Suikoden Fan Fiction ❯ Epiphany ❯ Chapter 1
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Xeria 
Makai gets just the push he needs to move beyond his position as leader of Two River City.
Anime/Manga: Suikoden Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.05.2001 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Completed
Makai gets just the push he needs to move beyond his position as leader of Two River City.
Anime/Manga: Suikoden Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama / Hentai | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.05.2001 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.4K | Visits: 1.3K | Status: Completed
This is my first time writing anything of this caliber. What can I say? I'm a huge Makai fan. Please read and review, so I'll know what to improve on when I write my next piece of fanfiction.
Epiphany
Makai stared at the papers before him. So much had to be done for Two River following the attempted invasion by Highland. Ridley still didn't trust him much, but gave him control of the kobold village just the same. The wingers, too, seemed to have calmed down and let themselves be governed by one person. Petitions for more supplies, reports on the population, and other administrative papers flowed through his office daily.
He had just recieved word a few days ago that Gustav had aligned himself with the new Liberation Army. He smiled to himself. Gustav was a good man and knew that joining forces was the only way to defeat Highland. However, it was one thing to pledge allegiance to someone; it was quite another to leave one's hometown to fight. Teresa had had to, for Greenhill was already under the control of Highland. He and Gustav were forced to stay at their respective cities, and continue governing as if nothing was occurring.
Not that he minded, though. He loved Two River with his whole self, and would do anything to protect the people within. Every now and then, he longed to join the people he owed the safety of his city to, and fight alongside them at the forefront of every battle. Yet, Two River needed him alive and well, if only to keep the vultures on the high councils at bay.
They regarded him as a weakling, he knew, and were all set to remove him from his position when Highland threatened, but the victory secured his job for a little while longer. How long would his tenure as plenipotentiary last? Could be days, could be years. No one knew, but the slightest mishap could get him thrown out of office. That was one of the reasons why he stayed behind as Ridley went to join the others at their headquarters.
Every now and then, the kobold general, or one of the other recruits, would stop by on their way through Two River and say hello. Sometimes they would stay for dinner, or even overnight. Makai always welcomed them with open arms, and provided whatever hospitality he could. That, however, didn't prepare him for the last time a member of the Liberation Army stopped by. It was just the other day...
***
extended flashback
***
Makai was sitting at his desk, surrounded by councilmembers and servants pouring spiced wine. Lord Benton argued viciously with Lady Jenia over food prices, as Makai rubbed his temples, willing some unforseen interruption to free him from the rabble. So far, it wasn't working. He sighed loudly, hoping the high councils would get the message and leave him alone.
As if on cue, a servant burst through the door, panting heavily. "Lord Makai! We need you at the city gates!" he said in a rush. Makai stood and blinked, wondering what could make the boy so frantic. The other councilmembers stared at the messenger with eyes that dared him to interrupt them again, making him uncomfortable.
"I'll be right there," Makai responded, and the servant nodded once and rushed out. He turned to the surrounding crowd. "If you'll excuse me, there's a matter that requires my attention." Hiding a smirk, he made his way through the gathering and out the door.
"Who the hell does he think he is anyway?" Benton asked, after the door had closed.
"The plenipotentiary, Benton," Jenia replied.
"Not for long..."
***
A large crowd had gathered around near the entrance by the time Makai arrived. In the middle of it all, one of the Two River doctors and the messenger he'd seen earlier were crouched over a pale young woman with silvery hair. Makai approached the cluster, and the doctor motioned for him to draw closer. As he knelt, it was explained to him that the girl was found passed out in the wilderness. He examined her face, and suddenly realized who she was.
"This is Miss Sierra! One of the Liberation Army's members..." he exclaimed, drawing glances from the doctor and messenger.
"You know her?" the doctor asked.
"She's come through town a few times with Lord Fendril. I'm afraid I don't really know much about her though..."
The doctor nodded gruffly, and lifted Sierra into his arms. "At any rate, we must get her out of the sun and into bed. Lord Makai, if you would lead the way, please." Makai smiled briefly and left in the direction of his abode, the doctor following silently.
***
"You can put her in here, Master Yancy," Makai said, opening the door to the guest room. Yancy, the doctor, entered and placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket and placing a wet washcloth on her forehead.
"She should be fine with rest," Yancy explained. "Probably just sunstroke." Makai nodded, face filled with its usual worry.
"I'll get Nadia to watch over her," he responded. "I'm sure the councils are waiting for me to return to my office." Yancy grinned at that.
"Just don't let them get the best of your, Lord Makai." Makai watched the doctor leave, then sat down next to the bed.
"I wonder what she's doing out here by herself..." he thought aloud. As he reached to gently wipe her face with the cloth, he noticed some hair had fallen over her face. He moved the strands away softly, fingertips brushing against her pale skin. Even though her face had a washed-out appearance, she still looked remarkably...pretty. He was still staring at her, almost in a daze, when Nadia arrived, touching his shoulder lightly. He jumped, startled by his maid, and then stood and smiled at her. "I trust you'll take good care of her, Nadia?" he asked.
"Of course, Lord Makai. Any guest of yours gets the best treatment."
"Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I must get back to work. I'll
check in later, after the peanut gallery retires." Nadia laughed heartily at his last comment.
"Oh, do be careful what you call them, Lord Makai," she responded, dabbing at her eyes. "They'll use any chance they can get to throw you out on your rear."
"Don't I know it..." Makai stared off into space a moment, then nodded once and left without further word.
***
The day passed quickly after that. Makai pointedly ignored each and every councilmember until they finally threw their hands up in disbelief and left him alone. Shortly after the meeting concluded, he went to go check on Sierra, and was informed by Nadia that the girl was still as pale as she was when she was brought in. Makai thought this odd, and asked Nadia to go fetch the doctor. She said she'd already tried, and that Yancy had gone home to his cottage in the mountains. Makai decided to send for him in the morning.
A bright moon shone over the town of Two River, washing the buildings in its pale light. Makai looked out the window on one of the rivers flowing through town separating the humans from the wingers, still attired in his formal clothes, yet lacking shoes and socks for comfort. It was so calm, so tranquil, with nary a person to bother him with reports and petitions and the like. He wished then the morning would never come.
A knock interrupted the peaceful silence, soft yet demanding at the same time. Makai blinked. Who could possibly want to speak with him at this time of night, he wondered. Shrugging off his suspicions that Benton and Jenia were back to bother him for more tax approvals, he called out, "The door's open. Come in."
Much to his suprise, an ashen face greeted him when he turned around. "I trust I'm not disturbing you, Lord Makai," Sierra said, almost whispering, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Makai stared at her for a moment, bewildered by the fact that her face was still so pale, yet she acted as though there was nothing wrong. "I...Are you well, Miss Sierra?"
Sierra smiled slightly again, and stepped into the pool of moonlight that shone on the floor. He was then struck by the...exotic beauty, he supposed...of the girl before him. Her large, red eyes stared into his own eyes, unblinking, and her silver hair stirred gently with each slight movement she made. Something about her struck him as peculiar, but he couldn't quite figure out what.
She widened her smile has he stared at her, and said, "Oh, I'm quite well, believe me."
"Are you certain? You don't look well..."
Instead of answering, Sierra crossed the remaining distance to him, and fingered the large collar of his robe somewhat distastefully. "Why do you wear such clothing, Lord Makai? It doesn't suit you..."
A faint sheen of sweat broke out across his forehead as he shakily set his goblet on the desk next to him. "These...These are the customary garments of the plenipotentiary of Two River, Miss Sierra. It's required I wear them."
