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Finally! The final chapter of my first story ever! Like giving birth, I just had to get this out here. It's been a long time to finish, but my writing has evolved in the process and I feel that I am a better author than when I started. I hope you have enjoyed reading this series as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Someday I may visit Shady Vale again, or even continue with Ren and Bel, the characters are just too well fleshed out and I'll miss them all eventually. For now though it's time to bring this segment to a close...enjoy!

CHAPTER SIX

It really wasn't a fair fight. The pair of youths circled each other warily, padded weapons clutched tight. One of the students, a hefty Orc adolescent, moved awkwardly, his footing disjointed and uncontrolled. The other, a tall Tauren teenager right on the cusp of manhood, twirled his practice weapon carefully as he glided confidently around the combat circle. The Orc attacked first, feinting a poke to the Tauren's midsection, and then diving low to go for the legs. The young bull countered the feint with a graceful tuck of his midsection, then hopped into the air and rapped the Orc with a two-handed down stroke. The Orc fell to the earth, shaking his head from the blow. Ren stepped to the edge of the circle.

"Hold! Good job, Rhuno. You will test tomorrow. Go home and get some rest."

"Yessir!"

The Tauren gave him a nod of his head before returning his weapon to the rack and trotting off to the Academy buildings. Ren was pleased. When he had reported here four months ago for his first day of work, the students had given him no respect. Annoyed, Ren had instituted his first rule as a teacher: The only way a student could be disrespectful to him was if that student defeated him in a practice circle, with practice weapons. Any student was allowed to challenge at any time. If the student lost, then proper respect would be given. Failure to do so would require another trip to the circle, with real weaponry.

About two or three bouts later, every student in Ren's class suddenly had an enormous amount of respect for their new teacher. When his defeated students returned from the infirmary after two weeks of healing, they never challenged his authority again. Ren wisely did not hold his power over their heads. He was there to teach, after all, not terrorize. Eventually, the students came to realize that Ren was a natural warrior and could give them valuable lessons in the art of combat. Soon they were crowding in to listen to his every word. Ren walked to the center of the circle to kneel down next to the prostrate Orc, who had recovered enough to smack his hand on the ground in frustration. The young Orc had become a little too cocky in his brief three months at the Academy and had challenged Rhuno to try and prove himself. Ren had allowed the bout, hoping he could use it to instill some humility in the Orc.

"Are you all right?"

The Orc turned his head and looked up at him.

"Mah head hurts. Thatsa bout it."

"Do you have any idea where it went wrong?"

"Yah. Ole horns wuz bouncin round like'a rabbit. Like...like...he wuz dancing!"

Ren allowed himself to smile.

"He was using his footwork to stay out of reach. Didn't you practice your footwork?"

"Ah thought that wuz dancin crap...I guess it kinda works, dontit?"

"Yes, it does work. Now tomorrow when we go over it again, how about trying to learn it?"

"Ok sir."

The Orc rose to his feet and slowly made his way over to the rack. While he was returning his practice weapon, Ren addressed the rest of the assembled students.

"Ok! Rhuno tests tomorrow morning. I expect everyone to be there for support. When he's done, the rest of you will go back to practicing footwork. We can see from today's example that it is more important than you think. But..."

Ren's voice trailed off as he realized none of his students were looking at him anymore. Their combined attention seemed to be riveted to a point over his shoulder and their astounded faces were filled with open lust. A few seemed on the edge of drooling. The human turned to see what had caught their attention. He smiled when he beheld Belune, walking across the open grass towards the ring of combat circles. The curvy waitress was decked out in one of her exotic dresses from work. The neckline strained to contain her impressive breasts, plunging clear down to beneath her bellybutton as a series of fine mesh straps held the sides together. The top of the dress was a halter, fastening behind her neck and leaving her shoulders, and most likely her back, bare. Wide slits, strategically place, exposed her legs almost all the way to her waist. The effect made her look as though she was wearing barely a loincloth to cover her privates. A few bracelets, anklets, and a necklace, all gifts from Ren, added to her ensemble. The jeweled band, which the young human had presented to her four months ago, reflected a glint of sunlight from its home on one of her manicured horns. Ren's breath caught in his throat. Even after all this time, he found himself lost in her beauty. The plump, hourglass figure and sexy sway of her hips drew all eyes. Lately she seemed to beam out an inner light, further enhancing her beauty and accenting her caring, loving manner. She shook her mane of soft, loose hair and walked up to Ren, putting her arms around his shoulders to kiss him passionately. Ren could hear the dozen or so intakes of breath behind him. When she leaned back, he smiled at her again.

"Well hello there, beautiful. What brings you this way?"

"I just got off work..."

"I see that."

"...and I've been getting hit on all day..."

"I would think them blind if they didn't."

"...and now I'm really horny..."

"That sounds like a real problem."

"...so I want you to come home..."

"I can't wait."

"...and pound me through our mattress. If you or I can still walk by tonight, I'm going to require an all-night session, understand?"

"Absolutely."

The busty Tauren kissed him again deeply. Ren let his hands wander a bit, discovering that there was indeed no back to her dress. She broke the kiss and turned to walk away. At two paces she looked back over her shoulder to give Ren a look so lusty and hot it would have melted armor.

"I'm going home and get out of this dress. I don't intend on putting anything back on. Will you be home soon?"

"Is five minutes ago too long?"

Belune threw him a dazzling smile.

"I love you, Ren"

"I love you too, Bel. I'll see you shortly."

The Tauren turned and continued across the field. Ren turned back to his students, who were all intently watching Belune sashay away. Every one of them had plainly heard the entire conversation. The young warrior clapped his hands to get their attention.

"Ok! We're going to call it a day then. I apparently am needed back at my house."

There was a round of chuckles at this. A few still glanced over Ren's shoulder at the retreating Tauren. Ren waved a hand to get their attention again.

"Tell you all what, everyone shows up tomorrow for Rhuno's test and we'll have an early dismissal. I'm sure footwork can wait till the next day."

A group cheer sounded from the students. He formed them up and dismissed them before turning to collect his things. A few stray comments reached his ears as he turned to leave.

"...Gods! Did you see that dress!"

"...Dress? Did you see that rack?"

"...lucky bastard. I'd trade with him in a second..."

Ren chuckled to himself as he set out across the field, following the same direction as Belune. He made his way through the village to a small secondary street near the center of town. Ren went straight to a small, two-story house located midway down the road. He and Belune had purchased the house shortly after removing her necklace, using the money given to them by Brulliard. Ren paused at the front door, smiling and remembering the excitement of that first purchase. The couple had spent a few days in the room at the Rod & Cup, a few awesome days. Ren could have sworn he spent as much time inside his lover as he did next to her. Belune didn't help matters, tearing his clothes off the second he walked into the room, making love to him fervently over and over. The intensity of her needs carried over for a few weeks after they bought the house. The curvy Tauren had seemed determined to christen every horizontal surface in their new home with their combined juices. Just when the young human had started to wonder if he was going to be able to keep her satisfied, Belune had eased up a bit. She no longer attacked him with the raw intensity she showed early on, but their less frequent trysts held much more passion and intimacy. Now, Ren delighted when they stirred their fires of passion together. The feelings of closeness they achieved jointly served to mutually solidify the deep, powerful emotional connection they held.

Ren waved his hand over the symbol on his door, unlocking it and pushing through. He walked down the hallway on a beautifully woven rug, a gift from Sergic. As he glided past doorways, he glanced in automatically, ascertaining the contents and state of the rooms as he passed by each. There was a study, a dining room, and a large, well-stocked kitchen. The hallway ended at the rear of the home at the base of a set of stairs leading up. As he turned the sharp corner to go up the stairs, he noticed a small expanse of fabric hanging over the banister part way up the steps. The fabric turned out to be Belune's dress, hanging casually where he would be sure to see it. He smiled as his hand brushed over the material, knowing full well she had left it there on purpose. When he reached the second floor, he started down the small hallway that led to the floor's two rooms. As he approached the doorway to the master bedroom, another small pile of cloth on the floor of the hall grabbed his attention. He picked up the cloth and discovered Belune's skimpy panties, all strings and hardly any material. He inhaled deeply, smelling her intoxicating aroma on the garment. When he stepped through the doorway, Belune lay, naked and sprawling, on their shared bed. She looked him right in the eye as she kneaded her breasts with her two-fingered hands.

"Oh, good. You're just in time."

Ren smiled as he started to doff his clothing.

"Oh really? You didn't start without me?"

The Taureness sat up and undid his breeches. She licked the hard muscles of his stomach, just once, before replying.

"Now where would the fun be in that?"

The next several hours were a blur of writhing motion and sensual coupling. Ren spent himself inside Belune, over and over again, shuddering and clutching her body to him. The busty Tauren reciprocated the attention, plying him with her hands and tongue, clothing his length with her flesh. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the two lay spent in each others arms. Belune curled against Ren, trying to press as much of herself as she could to his muscular side. He had one arm wrapped around her shoulders and with the other, he stroked her cheek softly. The Tauren ran her tongue across his chin and kissed him on the lips.

"Mmm, ok. I don't think I'm going to be walking anywhere soon. Thank you."

Ren chuckled and kissed her on the end of her nose.

"Same here. But what brought this on? You haven't been like this since we first got together..."

"I don't know. I've been feeling kind of bloated for the past few weeks, like I've put on a few pounds. I just seemed to feel better today so I couldn't pass up an opportunity when I felt so great."

Ren looked up and down her body in confusion.

"A few pounds? Where? You look the same to me..."

Belune grasped his wrist and moved his hand to her belly. She then put her fingers over his and squeezed gently.

"Feel that?"

Normally the Tauren's rounded tummy had a pleasant oval shape, consistent of her soft curvy form. Now he could feel a small change, like a distinct bulge around her middle. However, when she made him squeeze, he could still feel the bands of her abdominal muscles behind her layer of feminine padding.

"Hey, if this is a concern, maybe we should get you looked at by a healer, just in case?"

"I will tomorrow. I don't want to panic...I just feel...well...fat."

Ren leaned over her and kissed her gently.

"You are not, and never will be, fat."

"Mmmm, but you are biased, yes?"

"Maybe I am...a little. But I want you to feel good about yourself too. Maybe I can talk Druhma into finding that healer she is always raving about."

At the mention of the Orcess, Belune flashed him a big, mischievous grin.

"We may have to trade for her help. Think we can talk her into it?"

Ren laughed and tickled her side.

"Are you kidding? She tracked me down and told me she wants to have us over again. We could probably stop by to borrow some sugar and she would have us both naked in ten seconds!"

Belune traced her finger up under his chin as she giggled.

"Five seconds for me! Don't take this the wrong way, love, but that woman is a lot of fun."

"Hmm, you aren't kidding. I was a little nervous at first, but you really made that easier."

"We were there to have fun, sweety. Now what kind of girlfriend would I be if I let you suffer while I was getting laid? Besides, Druhma helped too."

"Yes she did...I still am kind of surprised you went along with it, though."

"Why? Because you were with another woman?"

"Well...yeah."

Belune mock-scowled at him.

"Well don't worry. If it were any other woman, it would never have happened. But I've known Druhma for a while and I really like her. There's just something about her..."

"Yes there is...but I would still take you over her any day."

"Wise response, Rendlethaven Mordrogon."

Ren chuckled and kissed her softly for a while, cuddling together on top of the covers. Belune turned her back to him, snuggled into his arms, and faded off to sleep in minutes. As the young human drifted off to the steady breath of his lover, his mind went back to two months ago...

******************

Ren was never happier. For the last two months, the most beautiful Tauren he had ever encountered in his life was currently warming his bed and his heart. Belune loved him fiercely and gently, sliding into his life as though she had simply set it aside for a little while and now returned to pick it all back up again. The work at the Academy was paying well and Belune was doing great at the Rod & Cup. Ren had expressed some concerns at first about having the curvy Tauren working there again. He remembered vividly the suggestive and abusive propositions she received from the patrons. Belune set him down and explained to him that such things were normal for that establishment, and that in the end it helped her tips.

"Besides, no one will ever get serious. They are too afraid of upsetting you."

So Ren backed off and let the Tauren handle her business. He concentrated on improving his combat prowess by searching out the best fighters in the village and learning new techniques. He was soon adding several new moves to his already staggering repertoire. At this time, Ren was also establishing himself as a teacher at the Academy and earning the respect of his students. Life had never seemed better.

On this day Ren was currently in the kitchen fixing an early supper for himself and Belune. The young warrior had managed to get home early from work and had an idea with which he wanted to surprise his Tauren girlfriend. He was almost finished when the front door opened and Belune made her way down the hallway. As always, she was absolutely gorgeous. The diaphanous material of her dress barely concealed her intimate features. She spotted Ren setting the food on the table and beamed at him.

"Hey there! When did you get home?"

"About an hour ago. I thought I would surprise you tonight."

"That's wonderful! And this smells really good!"

"Well, eat up honey. I have something special planned for us tonight..."

Belune gave him a sultry look.

"Oooh really? Does it involve us being naked?"

Ren chuckled as he handed her a plate.

"I hope so. I'm looking to get you all worked up tonight..."

"Yeah? Now I'm curious!"

"Finish your supper, we get a shower, and then I'll show you the surprise..."

Belune gave him a look of mock indignation, and then laughed. The couple finished their meal and went to get cleaned up. Ren dressed himself in the same outfit he used when performing night maneuvers for the Academy. The Tauren chose a soft pull-over tunic and a pair of stretchy breeches that clung to her curves like a second skin. Ren paused long enough to examine exactly how tight her breeches were pulled across her rump until Belune slapped his hands away with a giggle. The two then made their way out the front door and started down the street. After a few minutes, Belune turned to Ren with a confused look.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see. I'm fulfilling a promise I made to you a while ago."

The Tauren became even more confused. Pretty soon the two came to the well in the center of town. Repairs to the well had been completed a few weeks prior and it was currently in use. Ren steered the Tauren away from the well and worked his way to the base of the cliff leading to Giants Edge. They traveled along the overhang until Ren stopped and pulled a heavy rope from its hiding place behind some scrubby roots decorating the rock face. He turned and handed the end of the rope to Belune.

"Can you climb up this?"

"Um, I think so."

"Good, just remember not to break any vegetation when you get up there. I'll be right behind you."

Belune shimmied surprisingly quickly up the rope, her natural Tauren strength making the job fairly easy. Ren followed right behind, enjoying the view. When the two were standing together at the top of the precipice, he turned and led her into the bushes. The busty Tauren suddenly realized their intended destination.

