Anywhere But Here Pt. 05

The trio were well on their way to Carborough. They anticipated arriving there within the day. The clouds in the sky had looked ominous all morning but the heavens opened dramatically upon them as they were on the road. A little drizzle would have been tolerable, but the torrential downpour forced them to seek shelter as the solid earth turned to muddy slush. It wasn't worth the risk to the horses to keep going.

Tamlen spotted a rocky outcrop which would comfortably fit all of them and the horses. They took shelter underneath, all three trying to shake the water from their capes in the dry space.

"How long do you think it will last?" Enquired Olya.

Havi shrugged. "Could be minutes, could be hours, unless our resident scholar has a means to make it stop?" He jokingly asked Tamlen.

Tamlen snorted with light-hearted derision.

"If I could command that kind of power, I would have already done so."

Olya half smiled. "Guess we got some time to kill."

"Any ideas on how? Not a lot of room for activity under here." Tamlen observed.

"I might have a few ideas." Havi suggested with a wink.

It earned a smirk from the other two. But Olya proposed an alternative.

"How about a story?"

Havi raised an eyebrow.

"Anything in particular?"

"Before I left the Abbey, the Abbess... Lorana told me to ask how the two of you met... seems like we have time for that now." She suggested.

Havi seemed amused.

"We met at a sort of job interview."

"A job interview?" She queried.

He continued.

"A bit of an unusual job interview, I will concede. About thirty-five-ish years ago I travelled to the Eastern Mountains to participate in a tournament that had been advertised far and wide. There was an enormous amount of gold on offer as the prize. A tournament held by House Ouranios."

"That's my mother's family?" She interrupted.

"Yup, they wanted the best warriors around to come and compete for the crowds. I saw it as a good way to make enough gold that would last me years. When I got there, it was cutthroats, pompous knights and a lone young battle mage."

"Lorana." She interrupted again.

He grinned.

"She was treated with so much disrespect by the other contenders until the first heat, when she completely trounced all her competitors with nary a sweat..."

Olya smiled at the thought.

"... same as me."

He boasted with a smile.

"By the time we'd reached the grand melee, which is a fancy term for a free for all. The other competitors had formed alliances to take the both of us out and were willing to be sneaky to do it. Instead of me and Lorana having to constantly be on guard against the literal knives they were trying to stab into our backs... we agreed to watch each others'. We fought until we were the last two standing. Instead of us fighting each other we agreed to split the prize money out of mutual respect. When we went to collect our prize, it was revealed the whole thing had been a means to find a new bodyguard for the youngest member of the Ouranios family. They offered us both the job and we said yes. The salary was beyond exorbitant..."

"Who were you asked to protect?" She asked.

He answered. "Your mother. At age 5. When I first met her all I could think was... 'What an obnoxious brat'."

Olya gave him a withering look.

"You can't have kept that opinion..."

He chuckled.

"No, eventually she grew on me... like a tumour."

Olya's look escalated to a full glare.

Havi laughed.

"In all seriousness, I grew to love her like a daughter. Wouldn't have agreed to let them magically brand me if I wasn't committed to keeping her safe."

Tamlen perked up. "You have a magical brand? I don't remember seeing one?"

Olya chimed in. "Where is it?"

Havi chuckled. "It's on my back near my shoulder. A location that neither of you paid much attention to when I didn't have any clothes on."

Both Tamlen and Olya smirked, looking a bit sheepish.

"Lorana has one too and your mother had the dominant mark. So me and Lorana can communicate with each other and your mother can open contact if she wishes. They were given as a way to assist protecting your mother. Back when they cared about keeping her safe."

"What does that mean?" Asked Olya.

Havi clarified. "As soon as they handed your mother over to your father, they ceased to give a single shit. They got what they wanted from the bargain, then forgot about her. They spent years conning her into believing he would be a good husband and a good man. Ensured every book or opinion about him was glowing. Completely hid the truth, so she would happily march into the jaws of the beast. Even my best efforts to explain to her that he wasn't what she thought, fell on deaf ears. When they sent her to the Northern forest they fired me and Lorana. We went on our way after fifteen years of service."

Havi seemed so deflated, sad.

"It broke my heart when within a year she contacted us, begging for our help. She had tried asking her family for aid, or to annul the marriage, but they had refused. Then ignored her. She had already tried to run away one night impulsively, he dragged her back and applied his magical brand. So he could always find her again, then she'd become pregnant... The despair in her voice that day.... Lorana and I moved metaphorical mountains, called in every favour, spent every gold piece we had... we got her out before she was too far along. She had to give birth on the move, then run as far as she could from you. She wept as she left you with Lorana. We travelled as far as we could until she decided she would rather be by herself. Before we parted she made me promise to help you if you needed it. And here we are."

