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The Ties that Bind	By : Lady_Kae Category: +M through R > Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Views: 2280 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. All characters and game related material, plus any lyrics, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this

Chapter List
- 4
- 5
- 6
Book I: Link

Chapter 4: In the Realm Where Dreams Do Dwell

A Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Fanfiction

Amara laughed a bit even as she tried to wiggle away from her husband. “ Gascon, really now. Must we go through this every morning?”
The future king of Evesta smiled lovingly down on his wife even as he slid her nightgown up her torso. “ You know full well I love listening Amara. Besides, now’s as good a time as ever. The baby has been very active for the last hour.” Gascon purred playfully. He settled his ear against Amara's distended belly and immediately received a kick for his trouble. " If I didn't know any better, I'd swear we're having a daughter this time. Our son never gave us this much fuss." Gascon rubbed his jaw as he chuckled and he settled his head against Amara's tummy again. Soon he was lightly tapping to the rhythm of their child's heart and he felt his wife run her fingers through his mahogany colored locks. " I don't think I'll ever grow tired of that." He whispered planting a kiss over their unborn son or daughter.
Amara smiled softly and hummed happily as Gascon stretched over her to claim her lips in a slow, leisurely kiss. They had married just a little over ten years ago and Amara found that once they had gotten over their initial tendencies to keep squabbling; despite having made their peace, that she had grown fiercely attached to Gascon.
" Can I ask you something?" he whispered softly. Gascon's tone sounded so vulnerable for a moment, but Amara brushed it off.
" Ask away. I know that you will even if I said no." Amara teased good naturedly.
Gascon sighed heavily as he sat up. " I've been fighting with myself about asking this for a while now. I wanted..." He sighed heavily again and looked Amara in the eyes. " We've been married for a long while now...You know that I love you Amara. I've loved you since that fateful day you punched me across the face for stealing your first kiss. I haven't felt the need to hear you say if you do or don..." Gascon was suddenly cut short as Amara pulled him to her by the collar of his shirt and crashed her lips to his. He groaned as her tongue swept into his mouth, twisting and curling around his own passionately and Gascon lost himself in the sweetness of that kiss.
" Why didn't you say something sooner? I would have allayed those doubts if you had." Amara said sweetly. " Do you honestly believe that I would share a bed with you, allow you to take me as often as you have over the last ten years if I didn't feel something for you? If I honestly felt that I didn't love you in turn? I've loved you since the very moment I told you I was pregnant with our son six years ago. The pure love and happiness I saw shining in your eyes then, I felt the same thing deep in my heart and soul Gascon...I feel it now."
Gascon smiled brightly and wrapped his arms around her, kissing her deeply and reveling in the love they shared. He had promised her that he would be a good husband to her, and he had been. That had endeared him to Amara more than he would ever know.
Amara suddenly felt herself torn away from the happiness she felt, realizing that she was ensconced in a dark prison and everything for as far as she could see was pitch black. Where was she? Had she been dreaming? That can't have been a dream she harbored, could it? The thoughts that were racing through her mind were suddenly quelled as everything around her began shaking as pain and heat flared across her very being and she screamed in agony. What had happened? She suddenly felt as if she wasn't alone and looked up through pain narrowed eyes. Sure enough, there were a set of glowing red eyes off in the distance pacing from left to right.

Gascon flew from where he was seated on the cave floor as Amara began convulsing again. The poison was still running rampant through her system and there was little he or Tarin could do but make her as comfortable as possible. Three days had past since they had taken up residence in these caves and Gascon was growing more worried by the day that Amara wouldn’t wake. He eased her into his arms in an effort to still her movements before her thrashing tore the stitches he had closed her wounds with. " I've got you..." he whispered into her ear, one of his hands cradling her head against his chest. " Easy now...I've got you..."
Amara stilled in his arms as Gascon spoke soothingly to her in her repose, though he noted she was breathing heavily and she was still feverish. She groaned pitifully in her slumber and Amara curled up tightly against him for comfort, her arms wrapping about his torso unconsciously. At last she calmed again and Gascon shut his eyes tightly to keep the tears at bay. He felt helpless in his desire and need to do more for her. She sighed a little in her repose as she nuzzled his chest, her breathing soft and even now.
" Try to sleep while you can, Gascon. I'll take up watch now." Tarin said softly. Amara's seizing had woken him up, not that he could sleep well anyways.
Gascon nodded and Tarin handed him Amara's blanket to cover the two of them with. By the look of things, she wasn't letting him move any time soon.

