The Ingaran Adventures
Episode 64 1/2
“Side Adventures.”

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Lord Issic:  Half Human, Half Gold Dragon Warrior
Lady India: A gypsy Bard/Shadow Dancer
Lord Phaidon:  A Tamer of the Beasts
Lord Alexander Maximus: The Gauntlet of Athena

Cthaat Angartha: The first Blood Owl
                                    Zografos, Lord Domnhall: A yuan-ti slayer of mind flayers
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*Warning* - Mature Content in the first story.

Zografos – “The Key and the Lock.”

Zografos wondered what had happened to Phaidon. He continued his discussion with the succubus in his deep, dragon voice, “Now, demoness, tell the priest what you know of Larbius and his binding of you. Offer him assistance in Larbius' destruction and he may free you.”

“What do you get out of this, mighty dragon?”

“I get the attention of a nuisance priest directed in a direction other than my own.”

“Ah, I see. You know, I have been in here a long time...”

“And how long have you been here? How far can you travel from here?”

“I have been here for centuries. I can travel to the city above on certain nights of the year.”

“What of the levels below here? How far down can you go?”

“Fairly far, but 'tis dangerous.”

“And what lies below that is dangerous?”

“A Darkness older than man.”

“How did you acquire all the books in the library if you have been here for centuries?”

“Worshippers donate them to us.”

“Do you have any that would make an interesting read?”

“Many. You may look through them, great dragon.”

Zografos motioned for the human ladies to follow him back into the library. The demoness also followed the dragon who was in human form.

Zografos asked the demoness, “Which one is your favorite?”

She smiled and pointed to one called, Sexual Arts of Prezella

Zografos pulled down the tome and skimmed through the contents. It was the detailed memoirs of a prostitute, including drawings and diagrams.

Zografos smiled, “It is an excellent book.”

The demoness said, “I like this one as well.” She handed Zografos another tome. It was a book detailing the vile acts of someone named Count Xythagic.

“Describe your favorite passage from it.”

The demoness recited for Zografos, “'The restless king paced the corridors like a ghost, stumbled over things, walked into privies, poked his nose into kitchens and ladies' chambers. The day before the wedding, the king, still drunk, stumbled through the doors of Thandara's rooms, which had been left unlocked by Keresa, an unbelievable oversight. A great deal of activity was going on. A swarm of seamstresses, hatters, veilers, cutters, ironers, shoemakers and assorted other attendants revolved around the young bride, fitting her for her nuptial dress. The place was a madhouse, and the king went unnoticed until he had advanced almost to the centre of the swarm, where the pale, delicate and naked young countess sat on a blue velvet stool before the mirror. When Thandara's servants recognized the king, they fell to their knees on the floor and bowed like a wheat field bent by a strong wind. Thandara, who had been looking at herself in the mirror, was left sitting on her stool while her servants lowered themselves all around her. She did not know what had happened so she swung around to castigate the wretches who had so suddenly abandoned her, and found herself face to face with King Xatthias II of Drychtnoth. Now, Thandara was faced with a great dilemma. There was no question as to the proper thing to do. She had to curtsy and then fall to one knee before her sovereign. Thandara became terribly conscious of her nudity and of the humiliating ritual that she was duty bound to perform. How could she rise, let alone move? Defiance and humiliation raced through her body like two burning flames. But she could not see any way in which she could avoid her duty. For his part, King Xatthias had become paralyzed by the sight of the girl's perky little breasts, whose pale nipples looked at him without fear. When he was able to tear his eyes from her nipples, he raised them to her face and was smitten by the flawless oval of that visage and by the angry bow of her lips. But it was when he saw her eyes that the king fell deeply in thrall. Those eyes were black, deep, angry and layered, like the soul of Drychtnoth. He recognized in their depth something profoundly national. Those are heraldic eyes, he told himself; I must bow before them. At the same time, Xatthias became aware of the girl's humiliation. He had surprised her at her toilette, which was very bad form, even for a king. He had to beg her forgiveness. At the very moment that the king, overcome by the mystical emotion of beauty and the need to apologize, threw himself down before the naked girl, Thandara herself, determined to do her duty, flung herself off her stool to kneel before her purple-robed king. The king's bald dome with a simple gold circle around it met Thandara's flying dark tresses in midair; they collided and fell inelegantly, one on top of the other. They rested like this, sprawled on the floor, breathless and aware of their absurdity, but no one dared to help them, though scores of servants lay stock-still all around. Finally Thandara gathered her slender body from the folds of the king's robe and curtsied properly, even as a swelling the size and color of red began forming above her eyes. The king himself rose with some difficulty from the floor to one knee. One of his hands shot up in the air, and his cupbearer instantly put a goblet of wine into it.’”

