Fan Fiction ❯ The Climatic First Encounter ❯ Memories ( Chapter 6 )

Memories

 

Schooling his breathing and forcing his body to relax, Shade eventually feigned sleep long enough that the bounty hunter allowed himself to sleep as well. Obviously the human didn't know that elves did not require sleep and merely slipped into a trance-like state when they required rest. There was no way in hell that Shade could rest right now. Every little sigh from the bounty hunter sent chills down his spine. Or when the human's hands moved in his sleep, the elf found himself aching and secretly hoping that they would slide over his skin like earlier. But he was to be disappointed for the human only held him close, obviously fearing that the elf would escape somehow during the night.

 

So instead, Shade forced his mind to turn away from his lustful thoughts to ones of his escape. Still somewhat shocked that he had been accused of murder, Shade had to figure out who he supposedly killed and then had to find the real killer. A thief by nature, the elf prided himself on only stealing prized art pieces and only from families that they did not belong to. His nightly activities were rarely dangerous, just required great skill and making sure no one ever found out his identity. Only one man knew what he did and that was the old human wizard Abel, and he was a very old friend, one that would never betray the elf. It almost hit Shade like a stack of books. The old man and their last visit immediately flood his memories.

 

Flashback

 

The shadowy figure slipped along the rooftops, leaping between houses. Stopping suddenly, he crouches down and grabs a hold of an eave and slowly lowers himself into an open window on the third floor of the house. Once inside the room, the shadowy figure stands up and pulls off his gloves. A voice greets him from the other side of the room.

 

“A bit late tonight aren't you boy?”

 

The voice was gravelly and worn by time but filled with humor. The shadowy figure merely shakes his head before pulling his mask off, revealing the scarlet haired elf.

 

“Well you know me Abel. I just can't resist Lord Nanther's eldest daughter when she bats those eyelashes of hers. I would almost consider marrying her if she were good at anything else, But unfortunately for even her most talented mouth and her pretty little bedroom sighs aren't enough for me to overlook her utter selfishness. I actually pity the man that gets stuck with her. She is a wildcat when her clothes are off but hellcat the rest of the time.”

 

Shade chuckles and the old mage pour each of them a small glass of wine, as throws himself down on the couch. Folding one leg over the other, the elf gratefully accepts the wineglass and takes a long sip. Sighing, he raises it to the mage with a mock salute.

 

“You always manage to get the good stuff.” He tells the mage.

 

The old man counters, “Of course and if you would be willing to commit that brilliant mind of yours to something other than stealing and chasing skirts, I would gladly leave my entire wine cellar to you.”

 

“While that is very tempting, I don't think magic is for me. I can rob the blind and sleep with any girl without even breaking a sweat. I just can't see myself locked into a study wasting those perfectly good talents while I read through books older than my grandfather.”

 

The elf's tone was light, for this exact conversation took place every night and every night it ended the same way. As a matter of fact, Shade would find it most unusual if the old man didn't ask him every time.

 

The subject quickly turned from Shade's lack of motivation to that of the old mage's favorite subject. Politics. Lately it seemed that the mage was growing more and more disgusted and Shade feared he would speak out and take action and if he did, well, the old man wouldn't stand a chance. Standing to his feet, Shade sets the wineglass down and bows stiffly at his waist.

 

“I was later tonight than normal so I shall take my leave now. I know you are frustrated but things can be changed, sometimes it just takes time. I will see you tomorrow night then.”

 

Waving goodbye, the elf slips back out the window and soon disappears into the night. Almost an entire day passes before once again; the elf is making his way through the shadows and slipping into the old man's home. Entering the window, the elf trips over something and tumbles across the floor. Springing to his feet, he is greeted by the room practically destroyed and a wild-eyed old mage. The old man runs to the elf and grips him tightly on each shoulder. The stench of alcohol was heavy on his breath and the elf nearly swoons from it. The older man's eyes were wide, almost as if he was afraid of something and with strength the elf didn't know Abel possessed, the mage continues to grip his shoulders.