Amara's eyes fluttered a bit as her mind regained consciousness again. Her chest felt tight and the pain in her side was beginning to be unbearable in how badly it burned. “ I know you’re there....And I know it was you who placed me in this prison!” she called out, her voice strong despite the amount of pain she was in. “ Why don’t you come and face me!”
A menacing chuckle coupled with a growl echoed to her ears from behind and Amara bristled a bit at the sound. “ So...Daughter of Man...How is it I came to you when I’ve been feasting on the hearts of dwarves for the last two and a half centuries? Surely my goblin captors haven’t mistaken you for one of the stout folk.” His red eyes could be seen circling the cage and Amara turned with them in an effort to keep them in her line of sight.
“ Who are you?” Amara demanded. She didn’t know it, but her own eyes were shining a bit in her own right. She stood straight and tall as the pain began ebbing away and her eyes narrowed on the intruder here in her mind. It hadn’t taken Amara long to figure out where she was or how he had gotten here.
“ I would highly suggest not answering a question with a question.”
“ I already know the answer to your question you bastard! You know who you are and you know how it is you’ve come to be here as well. You are the essence of the poison the arrows I was shot with was dipped into.” Amara seethed. “ Now I demand that you tell me your name!”
The cage Amara was in rattled strongly as she threw her weight against the bars, her eyes narrowed in her displeasure of being imprisoned in her own mind.
“ My name? Now that is something no one has asked of me in a very long time. I will make a deal with you...If you can best me, I will tell you. But you should know that I have not had the pleasure of a hunt in over two centuries and you, daughter of man, are my prey. I will allow you to live out any fantasy or dream you please until I am ready for you.”
“ If I best you, not only will you tell me your name, but you will give me the key for an antidote.” Amara demanded. “ I am no ordinary daughter of man, foul beast. I will not fall so easily.”
Her capture gave a low, sensual chuckle and Amara was thankful she didn’t flinch as he himself threw his weight against her prison, his snout squeezing between the bars as he bared his fangs. He looked like an adamantiger crossed with an umbralynx. He was a beautiful and deadly looking creature. “ Oh, you will fall, daughter of man. And I will claim your heart as my feast.” he whispered, his red eyes narrowed dangerously. “ But you have yourself a deal.”

Gascon flinched as Amara’s grip on him tightened in her sleep and he groaned as he settled his cheek back on her head. He had been having another dream about the life he couldn’t deny he wanted with the woman in his arms. Right now, this was the closest he would ever get. Gascon knew Amara well enough that she would keep them traveling until she felt she was ready to go back and that could very well take a long time. Well, that was alright. It gave them all the more one on one time. He closed his eyes once more as Amara relaxed and he felt his mind begin hazing over as if another dream was already ensnaring him. That was odd. He still felt a bit awake. Gascon's eyes slowly closed as he tightened his hold on Amara and a warmth began spreading over him as he completely lost consciousness. It was the most serene feeling he had ever experienced.
Tarin returned to the cave after having done a few rounds to be sure they hadn’t been found yet. It seemed for now that he had chosen a good spot but he didn’t know how long they would be able to stay there. He looked over to where Gascon was leaning against the cave wall with Amara in his embrace as was surprised to see a soft golden glow settling over the two of them.
“ The elven link....” Tarin whispered disbelievingly. He had only ever heard of this in passing in his seventy some odd years. The elves were talented healers and spellcasters as well as musicians and artists, but they left the metal smithing and jewelcrafting to the dwarves however. One of the elven gifts was the ability for a scant few to communicate telepathically, though King Dagaron was the most gifted in this sense. He had been known to strike down assassins in his younger days when they had not taken care to shield their thoughts from where they were hiding. It seemed that his granddaughter could had the same talent for the rare gift.