The demoness interrupted the tale and said, “Shall I go on?”

“Please, continue. You can just summarize it if you like.”

“Well, essentially, the king wants to keep her, but Thandara has to explain that she is the one getting married, to Count Xythagic. Then after the king leaves, she beats the shit out of the servants for leaving the door unlocked.”

Zografos smiled, “So why is that your favorite passage?”

She smiled, “I like embarrassment. 'Tis my specialty as a demon. I arrange things so people get embarrassed.”

“Interesting... You could be very useful to a certain dragon I know. Have you ever had a target that didn't get embarrassed over anything?”

“Eventually I get everyone I target.”

“Have you ever had any Drow targets?”

“Oh yes.”

“How was it that you were bound to this place?”

“How did you guess?”

“And how did you happen to acquire two fine females?” indicating the two humans.

“They made a bargain with me years ago to embarrass rivals of theirs.”

“How did I guess? You told me Larbius bound you here.”

“Sorry, I thought you meant that embarrassing a Drow target caused me to be bound here, which is true, an ingenious trap by Larbius.”

“Which Drow where you trying to embarrass?”

“A princess named De'lisadef.”

“And do you know anything about the binding that holds you here?”

“No.”

“I will work on freeing you from your binding. When I do, you will become my minister of politics in the Drow city where I lair. You will have the opportunity to gain great power working for me.”

She smiled, “If you free me, I am yours for fifty years.”

Zografos smiled knowingly, “At the end of fifty years, you will have gained so much power that you will pledge yourself for another fifty.”

“I hope so. How shall you free me? Larbius said he left me a clue, but I have not found it.”

“Oh really? Did he leave you anything or give you hint as to what the clue might be?”

“Yes, he said, I had to look for a snake that was not a snake, and the key could be found by him in my vagina.”

Zografos laughed so hard if echoed throughout the corridors.

He composed himself, still snickering, “Is that all or was there more?”

“Aye, there was more, but did not care for the laughter.”

“What was the rest? I know of a snake that is not a snake.”

“He said once the key was found, the lock is in the angel's cunt.”

Zografos smiled mightily and tried to suppress his laughter this time. He pondered aloud, “The angel has been here for awhile as well.” He continued talking to the demoness, “Was that all, or was there more?”

“Aye, there is more. Once the lock has been unlocked with the key, the snake who is not a snake would choose any door of his liking, and, when the door is passed through, I shall be free.”

Zografos thought to himself. He wasn’t sure if he understood the last part, “So basically I could keep her bound here if I chose a door on the moon?”

The demoness continued, “I think the door is an orifice of one of us, any of us, any orifice.”

Zografos smiled and thought to himself once more, “That is what I was hoping, but just wanted to be sure.”

“Hmmmm.... Then before we begin we should make proper introductions. I am Domnhall of Alisander.”

The demoness spoke, “I am Demogorgon.”

The angel that belonged to Zografos reappeared after helping Alexander.

Zografos spoke to her, “And you, with the Angel's wings. What is your name?”

“My name is Faith.”

“Quite a good name for an angel. Shall we retire to the bedroom? Although, I am afraid I am a bit overdressed.” Zografos was the only one in the library with any clothing on.

“Let's get you naked then,” said Demogorgon.

Zografos responded, “Perhaps you two should get started while I undress. I wouldn't want to slow you down or hold you back.”

Demogorgon pushed Faith against the opposite wall, pinning her arms to the wall. Faith was breathing heavy, her face just a few inches from Demogorgon’s.

Zografos began unbuttoning his shirt as he watched the two.

This lasted a couple of seconds, and then Demogorgon virtually attacked faith, planted a huge kiss on her mouth and ground her crotch against the angel's leg. As their naked pussies ground into each other, their kissing became more frantic, and Faith tried to free her hand so she could touch Demogorgon. Demogorgon traced the slight curve of Faith's breast, ending with her fingers on Faith's tight nipple while the other hand held onto Faith's wrists. Faith moaned, enjoying the feel of Demogorgon’s lips on hers. Still, she struggled to be free, to touch Demogorgon, even while enjoying the sweet delights of the beautiful demon's passionate and wet kisses.

