Adult-FanFiction.org : Games

The Hunter and the Templar	By : BurneHazard Category: +A through F > Diablo III Views: 6473 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: Diablo III (3) and all content therein is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I make no money from writing it.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
            Making her way from the wagon-based forge Haedrig had made, Killashandra's sharp eyes swept the open camp for any sign of her actual quarry. She purposely ignored Kormac and Eirena as the templar introduced the enchantress to a couple of the other people in the caravan. There was no sign of Leah's ginger red hair anywhere. That sense of power and light drew her toward Tyrael since she had no reason to ignore that. The ex-angel seemed to be expecting her since he was walking toward her from the main overlook.
            "Before I killed her, Maghda told me that the Imperial Guard had captured Leah," she was saying even before she came to a stop. "I saw these guards at the Khasim Outpost. They are the serpent demons of Belial, disguised as men."(1)
            Tyrael's expression of greeting became one of concern before hardening into the calculating face of a military commander. It was refreshing that at least he had not changed. Shaking that thought off, the hunter focused on what he had to say.
            "Then they must be holding the emperor against his will!" Tyrael paused and released a heavy sigh as his voice lowered. "I tremble to think what Belial might do with Leah and her growing power. The only chance we have to rescue Leah is to wrest the emperor from the grasp of the Imperial Guard."(2)
            Now it was Killa's turn to think. Glancing over the man-made part of the wall placed to prevent the unwary from falling to their death, she studied Caldeum. A brief dot of red in the distance made her remember their current allies--given they had freed several groups of Iron Wolves while hunting the Coven.
            "Asheara, the Iron Wolves' captain, may be willing to help us. I will speak with her."(3)
            "There are many ways to open a door," came another voice with a charming accent and smoothness that was hard to mistake. Lyndon had apparently been listening and now approached them. "I happen to know most of them."(4)
            Regarding the scoundrel, she considered. He had also benefited from Haedrig's work although he chose links of mail over leather that was bound down to raise less noise when he moved. Each link was stitched into place so it would not chime or clink. There was a bow on his back with a quiver, both appearing to be worn but the weapon had the appearance of power given her knowledge of them.
            "He may be of use in rescuing Leah, if you can prevent him from speaking," Tyrael offered thoughtfully.
            "Not all keys are mere trinkets, my fallen friend. There are many doors that have opened for my silver tongue and dashing figure that no other could open!"
            Ignoring his banter, the hunter was still thinking it over. But she was also considering another purpose the scoundrel may serve.
            "Are we ready to go?" a familiar voice came and made her eyes narrow slightly beneath her hood. She turned her head to see Kormac approaching.
            "We are, yes. But this time, I need Lyndon."
            "What?"
            "We need to steal Leah from the Imperial Guard. That calls for the skills of a thief, not a warrior."
            Lyndon looked affronted. "I was caught stealing once!"(5)
            Neither of the two seemed to take notice and Tyrael was merely looking on.
            "But...how can you trust him? Will he be able to guard your back or will he run the moment the odds are against you?"
            "One thing about a dishonest man, you can always trust them to be dishonest. And I'm certain he knows that if he tries it, I'll kill him."
            Her temper was slipping and she knew it. It burned hazardously close to exploding after the past few days and it seemed to be further fueled in Kormac's protests. Then she caught a glimpse of familiar pinkish-purple and her cunning mind grabbed a weapon before she was even aware of speaking.
            "Besides, I'm sure the enchantress has not found a place to sleep yet." There was no venom in her voice but it burned in her throat. "Would you rather Lyndon help her with that?"
            Kormac responded as she expected. Bristling, the templar immediately set a glare on the scoundrel as his hand fell to the sword at his side. "I'll see to our newest friend's comfort."