Gascon looked about wildly. He had only just been awake and even then, he felt as if he wasn’t in his own mind. He had lost consciousness much too quickly. As if that makes any sense...he thought, his eyes narrowed.
“ It makes more sense than you think.” Amara said from behind him.
Gascon turned around and sighed in relief. “ Where are we?” he crossed over to her and settled his hands on her shoulders, noting that she was in a simple white dress and not her traveling gear. Her long chestnut colored tresses were free flowing and swaying, caught in an invisible breeze. Upon closer inspection, Gascon found that he was in a loose tunic and slacks himself, his pants supported by a charcoal grey sash that sat comfortably on his narrow hips. This was traditional elvish wear that used in ceremonies, but why she had them in important garb like this was beyond him. Maybe because is was something familiar to her.
“ In a safe haven I made for now. There’s not a lot of time...I honestly can’t tell you now if I’m going to make it or not. I can promise that I’m not giving up though.” Amara said softly. She couldn’t explain to even herself why she would be willing to spend these last scant moments with him, but Gascon’s presence was familiar if not comforting in the slightest.
Gascon's eyes narrowed a little in confusion. “ What do you mean you don’t know? You have to survive, Amara. I...” Gascon’s grip tightened on her shoulders and he shook his head in denial. There was no way in hell that he was going to let that happen on his watch. “ I don’t care what it takes, I’m not going to let you die on me. Not after I had a chance to experience only a taste of what you have to offer me.” Gascon pulled Amara in tight against him, his lips crashing over hers faster than either realized and Amara gasped a bit in surprise as his tongue began dancing with hers fiercely. If only they were on the physical plane, this would be all the more satisfying. The Amara in his arms; though Gascon could feel, taste, and smell her, was only a mental phantom.
Amara sighed against his lips as Gascon kissed her deeply, her arms slowly winding around his neck as her eyes shut in contentment. She had to admit this was not was she had been expecting. She had brought Gascon here so that they could make their peace, not so that they could satiate their mutual lust. Gascon groaned a bit as Amara responded to him, and he tapped his tongue against her lower lip, begging for entrance. Amara granted it and she sighed again as Gascon's fingers slowly began undoing the ties on the back of her dress. To her surprise, Amara found that her hands were already working at the buttons of his shirt and she could feel herself heating up at his very touch.
Gascon felt Amara rid him of his shirt and he slid his hands over Amara's bare shoulders to push her dress free. By the ancients, he couldn't stop himself as their tongues dueled passionately now, and Amara' s hands snaked into his hair as her dress began falling away from her body. His hands smoothed down the expanse of her back as he pulled her against him tighter still, not even allowing the tiniest bit of space between her lusciously soft body and his own.
Amara gasped slightly at the contact, but allowed him the liberties he was taking. There was no denying the physical attraction between them and Amara could not refute the very fact that she wanted him. It was taboo to do this on the mental plane, but if Amara was going to possibly die, then she would allow him to do as he pleased. It wasn’t as if she could wake and shoo Tarin away after all.
Gascon felt Amara's knees give as she pulled him down to the ground with her and he followed her willingly. “ Amara...” he whispered against her lips even as his weight settled above her. “ I...”
“ Shhh...I don't want any regrets.” she whispered. And Amara would regret it if she never had a chance to experience his passion. Her blue eyes had a tinge of fear in them, and Gascon noted this. She was afraid of whatever was going to happen after they parted ways here.
Gascon's eyes shut tightly. He didn't want to think of what may happen to her after he was returned to his own mind. “ I don't want to regret not being able to say what I need to...” he retorted gently. Gascon took a steadying breath and he locked his eyes on hers. “ Amara I...” he began.
A low chuckle reverberated throughout the space and Amara stiffened. There wasn't any way possible that that beast had found his way here! This was a space apart from her own mind and Gascon's. Both were on their feet faster than lightning and Amara pulled her dress back up to where she was covered. Gascon had yet to see her wares after all, despite the opportunity he had just had. She lurched forward a bit as the creature began pulling her back into her own psyche, but stood firm. Amara wasn't going to give it the satisfaction of controlling her as well.
" Go!" She commanded, but not before pulling Gascon back by the collar of his open shirt. She kissed him this time, rather hotly in fact, and her blue eyes met his remorsefully. " I'm sorry..."
Gascon felt everything around him begin fading just as a darkness began settling over Amara. Her dress had fuzzed back to her traveling garb and she had her sword drawn as if she was prepping for a fight. " No! Amara!" he shouted, struggling against the force pushing him back. There was no way in hell that Gascon was leaving her side when Amara needed him!

Tarin watched worriedly as the golden hue that had been over Gascon and Amara turned an eerie blood red. Whatever was happening to them on the mental plane couldn't bode well.

