Mystery of the Templars 8 - Escape or Adventure??

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The pair’s plan was to sail the short distance to Skye… but Dmitrii changed course several hours into the trek… now sailing south by southeast. It was on this trip that he remembered what Sir Robert had told him back in the war years about Castle Fearns, the Isles of Skye, and it wondrous scenery… Dmitrii and Willa had been captives of Sir Robert in Castle Fearns on the Isle of Raasay. Cranking the tiller once more, he managed to get the sails just right to catch wind. “Pezdyetz… Willa wake up…” he exclaimed…

The exclamation drew her out of the sleep with a sharp jerk upward. The blue eyes flickered here and there as she seemed ready to bolt. Then turned to look at Dmitrii as if the man had lost his mind. The blond hair was tousled by the wind and sleep as she shifted a little to face him.

When she awoke, he began to explain the reason why… “Luv, I must explain to you something that Sir Robert did for us… and I just realized what is happening…” Dmi seemed almost joyous at the revelation… How could he have been so stupid?

Settled in at the tiller’s side, the wind to their backs, Willa would be able to get her bearings as to them heading into the eaerly break of dawn - east… the small isle ahead of them… “G’morn luv… my apologies for waking yu up so suddenly…” he smiles and strokes his beard. “I must tell yu… but Sir Robert was helping us…”

Helping them? He had lost his mind. Too much sun perhaps? Or had he been foolish enough to drink the sea water? Helping them... indeed.. by keeping them in that pit? The slop he offered in the way of food? The expression of hers had turned rather frigid and unforgiving.

He frowns at her expression… “Lemme explain… apparently Sir Robert was under pressure of some sort… but he did treat us well… it could have been worse ya know. Anyway, it was so easy to escape… was it not?” He forced a smile… “In his interrogations, he would make remarks to the past… words, or catch phrases… at the time it did not make since… but now… it does…” Making another adjustment to the sails, the small skif continued eastward, closing in on the scenic isle before them.

Dmi continued… “If I can remember all he said, it seems that he wanted us to escape, using what I could remember… he did not want us to return to Skye immediately as there lay a trap… He continually mentioned Scalpay… or as the Scots call it… Sgalpaigh…” his Rus accent almost obliterating the Gaelic overtone. “…he wanted us to sail to the Isle of Scalpay…” rubbing his chin… “Something about an old Church… that items one needs to survive were stored there…” Once again he forced a smile at Willa’s expression… “M’luv, I know yu do not trust Sir Robert… but he is a good man…” he patted her knee as he reached over the bundles to her. “Trust me…”

"Yerself I trust... but I dun't trus none of them bas'ards that calls emselves a church knight." She stated bluntly. Yes well she was still a bit cross at waking up so... only to hear about what a good man Robert, their jailer had been? "Dmi yer fergittin... I has ta get back... iffin the church knows I'm here... whutcha think they gonna does ta me Da?" She questioned with the fear there in her eyes. That light touch to her leg was fine... but it certainly didn't settle the little blond’s heart.

Adjusting the tiller, the sails twisted under the strain of the slight breeze… the small skif jolted and veered toward the island… Dmitrii’s mind was constantly veering from the tiller’s requirements to what Robert had coded in his discussions with them in the dungeon… Looking at Willa, he forced a smile… “Luv… my heart, yu know I would do nothing to harm yu… nor allow any to do so…” he shakes his head… “Nyet !... we cannot go back just now… give ourselves time that shall avert an ambush. As for yer Father… Odis can take care of himself… he has these many years has he not? I do not believe Sir Robert would do anything that would cause us, or yer Father, any harm… The slop, as yu called it, was not what it could have been… As a former prisoner, I know how bad it could be… and he did not torture us… something is not right… he had to have a reason for what he did…”

Dmitrii stood and the small skif leaned… taking down the sail, allowing the boat to coast in with the waves. Sitting back down he maneuvered the tiller until the skif jolted to a stop upon the muddy beach. Jumping out, he pushed the boat more unto the shore. Extending his hand, he smiled… “Yer island M’Lady…” he teased… “let’s go go explore what this small island has to offer…”

The young woman looked at him and gave a small slow nod. She may disagree with him in part… she had placed her faith and trust in him. The blue eyes turned their worried gaze towards the island as they drifted closer. She held on while he ran the skiff aground then climbed out. Willa decided she would look at this not as escape… or hiding… but perhaps it was best if she looked as it as a grand adventure. Not to mention the idea of being alone with Dmitrii on an island... didn't sound half bad at all. She reached out and took his hand, having to lift the skirts a bit to allow her to get to the drier area of the shore without soaking the hem. She waited then as he passed back the supplies the older couple had given them.

"Which way ya figure we oughta looks fer yer church? " She asked softly as she took some of the bundles and held them close while attempting to get her bearings here. Once the direction was pointed out she gave but a small nod and set off in his footsteps.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

He attempted to get familiar with every twitch, glint, and gleam of expression on herand her being… He wanted to learn this lass, to know what made her think the way she did, to explore her mind and attitudes. Many said that no man understands a woman… maybe this was true, but in his few years upon this earth, he did not “know” any woman… he had not even known Tory, his deceased wife. But something about this girl intrigued him… she was soft, warm, good-hearted, funny, yet strong in ways he, nor others would expect. Even the smile upon his face would not reveal his thoughts.

With a shrug, he spoke softly… the baritone voice amswering… “I do not know… but let’s fid a trail and see where it leads.”

With that said, he hefts the bundle with one hand, the other takes her hand and leads her into the forest near the shore. Keeping the shore to his back and the sun to his right, he heads inland… Standing at the edge of the clearing, still hidden by the brush, he scans the area. Near the trees to his left, he notices a cross barely visible by the treetops. Pointing… “There… see it… we will go that way…” About 350 yards was the Church, hidden deep in the forest.

