The Desert Ghosts Ch. 22 - 28

Thank you to Oldbroad76 for proofreading.

CHAPTER XXII

Exi V

Connah, Alix, Kael, and Erik had just left the building that held the cells. Exi held a sword in her right hand and kept her left hand free. Her chest was moving heavily up and down.

They're alive... and I was going to leave them. Guilt filled Exi like never before. After killing her brother, she didn't feel guilty, but this was horrible. A single tear ran down her face, but she blocked that thought as she left the building.

The main hall was easy to spot, given it was the largest and had two torches lighting the doorway. Exi looked around her. The others were already gone, and she couldn't see any more Pakria, so she silently made her way towards the main hall.

Once inside she was in a hallway.

Damnit, which room will she be in?

Exi quietly checked the doors she went past, but each one was empty. She knew that this was the most likely place to find guards, so she had to keep her senses on full alert.

Then, she heard something. A sound she knew well. The slapping of skin on skin. Exi creaked one door open and gasped at what she saw.

A giant Pakria, skin completely grey, was completely naked with a Denil girl in front of him. She was bent over a bed. When Exi saw that his massive cock was going in and out of the Denil girl's arse, she felt her rage grow.

The Denil girl looked at Exi and shouted in Pakriasi, which alerted the grey man that was fucking her. He turned his head and smiled.

Fucker! Exi thought. She had just caught this beast raping a woman, and she would not let that go.

She charged at him with her sword. A man of that size she knew she could easily out manoeuvre. As she reached her sword into the air, ready to strike at this beast, a giant fist struck her face, and everything went black.

--

Exi grunted as her consciousness came back with a fist to her ribs.

"Urgghh!" She grunted.

Her side was wincing in pain as she felt a pair of strong hands grabbing onto her small body. As he held onto her, she felt something. Her trousers were gone, and she felt his firm, grey skin between her legs. She fought to close them, but he was double her size and strength and kept them spread open.

"He... he wants me to tell you," The Denil girl who was quivering to the side stuttered out, "what he's going to do to you."

This girl looked frightened, although Exi wasn't. She was angry.

Exi punched the Pakria in the face, but it did more damage to her hand than it did to him. He then gripped her wrists and held them over his head as Exi fought underneath him.

"No! No! No!" Exi screamed as she felt what appeared to be his cock tapping at her.

The Pakria man spoke in his home language before the Denil girl translated.

"He's going to fuck you," The Denil girl said with a tear in her eye. The Pakria kept speaking, and she kept translating throughout. "He's going to keep you... lock you up to use whenever he wants... he said you won't breathe fresh air again."

Exi kept fighting.

"No! Noooo urrggghhh!" Exi grunted as this Pakria's length plunged deep inside of her.

He was so thick, hard like steel, and longer than any man she had been with. The lips between her legs stretched open as he invaded her with his cock.

"He's going to break you," The Denil girl translated. The Pakria started to move his hips back and forth, fucking Exi as he delved deeper and deeper inside. "He's going to make you into his pet."

His grip on her wrists tightened as Exi fought him, and it felt as though her wrists could break at any second.

He pulled back, leaving just the head of his cock inside Exi's stretched, swollen pussy. She attempted to push her legs back, but he thrusted balls deep inside of her again.

"Urrggghh!" Exi shouted. "Fuck you!!"

No! I am not the weak girl that Gorge would rape! Exi screamed in her head.

She pushed her head forward and gritted her teeth down onto his cheek and pulled back, ripping back his flesh, and his blood dripped down on her face.

"Ahhhhh!!" The Pakria screamed out, and a fist struck across Exi's face, making her mind go fuzzy.

In her daze, the Pakria grabbed her thin legs and shoved them over his shoulders. He practically bent her in half and took away any strength that Exi had to fight back. He pulled out and thrusted into her again and again, fucking her tight, stretched hole over and over with his giant cock.

Exi was grunting, and wind was being pushed from her lungs with every hammering thrust of his dick.

He started to moan and pant above her, and Exi felt her fight dying. Her legs flopped against his shoulders, and her body went limp. He fucked her again and again as the scared Denil girl was forced to watch. Exi could feel his balls slapping against her every time he bottomed out.

Then... a waterfall of crimson liquid poured onto Exi's face, and her senses came back to her.

A thud echoed in her ears, and the Pakria's giant, limp body was pushed onto the floor. Exi felt her pussy ache as his cock fell from her. She wiped the blood from her eyes and saw Alix looking down at her.

His eyes darted over her body, staring at her, breathing heavily.

Not you as well, Exi thought as she laid there, weak and spread out.

Then Alix reached a hand forward and pulled Exi to her weak feet.

"Come on," He said to her and looked at the Denil girl. "You're Shana?"

The Denil girl nodded.

"Put her trousers on." He ordered.

Alix let Exi go and diverted his eyes as if ashamed to look at her half naked body. The Denil girl, Shana, rushed over and helped Exi put her trousers back on. Exi was crying and hyperventilating as she attempted to control herself. Alix was at the door waiting when the two girls walked towards him.

"Ready?" Alix asked.

She grabbed his arm and looked at him.

"You came back for me?" Exi whispered.

Alix shrugged.

"Thank you." Exi whispered and went to open the door.

"No one needs to know what happened in here." Alix then whispered. Exi felt another tear go and nodded.

--

Less than an hour later Alix, Exi, and Shana were approaching the rest of the group. Exi felt... empty.

It happened again, she thought, I never thought it would happen... and I survived... of course I did, I always survive.

As they met the group Kael was sat on the ground. They had put a camel pelt from the Pakria around him and another around Erik. Exi sat down next to him as the rest of the group caught their breath.

Neither of them said a word. Exi wanted to, but her mind was plagued with that Pakria on top of her.

"We should keep moving," Samuhal said, "get some more distance in case they find the bodies."

The group agreed, and on weak legs they all continued to walk.

CHAPTER XXIII

Shana V

Shana stood on her own from this group of Oswini's that had "rescued" her. Her mind was running as fast as possible, playing out every event and how to act accordingly, when something tapped on her shoulder. Shana leaped around and saw that brute, Erik, looking at her.

"It's only me," He said with a smile. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."

Afraid? At least this group is filled with idiots.

Shana didn't say anything. She knew she must choose her words carefully.

"I told you I'd get you out," Erik told her. "Without you we would've died."

She looked into his eyes, her face slowly turning into a pained smile, and a forced tear ran down her caramel cheek.

"Thank you." She whispered with just the right amount of croak in her voice, perfectly showing a mix of appreciation and sadness for the "hard times" she had to endure.

"No need to thank me," Erik said, the idiot. "You're a good person. I couldn't leave you to those animals."

Shana's eyes turned to the short haired red head that attempted to save her. The one she had to watch as H'Uku had his way with her. It was an unpleasant sight, but it was the girl's own fault for thinking she could outfight him. Fool.

"Where," Shana paused to wipe away a fake tear, "where are you going?"

Erik went to speak until...

"Hey!" A voice shouted. It was the skinny man that saved the red head. He ran up and joined Shana and Erik. "I don't think we should be telling her that."

"If it wasn't for her, Kael and me would be dead." Erik said.

"Still," The skinny one replied, "how do we know we can trust her. She was with them."

"As a slave!" Erik argued on her behalf.

Shana made her body seem small and meek in their presence. Behind them she could see another woman from Denil. Shana could not place her face, but it worried her.

"It's just," The skinny one said, pausing as if he didn't know what to say, "after nearly losing you both, we should be careful."

Erik gave away a smile and placed a hand onto the skinny one's shoulder.

"It's okay, Alix," he said. Clearly they were friends. "We can trust her."

"Okay," The skinny one, Alix, said back to him. "We need to gather around."

Erik gave Shana a nod, and she followed behind him, pretending that he was her saviour and hero until the group gathered into a circle. The Denil woman was staring at Shana, which was worrying her.

Do I know her?

"Well," Kael, said, his finger now bandaged poorly, "I want to say thank you. You all risked your lives to save us. I can't ever repay that debt."

"You can repay us when we get back home," Alix said. "We should start heading back immediately."

"What are you saying?" A very dark skinned man said with thick hair. "We need to complete the mission."

"Complete the mission?" Alix argued. "Kael and Erik were just tortured for weeks. We know there is an army forming. The mission is done. We should go back before we all die."