A flash of teeth from behind her lips appeared, then, and Makai could have sworn there was something odd about it. "It's after hours, Lord Makai. No one would see anything...different..."
He stammered, flustered and searching for a response. The wink she gave him as she turned around and reached for the pitcher of wine certainly didn't help either. "Perhaps you should...uhm...get some more rest? You still look pale..." He stepped backward until the back of his legs hit the edge of his chair.
Sierra threw her head back and laughed, confusing him. "You still don't know who I am, do you?"
"You're Miss Sierra, a young girl Lord Fendril met in Tinto..." he replied, blinking. What was she getting at, he wondered.
"Young? Hardly." She brought a glass of wine to her lips and sipped delicately. "One doesn't traditionally apply the word 'young' to someone over two hundred years old."
Time stopped. Makai's jaw hung open as he stared at her in disbelief. Two HUNDRED years old, he screamed mentally. Suddenly, he remembered tales of what had happened in Tinto, and his throat clenched up on him, making his words sound strained. Reports of a female vampire aiding in the defeat of that monster flooded his mind. "You're...you're like Neclord, aren't you?"
"How observant, Lord Makai. Yes, I am a vampire, like Neclord." Makai searched the room with his eyes for a weapon to defend himself with should she attack him. Sierra thought this very amusing. "Oh, don't be frightened. I'm not as 'evil' as that old bag was."
"You...vampire..." he stuttered. It explained why she still appeared so pale, of course, but the truth was turning out to be more odd than any explanation he could have concocted.
Sierra rolled her russet eyes. "Feeling articulate, are we? Don't be scared of me, Lord Makai. I won't bite...unless you want me to," she finished with a wink before taking another sip of wine, this time cringing with distaste. "What *is* this swill you drink?" Makai just stared, unblinking. Sighing, she set her glass down on his desk and approached him. He tried to back up more, but the chair blocked his path, and he fell down onto it with a dull thud.
"What...What do you want?" Sierra merely smiled and softly laid a hand on his cheek.
"For the last time, Lord Makai," she began, whispering, "you have nothing to fear from me." She gently kissed him on the forehead and then pulled back, looking into his bright blue eyes. She felt something strange, something she hadn't felt since she met Fendril in Tinto. An aura of innocence and simplicity. She furrowed her brow thoughtfully, wondering if there was something about the man before her that she didn't know. "Lord Makai...how old are you?"
Makai gazed at her, dumbfounded. "I...I am twenty-two, Miss Sierra. Why do you ask?"
That caught her off-guard more than anything. Surely he wasn't *that* innocent, she thought. Perhaps her senses were just skewed by the sun from earlier. "I see..." She wavered on her feet for a moment.
"Miss Sierra, is something the matter?" he asked worriedly, rising from his seat. Sierra looked as though she might collapse at any given moment. Placing a hand on her upper arm, he steadied her as she regained her balance.
"I have been better... Perhaps it is time for a drink," she murmured, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.
"I'll get you a glass of water, then," he offered, wanting to be of help. Something about her mannerisms told him she wouldn't willingly hurt him, and he placed a small amount of trust in that. She laughed ruefully.
"I think you've forgotten what I am, Lord Makai. That wasn't the kind of drink I had in mind..."
"What do you mean?" He looked confused for a second, then the realization of what she meant hit him. "Oh... Well, I'm sure Yancy could help you, if it's urgent..." She placed a finger over his lips to silence him.
"Your doctor is too far away to be of much good." Then, she eyed him curiously. "Would you truly help me?"
"If you needed it desparately, I suppose. Why?" Sierra fingered his collar once again, thoughtfully.
"It wouldn't hurt much, I don't think. And I always carry around medicine for the wound it leaves..."
"Miss Sierra, surely you aren't suggesting--" She cut him off with a glance.
"Ever wonder what it's like to be bitten by a vampire, Lord Makai?"
***
A loud crash. Makai looked down at the shattered remains of the wine glass previously held in his hand as he broke out in a sweat. Feeling something light brush across his ear, he looked up to find Sierra a few mere inches from him. "M-Miss Sierra..." he stuttered. "P-Please..."
Her hand roamed around under his chin to locate the clasp holding his collar in place.
"Don't worry, Lord Makai. It won't hurt much..." she said with a glimmer in her eye as she unhooked the latch and slid her hand down to the sash tied around his waist. "But we really should at least get you out of this robe. I'm sure you wouldn't want any...stains..."
The feather-light feel of her fingertips slipping down across his chest released feelings and urges inside him previously unknown. A foreign fire seared his skin where her touch was felt, even if only through his clothing. He shuddered almost involuntarily, and it was noticed by Sierra, drawing a smirk. She stopped her hand just above the sash, and looked him in the eyes.
"If it's this repulsive to you I can always go find someone out in the town," she murmured, grinning. Another faint layer of sweat coated Makai's forehead.
"Uhm... No, it's f-fine..." A hand slipped around to his back and fingered the ends of the sash.
"You sure? I wouldn't force you to do something like this." Fingers deftly undid the knot, and held it in place for the moment.
Makai nodded hesitantly, gulping. "I-If this is what you need, Miss Sierra..." The fingers let the sash fall to the floor, and his robe soon followed, revealing a rather ordinary dark grey shirt and black pants.
She lifted a hand up and traced his jawline, and then down the side of his neck, drawing more shudders from him. "I'd be careful, Lord Makai, or else I might thing you were beginning to enjoy this," she said, winking.
"I...It...erm..." he stammered, confused by what she was saying. She gently guided him backward until he was once again seated in his chair.
"Now what did I say about worrying? Just close your eyes and relax. It'll be over soon..." Sierra then perched herself on his lap, much to his suprise, and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his throat. She could feel the tension building in him under his clothes, and frowned. "Makai, I said to relax. I can't do this properly if you're tense."
"R-Right..." She smirked as she watched him forcibly relax. Licking the tips of her canines, she brushed her lips across areas of his neck, and, murmuring for Makai to relax one last time, let her teeth sink into his flesh. His body jerked in response to the sudden blinding pain, and then he fell back into his chair. She could tell the poor man had most likely fainted from the shock, as so many others she had taken had done before. Withdrawing her canines, she licked delicately at the blood that oozed forth from the small wounds, feeling her strength return gradually.
Determined to not drain him completely, she reluctantly pulled away, removing a small vial of green liquid from the folds of her clothing. She dabbed some of the fluid onto each tiny hole, and watched as the blood clotted and closed the opening. She smiled; soon, he would awaken, and he would be thirsty if her experiences were any proof of the aftereffects. Pulling herself off his lap, she smiled slightly at his still form, and then walked out to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.
***
When she returned, she found him back at the window, a full wine glass in one hand, the other rubbing his temples. Handing him the glass of water, she asked, "How are you feeling, Lord Makai?"
"I've...been better... Little disoriented..." he replied, looking at her through narrowed eyelids. She smiled knowingly.
"It's best if you drink water afterward. Wine could throw your system off-key." He nodded and drank from the glass of water, setting the wine on a shelf. She walked around him and looked at the two puncture wounds on his neck, frowning slightly. "You've been messing with them, haven't you?"
"I can't help it..." he said sheepishly. Sierra smiled again, and retrieved a strip of gauze and a few pieces of tape from a nearby first aid box.
"They won't heal properly if you don't leave them alone, you know." Standing on her tiptoes, she gently taped the gauze in place over the dual holes.