The pair crossed the open area moving towards the building, Dmi’s watchful eyes scanning the area. Closer and closer they came, the more careful Dmi became. Rounding the building, he guided them to the back area. The door was half on - half off its hinges… the building itself was in ill-repair. Apparently unused for many years, Dmitrii dropped the bundle and let go of her hand. A finger going to hislips, he held his palm up… Pointing to her, then to the ground, indicating she was to remain here while he proceeded inside.

Willa looked at him and nodded as she stood there holding onto her own bundle. The small shift of her weight came from side to side. Of course the blue eyes didn't stay in one place, looking around the area with a small frown on her face.

The door creaked as Dmi pushed it open and made sure it did not fall off. Then he proceeded inside. Mere seconds seemed as an eternity as he walked thru the building making sure they were not falling into a trap. Satisfied it was safe enough, the thud of his boots resounded clear as he pushed open the rickety door. “Tis alright luv… no one home… the roof looks sound, so we shall stay dry… and open enough for the summer breeze.” Down the steps, he picked up the bundle and guided her inside.

She followed him inside with a soft gasp at the damage done to the interior. The frown was offered for the scat here and there as she turned about in a small area. Living in a church… well if this wasn't some sort of sin, she was certain the Christian God wouldn't be to thrilled about it. The lass remained quiet as Dmitrii spoke to her. Though the small frown touched her face as she sighed and gave another nod.

The windows of the Church was haphazard, some broken, some boarded and some still contained the fragile multi-colored stained glass. All the pews were pushed aside as if the very Hand of God had made a wide opening to the alter. The window sills was riddled with animal feces and dust. Dmitrii unrolled the bundle and found food, ale, a thin blanket, and some clothes. A quick inventory, he winked at Willa… “Yu fix something for us to eat, I am gonna have a look around.”

Fix dinner…? while he looked about? Right! The lass was thankful for the few items given as she set her own bundle to the side as she set her hands to her hips. Well, if she was going to be here for any time, there were things that absolutely HAD to happen. Dmitrii moved off as she looked around a few minutes. Right. Ok. The lass turned away from the food items and stuff in that bundle as she walked back out the broken door. Her eyes flickered around as she moved to find a sturdy stick, once finding one of a descent length, she stripped one of the lower branches of its leaves and began to bundle them around the end of the stick.

Dmi wandered about the old Church… in the back, where the Priest usually stayed, is where Dmi began to look in earnest. Inside were books of the Church… accounting ledgers, muslim books, scrolls of Judea, and a journal with Templar seal… Interested Dmi flipped back the hard leather cover, only to find it blank… several pages ripped from its bindings. Tossing it aside, he noticed a large box behind the door… Busting off the lock, he opened it letting the top drop away, then a grin appeared on his face.

She was not going to tolerate staying someplace filthy if she could stand it. The lass made her way back inside, covering the food and blanket once more… she set herself to a task of getting rid of the uppermost layer of dirt and ick. While Dmitri was looking about she went on with this simple task of cleaning at least a small area. Picking a corner where the windows hadn't been shattered.

Once that had been properly swept clean she began going through the items given to them. Thankfully Ol' Claire had given up one of her pots to the couple, which would held a great deal as the lass collected some of the smaller sticks and such that had blown in through one of the broken windows. One of the pews had been shattered during all this… well what ever happened here... so those would work well enough for a cook fire. With a bit of purpose set in her way, the blond hair was bound up with a strip of cloth... and dinner soon cooking in that pot. It wasn't much, but a meager stew from the fresh water from a skin and a bit of the dried meat that had been given to them.

Inside the box he opened, was a beautiful pale yellow dress and a white cap for a woman’s hair.… neatly folded. Taking it out he let it fall and hang from his fingertips… Then with a smile, he looped it over his arm… then the smile grew as he looked back into the box… Under the dress was a dagger laying atop a set of black trousers and grey top…. Under the trousers were a pair of boots and a set of slippers… and between the boots was bottle of Templar brewed whiskey. “Robert… ye planned this well my brother… my apologies for ever doubting ye…” he mumbled in Russian.

"Dmitrii, Dinner." She called out as she used a bit of the water to wash off a few stones to use as plates. It wasn't the most sanitary… but it would serve well enough for now.

He heard her call out… then he smirked and placed things back in the crate. Laying the top back on, he hefted it and carried it to where she had cleaned… dropping the box, the top shifting sideways. “Compliments of Sirs Robert Frail and Philip Ridgeford…”

She lifted a brow as he walked out with the box. The small frown touched her face as he spoke and dropped the heavy box to the floor. The sound caused her to jump a bit as she gave him a vaguely reproachful look. "hm... wella whut girl woulda be jus filled wit joy itself overin a broken box. Now come love... it aint's much a meal... but it'll server fer tanight."

“Its isn’t just a wooden box… it’s a lifeline…” his boot toes the box lid knocking it off, exposing the dress, the man’s clothes and two daggers. Sitting down beside her, he just smirks as he examines the daggers. Then he looks to her… “Well, lets eat…”

Like any truly pissed off female she had no wish whatsoever of giving up her anger at Robert Frail. Hmph. Even if his words were true... and Willa had her doubts, mind you. There was simply no reason to keep them in that Gods awful dungeon. She managed to sgirl-thingy a bit of the "stew" into the dip in the stone... as she spoke to him. "Dere was a small well ta the side yard, when we cames here. We ought check ta see iffin the water be clean... twould do us both a bit a good ta get clean fer a bit. I swears... atween the muck an salt water... I feel likes me own skin could jus crawls off." She spoke quietly, not entirely sure how long they were going to remain in this church... but while they had it... she was going to make the best of it all. "Ya finds anythin else useful? like…a tub ta bathe in..." but that was seriously hoping for too much.

Eating the stew, he mumbles about trying to take care of her and he woul definitely check out the well… He swallowed briefly then took a hefty drink of the whiskey… Then he took a few more bites of the stew and swiped the bread the bowl clean, handing her the bottle. With her taking it, he stood up. “Now the well M’Lady… by yer leave…” he teased.