"You sneaky kodo! You're finally taking me to your clearing!"

Ren paused and grinned back at her.

"I told you I would."

They crawled through the final stand of bushes and entered the hidden clearing. Ren motioned for Belune to lie down on her stomach next to him and together they peered into the transparent rear wall of the bakery. The visible rooms were empty, so the Tauren turned and looked at Ren.

"No one home. How do you know when she'll be there?"

"I've come here a lot. The sun will start setting in a few minutes and she always comes up to get her shower about then."

Together the couple returned to watching the building. Ren reached up over his shoulder and adjusted his sword. He knew Druhma would spot the jewel set in the pommel and, hopefully, would give them a good show tonight. He settled in to wait.

Not long after, the door to the bedroom opened and Druhma strolled into the room. Ren watched intently as she began to peel her dress off. He knew that he had not been up to this clearing since the first night he had been together with Belune. Now he was unsure if the busty Orcess would think to look for him on the cliff. As he watched, Druhma removed the leather thong from her hair and went to retrieve her soap and razor from the alcove. She was almost through lathering herself when Ren looked over at Belune. The Tauren was watching the entire scene in rapt attention. The young human noticed her chest rising and falling with quick, excited breaths. He chuckled softly as he recalled his own reactions the first time he ever saw the Orc shower as well. Belune tore her gaze away long enough to whisper at him.

"Oh wow! Is this what it was like when you first came up here?"

"Pretty much."

"I can't believe what I'm seeing! Does she do this every time?"

"Almost every time. And you're in luck cause that is something she doesn't always do..."

The young human gestured towards the window. Belune swiveled back to the house and gasped softly as she beheld Druhma shaving her privates. Ren watched her blink in surprise. The busty Tauren never took her gaze away as the voluptuous Orc finished her shower and walked over to her dresser. Ren found he was having more fun watching Belune's reactions than the show through the glass. The curvy Tauren would grunt softly and readjust her position, unaware she was rubbing her crotch into the ground. He was just about to reach over and stroke her bottom when she gasped and lifted herself partially off the ground. Ren turned to see to what she had reacted.

Druhma had finished drying her hair and was now sitting, facing the glass, on the thick carpet next to her bed. Her back leaned against her mattress and her legs were spread wide, allowing an easy view of her sex. With one hand she cupped her enormous breasts, tugging gently on a thick nipple. The other hand was rubbing her crotch, tweaking her sensitive little bud and occasionally dipping her finger into her passage. Ren glanced back at Belune.

"Ok, that's a new one."

This display continued for a few more minutes. Ren could clearly see the shine of reflected light off of the fluids on Druhma's fingers. Suddenly, the busty Orc raised her wet fingers to her lips and licked them clean with her lengthy tongue. Midway through the motion, she looked pointedly out the window directly at Ren and Belune. She grinned seductively and waved her hand in a "come here" gesture. The young human blinked and turned to trade looks with Belune.

"Did she just..."

"Oh yeah. Let's go!"

As fast as they were able, the couple made their way through the bushes and down the rope. They hurried over to the door of the bakery and went inside. As they paused to let their eyes adjust to the dimmer interior, a voice floated from the rear of the establishment.

"Don't forget to lock the door!"

Ren turned and fumbled with the latch while Belune slipped beneath the short counter and vanished into the darker back room. A small squeal of delight and twin giggles told Ren that Druhma had come down the steps to meet them. As he finally managed to lock the door, the Tauren called out from somewhere in the back.

"Druhma says to come on up when you're done!"

The young human turned and flipped the counter up before he started across the back room. Flickering torchlight cascaded down the stairs, showing Ren where to go. As he approached the steps, a small pile of cloth caught his attention. He picked up the cloth and found himself holding Belune's pull-over tunic. Inside the garment, the Tauren's lacy bra was still tangled into the sleeves. He smiled and started up the stairwell. At the top of the passage, the door to Druhma's bedroom hung slightly open, Belune's stretchy breeches dangling from the latch. When the young human lifted them from the knob, her matching lace thong panties fell at his feet. Ren shook his head in amazement at how quickly she was able to shed her clothing. He scooped the undergarments into the bundle under his arm and opened the door.

The big Orcess was lying on her back on the bed. Belune was straddled across her waist, pressing her chest against the massive breasts of the Orc. Both females were completely naked and currently engaged in a deep, hungry kiss. The Tauren had both hands tangled in Druhma's hair, pulling her into the exchange. The Orc had both hands on Belune's rump, kneading her rounded buttocks and squeezing her body tight to her waist. The Tauren lifted her head slowly, sucking on Druhma's tongue, until she finally pulled free from the tip. Both females, panting lightly, turned to look at Ren. Belune flashed him a big smile.

"Come on in, honey. The water is warm..."

Druhma licked her lips slowly and grinned at the young human. Very deliberately, she spread her legs wide open and braced her feet on the bottom of the bed. The action also served to spread Belune's legs as well. The Tauren arched her back slightly and curled her tail up high and off to one side, exposing herself completely. Druhma gripped a fuzzy buttock in each hand and spread them apart, further inviting Ren.

"Take yer pick, stud."

The young warrior couldn't get undressed fast enough. He was still stumbling out of his breeches when the two women went back to making out heavily. Ren came around the end of the bed and grinned with delight at the sight before him. Belune's inky black sex perched directly above Druhma's plump, smooth slit. Both women were visibly excited, their soft, pink petals peeking out through their swollen labia. The Tauren twitched her tail as a single drop of clear liquid dripped down on to the belly of the Orc. Ren rubbed his hands together.

"What the hell, I pick both."

The human crouched at the edge of the bed and slipped two fingers into Druhma's sex. He grinned even wider when he heard her utter a low moan and felt her passage walls momentarily tighten around his digits. Her legs twitched once, and the flow of her lubricants seemed to pick up a notch. Ren slowly started to piston his fingers in and out of the Orc, increasing his pace slightly with every thrust. When he had built up a steady rhythm, he leaned forward and thrust his tongue into Belune's dripping slit. The Tauren immediately voiced a happy, muffled squeal and pushed herself back at him. Ren continued to lap at her folds, occasionally stroking across her little button, causing the Tauren to tremble with every touch. As he worked on Belune, the young warrior slipped an additional extremity into the Orcess, pushing his phalanges in deeply with every stroke and dragging his fingers across the rough spot on her inner wall behind her pubic bone. Druhma continued to groan and started to buck her hips slightly, each little jerk timed to Ren's plunging digits. The human wiggled his tongue deep between Belune's labia, dragging the tip across the sensitive flesh between her passage and her clitoral hood. He took her nub into his mouth and rolled it on his tongue as he sucked. The Tauren jerked once, and then threw back her head with a cry while she gushed all over Ren's face and chest. He raised himself up a little and looked out over her back. Belune lay collapsed on Druhma's chest, gasping for air as the Orc continued to moan in her ear. With a smile, Ren ducked back down and turned his attention to the Orc.

Pulling his fingers from her sex caused Druhma to whimper quietly as Ren leaned in close for a better look. The Orc's smooth slit was flexing softly and continued to leak clear juices that dribbled down on to the mattress. Where Belune had that incredible, intoxicating scent, Druhma smelled of fresh musk and flowered soap. The young warrior bent forward and scooped her passage with his tongue. The Orcess responded with a grunt that quickly transitioned into a guttural moan. Encouraged, Ren dragged his tongue repeatedly over her slit, flicking against her petals and nibbling softly on her rounded button. He slipped one of his fingers back into her passage and continued to lap at the top of her sex, alternately licking and sucking on her nub. Druhma moaned again and started to wiggle her hips against Ren's face. He was just getting ready to shift his stance when he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he looked to his side, Belune was smiling back, kneeling on the floor next to him. Ren had completely missed when she crawled off the bed and came around. As he opened his mouth to speak, Belune stuck her tongue in it, kissing him long and deep, tasting the Orc on his lips. When they came up for air, the Tauren nodded her head in Druhma's direction.

"Can I have some?"

Ren chuckled and moved to one side to allow her to get closer. Belune reached up and parted the Orcs lips with both hands, and then stuffed her broad tongue right into Druhma's opening. Ren watched in awe as she licked, nibbled, and wiggled in the Orc's sex as though she had always done so. He expressed himself jokingly.

"Damn, darling. You are really good at that! Now what am I supposed to do while you're down here?"

Before Belune could even pause to respond, Druhma's voice piped up from on the bed.

"You can bring your sexy self right up here and let me at that monster you're packing!"

Ren chuckled and leaned over to kiss Belune, who paused long enough to return the kiss sloppily before going back to what she was doing. The young human then stood and crawled over the outstretched leg of the Orcess, stopping only to plant some soft kisses on her thigh and rounded belly. He paused again at her enormous breasts, wrapping his arms around them and feeling the heft of their weight. He took one of her thick nipples in his mouth and rolled it slowly across his tongue. Applying suction, he flicked his tongue across the broad, flat surface and felt the Orcess grab the back of his head to pull him in tighter. A few seconds later, he let the nipple go free and moved himself up to look Druhma right in the face. She was panting lightly, lids closed, and lost in the sensations coming from between her thighs. When she felt Ren's breath on her cheek, she opened her eyes and looked at the young warrior.

"I've waited for this for a long time..."

The hand on the back of Ren's head pulled him forward and Druhma met his lips with a full open kiss. Her tongue plunged deep in his mouth, swirling around behind his teeth and wrestling with his own oral muscle. Ren kissed her back hungrily. His lips brushed against her short tusks as he probed her mouth, tasting her and letting her taste her own sweet juices. After a dozen or so heartbeats, Druhma broke the kiss with a small gasp. She closed her eyes again and her whole body shuddered. Ren looked down to see Belune working the Orc's sex with long sweeps of her tongue. Druhma twitched, convulsed, and cried out as her stomach clenched. As she shuddered through the throes of an orgasm, Belune lapped up her spurting fluids and dragged her tongue over her quivering mound. With one last flick, she looked up at Ren.

"Mmm, baby. This tastes pretty damn good."

Ren laughed at her.

"Now you see why I like to do it..."

Belune smiled at him and crawled up over the Orc's other leg on to her chest next to Ren. Druhma finally subsided to the occasional shiver and wrapped her arms around both of them.

"I just knew you two would be a lot of fun."

Belune licked her cheek.

"It only gets better from here."

Druhma looked up at her in mild surprise, and then grinned.

"There's something about you I can't quite figure out."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know exactly. It's almost like, the second I touched you, I couldn't wait to get you, and Ren, naked and in bed with me."

Ren chuckled at her.

"I know exactly what you mean. I haven't been able to keep my hands off her for two months."

Belune just looked at both of them and smiled.

"From where I'm standing, that's not a bad thing..."

Both Ren and Druhma were quick to agree.

"Oh yeah!"

"A great thing!"

The Tauren laughed and kissed each of them quickly.

"Then what comes next?"

Druhma gave Ren a knowing look.

"I think you know what I want."

Belune snickered at the obvious statement.

"Can I help?"

"Certainly!"

The Tauren slipped backward off the bed and stood. Druhma gently pushed Ren off the other side of the bed where he stood up as well. The Orcess heaved herself into a sitting position on the edge of the mattress, and then slid off the side so that she was sitting on the floor in front of the young human. With one hand she reached up and lifted Ren's semi-erect manhood to her face. With the other she swatted irritably at stray strands of hair that kept falling in her eyes. With a growl, she released Ren and pulled her hair back with both hands. Still holding her hair, she turned and looked at Belune. The Tauren was already in motion, searching around the nearby table until she spotted the leather tie that Druhma removed earlier for her shower. She scooped up the tie and slithered quickly across the bed, perching on the edge behind the Orc. With a few quick motions she wrapped the leather lace around the bunched hair and tied it into a simple knot. Druhma rewarded her with a sizzling hot kiss and then patted the floor next to her.

"You wanted to help, right?"

Belune dropped to her knees next to the Orc and leaned against her shoulder.

"Ready when you are."

Ren stood and stared in awe. Both women were sitting on the floor before him, the massive expanse of their combined breasts filling his vision delightfully. Without any preamble, Druhma grasped his semi-rigid manhood and tucked the end into her mouth. The young human inhaled sharply as her warmth encased his pole up and over his bulbous head. She slid easily down his length until her lips bumped against her own hand. The Orc looked up and met Ren's gaze, backing off slowly and wiggling her tongue on the underside of his shaft. When she reached the end, she released him with a little kiss to the tip. She flashed a quick grin up at the human and turned to Belune.

"Mmm mmm! He's delicious!"

"I know right?"

"Here then...don't feel left out..."

Druhma tilted Ren's rock-hard pole in the Tauren's direction. Belune quickly engulfed him until her lips also bumped against the Orc's hand. She pistoned back and forth a few times, dimpling her cheeks with suction, and then she backed off and licked her lips. She looked up at her human lover and smiled slyly.

"You like that, don't you?"

Ren could only nod his head. Druhma swung him back over and gulped him down again. She moved her hand from his length to his buttock and pulled his entire member down her throat. As Ren twitched and shuddered, Druhma backed off of him nearly a hand width and cocked her gaze over to the Tauren. When Belune met her eyes, the Orcess used her other hand to tap a finger against the base of Ren's shaft. The Tauren's eyes lit up in understanding and she leaned forward and slurped at Ren's length from the side, tickling his sack with her tongue. The young warrior groaned lustily and put a hand on each of the female's heads. He looked down, watching Druhma vacillate back and forth on his shaft and Belune lapping at his base with enthusiasm. The sight, along with the incredible sensations from both, fired up a familiar tingle deep inside his hips. Ren gasped for air as his muscles convulsed and his member spasmed in the Orc's mouth.