Amara ducked through the trees of the forest surrounding her, sending pulses of energy out as she could not use most of her magic on this plane. Her breath was coming in short pants as she tried to listen for anything that could give her an inkling to her pursuer's location and without warning she was tackled from the side. She grunted as she hit the dirt hard and Amara quickly rolled to her back in an effort to fend the creature off. It's claws were digging into her shoulders as it pinned her down tightly and the evestan princess' eyes narrowed as she kicked at its soft underbelly, not caring where she hit as long as she was able to cause pain to distract it. An angry roar met her as Amara connected with what could only be the creature's privates and the creature eased up on her a bit in its aberration. Amara pushed ineffectually against the bulky torso before her in an attempt to throw him off, but he was much too big and heavy to do so. The creature's eyes glittered down hatefully at her now, their red depths glowing with unreal power as his hackles raised in a menacing growl. Amara brought her arm up to protect her throat from the fangs that were sweeping in for the kill, screaming in agony as the strong jaw of the creature pinning her down broke her arm in two places. She had all but felt the bones of her radius and ulna snap in two. Her breathing labored now, Amara narrowed her eyes as she brought her sword up, and the steel flashed dangerously in the low light as she plunged it into it's unguarded ribs.
The creature released her in a howl of pain and Amara finally managed to kick it off of her as it reared back in agony, leaving the blade there in his chest for now. It would force the creature to think about every move it made and might yet prove useful if she got the opening she needed. She took off running again, focusing her energies on healing her broken arm and she heard the beast bounding behind her. Amara didn't dare look back as she poured on the speed. Thank goodness for her heritage or else she would have been a goner by now. Her fleet feet barely touched the ground as she sprinted deeper into the woods where it was thicker. She knew it would force the beast giving chase to slow down so as to not gravely injure himself, trying to pursue her where he couldn't fit with the sword jutting out of his ribs.
She swore as she reached a little glen and her eyes narrowed. This would give him an ample opportunity to catch up now. Sure enough a roar met her ears and Amara quickened her pace. She needed to make it to the other side of the glen! She cleared the tree line and stumbled a bit, though she righted herself promptly. Amara heard the creature laugh menacingly as it caught up to her closer still and tears began filling her eyes. She needed to find some means of escape!
The sound of the great beasts paws hitting the ground behind her was growing louder still and Amara stiffened as his growl reached her ears. He was getting too close! A silhouette appeared before her in the dim light and Amara didn't believe her eyes. There was no chance in hell of there being anyone else in her mind with her!
" Amara! Get down!" Gascon ordered as he stood in front of her, the barrel of his rifle poised to shoot.
Amara's eyes went wide in shock and she quickly went to her knees, sliding towards him on the leaves and foliage on the ground.
Gascon fired his shot as soon as Amara cleared his line of sight, the pulse of light flying at a breakneck speed as it hit the creature in the shoulder, causing it to stumble with a pain filled roar. It hit the ground and Amara swiftly got to her feet, pulling Gascon by the wrist as she ran past him.
" What the hell are you doing here?! I thought I sent you back!" Amara scolded, though more out of fear than anger. By the heavens, he had just pulled her ass out of the fire though. The sound of rushing water met her ears and Amara quickly pulled them both to the left now.
" Does it matter? What the hell is that thing?" Gascon retorted, looking over his shoulder. Amara quickly pulled them to the right and he could see a cliff looming upon them in the distance.
" I don't have the foggiest clue, but the only thing I can piece together is that it's the essence of that poison I had the misfortune of taking in." Amara replied. She could hear the water roaring through the canyon below the cliff side.
Gascon looked alarmed as they kept going towards the cliff. " Amara..." he said warningly. She had better have a plan! They broke through the treeline and Gascon was forced to keep pace with Amara as she poured on the speed. “ Amara! What the hell are you doing?!”
The loud roar and the rustling of branches was heard behind them as the creature tore out of the brush after them. Its jowls were frothing in its rage now and his red eyes were nothing but fine slits as he struggled to catch his quarry. Damn them! They were almost to the edge!
" Jump!" Amara shouted.
The two jumped from the cliff and not a moment too soon as the creature pounced in the very spot they had been in. Amara let go of Gascon's hand for a moment as they hit the water, the river they had jumped into for escape swallowing them whole in its pitch black depths.
The creature waited a few moments for them to surface and he narrowed his eyes menacingly when they didn't. More than likely the two had allowed the current to carry them downstream. This daughter of man was much craftier than the dwarves he had dealt with in the past. How the hell had the son of man joined her here as well? He would have to find out before he killed them both in the end. He bounded off, hoping he would be able to find a safe way down so that he might catch them downstream.

