Aeric Dalia/Chapter 2
They stood naked facing each other in an empty room, void of characteristics, slowly gliding towards each other. Dalia's arms out reached yearning to embrace Aeric's body. "I’m so sorry, can you forgive me?" She spoke as they embraced each other like passionate lovers. "Yes." His words soft. Their lips met again as they tenderly loved one another's taste. Soon they were on the floor, Aeric's hands running through the succubus' lush black hair. "You really are dumb." Aeric was confused. "Did you really think I cared for you?" Aeric struggled but he could not escape, he felt as if his entire being was getting drawn into her. He tried to scream for help, but his voice had gone mute "This is better than you deserve! Murderer!" Aeric woke up. His body drenched in sweat, his heart and breath racing. He stood up realizing he hadn't moved from the night. He was still propped against the door. His hands instinctively checking his body. 'A dream?' he couldn't catch his breath. He tried to calm himself by walking to the window. It was morning, but he didn't remember hearing any bells. 'Is it already noon?' He checked for shadows. Giving up he sat on his bed still panting. Then he remembered Dalia. The day would not be as easy as he'd have liked.
Aeric was shaking. Those words disturbed him. Those were the words the people screamed at the caravan. 'They didn't know what befell them... I had no choice!' Soon thoughts came rushing back to him, thoughts that he thought were well locked away. His companion tricked and slain, the old woman pleading for her life. The blood, the blood on his hands. It was so incriminating, but only he could prove his innocents, but no one would listen. "I didn't murder anyone!" Aeric shouted unknowingly. He looked at his trembling hand. He calmed himself, trying to push those thoughts out of his head. Only leaving him with his other curse, Dalia. She was making such progress, only to stumble near the end. 'Maybe she didn't want to harm me, and just wanted.' His mind shut down. He refused to accept it. He was her superior, he couldn't help her take command like that, it would only end up her not respecting his authority and just degrade into recklessness from there. He meditated as he donned his armor. A process that took longer than normal this time. He gave himself a moment to think, when he saw the silk sheet. He grabbed it and left the room for his acolyte. The hallway seemed to continue for miles. He stood stalwart against ravaging orc armies, but it took him all his will to touch the knob on her door.
The door creaked then flew open. She was sitting up against the window gazing out, her wings were covering her body, but it was clear she still wasn't wearing anything. She hadn't slept, or moves once she got there. She didn't turn to greet Aeric; she sat motionless with her head propped up on her arms resting on the windowsill. "Get up! You need to get ready now!" Aeric's words full of rage. He didn't know what else to feel. "I know I fucked up last night. Ok! I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?" Aeric froze. "Wh-What did you just say?" his rage turned into confusion, he didn't believe in prophetic dreams, and he didn't want to prove their existence. "I know, how could a single-minded demon like me ever be apologetic..." her voice sounding choked up though annoyed. She turned to him making no effort to cover herself. Her eyes were bloodshot from her restlessness and tears. Aeric didn't fall to her body; he was looking at her face, so full of remorse. "I shouldn't have tried to impose. I- I just haven't... I need..." "Then just gratify yourself." His words still harsh. "What do you think I have been doing? It only tides me by for so long." She stood up. "I need something more, and I have been deprived of it for so long. If not you, then a volunteer?" She pleaded. "Absolutely not. Are you hearing yourself? By the Gods have some pride!" "AERIC JUST SHUT UP!"
Aeric Stood there as the demon yelled at him, his temper rising. He motioned like he was going to reprimand her but she didn't let him get a word in edgewise. "Just shut up! I wasn't trying to hurt you! Why can't you see that?" she stepped closer to him. "You don't know what its like for me. I'm so-" "Hungry?" The paladin's words hit the spot. She scowled. "No! ...yes, but I'm not 'hungering' like that. I can't think with my mind and body like this. You aren't helping me either." She seemed to back off from her aggression. "I told you already, we can't." "Why? Why not? I'll still respect your commands and wishes, I won't become unruly, you'll still have your acolyte, and you'll get some fun out of it as well. What do you have to lose?" Her body language changed from angered to relaxed, but Aeric's suggested a different response which she picked up on immediately. No words needed to be spoken to convey what he was thinking. "Damn it Aeric! If you can't trust me with this, how can you trust me to redeem myself?" Her words punched holes in his armor. He stood there silent, he didn't want to admit it but she had a point. For a moment the tension was alleviated, and Aeric spoke. "How can I help?" Dalia's face couldn't grin harder.