Zografos thought to himself, ‘These two may turn out to be a helpful factor in his research to make himself into a creature of lust.’

Demogorgon lowered her head and took one of Faith's pert nipples into her mouth. Faith arched her back, but still could not free her hands from Demogorgon’s powerful grasp. Demogorgon’s mouth sucked and licked Faith's breasts, teeth nibbled at the swollen nipple.

Zografos noticed that he was so engrossed by the two that he had stopped undressing. He ripped his shirt the rest of the way off and snapped the string that held up his breeches. He ordered the two humans to go and hold the angel's wrists so Demogorgon could explore more of her.

Demogorgon’s hand slid down Faith's stomach toward her pussy. “Ooh, it is already wet,” she cooed. She released Faith when the two humans took her wrists.

“Move her to the bed,” Zografos ordered. He planned to give Demogorgon a good probing with his tongue and fingers while she did the same to Faith.

Faith was quickly moved to the bed and Demogorgon began her vaginal examination of Faith.

Zografos was slowing rubbing the outside of Demogorgon’s vaginal wall, slowly spiraling in with his fingers from his other hand. He paused every once in a while to blow lightly across her tender clitoris.

Demogorgon shuddered with delight. “Melesa,” she said.

After he probed deep into her with two fingers, Zografos then gave her a good tongue lashing from the inside out! Demogorgon cried out, her fingers delved deep into Faith as Faith bucked her hips, still struggling to get free. After a long and thorough examination with his tongue, Zografos filled Demogorgon with his rod and give her what-for yet again. Faith's legs opened even wider as Demogorgon went down on her as she was fucked by Zografos. Faith groaned as her tongue tickled her clit. Faith loved the feeling of the firm tip of the demon's tongue as it slid over her slippery slit. Demogorgon’s head bobbed up and down, as her tongue continued to pump in and out of Faith's wet pussy. It had been too long, and the sensation was too much. Faith started to cum. After cuming into her hard, Zografos ordered them to switch positions so he could repeat the process on Faith. Everyone shifted positions, and the two humans continued to hold Faith's wrists as she licked the demoness and was fucked by Zografos. Zografos ordered the women to hold Demogorgon so she couldn’t struggle against Faith's counterattack.

“I'm, oh, so close . . .” The demon's body trembled with the intense orgasm. She shook all over, fighting the urge to snap her legs shut during the intense climax. Faith eased up on her licking, pushing and wiping her face on the demoness' shapely thighs. The second time around Zografos got Faith off, but controlled himself and did not allow himself to come. As Zografos finished off Faith, she cried out, “Lilend'eth!” He ordered Demogorgon to perform oral sex on him, since that is the door he chose. Demogorgon took him you deep into her mouth as if it were bottomless. Her lips pressed against his pubic hair as she sucked hard. Her tongue increased the pressure, and he felt the tip of it touch the top of his balls now and again. Zografos clamped down as hard as he could with his sphincter to make the exquisite pleasure last as long as possible. Zografos almost cummed in shear amazement of her ability. Eventually, he gave in as she overpowered him and he joyously released into her. Zografos heard a crack like thunder when he came, and he almost passed out from the pleasure, and he knew the demoness was now his…and was now free. He also knew her by her True Name, Melesa Lilend'eth.

Zografos laughed maniacally to himself.

The act also cured Melesa of her mania. She no longer believed that she was Demogorgon.

The demoness said, "Your friends should go no further."

Zografos responded, "Why is that?"

"Someone will surely die. That is the price."

"The price of what? What if one of them is already dead?" Zografos was thinking of Aendryal or one of her cronies.

"The price of the gods. If they are already dead, then it’s no good."

"Which gods would those be?"

"The Old Ones."

"What about your ape creatures? Would they work for the price of passage?"

"They will not go below."

Zografos thought to himself, “I am sure Alexander is going to believe me if I tell him this. Especially, since it came from the demoness.”

Zografos asked Melesa, Faith, and the two girls, "What are all of the abilities and powers you possess?"

They shrugged, "What abilities do you possess?"

Zografos laughed, "My greatest ability is management and leadership. I use the resources available to me in ways others do not and thus put myself ahead of the game. I am a great painter. A moderate connoisseur of wine. I have been told I am excellent at sex, especially oral sex. I dabble in a bit of magic and can at least not shame myself when wielding my sword."

