Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Silver by SupMario

   Chapter 5

   When I awoke the next morning, I reflected on the events of the previous
evening and my sleeping lover, lying beside me, sleeping soundly.  The sun
shone through the bay window and shown down upon me, prompting me to get
out of bed and start the day.

   I shook Raven gently and she slowly opened her eyes and smiled up at me.
"Mmm, good morning, Silver.  I love you." She rose up into a sitting
position and we kissed, sending shivers down my spine.

   "Now I get to show you the shower.  I think you'll like it.  Let's go to
the bathroom and we'll shower together.  "

   I dug through my closet until I'd found two robes and we put them on,
then headed for the bathroom.  It was occupied of course.  We waited a few
minutes and Diane stepped out, staring at us oddly, and then headed back to
her room.  We went in the bathroom and took turns taking care of business
and then we both stepped into the shower stall.

   I turned on the water and adjusted the temperature, and Raven loved it.
"It's just like standing underneath a waterfall!  We both took bars of soap
and scrubbed each other down, paying extra attention to all the right
spots, until we were both squeaky clean and horny as hell.  I got behind
her and entered her from behind and she braced herself against the shower
wall as we rutted against one another, letting out the sexual energy our
bathing had produced.

   When we finished, we toweled off and slipped our robes back on and
headed downstairs to breakfast.  Mom, Diane and Arianna were all three
eating in the dining room and Raven and I made our greetings and sat down
opposite them and began eating.

   "So lovebirds, how are you two feeling this morning?" Arianna asked
playfully.

   Much to their amusement, Raven and I both blushed at the same time. 
"We're feeling just great.  So are you staying long?"

   Arianna drained her glass of orange juice before answering me.  "Well, I
don't see why not.  A few days won't hurt my studies too much."

   Later that morning, Mom went off to paint and so the four of us decided
to go to the lake and take a swim.  It was a perfect day for it, and Diane
wanted to hear more about Raven and Arianna's world.

   As we walked through the forest, I whistled tunelessly, the three girls
talking and giggling with each other, oblivious to anything or anyone
around them.  We arrived at the clearing near the lake and we all sat down
to rest and enjoy the view.

   Diane glanced over at Arianna and asked: "Arianna, we know about Paul,
but what about me?  Is my other half in your world?  Have you ever met
her?" Diane looked down at her lap, seemingly flustered at her question.

   Arianna looked at Diane seriously, and then gave her a sweet smile.  It
was neat having a sister.

   "Yes, I've met your other half before.  We are cousins, remember.  I
don't see your family that much, though.  I spend most of my time with my
studies, becoming a wizard isn't easy you know." Arianna leaned back and
looked over at me, grinning at me.  I smiled back, Raven resting her head
on my shoulder, simply enjoying the afternoon.

   Arianna looked over at me and grinned.  "Why don't I take all of you
over to our world for a visit?  Paul you and Diane could meet Silver's
family.  Diane would get to meet her other half, and then we could maybe do
a little sight-seeing.  What do you say?  With the time difference between
our worlds, we could spend several weeks over there and still be back here
before nightfall."

   I grinned at Diane and we nodded to each other.  We got up and held
hands, and I made to use my ring, but Arianna stopped me.  "I'll handle
this." She made a small sign with her hands, mumbled something, and
suddenly we were standing in a small forest clearing.

   Arianna looked around and shrugged.  "Oops, way off target." She giggled
to herself, then gestured again and we were in Grevlok's study again.  He
wasn't there, however.

   "Well here we are.  Weird that Grevlok isn't here.  He's always reading
this time of day.  Well, follow me, everyone." Raven and I had seen this
before, but we were still awed by the place.  Grevlok had taken the stone
tower and turned it into a beautiful place.  Statues, paintings, and all
sorts of things were littered about the place, giving it a festive, if
strange, atmosphere.  Diane was loving every bit of it.