Olya sat there for a minute, taking this in.

She asked acerbically, with a smile.

"So my whole family is filled with arseholes, huh?"

Havi chuckled. "Barring your mother, yeah."

"What's she like?" She cocked her head, incredibly curious.

Havi chewed over his words, forming a beaming smile before he answered.

"A sarcastic bitch, in the best possible way. There was no one she wouldn't cut down with her sharp tongue."

Olya looked down. "I wish I could meet her."

Havi gave her a comforting pat on the shoulder.

"Maybe one day, but for now it's too much of a risk."

Olya wanted to move on from this topic she had learned enough for now. She posed a question.

"Tamlen, what's your family like?"

He looked pensive. "Well they're not like your family, they're not arseholes... I would instead describe them as absolute wankers."

His smile cheered up Olya, she let out a giggle.

"How so?"

"Obsessed with appearances, power, position. Very much those who see family as tools not loved ones. The number of times they used me... offered me up like a... it doesn't matter. It's why I joined the academy and jumped at the opportunity to be a full continent away from them."

"I can understand that." Havi sympathised. "I appreciate having a full dimension between me and mine."

"I think Havi probably wins when it comes to who has the worst family." Joked Olya.

Havi laughed. "Justifiable racism aside. They aren't as bad as you'd think. They're just a lot to deal with."

Tamlen cocked his head in intrigue.

"Really? That's surprising, or maybe your metric for these things is a bit different than other people."

"My metric isn't abnormal scholar, stop over analysing." Havi jokingly snapped.

The trio laughed, the rain started to let up and they set off towards Carborough. It was slow going; they didn't reach the fringes of the city until nightfall. There was nothing to be done except to find an inn for the night. Havi would have to visit the bounty office the next day. They soon found an inn with a curious name and entered. 'The Sage, The Scion and The Prince'. The Innkeep was a middle aged woman with a mop of incredibly curly blonde hair. She gave them a warm smile.

"Hello there, what can I do for you fine folk."

"Three rooms please and some dinner if possible?" Havi requested.

"I'm sorry I only have one room left at the moment. But it has three beds, it's up in the attic. Would that do?"

The trio all looked at each other, then shrugged.

Havi answered her. "That'll do. Dinner?"

"Oh, yes, take a seat, I'll bring some stew out for you."

The trio found a table and sat by it.

"I'm getting some wine, should I get a jug?" Tamlen offered.

Havi and Olya nodded and he headed to the bar. Once he reached there he tried to place his order only to be interrupted by a nearby drunkard.

"Don't sherve 'em der way too young to dwink." He slurred.

Tamlen was moderately tickled by this.

"I assure you I am old enough to drink, don't worry."

"Ow old are ya?"

"I turned ninety seven this year." Tamlen chuckled.

The drunkard looked at him curiously through his unfocused eyes.

"Of course, yous one of dem shexy elven ladies aren't cha?"

He then slapped Tamlen's ass and started groping it.

"I am not a woman, you'd best sober up." Tamlen scolded the drunkard and tried to remove his hand.

"Yous as perdy as a woman, still got a hole I could use!"

The drunkard kept groping him.

Havi and Olya had noticed. Havi was standing up, preparing to see if he could beat his personal record for how far he could toss a drunk.

When a loud bonk was heard as the Innkeep smacked the drunkard over the head with a wooden tray. She barked at him.

"No groping Bob! We've talked about this! Next time you're banned!"

She turned her attention to Tamlen.

"Sorry about that, got a lot of people drinking their troubles away at the moment. Here, wine's on the house."

She passed him a jug.

"What's going on? Anything in particular?" He enquired.

She grimaced.

"We had a cleric take up office in town recently. He keeps asking for more and more 'donations' ; it's more than a lot can afford. There's a hint of threat as to what'll happen if people don't pay... So my bar is full."

She gestured around. She sighed before plastering a smile on her face.

"Anyways hope you enjoy your stay."

She walked into the kitchen.

Tamlen took the jug and the cups and returned to the table. The Innkeep came over shortly after with three bowls of stew. The trio tucked in. As they sat there eating, enjoying their wine they kept overhearing various snippets of conversation, complaining about the donations.

They eavesdropped on a few nearby patrons.

"They've started using the paladins to encourage 'donations'. They came in last week and shook down Innkeep Agnes. Bastards were in full plate. This is just going to get worse lads."

"What's that bastard Cleric need all that gold for? Other than all the finery he seems draping himself these days."

"Pfft... the 'donations' don't seem to be going to help the folks in the city that's for certain."

The mood in the bar overall was somber. While they had contemplated staying and ordering more wine. The atmosphere wasn't particularly pleasant to stay in. So they retreated to the recently rented room in the attic. It had the three beds as promised with a wash jug and basin along with a wooden bathtub. Out of the window it was still raining.

