Sprouting Desire

CANSTVER 4TH YEAR 537 ASMERIAN CALENDAR.

Jackson led Ruby deeper into the city, they used alleyways and avoided main roads and streets. They continued for hours wandering around the vast city looking for a place to stay the night. They came across the wealthy part of town as the houses got nicer and nicer. Jackson was able to remember where he was. There was a senator that his uncle knew well who lived on this street. He only remembered the last name of the senator and he saw the familiar house with a plaque that read, "Samuel – Rita Wester" on it. It was the place. He opened the gate and led Ruby to the front door.

He knocked and waited a few seconds before knocking again. "Who is it!" a man barked from the other side of the think wooden door.

"I'd rather not say sir, I wish to speak directly with Samuel Wester." Jackson said, keeping his hand rested on the pummel of his sword. His black cloak hid his face in its shadow and made it impossible for the man to identify him through the peep hole.

"Take off that damned hood boy and show yourself."

"First, confirm you are Senator Wester."

"I am, now the hood." The man said more angered this time.

"Open the door, I mean no harm."

"Then why is your hand on your sword?" Samuel asked.

"I'm in need of help sir and I have no one to trust." He said somberly.

"Very well, but if I lose my head, know you did it in cold blood."

Samuel opened the door, he stood there in his blue robes and slippers that could only be afforded by a man of his status. His long grey beard was just as Jackson remembered. He pulled his hood back, Samuel quickly pulled both him and Ruby inside. "Gods have mercy, what the- "

"Please, sir, I must be discreet." Jackson said as he took a step back from Samuel. "I'm glad you know who I am."

"I'd recognize a Scottkey anywhere boy. I've known you since you were a mere child. You've grown but even then, you have the same eyes as your father, and you're built like your uncle James." Samuel said as he looked him over. "Now, what are you doing here boy?"

"I'm looking for my uncle, he's been enslaved by Wentworth, and I have to free him." He said as he pulled out several gold coins. 'I'm willing to give you all of my gold for your help sir."

"No, that won't be necessary. You have my full support, now, tell me. Why is it you're here in Lexington? You escaped captivity in Greendale so why travel so far south?"

"My uncle James is now a slave for Wentworth and I'm going to free him and escape to Gregoria." Jackson said as he looked around the house. It was partly decorated, honestly, he expected it to be far grander in décor than it was. "Is it just you living here?" He asked.

"Shush, she can't hear you." Samuel said as he covered Jackson's mouth with is hand. "There's eyes for the king everywhere in this damned city, my wife is one of them."

"Then why marry her?" Jackson replied in a whisper.

"The king forced my hand in marriage and now one of his concubines lives with me, she's asleep right now but if she wakes and sees you, we'll all be hanged." He said as he leaded back to look down the hallway to his bedroom.

"Want me to take care of her?" Jackson said as he patted his pummel.

"Do you mean?"

"What else, if she serves the King then she deserves to die."

"Well, I'd have done it myself but there's consequences for kill- "

"What was that dear husband?" The woman said with a smile as she emerged from the bedroom in her robes.

"You fucked up woman." Jackson laughed, drawing his sword and leaping at her to strike. She evaded into the bedroom and tried to hide but he kicked the door down and pushed her onto the bed where he ran her through with his sword. Blood spewed all over the sheets and she let out a whimper, unable to scream due to the sword cutting through both of her lungs. Jackson stepped back and admired the gore. She twitched for a few moments and then fell limp. "Well, that certainly was interesting."

"Oh god, what have you done boy?" Samuel shuttered as he saw the bloody mess that inhabited his bed.

"I took care of a problem; I don't have any more time to waste sir." Jackson sheathed his sword and wiped the blood off his face with his black cloak.

"How could you just kill someone?" He replied as he walked to the edge of the bed and stood over Rita's corpse. "You didn't even offer her mercy."

"Well, you could always fill me in on your own time." Jackson said as he stepped out of the room. "Besides, you would've done the same, wouldn't you?"

"Yes, but violence should always be considered last."

"Tell that to the king." Said Ruby. "If our enemy wouldn't spare violence on us, why return the favor."

"You're both so young, what made you this way so early into your years." Samuel asked.

"That can wait, are you going to help us or not?" Jackson asked stepping in front of Ruby. Samuel was hesitant, albeit for good reason. Even if his loyalty was unquestionable, it'd still be expected to have some sort of hesitation after witnessing a murder in your own home. Jackson just walked to the living room and took a seat next to the fireplace. The fire was now a pile of embers and gave no warmth or comfort. Ruby happily sat next to him and leaned against him for support. "I hope you don't mind if we rest here for the night."

"Just leave in the morning." Samuel said disgruntled.

"So, I take it I won't have your assistance?" Jackson replied.

"I'll see what I can do, but you have to leave my home."

Jackson sighed as he leaned back and fell asleep with Ruby at his side. He could hear Samuel cursing the mess he made in the bedroom. It was hours before Samuel fell asleep, he spent the night moving Rita's body to a closet.

Morning came faster than Jackson or Ruby would've liked. Ruby was the first to wake. She looked him over with kind eyes and rose slowly from the couch. She gasped when he grabbed her an pulled her back. She was trapped in his embrace and unable to move, not that she wanted to. She could hear his heart pounding and his breath on her sensitive ears made her excited. She longed for his embrace more than she expected. She felt warmth that could only sooth her soul. Her hair stood as she rested her head on his chest. "Good mornin, Ruby." He said, his voice was deep and crackled.