The Demon pressed up against the cold armor with her grin frozen on her face. She was like a child who was getting the gift she long dreamed of. She slowly rested her hands on Aeric's helmet and took it off him. 'You are an idiot, all you told her is if she throws a hissy fit she can get what she wants.' He braced her with an arm, doing little to deter the succubus. She inched her head forward to kiss him, but his hand told her otherwise. She retracted. "I still don't think this is a good idea" Aeric could feel his authority of the demon fading. "Just relax. If it makes you feel any better, you can't be harmed if I use my mouth or hands." the seductive words warming Aeric's body. She slowly slid down his body to rest herself on her knees, still looking into his eyes. Aeric watched carefully as she reached forward. His breath became heavier with each moment. His mind still questioning him; he was putting his life into her hands. Her hand probing for a way in. Thankfully for her, Aeric didn't wear his mail unless he was going to fight, so there wasn't much for her to work past. Her grip finally finding what she longed for. "Gotcha." She purred.
Her soft grip entangling, him pulling him out. A soft moan passed her lips as she turned her eyes from his face to his lap. Aeric looked away closing his eyes tightly like a victim at the chopping block. Soon a delicate touch was running along his length, back and forth. Dalia enjoyed the warmth of Aeric as he grew in her hands. She continued to pleasure him as she looked back up to Aeric, who to the best of his abilities tried to appear stoic. "You can still back out." In a clever twist she had usurped command while giving the hint that he still held any sway. "No, continue." It had been a while for him, too. The fear soon began to subside, but there was still a small amount of doubt. Her hands began to increase their pace with each stroke; gripping him tighter. He closed his eyes again, concentrating only on the sensation she was bringing him. His deepest thoughts made a reality. She continued her skillful work on Aeric. Her mouth began to water, she wanted to taste him. A moist warmth was felt on the end of his flesh. The warmth grew around him, slowly consuming his length. He wouldn't look. All he heard was a muffled moan as she began to take him into her mouth. He felt her wet tongue press up against him as her mouth would ebb and flow along his length. There was no turning back now. His hands slowly moved to rest on her head as she continued using the skills she knew best. What felt like hours Aeric stood motionless as the succubus worked to satisfy him.
The room was silent; the only sounds to be heard were the heavy breath of Aeric, and Dalia's soft muffled moans of passion. Little time had passed, though for Aeric time seemed to have stopped, the whole world consisted of him and her. Dalia was greatly enjoying herself, but more than because she was gratifying her bassist instinct, but because she knew she was pleasuring her 'master' and from his reluctant grunts, she knew she was doing well. Her tongue continued to run circles around him as she pressed him deeper into her mouth, taking in as much of his taste as possible. Aeric's hands began to clench the demons hair and subconsciously he began to guide her. The pressure began to build, his partner must have noticed because her pace increased, and her delicate suckling, became violent gasping in anticipation for her 'gift'. Immobilized in pleasure Aeric did all he could to repress a moan as he released himself into her. She moaned from satisfaction as she tasted his gratification, her tongue working diligently to take in every drop. She gathered al she wanted and began to pull herself off, and with a satisfying "smack" her lips left Aeric. Swallowing, she looked up into Aeric's eyes. "Thank you sir, may I have another?"
