{"sf1_id":561474,"sf2_id":"keNRdb9e","title":"Aria's Love Ch 2","author":"shanjoo","words":2663,"posted_at":"2013-07-09T23:24:00.000Z","tags":["Alternate Reality","Bound","Boy","Camp","Character Development","Clean","Forest","Girl","Medieval","No-Yiff","Suggestions","Teasing","Young Love"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/561474-aria-s-love-ch-2","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/keNRdb9e","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/d9/c0/d9c08363-eb01-49f9-96b8-532bbc87ffb6","description":"here is Ch 2. I've done some corrections and hope that its better and easier to read. Ch 3 will be up soon.\nAnd yes, there will be Lemon scenes later, but you'll just have to wait.\nPlease R\u0026R and enjoy.","content":"Chapter Two  \n  \n  \n  \nXander groaned and rolled over where he laid on the ground, \"just five  \nmore minutes' mom.\" He mumbled, before sitting up abruptly.\n\n\u0026nbsp;Staring into the distance as the memories of recent events flashed through his mind, the  \nimages of Strucker shooting his father, than shooting him. He checked his  \nshoulder for the bullet wound, but it was gone, the sudden light from the  \ndevice, Him disappearing.\n\n\u0026nbsp;Xander held his head as a headache came on. \"What the hell happened?\" He asked through gritted teeth. A tear  \nrolled down his face as the full impact of what had happened washed over him,  \nand he began to cry. After crying for several minutes, he finally wiped his  \nnose on his sleeve and stood up.\n\nHe noticed his whip lying next to him on the ground. Picking it up, he coiled it and secured it to his belt. Only then, did  \nhe finally look around and take stock of his surroundings. It looked like he  \nhad appeared in the clearing of a large forest, with thick foliage surrounding  \nhim. The sound of birds and forest animals moving through the brush were all he  \ncould hear.\n\n\"Where the hell am I?\" He wondered. Turning slowly, he  \nattempted to find a path that could lead out of the forest. When he could see  \nnone, he was about to head off in a random direction, when the sound of  \nboisterous laughter came to him. His head spun to the left, where the laughter  \nwas coming from.\n\nMaking a quick decision, he set off in that direction. Making  \nhis very carefully, not yet wanting to make his presence known to the locals.  \nAt least until he knew more of what was going on? Stealthily making his way  \nthrough the underbrush, he approached to within twenty feet of the source of  \nthe laughter.\n\nPeering through the lower branches of a bush, he lay behind. He  \nmade out what appeared to be a caravan, with ox-driven wagon arranged in a  \ncircle around a large campfire. There was a large crowd standing around it,  \nlistening to a man playing a musical instrument.\n\n'He looks like a bard' Xander  \nthought as he watched the man play. Xander continued to scan the crowd, until  \nhe found what he believed to be the caravan leader. A large and jolly looking  \nman, looked like he was a gladiator, yet appeared gentle; Though Xander did not  \ndoubt that the man could be ferocious when he wanted to be.\n\nMaking a mental  \nnote to be careful around him in the future, Xander looked through the  \ngathering some more. Looking back to the bard as he started another song,  \nsomething at the corner of his eye caught his attention. Looking that way, he stopped,  \nand felt his heart start to race, as the most beautiful girl he had ever seen  \nstepped down from the wagon closest to him.\n\nHe watched her approach the leader,  \nplace a hand on his arm, and kiss his cheek. The man looked down at her and  \nsmiled, patting her shoulder. 'Must be his daughter' he mused. Making her way  \nto the center by the fire, a pair of musicians started to play, joining their  \nmusic to that of the bards. They got a rhythm going as the young woman stepped  \ninto the ring. She began to dance. Xander watched her, entranced by her beauty  \nand the music.\n\nThe grace of her movements was enthralling. Making him long to  \ngo and dance with her, to take her in his arms, and kiss her. He was already on  \na knee when he shook his head and came to his senses. Lying back down, he  \ncontinued to watch. Her dance seemed to go on for hours, though it was only a  \nfew minutes. As Xander lay in his concealment, he noticed that the sky was  \ngetting dark. Looking back to the fire, he saw that the girl had finished her  \ndance and the bard had taken his place again.\n\nXander was sad to see her stop. However,  \nhe turned his attention to the words of the bard as he began to speak. \"Come  \nnow people, gather round and listen to the story that I have to tell.\" He  \nstruck a few notes on his instrument. \"Now this tale is an old tale,  \npassed down through many generations of bards. It tells of a great and powerful  \nwizard. Who fought against the forces of darkness? He battled many foes,  \ndemons, goblins, and orcs, Evil spirits, monsters, and many other evil  \ncreatures.