Not Far

The group was about an hour ride away from their clearing and stream when it began getting too dark to see. Andreas used his fire magic to light a charm and tried to lead them for a while longer, but the road was just too treacherous at night.

They were **** to make camp along the path without any kind of clearing. They had no room to put up tents or start a fire, so they were **** to lay out their bed rolls next to each other to conserve warmth. Lady Clair didn't have to sleep, so she agreed to stay up and keep watch. That was when Pepper asked the question...

"Um... Who is sleeping in the middle?"

The rest of the group looked at her for a moment before laughing. The young woman didn't quite get the joke and asked again. It was then that Lady Clair pointed out what all the older members of the group already new.

"Dear, men like these two generally don't like to cuddle other men."

It took a moment, but then understanding dawned on Pepper. She blushed and looked to the bedrolls, all tucked tightly against each other.

"So.... Um... I'm going to change into my night close now...."

The girl quickly changed, not trying to hide her nudity after the earlier antics, but still blushing furiously. Silvan smiled, enjoying how innocent the girl was even after taking her first hesitant steps into womanhood. Soon the group was laying down and Pepper found herself quite enjoying the way the two men pressed up against her. She had laid down on her back, and both men were using a shoulder as pillows. She couldn't believe that had this situation happened a day earlier, she would have died of embarrassment. Now though, she was somewhat turned on. When sleep took her, she had good dreams of the men taking her in various positions.

Silvan was woken by Clair shaking him gently. When he sat up, the Zombie put a hand to his mouth and whispered for him to listen. It was early morning now, and the first rays of light were starting to show, but the woods were still pretty dark.

He did as asked, and listened. Soon he heard the sounds of boots crunching leaves. Several pairs of boots. He quickly and quietly woke the others and they began readying their gear to leave, but the approaching men must have heard them, because the boots picked up their pace. Soon seven men burst from the trees just a short distance away from the group. By their dress, Silvan judged them to be bandits. The men quickly drew an array of swords, axes, and clubs from their belts and stepped forward threateningly.

"I wouldn't come closer if I were you," called Silvan, causing the men to slow and look for traps before the leader answered.

"And why would that be laddie? I see two fine looking women and packs that could have treasure, so what's to stop us from taking them?"

"Me," Silvan answered with a cruel smile. His voice dripped confidence and caused a shiver to run down Pepper's spine. Why was he so certain of himself against seven men?

"Oh ho? You? And who else?"

Without answering, Silvan threw back his head and..... Howled.... Everyone on the road looked at Silvan in shock. The leader then laughed and again began his advance, only to stop when the howl was answered by another. Then another. Soon, more howls and the sound of running paws were heard before a pack of wolves came from the trees and surrounded the bandits.

"Who else you asked? Why, just my furry friends here. Now here's how this is going to work. I'm going to let you run. Then, I will count to three and my friends will start to give chase.... Hey guys, I'm not done explaining the game yet!"

But the bandits weren't listening. They had already broken and run. Silvan laughed and then barked something, and the wolves took off at a trot behind the men. When he turned, he found the others watching him wide eyed.

"W-w-what was that," asked Pepper.

"Oh, I just asked the wolves to help us out. Friendly types, wolves are, to those that can speak their language."

"So their going to eat those men?"

"What? No! I just told them to chase them a ways to keep them off us. We should have no trouble from them now."

With a new respect for the Beast Tamer's abilities, the group continued their journey.