He still stood motionless. 'That just happened.' His mind crawled. Sweat was dripping from his forehead. His breath slowly abated, and his hands withdrew from her head. She still sat there on her knees playfully licking his tip before his steel hand would force them apart. His hand was held out as if to take her hand. Without taking his offer she simply stood up, her tongue still smacking her lips. "I told you you could trust me." Aeric let those words fly past him, still somewhat entranced. She pressed herself up against him, still looking in he eyes, as if to continue talking, but Aeric gently pushed her off. She would back off and obey his wishes. Her body was relaxed, her mind clear, and all her thoughts of lust could be placed aside once again. She knew those feelings would come back soon enough, but she hoped that Aeric would take care of her again. His mind became clear, almost as if a spell had been lifted from him, his mood was elevated as well, but to be expected. He knew this would change things between the two, but right now, he simply didn't care. Aeric reached for his discarded helmet, and restored it to its rightful place atop his head. "You are to get ready, we are late for the day as is." "Yes sir." Without a second thought she turned from him to gather her clothes. Aeric left the room, noticing the door was open the whole time, worried that someone would have seen what he had done his mood was slightly lessened. Nevertheless He returned to his room to gather the rest of his equipment. He grabbed his sword, and took a deep breath. 'Today is going to be long.' He headed out through the hallway which now seemed shorter. His acolyte was already dressed and ready for the day. She was a little confused, it seemed almost as if she hadn't done anything at all to him, but the lingering taste in her mouth told her otherwise.
Aeric returned to his acolyte's room to find he was already dressed and ready. Without a word he gestured her to follow, and she fell in line behind her adept. A short while later as they were walking through the empty halls, Aeric stopped. "Not a word must be spoken about what we did." His words cold. "Y-yes sir." She was upset, 'Was it not good enough for him?' She had no intention to bring it up, but the fact it weighed so heavily on Aeric she couldn't help but worry. Aeric soon figured out it wasn't even midday, and that he wasn't as behind schedule as he had hopped. He did his best to push the event out of his mind, he didn't know why, he rather enjoyed it, and he wasn't feeling guilty about his action, but there was just something biting at him about it. He continued to lead his companion towards the courtyard. The daily bustle had been underway for some time now. Instead of sparring, he figured she'd benefit more from basic calisthenics, even his mind felt somewhat awkward thinking the word 'Exorcise' around her. As if she could hear his thoughts. He looked back at her to see if her face had changed. Her expression was aloof, curiously looking at the cathedral and learning it. Satisfied he looked forward. "You are to get your body in shape." Not a sound from her. "Fall in with the other initiates and follow the work-out drills. "Sir." She moved towards the platoon, but stopped "Sir… May I remove my robe?" Aeric curtly nodded. She quickly joined the group, with eyes turning to her almost immediately, Even the Adept leading them broke for a moment to gaze at her. Aeric seemed almost impervious to her body now that he'd been so exposed to it. He watched, somewhat amused as every so often a head would turn to look at her as they jumped or stretched. His helmet once again on his side hiding the grin on his face. "Ah there you are Paladin Aeric!" A familiar voice.
"Brother Fredric. How can I be of service?" Aeric spoke carefully watching his acolyte. "I have news from the Council." His voice carried a heft pleased tone. "Well out with it brother." Aeric chuckled as an initiate fell over. Aeric thought he should intervene but the Drill master was already handling Dalia. "They have deemed it prudent for you and your acolyte to assist in removal of annoying band that's taken a town hostage, essentially." He handed him a sheet of paper. "The rest of the details are here. Do you think you think she'll be ready within the week?" Fredric spoke while juggling a few other scrolls. "She'll be ready by then." "Good! I'm sure the Council will be pleased to hear this." He hurried off speaking in his usual smug tone. "OH! You haven't slept with her have you?" His eyes peering at him with a playful malice. "Of course not!" A half truth but not a lie all the same. "Pity, I'm sure she'd have been very good." The friar spoke facetiously as he scampered away. Aeric looked over his new orders to see if he had actually been given the right one. Fredric was rather slipshod when he gets rushed. "Paladin Aeric. You are hereby ordered to restore order to the nearby village of Hamul. A group of thieves known as the "Hidden blades" have taken control routing out any forms of order and killing anyone who challenges them. You and 2 other parings are tasked with removing them from power. Certain discrepancies are in order: No bandit shall be killed during this exorcise. All bandits must be in custody of the order, or local authorities by the end of the month. Good luck and may the heavens guide your blades."