"Thank you..." he murmured, touching the makeshift bandage thoughtfully. She leaned back some to look into his blue crystal eyes, and found a glimmer there she hadn't seen for a long time. With no words, she reached up with a hand, rested it on the back of his head, and pulled him down into a soft kiss.
Makai froze, her actions startling him. Not knowing how to respond, he merely stood there, waiting for her to finish. She pulled back eventually, returning her gaze to his eyes. "M-Miss Sierra..." he stammered.
"Lord Makai, have you ever...been...with a woman?" she inquired, tilting her head to one side.
"I...no...I have not..." he replied, hunching his shoulders as though he was ashamed. She stroked the side of his head delicately.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Lord Makai," she said, like she could read his thoughts. "It's almost...charming..."
"W-What are you getting at, Miss Sierra?" he asked. She brushed her lips across his again.
"I find you...most desirable..."
"M-Miss Sierra..." Placing a finger to his lips to silence him, she smiled gently.
"For the both of us, Lord Makai..."
She lowered his chin to kiss him again, and this time he responded, if only barely. New emotions raged inside him, nearly taking complete control of his body. He didn't understand them completely, and attempted to restrain them as best he could. He fought to keep his hands at his side, to keep himself from wrapping his arms around her, for somehow, perhaps unconciously, he knew where things would go if he did.
Breaking the kiss, Sierra slipped her hands down to the belt holding his pants in place and fingered it as she looked into his eyes, winking. "M-Miss Sierra...what are you doing?" he asked worriedly.
"Just be patient, Lord Makai. You'll see...." Deft fingers undid the belt buckle, and slowly pulled it through the loops, dropping it to the floor, much to Makai's dismay.
"Miss S-Sierra!" he exclaimed, only to be silenced by a look from her. She fiddled with the button on his slacks, opening it with ease, and gingerly pulled the zipper down, not wanting to frighten Makai anymore than he already was. She could feel the heat coming off his body, as he tried desperately to resist what was happening. Her delicate hands crept beneath his shirt, lightly caressing his skin. Her motions drew shivers from Makai as her fingers brushed his nipples, pulling his shirt with them.
"Lift your arms..." she whispered, and he complied, not wanting to anger her. She lifted the shirt up and over his head, his upper body finally completely visible. She looked him over for a moment; he wasn't exactly muscular, like Viktor was, but then he wasn't too thin or too out of shape. Makai caught her gazes, and broke out into a faint sweat. She smiled, tracing a path with her finger down his chest and abdomen to the edge of his pants once more.
"We'll simply have to do something about these," she murmured, rubbing the fabric with dislike. Slipping her hands into the opening, she slowly tugged his pants down some, until they were loose enough to fall the remaining distance to his ankles.
Makai flushed with embarassment at having been seen in such a manner. Yet, he knew it wasn't over, as he saw her eye his undergarments speculatively. After a moment, she looked back at his face, and pointed down at his feet. "You'll have to lift your feet, Lord Makai..." He turned his gaze to his feet and nodded, lifting one leg and a time and letting the pants fall to the floor.
Sierra's eyes upon him were making him increasingly nervous, and it certainly didn't help his disposition when she leaned forward and placed feathery kisses on his chest, wrapping her arms loosely around his waist. It took all his strength to keep himself from backing away from her advances. "M-Miss Sierra...why--" he tried to say before she tenderly kissed him.
"Don't speak, Makai..." she sighed as she broke the kiss. He nodded without hesitation in response, and she captured his mouth in another kiss. Her hands drifted to the top of his undergarments, and, with a forceful tug, dropped them to the floor. The trancelike state shattered briefly as she pulled her lips away from his, looking upward with a sparkle in her eye and a mischievous smile.
Before he could blink, she was in a crouching position, gently massaging his thighs as she took him in with her eyes. He closed his eyes and quivered slightly, feeling her presence in close proximity to his lower region. Leaning forward, she looked up and sought his eyes as she opened her mouth just enough to let her hot breath cascade upon his tip. It responded as expected, by twitching and rising some as if asking for more. Not to disappoint, she closed the remaining distance, softly kissing it and letting her tongue slide across the very tip.
It was more than Makai could handle at that point. Losing control of his muscles, he stumbled backwards, arms flailing wildly, until he slammed into his chair. He fell down into it with a hard thud, and his force of motion sent the chair, and him, wheeling back until it hit the wall. Sierra merely stood and smiled gently, as if she knew what thoughts raced through the man's mind.
She crossed the stretch of room that now separated them, fiddling with the broach that held her cloak in place. Reaching him, she placed her hands on his knees and bent forward to look him in the eye. "I know it seems sudden, Makai...but I promise you I won't hurt you," she soothed. Taking his hand in hers and kissing his knuckles, she continued. "I know, somewhere in there, you're enjoying it, or you wouldn't have let it get this far. And I wouldn't have started if I didn't want to finish. So what do you say?" A familiar glint appeared in her eyes. "After all, I wouldn't want to leave our...urges...hanging out to dry..."
He looked into her eyes, and saw the sincerity behind her statements. "Y-Yes..." he finally answered, and she grinned.
"Thank you..." She pulled him into another kiss, tender and full of promises. He returned it slowly, arms hesitantly raising up to cup her face in his hands. She broke from the embrace, nipping suggestively at his lower lip, and took his hands in hers again. As he watched with cautious interest, she drew them down to the clasp of her cloak. He caught on to what she wanted of him, and, fumbling occasionally, detached the broach and let the azure shawl drop to the floor.
She reached over her shoulder, and untied the ribbon of her dress. Without prompt, Makai slid his arms around her and tugged her outer clothing to the floor, revealing her soft, if pale, skin to him. He sharply sucked his breath in, his eyes roaming over her body. He had never been this close to the female form in its natural state, and he was unsure as to what he should do next.
Sierra saw the slight confusion painted on his face, and grasped his hand, pressing it gently to her breast. Sweat broke out anew across his forehead as he made contact with her skin. The feel of her skin as his fingertips touched her was like a gentle wind brushing over a feather, taking care not to disturb the delicate perfection that lay inherent. It amazed him that someone as strong as her could still feel so...delicate...in his hands. Her head was tilted back, eyes half-closed, as she basked in his touch.
He stopped his caressing motions to pull her to him in another passionate kiss. His hands slid down the sides of her body, reaching the top edge of her underwear, already damp with sweat. He slipped them from her hips, then ran his hands back up to her back and slowly massaged her.
She straddled his legs as he pulled her closer, reveling in her beauty. Then, something snapped internally. No longer was he worried about the repercussions that might arise from the act. The only people existing in his mind at that moment were himself and Sierra.
He pulled his mouth from hers, sliding it across her cheek to kiss her throat. She purred deep in her throat, leaning her head forward to nip lightly at his shoulder. He winced slightly, and reached up with a hand to gently pull her head from his shoulder. Studying her face for a moment, he asked with his eyes if she was ready. She merely smiled and nodded once, as though she had been in the situation countless times before.
He held her waist with both hands as she adjusted her position, her eyes never leaving his. Her lips crashed down on his in a hungry kiss, his hands gingerly guiding her down. As he finally entered her, he felt his muscles slowly begin to tense. Their kiss softened considerably, their bodies rocking together in something resembling a tantalizing dance.
A warm feeling washed over Makai in waves as he grew more and more tense with every motion. Sweat covered his body from head to toe, and his hands gently caressed her back. The heat he felt grew in intensity as the pressure inside built up. It was exhilarating and torturous at the same time. He was beginning to have difficulty maintaining his control, but he fought to keep it until she was ready.