So, they wish to know about Odarim's army, they're a recon group?

"He has a point," the red headed woman whispered. She seemed much weaker than when she first barged into the door to save Shana. "We could take back what we know. It will be enough."

"No," The dark skinned man argued, "we've come this far. We need to finish it. Not for us, but for the rest on the hundred mile beach."

"I don't know," Another man said. He spoke with a strange accent that was higher pitched than the rest. "There's nothing saying we can't return."

"Enough," Kael said. He still had a cough, but other than the torture, he was in a much better state than when he arrived in his cell.

The rest of their group turned silent and faced him, so he's their leader, no wonder they risked their lives to save him.

"We continue with the mission," He said. "Shana here can help guide us the rest of the way," and then he looked at her. "You know this area well?"

Dammit.

Shana stayed silent but nodded. If they needed her to come off as weak, then she would play that role. I can always lead them to M'Taka without them knowing.

"You're down a finger," Alix said. "Samuhal can barely use his arm. We're all half starved..."

"Alix," Erik stopped him, "We do as Kael says."

Alix stayed silent and nodded, and the rest of the group seemed to agree.

"We rest tonight, maybe tomorrow," Kael said. "Then we continue. We don't pick any more fights, and we stay away from any tribes. We find their army and get out."

The group nodded, and Shana thought that was the end of the conversation until Alix stepped forward.

"If we are continuing," He said and reached into his leather armour, "I grabbed this before we left. It could help."

Shana's eyes shot open before she had a chance to stop them, letting out her surprise. Luckily no one realised, and she returned her straight face.

Alix unrolled a parchment in his hands to reveal a map of Pakria. Included were the tribes and towns that had joined Odarim as well as the land around it.

Shana's heart beat faster in her chest as she read it, I can't take them to a surprise now, H'Uku you fool!

Kael took the map into his hands while the red headed woman pulled out another from one of her pockets. It was a map of Pakria with much less detail.

"Alix, you are amazing!" Kael shouted. "This is more than anyone knows about this land! I could kiss you!"

"Ey fuck off!" Alix jokingly replied as the group laughed together while Shana remained silent.

The red head handed a pencil to Kael who began to put markings on H'Uku's map.

"There," Kael said. "This is a fully chartered map of Pakria; everything we could need to know."

"Oh, we will get a great reward for that when we get back!" The high pitched, funny accent man said.

"You better believe it, Connah." Eric said to him.

The group gathered around the map and spoke of their plans, Shana remained silent but she listened and planned on how she would make these Oswini's die.

(If anyone reading would like the full HD map message me and I can forward it to you.)

The End of Part II

INTERLUDES

CHAPTER XXIV

Hera Bowan I

It was a bright, sunshiny day when Hera's ship landed on the Isle-Of-Erst. With the wind blowing her long, golden hair, she stood at the front of the ship as she stared out across her homeland.

The grass was brighter here, unlike in mainland Oswin, I suppose I'll have to get used to the grass over there.

Logan appeared next to her, his strong hands grabbing the wooden ship. Like Hera, he had long blonde hair that blew in the wind.

"Finally home." He said.

From the side and with the sun shining on him, Logan's face appeared chiselled to perfection. Although he was a year younger than Hera, he stood taller and wider than her. Both of them had shining green eyes, which they got from their mother.

"For now." Hera said.

"Don't be like that." Logan attempted to comfort his sister.

Hera wasn't actually upset, well, not nearly upset as she was when she first arrived to Oswin, and then again in James-Mere to meet the royal family.

"At least I won't have to wear those damn dresses anymore." Hera laughed, dressed in her usual leather trousers and cotton shirt. Her mother always hated the way that Hera dressed as a boy, but these clothes were much more comfortable.

"I don't know, I quite liked you in those dresses." Logan whispered with a half smile.

Hera let it go as she looked across her homeland. Erst only had one beach, and the rest of the medium sized island was surrounded with white cliffs. Against the ocean and the sun they appeared to be glistening.

The smell of her land filled Hera's nostrils, the air cleaner than mainland Oswin.

"Right, you two," A shrill voice spoke from behind, making Hera's skin crawl. "We should be back in Edington tomorrow. Until then I expect no fuss. I am still reporting back to your mother."

As she turned around, Lady Janet stood facing the siblings with her arms crossed. Her old wrinkled skin made Hera feel sick, along with her black hair with silver strands appearing clearly throughout. Even in the height of summer, Lady Janet would only wear thick, black dresses, which was something that always baffled Hera.

An added bonus of returning home, Hera thought, I won't have her looking over my shoulder every second.

"Hera," Lady Janet's dark eyes scowled at her, "a word."

It wasn't a request. Logan gave her one last smile before she walked away to have privacy with Lady Janet. The old, miserable woman moved in close.

"Prince Harry appeared to be saddened by your departure," She spoke. "Your mother will be happy."

Hera didn't reply. There were many words that came to her head, but all of them would result in their mother ordering a beating.

"You have done well," Lady Janet said, but even in compliment she sounded miserable. "Albeit, you took your time getting into your new role."

"Of a silent wife." Hera sighed.

Lady Janet scolded her with eyes that could scare a beast, never mind a person.

"You are going to be Queen of the entire Empire," Lady Janet told her. "You should be happy with the arrangement."

"Being forced to marry someone from Manstel is not my idea of happiness." Hera argued.

Truthfully, Hera's time with Prince Harry went greater than she imagined. He started off as an up tight, regal boy, but that night...

"You will do your duty to your mother and your land," Lady Janet said. "Now, get your things, and we will depart as soon as possible."

Hera rolled her eyes and went to her room on the ship. Her trunk was nearly packed when the door opened.

"What did she want?" Logan's voice said.

She turned to smile at her brother, who was stood at the closed door.

"She actually complimented me for my behaviour." Hera said before closing her trunk.

"She wouldn't be too happy to know that you fucked the Prince." Logan whispered back with a smirk.

Hera shot back to face him as her face went red.

"Keep your voice down." She grunted at him.

He was right, though. If Lady Janet found out that she and the heir to the Empire had sex, even if they were betrothed, then she would be furious. Mainland Oswin are so uptight about sex.

"What? Embarrassed that you got fucked by a Prince?" Logan mocked.

Hera rolled her eyes and turned her back to her brother.

"You're just jealous." Hera sighed.

As she faced away Logan stepped towards her, but she didn't move. Then she felt his hands on her hips and his warm breath on her ear.

"There's no way he gave you what I give you." Logan whispered as his fingers took a firm grip of Hera's waist.

His body pressed forward, and Hera felt her brother's cock against her arse. She instinctively pushed back against it, and his lips against her neck made Hera gasp.

"You'd be surprised." Hera whispered as her brother kissed her neck again.

"Oh yeah?" Logan whispered. He pulled her blonde hair to one side before his warm tongue ran against her sensitive neck. "That little, young prince give it to you well?"

Prince Harry Thine was eighteen, only a few years younger than Hera and Logan.

"He's good for someone so inexperienced." Hera told him, knowing that would get on Logan's nerves.

"Inexperienced being the main word," Logan whispered as he licked and kissed her neck. His hands snaked up Hera's body until he took a firm grip of her tits from outside of her shirt, "I've got years of practice pleasing you."

"Mmmm," Hera moaned. Her eyes shot open, and she turned to face her brother. It had been nearly three months since they first left Erst, and she hadn't gotten fucked by her brother once since. "Be quick."

Logan leaned in and pressed his thick, soft lips against Hera's. She immediately opened her mouth and invited her brother's tongue inside as she grabbed at his trousers.

"Mmmm," Hera moaned as her brother's big, thick cock was unleashed.

I wasn't lying, Prince Harry was good, but Logan is better.

Logan pulled Hera's trousers to the ground, and she stepped out of them with haste. Her thin yet toned legs free, she laid back on her bed and spread them, revealing her tight pussy for her brother.

He climbed on top, kissing her passionately after months of waiting as his big cock tapped at her entrance.

"Hurry up," Hera moaned between kisses. "If we get caught, then we're both dead."

"I know, I know." Logan replied.

His hands grabbed at his length as he lined the head up with her wet slit. As he pushed forward, Hera's body accepted him inside her.

