Blessings or Curses

There was a loud, jovial spirit as you entered into the Pathfinder’s Hall. The sun having nearly set by the time you walked in, it would be proper time for supper. Having not consumed anything all day, the aroma of the roasted food was intoxicating. You were beyond exhausted, but the promise of the rewards for your success motivated you to take the few additional steps, large chest in both hands, to meet the others.

It was made all the more surprising than to find what you had seen. A congratulatory feast had already begun, with a person who did not belong among the Pathfinders given the seat of honor. Laugos, an elf ranger and hunter of some local renown. He was charming, handsome, and a reputation for being fair and good with children. In a night of inebriation, the two of you had also gotten to know each other closely, though you would not say you were friends. Seeing you, chest in hand, much of energy was sucked out of the room, as it became awash in mutual confusion and concern.

“You of all people shouldn’t need to be reminded, Miss Khlia” you heard Grimix’s voice before you saw him, walking through and around the Big Folk to speak to you “those who are not Pathfinders are only allowed to enter the hall with permission. What is the meaning of this?”

“Th-The mission” You said, strangely nervous “I found the relic you set us out for, to become a Pathfinder.”

“He found the relic” Grimix pointed to Laugos “I’m sorry. I’m sure you tried hard, as did all of the others. We do not grant exceptions. Better luck next time.”

“I’d hate to ruin my welcome so fast” Laugos rose as he spoke “But I think you should hear her out. Maybe she didn’t find what you set out to be found, but she clearly found something. Khlia’s never been the kind to be dishonest with anyone. She clearly honored the spirit of the mission, shouldn’t we do the same?”

There were murmurings for a few seconds, having apparently caught a few sympathetic ears, Grimix’s included. “Let’s see what you have. Regale me with your story, Miss Khlia”. Permission granted, you found a space on the large communal table to lower the chest, relieved to be free of that burden.

“I found this under a waterfall in the caves.” You began, realizing you had started at the end “I went up into the caves, thinking your message about under the waters meant below them. After fighting off a few walking skeletons, I scaled down a cliff face. Doing some exploring, I found this waterfall and underground river. Walking against the current, I found this chest behind the waterfall. I let the water take me out of the cave, and I walked back here.”

As you spoke, the elder goblin had been lifted up to the stand on the table. He looked inside the chest and inspected the armor meticulously, while listening to you.

“And what makes you think this is magical, my dear?” Grimix asked “On first glance, this seems to be a completely normal set of armor. Clearly made my an expert, mind you, but still mundane.”

“Well, because it doesn’t weigh what it should. Its as though it were made of cloth.”

Grimix’s eyes narrowed, as the other Pathfinders, all curious of your discovery, huddled around to see what you had found. “You think this is light? Show me”

“Of course” You picked up a gauntlet from it, flinging it in the air as if it were a fruit “You see? If it were it’s normal weight, I don’t think I’d have been able to get it all the way here, not while having my normal amor on my back”

Handing the gauntlet to the elder fellow, Grimix nearly fell forward, anticipating the same result from you.

“That’s strange” One of the Pathfinders behind you commented. “How can it be so light for you and heavy for him?”

“That should be impossible, unless…” Grimix’s train of thought wandered off “Khlia, did you put this armor on by any chance?”

“No,” You shook your head “That was neither the space or the time for it. With something like this, someone usually needs help getting all of the armor strapped on properly. Why?”

“I’ll explain later. For now, relax, you’ve had a long day.” Grimix smiled at you briefly before calling out to the group “Someone get our Sister here some food and some drink. She’s earned it.” Exhausted and dazed, it took you a few seconds to begin to hear a hidden meaning in that short sentence. It wasn’t until the cheering and applause that you fully understood that he meant you became a Pathfinder. Your treasure put aside for you, a chair pulled up for you alongside Laugos long with a chair and a full plate of food brought over, you couldn’t help but ask the self-obvious question.

“Is this real?”

“Absolutely.” One of the other veteran Pathfinders responded, a gruff dwarf male “The food is real, the drink is real, and you really are one of us. Congratulations Khlia, it’s been a long time coming.”