   We climbed a flight of stairs and walked into a large room filled with
tables filled with books and journals.  "This is my laboratory, where I
study and practice.  This way." Before we could get a really good look at
the place, Arianna led us out another door into a small bedroom, which was
taken up almost exclusively with a huge king-sized bed.  Off to one side of
the bed was a small bookshelf stuffed with heavy volumes that looked to me
like a set of encyclopedias.  Arianna made a sweeping gesture around the
room with her hand.  "This is my bedroom."

   She led us out into the corridor and turned to face us.  "Now that
you've had a guided tour, let's try and find Grevlok.  I'd like to let him
know that I'm back.  Raven would you be so kind as to show Diane the
library, I'm sure she'll love it." Raven looked at her, nodded, and led
Diane back down the steps.

   "What was that all about?" I asked.

   "Something doesn't feel right.  Let's check the lab."

   We walked further up the circular stairway which led further up into the
tower and came once more to a landing, a doorway beckoning us.  We went
inside and found the place wrecked.  The tables were upturned, books were
strewn about, chairs smashed.  The walls were scorched black, looking like
a tremendous fire had burned the place.  It looked like all hell had broken
loose in the place.

   Arianna stood is shock for a few moments, then stiffened.  She closed
her eyes and seemed to be concentrating on something.  After a few minutes
like this, she relaxed a little and opened her eyes.

   "Grevlok has been taken by someone.  It looked like a lich!  Oh, this is
bad.  If..." She trailed off, lost in thought.  She jerked back to reality
after a second.  "We've got to get to Horkshire at once.  The council of
wizards must be informed.  We have work to do."

   We left the lab and went down to the library where Diane was, indeed,
going ape over the large collection of books Grevlok had collected over the
years.  "Well kiddies, we've got a problem.  Grevlok has been taken by some
creature and I've got to goto the Council of Wizards and inform them.  If
you'd like, I could spell the three of you back to Paul's world, but I have
to get going."

   Raven and Diane both got up and came over to us, looked at each other
and nodded their heads.

   Raven looked at me then Arianna.  "I think we'd like to help if we can,
Arianna."

   Arianna looked at me questioningly.  I nodded my head yes.  "Same here."

   Diane simply said "sure."

   Arianna looked around at us and said: "Ok then, let's get moving."

   We left the tower and found ourselves on a low hill overlooking a great
forest.  Is this whole world one big forest?  I began to wonder.  We set
off heading east, following a well-used road.  We were walking at a fairly
brisk pace, but enjoying the wondrous countryside around us.  We passed
many creatures on our way, some friendlier than others, but no one bothered
us.

   I quickened my pace and caught up with Arianna, who had been walking a
bit ahead of us, lost in thought when she wasn't mumbling to herself.  I
walked up abreast of her and smiled at her.  "Hi, sis.  Not to complain or
anything, but why don't you just zap us there instantly?  Wouldn't that
speed things up tremendously?" I was indeed puzzled by this.

   Arianna smiled back, pleased I had called her sister, then frowned at my
question.  "The council of Wizards put up a magic barrier around the city
so no one can just waltz in and out like that in their city.  Too many
important artifacts and such.  So we have to hoof it I'm afraid.  We can't
make it the whole way today.  We'll be about half way there once we reach
Ralache.  Its just a little farmer's village really, but it has a rather
nice inn that we can stay in tonight."

   I nodded my head in agreement and we continued our trek.

   After a few hours, the sun started going down and it became steadily
darker.  After another half hour, however, we arrived at the village. 
Arianna hadn't been jesting, it was pretty small.  There was a big stone
structure on the side of the road that was most probably the inn.  We
headed right for it, and as we got closer, I could read the sign that hung
over the big oak door.  It read 'Griffon's Head Inn.' We walked inside and
the place was warm and friendly in appearance.

   In fact, this place was *really* friendly.  There were people huddled in
groups drinking, dancing and singing, looking like they were have a blast.
We sat down at a table in the back of the place and the barmaid soon came
over to us and took our order.  We ordered some food and wine and she left
to get our wine.  "Well this place seems friendly enough." Diane said,
looking around.