"Oooohhhh," Hera moaned as her brother's cock filled her, "fuck, I've missed this."

Once Hera felt her brother's cock fully inside, she wrapped her smooth legs around his waist and grabbed at his neck.

"Now, fuck me." She moaned.

"Tell me you prefer me to your Prince." Logan told her.

Hera began to gyrate her hips back and forth, attempting to fuck herself against her brother's cock but he was holding her still.

"Logan, hurry up." She whispered.

"Tell me." Logan grunted as Hera tightened her hole around him.

"Fuck," Hera grunted in frustration, "I prefer you, alright?!"

"Better." Logan said.

He plunged his tongue down Hera's throat as he began to thrust back and forth.

Ooooh fuuck, finally!

"Fuck... fuck... oh fuck yes." Hera moaned as quietly as she possibly could.

Her brother's cock felt so perfect inside of her. It always had ever since they first crossed this line when Logan was nineteen.

"Fucking hell," Logan moaned as he kissed her, "you feel tighter than ever."

"Because... mff... because you haven't fucked me in months." Hera moaned back.

Logan wasted no time in fucking his sister as hard as possible. His body slapped against hers over and over again. Hera's pussy coated Logan's cock in her juices as she moaned and tensed.

"Logan... ooohhh fuck, Logan," Hera moaned as her fingernails dug until his back and she nuzzled herself into his shoulder. "MMMMFFFFFFFF!!!"

Her body erupted in a might orgasm, similar to the one she had with Prince Harry.

"Oooh Hera." Logan moaned, and she felt his girth expand inside of her, followed by his thick seed firing deep inside of her.

"Oooh fuucckk." Hera moaned as she and her brother came together at the same time. Both of them were twitching, moaning, and kissing passionately while they came.

Logan thrusted into her a handful more times until they were both spent. He remained on top of her, panting and smiling.

"Right," Hera said and tapped his shoulder, "we need to get out before Lady Janet tries to find us."

"Romantic." Logan sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Shut up," Hera sarcastically replied back. "Seriously, get off me."

He was reluctant but Logan eventually pulled out, followed by his seed leaking out of Hera. She quickly got up and got dressed while Logan did the same.

"Okay, let's go." She said to him.

--

I'm home!

The grey coloured walls around Edington were a beauty for Hera's eyes. They were tall, and the city was square shaped. Her head was outside of the carriage as they passed through the gates.

The city was bustling with life with children running around the cobbled streets, laughing and playing. Hera couldn't help but smile.

I'll miss this when I have to move to James-Mere.

Her head returned to the carriage where Logan was laughing at her and Lady Janet was reading. She slammed the book shut and looked at the siblings.

"When we return, I will see your mother first," Lady Janet told them. "You two will go bathe, unpack, and then meet us once called upon."

Logan and Hera shrugged in response. Hera returned to watching the streets as they approached the Edington castle on the Eastern side of the city.

As told, Hera first went to her room where servants brought her belongings, and she unpacked into various drawers and wardrobes before throwing herself onto her bed.

Oh, I've missed you, she thought to her bed. For ten minutes she laid there peacefully until there was a knock on the door.

A young servant girl opened and poked her head inside.

"Your bath is ready, ma'am." She said softly.

"Thank you, Caren." Hera replied.

She walked down the hallway and into one of the bathing rooms. Once undressed, she submerged her body into the steamy water.

The baths in James-Mere were actually nicer, one of the few things that made her trip nice. That, and growing closer with Harry.

Considering he was so stiff and boring, he really opened up towards the end, well, until he opened me up. She laughed to herself as she reminisced on the night she was arguing with the Prince before he grabbed her, kissed her, and took her.

He was amazing, sex with Logan is good, but Harry... he just fits.

Hera was no prude when it came to sex with men, or women for that matter. But with Harry, something was different.

She thought to the third time they met. He was training with a sword in one of the courtyards, the way he laughed when I suggested training with him, mainland Oswin's don't believe women can learn to fight. The look on his face when I put him on his arse three times.

Harry had stormed off after the third. The next time they met was when he made love to her.

And I'm going to marry him, it's set, in six months I will be the Princess of all of Oswin.

The thought made Hera's heart skip a beat. Leaving home saddened her, and leaving Logan saddened her more, but leaving her mother, that made Hera ecstatic.

After an hour in the bath, Hera got out. Caren returned with a towel, and Hera stood still, naked while the servant girl dried her.

"How was your trip?" Caren asked.

Caren had only recently turned eighteen, but she had served the Bowan Dynasty since a young age. She was a nice girl whom Hera enjoyed the company with.

"Eventful," Hera told her. "How were you in my absence? My mother didn't treat you too poorly?"

"Oh, you know," Caren replied with a giggle, "nothing I couldn't handle."

"Well, I'm back now," Hera told her, "so only easy jobs from now on."

"Thank you, ma'am." Caren said as she went down to her knees to dry Hera's legs.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Hera?" Hera asked. "Ma'am makes me feel old."

"Apologies... Hera." Caren said with a nervous giggle.

After drying off and getting dressed, Hera walked to meet with her mother.

Outside of the main hall Hera saw Logan waiting.

"I wonder what Lady Janet has been telling her." Logan said.

"Whatever it is," Hera replied, "Mother is going to be a bitch."

"That's why she named Janet a Lady." Logan joked.

Janet was named Lady Janet nearly twenty years ago, and Hera assumed it was due to her undying loyalty, or obsession, with their mother.

The door creaked open, and Lady Janet's shrill face stared at them.

"Come in." She said.

Hera stepped in first. Her mother was facing a fireplace, and her long red hair was shining behind her.

"Mistress Mary," Lady Janet pathetically said, "your children."

"Thank you," Mary replied without turning. "You can leave us,"

Lady Janet's cold stare scowled at Hera and Logan as she left the room. Their mother, Mary, was wearing a long purple dress with green sleeves, the colours of their dynasty, and the same as the leather armour that Hera owned.

"Take a seat, children." Mary said. Her voice was calm and collected, which sent a chill down Hera's spine.

Logan and Hera sat on opposite sides of the table as they stared at their mother. Slowly she turned to face her children. Mary's face was perfectly smooth. Her jawline could cut glass, and she had bright green eyes similar to Hera and Logan's. For her age, Mary barely looked a day over twenty. She was famous for her beauty. Hera thought she should be famous for her brutality, unfortunately not.

She approached the head of the table and looked between both siblings.

"I'm happy with Lady Janet's report," Mary said. "Somehow you both managed not to embarrass me."

Hera let out a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

"Hera," Mary said and brought her eyes to her daughter, "I believe you and Prince Harry got on well, which is good, and knowing you will be happy once living there was a delight to hear."

That almost sounds legitimate, Hera thought, it's a shame I know better.

"And Logan," Mary said, turning to Hera's brother, "Lady Janet only caught you visiting the brothels three times, only a fraction of what I expected."

"That's good because I went nearly twenty times." Logan said with a laugh, which he immediately regretted when Mary's eyes burned into him.

"Your sister is doing what she must for the Bowan Dynasty," Mary scolded, "and yet my only son is visiting whores. You're lucky no one else was aware of what you got up to."

"I'm sorry, mother." Logan replied, shrinking into his chair.

Hera felt sorry for her brother. She knew that soon he would have even more scars on his back due to her punishment.

"Since you apparently refuse to grow up and do your duty," Mary said, "I have done it for you."

Logan's look of confusion matched Hera's as they stared at her mother. Mary sat down as she prepared to reveal something important.

"I have arranged," Mary said, "for you to travel to the Holy War."

"What?!" Logan almost shouted and leaned across the table. It was only another scolding look from their mother that made him sit back.

"In three months," Mary continued, "you will travel to the Holy War, where I have enlisted you for a minimum of 12 months."

"You would send your son to fight and die on a desert?" Logan argued.

It was unwise to speak to Mary Bowan in such a manner, but Hera knew that Logan's emotions had taken over.

"You are Logan Bowan," Mary told him. "You will be going as a General in the finest armour. You will do your family proud."

Hera felt bad for her brother, but this news actually put her at ease. As selfish as it was, her moving to James-Mere felt easier knowing that she wouldn't be leaving her brother on his own here.

"I know nothing of being a General." Logan whispered.

"Everyone starts somewhere," Mary half-heartedly replied. "Now leave. I need to speak to your sister in private."

