“Don’t worry.” Zierno gestured to the three standing in-front of him, swords drawn. “We have my bodyguards.” He said derisively.
Edward blinked hard giving a pleading look. Opening his mouth to speak he was silenced by the arrival of the most massive man they’d ever seen.
What the Hell is that?
Sputtering Edward finally found his voice. “Z-Zier! Where the Hell did they find a barbarian?”
Zierno gave an irritated gesture. How would I know?
The lumbering man hopped off his horse with surprising agility.
A bad sign. Zierno saw his three comrades eying the giant warily. Their feet moving restlessly.
Sirus strode next to the leader and spoke loud enough for their ears. “Do you want me to kill them all or just the three?”
Standing next to Demitri mounted on his horse, Sirus’ head was level with Demitri’s shoulder.
“The three.”
“No.” Zierno declared pushing through the others to stand in-front. “You don’t need to fight them. You need only go through me to get to the noble.” He gestured up at Edward who shot him an appalled look. Mouth gaping in horror.
It’ll be no great loss to the realm.
“Let’s not make hasty decisions.” Edward urged through gritted teeth.
It wasn’t hasty.
“How noble you are to try and spare their lives by sacrificing yourself.” Demitri gave an admiring nod. “It would be a shame not to allow you to prove your courage.” He gave Sirus a quick look.
The giant pulled a sword in one hand and returned to his horse to collect a wide hammer in the other. Demitri gave a triumphant smile.
A Battling Warhammer. Delightful. Zierno’s muscles tightened. He ignored Edward’s squeak.
Drawing his sword, he heard the whisper of leather against metal as he pulled it from the sheath. A surge of exhilaration filled him as he felt the familiar grip. Lovingly adjusting his fingers until they sat in the grooves Zierno had painstakingly worn into it. Holding it casually at his side he looked reluctant to use it.
Sirus strode toward them and Zierno could hear the three behind him breathing heavily. The huge man gave a roar and began to run at them. Zierno easily stepped aside and hit the man on the back of the neck with the hilt of his sword. Spinning it in his hand as he turned, he faced Sirus again.
Not nearly fast enough.
I train with something much faster.
When the giant once more tried to rush him Zierno struck the arm carrying the hammer with the side of his sword and ducked beneath it, dodging the sword swiping at him in the man’s other hand. The giant came at him several times and each resulted the same. When Zierno could see the larger man tiring he made his move.
Swinging his sword viciously resulted in the giant deflecting it with his own. Forcing Zierno to dodge the hammer once more.
Circling behind Sirus, he stepped on the back of the giant’s knee, forcing Sirus to drop to a kneeling position. When he did, Zierno thumped him solidly with the hilt of his sword from a higher vantage. Watching, uninspired as the man lulled forward and back a moment before collapsing heavily to the forest floor.
Demitri stared slack jawed as his giant collapsed, unconscious. Eyes flying to the slender man spinning his sword. When he stopped, his feet planted, and he met Demitri’s look challengingly.
Big. But dumb and slow. Having spent far too many years relying on size rather than skill.
“You can get off your horse and be imprisoned in the king’s name or you can face me as the leader of your men.” Zierno jutted his chin in challenge.
The men astride next to Demitri stared at their leader in shock.
Demitri refused to look at them. Staring thoughtfully at the ground a moment before finally lifting his gaze. Sliding off his horse, he landed heavily on his feet. Holding his arms out as he lifted his chin to Zierno.
Good decision. Zierno gave a gesture towards Tristan Kurdikus. Get the shackles.
Tristan knew the look. Returning to his saddlebag, he retrieved a set.
Zierno watched as the restraints were applied to Demetri’s wrists before turning to the other mounted men. “The rest of you have this chance. If I catch you thieving again, I won’t be so kind. And believe me, I always recognize a familiar face.” His unwavering stare and the well-used sword carefully sheathed on his hip, inspired them to believe him.
Returning to The Netherlands with his captive in tow, Zierno was greeted by King Eben and his party of guards.