Druhma paused a split second when she felt the twitch in her maw. The bittersweet taste of his preliminary fluids flooded the back of her mouth and she grinned around his girth, knowing what wasn't far off. Her eyes fell on the Tauren, working her tongue around the foundation of Ren's shaft. The busty Orc slid her free hand down over the small of Belune's back, around her tail, and slipped two thick fingers into her moist slit. The Tauren lifted her head in surprise and Druhma swallowed the human right down to the base. The Orc see sawed her fingers in and out of Belune's sopping mound, causing her to groan and press her broad, furry nose against Ren's thigh. Druhma bobbed her head back and forth, pausing only to occasionally lap his testes with her tongue. Ren's breath started to come in faster pants, his fingers tangled in the Orc's hair. Suddenly his breath hitched deep in his chest and he jerked his hips forward. Druhma shifted her grip from his buttock to his pole, backed off to where he was no longer in her throat, and pulled her fingers out of Belune to tap her on the shoulder. The Tauren turned her head at the nudge just in time to witness Ren erupting into the Orc's mouth. Druhma dimpled her cheeks with suction, allowing his spurts to fill her up slowly. With a wink at Belune, the Orcess let a little dribble from the corner of her mouth. The Tauren leaned in automatically and slurped the thick white goo up with her tongue. As the last jets of seed tapered off from Ren; Druhma pulled away with a little popping noise and swallowed with an audible gulp. She then immediately turned her head and sealed her mouth over Belune's. The two females exchanged a hungry kiss for a few moments before the Orcess broke away and leaned back against the bed with a contented sigh.

"That's exactly what I wanted..."

Ren crouched and dropped to a sitting position, his knees trembling too much to stand.

"Wow..."

Belune giggled and shifted herself so that she was sitting in such a way as she could see both of the others at the same time.

"This was fun, wasn't it?"

The busty Orc gave her a mischievous grin.

"Oh we're not done yet, hottie..."

Druhma reached over and gently pulled the Tauren closer. She guided her around so that Belune ended up facing away from the Orc, and then slowly leaned her back to lay her head and shoulders in her lap. The Tauren ended up stretched across Druhma's knees staring up an enormous breast. The Orcess guided a nipple into Belune's maw and she started sucking happily. The Orc then ran a hand down over the Tauren's softly rounded belly, over her mound, and slipped the same two fingers back into her body. Belune grunted, sighed with pleasure, and pulled Druhma's massive orb tighter to her lips. The Orcess then gestured to Ren.

"Come here baby. You need to wake up for the next round."

The young warrior climbed shakily to his feet and walked around the side opposite of the wiggling Tauren. Druhma grasped his shaft as he came close and ran her tongue up the underside of his length. Ren's member twitched, and soon she was slathering him in her mouth, pumping her hand to meet her lips at every stroke. The young human got hard again very quickly, gasping at the ministrations of the big Orc. After a few blissful moments, Druhma stopped to eyeball his shaft and nodded her head.

"All right! Now we're ready!"

The Orcess pulled her fingers out of Belune, who whimpered softly, and nudged her to stand. The Tauren scrambled to her feet, followed by the Orc. Druhma then gripped the horned woman by the shoulders and gently tossed her on to the mattress. Belune landed with a giggle and scrambled up to the top of the bed at the Orc's urging. Druhma crawled on to the bed and positioned herself kneeling on all fours with her face at the Tauren's crotch. She looked back over her shoulder at Ren and wiggled her rump in the air seductively.

"Druhma sandwich, remember?"

Ren beamed at her and stepped up to position himself behind the Orc. He checked her slot with his fingers, finding her wet and ready. Then he guided the tip of his manhood to her waiting passage. A few rubs to slicken his tool and then he pushed himself inside in one firm thrust. Ren and Druhma moaned together at the luxurious sensations of her muscular walls spasming around his girth. Once again he marveled at the warmth. The busty Orc seemed to feel a few degrees warmer than normal, very similar to Belune. The young human paused for a few heartbeats, allowing both him and the Orcess to adjust, and then he pulled back and slammed himself home again. Druhma shuddered and moaned, convulsing around him. Ren looked out over her back and saw Belune, panting and squirming from the busty Orc's attentions between her legs. The young warrior gripped the Orc's hips and began to plunge in and out of her sex, setting a strong, steady rhythm.

Belune was shuddering under the attentions of the Orcess. Druhma had started by lapping at the horned woman's folds, and then slid her tongue deep into the inner passage of Belune's sex. Between that lengthy probe rubbing inside her and the Orc brushing her lip against her clit, Belune was soon gyrating wildly at the sensations. Every now and then, Druhma would pause as she shuddered at the reactions coming from Ren, pounding away at her backside, before returning her attentions back to Belune. The curvy Tauren was starting to develop a serious prickle all over her body. She could feel the rising tide of pleasure that signaled her impending orgasm. Druhma slid a hand over to rest flat on her belly and reached up to tweak her nipple with the other. Belune gasped at the touch, the tide building even higher. She angled herself up to get a better view of the action.

Ren could feel his own tingle coming to a head. The blissful friction generated as his manhood slid in and out of the slick walls of Druhma's opening was rapidly bringing him to his own impending eruption. The Orcess would occasionally shiver and clench around him, driving his lustful pressure further and further. He looked up to see how Belune was doing and found her in a kind of half-setup, tongue lolling, holding one of her own legs out with her hand and watching Druhma work at her mound through half-lidded eyes. The whole scene was so incredibly erotic Ren was having trouble holding back. He looked down at the Orc's soft, broad rump bouncing back and forth on his shaft and a familiar tightening sensation joined the tingle in his loins.

Suddenly Druhma lurched backwards, pushing herself as far on to Ren's length as she could. Her back arched and her passage clamped down on his pole. The busty Orc lifted her head to groan through her orgasm and then grabbed the Tauren by her hips, pulling her across the bed to her with a little growl. Belune gave a little squeal of delight that quickly turned into a moan as Druhma dove back between her legs with even more enthusiasm. Ren continued to buck himself into the Orcess, her clenching walls dragging deliciously up and down his length. The contractions, mixed with her juices spilling down his thighs, drove the young human over the edge. He slammed his hips forward in short, hard thrusts until his stomach scrunched, thrusting as deeply as possible and exploding inside the Orc.

Ren's orgasm set Druhma off again, bucking and squeezing his manhood as her body tried to milk every drop. The young human barely managed not to bruise the Orcess as he gripped her hips and mashed her against his pelvis, continuing to spurt his seed within her. Druhma crushed the Tauren's sex to her face with another playful growl and Belune threw her head back and howled, bucking her hips around the Orc's tongue. The curvy Tauren had both hands buried in the Orc's hair as her orgasm ripped through her body, drowning Druhma in her fluids. Panting, Ren leaned over and draped himself across the Orc's back. He could feel her panting heavily below him as he reached up and ran his hands down Belune's legs, currently propped on Druhma's shoulders. The Tauren threw her arms up over her head and smiled at Ren, chest heaving. The young human was smiling back when the Orcess below him began to tremble wildly. He started to wonder if he had somehow hurt her when Druhma lifted her head and laughed delightedly.

"Oh yeah! Now that was fun!"

Ren rose and stepped back, his member pulling from the Orc's body with a wet, sloppy sound. Druhma crawled up the bed and flopped to the mattress next to Belune. Ren crawled up the bed and laid down on the Tauren's other side. She rolled over and greeted him with a long, sultry smooch, and then whispered in his ear.

"You liked?"

Ren softly kissed the inside of her ear and answered with his own whisper.

"Oh yes..."

She beamed up at him and then relaxed back on to the bed. Druhma snuggled into the Tauren's shoulder and reached over Belune's body to softly stroke Ren's chest.

"I haven't felt this good for a long time. Thank you guys..."

The Tauren kissed her softly in the middle of her forehead.

"I'm happy we could help. This was pretty fun for us too."

Ren gave the hand on his chest a little squeeze.

"I agree."

Druhma lifted her head slightly off the Tauren's shoulder and looked each of them in the eye.

"I've had some memorable lovers, to be true, but this is the first time I've ever made love to my friends."

Ren shared a glance with Belune, who then turned back to the Orc.

"That's a good thing, honey. Friends are really important. We don't stop being friends outside of the bedroom."

The Orcess laid her head back down on Belune's shoulder.

"Do you two have to leave now? I could really use some snuggle time..."

Ren spotted the almost imperceptible nod from Belune and answered.

"Well, we would only need to get up for our jobs...and we could really use a shower."

Without lifting her head, Druhma smiled wide.

"I get up early to open the shop...and I have this amazing shower..."

All three started laughing.

******************

Ren's eyes flickered open to the early morning dawn. The sun had yet to rise as he blinked his way back to reality. Sometime during the night, his recollection of the couple's visit to Druhma had transitioned into a sleep memory. As he reflected with a smile, he realized the memory had been pretty accurate. Since that memorable tryst two months ago, both Ren and Belune had visited the busty Orc at the bakery but hadn't stayed for any "recreation" time. Druhma would hint at getting together again, affecting a pouty lip when the couple couldn't stay. Ren resolved to find some time to spend with the Orcess, confident he could persuade Belune to acquiesce to the idea.

The Tauren sighed in her sleep next to him. Ren was still pressed up against her back, one arm wrapped under her head and across her chest. The other arm was draped over her midsection, his hand cupping the bottom of her tummy. His face was buried in her loose mane of hair and he breathed deep, drawing her delicious aroma deep into his lungs. He was reluctant to move for fear of disturbing her. Ren closed his eyes and basked in the luscious sensations pinging across his nervous system from all the points of contact between them. He marveled anew at the fullness she brought to his arms and the softness of her body pressing against his. For what seemed the billionth time in four months, Ren couldn't believe how fortunate he really was. He gently pulled her closer. Belune slowly opened her eyes as the arms around her tightened softly. She felt Ren's breath across her ear and smiled at his closeness. She moved each of her hands to cover each of his and squeezed gently. Ren lifted his head to look over her shoulder.

"Good morning, gorgeous. Sleep well?"

"Of course! You were here..."

The couple traded kisses and then crawled out of bed reluctantly. A quick, tandem shower and dressing later, they were sitting in the kitchen as Ren prepared breakfast.

"I thought we might stop at the bakery this morning before work to ask Druhma about that healer."

Belune took an offered plate of food before she spoke.

"Ren, I hope this isn't something bad..."

Ren put his hand on hers.

"I'm sure it's nothing honey. You don't really seem like you're in bad health. But we will get you checked out just to make sure."

"Sounds good. We better get going if we're going to get to work on time."

The couple finished breakfast and hurried out the door. As Belune turned back to lock the doors, Ren caressed her bottom through the thin fabric of yet another exotic dress.

"Where do you get these things? They're amazing!"

The Tauren giggled as they started down the street.

"Brulliard has a closet full of them! Can you believe it?"

Ren just shook his head and smiled. The pair hurried quickly through town and soon arrived at the bakery. Belune led the way inside, ringing the small bell on the door. Druhma stood from where she had been filling a shelf of pastries from the back and spotted the couple. Her eyes lit up with glee and a big smile crossed her features. She flipped the small counter up out of the way and dashed across the room to scoop Belune into the air. The Tauren pressed her lips to the Orc's for a couple minutes and then Druhma let go with one hand and dragged the young human into her embrace as well. Ren pressed tightly against one of the Orc's massive globes and then her lips were on his, tongue in his mouth. Several heartbeats later, Druhma broke the kiss and just beamed at both of them.

"Good to see you two! I've really missed you both!"

"We missed you too."

"So what brings you by here today?"

Ren glanced at Belune before answering.

"We came by to ask if you still talk to that healer you know."

"Well, yeah...Wait a minute. Are you all right?"

"Yes, we're both all right. Belune was just feeling a little swollen and I would like to make sure she is ok."

The Orc raised an eyebrow at Belune.

"Swollen? Are you sure you're all right girl?"

The Tauren smiled at her.

"Yes I'm all right. I just have been feeling...fat...and I don't know why."

Druhma set her down on her feet, gently, and then ran her eyes up and down her body.

"You look hot as always, baby. Not fat."

Ren grinned at her.

"That's what I said...but we just want to make sure."

The Orcess rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"All right, I'll get a hold of my healer friend and send her over to the Rod & Cup, ok?"

"Thanks Druhma. We owe you one..."

The busty Orc gathered them back up with a sly grin.

"Oh yeah...I think I know just how you can repay me..."

Ren watched as the young Tauren spun around the combat circle, dodging the incoming clay statue. Rhuno twirled his war hammer skillfully and fired a devastating blow at the statue's head. The golem ducked expertly and backpedaled for position. The two combatants continued to circle each other.

After leaving the bakery, the couple had hurried quickly to the Rod & Cup. Before they left, both had promised to come over some evening and spend another night "playing" with the busty Orc. Ren smiled as he recalled the feral grin on her face when she talked them into another round. When he left Belune at the inn, he came directly to work, prepping the combat circle and starting to animate a statue for the testing. Now he and his other students watched from the bleachers as Rhuno went on the offensive.

The Tauren feinted a blow at the statue's head and then ducked low. The clay golem's sword whistled through the space where the Tauren's head had just occupied. Rhuno bounced back to his feet, dragging his war hammer up from the ground, pointed end up. The hammer collided with the statue's crotch, festooning the clay with dozens of cracks. What was left of the golem staggered two steps and then fell to the ground in tiny pieces. As the Tauren propped his hammer on his shoulder in victory, the bleachers erupted with cheers and applause. Ren noted the young Orc who had lost to Rhuno yesterday was one of the group clapping the most wildly. He smiled and waited for the adulations to subside. When he had everyone's attention he gestured at the Tauren.

"Congratulations. You have officially graduated. Enjoy your adulthood."

Ren turned to the rest of the students.

"The rest of you, get out of here."

More cheers as the students piled off the bleachers to clap Rhuno on the back and shake his hands. After Ren gave the Tauren his own congratulations, he gathered up his gear and headed over to the Rod & Cup. He was curious to meet the healer Druhma was sending to check on Belune. As he pushed through the door, the young warrior was assailed by the sounds and smells of the inn. He scanned the interior and spotted some familiar figures at a booth near the back. When he approached, Brulliard smiled up at him from Sergic's lap. Lirrak scooted over and made room for him to sit.

"Heya Ren! Whatcha doin here so early?"

"I'm supposed to meet a healer here today."

Brulliard was instantly alert.

"A healer? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. It's just that Belune has been feeling a little under the weather and I wanted to get her checked out."

"Belune? What is the problem?"

"She says she's feeling bloated...and fat."

The other three at the table blinked and then laughed gently. Lirrak was the first to respond.

"Hells Ren! I thoughcha hadda real problem goin on!"

Ren smiled sheepishly.

"It's not life threatening or anything. I just want to make sure she's all right."

"Ok, ok, good fer ya."

Lirrak paused for a moment and then looked at Ren again.

"I coulda taken a look at 'er for ya. Imma pretty good healer meself. Who'dya get?"

"I don't know her name. Druhma knows her..."

Sergic perked up at Ren's statement.

