans lying in a pool of blood and debris. Rachel knelt down next to the man, watching silently as he reached towards her in supplication.

"Please...please help me," groaned the man softly.

"Of course," replied Rachel with a smile before she grabbed him by the hair and plunged her fangs into his neck, sucking his lifeblood until he grew limp with death.

Jemma investigated the woman that lay near the now dead man. The female was in her mid-twenties, beautiful, with long, blonde hair. Jemma smiled with pleasure as she ran her hands across the woman's large breasts, twirling a long fingernail around the nipples. Opening the prone female's thighs, Jemma pulled up her victim's long skirt, then leaned down to bite the woman's inner left thigh, drinking her blood with sexual relish until the female's flesh grew cold. Sated for the moment, the two vampire women took to the air, following Gwena's path of destruction with ease.

Kruger awakened near dawn. Yawning loudly, the muscled fighter looked around with bleary eyes for his missing companion.

"Mara? Mara?!" yelled Kruger with growing alarm.

Spitting on the ground, the fighter belted on his sword and moved quietly into the trees, searching carefully for the absent mage girl. Hours passed, and eventually Kruger found Mara's shredded clothes and the gore-splattered remains of the rose plant. Cursing softly, Kruger investigated the attack site until he spotted Giak boot prints on the soft ground. Snarling with frustration, the burly fighter grasped his sword hilt, then began tracking the servant of Darkness to whatever lair it might inhabit.

The Giak carried the unconscious Mara into a camp of his fellow warriors. Snarling and cursing at the lone goblinoid, a group of large Giaks surrounded the creature and pulled the senseless girl from his shoulders. With leering grins and crude laughter, the Giaks placed Mara's body near a dying fire and removed the cloak within which her naked body had been wrapped. The Giak leader knelt down near Mara's head, then ran one sharp clawnail across her red lips, drawing a thin trickle of blood. Drooling with lust, the huge Giak took some rough rope from his leather belt, then slowly tied Mara's wrists together behind her back. With another rope, the Giak tied the naked girl's ankles together tightly, then slapped her loudly across her bare ass. As the other Giaks chortled with amusement, the leader slung the unconscious mage girl over his left shoulder and stood up, then walked over to his crude tent made of hide and went inside. Around the smoking embers of the camp's fire, the remaining Giaks squatted down and waited, while two doom wolves who traveled with the goblinoids snarled softly and nipped the Giaks' limbs.

Searching within a small, wooden chest, the Giak leader withdrew a healing potion, then turned to face Mara and pour the green fluid down her slim throat. While the liquid did its work, the Giak moved Mara's naked body to a pile of torn cushions, then walked to a nearby table to pour a mug of warm ale. Slowly, the healing potion restored Mara's health, creating new blood to replace that lost by the vampire rose plant. The tied girl's flesh regained its warm pink hue, and her breathing became smooth and steady. With a groan, Mara opened her wide, green eyes then stared in horror at the large, fierce-looking Giak that stood in front of her.

"Pretty wake up?" growled the Giak before he began untying his soiled, leather breeches.

"Oh, no. Not again," moaned Mara weakly before the huge goblin grabbed her face with both hands and shoved his erect cock into her small mouth.

The naked girl groaned with revulsion as she was forced to take the stinking penis into her mouth and down her tight throat. The Giak snarled with pleasure as it fucked her full, red lips, thrusting his black-haired crotch into her slick mouth. Mara gagged as the Giak's meat filled her throat, then she began to suck on it, covering the engorged tool with her saliva. The Giak pulled his member out of Mara's mouth long enough to rub it across her lips and nose, then he made her lick the throbbing head and along the shaft with her wet tongue. The naked, bound girl sucked lightly on the evil creature's balls, then licked the cock back to its dripping head. The Giak pressed his tool into her open mouth then resumed pumping back and forth until an orgasm began to build. Tears stained Mara's pale cheeks as she sucked reluctantly on the Giak's cock, her lips caressing his slick pole warmly.

With a loud grunt, the Giak shot a stream of cum into Mara's mouth, forcing her to drink all of his cream, then lick his cock clean of residue. Coughing to clear her throat, Mara licked a trickle of jism from her lips and looked up at her captor. He retied his pants shut, then reached down to seize her by the wrists and hang them high on one of the tent poles, forcing her to hold her arms above her head. Licking his chapped lips with a long, black tongue, the large Giak rubbed Mara's round, full breasts then slid his claws down her flat stomach to her bush of red pubic hair.

The helpless, naked girl closed her eyes as the goblin fondled her pussy, then he leaned in close to her face and said, "Pretty will be my bitch, yes?"

"Yes…s…s," stuttered Mara in terror.

"Good," smiled the Giak before he kissed Mara roughly on the lips, forcing his long, slimy tongue into her mouth.

====

The Giak war party emerged from the tall, green-leafed trees, marching steadily south into a wide, grass-covered plain. The Giak leader carried the bound, naked body of Mara over his broad shoulders as he loped across the tall grass in a steady, ground-eating pace. A dozen Giak warriors followed the muscled war chief, as well as a pack of doom wolves. Grinning viciously, the goblin chief rubbed Mara's thighs with a sharp claw as he ran effortlessly over the terrain. Mara moaned softly through a gag of rope tied around her head and shoved deeply into her mouth. The other Giaks admired Mara's bare ass and naked flesh with lustful hunger as they followed their leader through unclaimed territory. With grunts and growls of exertion, the war party disappeared over the southern horizon, travelling to an unknown destination.

Captain Kruger scoured the woods for hours, searching vainly for his missing mage girl. The day wore on, then night began to fall upon the forest. Snarling with frustration, Kruger climbed into his saddle and began riding south, hoping to meet the missing girl along the way to the plains. Mara knew where the Sommersword was residing, the fighter could only hope that somehow she would make it to the swamp and wait for him there.

Cursing under his breath, Kruger made quick time through the forest, and as the stars emerged to twinkle in the sky, the gruff warrior left the trees behind and proceeded to cross the vast grasslands. Around midnight, Kruger stopped to make a quick camp, eating some waybread and taking a swig of water before curling into his bedroll for a few hours of sleep. Morning came quickly, awakening Kruger and pressing him onwards.

Over a week passed for the fighter as he travelled across the plain, until he eventually reached the River Doun. Crossing the river at a shallow area, Kruger rode south until one evening he came upon a lone tower rising above the tall, wavy grass. Warm light came from several of the stone tower's windows, encouraging Kruger to investigate. Walking to the foot of the tower, Kruger circled the building until he found a reinforced wooden door on the eastern side.

With his right hand on his sword hilt, Kruger raised his left hand and knocked loudly. Moments later, the door was unlatched, and a beautiful woman pulled the portal open. She had long, glossy, black hair that fell to her shapely waist, and bright, wide blue eyes. Her lips were full, with purple lipstick upon them. The woman wore a long, black robe that exposed plenty of her generous breasts.

