Story Codes:  (M/F, n/c, bond.)

Laurana took a last look at the Tower of the Suns as she rode away from Qualinost. She hadn’t wanted to leave so soon after the rebuilding had begun, but she had promised to take Kazarss to Palanthas and she wanted to get news of the rest of Ansalon. She wondered if she’d have time to stop by Solace and chat with Caramon and Tika. She doubted it, they were taking an old elven route through the forest towards Haven and then north past Crystalmir Lake. She made herself a promise to see her old friends on the way back to Qualinost though.

“How are you doing?” Laurana asked Kazarss. The draconian hadn’t expressed much enthusiasm for riding to Palanthas but since there was no other way, he was forced to grumblingly ride a horse.

“I am fine,” he said. He rode with all the grace of a drunk gully dwarf. Laurana had gotten him the most docile horse in all of Qualinost and that was all that kept him in the saddle. Any other horse would have scraped him off on an overhanging tree branch by now, what with his constant shifting and kicking his heels. And that wasn’t even taking his draconian scent into consideration. Still, the horse took in all in stride, seeming to look over at Laurana’s horse with a steady and stoic gaze.

Kazarss was about to make a further comment on the state of his horse riding which he thought was improving markedly but he stopped when he noticed Laurana glancing behind them towards Qualinost.

Laurana had stopped looking at the Tower of the Suns and was searching for the small shape of a horse and rider. Sylara had been following her around since the Battle of Qualinost, never getting close enough for Laurana to talk to her and always running away if Laurana attempted to approach. Not that I can blame her, Laurana thought. After what I did to Vakos-

She sighed and turned her head back north. No use in brooding on such things, she thought but guilt still preyed on her mind. She could still see him kneeling before her, offering his surrender and then her sword plunging into his throat. The vision of what he had ordered done to Kerian floated up next along with the memory of how he had ravaged her.

Laurana sighed and bit her lip sharply. She had been hoping that the trip would let her relax and rest. Gods, how she wanted a nice hot bath, without a certain cleric for company, and some Palanthian food. She had gotten used to it from living so near the city for nearly twenty years. But she’d settle for a night of peaceful sleep under the stars. But she didn’t like the idea of not knowing where Sylara was, she wouldn’t put it above the woman to arrange some sort of ambush. In all her life, Laurana couldn’t think of a woman so deviously twisted.
 
 

Sylara struggled a bit, but not too much, she didn’t want to actually get away from the bandits. One of the larger ones, she guessed he had some ogre in him, had his hand clapped over her mouth and was busy groping her breasts with his other hand. She rolled her eyes at his clumsy technique and whimpered convincingly enough to make them believe she was terrified out of her mind.

Where was she? Sylara thought as she looked at the road through the thin screen of tree branches. The bandits were making so much noise she couldn’t hear if anyone was riding near or not.

“Hsst!” the half-ogre hissed. “Someone else is coming!” The other ten or so bandits immediately hushed and put their hands on their weapons, ready to waylay any other helpless travelers.

Sylara watched the road eagerly despite the stench of the half-ogre’s hand. Beneath it she was smiling. Her plan was brilliant, if she did say so herself. Let herself be captured by bandits and then let Laurana ride in to the rescue. The elf would have to let her tag along with her and Kazarss then, her morals wouldn’t allow her to leave a helpless traveler alone. Sylara’s attention was drawn back to the road as she heard the sound of Laurana and Kazarss talking as they rode. Almost, Sylara thought. Anyone with an eye in their head would be able to see the bandits standing by the roadside.

“-lot of damage from the fires,” Laurana was saying as Sylara heard her get nearer.

“I’ve heard that forest fires actually spur growth,” Kazarss said. They were almost next to the bandits from what Sylara could hear.

“I’ve heard that too, I think that the heat from the fire will cause new seeds to grow. Sort of like a hen sitting on an egg.”

Sylara smiled and readied herself to look as helpless and pathetic as possible as she watched Laurana and Kazarss ride up the road. Facing away from the bandits. They were looking out over the burned remains of the forest and weren’t paying attention to anything on the other side. Sylara’s eyes widened in alarm as Laurana and Kazarss rode by without even glancing towards her and the bandits. She tried to yell, but the half-ogre clamped his hand down tighter over her mouth and crushed her waist in his arms, making it hard to breathe, much less say anything. In a few seconds, Laurana and Kazarss had ridden past the bandits and their voices were fading in the distance.

“That was lucky,” one of the other bandits said. “An elf and a draconian, they woulda made kidney pies out of us.”