   Arianna explained.  "Yes, the innkeeper knows me and Grevlok live near
here, so we get free food and drink and rooms because we've helped him from
time to time.  I expect he'll be out here with our drinks himself in a few
minutes, once Sherry tells him I'm here." Diane and I gave her questioning
looks.  "Oh, she's the barmaid who just took our order.  She's his wife. 
He does the brewing and cooking and she does the rest.  Their both great
friends.  They knew Silver quite well, too.  He and Grevlok sat down some
spells on this place that keeps out most of the worst types."

   Just as Arianna had predicted, a large middle-aged muscular man came out
of the kitchen with a large serving tray full of food and drink.  He headed
over to our table and set down the heavy load while greeting Arianna
merrily.

   "Ah Arianna, greetings dear child!  It's good to see you.  And what's
this?  Silver returned at last!  Greetings old friend!!" He sat goblets
down in front of each of us and poured the wine himself, filling them
happily.  He nodded to Raven.  "And greetings to you as well, tigriss." He
smiled at Diane, "and you dear lady I haven't had the pleasure.  I'm Olaf,
owner of this fair tavern.  I am at your service."

   He nodded at Arianna and me and then left for the kitchen, carrying the
serving tray back with him after serving our food.  I looked across at
Arianna and grinned.  "He seems friendly enough.  Odd that he accepted me
as Silver without a second glance.  That might come in handy someday."

   Arianna nodded, grinning back at me, raising her goblet for a toast.  "A
toast to good friends!" We proceeded to drink way too much and next thing I
knew, I was stumbling into a small room with Raven, dropping onto the bed
like a lead weight.  Sleep was the only thing on my mind at that moment,
but Raven had different ideas.  It seems the alcohol affected her
differently then it had me.  She attacked me with a vengeance, tearing away
my clothes and kissing me savagely.  She was half-tiger again, embracing me
with strong arms, her fingers ending in sharp claws that dug into my flesh
as she led me down, passionately fucking me to oblivion.  I was beyond
reasoning, beyond pain, experiencing only the pleasure my groin was sending
to my alcohol-hazed brain.  At some point, I lost consciousness.  When next
I awoke, my head was aching terribly, but to my surprise my body ached just
as equally.

   I opened my eyes to find Arianna leaning on the bed, sobbing softly into
my chest.  "Arianna...  what's going on?" I tried to sit up but my muscles
weren't responding.  Arianna looked up at me, looking amazed and relieved
at the same time, as she blinked away tears.  "Your alive?  Of thank the
goddess!!  We thought we'd lost you.  How do you feel?"

   I looked around me, as I tried to gather my wits.  I was no longer in
the small tavern room, that was for sure.  I was in some kind of large
chamber full of beds, weird statues and stain glass windows.  In short, I
had no earthly idea where I was.

   "Um, I ache all over and I can't move, other than that I'm fine, I
suppose." I grinned a little, trying to reassure her.  "Where are we?"

   She looked down at me.  "We're in Horkshire, at the temple.  You've been
on the brink of death for over two weeks.  The priests did all they could,
but it was a close thing.  We thought we'd lost you last night.  I'm so
glad your all right.  I couldn't handle losing you twice!" She buried her
head in my chest and sobbed again, and I quickly tried to comfort her. 
"Hey I'm okay.  Why can't I move by the way?"

   "Oh its just to keep you from thrashing about too much.  I'll have a
priest come take a look at you.  Don't go away." She chuckled as she
hurriedly walked away.  Well at least I'd made her laugh.  Now I just wish
my head would stop pounding like a jackhammer.

   After a indeterminable amount of time, a long-robed tall fellow came
over to the bed with Arianna not far behind.  He came over to me and placed
one hand on my forehead and the other he stretched toward the ceiling.  He
looked extremely strange and I was about to ask him what he was doing when
I felt the aches in my head and body slowly drain away, leaving me tired,
but feeling fine.  He took away his hand and faced Arianna.  "He will be
fine now.  He should sleep for a few more hours, but after that he may
leave.  Good day."