The demoness said, "I am a deceiver and a liar. I can seduce the best and I do so to gain power."

Faith said, "My power is the ability to make people feel better about themselves, and to be a protector."

Melesa quipped, "She's also good at licking pussy." Faith blushed at that remark. Oh how Melesa loved to embarrass the angel.

Zografos laughed aloud, "I believe I have the perfect spots where you both can use your abilities to their fullest."

The angel tiptoed up to Zografos and whispered in his ear, "I'd like to learn to be as good at licking cock as I am at pussy."

Zografos whispered back, "I can't test you and help you improve unless I know what your limits and powers are."

"You have been my limit for the most part, at least as far as men go."

"Then steel yourself lass, for when we return to the surface I shall put you through your paces."

Zografos turned to Melesa, "Your women, do they know or do anything useful?"

"They know history."

"Is there a way around someone having to die if the others proceed below?"

"No."

"No? Well, then it looks like we will have to have sex until I think of something. I want to see you,” he pointed to Melesa, “and you,” he pointed to her women, “get it on."

“What about me?" asked Faith.

Zografos smiled, "You will sit here beside me on the bed and watch... at least for a little while."

She sat down beside him. She squeezed her thighs slightly and tilted her head so it was lying against his shoulder.

The demoness waved her arm and chains along the wall come to life and snapped around the arms and legs of the women, pulling them, spread eagled and naked, against the walls.

Zografos liked that.

She walked between two of them and lightly touches their pussies. She started rubbing the body of one of them, massaging the front of the body. The demoness then turned around, looked at Zografos, and winked.

Zografos watched the demoness intently to see what secrets she might reveal and he watched Faith to see how she reacted.

Suddenly, Zografos and Faith were sitting on a bench in another place, another room. They saw the demoness, dressed in a long skirt and a white blouse at the head of the room. The girls were all dressed as young girls of varying ages at desks. Apparently some sort of lesson was taking place for the young women of the castle.

Zografos muttered, “Interesting."

Melesa smiled and said, "Now today, ladies, we have a very special lesson, one that you cannot talk about in public."

Zografos smiled and thought to himself, “I am going to like this!”

"Today's lesson is on..." she paused, smirked, then whispered, "sex."

The girls all giggled and squirmed in their benches.

"First, you have to understand your body before you can understand sex. How many of you have masturbated?"

The girls blushed and looked around at each other, waiting for someone else to be the first to admit it.

"Come on girls. I masturbate. Do you?"

Slowly the girls started raising their hands. Zografos smiled.

"Good. Now we can start." She touched her lips. "These, of course, are lips. They will be used for much of the sex play."

She lifted up her fingers. "These will also see a lot of use."

She lifted up her blouse. "These are our breasts. They are sensitive to lips, tongues and fingers." She pulled off her blouse.

Meanwhile, Zografos started inspecting and massaging Faith’s wings as he listened and watched the lesson and whispered to her, "Is there sensitivity in your wings?"

She shivered and said, "Yes. If you keep doing that I am going to cum."

Zografos continued, happy in the thought that this would be his first wing orgasm.

The demoness lifted up her skirt and pointed to the soft folds of flesh between her legs. The girls watching squirmed and giggled. "This," said the demoness "is my pussy."

She sat up on the desk, her skirt still held high. She opened up her pussy. "Jana, come up here and inspect my pussy." The girl blushed and walked up as the other girls giggled. One girl put her hand between her legs. Jana touched and inspected the demoness's pussy.

"Thank you," said the Demoness. "Now, Jana, please get undressed."

The girl gulped and nervously started to undo her blouse, eventually revealing two soft mounds of flesh surmounted by soft pink tips.

Zografos quickly realized that Faith’s wings were extremely sensitive in several key spots. She was melting under the onslaught of his massaging.

Jana undid her skirt and dropped it to the floor to the giggles of the other girls. The demoness pointed at Jana's breasts. "What are these?"

"My breasts."

She pointed at Jana's tufted crotch. "And that?"

"My... my..."

"Pussy," said the demoness. The girl nodded and said quickly, "Pussy."

Zografos asked Faith, "Are your breasts as sensitive as your wings?"

"Not as much," she whispered.

The demoness touched Jana's slit. "You are wet. Why?"

Jana blushed. The demoness turned around and says, "Class, please note that in a state of sexual arousal, women get wet."

She walked to one of the sitting girls. "Touch me." The girl's eyes got wide and she touched the demoness' pussy.

