Foreword: The following is a retelling of several actual events that happened on the COB Tavern during the days of May 12th, 1998 to May 15th, 1998. Most of the dialogs are actual dialogs as well as most of the "love scene" wording, with only some minor editing for content and translation from present tense to past tense. A special thanks goes to the player of Lady Chaste and for her exceeding skill at writing and ability to express. Though the story is somewhat lengthy, you, as the reader, should make an effort to read from beginning to end to fully understand the title given to this tale.Vlad Talon

Vlad sat, carving by the water's edge. Something about the falling chips, the continually forming wood eased his mind, let his spirit drift peacefully like the swirls in the river before him. What it was he was carving he did not know. His mind wandered and the blade idly bit into the word, almost in random cuts. A humming, spirited tune escaped his lips and joined the pattering beat of wood chips striking the rocky ground below him.

A beautiful lady seemed to float past his camp. The flickering light revealed a lithe figure with white blonde hair tied tightly in a knot at the base of her silky neck. It was Lady Chaste. He had seen her before at the Tavern, reading her hefty tomes of virtues large enough to present even a mild workout to his own steely biceps. His knife seemed to suddenly spring to life at the beautiful image, and, as if on a mind of its own set to biting and chipping at the wood with renewed vigor. Vlad looked at what he had carved and smiled to himself. He stood up and walked in the direction of a miniature firelight several yards away.

The figure of a woman could be seen, sitting over the small, flickering light. Vlad approached her, noisely, so as not to startle or frighten her. The sounds of his heavy falling steps caused a bit of concern to the lady, but his long strides carried him to within a few feet of her, his massive frame towering over her. He wore a warm friendly smile, barely able to be contained in his tanned face, and his dancing eyes met her gray blues as she stood before him. In a booming, cheery voice he spoke to her

Hail, milady! Vlad Talon be the name. Though ye may not know me, I know ye. I have something for ye, if ye would be of a mind to accept it.

He held to her the wood he had been carving. She looked at him, a bit fuddled and confused at first, then accepted the curious object. It was round and fit neatly into her palm. On top of the surface were two rows of three carven objects. The first row started with a carven seed. The second object of the first row was also a seed, nearly indentical to the first. The last object of the first row was little more than a carven pile of debris. The second row of carven objects also started out with a seed just like the first row. The second object, however, depicted a seed neatly cleaven in half, the two halves joined at one end and formed what might look like an upsidedown "V". The last carven object of the second row was a beautiful flower, fully blossomed, its long, delicately carven petals perched upon a slender, stately stem.

Chaste's eyes grew wide in wonderment, then spoke in a soft, hesistant voice, her eyes still fixed on the wooden object.

Why... thank thee sirrah. Its... interesting. But what does it mea...

As her eyes finally came off the object and looked up, all she saw was the dark form of Vlad's body disappearing thru the brushes, heading off to his own distant camp, a jovial whistling tune trailing after him.

Several nights later, Lady Chaste made her way slowly along the rivers edge. The lights of the tavern were but small glowing dots up on the hill above. Muted laughter made its way down to her ears and she smiled slightly at the joy the tavern held this evening. The night was balmy and still and she held a small, round wooden object in her hand, her thumb caressing the carved grooves as her mind wandered. She spotted what she had hoped she might find: the bear-like shape of a man hovering near a fire in the distance. She hesitated a moment then detected a familiar whistling tune wafting thru the air, warming her ears. She glanced down at the carving in her hand and blushed slightly. Then, with renewed determination, she set her slender jaw stubbornly and made her way to firelight.

A twig broke beneath her foot, obviously alerting him that someone was approaching as she saw his head lift and tilt to the side listening. She called out softly from the darkness.

Hail the camp

The whistling abuptly stopped at sound of the breaking twig. With surprising agility and speed for a man his size, Vlad sprang to life, axe already readied and alert in his hand, tilted back slightly so as to provide maximum throwing leverage at any that might assault him. His bare, deeply carven chest, still glistening from his late evening swim, heaved in a tense, hardened motion as his senses were fully focused in the direction of the sound. The soft, feminine voice caressed his ear and he relaxed, but only slightly. He spoke loudly and commandingly, his words followed by a hearty, yet somewhat grim chortle.

Be friend or foe that approach? Friends I welcome, foes me axe welcomes.

Chaste moved into the flickering light of the fire, tucking a stray white-blond curl behind her ear a little nervously as she saw his battle ready stance.

I am unarmed sirrah...

The firelight gave her delicate features a rosy glow and added fiery hightlights to her mass of white-blond hair that seemed to fight her attempts to tame it into a neat knot at the base of her neck.

