# Aria's Love Ch 2

Author: shanjoo
Tags: Alternate Reality, Bound, Boy, Camp, Character Development, Clean, Forest, Girl, Medieval, No-Yiff, Suggestions, Teasing, Young Love

here is Ch 2. I've done some corrections and hope that its better and easier to read. Ch 3 will be up soon.
And yes, there will be Lemon scenes later, but you'll just have to wait.
Please R&R and enjoy.

Chapter Two  
  
  
  
Xander groaned and rolled over where he laid on the ground, "just five  
more minutes' mom." He mumbled, before sitting up abruptly.

 Staring into the distance as the memories of recent events flashed through his mind, the  
images of Strucker shooting his father, than shooting him. He checked his  
shoulder for the bullet wound, but it was gone, the sudden light from the  
device, Him disappearing.

 Xander held his head as a headache came on. "What the hell happened?" He asked through gritted teeth. A tear  
rolled down his face as the full impact of what had happened washed over him,  
and he began to cry. After crying for several minutes, he finally wiped his  
nose on his sleeve and stood up.

He 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  
he finally look around and take stock of his surroundings. It looked like he  
had appeared in the clearing of a large forest, with thick foliage surrounding  
him. The sound of birds and forest animals moving through the brush were all he  
could hear.

"Where the hell am I?" He wondered. Turning slowly, he  
attempted to find a path that could lead out of the forest. When he could see  
none, he was about to head off in a random direction, when the sound of  
boisterous laughter came to him. His head spun to the left, where the laughter  
was coming from.

Making a quick decision, he set off in that direction. Making  
his very carefully, not yet wanting to make his presence known to the locals.  
At least until he knew more of what was going on? Stealthily making his way  
through the underbrush, he approached to within twenty feet of the source of  
the laughter.

Peering through the lower branches of a bush, he lay behind. He  
made out what appeared to be a caravan, with ox-driven wagon arranged in a  
circle around a large campfire. There was a large crowd standing around it,  
listening to a man playing a musical instrument.

'He looks like a bard' Xander  
thought as he watched the man play. Xander continued to scan the crowd, until  
he found what he believed to be the caravan leader. A large and jolly looking  
man, looked like he was a gladiator, yet appeared gentle; Though Xander did not  
doubt that the man could be ferocious when he wanted to be.

Making a mental  
note to be careful around him in the future, Xander looked through the  
gathering some more. Looking back to the bard as he started another song,  
something at the corner of his eye caught his attention. Looking that way, he stopped,  
and felt his heart start to race, as the most beautiful girl he had ever seen  
stepped down from the wagon closest to him.

He watched her approach the leader,  
place a hand on his arm, and kiss his cheek. The man looked down at her and  
smiled, patting her shoulder. 'Must be his daughter' he mused. Making her way  
to the center by the fire, a pair of musicians started to play, joining their  
music to that of the bards. They got a rhythm going as the young woman stepped  
into the ring. She began to dance. Xander watched her, entranced by her beauty  
and the music.

The grace of her movements was enthralling. Making him long to  
go and dance with her, to take her in his arms, and kiss her. He was already on  
a knee when he shook his head and came to his senses. Lying back down, he  
continued to watch. Her dance seemed to go on for hours, though it was only a  
few minutes. As Xander lay in his concealment, he noticed that the sky was  
getting dark. Looking back to the fire, he saw that the girl had finished her  
dance and the bard had taken his place again.

Xander was sad to see her stop. However,  
he turned his attention to the words of the bard as he began to speak. "Come  
now people, gather round and listen to the story that I have to tell." He  
struck a few notes on his instrument. "Now this tale is an old tale,  
passed down through many generations of bards. It tells of a great and powerful  
wizard. Who fought against the forces of darkness? He battled many foes,  
demons, goblins, and orcs, Evil spirits, monsters, and many other evil  
creatures.

Great were his works, for he  
helped those who were in need of help. He ended droughts, healed grave  
injuries, and put out a town fire. One day, he went up against a foe that  
turned out to be stronger than he was. A powerful sorcerer that swept over the  
land. Causing chaos wherever he went. The brave wizard went and did battle with  
him. Great and terrible was their battle. So great, that at times, it seemed to  
shake the very earth. In the end however, the sorcerer proved too strong for  
the wizard.