"See, I am wet too."

Zografos had Faith lay on the bench so that he could inspect the rest of her body to see if any other spots brought out as much sensitivity. He found out she was very sensitive and wet between her legs. Zografos passed over that area to inspect the rest of her. He then returned between her legs and gave it a good thrashing with the textured side of his tongue.

The demoness continued her lessons as Zografos inspected Faith. She started teaching the girls how to kiss. She pressed her lips against Jana's and kissed her. After the demon-stration was over, she instructed the girls to kiss each other in pairs. The demoness kissed and caressed Jana's breasts as she gave oral instructions to the class to do the same to each other in turn.

Faith said, "I want you, Zografos." Zografos responded with every tongue trick he knew of to see if her pussy was more sensitive than her wings. Her pussy was indeed more sensitive and she came very quickly.

The demoness demon-strated how to eat pussy to the girls and they started licking and tasting each other.

Zografos wondered as to how Faith knew his name, "Oh, really?” He continued to lick her frantically and started massaging her from the inside out. "How do you know my name?"

She screamed and said, "Fuck me and I will tell you!"

Zografos smiled internally. He did not change his position, but continued to stimulate her to heaven with his tongue, "And you will also tell me your abilities and powers."

"Of course!"

Zografos launched himself onto her, filling her full of his delight and positioning her so he could stimulate her wings at the same time.

As her started fucking Faith, the demoness said, "Now, class I have a real treat for you."

The girls could suddenly see Zografos and Faith and they surround them as they thrashed together, her body hungry for his. The girls watched and touched as he and the angel fucked.

The demoness continued the lessons, "This is a penis. Notice how it is erect and hard and pistoning repetitively into the angel's soft pussy. This is sex at its finest. In a moment, you each might get to experience this, if he is up for it."

Zografos finished with Faith and her screams of ecstasy flowed throughout the corridors. After all was said and done, and all of the girls were instructed in the proper use of penises, Faith said, "I was told your name by Aphrodite."

"Well, at least you have it on good authority then!" Zografos smiled. "Do you work for her?"

"I used to. She was upset at me because I was afraid of sex. She sent me here to learn all I could. She told me you would be my teacher."

Zografos laughed, "Then I will try doubly hard to impress and teach you and her! "Now, lover, your abilities and powers? How did you come to work for Aphrodite if you were afraid of sex?"

"It is complicated. I am not sure I can explain it. My powers? Very few, I am afraid. I will regain my full Solar powers as I have more sexual experiences."

Zografos chuckled, "I love it! A truly heavenly reason to have sex on top of shear lust!" Zografos kissed Faith.

Faith said, "We should rejoin your friends now."

"And what about her?" Zografos nodded his head at the demoness. "She will be useful, but Alexander will not likely allow her to follow in her current form."

The demoness said, "If you give me permission, I can fly back to your home."

Zografos wrote a quick note for his consort, “Go to my mansion and give the note to the consort to the consort unchanged and follow the consort's instructions.”

He and Faith went to meet up with Alexander.

PHAIDON – “Following Athena.”

Phaidon and Leila followed the owl for quite some time, until they came upon an old battlefield. Scores upon scores of dead lay about the field. The stench was overwhelming and Leila became a little feint. A few of the corpses squirmed and moaned for help as they died from ghastly wounds. One figure stood among the dead, atop a pile of slain warriors, his legs spread wide, and a greatsword clutched in armored hands, its point buried in someone’s head. The armor of the warrior gleamed blue-black and was obviously plate-mail. The warrior’s face was covered by a great helm surmounted by a pair of powerful horns. A scrap of cloth hung from his belt, black with a red dragon design on it. His boots, covered in a massive amount of gore and indescribable things were fur covered.

It was obvious to Phaidon that this single warrior had slain all the others. Phaidon continued towards the warrior, albeit a little worried. Athena had led them to this site for a reason.

Phaidon whispered to Leila, “This looks bad.”

“Yes it does. And it is even worse because I am so scared, I have forgotten my name. What if he asks for it, and kills us because I have forgotten?”

“You told me your name was Leila. There, now you are safe.”

“Thank you.”

The giant warrior looked up and watched both of them as they approached. Ravens and vultures circled in the air above the grisly figure. Phaidon then noticed something odd. A little farther off from the warrior stood an elephant, an elephant decked out in plate barding of all things.