"May I help you, sir?" asked the woman in a husky, warm voice.

"Yeah, I need to crash here for the night. Let me in," growled Kruger as he pushed past the slim woman and entered the entry room of the tower.

"I love forceful men," whispered the woman with a hungry smile as she closed and locked the door after her unexpected guest.

"You got anything to eat in this place?" asked Kruger as he checked the layout of the first floor, then looked at the spiraling staircase that went up.

"Yes, my lord. I can make you something if you wish," offered the cheerful woman.

"Yeah, make me something," agreed Kruger as he started climbing the stone stairway.

Bowing with a curtsy, the lovely woman went into a doorway on the first floor while the arrogant fighter climbed to the second floor. Opening an ornate door off of the landing, Kruger found a large, well-appointed dining room. Smiling with satisfaction, Kruger entered the room and sat down gratefully in the large, high-backed chair at the head of the table. The black-garbed woman eventually entered the room with a large tray of food as well as a flagon of fine wine. The raven-tressed woman eagerly served Kruger, placing a large platter of roast, fresh bread, cheese, and a full goblet of wine before him. Without saying a word, the strong warrior attacked the meal with vigor, making loud noises as he ripped the roast apart with his bare hands. Smiling indulgently, the woman sat in a chair to Kruger's left, filling his goblet when it became empty. With a loud burp, Kruger finished his repast, then wiped grease from his rough lips with a silk napkin.

"That was some good chow," remarked Kruger as he sat back in his chair and loosened his belt.

"Are you ready for dessert?" asked the woman with a lustful gleam in her eye.

"Uh, sure," replied Kruger as the room slowly began to spin and tilt.

Giggling softly, the woman stood up from her chair, then chanted harsh words in a breathy whisper. The door to the dining room opened slowly, admitting two rotting zombies that shambled into the room.

"Allow me to introduce myself," whispered the woman into the groggy fighter's left ear. "I am Kaitlyn, and I practice necromancy."

Kruger groaned in alarm as he struggled to rise from the soft, cushioned chair. The two zombies seized the warrior's arms, then followed their mistress' silent instructions and carried/pulled their charge across the room and onto the stairway landing. Climbing the wide staircase to the third floor, the zombies entered a richly furnished bedroom that contained a huge, round bed with black silk sheets and dangling chains. The two reeking corpses carried the drugged Kruger to the bed, then held him firmly on his back while Kaitlyn disrobed. The now naked sorceress climbed onto the bed and straddled the prone fighter, then leaned down to kiss him passionately on the lips. Sitting up, the naked woman removed Kruger's armor and clothing, then ran her sharp, red nails across his hairy chest.

"You are a fine piece of meat," observed Kaitlyn before she leaned down to lick his chest and stomach with her wet tongue.

The zombies held Kruger's arms down in a vice-like grip as the mage woman licked down to his crotch, then rubbed his hardening penis with her delicate hands until it grew erect and engorged with arousal.

"Umm, it's so big and hard," moaned Kaitlyn as she licked the head of Kruger's cock lovingly, then caressed the length of his bulging shaft with her warm tongue.

The helpless fighter groaned as Kaitlyn licked up and down his tool then rubbed her nose in his balls before sucking loudly on them with her mouth. Moaning loudly with pleasure, the naked woman took Kruger's cock in her warm mouth, sucking hungrily on his member until her cheeks grew tight. Kruger moaned loudly as the woman's head bobbed up and down, devouring his rod until it filled her tight throat. The prone man felt an orgasm building as Kaitlyn sucked his cock, then licked the head until a trickle of pre-cum emerged, which she quickly lapped up with relish.

Before Kruger could shoot his load, Kaitlyn slowly placed her naked pussy over his rod and slid onto his member. The woman's pussy clamped onto Kruger's cock like a tight glove, forcing his tool to give its warm cream to her ravenous fuckhole. Man and woman groaned and grunted like animals in heat as Kaitlyn ground her crotch against Kruger's, pushing his rod deeply into her belly. She grasped the naked fighter's chest with her sharp claws, scratching bloody furrows in his flesh as she fucked his cock with all of her might. The naked mage woman's round breasts heaved and bobbed as she rode Kruger's pole, her lovely mouth gasping for air as she pressed his shaft into her cunt.

Sweat covered the lovers' naked bodies as the sorceress summoned another rotting corpse to stand next to her. Grabbing the dead body's rotting cock, Kaitlyn leaned forward to slide the stinking penis into her mouth, sucking loudly on the zombie's decaying meat. Kruger was repulsed, yet strangely aroused as he watched the horny witch lick the zombie's rod, then rub his tool across her lovely face. Groaning with sexual release, Kruger spurted cum into Kaitlyn's tight pussy as she sucked wantonly on her zombie slave's dangling balls. She moaned with arousal as she took the corpse's prick into her mouth and sucked on it as her throbbing vagina filled with warm cream.

Tired and spent, Kruger watched with fascination as Kaitlyn fell onto her back, sucking slutfully on her zombie's cock while another zombie moved forward and spread open her slim legs. Moaning with pleasure, Kaitlyn opened her thighs so her rotting lover could thrust a huge, distorted cock into her wet slit, filling her cunt with his rotting meat. The naked fighter lay transfixed as the two corpses fucked Kaitlyn, her sweet flesh fondled and caressed by bleeding, decayed limbs. The naked woman groaned loudly as she orgasmed, warm honey dripping from her pussy and staining the silk sheets as one zombie thrust into her vagina while another slid his cock into her open, full-lipped mouth. Shrugging to himself, Kruger crawled forward, then leaned down to suck hungrily on Kaitlyn's large tits, filling his mouth with her hot, sweaty, delicious flesh.

====

Kruger awoke to find himself outside Kaitlyn's tower, naked and cold as the morning sun rose into a clear, blue sky. The fighter's belongings lay in a chaotic pile nearby, prompting Kruger to stand up and move over to them. Cursing the decadent, yet alluring woman, Kruger put on his clothes, armor, and weapons' belt, then stalked angrily over to his waiting steed and quickly mounted. Leading Mara's unburdened horse by its reins, the burly warrior resumed his journey south, galloping across the open terrain with determination.

Riding throughout the morning and early afternoon, Kruger reached the city of Casala. Entering by the city's large, northern gates, the fighter rode slowly through crowd-congested streets until he found an open market where he bought food, some flasks of ale, and other supplies. Resting at an inn for lunch, Kruger had his two horses fed and groomed then fastened large saddlebags to Mara's horse so he could use it as a pack animal. Well-fed and rested, Kruger left Casala behind, riding swiftly until he reached the foothills of the Starns, a mighty mountain range that was one of the many natural obstacles on the warrior's long quest. With a flick of his reins, Kruger urged his horse forward until they were deep within the vegetation-rich hills.