The roast beef, the hard cider, and the company of the hall were welcoming to the point of ecstasy. That you had won on something of a technicality was of no concern to anyone in the room, not as far as anyone dared voice out loud. You finally had some place you belonged.

“Hey Khlia, you mentioned you hadn’t put that armor on yet.” Laugos opened up after giving you time to fill your belly “Little old Grimix seemed interested in that for some reason. You want some help getting that on? See how if fits, maybe see if there’s something special about it?”

“Oh, thank you. I’ll take you up on that later. In the morning, probably. If anything, I need to get out of this armor and into something warm.”

“Would you like some help with that too?” He asked more quietly, with a clearly suggestive tone.

“Sure” You nodded “I’d like that. We’re probably going to be working together more. We should get to know each other a bit better.”

“I like the sound of that, though I hope you’re not going to run through the whole Hall that way.”

You laughed at the thought. “Oh, Gods no! Can you imagine it?”

“I can imagine you easier than I can imagine anyone else.”

“Easy now” You scolded “I’m not one of those kinds of women.” Speaking softer as well, you caveated your statement “I do like to have fun though.” Your hand went under the table, sliding over to his crotch “I am one of those kinds of women though”

Laugos tried to play it off like nothing had happened, but had a slight squirm. Nobody else at the table seemed to notice. Eyeing each other, you both worked to finish your food, making a point to neither say or do anything suspicious. Once done, you moved your hand down again, finding a more pleasing feeling to the touch, that of his warm, hard cock. You gave some slow, teasing strokes to keep him ready. It would be so tempting, you thought, to just jerk him off here until he comes, to see what his stamina would be like, and how few would notice with all the feasting. You restrained yourself, if only to enjoy him more later.

Letting go, you both readjusted yourself, leaving the dining area together, and the Pathfinder Hall altogether. To avoid any suspicion of colluding, he left a few minutes ahead of you. As you exited into the cold evening air, he was waiting across the street from you. Nobody else out at this time of night, there were no eyes to witness you strolling to his home.

“What about Xyloron?” He asked out of the blue as you two neared your destination “Aren’t the two of you together?”

“He thinks we are,” You said simply “we never agreed on that. I think because he likes what I do with his cock, he thinks I’m his girlfriend.”

“Well, you can’t blame him, I guess” Laugos laughed gently as he entertained a thought, speaking as it came to his mind “If that little event back there was any hint, you do more things for guys who aren’t your boyfriend than most women do for the guys who are their boyfriends.”

“I get the feeling we’re heading back to a talk about what manner of woman I am,” You replied with a tone of warning.

“I wouldn’t dare,” He smiled, arriving at his door “I don’t know what label or title would fit you. I don’t think one exists, if I’m honest, and I don’t really much care to find out. You’re clearly an intelligent, articulate, brave, strong woman, who also just so happens to be a little irrepressible in the bedroom.”

“Well, let’s test that theory” as he opened up and invited you “I’m sure a strong fellow like you, the kind that actually solved the puzzle to become a Pathfinder, can press into me in the bedroom all night”

Tempted by your verbal foreplay, Laugos pulled you in by the arms, wrestling them behind your back. Though you could have overpowered him and broken free, easily, you let the charade continue, just struggling enough to set the mood as he led to his small bedroom. Pressed against the wall, the two of you made out fiercely for what seemed like a splendid eternity. It was not only a welcome change, but a surprise in what you were able to do; the energy you could still muster after the day you’ve had. You felt the elf’s hands clawing at your body, desperate for flesh to touch flesh, impeded by your armor. Though the desire was wondrous, you grabbed his hands, holding them up in the air near his shoulders.

“We’re not animals here.” You gave a seductive smile “Come, I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve had to help some into or out of armor like this.”

“Very true” He said with a smile, trying to look into your eyes long as possible “First time I’ve been so eager though”

Finally letting you off the wall, he turned behind you, undoing the various straps and links that held your armor together. You tried to help speed things along by taking care of a few yourself, only to be stopped by his hands

“What happened to being so eager?” You asked, trying to look behind you.