Phaidon crossed the grisly battlefield, “Hail, warrior.”

He answered in a groaning voice. Phaidon could see white eyes behind the helmet. “You come to the fight ill-prepared.” He did not shift his sword in the least.

“Ill prepared, I am. Come to fight, I have not.”

The warrior grunted, “Who are you, man?”

Phaidon bowed, “I am Phaidon. May I ask who you are, great warrior?”

“I am Lord Komaaks Nagutiskatsenu Wayu Tlasinukagenodla.”

Phaidon knew of the mighty Lord Komaaks. Tales of Komaaks were often told in Lamapacher to bolster or frighten everyone from little children to seasoned warriors. Phaidon knew he was a mighty, noble warrior. He had ended slavery in Lamapacher when he ruled there. Yet, he was also a ruthless killer and someone not to be trifled with. A hero, yet also a villain at the same time. Lord Komaaks walked the fine line between good and evil. Yet, Phaidon respected him.

Phaidon bowed again, “Truly you say? The mighty Lord Komaaks? I am honored to meet you.”

“Thank you.” Lord Komaaks started to walk off the pile of dead people.

Phaidon asked, “What brings you to this place?”

“War. Battle.”

“I see the victory in this battle is yours.”

“It always is in this godforsaken afterlife. No fun at all, just work.”

“Have you been in perpetual battle since you came here?”

“Pretty much. If you hang about much longer, you will see. Well, until you get slain by the damned.”

“Well, that would not be a good thing. May I equip myself and journey with you?”

“Aye.” Lord Komaaks waited for Phaidon to equip himself and Leila.

Phaidon picked out some good leather and the best bow and arrows he could find. Blood and gore covered everything, but if hordes of the damned were on their way, it was a far cry better than fighting in the nude.

Phaidon asked Leila, “Do you know how to defend yourself?”

“No.”

Phaidon found the cleanest clothing and leather armor he could. He helped Leila into the clothing and armor and handed her a sword, “Just in case. Stay close to me.”

Phaidon asked, “What happens to those who are slain here, Lord Komaaks?”

“They are doomed to die again and again.”

“I see. Does this place have a name besides afterlife?”

“Not that I know of, Hell, I guess.”

“Has someone tasked you with battling endlessly or do you battle because that is all there is here?”

Phaidon paused for a moment and pondered out loud, “I doubt we are in Hell.”

“All there is to do.”

“Aye,” a nearby voice echoed across the battlefield above the corpses.

Phaidon looked and saw a short woman not wearing any armor. She was bald save for a topknot and tattoos covered parts of her body and face. She was carrying a halberd.

Phaidon was a little shocked, “Xalandra?”

“Aye,” the warrioress answered.

“It has been awhile. 'Tis a sad day if you and the other Liberators have fallen.”

“Truly it is. But the worst is yet to come.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Bad things have happened to the Liberators, and worse events shall befall because of it. Also, Alexander is headed into a deathtrap.”

“How do you know Alexander is headed into a deathtrap? What sort of deathtrap?”

“You will see. After you have been here a while, you will learn to know things.”

Phaidon nodded, “We were going to travel with Lord Komaaks, whom I am sure you know of. Would you like to accompany us?”

“No. His fights are extremely intense, and I don't have his stamina for hours upon hours of bloody combat.”

“Where are you headed?”

“To Hell. I am among the damned because of the manner of my death.”

“What happened?”

“I walk as the risen dead.”

Phaidon could see the tell-tale marks of a vampire about Xalandra’s neck, “I am sorry to hear that. Is there nothing to do in this place but battle?”

“I am sure I have not been here long enough to know all there is to do.”

“Well, I am not one to just stand about waiting for things to happen. I would however, rather travel with someone.”

“My journey I must make alone. Your journey is to be shared with the girl. Don't forget the importance of lineage.”

“Very well. Perhaps it is best that we find our own path. Good luck in your journeys.”

Xalandra turned and headed away from them, “Thank you.”

Phaidon looked up and once again saw an owl, this time flying west.

“Good Lord Komaaks, I believe we must bid you farewell. It seems our path lies in another direction, unless you would like to come with us?”

“Nay, I hear the rumbling of the oncoming fight.”

Indeed, Phaidon could feel the ground beginning to shake as if the ground were quaking, “May all fall beneath your blade, mighty Lord Komaaks. Come, Leila, we head west.”