She hadn't meant to direct her irration at him. She knew there was nothing he could do that would stall the events as they happened. The young woman looked at the food… while yes she was hungry… it just didn't seem all that appealing anymore. Gah the moodswings of a young woman! She glanced at the daggers as he had been playing with them a bit, but from the poking the food about on that stone plate… she took a small sip of the whiskey. The promptly made a soured expression. Her eyes had teared up and her throat burned... Honestly that was just foul!

"Hmph.." was about all the answer he would receive on that "My Lady" business. She turned to place a bit of cloth over the pot of "stew". No sense in letting it spoil. It would likely be breakfast come morning. She watched him when he left to check the well. She however rose to her feet and began to poke about a bit. The barefeet were careful of the broken bits of this and that as she made her way through the hall between the churchman's living quarters and the chapel itself. The small frown touched her face at the mess that was all in. Weeds and such had overgrown some of the windows.

The eyes flickered to the array of books. A small passion of hers... as she nosed about through the dirty forgotten pages. The disguarded journal caught her attention as she flipped through the pages. Yes some had been ripped out… but there were still usuable sheets inside. She kept it in hand as she moved cautiously through the rooms. Nothing really of any true use to them... a tattered bit of a blanket… moths seemed to have had quite the dinner with that. However… it would serviceable for her thoughts. She carried it with her as she found a few other odds and ends hidden away. Though any all the food stuffs had LONG ago gone bed… she sought out meager supplies… the bone needle and spool of thread… a sgirl-thingy and skillet. Not in the best of shape, but serviceable all the same. She moved back out with the trinkets and such as she set them out onto the blanket.

She took a bit of time and managed to hang a curtain that would serve to allow them a bit of privacy while they cleaned up. The fingers worked the laces loose on the bodice of that dress. Soon they would make it home. She could confront her father… and this whole silly business would be put behind them.

Outside, he found the well… dropping the bucket into the darkness, he heard a thud and a crash… the bucket had hit hard ground – dry… “Pez dytez…” he cursed… then he began to wander the open spaces in the back…

Into a shed, he found gardening tools, all rusted… barrels broken and chairs splintered upon the floor. Then a parchment nailed to a roof support caught his eye… as he approached, he smiled, for upon it, was Sir Robert’s handwriting… “Vera Gaet M’Lord Zurban… ye are tae decipherable… sae yae knaew, upon the table, wrapped in swaddling clothe is yer savior… still yae bae upon yer own…” Dmi laughed and took down the parchment. Then he looked at the table, and upon it, wrapped up in cloth, was a sword and a crossbow, with a bundle of bolts.

Recovering them, under his arm he placed the ‘savior’ as Robert called them and made his way around the old garden, looking for anything useful. There in the corner was a large man-made barrel used to capture rainwater. With a smirk, bending over, he tested the water… eyebrows flinched… “phew…” then he spit it out… Thinking… “not good enough to drink, but good enough for a bath… I guess it’s the whiskey we drink…”

Back into the house, he wanders thru the backroom to the chapel… then drops the sword and crossbow… “No water in the well, and none around for drinking… but I found a barrel or two for bathing…” seeing the hanging material, he picks up the bottle of whiskey, takes a hefty swig and moves toward Willa… reaching around the material, he hands her the note… “Seems Robert has been here…” followed by a chuckle… then he steps around the material only to see Willa’s bare shoulders and loosened laces… he merely freezes and hands her the bottle…

Standing frozen, his steel grey eyes soften and gaze upon her skin… He wants to touch her, to run his fingers about smooth skin… passion’s fire speeds thru his veins… Frozen… he wants to move but something stands him still.. .the knot in his throat threatens to choke him… he wants to kiss her… to run warm lips about her form… to make love to her… to take her to heights they had not known before… He cannot move… Frozen…

The sounds of his dropping the equipment made her jump as she swore softly beneath her breath. The eyes closed and when they reopened the letter was hanging in his fingers. She took it from him and read over the simple short note. Though before she could say anything she had turned to find him standing behind the curtain with her.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The Seduction

IT wasn't often that he looked at her as he did in that very moment. The bottle held out in her direction as she seemed almost a timid rabbit before a great hunter. It was those eyes, the deep sweet passion that swirled within the deeps of the storm gray eyes. She made no move to cover herself… that look had her held captive within them.

She didn’t move… no defensive actions, now words to shun him… he gazed upon the fair skin that once was covered but now revealed unto him. The silence was deafening… nay… t’was his heartbeat thundering in his ears.

The small step forward was taken and her hand passed softly over the tops of his fingers. That excitement… that want that was evident in his eyes caused her belly to flutter, her breath to catch in her throat as she lifted the bottle slowly from his hand. Though it was not lifted to her lips. It was slowly passed to the other hand and set down upon a bench. The steps that inched her forward now were to close the gap between them. Odd it felt as if she couldn't breath until it was a breath he took in himself.

The watched her abstain from imbibing in the distilled liquid… her fingers brushing against his felt as if a lightning bolt shot into his nerve endings… As she neared, he smiled, the beard quirking in its familiar fashion… his steel grey eyes softened once more, to an eerie tint. As she finally breathed, it was as if he could taste her, yet space was still between them…

Her eyes sank downward a bit to look at his chest, too forward… it was… her movements were terribly forward… but she couldn't help herself. While he could somehow control his want, his need to touch her, she had not the control. The soft hand slipped up to rest upon his chest... her eyes watched the fingers as they managed to catch the laces of the over sized tunic he wore. As the crystalline blue eyes lifted again to study his lips first before finding his gaze once more. It was far FAR more intoxicating then that whiskey she had left behind her.

