Elf-Made Man

Diavla was busy giving what non-magical help she could to the wounded spell caster. She only half-paid attention as everyone worked on coming up with their plan. Sheema seemed to have a surprising amount of insight on fighting demons. I guess those extra Temple lessons I missed covered a lot...

The first part of the plan was simple: get everyone willing to move to head to the Temple immediately. They wanted to keep people safe; further, they wanted to deny Quazulin more potential hosts. So, they made their way slowly along Temple Road, knocking on doors and herding people into an ever-growing crowd they were protecting as they plodded uphill. Whenever the group was threatened by possessed victims, Tom and most of the elves "deployed" with their weapons (and amulets) alongside the humans who were armed, and scared off the enemy.

In free moments, Tom and Eubexa shared what they had learned from Sir Kurt's book, and Summer Daring contributed knowledge of the town and what the Temple was up to. The conversation proceeded in fits and starts.

"The hardest part of fighting a demon is always to get him to hold still long enough to banish or kill him," Eubexa reported in two languages. "There are a few ways to do it."

"If we just keep him from touching other people, is that enough to keep him from jumping to a different host?" Arven asked.

"Unfortunately, no. A demon can actually travel a short distance without a host."

"It's a bit like holding your breath, I expect," Sheema spoke up. "They can even travel through solid rock, but not very far."

"Why don't they tunnel under the wards and escape the town, then?" Kervan wanted to know.

"The wards are designed to prevent that. They have to be, otherwise they'd be pretty useless. I don't know the details, though."

"All right, so how far can a demon go?"

"Sir Kurt didn't have any hard answers on that. One time they tried it and failed with Thazagor because their circle was too small, and the demon was able to reach someone beyond their guard."

"So, we want to get everybody into the Temple who isn't a slave to Quazulin."

"Do we have to kill everyone Quazulin's taken over?" Arven asked.

"Yes," Tom answered grimly.

Sheema cleared her throat. "Possibly...I might be able to save a few. Not many, though. It's too dangerous most of the time, but if we manage to kill Quazulin while some of the possessed still live...I can try. I'm not sure I can do it," she warned.

"So, if there are any possessed outside the town walls, where Quazulin can't get to them, we might be able to save a few of those, after," Orvan mused.

"How do we actually kill the demon?"

"Blast them with enough spells. Apparently, it takes a team of mages working together, or else a long ritual," Tom answered.

"Actually, if I can rest up and get my strength back, I think I can do it," Sheema offered.

"Are you sure?" Diavla asked worriedly.

Sheema nodded. "I'm a lot stronger than a typical human spell caster. I'm not saying no to help, but in a pinch, I can do it by myself. But I can't do much of anything without some rest." She frowned. "We don't have time to go home in the middle of this. Miss Daring? Do you have sweets at the Wandering Ax? And...a couple of rooms to rest in for a bit?"

"Yes, but I don't think we should stop before the Temple," Daring replied through Eubexa.

"The Temple won't have what I need. You're right, we shouldn't all stop, but I think I have to. I really need to sort out my soul before I go into the fight of my life. We should send this wagon with the wounded and the crowd on to the Temple, maybe both, and a few of us stop at the Wandering Ax. If possible, I'd like Kevin, Tom, Diavla, Varga, and Eubexa to translate as needed, to come with me. It won't be for long, but..."

"I'll escort you," Daring declared.

Tom frowned, clearly not liking the plan. "If we were alone, I'd say no, but with this crowd...the others will be all right, I think. Let them have both wagons, though, so the demon doesn't necessarily know some of us split off."

"I'll come with as well," Kervan reported. "Diavla, Varga, I know you can handle yourselves, but Sheema and Eubexa aren't much good in a fight, no offense. And with me along, you can send Eubexa to the Temple. She'll be needed there to talk to so many humans."

"I...should probably stay with Sheema," Eubexa began uncertainly.

"It's all right," Sheema said with a small smile. "I'll survive, and keep working on Healing you. Just...send me strength from afar."

"Yes...all right," Eubexa agreed after a moment. "I'll do that."

Diavla nodded mentally. Right. Sheema probably did better Healing on Eubexa already than she's ever received before, and the poor woman's pinned her hopes for her health on Sheema's assistance. I can see why she'd be nervous about being separated from her.

"Do we really think Quazulin is going to give us time for this?" Tom worried.

"We saw him and his crowd heading north. They must be sweeping the northern end of town for recruits the same way we are sweeping the south to keep people away from him. We'll have a while yet," Sheema said confidently.

When they reached Merchant Way, Diavla gripped her spear and hopped out of the wagon, along with Tom, Varga, and Kervan. Kevin helped Sheema down, trying to be gallant but blushing at the contact. Summer passed the reins to Arven and jumped with surprising grace for a human. The Wandering Ax sat right on the corner of Merchant Way and Temple Road.

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"Tom," Arven called. "Keep them safe."

Eubexa translated, and Tom looked at him and nodded at the crowd. "Likewise."

Summer led them inside, and headed straight to the kitchen, returning with something called apple jam and some bread rolls that had been drizzled with something surprisingly sweet.

Sheema smiled at her and cleared her throat. "Everybody, while we're safe, put your amulets on the table, just for a minute. I want to make sure they are filled, before we go back out in the crowd. Every time one of us gets close to a demon, it drains the amulet a bit, so I want us topped up before we go back out there. Diavla, would you help me with them?"

"Of course."

"Why not keep them on while you do that?" Summer asked.

"Because I'm short," Sheema said tartly. "And this way, everyone can see us work. Diavla, let's double-check each other on each amulet."

Sheema held her hand over each item. It was hard to tell whether she was actually touching them or just really close. Diavla frowned. Don't get too fancy, Sheema. You're supposed to be resting. With the ease of long practice, Diavla set aside her envy of Sheema's prowess, but her irritation at the Healer's arrogance was a little harder to dispel.