Phaidon wasted little time and left the battlefield as quickly as he could. Leila looked over her shoulder and could see hordes of unimaginable creatures bearing down on Lord Komaaks. Lord Komaaks sighed and began removing heads from the onrushing horde. Leila turned her head at the sight.

Very soon, Phaidon and Leila came to a door. A door that was unattached to any wall. The door was just standing in the middle of the frozen wasteland. Phaidon could easily see both sides of the door. Phaidon examined the door closely. It was not trapped and was clearly made of some sort of mahogany.

Phaidon shrugged, “I suppose we go here.”

Phaidon opened the door. To his surprise, he could see a river, a green plain, some orchards, and a city not far off that was walled. Phaidon heard the ruffled of feathers behind him and the owl they had been following swooped past them and into the door. The owl vanished without a trace.

“Let us go. Come.” Phaidon led Leila through the door.

The door vanished as they passed through it, as did their armor and every stitch of clothing either of them were wearing. They were standing next to the mighty river that they had seen through the door.

Phaidon was not used to walking about naked let alone unarmed, “I suppose we are to have no belongings on this journey.”

Phaidon looked about and surveyed their surroundings. He could see two riders approaching on horseback not far off. Both of the riders were women. One rode ahead of the other and was dressed quite eloquently. They drew up. The lead woman’s eyebrows shot up as she took in both of the traveler’s nakedness.

Phaidon was a little embarrassed, but he address the ladies nonetheless, “Greetings, good Ladies.”

“Greetings,” replied the lead rider in an accented tongue. “I am Lady Dera of Numalia.”

Phaidon bowed, “I am Phaidon and this is Leila. I am unfamiliar with Numalia, what realm is that a province of?”

“Your accent is strange. I cannot place it. This is the kingdom of Nemedia.”

“I am unfamiliar with your homeland as well. I am from a place called Ingara.”

“I have never heard of Ingara. Is it in Aquilonia or Brythunia?”

“I do not know those places either. Ingara is a country, south-west of Lamapacher. Those two realms are part of a greater land named Inzeladun and it is comprised of many other lands.”

“I presume you are a noble. If so, you may accompany me.”

Phaidon paused. He had almost forgotten that he was indeed a Lord, “I am a Lord if that is what you mean. I accept your offer.”

Lady Dera trotted off toward an orchard. Phaidon shrugged at Leila and they followed Lady Dera. Phaidon looked around and took in the sights as they walked along with the horses. The orchards and the view were very pleasant. The day was warm and a fresh breeze was blowing the scents of the orchards about. Lady Dera led them through some gardens, where slaves tilled the plants. She ordered one to run ahead and bring some clothes from her brother's room for Phaidon and from her sister for Leila.

Phaidon was grateful, “Thank you, Lady Dera.”

“You are welcome.” She looked the other way as servants quickly dressed Phaidon and Leila.

Phaidon smiled, “That is infinitely more comfortable. We are in your debt for your generous hospitality.”

“You are welcome. Come; let us go to the manor house.”

“Very well.” Phaidon and Leila followed.

Lady Dera questioned Phaidon as they progressed toward the manor house, “How did you come to be naked by the stream? Tell me everything, and spare no details.”

“Well, that is an odd tale indeed. You would most likely think me mad if I told you. I will tell you if you desire. Just know that I do not lie and what I tell you is the truth. Wondrous as it may be.”

“I am all ears.”

Phaidon told his tale, “I travel with a group of noble warriors named The Champions of Athena, for Athena is the Goddess we worship. While traveling through the catacombs of a city named Alisander, the largest in all of Inzeladun, I was sucked into a horrible, painful portal and whisked away to an icy landscape where I found Leila here. There, I appeared naked as I did here. After discussing with Leila, we determined that Athena had put us together for a reason that we did not know. We set out following Athena's holy symbol, a white owl. After a time, we encountered a couple of Inzeladun's greatest warriors who had been slain and were fighting battles for all eternity. After discussing with them for a time, we continued to follow the owl and it let us to a doorway with no wall. We entered the doorway and appeared here naked yet again. We had outfitted ourselves with clothing and weapons of slain warriors earlier.”

Phaidon paused and waited for Lady Dera’s response. He expected her to laugh aloud.

“That is an interesting tale. I believe you.”

“Thank you, milady. I am interested to see how the rest of the tale turns out. I feel that I am where I am for a reason. Yet, I am not completely sure what that reason is.”

Lady Dera responded, “I do as well.”