Amara and Gascon surfaced, both taking in great gulps of air as they swam towards a waterfall not too far from them. They had swam against the current upstream and Amara could make out a cave behind the water. That would be the most opportune place to hide as the water would mask their scent.
They climbed onto the bank, both still breathing heavily as they fought to catch their breaths. Amara looked over to Gascon and shook her head disconsolately. Despite being grateful to him for saving her back there, Amara was rather irked that Gascon was not where he should be.
" How are you here Gascon? I know I sent you back." she asked once she got to her feet. Her hair was plastered to her head and she looked over to where Gascon was standing now. His own hair was sticking to his skin and his travel garb looked a bit deflated as it clung tightly against his lithe frame. “ You look like a drowned baatender.” she quipped, unable to keep the amusement out of her voice.
" You're one to talk. As for how, I wasn't leaving you. Not when I knew you were in danger. We set out on this together Amara, despite our fathers forcing us into this position. Whether you like it or not, I will not let you do this alone." It was his sheer will that had allowed him to power through the mental block Amara had erected to force him out. Gascon's brown eyes settled on Amara's sapphire colored ones and he smirked seductively. " Besides...I was interrupted yet again. I wasn't about to let the bastard off that easy."
Amara blushed as she thought of what Gascon had been in the midst of when the beast had made its presence known and immediately self loathing gripped her tightly in its mind numbing effects. She hated herself for giving in to him so easily, for harboring such an absurd physical attraction to him. Amara looked away and stared at the ground, self repugnance evident on her face. " Don't think for a second I'm going to allow you to stay here." she hissed. She was more upset with herself than him in all honesty.
" I'd like to see you try." Gascon snapped back, harrumphing snidely at the thought of her trying to send him away. He was not leaving her side until this menace was dealt with once and for all.
" I didn't ask for you to come tramping about through my mind Gascon! I will not allow this to continue on another minute! You're going back and that's final!" Amara seethed as she got back to her feet, her blue eyes turning steel grey in her ire. Her posture spoke volumes on how close she was to lashing out.
" The hell I am! You need me here Amara! Whether you want to admit or not. Not only that, I know you don't want me to leave." Gascon challenged stubbornly. He got nose to nose with her and he settled his hand on her shoulder to keep her in place. “ You can't deny that, Amara. I know you can't.”
“ I don’t want you to die!” Amara exclaimed, only to soften her voice as her eyes screwed shut in fear of one of the possible outcomes from this travesty they were a part of. “ If you are slain here in my mind, as this is your consciousness that I summoned, your body will die out there, Gascon. I can’t shoulder that guilt...Knowing it was my fault you were killed.” she whimpered. Her head hung low, as if she was already feeling the shame of putting him in such danger and her shoulders shook a bit as she tried to stem the tears that were threatening to consume her.
Gascon sighed heavily and pulled Amara into a comforting embrace. “ How do you think I would feel if you were to not survive your ordeal here? That beast, whatever it is, is out to kill you. I’m willing to go to any lengths to keep you tethered to the land of the living Amara.” He tilted her chin up so as to look her in the eyes as he spoke. She needed to know now where he stood, despite how she may feel about him. “ I...” He sighed a bit as he thought of how to put it and he caressed her cheek gently as his cocoa tinted eyes met hers. “ I know I may not be your first choice in a spouse Amara, but I can promise you that when we do marry that I will be a good husband to you. I..” he began, only for a loud, rage filled roar to interrupt him. Damn it! How had it found them here?!
Amara was wondering the same thing and then the realization hit her. The beast was the poison running through her veins. All it had to do was concentrate on her. Another roar echoed against the stone and the telltale sounds of paws moving at a quick pace met their ears. Amara needed to get Gascon out of there!
Both Gascon and Amara looked to the mouth of the cave as the creature came crashing through the water, its red eyes narrowed in both pain and displeasure. Gascon’s eyes went wide as Amara pushed him away, and he could feel her mental walls slamming down and forcing him out again. “ Amara don’t!”
“ I’m sorry Gascon. I won’t allow him to take you too.” Amara replied resolutely. She was going to force him out completely this time damn it.