Shit!

Logan glanced one last look at his sister before he arose from his seat and left Hera alone with Mary.

Hera looked at her mother, such a cold and heartless stare.

"It pleases me that you are not fighting this betrothal," Mary told her. "I must admit, I expected resistance."

Hera remained silent, worried that if she opened her mouth, then something would come out that would bring her more scars on her back.

"Speak, girl." Mary said calmly.

Hera thought about her words carefully.

"It was a shock," Hera told her, "When Lady Janet told me the truth behind our travel."

"I couldn't risk you refusing to go if you knew the reason why," Mary told her. "Your betrothal to Prince Harry was a great negotiation, which has gotten even greater since he has been named heir."

As always, Mother gets lucky.

Hera nodded her head.

"Which brings me to my next topic," Mary said, and Hera looked at her. "You and Logan are over."

What?

Hera thought her eyeballs were going to pop out of her head. Her heart beat out of her chest, and her stomach sunk inside.

"W... what?" Hera stuttered.

Mary's face was unfazed and still.

"You will never share a bed with Logan again," Mary told her. "You will not ruin this betrothal with your... indiscretions."

She knows about me and Logan?! Hera thought, how long has she known? Has she just been holding onto this information until she had a reason to use it? Does she even care that her children are fucking each other?!

"Listen to me carefully, child," Mary said, her voice turned even colder. "If I hear of you and Logan ever again, you will regret it immeasurably."

Hera's eyes blinked wildly as tears of fear welled. She had no idea how or how long her mother had known about their incestuous relationship. It shocked her even more how little she appeared to care.

"You can leave now." Mary told her.

Hera rushed back to her room before throwing up and jumping onto her bed.

She knows?! She fucking knows!! And she fucking held on to it! For a tactic! That horrible, wicked cow!

As Hera hyperventilated on her bed the door opened.

"Ma... Hera," Caren's soft voice spoke, "are you okay?"

Hera turned to see the young girl looking at her with a worried face.

"I'm... a little under the weather." Hera lied.

"Oh," Caren replied and spotted the vomit in the corner, "let me clean that up."

Hera sunk back down onto her bed as Caren cleaned.

"I'm sorry," Hera whispered.

--

The next night, Hera was seething over her mother and the audacity of her actions. Hera couldn't take it. Once night had fallen and the castle slept, she quietly found her way to Logan's bedroom and opened it.

"What are you doing in here?" Logan said with a smile.

"I need you." Hera told him.

She arranged a betrothal without telling me, she knew about me and Logan, well, fuck her. She can't control everything about me.

Hera pulled the straps from her robe and stood in front of her brother naked before straddling on top of him.

Logan sat up, and his hands grabbed onto Hera's back. She in turn reached around him and saw him wince as her fingers grazed his latest scars, thanks to their mother. Nothing was said about the scars, the sibling never dared to discuss it, but they both knew.

For a moment Hera remembered Prince Harry's reaction to her scars. She was grateful that he was knowledgeable about the culture in Erst and passed them off as training accidents.

Logan kissed her, and Hera kissed back. Their tongues explored the other's mouth. Her body heated up, although she was kissing Logan, she couldn't help but build up her rage at her mother.

She reached down and grabbed onto her brother's large, throbbing cock. Hera sat up and rubbed it against her moist slit. As she stared into her brother's eyes, Hera lowered herself down.

"Oooooh." She moaned as she impaled herself on his dick.

Her lips swallowed his shaft, filling her up until she took him to the base. She lunged forward, aggressively attacking his mouth with hers as she pushed him to lie back. With her legs on either side of her brother, Hera began to buck up and down on his cock.

"Oh fuck... fuck... fuck..." Hera moaned as she rode her brother's cock.

"Fucking hell... Hera." Logan moaned as she angrily bounced up and down.

Her body slapped against his. Her tits swung in front of her as she used his cock for her own pleasure, getting enjoyment from defying her mother.

"Hera... fuck, that feels good." He moaned.

She stared into his eyes, and with every buck of her smaller body onto his, she could see him wince from the scars on his back. The siblings shared a look, knowing what the other had been through, sharing a connection.

"Fuck me." Hera moaned.

Logan immediately wrapped himself around his sister and repositioned himself until he was on top and Hera's smooth legs were spread and wrapped around him.

"Oooooh yes!" Hera moaned as her brother hammered into her.

He kissed her neck and grabbed at her tits. Hera reached down and dug her fingernails into his firm arse cheeks, pulling him deeper into her wanton hole with every thrust.

The two moaned animalistically. Hera bit down on his lip hard and made him wince again.

"Fuck me.. fuck me... don't stop!" She moaned and slapped his arse.

Both of them moaned deeper as their pleasure grew. Hera could feel him throbbing inside of her pussy.

"Yes... yes... yes... yeeeeeessssss!!" Hera moaned as she came around her brother's big, thick cock.

"Oooh Herraaaa!!" Logan moaned back as at the same time he filled his sister's cunt with thick, hot cum.

The siblings were sweating and moaning as they both came harder and harder.

His thrusts slowed down but went firmer until his balls were thoroughly drained deep inside of Hera. When he rolled to the side, she felt his seed leaking out of her.

"Where did that come from?" Logan asked.

Hera was panting for air and brushed the blonde hair from her face.

"I needed a hard fucking." She told him.

"Mother pissed you off that badly?" He asked.

Hera shrugged. He knew that was why, but he didn't mind.

--

For two weeks Hera had been continuing to fuck her brother, although they kept it hidden. She felt some sort of victory over doing the opposite of what their mother said.

One night, she was walking back from Logan's room after being bent over and fucked for nearly two hours. With a smile on her face and a slight limp as cum leaked down her leg, she entered her own bedroom.

That's where Hera stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart sunk, and her eyes opened wide.

There wasn't a single spot in Hera's room that wasn't coated in a layer of blood. As Hera's eyes skirted around the area, she caught glimpses of body parts. Cut up, mangled, as if a rabid dog had attacked someone.

A hand lay by her feet with all of the fingers missing.

After that, Hera's eyes moved towards her bed, and that was when she burst into tears. As she witnessed Caren's decapitated head lying atop her pillow, her eyes had been taken out and apparently so did her teeth.

Hera thought she was going to pass out. She took a step back and felt her feet squelch in a pool of blood.

Suddenly a hand grabbed onto Hera's shoulder, and she turned back to see one of her mother's Elite Guards, Jeriah, staring at her in purple armour.

"She suffered, for a long time," He grunted in a deep, husky voice, "for your actions."

Hera's eyes felt foggy, and her stomach turned inside.

"Now, come with me, it's time for your punishment." Jeriah told her.

She didn't fight it. Hera had stopped fighting her punishments since she was seven years old. With his tight grip around her wrist, she allowed Jeriah to take her into the castle's secret basement, where she would be strung up and whipped. Not by her mother, never by her. Mary always kept her hands clean.

As Hera's wrists and ankles were tied spread open like a star and her clothes were ripped off, her mind disappeared into the place she went when she was punished.

This was different though, Hera felt guilty that her actions had caused a sweet, innocent, young girls torture and death. Then the first crack of a whip struck her back and she gritted her teeth through the pain.

CHAPTER XXV

Haralt Taylor I

(If any readers would like the full HD map message me and I can forward it to you.)

Haralt, Zakaria, and Torvold stood around a table, which had a map of Oswin laid upon it. Their youngest sibling, Asta, she was only ten years of age and not at the table. None of the other brothers saw any need for her to join them.

Torvold stood to the left, wearing a grey wolf pelt which he killed while on his Palshum. He had returned with a few cuts and bruises, but from his stories, he did well. Enough to provide himself a place at the table with his older brothers anyway.

Zakaria, the second oldest brother stood to Haralt's right. He was as tall as Haralt but not as well built. He also had long black hair, which he braided. A signature look he had claimed over the years. Zakaria had a brown tiger pelt around him from his Palshum years ago.

Haralt, the eldest and strongest of all the siblings wore a white wolf pelt. It was his most prized position, white wolves were giant beasts in the north, and when he returned from his Palshum, it instantly gave him a great renown for defeating the animal.

"How many soldiers can we get to us?" Zakaria asked.

Haralt pointed to the western Northern Kingdom.

