Jebidiah's Change Bk. 02 Ch. 05

Welcome back gentle reader

Chapter Four was not very erotic. It's hard to sprinkle that in when people are on the move. You'll find it in this chapter, because it is necessary, but things are ramping up and events won't have much room for romance as events of the world sharpen Jebidiah.

Standard disclaimer, multiply ages by roughly two to get equivalent Earth ages. Everyone is a consenting adult.

-- Somewhen, Somewhere --

"I don't see the need for these theatrics."

Bora sighed again, discomfort creeping through her. "I cannot stress how imperative it is the others do not know of this,"

Avellar sat across from Bora. The unnatural lighting gave Avellar's normally perfect complexion a strange pallor--not quite sickly, but just... off. Together, they had created a pocket dimension, one keyed to only themselves. They were not sure if even the Power had the ability to join them.

"Well, you got me here. No need for pleasantries, I suppose. What is the problem?"

Avellar hesitated--unusual for her. Bora spent the silence admiring Avellar. Like Bora, Avellar was an elf--flawless in form, as if shaped by divinity itself. Everything about her exuded I am beautiful, and for good reason. Avellar held primary domain over Art, Love, and Beauty, which gave ample reason for her to resemble the most perfect sculpture--the pinnacle of perfection--that any human could imagine. Bora held sway over Summer, Life, and Fertility. Avellar's Love and Beauty, Bora's Life and Fertility--the four dovetailed quite nicely together. Bora ruled over sex and passion, while Avellar governed the forces that drove lovers together. The two had become close friends over the centuries.

At last, Avellar spoke. "I made a judgement call. I may have erred--gravely."

Bora raised a shapely eyebrow. "And this involves me?"

Avellar hesitated again before giving a brief nod in response.

"My player?"

Avellar hesitated longer this time, as if she were afraid of saying what she wanted to. Bora chose to play along, for the time being.

Bora's voice grew firm. "My player's House?"

It was no real secret by now that three of the players were aligned in the very disruptive House Valor.

Another brief nod was the only response. Bora exhaled sharply, frustration mounting.

"I can't sit here and play twenty questions. This dimension costs both of us power, you know. What is going on?"

Avellar wavered, hesitation heavy in her eyes.

"Fuck!" Bora threw up her hands. "I mean--are we talking bigger than a fucking bread box?"

Avellar giggled, then froze at her own sound--like she was truly scared.

Bora's eyes narrowed. Her next question was a statement. "It's that utter cunt Magard, isn't it."

As if evoking the name removed some unseen barrier, Avellar began to speak... and didn't stop.

"She's up to something--evil even for her. You know what she's like when she feels she has the upper hand! Lashan came after me for something she did to him, and I have to admit, it scared me. I have never seen him rage the way he did."

Bora tried to ask a question, but Avellar failed to notice.

"Whatever it is, Lashan mobilized just about everything to go after our player, which your players are about to walk straight into. If what I fear is true, the resulting destruction might rival the Dragon Flight."

Bora raised an eyebrow. That was one episode nobody wanted to repeat.

Avellar gave a heavy sigh. "Magard's more unstable than usual--as if that was possible. She no longer consults with me for anything regarding our player--or plans. She began raiding wild elves to bring in more sacrifices for her altar--people nobody was likely to miss. Her minions overreached and attacked full settlements, so I encouraged those elves to reach out to your pet House for help."

Bora began putting the pieces together. "And now our players are charging straight into Magard's schemes--and Lashan is, well... being Lashan."

Bora did not try to hide that she was working with other Divine and their players. Avellar nodded gravely.

"But there is more. When last I came to you, something had changed within my spheres. Something fundamental. During a game."

This time Bora nodded in response. "I felt something as well, but know not what. Wait... you think it has to do with our players?"

Avellar sighed. "I know it now. It took me some time to track it down, but something changed within my marriage bonds. Specifically, the one binding your player's House."

Bora's eyes narrowed, her voice gaining a sharp edge. "Are you tracking players through their bonds?"

Avellar became defensive. "I can only sense the bonds--their strengths, their weaknesses. That is my domain."

Bora snorted. It wasn't exactly a denial. "So what about their bonds?"

Avellar shrugged. "I had hoped you would know. Perhaps... perhaps you could summon your player... to examine the bond directly."

Bora began to pace, thinking furiously. "If this is a trick--for you and Magard to gain knowledge of my player--I will never forgive you. You understand that? Hundreds of years, lost in an instant."

Avellar shook her head vigorously. "I swear. By the Power."

Bora sighed again. "We may require Comlain."

Avellar flinched.

"What were the two of you thinking?" Comlain's irritation tainted his words.

Avellar flinched again. "I have no idea what she is doing. You must realize how poorly she works with others."

Comlain paced before the two elves--an irritating habit he had developed since this current iteration of the game had begun. He abruptly stopped before Avellar, a decision evident on his face.

"You are certain that the bond was altered?"

Avellar nodded. He sighed in response. "Very well, Bora, summon your two. I will handle the rest."

Between the three Divine, five ethereal forms slowly coalesced. Jebidiah was in the center of the group with Crystal, Dana, Greta, and Mila arrayed in a pattern around him. All were sleeping. All were nude.

Avellar walked amidst their guests, admiring what she saw. "I can see how he would make a striking figure, even with the orc coursing through him."

She hesitated. "The orc... it is strong. Too strong."

She shot a glance at Comlain, eyes narrowed. "How did he not Change? Was this your doing?"

Comlain shrugged. "I have little understanding of how Axteus works or how it decides what it wants to do." He examined the sleeping forms before him more closely. "This is..." He hesitated, then knelt at Jebidiah's side, squinting at something. "Intriguing... Avellar, can you see his bond?"

Avellar moved to him and similarly knelt. Her eyebrows leapt in surprise. "What is this? It is not my bond, not wholly. Is this your doing? No... I think your intrigue was genuine. What does this mean?"

Rather than answer, he gestured toward the women around them. "What do you notice about their bond?"

Avellar looked around more closely, then her eyes widened. "There are two bonds--but only one is mine! This is... is... blasphemy!"

Bora stood with arms folded, impatience plain on her face as she addressed them. "I cannot see these bonds of yours, but can you at least share what is so wrong?"

Avellar looked to Comlain, crouched at her side, who shrugged in response. She turned her attention to Bora.

"There is a double bonding at work, but one of them is not mine. The bonds link to Jebidiah--both of them--but he has a single anchor, not two like the others."

"Most of the others."

Comlain's casual comment made Avellar whip her head back to him. "Explain."

He pointed to the goblin lying to his left. "She bears only a single bond, much like his. Looking at the threads, their single bond is a combination of the two the other's still bear."

He stood up and stretched, then caught himself, shrugged, and continued stretching. It wasn't like he had muscles to stretch out in this plane of existence. Old habits died hard.

"I think this may be my fault, in part."

Avellar moved over to Greta, pushing at the bonds with tentative fingers. "How so? You sound like this was unintentional."

Comlain sighed. "In for a penny I suppose."

He paused then, considering his options.

Bora snorted, unimpressed. "Pennies no longer exist, Wheldon. We're here together, like this. I think impropriety and secrecy left a while ago."

He chuckled at her use of his name, as much a piece of the past as pennies. His answer held a hard edge. "Yes, though, we really need to consider what we decide to share without consulting those it will impact. Isn't that right, Bora."

Bora waved dismissively.

"This may have implications beyond the game. Three of us are in collusion, why not a fourth? Are you going to share what you know or not?"

He spoke quickly, as if he expected someone to stop him--most likely himself. "I granted Jebidiah the ability to see and weave threads. Directly."

The others gasped, shocked. Bora's voice became unsteady.

"He can change the Weave? What are his limitations? How could you even do that? For fucks sake, Comalin! Why would you do such a thing?"

He shrugged and gave a small smile.

"Believe it or not, Axteus chose him. Axteus." He gave them a moment to let that sink in. "He was due to Change, and without Talent to boot. It seemed logical at the time, but he has done some unexpected things since. I don't know the specifics of what Darido and Aesis granted, but I think, in conjunction with my boon, new avenues were opened up for young Jebidiah. So he has tried some of them out."

He chuckled at a memory. "During his bonding ceremony he fucked with the magic--actually challenged me, in his own way. I think his singular bond was the result."

Avellar glanced up at him, a surprised look on her face. "Darido and Aesis blessed your player?"

