A walk outside to clear your head.

The wine, the sex, the bizarre chanting. It was all getting a little too much. You had often fantasised about what sex would be like, how it would feel to be a 'real man', in fact it had been a major contribution in your desire to leave home in the first place. Get out from beneath your father's shadow and forge a new identity as your own man. But now having finally passed that threshold you find that all you want to do is run home and ask your father what it all means, what you should do and whether he approves of the choices you've made.

You turn a lingering gaze over to Sylvia, still coming down from whatever it was that she experienced during your coupling. At the time you'd been too focused to even think about it, but now, as the haze lifted, the thought of it made you shiver. It had clearly involved magic, of a nature you may never truly understand. Do I even truly understand her?

You shake your head. What would a simple Farmboy know of these things? Questions on questions. The blizzard had mostly subsided, now only a gentle flurry of snow remained. You pull up your trousers and pull your furs close before stepping out into the crisp white landscape. Your position on the footpath commands a view of the arboreal valley below, within you can still make out Holksleigh, its fires burning bright to ward off the winter's wrath. You had passed through the small village close to a month ago as the last stop before the ascent into the mountains, the locals had been unpleasant and most refused to communicate. The caravan had been **** to camp outside the settlement and round the night fires there had been talk of the locals as devil worshippers and rumours of infant sacrifice. Gideon had scoffed at the idea "they live out here, all alone. Then we roll up, a small army of strange new folk, of course they'd be cautious. Hell, it took me years to get over the sight of your face Bill." On the far side of the valley were a set of rocky foot-hills called the Eight Teeth, though you had only spotted seven peaks, and beyond them the rolling hills of Trin. The land itself was too far beyond the horizon to see, but in your minds eye you saw it all; the vast wheat fields, dense silver pine forests and deep, clear-water rivers. When all this snow melts they'll be fit to burst their banks. I wonder if father has fixed the river wall yet. You shake your head again, it's no use thinking about home now.

The sound of footsteps snaps you out of your musings. Sylvia slides adroitly out of the cave entrance, still naked, though her eyes and skin had at least returned to their normal state.

"My goodness Farmboy, I didn't think you had it in you. I'm serious, it's not often I meet a virgin that can actually make me cum, to elves that's pretty special."

"Am I to assume you do this a lot then?"

Her face tightens into a look of confusion, taken aback by your sudden change. Her pale eyes gazing into your troubled expression, yet finding nothing. She frowns. "Look, I've decided that I won't do my usual cleansing rituals. I'm not getting any younger and we'll be together with the caravan for at least another two or three years so I thought I'd let the gods decide. If your seed quickens then it shows they mean for us to be together, if not... well I guess there's no harm in repeat attempts". There's that mischievous smile again.

Your head is swimming. Seed quickening, gods deciding your fate. Even more troubles to pile on. You look into those big pale eyes, trying to think of a response. Something catches Sylvia's attention and within seconds her look turns to one of horror. You follow her gaze to a column of thick black smoke, coming from close by up the path. "Gods! The caravan" you exclaim. Both of you dart into the cave, Sylvia hurriedly dressing, you gathering your pack and drawing the short sword from within.

Within minutes you are both quick marching up the steps back to the caravan.