The wizard took a beating. Before  
the final blow, the wizard made this prophecy. 'Beware ye sorcerer, for after  
ye have struck down this person. Know ye, that in four generations. A warrior  
will come. One who will have the power to destroy you and your evil? End your  
terrible reign over the land. Ye will not know him, for he will be a stranger  
in a strange land. However, ye shall know when he has come by looking at what  
he bears. A snake of leather, coiled at his hip. Beware sorcerer, for he shall  
be the end of thee.'" The bard played a few notes, "and with those  
words, the wizard drew up the last of his strength.

Hurled one last attack at  
the sorcerer, knowing he was doomed. The sorcerer blocked the attack easily. ,  
gathering his energies of darkness, blasted the wizard, turning him to ashes.  
Now, the sorcerer was wary of the prophecy the wizard had made. For he had  
heard that many of the predictions he had made had a way of coming true. Being  
of a caution nature, the sorcerer set in motion preparations that would allow  
him to know when this so-called champion will come. When all was ready, he sealed  
himself inside his castle, and waited.

There he has stayed, and waited. For  
almost four hundred years, he has remained in his castle, waiting. No one knows  
what he does with-in. Nevertheless, some say he is gathering his dark energies,  
in preparation for the coming conflict with the unknown warrior. Others say he  
is dead and gone, having died long ago. But I know that he still lives."  
The bard took a swig from his water skin before continuing. "He is even  
now calling on the forces of darkness, amassing an army of evil beasts, and  
hideous creatures, preparing for the day that the warrior, the champion of  
prophecy, will come."

The bard, finished with his story, stood, bowed, and  
retired to his tent. The two musicians struck up a tune to help keep the  
festivities going, but the crowd was slowly dispersing, People going off to  
various wagons and tents. Seeing that everyone was going to bed, Xander got up  
and made his way back into the forest. However, he was careless and stepped on  
a dry stick, which broke with a load snap. The dogs, which Xander had seen  
earlier when he first arrived, looked in his direction and starting barking.  
One of the guards nearby also looked, squinting slightly in the growing  
darkness.

"Who's out there?" 'Aw crap' thought Xander. He jumped up  
and took off at a dead run. "INTRUDER Release the dogs. After him" Several  
of the guards and men gave chase and ran after Xander, while another cut the  
ropes holding the straining dogs. Who sprang forward and soon caught up with  
the men. Xander ran on, breathing easily. Silently thanking his sister for the  
training that she had given him. In a bit of a panic though, he grabbed his  
whip, and with expert ease, wrapped the end around a branch and swung up into a  
tree.

Resecuring the whip, he walked along the branch towards the trunk, and  
waited, before long, the dogs passed by his tree, followed closely by the men  
from the caravan, never having been in a situation like this before. He decided  
to stay where he was for the time being. Unfortunately, his current position  
put him upwind of the dogs who, having good noses soon came back to his tree  
and were barking up at him.

When their barking brought the men, Xander knew he  
was in trouble. One of the men spotted him in the tree, "there he is. The  
spy is in the tree." 'Spy?' thought Xander, 'I'm no spy, and I just got  
here. But then again, guess they would consider a spy, since I was spying on  
them.' By now, the whole group of men had gathered around his tree. "Come  
down from there spy. Or we shall burn you out." Xander gulped as he  
noticed that several of them were carrying torches. He froze for several  
seconds, waiting to see if they would really carry out their threat.

The  
leader, when he saw that Xander was not coming down, shouted to his men  
"burn him out" As some of the torchbearers came forward, "STOP!  
I'm coming down." They stopped when they heard this and stepped aside as  
Xander dropped to the ground. Two men came up behind him and grabbed his arms,  
quickly binding them. Therefore, with their captive secure, they made their way  
back to the main camp, where the leader of the search party, along with two  
others, led Xander to the main tent.

The man leading them, who Xander would  
soon learn was Gathner, held open the tent flap to allow the others to enter  
first. After stepping in and closing the flap, Gathner approached a curtain  
that sectioned off a part of the main tent. He said a few words that Xander  
could not hear. The caravan leader, a bear of a man, stepped out from behind  
it. Xander actually felt his knees start to shake from the stern gaze of the  
man looking at him. However, after a few moments, he steeled himself and  
regained his composure.