Tarin was watching both his companions in their unconscious state as the glow faded from both of them. Gascon awoke with a sudden gasp and he looked down to Amara worriedly even as he laid her against her bedroll.
“ What’s going on Gascon?” the dwarf asked. It didn’t take a lot to see that something was deeply troubling the eldest of the porcine princes.
“ There’s some sort of creature, but more powerful than any beast I’ve ever encountered, inside Amara’s mind with her. It’s hunting her and trying to kill her as we speak.” Gascon replied. He was racking his brain to find a way to return to help his intended. He just had to!
Gascon’s eyes went wide as he thought of a spell that Amara's grandfather Dagaron had told him about a few years ago. Where Amara's half elven blood enabled her to telepathically reach out to his mind or summon his psyche as she had done; not even Gascon had thought that she was that skilled yet, he needed magic to be able to do so. What the hell was that elvish spell again? Numemor liath tara-something or other. He drew his wand and concentrated before drawing the rune. What was the last word? Taranameth? No, that meant something completely different. I should have paid more attention when Aden and I were sat down to learn the language. he thought morosely. Tarabanine? No, that was the elvish swear for dumbass...It figured he would remember that one. His eyes snapped open and Gascon hurriedly cast the spell. “ Numemor liath tarada!” he intoned.

Amara ducked again as the great cat lunged for her, the close quarters here in the cave giving her more of an advantage as the creature before her was forced to limit his movements for fear of driving her sword further in for the killing blow. He was slowly forcing her for the waterfall however, and Amara gauged her options. She made a break through the waterfall now, running for all she was worth back along the bank.
It didn’t take long for the creature to take up pursuit and Amara nearly stopped when she felt another presence before her. She went to the ground again and not a moment to soon as Gascon fuzzed back in before her, his gun leveled on the beast as it made to pounce on the spot where Amara had just been.
A blast from the rifle echoed against the stone wall and the bolt hit the beast right in the mouth and it was sent flying backwards. Amara nearly screamed in both joy and frustration at the sight of him. What point of he could die didn’t that man understand?! Gascon quickly pulled her up and they took off running down the bank again as fast as they could.
“ Are you insane?!” Amara gasped. “ You're going to get yourself killed!”
“ Not necessarily. I was the one to make the connection this time.” Gascon replied. He felt Amara stumble and he set her to rights. “ We can't keep running you realize.”
“ I know. I'm waiting for an ope...” Amara began, her eyes going wide as she was tackled from behind and her face pinned roughly to the ground as the beast stood on her back and chuckled. Gascon had been knocked off to the side and he had hit his head on a rock. “ Gascon! Get out of here! Please!” she cried out. Amara couldn't push herself up to get into a position to fight back.
Gascon's eyes met hers dazedly and he blanched when he realized the situation Amara was now in. “ No...” he breathed out in terror. He began scrambling to his feet and the prince kicked his rifle back up. He needed a clear shot that wouldn't hurt Amara!
“ A valiant effort I must admit, but now you are mine daughter of man.” he snarled triumphantly, his hackles raised as if he were smiling madly. Without missing a beat he sank his fangs into the crook of Amara’s neck as she screamed.
“ NOOO!!!” Gascon bellowed, firing volley after volley into the creature’s exposed back. That bastard! He was going to kill him no matter what it took now! Tears flooded his eyes as he ran towards the beast and he drew his sword. The only way he was leaving was if he avenged Amara first.
The creature dropped Amara’s limp form as if discarding trash and rounded on Gascon menacingly, forcing the man to stop in his tracks. Amara’s crimson lifeblood was dripping from his jowls and pooling on the ground in the faint moonlight and Gascon felt despair well within him for it. Blood was pooling around Amara's prone body as well as her eyes stared off into the distance unseeing. “ Don’t worry, you’ll be joining her soon enough son of man. I must ask though, how is it you are here with her?”
Gascon didn’t react when he saw the beast circling him. All he wanted now was revenge. “ The first time? Through sheer will alone. This time? I cast a spell that allows me to join our minds for a few moments. Amara is much more skilled than I though.” the porcine prince seethed. Tears were still forcing their way down his cheeks despite the fact he didn't want to cry. That bastard had killed the one woman who had worked her way into his heart, the only woman he could honestly say he loved besides his mother and aunts.
The creature chuckled a bit. “ You wanted to be her mate? Don’t bother lying to me, I could smell your need for her when I first attacked the two of you.”
“ It’s complicated.” Gascon replied. His eyes noticed that Amara wasn’t where she had been lying before! Had her mental phantom dissipated already? He thought that should have taken longer than it had. His cloak rustled a bit behind him in the breeze and Gascon glared back to the beast again.
“ Ah...She didn’t want you as her mate and you desired her greatly...” he goaded, his voice full of glee at Gascon’s misfortune. “ If you surrender now, I’ll make the reunion swift...”
Gascon weighed this. As much as he wanted to avenge her murder, Gascon didn’t want to continue any longer. Not if it meant living his life without Amara in it. With her mental essence dead, Amara’s body would soon follow. What was the point anymore? Gascon's head fell limply as tears began coursing down his cheeks in earnest this time at everything that had gone unsaid between them, everything that had gone undone. At least he would have an eternity in the afterlife to atone for everything he had done to her. His gun fell limply from his hands and Gascon dropped to his knees as if he couldn’t control his movements. In fact; and hope welled up within him at the revelation, he couldn’t due to the pressure he felt bearing down on his shoulders as his shirt was tugged under his cloak where it wouldn't be seen. Puppet String?! he thought excitedly, though he made sure to school his features.
The creature would have smiled if he could, and moved around Gascon to go for the final blow. “ And to think...It was a two for one kind of day for me today...” he mused, his maw opening wide and his yellow fangs glinting in the low light. It jumped, going for the tackle in order to appease it’s desire for violence.
“ Like hell it was!” Amara bellowed, appearing from beside Gascon and grabbing the hilt of her sword where it was buried in it’s ribs. She shoved the blade in and down as she spun to wrench the sword through his chest, and Amara was showered in what could only be the creature’s blood as it’s eyes went wide in surprise. The force from her tearing her blade through the beast’s torso had sent it flying off to the side where it landed with a heavy thud. “ I warned you I was no ordinary daughter of man, beast.” she said, her tone full of venom as she stood straight.The wound on her shoulder looked painful, but she was standing despite everything as she walked slowly towards what was now her quarry.
“ You should not even be alive!” the creature exclaimed weakly, it’s breathing labored now. “ I felt you die!” His red eyes were wide in disbelief as it struggled to move.
“ No...I played dead in an effort to get you to release me.” Amara whispered. “ As for me being alive. I consider myself fortunate for my elvish heritage. I bear the same gift my mother once did. You cannot kill something that is immortal that easily, beast. Now hold to your end of the bargain. Your name and the means for an antidote.” Her eyes turned to Gascon. “ Leave now, Gascon. This is between him and I now.” Amara ordered him. Her voice was sure and strong as she sheathed her blade and her footfall silent as she began walking around the beast's prone form.
Gascon nodded and concentrated on cleanly severing the connection that he had formed with her. “ I'll see you soon then.” He soon fuzzed out of sight and Amara looked back down to the beast as she kneeled to the ground beside him. Despite everything, he was nothing short of a magnificent creature and Amara pulled his head gently into her lap. It was hard to do considering how huge he was.
“ My name...” he whispered as her fingers ran through the silky fur behind his ears in a soothing manner. “ My name is Palisanther. I was once the guardian of the forests and mountains of this region. I was arrogant though, and captured by the goblins who use me to their own ends. Their shaman use my very blood in the brew you were poisoned with. The only way to break the poison is to free me from them.” His eyes were slowly turning from blood red to a baleful shade of green now. “ I will make a bargain with you here and now, Amara, daughter of the woodkin and man. Free me from them, and I shall grant you a powerful gift. You are the first and the only one in nearly three centuries to best me...I know you can do as I ask.”
Amara nodded as she gently stroked Palisanther’s blood stained fur. “ I promise you, you will roam the mountains and bluffs free again.” she whispered.
Palisanther’s eyes closed a moment before leveling his gaze on Amara curiously. “ That man...Is he yours?”
Amara had the grace to blush at the bold question. “ Our fathers wish for us to marry, and have forced us into each other’s company until such is the point we are no longer arguing as we are wont to do.”
Palisanther chuckled softly as his eyes closed again. If Amara was blind to the truth before her, that was for her to find out on her own. It certainly seemed as if they got on well enough now. “ I hope to see you soon Amara, daughter of elves and men. My savior...” he whispered as he fell limp in her lap. Soon the last three hundred years of torture would come to a complete end for him.
The forest began fuzzing away and Amara watched as the darkness that had settled over her mind began retreating, leaving the mental library in which she envisioned her inner mind always being standing again. Palisanther was slowly fading now as the effects of the poison were no longer gripping her and she felt rage fill her. That poor creature...that poor, magnificent, beautiful being. Three hundred years was a long time to deal with such abuse. It wasn’t any wonder that he had such an insane bloodlust because of it. It was the only way he felt he had been able to take back some of his power.
Amara stood up in her sanctum, her blue eyes alight with power now. She would free him.
But first she had to wake back up.