I wouldst leave if mine presence is disrupting thee

Vlad's eyes beamed and danced with mirth at her sight, the fire light behind him giving off a cozy aura around his massive figure.

Ahhh! the Lady Chaste!!

Prithee, I would be delighted if ye be'n of a mind to join my cozy little fire. Only disruption be the silence... and that be a good thing to disrupt

Vlad laughed merrily, resoundingly, while the waves off the shore joined in his revelry.

Ye knows, that beautiful hair of yers would be much happier flowing freely

Vlad smiled broadly at her, his facing emanating a surprising amount of energy for this late of night. Then, with sudden swiftness, he flung his heavy axe lightly with one hand. The axe whisked, blade over handle, until it buried itself with force into a nearby tree away from them. He extended a large, inviting hand to her, his eyes briefly wandering over her slender figure, then gazed back into her gray blue eyes

Allow me the pleasure of showing you to a comfortable spot to sit?

Chaste smiled, then glanced away, her eyes following the arc of the axe until it reached its destination with a solid thunk. She brought a hand to her hair self-consciously at his words but left it tied. Her slender hand seemed swallowed by his as she placed it almost reluctantly into the warmth of his palm.

I didst not mean to startle you..

I saw the fire and thought thy form looked familiar and...

Chaste's voice trailed off as she found herself distracted by his close proximity, his bare arms and chests intimidatingly massive, yet, causing her pulse to flutter rapidly.

Vlad led her to what appeared to be a large, flat rock, smoothed by the ages and surprisingly comfortable to sit or lay on. He felt her pulse coming from her hand, and smiled to himself and admired in his mind the silky smoothness of her skin. He wondered, hoped, his own roughened hands do not irritate her as they walked to the large rock. Stopping within a few paces from the rock, he allowed her to continue on and seat herself at one end of the rock. He sat at the other end then laid down on his side, one arm propping his head up, his long dark brown hair falling about his shoulder with a few strands straying onto his brazen chest. He looked at her, eyes glinting from the fire, sparkling with cheer, but also a fire of their own seemed to shine thru this evening.

The river is a good place for a e'en walk. Ye must have a strong heart to feel safe amongst these wilds by yerself.

A look of hesitation filled Chaste's face. She looked up at him, her eyes drawn to his, her palm still tingling from his touch.

I...wanted to thank thee for the gift... the carving.

Chaste lifted her hand and opened her fingers, the smooth wood cradled in her palm. She licked her suddenly dry lips to wet them but found her mouth was dry as well. She cleared her throat delicately and continued.

I found the depiction upon it intriguing...

She tore her eyes away from his and studied the carving, starting to stammer a bit.

...and I had to wonder if thy intent was to... to... Well.. I guess what I am trying to ask is..

Chaste looked out over the water, her free hand tugging distractedly at the white cloth holding her hair as if trying to clear her thoughts.

Are thee a seer sirrah?

Vlad leaned up and forward on his arm, twisting slightly at the waist and came to no more than a foot of Chaste's firelit face. His other hand reached fluidly, without hesitation to behind her neck and and grasped the cloth holding her hair, all the while his electric blue eyes held her attention. Slowly, assuredly, he pulled the cloth from her hair, letting the full length of her white blonde hair fall freely, some onto her smooth shoulders, some down her back, and the rest gracefully caressing the front of her full chest. In a rough, yet warming lowtoned voice he spoke softly to her while continuing to hold her in his gaze.

Now, there, thy beauty is exquisite and free to express itself from the bondage of the cloth. And no, I be no seer, but live from the many experiences my life hast brought me. The meaning of the wood lies within the mind of the one searching for its meaning

What be its meaning that speaks to ye Chaste?

Chaste swallowed convulsively, his close proximity making her heart pound wildly in her chest. Running a shaky hand through her cascading mane of hair, she blushed, a blush that had nothing to do with the fire coloring her cheeks. Searching for the right words as she looked into his ruggedly handsome face, her voice came out, a bit breathless, as her eyes were held by his intense gaze.

Well...

It... it seems to speak to me of a .. a question... I have been trying to answer for quite some time now... regarding whether 'twould have been my dear mother's wish to keep myself...

Chaste's dropped her gaze, unable to look at him as her voice fell to a whisper, then looked back up after a moment, her gray blue eyes reflecting her turmoil.

...to keep myself chaste as my name implies. 'Twould seem the carving would indicate my happiness lies elsewhere but... I fear 'tis mine own selfish need to satisfy these passions within me that would want me to interpret it this way.