Including Captain, Dorin. Zier’s eyes narrowed on him.
Eben’s long blue and red robe flowed around him as he strode into the bailey to meet them. Instantly approaching to wrap an arm around Zierno in a sideways hug. “Zier! I’ve missed you, my brother. You were away long.”
Only a sennight.
“I searched for your pretty mare.”
Eben’s eyes lit. “Having such a mythical creature in my stables would further spread my name. Bring more to our kingdom. I would have her one way or another.”
So you’ve told me on many an occasion.
“With you on the hunt she’ll be mine soon enough.” Eben smiled assuredly. “Any trace so far?”
No. But I’ll keep looking.
“Only thieves.” Zier gestured to the man tied to their horses being drug behind.
Eben chuckled. “My mightiest mercenary can’t return from the woods empty handed! You could’ve returned for a visit sooner, my friend.”
Not if I want to catch the Mare. Her trails are rare and vanish fast.
Zier gave a grudging nod. “I’d have you have the beast.”
Liba's Uses“Come! Bring your bloodthirsty lot! We’ll have a banquet to celebrate your return.” Eben slapped him on the back.Zierno’s band had time to leave the bailey to the Netherwood and bathe in a cove near the NetherRunnel before returning to the castle.Zierno was customarily escorted to a chamber to take a bath and get cleaned up.Eben would hear none of him bathing in the woods.He never does.“You’ll use the same chamber as always.” Eben directed offering no time to argue before he continued. “I’ll send you Liba, as I always do.”He waved away Zierno’s objections and left the room.Servants hauled in steaming buckets to fill the tub near the fire.Zierno had just enough time to drop in and begin to soak when Liba arrived.She rolled in rather than walked. Wearing a robe slit up the side and tied with a silk band she swayed her lush hips in a seductive saunter. Making her large breasts sway like pendulums against the silky fabric.She stood at the foot of his tub and unlaced
The StagHe shoved her onto the bed, face first.She gave a little objecting sound but he knew it was for effect.He gripped her hips and roughly hauled her back to meet his length. Without preamble he lowered his hips and caught the tip at her entrance. Delving in without hesitation.She squawked and gripped the bed linens in tight fists. She bit down on the coverlet as he slowly withdrew from her then slammed back in. Feeling something stroking his tip that old him it was a further entrance within her. A sensitized place that could cause her both pain and pleasure.And Liba certainly loves both...He pushed her rounded buttocks open to better watch her inner lips gripping him as he worked in and out of her. Savoring the feel of her soft body gripping him.“You are my little Pet, aren’t you, Liba?”“I am yours. Hurt me. Do as you will.” She begged.So, he caught the back of her knees and hoisted her up onto the bed, pulling her back against her heels so only her little opening hung o
Worth of a Mist MarePounding on the door entered his numbed mind. “The banquet is prepared you’re summoned in the name of the king.” A servant bellowed through the layers of wood.Bloody hell. It was apparent the knock was what had woken him.Knock. That’s a loose word for it. The servant’s thudding had rattled the door.Sighing, Zier rose and straightened his tunic, pulling his boots back on and running a hand through his yellow hair to push wet blonde strands from his face. Blinking blearily.True to his word Eben had laid out a huge banquet in their honor.“I’ve caught nothing yet!” Zier reminded the King.“I’ll hear none of it!” He put up a halting hand. “Sit.” He pointed to the line of chairs across from him.Only Zier sat aside the king. And Captain Dorin on the other. In the honored seats next to the king.Trenchers of glazed vegetables, fish and chicken intermingled with the aromas of bread and fresh cut flowers.What I wouldn’t have given for this when I was starving on the
A Rope to Bind HerWhich you know very well!Eben sighed. “I know my friend. I understand your reasoning for being a knight. You’d be my most trusted defender, my fiercest warrior.”“I would look after the King I consider brother!” Zierno shoved his trencher aside.No assassin could get close enough to look at you, much less kill you. And the Netherlands would remain a free country. Separate from the type of tyranny ruling Nightway and Igonox.“You’re ambitious and your motives rightly set but why do you hunger for it so passionately?”“I don’t trust Dorin. I never have. He’s a man with a price and would offer you up for enough coin.”“He knows his place unlike many.” Eben lashed out.Zier lifted his chin and his gaze turned to a hard glint.Eben gave another heavy sigh. “I can only grant you what you desire if you accomplish a feat worthy of knighthood.”The doors to the Dining Hall were tossed open. “Forgive me your highness. I came at Zier’s command to notify him if word came of a
