To Catch a Merchant Princess Ch. 05

Over the next several minutes, the plainsman steadily recovered his wits, eventually able to sit up without Thakkor's assistance. Thakkor and Alicia moved aside, feeling as though they were intruding as the couple sitting on the ground talked and touched each other affectionately.

"He looks okay now," Thakkor whispered, his eyes roving of their own volition to the bottom of Alicia's breasts, exposed by the goblin's claws ripping her blouse. He tore his eyes away as soon as he realized what he was doing.

Alicia noticed, but she didn't feel uncomfortable, as she always did whenever a man admired her attributes. She looked back at the other couple to find the plainsman rising to his feet. After a few seconds to check his balance and a reassuring gesture to the woman at his side, he approached.

"I am called Redbear, in your tongue," the plainsman said, his words heavily accented, but quite understandable. "You have our thanks."

"Thakkor."

"And I am Alicia. We only did what anyone would have done."

Redbear shook his head, his long, dark hair swinging from side to side. "Not so. When we meet the white man, life is most often taken — not given. We owe you a life debt."

"Please, that is not necessary," Alicia countered. "We were glad to help."

The plainsman's brow furrowed in thought. He then gestured for the woman to join him. She'd managed to make her doeskin dress decent again, though it would certainly need stitching to remain so for long. "We must return to our people. Where do you travel?"

Thakkor answered, "North, to Freeland."

Redbear smiled. "We make our camp to the north. I would gift you with aid in your journey."

"We are traveling a little light and ragged." Once again, Thakkor's eyes found the tears in Alicia's blouse, raising color in both his and her cheeks.

"Come, then," Redbear said with a nod of his head, and led the way.

†ΞΞΞ♥ΞΞΞ†

Redbear managed to locate his bone knife and stone-headed hatchet, but his fine bow was unfortunately beyond saving. His wife had little trouble finding her antler knife, as it remained lodged in the chest of one of the three goblins the couple had felled before Thakkor and Alicia arrived.

Alicia located a healing salve within the wizard's bag, which served to close the wounds she and the other woman had suffered from the goblin's claws. Redbear showed no inclination to tend to the dead goblins, and cracked a smile when Thakkor suggested that nothing in its right mind would eat the odoriferous monsters anyway.

While walking away from the stand of pines, Redbear explained that the goblins had lain in wait, ambushing the couple as they returned from a religious pilgrimage related to their joining as husband and wife. This explained both how the obviously formidable couple had fallen to the goblins, and why the couple had journeyed without the rest of their tribe.

In the distance, the hills marking the edge of the plains appeared over the horizon. Still days away, the sharp contrast to the miles of almost perfectly flat land was not lost on Thakkor and Alicia.

As she walked — and attempted to keep her breasts inside her tattered blouse — Alicia marveled at her lack of fear in engaging and battling the goblins. The thought of the monsters cruelly attacking someone who was already down had spurred her into battle. The sight of the monsters intent upon raping the plainswoman had replaced every ounce of fear with angry determination.

Unlike the previous fights circumstances had forced her to enter, Alicia felt no pangs of conscience about killing the goblins. Her sword now rode on her hip as though a part of her, and she was barely aware of it save for the sense of comfort and confidence it provided. She paced Thakkor and the couple of the plains without undue effort.

The sun moved from overhead toward the horizon, lengthening the shadows of the four travelers. Redbear let out a whooping call, announcing his approach to the campsite, composed of conical tipis.

Members of the tribe appeared wary of Thakkor and Alicia, but quickly warmed to the pair as Redbear offered a brief explanation. The women soon ushered Alicia and Redbear's wife off to a tipi to provide them with decent clothing.

Though a world away from home, Alicia felt a sense of familiarity from the gathering of women. She settled in to enjoy the comradery, aided by a few women with limited knowledge of her language.

†ΞΞΞ♥ΞΞΞ†

Thakkor naturally had to tell his part of the story, translated by Redbear. He accepted the thanks of the tribe, comprised mostly of family members. The chores of the day continued all the while, including the preparation of a celebratory feast.

"How do your people feel about magic?" Thakkor asked with a little trepidation once he had a chance to speak to Redbear alone.

"We believe there is good medicine and bad medicine."

Thakkor scratched his beard and asked, "What about a huge tent that springs up out of nowhere?"