\n\nGreat were his works, for he  \nhelped those who were in need of help. He ended droughts, healed grave  \ninjuries, and put out a town fire. One day, he went up against a foe that  \nturned out to be stronger than he was. A powerful sorcerer that swept over the  \nland. Causing chaos wherever he went. The brave wizard went and did battle with  \nhim. Great and terrible was their battle. So great, that at times, it seemed to  \nshake the very earth. In the end however, the sorcerer proved too strong for  \nthe wizard.\n\nThe wizard took a beating. Before  \nthe final blow, the wizard made this prophecy. 'Beware ye sorcerer, for after  \nye have struck down this person. Know ye, that in four generations. A warrior  \nwill come. One who will have the power to destroy you and your evil? End your  \nterrible reign over the land. Ye will not know him, for he will be a stranger  \nin a strange land. However, ye shall know when he has come by looking at what  \nhe bears. A snake of leather, coiled at his hip. Beware sorcerer, for he shall  \nbe the end of thee.'\" The bard played a few notes, \"and with those  \nwords, the wizard drew up the last of his strength.\n\nHurled one last attack at  \nthe sorcerer, knowing he was doomed. The sorcerer blocked the attack easily. ,  \ngathering his energies of darkness, blasted the wizard, turning him to ashes.  \nNow, the sorcerer was wary of the prophecy the wizard had made. For he had  \nheard that many of the predictions he had made had a way of coming true. Being  \nof a caution nature, the sorcerer set in motion preparations that would allow  \nhim to know when this so-called champion will come. When all was ready, he sealed  \nhimself inside his castle, and waited.\n\nThere he has stayed, and waited. For  \nalmost four hundred years, he has remained in his castle, waiting. No one knows  \nwhat he does with-in. Nevertheless, some say he is gathering his dark energies,  \nin preparation for the coming conflict with the unknown warrior. Others say he  \nis dead and gone, having died long ago. But I know that he still lives.\"  \nThe bard took a swig from his water skin before continuing. \"He is even  \nnow calling on the forces of darkness, amassing an army of evil beasts, and  \nhideous creatures, preparing for the day that the warrior, the champion of  \nprophecy, will come.\"\n\nThe bard, finished with his story, stood, bowed, and  \nretired to his tent. The two musicians struck up a tune to help keep the  \nfestivities going, but the crowd was slowly dispersing, People going off to  \nvarious wagons and tents. Seeing that everyone was going to bed, Xander got up  \nand made his way back into the forest. However, he was careless and stepped on  \na dry stick, which broke with a load snap. The dogs, which Xander had seen  \nearlier when he first arrived, looked in his direction and starting barking.  \nOne of the guards nearby also looked, squinting slightly in the growing  \ndarkness.\n\n\"Who's out there?\" 'Aw crap' thought Xander. He jumped up  \nand took off at a dead run. \"INTRUDER Release the dogs. After him\" Several  \nof the guards and men gave chase and ran after Xander, while another cut the  \nropes holding the straining dogs. Who sprang forward and soon caught up with  \nthe men. Xander ran on, breathing easily. Silently thanking his sister for the  \ntraining that she had given him. In a bit of a panic though, he grabbed his  \nwhip, and with expert ease, wrapped the end around a branch and swung up into a  \ntree.\n\nResecuring the whip, he walked along the branch towards the trunk, and  \nwaited, before long, the dogs passed by his tree, followed closely by the men  \nfrom the caravan, never having been in a situation like this before. He decided  \nto stay where he was for the time being. Unfortunately, his current position  \nput him upwind of the dogs who, having good noses soon came back to his tree  \nand were barking up at him.\n\nWhen their barking brought the men, Xander knew he  \nwas in trouble. One of the men spotted him in the tree, \"there he is. The  \nspy is in the tree.\" 'Spy?' thought Xander, 'I'm no spy, and I just got  \nhere. But then again, guess they would consider a spy, since I was spying on  \nthem.' By now, the whole group of men had gathered around his tree. \"Come  \ndown from there spy. Or we shall burn you out.\" Xander gulped as he  \nnoticed that several of them were carrying torches. He froze for several  \nseconds, waiting to see if they would really carry out their threat.\n\nThe  \nleader, when he saw that Xander was not coming down, shouted to his men  \n\"burn him out\" As some of the torchbearers came forward, \"STOP!  \nI'm coming down.\" They stopped when they heard this and stepped aside as  \nXander dropped to the ground. Two men came up behind him and grabbed his arms,  \nquickly binding them. Therefore, with their captive secure, they made their way  \nback to the main camp, where the leader of the search party, along with two  \nothers, led Xander to the main tent.\n\nThe man leading them, who Xander would  \nsoon learn was Gathner, held open the tent flap to allow the others to enter  \nfirst. After stepping in and closing the flap, Gathner approached a curtain  \nthat sectioned off a part of the main tent. He said a few words that Xander  \ncould not hear. The caravan leader, a bear of a man, stepped out from behind  \nit. Xander actually felt his knees start to shake from the stern gaze of the  \nman looking at him. However, after a few moments, he steeled himself and  \nregained his composure.