Havi eyed the tub.

"Who could possibly want to carry buckets of water all the way up here to fill that thing?"

He pondered light-heartedly.

"Not me." Tamlen answered. "But if you open the window I could fill it for you. If you really want a bath?" He offered.

Havi walked over to the stiff window, jostled it and wrenched it open. The pitter patter of the sound of rain filled the room. Tamlen made a gesture with his hands. He formed a stream of water from the rain and fed it into the tub. It didn't take long to fill, then Havi shut the window again.

"Thank you, scholar." He smirked.

He started to strip off for his bath, receiving admiring gazes from Olya and Tamlen.

"You are most welcome, hunter." Tamlen smirked back.

Havi finished taking off his clothes and sank into the bath. Whilst Olya was aroused by his naked body, the sight of him in the bath was amusing. He was far too large for it and she had to stifle a giggle at the sight. She looked him over and noticed the brand on his back. It was in the shape of a circle with seven lines curving to meet in the middle.

She was curious enough to place her hands around it as she got a closer look. As he washed himself Havi turned around with a humoured expression.

"There are far more interesting places you could be touching right now."

Then gestured to the front of his body. She smiled, moved around to his front and ran her hands across his chest thoroughly enjoying the feeling of his muscles beneath her fingers. She started to trail her hands further downwards and grasped his manhood in her hands. It was her first time touching it when it wasn't fully hard. It felt very different, but it soon hardened under her touch. He leaned his head back and sighed as she stroked it.

After a few more strokes he gently grasped her wrist to stop her.

"Let me finish my bath then I'll pamper you." He gave her a half smile.

As he sat there scrubbing, Olya withdrew. She started to slowly undress, drawing Tamlen's and Havi's attention to her. She undid her hair, and gave a coquettish look to Tamlen.

"I don't want to wait, perhaps you'd like to oblige me Tamlen." She purred.

Tamlen's eyes flashed to Havi, who just seemed amused. So Tamlen felt safe to oblige her.

"Certainly, why don't you lay down on your front on the bed." He requested.

She gave him a curious look, then did as asked. Tamlen removed his clothes and joined her on the bed. He straddled her thighs and began to massage her back, neck and shoulders, kneading her muscles. It wasn't what she had expected but it felt nice. His palms smoothing across her skin, as he gently pressed down, his fingers easing out a few knots, teasing any tension out of her.

His hands continued downwards and added her buttocks to the area that he was massaging. While he had initially removed the tension, she felt another kind was building within her. A kind of frustration, as he grasped her buttocks squeezing them in a most tantalising manner, moulding them beneath his fingers, yet didn't escalate any further.

She wanted him to touch her more. She raised her hips, wiggling them, pushing her ass into his hands. But he didn't take the hint, he just maintained his teasing touch. At points spreading her cheeks in a way that caused a tingle to form between her legs.

She groaned, her frustration was audible.

Tamlen chuckled, "I am just 'pampering' you as asked. If you had something else in mind you're going to have to be specific."

She replied. "You know what I meant."

He smiled. "Do I? I'm just doing what I interpret as pampering. It has such a broad definition. If you see it differently, then say it clearly."

She heard Havi laugh from the bath. She huffed, then issued her request.

"Touch me between my legs."

She parted them in invitation.

"That wasn't so difficult, was it?" He teased her.

He slipped his fingers between her legs and started stroking her sex. He stroked her folds before gently grazing her nub. He maintained this teasing caress. She started to breathe more deeply, relishing the feel of his fingers. Yet again she started to feel frustrated that his touch wasn't intensifying. She wanted him to focus on her nub, or slip his fingers inside her. But he only feathered his fingers against her delicately. As she was about to voice her frustration, Havi got out of the bath. He came over and sat on the edge of the bed next to them.

"Why don't we turn her over? There's parts of Olya I want to 'pamper'." Havi purred.

Tamlen flashed him a grin, he lifted himself off her thighs then he and Havi flipped her over. Tamlen hooked her legs over his shoulders and kept teasing her sex whilst Havi grasped her breasts and rolled her nipples, lightly pinching and running his fingers around them. The two of them kept teasing her well past the point of frustration. To the point she got irritated.

"Would one of you do something that will actually help me come?!" She demanded.

Havi and Tamlen exchanged a mischievous grin. Tamlen angled his manhood up with her sex. He rubbed it across the entrance a few times before slowly sinking himself inside, sighing. Olya moaned as he did, trembling as she felt their hips meet. She anticipated the frantic pumping of hips that she was used to during sex and bit her lower lip. Tamlen ever so gently rocked in and out of her, keeping to an achingly leisurely pace. Whilst it felt good, it felt too slow. The tension within her was steadily building but it didn't feel like it was enough. The anxious disappointment on her face was clearly visible.

