Chapter 16

Dancing at Midnight

The trail continued through the dreary terrain. Weamar kept an eye out for bad weather, ravens, and any other sign of life but saw nothing. The skies were clear and largely empty. Only the faintest hint of a cloud graced the upper reaches. The breeze had been low but was starting to pick up, blowing cloaks and hair about. Lynn plodded along behind Marinae and Jonathan, trying to keep her mind on the time when this would all be over and she would see Eliza again.

Night was starting to fall and Weamar spied some rock shelves that jutted upwards at an angle. It looked like as good a place as any to camp. David took a seat beneath one of the rocky projections, taking shelter from the wind.

"Making fire in this place is going to be nigh impossible.", David lamented.

"Indeed, maybe Marinae has something up her sleeves that might help.", Weamar suggested.

"You have a sorceress with you.", Marinae said, clearing her throat. "I can heat some rocks enough to keep us warm, if need be. Not a lot. Well, actually I could give you a hot-foot."

David just barely smiled and went to sort through his equipment.

"I know a few tricks too.", Jonathan added. "Between the two of us, we should be able to keep things warm."

Marinae coughed and bit her lower lip. Jonathan just smiled. Weamar looked around for something that could help keep the wind and dust off everyone. Materials were scarce, but the ground beneath the stones was soft enough to dig down into a bit. Weamar and David spent a half an hour digging and soon they had a camp that granted some protection from the wind. Exhausted they sat down and rested. Lynn bundled up and sat next to David.

David glanced at Lynn. Quietly, he asked. "Are you hungry?"

Lynn didn't feel hungry but she nodded anyway. David handed Lynn a piece of dried meat and a water skin. Lynn took the food and began to eat slowly.

"Forgive me.", she said in a whisper that David could barely hear.

David moved to take Lynn's hand but stopped just short. He whispered, "How could I not?"

Lynn kept nibbling on the dried meat, in silence.

David sighed and stood up. "I'm going to scout the perimeter while I can still see.", he said to the others. Soon he was alone with his thoughts.

"Can you do this?", Marinae asked Jonathan as she threw a light spell onto a nearby rock. She then cast another spell and gave a rock to both David and Weamar.

Jonathan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Hmmm, let's see."

Jonathan reached up both hands to either side of Marinae's head and gently touched the tips of her ears with his fingers. He whispered in elvish and her ears began to glow.

"Now I can find my way in the dark.", Marinae said with a smile.

"And I'll be able to find you.", Jonathan replied.

"Charmer.", Marinae teased.

Jonathan drew his fingertips down the back edge of each of her ears before bringing his hands down to hers. The magical light followed his hands until the two spheres of light merged in Marinae's palm. Marinae shivered.

"If you can do that every time you touch me, I may have to keep you.", Marinae whispered to Jonathan in elvish.

Jonathan laughed politely and whispered back in elvish, "If Kendra had been like you, I'd never have left."

Jonathan's eyes snapped to the horizon and he went to climb atop the tall shelves. "There's something I want to see.", he said, scrambling up the slope.

"I'll bet there is, but you're climbing the wrong thing for that.", Marinae thought to herself. Aloud she said, "Don't fall. I don't know how much more I can lift right now."

Jonathan looked back at Marinae. "Come up with me. I won't fall and I won't let you fall either."

He didn't need to ask twice. Marinae hopped up and joined him. From their vantage on the rocks, Marinae and Jonathan got a fantastic view of the setting sun. As the golden disc appeared to plunge into the distant earth, the horizon was illuminated in brilliant red. The sun then disappeared beneath the edge of the world, leaving the mountains covered in darkness except for the light in Marinae's hand.

"Would you believe that I haven't seen a sun set in longer than any of your human friends have been alive?", Jonathan said wistfully.

"Not the best place to look for one.", Marinae sympathized. "I must admit I've taken them for granted."

They looked down and saw Lynn curling up against the rocks far below. Weamar set some food down for Cujia and began scouting the nearby area. David was nowhere to be seen.

Jonathan looked sidelong at Marinae. "You know we still need to have some more dance practice. Now seems like the perfect time. No one will be able to see me stumble around like a fool."

"There's a difference between being a fool and being rusty, my young apprentice.", Marinae said, poking him in the ribs.

Jonathan began to climb down the slope. He grinned and said, "Then I am ready to be educated, my mistress."

"Then let us dance, m'lord.", Marinae replied as they climbed down the rock, wandered away from camp, and found a quiet spot.
 