"Five thousand from Westholme," his finger moved across the map to the Eastern Kingdom. "Four thousand from East Shore," and finally he settled on the central Kingdom, the capital of the Northern Kingdoms being the city of Stonewall where they currently stood, "seven thousand from Rock."

Rock was the central Kingdom, which brought the three Northern Kingdoms together currently under Adaram Taylor's rule.

"Sixteen thousand," Zakaria said and rubbed his smooth chin. "Not enough to take on the entire empire."

"We could gather them all and march straight for James-Mere?" Torvold suggested.

Haralt couldn't stop himself from glancing at Zakaria, who was rolling his eyes. Torvold was keen, but he was young, and his strategic mind hadn't had time to grow.

"It's a nice thought, little brother," Haralt told him, "but even if we took James-Mere, then the rest of the empire would surround us."

Zakaria brought his hand, covered in a black leather glove, down to the map.

"We leave a defensive unit at The Great Oak Bridge," He suggested. "With its narrow area we wouldn't need a large force to hold of attackers, while we send the rest to Cairne."

Haralt pondered the suggestion. The Great Oak Bridge was the only part, other than the Skelm Valley in Cairne, that connected the Northern Kingdoms to the rest of Oswin.

No matter what, Haralt wasn't happy.

Erik got us in this mess, raiding around Cairne with a guerrilla army, leaving us to clean up his mess.

"They have cavalry in Cairne," Haralt spoke softly. "Their army can gather faster than ours and in greater numbers. We could easily be killed."

"Erik seems to be doing okay." Torvold said.

"Erik is running around with a small force," Haralt scolded. "Easy to manoeuvre without being ambushed. Moving an entire army like we're planning takes time, which gives more opportunity to be defeated."

Torvold clearly wasn't happy, but he was smart enough not to respond. Zakaria remained silent, deep in thought, as did Haralt.

"Our best chance is to provoke them to come to us," Haralt said. "In our land, we know the terrain, and we know how to handle the colder weather. We take them out slowly until we have evened the numbers, and then we can strike."

"So, you want us to get attacked?" Torvold sighed. "How long will that take? Months?"

"I don't want any of this!" Haralt argued. "We are having to go up against the entire empire because of Erik!"

"He did that because he believed you and father were going to be arrested and killed." Zakaria replied, always having Erik's back.

"And we didn't," Haralt told him. "He did all of this without permission and without thought. Because of his pride and desire for fame, he has brought war to our land."

"We're reavers," Torvold said. "It's what we were born to do. The empire has been holding us down ever since the rebellion."

"A rebellion we lost!" Haralt shouted. "Why would we not lose again?"

Torvold's hot headedness, similar to Erik's and Zarakria's, was bubbling to the surface. His face had turned red, and his hands turned into fists. He had shaved his head on his Palshum, which made him look angrier.

Before he spoke, the door to their meeting room slammed open.

The room fell deathly quiet, except for erupting footsteps that grew closer. Each of the brothers turned their heads, and Haralt went painfully white when he saw who had joined them.

He had a big, unruly black beard that ran down his chin, long black hair that was frizzy, and a body that could rip the biggest tree from the ground.

"Father..." Torvold stuttered, "we... we didn't know you were home."

Adaram didn't speak, simply glaring at his children as he approached the table and looked down upon the map.

"So, you've been busy?" Adaram spoke. His voice was husky, and his clothes were dirty. It must have been a harsh trip back.

The last time Haralt saw his father was when four guards were dragging Haralt into a bedroom in James-Mere, a pleasant cell, but a cell nonetheless. He managed to break free and make it home in time to find out that his brothers had planned a rebellion.

"We thought you were arrested," Zakaria said. He held himself straight, unaverred by their fathers presence. "We were... preparing our reaction."

Adaram's eyes chattered around the map. He walked towards Zakaria, not giving Haralt a look as he moved past the eldest brother.

"My son," Adaram said, placing a giant hand into Zakaria's shoulder, "You're as dumb as your mother."

A crashed sound filled the room as one of Adaram's rocklike fists struck into Zakaria's stomach, forcing the tall, slimmer brother to curl over and throw up onto the ground. He fell to his arse, clenching his stomach as Adaram turned to Haralt and Torvold.

Torvold took a step back, but Haralt remained firm.

No point in running.

"Your brother Erik has created this mess," Adaram's grizzly voice spoke, "and I find you all here, flaming his shit."

"We were planning an offensive to fight back against the empire." Torvold told him, but his voice was broken, afraid.

"You are children!" Adaram shouted, loud enough to make Haralt's ribs vibrate, "playing at war! You know nothing!"

The fear in Torvold was apparent. Haralt stayed still though, waiting for his father's attention.

"The empire has no clue about our army," Adaram told them. "As far as they are aware, we are allowed one thousand soldiers, yet you were ready to give up the surprise."

Torvold's excitement for war was immediately hidden.

"I have spent my life since the rebellion building up our land," Adaram said. "In secret and in one swing you have destroyed everything."

"We haven't done anything yet." Zarakia said as he finally stopped coughing.

He grabbed onto the table for support as he pulled himself to his feet, only for Adaram to slam a fist into Zakaria's stomach once more and send him to the ground.

Once again Zakaria was holding his stomach while on the floor.

"You've done enough," Adaram growled. "Get the fuck out of my meeting room!"

Torvold ran out without looking back. Zakaria began to crawl, and Haralt turned.

"Not you." Adaram said.

Haralt turned to see his bear of a father staring at him. He waited for Zakaria to limp his way out, but then they were alone.

"Sit." Adaram ordered.

Haralt pulled up a chair and sat down while his father remained on his feet, like a tower of death looming over him.

"My sons," Adaram scoffed, "what a legacy I will be leaving behind."

Haralt didn't speak. He knew that much. Adaram looked down at the map for a moment in silence before looking at his eldest son.

"Erik has been captured," Adaram revealed. "I am meeting with Leo Thine and Cean Boarman at Bellhouse Island to resolve things."

"They haven't killed Erik?" Haralt asked, although part of him wish that they had. Erik was his brother, but he was a chore.

"Unfortunately not," Adaram said with a straight face. "If they had, then we would be in an all out war, but for now, we keep the peace."

I always knew he wasn't as dumb as his reputation.

"Why the meeting?" Haralt asked.

"Leo believes that someone is playing a larger game, pitting us against each other as a distraction." Adaram said.

He walked to the side of the room to get himself a flask of ale, but not getting one for Haralt.

"I can't trust your brothers to lead in my stead," Adaram said. "While I'm gone, you're in charge. I do not want any more bloodshed without my go ahead."

"They're not the easiest to leash." Haralt told his father.

"Neither were Deamon Tigers," Adaram said. "Now, there are fifty who fight for us."

Deamon Tigers were one of the Northern Kingdom's greatest weapons. They were beasts larger than a man, white in fur and teeth that could cut through bone like butter. In recent years, they had gained a liking to Southern flesh.

"So, I sit and wait?" Haralt asked.

"If something goes wrong," Adaram told him, "if something doesn't go to plan, then go north, to a village called Brookham. There you will find the rest of my plan."

Haralt was intrigued, but he knew that his father would not divulge any more information.

Adaram finished his drink and slammed it down onto the table as he walked towards the exit.

"War is coming," Adaram said, "these next few weeks will tell us whom with."

Part III

CHAPTER XXVI

Kael VII

The sound of a door creaking opened echoed in Kael's ears. Metal scraped on metal, the sound of tool to be used against his body. His scars were freshly opened, and blood trickled down his skin like rain. Although he couldn't see, a steel blade sliced into his flesh.

His eyes finally opened as well as his mouth.

"Ahhhhh!!" He screamed from the pain as he sat up.

"Kael?" Exi gasped. She was lying close to him, but not too close.

The night air breezed against Kael's face. His heart was beating out of his chest, and sweat covered his body. Everything was moving too fast, and he thought he was going to pass out.

Kael could feel his chest heaving up and down as his head turned, seeking the torturer's that came for him.

"Kael," Exi's voice, softer this time, whispered, "It's okay."

A gentle hand rested on his forearm, and Kael jumped to his feet, got into a fighting stance, and prepared to defend himself. The small red headed girl jumped as well, palms out and facing him. Kael met her piercing green eyes.

"It's just me." She whispered.