Havi chuckled. "Tamlen is tenderly making love to you... and you're not satisfied? Perhaps we need to make more of an effort."

He started pinching her nipples harder, massaging her breasts in his large hands. Before trailing one hand down between her legs to caress his fingers over her nub.

Tamlen mirrored his mirth.

"Thought you might like something different. As opposed to being rammed like a ragdoll."

With the addition of Havi's fingers to her sex, the sensation began to quickly build within her. The feeling of Tamlen's cock gently sliding in and out of her was tantalisingly torturous. The tension was growing within, she felt herself crawling towards her peak instead of rushing. She grasped the sheets in her fists and her toes curled. Her legs wriggled against Tamlen's shoulders, he trailed his lips down her leg giving her a cheeky smile. Her sex clenched around him, spasming as she finally came. Her body shook with the tension before relaxing.

As she lay there panting, Havi withdrew his fingers from between her legs. He traced them along her cheek. He gave her a lascivious smile.

"Tamlen still hasn't come yet... do you want him to fuck you harder?" He purred.

Olya nodded.

Tamlen pulled back his hips then slammed them against her, repeating the motion, over and over. She began to whine in ecstasy as he kept thrusting. He grasped her ass and lifted her hips off the bed to facilitate his thrusts. It wasn't long before she started to squeeze around him, her hips trembling. She clamped around and screamed as she came. Havi put his hand over her mouth to muffle the noise. Tamlen, trembled then tensed. She felt him release himself inside her, then relaxed.

They both breathed heavily for a moment before Tamlen withdrew himself from Olya and sat back.

"Can I bury myself inside you now?" Havi purred against her ear.

Olya groggily nodded.

Havi moved to position himself between Olya's legs, Tamlen moved further up the bed to make space for him. Havi stroked himself against her entrance and pushed himself inside. Olya trembled and groaned as their hips met, biting her lower lip. He leaned down and kissed her, running his hand through her hair. He hooked her legs over his elbows, pulled back his hips and began pounding his cock inside her. She groaned and writhed beneath him, her hips rocking into his. Tamlen watched the pair and found himself growing hard again at the sights and sound of wet, slapping skin. Olya was beginning to shake with each thrust, her moans became guttural. Havi felt her squeezing around him when she clamped down, spasming, trying to stifle her own scream. He kept going, encouraged by her ecstasy.

She started to push against his chest.

"Stop! Stop... it's too much!"

Havi immediately stopped his hips. She sighed in relief.

He checked on her. "You okay? Want a breather?"

"Sorry but I can't take anymore, I think I'm done." She apologised.

He gave her a smile, then hung his head in mock defeat and sighed.

"That's what I get for lounging in the bath."

He gently withdrew himself from her, then sat on the edge of the bed. Giving Olya space to catch her breath.

He jokingly asked.

"What do I do with this?"

Gesturing to his erection.

Tamlen gave it an admiring stare before suggesting.

"We could give Olya that show she asked for?"

Havi gave him a lascivious smirk.

"If you're offering, I won't say no."

Tamlen got up, he opened the window and summoned some water, repeating the preparation he performed at the ruins before closing the window. Havi passed him his robe and he retrieved a bottle of oil. Olya had sat up by this point rapt and intrigued.

Tamlen bent over the bed holding out the oil bottle for Havi to take from him.

"I'm assuming you're still a gentleman?" He asked Havi.

Havi smiled and took the bottle. He poured some on his fingers and Tamlen's ring. He slipped his fingers inside and pumped them in and out. Olya had moved in order to get a better view, especially when Tamlen started moaning. Havi intensified the motion of his fingers, focussing his touch on the sweet spot inside. Tamlen shook his hips, precum leaking from his tip, he balled his hands in the sheets and laid down to bury his face in them. Olya pulled the sheets back, she wanted to see Tamlen's face, to watch his expression.

Tamlen let out a squeak as he squeezed on Havi's fingers as he finished, his seed sprayed on the floor. He slackened over the bed, flustered and breathless.

Havi grinned.

"So quick Tamlen? Don't know whether I'm more turned on or flattered. Are you that excited to take me?"

Tamlen whimpered and nodded.

Havi slathered his cock in oil and sat on it next bed over.

"Tamlen, come and sit on it." He purred the order.

Tamlen obeyed. He moved his hips above Havi's length, he gently grasped it. Positioning it at his entrance before sinking himself down upon it. Quivering with every inch he took in, he steadily made his way down to Havi's lap.

Olya was enraptured by the view, Tamlen panting and trembling.