“The times we want to be the most impatient are usually the times we should most take our time.”

As the pauldrons come off, and you feel a literal weight off your shoulders, you feel a pair of slow, soft kisses on your neck. The unexpected touch sends shivers down your neck. “Damn him” you thought to yourself “He can’t make up his mind, and it’s driving me crazy. Be the romantic or the bull, just get on with it!”. You felt a slight chill as more of your body became exposed to the evening air, a faint glimmer of sweat still on your body from the journey and under all that weight. His surprisingly smooth hands running across your arms and back warmed and intoxicated you.

Lowered himself to remove your leg protection, the temptation was hard to resist. A sudden fantasy flushed through your mind of lowering yourself down on his pretty elf face, make him eat you out while even trying to breathe. The major parts of the work done, Laugos seemed to have not only read your mind, but to have leaned his body upwards, pressing his face into your big, soft ass. Leaning forward and adjusting yourself, you make it easier for him to find the target, licking your pussy.

“Oh, Gods!” You finally let out, reveling in the surprising and touch of his tongue “You certainly don’t lack fear, do you?”. He didn’t answer for a few moments, still going as if a child cleaning their plate, making a loud and stinging slap of your ass as he finally finished.

“I’d say that bravery goes both ways” He added, taking his own clothes off, finally. You sat at the edge of his bed, feet still on the floor, spread wide apart as your hand continued his tongue’s work, watching the display. While not as broad and muscular as your kind, there was a lean physique about him that was a cut above most elves, products of his occupation and that certainly made him appealing to the eyes.

“Speaking of bravery,” He began as he reached out to grab your hands, pulling you back up on your feet, “I think I know precisely how brave you are,” Leading you to the lone window, with a view of the empty street. It was daring, even foolish, but the rush of it was irresistible. Planting your feet wide, body forward towards the glass, you braced your hands against the wall. You looked back as you felt his hands run their course, up and down the curves of your ass. After another short series of sharp slaps, causing you to yelp slightly with each, you feel a sudden shove into you, as his cock slides readily into your waiting hole.

“Ohh, gods!” You moaned, feeling the suddenness “You’ve kept me waiting long enough”

Laugos, grasping both of your hips, took a steady rhythm right away “I hate to keep a poor thing like you wanting more than I have to. Besides, I’ll make sure it’s worth your wait”

Grunting as you feel the hard force of him, a welcome change of a man who knows what he wants, you press back into him. Moving your hips at the same rhythm as he did, made it feel even deeper as he thrusted, the noise of your fucking even louder in this tiny bedroom.

“Fuck yes, Laugos. I’ve been waiting for longer than you know for something like this.”

“Been waiting around for a real man?” He asked as he gave another fond slap of your ass

“Waiting for a man who wasn’t afraid of his own cock” You let out “Someone who didn’t think I would break in two in a moment of lovemaking.”

“You’re certainly not a fragile wallflower” There was a mix of moan and laughter, his pace slightly quickening “You need some real dick. Maybe even more than one?”

You bit your lip and arched your back, imagining the thought “I’ve always wanted that. Never had it. Maybe it’s time to make that happen.”

“Not until after I’m done with you.” The elf started going even harder. Keeping up, you could feel your body starting to sweat again, the pleasure and need rising in you to have release.

“Yes! You’re certainly enough for me. If you keep fucking me like you mean it”

Taking the dare, as you fully expected him to do, he started breathing harder as he began to really pound into you with all he had. The loud fast sounds of bodies colliding rang in your ears as you closed your eyes, focusing on nothing but the pleasure of being fucked so hard and well.

“Yes, Yes Yes! Fuck!” You let out “Come on, give me everything you’ve got! Fill me up!”

