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The next three days felt like a dream, she was cautious of her motions in a way she never had been. Every time someone looked at her, she broke a little inside. She would hear someone shout about anything, and she cowered.

Upon that third day, while fetching food from town, she happened into Lawman José. Actually, she straight up collided into him, something she had never done before. As Maria struggled to hold onto the basket of breads and cheese, the man looked down at her and grinned mischievously. The Lawman then, completely by accident, slapped the basket out of her hands. The little bundles of food spilled out onto the dusty road, several opening and rolling out. As Maria struggled to gather them up, her nemesis laughed and a few other men joined in.

The feeling of defiance, the burning rage in her gut, flared up in Maria. She felt her feathers stand on end, as she turned on the man, but as soon as she saw his face, she froze. The remembered pain of what he did mellowed her. She groveled in her necessary submission.

That is, until a familiar hand gathered up her remaining food. The Orc from the concert, the black masked devotee to Phunee, returned the remaining items to the basket and shot a charming, heavy tusked smile at the lawman. José suddenly realized he had someplace to be.

"Let me take you back to the church," the Orc offered.

Maria sighed, "I think I can handle myself."

The Orc's face twisted in embarrassment, "Can you take me then? I forgot how to get there."

Maria studied his expression, his mask hiding all but his mouth and eyes, with little breathing holes for his nostrils. He was being genuine.

They walked together, mostly silent, until the Orc made the decision to hoist her onto his shoulder, where she fit just nicely. Having a big shirtless Orc to look out for her could be useful. She shook that thought away before it settled.

Mother Marigold took a sip of warm tea. More than one of her guests pondered where the liquid must have gone. Her jawbone could be seen through when she spoke, so there must have been some sort of magic involved.

"You want access?" The skeletal priestess repeated.

The Orc rather sheepishly grinned at her, "It's why we're here."

Maria watched from the distance, she had been tasked with making sure the guests were fed. Her new friend kept queer company, though maybe it was expectable. Of the five adventurers, she recognized three of them. Aside from the Orc was Strum-Strum the diminutive musician and the frankly beautiful man in flowing silk robes she had seen the even José had assaulted her. Aside from them was a bald man hiding in a shadowy cloak and man in heavy armor emblazoned from head to toe in heraldry she didn't recognize. She did notice Marigold never addressed the armored man despite how he seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

"It will be difficult," Mother Marigold admitted, "It has not been opened for years."

"But you'll do it?" The beautiful man spoke with hope in his words.

"That depends," Mother Marigold spoke with ominous words, "I believe you may be cut out for the task, but I'm uncertain you understand the gravity of the situation. You said you were after the artifact, but you never mentioned what you'd do with the beast."

"Oh course there's a beast," the hooded man snarked, "Why wouldn't there be one?"

"We'll slay it," the armored man stated, and though his helm masked his face, Maria got the impression he had murder on it, "as well as any other monster who crosses our path."

There was a round of agreement with the party.

"Very well," Mother Marigold stood, "I will need to rest and memorize the spells to take down the barrier. Tomorrow you may begin your quest."

Maria gathered up the glasses and a bit of unfinished bread, and for some reason the Orc pressed a gold score into her palm with a wink. Maria pocketed the coin without question, but had to wonder about the exchange.

Before they left, Strum-Strum poised one last question, "Do you know which artifact it is?"

Mother Marigold quietly laughed to herself, "The sword."

This got a bit of excitement from the party, and they left with talk of drink and the sort of battle planning you'd expect from small children playing games.

"Is that what's behind the jinxed door?" Maria asked.

Her godmother dodged the question, "You should keep an eye on our guests. Make sure they don't get into any trouble. I have some coin set aside for..."

"I can manage," Maria cut her off.

The two stared at each other quietly for a moment before Mother Marigold said, "Be safe."

Maria felt out of place at the saloon in her church robes, but the alternative was even more embarrassing. The adventurers were already drinking and telling stories, the Orc two mugs in. She approached the party, not certain what to say, which was a new emotion for her.

