Blessed Be the Escapists

The world around me was a swirling fog of shadows and whispers, Morgana's voice weaving through my thoughts as her realm had not yet materialized before me. I hadn't been asleep long, and the void was still forming.

"You're closer to understanding," her words wormed through my mind like I had done to so many hosts in my past. "But you must—"

Before she could finish, the dream splintered. A sudden jolt wrenched me from her realm, and I gasped awake, the weight of the real world slamming into me. Someone was shaking me, hard.

"Sir, wake up!" A voice hissed, urgent and low. "They're looking for you. The holy warriors, they're searching the inn, and the description they gave matches you perfectly!"

I blinked, disoriented, as the shadowy figure of the innkeeper came into focus. His face glistened with sweat, his wide eyes darting toward the door as if it might burst open at any second.

"What?" I rasped, the fog of interrupted sleep making my thoughts sluggish. It took me time to register what was happening, and as I did, I felt a bit of shame cover me, though it was the only thing that covered me as I lay naked next to Mara's equally nude form. I tossed the blanket over her to guard her modestly, having been a little more comfortable with nudity thanks to my animal hosts and my time with Morgana.

"They're asking about anyone suspicious," the innkeeper said, his voice trembling. "Covered in blood, strange magic, that kind of thing. I don't want trouble, but you paid me well, so I figured I'd warn you. You've got to get out of here before they find you."

The tension in his voice drove the point home. I nodded, forcing myself to move despite the weariness of my body after last night's… exertions. "Thanks," I muttered, looking for my coin purse to tip the man, but unable to find it. "I won't forget this. Now go, comply with their orders, but give us a little time, we need to get dressed."

The innkeeper didn't wait for more. With a nod he slipped out as quietly as he'd come, leaving me alone with my racing thoughts and the faint sound of heavy boots echoing from the hall.

I turned to Mara. She was sprawled over the covers, her breasts had been covered but were clearly splayed against her chest, gravity working to drape them over her body, diminishing their bulk, but pooling them over her form in perfect orbs beneath the thin layer of cloth. She easily took up three-fourths of the bed, her golden hair a mess of soft waves cascading over the pillow. She lay on her back, the blanket I tossed over her barely concealing her form, leaving most of her bare skin exposed to the faint moonlight filtering through the window. She looked peaceful, serene even, and for a moment I hesitated.

"Mara," I said softly, reaching out to shake her shoulder.

She groaned, turning her body away from me, taking the blanket with her as she pulled it to her core and it rose above her ass, revealing those perky toned cheeks to me. I wanted to reach out and glide my hands over their form, to trace her curves with my palm and feel her cool tender skin against mine. 

"Five more minutes," she mumbled, her voice thick with sleep.

"Mara, wake up," I said again, louder this time.

Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and heavy-lidded. "Lucian?" she murmured, a sleepy smile tugging at her lips. "What time is it?"

"It's time to go," I said sharply, already grabbing my daggers and gear. "The holy warriors are here. They're looking for me."

That woke her up. She pushed herself up on her elbows, blinking at me as if trying to process my words. "Holy warriors? Like… Paladins? What do they want with you?"

"I don't know, but they sound like serious trouble and I'd rather not be around when they come knocking," I said, throwing her robe toward her. "We've got to move. Now."

"What did you do?" She tried to shake the sleep from her head, but she let out a long yawn and moved sluggishly. 

"Get dressed Mara. I honestly don't know what I did, but our friend downstairs came to our room and told me they had my description. In my experience, heavily armored religious soldiers never just want to talk, they are here for something and we need to get out. Please, just trust me." I leaned over to her, holding her face in my hands as I kissed her on the lips, before reaching for her robe and helping her dress. 

The muffled sound of boots grew louder, accompanied by the occasional barked command. My heart pounded as I peered out the small window overlooking the alley. The view wasn't promising; narrow, cluttered with crates and barrels—but it was our best shot.

I turned to Mara, who had now come to and was hurriedly pulling on her boots and securing her staff. "We'll take the window," I said, nodding toward our less-than-ideal escape route.

"Window it is," she said without hesitation, her usual cheer replaced with compliance and purpose.

I climbed out first, and the night air was cool against my skin. I sat there on the sill for a moment before looking down at the now less-than-appealing escape route was just in my reach. I was about to drop the unsettling distance, when an idea crossed my mind. 

"Mara, take my hand, I want to try something." I reached over to her and she took my hand, it was so soft, and warm, and just felt right. I looked down again before using my ability.