Comlain contemplated her. "In for a pound..." He shrugged. "Yes, as I blessed his lizard."

Avellar shot upright. "The lizardfolk in his bond?" She looked to Bora for confirmation. Bora did not respond, which only confirmed Avellar's supposition.

"Then it's true--what the others whisper. You upset the balance of the game."

Comlain scoffed at her remarks. "We do no such thing. All we are doing is taking a different approach to the game--one not attempted before. And one, I might point out, our hands were forced into taking." He pointed to the man lying before him. "Forced by him. A mortal. And once again, he has done the unexpected."

Avellar knelt beside Greta once more, placing a hand on the center of her chest.

"This bond should not be."

Her hand violently spasmed, then withdrew involuntarily, her cry of pain shocking the others.

"Fuck!"

Comlain's voice was incredulous. "Are you in pain?"

Greta convulsed, body arching as her muscles locked. The cords in her neck looked ready to burst as her mouth was held open in a silent scream.

"Fuck!"

Bora's exclamation drew Comlain's attention as Mila now shot upright like a spring let loose. A silent snarl was on her lips as her spirit body flew to Greta's side, her foot lashing out at Avellar.

Comlain's incredulousness turned to anger. "What have you done?"

Avellar lashed out, her foot slamming into Mila's abdomen, sending her small body hurling into Jebidiah--who had just begun to rise. Jebidiah's body did not react to the impact and Mila slowly slid down to lay at his feet. He looked up from her crumpled form, taking in everything around him--stopping his gaze on Comlain. His single, accusatory word held more weight than it should have been able to.

"You."

Comlain lost his cool, raging at the absurdity of the situation he now found himself in.

"Fuck!"

The dimension collapsed.

-- Chapter 5: Mylar Road, North Outpost --

-- Fifth Tenday of Juntaen 813 AGR --

Don't be afraid to be the first to resort to violence.

- Taylor

Jebidiah woke in an instant, agitation flashing through the bonds. Several loud voices were engaged in an animated verbal disagreement. Disoriented by the absence of his wives, he quickly threw on a tunic. In his haste, he tripped over a bundle still cocooned in the blankets.

Mila.

He checked to see if she was okay--his half-remembered dream encounter with her had not been gentle. She did not wake at his prodding, no reaction at all. Panic gripped him irrationally, and he quickly checked if she was still breathing. She seemed fine. Just... comatose. He attempted again to rouse her, but the arguing outside escalated. Mila would have to wait until he figured out what was going on.

The morning sun strained against a pale blue sky, blocked by a host of pink-hued clouds that spoke of rain. He stretched as he exited the tent, his senses immediately assaulted by the smells of camp mixed with the sour odor of death and the unmistakable aroma of burnt meat. Looking to the west he easily spotted the bonfires raging, fueled by the unused remains of their horses. He scanned the outpost before him. The rooms had been turned into an infirmary to tend the injured, forcing everyone else to sleep in tents.

The source of the ruckus was easily discerned. Several figures were waving arms about as the angry shouting increased in volume. Jebidiah easily spotted Dana amid the group, her red hair tossing as she shook her head.

He hurried over, breaking through the noise with his own shout. The emotions in the bond were abnormal. Dana was angry, not unlike her, but Tenner exuded concern and Greta--her bond was a chaotic swirl.

His concern leaked out into his voice as he interrupted the argument. "What the everloving fuck is going on now?"

The shouting ceased as all eyes snapped to him. From their tense stances, it was clear--Dana and Captain Montague were on one side, while Greta, Tenner, and another armswoman faced off against them.

Jebidiah pointed past them to the outpost barracks. "We didn't sleep in there because it's now the infirmary."

He gestured toward the distant tent he had crawled out of. "I was still sleeping in there, waaaay over there, and your shouting woke me."

He nodded towards the barracks. "How much rest do you think our wounded are getting?"

Expressions of anger faltered into sheepish guilt.

"Now, calmly, what is going on?"

Dana's voice lashed out. "Little Miss Holy Crusader here has decided she's seen the Divine Light and is demanding we, and I quote, destroy the Dark abominations."

Jebidiah looked at the others, confusion on his face. He had never seen Dana this angry at someone in their family, except him

Greta answered, anger clouding her face. "They are Dark, Jeb. Beyond Dark. They are pure evil. They are our enemies--enemies of the Light." She motioned to the barracks. "The Pale wounded, maimed, and killed our people."

Her cheek twitched with an involuntary tic--something new. She stomped a foot. "Why can't anyone understand! They are an affront to the Divine!"

Jebidiah blinked, growing more concerned at the fervor in her voice. "Greta, love, this isn't like you."

Greta's eyes grew wide--the emotions in her bond a chaotic swirl he couldn't untangle.

"This is a load of minotaur shit." She pointed at Dana, her voice gaining an octave. "You sound just like her! What happened to everyone?"

"Greta, it's ok, really. Nobody is trying to be against you."

Tenner tried to touch her arm, but Greta immediately flinched away. Tenner looked at Jebidiah, a silent plea through the bond. Dana moved to step forward but Jebidiah motioned for her to stay with a silent command.

He slowly stepped in front of Greta, taking careful, small steps, emanating soothing calm through their connection.

"Greta, look at me."

Her eyes had grown wild, darting everywhere like a trapped animal searching for escape. Her gaze locked onto his as he spoke, but he could see the twitching--her eyes fought to continue seeking.

At last, he stood before her, staring into uncertain azure eyes, willing her to stay focused on him.

He wrapped her in a hug, and she immediately melted against him, her body shaking as sobs wracked her. Jebidiah bent slightly and lifted her up fully into his arms, cradling her. She clung to him tighter, gripping his arm and chest, burying her face into his shoulder, his tunic growing wet with her tears. Her hair smelled different, not her usual scent. It was a strange thing to notice, but it registered as another in the increasing list of changes with Greta.

"Shhhhh," he whispered softly, kissing her head. Wildflowers. The scent was unmistakable--her hair carried the fragrance of wildflowers in full bloom.

"It's okay, love. We're all here for you." Greta was mumbling something against his tunic but her words were too muffled to understand.

He looked up at the others. Dana's face was an uneasy mix of anger and concern, while the others hovered from worried to anxious.

He kept his voice low and soft as he spoke to the rest. "I'm going to take her over to the tent."

Once inside, Jebidiah laid Greta down on the sleeping blankets, but she still clung to him with a hand, desperate for contact.

"Please... don't leave me."

He sat next to her, leaving her hand in place, clutching his tunic. "I'm right here. What's going on in that pretty head of yours?"

She shuddered. Her voice grew quiet.

"I don't know."

Then she surged up, gasping, bunching the front of his tunic with both hands, her eyes growing wild again. The emotional burst of chaos in her bond temporarily overwhelmed him.

"The Drow! The Pale! They will kill us all! We have to destroy them! She demands it!"

He soothed her hair trying to calm her, unsure what to do. "Shhhh. Who is she?"

She gasped, on the verge of tears again. Her grip slackened.

"I don't know?" Her voice wavered. "What has happened to me?"

Anger flared again, replacing everything else in the bond.

"It's the fucking Drow!"

"Focus, Greta, focus. Who is she?"

The anger left, replaced by fear. She stared off into the distance.

"I... I don't know Jeb. There's something clawing at the back of my mind--an itch I can't reach."

Her eyes snapped back on him, suddenly focused. Despite how close they sat to each other, she launched herself at Jebidiah, who barely managed to catch her weight as she crashed into him, knocking him backwards. He felt his shoulder connect with something.

Greta buried her face in his chest once again but her plea was clear, though muffled. "Please, Jeb... help me."

Greta pushed herself off his chest, straddling his hips. Her voice turned husky. The anger in her bond instantly switched to lust.

"Fuck me, Jeb. Use me!"

She frantically disrobed, tossing clothing aside as quickly as she could. He could smell her arousal then, but like her hair, it was slightly different, stronger, filling the tent. Jebidiah tried to sit up, to regain some control over the situation, but his hand rested on whatever his shoulder had hit.

Mila.

He glanced over to confirm her position before he moved, but Greta had followed his gaze.

"Mila!"

She cried out in joy--one tainted with the lust surging through her bond. Her shifts of focus and emotions were confusing Jebidiah into inaction. Greta lunged off of Jebidiah's lap, knocking him fully off balance again as she yanked the covers away, exposing Mila's sleeping form. She lovingly murmured Mila's name repeatedly as she attempted to wake her.