 

Shade struggles before shouting, “Abel! What is wrong?”

 

The mages voice was somehow different as he answered. “You must promise me this. No more dodging around the subject. If I die, you must take all my possessions and keep this house. Only you! Do you hear me?”

 

Shaking his head, Shade attempts to give his normal response to this request but the mage grips his arms painfully and shakes him before yelling once again.

 

“I am not playing games this time Shade! You MUST promise me this tonight!” Abel shoves Shade away and the elf stumbles backwards, landing on the overturned couch he had tripped on when he entered.

 

“What the hell Abel? You know I am not cut to be a spellslinger like you. What gives?” the elf yells back from the ground.

 

Abel makes his way to the ground and pulls the elf into a hug. In tear filled whisper, he continues. “You are like the son I never had and I need you to protect what is mine. I don't think I will be here much longer and I do not want my enemies to have my things. Don't you understand?”

 

Once again the stench of the alcohol on his breath nearly knocks Shade over. The longer Abel held him, the tighter his hold became and Shade was beginning to feel seriously ill. Scrambling, the elf manages to free himself from the wizard's embrace and hastily crawls away. Turning around, Shade watches the old man sit on the floor, half weeping, half spaced out and merely shakes his head. Abel was probably so drunk he wouldn't remember half of this in the morning so reluctantly Shade decides to agree to the mage's terms just to make him happy.

 

“Fine Old Man, I agree. I think I am going to go home now and you should get some sleep. I will see you tomorrow.” But Abel didn't acknowledge his words, he just merely sat there. “Till tomorrow night then! Next time don't start drinking without me though, alright?”

 

Not bothering to wait, the elf slips out the window and makes his way to the street below. Suddenly a twig snaps and it sounds like a shot in the dark. Shade whirls around, and instead of finding himself on the city streets he realizes that he is in the arms of the bounty hunter still.

 

End Flashback

 

Another twig snaps and Shade's eyes flick in the direction of the sound. Someone was out there and they were sneaking, just not very well. Closing his eyes and concentrating, Shade can hear what sounds like a small group moving about the trees. His mind whirls and he struggles a bit causing the bounty hunter to tighten his steely grip even more. It was an ambush and Shade was the only one who knew. Part of him wanted to keep quiet and see what happened but then there were all of those innocent people and if they were attacking the caravan looking to rob it, the elf knew he wouldn't be able to live with any deaths on his conscience.

 

Moving his elbow so that he could poke the bounty hunter in the ribs, Shade attempts to wake him up. But instead the human just holds him close and presses his face into Shade's hair. A small thrill courses through the elf's body and he finds his body tightening in reaction. With a throaty groan, Shade manages to spread his arms apart and pushes against the human's arms. Giving himself just enough room to move around, the elf wiggles so that his chest is pressed against his captors. Slowly, his fingertips slide down the metal rings of the manacles scraping against their clothing, until Shade reaches the hem of the bounty hunters shirt. Pulling it up, the elf flattens his palms against the warm skin beneath, hoping that the metal was cold. At the same time, he leans forward and with the tip of his tongue, traces the line formed by the bounty hunter's lips. Instantly the human's eyes jerk open and his lips part as if he were going to say something. Shade doesn't give him the time, for he leans in again and slams his mouth against him, slipping his tongue into the other man's mouth. His tongue strokes the inside of his victim's mouth, while his hips unconsciously grate against larger ones. Just as the bounty hunter begins to respond, Shade painfully yanks away and whispers breathlessly, “There is an ambush party moving through the woods. I think they mean to attack the caravan.”

 

 

[Author's Note - Here is your next update! Hope you like! Please leave a review or send us a message! We take all constructive criticism into thought. The story is going to get more action filled from here and a surprising choice will have to be made by our Elven friend here soon. Look for an update by this time next week, for as we get closer to Christmas things will be a bit more hectic. Thanks!]