Havi feathered his fingers across Tamlen's nipples feeling satisfaction when he pinched them Tamlen's cock twitched.

Havi purred in his ear.

"Are you going to move your hips or do you need me to move them for you?"

Tamlen weakly tried to move his hips. He tried to lift himself and bounce on Havi's lap but couldn't summon the strength in his legs to do so. He could only rock his hips.

Havi chuckled. "That won't do, but I don't mind giving you some help."

He grabbed Tamlen's ass and started lifting him up and down his shaft, delighting in Tamlen's groans. Olya's attention was poised at the spot where Tamlen's ring was greedily swallowing Havi's cock. Tamlen felt embarrassed and turned on by her gaze. Havi adjusted his hold on Tamlen so that his legs were spread and the view was clearer. Tamlen squeezed around Havi and spurted out his seed as he came from the cock buried deep in his ass.

He sat there panting but Havi started thrusting his hips up into him making him squeal.

"That face he pulls is so arousing." Marvelled Olya.

Havi grinned. "Let's see what face he pulls when you suck his dick while his ass is stuffed full with me."

Olya got on her knees in front of Tamlen and gently teased his manhood into her mouth and started sucking him. Tamlen's toes curled and he clawed his hands into Havi's shoulders digging in his nails. He let out a muted scream, as he felt pleasure from the back and the front. Olya's soft lips and warm, wet mouth sucking on the head of his cock, sent tingles through his legs. Her purple eyes looking up at him sent him over the edge. She felt him spasm as he gushed into her mouth, she swallowed what she could and kept gently sucking. When she looked up again, Tamlen's eyes had rolled back onto his skull, he rocked his hips between her mouth and Havi's cock.

After several minutes more Havi finally felt his finish arrive and slammed himself deep inside Tamlen as he erupted with pleasure. Tamlen clenched around him, grunted and shot his final load of the night in Olya's mouth, which dribbled out the sides. They both felt him go limp from head to toe as he passed out. They withdrew themselves from him. Havi gently placed him on the bed then Olya tucked him in. He looked so relaxed and peaceful.

Olya washed her face and mouth before retreating to bed. Havi joined her as she slipped beneath the sheets. Cuddling up together, they drifted off to sleep.

The next morning Olya awoke and Havi was gone. She found a note on the bed next to her.

'You and Tamlen were dead to the world and I wanted to get started. Should be back by the end of the day, try not to get in any trouble. Stay at the Inn.'

Havi had surprisingly good penmanship. Olya got up and went to nudge Tamlen awake but he just groaned and rolled over. Clearly not ready to get up yet. She got dressed, rewrapped her hair, she drank some of the leftovers from her contrariis draught and went down to the bar. The Innkeep was present so she went over to ask for breakfast and hopefully coffee, these days her morning felt incomplete without the bitter black drink.

"Good Morning." She addressed the Innkeep.

"Morning, have fun last night?" She asked, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Sorry... excuse me?" Olya asked, a blush forming on her face.

"Me and my husband's room is directly below the attic... you weren't exactly subtle." She explained.

"Oh... S-Sorry!" Olya felt her face become bright red.

The Innkeep laughed. "Don't apologise, I should be thanking you. My husband went to bed before me and heard quite a lot, so much, he gave me my own 'fun night' when I came to bed. So I'm in an excellent mood this morning. Besides I'm not one to judge... I mean... both of them... you lucky girl."

She gave her a wink.

Olya had a nervous giggle and smiled. "You're welcome... I suppose. May I have some breakfast and a cup of coffee, please."

"Sure thing."

Olya took a seat at the bar while she waited. When the Innkeep was handed a tray from the kitchen by a man, mousy haired, tall and broad with a large beard, he gave her a peck on the cheek as he did, the Innkeep then laid the tray in front of Olya. The hot breakfast and her coffee, the combined scents called to her in a way she couldn't resist and quickly tucked in. She liked the Innkeep, she seemed like a good sort. As she finished her breakfast she posed a question to her.

"Is there anything worth seeing in this city? It's my first time here?"

She asked, maybe she could convince Havi to let her do a bit of sightseeing while she was here, when he got back.

The Innkeep pondered. "The city square market is pretty good. There's also the cathedral and the attached abbey only a short walk from the hall of justice. There's also a few drinking halls where they have troubadours and bards performing nightly. So a few things."

She smiled at Olya. Then hushed her voice.

"There's also an establishment off the market square called 'The Dancing Doves', which might suit you and your companion's tastes... If you catch my drift?"

Olya found herself blushing again.

The Innkeep continued. "It's not the kind of place that the paladins approve of but it's technically legal."

She gave Olya another wink.

Before Olya had a chance to answer a quartet of men in full plate armour barged into the Inn. Paladins. They marched over to the bar and addressed the Innkeep.