Tarin and Gascon were speaking in hushed tones as they ate. They heard a rustle behind them as Amara began stirring and Gascon looked over his shoulder.
The look in her blue eyes was intimidating at the very least.
“ What happened? Did you find out the antidote?” Gascon asked her, quickly going to her side as she struggled to sit up further. “ Easy now. Don’t push too hard or you’ll tear your stitches.”
“ If it’s all the same to you. I’ll use magic now...” Amara groaned. Her sigh of relief as she healed herself was as soft as a breeze and Amara took a deep steadying breath as she leveled her eyes on the two men before her. “ We need to head back north...To wherever this tribe of goblin’s main nest is.”
Tarin’s eyes went wide. “ Are you mad! That’s a suicide mission!” he exclaimed, his green eyes going wide in shock. What the hell was possessing Amara to go on such a foolhardy mission?
“ I’m game.” Gascon remarked. “ You’re stuck with me anyways. Who was he Amara?” His cinnamon colored eyes were boring into hers now. He was already packing up his gear to allow them to leave sooner.
“ His name is Palisanther, and he’s asked me to help him. I cannot and will not allow him to suffer a moment more!” she exclaimed with conviction. “ The poor beast has been suffering for nearly three centuries. They use his very living blood for the poison on their arrows. I will not stand idly by any longer. I’m leaving tonight with or without you Tarin. Make your choice.” Amara had gotten to her feet by this point and was pulling her armor on again. She found her boots near the fire and she could see Gascon getting ready to move as well.
“ The guardian of the mountain...” the dwarf breathed out. His green eyes went side to side a moment and a broad smile split over his face. “ What are we waiting for then! Let’s hunt us up some goblins!”
Amara smirked dangerously. That’s what she had been hoping to hear.

The sentry yawned a bit as he looked out into the tree line. There was nothing visible on a night like tonight. A heavy fog had rolled in and he could hear the scant bit of wildlife that was left in these parts moving in the branches. He perked up a bit as he swore he saw a silhouette, and leaned over the railing a bit. The tingle of magic began making itself known to him and he made to sound the alarm.
It never came to be as a slug from a rifle pierced his skull.

The warlord of the goblins, Ravenmurk, watched as his people ritualistically called upon their chieftan god and danced around the fire. They were in the midst of making more of the magic stealing poison ever since they had learned from one of their dying scouts that a mage was in these woods with two others, though one of the mage's comrades could wield the arcane as well. The magic users could not be afforded to live as they could keep healing their comrades.
Palisanther was chained tightly to a stone slab that the goblins had kept him imprisoned on for the last several hundred years, his deep green eyes glittering maliciously up at Ravenmurk. He had felt part of his lifeforce return to him, and along with it the memories of the battle he had with Amara and Gascon. He would hold to the bargain he made with her if she could deliver. Movement above him quickly garnered his attention and the guardian beast of the mountain would have smiled if possible.
None of the goblins reacted when a soft thunk hit the bonfire, and a low hissing began emanating from it. The chanting was steadily rising to a crescendo now.
As soon as the chanting reached it’s loudest point, an explosion devastated the kobolds, the fire and shrapnel flying out and killing or burning any in it’s path.
Ravenmurk jumped to his feet. Who in the great levels of hell had infiltrated his nest! Who would dare attack the fifth warlord in his own keep?! The tingle of magic began settling over him in a sickening wave and the goblin roared in his displeasure. The mage had managed to survive their bane?! No dwarf had lived to claim such a feat!
Gascon lowered Amara down to the slab via their link; as it was starting to prove more useful than either of them would have thought, and Amara’s eyes went wide even as she pulled herself up on the rope to dodge a few arrows that whizzed past the spot she had been in. “ I need to cover you, can you drop safely?!” he called down to her.
Amara gauged the distance. “ Yes! Just be ready to get me the hell out of here!” she called back to him. She let go of the rope and dropped, thanking the very stars above for her elvish heritage as she landed gracefully. “ As promised.” she quipped to Palisanther with a smirk.
I admit I wasn’t expecting you this soon...It's only been two days after all. he replied. His green eyes went wide as he growled. LOOK OUT AMARA!
Ravenmurk brought his blade down in the very spot Amara had just fled from, jumping over the great cat’s back as she used magic to release the binds placed on him. There were many locks and chains covering Palisanther that she still had to open!
“ So, the mage is an elf bitch who has wandered too far north...” the leader of the tribe seethed.
“ I’m not alone you realize.” Amara said with a smirk. Her blue eyes were sparkling a bit in her amusement as Ravenmurk was tackled by Tarin. She was more than happy to let the dwarf at the bastard.
“ Today I claim your head, you ugly blighter!” the dwarf prince exclaimed. Both weapons were at the ready and Ravenmurk’s eyes went wide.
“ Well if it isn’t Thaden’s eldest son. How’s your family been holding up ever since I took the queen’s head?” the goblin sneered, his voice rising to a near shout as both of them clashed with extreme prejudice.
Gascon’s rifle boomed as he shot down the last of the snipers and turned his attention down to Amara. She was only a third of the way through all the chains. “ Try using both hands Amara! See if that allows you to use a spell on each!”
Amara’s eyes narrowed. That could very well be possible. She began tracing the spring lock spell with both hands and smiled as the rune formed on either side. “ Thank you Gascon!” she replied.
Try to get through just a few more Amara. I think I may be able to crawl out. Just get the one around my neck next. Palisanther said hurriedly.
Amara did just that and she ducked when she saw the cat’s eyes go wide in surprise. Drawing her sword, Amara began fighting against the goblin shaman that were now attacking her in earnest. She was trying to free their greatest prize after all. She maneuvered her way around the slab as she kept up a defense, and kept casting the spell on any locks she was close enough to open. She bit back a scream as a dagger pierced her arm, and Amara in turn stabbed the bastard through the heart. That was it! No more miss nice mage!