Nothing worked.

Jebidiah pulled himself upright, his mind racing for answers, and reached for Greta.

"I'm not sure what is going on with Mila yet, love, but we need to sort you out first."

Greta slapped away Jebidiah's hand with an angry retort. Anger surged through the bond again, sharp and overwhelming.

"NO!"

As suddenly as the anger flared, lust and joy once again filled the bond. She grabbed Mila's head, leaned down, and planted her lips on the sleeping halfling's. The response was immediate--Mila regained consciousness, returning the kiss with a passion. Defeated, Jebidiah did the only thing he could--he retreated, summoning Dana and Tenner through the bond.

The embracing pair finally came up for air, gaze locked squarely on each other as their lips parted.

Mila spoke, her voice not her own. "My champion. I fear something went wrong."

Greta bowed her head, her bond suddenly empty. "My Lady." Mila matched her motion so that their foreheads rested together.

Dana and Tenner entered the tent. Dana broke the silence first, concern sharpening her tone. "I never felt such conflicting, confusing emotions through the bond since waking this morning. Have you figured out what is going on?"

Jebidiah shook his head but did not move his gaze from the pair before him.

"I'm hoping we get an answer here. Mila? Or is this someone else?"

Mila turned from Greta, pinning Jebidiah with a piercing gaze. Her normally brown eyes were instead a sparkling green, backed by a hidden glow.

"Jebidiah Valor, First of Your Name. I require your aid--my champion must be healed."

Dana and Tenner gasped, but Jebidiah was frozen, not even breathing. Dana's anger won over her surprise.

"Bora's burning clit--who the fuck are you, and what did you do to Mila? And Greta!"

Mila looked amused. "Much more than my clit was involved... but I've always found that oath amusing."

Tenner cleared her throat. "Bora."

It was a question expressed as a statement--the certainty clear in her voice.

Mila ignored her. "Young Jebidiah, my champion--your wife--is in need of you, as am I. Two tasks to aid your House."

Jebidiah's brain unlocked. "Which wife--Mila or Greta? I thought Mila was your player."

"Very good, Valor. As a player, Mila was meant for another path--she is one of Iztar's champions, while Greta is one of mine. I prefer more... variety in my solutions. Will you aid us?"

Jebidiah gulped and opened his mouth, but it was Tenner who answered.

"What mustwe do?"

The implications in the phrasing of her question were clear.

"Unity, solidarity. Very admirable. It is the strongest foundation you could want for your House. I must admit, Valor, if I accepted male champions, you would be in contention." She motioned to herself--to Mila's body. "You even managed to capture the heart of one compelled to stop yours. Not an easy feat. Therefore I know you can aid me now."

Jebidiah nodded. Dana and Tenner moved to his side. The anger still colored Dana's voice.

"What. Must. We. Do."

Mila smiled. "Your beautiful hair goes well with that fiery temper."

Dana blinked, caught off guard by the backhanded compliment.

"The first task is simple." Mila gestured toward the kneeling form of Greta, seemingly in a pose of worship. "She requires a reinforcement of your love--a physical sign of your commitment."

"Oooookay... Are you saying I need to, what?"

Dana's snorted, "I think that's easy enough to figure out, Jeb.".

Mila smiled gently and slightly shook her head. "She requires more. You must love her. You must fulfill her."

Jebidiah furrowed his brow. "Alright... I think I see where this is going. And then?"

Mila shrugged. "And then, she will find her new balance."

"That's it?" Jebidiah's skepticism made Mila smile.

Mila shrugged once more. "It is our best guess." Her face screwed up in a grimace. "Honestly, this is a problem of your making so it stands to reason that you are the one to fix it."

"I didn't unbalance Greta." He felt his anger rising. Everything was out of his control, the constant bombardment of changes kept him on the defensive, only able to react, but the accusation that Greta's condition was his doing made him want to lash out. A thought wanted to push itself into his consciousness, something half remembered but it escaped him.

Mila continued, either oblivious or uncaring of the anger on his face. "This bond is of your doing. You tampered with magic that wasn't yours, and now you have to deal with the consequences. Surely by now, you have faced the challenges of responsibility?"

Mila scoffed. "No matter. This was your doing, so you must be the one to correct it."

The answer was both straight forward and cryptic. Jebidiah was about to ask for clarity when Dana spoke again.

"And the second task?"

Mila frowned. "The second is more complicated but aligns with your goals." She began to pace, examining her hairy feet as they caught in the blankets, hands clasped behind her. "There is an enclave within the village you call Mylar. I believe you intend to make inquiries there in the near future. I require you to prioritize that effort. Seek out my enclave."

Tenner snorted. "You have a temple there."

A pause. "Yes, you can call it that. I need to confirm what happened to it. I require my champion to go there immediately--for her sake as much as yours."

Jebidiah snorted this time. "Is that a veiled threat? You are a Divine. Why," he waved his hands around, "all this for something you can accomplish yourself?"

Mila snorted as well, turning to face Jebidiah as she paused her pacing.

"Such defiance from a mortal. I can see why it amuses and frustrates Comlain. These are delicate times and require a delicate touch. Time is also a factor, and it is not on your side. These Drow--these abominations--are the beginning of what is to come. You must rid yourself of them, for they can be tracked. The ones who survived have fled to seek new orders, but they will be back. Lashan advances, and you must be there before him. Comlain will confirm this--he should have pushed you there already."

The niggling thought from earlier finally sprung forth. "In my dream this morning, he was there. When Mila was thrown into me... Wait, you were there as well, along with another. It was her! She did this to Greta!"

Mila did not answer. Jebidiah's rage simmered just below the surface, barely contained.

Greta began muttering quietly, distracting his train of thought.

"Destroy the Drow. Evil."

Jebidiah rubbed at his temples as he paced the cramped tent.

"We cannot abandon Idril, her people, nor their children." He stopped pacing to glare at Mila, still staring at him.

"Are the orcs we seek--the ones holding the elven children--part of Lashan's plans to distract us? More Divine intervention?"

"I believe they were sent by another--the one he sends his forces against. The elves were sent to you for aid--to draw you into position."

His anger flared, smothering reason. "All of this fighting? The deaths? Deaths of fucking children! Shattering Greta? All of this--just to get me to go somewhere to fight even larger battles? You say the task is to benefit our House yet it is your temple you are concerned with. Why should we do any of this? All you Divine have done is fucked with my family, over and over! Polly, Henna, Farrah, where does it END?"

Mila's expression darkened. With a snap of her fingers, Jebidiah found himself immobilized, only his eyes retaining motion. "Do not forget your place, mortal! It is not your place to question Divine will! Even my patience has boundaries." The two stared at each other, Jebidiah resolved not to look away, but he faltered and finally averted his gaze.

Mila smiled, satisfied with his submission, and released him. But her tone still held an edge of steel. "I cannot speak for the others, and we are not privy to unshared plans. But I am here, now, requesting your aid directly. No games. However, other pieces in the game are still being pushed into position." Her brow furrowed, concern filling her voice. "I have lingered too long. Remember Valor. Seek my enclave in Mylar--before Lashan arrives. Dispose of the Drow. Surround yourself with your family, all of them. The eight are required if you are to succeed. Your House is in jeopardy."

Mila collapsed, a puppet whose strings had been cut.

Greta began rocking back and forth crying softly to herself. "No... no... no..."

Tenner's voice was quiet. "Jeb, did you just yell at Bora?"

Jebidiah ran a hand through his hair in frustration as he looked at Dana. His frustration burned behind his eyes, tears threatening to fall. "This is so fucked up."

A shout rang out in his head, echoing.

"Jebidiah! I need you."

He pressed his fingers against his temples, in a vain attempt to collect himself.

He quickly glanced at Dana and Tenner. "Can you two check on Greta and Mila, I need... a moment. Just... give me a moment to collect my thoughts."

Mentally and emotionally exhausted, he collapsed to a sitting position and closed his eyes.

"What is it love, lot of weird shit is going on right now."

"We have a major problem. As in, this is bad for the entire kingdom."

Jebidiah sighed internally.

"Great." He mentally prepared himself for whatever else was going wrong. "Just lay it out for me."

"A runner from the Starns arrived here. She's in the next room. Jeb, a major portion of the orc army out-flanked the Starn forces and managed to get through a valley deemed too difficult to navigate. The Starn's think they are headed here. To us."