"Agnes! We've come for your suggested donation to the faith!" The leader of the four barked.

Innkeeper Agnes' smile dropped. "I gave a donation last week... I-I can't afford to give you any more." She pleaded.

"Are you refusing to contribute to the Faith? Are you a blasphemer? A heretic?" He spat.

"No, no, I'm not a blasphemer! I just don't have any spare gold! If you could just wait a week, then I'll have something to give you!" She begged.

The paladin's face hardened. "Innkeeper Agnes, I'm arresting you on the charge of blasphemy. You will be held in the hall of justice and executed tomorrow morning in the market square!"

"No!" She weakly cried.

They started to grab her and pull her from behind the bar, when the man appeared from the kitchen.. He angrily strode over.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY WIFE!?" He bellowed.

He tried to grab at her, to pull her back.

"DON'T HAYMITCH! They'll take you too." Tears streamed down her face as she was dragged out of the Inn.

Haymitch fell to his knees. "... My darling wife."

The scene broke Olya's heart. She walked round the bar and guided him to the kitchen to spare him from the gawking eyes of the patrons. In the kitchen he parked himself on a stool and kept choking up tears. As Olya watched him, gears started turning in her head, she wanted to help. This was unjust and the woman didn't deserve this fate.

"I'm sorry to ask you this in your vulnerable moment, but in the hall of justice do they have a special section for prisoners of the faith, away from the standard criminals?" She investigated.

Haymitch answered through his sobs. "Yes, they have their own cells." Confused as to why he was being asked this.

Olya continued. "I'm assuming the paladins run those exclusively, do they have nuns assisting them?"

"Yes, they often come and go." He confirmed.

Olya nodded, her plan coming together.

"If I could help free your wife, would you assist me?" She asked.

"Why would you help us? No offense but you're a stranger."

"I like your wife and if I didn't help I think it would haunt me. Besides, I think it's going to be remarkably easy with my skill set."

Haymitch looked at her with his head cocked. "What do you need?"

"If you could find a barrel of weak booze, something the Paladins wouldn't be hesitant to drink, like mild ale or honeyed wine. I'm going up to my medicine collection. We add a little something to the mix and seal it back up. Next I need to find two nun's habits and veils. Then we're set. How far away is the Abbey and the Hall of Justice?"

"I can do that, they're about a twenty minute walk. Are you sure you can carry the barrel that far?"

"Yeah, could I have a back harness for it? And a bag for the spare habit?"

"Yeah, got both of those."

"Alright I'm going to my stash, you choose some booze."

Olya walked back up to the attic, to access her herbs. Tamlen was still passed out, he wouldn't be any help. She grabbed the necessary herbs and made her way back to the kitchen. Haymitch had found a barrel of honeyed wine that she would be able to carry. They grabbed a large pot and poured the wine into it, adding the herbs and leaving it to simmer for a while as they assembled the other items. Eventually pouring the ale back in the barrel and sealing it like it was new, before securing it to Olya's back.

"You sure this will work? I don't want you to die trying to help us." Haymitch asked.

"Yes, the honey in the wine will cover the taste of the herbs. Paladins implicitly trust nuns and this mixture could knock out a horse. Just be ready to run when your wife comes back."

He nodded at her. "Thank you, if this works I'll owe you a debt I don't know how to repay."

Olya shrugged and walked out. She made her way over to the nunnery. About a twenty minute walk as Haymitch had said. When she arrived she posed as a worshipper until slipping into the back and quickly found a storage room. The building was laid out almost identically to Wollingden's abbey and the nuns behaved in much the same way. Once in the room she speedily changed into one of the spare habits and put on a veil. It now felt like a farcical costume rather than the garb she had felt so at home in. She stuffed another habit and veil into her pack. She snuck her way back out and walked to the Hall of Justice. She walked to the Paladin controlled section, acting like she belonged there. She eventually found the room where Agnes' cell was being guarded. Three paladins sat on watch, Olya had to stifle her snort of derision at the unnecessary man power to guard an Innkeep.

One of the paladins piped up as he noticed her. "Can we help you Sister?"

Olya slapped her best warm smile on her face and took on a serene tone.

"No, Brother but thank you for offering. I've come from the Abbey bearing refreshment for the noble souls guarding this foul heretic."

She watched as Agnes looked at her, a flash of recognition in her eyes and her expression became bewildered.

"Oh, that is wonderful sister, we were just saying how it would be lovely to have a drink. What have you brought us?"

"Honeyed wine, oh dash! I forgot to bring cups." Olya found herself cursing internally.

"No worries, we have some here. We've got one spare if you would like to join us?"

"Oh... no thank you. I am committed to the letter of the scripture, but I do not begrudge anyone their indulgence. We all show our reverence in different ways." Olya bullshitted.

