The Heiress of the Lake (10)

A dark romantic fantasy

For the new subscribers - I mostly write fiction, and not feisty non-fiction rants, though I might write more of those at some point. I do like to rant. But this is an epic fantasy. I hope you still give it a read. If you’re wandering how it all began, link to chapter 1 is below.

Chapter 1

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Chapter 10: The night of the Wolf

Auri observed Marcian at dinner - how could he joke and laugh so light-heartedly with Lord Lukean’s children, knowing what he and Auri planned earlier? In fact, Marci appeared to be unusually happy. Auri suspected it had something to do with Uli. 

“You’re very quiet, young Auri. Are you not pleased with Thilia valley?” Lord Lukean asked, right after dinner. 

“Oh, no! I’m amazed by the valley. And your family is lovely. It’s just… I must be tired from our long journey.”

“Of course! I shall not bother you with any more silly questions.”

“No, no, I’m… I must leave!” Auri ran out of the dining hall sobbing. She didn’t want to endure what laid ahead of her, but she was determined to do it. The heiress had made up her mind. 

Only one thing Auri wanted, before her decision would be fulfilled. A last wish. She waited in the hallway, until Magnush passed by.

“Magnush, wait!” 

“Auri? What are you doing here? You ran off so hurriedly. I understand. Our plan is… not honourable.”

“It’s vile!” Auri exclaimed.

“Either way somebody shall have to sacrifice their blood to Morten’s endeavour. You know he won’t stop until he gets the blood. As much as I pity the youngsters, you are more important, at least…to me.” Magnush held Auri’s hands. They heard Marci’s voice approaching. 

“I wish for a sword fighting practise with you tonight. Come to the garden! After nightfall!” Auri whispered in Magnush’s ear and stormed off. 

As she passed Marcian, Auri stopped, embraced him tightly, and ran to her chamber crying.

“Frogling, what…?” Marci shrugged but did not follow her to find out. Something else occupied his mind, and that something wore a fiery red dress and had given him naughty hints sitting by her stepfather’s dinner table.

***

Auri stood leaning against a young linden tree. She had come early; it wasn’t dark yet. The sunset was still blazing behind the west side of the valley, the fog crept from the lake along with the dusk. The air was fragrant - all blooming plants let out their sweet sighs. The warm and peaceful evening was made for lovers. Auri saw Marcian run through the garden toward the lake.

The sword shook in Auri’s hand. Uli had gladly lent her one. 

Auri wasn’t scared, she felt nervous…what if he wouldn’t show up? Magnush wasn’t dumb, it was clear why Auri invited him to a sword fighting practise at night. What if he thinks she’s as perverted as her father? Snakelings are extremely prudish. Maybe, he shouldn’t come…

“Oh, you’re already here!” Magnush said stepping toward her from the fog. He still had the quietest footsteps. 

Auri noticed the sword trembling in his hand. Magnush cleared his throat. 

“We haven’t practised some days. It was… it was a good idea to… practise,” he stuttered. 

“Shall we begin?”

Auri nodded and assumed the fighting position. She was so nervous, she couldn’t stand up straight. Stars appeared between the blooming branches of the linden trees. 

“Let me just… correct your posture,” Magnush hid his sword and touched her gingerly. One touch was all it took to ignite the fire. Auri dropped the sword, their bodies merged together, one fiery kiss followed another. Magnush’s lips traced her neck and shoulders, both tried to undress frantically, lost their balance and fell onto the velvet-soft grass. Auri forgot herself in his embrace, it was fire divine. 

“You don’t know… how I dreamed about your naked shoulders… each night…” Magnush whispered in her ear, breathing rapidly. One more moment longer, just a bit more and they would have been one.

“Daughter!” a voice yelled rushing to them. Bright light from the lantern hurt their eyes. Of course, they stopped, because it was Lord Lukean standing in front of them.

“Oh! It’s not Uli… I… forgive me, I thought Uli’s up to no good with your friend. They are not in their chambers. And… you should remember about decency as well! Not in my garden, if you will!” Lord Lukean scolded them and paced away red as a tomato. Indeed, both were lying in the grass half naked and out of breath. They couldn’t help but laugh at the bewildered Lord.

“He is right. You deserve better. A princess shouldn’t be rolling on the grass, disgracing herself.” Magnush helped her up. 

“Maybe you could come to my chamber?” Auri asked when he walked her back to the castle.

“I don’t think I should. We must respect Lord Lukean, while we’re here. Maybe when we leave Thilia…” 

“Maybe…” 

Auri went into the castle, though she didn’t feel like sleeping. Neither did Magnush. He returned to the garden and practised the Snakeling sword fighting alone. Loud yelling resounded above the surface of the lake and after a while Magnush saw a half-naked Marci rushing through the garden. 

“Oh, it’s you, snake!”

Magnush looked at him still swinging the sword. 

“What is it, snake?”

“I… nearly broke the promise.”

“What? Oh, that! Nearly, you say? What stopped you?”