At last Aeric could see the light, a chance to be free of his confines and to bring himself back into favor of the Council. He folded up his orders. His attentions turned back to the demon, who despite her best efforts was still attracting attention. He walked near the platoon and sat down on a bench for the remainder of the training. An hour quickly passed and the group was disbanded. Aeric went to collect Dalia. She was tired and breathing heavily. Though she had great inner endurance in bed, she was very meek in grass. "Did a little jumping leave you tiered?" His tone similar to the Drill Master who a moment ago was still throwing insults. "I'm not used to exerting myself while standing." She tried joking in between breaths. Aeric paid no attention. He simply turned and walked towards one of the sparring rings, forcing the tired demon to chase after him. Expecting another sword duel, she was shocked to find Aeric toss her a quarterstaff. "Today we'll be using these. You must learn how to use a great variety of weapons." Aeric had grabbed one himself but instead of placing himself to fight, he ordered her to assume his stance. As he swung he instructed her to follow in suit. The graceful demon found the style to be much more fluid and comfortable for her tastes. She was enjoying herself swing and thrusting, until Aeric's pole caught her ankle and tripped her. She caught herself and stumbled a small bit. Aeric was slightly disappointed; he wanted to see her on her back. Her balance was much better than her shoddy footwork suggested. "Your stance is sloppy, you aren't dancing you are fighting!" he barked at her. "Now we will stay out here as long as it takes till you get it right."
The day grew on. The bells rang loud as the midday came. Everyone started shuffling out of the courtyard, but Aeric and his demon. She was exhausted, never once in her life had she been so out of breath. She recalled one of her most ambitious gatherings of men and even that didn't leave her as achy and tired. "Please Aer-sir... I need a respite..." She could barely speak. "Respite? You think an attacker will give you respite? You think ravenous Orcs or armies of undead and demons will give you respite?" His words were not angry, they were instructive. Aeric swung at Dalia; she blocked it, but just barely, knocking her to the ground. Aeric knew he was pushing her beyond what she could handle, but that was the point. In terms of raw strength she may have been stronger than Aeric, but her body wasn't designed to fight, and Aeric had to shape her into a competent fighter within five days. They would not be easy for her. "Get up. Acolyte, if you can knock me over you can have your respite." He assumed a guard stance. She laid there gasping for breath trying to draw on any strength she had left. Her grip on the staff tightened, she took a deep breath. Her body flew up faster than Aeric thought, her wings helping her thrust forward. With a fierce scream she swung as hard as she could at the smug Paladin. Aeric parried and countered, but as if she were a man on fire, she jumped out of the way of the swing and brought down another attack. This landed on Aeric shoulder, knocking him off guard; she wouldn't let up she followed with another swing, and another, and another. A disoriented Aeric tried to get to his feet, but with another great burst from her wings, the determined demon thrust into him tackling him to the ground, kicking up dirt as the steel warrior slammed into the ground. Aeric was impressed. For a moment they both laid there with Dalia on top of Aeric breathing heavily." "How... about... that respite... sir?"
Dalia wouldn't move, content to lay on top of the paladin for as long as he'd let her. Her body ached from head to toe and the cold steel soothed her body. Her comfortable companion would shift himself signaling for her to get up. Her arms didn't want to cooperate barely lifting her weight. She felt the warm leather lining of his gauntlet press against her side lifting her up. She wanted to make a snide comment about the position they were in but her breath had not yet caught up with her. "You can have your respite." His smile concealed though his steel mask. The succubus dismounted her adept letting Aeric slowly get to his feet. She was still sitting on her knees and had an embarrassed smile on her face with an outreached arm. Aeric helped the poor creature to her feet. "How does food sound?" Without a word she nodded. Aeric turned and began walking towards the mess hall. The demons rubber legs tried to feebly propel her forward, she still hadn't let go of the staff, making great use of it as a walking stick. "That was an interesting use of your wings. I didn't know they had function, I thought they were merely aesthetic." "They... are somewhat." Slowly catching her breath. "I can't fly with them, but I can jump and glide." "How far can you glide?" "Till I hit the ground." a pained smile came across her face.