Mara was carried lightly by the Giak Chief as the goblinoid war party marched south towards a waiting Darklord army. The naked and bound mage girl could barely make out the Giaks' harsh speech, but she did discover that the leader was named Skarg, and that he was greatly feared by his followers.

The war party marched for days until they reached a small range of mountains. Climbing the cold, sharp rocks with little difficulty, the Giaks progressed until they crossed the granite titans and entered a small, cluttered valley. Deep within the valley was a sprawling, black stone city that Skarg called Helmstorm. Evidently the Giaks had conquered the city years ago and built it into a base and staging area for raids into human territories. Thick black smoke rose from the many weapons forges and armories within the fortress city as the war band descended into the bleak valley and marched eagerly towards their stronghold.

Mara swallowed down her fear as she was carried into the nest of evil, dreading the violations that the Giaks and their masters would perform upon her. Pushing and shoving their way through the crowded streets and alleys, Skarg led his group to a ramshackle barracks that hadn't been cleaned in months. Choking on the horrible smells of Giak sweat, urine, and other excrements, Mara closed her eyes with resignation as she was thrown roughly onto a small cot and tied to it by her wrists and ankles. The travel-worn Giaks walked individually past the helpless girl, caressing her pale flesh with their claws or drooling over her body until Skarg cuffed them away from his toy and shouted at them to stow their gear and get something to eat.

Trembling in her bonds, Mara watched Skarg grab a bucket of water, then walk over to pour the fluid over her naked body. He retained the girl's ankle restraints, but freed her from the bed and ungagged her with a rough tug.

"Pretty must be clean and fed before party tonight," growled Skarg before he left Mara on the cot to get her some moldy bread, stone-cold meat, and a mug of warm ale. He placed the food on Mara's lap, then crouched next to her in order to watch her eat.

Taking the bread reluctantly, the red-haired girl bit into it lightly, then began wolfing the food down to make up for days of deprivation. Skarg chuckled with amusement, then left to get himself a mug of ale from a nearby open barrel. Mara finished the distasteful, yet satisfying food, then drained her mug free of ale. Skarg refilled her cup, then crouched next to her as she drank in silence.

Despite being terrified of rape or worse, Mara at least had a full belly and clean skin. The ale slowly began to relax the naked girl's tense muscles, she reclined against the cool stone wall of the barracks and rubbed her left hand down the surface of the mug absently. Skarn refilled his prisoner's cup several times, until her eyes were glassy and her legs grew slack. The members of Skarn's squad pushed back into the room, laughing and punching each other after a good meal and several flagons of cold ale. The Giak chief backed away from the drowsy mage girl and allowed his men to gaze lustfully at their prize.

"She's all yours, boys," said Skarg graciously before he got out of the way and stood near a corner to watch the show.

Mara was grabbed from the cot and placed on her back upon the floor, then her bonds were untied before her limbs were spread out and held to the floor. The drunken girl did nothing as her breasts were fondled and sucked by horny Giaks, while others licked and bit her white flesh, drawing little trickles of red blood from her skin. One Giak knelt between the naked girl's thighs, leaning down to bury his muzzle in her warm pussy. Mara moaned softly as the goblin licked the petals of her labia then inserted his slimy tongue into her tight cunt. He loudly sucked and thrust into the girl's red-haired snatch, devouring her sweet pussy flesh with a lustful frenzy. Another Giak released his engorged cock, then rubbed it lewdly across Mara's lovely face. The helpless girl groaned with revulsion before the Giak forced his member past her full, red lips, filling her mouth and throat with his engorged meat. Almost unconsciously, Mara began sucking on the penis, her cheeks taut with effort as she caressed the monster's pole with her wet tongue.

A Giak sucked hungrily on each of her tits, biting and licking her pink nipples until they grew hard with arousal. They latched their fanged mouths onto her heaving mounds, relishing the taste of her warm flesh. The Giak tongue-fucking Mara's pussy licked across her throbbing slit until warm fluid began to flow from her womanhood. The gobin quickly lapped up Mara's honey, nuzzling her red muff and inhaling her rich, female scent. Another Giak pushed the cunt-sucker away then guided his hard cock into her open fuckhole. He slammed his tool painfully into the naked girl's pussy, then began pumping in and out of her tight lovetunnel, filling her womb with his slick meat.

Mara moaned loudly around the cock filling her mouth, her eyes shut as the Giak above her pushed his rod deeper into her slim throat, then moved his crotch up and down, enjoying the feel of her lips caressing and rubbing his pole. With a gasp, the Giak orgasmed, shooting green cum onto Mara's face and neck. Coughing and gasping for air, the naked girl barely had a free moment before another Giak moved forward and shoved his dripping cock into her open mouth. A Giak straddled Mara's bare chest before placing his tool between her round breasts and started sliding it back and forth as he pressed her tits together with his sharp claws.

Several Giaks stood around the naked girl as she was gang-banged, masturbating with their greenish cocks before shooting streams of cum across Mara's naked skin. The Giak tit-fucking Mara shot his load over her small chin, then backed away as two Giaks turned the ravaged girl onto her hands and knees. As a Giak pumped his tool into Mara's slack mouth, another creature rammed his cock into her sore pussy, stretching the tender flesh to its limits as he pushed deeply into her belly. Yet another Giak straddled the naked girl's back, rubbing his rod across her anus before sliding it slowly into her butthole. The penis in her mouth muffled Mara's screams as both of her rear orifices were filled with Giak cock. The grinning goblinoids thrust into her, probing deeply into her body as another Giak slid under her bobbing tits and began sucking on her mounds with slavering fangs. The Giak fucking Mara's moist lips orgasmed, pumping hot cum across her already jism-soaked cheeks and face.

The naked girl sputtered to clear the cream from her mouth as she struggled to breathe. The laughing Giak knelt down to rub the sticky fluid across Mara's red lips, forcing her to lick it from his scaly digits. Grabbing her face with both claws, the goblin kissed Mara crudely on the lips, pressing his long tongue down her throat with sadistic delight. The helpless girl moaned with despair and pain as another Giak took his place in front of her, dangling his dripping cock before her eyes and nose before shoving it into her mouth, sliding his meat past her slack lips. Green, sticky cum coated her white flesh, mingling with trickles of blood from scratches and bite marks. Her mind clouded with sexual stimuli, alcohol, and terror, Mara knelt passively on her hands and knees as she was raped all night by the squad of Giak soldiers, their howls of ecstasy and pleasure roaring in her ears.

====

The wiry Elven warrior walked proudly through the entry portal of the tall, crystal tower that housed the Council. Around the shining tower was a vast city of tree houses and pink crystal dwellings. The City of the Elves was deep within the Great Forest of Kelderwood, far in Southern Magnamund. Striding into the vast entry chamber, the Elven fighter levitated gracefully into the air until he reached the landing that led to the Assembly Hall. Nodding to the two guards watching the entryway, the fighter strode down a carpeted path past softly glowing LightOrbs until he stood before the levitating Council members. Each of the five Elves was dressed in gray robes that hid their figures and sex. Cowls hid their facial features, while a shaft of bright, white light illuminated each of them with searing clarity.