Tarin was battling fiercely with Ravenmurk, their blades clanging and sparking as Tarin began driving the warlord back. Both were briefly distracted when a great roar echoed through the nest, and Ravenmurk’s eyes went wide as he looked towards the prison slab.
That elf bitch had freed his prize.
A series of violent explosions via Amara’s magic followed suit and Tarin took the distraction into favor as he drove his axe into the now unguarded chest of the goblin warlord before him. Ravenmurk’s eyes went wide in dismay as he fell to his knees before the dwarf and his golden eyes looked up at Tarin unseeing. Tarin smiled near ferally as he swung his hammer, beheading the bastard with relish. At least he now had something to present his father with when he returned to Uzrathane.
Gascon jumped down as Amara started getting swarmed, though Palisanther was doing what he could to help the half-elf. He drew his pistol and sword at the same time, the gun flashing as he stood and his blade glinting orange in the firelight. Gascon and Amara both turned suddenly, their blades clashing for a moment as both had surprised one another when their backs hit. “ Can we get the hell out of here now? I think we’ve accomplished our goal here!” he asked, parrying three blades with Amara’s help.
“ Palisanther! Can you clear a path?!” Amara called over her shoulder. She began weaving her magic to cast the thunderstorm spell.
Palisanther jumped and knocked the encroaching mass of goblins down as he put himself between them and his rescuers. Climb on! We’ll grab your dwarf friend in a moment! Palisanther ordered.
Amara was the first to climb on, and Gascon followed suit, his left arm wrapping around Amara’s middle. Palisanther jumped again once he was sure they were settled, and began bounding off towards the exit.
“ TARIN!” Amara bellowed as the dwarf came into sight. He was wrapping something up in his cloak and he looked up at her as Amara outstretched her hand to him.
Tarin quickly slung his prize over his shoulder and was grabbed by Amara at his collar when he didn’t reach out to her. The princess was certainly stronger than she looked.
“ Switch it up! I need to finish this!” Amara called over to Gascon. She grabbed both his hands, and jumped from her spot on Palisanther’s back. She jumped back up no sooner than her feet had touched the ground, her back to Gascon’s as Amara began casting again. This called for a spell her uncle had been working on...Abolition. There wouldn’t be anything left of the nest if she had anything to say about it.
Both princes heard the giant explosion behind them, but didn’t dare turn around. The look on both their faces said a million words though. Neither had been expecting the evestan princess to be so ruthless.
Amara smirked as the goblin’s nest burned, her eyes narrowed darkly as she turned back around and her arms wrapped about Gascon’s waist. Palisanther was running at an incredible speed, as what could only be expected of a guardian and he came to a stop in a little glade filled with the light of the full moon. His riders dismounted from him and the great cat looked up at the sky, his eyes closed in pleasure as he took a deep breath and he looked to the three that had rescued him.
I owe you three a great debt of gratitude. Son of man...Gascon...If there is anything you ever have need of me for, just whistle. I will bear you and Amara anywhere you please from here on now as well. As for you dwarf, you killed the descendant of the one who captured me almost three hundred years ago. I can offer you no greater prize than what you already carry. I will bear you back to the Underhalls so that you may take your prize to your father and return you here to your friends. If the dwarves promise that they will help me in my endeavor to keep my territory safe, I will be more than willing to aid them should the goblins ever attack them again. Palisanther said honestly. His green eyes turned onto Amara and he gave the woman a low bow. This was nothing than the greatest show of respect from the forest guardian for the evestan princess and Amara shook her head.
“ Please...Don’t...” she said softly, holding her hands out to stop him. He was the guardian of these parts. She was but a mere princess of a kingdom to the south.
You are the one I owe the most, and as promised I have a great reward for you. I grant you nature’s gift, Amara. The ability to speak to any creature at anytime without having to resort to magic. The flora will whisper in your ear should they have any news to offer as well. Any forest you find yourself in will offer you protection as well, sometimes in the most unexpected ways. Palisanther intoned, a bright golden light transferring from him to Amara as she gasped. You’re safe here for now. Did you wish to return to the Underhalls for a moment dwarf?
Tarin had been silent during this exchange and he smirked. “ Of course. My father will be most pleased with my trophy I am sure.” He then looked to his companions. “ I’ll bring back some more food and I’ll see if I can’t bring some ale along as well. This calls for a celebration.”
Both Amara and Gascon nodded and smiled. Besides, Gascon mused as his eyes glittered on Amara’s back, he had other things he needed to approach Amara about. He had been interrupted twice now, and Gascon hated being interrupted in anything. He was either going to finally kiss her, or there was a chance that Gascon would have no choice but to come clean.
Amara smiled as Palisanther and Tarin took back off into the night and she turned as Gascon settled a hand on her shoulder. His tawny eyes were bright as they looked down at her and Amara felt her belly flip a bit at the look Gascon was giving her.
Whatever was about to happen now, Amara knew instinctively that there was no chance of interruption.
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The Ties that Bind