He opened his eyes and looked at her face, the perspiration across her forehead glistening in the dim moonlight. She looked absolutely stunning to him then, and he leaned forward slightly to place soft kisses on her forehead, her temple, her cheek. She appeared too involved in what they were doing to notice, but as he pulled away, he thought he could see her eyes flash up at his own.
His control started to slip, and the pressure was overwhelming. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold on even a little bit longer, but when he saw her head fly back and a gutteral cry fly from her lips, he knew he could finally let go. Tension slid from his muscles, forcing him to slump back into the chair, drained. She crashed down on top of him, her forehead on his shoulder. He felt her begin to slip into a slumber, and smiled.
She turned her face slightly, half asleep, looked at him and smiled. He reached up and brushed the damp strands of hair from her face, kissing her softly. Her eyelids, already heavy, closed, idicating her desire for sleep. He grinned as he suddenly had a wicked idea. Bending his head to a suitable angle, he tenderly kissed the side of her neck, and then, ever so delicately, nipped it. It startled her, waking her up, and she eyed him curiously.
He merely shrugged his shoulders, smiled, and whispered into her ear, "Just a little payback."
***
Morning came quickly, it seemed, and bright sunlight flooded Makai's vision as he cracked his eyelids drowsily. He looked down at the sleeping girl -- well, not really a girl, he thought -- sleeping in his arms. Stroking Sierra's back delicately, he lowered his face to whisper soft words into her ear, causing her to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and lifted her body some as she stretched, eventually lifting her tired gaze to rest on his face.
"Mmm... Morning..." she slurred slightly, still a bit sleepy. He smiled gently, lifting a hand to play with the hair on the back of her head. She grinned then, that mischievous glint returning to her eye. Makai knew what she had to have been thinking, and cut her off before she could start.
"We should get dressed. The high councils will be here soon," he explained, drawing a joking pout from her.
"Boy, you do know how to ruin a mood." He laughed lightly. "I need to get back to Jowston Castle anyway. They're probably planning some grandiose battle as we speak. Can't miss that."
He was struck, then, with a slight longing to join his compatriots at the front line, but his job required his presence in Two River for now. Sierra sensed what he was feeling, and cocked her head to the side in askance. "You'd really want to fight?"
He nodded slowly. "Part of me does. The part that wants to defend Two River and Jowston at whatever cost. But then there's the part that knows I would be utterly useless in any battle." He sighed. "I'm no general like Lord Ridley, nor do I have the power to rally people behind me, like Lady Teresa. The only ability I have is to cause doubt in those who should be able to trust me fully."
She had climbed off his lap and was getting dressed while he spoke, in no real hurry. When he finished his self-depreciating speech, she looked at him with soft eyes and pulled him to his feet. "A defeatist attitude doesn't suit you, Lord Makai. Perhaps all you need is to get away from Two River for a while."
"But, Miss Sierra, I have been--" She interrupted his protests by placing a finger over his lips and handing him his undergarments. He was retreating back into that formal shell she had just brought him out of, and that displeased her.
"I don't mean a business trip to meet with the other leaders, Lord Makai. I meant one of pleasure, one on which you go where you want to go, see what you want to see."
"I am needed here, though. I can't just leave--" She silenced him again.
"Promise me, Lord Makai. Promise me you will see this world and what it has to offer you."
He stood there looking into her eyes, wondering why she would ask such a thing of him. "O-Okay, Miss Sierra. I promise."
She smiled. "Good," she said with finality. Attaching the broach to her cloak once more, she sat on the edge of Makai's desk and watched as he slowly walked around the room, gathering his clothing and putting it on once more.
***
Later in the day, Makai sat at his desk once more. Shortly after Sierra departed for Jowston Castle, he had asked Nadia to bring him a new chair, and to throw the old one out. The high councils were very anxious to depose him, and would use any chance they found to do so.
Lord Benton, Lady Jenia, and the rest came, and then left when they saw Makai was in no mood to discuss trivial matters such as why the kobolds had recieved an ounce more grain than the humans had. As always, they had searched the room with keen eyes, looking for anything scandalous to oust him with, and as always, had uncovered nothing.
He heaved a sigh of relief at that, hoping his personal life was safe from persecution by his enemies. It paid to be careful, he thought. He unhooked the clasp on his collar and snaked a hand in to gingerly touch the bandage of the puncture wounds in his neck, smiling thoughtfully.
***
present time
***
Makai fingered that same bandage, recalling those events of the other day. He knew he had to keep that promise, but he wasn't sure when he could ever freely leave Two River. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to, as a whole. There would always be that tiny voice inside crying out for adventure and excitement. He just didn't know if he could ever satisfy it.
Still lost in thought, he didn't hear the door slide open and Lady Jenia enter quietly. She watched him for a moment, his hand still under his collar, fingers resting on his covered wound. Clearing her throat, she stepped farther into the room. "Lord Makai, the three councils need to know your decision regarding..."
Makai was too startled by her presence to listen fully. His hand fell from its position, leaving his collar dangling open for the world, or at least Lady Jenia, to see. She almost immediately caught sight of the bandage and gasped, her fingers pressed to her mouth.
"Lord Makai! What happened?" she asked, striding forward to inspect further. Despite Makai's protests, she pushed the collar aside and slowly removed the bandage from his neck. He dreaded her reaction internally as he felt the tape pull away from his skin. Finally, the bandage was free, and Jenia stumbled backward as if struck.
"W-What..." she stammered, mentally pouring over what could produce two circular puncture wounds like the ones on Makai's neck. Then, her mind came to rest on one possibility, that of a vampire. "You...You were bitten by one of those THINGS, weren't you!" she exclaimed.
"L-Lady Jenia..." he started, unsure of what to say to calm the councilwoman.
"This is unacceptable, Makai!" she cried, each word stinging. "When the council hears of this, you'll be lucky to escape with your hide. For all we know, you might have been made one of them!"
Makai could do nothing but listen as she continued in her tirade, occasionally pounding important words home by prodding his chest with her finger. He hadn't been careful enough, and now it was going to cost him his position. The people of Two River would merely shrug and continue on about their business. They'd never trusted him much anyway.
It would soon be over. Maybe now he could fulfill that promise.
***
after the war with Highland ends
***
Makai threw the last remaining articles of clothing and small knick-knacks into his bag. They were the only things he had actually owned while in office. None of them were worth much, but he valued them highly. They were all he had now.
The three councils had decided, that one day, to 'allow' him to stay as plenipotentiary until the end of the war. The morale of the townfolk might lower if he was ousted right at that moment, they reasoned. He'd had no real job after that; the councils had appointed a new head of the city, and he was just to stay around until it was safe to officially remove him from office.
He was even sent to Jowston Castle to gather with the other leaders of the city-state and convince Lord Fendril to be their ruler. However, the boy had disappeared without a trace shortly after declining the offer. Makai didn't blame him; who would actually want to take on such a task at his age in the first place? All that was left then was to return to Two River and pack his things.
He strapped his pack lightly over his shoulders. He no longer wore the robes that the plenipotentiaries of past wore. Instead, he wore a simple brown tunic, and light khaki pants. To anyone who didn't know him, he looked like a simple traveler. That was exactly what he wanted now, to not stand out. It would hurt too much for someone to walk up to him and ask why he wasn't back in Two River, leading his people.
His people. Those who had raised him to office now stripped it away without second thought, because of what he had done one foolish night. No, he thought to himself. It wasn't foolish. In a way, it was liberating. Sierra's words coursed through his head. 'Promise me you will see this world and what it has to offer you,' he heard her say over and over.