Redbear smiled and answered, "I will prepare the people — and await this wonder."

"Your people don't usually make camp this far north, do you?" Thakkor asked, noticing how permanent the settlement looked. From what he knew of the plains people, they were primarily hunter/gatherers. Redbear's tribe was obviously cultivating corn, squash, and other vegetables. From the detritus of previous crops he could see in the soil, Thakkor knew that this wasn't the first season of this camp.

"Since the coming of the Black One, our people must flee or face enslavement," Redbear explained, his voice tight with anger and resignation.

"Draxnog," Thakkor said with a nod of his head. "He won't press his hand much up here. He knows he's walking a tightrope with Freeland already."

"We risked much danger for our marital rites." Redbear sighed, staring longingly out into the vast plains.

"The world's changing, and a lot of it isn't good," Thakkor said, sympathizing with the pain of the proud warrior.

"And yet there is much of good to be found," Redbear said, his demeanor changing as he turned away from the sight of his ancestral homeland. He extended his hand to Thakkor.

Thakkor clasped the warrior's hand, sharing a firm grip with a newfound friend.

Redbear turned and signaled for Thakkor to follow. "You have chosen a mate of fire and of beauty, as have I. We share much in spirit."

"We're just traveling together by happenstance, we're not together," Thakkor responded.

The plainsman glanced back with a grin and raised his eyebrows. "My eyes are keen, and they tell me a different tale."

"I wish." Thakkor chuckled. "The rich and powerful are fighting for her hand, I wouldn't stand a chance."

"One must leave the safety of the camp to hunt, and even a failed hunt brings knowledge."

Thakkor glanced toward the tipi where the women had gone, easily discerning the meaning of the plainsman's words. "You may have something there."

†ΞΞΞ♥ΞΞΞ†

Alicia stepped out of the tipi in her new doeskin dress. In deference to her lesser tolerance for the heat of the sun-baked days, the women had modified her dress with a far shorter skirt, and more exposure of her chest and back. Even so, it covered her far better than the torn blouse that the women were attempting to repair. Her sword belt also emphasized her trim waist, and Alicia wished she had a mirror so she could see how it looked.

A moment later, she found her mirror in Thakkor's eyes. He'd stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide and drinking her in.

Alicia blushed and toyed with one of the feathers in her golden locks. "What do you think?"

"Beautiful," he responded in a soft voice.

Redbear interrupted the moment by calling his guests to the feast.

The evening whirled by in almost a blur, beginning with the meal of venison and vegetables that Alicia ate far too much of. The evening's celebration encompassed both gratitude for Thakkor and Alicia's aid to Redbear and his wife, and the native couple's joining.

The odd beer brewed by the people of the plains didn't sit well with Alicia at first, but she drank it to avoid appearing rude. The strength of the brew soon overcame her qualms about the drink, however. A little tipsy, Alicia convinced Thakkor to join her in the dancing of the tribe. Already lightheaded from the drinking, she felt even more so from the admiration and attraction in Thakkor's eyes.

In time, the celebration wound down. The people would need to rise early to begin the next day's chores, and wisely didn't stay up too late. Redbear and his wife had an even better reason to retire early, as they could now consummate their marriage.

Alicia summoned up her magical tent to the amazement of the tribe, and soon thereafter, only she and Thakkor remained outside.

"Do you want to take a bath?" Thakkor asked.

"Oh yes," Alicia replied. "I need to clear my head, and I'm all sweaty from dancing. I won't take long."

"We probably should get in bed as soon as possible."

Alicia's mind construed that suggestion in a far different manner than that which Thakkor had intended. Those thoughts carried with her as she slipped into her bath a few minutes later. She stroked her fingers over her labia with a slight frown, wishing she had a razor to clear the stubble prickling beneath her fingers.

Redbear and his wife didn't help to cool the fires of desire within Alicia, either. The couple consummated their marriage enthusiastically, the sound of their pleasure mingling with others of the tribe sharing their marriage beds. Alicia quickly washed, unsure if she could resist surrendering to her own needs so long as she remained nude in the bath.

She found Thakkor wearing a slightly embarrassed grin when she emerged from the tent. "Not exactly shy, are they?" He said with a chuckle as one of the plainswomen erupted in a piercing cry of release.

"No, I should say not," Alicia agreed, her cheeks warm and her sex tingling.