She worked carefully, determined not to give Sheema any room to criticize. All the amulets were a little below full, which wasn't too surprising given that the town was being taken over. She concentrated, focused her soul, and topped the amulets up. Sheema had already finished two-thirds of them by the time Diavla had gotten the rest.

"Switch," the busty Healer ordered with a yawn, leaning back. She was looking around, staring intently at each of the others one by one. They all seemed a bit unsettled by her gaze.

Grumbling a bit mentally, feeling like a servant, Diavla shoved the amulets around the table, and proceeded to check over Sheema's work. It was fine, as expected. She passed them back out to people, and they put them on again.

"Sheema, I notice that you're not wearing an amulet," Summer observed, a question in her voice.

Diavla spoke up before Sheema did. "She's immune. She was tested at our Temple back home. I'm not immune," she added, putting her own back on. Just another detail added to the superiority of Little Miss Perfect, she grumbled, then caught herself. I must really be feeling the stress. She clutched her amulet protectively.

"I'm not wearing one either, yet," Kevin pointed out.

"Diavla, can you pass me an empty? I'll fill it for Kevin and you can check it later." She rummaged in her pack for a moment, pulled one out and tossed it to Sheema, who caught it. The Healer shoved a sweet roll into her mouth, and moaned in pleasure. "Oh, that's good. Thank you so much, Summer. Is there a room Kevin and I could rest in for a few minutes? And maybe...one for Tom, Diavla and Varga?"

Diavla felt herself flush, but had to admit that she was feeling...amorous. That's embarrassing of her to say so bluntly, but...I have him back, after almost losing him, twice. Yes, I think I want some reassurance too. It's not just Sheema. She found that both Tom and Varga were looking at her the same way. Convenient, that.

For her part, Summer only raised her eyebrows and paused a moment, then said, "Of course. Take the ones on either side at the top of the stairs." She looked Tom up and down for a moment, a smile beginning to play on her lips.

Sheema snagged another sweet roll, then her free hand snagged Kevin's and she started leading him up the stairs. The human was helpless before Sheema's impressive bedroom eyes. She's reeling him in like a fish. I didn't know she had it in her. She looked at her own lovers and felt a wry grin.

Then again, a month ago, I didn't know that I had it in me, either!

Varga was the fastest and most enthusiastic, tugging at both of them with a huge grin. As Diavla followed them upstairs, she glanced back apologetically, but Summer and Kervan were looking at each other, smiling in shared amusement at their companions' antics. Well, at least Kervan's got good Western so they can talk while they wait for us.

All other thoughts besides that of pouncing on Tom were rapidly fleeing from her soul. They stumbled into one room and Varga started laughing as they burst in on Kevin and Sheema, who were already kissing passionately. The Healer broke off just long enough to say with a laugh, "Get out before you traumatize my poor human here! Maybe some other time!"

Feeling almost drunk, they got into the room across the hall and barely managed to get the door shut before falling onto the bed, Tom on top. Diavla lost herself in kissing Tom, their hands on each other's heads, faces, necks...Tom was forced to interrupt the kiss as Varga impatiently yanked his tunic up over his head and started working on his pants.

"Hey! Same some for me!" Varga complained. "You had him to yourself for weeks! I want some attention!" The redhead peeled out of her own armor, stripping naked at impressive speed. Then she pushed Tom aside and lay down on top of Diavla instead, kissing her frantically. Diavla couldn't help but laugh, having expected her to pounce on Tom first. Laughter quickly gave way to hums, and then moans.

I'm so excited! I'm desperate for them both! I am the luckiest woman in the world.

Varga broke off the kiss, and called, "Hey, Tom, what do you need, a map?" Then she stuck her rump up in the air and resumed kissing Diavla, who collapsed in another round of giggles.

∘ ⛥ ⛯ ⛥ ∘

Some very intense sex later, Tom appeared sated, having done quite well by both of them, and lay watching as Diavla and Varga continued to please each other. I can't get enough of them, she thought in amazed delight. This is incredible.

"We should probably stop..." Tom said reluctantly, but his eyes were fixed on their writhing bodies.

"Sheema and Kevin are still at it," Varga pointed out. Tom's human hearing might not be able to pick up what was obvious to the elven women.

"Well...maybe one more..." Tom gave in, a smile growing on his face.

"ME!" Varga and Diavla shouted at the same moment, then broke into giggles again.

This is magical, Diavla thought, brushing away a tear. I can't believe how happy I am.

∘ ⛥ ⛯ ⛥ ∘

Tom was the first to recover his wits, and found a clean rag to start cleaning up. "Beautiful women, we very need go."

Diavla blinked and listened. She didn't hear anything else from across the hall. "Poor Kevin is probably unconscious."

"He died happy," Varga declared, following her lead as she disentangled herself and sat up. "Many a traveler has vanished between two mountains and never returned."

"Shut up," Diavla told her lover, trying not to grin.

"I'm just glad some travelers like to roam the plains," Varga continued, looking down at her own chest.

"Gently rolling hills, maybe," Diavla argued.

They started cleaning up. Varga leaned closer, and tapped Diavla on the chest, suddenly looking serious.

"He cares for you more," she said matter-of-factly. "But that's all right. So do I." She grinned and leaned in for one more kiss, then began getting back into her armor. Tom "helped" her with that, then it was Diavla's turn.

She smacked a hand when it began to wander too far. "Don't start what you don't have time to finish," she chided her human. Tom retreated with good grace.

They gathered themselves and Diavla started thinking about the challenges ahead. It...was probably very unwise to take a break for this, she conceded. But it was definitely worth it. Sheema had a point about centering your soul before battle.

I know what I'm fighting for.