As the warm air blew against his face and Kael controlled his breathing, his adrenaline slowly came down. Although his hands remained in fists and his eyes darted around, he could feel his heartbeat slow.

Exi took a slight step towards him, and with a heavy breath, Kael relaxed.

"I'm sorry." He whispered and hung his head.

Her arms wrapped around him, and her head pressed against Kael's pained, bony chest.

"It's okay," She whispered into him, "You're safe now. You're safe."

Kael's eye welled up as he rested a chin upon Exi's head. Her hair had grown enough to cushion him. As Kael wrapped his own arms around the woman, he noticed how much weight she had lost since the start of their journey.

We're all so much weaker now, I'm missing a finger and my brain's a mess... even if we survive this, will our souls survive?

With Exi still holding him, the two dropped onto the sandy ground, her head rested on his chest, and it moved up and down with every breath.

Kael stared up at the stars above. The full moon was shining bright, the wind was barely blowing, and all was calm, so why wasn't Kael able to calm his thoughts.

--

The group woke up early and set off. Their pace was a lot slower than when they started, especially with the new addition to their group.

Kael hadn't spoken to Shana since they were freed, but he knew he needed to. Kael had accepted his position as the leader of the group, and it was time for him to stand up and be the man he was born to.

"Thank you," Kael said as he walked beside Shana at the back of the group. The brown skinned woman was pretty, but there was something in her eyes, a sort of hatred, "for helping Erik and me."

"You don't need to thank me," Shana replied. Her Oswini wasn't as strong as Jahil's, but she had spent most of her life with the Pakrias.

"The man who ran that town," Kael spoke, "what was his name?"

"H'Uku," Shana told him. "He wasn't a good person."

"How long had you been there?" Kael asked.

"He was my master," Shana said. "It's hard to remember when it all started. I'd... I'd rather forget."

Something didn't sit right with Kael. There was emotion in her words, but something was wrong. He didn't believe her, but Kael was not prepared to argue with a woman who was a slave to these beasts.

"You know this land well?" Kael asked, trying to get as much information as he could.

"Somewhat," She told him, a woman of few words apparently.

"What do you know of this army they are forming?" Kael asked.

"Not a lot," Shana said. "I don't believe it's a large force, just a few tribes."

Again, Kael didn't believe her. With the sheer size of the Pakria forces, and the groups they had already encountered, he believed that it was a large army.

"You like her, don't you?" Shana then asked and gestured towards Exi.

Kael couldn't help but smile as he looked at the red head in front of them walking through the sand as the sun beat down.

"She's... a good person." Kael told her.

"Then why do you hesitate?" Shana asked.

Kael didn't understand what she meant.

"We escaped a week ago, and I've barely seen you speak to her," Shana continued. "She clearly cares for you, and you her. Why do you fight it?"

Why do I fight it? Kael thought, Caring for someone as more than a friend, I've never done that before.

"I... I don't know." Kael told her.

They walked together for a few silent minutes until Shana's mouth opened.

"Your army sent you here?" She asked.

"There were rumours of a Pakria army being created," Kael admitted. "We were sent to confirm it."

"So," Shana asked, "you have men to save you if things go badly?"

"Unfortunately not," Kael said. "Officially we are all dead. This is an unknown mission. If we don't come back, no one will know."

"So, you're all dead men?" Shana asked.

"Ghosts," Kael said with a grin, thinking back to the valley with Erik. "That's what Erik called us, Ghosts in the desert."

"Desert Ghosts," Shana said. "Interesting."

Desert Ghosts, I like that.

"Excuse me," Kael said and ran up ahead until he was shoulder to shoulder with Exi. "Thank you for last night."

He didn't look at her, choosing to keep his eyes straight ahead as they walked, but he could feel her head turn to look at him.

"You're welcome," She replied. "Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah," Kael told her. He felt more embarrassed than anything. "Just... nightmares."

"I get that," Exi told him, and her voice showed that she meant it as well. "I'm glad you're back."

"Don't tell me you were missing me." Kael said with a chuckle in his voice and nudged her.

"Shut up." Exi joked and returned the nudge.

They shared another silent moment while Kael built up his courage and took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," He said quietly. "The way I reacted about you and Jahil, I was wrong."

"You were," Exi said with a smile. "I'll forgive you though."

"I've never met anyone like you before." Kael said, keeping the seriousness in his voice.

"Don't be going soft on me." Exi replied.

Kael was unaltered; he had wasted too much time. A week ago he was expecting a long and painful death, and now this was his second chance.

"I've been here for so long," Kael said, "knowing that any day could be my last, so I didn't allow myself to think of anything past the war. There was no reason to."

He took another deep breath, unable to find the right words.

"But now?" Exi said, forcing it from him.

"Now, I have something to stay alive for." Kael told her, choking on his words as he said it.

Exi took a moment to take it in.

"Scary, isn't it." She replied.

I need to tell her, Kael thought, I want to tell her. I don't want to keep things from Exi.

"I want to tell you about my past," Kael said. "I want... I want you to know the truth about me."

He could sense Exi tensing up.

"If you tell me," She said, "then I'll tell you."

I doubt her past is as dramatic as mine.

"Okay," Kael whispered and took a few deep breaths. He couldn't believe he was about to reveal himself to a second person. "Just don't react too much. I'm not ready for the others to know."

Exi moved in closer so that he could whisper.

"My real name," He spoke in a hushed tone, "Is Theo Kael Thine."

Just like with Erik, it felt as though the world lifted from his shoulder as he said the words.

"Theo Thine?" Exi said, she clearly didn't understand until she stopped and her eyes shot open, "as in...."

"Shhh!" Kael hushed her as her voice rose.

She had stopped dead, as well as Kael.

"You're... you're.... what the fuck!" She said in a shocked whisper.

"Yes!" Kael told her and grabbed her arms. His head darted around to make sure no one else had stopped or heard them.

Shana was coming up to then, so he urged Exi to keep walking.

Exi didn't speak for a few painful minutes. Her eyes were going all over the place, working it out in her head until she finally spoke.

"I... I've fucked the future King of Kings." She whispered.

"Seriously?" Kael asked. "That's your first thought."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Exi replied. "What do you want me to do? Bow down to your lordship?"

"I'm still Kael," He told her. "And I'm not the future King of Kings anymore. I'm just one of the Desert Ghosts."

Exi raised an eyebrow.

"I thought it was catchy." Kael smiled.

"Fucking Theo Thine," Exi said. "Who else knows?"

"Only Erik," Kael told her. "I told him when we were in the valley, I thought we were going to die."

They continued in silence again. Kael was half waiting for Exi to shout at him for never telling him the truth, but then she gave him a light shove.

"Does this mean I'll be sleeping in the capitol castle when you're fucking me?" She said with a burst of laughter.

"Already trying to make yourself Queen," Kael said. "I knew you were only after that."

"Queen?" Exi said, as if in disbelief. "Shitty proposal that."

Kael laughed. He was happy with her response and felt massively better for telling the truth.

"I killed my brother." Exi then blurted out.

This time, it was Kael's turn to stop. When he looked at Exi, she had tears in her eyes that instantly streamed down her face.

"He..." Exi stuttered and sniffed, "he raped me, a lot... my parents didn't believe me. I didn't see any other way out. So, I killed him and then joined the war."

The sadness in her eyes made Kael's heartbreak. The only thing he could do was wrap his arms around her and hug the beautiful red head.

"I'm sorry that happened to you." Kael whispered as she pressed herself into Kael's body.

"You can't have a queen that has killed her own kin." Exi whispered.

"I can have any queen I want." Kael told her, which made Exi laugh.

She wiped her face as the two continued their walk, both of them closer. Kael was smiling.

--

That night when the sun had set, Kael and Exi took themselves further away from the group.

Underneath the moonlight, in complete silence, the two stared into each other's eyes.

Kael leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, and his entire body erupted. Exi's small hands held onto his face as her lips parted, and then Kael felt her tongue snake into his mouth.

He held onto her, feeling his length press against her stomach.

Then Exi stopped and pulled back, staring into his eyes.

"Theo," She whispered, "I like that name."

Kael kissed her again, and their tongues danced together as their hands explored the other's body. Their leather armour was handy in battle, but it was difficult to take out quickly.