“Shame she was with that draconian,” another said. “She was a comely wench.”

“I’d like to see what was under that armor,” another laughed. “Better looking than this one.” The others joined in and made a few more crude jokes as they sheathed their weapons and began to move back into the forest. Sylara was too indignant at what they were saying about her to be aware of her situation but that soon ceased when the bandits stopped in a small clearing in the forest.

“We may not have that elf, but we’ve got something else to play with,” the half-ogre said with a grin that showed off his stained tusks. Sylara’s eyes widened when she realized exactly what her situation was. “Hur hur,” he said, “we’ll have lot’s of fun with you wench.”

This wasn’t part of the plan! she thought angrily. I’m supposed to be saved by now!

“I think she’s scared of us,” the half-ogre said as he twisted her head to look at her face.

With a start, Sylara realized that she was quite nervous. They were really going to- Oh no, she thought. Oh no. This would ruin her plan to get Laurana to let her tag along! Her heart leapt into her throat when she saw several of the bandits pulling coils of rope from their sacks and leering at her.

“Now, let’s have some fun,” the half-ogre said as he roughly clutched Sylara’s buttocks and the other bandits advanced with the rope in their hands.
 
 

“Did you hear something?” Laurana asked.

“No, did you?” Kazarss said.

“I guess not. Do you want to look for a campsite soon?” They had been riding for a day now and were nearing the forests to the south of Crystalmir Lake.
 
 

“Wait!” Sylara yelled as the half-ogre began to halfheartedly wrench open her thighs. “You want the elf? I can help you get her!” she yelled as she continued to struggle against the half-ogre. The bandits had tied her hands together and then to a low tree branch, forcing her on her tip-toes unless she wanted the circulation to her wrists cut off.

“Whatta you mean?” he said, still trying to get her legs open without bruising her. He was used to women fainting or going limp with terror by now. The sight of him leering at them with his yellowed tusks usually ensured complete cooperation.

“She knows me, if we go to their camp you can use me as a hostage and she’ll have to come with you!”

“She’s lying boss,” another bandit said as he began to idly paw her breasts through her robe. “She just wants a chance to get away.”

“Are you lying?” the half-ogre asked. “If you are, it’ll be bad for you.” Sylara winced and tried to wriggle away as the half-ogre reached down and roughly rubbed her crotch. She could imagine how much it would hurt to have to take him without a lot of relaxing, he was hung like, well, a half-ogre.

“I’m not lying!” she cried out as another bandit began to stroke her hair while he began to suck on her neck. “Threaten to kill me and she’ll do anything you say!”

The half-ogre stepped back and let go of Sylara’s thighs, allowing her to clamp them together. “Alright, we was planning to be nice, but if you’re lying, you’re gonna be buggered ‘til you pass out,” he said.

Sylara paled and swallowed nervously. She had no doubt that the half-ogre would make good on his promise. For a moment she had a delirious vision of Laurana squirming beneath his bulk, her sweet voice raised first in plaintive cries for mercy but then cries of lust and pleasure.

“Hey, you!” the half-ogre’s voice snapped her out of her daydream. “Well? You gonna show us where the elf slut is or are we gonna have some fun with ya now?”

“I dunno boss,” a tall bandit said. “I don’t really like blondes.”

“Yeah,” another chimed in, “I like redheads myself. You guys ever seen the owner of that inn over in Solace? She’s got tits like-”

“I like blondes, myself,” a third one interrupted. “Especially elves.” There was a general chorus of agreement on the attractiveness of elven women. “I suppose this one is comely enough,” he said as he waved at Sylara.

“Well, as long as dinner wasn’t ready, I’d take a turn with her,” the tall one said.

“I’d take a turn with her even if dinner was ready, as long as it didn’t take too long,” the one who liked redheads said.

“You know, this all seems pretty complicated,” the tall one said. “Why bother?”

“Because she’s an elf!” the third one snapped. “It’s worth it if we can get her.”

“This isn’t your decision!” the half-ogre roared. “We go after the elf if I say we do and we don’t if I say we don’t!”

“You don’t have to yell, boss,” the tall one said sullenly. “We were just having a bit of a discussion.” They looked likely to go off on another tangent until Sylara coughed loudly.

“Oh, yeah, so are you going to show help us get the elf woman or are some of us going to have some fun with you as long as it doesn’t take too long and dinner isn’t ready?” the half-ogre asked.

“Or if we don’t like brunettes,” a short bandit said.

“Or if we don’t like brunettes,” the half-ogre said with a sigh.
 