With loud groans, you achieved what many often seek, a simultaneous orgasm, gushing as you felt his hot Elf seed rush inside you. There was heavy, exhausted breathing from the both of you, taking a few moments even before he even pulled out. Looking back, you saw him shifting back to his bed. Catching his wayward eye, you stayed where you were, grabbing your ass cheeks in both hands, spreading them apart for him to see his handiwork

“Now look what you did to me” You moaned out “There’s so much. I really didn’t anticipate that”

“What can I say?” He asked “I figured best give it all to someone who values it”

“Very much so” You let go and slowly joined him in his bed “an elf lady could actually do something with it, but I don’t mind if you don’t.”

“I’m a few centuries away from being ready to be a father, I think” For reasons neither mortal nor God have ever been able to properly explain, no child has been born of parents of different races. You weren’t ready to be a mother either, and you were all the better for it. It meant that you could take any male of any species to bed, save your own, without any thought or worry about the possible consequences. With a soft kiss tot end the evening, you both fell asleep quickly, recuperating from a day far longer and more arduous than you anticipated.

The dawn of the day came far earlier than you’d anticipated, but you at least felt well rested upon it’s arrival. It was a quiet morning as you both rose up and prepared for the events of the day. You felt no regrets about what you did last night, and there was no outward sign that he felt or wanted to express any either. You were not eager to put your armor back on, not without it being properly cleaned and maintained to offset all of the heavy wear from yesterday, and yet the necessity forced your hand, at least for a moment.

“I’ll see you over at the Guild Hall” You finally said to break the silence as you hurriedly got the last pieces on “I’m going to head to my own home, find something more comfortable to be in.”

“I’ll see you there. Remember, you have last night’s treasure to try on. Hopefully old Grimix has some answers for you.”

Putting on your more normal attire was a welcome change, not feeling the heavy wait and restriction of the armor. Although you were looking forward to discovering the magical properties and what may have been uncovered about it, you had forgotten about it’s unusual characteristics. The answers would have to wait, as an old problem decided to reappear. Krathkar, that arrogant fool of an Orc who’d given you so much trouble.

“Khlia!” He shouted, laughing as you walked past, heading towards the hall “Dreams crushed another year, eh?”

“So I’ve heard. Don’t get your hopes up though, next year doesn’t look any better for you.”

His haugty arrogance turned sour as it usually did, turning into a rage as he saw you nearing the Guild Hall.

“Oy! What are you doing, going in there like someone made you of all people a Pathfinder? That pointy haired elf got it.”

“I know it’s hard for you to understand, dull stone, but I’m going in here because someone made me a Pathfinder. Grimix, specifically. I found some hidden treasure even he didn’t know of, and now I’m in.” You touched your temple “Using my brain as much as my muscles. Something you don’t know much about, I take it.”

Without giving him an opportunity for another word, you let yourself into the Guild Hall, knowing above all that denying him the chance for the last word would infuriate him just as much as what you had said. Traveling into the back room where the chest had been placed, you found Laugos waiting, alongside Grimix, and a human Palladin of some note that you recognized by face but had not yet learned his name.

“Good Morning,” you greeted the senior Pathfinder.

“Good Morning,” he replied back in his typical good grace. He was crochety in his old age, but he made a point to uphold rules of good manners. “I hope you had a good rest, you’ll need it”

“Why’s that?” you asked, as you started pulling the individual pieces out of the chest, suddenly remembering their lightness “Something going on?”

“There’s always something going on here. I’m frankly a little frustrated that you even feel the need to ask that.” He was grumpy, even more than normal. “You all put in the hard work of getting here without realizing the most important lesson of that journey.”

“And what is that?” You asked, honestly curious of his lesson.

“Becoming a Pathfinder is the beginning, not the end. If you thought you could relax now that you’re here, you are sadly mistaken, and best leave now.”

“No, hadn’t thought that at all.” You assured him “I didn’t want to make that impression Grimix. I was just asking a question.”

“Very well. In any event, we need you to try this armor on in order to figure something out.”

“Did you figure out what it is, or rather what it does?” As you asked, the two men worked with you to put the plate armor on. Despite it’s incredibly light weight, the nature of the armor still required the tw

“Not yet,” He shook his head, grimacing “I’ve a few hunches, which has me nervous. That it is light for you and heavy for so many others is giving me a strong suspicion, but we have to see it in action to know for certain.”