In fifteen minutes the two stood together naked, and their hot bodies pressed together. Kael occasionally winced when she would touch one of his new scars that covered most of his body.

When Kael placed his hand onto one of Exi's small yet perky breasts, he acknowledged his missing finger.

"Oooh Kael," Exi moaned into his mouth as a thumb ran over her firm nipple.

They laid down onto the sand. Kael looked at the small, naked Exi who spread her legs for him. He moved between them as she wrapped them around his waist while Kael's manhood pressed against her slit.

"Ooooohh." Exi gasped as Kael sheathed himself inside of her.

She felt warm, tight, moist as he held himself deep inside her, and their bodies became one. Kael stared into her beautiful eyes as the fingers on his right hand ran against her head, feeling her red hair that had grown longer.

When he pulled back, her lips held onto his girth. Leaving just the head in, Kael thrust forward again. Her small, toned legs were spread and lifted into the air as he moved back and forth.

Then, Kael leaned down and kissed her. Their lips locked together, soon opening for their soft tongues to roll against the other.

"Oh... Oh Kael," Exi moaned, and looked into his eyes, "Theo."

Kael leaned down to press his lips against her neck. His tongue massaged her pale, sensitive skin as he made love to the beautiful woman.

Exi gyrated her hips underneath him, lifting herself up and down to match his thrusts. Kael was easily sliding in and out of her depths now, speeding up in the warm night air.

"Exi... that feels amazing." He whispered while licking at her bare neck.

Her fingers grabbed onto his back, and Kael winced as she accidentally dug into one of his new scars but he didn't stop.

They moved as one, in and out, up and down, while they kissed like true lovers.

"Theo... Theo... Yes!" Exi moaned a little louder.

Her head leaned back, and her perky chest lifted into the air.

"Exi I'm..." Kael grunted, but she cut him off.

"Not yet... oh please don't yet," She moaned. "I'm... I'm close."

She was gripping onto his throbbing meat, as if forcing his orgasm while begging him to hold it. Exi couldn't stop herself from grabbing onto Kael's body, which hurt his scars, but that helped him last longer.

"Fuck... fuck..." Exi moaned. "Yes! Oh fuck, that's good."

Kael was grunting through gritted teeth, putting his sole focus on not finishing yet. Then he felt Exi tighten around him. Her nectar had coated his cock as he impaled her over and over and over.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" Exi shouted louder. "Ooooh, I'm cumming!"

She was too tight. It felt too good, and Kael couldn't stop.

"Oooooh Exi!" Kael roared as he unloaded deep inside of the red head's bare pussy.

Over and over Kael filled Exi's womb as her body writhed and twitched underneath him. Her fingers dug into his flesh as she let out a long, high-pitched moan with her eyes locked shut.

"Ooohhh... oh by the gods..." Exi panted.

Kael slowed down his thrusts but held himself inside of her. His seed had filled Exi, and his cock throbbed within her. He kissed her again.

"Thank you." Kael whispered.

Exi ran her hands across his face. She was smiling from ear to ear.

Kael pulled out and rolled onto the sand besides her. Their arms were holding onto each other as they closed their eyes and fell to sleep.

CHAPTER XXVII

Exi VI

As the sun rose Exi felt the warm embrace of Kael holding onto her naked body. It was reckless to sleep naked, unarmoured, but it felt too perfect to ruin it with their leathers. She could still feel his seed inside of her.

Exi hid it at the time, but it hurt when Kael first entered her hole. Memories of that Pakria lord forcing himself on her flashed into Exi's mind.

She turned to look at Kael, who was still asleep.

Theo Thine, heir to the Empire. How... how could this be so?

In a strange way, it all made sense. The way he held himself, the way he spoke, his education. But still, she had sex with who would be the King of Kings. He's a good man, he'll make a good King of Kings.

He may have talked of Exi being his Queen, but she knew that was a fool's dream. She knew she couldn't be a Queen. Those duties were for a certain type and breed of people, not a commoner such as Exi. But until that time came, she could enjoy it.

In the distance she saw movement from the rest of the group. One person was already awake, and that's when Exi saw that it was Alix.

She felt... guilt. The young man whom she had legitimately tried to kill. If his fighting wasn't as skilled as it was, Exi would have plunged her sword into his flesh. She crawled away from Kael. He was in a deep sleep, barely flinching as she moved.

Once on her feet, Exi got dressed before walking the distance to Alix. He had taken his time alone to scout further ahead. He stood upon a sand dune, looking out across the area. This part of the desert was filled with dunes and hills, so having a higher up look made it the first time they got a proper look into the distance.

Alix didn't react when Exi stood beside him. The light breeze blew their capes as they both looked out.

Exi couldn't speak. She knew she needed to, but the words wouldn't leave her lips.

"How is he?" Alix asked, breaking their silence but not looking at her.

"He's," Exi paused, "Alive."

She looked down, ashamed of herself.

Once again they stood in silence while Exi built up her strength and took a breath.

"I'm sorry," She whispered, but Alix didn't react. "I was wrong on so many things, and you were right."

"It's fine." Alix grunted.

Exi couldn't stand it, so she grabbed the younger man's arm and forced him to look at her.

"It's not," She urgently told him. "If it were for me, then Kael and Erik would be dead. Fuck. I almost killed you!"

Alix laughed.

"I think you're forgetting how that fight went." He joked.

His laughter did not ease Exi's broken heart.

"You saved me," Exi told him, "from... that monster."

Alix's smile dropped when she brought that up. He looked around them, ensuring no one was close.

"I won't tell anyone about that," He whispered. "I just wish I had more time with him. A quick death is not enough for someone like that."

Exi agreed, although she didn't say it. That monster, Exi could still feel him inside her, even though he was dead.

"I'm sorry," Exi told him. "Without you, Kael, Erik and I would be dead. You're... you're a hero."

Alix didn't say anything, although Exi could see his eyes darting between hers, thinking internally.

"I had six brothers when I was growing up," Alix said, which confused Exi. "We all worked for our father, a blacksmith. Nearly every day one of us tried to kill another with a burning, freshly forged sword."

Exi kept looking at him as Alix pulled at his leather trousers and revealed a very large scar on his thigh.

"This," He said, "My eldest brother, Calum, he was the closest. The bastard cut right in."

Exi gasped, his brother actually tried to kill him? Then it dawned on her, I... I actually did kill my brother.

"That's all to say," Alix continued, "we all fight with our closest people. Just next time, don't go for my head, yeah?"

Exi finally laughed at his words. He was still an ass, but at least he was being nice to her.

--

That day was like most, walking through the desert in the hot sun. They hadn't seen any other form of life except for a camel that Alix hunted.

While the sun was up, they started a fire, cooked the camel, and ate it. The meal was much needed for, however it had been weeks since anything other than charred meat had gone to Exi's lips.

Once the sun was set, the fire was put out, and as one team they all sat together. There was a freshness with them all. Only a few days ago Exi had attempted to kill Alix, and now they were friends again, except for the new Denil girl, Shana. She barely spoke and just listened.

Some were chatting and laughing when Kael rose to his feet.

"There's something I need to tell you all." He said.

Exi's heart beat faster. She did not expect him to tell everyone else his secret.

The group fell silent and sat in a circle with all eyes on Kael.

"Firstly," He said as he stood up straight, confident in his decision, "I want to thank you all for risking your lives to save me. If not for you I would still be getting tortured."

No one said a word. Exi half expected a joke to be made, but none came.

"And there's something else," Kael continued, "something I have kept my deepest secret, but it's time. I want you all to know."

Connah in particular paid full attention. He had known Kael the longest, and Exi wondered how he would take the news.

"My father wasn't a blacksmith," He said, his words calm and true. "My real father is Leo Thine, King of Kings. I am his eldest son, Theo, heir to the empire."

When he finished speaking nothing could be heard except for the desert breeze. All faces except for Erik's and Exi's showed disbelief. It was a few minutes until Connah finally spoke.

"You fucker!" He gasped. "All this fucking time! You're a prince?!"

"I... was running from it," Kael admitted. "I didn't want to be Theo Thine. I didn't want that life, so I became Kael."

"Posh bastard." Connah then shouted and burst into laughter.

What followed was a barrage of questions to Kael, all of which he answered firmly. Jokes were made, gasps, and shocked words. Shana... she remained silent.