The man sat down in a large chair in front of Xander.  
"I am Rorik the brave, Leader of this camp. Who are you and why were you  
spying on my camp?" Xander could tell that Rorik did not want to hurt him.  
Therefore, he decided that the best course of action to take would be the  
truth. "My name is Xander Rodius, I did not mean to spy, but I am lost and  
do not know where I am. I am a stranger in a strange land."

He fell silent  
as Rorik studied him, possibly to see if he was lying. Rorik leaned back in his  
chair and grunted. "I will believe you for now boy. However, I will have  
to insist on placing a guard on you day and night, Until such time as you gain  
my trust, something which is very hard to gain." Xander nodded, "I  
accept your terms sir." Rorik gave a curt nod in reply. "Gathner here  
will see to it that you are given adequate sleeping quarters and...." The  
growling of Xander's stomach interrupted him, which he was holding, a sheepish  
look on his face.

Rorik chuckled. "And some food to fill that hungry belly  
of yours too." He stood up and moved back behind the curtain, signifying  
the end of the meeting. Gathner nodded to the two guarding Xander and they all  
went out. Gathner turn to Xander, "you will be given a spare tent that we  
have for guests. You will have to set it up yourself. Your food will be brought  
to you shortly." He looked to one man and nodded to him. Then turned and  
left for a different part of the camp.

The man he had nodded to left also,  
probably to get some food for Xander. The other man, who introduced himself as  
sarsen, led him to one of the wagons, where he drew out a bundle of cloth,  
rope, and some sticks, All of which he handed to Xander. "Follow Me,"  
he said before heading off in a seemingly random direction.

Xander followed  
behind, taking this chance to take a better look at his surroundings. He  
noticed that several of the wagons had different patterns of painted designs on  
them. As he studied the designs, he noticed someone looking at him from a window  
of the one he was walking past.

He was surprised to see that it was the girl  
from before, who had danced by the fire. Now that he was closer, he could see  
that she had brilliantly blue eyes, a small nose, soft lips, and light caramel  
colored skin.

Xander stood rooted to the spot as the two of them looked at each  
other. It seemed like an eternity before he felt a hand on his arm. Looking up,  
he noticed Sarsen standing next to him. "Come along Xander, you can set up  
your tent over here," and pulled gently on his arm. Xander allowed himself  
to be lead away.

When he looked back to the window, the girl was no longer  
there. "Who was that?" he asked Sarsen as they walked. "That is  
Rorik's daughter, Aria. I wouldn't be trying anything if I were you  
though."

Xander looked at him, "why not?" "Rorik is very  
protective of his daughter, Will not let anyone approach her for her hand, unless  
they have proven themselves worthy in his eyes." Xander looked thoughtful  
as they continued.

"How would he know if they were worthy?" Sarsen  
looked down at him in surprise, and then said with a stern voice. "You  
best put such thoughts from your head, for it will be a long time before Rorik  
will even consider you being worthy."

Xander sighed. "However, I do  
not think that you will have to wait long." he said with a smile. "I  
could see what was passing between the two of you just now." Xander felt a  
blush rising up his face as he walked along. Sarsen laughed when he saw it.  
"Hey there is nothing to be bashful about.

There has been many a man who  
has asked about her. But you're the only one who I think has actually caught  
her interest." Sarsen stopped and pointed. "You may set up your tent  
here. I shall be back to get you in the morning. Boris shall be here shortly  
with your food. Sleep well Xander." With that, Sarsen left him. Xander,  
not wanting to give them a bad first impression, set about setting up the tent.  
It was simple.

He had been on many camping trips with his dad and grandfather. Therefore,  
he was not without the expertise of camping. Ten minutes later, the tent was  
ready. He was just setting up the bedding when Boris walked up, bearing a  
wooden plate with a large chunk of cook meat, a cooked ear of corn, and a water  
skin. "Here is your food. More will be brought to you in the  
morning."

He set it down, and then walked over to examine Xanders  
handiwork. "I'm impressed; obviously you have done this sort of thing  
before." Xander nodded. "Yes, I used to go on camping trips with my  
grandfather.

He taught me a lot." "Perhaps I could meet this  
grandfather of yours someday" "Yeah, perhaps." Boris turn and  
left, "well, goodnight." When he had left, Xander went over to the  
plate and ate with gusto, being very hungry. After he had finished and washed  
it down with some water. He crawled into his tent, and fell asleep.

 

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/keNRdb9e