The space between then was narrow… a narrow strip of restraint was quickly diminishing… As she touched him, his heart skipped a beat or two and a sudden stuttered inhaled breath would make her smile… his hands immediately went to her waist… and pulled her to him… His head leaning down to her, his lips found hers… and the pair of lovers delved into a kiss… light at first, caressing each others lips, teasing, tasting, and nibbling… each testing the proverbial waters…

"Dmitrii... " She whispered softly before lifting her chin to kiss him. The small delicate hand lifted to caress his bearded cheek. Though it caused a shiver that managed to tease her very core. She had no other words, for this moment in time… she wasn't sure either needed them.

“Dur or gay a…” [a sensual way of saying ‘my darling’] the word seemed to roll seductively off his tongue and thru his lips as the soft warm breath teased her moist lips. Did he press upon her, or she upon him…? For no matter, his arms captured her body and pulled her close, slowly and determined… His free hand now found her face, the thumb pushing away a smudge of dirt from cleaning… his fingertips seem to trace her cheek, her eyebrows, and her cheek… soon the very light touches on the ear would spark interest of previously unyielding emotion…

The very hand that explored her face, would grasp her neck lightly and guide her lips to his once more… It would seem that the identical emotion that brought them this far would carry them a step further… into a kiss of passion that would rival the Gods for supremacy…

The throes of rapture they experienced in the kiss would evolve… gentle hands would push the material completely down to her waist, and his kisses would trail her neck and shoulders, the beard teasing, tickling, and scratching her soft skin… titillating her for more… A caloused hand would find her breast and cup it gently… the tender caress to stimulate the senses of both he and she…

The small roll of her shoulders brought her arms out of the sleeves of the dress, the air seemed cooler then the temperature of her skin brought dozens of goose bumps to the surface. The young woman didn't step back, but pressed herself against him. The rough fabric of his tunic, it teased the sensitive flesh as she left her eyes closed as the soft gasp passed her lips for the kisses along her neck. There was one place his lips passed that caused her to bite her lower lip. While her hands seemed to shake in their task in unlacing the tunic. Her body trembled with both the sweet innocence of passion and that simply overwhelming need to feel his skin.

The small fingers seemed to give up the task of trying to unbind the tunic from him as they slid out to the edges of his broad shoulders. Just as that hand lifted to caress her breast she opened her eyes to look up into his. The callused palm was met by the tightened nub as the light touch seemed like electric to swarm her senses. The blues seemed to be illuminated from within at the stimulation, her breathing seemed far heavier as he continued the teasing assault to the bare shoulders. She could not help the little breathless whimper that managed to slip passed her throat. The teasing had far more effect then just that as she felt the stirring within just below her belly. She slipped closer still, needing to feel him pressed against her.

As the loose material hung at her trim waist, his hand moved from the small of her back tracing the hips until the calloused tip of the fingers slid under the material and pushed them free…. The material dropping to the floor… His kiss upon bare skin would traverse her form from left to right… his lips capturing the senses and stimulating the mounds of flesh… hands could be felt pushing loose bloomers down over the ridges of her hips… collecting in a pool of material atop the dress.

As she captivated by the sweet kisses, each leaving a warming path across her skin and tantalized the senses, the narrow hips shifted slightly first the one side then the other as the skirts and slip were freed from her frame. She shivered a little in the sheer delight of his hands across her skin. She had fantasized about such events, though certainly not in such a manner as it being within a ruined church. Her eyes remained on his as he stepped away. The deep breathes she had been drawing in had not faded, though her arms absently rose up to cover part of her chest, The arms folding over themselves hiding the ripened tips from veiw. There was nothing else she could to do hide herself from his eyes. The rise and fall of her breasts hidden away as the ribs narrowed down into the slim waist to flare again at her hips. The pale skin was soft, beaconing... unblemished by scars. The shapely legs absently rubbed against themselves as though she were cold.

As he stepped back a bit, his muscles flexed and rippled as he pulled the course shirt over his head… his faint grey eyes soothed by the sight of her shapely nude body…. Anxiety knotted his stomach as he heel-toed farmers boots off his feet… With the tug of a string end… his trousers loosened and fell to the floor. With a simple unnocticeable step and shove, the clothes and footwear disappeared behind him.

Before her, stood a man of no great height, but his young frame was muscled and chiseled by the life of a warrior. Unkempt curley hair and untrimmed beard had no affect upon the appearance of the man… if not maybe to only enhance his course features… his steel grey eyes faded to a grayish tint in the calm of two lovers eyeing each other fo the first time.

As he stood nude before her, the soft parting of her lips as she slowly tipped the lower one in to be captured by the row of white teeth. She was nervous… while he was not… she was a little frightened, but she was with him. Nothing could go wrong in this moment. She moved gain as his hands reached for her. And the kiss that was shared sent teasing shivers throughout her core. As his lips brushed against the soft delicate skin she relaxed a little beneath it. Her own hands carefully and timidly began to explore his bared chest, slipping around slowly upon his waist.

Within arms length, he reaches for her, and with a gentle grasp upon her arms, pulls her to him. With bated breath, he smiles, and leans to her… the kiss was conceptual and wanted… passion’s fires blazed upon the young lovers and desire flooded their veins… his hands did not tremble, nor falter, assuring her of no fear, no nervousness… His faculties pulsated hard against her as the space between them disappeared.

She could feel him pressed against her. The thick throbbing pressed against her belly as she dared not look down. Each kiss, each movement... seemed only to tease and place her further within his power. She tipped her head forward to first brush a kiss against his neck. The light teasing of her tongue slipped out to taste his skin as he was doing to her. The breasts were now against his chest and sharing the deep breaths they shared of the intoxicating sensations they brought to each other.

Leaning down to her, he whispered… “Ya tib ya, lub lyub…” , the Rus accent rolling off his tongue… then the beard would tease her shoulders once more as kisses were placed upon bare skin… She would whimper again under his exploits, and his kisses would return to the favorite spot… concentration would bear upon her enjoyment, while hands caressed and touched her at no specific routine, yet always close but never invading her privacy.