"Fuck. Just--fuck. Ok. Fine. Sure. Just... give me a second."

"Why aren't you as freaked out about this as I am?"

"Well, I said we had some weird shit going on here. Okay, listen--signal Forest's Edge and mobilize House Miekel--everyone they can spare. Alert the crown."

"But listen, Crys, the signal towers to the north, the ones leading into Mylar, are compromised. I don't have time to deal with it completely, and I don't know if any more of the towers to the west are in danger. Just warn the signalers.

"I'm running out of trained troops here, Jeb. Don't I need them to defend, well... me?"

"The orcs are not coming for you."

"Then where are they going? Jebidiah Valor, do not tell me they are headed for you. There's no way they can know where you are."

"Actually, they do. And not for me directly--but I plan to be there when they arrive."

"Jeb, you're scaring me, more than I already am. What's going on? Who warned you that the orcs were heading to Mylar?"

"We were just discussing it with Bora."

"WHAT!"

"Ouch--mind the volume, love." He grimaced. "I have to run through this quickly because my time is of the essence. Greta is some sort of champion for Bora--no idea what that means. But now something is wrong with Greta, I think caused by Bora, and I have to... well it sounds like I have to adjust her bond to fix it. Again, no idea. Also, Bora has some sort of temple in Mylar she lost contact with, and she requested us go find out what happened. Lashan knows something about this because he sent Drow against us, and now part of his army is marching on Mylar. Everything centers around Mylar."

He took a mental pause, collecting his thoughts.

"You have to have sex with Greta to fix her?"

He laughed out loud. Dana and Tenner snapped their gazes to him, glaring.

"That's the part you focus on? I'll give you more details when I figure it out. Please, send the signals. Use the Miekel take up position to guard the keep. Have Gentry get together an evacuation plan in case we need it. Tell the Starn runner they need to keep the Darkhunt forces pinned to the north as they push east--so they have to go through Woodhaven land. We can use this to possibly weaken House Kaern. It's important to keep the Darkhunt north of the highway as they head to Mylar. If they gain control of the highway, I'm going to run out of time."

"Jeb, this is making my head spin. Are you sure this is the right thing to do without, you know, discussing it with the Army or Bh'orel?"

"You'll have to discuss it with Gentry and get back to me with her questions. There simply isn't time to get all of this right the first time."

"I really don't like this, Jeb."

Jebidiah chuckled grimly.

"You'll like this next part even better. I need you and Shirely to meet me at Mylar. Take as many Bh'orel as you can spare. Joy will hate me for this, but she needs to hold down the fort there--lead the evacuation if needed. We can't have our House completely abandon the area."

The silence stretched for a minute. Finally, Crystal spoke.

"That is not going to be an easy sell. What do you know that prompts you to need us there? You're holding back."

"Bora says I need my eight. Since Joy is Untalented, I don't think she's included."

Crystal was silent once more before finally speaking.

"You're sure we already have our eight?"

"You don't think so? Me, you, Dana, Tenner, Stern, Greta, Mila, Shirely, Kelek. That's nine Talented." He smirked to himself "Can you get that kicked off so I can deal with Greta? I'll reconnect once you get underway to meet us. You have at least a day, we still need to meet up with Idril's people."

"I'm scared, Jeb. This is worse than Soldier's Rest. Even Bellatrix scared me less."

"We're House Valor. We will prevail. I love you--talk soon... or think soon, I guess."

He opened his eyes to find Dana and Tenner still glaring at him, arms crossed.

Dana spoke first. "What the fuck is going on, Jeb? And don't give me that 'collecting my thoughts' minotaur shit. You've been sitting there too long, and Crystal's bond has been humming the entire time."

"So... What had happened was..." He cleared his throat. "You remember Crystal and I passed out a few days ago, after our meal with the Dakarans?"

Tenner snorted. "Oh, you mean after you fucked Crystal senseless? Which, I might add," she gestured between Dana and herself, "you still owe the rest of us."

Jebidiah sighed. "There was more than that. I may have inadvertently combined our bonds into something more."

Tenner blinked. "All of our bonds?"

Dana scoffed. "Why don't I feel something different? Wait," she pointed at Greta, who was still rocking back and forth. Anger flared in her voice. "Is that why Bora said whatever is going on with Greta is your fault?"

Jebidiah sighed again. "No, no. Just the bond I created with Crystal and her ritual bond. I merged the two. We can... talk to each other now. Like telepathy. But it had nothing to do with Greta."

Tenner's eyes grew wide. "Bora's clit!" She suddenly recalled Mila and glanced at her sleeping form. "Sorry, Bora."

Dana snorted and gave her arm a mild slap. "She said that amuses her."

Her gaze locked onto Jebidiah, her stance shifting to a commanding posture--elbows bent, fists resting on her waist

"So, you're telling me that Crystal gets mind-melding sex magic, and I get nothing? Fix this. Now." Jebidiah's eyes widened as Dana continued. "That little green, conniving, hijacking imp is not going to be the only one double-bonded to you!"

Jebidiah sighed dramatically and stood. "I love you, Dee, but we need to get Greta settled first, if I can even figure out how. And then see if we can wake Mila back up."

Dana grumbled. "Fine, but you better take care of me next."

Tenner knelt beside Mila, adjusting her small form into a more comfortable position.

Jebidiah didn't quite glare at Dana. He spoke in a slower, more measured tone, controlling his own anger at Dana's warped priorities. "If we have time, I'll see what we can do. I'm not sure how I did it with Crystal."

Dana, bent halfway over in the middle of disrobing, froze mid-motion. "What do you mean, if we have time."

"The Darkhunt are marching on us."

Tenner shot up like a spring. Dana flailed, toppling over with a string of curses.

"Divines' bastards, what the fuck! You should have led with that!" Dana floundered as she attempted to regain her footing. "I mean, are you sure? How do you know?"

Tenner held her head and sat back down. "I need to sit down. I think I'm going to be ill."

"Bora said Lashan is moving against us, right? Well, the Starns just sent word--a Darkhunt army is on its way. We'll get it handled though." Jebidiah tossed aside his last article of clothing. "This probably ranks in the top five least sexy forms of foreplay. Ever."

He knelt beside Greta. She was still rocking on her knees, though the quiet chant of "no" had finally stopped. He gently lifted her chin with a finger, locking his eyes with hers.

"Hello love."

A smile spread across her face. She reached up and placed her hands on either side of his face, drawing him in for a kiss. A lingering kiss of increasing heat and passion the longer it lasted, until their tongues waged war within the confines of their mouths.

She released him from the kiss and looked around them, searching, before spotting Mila's form resting nearby in the blankets. Moving from Jebidiah, she stroked Mila's hair, then face, then body, grasping one breast after the other as she continued disrobing Mila. Jebidiah scooted over beside them, placing a restraining hand where Greta had attached herself to Mila's breast. Greta promptly slapped his hand away, reached under Mila's small clothes, and began vigorously moving her fingers.

Mila snapped back awake.

A gasp from behind caused Jebidiah to involuntarily glance behind him, finding Dana and Tenner, now both nude, watching. A low moan turned his head back to the spectacle before him.

Mila was arching her back, smoothing her palm up and down Greta's back before slipping down to squeeze an ass cheek. Her eyes had closed again, absorbed in pleasure, but snapped back open to focus on Jebidiah.

"Husband, come join us."

The others froze with a sharp intake of breath. Dana, seated slightly behind Jebidiah, at an angle on the edge of the bed, her side edge on to him, spoke in a whisper. "Her voice, is that Bora again?"

Jebidiah shook his head hesitantly. "I don't think so, the inflections are different. I've noticed her accent leaves when passion takes her, but this is neither that nor Bora."

Mila withdrew her hand from Greta and offered it to him. He hesitated, then crawled toward them.

"Mila, how are you feeling?"

"Our Greta is making me feel soooo good right now, but we must help her. She must understand."

Dana raised a brow. "That's not cryptic at all."

Tenner snorted. "That's fucking creepy is what it is." Her face grew serious. "I'm not liking this."

Jebidiah ignored the pair, focusing on Mila. "What must she understand?"

Mila raised herself upright and pushed Greta onto her back. Greta did not resist, only pouted at having her hand removed from Mila's crotch. She slowly placed one finger after another in her mouth, making a show of sucking the collected juices off of her fingers.