"Maria?" The man in silk called to her, his smile was touched with humor but true, "I saved you a seat." He hesitated a moment to bring his delicate black garment back over a pale shoulder, "That is your name, yes?"

The little blackbird perked a brow, and examined the faces of these strange men, "Yes, why would you know that?"

The Orc, slamming a freshly emptied mug onto the table and shouted, "I told them!" After giving the waitress a two finger wave, he explained much more quietly, "I was looking for a burglar to round out the team. Went to the jailhouse and asked 'em if there's anyone they had trouble pinning down."

The man in armor spat and walked away from the table. The hooded man next to him winced, "Don't say shit like that in public."

Maria watched the armored man thunder off to the stairs, presumably to his rented room. She thought maybe the emblem on his tabard should be familiar, maybe it was a symbol of a knightly order or a demigod.

"I'm Ramone," the pale faced human introduced himself, "And you are still welcome to join our party if you so choose."

"I certainly feel that way," responded Maria still watching after the armored man, as she took a seat.

"He'll warm up to you," Ramone suggested.

The waitress arrived with the orc's drink, and another she placed in front of Maria. It surprised her enough she didn't have time to protest before the waitress was off again. The mug must have been a full pint, and she wasn't exactly a heavy drinker, even taking her diminutive size into account.

Ramone had at this point gotten rather impatient with his comrades and what had started as a gentle nudge grew into a full assault on the Orc's shoulder.

Finally taking the hint, the Orc put down his drink, "I am known as El Gallo Masivo!" He flexed his biceps for emphasis, "I come from the Black Mask tribe to lay a bloody smackdown on the forces of evil!"

Maria was thankful her drink had not yet reached her beak. With a name like that, his foes might laugh themselves to death before they ever faced him.

The hooded man, who Maria was beginning to realize had no discerning features was reluctant towards Ramone's head nods, but eventually supplied, "I'm Anonymous." Ramone's eyes narrowed, but the man didn't acknowledge it.

Maria then let her eyes fall to the other member of the group. The little, or rather her sized, golden scaled lizard quickly averted his eyes, then realizing he was supposed to say something he turned his look back at her, blushed, and looked away again. This act continued for two more cycles.

"Strum-Strum?" Maria suggested.

"Uh," the musician bit his lip, "That's just a stage name."

Maria waited patiently for elaboration, but it wasn't until Ramone fake coughed that he gave one.

"Caradoc," the little lizard explained, his voice was breaky like a little boy who had never spoken to a girl before.

Maria took a sip of her comically oversized drink, and thought maybe a little humility would loosen the kid up, "And how old are you, Caradoc?"

His face twisted into caution, "uh, I was told never to answer that question."

"Old enough to know some advanced magic," Ramone suggested as though he was selling a fancy new coat, "and he's a fair talent at the strings."

"Hey!" Caradoc protested, "I'm not fair, I'm the very best!"

"Are you now?" Maria laughed, "I heard you play before, but maybe you could give me a private performance?"

Caradoc's face flushed red, his mouth forming soundless words for a few seconds before he managed to piece together, "O-of course I am! All the ladies love me!"

This time Maria was drinking and nearly choked on it. The mixed reactions of his comrades favored the kid. He stuck out his chest in the face of laughter and proudly took a drink of his ale. Possibly too much of one.

"Careful," Ramone warned.

Caradoc slammed his drink down, and pointed a finger at the effeminate beauty, "You know what, I'm tired of you treating me like I don't know what I'm doing. I'm just as manly and capable as the rest of you guys."

Ramone frowned, "I didn't mean..."

"I know you mean well," Caradoc admitted, "But I'm sick of having to hear your constant communes with Phunee, or whatever you call it."

"Love spreading," Ramone explained.

"Right, yeah, that," Caradoc adjusted his jacket aggressively, "It's annoying." He then turned to El Gallo who was grinning, "You too, Bigus Dickus."