With his words whispered to her, she shuddered a little with the excitement and tipped her chin upward to just lightly return the sentiment. "an' I yerself... sae verra much." The voice was lower then it normally was, caring with it a tempting huskiness. As his hands slid along her body she could only indulge herself in the rippling warmth that seemed to follow his touch as though it were a shooting star that lined the night sky.

She drew back slowly and looked at him as she offered a small smile, while she would not show outward signs or she'd try not to... she was more then a little frightened. "Be gentle…" She whispered as she turned away from him, his hand captured still within her hand as she lead him to the pallet of blankets. So uncertain as to what would happen next… or how… it would happen... she could only wait to see what it was that he wished of her… as of now, she offered him herself.

The pair of lovers, their forms uncovered and open for evaluation, Dmi followed his heart… At the makeshift bed, he sat down, urging her to lay beside him… movements so fluid as if it were in slow motion. As she lay back, her golden hair was slpayed about her by his hand, and his bearded face neared… the soft baritone voice responded to her… “As gentle as yu need me to be…” then he offered her the infamous grin he provided so freely to her.

The smile was all it took, she was nervous and a little scared. Her body shook from both the anticipation and the knowledge there would be only one in her life. The smile… that loving, boyish tender smile that was hers. Entirely hers as she slipped a hand up to brush across the furry cheek then slipped behind his head. It was the light in his eyes, the softness of his voice. The love that seemed to illuminate from them both. She drew him down to her in that sweet kiss. The breath was released softly. The young woman laid side him, the hand still cradling behind his neck as the other slid up along his side and ribs. The light nimble fingers teased the skin there as though seeking to trace each muscle and ripple beneath the strong taunt skin. "I love you." She spoke softly and deepened the kiss. As the kiss continued and their hands explored the soft and hard curves of each other's bodies. The flat tummy seemed to tingle from the inner core.The strangest part of it. .her body began to almost ache to be touched, caressed… teased. The blue eyes looked up at him with a innocent burning of want… need... desire.

Upon her back, he was propped above her offering the reassuring smile. Fingertips began to explore her form as the light grey eyes offered security and comfort. Leaning down to inititate the seduction once more, the beard tickled her once again as lips and tongue began to taste, kiss, and nibble bare skin, tittilizing her senses and heightening her arousal.

A sensual repositioning above her, he worked upon erotic zones as if a professional lover would provide bidding to every part of her. Moving just out of sight, his gentle urgings separated her legs as he slid between trembling knees. As flames of lust coursed thru his veins, he would begin to invade her privacy… first a gentle taste, then exploring more of the area he would soon capture… as the passion within grew, so did his avid exploits upon her… soon he was a child licking an icicle of winter… though his passion coursed lava thru his veins…

The trembling of a virgin would soon turn to the writhing of a woman desiring to be taken… he would move to her and smile… his beard returned to her skin as he knocked upon heaven’s door with an appendage… she could feel him pressing upon her… she began to moisten and tremble more, the wanton desire built upon her station…

Then with the confirmation of his love for her, he bit her shoulder, his hips thrusting forward, her privacy now would be invaded with one thrust… the fluidityof passion now mixing with nature’s lifeforce, the blankets were stained with a new phase of life… Inside of her now, braced upon his hands, he gazed lovely down to her, his form would begin to move back and forth intending upon driving her to newer and more powerful heights.

The afternoon light poured in through the broken stain glass as it reflected off the other shards here and there causing a rainbow of light to illuminate them both. The two young lovers explored each other, bringing the sweet moans and shudders of breath as the hands slid and caressed. Nimble little fingers traced scars that edged their way across the strong muscle beneath the layer of skin as his own callused hands turned from leather to velvet with the gentle tender touches.

The meal forgotten, the world itself forgotten as they spiraled upward into delighted euphoric heights to pause and climb once more. Twice his actions caused her to cry out in the sheer joy at the pleasures he brought to her, as it came to the moment of their joining. Her body ached as much as his own to be touched to become one physically as they had emotionally during this journey. The first few moments of this, brought tears to her eyes as he trembled attempting to ease the pain that came with such. Their lips met once the pain had passed, his movements still slow, as his lips kissed away the tears upon her cheeks. The breathing was one once more as he withdrew then pressed inward once more. Soon the pain was forgotten as the sensation of his body pressed against her own, the sweet passion returned once more as they found the joys of one another's bodies. The heat of it all brought the damp skin to brush against, seeming to do little more then ignite the fires between them. Their emotional connection seemed to do nothing but deepen and widen… expand and tease... bringing yet once more those sweet cries of extasy from her as this time he joined in the intense rise of the tidal wave of emotion and sensation. As her own exploded into the fury of overwhelming sensations, the hoarse cry left his lips as they held to each other, clinging through the storm of emotional overload as their bodies reacted with one another as with none other.

Trembling and exhausted they lay captivated by the sunset and the shadows that now played over their skin. Still within the tender embrace the two young lovers fell a sleep. [/font]

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

The Return

The pair had entered unto a new level in their existence for one another… now life would take upon it a new color. The night had been long enough for the couple to find their culmination of physical and emotional bliss, but their journey into the unknown had only begun. Now they would endure it with a fervor none had seen in these two before.

Dmitrii rose with the sun and knelt next to her and smiled… then covered her nude body with the crude blanket they had been given by the villagers. Seeking the box, Sir Robert had provided them, he dressed once again in warrior’s clothes and strapped a sword to his body. Unlike many knights, wearing the sword at their hip, Dmi slung the strap over his shoulder, the sword hanging from his back and shoulders. Into his boot he shoved a dagger, then the second in his waist belt. A kiss to his fingers, then placed upon her forehead, he started to survey the outer rims of their inhabitance.

What had caused Sir Robert and Sir Philip to act as though Willa and he were total strangers and against the Templar movement? Why had Sir Robert provided them enough time to escape, then provide them food and shelter?