"I'm just going to wash off the sweat and dust real quick. Then we can bunk down so we'll be fresh in the morning."

Alicia nodded and stepped aside to let him in the tent. Though she fought the urge, she couldn't keep her eyes away from the silhouette of him undressing. Once again, his manhood stood erect and proud in the shadow upon the wall. True to his word, he remained in the bath for only a couple of minutes, and then emerged — still hard — to dress.

Thakkor opened the tent flap to indicate that he'd finished bathing, and Alicia stepped back inside. Thakkor held her sword, which she'd not put back on after bathing. "This probably needs a touch of the stone to keep the edge. I'll show you how," he said.

Thakkor sat down on the bed and unsheathed the sword, pulling a whetstone from a leather pocket in the sheathe at the same time. Alicia sat down right next to him, leaving just enough room for him to work. The urge to be close to him was simply beyond her ability to control.

Thakkor explained the angle and how to examine the blade. He then demonstrated, drawing the whetstone over the blade for several strokes. "It's actually in pretty good shape. You want to try?"

Alicia nodded and held out her hands for the stone and sword. She placed the stone against the blade and asked, "Like this?"

"You're a little too parallel to the blade," Thakkor instructed. He then guided her hand to the proper angle, sending a chill through Alicia that she barely kept from turning into a shiver.

"There you go. You're taking to this better than I did when I was a downy-cheeked lad," Thakkor praised her as she worked the stone over the blade on her own. "You handled those goblins like a veteran, too."

"Thank you — and thank you for your confidence in me when we found the goblins."

"You've earned it," he responded dismissively. "When you're in my line of work, a wise man doesn't pay attention to anything except who he does or doesn't want fighting at his back when things get ugly."

Alicia held the blade up to the light as Thakkor had told her, looking for nicks and dull spots. "Would you have me at your back, then?"

"Any time," Thakkor answered. He leaned over and examined the blade as well. "Looks good. We should probably hit the sack so we can get you closer to home tomorrow."

"What if I'm not sure I want to return home," Alicia softly said before she could think better of it.

"What do you mean?" Thakkor asked, taking the sword and sheathing it.

"I..." Alicia paused and sighed. "I feel like little more than another commodity in my father's business when I'm home."

Thakkor suggested, "Maybe go stay with the Baroness — Gwen?"

Alicia shook her head. "In the end, it would be much the same. There, I would be Gwen's friend. I want to be Alicia, not an extension of someone else."

"You're talking about a tough road. You're either going to have to stand up to your father, or strike out on your own."

"And you don't believe I can do it," Alicia said, and looked away.

Thakkor cupped her chin in his hand and turned her eyes back to him. "That's not it at all. I think you can do anything you set your mind to, and do it well. You've proved that time and time again since I met you. You're a remarkable woman, Alicia."

The heartfelt tone of his voice and the genuine look of admiration in his blue eyes said far more than even his uplifting words. Impulse gripped Alicia. She cupped Thakkor's bearded cheek in her hand, closed her eyes, leaned in, and kissed him.

Thakkor hesitated for a fraction of a second before he responded, but when he did, it was with a tender passion that took Alicia's breath away. Though the kiss was soft and short, it felt as though it lasted a blissful eternity to Alicia.

As her lips and Thakkor's parted, Alicia finally remembered to breathe. Her eyes remained closed, and she could still feel his lips against hers, his hand moving from her chin to her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she sighed, never wanting this moment to end.

"Alicia..." Thakkor began.

Tears welled up in Alicia's eyes. "I understand. I am terribly sorry for—"

Thakkor cut off both her apology and her attempt to walk away from the bed. "Alicia, you have nothing to apologize for."

"I misunderstood your feelings toward me," she responded, unable to look him in the eyes.

"No, you didn't."

Alicia hesitantly turned back to him and asked, "Then why?"

"I don't want you to make a mistake that you'll regret. I'm a simple man. I'll never be able to give you palaces, jewels..."

"Can you give me love?" Alicia asked, her eyes filling once more. She sat down heavily on the bed, leaning into his muscular chest to weep, "Please..."

Thakkor surrendered, wrapping his arms around the sobbing woman. "That's all I can promise," he said, close to her ear so she could hear.

Alicia looked up at him, dried her eyes and sniffled. "Do you mean it?"