Aeric lead his quickly recovering demon to the mess hall. He was rather impressed at how quickly she seemed to gain her breath and step back. Maybe she was acting, and that she was still in pain, but her reliance of the quarterstaff to walk was diminishing. When they arrived to the mess hall the line was considerably shorter, and they wasted no time waiting. Aeric pointed out an empty table to sit at, which they made their way to, weaving in and out of the filled tables. Wherever she went Dalia would always attract attention, even from some of the female initiates. She enjoyed the attention, and would sometime flaunt her self, but now she was too focused on resting up. When they sat down Aeric freed his face from the metal enclosure. He turned to the tiered acolyte. He was about to tell her she could speak freely, but she was too busy stuffing her face with the warm meal. Aeric noticed that her dislike of bread didn't seem to matter right now. "Hungry?" Dalia nodded enthusiastically to his sarcastic comment. This time it was Aeric who ended up playing with his food. He couldn't help himself but watch how ungracefully she fed herself. Slurping down the broth, biting into the chicken leg, almost jamming the bread into the soup and shoving it into her mouth. She was obviously in need of a boost. Today would be hell for her, but tomorrow will be much easier for her because of it. "You going to eat that?" The demon spoke with a mouth half full, pointing at his chicken breast. Aeric nodded and stared to eat his meal. He was somewhat hopping for a conversation, but she wouldn't relent on her attack against the food. As if she were some wild beast eating for the first time in months. Even her shoulders were hunched in as she leaned over her food. Aeric leaned back to notice her wings were somewhat unfurled as well, covering her sides. A part of him wanted to try and grab something from her plate, to see if she would try to bite him.
The attack soon ended when there was nothing left on her plate, and her bowl was quite literally licked clean. An action that turned heads. She licked her lips for any errant crumbs, lean back and patted her belly let out a loud and satisfied 'Aaaah!' She turned towards Aeric who was eating his food in a pace that seemed unmoving by comparison. "I don't recall ever being that hungry before!" she said still smacking her lips. She caught Aeric's gaze. "For food, I mean." She seemed to have gained a new found source of energy as she was energetic as usual. Aeric grinned. "I'm glad that you feel that way." She leaned in towards him, placing a hand around his ear. "Second best meal I had today," she whispered seductively, sending shivered up and down Aeric's body. He tried to appear stoic as usual, but her words excited him. He didn't respond, simply stuffing his mouth with the last of his bread. "You are too easy to fluster sometimes." She laughed. Aeric finished his bite of bread, leaned into her in a similar fashion and whispered back "We can make it the third best, tonight." Her eyes shot open as wide as they could. Shivers shot up and down her body. She turned to Aeric with the same wide grin she had earlier. The bells rang, but Aeric felt that his acolyte had eaten too fast and that throwing her back into hard work would make more problems than it was worth. The room emptied slowly, and the cacophony of eating and chatter slowly died till the room was filled with silence. The two were left alone in the large hall. Dalia looked over her shoulders and scanned the room, quickly darting back to Aeric. "Do me on the table!" She blurted out brazenly.
"No." Aeric chuckled forcefully "You must earn it."
"I think spectacular tongue work was good enough."
"It was good, but it wasn't that good." She wasn't offended instead she leaned in close.
"Then let me make it up to you." She licked her lips.
Her body pressed up against the metal armor of the paladin. One hand rested on his shoulder, the other was growing comfortable in his lap.
"I recall telling you not to bring it up." His voice grew stern trying to cover up his increasing breath.
She didn't speak; she moved closer, her hand began looking in his pants again. She closed her eyes and pursed her lips drawing closer to Aeric. He would let her have that. He leaned forward and kissed her sweet demonic lips, piercing each others lips their tongues massaged each other softly. Aeric reached towards his lap to stop the hand that was reaching its goal and gently pulled it away. Dalia shifted her body over to Aeric's straddling him, and resting on his lap.
