Bad dreams and omens.

Broden eventually lost his battle with fatigue and fell into a fitful sleep. He was haunted by a dream that kept him from resting.

In the dream he could see Ethimlee, at first striding the halls of her palace gardens. The shadows seemed to follow her, stalking her, and fleeing whenever she might look their way. Broden tried to call out, but found himself **** on the words. Then Ethimlee started to run as if spooked by a phantom sound. The shadowy thing gave chase. She started crying for help but no one was there. Broden tried to go to her, but he found his legs coiled around his legs like a snake. Ethimlee charged into her throne room only to find a shadowy snake sitting on her throne. She froze only to be struck by the snake, it's shadowy fangs sinking into her belly. It's body wrapped around her and it's tail dropped low, only to start tearing at her gown. With her skirts tattered it **** it's tail between her legs and into her cunt. It began thrusting and pumping. Broden screamed in rage, fighting his restraints, to no avail. Helpless, he watched as she started to swell, as if heavy with child. Just when she looked ready to burst she collapsed, her crown falling to rest upon the head of the snake still latched onto her belly. As her body hit the stoney floor, Broden was **** awake by something hitting him.

Broden looked up through bleary eyes to make out the form of Gaine, fist drawn back to strike again.

Broden rubbed his jaw and nodded his thanks to his old friend.

"Thank Melina my Chief. She brought me in after you started shouting in your sleep."

Broden scanned the tent to find Melina, quickly wiping tears from her eyes by the foot of his bed. Before he could say anything she had launched herself atop him. She started beating on his chest and wailing, "I thought the poison was taking you again! I was so scared! Don't scare me like that!"

Broden laughed, wrapped one arm around Melina's waist, took a hold of her hair with his other hand and pulled her head back. She barely had a chance to yelp before he had crashed his lips to hers. She froze for a moment before submitting to his kiss and returning it. She melted onto him, her hands sliding across his chest and her rear sinking to his groin.

Broden broke the kiss suddenly and Melina curled up on top of him. Broden looked toward Gaine and barked, "Get me a pouch of 200 gold from my warchest and give it to Melina here."

Gaine raised an eyebrow at Broden but moved to obey. Melina sat back and was about to ask about it but Broden cut her off. "you will take the gold to your father and tell him that I have taken you into my service. That gold is to silence any of his protests. Once you're done find the princess Lethila and bring her here. And put this on," Broden reached across and took one of his fur cloaks off his bed, "it will mark you as mine. Anyone troubles you speak to one of my men. While you wear my furs they will know you as one of us."

Melina had tears brimming in her eyes as she laid a kiss upon Broden's mouth, took the gold and danced out wrapped in her new cloak.

Broden turned to address the question Gaine was holding. "It might have been a nightmare, but i believe I have had an omen-dream." Gaine stiffened and his eyes took on a flinty sharpness at Broden's words. "I believe Ethimlee is being hunted. Form up the Elven contingent. Pick five Orcs. You are to make for the capital at haste. Break camp and be marching by dusk. I will follow as soon as I am able."

"Yes, my Chief." Gaine snapped a salute to Broden, and was barking orders before the tent flap had even closed behind him.

Alone, Broden felt the unnatural exhaution dragging at his body again. He snarled in frustration before giving his body it's desired rest.