This got a laugh from the Orc.

"Tonight," Caradoc continued unswayed, "I will be the one who takes the most beautiful lady in the house to his room." He then turned to Maria a warm smile barely hiding his nerve, "That is, if she'll have me."

Maria felt her face heat up. Somehow she wasn't expecting him to make that kind of turnaround. She didn't really know the guy, and frankly he was kind of pathetic... in spite of magical guitar playing. She tried to turn him down, but with his big wide eyes slowly realizing that was coming, she couldn't bring herself to do so.

After taking a worryingly long drink from her mug, Maria let out a deep breath and admitted, "I didn't want to pay for my own room anyways."

Mr. Anonymous slapped a few coins onto the table and passed them to El Gallo with a grumble. Ramone glared at his companions disapprovingly. Maria had second thoughts, but the childlike excitement in Caradoc's eyes was kind of cute, she couldn't dash his hopes in front of everyone.

Thankfully Caradoc had rented his own room privately. He had led her by hand, a spring in his step, and they found themselves in a room fit for a Gnomish couple, which was still a little too large for them.

"Look," Maria admitted, "I don't know if I can actually commit to anything."

Caradoc stared at her in horror for a long moment, then let out an exaggerated breath of relief, "That's alright. I appreciate you bolstering me up in front of the guys. They'd never let me live it down if you said 'no' outright."

Maria felt her brow raise, "You're not upset?"

"No!" He raised his hands in protest, "Frankly, I'm kind of relieved."

Maria crawled up onto the bed to sit down, "Why's that?"

"Well," Caradoc fiddled his way out of his jacket, "I was hoping you'd join us on the adventure. That way I'd have the chance to make an honest woman out of you."

The little bird felt her face flush up a bit, "I'm not really the adventuring type."

"Don't lie," Caradoc deflected, "I've seen the way you move. You've got confidence and skill. That's why the lawmen are always hounding you, you have this aura of danger and mystery. It's damned sexy, to be honest."

That was ridiculous. She didn't feel dangerous or mysterious. But she was thinking about sneaking out with his wallet as soon as he was asleep. Maybe he had a point.

"You're a virgin, aren't you?" Maria ventured.

Caradoc froze, spine straight, "No," he tried, but even he caught how horrible the lie was, "Okay, sure, but please don't tell anyone."

Maria shook her head, muttering "Why me?"

Though she meant it rhetorically, Caradoc unabashedly answered, "Would you believe love at first sight?"

Maria searched his eyes. He was serious. This illicited a laugh.

Caradoc joined her on the side of the bed, "Laugh all you want, I'm rather taken by you." He considered, "No seriously, it's a good laugh, I wouldn't mind hearing it more."

Maria felt herself continue to do so. It was such a ridiculous turn of events. If he had approached her three days ago, she'd still be just as fresh as he at all this. A few tears snuck out of her laugh, which slowly cracked down into silence. She stared at the ceiling for a long moment. She felt so unclean.

Caradoc put a hand on her thigh, "Are you alright?"

***

Maria looked down to see her own hand already encompassing his. She drew her gaze up the weird little guy, to his big concerned eyes. If nothing else had lovely eyes.

She kissed him. It surprised her that she had done so, but her beak on his sent a sudden rush of energy through her. She felt the quills on the back of her neck stand on in, her grip on his hand tightened as his claws felt on her thigh. It was full of hesitation, surprise, and somehow it had drawn a full body reaction.

After the first intense moment, Caradoc shed his hesitation and pressed into her. His lips worked about her beak in a curious dance of exploration and need. She felt another hand on her, feeling up her side, as she mindlessly fumbled with the buttons on his blouse.

He broke the kiss, both their minds swimming. They then realized that their hands were still all over each other, and removed them. Both opened their mouth to speak, at the same time, but neither drew words.

Upon a second attempt, Maria admitted, "I may have changed my mind."