Meanwhile, on the Winged Isle, just south of Turas Lan, as the narrow channel across from Isle of Raasay, a group of men, dressed in black armour, their swords sharp and drawn, waited for the small boat sailing from Raasay. Their leader angered at the thought of being betrayed, left his men upon the cliffed shores, with orders to kill anyone who dared sail from Raasay. He and two men rode back to the castle where lady Valisa was residenced upon the Winged Isle.

Arriving at the Castle, the men dismounted and sought audience with Valisa. Upon being ushered to her parlor, the lady Valisa sat upon furs in a reclined manner. The men seeing her, their eyes immediately looked to the ground, and bowing low… “M’Lady… the Warrior and the girl were nay there… no boat came as planned… I fear something has gone awry… I left men to wait there… with orders to kill anyone, or anything that comes from the Isle of Raasay…”

The hair on Dmitrii’s neck seemd to stand… his hand immediately soothing the tingling… It was as if the man had a sixth sense when danger was about… As he looked back toward the Winged Isle, the hair stood on end… thenas he moved away, it laid back down… Steel grey eyes narrowed as he rubbed the bearded chin… Walking to a specific location, Dmi, checking upon their small boat hidden in the brush, smiled,then made his way back to the destroyed church, which had become their domicile away from home…

As he entered into the church, he saw her stirring awake. Moving to her, he took a knee beside her, his hand caressing her face. “Good morning sunshine… seems all quiet outside… how do ye feel?”

The yawn passed her lips as she spotted him departing the church. Though the small blushing smile graced her face as she stretched and lay still for a bit longer. The night before had been… well truthfully intoxicating for the young woman. Though she was a bit embaressed by the manner they had not waited until a wedding day. Pift... after that... who'd want to? She lay and looked at the ceiling, likely at one point it had been strong and sturdy… a place of worship. Which again brought a soft uttering of forgiveness to the Gods. Well really with the luck they'd been having lately... she didn't need the heavens upset with them too.

It was time to dress herself as she glanced over to the pile of cloths and giggled softly, the memory of events... brought a shiver down her spine. Had pushed herself to sitting up as he returned. Though modestly she covered herself when he knelt down beside her. The turn of her face was given and the soft kiss to his palm was placed. "I feel jus fine, me love." She spoke with a smile "though… ya oughts turn yer back… me clothes are over there…" She gave a nod... ok so just not entirely ready to run around naked before him. The heated blush touched her face as she couldn't have stopped the soft giggle.

Dmitrii smiled, with that undeniable ever-familiar scrunching of the beard, his course hand caressing her face. “Yu have a new glow about yu… one that suits the best of ya…” he spoke softly, that Rus accent flowing the words from his tongue. Her request to turn his back brought a question look, then a veryt wicked smirk… “Aye M’luv, yu may be correct, for my resistance would once again be destroyed… and we would never be off this island…” then he sits and turns his back to her.

The blush colored her cheeks a brilliant red as she waited until he turned. The blankets were slowly pulled away as she rose to her feet to pull the lovely yellow dress on. The soft rustle of fabric as it slipped down over the smooth skin. "aye wella.. Imma thinkin we oughts fergers somethin outs when we gits home. Gonna looks awful strange us goin inta one room er another." She pointed out softly. Well if anything she was practical… that and she didn't think she could sleep any longer without him. Yes she had quite acquainted not only to his body being close, but the breathing of when he slept... the soft snores when he finally slipped into that deep body weary sleep… Then of course there was the night before, she understood now why the maids sometimes slipped off into linen closets and barn haylofts. She giggled softly at that, the scent of fresh straw around them… and ahem... yes well that whole line of thinking very nearly caused her to miss several of the buttons on her dress.

Dmitrii chuckles as she puts on her clothes. “Ye make me turn my back here, but ya speak of an inconspicuous love affair back home…” then he glances over his shoulder, just to see her half naked… then with a smirk he tuns back around… “Of course, I would have yu next to me, whether it was in my bed, on horseback, or in a livery loft…” he laughs… “Whatever way ye prefer is fine by me…” Crossing his arms over his broad chest, his finger tapping his chin… “Of course, courtly love has been going on for a very long time…” once again glancing over his shoulder, the beard quirking in the most familiar fashion. “And… if yu prefer, we can ask Adam to allow us to be handfasted… or even allow us to be wed in the Church.”

"Ya think they'll keep lookin fer us? Even when we's gits back?" She asked returning her mind to the present before well... they found themselves lagging one more day within the ruins of the church and each other's arms.

Glancing yet again, he turns around… “It seems Sir Philip knew yer size… the dress does fit… plain, but not too bad…” then he approached her and took her arms into his hands… “I’d bet my arse Kaelyn is looking for us… if I know her, she’d look forever… its as if she knew something was wrong… Now as for the Illuminati… I would not be sure… but I’d say yes… but once back in Turas Lan, I will ask Adam for help… no telling what has happened in the weeks we have been gone…”

With a pull, he took her in his strong arms and attempted to reassure her… “I won’t let anything happen to you… I swear. Now…” he smiles and looks at her… “…I saw a crude road, not far from here, leading in land… I ‘spect a town nearby… pack what yu need, leave the rest…”

In the far off land of Skye, Valisa was indeed reclined upon the cushions. Her eyes had been delicately looking over the pages of a book when the man speaking. The deep brown eyes found an amusement as they would not look at her directly. Something about that just gave her power of them. Hm... men... what delicious little toys they were. The sigh came as she closed the book and pushed herself to standing up. The robe of course was tied, leaving nothing but small glimpses now and then of bare skin beneath the satin. "I didn't say I wanted them dead… I want them brought to me." She stated crisply. Then again it was likely one of the damned cardinals interfering again. That made the satisfied smile disappear into a cool distracted stare out of the window. The steps were deliberate as she moved to a table. "Send me one of your fastest birds... I will get this matter resolved." She would write of course directly to the Pope. As the mistake had been made by both the Illuminati and the Templars before... she worked for neither... and both... truth... she worked for the Holiest of them. The rest were merely playthings to keep her amused.