            There was something in that--and the way she had phrased her own little barb--that stung, and she knew it was her own fault since the templar was utterly clueless as to the byplay. It achieved her ends so she let it rest. One hand moved to grab Lyndon by his arm as she nodded to Tyrael and almost dragged the surprised scoundrel toward the path to Caldeum. She released him after a few steps, certain he would follow. He did...oddly quiet for once.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
            It came as no real surprises that the meeting with the emperor had not gone as planned. What was starting to make the hunter a little concerned was the ease with which the serpent guards fell before her. Lyndon was a fair shot to be certain and once Leah had been freed and given a bow, she had proven her worth as well. But Killa's sharp mind had pegged that she killed five to every one they killed. Never had she been that good.
            Her focus remained on the fight however. Asheara did not fight alongside them until the illusions fell away from the guards. Even then she was clearly conflicted between killing the demons and helping them against the emperor. The fact they wanted to flee did give her an out as she helped to lead them back to the gates. Before they reached them, Leah found an entrance to the sewers and they slipped away. It would give the captain another out and keep her from following them further.
            Although the sewers were rank in the desert heat, the water within them--well, even the water was warm and slimy from all the rot and other less pleasant things. Killa merely fixed the lower part of her hood more securely about her face and Leah made herself a mask as well. Lyndon seemed oddly unaffected. And with the wizard's enchanted globe, they could see their way clearly to avoid any pitfalls.
            Once they were in the sewers, Leah almost bubbled about the fact she had found her mother, and that she was alive. Killa was used to one task being turned into another. And as it was clear the girl would not let the matter go, she followed her to make certain she remained safe and out of the hands of the demons above. Without the need to focus on battle however, she found her thoughts wandering. At least, until she noticed something about the scoundrel moving a little behind her.
            "Why are you so cheerful?"(6) she asked.
            "What can I say? A scoundrel in a sewer is like a scavenger in its den!"(7) he replied with a grin. "That and I'm in the company of two lovely--and lethal--ladies without anyone else around. Who wouldn't be cheerful?"
            Killa shook her head...and felt a smile touch her cloth-covered lips. "I suppose that might make some happy."
            "Besides," he said as he drew up to walk beside her more, keeping an eye on side passages. "I was terribly bored in the camp. The people there were almost as dull as those in Tristram. Honestly, I was about ready to sneak along after you just for some excitement!"
            It made the hunter stop in her tracks for a moment. Looking at Lyndon, she tilted her head to one side. The wizard-light circled back toward them since it was bound to Killa. It permitted her to take a true, close look at the scoundrel before her. He was rough about the edges, to put it simply, but his mustache was very neatly groomed and cleaned. The shaven parts bore a hint of stubble visible. While sun and weather hand placed lines upon his face, he was still quite handsome.
            Since the light was pale white, she could see his eyes clearly. They were sharp and a rich, earthy brown with small flecks of gold in them. One eye had a slight squint to it but that was hardly derailing. It was only then that she really took in the fact his brown hair was longer and tied back at the nape of the neck. If she were to guess at age, he might be a few years older than her or younger, it was difficult to say.
            "Is there something wrong?" he asked.
            Realizing she had been staring for a few moments longer than intended, she only shook her head and moved on after Leah. "No, just wondering if you were serious or joking."
            "Oh, very serious, that I assure you."
            Another shake of her head and she continued to smile behind the mask.
            "Adria should be up here!"(8) Leah called back.
            "This is the first time a girl's ever asked me to meet her mother!"(9) Lyndon declared.
            Killa found herself rolling her eyes as they hurried to catch up. Leah was already climbing up a rusty, filthy ladder toward light coming through a bent and pitted metal grate above. Motioning toward the ladder, she signaled the scoundrel to go next as she turned to keep an eye on the passage they had just traveled. Only when there was a soft sound from above did she turn, sling her bow over her shoulder, recall the light to tuck the stone into her belt, and follow them both.