“That seems fair” You responded “In the meantime, can you share what you’re thinking”

“For now, that it doesn’t make sense.” Grimix grumbled, thinking out loud as the pieces continued to be put on. “If it is what I think, you shouldn’t have found it where you did. And that’s the least of our concerns.”

“Gods, Grimix” You commented in concern as it was almost completed “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were saying this armor was cursed.”

“That remains to be seen.”

“Thanks” you let out melancholily. You could at least appreciated that the old Goblin didn’t try to deceive you, but you still felt like he should have said something beforehand, or find some other way to find out what was going on.

There was a growing commotion outside that had grabbed all three of yours attention. Even with the armor, you were able to get to the door sooner than either of them. Stepping out, you’d seen that Krathkar hadn’t left, and was instead becoming everyone’s problem: having a fit that you had succeeded where had failed, most likely.

“For appearing so big and fearsome, Krathkar” You let out loudly, getting his attention away from all the villagers unable to defend themselves, “if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were nothing but an over grown child. Having a tantrum in public because he didn’t get his way”

“That’s big talk from someone walking around in their own coffin” He angrily replied “Coward, too afraid to fight a real man”

“I’ve never been scared of the likes of you.” You boasted with your hands outstretched. “I don’t even need a sword or mace to fight you, you lout”

Shouting in fury, as he and other barbarous types often did, he charged towards you, spiked club in his large hands, ready to destroy you. Confident that you could outmaneuver him, you waited for the last moment to get out of his way, dodging at the opportune moment. Having gone several feet past before stopping, you delighted in the toying with him, and the embarrassment he now faced, the public seeing his behavior.

Turning about, he was ready to try again. You had a clear notion of how to handle the problem, lowering under him, lifting him up and tossing him on his back, and dealing with him once he was prone. The plan would never be fully materialized. Suddenly, a dark cloud appeared just over him, a magical storm of ice shards pelting him, cutting him down. Dropping in the dirt, you saw the cause immediately behind you; Grimix, of course.

“I would have had him” You said confidently

“That you think that is why I’m concerned. As is that,” he pointed at your chest. Feeling a hot flash of anger, you looked down to see that the armor had fallen off, or changed, your cleavage now largely exposed.

“You seemed to have found the infamous Brave Bodice of Braghna. It’s an exceptionally powerful item, but with grave consequences. It is said that it rewards bravery of the wearer, becoming lighter and more protective, even as more of it appears to vanish away. If someone acts how the armor thinks is cowardly, the magical protection not only fades away, but the weight becomes over burdening.”

“So?” You asked “I’m not a a coward. I’ll be fine”

“No, you fool!” Grimix shouted “That is precisely the problem! In rewarding bravery, the wearer continues to take on greater and greater risks, until they get into a mess they cannot survive. Legends say that the last time Braghna was seen, she was challenging a Dragon single handedly. The armor she had worn, your armor, had disappeared nearly so completely, that it went down to her ring.”

You could see the concern now, just as easily as you could see it in his face. “Some have speculated that the armor IS cursed, Khlia, an insidious curse that convices the wearer it’s in fact a blessing.”

“I understand.” You nodded, though still with more questions. “I’m confused though. If that’s what happened, and that’s where she supposedly died, than how did I find it? And the way it was?”

“I don’t know” The goblin said, clearly still concerned “There are a few legends of those who have thought to have worn the Brave Bodice of Braghna. That it has shown up in so many different places is a mystery, leaving some to think they are different armors being granted the same magic.”

“But who could be doing that?” You asked.

“Nobody knows, Khlia. It is, so far as I know, beyond the magic of most mortals. Maybe the D’arcani could concoct something like that, but how it would escape their hands and not be used by their armies at large, I couldn’t explain.”

He made a short wave, bidding you to bend a knee to look at him. “For the present moment, we have to be careful. That armor made you a Pathfinder, and I’m not going to take either away from you. But I’ll be damned if I let that thing turn you mad and kill you, do you understand?”

“Yes”

“Good, now come back inside. We still have work to do”