"I promise..." he murmured, stepping out of his former house, squinting in the daylight. The door had been opened, now all he had to do was find his way.
Epiphany
Makai stared at the papers before him. So much had to be done for Two River following the attempted invasion by Highland. Ridley still didn't trust him much, but gave him control of the kobold village just the same. The wingers, too, seemed to have calmed down and let themselves be governed by one person. Petitions for more supplies, reports on the population, and other administrative papers flowed through his office daily.
He had just recieved word a few days ago that Gustav had aligned himself with the new Liberation Army. He smiled to himself. Gustav was a good man and knew that joining forces was the only way to defeat Highland. However, it was one thing to pledge allegiance to someone; it was quite another to leave one's hometown to fight. Teresa had had to, for Greenhill was already under the control of Highland. He and Gustav were forced to stay at their respective cities, and continue governing as if nothing was occurring.
Not that he minded, though. He loved Two River with his whole self, and would do anything to protect the people within. Every now and then, he longed to join the people he owed the safety of his city to, and fight alongside them at the forefront of every battle. Yet, Two River needed him alive and well, if only to keep the vultures on the high councils at bay.
They regarded him as a weakling, he knew, and were all set to remove him from his position when Highland threatened, but the victory secured his job for a little while longer. How long would his tenure as plenipotentiary last? Could be days, could be years. No one knew, but the slightest mishap could get him thrown out of office. That was one of the reasons why he stayed behind as Ridley went to join the others at their headquarters.
Every now and then, the kobold general, or one of the other recruits, would stop by on their way through Two River and say hello. Sometimes they would stay for dinner, or even overnight. Makai always welcomed them with open arms, and provided whatever hospitality he could. That, however, didn't prepare him for the last time a member of the Liberation Army stopped by. It was just the other day...
***
extended flashback
***
Makai was sitting at his desk, surrounded by councilmembers and servants pouring spiced wine. Lord Benton argued viciously with Lady Jenia over food prices, as Makai rubbed his temples, willing some unforseen interruption to free him from the rabble. So far, it wasn't working. He sighed loudly, hoping the high councils would get the message and leave him alone.
As if on cue, a servant burst through the door, panting heavily. "Lord Makai! We need you at the city gates!" he said in a rush. Makai stood and blinked, wondering what could make the boy so frantic. The other councilmembers stared at the messenger with eyes that dared him to interrupt them again, making him uncomfortable.
"I'll be right there," Makai responded, and the servant nodded once and rushed out. He turned to the surrounding crowd. "If you'll excuse me, there's a matter that requires my attention." Hiding a smirk, he made his way through the gathering and out the door.
"Who the hell does he think he is anyway?" Benton asked, after the door had closed.
"The plenipotentiary, Benton," Jenia replied.
"Not for long..."
***
A large crowd had gathered around near the entrance by the time Makai arrived. In the middle of it all, one of the Two River doctors and the messenger he'd seen earlier were crouched over a pale young woman with silvery hair. Makai approached the cluster, and the doctor motioned for him to draw closer. As he knelt, it was explained to him that the girl was found passed out in the wilderness. He examined her face, and suddenly realized who she was.
"This is Miss Sierra! One of the Liberation Army's members..." he exclaimed, drawing glances from the doctor and messenger.
"You know her?" the doctor asked.
"She's come through town a few times with Lord Fendril. I'm afraid I don't really know much about her though..."
The doctor nodded gruffly, and lifted Sierra into his arms. "At any rate, we must get her out of the sun and into bed. Lord Makai, if you would lead the way, please." Makai smiled briefly and left in the direction of his abode, the doctor following silently.
***
"You can put her in here, Master Yancy," Makai said, opening the door to the guest room. Yancy, the doctor, entered and placed her on the bed, covering her with a blanket and placing a wet washcloth on her forehead.
"She should be fine with rest," Yancy explained. "Probably just sunstroke." Makai nodded, face filled with its usual worry.
"I'll get Nadia to watch over her," he responded. "I'm sure the councils are waiting for me to return to my office." Yancy grinned at that.
"Just don't let them get the best of your, Lord Makai." Makai watched the doctor leave, then sat down next to the bed.
"I wonder what she's doing out here by herself..." he thought aloud. As he reached to gently wipe her face with the cloth, he noticed some hair had fallen over her face. He moved the strands away softly, fingertips brushing against her pale skin. Even though her face had a washed-out appearance, she still looked remarkably...pretty. He was still staring at her, almost in a daze, when Nadia arrived, touching his shoulder lightly. He jumped, startled by his maid, and then stood and smiled at her. "I trust you'll take good care of her, Nadia?" he asked.
"Of course, Lord Makai. Any guest of yours gets the best treatment."
"Thank you. If you'll excuse me, I must get back to work. I'll
check in later, after the peanut gallery retires." Nadia laughed heartily at his last comment.
"Oh, do be careful what you call them, Lord Makai," she responded, dabbing at her eyes. "They'll use any chance they can get to throw you out on your rear."
"Don't I know it..." Makai stared off into space a moment, then nodded once and left without further word.
***
The day passed quickly after that. Makai pointedly ignored each and every councilmember until they finally threw their hands up in disbelief and left him alone. Shortly after the meeting concluded, he went to go check on Sierra, and was informed by Nadia that the girl was still as pale as she was when she was brought in. Makai thought this odd, and asked Nadia to go fetch the doctor. She said she'd already tried, and that Yancy had gone home to his cottage in the mountains. Makai decided to send for him in the morning.
A bright moon shone over the town of Two River, washing the buildings in its pale light. Makai looked out the window on one of the rivers flowing through town separating the humans from the wingers, still attired in his formal clothes, yet lacking shoes and socks for comfort. It was so calm, so tranquil, with nary a person to bother him with reports and petitions and the like. He wished then the morning would never come.
A knock interrupted the peaceful silence, soft yet demanding at the same time. Makai blinked. Who could possibly want to speak with him at this time of night, he wondered. Shrugging off his suspicions that Benton and Jenia were back to bother him for more tax approvals, he called out, "The door's open. Come in."
Much to his suprise, an ashen face greeted him when he turned around. "I trust I'm not disturbing you, Lord Makai," Sierra said, almost whispering, a hint of a smile on her lips.
Makai stared at her for a moment, bewildered by the fact that her face was still so pale, yet she acted as though there was nothing wrong. "I...Are you well, Miss Sierra?"
Sierra smiled slightly again, and stepped into the pool of moonlight that shone on the floor. He was then struck by the...exotic beauty, he supposed...of the girl before him. Her large, red eyes stared into his own eyes, unblinking, and her silver hair stirred gently with each slight movement she made. Something about her struck him as peculiar, but he couldn't quite figure out what.
She widened her smile has he stared at her, and said, "Oh, I'm quite well, believe me."
"Are you certain? You don't look well..."
Instead of answering, Sierra crossed the remaining distance to him, and fingered the large collar of his robe somewhat distastefully. "Why do you wear such clothing, Lord Makai? It doesn't suit you..."
A faint sheen of sweat broke out across his forehead as he shakily set his goblet on the desk next to him. "These...These are the customary garments of the plenipotentiary of Two River, Miss Sierra. It's required I wear them."
A flash of teeth from behind her lips appeared, then, and Makai could have sworn there was something odd about it. "It's after hours, Lord Makai. No one would see anything...different..."