"Druhma? She must be talking about Rusula!"

Ren frowned as he searched his memory. The name was familiar, but he couldn't place it.

"Rusula? Why does that sound familiar to me?"

A big hand dropped on his shoulder, causing Ren to spin out of the booth and into a combat crouch. He was facing a large female Orc dressed in the two piece leather outfit of the Slavers guild. She was extremely muscular, like a bodybuilder, and one of her tusks was broken. She lifted both hands at Ren's crouch and waved them back and forth.

"Whoa , whoa! Ye called me 'member?"

Ren's foggy memory instantly cleared.

"Oh hey! Rusula from the blocks, right? Sorry about that..."

The muscular Orcess waved dismissively.

"No problem...Drume said ya needed'a healer?"

"Drume?"

"Druhma? She tole me ya needed me?"

"Yes! I was going to ask you to take a look at my girlfriend, Belune"

The brawny Orc ran an eye up and down his body.

"Bummer, I wuz hopin you were tha one needin some TLC..."

Ren smiled and indicated a seat in the booth. Rusula moved to sit down and spotted Lirrak on the bench.

"Heya sexy! Whereya been all week?"

The Goblin alchemist stood and wrapped his arms around Rusula's waist.

"Dreamin 'a you, baby. Where's hubby?"

The muscular Orcess cocked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the bar.

"He's getting ma drinks."

Ren turned to see a tall, muscular human male in a skimpy leather outfit weaving his way to the table with a drink in each hand. The outfit he wore was minimal, a pair of soft boots, a leather codpiece that barely covered his intimates and a thick, studded collar to complete the ensemble. He set the drinks on the table in front of Rusula and then dropped to his knees next to the bench. The burly Orc sat down on the bench, one arm around Lirrak and the other hand stroking the scantily clad human's hair. Brulliard noticed that Ren lost his seat and wiggled further onto Sergic's lap, patting the bench next to him. Ren sat down next to the mage and gave him a glance of gratitude. A waitress came and handed the young warrior a drink. When she walked away, Ren looked with surprise at Brulliard. The Belf mage just shrugged.

"What do you expect? You come here often enough; they are bound to remember your order."

Ren just smiled and tipped his mug to his lips. Rusula leaned forward slightly.

"So where's tha patient?"

Brulliard was quick to answer.

"The Tauren in question is working the veranda. She will be in for her break in about ten minutes."

Rusula nodded and went back to fawning over Lirrak. She whispered something in his ear that had the Goblin grinning in excitement. Lirrak turned and pulled the top of her tunic out far enough that he could see inside. He took a long look and then nodded to her in agreement. Rusula bent over again and stuck her tongue in his ear. Ren watched the exchange in amazement as she continued to stroke the collared human's hair the entire time. Ignoring the two, he looked at the male a little closer. The human was tall, easily a head taller than Ren, and built like an ox. Obviously he used the same exercise regimen as the muscular Orc. Ren was wondering why Rusula called him "hubby" when a glint in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He turned to look and saw Brulliard and Sergic caressing an ornate gold brooch containing a large blue jewel in the center. Ren leaned over for a better look.

"That's nice. Is it a gift?"

Brulliard giggled and held the brooch up to the table.

"Ah, hunky. Sergic and I are thinking of starting a family. This is going to help us."

"Really? How?"

Rusula stopped nibbling on Lirrak's neck and spoke from across the table.

"Thassa pregnancy tester. Iffin 'a preggy female touches tha brooch, tha gem innit glows."

Ren looked confused.

"How is that going to help you start a family?"

Sergic smiled widely.

"We use these to segregate pregnant females at the blocks. Brully and I are going to make an offer to one of the expecting mothers."

Ren was actually impressed. Having a child didn't stop a woman from being a slave. The newborn was usually shipped with its mother, destined to a lifetime of slavery. If the unusual couple did find a mother willing to give up her child, the young warrior felt confident the child would be well loved.

"That's a really nice thing you two. I hope you find a child to adopt."

Brulliard and Sergic smiled and the conversation turned to children for a while. Before long, Ren spotted Belune working her way to the table. Both Rusula and Lirrak were busy, the Goblin's hands working unseen under the table in the Orc's lap, and facing the wrong direction so they started a little when she appeared and leaned over to kiss Ren. As she turned to greet Lirrak and meet Rusula, a strangled voice came from the male on the floor.

"Cow?"

Startled, the busty Tauren skittered away from the figure on the floor.

"Bobby Sands!? What are you doing here?"

"Me!? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were a slave?"

"I'm free, Bobby. Ren helped me buy my freedom, and now I'm happy."

"Happy?" The huge male scrambled to his feet, towering over the Tauren. "How can you be happy? You got us brought here! Now we're all slaves, Cow!"

The Tauren balled her fists at her side, causing Ren to tense visibly.

"Stop calling me Cow!! And I didn't get us brought here! You and your posse were the ones in the Drex!!"

"Me? I just told them about you! They were supposed to just take you!!"

Bobby had started to advance on the Tauren as they yelled back and forth. Ren watched until the male's finger rose to point at her nose accusingly. Suddenly there was a metallic crinkling sound and something cold splashed over his wrist. The young warrior looked down at the table and discovered the heavy steel goblet that had contained his drink had somehow turned into a shapeless lump inside his closed fist. The sound of the collapsing container had halted all conversation and drew everyone's eyes. Ren growled through his teeth.

"You would be wise, Bobby, to keep your hands away from my girlfriend."

The big male looked at Ren's frown and then down at the crushed mug, made of thick, heavy-gauge steel. Realizing the amount of force necessary to smash the goblet, Bobby gulped visibly and sat back down on the floor. Belune lifted her eyes from the mug and looked at Ren worriedly.

"Gods, Ren. How did you do that?"

The young warrior looked at the formless lump in his hand.

"I...I don't know."

Lirrak just tapped the table with his finger.

"S'ok Ren. Yer gonna be that way fer ever now. Shargat extract, 'member?"

Ren was visibly surprised. Lirrak continued with his explanation.

"Doncha remember when ya tossed me up tha rope?"

Ren recalled the incident. When he and Lirrak were running from the armored assailants before their foray into the outside, Ren had grabbed the Goblin on the run and tossed him nearly two and a half paces into the air to get him up a cliff face. At the time he attributed the feat to sheer adrenaline.

"This is permanent? Is this going to hurt me, Lirrak?"

"Nah, yer just gonna be stronger than ya look fer tha rest 'o yer life."

Seeing the worry on his face, Belune slipped into the booth on to Ren's knee and put her arm around his shoulders.

"It's ok honey. You are already so strong on the inside. Now you just match it on the outside."

Ren smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. Belune kissed the top of his head and turned back to the table. Her eyes found the brooch, lying in front of Brulliard. Trying to defuse the tension in the air, she picked up the jewelry and inspected it closely.

"This is pretty! Is this yours, Brulliard?"

"Yes my dear. Sergic and I are going to use it to start our family."

"That's wonderful! What does it mean when it glows like this?" Belune held the brooch out flat for everyone to see. It glowed steadily in her palm. Once again, the entire table went silent as all eyes turned to Belune. The Tauren shifted nervously on Ren's knee.

"Um, did I do something wrong?"

Brulliard pointed at the brooch.

"Belune, it's glowing because it says you're pregnant."

Gasping in surprise, the Tauren dropped the brooch back on to the table like it was on fire and wiped her hands on her dress before she looked at Ren in sheer panic. When she saw his stunned expression, she leaped to her feet.

"That's impossible! It's not true!"

Rusula waved her hands in a calming motion.

"Now takeit easy. This'd be a good reason why yer feelin tha way ya do. Who's tha daddy?"

Belune's eyes flicked over to Ren. The young human was looking at her in pure emotional shock. It was obvious from his face that he was asking the same question on the inside.

"I...I don't know! I haven't been with anyone but Ren!"

"Thas impossible. Evryone knows humans 'n Taurens kinnot have kids."

The Tauren started to gush tears. Voice on the verge of cracking, she turned and pleaded with Ren through her sobs.

"It can't be! I...I've only been with you..." She dropped to her knees and hung her head, her shoulders shaking as she cried. She knew Taurens and humans were genetically incompatible. She racked her mind for an answer. How could she be pregnant? She had only ever slept with two men in her entire life, and neither was her own species! What was Ren going to think? Suddenly, the real terror of losing him blossomed in her chest. Before her thoughts could go any further, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up into the Ren's teary eyes.

"Hey. Come here."

Belune scrambled into his lap and threw her arms around his neck. He rubbed her back and addressed the rest of the table as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"Can that thing be wrong? There has to be an explanation."

Sergic leaned forward and picked up the brooch.

"Sorry Ren. This thing is pretty accurate. We use it all the time at the blocks."

"Then could someone have done something here? Hypnosis? Blank her memory?"

"I highly doubt it. I watch everyone here since I took leave of the Guild to be with Brulliard. I watch Belune especially, since she's your girl. No one would stand a chance."

"Then what the hell is going on?"

Rusula squinted over the table at the back of Belune's head.

"What's that?"

Everyone followed her gaze. Ren couldn't tell to what she was referring.

"What's what?"

The burly Orc pointed her finger.

"That jeweled thing on her horn. It's blinking."

Belune must have heard because she leaned back, sniffling, and reached for the band. Brulliard suddenly lurched over and stopped her hand before it could get to her head.

"Wait!"

The Belf mage studied the band for a long minute, his eyes growing wider and wider. He turned and looked across the table at Lirrak.

"That is a heartbeat!"

Lirrak's jaw dropped.

"Wha? Lemme see that!"

The Goblin motioned for Rusula to let him out. When she did, he came around the table and examined the band even closer. Ren could hear him counting under his breath.

"I'll be damned! Whassa normal heartrate fer a little one? Say at round 'bout four months?"

Rusula answered him.

"Bout a hunnerd 'n forty a minute, why?"

"Cuz ahm thinkin this blinkin light is in time with tha baby's heartbeat."

Belune and Ren exchanged surprised looks. Ren turned to Lirrak.

"What's going on Lirrak? What does that thing have to do with this baby?"

Lirrak looked at the band in frowning puzzlement. Then, slowly, his eyes widened and his mouth opened in astonishment.

"Naw! It can' be! That wassa shield, notta band!"

Ren tapped him on the shoulder.

"What are you talking about?"

Lirrak looked at him in excitement.

"Ren ma boy! I think this little one is yers! I think ya gave yer girl tha Shield 'o Crossing!"

"The what?"

"Tha Shield 'o Crossing!"

The Goblin put a hand on their shoulders.

"Lissen! I reada bouta legend once...Thousands 'o years ago, an Elf mage was courtin hisself 'a princess. She tol 'm she'd rather have puppies than 'is brood. He got hisself so mad, 'e made a shield into 'a special magic item. Designed it ta facilitate tha process 'o breedin one specie ta another. Then 'e slipped it unner her mattress when she let tha dog sleep inner room. She gave birth ta puppies a coupla months later!"

Startled, Ren looked at the band on Belune's horn.

"This isn't a shield, Lirrak."

"Ah know. But tha legends says tha shield vanished after tha king discovered what tha mage'd done. Last ennyone had heard, it was inna ruins of'a city 'n Winterspring, from before tha Sundering!"

"Then how did it get here?"

"I don' know. Butit makes sense! Thas why I couldn recognize tha last gem's spell! It were tha one that facilitates tha blending 'o tha species!"

Ren touched the band on the Tauren's head with one finger. It still felt warm.

"So you think this shield was made into this band?"

"Ah think so. Or...itsa possibility tha band is tha shield. There's enuff protection 'n healin spells ta do tha job."

Rusula stood and gently moved Lirrak to the side.

"One way ta make sure..."

The brawny Orcess pulled two rings from her pouch and put one on each hand. She put one hand on the Tauren's stomach and the other on Ren's shoulder. In a few seconds, both rings turned green. Rusula stood and started putting her rings away.

"Yep. Yer both tha parents."

Belune had stopped sniffling and turned to look into Ren's eyes. He searched her face for a moment and then smiled.

"Bel, you know what this means?"

The Tauren's eyes lit up as realization dawned on her.

"We're...we're going to have a baby? Together?"

"Yeah..."

Belune threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. Without letting go, she whispered in his ear.

"Ren...for a moment...I thought...I thought..."

The young warrior rubbed her back with both hands.

"Shh, don't think about it. I never doubted you..."

"But you had to wonder? I mean, for a moment, I thought I was going to lose you."

"No Bel, I wondered if someone did something to you without your knowledge. I never thought you willingly..."

"Never! I just want you."

Ren turned his head and kissed her softly. He then whispered in her ear.

"Bel, we're going to have a baby! Can you believe it?"

The Tauren pulled him tighter.

"Oh, honey. I'm happy! But I'm still scared, I think, and... Oh hells, I don't know what I am right now!"

Ren said nothing. He just pulled her close and closed his eyes with his chin on her shoulder. The rest of the group was talking excitedly.

"Can you believe this?"

"I gotta read up onna jewel..."

"This is amazing! What's next?"

"What a load of crap!"

The last comment came from the figure on the floor. Everyone turned to see Bobby, arms crossed, glaring at Belune. He waved his hands in her direction.

"After all this, she gets to be happy? What about the rest of us? What about me?"

Before Ren could speak, Rusula reached down and hauled the male up off the floor by the scruff of his neck. His eyes were wide with surprise as she growled at him.

"Lissen here, husband, yer supposta be thankful fer whatcha have, 'member? I coulda letcha go to tha old man, yeah? Mebbe ya need'a reminder'a how good ya got it?"

Bobby blanched white as the burly Orcess jabbed her finger into his chest.

"Yer getting three meals'a day 'n all tha lovin ya can handle. Mebbe I need ta break out tha TOY 'n be tha husband ta'nite!"

Lirrak leaned over and whispered to Ren and Belune.

"Made it fer her meself. Tauren-sized, double-ended, 'n lotsa straps'n buckles. She kin wear'it like'a pair'o breeches..."

Rusula stepped closer, towering over Bobby by a head. She continued to growl.

"Now our new friends'r inna family way. Congratulate 'em!"

Bobby hung his head and turned to the couple.

"Congratulations Belune. You too, Ren."

The brawny Orc gripped him by the ear and turned to leave.

"Congrats kids! Come'a long husband. You'n I gotta date now, get it?"

"Yes, wife..."