As the questions continued, Exi stood up. The group fell silent once more.

"My turn, my prince." She said with a smile.

Kael laughed and took a seat around the circle.

"Back home in Erst," Exi said, and she had to take a deep breath to prepare for what she was about to reveal, "my older brother, he used to force himself on me. I... I killed him, then fled to Pakria."

Not a single word was uttered. Exi's eyes found Alix, who stared blankly at her. In his eyes though, she could see an understanding underneath.

"Fuck sake," Connah said and stood up, "If we're all revealing our gods dammed secrets, I fucked a Jarl's daughter."

There was a moment of silence. Exi was still on her feet, and then the group burst into laughter.

"That's why you're in Pakria?" Erik asked with a smile covering his face.

"The bastard Jarl walked in on me with his daughter bent over, and the look on his face when he heard her moaning like a whore from a commoner's cock!" Connah said and burst into his own laughter. "It was either death or this!"

"Was she at least a good lay?" Alix asked him.

"Meh, I've had better." Connah replied with another chuckle.

Connah and Exi sat down for a moment until Samuhal rose to his feet.

He had a more worried look on his face, unlike when Connah revealed his secret.

"As you know, the Faire kingdom makes their money through mining the many mountains," He said. "I was a keeper of accounts. A good one. My numbers were always correct. Until they weren't. The Lower Jarl had his workers change the numbers to make more gold for himself. When I went to declare it... he had me hunted as an outlaw. My parents were killed when they hid me, so I fled here."

Everyone took a moment to take it in, to understand Samuhal and his past.

When he sat down, all eyes turned to Alix, and he looked around uncomfortably.

"Fine," He grunted and stood up. "Back home me and my brothers we... we didn't get on amazingly, but I loved them."

A tear welled up in the young man's eyes, and Exi felt sorry for him. After what he told her about his brothers, she could still see the love he had for them.

"My village was attacked," Alix told them. "My brothers were all killed and my mother. Only my father and I survived."

A tear ran down his dry face, and Exi looked around at each member of the team who gave a sorrowful look.

"Who attacked you?" Erik asked, his voice blunt and clear.

"That doesn't matter." Alix awkwardly replied. It was the first time Exi had seen him unsure of himself.

Erik stood up and walked towards Alix.

"Who was it?" He asked again.

Every pair of eyes were on the two men, waiting for Alix's answer. Finally, Alix looked up and met Erik's eyes.

"It was Northmen," He revealed.

His voice wasn't angry. It was as though he wanted to apologise to Erik for admitting it was his people who killed Alix's family.

Erik's big, strong hand landed on Alix's shoulder and held him tightly.

"I'm sorry." Erik told him.

"It's okay." Alix replied.

The two men sat down, and the group was back in their circle, each a little lighter, each understanding the others deeper.

"I'd kill for an ale." Connah finally said with a laugh.

Their conversations turned to stories of their lives back home. Alix spoke of his brothers in great detail. Exi could not join in those conversations. It was too hard. Kael was quiet as well.

After a few hours of chatting, almost forgetting everything they had been through, Exi and Kael fell asleep in each other's arms.

CHAPTER XXVIII

M'Taka II

While in the Northern islands, it would be easy to believe they were no longer in Pakria. They were sixteen islands scattered along the north, each of them close enough for multiple bridges to join them together. However, M'Take arrived via boat.

His people had only discovered the genius behind sea travel in recent years. They had watched the Oswini arrive to their land on ships but had never built their own. M'Taka was the one who set out to reveal its secrets.

And now he stood onboard a small boat, in the glory of his own invention as they travelled to the most northern island. The ship he named "Kathara", meaning wet death. Wind was blowing in his long, thick hair and against his camel pelt.

It had only been a few weeks, but he already missed him homeland, and he prayed to the only god that his brother will do well in his stead.

The further north and the more islands they passed boasted the size of Odarim's Pakria army. The lands were plagued with tents and makeshift huts filled with soldiers. It was a wonder to see. Never before had M'Taka seen so many Pakria's together.

On the main island in the centre M'Taka saw it, the mines of Ashkera.

That is where Odarim holds the stone...

"I'Chela!" M'Taka shouted, and a short, slim Pakria arrived next to him, "when we land and settle, I have a task for you."

"Anything." I'Chela replied, a good, loyal soldier.

"See that mine?" M'Taka asked and pointed to his target. "I need you to scout the area. Report back to me what the defences are. If you're able to, then I want you to enter the mine and map out the interior."

"I will see it done." I'Chele replied and bowed.

As the Kathara slowed down, so did the wind weaken. It was a mile north of the mine where they stopped. There wasn't a single other ship in sight. His people didn't trust them yet, but M'Taka knew this was the future. Odarim knew that M'Taka was right. It was one of the ways that M'Taka stood out. In order to complete their mission, then many ships would need to be built.

"M'Taka," A soldier on the ship Kathara called out, "we are ready to land."

"Good, good." M'Taka replied.

He stepped onto an even smaller row boat, which transported him the short distance to the Northern Island. The coastline seas here ran deep, which meant his ship could stop close to land.

After less than five minutes on land, a Pakriasi soldier approached M'Taka and his guard.

"M'Taka," He spoke in a strangely high pitched tone, "I am Solini. Odarim has sent me to lead you to your accommodation whilst here."

Solini looked like a weak man, all skin and bone with a lack of hair, most likely a whipping boy for Odarim.

"Where is Bastit?" M'Taka asked, feeling annoyed that they would send this boy to great him.

"He is currently away on a task by Odarim," Solini replied, "To Oswin."

He is in Oswin, M'Taka thought and felt his heart beat rapidly inside his chest, the mission is starting.

M'Taka grunted to Solini to lead the way. It was a short walk across the island, which had an abundance of grass, more than M'Taka had ever seen in one place.

Eventually they made it to a cluster of wooden buildings, very lacklustre structures. M'Taka was a ruler of a great land and to now call a small hut home was an insult.

Hold your time, he said to himself, soon enough I will have plenty of land.

M'Taka wasn't one to waste his time. Once his belongings had been moved into his new hut the large, grey skinned man made his way to inspect the ships that were being built. As the only one of his kind to have built a ship, he saw himself as the expert.

However, when he first saw the structures being built off the coast, M'Taka's eyes widened and his breath disappeared. These... these sea sailing buildings, they were incredibly huge. They made the Kathara appear as a one person boat rather than a ship. He instantly felt a hint of embarrassment, to have boasted so greatly about his ship to find that Odarim was centuries ahead of him.

Hundreds of Pakriasi's were working on the ships, too many ships for M'Taka to count. He knew they would need a lot to hold the entire army but this, this was an army of ships.

M'Taka pushed away his feelings of failure, straightened his back, and held onto his confidence.

"What is the time frame until completion?" He asked Solini, who stood besides him, most likely working as a spy for Odarim.

"Unsure." Solini bluntly replied.

He's hiding information from me.

For hours M'Taka marvelled at the construction before him. He had known that Odarim was clever, yet this was leagues above M'Taka's knowledge. He couldn't count how many ships were being built, but none were completely finished yet, although a few had giant, black masts on, matching the blackness of the ships exterior.

Eventually, as night fell, M'Taka returned to his hut where he was met with I'Chele. M'Taka closed the door to secure their secrecy as he sat down on an uncomfortable chair.

"What do you have to tell me?" M'Taka asked.

I'Chele stood upright and respectful.

"The mine is guarded by four soldiers," I'Chele told him. "I was granted passage, however there more guards inside. I counted ten outside of an iron door."

"How many miles into the mine was this?" M'Taka asked.

"It was only a few hundred feet," I'Chele revealed. "It's not a mine."

Not a mine, is Odarim passing it as a mine to keep his secrets?

"Would it be possible to infiltrate it?" M'Taka asked.

"Not without killing the guards," I'Chele told him. "What is inside?"

M'Taka sat back and rubbed his brow.

"Something of great importance I would suspect." He told his loyal soldier.

"If it's so important, why isn't it heavier guarded?" I'Chele asked.

"No one knows of the Stone of Ashkera," M'Taka told him. "I only found out by my use of spies. I suspect that Odarim is keeping the mine looking fairly unimportant so other Pakriasi's don't have intentions of going in. Why bring suspicion to something no one is noticing?"