He stammered, flustered and searching for a response. The wink she gave him as she turned around and reached for the pitcher of wine certainly didn't help either. "Perhaps you should...uhm...get some more rest? You still look pale..." He stepped backward until the back of his legs hit the edge of his chair.
Sierra threw her head back and laughed, confusing him. "You still don't know who I am, do you?"
"You're Miss Sierra, a young girl Lord Fendril met in Tinto..." he replied, blinking. What was she getting at, he wondered.
"Young? Hardly." She brought a glass of wine to her lips and sipped delicately. "One doesn't traditionally apply the word 'young' to someone over two hundred years old."
Time stopped. Makai's jaw hung open as he stared at her in disbelief. Two HUNDRED years old, he screamed mentally. Suddenly, he remembered tales of what had happened in Tinto, and his throat clenched up on him, making his words sound strained. Reports of a female vampire aiding in the defeat of that monster flooded his mind. "You're...you're like Neclord, aren't you?"
"How observant, Lord Makai. Yes, I am a vampire, like Neclord." Makai searched the room with his eyes for a weapon to defend himself with should she attack him. Sierra thought this very amusing. "Oh, don't be frightened. I'm not as 'evil' as that old bag was."
"You...vampire..." he stuttered. It explained why she still appeared so pale, of course, but the truth was turning out to be more odd than any explanation he could have concocted.
Sierra rolled her russet eyes. "Feeling articulate, are we? Don't be scared of me, Lord Makai. I won't bite...unless you want me to," she finished with a wink before taking another sip of wine, this time cringing with distaste. "What *is* this swill you drink?" Makai just stared, unblinking. Sighing, she set her glass down on his desk and approached him. He tried to back up more, but the chair blocked his path, and he fell down onto it with a dull thud.
"What...What do you want?" Sierra merely smiled and softly laid a hand on his cheek.
"For the last time, Lord Makai," she began, whispering, "you have nothing to fear from me." She gently kissed him on the forehead and then pulled back, looking into his bright blue eyes. She felt something strange, something she hadn't felt since she met Fendril in Tinto. An aura of innocence and simplicity. She furrowed her brow thoughtfully, wondering if there was something about the man before her that she didn't know. "Lord Makai...how old are you?"
Makai gazed at her, dumbfounded. "I...I am twenty-two, Miss Sierra. Why do you ask?"
That caught her off-guard more than anything. Surely he wasn't *that* innocent, she thought. Perhaps her senses were just skewed by the sun from earlier. "I see..." She wavered on her feet for a moment.
"Miss Sierra, is something the matter?" he asked worriedly, rising from his seat. Sierra looked as though she might collapse at any given moment. Placing a hand on her upper arm, he steadied her as she regained her balance.
"I have been better... Perhaps it is time for a drink," she murmured, looking at him out of the corner of her eye.
"I'll get you a glass of water, then," he offered, wanting to be of help. Something about her mannerisms told him she wouldn't willingly hurt him, and he placed a small amount of trust in that. She laughed ruefully.
"I think you've forgotten what I am, Lord Makai. That wasn't the kind of drink I had in mind..."
"What do you mean?" He looked confused for a second, then the realization of what she meant hit him. "Oh... Well, I'm sure Yancy could help you, if it's urgent..." She placed a finger over his lips to silence him.
"Your doctor is too far away to be of much good." Then, she eyed him curiously. "Would you truly help me?"
"If you needed it desparately, I suppose. Why?" Sierra fingered his collar once again, thoughtfully.
"It wouldn't hurt much, I don't think. And I always carry around medicine for the wound it leaves..."
"Miss Sierra, surely you aren't suggesting--" She cut him off with a glance.
"Ever wonder what it's like to be bitten by a vampire, Lord Makai?"
***
A loud crash. Makai looked down at the shattered remains of the wine glass previously held in his hand as he broke out in a sweat. Feeling something light brush across his ear, he looked up to find Sierra a few mere inches from him. "M-Miss Sierra..." he stuttered. "P-Please..."
Her hand roamed around under his chin to locate the clasp holding his collar in place.
"Don't worry, Lord Makai. It won't hurt much..." she said with a glimmer in her eye as she unhooked the latch and slid her hand down to the sash tied around his waist. "But we really should at least get you out of this robe. I'm sure you wouldn't want any...stains..."
The feather-light feel of her fingertips slipping down across his chest released feelings and urges inside him previously unknown. A foreign fire seared his skin where her touch was felt, even if only through his clothing. He shuddered almost involuntarily, and it was noticed by Sierra, drawing a smirk. She stopped her hand just above the sash, and looked him in the eyes.
"If it's this repulsive to you I can always go find someone out in the town," she murmured, grinning. Another faint layer of sweat coated Makai's forehead.
"Uhm... No, it's f-fine..." A hand slipped around to his back and fingered the ends of the sash.
"You sure? I wouldn't force you to do something like this." Fingers deftly undid the knot, and held it in place for the moment.
Makai nodded hesitantly, gulping. "I-If this is what you need, Miss Sierra..." The fingers let the sash fall to the floor, and his robe soon followed, revealing a rather ordinary dark grey shirt and black pants.
She lifted a hand up and traced his jawline, and then down the side of his neck, drawing more shudders from him. "I'd be careful, Lord Makai, or else I might thing you were beginning to enjoy this," she said, winking.
"I...It...erm..." he stammered, confused by what she was saying. She gently guided him backward until he was once again seated in his chair.
"Now what did I say about worrying? Just close your eyes and relax. It'll be over soon..." Sierra then perched herself on his lap, much to his suprise, and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on his throat. She could feel the tension building in him under his clothes, and frowned. "Makai, I said to relax. I can't do this properly if you're tense."
"R-Right..." She smirked as she watched him forcibly relax. Licking the tips of her canines, she brushed her lips across areas of his neck, and, murmuring for Makai to relax one last time, let her teeth sink into his flesh. His body jerked in response to the sudden blinding pain, and then he fell back into his chair. She could tell the poor man had most likely fainted from the shock, as so many others she had taken had done before. Withdrawing her canines, she licked delicately at the blood that oozed forth from the small wounds, feeling her strength return gradually.
Determined to not drain him completely, she reluctantly pulled away, removing a small vial of green liquid from the folds of her clothing. She dabbed some of the fluid onto each tiny hole, and watched as the blood clotted and closed the opening. She smiled; soon, he would awaken, and he would be thirsty if her experiences were any proof of the aftereffects. Pulling herself off his lap, she smiled slightly at his still form, and then walked out to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.
***
When she returned, she found him back at the window, a full wine glass in one hand, the other rubbing his temples. Handing him the glass of water, she asked, "How are you feeling, Lord Makai?"
"I've...been better... Little disoriented..." he replied, looking at her through narrowed eyelids. She smiled knowingly.
"It's best if you drink water afterward. Wine could throw your system off-key." He nodded and drank from the glass of water, setting the wine on a shelf. She walked around him and looked at the two puncture wounds on his neck, frowning slightly. "You've been messing with them, haven't you?"
"I can't help it..." he said sheepishly. Sierra smiled again, and retrieved a strip of gauze and a few pieces of tape from a nearby first aid box.
"They won't heal properly if you don't leave them alone, you know." Standing on her tiptoes, she gently taped the gauze in place over the dual holes.
"Thank you..." he murmured, touching the makeshift bandage thoughtfully. She leaned back some to look into his blue crystal eyes, and found a glimmer there she hadn't seen for a long time. With no words, she reached up with a hand, rested it on the back of his head, and pulled him down into a soft kiss.