Rusula dragged the glum human out of the inn. The rest of the table watched them go in amazement. Finally, Ren turned to Belune, hugged her again, and then he leaned back and softly put his hand on her tummy. He was staring in amazement at his hand when Belune put hers over top. Ren looked up at her, his wide eyes glassy with tears.

"Gods Bel, I'm going to be a father! Look at how I was raised. How am I going to do this?"

The Tauren kissed him lightly.

"The best way you can. I think you are going to be a great daddy..."

He smiled and rubbed her stomach. Brulliard leaned over from his seat in Sergic's lap and pitched his voice for the couple's ears alone.

"Just think. Yours will be the first Tauren-Human bloodline..."

Ren suddenly stiffened at the mention of bloodlines. He looked up at Belune, eyes open in revelation. The Tauren saw his face and smiled nervously.

"What's wrong?"

Ren shook his head and turned to look at Brulliard.

"Hey Brulliard, can I steal her away from here for a little while? There's something we have to do..."

The Belf mage raised his eyebrows.

"Of course, yummy. Take the day. I have to ask though, what has you all worked up?"

Ren looked into his eyes and then swiveled over to meet Belune's.

"I think it's time you met my father..."

The couple said their good-byes under a flurry of well wishes from the table. Hand in hand, they exited the inn and started up the street towards Ren's former home. As they walked, the young human put his arm around Belune and held her close. His mind spun at the implications of the news. Ren had never expected to be a parent so soon. The conversation with his father not four months ago sprang into his mind. Truthfully, he had thought he had plenty of time to plan an heir, considering he thought his only options for children would include a trip to the blocks. Now, he was looking at something no one would have guessed, a child with Belune. He glanced over at the Tauren, smiling with her head on his shoulder, and voiced a silent thanks to whatever higher power had gifted him with so much. He was about to say something to her when a commotion in the street grabbed both of their attentions.

A small group of three Furbolgs were chaotically devastating an area of the road ahead. As the massive bear men smashed and destroyed the nearby stalls, groups of goblins and their paid guards struggled to take the creatures down. Ren gently guided Belune into a narrow alley to avoid the fight. As they made their way around various iron casks and crates, the young warrior admired the sway of her hips, idly wondering how she would look at full term. Suddenly, Belune stopped short, causing Ren to collide with her from the back. Normally this would be a pleasurable experience but the abrupt halt struck the young human in some tender areas. Ren was about to voice his objections when he spotted the Tauren staring, slack jawed, down a side alley. Curious, he looked over her shoulder.

In the narrow offshoot, a familiar Goblin streetwalker lay, naked, on her back on a short stack of crates. Standing above her, breeches around his ankles, was Ren's recent graduate, Rhuno. The Tauren's manhood was lying on her stomach, fully erect and reaching all the way from her crotch to between her breasts. The diminutive prostitute was oiling his length with both hands, smiling up at the bull.

"Ya graduated a man taday 'a tha Academy. Now 'm gonna make ya a man fer real!"

Belune turned back to look in astonishment at Ren, holding her hands out to indicate the size of the male Tauren's manhood. The young human nodded acknowledgement and gestured silently up the alley. As the couple turned to go, they spotted Rhuno lining his shaft up with the Goblin's sex. Her pained grunt and subsequent squeals followed them up the alley. Soon the two found themselves back on the main road. Belune looked at Ren in confusion.

"Did you see the size of him!? What was she thinking?"

Ren just shook his head and sighed.

"That's the one who has been trying to get me alone! The one I told you about!"

The Tauren glanced over her shoulder thoughtfully.

"It's hard to believe he's the same race as me..."

Belune looked up at Ren's dismayed look in sudden realization.

"Honey? Did you ever think that because I'm a Tauren, you wouldn't measure up?"

Ren looked a little pained. Belune was getting pretty perceptive.

"Um...there was a concern...at one point..."

The Tauren chuckled and snuggled against his shoulder.

"That's sweet. You were worried about pleasing me...I'm glad we are a perfect fit though."

She rubbed her cheek on his arm and smiled up at him.

"You want to know what I like best about being pregnant? Now that I know it's because I'm pregnant..."

"What's that?"

"It makes me sooooo horny!"

Ren laughed out loud and pulled her close. The couple continued along this same line until they entered the street on which Ren's old house stood. As they started up the steps to the front door, Belune started to get visibly nervous. Ren whispered in her ear.

"Hey...you're going to be fine. I'm right here, ok?"

The Tauren nodded silently and the two entered the house. Ren led them down the hall and into the study. He was about to cross to the laboratory door when it opened and Gareth stepped into the room. As usual, his face was an immobile mask.

"Greetings, my son. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

In response, the young warrior stepped to the side and presented Belune.

"Father, this is my girlfriend. Her name is..."

"Belune, formally of Olestuk. Captured and brought here sixteen months, twenty three days ago. Indentured by Authir Brulliard and recently released by my son three months and twenty seven days ago. You currently continue to work at the Rod & Cup as a waitress and live in a newly purchased home with my son, making him happier than I have ever seen him before."

Ren had stopped in mid-intro to gape at his father. He knew Gareth was prone to research when it came to anything that would affect his life, but even this stunned him. As he struggled to respond, Belune stepped up next to Ren, hands clasped demurely in front of her waist.

"Is that true? You've never seen him happier?"

Gareth's eyes betrayed nothing as he looked into her face.

"Yes. My son is quite happy...and this satisfies me."

The elder Mordrogon glided closer to the Tauren until he was nearly nose to nose with her. She barely restrained herself from leaning backwards even as he continued to speak.

"I know you, Tauren. I've looked into your past. And I must say that I am pleased with what I have found. You are welcome in my home."

Belune swallowed slowly, smiled nervously, and replied in a low voice.

"There is something we came to tell you."

The Tauren glanced at Ren, who watched her with huge eyes, and then turned back to Gareth.

"I am pregnant with Ren's baby."

Ren was proud of the strength displayed by his girlfriend. Her simple statement was direct and fearless. Gareth paused, allowing his personal enchantments to discern the truth of her statement. When no falsehood was found, Ren witnessed something that left him speechless. Gareth drew a sharp breath, and a look of total surprise overcame his features. He stepped back and looked Belune up and down before turning to Ren.

"How?"

The younger human pointed to the band on her horn.

"The gift from Mal'therius. Lirrak is petty sure it's an ancient magic item designed to allow two different species to have offspring. He called it the Shield of Crossing. "

Gareth composed himself and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"If that is what the Goblin thinks, then I would be inclined to agree with him. Lirrak is well versed in artifact lore. He was the brother of a Trade Prince, after all."

Ren's mind was reeling with the news. When Belune looked at him in confusion, the young human explained.

"Trade princes are the royalty of Goblin hierarchy. They control all Goblin activity in Azeroth."

"Lirrak was royalty?"

Gareth waved a hand dismissively.

"He was a master tinker, one of the best. He was ejected from Kalimdor when his brother discovered he had peculiar tastes in women."

"Peculiar?"

"It seems he liked women of rather gigantic proportions. His brother exiled him in embarrassment."

Ren recalled Lirrak's interaction with Grelsh, and also Rusula. He smiled at Belune, who apparently was thinking the same thing. The Tauren turned back to Gareth.

"This is all so sudden. Thank you for welcoming me."

Gareth stepped forward and hugged her. Ren felt his grip on reality slipping. He had NEVER seen his father show affection to anyone besides his mother, and himself. And if that wasn't enough, Gareth leaned back and smiled at her.

"You must understand. Ren's entire existence was to continue the Mordrogon heritage. Now the cycle can continue. I should be thanking you."

Belune hugged him back, unaware of the miracle happening in front of her. The elder Mordrogon turned his head, scanning the room, and then looked at Ren.

"It appears we have a lot of talking to do. You will be staying for supper then?"

Belune released Gareth and snuggled into Ren's arms.

"Absolutely!"

The older mage led them to the dining room before he began to prepare dinner. As he pulled ingredients from their respective storage locations, Belune rose and smoothly inserted herself into the process. Ren watched in awe as his father smiled and handed her a knife to prepare vegetables. Throughout the rest of the preparation and the meal, Gareth displayed charming wit, telling Belune stories of Ren's youth and smiling at her when she responded. The young human found himself watching his father in surreal disbelief at first, and then he relaxed and enjoyed the incredible opportunity. He was chagrined to discover his father was indeed very likable and it was easy to imagine what his mother had seen, all those years ago. It was a pang of disappointment when Gareth announced after the meal that he needed to continue some work in his laboratory. He walked them to the front door, hugged Ren, and kissed Belune chastely on her cheek. When the couple was outside and moving down the street, Belune turned to the young human.

"He doesn't seem at all like you described."

"Bel, I've NEVER seen my father act like that! It was a first for me."

"Really? Maybe that's a good sign?"

Ren kissed her softly.

"Definitely a good sign, love."

A few more strides down the street and Ren frowned and looked down at Belune.

"Hey. Where are we going?"

The Tauren just grinned at him.

"We have a date, remember?"

She took his hand and led him across the square and through the door of the bakery. When the small bells on the door announced their presence, Druhma poked her head in from a side door. Seeing the couple, the big Orcess squealed with delight, flipped the counter up, and dashed across the room. She threw one arm around each of the pair and crushed them into her baking apron.

"I heard! I heard! I heard! Rusula stopped by earlier on her way back from the Rod & Cup!"

Druhma released them and turned to Belune. She held the Tauren at arms length by the shoulders and looked up and down her body.

"And you thought you were fat! Girl! You're gonna have a BABY!!"

The Orc scooped her up and spun her around in a hug. Belune threw her arms around the Orc's neck and hugged her back. When they stopped spinning, Druhma looked over at Ren.

"And you...you stud! I knew you had it in you!"

One arm snaked out to pull him in close. Ren just grinned and hugged her back. Belune tapped the Orcess on her shoulder, prompting Druhma to set her back on the floor. When her feet touched the ground, the Tauren languidly stretched her arms above her head and cocked her head to one side. She looked at Druhma with half-lidded eyes.

"So...we were wondering if you wanted to celebrate with us?"

The Orc stooped and removed Belune's dress in one smooth movement. The Tauren turned and walked to the open counter, clad only in skimpy panties. She leaned on the corner of the small, fixed section of counter, one hand over the other. She crossed one foot in front of the other, arched her back slightly to thrust out her chest and rump, and turned her head over her shoulder to give the others a sultry glance. With nothing else moving but the slow swish of her tail, Belune winked at Ren and Druhma. The Orcess huffed once and turned to look at the young human, matching his look of lusty awe.

"Gods, that woman is gorgeous!"

Ren gulped, shook his head in amazement, and then smiled up at the Orc.

"Yes, without a doubt, she is. But then, you're not too bad yourself. Why do you think we keep coming here?"

Druhma gave him a shy smile and shrugged her shoulders.

"Eh, I figured you two wanted to make a big ole scary Orc happy once in a while."

"Druhma, you are definitely not scary, and to prove it..."

Ren reached behind the Orcess and yanked on the loose ties that bound her leather apron. The garment slipped off her body and piled on to the floor leaving her in just a simple dress. The young human put his hands on her hips and turned her in Belune's direction. The Tauren abandoned her spot at the counter and reached out to grasp the fabric of the front of Druhma's dress. Then, with Belune walking backwards and Ren pushing gently from behind, the trio made their way through the counter and started across the back room towards the stairs. The Tauren grinned up at the Orc.

"Yes, I think it's time to prove how sexy you are. I've got a few ideas..."

Druhma grinned down at her.

"Really? If that's the case..."

She scooped the Tauren up in her arms and dashed across the rest of the room. As her feet touched the steps, she called out to Ren, standing, stunned, in the middle of the floor.

"Lock the door, will you honey?"

Ren stretched at the table and squinted into the afternoon sun. It was nearing the end of Belune's shift and he was waiting for her finish. Pleasant memories of last night replayed themselves across the screen of his mind. Belune had indeed thought up a few creative ways to help prove the sexiness of the Orc and celebrate the news of their impending parenthood. Druhma had been a completely eager and willing participant, as well as Ren. Their lovemaking had lasted well into the wee hours of the morning until all three had collapsed from exhaustion. When Druhma roused them out of bed this morning with gropes and kisses, the sun had not yet climbed above the cliff face. Ren spent the day fighting sleep, and had dismissed his students early, much to their joy. Now, he sat and waited patiently for the curvy Tauren to end her shift so they could retire to their bedroom and maybe get a welcome nap.

A sudden increase in the conversations around him had Ren turning to look over the railing of the veranda. In the paddock area, someone had erected a tall frame similar to that used to hang traitors. Under the frame, where a platform would normally be found, a strange figure stood, bound and hobbled. It was a female centaur, her upper body covered in shamanistic, tattooed runes and her lower body hobbled to prevent escape. Her hands were tied together and fastened to a long piece of rope that looped up through a pulley on the tall frame. Even as Ren watched, an Orc was reeling in the rope, forcing the centaur to lift her arms above her head. When he had her stretched out completely, he tied the end of the rope to a cleat on the frame. The centaur looked around at the surrounding crowd and gasped as a huge Tauren warrior began to stroll across the open area in her direction.

The Tauren walked up to the front of the centaur and said something that Ren couldn't hear over the noise of the crowd. After a short exchange, the Tauren drew his lips down in fury and delivered a ringing slap to the face of the centaur. He pointed his finger in her face and growled another inaudible command. The centaur shook her head and then closed her eyes, lips moving in some sort of ritualistic chant. The Tauren stopped pointing and regarded her for a few moments with his hands on his hips. He then walked back over to the side of the paddock and retrieved a small stool. He took the stool to the other end of the centaur and climbed on top of it. His intentions became clear when he dropped his breeches and moved her tail out of the way.

The crowd on the veranda erupted in a swell of cheers, hoots, and catcalls. The Tauren took a few seconds to stroke his manhood to an erection and then stuffed it into the centaur. She winced slightly but never opened her eyes or stopped chanting. Obviously the mantra she was reciting was a way of blocking out the abuse because she never stopped the entire time the Tauren tried to rape her. After a few ineffective minutes, the bull backed out and slapped her broad rump in frustration. He turned and looked out of the paddock to the city wall, rubbing his lip in thought. Suddenly, the Tauren pulled up his breeches and started for the path leading out of the paddock. He met an Orc halfway and whispered something in his ear. The Orc looked at him in surprise and shrugged his shoulders, pointing at the livestock gate. The Tauren waved his hands and crossed the open area to disappear through the gate. With the Tauren gone, the crowd grumbled and booed at the centaur, still chanting with her eyes closed. After what seemed like an hour, the Tauren reappeared at the edge of the paddock. He turned and faced behind him to gesture at someone. Or something!