She Waited for MeZier was already outside mounting his horse when he realized he’d been so stunned at the man’s reaction to his arrival that he’d not introduced himself.Going in search of the animal proved that her ideal climate had settled over Feglen. A mist so thickhe could hardly see the two riders at the back of their pack. They’d gotten off the horses to silence their steps. A sensation that sent Zier’s head to itching and his skin to prickling caused him to gesture for the men to tie the horses. They wound the reins around a narrow stump and left them chomping on grass. The men were obviously as unsettled as Zierno. He wondered if they were picking up on him or whatever wafted through the air. A quick glance at them showed they’d drawn their weapons.Reflexively he’d drawn his dagger. His warriors instinct had chosen the weapon he sensed would be the most effective. It surprised him that without thought that had been the one he’d drawn. It meant he was likely near beast rath
A Most Feared MercenaryLucas did as ordered.Obligingly, she stuck her snout in the bag to chomp at tender granules.Zier carefully wound the loop of rope beneath the bag and flipped it over her neck.He froze. Don’t run.Shaking her mane slightly she shifted but didn’t move away.Stay…Don’t bolt… He willed her. All his visions of being Eben’s Captain of Guard floating before his eyes.I’m so close…Blowing out a quiet breath he pushed the knot tight against her neck, careful to avoid contact with so much as a single hair. Heart pounding, he vaguely registered that he suddenly felt very sad, disappointed in himself, despite his triumph in catching the animal.She’s a rare beast. Meant to be free.A shame she’ll now be stabled the same as any other horse.Brows lifting, he glanced over and saw a wide, heavily lashed eye watching him steadily. Chomping away she remained tensed as she was but still didn’t shy.Eyes flicking to Lucas he shouted for him to stop.Lucas’ hand shook as he re
AmbitionsThey crossed the bailey and took the stone walkway through the large double doors to the inner sanctum of the castle.The horse’s hooves clicking over the cobbles as they were led just inside the King’s outer Throne Room.Suddenly the mare exploded.Forcing the stallions to fight to control her, the mare suddenly bucked. Shockingly strong for her minute size.Heretic received a solid kick to the haunches. His head spun back to look at her.Zier gave his cheek two pats, directing him.Instead of reacting on the rage Zierno glimpsed, Heretic snorted at the other male. Causing the other war horse to pivot with him.They both pinned her hind end firmly between them. Twisting their heads away, which tightened the ropes holding her neck. Well trained in what to do with belligerent captives.Making her duck her head but against them but keep moving forward. Snorting as she fought for breath against the bigger mounts.Immobilized she gave a high whinny of objection but was still. Lo
To Touch a Mist MareZierno was awestruck by the look of her in this glorious room.The light beaming down caught in the sparkling glints of silver in her white coat, making her shine like sunlight across a watery surface. Shimmering as brightly as the stone floor.Zierno turned triumphantly to the crowd in the Receiving Room. Assembled so speedily to take in this sight.Servants scattered to the far walls, staring in awe at the flawless creature. Her mane fell in shining waves and her tail draped down to drag across the marble behind her. Her hooves were an unnatural white, almost opalescent. Wide golden eyes beneath heavy black lashes flicked up to glance at the king. Watching the beast Zier saw fear in her gaze for the first time as the king began slowly stepping down the stairs to the lower level. His stare was riveted on her velvet muzzle and flowing mane, soft and beckoning touching them was irresistible.Zierno saw Eben’s eyes glazing and the way he looked at the mare. Certain