Dalia broke the kiss, and hopped up on the table. Leaning back on her arms she opened her legs, wrapping them around him and placed her heels on his back pulling him towards her hips. "You're right, I'm not that hungry, but you still are. Let me help you with that." Without thinking the Paladin threw his arms forward to grab her pants. His hands rested there. He thought about his actions. He wanted to tear her clothes off and feast on her just as badly as she wanted it, but he still hesitated. The thought of it being so open and public excited both of them, the thrill of it all, the chance to be caught. Aeric's mind was racing violently. A thin fabric separated him from her warmth, but the ramifications of being caught in such a compromising position would do nothing more than to have him punished severely and Dalia could be put to death. His hands released from their grip and began exploring her lap, rubbing her softly. She flung her head back in anticipation. Feeling his hands rubbing her thigh and mound. Aeric leaned in to kiss her thigh.
Aeric didn't mask his intentions; he was pleasuring her through the thin linen. Her soft moans growing louder the more he pressed. His hand growing a bit more adventurous, trying to find a way inside to feel her bare skin. He kissed her thigh again growing closer. "You can still back out of this." Aeric mocked. "No! Continue... Aeric I want this." She spoke in between her moans. "What do you want me to do?" He spoke in a husky low voice. "Anything Aeric, I'll let you do anything." she moaned. "Anything I want?" His kissing getting closer. "Yes!" she cried. Aeric's hand had found her at long last, her moist flesh so yielding to his touch. Her back arched as she let out a louder moan. He kissed her again not far away from the object of his desire. "You have such beautiful legs." "They'll do whatever you want them to." her soft voice whimpering as Aeric continued. "Really?" His voice sounded facetious, as if he had already made up his mind. She responded, but was cut off as he reached his goal and kissed her yet again. He rested his head between her legs with a devilish grin. "They will want to go for a run." "Ye- Wait what?" Her head flew up too look at Aeric, who was already getting up with the same smug look on his face. She was confused, then it set in. He was playing her from the start. She wanted to feel angry, but she had to admit that was clever, but she would get him back later. She mustered a half smile half scowl "Yes sir." She hopped off the table thinking of cruel ways to get back at him. Something equally embarrassing. She would have fun tonight.
Aeric put his helmet back on. She could tell he was still excited and that she could start the situation over again if she wanted. She couldn't bring it to fruition, something seemed amiss, then it came to her. "Where are my robes?" "You must have felt them in the sparring ring." "Oh I guess I'll go get them." She began to walk out of the Mess hall. "Not that slow." Aeric's monotone didn't give hint to his hand raising and falling to land sharply on her soft buttocks. She jumped from the surprise. Left with no time to think Aeric began shouting at her "Run run run!" She began running as fast as she could, and to her surprise the metal paladin was easily keeping pace in his noisy armor. It always caught her off guard how fast Aeric would go from an amorous boy to a cold instructor. Every time she slowed down she was struck again. She had half a mind to slowdown and let him smack her again, but she just felt driven to keep running. Before she knew it they were outside and running to the center of the courtyard. Her robes nowhere to be found. She stopped near the sparring ring, Aeric had fallen behind a bit. "They were rig-" She was interrupted. "Keep moving!" Aeric Barked. Aeric's decision to have her run was taking its effect on him as well. He needed to do something, anything to get his mind back. As well it seemed to get her mind off it as well. He would keep her running laps around the courtyard with the platoon of initiates doing the same. He found a bench to watch her from. The hard wooden bench felt like a royal bed that this point, after running with her for so long. 'You aren't a young buck anymore Aeric.' They would circle the courtyard a few more times before meeting in the middle for a few more exorcises. He would get up occasionally to lead the troop in their routines. Between him and the Drill Master, they kept the initiates working until dusk. The platoon would brake by the time the sun had set; Dalia's body would ache again.