            Near the top, she saw Lyndon crouched on one knee. He extended his hand to her and caught her arm to help boost her up from the hole swiftly. The three of them had emerged in shadows behind some fallen rubble. Even without needing to see around it, Killa smelled the demon-spawn spoor. There was a strange crackling and hissing sound covering the noise they made as they moved
            A voice echoing with power erupted in the chamber. "Tell us about the Black Soulstone! We know of the three that the Horadrim used to trap the Prime Evils... What is the purpose of this one?"(10)
            Killa drew her bow free and notched the first arrow as a woman's voice answered, strained by pain and effort. "Your master, Belial, has good reason to fear it!"(11)
            Suddenly, Leah broke from their cover to race recklessly toward the group of serpent demons surrounding the woman in question. "Leave her alone!"(12)
            "Leah!" Killa shouted and cursed the stupidity of the girl. Leaping over the barricade that had hidden them, she began firing immediately at the closest demon. Lyndon's bolts flew past her to strike a second but she was already focusing on a third.
            The largest serpent demon however had already struck Leah to send the girl flying. He apparently picked the hunter to be the greatest threat as he ignored Lyndon to charge toward Killa. A fierce grin lit her face--visible as the cloth had fallen about her neck from the sudden actions--as she turned all of her rage and hatred on the torturer.
            It was over all too soon. Even these demons were pathetic wastes of cursed flesh. Disappointment filled her as she gave the largest corpse a disgruntled kick. Leah had picked herself up and was helping the woman up as Lyndon approached Killa. As the two rejoined the girl, it was made clear this was indeed the witch Adria. The problem was, something here was wrong. There was something about this Adria that...made the hunter's senses uneasy.
            While the two women spoke with all the appearance of getting reacquainted, Killa heard something from the opening they came through. Reminding the two it was no place to talk resulted in Adria opening a magical portal to the location Leah quickly described. Not one to trust easily, it was with reservation that the hunter followed the others through to the camp. Their sudden arrival caused quite a stir amongst the folk there as well.
            She stayed back to listen as Adria and Leah spoke. Tyrael and Lyndon were doing the same. When talk about retrieving a head to gain the aid of a traitor to the Horadrim came, she clenched her jaw and remained quiet for the time. Considering, she found herself releasing a sigh. It seemed that her primary quest of Belial's destruction was going to be altered for this new tool. At least it seemed that Tyrael was keeping an intent eye on Adria as well.
            As a map was taken out and the location of Zoltun Kulle's head was plotted and marked, Killa found her attention moving around the camp. She saw the templar's armor and gear resting beside a familiar staff and pack. Neither of the two were present. She was not certain whether it was disappointment, relief, or apprehension she felt about that. Either way, she cast it aside to focus her attention on the marked location.
            "Lyndon and I will see if we can find this head. You two have much to catch up on, so why don't you stay here in camp?" she asked.
            Leah's face lit up. Adria's was also pleased but veiled somehow. With the mother and daughter distracted by one another, Killa gave Tyrael a look. Those wise golden eyes were too knowing, despite his own uncertainty. He nodded once in return and stepped forward to offer the two women some food and water like any gracious host. With them occupied, Killa headed for the road to Caldeum once more.

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
            Dropping the last few yards to the sewer floor, Killa immediately pulled her bow free and readied it. Moving forward, she let the wizard-light illuminate her way. Behind came a splash. She did not turn.
            "Ugh, what a stench! That's not you, is it? It's certainly not me..."(13) Lyndon said as he shook the excess slimy water off his boots.
            All that the hunter did was cast a look at him over her shoulder as she moved on.
            "I was just joking!" he said as he caught up with her.
            "I know. That's why I didn't shoot you."
            An uneasy laugh came from the scoundrel before he quieted. Belatedly, he drew his own bow and readied an arrow as well. They moved on.
            "Does the smell bother you?"(14) she asked.
            "Not terribly."(15)
            "You're used to it, then?"(16)
            "Never smelled a den of thieves, have you?"(17)
            "Thieves are not my prey, demons are. I've never had to seek out the services of a thief before either. I generally make my own way."
            Lyndon was the one to give her a look this time. "Yes, you do strike me as the capable type. Dark, dangerous, deadly...beautiful."