The creature to which he beckoned had the upper torso, head, and arms of a giant. Massive tusks radiated out from its face and the lower body was that of a great woolly mammoth, similar to the way the centaur's body was half horse. The figure was enormous, around three and a half paces tall. The shear bulk of the creature was fearsome to behold as it strode forward, its mighty hooves making the ground quake with each step. When the Magnataur drew abreast of the Tauren, the bull turned and pointed at the bound centaur. The gigantic form clapped its hands together with a muffled explosion and advanced, grinning evilly, on the restrained daughter of Zaetar. Ren added his gasp to those around him when the Magnataur's manhood dropped into sight under his broad torso. It was colossal, three quarters of a pace in length and thicker than Ren's leg at the thigh. The gargantuan spear of pink flesh twitched and bobbed with every step the creature took. The female continued to chant softly with her eyes closed, unaware of what was approaching. When he got to the rear of the centaur, the Magnataur paused long enough to touch her rump with one massive hand, stroking her flank. Then, with no further preamble, he reared and draped his forelegs over the barrel of her body.

Startled by the enormous weight of the Magnataur, the centaur's eyes snapped open as she stumbled and shifted to keep from collapsing. Frantic, she looked over her shoulder and spotted the massive bulk of the Magnataur, dancing nimbly in place and trying to align himself with her sex. As she drew a breath to cry out, the huge male succeeded in his attempts to find her genitalia and thrust his immense hips forward, burying his shaft in her backside. The incredible shock of so much flesh pushing its way into her passage robbed the centaur of her voice. She stood, wide-eyed, and gurgled as the Magnataur calmly gripped the arms above her head and began to drive himself in and out of her. Ren turned away as she started to whimper and spotted a cloaked figure dropping from the roof to land behind Belune. Quick as thought, he was up and moving, drawing his sword as he went.

The masked figure grabbed Belune with an arm around her throat from behind and clamped tight. The Tauren's eyes flew wide and she scrabbled at the source of sudden pressure. Ren barreled across the veranda, dodging other patrons whose attention was focused on the scene in the paddock. He was three paces away when four more masked figures fell from above and landed between him and Belune. Ren skidded to a stop and dropped into a combat stance. He glanced at Belune, still struggling for air, and attacked the first masked form he could reach. Swords clashed and rang, the figures danced, and Ren felt time crawling to a stop. In the back of his mind, he knew he needed to get through these opponents and get to Belune before she ran out of air. His concentration flagged as he beheld the Tauren's struggles and one of the masked assailants scored a hit on his arm. Ren hissed with pain and countered the return stroke, still trying to reach Belune. He started to think he was too late when a large form vaulted up on to a table at his side and sailed through the air over the heads of the closest four attackers. A giant boot slammed into the face of the figure holding Belune, freeing her, and Sergic landed lightly next to her on his feet. He caught the Tauren as she wavered and kicked the masked figure once more as it tried to rise off the floor. Sergic then spun and looked at Ren.

"I've got Belune! You handle them!"

The young warrior took a deep breath as the four assailants turned back to look at him. His center of focus, no longer worrying about Belune, became an icy calm pool. There was a creak as his hand tightened about the leather wraps of his sword and then Ren's burning gaze fell on the four.

They never stood a chance.

The young warrior exploded into action, deflecting sword thrusts and pummeling his opponents with a flurry of powerful blows and athletic maneuvers. He lashed out with both sword and fist, landing a cut on most of his opponents. One masked figure raised its arms to deliver a chop and Ren punched him square in the face. The figure exploded backwards from the force of the blow and landed several paces away, coming to rest underneath a table. Ren grit his teeth and turned smoothly to face his remaining adversaries. A sharp chop to the neck of one, a devastating spinning kick to the head of another and suddenly Ren was facing a single foe. He growled through his teeth.

"I don't know who you are, but prepare to feel pain for a very long time!"

The figure looked at him and then at his companions, lying senseless on the ground. He stood, dropped his sword to the side, and raised his hands in surrender.

"Ok! I give up! Don't kill me!"

Ren grabbed the front of the figure's clothing and hoisted the startled opponent off the ground with one hand. The young warrior snarled up into the form's face.

"Who are you? Why are you trying to kill my girlfriend?"

The figure waved his hands.

"We weren't supposed to hurt her! Travik got carried away, I swear!"

"Who the hell are you! What do want with her?"

"We were hired to capture her unharmed! I swear! We thought we could do it while everyone was distracted!"

"Who hired you?"

"I...I don't know! I just follow the leader's orders!"

"Where is your leader?"

The mask figure pointed a trembling hand in the direction of the inn's roof. Ren tossed him over the railing with a casual flick of his arm and turned to look up. All along the peak of the roof, black masked figures were lined up shoulder to shoulder. One in the center shouted a command and pointed at Belune. As one, the figures began to slide down the slope of the roof. Ren's gaze dropped to where Sergic had been helping Belune walk towards the entrance to the kitchens. He dashed forward and scooped them both up as he ran through the door. Behind him, the young warrior could hear the figures landing on the deck as he rushed through the kitchens, Half-Ogre and Tauren in hand. Sergic tapped him on the head as they ducked around the startled Troll cook.

"Hey! Let me down! I can hold them off while you get out of here!"

Ren slowed and dropped the Half-Ogre on his feet. Sergic clasped him on the shoulder and nodded to the exit.

"Get outta here! I'll call Brulliard and we'll take care of these idiots!"

Ren grabbed his wrist.

"Thank you Sergic. You saved both our lives today."

"What are friends for? Now get going!"

The young human shifted Belune to both hands and dashed out the front door. He was halfway up the block when the Tauren murmured in his ear.

"Honey? I'm better now. Can I get down?"

Ren coasted to a stop and set her on her hooves. He threw his arms around her waist and buried his face in her shoulder, trying very hard not to sob in relief.

"Gods...I thought I lost you."

Behind the couple, the side of the Rod & Cup vanished in an enormous explosion. Chunks of wood, body parts, and other assorted debris hurled across the street in a grisly fan. Some of the wreckage stirred and stood up, revealing itself to be masked opponents. Brulliard appeared in the gaping hole of the inn, fury etched across his features. He raised his hands, incanting another spell and unleashed a storm of devastation on the survivors. Lightning crackled and rent the air, forming into globes and chasing the attackers across the open space. The masked invaders countered with some sort of shield, grunting under the assault. Behind them, something stepped out from between two buildings and a cold lump formed in Ren's stomach. Not one, or two, but four black armored figures glided out into the open, their eerie motions wrenching at the eye and bending reality to their whim. Ren gripped Belune's hand and turned to run.

Ren pressed his back against the wall, clutching Belune to his chest. The couple had been on the run for two hours now. Everywhere they went, masked figures came crawling out of the woodwork, harassing the duo and alerting their near-unstoppable armored companions. Earlier, the young warrior had made an attempt to disable an attacker using the same healing energy as before. Apparently the newest group of demon-armored aggressors had learned to move in pairs, never letting the human a chance to strike back. He and Belune continued to flit from hiding place to hiding place. Their earlier attempts at going home or to a friend's house had led them to discover that all of the usual places they frequented were blanketed with masked assailants. Ren held the trembling Tauren close. Belune knew without a doubt that she was the objective of this massive manhunt. She raised her fearful gaze to look at Ren, who kissed her softly.

"It's going to be ok. I won't let them take you."

"Ren, they're so strong. How are we going to get away?"

"I don't know yet, but they'll have to go through me to get to you."

Belune laid her head back in the hollow of his shoulder. He could feel her shiver in fear as he pulled her close again. Suddenly, far up the narrow alley in which they stood, a masked figure spotted them and shouted. Ren cursed and ran, pulling Belune behind him. How many times now have they been discovered? How many times were they forced to run? The young warrior had even tried to scatter the masked attackers earlier with a massive fireball, serving only to broadcast his whereabouts. Now the couple were running again, dashing down the narrow alley and turning out on to the road. Ren looked back and forth, a tiny hope appearing in his chest when he saw no others on the deserted road. The stalls and shops were eerily quiet, all of the usual patrons of the village tucking themselves securely away where they couldn't run afoul of Ren's pursuers. Running down the street, the young warrior spotted a familiar dirt path leading between two buildings and vanishing in the distance. Grimly, and before they were spotted on the road, he led them on to the path and up into the outskirts of town.

The path wandered slightly as the couple followed it into the encroaching nightfall. The area in which the path led through was located on the west side of the village, opposite of Giant Step, directly below the western cliff face. Sometime over the last couple of hundred years a large portion of the face had fallen to the ground below. Over time, the scree had accumulated layers of loose soil, softening the ragged pile of rocks. The path winding out before Ren led directly through this broken landscape and the further along the couple went, the scrubbier the foliage. Larger chunks of rock had fallen a distance from the base of the cliff, creating a small, compact valley through which the pair now crept. Ahead, the trail opened into an irregular clearing, roughly some six paces in diameter. On the side of the space, a large, upside-down bowl-shaped hovel lurked over the area from closest to the cliff wall. Belune turned and whispered to Ren.

"What is this place?"

The young human took in the churned soil, the putrefying odor, and the strewn bones around the dwelling.

"I think this is where Atog lives."

At the mention of the Ogre's name, Belune clapped a hand over her mouth and scanned the clearing with wide, frightened eyes. Ren glanced back the path, looking for followers. When he encountered none, he guided the Tauren to behind some scrub bushes and silently crept out into the clearing. Every few paces he looked down at his feet to ensure he was moving quietly. When he did, he saw broad patches of soil that were stained with old blood and random, scattered bone fragments, partially buried in the loam. Some of the bone fragments still had tatters of flesh clinging stubbornly to the sides. As he drew closer to the residence, Ren noticed a large lump lying just outside the crude door of the abode. A few more cautious steps allowed him to discover that the lump was in fact the female centaur from earlier at the Rod & Cup. She was bound, gagged, and lying on her side, apparently unconscious. As Ren paused and watched, her horse body rose and fell in a steady rhythm, proving she was still alive. The young warrior moved to start forward, intending on freeing the hapless creature, when the door to the hovel banged open with a crash.

Ren dove to his stomach, wincing as he landed on a bone shard, and froze in place. Atog glanced once around the clearing, not seeing the human behind some churned earth, and reached out with one hand to grab the hind legs of the centaur. The Ogre dragged her partially through the open door and then sat down on a crude stool just inside the opening. He untied her back legs and lifted one of them into the air. The motion woke the centaur, her eyes blinking above the gag as she struggled to comprehend where she was currently situated. She glanced around briefly from her position lying across the threshold of the doorway, and then back inside to see why her leg was held so high in the air. Atog waited till he saw her face, and then leaned over and took a tremendous bite out of the soft flesh where her horse thigh met the width of her barrel. The centaur screamed through her nose around the gag and thrashed in pain from the gaping wound. The Ogre chewed noisily a few times, swallowed, and bent over for another bite.

Ren closed his eyes at the sight. He could feel his gorge rising as the sounds of tearing skin and crunching bone ran counterpoint to the plaintive squeals of the centaur. He turned away and opened his eyes, gulping air. Something oozed through a gap between two rocks and started across the clearing. Ren quieted instantly. He recognized the creature creeping toward him, it was a slime. His eyes lit up as he realized the slimes had been released to clean the town this evening. He had been so intent on escaping the pursuers he had forgotten the schedule! Several other slimes slithered into the open area. As they moved, they occasionally stopped and digested bone fragments or patches of old blood. Further across the clearing, a large pile of bones had attracted several slimes. Ren watched the slime before him stop over a ragged skull to feed and the glimmer of an idea jumped into his mind. Behind him, the muffled screams of the centaur had died away, replaced by gruesome chewing.

Ren leaped to his feet and drew his sword. With a deft motion, he used his sword to slice across the palm of his hand. The young human winced through the cut and then cupped his hand, allowing blood to pool freely. He then swung his arm in an arc, splattering the blood in a semicircle before him. The slimes, abruptly attracted by the fresh blood, abandoned their meals and converged on Ren. The young human turned and ran for the hovel, dripping a line of blood from his tightly clenched fist. The Ogre inside looked up from his gory meal just as Ren ran up the sloped wall of the hut. The abode was made from random bits of wood and metal, all meshed together in a bowl shape that ended in an open circle for a fireplace. The design left plenty of footholds for the young warrior as he stopped and turned to stand above the doorway. Looking down, Ren could see the upper shoulders and head of the centaur lying with her eyes closed in a pool of blood. The young human pressed the flat of his blade against the wound in his palm and summoned the warmth of the healing magic. The slice in his hand stitched itself back together instantly, not even leaving a scar. Below him, Atog had risen from his seat and poked his bloody face out the door to see to where Ren had disappeared. Just as he looked up, the slimes that had been following Ren's blood trail pounced on the centaur's corpse, and the Ogre. Atog howled with pain and fury and vanished back into his house. More slimes converged and slid through the entrance while guttural screams and smashing of furniture came from the entrance. A long, drawn-out bellow was suddenly muffled into gurgling thrum and soon no more noises emanated from the hovel. Ren smiled grimly and scuttled down off the roof, dodging the last slime as it aimed for the centaur.

He crossed the open area quickly and quietly called for Belune. No answer greeted him. He looked behind the small bush she was last hiding behind but she wasn't there. He spun in a panic, scanning the clearing for her. A thin wail echoed over the jagged scree rocks and Ren clambered up the nearest, chanting the spell for his eyes. When he reached the top of the rock, his spell activated and he could see the entire main road closest to his location. A flicker of movement between two buildings caught his attention and he mentally commanded his spell to zoom his vision in to get a better look. In the next gap, two hulking masked figures were dragging a struggling Belune backwards up the street. She fought valiantly but Ren could see two of the armored figures following along behind, heads scanning left and right. Ren gritted his teeth in anger and scrambled down over the rocks, heading straight for the gap. He pushed his way through the last of the stumpy trees; ducked out between the buildings, and turned to dash up the street in the direction he saw the figures taking his Tauren lover.