Mila smiled, watching Greta's antics, brushing an errant hair from her face. She returned her gaze to Jebidiah.

"Look at what Avellar has given us." She gazed at Greta, tracing a slow path from her cheek, lightly brushing her lips still suckling a finger, down the curve of her neck. She traced the line of Greta's clavicle before turning inward, to graze a nipple, swirling her fingertip around the globe of a breast. "Avellar gave her beauty, but you have given her more. Given us more."

Somewhat against his will, Jebidiah found himself mesmerized by Mila's voice and behavior. He ventured a question. "What is that?"

Her hand left Greta's breast to move to her navel. Her hand flared out then, her palm moving over her lower abdomen, feeling the toned muscles underneath before moving further along. She centered her hand, moving onto Greta's mound, middle finger parting her lips as Greta gave a moan of her own, parting her legs in response.

"Come, husband. See what I see."

Mila moved herself slightly until she was in range to lean over and give Greta's clit a brief flick with her tongue. Greta's groaning increased in volume.

Jebidiah, still under Mila's spell, moved himself between Greta's knees, watching Mila's motions, an unspoken question on his face. He glanced quickly at the others and saw Dana and Tenner both watching intently, as spellbound as himself.

Mila leaned back, sliding her hands up Greta's thighs, as high up as she was comfortable, and parted them further, placing Greta's pussy on full display.

"You want to lick her, don't you?"

Jebidiah nodded, uncertain where this was going but lost in the lust surging through his veins.

"Why is that, husband?"

Jebidiah hesitated, taken aback by the question. "What do you mean?"

"It is her groin--the place from which she releases waste." She used a hand to spread Greta's lips slightly, exposing her clit, placing a finger slightly below within the folds. "We piss right out of here, right where your tongue goes so eagerly. Why do you debase yourself so? Is it merely to lubricate?"

Greta moaned again, gently bucking her hips. "Please..."

Mila turned her smile to Greta, her fingers gently moving across her clit in a slow, circular motion. "Shh, love, soon."

Another moan was Greta's only response.

Jebidiah's voice answered instead. "That. That moan is why."

"You just want to hear her moan? You could just use your hand, as I am now."

"I know she enjoys my tongue better--as do you."

Mila leaned down once again. "Look at how she reacts--how ready her body is for you. How her lips emerge, eager to part and welcome you."

She spread Greta's lips once again. Just as Mila had stated, Greta was unquestionably aroused. Her clit was engorged, hood fully pulled back. Mila flicked her tongue across Greta's clit a few times, drawing out more groans.

Movement on the bed beside him momentarily drew his gaze away to see Dana had moved closer, raptly watching, licking her lips. Jebidiah returned his gaze to Greta as he licked his own. Greta was squirming under Mila's ministrations.

Mila stopped and looked back up at Jebidiah. Greta moaned another "Please".

"Is it just to see her squirm? Is that why you do it? To hold power over her pleasure?"

Once again her question gave him pause. Once again he hesitated as he answered, this time with a question of his own. "You're leading me somewhere, Mila--whoever you are. What are you after?"

"Why? It's not a difficult question, husband. Why do you debase yourself to lick us? Why do you give us pleasure?"

"Pleasure. Your pleasure, and mine."

Mila began running her finger up and down Greta's slit, taking small dips when her finger found Greta's hole. Her finger glistened in the torchlight. "How so? Is hedonism your goal?"

Jebidiah frowned. "No. It pleases me when you all are pleased. It pleases me that I am able to do this for you, that I can return even a portion of the pleasures you all give me."

Mila smiles at him. "We give you pleasure?"

He nodded. "Immensely."

Mila spread her arms. "Come then, husband--give our Greta her pleasure."

He wasted no time, practically diving forward to latch his tongue onto Greta's waiting pussy, savoring the taste. He first pushed her legs wider, lifting them slightly so he could probe his tongue into her depths, exploring as he pushed in deeply before extracting once again, applying pressure to the roof of her channel as he withdrew. Greta's cries grew louder as he worked. When he switched to licking fully up and down her slit, from her gaping hole to the nub of her clit, Greta exploded in pleasure, body shuddering, legs fighting to grip Jebidiah's head as her hand clasped unto Mila. Just as the scent of her arousal had changed, so had her taste. Like her hair, it evoked a sense of summer though he could not pin down the reason.

"See what pleasure you can give--freely, willingly. But why?" Mila turned her head slightly to fix her stare on Dana. "Dana, love, why don't you take our husband's place while we talk. Tenner, why don't you join in?"

Jebidiah leaned upright, sitting on his legs, as Dana took his place. Her head blocked his view, but Greta's restless movement told him everything. He was about to turn to see what Tenner was doing when he felt her hair on his legs. A moment later her mouth engulfed his cock as she took him nearly into her throat.

Mila smirked. Her eyes, no longer Bora's emerald green, now a shimmering blue, were shining with an internal light, locking his gaze to hers, holding him captive. Her voice grew to fill his head.

"Tell me, husband--when you so diligently lick us, feeling us squirm, hearing us moan--what are you thinking about? What is driving your tongue?"

Jebidiah's hesitated, unsure of himself or how to answer. Tenner's slow movement, bobbing up and down on him in languid strokes, clouded his reasoning. When he had sex with the others, he focused on their pleasure, tried to be an attentive, caring partner. But was it for them or himself? There were times when, after making sure they had their orgasms first, he fucked them with abandon, intent on reaching his own climax. No, he thought--not fucked them. There was more to it, he made love to them. And then, everything fell into place.

His voice cracked as if he had not spoken for months.

"Love."

At some unseen prompting, Dana backed off from Greta, a trailing thread of saliva spanning from her lips to Greta's pussy, while Tenner release Jebidiah's cock with an audible pop. Mila smiled, sat up straighter, gesturing at Greta's writhing body.

"Tell her, husband. Make her understand it--make her feel it. She lacks the certainty of your pod wives which she requires now, if you are to survive the trials ahead."

Jebidiah crawled forward, centering himself over Greta. Her eyes were closed, mouth pinched into an adorable pout, body still moving to seek out the pleasure it had lost. When she felt Jebidiah's thighs against her own, her eyes shot open. Her pout turned into a radiant smile as she stared straight back at him. Focused.

They froze in that position for what felt like years but lasted only moments. Internally, Jebidiah considered the deeply established sense of love he felt for Crystal, Dana, Tenner, and Joy, the foundation of all his relationships. He compared it to the newer feelings for Greta, Mila and Shirely, and saw where he was lacking. He understood.

Slowly he lowered himself, spearing her with ease. She moaned, a throaty, deeply resonating moan he felt through his cock, now firmly embedded within her. He positioned his arms to support his weight and Greta wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him in for a searing, passionate kiss while her legs wrapped around his waist, trapping his body against hers.

He broke from the kiss as he began slowly thrusting, building momentum, increasing the rhythm. He moved to nibble on an earlobe and she gasped, turning her head to more fully expose the ear. He moved to kiss the expanse of neck she had provided with the move, eliciting more gasps. Focusing back on her ear, he gave another nibble before whispering into it.

"I love you Greta Valor. Now and forever. Till the end of our days."

She shuddered as her orgasm took her, and then--like with Crystal--he sensed the bonds before he saw the nodes of light.

He sat fully back on his knees, her legs still wrapped around his waist, as he continued his thrusting. What he now recognized as "his" bond was centered between Greta's bouncing breasts while the ceremonial bond was centered on her abdomen, over her womb. There was a difference between what he was seeing with Greta and what he saw with Crystal.

The bonds were clashing.

As they swirled around their central points, their colored threads would occasionally come within close contact with each other, but the threads actively avoided contact. There was a dissonance of color as well, unbalanced, almost malevolent. He quickly began making corrections, bringing the two more within alignment of each other.

"Amazing."

Mila's voice drew his attention away from his work. She sat now in rapt attention, completely focused on what Jebidiah was doing.

"You can see?"

Mila allowed her gaze to flick to his quickly before turning it back to his hands.

"Continue your repairs."

Jebidiah dismissed the thought of Bora--this was definitely someone else.

He refocused on the bonds and contemplated just pushing them together, much as he had done with Crystal, but they still seemed wrong... out of sync. His bond spun quickly, a kaleidoscope of colors, while the ceremonial bond spun more lazily, like a pinwheel. He slowed his thrusting as he contemplated what his next steps should be, noticing how the lower bond slowed in response. Experimenting, he increased his rhythm.