"Are you prepared, Melf?" asked the leader of the Council.

"Yes, my lord," acknowledged the raven-haired Elf with a respectful nod.

"You must leave the Great Forest and find the renegade, Gwena," emphasized a female voice from a darkened hood.

"And when you do, you must kill her," finished a male voice. "Gwena has become corrupt with the Darklords' taint and must be destroyed before she annihilates us all."

"I understand, I will do as you ask," replied Melf.

"Then go and free Magnamund of the Dark Elf's evil," chanted all the Council members together before they faded away.

The five shafts of light died, plunging the room into dimly lit shadow as Melf turned and left the Assembly Hall. Re-emerging from the crystal tower, Melf made directly for his small room in a nearby inn to retrieve his backpack and weapons. Paying the young Elf girl at the bar, Melf left the inn then chanted the words of a Teleport spell before vanishing in a spray of greenish light.

Mara lay upon her small cot, naked but clean after Skarg splashed water over her earlier in the morning. At the moment she was alone, tied to the cot as her captors went to eat and drill within the fortress-city. Struggling within her bonds, Mara closed her eyes and envisioned the ropes, calling upon the power of magick to release her. Mouthing the words to a Telekinesis spell, the ropes slowly rustled and slid apart.

Mara rubbed her sore, bruised wrists, then quickly jumped to her feet and searched for some clothing. She found a discarded shirt on one of the Giak's cots, then some oversized breeches made of coarse leather. Tying the breeches against her slim waist with some rope, Mara tucked a short knife into her makeshift belt, then peeked outside to see if she could flee. Giaks and Helghast roamed the streets, either patrolling the area or going about their assigned tasks. The slim girl did see several groups of humans walking along the edges of the roads, carrying burdens for their Giak masters or clutching scrolls protectively with their arms. Gritting her teeth, Mara left the barracks and entered the congested streets, her back hunched as she tried to remain inconspicuous and blend with the crowd.

After being shoved aside and prodded by several leering Giaks, Mara made her way to the west gate and slid past the inattentive guards. Once past the gaze of the Giak soldiers, Mara sprang into a desperate run, pumping her legs for all she was worth until she reached the foot of the surrounding mountains. Stopping briefly to catch her breath, Mara swung her head up as she heard the sound of horses approaching from a nearby mountain trail. Searching desperately for somewhere to hide, the lovely girl crouched behind some nearby bushes and held her breath with fear.

A party of Dark Elves rode into view, led by a devastatingly beautiful Dark Elf woman dressed in skintight black leather. Behind the Elf woman rode four Dark Elf warriors, men with long, black hair, pasty-white skin, and lean, gaunt bodies. As the Dark Elves rode past, Mara pressed her lips together and grasped the hilt of her knife tightly. Suddenly, the Dark Elf woman stopped her horse, and with a brief exchange of hand signals, the whole party dismounted and charged towards the kneeling girl. Gasping with terror, Mara shot to her feet and drew her knife, waving it in wide arcs to keep the Elves away from her. Faster than thought, one of the Dark Elf males shot his hand forward and caught her weapon wrist. Twisting savagely, the Dark Elf forced Mara to drop her knife, then he turned her arm behind her back and held it in place with a vice-like grip. Panting for breath, the captured girl watched with apprehension as the Dark Elf woman walked forward and cupped her chin gently.

"Very pretty," remarked the Elf woman with a cold grin. "She would bring a fine price on the slave block.

"Do we really have the time, Victoria?" asked one of the Dark Elf fighters. "I thought you made quite a bit from the last one."

"A girl always has expenses," replied the Elf woman with a smile as she slowly caressed Mara's neck, then slid her right hand between the girl's full breasts. "We'll take her with us for now."

"As you wish," said the fighter with a frown.

"Now, who are you, my little one?" asked Victoria as she placed her right hand on Mara's smooth forehead and whispered an ESP spell. "Ah, a mage. Your name is Mara, and you're on a quest to recover the lost Sommersword. How delightful!"

"Maybe we should give her to the governor of Helmstorm. The Darklords will want her," warned the argumentative Dark Elf.

"No. I like this one, Ash. She's mine," replied Victoria with teeth bared as she continued to probe Mara's defenseless mind. "She knew Brandon, a Crystal Star mage. And she saw Gwena Starblade! It is a small world."

"We should definitely give her up. The Darklords want Gwena dead," informed Ash.

"I'm quite aware of that," said Victoria. "It's such a pity, she really had a lot of potential."

"Please, don't hurt me," begged Mara with tears in her wide eyes.

"Oh, I won't hurt you, much," promised Victoria with a leer before she bent to kiss Mara lovingly on the nose. "Tie her wrists, then put her on one of the horses."

"Yes, ma'am," acknowledged Ash as he walked forward to take the trembling girl from her captor.

Tying her small wrists with a leather strap, the gaunt Dark Elf led her to his horse, then helped her up before mounting behind her. With a snap of her reins, Victoria turned her band around and re-entered the mountains, leaving the smoky, iron behemoth of Helmstorm behind.

====

The Dark Elf Victoria led her band swiftly across the empty grasslands. Mara remained silent and still with Ash as they rode south. Days passed without incident, until finally the group reached the gently rolling hills leading to the Starns, one of many tall mountain ranges in Southern Magnamund.

As evening darkened the clear skies, Victoria supervised the raising of a rich, silk, pitch-black tent. The Dark Elven warriors accompanying the Elf woman packed her belongings inside, then lit several silver braziers to warm up the interior before departing with respectful nods. Stretching out on a pile of soft cushions, Victoria relaxed her long, slim legs and bare arms, smiling mysteriously at the bound mage girl. Mara stood near the center pole of the tent, her arms bound behind her back with tight leather.

"Why are we going south?" asked Mara tentatively.

"That's where the Sommersword is, isn't it?" replied Victoria as she poured herself a cup of wine.

"Why do you want to find the blade?" shot back Mara.

"Let's just say that life under Darklord rule isn't as lucrative as I thought it would be," retorted Victoria before she took a long drink from her carved, wooden cup. "Naar's servants did a great job of destroying the human realms and creating chaos, but they don't make very good administrators. Rebel sects are all over the place, raiding slave caravans and attacking Darklord garrisons. It's very bad for business."

"So you want to help overthrow the Darklords?" inquired Mara with disbelief.

"Yes. They've gotten desperate lately. The Nadziranim are summoning powers better left alone. Elves are more sensitive to the magick of this world than you humans. Something's coming, attracted by the death and terror created by the Darklords' reign. They must be stopped before the world is completely destroyed. I'd never make a profit after that," said Victoria with a grin.