Vlad eyed her intently, his gaze never breaking from hers. He raised up slightly and placed the hand of his propped arm on the otherside of her slender legs, still maintaining the close distance between their bodies. His hand slightly brushed her far leg as the lower portion of his abdomen leaned with some weight onto her near leg, his chest rising and falling with increased rapidity.

Tell me Chaste...

Would thy mother be happy knowing thee be tormented as such as ye wanders down your current chosen path? Ultimately, we must lead our own lives, choosing that which we believe in our hearts, not by someone else's standards.

Chaste tried to respond but could only stare mutely at him. Her body trembled slightly, her skin taut, every nerve painfully aware of the warmth of his body where it touched her. Her breasts rose and fell rapidly with each shallow breath. Her eyes dropped to the firmness of his mouth as she finally managed to speak.

She wouldst want me to be happy.. but..

Chaste bit her trembling bottom lip, her body responding to his masculinity despite her attempts to remain cool. A soft groan murmured from her lips and she tore her eyes away from his mouth, her face dropping from his gaze.

...but she feared my life would follow hers shouldst I allow myself to give in to mine passionate nature...

Vlad's hand reached out, gently touching the side of her cheek, turning her straying head back to face him. His body coiled lividly, muscles tensed and relaxed in pulsing cycles of electric excitement. He drew her near to him, his brazen, bared chest pressing ever so slightly against her heaving breasts. His eyes closed, his mind stimulated by the rise and fall of her chest on his and their lips came together in the start of a warm, gentle kiss.

Chaste's mouth trembled beneath the warmth of his lips and her eyes fluttered closed, unable to resist, not wanting to resist. The brush of his chest against hers caused shooting darts of pleasure to course thru her body as an unexpected warmth pooled in her loins. With a soft moan she relaxed against the strength of his body, her mouth soft and pliable beneath his. Her blood pounded in her ears as her senses filled with the spicy sweet taste of him.

Vlad's gentle kiss grew more fiery as he felt her body respond with surprising willingness and passion. His hand moved from her silky cheek to the back of her neck as their tongues meet each other and fueled each other's desire. He pressed her closely as his other hand worked across the thin fabric of her dress covering her shapely thigh, feeling her skin respond with pulsing life as his hand passed over and finally rested on the side of the small of her waist. He presses her firmly, passionately, then slowly worked his hand up the front of her stomach, not stopping its journey, till they caressed her full breasts. His chest leaned heavily against her, inviting her to lean back into the smooth surface on the rock

Chaste's mouth clung to his, her hands clutching at his broad shoulders to keep herself from drowning in this storm tossed sea of passion she suddenly found herself in. Like a dam breaking, all her pent up desire was loosened on him and her body arched against him, her head tilting to the side to more firmly fit his mouth to hers. Her tongue, unskilled but eager, moved against his in a wildly erotic dance, her inhibitions, for the moment, completely tossed aside. Streaks of sensations brought on by his hands, his lips, his tongue swept through her, hot and icy, fierce and tender, sharp and sweet, all at the same time. Her entire body seemed to shiver, shuddering under a deluge of bright burning sparks as she kissed him, welcoming each bold stroke of his tongue, feeling the raw, primitive rhythm repeat itself in the staggeringly explicit ache throbbing to life in her loins. The press of his body moved her back until she felt the press of stone beneath her head. Weakened from the dizzying caresses of his fingers on her flesh she could only press her body closer, all coherent thought driven from her mind.

Vlad leaned over her supine body, his hand moved from her heaving breasts to slip under the fringe of her dress and caressed the inner sanctuary of her thighs. Chaste's body stiffened as she felt the warmth of his hand slide along her thigh and she should have jerked away in alarm or maidenly decency but she had not the strength or will to defy him. Waves of shame, hot and fierce, sweep through her only to be chastened by the hotter, wilder urges those gentle strokes promise.

Vlad's eyes looked up at her face for a brief moment and caught the struggle raging in the expression of her face. With all his reluctant will, he ceased to stimulate her already hot body, and raised up enough for his eyes to meet hers and spoke softly, a slight tremble in his voice.

Chaste, I can release the struggle with your desires, but it must be by thy own choosing, for I will not take that which you care not to offer.

Vlad's eyes glanced at the round, wooden object, sitting near them on the large.

Shall it be the first row... or the second?

When his movement stopped and he spoke to her, she at first did not comprehend what he asked so lost was she in the streaks of pleasure washing over her body. A whimper escaped her as her hips moved in a frantic little entreaty to draw him closer only to still their movement as awareness of his words finally penetrated the fog in her brain. She could feel the heat of his hand where it lay on her thigh, feel the pleasureable weight of his body pressing her to the ground.