"Well said Sister." They smiled at her.

Olya unhooked the barrel and filled the cups of the Paladins, refilling them as they swilled it back. After a few cups they started swaying, looking dizzy.

"Dis is shum stron' stuuff, Sista." One of them slurred.

Olya sweetly apologised. "Oh I'm so sorry, but of course I wouldn't know these things."

The paladin nodded wobbly, before collapsing on the floor followed by his compatriots. Olya grabbed the keys from the belt of one of them and unlocked the door.

"What are you doing here?" Agnes asked, joyously.

"Your husband's sobs broke my heart, now put this on."

Olya pulled the spare habit out of the bag and handed it to Agnes.

"We're going to just walk out the front door."

She grinned mischievously.

"Is Haymitch okay?" Agnes asked. As she pulled the habit over her head.

"He's fine, he's ready to run as soon as you get back. Now come on, we need to get moving."

Tears pricked the corner of Agnes' eyes. "By the divine, I love that man."

She jammed the veil over her head and the pair of them walked out. As Olya said, they walked right out the front door and no one batted an eye. After walking past the City Market, Agnes announced.

"We should split up, we're going to attract attention like this."

Olya thought for a moment and agreed. "You keep going, I'll dump the habit and kill some time before going back to the Inn. Assuming you and Haymitch have fled by the time I get back, best of luck to you both."

Agnes grabbed Olya into a crushing bear hug before giving her a kiss on the cheek.

" The Divine bless you, you crazy girl."

Olya smiled and giggled as Agnes purposefully marched back to her husband. Olya wandered into a back alley and removed the habit when she was certain no one was watching. She decided to have a look for 'The Dancing Doves' to see exactly what kind of establishment it was. It didn't take her long to find it, but it wasn't obvious it was quite discreetly signposted. She wandered inside, it was nicely furnished with a lot of faux velvet material. It seemed like any other drinking hall, there was a large stage at the end of the room and a section next to it where the musicians were positioned. The venue was quite populated considering it was the middle of the day. She took a seat at the bar, just ordering a drink and nursing it should kill enough time, then she could make her way back to the Inn. She ordered a cup of wine from the barkeep who was a young man and somewhat handsome.

As he handed her the cup, the curtains on the stage came up and a quintet of dancers came onto the stage three women and two men all young and attractive. Except these dancers were dressed in nothing except a small scrap of see through fabric on their lower half. It barely covered their genitals if at all. Olya felt the heat form on her cheeks as she realised what kind of venue this was.

The barkeep chuckled at her. "First time or didn't you know what this place was?"

"Both." Olya wheezed out.

The barkeep kept his smile. "Personally I love it here, great tips and a great view."

"So all these people come here to watch almost nude dancing?" Olya asked, trying to keep her voice even.

"Yup, even though those underwear the dancers have on seem pointless, it's what keeps it legal. The proprietress found a loophole that it doesn't matter if the underwear is see through it still legally counts. So we can stay open. And with a healthy regular donation to the Faith, they seem to swallow their distaste for it."

Olya mused. "There's definitely nothing like this back where I'm from."

"Country girl?" He asked.

"Small town girl." She replied with a smile.

He gave her a winning smile. "Perhaps you'd like to join me for a drink after I finish work, small town girl, you know... see what happens."

Whilst she was sure there were many girls who'd fallen for that smile. She wasn't charmed, she already had two men in her life.

"Sorry I..."

She struggled for a moment to define how she'd describe what was between her, Havi and Tamlen.

"... am in a relationship of sorts."

The barkeep looked disappointed. "Awww, shame. See you around, small town girl."

Then wandered down the bar to serve another patron.

She sat there and nursed the cup of wine watching a couple of numbers from the dancers. The way parts of them jiggled was... very attention grabbing. After finishing her cup she got up and left, hoping she wouldn't get in too much trouble with Havi if he got back to the Inn before she did. Upon exiting the place the market place was in furore as people seemed to be making their way to the center of the square. Olya couldn't help but follow. When she reached the center her heart sank.

Haymitch and Agnes were bound hands behind their backs on an elevated wooden stage. They were held in place by paladins, either side of them. A man Olya immediately identified as a cleric based on his dress, decoration and staff addressed the crowd, he oozed arrogance. He was portly and wrinkled with a weak chin.

"This pair of heretics will be executed, for committing blasphemy and for attempting to escape the just punishment deemed by the Faith. By ending their lives we rid the world of their evil and make it a better place. They shall be beheaded and their remains left out as a warning to other blasphemers." He projected across the crowd.

A voice called out from the crowd.

"Agnes and Haymitch weren't no blasphemers they's as devout as can be, good people!"