"If you want to help me, why keep me tied up?" asked Mara sharply.

"Oh, you look so cute in bondage," answered Victoria with a giggle. "Besides, if I help you eliminate the Darklords and Gwena Starblade, I want to do it on my terms, not yours."

"Fine," replied Mara with a sigh.

"Now, have you ever heard of sex magick?" asked Victoria intently.

"No, never," said Mara with a curious expression.

"Those Flame Order mages didn't teach you very well, did they?" remarked the Dark Elf woman. "Sex magick is very powerful, it enhances your spells and allows you access to levels of power far beyond your current abilities. Tonight I'll give you a demonstration."

"Uh, no, that's OK," stammered Mara. "I'll pass on the lesson."

"Nonsense. Every female mage needs to learn Sex Craft," admonished Victoria as she stood up and approached the bound girl.

Backing away fearfully, Mara grimaced as the Dark Elf took her arms and led her to a wooden frame near the north wall of the tent. The red-haired girl gazed apprehensively at the strange device composed of two vertical poles topped by a single wooden beam. Leather manacles hung by chains from the top beam, manacles that Victoria placed Mara's wrists in after untying her, then pulled tight against the girl's flesh. Mara stood beneath the wooden beam with her arms spread out as the Dark Elf woman cut off her stolen clothes, then stood back to admire the bound girl's naked body.

"You are one hot piece of ass," complimented Victoria before she moved to a nearby chest and withdrew a long, leather whip.

Mara moaned with fright as the Elf woman cracked the whip a few times for practice then slashed the weapon across her bare back, stinging her flesh and leaving a bright, red welt. The helpless girl screamed in pain as Victoria lashed her naked skin again and again, whipping her smooth, firm ass and thighs. Mara cried out with each lash, tears dripping down her pale cheeks, but her pussy growing warm and wet. The naked girl's breasts heaved for air, the pink nipples hard with uncontrollable arousal as she was beaten over and over with the slick, leather whip. Glistening with sweat, Victoria walked forward to attach a leather choke collar around Mara's slim neck, then pulled her head back by the hair to kiss her passionately on the mouth. The Elf woman slid her tongue past Mara's slack lips, caressing the bound girl's tongue lustfully. Without thought, Mara returned the Dark Elf's embrace, entwining her tongue with her mistress'.

Smiling with satisfaction, Victoria ran her right hand across Mara's rising tits, squeezing the round, firm mounds of flesh before sliding her hand down the girl's flat stomach. The red-haired girl moaned with excitement as the Elf woman caressed down her wet skin to her bush of red pubic hair. Kissing Mara's neck, Victoria fondled the girl's pussy, sliding her fingers into her wet cunt, then entering her slit to stroke the clenching flesh inside. Mara gasped loudly, turning her head so she could kiss Victoria's sweet, purple-painted lips. The two women kissed for an eternity, their lips and mouths sliding and rubbing wetly against each other as their tongues wrapped together like two coupling snakes.

Breaking away to gasp for air, Victoria grinned lustfully as she leaned down to suck on Mara's beautiful breasts, filling her mouth with the young woman's hot, sweaty flesh. The bound girl groaned in ecstasy as the Dark Elf licked and sucked her tits, caressing her nipples with a slick tongue. Mara leaned against her bound wrists, breasts jutting forward so that Victoria could squeeze and suck harder on them. Saliva trickled down the cleavage between Mara's round orbs as the Elf woman devoured them, then licked slowly down to the naked girl's crotch. Inhaling the young woman's rich, female scent, Victoria licked slowly across her quivering pussy, sucking lightly on the girl's wet labia before burying her face in the bound girl's cunt.

Mara groaned loudly with pleasure as she wriggled in her restraints, her round ass thrust outwards before Victoria grabbed her by the hips to keep her crotch steady as she sucked and probed inside the naked girl's fuckhole. Sweat dripped from Mara's soaked red hair as she gasped and moaned with sexual pleasure, her pussy on fire as the Elf woman thrust into her womb and drank her warm honey. A powerful orgasm built inside Mara's slim, naked body, forcing her to shudder and groan before her mind exploded with release. Fluid gushed out of Mara's cunt into Victoria's waiting mouth, filling the tent with the scents of sex and womanhood. Victoria lapped all of her lover's cream like a starving animal, then buried her mouth in Mara's throbbing snatch to suck up whatever remained.

Mara panted for breath, hanging limply within her wrist manacles until Victoria staggered to her feet and released her. The nude, sweating girl fell against the Dark Elf, clutching the woman's shoulders as she rested her head on her mistress' heaving breasts. Victoria kissed and stroked her love slave's moist, red hair, then tilted the girl's head up by the chin so she could embrace her passionately.

Breaking away, Victoria led/carried the weak girl to the pile of cushions, then helped her lay down to rest. Removing her own garments, the naked Elf woman lay down next to Mara, then wrapped her arms around the trembling, exhausted girl until they both fell asleep.

====

Victoria poured Mara a fresh cup of orange juice as the two women ate breakfast within the Dark Elf's tent. Using her magick, the lovely Elf woman created a feast of scrambled eggs, sausage, fresh muffins, and fruit. The mage girl dove into the repast with vigor, making up for days of near starvation and abuse. The whip marks and bruises from the previous night were gone thanks to Victoria's abilities and healing arts. As Mara finished her third serving, the Dark Elf woman left the table to check on her male cohorts.

"Get a little rough last night?" asked Ash as he held a steaming mug of coffee.

"Just the way I like it," grinned Victoria before she turned to watch the other three Dark Elves pack their horses and prepare to ride.

"What are we going to do with the human bitch?" inquired Ash crossly.

"We're going to help her find the Sommersword, then we kill the Darklords before they take us all down into damnation," replied Victoria resolutely.

"Dark Elves are already damned, we've nothing to gain by eliminating the Darklords."

"You're wrong. With the Darklords gone, we can step in and take over the whole planet. Think of all the business opportunities and profit!" smiled the Elf woman greedily.

"You do have a point there," mused Ash, who rubbed his chin in thought. "Alright, I'll tell the boys the good news."

"Very good," agreed Victoria with a steely gaze before she turned around and re-entered the tent. "All done, Mara?"

"Yes, thank you," replied Mara as she stood up and smiled warmly. "Do you have any spare clothes that I can use?"

"I have just the thing for you," said Victoria while she moved to a chest near the west wall and unlatched it open. Digging around a bundle of clothing, the Elf woman removed a long, black dress made of shimmering silk.

Grinning with delight, Mara took the dress, then removed the robe she was wearing to slip the garment on. The dress snuggled against the girl's slim body, showing off her seductive figure. A horizontal oval on the bodice exposed a generous portion of creamy, white cleavage, while slits along the sides revealed tantalizing glimpses of her firm, lithe legs.