Suddenly up ahead, two of the armored figures stutter-glided into the road. Ren, his panic and fury mounting, drew his sword and charged to meet them. He summoned the healing magic and clashed with the closer of the two forms. The armored opponent swept through Ren's defense with ridiculous strength; nearly taking the humans head off. Ren ended the move on his knees in front of the armored figure. He thrust his sword up into a tiny gap between the assailant's cuisse and tasset. The touch of the weapon forced the armor's eerie black nature to retreat rapidly. Ren pushed hard, forcing the blade to widen the gap while his opponent twitched in the throes of the transformation. The sword slid home and the figure clutched at its stomach and fell over. The young warrior rolled backwards to his feet and brought his sword up to catch the other figures devastating blow from above. Having experienced the same move before, Ren let the massive strike slide off to one side and then jerked his sword back on a return stroke, striking his opponent in the placard. Normally this type of blow would be ineffective, but Ren's sword bit deep into the black steel, starting the transformation process. The figure twitched and shuddered as the black melted away on the metal, allowing Ren a chance to cast a spell. When the last of the black vanished from the armor, the young warrior's glowing hand collided with the faceplate, hurtling the armored attacker head over heels up the street.

Ren shook his hand and turned up the street. The crowd of masked figures that had been saturating the streets had mysteriously vanished. The young human scanned desperately for Belune, chastising himself over leaving her alone in the clearing. He stopped, stood still, and took a deep breath. Wherever the masked forms had taken her, he wasn't going to find her by running around the village. The entire battle with the demon armored figures had taken only a few moments, not enough time to drag the Tauren out of sight. The only explanation was that she was still close by, hidden from view. Ren walked up the road, senses as open as possible, trying to look in every direction at once. A faint aroma of flowers wafted past his nose. He recognized Belune's perfume instantly and froze, turning slowly in a circle. A faint flicker of light where light shouldn't exist caught his attention.

Ren dashed between two buildings, across a short field, and came to the base of the western cliff wall. As he approached, he could see a small vertical crack emitting what appeared to be torchlight. Ren pressed his eye to the crack but all he could see was a smooth rock wall vanishing into the distance. He quickly followed the crack up to where it took a sharp turn to the horizontal. A stray gust of air through the crack brought him another whiff of Belune's perfume. Looking down, he noticed his hand continued to glow, even though the spell was nearing its end. The young warrior drew back and slammed his fist into the approximate center of the panel. The hidden rock door imploded and scattered in pieces down the throat of the tunnel he spotted through the crack. As the light faded from his hand, Ren stepped carefully into the tunnel, ducked under a torch on the wall, and held his sword at the ready as he moved forward.

The tunnel twisted and turned as it drove deeper into the bedrock. The sides were unnaturally smooth, like mottled glass. Every few paces a sconce adorned the wall, the torches all burning brightly and throwing flickering shadows as Ren passed. He moved as quickly as he could, senses tuned forward. He turned a blind corner and the tunnel opened out into a large underground cavern with sloping walls. The flickering torches were only mounted on the nearest wall, leaving the far end of the space cloaked in near-impenetrable darkness and making it impossible to estimate its size. The floor of the cavern was unnaturally smooth, just like the walls of the tunnel. Ren's heart skipped a beat when he beheld Belune, stripped of her clothing and lying on her back on a raised stone slab in the center of the room. Her arms and legs were secured to the stone by a series of leather straps and a familiar sickly green stone pulsed from its current position in her navel. The horrid gem sucked at Ren's strength as he rushed across the room to free her. As he approached the stone table, he noticed two objects spinning in the air directly above her chest. With a shock, he recognized the Luminous Pyrestone and Shadowsong Amethyst from his quest. The jewels circled slowly around a common axis about half a pace above the Tauren. The young human skidded to a stop next to the dais and leaned over Belune. The Tauren's eyes fluttered open.

"R...Ren?"

"Shh...It's ok Bel. I'm going to get you out of here."

Ren slashed his sword through the leather strap on one of her wrists. He was reaching for the next when from the back of the room, where the shadows deepened into inky blackness, a thick, guttural voice sounded out.

" Stop playing with my food."

The human paused at the sound of the voice. It was visceral and clotted, as though the owner was speaking through a mask of old blood. Ren was waving his sword before him when another noise, like the squeak of a rusty hinge, drew his attention to the side of the room. Another hidden door was swinging closed behind Mal'therius as he stopped a few paces away and regarded the couple.

"Excellent. I had feared I would have to send someone out to lead you here. Your abilities are as well developed as I had hoped."

Ren stood straight, a look of anger on his features. His sword never wavered from the elf's direction.

"What's going on here, Mal'therius? What do you want from Belune?"

"Heh, it's not just the Tauren, boy. Think! Your father brags continuously about your brains...use them!"

The young warrior racked his brain. He thought of what he had talked about with Lirrak and Brulliard, about how one would bind a newborn demon. The ingredients of the list came to mind. With a start, Ren looked at the gems festooning Belune's body, the tiny swell of her pregnant stomach, and the sword in his hand. He then turned back to Mal'therius.

"It can't work. I'm not a Paladin."

Mal'therius grinned and waved a hand dismissively.

"The spell calls for a lost Paladin. I took great pains to make sure you were the one to pick up that sword. The Goblin I bribed was only too happy to be rid of it, considering his touch on the blade would have spelled his end."

Ren looked down at his sword. Mal'therius had arranged for him to get it? What else did he "arrange"? The Blood elf mage chuckled when he saw the look on Ren's face.

"Oh yes. I've been planning this out for quite some time. When I witnessed your skills growing so rapidly, I just knew you were the one who could fulfill my plans. It took time, of course, to find the Shield of Crossing, to make the demonic plate, and even to get my daughter to fall in love with you."

"Armiella? She was a part of this?"

"Not a willing part, at least as far as Grauzel. But I am a very good judge of people. I knew if I brought her to your home long enough, she would develop feelings for you."

"You bastard! You took her from me. And now you're trying to take Belune from me! I'm not going to let this happen!"

Mal'therius frowned at him.

"You don't have much choice, boy. Do you know how much has gone into this? I spent years tracking down the location of the treasure vaults of a city in Winterspring just to retrieve the Shield alone! Your father spent months developing the gate spell to penetrate the wards. With that, and the making of the demonic plate, I have invested half your lifetime for this moment!"

Ren shook with anger. All of his life was turning out to be a scripted ploy. The heartaches and trials all stemming back to this one individual. He glanced over his shoulder at Belune, who was struggling to reach another strap. When he turned back to Mal'therius, the mage was scowling at him.

"Yes, I've manipulated your life to some extent. But if it comes as any comfort, I didn't pick your Tauren girlfriend. She was a fortuitous accident. I originally was going to use the Shield for you and Druhma, since you seemed so fascinated with her."

Ren gaped at him in surprise. How did he know all this? Mal'therius began to pace back and forth, continuing his rant.

"Were it all so simple! I sent the first generation of demonically armored scouts out to test themselves against you. You did surprisingly well. The second generation appears to have fallen just as quickly. No matter, soon I will not have to worry about the strength of anything I do, isn't that right, dear?"

Mal'therius had looked over Ren's shoulder as he finished his statement. The young human spun in place and beheld a figure stepping into the light from the smoky darkness. His chest tightened and his arms trembled when he saw who it was.

"Ar...Armiella?"

The female form strolled casually around the stone bier and sauntered right towards Ren. She was completely naked, and walked with a sexy, hip-swaying strut that accented her femininity to its fullest. Ren stood frozen in place as she stopped in front of him and dragged a long fingernail up his chest, closing his open mouth with a little push.

" Hello, lover."

The voice reverberated around the cavern, at once a mixture of woman's soprano and growly, monstrous bass. To Ren it sounded like many different voices speaking as one. He scanned her face, unable to believe she was alive. A small, vestigial horn poked through her hair, causing Ren to blink in surprise. He looked closer and discovered other differences. Armiella's eyes were red around the pupils, just now starting to glow with an inner light. She noticed his inspection and smiled for him, displaying a set of knife-edged teeth. Then, very deliberately, she licked her lips with a long, forked tongue.

" What do you think of the new me?"

Ren shook his head in disbelief.

"What are you?"

Armiella puffed out her bottom lip and affected a hurt look, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

" Better...if you care to try me out..."

The naked elf cupped one of her breasts in her hand and slathered her long tongue over the nipple. She let loose with a peal of laughter at Ren's dumbfounded expression and walked back over towards the stone table.

" Daddy did a spell when the baby was born. It was what he called..."

"A binding..."

" ...a binding, yes. When I woke up, I felt soooo much better!"

The Armiella form dragged a nail up over Belune's head and down her muzzle. The Tauren had finally managed to reach a strap and was tugging at it desperately. She froze at the touch, watching the nail go down over her nose, between her breasts, and playfully slap her hand away from the strap. Armiella steepled her fingers around the gem in Belune's navel and used the other hand to stroke her furry thigh.

" I've only been gone a short time...and already you've replaced me..."

"Armiella...I thought you were dead. They said the demon cub devoured you!"

The naked elf stopped stroking Belune's thigh and gripped a handful of her fur. The Tauren winced at the move but wisely remained still. Armiella's eyes pulsed with light as her face twisted into a snarl.

" Do I look dead!? That bastard Grauzel raped me every day, all day long! Right up until I spit out his diseased brat! I...I lived through that! How dead do I look?!!!"

Ren rocked back on his heels at the vehemence behind her words. He held out his hand, palm forward.

"Armiella, that wasn't your fault. You didn't ask to be molested by a demon. I cried for you for months..."

Armiella let go of Belune's fur and raised her hand to her face. Her other hand slowly rubbed at the Tauren's belly around the green jewel.

" For months? Months!! I begged for death, wanting that...that THING out of me! And now here you are, and someone else is carrying what should have been mine..."

The fingernails on the hand before her face lengthened and morphed into claws. Ren sheathed his sword and stepped to the other side of the table. Gently, he laid his hand on Armiella's wrist.

"Armiella, this baby is mine as well..."

The elf figure stopped and looked into his face. For just a second, the glow in her eyes sputtered and a single tear ran down her cheek.

" I...I wanted to be the one...the one to bear your child! What am I supposed to do now?"

"Armiella, you're alive! That's a start! You can..."

The blow hit him dead center in the chest, catapulting him across the floor. Ren gasped in pain as Armiella roared at him with both fists in the air.

" Don't patronize me!! I'm well aware of what I am now!"

Mal'therius spoke from across the room.

"Then why do you hesitate? Finish the ritual and let's be done with this."

Armiella stopped and looked at the elf. She swayed slightly on her feet and looked around the room with confusion. Ren watched her, puzzled at her highly erratic behavior. His chest ached where she had struck him and every breath hurt. He was slowly getting to his feet when Armiella looked back down at the Tauren.

" Mmm yes. I am very hungry..."

The fingernails on both of her hands were claws now. She started to reach down, licking her lips, when Ren launched himself over the bier and slammed into her feet first. The two went down in a tangle of arms and legs. Ren rolled off the pile and rose smoothly to his feet. He was reaching for his sword when Armiella stood and grabbed his wrists. The young warrior gasped as she bore down with incredible strength and leaned forward with bared teeth.

" No! You won't stop me! I need to eat!"

"Armiella! I have to stop you! That's my family on that table!"

She stopped crushing his wrists but didn't let go. She growled in his face.

" To spare you the pain, you will have to die with them."

A blinding flash struck the side of Armiella's head, causing her to release Ren and fall to one side. Startled, the young human looked for the source and found a figure standing in the tunnel entrance, arm outstretched.

"Father?"

Gareth stepped further into the cavern, eyes glittering with fury as he scanned the room. When he spotted Mal'therius his face tightened even further.

"As far as dying goes, I think I may have something to say about that."

Mal'therius stammered, clearly not prepared for Gareth's intrusion.

"Wha...what are you doing here? You'll ruin everything!"

"That is what I intend to do."

Mal'therius screamed and unleashed a Word of Power spell at Gareth. The elder human threw up his hands and shielded against the attack. The Blood elf mage hollered a string of invectives at him.

"Simpleton! You are ruining everything! All the planning, the preparation, gone! Just because you couldn't stay home for one single evening!"

Gareth dusted off his sleeves and answered with a barely-controlled voice.

"I told you before...my son's welfare is of great importance to me."

The two mages began to cast simultaneously as the air around them rippled with power. Ren turned and looked at the ground at his feet. Armiella sat, quietly observing the two dueling mages. The side of her head showed no damage, she had simply been pushed to the ground by the blast. Feeling Ren's gaze upon her she tilted her head up to him. The young human could see the disjointed, swirling thoughts behind her eyes. Somehow he just knew that something important had been lost when the newborn had taken her soul. The creature before him had Armiella's face and some of her memories, but it lacked cohesion or substance...it was unfinished. Between eye blinks, the Armiella form went from the floor to standing in front of the young warrior. She leaned in close and favored Ren with a rumbling whisper.

" I always liked your Dad. Too bad they are both going to die."

Ren blinked, and Armiella was across the room, leaning over Belune. The young warrior stood and started toward her. Crackling explosions and thrums of power erupted from where Gareth and Mal'therius fought on.

"Damn you Gareth! I never should have brought you to this village! I made you what you are, and now I will destroy you!"

"You may have taught me in the beginning but I am my own man now. I won't let you destroy my family."

The two men began to cast again as Ren reached the stone table. Armiella stood with her hands hovering above the Tauren's body. Belune lay with her eyes wide open in fright, unable to take her gaze off of the fiend's hands. The naked elf flexed her clawed digits as she fought an unseen, internal battle. Ren laid his hand on Belune's shoulder as he spoke quietly to Armiella.

"You don't have to do this. You're father planned all of this. YOU are a victim here."

The creature looked up at Ren.

" Did you love me?"

The young human looked down into the Tauren's eyes, seeing her fear and pain. He blinked and turned his head to look into the haunted eyes of the pseudo-elf. Ren took both of her hands with his and put all the strength of his convictions behind his words.

"When we were together, Armiella, I loved you more than my own life. There isn't a day that goes by where I don't think of you at least once. I died the day you gave birth."

Armiella nodded down at Belune.

" And what of her?"

Ren looked down into Belune's eyes as he replied.

"She saved me. When I needed someone to love me, she was there. I need her in my life like I once needed you."

The young human raised his head and looked directly into Armiella's eyes. He knew his last statement, delivered in the past tense, would be the telling factor in his confession. The demonic elf glanced between him and the Tauren, thinking. Ren held her hands and watched her face. As she trembled before him, he began to notice an ethereal wisp of something wafting off her naked skin and streaming across the room. His eyes followed the trail right to where it ended in the chest of Mal'therius. The Blood elf mage was tapping the demon's power! He looked back at Armiella, who saw the recognition in his face.