Along the trail Weamar found David's tracks. They moved off the narrow trail into the rougher terrain. Weamar climbed slowly, following David's tracks. After a few minutes he came over a rise and saw the young man sitting on a large boulder. The glowing stone was on the ground between his feet. He was idly turning and spinning his dagger. He didn't notice Weamar approaching. He was too deep in thought.

David took a firm grip on his dagger and stared at it for a long moment. Then he placed it against his forearm and pulled a long and shallow cut along the length. At first Weamar thought that it might have been a trick of the enchanted light but as he watched he swore that he could see the indistinct form of a person sitting next to David. The form seemed to be whispering in his ear. Its hands held David's wrists and guided his movements.

Weamar took a step forward, being careful to twist his foot slightly as he stepped so as to make a noise loud enough for David to hear. David didn't react but the figure looked in Weamar's direction. Weamar took a long look at the figure but couldn't make out any of its features, not even its gender. Without a sound it disappeared as David dreamily continued to cut his arm. Weamar kept walking towards David, not making any attempt to mask his footfalls.

David ignored him and continued to carve his arm. As Weamar drew nearer he was able to see that the cuts were not random cuts. Two distinct symbols were so far complete. They began at his wrist and were bisected by the initial line.

"David?", Weamar asked quietly. "Looks like you need to talk. I don't know if I'll have anything to say, but I can listen, if that'll help."

Groggily, David asked, "Weamar, what are you doing here?"

"Making sure you hadn't fallen off the side.", Weamar replied, speaking a little slower and more gently than usual.

David looked down at the knife and his arm. The blade fell from his numb fingers and he whispered. "What the hell?"

Weamar quickly moved forward to do what he could to help. "When I first saw you, there was something, I don't know what, helping you do this."

"I was about to come back to camp but I dropped the stone over here.", David explained. "I sat down to rest a minute. Then you came. I don't remember anything else happening."

Weamar began tending David's arm. "Hmmm, the thing I saw was talking to you, and guiding your hands. It vanished when I made a noise as I came towards you. When we've got this bleeding slowed, we can walk back to camp and see if Marinae or Jonathan might know a spell that can help us find out, if you like."

Weamar took a close look at David's arm. Most of the other scars looked like random battle wounds. However, on the arm that was holding the dagger there were faint markings that seem to be in the same style. They were rather old and were broken by fresher scars.

"I think I'll be alright.", David said, pushing Weamar's hands away from his wounds. He picked up his blade and sheathed it as he stood up.

"I'm sure you will, the cuts aren't serious.", Weamar reassured him as they started walking back to the camp.

David seemed preoccupied on the hike back but before arriving he said, "Don't let me wander away again, okay? These mountains are strange."

Weamar nodded. "I don't think it's a good idea for anyone to be alone here."
 

Once on flat ground, Jonathan bowed and offered his hand to Marinae. She took his hand and once again they began to dance. Jonathan's dancing improved a little with each step.

"You are a very good teacher, my lady.", Jonathan said warmly.

"This is about all people did back home.", Marinae replied. "But it never meant all that much until now."

"Until now?", Jonathan asked. Marinae just smiled.

"Every young person is expected to learn dancing, singing, an instrument, something to show how cultured we've become since we moved from trees to palaces. I was expected to conform. They even had a husband picked out for me, to make me seem more like a proper elf.", Marinae said, not hiding her disgust. "Instead of a stubborn, willful, half-breed full of mischief."

"Did you love him?", Jonathan asked. Marinae frowned at him.

"I didn't even know him. I knew of him, from gossip I wasn't supposed to hear. He was part of the reason for the performance I gave in Court, with the unseemly weapons display. I wanted him, whoever he was, to know what he was in for.", Marinae said laughing.

Jonathan laughed along with her and once again wondered if he should kiss Marinae, and if she would want him to do so. Marinae looked into his eyes and saw a trace of hesitation.

"Oh, my. I've made you afraid of me, haven't I?", Marinae said.

Marinae smiled and made a show of stripping off her little dagger bandolier. "There, now. I'm unarmed!", Marinae said with a giggle.

Jonathan laughed and took Marinae in his arms once again. "You're at my mercy then? Or is it still, perhaps, the other way 'round?"

Marinae pretended to think about it. "Both, I should think.", she answered. "So, shall we flip a coin?"

Jonathan wrapped his arms around Marinae and kissed her slowly, softly, and passionately. Marinae let him, and let go of herself. Jonathan ran one hand across Marinae's cheek and through her hair while holding her tightly to him.

Marinae came up for air momentarily. "Scandalous," she breathed.

"Yes. They'd never approve.", Jonathan whispered as he kissed Marinae again.

"Mmmmm. So much the better. I was always the, blast! What is it the humans call it? Blue sheep?", Marinae pondered.