"With all my heart, Alicia. I've never met a woman like you." This time, Thakkor took the initiative, and kissed her.

Alicia's hands roamed over his back as he kissed her, his fingers caressing her hair. She felt as though she was hovering several inches above the bed, suspended on a cloud of bliss.

While Thakkor's hands didn't stray from Alicia's back, face, and hair, Alicia explored his muscular body, her arousal taking control of her. His breaths grew deeper as she touched him, his kisses spiking into ardent desire whenever she caressed his abdomen and chest. During one particularly strong kiss, Alicia's fingers strayed between his legs.

Thakkor groaned as Alicia's fingers found his hard organ and she gasped.

"Alicia, are you sure that you're ready to..."

"Do you want to make love to me?" She whispered while looking into his eyes, her fingers tracing the lines of his cock beneath his coarse trousers.

"Gods — yes, Alicia," he replied, unwilling to lie to her, despite his misgivings about taking this step so soon after admitting his feelings to her — and himself.

"I want you to make love to me, Thakkor. I... I want you to be my first." Alicia lowered her gaze, her cheeks bright red.

Once again, he raised her eyes to his. "I don't want to hurt you, Alicia."

"I know you won't."

"If it's your first time..."

"I know of the pain." Alicia glanced over at the pine table beside the bed and located her dagger lying there. Despite not having it on her person, she could still feel the magic within. Before she could change her mind, Alicia called upon the spell stored there that would lessen the pain of her deflowering. She felt warmth spread through her sex, and knew the spell had worked.

Alicia looked back into Thakkor's eyes and began her other spell, which would tell her if she were fertile. He offered a quizzical raise of his eyebrows, but otherwise didn't comment as he reached out to stroke his hand over her bare leg.

The sensation of his touch nearly made Alicia fumble her words, but she completed the spell. She looked down and placed her hand over her tummy and loins, revealing the blue glow she expected after having cast the spell so recently with the same effect.

"What spell is that?" Thakkor asked, curious.

"It tells me that I cannot become with child right now," Alicia answered, her arousal spiking with the knowledge.

"I was a little worried about that, too," he revealed, and leaned in to kiss her again.

This time, Thakkor's hands found her bottom as they kissed. He caressed her doeskin-clad cheeks and let his fingers glide down her thighs to her bare leg. She started a little as his tongue slipped out to tickle her gums, but responded in kind when the initial shock changed into a warm glow of pleasure.

Alicia let out a little moan as Thakkor's hand slid up her leg and beneath the fringed hem of her dress. She trembled as his strong fingers glided up her inner thigh to her panties. As if having a mind of its own, Alicia's hand came to rest over his erection, her fingers curling around the hidden girth of the organ. She could feel it throbbing as she looked into his eyes. The smoldering desire in those blue orbs caused her heart to thunder in her ears.

Thakkor's other hand crept beneath Alicia's dress, joining the first in a gentle caress that came close — so close — to the aching need building in Alicia's loins. She let out a gasp and squeezed him as he tugged the doeskin from beneath her bottom and bunched it up at her waist.

Alicia leaned back and tugged her arms into the sleeves of the dress, inviting Thakkor to remove it completely. The dress scraped her stiff nipples as he pulled it over her head, causing her back to arch from the sensation. He passed the dress to one hand and let it fall from his fingers to the canvas floor below.

"So beautiful," he murmured, and then cupped the firm globes in his hand, letting the weight of her breasts rest in his palm.

"Oh," Alicia whimpered as he slipped one hand behind her back, guiding her down to the mattress. She pulled on his shirt as she reclined, prompting him to discard it as soon as he lowered her to the mattress. He leaned over her, his eyes intent upon hers, and parted his lips. A soft, warbling moan passed her lips as his closed over the pink tip of her right nipple.

Alicia's back arched, thrusting her breasts toward him as he suckled her bud, his tongue gliding over it in a slippery caress. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, feeling the steel of his muscles holding him over her. He released her nipple, leaving it glistening with his saliva, and engulfed the tingling bud's twin.

"S-so wonderful," Alicia cooed, her body undulating beneath him.

He shifted his weight to one arm, reaching back with the other to tug loose the knot holding his trousers closed. Alicia let her left hand slide down his back to the loosened waist of his trousers, and wriggled her fingers beneath. Her hand moved lower, following the lines of his body, and she gasped as her fingertips found his naked manhood.