" You see the tap. Now there is no hope for you."

The demon elf grabbed Ren's tunic and pulled him into a kiss. The young human flinched in surprise as she pressed her lips to his. Two heartbeats passed and she leaned back.

" You once needed me...now I need you. I'm sorry, Ren."

The hands on his tunic tightened and she dragged him right over the stone bier. Ren fought her inexorable pull but to no avail. It was as though Armiella possessed unlimited strength and power. She spun around with him and dangled him in front of her face. Ren recoiled in horror as she began to change. The vestigial horns burst out from her head in a spray of black blood. Her jaw opened ridiculously wide and the knife teeth thrust out of the gums, spraying more blood over her chin. Her eyes flared with light as she hissed at Ren. The young warrior pressed his hands and knees against her torso and pushed as hard as he could. His tunic tore where she gripped it and he sprawled to the floor. He was scrambling to his feet when Armiella turned and stepped back to the stone table. One clawed hand hovered above the sickly green gem in the Tauren's bellybutton. The jewel flared brightly and Belune arched her back in pain, teeth clenched tightly. Ren reached for his sword with one hand and grabbed the demon elf's shoulder with the other. He gave a powerful jerk and Armiella stumbled back and fell.

The young human stepped forward and grabbed the stone with his free hand. Immediately, his strength waned, drawn through the gem. He abruptly didn't have the power to hold his sword aloft any longer and it fell from his hand and landed across Belune's chest, just under her breasts. With the last of his strength, he threw the gem into the darkness and leaned on the table, panting with exhaustion. Belune touched his cheek with her free hand and the human leaned into her palm.

"You ok?"

"Better now..."

A stray bolt arced past Ren's head, turning his attention back to the mages. When he saw what was happening, he felt his heart stop.

"Oh no..."

Gareth and Mal'therius were locked in a power struggle. The two mages were so evenly matched; the numerous strikes and counter-strikes had been ineffective. Now the two figures were simply trying to incinerate each other with identical beam-type spells and the rays were clashing in the space between the combatants. Gareth's face was a mask of ultimate concentration, power flowing through his hands and erupting into the air. Mal'therius snarled as his own shaft of power leaped out to meet Gareth's. There was a subtle shift and Ren saw the faint trail leading from Armiella to her father flare with power. The demon elf had started to rise from the floor until the sudden drain had her slumping back. Horrified, Ren turned back as the beam from Mal'therius advanced on his father. Gareth pushed back futilely, the only sound in the room the grunt of his efforts. He turned his head and locked eyes with his son.

"I love you, Ren."

The spell tore through the last of his defenses, throwing him across the room to smash against the wall. Ren screamed into the silence.

"Nooooooo!!!!!!"

The young warrior couldn't breathe, couldn't think. The man who raised him, who taught him, lay in a smoking ruin on the far side of the cavern floor. As he stared in disbelief, his heart hammered in his chest and grief surged through his veins. Somehow he managed to stay on his feet as his gaze slid over to Mal'therius.

"You!!!"

Ren surged forward, blinking through his tears, when something crashed into his back. The demon thing threw its arms around him and sank its claws deep into the muscles of his chest. Ren gasped in incredible pain as the creature twisted and pulled him back to the bier. His knees slammed against the stone table, adding fresh pain to the agony in his chest. Hot breath on his cheek as the demon hissed in his ear. Drops of black blood, leftover from the growth of its teeth, splattered and burned his tunic. Ren's mind raced, the thing was too strong, too powerful, and he couldn't think of a way to kill it. He bent at the waist, trying to throw the creature off balance. As his hands touched the table top next to Belune, he spotted his sword lying on her chest. Desperately he lurched for the handle, but it was too far. He ended up grabbing the blade partway down its length as the demon growled and yanked him back upright. Blood flooded his chest as the demon flexed its fingers, digging the claws in further.

Ren gasped as the claws sunk deeper. The thing was panting and drooling on his back as he looked at the sword in his hand. He had managed to grab it about halfway down the blade. The edges were cutting cruelly into his hand, adding to the agony in his chest. With his arms pinned to his sides by the demon, Ren couldn't get the range to manipulate the sword, much less employ it. All he could do from this position was... The young warrior closed his eyes even as he shook himself to keep the demon from sinking its teeth into his neck. He knew now what he needed to do. As he maneuvered the sword into place with his limited mobility, Belune spotted what he was doing and raised her free hand.

"Ren! NO!!"

He looked down into the Tauren's terrified eyes as he prepared himself mentally.

"I love you both..."

Ren summoned the healing magic, getting a hiss from behind, and pulled the tip of his sword into his chest. The blade slid between his ribs easily, slicing into his hands and causing a new wave of agony. Ren faltered slightly, and then focused his sight on the end of the sword, now close enough to reach. With fading strength, he reached out and grasped the cross guard, one hand on each side. He screamed and jerked the end towards himself, feeling the blade slide through his body and out his back. The demon behind him spasmed as the sword punctured its front and slid home. The young warrior dropped his arms and concentrated on fueling the healing magic.

The demon creature screamed and tried to pull its claws free from his chest. Ren managed to lift his hands and trap the creature's palms against his upper body even as he dug deeper, tapping every reserve of power he could find and feeding the healing spell in the sword. The creature screamed and thrashed, dragging the human around in small circles. The smell of burning flesh permeated the air and a fiery heat crept up Ren's back from where the sword exited his body. The pain was indescribable; the creature's thrashing was wiggling the sword back and forth, further damaging his body. All Ren could do was focus on fueling the healing spell in his sword and hold on. The demon wailed and thrashed as the heat increased. The young human pushed the pain from his mind and threw everything into the spell.

Suddenly the heat from Ren's back flared intensely. The creature screamed and yanked its fingers from Ren's chest, overpowering his weakened grip. Abruptly free, the young warrior stumbled forward and collapsed to his knees, gasping at the pain in his chest. A heavy thud to his side drew his attention. The creature writhed and mewled on the floor next to Ren. An enormous hole was burned deep into its chest, still smoking from the touch of Ren's sword. The features melted and shifted until Armiella's face once again looked up at Ren, coughing blood.

" This hurts..."

Ren almost laughed at the absurdity of the statement.

"I...I think I have you beat..."

Armiella gasped as something in her wound flared and smoked. The hole slowly grew and consumed the surrounding flesh even as Ren watched. She looked up at him again.

" I loved you once. More than you will ever know..."

Ren winced at a fresh stab of pain and answered her gently.

"You were my first love. Remember that."

Armiella seemed to think for a moment.

" Are you still generating that healing spell?"

Ren nodded weakly, the last traces of his strength were powering the spell keeping him alive. Armiella shifted her weight as another burst of flame belched from the wound. She pointed up at the bier.

" Ren...take care of them...and don't forget me..."

"Armiella? What are you..."

The demon elf lunged forward and pulled the sword from Ren's chest in one quick jerk. The human gagged at the overwhelming pain. He slumped against the stone bier, unable to move. Without the sword, he felt the last dregs of his spell knitting his chest back together before a wave of lethargy washed over him. In his field of vision he saw Armiella gripping the sword, gritting her razor teeth as flames erupted around the pommel. The burning traveled up her arms and across her shoulders. Within seconds her entire body was alight. She looked at him and smiled sadly as the flames flared, roared, and immolated her body in seconds. The sword fell to the ground with a muffled thunk and Ren leaned against the stone table, unable to move. The weakness was so devastating he couldn't even lift his head to check on Belune. A hand brushed his hair back and lifted his chin.

"Are you ok, baby?"

The Tauren's eyes were filled with worry. She was still strapped to the table but had tilted her head up so she could see his face. He smiled tiredly at her.

"I'll live..."

"NOT IF I CAN HELP IT!!!"

Mal'therius strode across the floor, his face a mask of rage. He walked right up to Ren and pulled a dagger from his belt.

"At least I will get to enjoy this!"

Belune's hand darted out and gripped his crotch.

"Enjoy this you bastard!"

Mal'therius choked and squealed deep in his throat. His eyes bulged and the dagger slipped from his nerveless fingers. Ren watched the tendons pop out in the Taurens arm as she ratcheted down on the mages privates. Mal'therius went up on his toes and grabbed her wrist, futilely trying to break her hold. His mouth opened and closed like a gasping fish but no words came out. There was a sickening, muffled pop somewhere in the vicinity of his testes and Mal'therius collapsed to the floor, dragging himself free from her grip. He gagged as he lay in the fetal position, choking back the nausea. He glanced at Ren furiously and then scrabbled around blindly on the floor for his dagger. His hand closed on a grip and he yanked the blade into the air.

"I'll kill you both for that!"

Ren found the strength to smile and nod his head in the mage's direction.

"You might want to think about getting a new knife first..."

Mal'therius looked at his hand. Ren's sword trembled in his grip. As the flames burst forth, Mal'therius screamed.

"Nooooooo!!!!"

Ren tried to hold his breath as the mage burned. Eventually the screams stopped and his sword clattered to the floor. After a few long minutes, Ren managed to heave himself up over the edge of the table and sprawl with his face across the Tauren's stomach. Belune stroked his hair as he smiled and panted at her.

"Nice grip honey. You been working out lately?"

Belune chuckled with relief.

"Silly man...can we go home now?"

"Gods yes. I can barely move. Can you reach your other...whoa!"

Ren lifted his head and looked down at her belly in awe.

"Did the baby just...?"

"Kick? Yes!"

The human smiled and kissed her tummy. He turned and looked at Belune; the relief that the baby was alive was evident in his features. He closed his eyes for a moment, basking in the little jabs against his cheek, and then glanced over the Tauren's shoulder. His grin faltered when he spotted the burnt shape across the room. The young human swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Oh Father...you didn't even get to meet your grandbaby..."

Tears slid from Ren's eyes as Belune stroked his cheek.

"He came here to save you, Ren."

Ren smiled sadly in reply.

"No, darling, he came here to save us."

Ren tossed the last of the boxes up into the cart. The horses snorted, almost as if they knew the load behind them was massive. The young human looked over the towering pile of their belongings before snugging a rope down over the jumbled mess. Belune stood a short distance away, rubbing her belly and chatting animatedly with Brulliard. Lirrak came out from around the other side of the cart.

"Ya sure ya got evrythin?"

"Yes Lirrak. I believe we have everything."

"Ya know...takin yer dad's stuff sure didn lighten tha load."

"I realize that...but I wanted to bring it with me. It's all I have with which to remember him."

It had been two weeks since the battle in the cavern. Ren still had an empty ache in his heart from the loss of his father. His final words to Ren had proven to the young warrior that his father was able to show Ren how he felt, even if it was the last thing he did. Ren blinked away the tears and finished securing the rope. He turned and walked with Lirrak over to where Belune was conversing with Brulliard. He arrived just as the Tauren was finishing a question.

"...hurt pretty bad? You haven't said anything for two weeks."

"Sergic is fine, my dear. I've been pampering him during his recovery. It will take a little more than a silly explosion to keep my man down."

Ren grinned at him.

"Glad to hear that, Brulliard. I owe him a thank you for his help in our escape."

"Don't worry your gorgeous head about it, hunky. He knows how you feel."

"Still, he saved both their lives. I can never thank him enough..."

"Just take care of that baby. We'll call it even."

"Deal!"

Brulliard stepped forward and gave Ren a hug. Then he turned and hugged Belune. Without a backward glance, he spun and walked into the newly repaired Rod & Cup. Lirrak watched him go before offering his hand to the young warrior.

"Don' mind 'im. He jus don' wantcha ta see 'im cryin."

Ren shook his hand solemnly. The Goblin gave the Tauren a quick hug, complete with a little pat on her belly, and followed the Belf mage into the building. Ren turned to Belune and opened his mouth to speak when a voice called from behind. The couple swiveled to find Druhma hurrying up the street.

"Wait! Wait!"

The Orcess came to a stop in front of the young couple. She shifted back and forth as she paused, wiping fresh tears from her cheeks.

"Do you really have to go?"

Ren reached up and touched her face.

"We need a fresh start, Druhma. Bel and I don't want to raise a child here."

The Orc sighed and slumped her shoulders.

"I...I'm going to miss you two. You're the best friends I've ever had..."

Belune stepped up and hugged her.

"I think by now we are more than friends."

Ren nodded his head and then stopped, an idea forming in his mind.

"Druhma? Why don't you just come with us?"

The Orcess looked stunned.

"Seriously? You want me to come with you?"

"Why not? Aside from the bakery, what else do you have keeping you here?"

Druhma racked her brain, but came up empty.

"Um...nothing, I guess. But I just can't up and leave. I'd have to sell the bakery, get a cart for my things, lots of stuff..."

Ren hugged her on the side opposite of Belune. The Tauren caught his eyes when he looked over and smiled. Without a word, he saw the happiness and thankfulness she radiated at his suggestion. Her lips moved silently, - I love you! -, and she looked up at the Orc.

"It would be nice to have you around when my belly gets too big for me to see my hooves..."

Ren chipped in from the other side.

"And the baby could use a Godmother..."

Druhma looked back and forth at each of their faces, fresh tears on her cheeks.

"Ok...I'll do it. Do I have time to sell the bakery? How will I know where to find you?"

Ren stopped her with a finger on her lips.

"You focus on selling the bakery and getting your things ready to move. Bel and I will find a place and I'll send you a message, ok?"

"How are you going to send me a message?"

"Leave that to me..."

The Orc hugged them both for a while, murmuring her thanks in their ears, until Ren kissed her cheek and turned to Belune.

"You ready?"

The Tauren nodded, eyes glassy, and the couple climbed into the seat of the cart. Waving goodbye to Druhma, they drifted out through the security gate as the guard recognized Ren and waved him through. When they had crossed the plain and were about to enter the forest, Belune turned back for one more look.

"You think she'll be ok till we can come get her?"

"Absolutely. I don't plan on taking very long till then."

"Good, cause I'm going to miss her till then."

"Me too. She is one of the few good things that happened to me in this village."

"Same here...I'm not happy I came here...but I am glad I met you."

"I'm glad I met you too. I'm ready to shed this place and move on. We have our whole lives ahead of us."

Belune nodded thoughtfully and sighed.

"You know what's strange? From here the village actually looks kind of beautiful."

"True...but it's like what they say about people. Beauty is only skin deep..."