"Black.", Jonathan whispered between kisses.

"Black! Yes. I was always the black sheep, especially, oh! mmm.", Marinae stopped talking again and focused on more important things.

Marinae felt something growing in Jonathan's trousers. She was surprised by how large it was. Embarrassed, Jonathan broke their embrace.

"We're going to have to do something about that, eventually.", Marinae said giggling.

"Umm, about what?", Jonathan stammered.

Marinae rubbed up against him. "Don't be embarrassed.", she assured him. "I feel the same way about you."

Jonathan blushed bright red. His ears, in particular, were flush with color.

"You're glowing, Jonathan!", Marinae teased him.

"I, I, umm.", Jonathan said nervously.

"Is it safe around here for, um, dancing?", Marinae asked slyly.

"Umm, we we're just, umm.", Jonathan said, not knowing what to say.

"Sshhh. Just relax.", Marinae said trying to calm him. "I don't bite, much."

Jonathan's hands were shaking as he put them around Marinae once more. Marinae held him close and was starting to have a little trouble breathing normally.

"This is much better than adventuring.", Marinae mused.

Jonathan kissed her once again. Slowly he began to relax once more. Marinae reached for his hands and placed them on her hips, then guided them up a little more.

"So this is what love feels like.", Jonathan said a little breathless.

Marinae stopped breathing at his words and looked at his eyes in wonder. "You, you too?", she whispered.

Marinae ran her fingers up Jonathan's spine once his hands were where she wanted them. Jonathan caressed Marinae's body, running his hands over the cloth covering her breasts. He searched her eyes for approval. Marinae made sure he saw approval and gasped in delight. Jonathan gently moved his hands over the folds in her robe and slid them underneath, touching the thin fabric lying over her skin. He gently caressed Marinae's nipples with his thumbs.

"Do you like this?", Jonathan asked.

"Oh, yes.", Marinae answered as she ran her hands up under his tunic.

Jonathan was fascinated. His eyes were open wide. Marinae wondered if this was his first time. Jonathan kept rubbing Marinae's breasts and listening to her sighs. Marinae changed directions and felt her way down to his leggings.

Jonathan gasped and grabbed her hands. "Umm.", he started stammering again.

"What's wrong?", Marinae said gently.

"I didn't think that you, that we, that...", Jonathan said.

"That we...?", Marinae asked.

Jonathan turned his head away. "I've never, I've never done this before."
 

Cujia stopped and sniffed the air. Weamar stopped beside her. "What is it girl?", he asked.

Cujia pointed her nose off to one side away from the camp. The same misty figure peaked out from behind a large boulder. Weamar guessed from what he could see that the form was that of a man. Beyond that, he couldn't tell.

"David, come here.", Weamar said pointing to the figure.

David caught up and saw the shimmering form. "That's it, isn't it.", he said.

"Unless there's more than one, yeah", Weamar added. "Do you know what it is?"

David placed a hand over his bound wounds. "I have no idea.", he answered.

"Well it doesn't seem particularly interested in being threatening at the moment.", Weamar noted. "I suppose we should keep going."

David followed along feeling numb. When he looked back again, the figure was gone.
 

"You're doing just fine.", Marinae assured Jonathan.

"It's all right?", Jonathan asked.

"Absolutely!", Marinae replied, touched by Jonathan's uncertainty.

Jonathan took Marinae in his arms again. Boldly he began to take off her clothes. Marinae helped him out of his tunic, then undid the tie on his leggings. Marinae spread her cloak out as something for them to lie on. Jonathan shivered a little and touched Marinae's exposed skin, feeling her warmth. Marinae sat on her cloak, pulling Jonathan down with her, then lay back. Jonathan lay down beside her, caressing her body and kissing her face and neck. Marinae returned his kisses and caresses in kind.

"Are you sure that you want to?", Jonathan asked.

"If I didn't, I wouldn't do this.", Marinae said as she gently grasped his large cock and gave it a squeeze.

Jonathan gave Marinae a surprised look. For a moment, he couldn't move. Then he positioned himself on top of her and moved between her legs.

"Just take your time, love.", Marinae said, taking his member in her hands and guiding him inside her. She whispered gentle instructions, taking care to reassure him as he slowly pushed all the way in. Marinae gasped as she was penetrated, both in pleasure and a little bit of pain. Jonathan was so big. His member was large for an elf, and even bigger than average for a human. Marinae held him tightly and relaxed allowing him to enter her completely. As he did so she gasped again, in surprise, but kept whispering encouragement. Jonathan wrapped his hands around Marinae, shielding her from the cool night breeze. They shared each others' warmth and love. Jonathan began to move back and forth and they both groaned and gasped with pleasure and joy. Jonathan obeyed Marinae, and took his time.