\n\nThe man sat down in a large chair in front of Xander.  \n\"I am Rorik the brave, Leader of this camp. Who are you and why were you  \nspying on my camp?\" Xander could tell that Rorik did not want to hurt him.  \nTherefore, he decided that the best course of action to take would be the  \ntruth. \"My name is Xander Rodius, I did not mean to spy, but I am lost and  \ndo not know where I am. I am a stranger in a strange land.\"\n\nHe fell silent  \nas Rorik studied him, possibly to see if he was lying. Rorik leaned back in his  \nchair and grunted. \"I will believe you for now boy. However, I will have  \nto insist on placing a guard on you day and night, Until such time as you gain  \nmy trust, something which is very hard to gain.\" Xander nodded, \"I  \naccept your terms sir.\" Rorik gave a curt nod in reply. \"Gathner here  \nwill see to it that you are given adequate sleeping quarters and....\" The  \ngrowling of Xander's stomach interrupted him, which he was holding, a sheepish  \nlook on his face.\n\nRorik chuckled. \"And some food to fill that hungry belly  \nof yours too.\" He stood up and moved back behind the curtain, signifying  \nthe end of the meeting. Gathner nodded to the two guarding Xander and they all  \nwent out. Gathner turn to Xander, \"you will be given a spare tent that we  \nhave for guests. You will have to set it up yourself. Your food will be brought  \nto you shortly.\" He looked to one man and nodded to him. Then turned and  \nleft for a different part of the camp.\n\nThe man he had nodded to left also,  \nprobably to get some food for Xander. The other man, who introduced himself as  \nsarsen, led him to one of the wagons, where he drew out a bundle of cloth,  \nrope, and some sticks, All of which he handed to Xander. \"Follow Me,\"  \nhe said before heading off in a seemingly random direction.\n\nXander followed  \nbehind, taking this chance to take a better look at his surroundings. He  \nnoticed that several of the wagons had different patterns of painted designs on  \nthem. As he studied the designs, he noticed someone looking at him from a window  \nof the one he was walking past.\n\nHe was surprised to see that it was the girl  \nfrom before, who had danced by the fire. Now that he was closer, he could see  \nthat she had brilliantly blue eyes, a small nose, soft lips, and light caramel  \ncolored skin.\n\nXander stood rooted to the spot as the two of them looked at each  \nother. It seemed like an eternity before he felt a hand on his arm. Looking up,  \nhe noticed Sarsen standing next to him. \"Come along Xander, you can set up  \nyour tent over here,\" and pulled gently on his arm. Xander allowed himself  \nto be lead away.\n\nWhen he looked back to the window, the girl was no longer  \nthere. \"Who was that?\" he asked Sarsen as they walked. \"That is  \nRorik's daughter, Aria. I wouldn't be trying anything if I were you  \nthough.\"\n\nXander looked at him, \"why not?\" \"Rorik is very  \nprotective of his daughter, Will not let anyone approach her for her hand, unless  \nthey have proven themselves worthy in his eyes.\" Xander looked thoughtful  \nas they continued.\n\n\"How would he know if they were worthy?\" Sarsen  \nlooked down at him in surprise, and then said with a stern voice. \"You  \nbest put such thoughts from your head, for it will be a long time before Rorik  \nwill even consider you being worthy.\"\n\nXander sighed. \"However, I do  \nnot think that you will have to wait long.\" he said with a smile. \"I  \ncould see what was passing between the two of you just now.\" Xander felt a  \nblush rising up his face as he walked along. Sarsen laughed when he saw it.  \n\"Hey there is nothing to be bashful about.\n\nThere has been many a man who  \nhas asked about her. But you're the only one who I think has actually caught  \nher interest.\" Sarsen stopped and pointed. \"You may set up your tent  \nhere. I shall be back to get you in the morning. Boris shall be here shortly  \nwith your food. Sleep well Xander.\" With that, Sarsen left him. Xander,  \nnot wanting to give them a bad first impression, set about setting up the tent.  \nIt was simple.\n\nHe had been on many camping trips with his dad and grandfather. Therefore,  \nhe was not without the expertise of camping. Ten minutes later, the tent was  \nready. He was just setting up the bedding when Boris walked up, bearing a  \nwooden plate with a large chunk of cook meat, a cooked ear of corn, and a water  \nskin. \"Here is your food. More will be brought to you in the  \nmorning.\"\n\nHe set it down, and then walked over to examine Xanders  \nhandiwork. \"I'm impressed; obviously you have done this sort of thing  \nbefore.\" Xander nodded. \"Yes, I used to go on camping trips with my  \ngrandfather.\n\nHe taught me a lot.\" \"Perhaps I could meet this  \ngrandfather of yours someday\" \"Yeah, perhaps.\" Boris turn and  \nleft, \"well, goodnight.\" When he had left, Xander went over to the  \nplate and ate with gusto, being very hungry. After he had finished and washed  \nit down with some water. He crawled into his tent, and fell asleep.\n\n\u0026nbsp;  \n  \n  \n\n"}