 

“But I was sure she’d be here,” Sylara said anxiously. “My spell said that they were here! There’s no reason for it not to work!”

“But they ain’t here,” the half-ogre said. “I think you was just playing around with us and hoping that you could escape.” He looked around the clearing by the side of Crystalmir lake and grinned widely at the sight of an old stump. “Tie her over that. I always make good on my promises,” he said with an evil laugh as the bandits dragged Sylara to the stump. They forced her down onto her stomach across it and stretched her hands above her head. She kicked and fought them as they tied her wrists to short lengths of rope tied the rope to stakes hammered into the ground. Her ankles were similarly tied, leaving her spreadeagled across the stump as the half-ogre rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

Sylara looked over her shoulder as the half-ogre reached out and pushed up her robe until it was bunched around her waist. He slipped his meaty hand under the waistband of her underwear and smirked at her as he tugged suddenly, tearing the silk into shreds.

“W-wait!” Sylara said. “I can still find her! I can!”

“Fine, once we’re done with you, you can try again,” the half-ogre said as he rubbed her firm and round buttocks. Sylara moaned despite herself when he slid one finger across her quim.

“But don’t you want her now?” Sylara said desperately as the half-ogre squeezed her bottom in both of his hands and spread her cheeks apart. His finger probed roughly at her anus, making her wince as he chuckled.

“We’ve got you now,” he said as he pushed his finger into her, eliciting a sharp yelp from Sylara. Deciding against what little dignity that she still retained, she sucked in a lungful of air and screamed at the top of her voice. As the echoes of her earsplitting scream bounced around the forest, she prayed that someone had heard her.
 
 

“That was definitely a scream,” Kazarss said as he slid in the narrow cave entrance. He and Laurana had found a small cave on the west side of Crystalmir lake, possibly even the one that Tanis and the other companions had stayed in when they had fled Solace twenty years ago.

Laurana sighed and picked up her bow and sword. It had sounded very much like Sylara to her. Most likely her way of getting Laurana to come to her instead of the other way around.

“Let’s go find her,” Laurana said with a deep sigh.
 
 

“Gods, woman, I barely touched you!” the half-ogre said as he uncovered his ears.

“I can scream more,” Sylara warned, her threat somewhat diminished by her awkward position over the tree stump.

“Fine and good,” the half-ogre said. “But you’ll have a reason to now.”

“Wait, I didn’t mean it like that!” Sylara said as she heard the half-ogre opening his pants and moving between her spread legs. She twisted and tugged at the ropes some more, hoping they’d come loose enough for her to cast a spell. “I should warn you, I’m a powerful priest of Takhi-aiiieeeee!”
 
 

“That’s her,” Laurana said in disgust as another high pitched scream echoed through the forest and was cut off suddenly. “Let’s go back to the cave.”

“But it was just ahead,” Kazarss said as they crept through the undergrowth of the forest. A few feet later they reached the edge of the clearing and crawled forward to peer through the branches of a bush at the scene.

Kazarss gave Laurana a shocked glance when he heard her chuckle meanly. “Serves her right,” Laurana said bitterly as she took in the scene. Sylara was tied spread eagle over a tree stump with an ogre or half-ogre energetically buggering her. The cleric was squirming mightily as the half-ogre reached under her to paw and grope her breasts while her continually thrust himself into her. From the muffled squealing and yelping noises she was making through the gag tied in her mouth it seemed that the half-ogre was taking her up the ass.

Sylara tugged at the ropes binding her with desperate strength, but to no avail. The stakes hammered into the grounds refused to budge and she could feel the rough rope chafing her wrists and ankles. She shook her head and arched her back, trying to get away from the half-ogre roughly pounding his engorged cock into her ass. She had seen worse done to her victims, but she had no idea how painful it really was. How wonderful it would be to see Laurana in the same position, but no gag, her cries would be like the finest symphony, Sylara thought and cried out again as the half-ogre leaned forward and put his entire weight into the next thrust.

“We have to help her!” Kazarss hissed as he rolled up his sleeves and groped for a spell component.

“Why? She’s just getting what she deserves. She came up with this perverted-” Laurana stopped and turned her head away from Kazarss, feeling her face burning at the memory of Sylara’s play. “Maybe she won’t be so fast to take advantage of others.” Laurana winced at the sound of Sylara’s muffled shriek as the half-ogre squeezed her breasts painfully.

“But it’s not right to let that happen to anyone!” Kazarss said, obviously shocked.