It would be so easy to give into him, give into herself, and she wanted him, the musky scent of her own desire filling the air around them all the proof he needed. But what of after? The thought made her eyes fly open and looked into his piercing blue-eyed gaze.

I.. I cannot deny I want you, cannot deny the pleasure your touch brings me.

She closed her eyes briefly, painfully aware of the humming in her body, the fiery ache in her belly, then opened her eyes once more to look upon his handsome face, her hand moving to trail lightly along that firm mouth that had given her so much pleasure.

But you do not love me... and my... my shame would be great at having given myself not in love... but in lust

Vlad gazed at her for a long moment, then, a smile of warmth and understanding spread, reluctantly at first, then broad enough to fill his tanned face. He lifted her weak, trembling body to a sitting position and held her closely, tightly, not really as lovers, but soothingly as if to welcome calm back to her heated body. He lifted her chin up to his eyes and spoke softly to her, his eyes still flashing, still empassioned, but cool.

Then, ye hast chosen the second row. To give thyself in love, is to blossom into a freer being, for the love you receive will be the love you give.

Tis true that we shared a lust, but I feel no guilt, for I see that thee perhaps hast learned from this experience.

Chaste trembled within the shelter of his embrace, his chest like a soothing heated wall against her. Touched by his understanding, her body still aching with need, she felt a slight embarrassment at what had transpired between them. But the warmth of his smile quickly squelched the feeling as she saw the genuineness and truth of his words. Yes, she had learned much about herself this night. She knew now she wanted a man's touch and would give herself freely to the one that she loved and loved her. Silently she thanked this rugged man for stopping the onslaught and giving her time to return to her senses. Had they consummated this passion she would have found it difficult to face herself, or him, the next morning. She looked up at him then, smiling somewhat tremulously.

Thank thee Sirrah... for.. knowing me better than myself

His warmth drew her and she could not keep from snuggling against his burly form.

Mayhap thee wouldst hold me awhile till I feel calmed enough to return to the tavern? I feel a bit... out of myself at the moment.

Chaste laid her head on his chest and looked out upon the water, the steady drumming of his heart seeming to ease the tension in her body. Vlad ran his fingers thru her trussled hair, holding her close to his chest, soothing her with his fingers. He smiled to himself as he felt her trembling turn to a mere quiver, then nearly still. The waves lulled the two, her leaning against him, and the moon dropped low to the horizon. A chill wafted from the river and he wrapped his huge arms around her, covering as much as he could of her body. He wasn't sure if she was awake or slept, so still was her body, but he held her thru the rest of the night on the rock by the river.

I am here as long as thee needs me this night

The screech of a tern woke Vlad up with a start. With his feet still planted to the ground and his legs in a sitting position, his upper body lay overturned in an uncomfortable heap. He rose to to a full sitting position, his muscles aching from the awkward sleep. He drew himself up and headed for a morning breakfast in the Tavern.

Cold chills and long stares followed his every step as Vlad got himself a heaping plate of Maureen's cooking. The jingle of coins in Lucy's pocket seemed to be swallowed in the tense silence of the Tavern. Vlad ate quickly, his eyes still groggy from the little sleep he had had, his mind thinking of the day's labors ahead of him, oblivious to the stares and snickers that seemed to linger around the room.

To his delight, he spotted Lady Chaste enter, her white blonde hair still flowing freely about her waist, her face suggesting she had had little sleep as well. She sat at a nearby table, failing to see Vlad sitting a few tables away. He smiled to himself and was about to go sit across from her, perhaps engage in a little small talk to make sure she was ok with the events of last night. A stately paladin, AngusThorn, carrying a large tome and a locket, however, sat next to her.

The paladin spoke to her, though Vlad could not make out what he spoke of. Words were exchanged between the two, and then Chaste's expression grew first teary, then happy. They touched each other and stared for a long moment into each other's eyes. Vlad knew that look. It was the look of true love. Vlad's heart sang as he watched Chaste start to bloom before him. He picked up his pack and headed out the door, the cold stares and snickers bouncing of his back like toothpicks as he entered a new day with a fresh, jovial tune leaping from his lips, trailing after his newly energized strides.

-Vlad Talon

Other Vlad Talon Stories:

Reflections in the Wood - May 11, 1998
Lost Sheep - May 13, 1998
Revelations: Eagle or Trout? - May 14, 1998
Tomes of the Soul - May 20, 1998
Chestnuts and Ebony - May 21, 1998
Passion Waves - June 1, 1998
Bow and Daisy - July 9, 1998