"Oh, you feel so good Marinae.", Jonathan said as Marinae surrendered to the building passion.

Jonathan kept moving back and forth in a slow rhythm, grunting and groaning and nibbling at Marinae's ears. He continued his slow thrusts, immersed in pleasure and joy. Finally, with a long groan, he came. Marinae came as well sharing in the climax. Then Jonathan rolled off of her and lay by her side, happy and contented.

"Two down and two to go.", thought Kiri to herself and smiled. She enjoyed losing her virginity. She had done it many times. But this time wasn't one of her most memorable times. "Marinae isn't a great fuck.", Kiri mused. "She's not even a good fuck. She's an okay fuck.", Kiri concluded. Then she smiled with delight. "But oh when she finds out that Jonathan is really me…"

Kiri was filled with a warm, evil feeling. She considered revealing herself right then and there but then she thought better of it. She needed to keep her act up, at least until they recovered the hands of Balican. So she kept pretending to be an innocent young elf and wondered if she could make Marinae do something kinky.

"I don't regret ever spending a day in that castle.", Jonathan said. "That was where I met you."

Marinae caressed his cheek and smiled. "Do you think we've been missed yet?", she asked.

"Does it matter?", Jonathan said as he covered Marinae's hand with his.

"Not particularly.", Marinae replied with a giggle. "It's fun being the inscrutable elf at times"

"But we just...oh.", Jonathan said, realized that she hadn't said "unscrewable". Then he suddenly raised his head and covered himself up. "We should be getting back to the others."

Marinae grabbed him, rolled him over on his back, and straddled him. "Don't run away.", she said playfully. "You were wonderful!", she added, and then kissed him hard enough to pull his fillings out.

"Now, what sort of entrance do we wish to make when we rejoin them?", Marinae said smiling broadly. "There's the butt-naked approach. There's the somber, inscrutable elf approach."

Jonathan caressed Marinae's face tenderly. "You decide."

Marinae tickles his ribs and decided. "Okay, clothed, but thoroughly disheveled, and acting as though absolutely nothing has happened."

Jonathan's eyes lit up as he laughed.

"Though I must say, it'll be very…", She began then kissed him and continued. "Difficult for me…", she stopped and kissed him again. "To keep my hands off of you."

But she willed herself to let Jonathan up and then helped him to his feet.

"Shall we, m'lord?", Marinae asked.

Jonathan kissed Marinae again, deeply and passionately, then began dressing. Marinae put her tunic on backwards and mussed her hair a bit. Jonathan dressed normally, then thought twice and left his shirt untucked.

"If you were a little um, smaller, we could switch clothes!", Marinae said giggling.

Marinae led the way back to camp and Jonathan followed along, holding her hand. When they got back they found David and Weamar just sitting down. Marinae put on her most innocent expression and joined them at the camp circle. Marinae could see that David's forearm was bandaged. She could see dark spots where blood had begun to soak through. David looked shaken and Weamar was very tired from all the climbing.

"What happened?", Marinae said, dropping her pretense.

"We aren't alone up here.", Weamar began. "There's a thing, I don't know what, an apparition, that made friends with David."

David didn't say anything as Weamar described the creature. He avoided meeting anyone's eyes.

"We didn't see anything unusual where we were…", Marinae stopped. She looked into Weamar's tired eyes and saw that he wasn't in the mood for games. "You two get some rest. We'll take the first watch."

"Rest sounds like a good idea. Someone wake me for the dawn watch.", Weamar said. Then he lay down and was asleep almost before his head hit the bedroll.

David went to his bedding and lay on his back. He kept his knife in one hand as he drifted off to sleep.

Jonathan spoke softly in elvish. "This place can be dangerous to someone with a fragile mind. There are, things, that wander the passes."

Marinae nodded quietly. "Good thing we didn't stay up there longer.", she said. Then she got an idea. "We don't need much sleep, compared to them. What say we let them sleep the night through?"

Tell me more about your homeland.", Jonathan asked.

"It's a lovely place, outside of Neblus.", Marinae began. "I've always preferred walking in the woods to playing the daily games in Court. It was easier to dodge the responsibilities imposed upon me when I was younger. I could explore, climb trees. I dreamed of being a Ranger. I would be a heroine, rescuing my people from various evil things. But once I started looking more like a young woman, I was expected to conform, to be like all the little princesses."

Jonathan laughed and begged her to continue. Marinae did so, making a long story longer and they talked through the night.