Laurana was silent for a while. She knew he was right and felt ashamed that she’d feel inclined to let Sylara enjoy the tender hospitality of the bandits. She glanced back at Sylara and winced at the sight of the half-ogre’s cock as he pounded into her. From the size of it Sylara must be in a terrific amount of pain and suffering. The half-ogre began to grunt as he slammed himself into Sylara’s ass, his monstrous hands gripping her around the waist as he obviously came within her. He pulled out after a second and rubbed his cock against Sylara’s ass. The cleric’s head had fallen forward and she was trembling visibly, her body heaving as she fought for breath, as the half-ogre called over another bandit.

“Fine, we’ll rescue her,” Laurana said with a sigh and shot the half-ogre with an arrow. It wasn’t enough to kill him, but he wouldn’t be fucking anything in the near future, if ever. The sight of the arrow in their leader was enough to send the rest of the bandits scrambling into the forest as their leader limped and hobbled after them. They’d probably get picked up by the next patrol through the area, Laurana had no idea how they had lasted this long.

Sylara was moaning softly when Laurana sliced the ropes tying her down and pulled the gag free. The cleric looked up at her with unfocused eyes and began to stammer out a thank you when she saw who she was talking to. Laurana thought that Sylara had looked bad when the half-ogre had been buggering her, but she looked even worse now. Her face had suddenly lost all of its color and she was quivering in terror as she scrabbled away from Laurana, only to trip and fall flat on her face.

“Kazarss! Please!” Sylara said frantically as Laurana walked over to her. “I was nice to you, don’t let her kill me, please!”

“Who says I’m going to kill you?” Laurana said tiredly.

“No, no, please, don’t torture me!” Sylara sobbed as she crawled over to Laurana. “I-I was under orders, I didn’t want to do those things to you! Please, you have to believe me!”
Laurana jerked back her foot when Sylara began to kiss her boots. “Kazarss, please, help me. I’ll give you anything, I’ll do anything for you!”

Laurana snorted and shook her head in disgust. She had wanted revenge on the cleric for tormenting her in Qualinost, but now she couldn’t think of doing anything to the pathetic person groveling in front of her.

“Get up,” Laurana said. “I’m not going to kill you or torture you.” She sighed. “What those bandits were doing to you was bad enough.”

“You’re not going to torture me?” Sylara said haltingly as she looked up at Laurana, her hair a mess and her face streaked with tears.

“No, come on. You never know, they might come back once they get their nerve back.”

“Thank you, thank you,” Sylara said in a rush as she clung to Laurana’s legs. “I’ll do anything to pay you back, I’ll cook, I’ll clean. I’ll wash you, I’ll be your sex slave-” She was stopped forcibly when Laurana shook her off and made a retching sound.

“I never want to even think about that,” she snarled. “Kazarss, you’re in charge of her. Do what you like with her,” she said as she turned and headed back towards their camp.
 
 

“Another glass of wine,” Laurana said to the barmaid as she gulped down the contents of her glass. It had been two days since they had met Sylara and the cleric was showing definite improvement from her state then. Even now she was flirting shamelessly with Kazarss, trying to feed him food and rubbing herself against him like a street walker. “When are you going to take your leave of us?” Laurana asked grouchily as Sylara tried to grab Kazarss’ crotch under the table.

“B-but, you wouldn’t make me travel alone, would you?” Sylara said, her voice suddenly trembling. “Oh, I don’t even want to think of what happened!” she said with a gasp and began to weep. Kazarss patted the cleric on the shoulder as Laurana rolled her eyes.

Damned cleric belongs in the Abyss, Laurana fumed to herself as Sylara continued to cry. She turned and waved at the barmaid for her glass of wine. She grabbed the glass from the woman and stood up, reeling from the effects of too much wine. The sound of Sylara crying was still ringing in her ears as she collapsed in her bed upstairs.
 
 

Laurana groaned and licked her lips with a swollen tongue. Her head was throbbed as if a troop of dwarfs were busy digging out a new mine. She rubbed her eyes with one hand and and let it drop to her left on the bed. She blinked in confusion when she felt a warm body underneath her hand and a muffled voice.

“Wherrg?” Laurana mumbled as she sat up and ran her hand through her hair. She felt horrible, she could never remember a time when she had felt so awful. She looked over to her left with bleary eyes and gaped when she saw Sylara.

The cleric was stark naked and manacled to the headboard. Her right eye was swollen and darkened with a nasty bruise and her hair was a tangled mess. Sylara opened her eyes and stared at Laurana in terror as the elf woman scrambled backwards out of the bed and dropped to the floor. “What are you doing here?” she moaned when she realized that she was naked as well.