Dalia limped towards Aeric in an attempt to look more pathetic than she really was, hoping this time he would take pity on her. She took a seat next to him on the bench, and almost instinctively rested her head on his shoulder. The paladin didn't budge, he didn't mind her resting on him. Aeric wanted her to run some more, but he couldn't think of an excuse to torture the poor demon. He simply placed his arm around her and helped her to her feet. "It's been a long day for you, but there's just one more thing you need to do." "Please Aeric, I can't move my body anymore." Her voice was quiet. "Don't worry this involves you being very still." Aeric helped the demon along as they walked to the far end of the cathedral. There wasn't much activity going on. An occasional soul would move from one hall to the next. Most of the residents were attending more academic endeavors as the night was still young. Soon the demon could piece together where they were heading. The smell of a forge, and the banging of a hammer became apparent. "Smith Corbenson, My acolyte needs a fitting." Aeric presented Dalia as if she were a gift. Being the night owl he is Corbenson preferred to work in the night hours. He liked the quiet and the cool night air kept him from getting too hot in near the forge. "Fitting eh?
Yes, she needs some armor to wear til she is granted her own." "Yeh, yeh. I know how this works. I make the damn things" The smith searched among his possessions. "Come 'ere girly, stand right 'ere" He pointed to a pole with notches in it. Dalia forced her body to stand where he told her. She raised her arms as instructed. Corbenson pulled out a bit of rope with knots tied every so often. He began measuring her. He spent a bit more time on her legs. Slowly working to her chest, and a grin grew on his face. "Heh heh, yur a big girl ain'tcha?" Dalia winked at him playfully. "Spare us your comments and just get the measurements done. I'd like to sleep tonight." The Old smith protested a bit but got back to work. Measuring a length, then writing it down. Standing there proved to be a difficult task for Dalia as her eyes would shut every so often. "Finished." the smith cackled. "It'll take sum time ta get 'er stuff ready, but I think I can werk with 'er." "Can you get it don by the end of the week?" Aeric growing impatient with his exhaustion growing. "Sur, while I'm at it ya want me ta throw in sum armor fer 'er horse?" He chuckled. "Just get it done old man!" Aeric turned grabbing the tried acolyte as he left. "Why couldn't we have done that earlier?" She protested. "Because that old bastard was probably still asleep." There was silence for a moment. "Why does it need to be done in a week? We going somewhere?" Aeric didn't speak. Aeric's silence answered her more than his words could. She mused at the thought of leaving the cathedral. She gained a bit of her step back, pressing up against Aeric like a child. "So, where are we going?" No reply "How come you didn't tell me earlier?" Silence. "Come on, say something." Aeric stopped. "I have four days to get three weeks worth of physical conditioning in. If I were you I'd save my strength for tomorrow." Dalia lost her new found energy. "But yes, we will be leaving here soon." Dalia smiled.
The two continued through the hallways that lead to their rooms. By this time the halls were eerily empty. Only the sound of the clinks Aeric's armor made were heard. They two were tired, but Dalia looked as if she were about to collapse. She still wanted to get back at the paladin for earlier, but she didn't know if she had the resolve to follow through. Aeric's mind was trained on the next day, he wondered if he should wear his armor, or even if his acolyte would wake up. They finally reached their rooms, after what was the longest walk they traversed that day. "Sleep well, we wake to start again tomorrow." His arm pointed to her room as continued to his. He opened he door and shambled in like an animated corpse. He hurried to free himself from the steel confines, casting his armor of in the fashion he had accustomed himself with. He rested himself on the bed placing his arms under his head. "You should just wear that." The soft feminine voice filled his room. She stood in his doorway with naught but the white silk. She gazed on his body as she slowly stepped into the room dropping the sheet. She hadn't gotten a chance to look at his body before, the last time her mind was too focused. Now she could take in his muscular frame. "Go back to your room." Aeric spoke inanely, as he gazed at her beautiful body. "As I recall, I still owe you a snack." She grinned as she climbed on the bed. Aeric did not fighter her. He welcomed the sensation of her warm skin on his. Dalia pressed her lips on his for a moment, then rested her head on his chest. Before Aeric could say a word, the demon was asleep. The tired paladin could do no more. He wrapped his arms around his companion, and closed his eyes.