            Her eyes met his for a moment as he made her recall what had been turning over and over in the back of her mind since she decided to leave the templar behind. Apparently he was truly well versed in reading such things as well. Stepping forward, one of his hands rose. Although she should have pulled away, she remained still as he very slowly drew the cloth down her face and revealed her lips.
            Eyes narrowing, she waited, not certain if she would just permit him such liberty without retaliating. But another part of her really was curious. So she did not move to drive him off. It encouraged him to lean in slowly. His palm cupped her bared cheek so that his thumb could caress the skin over the rise of bone beneath. It was...very pleasant.
            "I mean it, Killa. I know very well you're aware of how I see women. But when I say I find one beautiful, that is pure honesty on my part. The truth is far sweeter than any fib or turn of phrase I could invent," he said in a low voice that was so completely different than his normal tone it made her wonder. And made something tighten in a familiar way.
            "I'm not blind, Lyndon. I know you enjoy women and that there is no lie associated with it. For all the tales you tell and all the schemes you invent, you're a good man beneath it all."
            Now Lyndon paused to stare at her, eyes searching for any deception or deceit. When none could be found, he suddenly seemed far less confident, even shy as he cleared his throat. His hand began to fall away and Killa surprised herself by reaching up to hold it against her cheek. Their eyes met again and the uncertainty in his made that tingle become a touch of hunger--or lust.
            She took the last step, moving closer so there was little room between them save for where her other hand still had her bow positioned as partial barrier, partial habit. Despite the stench and foul surroundings, it hardly deterred either of them. As he leaned closer, his lips parted and a warm breath caressed her face. Her eyes remained locked on his.
            Growing a little impatient, she tilted her head toward his hand and captured his lips for a kiss. It surprised him from the way his body jolted but he hardly remained an emotionless stump. As their lips met, that hunger and frustration rose to turn what was possibly going to be a sweet kiss into something fierce and hungry. That tingling coil within her surged as she moved her hand off his to grip the back of his head and hold him into the kiss as she devoured his mouth.
            It had been too long since she last sated her needs it seemed because he tasted so good. Part of her had expected him to taste of some wine or liquor but there was no trace of that. A faint hint of fruit and herb from whatever he had eaten prior and something utterly male that made her hunger grow. The fact he was responding in kind to her attentions only made her growl with want.
            Lyndon broke back first to gasp for breath. She drew back as well, lips made full and slightly bruised by the ferocity of the kiss. Even though taking such deep breaths made the odor of the sewers fill their senses...she could still taste him and only him. His eyes were a little wide, still caught by surprise. Only, the surprise was for a reason Killa did not grasp. She could not see her own eyes or the fact they were glowing like twin orange embers in the shadows of her hood.
            The moment was broken, when the image of Emperor Hakan II appeared before them to offer aid as well as unlock the strong gates barring their way. Lyndon remained uncharacteristically silent. It did not escape Killa's notice that he seemed able to make himself smaller, withdrawing so that her form would block sight of his at her back.
            While she was not about to trust the boy--emperor or not, it would take magic to conjure an image to interact with someone--he did clear their way. She was not going to refuse that particular aid trust or not. Her senses were again screaming of a trap before her, but not in their current location...just ahead of them somewhere.
            A deeper, darker part of her was snarling like a rabid beast behind the bars of a cage at the interruption. Granted, the sewers were not her choice for such an encounter with the scoundrel. But now that she knew she did find him attractive as more than just a friend and companion, she wanted more. And unlike Kormac, he would not shy away from giving her what she wanted--or what she needed. That spurred her to move faster and get this task done with so she could explore something else entirely...

~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`
Author's Note:
            Here you go! FINALLY some action. Bet you can't wait til next chapter...cause the gloves will be coming off (along with everything else). Let me know what you think! I'd love to have some comments before I post the first event but...
- 14
- 15
- 16
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Hunter and the Templar