Makai froze, her actions startling him. Not knowing how to respond, he merely stood there, waiting for her to finish. She pulled back eventually, returning her gaze to his eyes. "M-Miss Sierra..." he stammered.
"Lord Makai, have you ever...been...with a woman?" she inquired, tilting her head to one side.
"I...no...I have not..." he replied, hunching his shoulders as though he was ashamed. She stroked the side of his head delicately.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Lord Makai," she said, like she could read his thoughts. "It's almost...charming..."
"W-What are you getting at, Miss Sierra?" he asked. She brushed her lips across his again.
"I find you...most desirable..."
"M-Miss Sierra..." Placing a finger to his lips to silence him, she smiled gently.
"For the both of us, Lord Makai..."
She lowered his chin to kiss him again, and this time he responded, if only barely. New emotions raged inside him, nearly taking complete control of his body. He didn't understand them completely, and attempted to restrain them as best he could. He fought to keep his hands at his side, to keep himself from wrapping his arms around her, for somehow, perhaps unconciously, he knew where things would go if he did.
Breaking the kiss, Sierra slipped her hands down to the belt holding his pants in place and fingered it as she looked into his eyes, winking. "M-Miss Sierra...what are you doing?" he asked worriedly.
"Just be patient, Lord Makai. You'll see...." Deft fingers undid the belt buckle, and slowly pulled it through the loops, dropping it to the floor, much to Makai's dismay.
"Miss S-Sierra!" he exclaimed, only to be silenced by a look from her. She fiddled with the button on his slacks, opening it with ease, and gingerly pulled the zipper down, not wanting to frighten Makai anymore than he already was. She could feel the heat coming off his body, as he tried desperately to resist what was happening. Her delicate hands crept beneath his shirt, lightly caressing his skin. Her motions drew shivers from Makai as her fingers brushed his nipples, pulling his shirt with them.
"Lift your arms..." she whispered, and he complied, not wanting to anger her. She lifted the shirt up and over his head, his upper body finally completely visible. She looked him over for a moment; he wasn't exactly muscular, like Viktor was, but then he wasn't too thin or too out of shape. Makai caught her gazes, and broke out into a faint sweat. She smiled, tracing a path with her finger down his chest and abdomen to the edge of his pants once more.
"We'll simply have to do something about these," she murmured, rubbing the fabric with dislike. Slipping her hands into the opening, she slowly tugged his pants down some, until they were loose enough to fall the remaining distance to his ankles.
Makai flushed with embarassment at having been seen in such a manner. Yet, he knew it wasn't over, as he saw her eye his undergarments speculatively. After a moment, she looked back at his face, and pointed down at his feet. "You'll have to lift your feet, Lord Makai..." He turned his gaze to his feet and nodded, lifting one leg and a time and letting the pants fall to the floor.
Sierra's eyes upon him were making him increasingly nervous, and it certainly didn't help his disposition when she leaned forward and placed feathery kisses on his chest, wrapping her arms loosely around his waist. It took all his strength to keep himself from backing away from her advances. "M-Miss Sierra...why--" he tried to say before she tenderly kissed him.
"Don't speak, Makai..." she sighed as she broke the kiss. He nodded without hesitation in response, and she captured his mouth in another kiss. Her hands drifted to the top of his undergarments, and, with a forceful tug, dropped them to the floor. The trancelike state shattered briefly as she pulled her lips away from his, looking upward with a sparkle in her eye and a mischievous smile.
Before he could blink, she was in a crouching position, gently massaging his thighs as she took him in with her eyes. He closed his eyes and quivered slightly, feeling her presence in close proximity to his lower region. Leaning forward, she looked up and sought his eyes as she opened her mouth just enough to let her hot breath cascade upon his tip. It responded as expected, by twitching and rising some as if asking for more. Not to disappoint, she closed the remaining distance, softly kissing it and letting her tongue slide across the very tip.
It was more than Makai could handle at that point. Losing control of his muscles, he stumbled backwards, arms flailing wildly, until he slammed into his chair. He fell down into it with a hard thud, and his force of motion sent the chair, and him, wheeling back until it hit the wall. Sierra merely stood and smiled gently, as if she knew what thoughts raced through the man's mind.
She crossed the stretch of room that now separated them, fiddling with the broach that held her cloak in place. Reaching him, she placed her hands on his knees and bent forward to look him in the eye. "I know it seems sudden, Makai...but I promise you I won't hurt you," she soothed. Taking his hand in hers and kissing his knuckles, she continued. "I know, somewhere in there, you're enjoying it, or you wouldn't have let it get this far. And I wouldn't have started if I didn't want to finish. So what do you say?" A familiar glint appeared in her eyes. "After all, I wouldn't want to leave our...urges...hanging out to dry..."
He looked into her eyes, and saw the sincerity behind her statements. "Y-Yes..." he finally answered, and she grinned.
"Thank you..." She pulled him into another kiss, tender and full of promises. He returned it slowly, arms hesitantly raising up to cup her face in his hands. She broke from the embrace, nipping suggestively at his lower lip, and took his hands in hers again. As he watched with cautious interest, she drew them down to the clasp of her cloak. He caught on to what she wanted of him, and, fumbling occasionally, detached the broach and let the azure shawl drop to the floor.
She reached over her shoulder, and untied the ribbon of her dress. Without prompt, Makai slid his arms around her and tugged her outer clothing to the floor, revealing her soft, if pale, skin to him. He sharply sucked his breath in, his eyes roaming over her body. He had never been this close to the female form in its natural state, and he was unsure as to what he should do next.
Sierra saw the slight confusion painted on his face, and grasped his hand, pressing it gently to her breast. Sweat broke out anew across his forehead as he made contact with her skin. The feel of her skin as his fingertips touched her was like a gentle wind brushing over a feather, taking care not to disturb the delicate perfection that lay inherent. It amazed him that someone as strong as her could still feel so...delicate...in his hands. Her head was tilted back, eyes half-closed, as she basked in his touch.
He stopped his caressing motions to pull her to him in another passionate kiss. His hands slid down the sides of her body, reaching the top edge of her underwear, already damp with sweat. He slipped them from her hips, then ran his hands back up to her back and slowly massaged her.
She straddled his legs as he pulled her closer, reveling in her beauty. Then, something snapped internally. No longer was he worried about the repercussions that might arise from the act. The only people existing in his mind at that moment were himself and Sierra.
He pulled his mouth from hers, sliding it across her cheek to kiss her throat. She purred deep in her throat, leaning her head forward to nip lightly at his shoulder. He winced slightly, and reached up with a hand to gently pull her head from his shoulder. Studying her face for a moment, he asked with his eyes if she was ready. She merely smiled and nodded once, as though she had been in the situation countless times before.
He held her waist with both hands as she adjusted her position, her eyes never leaving his. Her lips crashed down on his in a hungry kiss, his hands gingerly guiding her down. As he finally entered her, he felt his muscles slowly begin to tense. Their kiss softened considerably, their bodies rocking together in something resembling a tantalizing dance.
A warm feeling washed over Makai in waves as he grew more and more tense with every motion. Sweat covered his body from head to toe, and his hands gently caressed her back. The heat he felt grew in intensity as the pressure inside built up. It was exhilarating and torturous at the same time. He was beginning to have difficulty maintaining his control, but he fought to keep it until she was ready.
He opened his eyes and looked at her face, the perspiration across her forehead glistening in the dim moonlight. She looked absolutely stunning to him then, and he leaned forward slightly to place soft kisses on her forehead, her temple, her cheek. She appeared too involved in what they were doing to notice, but as he pulled away, he thought he could see her eyes flash up at his own.