“Lord Lukean.”

Marci laughed.

“He did, huh? The old scoundrel almost spoiled my fun too. I must say, Uli is one fiery woman! She’s more Autumnian than I am!”

“Forgive me, I didn’t keep my word not to touch Auri,” Magnush said sternly.

“Oh, I know you and Frogling have been pining for each other for a while now. I think you are decent enough for her, since you agreed to help her with the plan,” Marci paused, “but one thing though I must discuss with you. I want my Frogling to be both pleased and respected.”

“What do you mean?” Magnush blinked.

“Let’s go for a walk, snake! I know you lack experience, so…” Marci put his hand on Magnush’s shoulder in a truly brotherly manner and led him deeper into the garden. “Let me tell you the wondrous tale of the one-eyed dragon and his amazing adventures in the land of pleasure.”

Both walked and talked for a while with poor Magnush blushing in a bright red hue, but, lucky for him, it was too dark and Marci couldn’t see him colour up. 

***

Marci had left the castle not long after Auri. He saw her standing by the linden tree with the sword, but Marcian didn’t stop, his mind raced to the lake. 

Uli didn’t seem to be there, so Marcian decided to surprise her; he took off his clothes and waded into the lake. What he did not expect was the water grabbing him and carrying forcefully to the very middle of the lake. Uli was already there, submerged with her head above the surface. She made the water raise her high enough for Marci to see her cleavage, Uli was completely naked. 

“A good night for a swim, isn’t it?” he asked nervously; Marci wasn’t used to being dragged around the lake by a powerful water sorceress. Now he was completely under her whim; she might drown him if not satisfied.

“It’s a good night for a lot more than just a swim,” Uli wrapped around him, their naked bodies appeared to be made for each other, a perfect fit! Inbetween the passionate kisses, caresses and lustful cries, Marci managed to say,

“It’s not a stormy night, as you wished.”

“It’s stormy enough!” she whispered breathing rapidly. 

The lake held them like a soft bed, their rhythmic moves created ripples across the perfectly calm surface, accompanied by lustful moans of the young lovers. Just a moment before they had reached the highest point of pleasure a loud voice broke their rhythm.

“Uliani! Daughter! Stop this instant!” Lord Lukean had finally found them. He rowed his boat as quick as he could. By Uli’s wish, the two lovers submerged under the surface with their lips locked in a kiss. Their passion was not put out by Lord Lukean’s approaching, the whole lake couldn’t have drowned their lust! They reached the depth of passion under water, and swam up coughing. 

Lord Lukean had reached them - the two pairs of keen eyes shone happily in the light of his lantern. 

“Out! Both out of the water!” he yelled like a mad man. 

Uli smiled overwhelmed by joy, she couldn’t care less about her stepfather’s fury. 

She made the lake carry her and Marci to the shore, they held each other tight, while the water caressed their skin. The Lord followed in his boat.

“Uli! To the castle!” The Lord yelled. “I should’ve known - Autumnians are not to be trusted! I don’t want to see the sight of you until the morning!” he yelled at Marci, as the latter tried to pull the clothes onto his wet skin. 

“Yes, sir! Until the morning, sir!” Marci replied. He winked at Uli, still smiling in the afterglow of their nearness, and the tall Autumnian ran up the hill and into the garden, where he met Magnush. 

***

Auri paced around her chamber. She was restless. The heiress had decided to leave tonight, and find Heron, the Birdling sorcerer.

A noise of swords clashing echoed through the castle. Men screaming, furniture falling, glass smashing. Auri’s eyes widened - they had come for her. 

They had come to get her, before she managed to get to them first. Such was her decision - Auri was about to offer herself to the Wolfling and her father’s soldiers, she comprehended - if the Birdling sorcerer Heron, her father’s servant was nearby, he was sent to find Auri. It couldn’t be a coincidence. And the Wolfling should be there as well. Morten was clever enough to understand where Auri would go, if she’s not planning on hiding until his death. Although she could hide until Morten dies, considering it should not be too long before he does, without the relief for the Dragonling’s flame. Auri realised, if Morten does not have her blood, the next one on his list would be Lord Lukean or his children. Auri wished to spare their lives. Therefore, only one thing was left to do.

Suddenly Crane slammed the door of her chamber open.

“Run, young Auri, Autumnian soldiers are here for you, the Wolfling…”

Auri grabbed her sword and rushed into the hallway.

“To the other side, Auri! Don’t go there!”

The heiress went in the direction of the noise. Women screamed, glass shattered across the floor. 

“Let go of her! That’s not the heiress!” Lord Lukean yelled. He and his whole family stood in the entrance hall, all in their night gowns, dragged from their rooms by the soldiers. 

Auri saw him - Regnar the Wolfling, with his cold blue eyes staring viciously at Uli, he held a dagger at her throat.