“Aye M’Lady, my sincerest apologies…” the man bowed deeper in her poresence… “I shall send word immediately…” then the warrior of the Cloth would motion to one of the servants nearby… “Obey the Lady Valisa… bring her the fastest bird…” The man would remain upon one knee, only to steal a gaze of the beautiful woman, who cared not what anyone thought of her, for spoken words of such would bring about immediate death… Women avoided her, many wishing to be like her… Men feared her wrath… Some even though her Evil incarnate… For this devout warrior of Illuminati, his gaze upon her legs, lured his eyes to her bare thighs… even this man would be swayed to sin… this warrior of the Pope, vowed to do what the Church required… “M’Lady, is there more yu wish of me?”

She listened as he encouraged the servants to move off and do her bidding. "Actually yes captain I do… the rest of you may leave us. " She stated looking to the rest of the warriors that had come in with the man. Yes some women loathed her, calling her whore or temptress. Which Valisa would not deny, truth was truth wasn't it? However, what men all over the world had failed to comprehend was the fact any woman with a political mind and no compulsion against using her body to get them to do what she wished?... did indeed make her a dangerous sort. Evil... merely resourceful. When the door closed behind the last of the men, her eyes returned to the man before her. He was likely married... children of his own... a nice lovely plump wife... Hm... like she cared? She walked towards the small table as the voice shifted yet again to a gentle silken tone. "Now then Captain... would you care for a drink? " She asked as she poured two glasses anyway.

In the end it would be blackmail that kept his man, as it did so many others, under her delicate little thumb and wrapped securely around the tiny pinky… but lets face it. It was always a good deal of sport, and very rarely did any of them complain.

The Captain turned down her offer for a drink, but as she neared him and turned on her charm… he was doomed… His first mistake was his staying without his men, the second, taking the drink… his fate sealed as she pressed her warm body next to his armored chest.

[Sir Dmitrii Zurban]

It wasn't long before she had what she wished physically of the Captain. Start undressing men tend to follow suit. The woman looked at him as she slipped away to get dressed. She needed something… but not from this man. Not yet... he hadn't gotten himself in deep enough just yet. She moved away from the bed as she called for Victor. The single-eyed gaze looked upon Valisa then to the man sleeping on the soft satin sheets.

"Never mind him... he was fun... but I'm working on him. Take this... kill the cardinal. I do not like it when men interfere with recovery of my niece." She stated softly as Victor smirked. The knife belonged to that rather athletic man in her bed. Before the man could stir... she made her way back to the bed. The light fingers teased him... he wasn't hers… yet...

She hadn't been talking about Kaelyn or the others at this point. Her mind wrapped about what if and so forth. The small nod was given as she moved directly into his arms. Handfasted... wed... did it matter really? Neither one had any thoughts of seeking out another. She listened to his words, his strong reasoning. He was right of course, They would talk to Adam... and as soon as they found her father... He would know exactly what to do. The light kiss was given to the scraggly cheek before she moved to gather… well... nothing but the small knife she had stolen at some point... oh… and the battered log he had tossed away. Though it was tucked into the waist of her skirts. "I'm ready darlin " She stated as she came back to his side. She didn't want… or need any of the other clothing here. What little there was... ack. yes... wait... and with that she grabbed up the parcel the old farmer's wife gave her.

Dmitrii had set the sword upon his back, a dagger at his waist and the smaller knife in his boot… it wasn’t his usual armament but he would be more prepared for anything than before… Taking her hand, the pair of lovers began to walk toward the small town and begin yet another adventure…

The markets were filled with people, some dressed in fine clothes, probably nobles of sort, and others were dressed in a more suitable mode of work clothes… there were farmers selling fruits and vegetables, pigs and ducks, chickens and pheasants, in hopes of bringing a faire day’s wage. Dmi and Willa walked slowly looking thru the vendor tables and shop windows… the noise was a din hum as the two sorted out the way of life upon the Isle of Scalpay…

Near a corner of the streets intersecting, Dmitrii watched a pair of young folk courting in the usual fashion, though these were peasants, and the father stood nearby… smiling he looked to Willa… Remembering his younger days as a waif roaming the streets, with no parents alive, he knew of, and no home to call his own… Now he was a Knight of the Black Talons and Weapons Master for Duke Adam, the Lord of the Isles… now reduced to being hunted… Again he looks at Willa, the usual smile now faked, he would be readable by her… “Oh, to Tyras Lan I wish to whisk away my love…” he thought… to have her free from being hunted, he would give his life… Still both were alive and on the journey home… “Excuse me sir…” he speaks to a man… “Can yu tell me when the next ship to Turas Lan is?” the Rus accent light but noticeable…

She walked hand in hand with him as they entered the town. The small blond was often left to her own thoughts as they walked as Dmitri was his own. Her eyes caught the courting pair as she gave a small smile but looked on. The tables and shops seemed welcoming enough though she held his hand and the parcel close to her. Another town, another place of hiding… why hadn't he told her, why did Odis keep so much to himself? Was he alright? Were they going to be alright? Surely neither of them believed as soon as they arrived in the port of Turas Lan that everything was just going to magically be alright. The false smile he offered her was seen, just as the brief glimpse of pain the memories had brought forward was noticed plainly. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, but otherwise kept her silence. As they paused to inquire of the ship, she took a small half step behind Dmitri, as a good woman would.

The man mumbled something to Dmitri as Willa stood quietly looking at the ground. While the sweet release of passions had helped some… that sturdy little blond was still quite livid about this whole mess. There were a great deal of questions to be brought forward… and Athena help them all, she'd have them.