"You look beautiful," beamed Victoria before she walked behind Mara and helped the girl tie her long, red hair in a loose ponytail.

Relishing the feel of silk against her skin, the mage girl fastened a small golden belt to her shapely waist. A sheath on the belt held a small dagger with a jeweled pommel.

"Let's go," urged the Elf woman as she took Mara's arm and led her from the black-hued tent.

After the two women exited the shelter, the male Dark Elves quickly disassembled it and stowed it away. Mounting their steeds, the Dark Elves waited while Victoria climbed into her own saddle, then helped Mara climb on behind her. Snapping the reins, the Elf woman led her band south, into the foothills of the Starns. The route was difficult, but not excessively so as the five riders made steady progress along the foothill trails. Two days of riding brought the group to the Kraknalorg Chasm, a deep, barren rift in the terrain that stretched for miles. Turning west, Victoria led her followers around the rift, then resumed riding south with determination.

As the party drew within range of the River Lause, a flash of greenish light appeared in front of Victoria. Melf gazed intently at Mara then turned his head to view the Dark Elf warriors who were leaping from their steeds and drawing swords. Moving faster than thought, Melf drew his own longsword, then parried a lightning swift lunge from a Dark Elf. Knocking the ebony-hued blade aside, Melf slashed forward, ripping a huge tear in his opponent's stomach. As the mortally wounded Dark Elf fell, Melf sliced open the throat of a second foe and exchanged blows with a third Elf. Ash slid gracefully to Melf's left, searching for an opening as the Elf mage slashed and parried dozens of attacks. Chanting quickly, Melf cast a Light spell directly in his opponent's eyes, then ran him through with his silver blade. With blood frothing from the mouth, the dying Dark Elf fell from Melf's sword, giving Ash an opportunity to strike. Lashing out like a poisonous snake, Ash stabbed forward, cutting a deep furrow in Melf's left arm. Hissing with pain, Melf spun to meet Ash's advance, unleashing a flurry of swings to keep the Dark Elf at bay.

"Uh, guys, can we talk about this?" asked Victoria from her mounted position.

Neither Elf male responded as they circled each other, lashing out with the occasional swing while they examined each other's defenses. Suddenly, Ash kicked Melf in the right leg, then kicked the Elf again in the stomach. Melf gasped in pain, doubling over and falling back as Ash raised his dark blade and prepared to finish his enemy. Drawing a slim dagger from a belt sheath, Melf threw out his left arm, sending the knife flashing through the air before it embedded itself in Ash's stomach. Grunting in agony, Ash lowered his sword, allowing Melf to step forward and slice his neck open. Blood gushed out in a scarlet shower as the Dark Elf dropped his blade and clasped his ruined throat with both hands. While Ash fell limply to the ground, Melf positioned himself in front of Victoria and leveled his sword at her.

"Release the human girl and I won't kill you," ordered Melf coldly.

"It might interest you to know that Mara was never my prisoner," retorted Victoria wryly before she helped the mage girl off the saddle, then dismounted smoothly herself.

"Is the Dark Elf bitch telling the truth, Mara?" asked Melf with a frown.

"Yes, my lord. Victoria has agreed to help me recover the Sommersword," responded Mara quickly.

"Why? So you can sell it to the highest bidder?" spat Melf as he glared at Victoria bitterly.

"No. I want to see the Darklords destroyed as much as you do," said the Elf woman calmly.

"Well, since Mara seems to vouch for you, I'll let you live for now," informed Melf. "We better get moving, the Darklords and Queen Starblade are preparing for a major advance."

"Where? Against the Fortress of Light?" asked Mara fearfully.

"No, against each other. Spies have been monitoring troop movements for days. Gwena crossed the Divide with a huge army and seems intent on destroying the Darklords face-to-face. Agarash has summoned all of the Darklords together and dug in near the Doomlands of Naaros. Both sides are playing to win," said Melf.

"Then we better get the sword quickly," replied Victoria as she turned to remount her horse.

"Forget the horse, Teleporting is quicker," said Melf before he sheathed his sword and clasped his hands together.

"Have you ever been to the temple where the Sommersword is kept?" asked Victoria before she moved to stand next to the thin Elf fighter.

"No, but Mara is linked to the magick of the sword. She will be my guide to the temple," replied Melf as he took the mage girl's right hand and held it tightly. "Are you coming or not?"

"I'm coming," muttered Victoria as she took Mara's left hand and gave the girl a reassuring squeeze.

Chanting words of Elven power, Melf closed his eyes and summoned his magick. Green swirls of light surrounded the three adventurers, then with a bright flash the trio disappeared. In a moment, Melf Teleported the two women into a dank, overcast swamp. Animals both large and small raised a chaotic jumble of noise, while insects swarmed in to feed on the newcomers' blood. Muttering a minor charm, Victoria dispelled the insects, then drew her slim sword as Melf unsheathed his own blade. Mara grabbed the hilt of her dagger but kept it sheathed as the Elf male scanned the area with his sight.

"Can you sense the Sommersword?" asked Melf tersely.

"Yes, it's north," replied the lovely mage girl before she began walking deeper into the stinking bog.

Melf stayed close to Mara's side while Victoria guarded the rear of the group as they marched north. Ominous splashes echoed from behind droopy-limbed trees as the party sloshed through the fetid water. Entering a large clearing, Mara stared in wonder at the tall, marble pyramid that was once a grand temple to the god, Kai. Rushing ahead, Melf reached the foot of the structure, then he climbed warily up the broken, uneven steps. Mara and Victoria hurried to catch up with the Elven fighter, then stayed close as Melf reached the yawning portal that granted access to the temple's interior. With a sharp, loud hiss, a green-scaled head emerged from the darkness--a head attached to the sinewy body of a Green Dragon.

Shouting in alarm, Melf shoved the two women back, then charged the advancing beast with his sword held high. Roaring a challenge, the dragon slashed out with long, razor-sharp claws, forcing Melf to duck and roll. Squatting under the evil serpent, Melf stabbed several times into the monster's tough hide, punching vicious holes into its flesh. The dragon roared in pain then kicked Melf high into the air, where he slowly fell until he splashed loudly upon the water.

Raising her left arm, Victoria chanted the spell Lightning Bolt, then unleashed a jagged lance of blue energy at the stomping worm. Dragon flesh sizzled and fell away like hot wax as the monster screamed in agony then dived from the pyramid to glide unsteadily into the air. Watching the serpent gain altitude, Mara bit her red, lower lip, then whispered the incantation of Mana Bolt. Aiming with her right hand, the mage girl hurled three glowing darts of magickal power towards the swooping dragon. All three bolts homed in on the serpent's body and slammed into its hide, creating three smoking wounds. The dragon lost control of its flight, then crashed into the pool of water surrounding its decrepit lair. As the creature struggled to rise, Melf lurched to his feet, then marched over to the worm before impaling it many times with his shining blade. The Green Dragon whimpered softly before its head fell beneath the pool's surface and its body grew slack. Grinning triumphantly, Melf cleaned his gore-drenched sword on the beast's hide, then quickly ripped off a dragon's tooth that he placed within a belt pouch.