Jebidiah and Greta cried out in unison--each for very different reasons: "Yes!"

The lower bond spun faster in response, and Jebidiah knew what he had to do. He increased his thrusts even more, beginning to shift Greta's position on the blankets, as she cried out in pleasure at his assault upon her body. Her thrusts and grunts attempted to match his own as tears began streaming from her eyes. A hand reached in to turn Greta's head and Dana was suddenly there, kissing her soundly. Dana pulled back from the kiss, trying to hold Greta's gaze as her head moved with the rhythm.

"We love you, Greta Valor."

A sob broke from Greta as she shut her eyes against the onslaught of even more tears.

Her head was turned the opposite direction as Tenner added her own kiss.

"We love you, Greta Valor."

Greta turned to look at Jebidiah, her eyes pools of emotion, as he used his hands to move the bonds, now in sync, towards each other. The closer the bonds drew together, the more he felt his release building. But he hesitated.

"You must finish what you started, husband."

Jebidiah looked to Mila, the inner glow in her eyes more pronounced. Doubt gnawed at him. He thought of their pledge to Crystal, if he spilled inside Greta, what if she conceived before Crystal?

"Jeb?"

Crystal's voice echoed in his head, summoned by his thoughts of her.

Mila's eyes glowed brighter, green flickering through them as her voice shifted once more. "You must breed my champion--now is the time. You have my word, your oath to your prime has already been fulfilled. I require this, Jebidiah Valor."

He nodded in response, tearing his eyes from Mila... Bora's now, he was sure. With the bonds close enough to only require one hand, he reached with the other to grasp Greta's chin.

"We love you."

He thrust once more, holding himself deep inside her as the dam burst. His fingers tightened--the bonds merged--Greta screamed. Jebidiah knew no more.

-- Somewhen, Somewhere --

Bora sat on her haunches, mirroring Avellar posture as she processed what she was seeing. Watching her newest champion stirred Bora's arousal, and she toyed with the idea of enjoying another tryst with Avellar. It had been quite some time since they had explored pleasure together. As events reached their climax, a familiar surge rippled through her domain, confirming Jebidiah had altered the magic in a fundamental way.

Avellar rocked backward, steadying herself with a hand on the nothingness behind her.

"By the Power, Bora--he actually did it!"

Bora simply nodded. Avellar was obviously flustered--cheeks flushed, her nipples pressed against the sheer fabric of her dress.

"I... I appreciate the use of your player. I needed to witness it firsthand."

"What was with the twenty questions for the boy?"

"If I am to back this enterprise, I need to be sure of his motive. I needed to feel his love."

Bora was amused. She had been vacillating on the idea of asking for Avellar's support, but it seemed the other Divine had already decided without needing her to ask.

"And did you?"

"His thinking is unusual, but yes. The love is there. I believe he fully corrected my error with your champion's bond. He truly is an amazing mortal."

Bora's garments vanished as she stood, nudging Avellar off balance with a playful push, sending her sprawling on her back, knees bent.

"I think the results deserve some celebration. We should seal this new enterprise, don't you think?"

Bora lowered herself into Avellar's waiting arms.

--Mylar Road, North Outpost--Fifth Tenday of Juntaen 813 AGR --

Jebidiah woke slowly, his head pounding, thoughts scattered and sluggish. He tried to sit up but found his arms unresponsive. Nor could he feel them or his hands. His eyes snapped open as he surveyed his surroundings, attempting to get his bearings. Something was different.

They were no longer in their tent, that was obvious. The daylight had grown dimmer, though it was not quite dusk yet. The cool breeze from an open window brushed his skin, confirming he was naked, though he couldn't move to check. Greta lay curled against his right side, her warm skin pressed against his, pinning his arm beneath her. Mila lay against his other side, similarly nude and trapping the other arm.

Problem solved. His thoughts sounded unnaturally loud. Odd.

His arms were completely asleep--not even a tingle of feeling or a hint of response to his mental urgings. His attempts to use his feet to propel himself, hopefully dragging his dead arms from under the others, only succeeded in waking the pair from their slumber.

Greta's eyes grew wide when they finally opened and caught sight of Jebidiah's own.

"Jeb, oh Jeb--I love you!"

By her expression, her own exclamation caught her by surprise, as if she had not known what her words would be.

"I love you too." He glanced over at Mila, who had a bundled fist twisting in her eye to remove the dried crystals that sleep tended to create. "And you as well. Are you both feeling ok? Like yourselves?"

Greta pulled her body up to rest an arm on his chest, taking the full weight of her body off his arm. She answered around a yawn.

"I feel like I slept for a tenday--like that groggy, too-much-sleep feeling. But something is different... I can feel it... something. What happened?"

"What do you remember?"

Greta looked at him with concern. "That question doesn't fill me with a sense of dread. Nope. Not at all." Her face then screwed up in concentration, making her somehow even more adorable. "I had a bad dream last night. Painful, like physical pain."

She looked around the room. "Wait... we went to sleep in the tent. It can't be much past dawn, how did we get here and where are the others?"

Mila pulled herself up into a seated position. She rested a hand idly on Jebidiah, managing to place it squarely on his cock. She let out a small squeak at the discovery.

"Oooh!"

She began to trace her finger along his length causing it to twitch. A smirk formed on her face.

"Feeling something I definitely am."

"I don't think we have time for any of that, Mila." She frowned at his response as the pressure of her fingertips grew firmer.

"Seriously. What do you remember, Mila? This is important."

Her frown increased at his rebuke, but she answered. "Dream I did as well. Fucking Divine hurt Greta and she kicked me. Flew past Bora, hurt it did. Now here I am."

"Okay, that tracks." The grogginess and disorientation in his brain was beginning to clear. He looked to Greta, whose smile had turned to a look of concern. "One of the Divine did something to you, broke you in a way, something to do with the bonding. I was trying to correct it."

He looked to Mila next. "You've spent pretty much the entire day passed out or possessed by a Divine."

"Fuck me." The revelation shocked Mila enough she momentarily forgot about playing with Jebidiah's manhood.

He lay his head back fully, staring at the ceiling, trying to remember something important.

"You smell of hills in bloom." It took Jebidiah a minute to realize Mila was speaking to Greta. She looked at Jebidiah. "Out running were we?"

Her mention of the change in Greta's scent jarred his memories. They rushed back in with a flood.

"Oh shit!" He exclaimed, attempting to move again. "We need to get up--now. No time for this. Not that I regret it, mind you. But holy shit, we have to move!"

The two women began to rise up when a door banged open, followed by Dana's voice.

"Do I hear you three finally back in the land of the living? Bora's clit! This room absolutely reeks of sex."

Greta and Mila glanced at each other in confusion.

"Fuck... fuck, fuck, fuck."

Everyone turned to stare at Jebidiah in alarm. Tenner, who had entered directly after Dana, rushed to their sleeping pallet.

"Are you hurt?"

"My arms are waking up. Divines that shit hurts--FUCK!" He could just barely manage to wiggle his fingers before a fresh surge of pain shot through them.

Tenner slapped Jebidiah's chest as Dana laughed.

"You fucking wimp. Just like a little boy." Her voice turned mocking. "Ouch, it hurts."

"As soon as I can move these things, I'm going to put you over my knee and show you how little a boy I am."

Dana waved her hand dismissively. "Promises, promises. Heard it all before."

Jebidiah sighed in exasperation. "Seriously though, we have to move. We need to reach Idril's people, sort out what we're doing there and hightail it to Mylar before Crystal arrives."

Everyone froze as Jebidiah tentatively raised a hand to examine it as he slowly wiggled his fingers. His brow wrinkled as if deep in thought.

Tenner was the first to speak. "What do you mean? Why and how is Crystal heading to Mylar?"

"Yeah, Jeb. Once again, what the fuck is going on?" She gestured to the others around them. "You know the rest of us--your wives--would do really well knowing what the fuck our insane husband is up to once in a while so we can, I don't know, be useful, contributing members of this House? Just because the Divine singled you out doesn't make you that special."

He nodded sheepishly.

"I know, I know. Just... stuff is happening too fast. You heard Bora's last words." At the sound of her name, Mila and Greta immediately perked up. "Surround yourself with your family, all of them, the eight are needed. I think that was pretty clear we need Crystal and Shirley with us, so I told them to make ready to move to Mylar as soon as I have a better understanding of when we would arrive."