"Oh yeah?" Caradoc queried.

"You wouldn't want to let your friends down," Maria tickled his chin, "would you?"

"Let them down?" Caradoc grinned, "Honestly, the goal was to have you screaming in ecstasy loud and long enough they couldn't sleep."

"Oh yeah?" Maria parroted.

"Yeah," Caradoc stated, his breath heavy, "Unless you wanted to do the Honest woman thing."

"Fuck honesty," Maria demanded.

The second kiss was twice as passionate, filled with twice the need and none of the hesitation. For a virgin, the golden lizard was pretty aggressive. His hands found her fluffy beast and tail immediately. She let out a gasp as he touched her ways no man had. The lizard boy pushed her onto her back with a gentle press of his weight. His hands groped and searched her body with little coordination, all passion.

He nibbled at her neck, making her quills stand on end. His chest pressed against hers, the heat from the touch surprisingly intense and comforting. She felt her knees brush past his legs on either side, his little tail sticking up wagging furiously. She toyingly took hold of his butt and pulled him in, pressing his groin against her own just to feel how hard he was. Caradoc moaned lightly, still searching her chest as he nibbled on her neck. He was taking his sweet time, and it was driving her wild.

Then Caradoc whispered, "How do you get this collar off?" He continued to rub up against her as his words formed.

Maria blushed, "It doesn't come off, it's all one piece."

The troubadour pulled himself up to look her in the eyes for a brief moment. He let himself trail downward as he undid his own collar. Maria watched in torrid fascination as the man slowly, worked each button of his blouse, and carefully slide his shirt off. His golden scales were softer under on his chest and belly, but modest musculature erased all her thoughts of him as a boy. The lizard man caught how she was looking at him and gave her a cocky grin.

His hands slid her robe up her legs, and over her knees. Maria averted her gaze out of sudden embarrassment, but it was short lived enough for her to catch the sudden widening of his eyes and licking of his lips. She untied her belt to let him slide her robes more, but instead he dove in face first.

Maria wasn't sure what to expect until she felt a hot breath on her very wet, very sensitive, now suddenly quivering unmentionable. Her talons curled into the bed, her back arched, and her hand caress Caradoc's horns of their own accord. The feeling though, was alien, amazing, and she had nothing to compare it to.

Her breath caught as something equally warm and wet pressed against her. His face was obscured by the hem of her robes, so she couldn't be sure but... he licked her again, sliding his tongue tantalizingly slow over her tender passage. A warmth washed over her with the joy of a summer afternoon at the intensity of an inferno.

He didn't stop. Not that she'd let him, her hands gripping tight on his horns as he partook of her. Her thighs would have crushed him if he didn't hold back. Her screams couldn't be stopped if she tried. It didn't take long before her sense of the world blurred into pure pleasure. Nothing else mattered. A minute, a hour, an eternity, she wasn't never sure how long she rode him, but the whole world must have known.

When she finally came down from the rush, Caradoc was laying next to her, concern on his face. He had shed his pants as well, but to aid in her groggy confusion he appeared to have no penis. That didn't make sense, she had felt it before, and she told him as much... though it took three attempts.

"That?" Caradoc patted his groin, "Kobolds keep them inside until needed, thought Zanate worked that way too."

Maria admitted that she wouldn't know, on account of not having one at all. At least she hoped that's what she said. The concern on his face grew beyond the point she was willing to take that for granted.

"You feeling alright?" Caradoc asked cautiously, "You were shaking rather violently and blacked out."

"Amazing~" Maria hoped she said.

"Oh." His concern turned into a cautious grin, "Did you, uh... orgasm at least?"

Maria laughed at that.

"Oh, uh... I guess I'll take that as a compliment then," Caradoc still sounded unconvinced, "Would you, uh, like to cuddle?"

As difficult as it was to turn over with legs made of jelly, she still managed to respond by curling up into him. Caradoc drew the covers over their naked bodies, and Maria drifted slowly to sleep.