[Shadow Dance Activated]

[Mana: 30/50]

I dipped into the shadows again, but this time I had company as I felt her hand still in my grasp. Instantaneously, we found ourselves standing on solid ground, the world around us silent, at least until we heard armored fists hammering on our door above.

"Oh wow," she exclaimed, "Is that what you feel every time you use that ability?" she seemed slightly taken aback, but also strangely excited. 

I chuckled to myself, "Yes, you get used to it, but it's a handy ability."

She was going to respond, but something caught our attention as a figure stepped into view, their commanding voice freezing us in place. 

"Stop right there."

I turned slowly, my stomach sinking as three figures stepped into the alley. They were clad in gleaming white and gold armor, their faces shadowed by the hoods of their cloaks. Their weapons glinted in the faint light, and their eyes burned with righteous determination.

"Lucian," the one in the center said, his voice ringing with authority. "By the decree of the High Order, you are to surrender yourself for judgment. Do so willingly, and your companion will be spared."

Beside me, Mara stiffened. I could see her gripping her staff tightly out of the corner of my eye. "Not happening," she muttered, her voice low and full of defiance.

A bitter laugh escaped me. "You think I'm just going to hand myself over? You haven't even told me what I was accused of." I let my hands drop to my new daggers. The leather-wrapped hilts felt reassuring against my palms.

The leader's jaw tightened. "Your defiance only confirms your guilt. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."

I shifted my weight, readying myself. "Oh, I plan to make it very hard."

"I can attest that he is telling the truth," Mara broke in, a mischievous smirk on her lips as I struggled not to buckle under the weight of her joke. There was so much more to this woman than I had initially thought, and I absolutely loved it.

They moved as one, a reflection of whatever training they were put through, it showed in the way they spread out to flank us. My body tensed, the familiar rush of adrenaline kicking in as I activated [Shadow Dance] again. The world seemed to blur and sharpen all at once as I darted forward, my blades flashing in the dim light.

[Shadow Dance Leveled to 5 from 4: Congratulations! You may now activate a second cast of Shadow Dance at no additional cost]

[Mana 10/50]

Mara's magic crackled to life where I stood, her staff glowing as fire erupted around us. The alley erupted in chaos as I disappeared, the paladins rushing toward Mara with the intent to kill. I moved like a shadow, striking at the target I had jumped behind, striking first at his neck but failing as my blade deflected against his spaulders, only dealing glancing damage, but recovering instantly and driving my second dagger into what I believed was his throat.

[Damage Dealt: 20]

[Damage Dealt: Fatal]

The first of the three collapsed to the ground as I struck an artery. He tried to staunch the bleeding, but his heavy greaves made it impossible, so instead, he struggled on the ground as his life-blood spilled by the pint into the cobbled alley floor.

[Experience Gained: 3,000 XP]

[Bonus Experience Gained: 3,000 XP]

[Experience: 21,392/25,600]

I turned to what I assumed was the leader and lashed out, but she was already prepared, parrying my strike and continuing the motion with a slash at my own throat. I immediately recast [Shadow Dance] and appeared several feet away, beside her last remaining soldier, jabbing my blade into his armpit and following up with a slash against his side, just below the breastplate, not doing much, but slowing his advance toward Mara. I leapt backward as she finished her incantation and a large fireball came billowing toward us. 

[Damage Dealt: 50]

[Damage Dealt: 20]

"Lucian!" Mara shouted, unable to stop her cast as she stood in horror, knowing I may very well be enveloped by the flame. She seemed to calm, her face returning to the grim determined gaze she previously held as she watched me narrowly avoid the area of effect damage, and the Paladin who was far less fortunate became alight with flame, throwing themself to the ground to try and put it out.

I lunged at the leader, feinting left before striking low–I had to thank Soren for showing me how useful feinting was, but… Oh, right–. My dagger found a weak point in her armor, and she staggered back with a grunt. Mara took the opening, unleashing a blast of electrical energy that arced between the two, bouncing from one set of armor to the other, until the spell petered out. I tried to avoid it but still took mild damage. Thankfully leather wasn't nearly as conductive, and only my hands had light burns on them from the electricity she produced.

[Damage Received: 10]

The others didn't fare so well, as the smell of burnt flesh and hair filled the narrow alleyway. When the last of them fell, I stood over their bodies, my chest heaving as I wiped my blades clean. Mara was at my side, her staff still glowing faintly in the aftermath of her spells.

"We need to go," the both of us said in unison, before we each let out a short laugh, and took off into the night.