Dana let out a loud breath,

"So many pieces in motion. Fuck, Jeb... but Crystal? Seriously?"

Her remark gave jebidiah pause, considering how to answer. Dana had always shown small signs of jealousy, part of her volatile personality, but lately they had been centered on Crystal.

"I doubt Crystal, Shirely, and their First will have trouble."

Dana's expression wasn't angry, just surprised. "I meant in her condition? Remember? Whoever was in Mila's head said she's pregnant?"

"Oh." How had something that monumental slipped from his mind so easily? "FUCK!"

As they talked, Jebidiah kept moving his arms, now hovering in front of his chest, not quite crossed. Caught off guard, Jebidiah barely reacted as the ever-pragmatic Tenner seized his hands and yanked his arms apart. No warning was given.

Tenner chuckled at the throaty scream he released.

"What the ever-loving fuck, Ten?" Dana chuckled.

Tenner glanced back at her and shrugged. She had begun moving his hands up and down with arms still spread wide.

"He just needs to move them so he'll stop whining like a little butch."

Greta and Mila joined in the giggling as Jebidiah fought against his lack of strength, slowly pulling his arms back to his body.

"As funny as this is, we have to get to Mylar." Greta's voice held an unusual seriousness. "Every fiber in my being says I have to go there."

Mila nodded in understanding "Tis Bora's urging that. Feeling it, I am. More desperate than urging, though. Something is wrong. Dangerous."

Jebidiah gritted his teeth as he finally broke free of Tenner.

"I agree, but we can't rush in. We know a whole squad went missing there--we don't know if they even made it or were ambushed on the way. We also have no idea if any of the town's security is in place or even if the folk there are alive. At the same time, we have to make haste. And I need Crystal there, no matter what."

Tenner sighed. "Why couldn't we just have a normal House? You know--political backstabbing, making babies, lazing about like proper nobles."

Dana snorted. "Nobles are far from lazy. Well, most of them... some of them."

Tenner ignored her as she continued her rant. "But no--here we are, galavanting from one near-death experience to another, across most of the kingdom. Divine this, Divine that. When does this end?"

Jebidiah snorted. "End? It's been, what, four months. Come on, wives o' mine--let's get who can still march ready and moving."

Once dressed, they left their room and entered the barracks proper, where the injured were still being tended. Stern was deep in discussion with Captain Montague, but their conversation cut off when they spotted Jebidiah.

"Your Grace, it's good to see you up. When you were carried in here, the rumors spread faster than they could be suppressed," Montague said.

Jebidiah chuckled. "I suppose I should make myself seen. Not right now, though--we will be seen soon enough. What is our readiness, Captain?"

The surprise was evident on her face. "Readiness? To march? Your Grace?"

"I know it seems brash, but we need to move with whoever is able. What is our readiness, Captain?"

Montague hesitated, then squared her shoulders. "Our casualties basically leave us without a platoon, about two-thirds strength. We can consolidate some squads if needed, but I have sixty-five armswomen including the walking wounded. The company is combat effective."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "About as bad as I expected, considering how total the ambush was. I imagine we fared better than most companies in the realm."

The Captain tried and failed to hide the blush that tinted her cheeks at the compliment.

"As you say, Your Grace."

He glanced at Stern. "Do you have things in hand, Stern?"

A goofy smile lit up the large man's face. "Good to go, Jeb."

Jebidiah smirked, then scanned the room. "Have you seen Kelek or Sift?"

Stern chuckled. "Last I saw, Kelek was terrorizing the Drow."

Jebidiah chuckled. "That can't hurt our cause. Thanks big guy."

What happened next took everyone by surprise.

Greta stepped up to Stern, stretched onto her toes, and planted a kiss on the bottom of his cheek.

"Thanks big guy."

She turned and strode confidently out of the room, leaving everyone standing transfixed, watching her exit.

Stern gingerly touched the spot where she had kissed him, confusion and a silly grin plastered on his face.

Jebidiah shook his head, breaking himself out of his trance. "That was... different. We should probably catch her before she decides to kiss Kelek."

The others chuckled as they hurried out to search for Greta. It did not take them long to follow the hissing snarls and shouts coming from where the prisoners were being held. Rounding the corner, they found two of the three Drow lying on the ground, a quickly growing circular pool of black blood expanding away from their heads. Greta was the one snarling as Sift held her fast.

Kelek's hissing gave way to her laughter as she knelt to run a finger through the blood. The two female guards looked like they wanted to be anywhere else.

"What in the Divine is going on? I mean, Greta could only have been here, what--ten seconds?" Jebidiah asked.

Sift's response was immediate. "Sixteen-point-seven seconds, sir. I am afraid she attacked without warning--most likely killed them outright. I am unsure if this race is capable of surviving a laceration of this kind."

Jebidiah shook his head then stopped. Sift rarely called him 'sir'. When it happened, it normally signaled Sift was conflicted about what she should do.

"No, it's fatal."

Mila had rushed over to sooth the struggling Greta, while Dana and Tenner positioned themselves between her and the surviving Drow, who was now struggling against her restraints.

The captive's skin was a pallid white, sickly looking--more the absence of a color rather than true white. Even her hair reminded him of something clear instead of solidly white. Her wide eyes, glued to the struggle before her, were similarly pale, tinged faintly pink.

Jebidiah had never seen a Drow before--let alone an albino. All he knew was that they were Dark--typically cruel, completely evil in nature, dwelling in some brutal society deep underground.

She might have been beautiful if not for the unnatural pallor of her skin and the way fear twisted her features into something grotesque. He recalled her cruel mouth from their earlier, fruitless attempts at questioning her. But now, he had more information to work with.

"Drow, we know you are here because of Lashan," he stated as Sift translated. "We know where the orcs will strike. Unfortunately for you, I don't really regret the loss of your comrades. I don't see what more use we have for you, either. I suggest you make peace with whatever Divine you worship."

The Drow's brow furrowed in anger as she spat something out of her mouth.

Jebidiah sighed. "Probably best that you can't speak."

The Drow's eyes grew wide in fear as she focused on something beyond his shoulder. Jebidiah turned to a crunching sound behind him.

Kelek had hacked off a hand from one of the dead Drow and gnawed at a finger, blood slickening her lips. She spat out the part of the finger she had bitten off, then tossed the hand aside in disgust. Hissing something to herself, she pulled out a dagger and pried at a piece of flesh wedged between her teeth.

Jebidiah chuckled as he turned back to the captive.

"Last chance. Do you have anything useful to add?"

In response, the Drow renewed her struggle against her bonds. Jebidiah sighed.

"Very well. We simply do not have time for this." He exhaled heavily, his expression grim. "Sift, please release Greta."

The others gasped as Greta snarled, springing forward. Her mania drove the dagger into the Drow's chest. A gurgling sound escaped the prisoner's lips as she died, dark blood streaking from the wound when Greta retrieved her weapon.

She used the dead woman's clothing to wipe the blade clean, sheathed the dagger, and turned back to the others with a bright, unbothered smile--like nothing had just happened.

Jebidiah frowned. "Greta... are you alright?"

Greta looked surprised. "Me? I feel great!"

She sauntered past, pressed a quick kiss to his lips, and strolled off--whistling. The others watched her go, their faces a mix of concern and unease.

"Jeb..." Dana began, but he raised a hand to ward off her remarks.

"I know," he said, grim. He turned to face them. "Listen, what she did just now creeps me the fuck out, but the Divine are at work here. You just saw what happened--Bora was in the mix, but there was someone else, too. Comlain was involved as well. I don't know what's happening anymore. I feel like we're just being used, and I'm sick of it."

Tenner's voice trembled slightly--fear? Jebidiah wasn't sure.

"But Jeb... she just cut them down. Like animals. That's not Greta!"

Mila's reply was laced with venom. "Animals they be." She spat on one of the corpses. "Drag to the woods with them--wolves'll turn them into shit they be."

Jebidiah tried to ignore the comment and answered Tenner instead, his voice steel.

"We can debate the morality later, but we couldn't keep them prisoner, and releasing them wasn't an option. I know what she did--I was here too, remember? The important thing is, I let her." He gestured to the growing pool of blood. "That was on me. Something has changed within Greta and we all need to figure out what those changes are, but what just happened is on me, not her. We did not ask for this war." His tone sharpened with command and resolve. "But we will answer it."