"If you're quite through getting souvenirs, let's go get the Sommersword," urged Victoria as she waited for the Elf warrior to rejoin the group.

Running up the dangerous stairs, Melf reunited with his companions then took the lead into the temple. The interior of the structure was dark, but shafts of blazing sunlight broke up the blackness in patches. Using his Elven sight, Melf detected no other monsters within the pyramid, then he cautiously proceeded forward, sword held ready just in case. The trio walked quietly until they reached the far wall, where an altar to Kai had been built. Defaced and shattered, the marble table still seemed to radiate a kind of quiet majesty, augmented by the presence of a golden sword lying upon its broken surface. Eyes wide with awe, Mara stepped forward until she stood directly before the Sommerswerd. She sensed that the weapon pulsed with arcane life, the power of the god Kai and the goddess Ishir. Mara picked up the ancient sword, then turned to present it to Melf.

"You must bear the Sommersword into battle, Melf, for only a fighter pure of heart can wield it," intoned the girl solemnly.

"I accept," replied Melf before he grasped the blade's hilt and held it high in the air.

The Sommersword glowed with the sun's brilliance, bonding itself to the Elf fighter. As warmth infused Melf's blood, the blade's light faded to a faint glow.

"That was very impressive, but can we go now?" complained Victoria shrilly.

Melf and Mara looked at each other in resignation, then laughed at their shared exasperation before following the Dark Elf woman out of the empty temple. As the trio re-emerged into the daylight, Victoria froze in place and brandished her sword as a tall, muscled figure stood before them.

"Hey, Mara. How's my pretty fucktoy?" asked Captain Kruger with an evil, gap-toothed smile.

====

Kruger drew his sword slowly, relishing Mara's fear as she remembered how he violated her naked body that first night of the quest. Holding the weapon tightly with both hands, Kruger shifted his blood-shot gaze to Melf, who advanced slowly with his own blade at the ready. Spitting at the Elf warrior's feet, Kruger lunged forward, swinging his sword at the deceptively weak-armed Elf. Moving with ease and grace, Melf parried the attack, then launched his own assault on the muscled human. Kruger backed away as he blocked several sword blows, then smashed his left fist into Melf's face. Clutching a broken nose, the Elf fighter was unprepared as Kruger slashed across his torso, ripping open his chainmail vest and cleaving deeply into flesh. Groaning with pain, Melf fell to the ground while Victoria rushed forward to take the fallen warrior's place.

"If you know what's good for you, filth, you'll leave now!" declared the Dark Elf woman as she swung at Kruger, forcing him to jump away.

"It'll be a cold day in hell before I let a cunt like you tell me what to do," replied Kruger with a snarl before he counter-attacked, smashing his sword against Victoria's.

Mara drew her own small dagger, but hung back fearfully as the two combatants danced around each other, their swords ringing loudly as they exchanged swipes. With an aimed slash, Kruger sliced open Victoria's leather vest, exposing her large, round breasts.

"Nice knockers," complimented Kruger before he stabbed the Elf woman in the right thigh, then smashed the flat of his blade across her face.

Falling unconscious to the ground, Victoria lay like a beautiful, broken doll as Kruger stepped over her limp body and approached the trembling mage girl.

"I'm gonna enjoy having you again," whispered the fighter viciously.

"I'm not ever going to let you touch me," swore Mara as she raised her right hand and began chanting.

Kruger stopped smiling, his expression growing alarmed as blue lightning started to form around the red-haired girl's fingertips. Grinning fiercely, Mara hurled a sizzling bolt of energy at the burly warrior, punching a huge whole into his armored chest. Blood and gore spurted out of Kruger's back, while a stream of scarlet fluid vomited out of his mouth. Clutching his chest vainly, Kruger stumbled forward as he dropped his sword, then he fell bonelessly to the ground, a pool of red liquid expanding under his body. Sighing with relief, Mara rushed to Victoria's side, helping the wounded Dark Elf to her feet.

"Shit, that hurts," complained Victoria as she clutched her bleeding thigh with her right hand.

"Hold still," instructed Mara while she ripped the bottom of her black dress away and used the material to bandage her lover's leg.

"Thanks," hissed the Dark Elf before both women went to help Melf. The Elf warrior lay weakly upon his back while blood oozed from his chest wound and stained his green surcoat.

"Looks like Mr. Elf could use some Healing right about now," gloated Victoria with a cruel smile.

"I'm in hell," moaned Melf before he closed his eyes in frustration.

Giggling softly to herself, Victoria knelt down next to the fallen Elf, then placed her delicate right hand over Melf's chest wound. Whispering a Heal spell, the Dark Elf created a warm, golden light that sealed the painful sword slash then repaired the arm wound from the fight with the Green Dragon. Falling silent, Victoria started to fall backwards with exhaustion until Mara caught her. Flexing his healed arm, Melf climbed slowly to his feet, the helped Victoria rise.

"Thanks," offered Melf reluctantly as he slid his gaze to the edge of the swamp clearing.

"You're welcome," replied Victoria before she hugged Mara lightly by the shoulders, then led the younger girl down the stairs of the ruined temple. "Are you coming or not?"

"I'm right behind you," retorted Melf as he cast one more baleful look at the dead Kruger, then turned to follow his companions back to the swamp.

Rushing to draw ahead of the two women, Melf stopped in front of them and said, "We don't have to walk out of the swamp. I can Teleport us directly to the Doomlands of Naaros where Gwena and the Darklords are going to fight."

"Let's go then," prodded Victoria as she grasped Mara's left hand, then held out her own left palm for Melf.

With slight hesitation, Melf slid his right hand into the Dark Elf's, then chanted the magick words for Teleport. With a greenish flash of light, the trio was whisked away by arcane forces until they reappeared in the Doomlands of Naaros.

The companions stood upon a small rise that beheld the huge, desolate plain where two great armies of Giaks fought for their masters. Hundreds of thousands of infantry soldiers slashed and stabbed at each other while undead Helghasts kept the ranks in order or led offensives against their rival brothers. The bulk of the two armies fought on the northern side of the Rift, a great crack in the earth that dominated the entire region of the Doomlands. On the southern side, the remaining Darklords sat and watched the blood-soaked spectacle of battle. Far to the north, at the very entrance to the Doomlands, Gwena Starblade could been seen sitting upon her dragon, Holocaust, watching her forces advance into the jaws of the Darklord army.

"Who do we take out first?" asked Victoria lightly.

"The Darklords. They're closer, and they're more vulnerable to the Sommersword," said Melf as he grasped the hilt of the sheathed weapon tightly, then began descending the rise for the barren ground below.