   He left, and Arianna crossed over to the side of the bed and smiled down
at me.  "I know you have a billion questions right now, but try to get some
sleep.  Just say my name four times in a row when you wake up, and I'll
come get you.

   I could hardly argue, as I was very tired and falling asleep already.  I
slept for six hours and when I woke up I did what Arianna had suggested and
said her name four times.  I sat up in the bed and found myself nude under
the sheets.  Arianna showed up and brought with her some clothes for me to
wear.  "They belonged to Silver.  This was one of his favorite outfits. 
I'm sure it'll fit you perfectly." She turned around, giving me some
privacy and I stared at the clothes she had brought.  There was a blue
shirt, black pants, black belt, silver gloves, knee-high black leather
boots, and a long silver cape.  I put them on and indeed they fit like they
had been custom made, which I suppose, they had.

   I cleared my throat and she turned around, and her eyes went wide. 
"Wow, its uncanny.  You like just like him dressed like that.  Now let's
get out of here and get you some food.  I'm sure your starved." I nodded my
head as we walked down the corridor and out of the temple altogether.  We
were in a vast city filled with creatures and people of all kinds.  We
walked several minutes until we came to what looked like a little tea shop
and walked in.  It turned out to be another tavern.  We ate a light meal
while Arianna explained a bit more about my illness.

   "That night in the tavern all four of us had drank way too much and
apparently Raven took the alcohol rather badly and most of her senses and
inhibitions were dulled, leaving her animal side to deal with you.  It
seems that even though she was really just intending to make love with you,
she accidentally hurt you rather badly.  In the morning when she awoke, you
were bleeding profusely, half-dead.  She came and got us, then ran off,
crying hysterically.  Luckily there was a traveling priest staying in the
inn that night that healed you enough so that we could get you here and to
the priests in the temple.  We almost lost you."

   I was shocked at first, then concerned.  "Where is Raven now?"

   She frowned, looking away for a moment.  "We don't know, Paul.  She's
gone off somewhere.  I'm afraid she might think she killed you.  If you
want to see her again," and she put quite a bit of emphasis on the 'if'
part, "you'd better find her pretty quick."

   I could see she blamed Raven for the whole thing.  "Arianna, it wasn't
her fault.  She must not have known what the wine would do to her.  If it
weren't for her lycanthropy nothing would have happened to me!!"

   She looked at me, her face a mask of emotions.  "Oh I know that.  We
both know that.  But Raven probably doesn't see it that way.  Grevlok and I
tried to locate her, but we think only you will be able to find her, since
your in love with her.  Oh that's right, you wouldn't know about Grevlok
would you?  I went on an expedition to a dungeon with a group sent by the
council of wizards and we rescued him and killed the lich.  It was rather
exciting, I'll tell you more about it sometime." She took a drink of her
ale and sat quietly for a few minutes.

   "What about Diane?  Where is she?"

   "Oh she went home while you were recovering in the temple.  She'd had
enough of this world, I think.  Once I told her you'd be fine she had send
her home."

   "Well what now?" I was still thinking about Raven.  Would I ever see her
again?

   "I suggest we go back to the tower and consult Grevlok.  He has
something in mind that might help you find Raven.  And besides, I need to
get back to my studies."

   We walked to a large circular building and went inside.  A stout, old
fellow teleported us to Grevlok's tower after Arianna showed him some kind
of medallion.  She pointed towards the study and stormed off deep into the
tower.  I walked into the study and found Grevlok waiting for me.  "Ah good
to see your feeling well again, young man.  I can see you have many
questions for me.  Pull up a chair and I'll do my best to answer them for
you." He smiled and put his book down, lighting his pipe.  He began puffing
on it as I sat down across from him, ready to ask him about Raven and
Arianna.

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