Tenner shuddered. "Bora's clit... that made me wet."

Laughter cut the tension. The guards looked mortified.

Dana chuckled. "For love of the Divines, Ten--he was having a moment!"

Still laughing, Jebidiah motioned for the rest to follow.

"It's fine, Dana. But we do need to get moving." He paused to address the guards. "Mila has the right of it, though." He gestured to the three bodies. "Drag them up to the woods and dump them. They deserve no rites."

"Your Grace, I strongly advise against a forced march at night," Captain Montague urged--for the fourth time.

Jebidiah grimaced. "And once again, Captain, we don't have a choice. We may be pushing our luck with this..."

Hiro let loose a loud snort.

Jebidiah shot him a look but continued. "As I was saying, we may be pushing it, but this won't be the first time I have done it, and it worked out last time. I doubt Lashan would play nice and let us catch our breath if I asked." He turned in his saddle to look at Hiro. "What was it you kept saying? Never expect the enemy to help?"

Hiro smirked. "Now you want to listen to me? It was 'If the enemy provides aid, bring a medic.' But your paraphrasing works as well."

Jebidiah shrugged. "I've always listened to you, Hiro--just as I've always decided on what to do with what you say."

His comment drew the chuckle he was after.

"Captain, if you would."

She sighed heavily, then called out in a ringing voice of authority.

"Column! MARCH!"

It was a brutal journey. The road to Mylar ran northeast, but their destination was to the north and slightly west, where they planned to link up with Idril's people.

They abandoned the smooth road, weaving through the hillocks, fording small streams, dodging exposed roots and jagged rocks. Despite their caution, riders were thrown. Two horses had to be put down--the damage to their legs beyond mending magic.

The march was harder than when he had force-marched his women through the night, desperate to reach Soldier's Rest, pushed by their need to save Farrah. The land there had been much flatter, with little of the trees and ruggedness they now worked around. Their haste had also interrupted, and ultimately defeated, an ambush prepared for them. The bard's songs had turned into some genius tactical insight.

The night had ended in victory--saving Farrah's life--only for her to die shortly after. The memory of her life fading from her eyes still haunted him.

He steeled his resolve, determined not to repeat past mistakes. His determination lasted all of another five minutes before a horse once again cried out in pain accompanied by the muted cursing of the exhausted armswomen near him. The column ground to halt again as tempers flared, spurred by yet another delay.

Hiro drew up beside him.

Jebidiah sighed in defeat. "I know--this is getting out of hand." He searched for the Captain, but couldn't spot her in the torchlit haze. The flickering light destroyed his night vision, and the rain the clouds had earlier promised instead provided a foggy mist, adding to the misery of the march. "Find Montague. We'll take a rest until dawn. I'll have to settle for the progress we've made."

Hiro nodded and rode off.

Jebidiah exhaled. They needed to reach Mylar. But not at the cost of crippling themselves before another battle.

A short time later, as Jebidiah and his wives sat around the fire, Hiro left the other First and joined them, wincing slightly as he lowered himself onto a fallen log.

Jebidiah raised a brow. "Did they not get your side patched up all the way? That burn looked nasty."

Hiro shrugged--though his grimace gave away his discomfort. He ignored the question.

"Jeb, I know you have a lot going on, but I need a little help here." He glanced briefly at the others before fixing Jebidiah with a firm look. "What's driving this haste? The last few months, you've grown into your own, and you've taken charge with a firm hand."

Jebidiah started to respond, but Hiro raised both palms to stave off his interruption.

"Please hold. I'm not saying you shouldn't be making these calls. That's your right. And I know what you said earlier was in jest, but you really are supposed to just listen to the advice you're provided and then decide what course to take. But Jeb, we--" he gestured toward the shadowed figures beyond the firelight "--are your Firsts. Your guardians. It's hard to do our jobs when we're just following along and reacting instead of preparing. Winging it gets people killed."

Jebidiah inhaled deeply, considering Hiro's words. He glanced over Hiro's shoulder, where the other Firsts had moved closer, their faces barely visible beyond the flickering light.

"I can tell how serious you are, Hiro. You used a lot of your tenday word allowance just now."

The quip drew chuckles. Vera, Tenner's First, let out a guffaw before clamping both hands over her mouth, eyes wide as if shocked by her own outburst.

"But you are right," Jebidiah admitted, his voice losing its teasing edge. "I've been so caught up in keeping ahead of whatever madness is being thrown our way that I've barely let anyone else in on the bigger picture."

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "So, here's the rundown..."

Fifteen minutes later, after Jebidiah finished explaining the current situation, Hiro let out a low whistle. Melissa was eyeing Greta, a troubled expression crossing her face as she studied her charge. Meredith, Mila's First, mirrored the same misgivings.

The wind shifted just enough for Jebidiah to hear Lana lean in and whisper to Meredith, "You should have taken Kelek when you had the chance."

Jebidiah chose to ignore that particular comment.

Hiro, ever composed, nodded. "That's a lot to sleep on." He glanced at the gathered Firsts. "Any questions from the gallery?"

Murmurs rippled through the group, but no one spoke up directly. Finally, Hiro turned back to Jebidiah.

"Thank you, Your Grace." The edges of Jebidiah's lips gave way to a small, involuntary smile at Hiro's rare use of formality.

"It's a daunting task ahead of us," Hiro continued, his tone growing firmer. "But we'll meet it as we've met all the others."

He pushed himself to his feet--smoothly, despite the pain he was clearly in.

Then, with measured precision, he drew his sword.

The sudden flash of steel caught the firelight, reflecting in sharp glimmers off the blade's edge.

He raised it in salute, his voice ringing clear into the night.

"We'll meet them with VALOR."

Jebidiah sat frozen, stunned by the gravity of the gesture. But he wasn't the only one caught in the moment.

From the edge of the firelight, the other Firsts moved as one.

Swords were drawn in a quick, disciplined motion. The ring of steel cut through the night, their voices rising in unison.

"With VALOR!"

Jebidiah's heart clenched in his chest.

Then, beyond the gathered Firsts, more voice joined the chorus--soldiers from the column, catching wind of the moment, picking up the cry.

"With valor!"

Jebidiah stood, his own steel flashing as he lifted his sword high above his head. His voice was a challenge, strong and unwavering.

"Valor shall guide us into Uther's light."

Again, the Firsts answered without hesitation.

"Uther's Light guides us."

The cry spread further. More voices, more steel drawn in the darkness.

"We are the beacon of both Valor and Victory, and by the Divine, the darkness shall flee before us."

A unified chorus rose around him.

"Through the Dark we will march. We are the Shield."

Jebidiah's rang like steel. "And Valor is the axe."

"Victory will be ours." He pumped his sword arm, reaching high into the night.

"UTHER'S OWN!"

The answering roar shook the camp.

"UTHER'S OWN."

Jebidiah looked around at the armswomen, Firsts, and his wives standing beside him. He had started this journey as a reluctant leader, barely keeping ahead of the storm.

But tonight, something had changed.

Tonight, they had become something more.

-- Somewhen, Somewhere --

The call was powerful. So powerful that Uther paused, momentarily halting his activities as he searched for its source.

What he discovered surprised him.

A ring of his dedicated followers were centered around the mortal who had shouted the oath. He was untrained, but still a seasoned, battle hardened warrior trained by his own actions, not one who had taken the Bh'orel oaths.

Yet the taint of other Divine lay heavy upon him. Upon all of them.

Then Uther realized who it was that drew his notice. But why would a player--not his own--draw his attention so?

His sight swept across the gathered armswomen, reaching into their minds--not to bend them, but merely to sense. Uncertainty swirled among them, palpable, a nervous excitement about the unknown. But alongside that uncertainty was something strikingly absent: fear.

In its place he felt purpose.

Confidence.

Uther refocused on the young man rallying his troops. They had evoked Uther's name, his purpose, in a way he could not ignore. Yet the speaker was not of the Bh'orel. That much was certain.

His attention shifted to the Bh'orel in attendance, expecting to find them resentful at this young upstart's unordained declaration.

Yet there was no resistance.

No outrage.

They stood before the mortal not as challengers, but as followers. Deference and loyalty burned within them.

Even respect.

But then, one shone brighter than the rest.

A beacon.

Curious, Uther mused over the possibility of another champion, marking the woman who had caught his eye. For now, he would wait. Watch. He returned to his interrupted activities but kept a sliver of his awareness on her.

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