Mara inhaled the stale, charnel-scented air deeply to clear her head of doubt and fear, then followed her companions, focusing her thoughts in preparation of summoning her magick.

Casting Invisibility on the group, Victoria drew her slim sword as she followed the determined Melf. Walking silently towards the engrossed Darklords, the trio reached melee range just before the Demoness Shamath gasped in alarm. The Deathstaff in the female Darklord's left hand burned with purple fire, then flared to life as it dispelled Victoria's Invisibility spell.

Exposed to the Darklords' sight, Melf raised the Sommersword and bathed it in the faint sunlight falling from the overcast sky. Glowing faintly, the enchanted weapon's magick grew stronger as a stray sunbeam burst from the clouds and engulfed the sword. Shielding their sensitive eyes with their arms, Shamath, the two Kunae, and Agarash, leader of the Darklord Empire, shrieked in terror as Melf pointed the flaming Sommersword at them and unleashed its holy power. An immense, dripping stream of magickal fire shot forward, enfolding the Darklords in its deadly embrace. They screamed in agony as the white-hot flames consumed their evil flesh. Skin and muscle dropped from their bones to hiss and steam upon the lifeless gray soil. In moments, nothing remained of the Darklords; their spirits were hurled wailing in despair back to Naar's decayed domain.

"That was neat," observed Victoria with a grin before she turned to watch the Darklords' armies lose heart and fall back in full rout.

Pressing their advantage, Gwena's soldiers charged forward, slaughtering thousands of Giaks as they attempted to flee.

"It's time," said Melf to the empty air while the two women looked at him askance.

With a flare of white light, the Elven Council appeared over the Rift, hovering in their gray robes and facing the two Giak armies. Chanting with booming, resonating voices, the Council hurled flaming balls of death at the embattled Giaks. Explosions roared across the Doomlands, killing Giaks and Helghasts with equal ease. Blue lightning bolts shot down from the sky to slay even more soldiers, turning the battlefield into a hellish, burning vista of death and pain.

"Magnamund is cleansed of evil at last," declared the Elven Council before they faded away into the smoke-choked air.

"Wow," muttered Mara with wide eyes as she beheld the dying remains of the goblinoid legions.

All three companions stood in silent amazement at the raw power they had just witnessed. The adventurers were jarred from their revelry by a burst of Mana bolts that caught Melf in the torso, sending him flying backwards into the hard ground. Roaring with fury, Holocaust hovered over the two women as Gwena stood in her stirrups and levelled her ebony sword at the companions.

"I could have been Queen of Magnamund if you two bitches hadn't interfered. Now I'm going to cut both of you into bloody ribbons!" shouted Gwena. She invoked the power of her Ring and flung a fireball at her enemies.

Victoria and Mara jumped away from the flaming orb before it smashed into the ground and exploded into a cloud of ravenous fire. The Dark Elf hurled a throwing knife at Gwena, stabbing the Elf woman in the left arm. Snarling with rage, Gwena cast four Mana bolts at Victoria, which smashed into the Dark Elf's vulnerable back. Moaning with agony, Victoria stumbled, then fell onto her stomach, lying deathly still.

Holding back hot tears of fright, Mara prepared to cast a Lightning Bolt just as two blurs appeared around Gwena, slashing at the Elf woman with razor-sharp claws. Bright, red wounds appeared on Gwena's arms and face, causing her to shriek with rage and pain. A huge bite mark appeared on Holocaust's throat, spewing hot dragon blood upon the thirsty ground. The crippled serpent fell like a rock and smashed into the earth. Gwena jumped away from the dead dragon, then spun to brandish her sword before Rachel and Jemma, who had temporarily ceased their frenzied attack.

"What do you two vampire sluts want?" spat Gwena as eldritch fire bathed her dark-bladed weapon.

"We've been ordered to kill you," said Jemma with bloody claws extended. "Make it easy on yourself and surrender. I promise it will be quick and painless."

"For the sake of our one-time friendship, I'll dispatch you quickly," retorted Gwena before she turned to attack Rachel with her powers.

The Ring of Power pulsed with excitement, summoning green fire out of the ground to engulf Rachel. The raven-haired vampire woman screamed loudly as the raging flames devoured her, reducing her body to ashes in mere seconds. Jemma ran forward in a blur of movement, slashing deep wounds in Gwena's sides and back. Grunting with pain, the Elf woman swung her evil blade in wide arcs, increasing the speed of her slashes until a blow ripped into Jemma's cold, pale flesh. Blood fountained into the air with aching slowness as Jemma re-emerged into full view. Grinding her perfect, white teeth, Gwena decapitated the lovely vampire girl, then watched the headless body drop to the ground and jerk uncontrollably before surrendering to oblivion.

As Gwena had fought the two vampires, Mara had begun to creep towards her from behind. Growing faint from blood loss, the Elf woman failed to notice the mage's advance. When she reached the disoriented would-be Queen, Mara raised her small dagger into the air and stabbed down, impaling the Elf in the neck. Gwena's eyes grew wide with agony as the young woman stabbed her again and again, turning the back of her neck and shoulders into a bloody, pulped ruin. Gasping wetly for air, Gwena stumbled forward and fell down onto her stomach. Panting for breath, Mara pushed back a strand of sweaty red hair then leaned down to turn the Elf onto her back. With blood trickling down her full, moist lips, Gwena blinked her glazed eyes open.

"Damn you…" she muttered, before issuing a final sigh and closing her eyes again, forever.

Mara watched the Elf woman's flesh grow pasty white and cold, then stood up and ran to help her friends.

On the dead woman's finger, the Ring of Power's glow slowly ebbed. Finally, when its light had died completely, the evil artifact disappeared from the dead Elf's finger, fading out of existence.

====

"I think it was mean to abandon you on the battlefield while they took Melf away to be healed," said Mara as she sat along the banks of the River Tenda.

"Well, Dark Elves aren't welcome in Kelderwood," shrugged Victoria as she re-emerged from her black tent with two cups of wine. "But at least Melf Teleported our horses to us."

"That's true," nodded the mage girl as she accepted a cup and watched the Dark Elf woman sit next to her. "What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know. Take over an abandoned castle, become a loving and benevolent Queen; the world's full of possibilities with the huge power vacuum left by the Darklords," replied Victoria thoughfully. "What about you?"

"My teachers obviously neglected my magickal training. I learned more from you during our quest than from years of their lecturing. If it's alright, I'd like to travel with you for awhile," admitted Mara with a tentative smile.

"You don't mind it when I play rough?" asked Victoria.

"Believe me, I'm used to a lot worse," replied Mara with a saucy wink.

Both women laughed with joy and affection, then they drew close to kiss warmly, their full, red lips caressing each other's mouths as the yellow sun descended below the horizon. It was going to be a hot, steamy night.

~~~~~~