Another voice chimed in.

"Yeah! She's always donated to the Faith, you just want more than what's fair! You're the heretic!"

Yet another voice.

"GREEDY, FAT PIG! HOARDING GOLD FOR YOURSELF VIOLATES THE SCRIPTURE, CORRUPT CLERIC!"

Loud murmurs swept through the crowd steadily growing louder, until the cleric slammed down the end of his staff and bellowed.

"SILENCE! The next person to speak in defense of these blasphemers will be executed with them."

Olya felt the rage surging through her. She saw Haymitch and Agnes weeping faces, shaking with fear and the cleric who was going to murder them to set an example. The storm, turning into a tempest, was within her grasp, she could harness it if she wished.

The cleric continued.

"If these people are not heretics, let the divine speak. If my actions are not justified then let the divine show their displeasure! If I am not a devout and true leader of the Faith may I be struck down where I stand!"

He threw both arms into the sky.

For a split second she swore she saw Agnes look at her directly as she reached for the whorling tempest inside. Her eyes glowing and lightning crackling behind them, it went eerily calm and static formed in the air. Clouds swiftly spread across the sky, thunder exploded and multiple bolts of lightning descended upon the cleric. He didn't have time to scream as he exploded into dust. The stage collapsed, the paladins lost their grip on Agnes and Haymitch and the pair were sent rolling and were lost in the crowd. People screamed, panic spread.

"The Divine has spoken!" Someone yelled.

Many threw themselves on the ground prostrating themselves before the sky. The Paladins were shocked, confused, struggling to organise themselves let alone the crowd. Olya saw as people untied Agnes and Haymitch and ushered them along as a group trying to hide them from the view of the paladins. Olya turned, trying to get back to the Inn in the chaos. She didn't make it far before she was grabbed and swung around faced with Havi. His face was apoplectic with rage. He threw her over his shoulder and sprinted while carrying her. He barged through, knocking people down in the process as he got them back to the Inn. Tamlen was waiting outside with the horses and their stuff. Upon seeing them he mounted his mare, Havi reached Stygg, threw her on top and jumped on. He urged Stygg forward into a sprint and the trio galloped out of the city. They rode for the rest of the day until nightfall, only the hammering of the horses' hooves to fill the silence.

When they finally stopped to make camp Havi let loose at Olya.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING!?"

While she had seen Havi this angry before, it was jarring, especially as it was directed at her.

"I-I was just trying to save those people, what was happening was evil and I could stop it." She nervously explained.

"NO! WHAT YOU DID WAS BRING A MASSIVE SHITSTORM DOWN ON OUR HEADS!"

He tried to reign in his anger, to explain this more calmly.

"You just fucked with the Faith in a major way and sent up a blaring signal into the sky telling people exactly where to find you. The enormous ball-ache you've sent the Faith's way means things could get really bad, real fast for us and the people in that city! Either their cleric was just struck down by the Divine, for which the optics are not good! Or their cleric was assassinated by a powerful mage just walking around their lands, which is a massive embarrassment! They could choose either option. One involves them purging the people in the city to make sure the story about their cleric receiving divine punishment doesn't spread, the other is sending mage hunters after us!"

She stammered. "I-I didn't think that would happen to the city folk. But no one saw me cast, everyone was looking at the stage!" She lied.

Havi continued. "How do you know that for sure? Anyone could have seen you and know what you did! As for the city folk, of course you didn't think! Did you spend any time at all considering the amount of risk you put upon yourself today?! The amount of time, effort and devotion that has been spent to keep you safe, and you were happy to piss it all away to play the hero! What do you think Lorana would say about this? Do you think she would be overjoyed at how you have thrown yourself into jeopardy?!"

Tears pricked Olya's eyes. "But I couldn't just stand there and watch them die!"

She fell to her knees sobbing.

Tamlen walked over and put his hands comfortingly on her shoulders. He gave Havi a pointed look in the process.

"What's done is done. We can't change it, only face its consequences. I hope you see this as a lesson to be learned, Olya. There will be times when you need to walk away, where your intervention will not help, you or the people you're helping. There will also be times when you can help and make a difference."

"How will I know?" She asked, meeting his eyes.

He pondered. "Wisdom, taking the time to think through what you're doing if you can. I understand that this was the choice that you were inevitably going to make today, but in the future try to choose better."

He gave her shoulders a squeeze as he helped her to her feet.

He shot a look at Havi.

"I don't think there is anything else to say on the subject, is there?" Tamlen finished.

Havi visibly clenched his jaw.

"Let's make camp, a good night of sleep will do us all some good. Things will be better in the morning and then we can plan our next move."

Havi quietly huffed and broke away.

The trio made camp. The atmosphere was incredibly dour and tense.