His control started to slip, and the pressure was overwhelming. He gritted his teeth, determined to hold on even a little bit longer, but when he saw her head fly back and a gutteral cry fly from her lips, he knew he could finally let go. Tension slid from his muscles, forcing him to slump back into the chair, drained. She crashed down on top of him, her forehead on his shoulder. He felt her begin to slip into a slumber, and smiled.
She turned her face slightly, half asleep, looked at him and smiled. He reached up and brushed the damp strands of hair from her face, kissing her softly. Her eyelids, already heavy, closed, idicating her desire for sleep. He grinned as he suddenly had a wicked idea. Bending his head to a suitable angle, he tenderly kissed the side of her neck, and then, ever so delicately, nipped it. It startled her, waking her up, and she eyed him curiously.
He merely shrugged his shoulders, smiled, and whispered into her ear, "Just a little payback."
***
Morning came quickly, it seemed, and bright sunlight flooded Makai's vision as he cracked his eyelids drowsily. He looked down at the sleeping girl -- well, not really a girl, he thought -- sleeping in his arms. Stroking Sierra's back delicately, he lowered his face to whisper soft words into her ear, causing her to stir. She slowly opened her eyes and lifted her body some as she stretched, eventually lifting her tired gaze to rest on his face.
"Mmm... Morning..." she slurred slightly, still a bit sleepy. He smiled gently, lifting a hand to play with the hair on the back of her head. She grinned then, that mischievous glint returning to her eye. Makai knew what she had to have been thinking, and cut her off before she could start.
"We should get dressed. The high councils will be here soon," he explained, drawing a joking pout from her.
"Boy, you do know how to ruin a mood." He laughed lightly. "I need to get back to Jowston Castle anyway. They're probably planning some grandiose battle as we speak. Can't miss that."
He was struck, then, with a slight longing to join his compatriots at the front line, but his job required his presence in Two River for now. Sierra sensed what he was feeling, and cocked her head to the side in askance. "You'd really want to fight?"
He nodded slowly. "Part of me does. The part that wants to defend Two River and Jowston at whatever cost. But then there's the part that knows I would be utterly useless in any battle." He sighed. "I'm no general like Lord Ridley, nor do I have the power to rally people behind me, like Lady Teresa. The only ability I have is to cause doubt in those who should be able to trust me fully."
She had climbed off his lap and was getting dressed while he spoke, in no real hurry. When he finished his self-depreciating speech, she looked at him with soft eyes and pulled him to his feet. "A defeatist attitude doesn't suit you, Lord Makai. Perhaps all you need is to get away from Two River for a while."
"But, Miss Sierra, I have been--" She interrupted his protests by placing a finger over his lips and handing him his undergarments. He was retreating back into that formal shell she had just brought him out of, and that displeased her.
"I don't mean a business trip to meet with the other leaders, Lord Makai. I meant one of pleasure, one on which you go where you want to go, see what you want to see."
"I am needed here, though. I can't just leave--" She silenced him again.
"Promise me, Lord Makai. Promise me you will see this world and what it has to offer you."
He stood there looking into her eyes, wondering why she would ask such a thing of him. "O-Okay, Miss Sierra. I promise."
She smiled. "Good," she said with finality. Attaching the broach to her cloak once more, she sat on the edge of Makai's desk and watched as he slowly walked around the room, gathering his clothing and putting it on once more.
***
Later in the day, Makai sat at his desk once more. Shortly after Sierra departed for Jowston Castle, he had asked Nadia to bring him a new chair, and to throw the old one out. The high councils were very anxious to depose him, and would use any chance they found to do so.
Lord Benton, Lady Jenia, and the rest came, and then left when they saw Makai was in no mood to discuss trivial matters such as why the kobolds had recieved an ounce more grain than the humans had. As always, they had searched the room with keen eyes, looking for anything scandalous to oust him with, and as always, had uncovered nothing.
He heaved a sigh of relief at that, hoping his personal life was safe from persecution by his enemies. It paid to be careful, he thought. He unhooked the clasp on his collar and snaked a hand in to gingerly touch the bandage of the puncture wounds in his neck, smiling thoughtfully.
***
present time
***
Makai fingered that same bandage, recalling those events of the other day. He knew he had to keep that promise, but he wasn't sure when he could ever freely leave Two River. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to, as a whole. There would always be that tiny voice inside crying out for adventure and excitement. He just didn't know if he could ever satisfy it.
Still lost in thought, he didn't hear the door slide open and Lady Jenia enter quietly. She watched him for a moment, his hand still under his collar, fingers resting on his covered wound. Clearing her throat, she stepped farther into the room. "Lord Makai, the three councils need to know your decision regarding..."
Makai was too startled by her presence to listen fully. His hand fell from its position, leaving his collar dangling open for the world, or at least Lady Jenia, to see. She almost immediately caught sight of the bandage and gasped, her fingers pressed to her mouth.
"Lord Makai! What happened?" she asked, striding forward to inspect further. Despite Makai's protests, she pushed the collar aside and slowly removed the bandage from his neck. He dreaded her reaction internally as he felt the tape pull away from his skin. Finally, the bandage was free, and Jenia stumbled backward as if struck.
"W-What..." she stammered, mentally pouring over what could produce two circular puncture wounds like the ones on Makai's neck. Then, her mind came to rest on one possibility, that of a vampire. "You...You were bitten by one of those THINGS, weren't you!" she exclaimed.
"L-Lady Jenia..." he started, unsure of what to say to calm the councilwoman.
"This is unacceptable, Makai!" she cried, each word stinging. "When the council hears of this, you'll be lucky to escape with your hide. For all we know, you might have been made one of them!"
Makai could do nothing but listen as she continued in her tirade, occasionally pounding important words home by prodding his chest with her finger. He hadn't been careful enough, and now it was going to cost him his position. The people of Two River would merely shrug and continue on about their business. They'd never trusted him much anyway.
It would soon be over. Maybe now he could fulfill that promise.
***
after the war with Highland ends
***
Makai threw the last remaining articles of clothing and small knick-knacks into his bag. They were the only things he had actually owned while in office. None of them were worth much, but he valued them highly. They were all he had now.
The three councils had decided, that one day, to 'allow' him to stay as plenipotentiary until the end of the war. The morale of the townfolk might lower if he was ousted right at that moment, they reasoned. He'd had no real job after that; the councils had appointed a new head of the city, and he was just to stay around until it was safe to officially remove him from office.
He was even sent to Jowston Castle to gather with the other leaders of the city-state and convince Lord Fendril to be their ruler. However, the boy had disappeared without a trace shortly after declining the offer. Makai didn't blame him; who would actually want to take on such a task at his age in the first place? All that was left then was to return to Two River and pack his things.
He strapped his pack lightly over his shoulders. He no longer wore the robes that the plenipotentiaries of past wore. Instead, he wore a simple brown tunic, and light khaki pants. To anyone who didn't know him, he looked like a simple traveler. That was exactly what he wanted now, to not stand out. It would hurt too much for someone to walk up to him and ask why he wasn't back in Two River, leading his people.
His people. Those who had raised him to office now stripped it away without second thought, because of what he had done one foolish night. No, he thought to himself. It wasn't foolish. In a way, it was liberating. Sierra's words coursed through his head. 'Promise me you will see this world and what it has to offer you,' he heard her say over and over.
"I promise..." he murmured, stepping out of his former house, squinting in the daylight. The door had been opened, now all he had to do was find his way.