“I know it’s not her, you bastard, though she looks a lot like the one I’m searching. Her scent is different.” Regnar sniffed Uli’s hair, holding her in a tight grip. “Now, tell me where the heiress is, or I’ll have to taste this juicy little morsel!” he licked Uli’s neck, she shook, crying. Distant sounds of swords clashing echoed from the garden. Marci and Magnush were fighting their way to the castle. 

“Here I am! Let go of her!” Auri stepped forward from the shadows. 

“Long time no see! You are lucky! We nearly left this area, waiting whole winter here. Your father is getting impatient. We’re leaving as soon as that old bird Heron arrives!” Regnar pushed Uli away and slowly paced to Auri. 

“Put the sword down, it’s pointless,” he growled.

“I’ll do whatever you want, but don’t hurt Lord Lukean and his family! Please!”

“Alright! We don’t need their blood, if we have you.”

Auri dropped the sword.

“That’s a good girl!” Regnar grabbed her. “Since that bastard Heron is late, we might entertain ourselves while we wait! I think I saw a nice room here…” 

Regnar dragged Auri to the Lord’s chambers. He tied her wrists together.

“We wouldn’t want you to scratch my eyes out! Let’s not spoil the fun!”

He pushed her onto the floor, ripped the buttoned back of her dress open, the tiny pearls scattered across the floor and hit the walls. Regnar sat upon her, pinning Auri to the floor with his weight, he pulled the leather belt from his trousers. 

“First, I will punish you for making me wait so long, princess!” 

He whipped her naked back with the leather belt, ripping her soft skin to shreds. Auri screamed and cried in pain, but she didn’t beg for mercy. 

“How I love the smell of fresh blood,” Regnar gave her back a lengthy lick with Auri shaking in pain.

“I’ve punished you, now I shall reward you!” Regnar tore the back of her dress some more and began to unbutton the front of his pants. 

The door slammed open.

“Regnar, release the heiress this instant! Lord Morten wants her alive!” Heron ran in and dragged the Wolfling from Auri. 

“Now, why would I kill her, Heron? When I could have so much fun with her being alive? You indeed are a killjoy!” Regnar had to button up his pants. 

Heron picked Auri from the floor and shielded her from the Wolfling.

“Her fate is dark enough without your doing! Back off you despicable mutt!” Heron grunted. He noticed Auri’s back, covered in lengthy, bleeding wounds. 

“Who are you calling a mutt?! I’ll cut your bird guts open here and now!” Regnar pointed his dagger at Heron’s throat. 

“That wouldn’t be wise. Lord Morten needs me to revive his wife.”

Regnar spat at his feet.

“I’ll have my fun one way or another! This Wolfling will have his prey tonight!” he paced out of the chamber. 

“Your father awaits. I must take you there quickly. Forgive me, golden one!” Heron covered Auri with his cloak and took her downstairs.  Lord Lukean’s family was still there, the Autumnian soldiers watched their every move.

Weary from the fright and the beating, Auri stumbled down the stairs. Lord Lukean observed her with great sympathy. On his way out, Regnar grabbed Uli and pulled her along.

“Let go of her!” Lord Lukean reached for his stepdaughter, but the armed soldiers stood around him like a wall.

“But you agreed not to hurt her!” Auri cried.

“And you didn’t repay me for it, so… I’ll take what’s mine!” Regnar shrugged and pulled Uli along violently. 

The soldiers retreated by Regnar’s command, though some were still fighting off Marci and Magnush. 

Auri’s teary eyes widened at the sight of a large, red dragon sitting on the hillside near the castle - it was Red.

“This is the reason I was delayed. I had to summon the dragon. You shouldn’t have suffered more than you’re fated,” Heron told Auri apologetically. “Your father wants to revive Aurora as soon as possible. The fire is killing him. If you hadn’t showed up anytime soon, we would’ve taken Lord Lukean or his children,” Heron explained. Indeed, Morten’s impatience made his fiery seizures truly unbearable, he arranged for the best Autumnian dragon riders to find and tame Red. They had been waiting for a sign from Heron. 

A cart was fastened to Red’s back. 

“Stop, Heron! It’s not too late to change your dark ways!” a powerful woman’s voice echoed in the night. Crane stood in front of them, with her black eyes sparkling like the stars above their heads.

“You were a magnificent Healer! Stop this vile deed and redeem yourself!” Crane shouted.

“Who is this bitch? Get out of the way!” Regnar replied.

“It’s too late for me, Crane! The golden one cannot be saved and neither can I…” he replied. The soldiers attacked Crane, but the Birdling sorceress became a crane bird and flew into the starry skies. 

“No, Frogling! Let go of her! Uli!” Marcian yelled behind their backs. He and Magnush had murdered all the Autumnian soldiers in the garden.

“We don’t have time for these bastards, let’s go!” Regnar growled as they got into the cart, with the rest of the soldiers following them. The red beast shook its head, but obeyed the Autumnians. It flapped its wings and ascended. Auri heard Marci’s and Magnush’s voices calling her far below, a crane bird cried nearby. The heiress closed her eyes crying. Auri’s final hour would follow after the flight.