The man looks to Dmitrii and with a crooked smile, he nods… “Aye, a ship, cooms weekly fra’ Turas Lan… de next ship s’pose ta arrive on the morrow… Yae bae in luck… Tickets kin bae bought at the merchant store bae de docks…”

Dmitrii looked from the man to Willa, then back to him… then in the direction the man pointed. Odd, a weekly ship, and docks for this poor island town? But Dmi did not doubt him… it could be a merchant vessel for the sheep, wool, and vegetables that were grown here… no matter, to get home, Dmi would ride with the sheep…

As the old man walked away, Dmi felt the necklace Kaelyn had given him…. “We need money luv…” as he looked to Willa. “We cannae steal it, so I will sell my necklace…” spoken as he turned to walk toward the docks… “Mabbe they will take it for the price of tickets…” Thousands of gryphons in his treasury and no way to spend it, he thought.

Hand in hand, he and Willa made their way toward the docks… pausing by a tavern… then making a detour inside. Sitting down at a table, placing her next to the wall, with him on the outside, a tavern girl looked at Willa with a snarl, and then to Dmi with a broad smile. “G’day m’lord… what’ll yae ‘ave?” Dmi smiled that familiar smile… “Food for a priceless dagger?”

Willa had listened as her head turned in the direction of the merchants. The purse of her lips was given in thought before looking back to Dmitri. She frowned slightly when he spoke of selling his necklace as he had once told her who had given it to him. They would figure something out… as she fell back into step with her beloved as they moved towards the tavern. The docks was like most others… not a place a good girl goes wandering around by herself.

Not to say that Willa hadn't… just it was unwise. She slipped into the seat he had chosen as she folded her hands on her lap. She had traveled in enough places such as this to fall into a familiar habit. The blue eyes watched the people around them, studying demeanor and interest in the pair. However it was the bar maid that soon found the crystal blue gaze to fall upon her. The snarl was met with an expression of absolute dislike. The eyes looked her over with a slow indignant gaze before meeting again with the woman's face. When she attempted to turn her charms onto Dmitrii she could only roll her eyes and look off the other direction once more. But… did she just see him smile back at the woman?

Food or no food… passage or no passage… she was a bit ah... tender in some emotional places. There was a quick temper finding its way rising as she bit her tongue… for now that is.

"Aye Milord... ah ask de owner tis awright... ah s'pect twould bae..." she looked at him and smiled... then with a quirk of her lip towards Willa, she looked back at Dmi... "Ah would nae let yaer daughter gae hungry..." then with a swish of her skirts, she turned from them...

Dmitrii tried to swallow back the female's degradent attitude toward Willa, his hand finding his beloved's knee. As she turned, he looked at Willa. "A real bytch this one is, but if it will get us food..." he shrugged... Fumbling his necklace, he looked around the room and saw a man, a well-dressed merchant, then he patted Willa's leg. "I shall be right back..."

Standing, he made his way to the man and stood next to him. "M'Lord... might a weary traveler bide yer time..." The man nodded... "Yes... How may I help you?" then Dmitrii removed his necklace and knealt... "M'Lord... tis an offer for this necklace I would propose financing a trip for my betrothed and I to Turas Lan... we are far far fom home and am seeking audience to the Lord of the Isles for marriage." Dmitrii was stretching the truth but did not lie... he continued.,.. "Tis a necklace my sister gave me years ago... it is worth much, but not as much as..." he glanced over his shoulder toward Willa... the merchant did the same, then looked at Dmi as he continued... "...as my beloved and I a chance to start a family..." then he offered the ever charming bearded smile.

Moments later after a few more convincing discussion, the man opened his pouch and gave Dmi 5 copper Gryphons... Dmi began to act the lower classman and offerring the merchant the most gracious appreciation. Then Dmi stood and back away from the man, turning to walk back to Willa... At the table, Dmi smiled... "Ticket money home luv..."

Just then the girl returned with the food. "Milord... Matthew agrees... food and drink for two... one sitting for the dagger." seeing Dmi put away his money, the woman smiled... "Ah bet yer a sweet talker..." her hand then touched Dmi's face and caressed his beard. He neither moved nor made any comment. The girl just smirked at Willa as she left...

Dmi looked to Willa and saw her expression... the red tint of her face seemed as if she were to explode... Dmi just smiled that charming smile she loved so much and patted her knee... "Food and drink, and tickets home luv..."

Willa said nothing, for now. She kept her eyes cast down but do not doubt she saw every little movement the harlot made. As Dmitri moved to speak with the merchant, she ignored the appreciative glances she got from the other men sitting here and there. She kept her hands folded to keep her temper as the two slim hands clenched together nearly as tightly as her jaw.

Then again even as Dmitri came back to let her know about the tickets and way home. She allowed the sigh of relief came from her as she leaned against him just slightly. Home... safety..and the beginning to answers. The expression on her face shifted from that slow relaxation as the silly woman touched his cheek. It took her many minutes to stifle her anger. She offered him a small nod with a terribly false smile. She poked around her food for a bit before finally eatting it. Dmi would find her company somewhat quiet here as she glanced up over the room as it filled with people coming to eat a meal.

As it would have it, she needed to go to the outhouse. After a conversation of she would be fine... and would go alone a small kiss was placed to his fuzzy cheek before she slipped away. If one took time to notice the little barwench had disappeared only a few minutes before. Willa moved towards the outhouse with only the goal of relieving her bladder. It was then the wench stepped out before her. The little country girl said nothing, to her credit until the woman made a comment of a fine looking man, and what it took to keep a man like that happy. The snide comment with the look over Willa with a sneer. There was really only so much that the farm girl was going to take. She wasn't going to say anything... really... she wasn't; but the harlot pushed the issue. "A little gerl like yerself can't keeps a man.. " and... that was about as far as she got as the small hands balled up and delivered a rather firm punch to her mouth. The poor girl hadn't a chance to stop it as her head snapped back and the wench found herself firmly on her backside.

"Let me tells ya somethin, iffin ya comes near me heart agains... a busted mout' be da leas' o' yer worries." She stated bluntly and spun about on that little slippered foot and made her way back to Dmitrii. Odd... how she carried herself with a good bit of confidence as she wove her way through the tables to his side.