"Did I wake you?" She replied just as softly. She felt his hand run up her side and stop just under her armpit, she swooned at the motion and rested her head on his shoulder. "Oh Jack." She let out, her tail beating from side to side.

"No, you didn't wake me." He answered, he was also enthralled by her being on top of him. He ran his left hand down her back until he touched her tail. "I'm sorry Ruby, but you know I can't do this." He said with a broken voice.

"Please Jack, let me be with you." She replied as she pulled back and stared him in the eyes. She realized he was exhausted and barely awake. "Please don't leave me in Vern, or anywhere else."

"We've talked about this Ruby, I'm taking you to Vern, so you can escape- "

"I'm afraid that'll be quite impossible boy." Samuel said as he entered the living room and having listened to their little conversation. "Sir Wentworth sacked Vern's stronghold and enslaved most of their populous. Vern will soon be annexed at this rate and Asmeria will expand East to The Bowing Woods."

"When did this happen?" Asked Ruby.

"Bretver, it was the shortest campaign in Asmerian history. He defeated the entire Varin army in just a matter of days." Samuel said as he opened the window to let sunlight in. "I don't know any of the circumstances that led you two to this point but, there's no safer place than Gregoria as of late."

"We tried escaping once before, when the king had just taken the throne. My parents were killed, and my sister was taken from me to Gregoria. Ruby and I, well, we were abandoned and left to rot in a prison cell and forced into slavery." Jackson said as he started to squeeze Ruby tighter. "If not for her, I would've died long ago in that damned cell. I have to keep her safe, but she'll never be safe with me."

Samuel looked grim, he knew that Jackson and Ruby had been through many hardships together on their way to Lexington, which was a given. He hadn't expected Jackson's parents were murdered. He cleared his throat and sat on the armchair closest to the fireplace. It was angled so he was facing Jackson and Ruby who were still locked in their embrace. Their black clothes made it hard to tell where one started and the other ended. Ruby's long sleeved tan shirt was the only thing that separated them.

"I won't involve myself anymore than that, but you need to leave. I'll do my best to dispose of the body. You best make your way to the jailhouse down the road, Sir Wentworth's manor is right next to the jail, and I believe you'll find your uncle there." Samuel said as he motioned to the door. "And do be careful boy, you'll be surprised who might recognize you in this city."

Jackson and Ruby left and in doing so left Samuel alone with Rita's body. He didn't know the first thing about disposing of a body. He dragged her down the hall and wrapped her in a rug that he had stored away in the attic. He sighed as he mopped up most of the blood. It was laborious and stressful to say the least, his robes were now soaked in sweat and blood. They headed north to the jailhouse where gallows were being repaired after numerous uses. There was no telling how many men had met their fate at those ropes soaked in blood and flakes of skin. Jackson noted the executioner overseeing the repairs and his barks at the construction workers. All of whom were Varin men of fighting age.

They walked around the plaza, the gallows occupied most of the space in the plaza but there were still cafés and taverns open and plenty of people didn't mind the hideous structure as long as they could get a drink of ale or whiskey. The atmosphere was relaxed despite the looming gallows. Children played carelessly in the streets and parents sat back and watched with a hot cup of Bransi to nurse as they talked about the day's events. Jackson's stomach growled with hunger and the smell of freshly baked bread filled his mind. "Ruby, it's been a while since we've had anything freshly made to eat." He said as he eyed the nearest bakery. "How about we sit down for a moment and grab a bite to eat over there?"

"Do you have any money?"

"There's still plenty of coin left even after we split with Anton the others." Jackson said as he reached into his backpack. "I count ten Gold Asmeria's, and twenty-four Asmerian Silver's." He said as he handed the coin sack to her.

They took a table furthest away from the center of the plaza near an alley. Jackson and Ruby both order sandwiches and ale to ease them down their gullet. Ruby was satisfied with just one sandwich, but Jackson couldn't be sated. The waiter was impressed, after all, these sandwiches were some of the largest in Asmeria. He ate four in total, and the bill came out to four silver coins for everything.

Ruby paid the bill and handed the coin purse back to Jackson. Jackson noticed everyone staring at the two of them. There black cloaks drew attention, and their hoods also didn't help in lowering the curiosity of the passerby's. "Let's get out of here Jack." Ruby said as she stood up and slip the chair back under the table.

"Yeah, I think we overstayed our welcome." He said as out of the corner of his eye he noticed two soldiers walking their way. They headed into the alley and started taking different turns, but the soldiers kept following. "Ruby, keep going, I'll find you later." He said as they rounded a corner in an intersection of alleys. She ran for the street at the end of the alley as he drew his sword.

The two soldiers pursuing them rounded the corner and as soon as they did Jackson swung his sword at neck level taking the first man's head clean off and stopping halfway through the second man's neck. Jackson gazed into his eyes as he lowered him down with his sword. Then, as his eyes rolled back into his head, he pulled his sword free. He picked their pockets for any loose coin then made his way out to the streets. He slipped away into the crowds of people going about their day.

He wondered around for hours looking for Ruby. The sun had started to set, and the night breeze blew through the streets. He pulled back his hood and let the breeze flow through his long blond hair. There was a commotion down the street, men shouting and the sounds of familiar voice crying out for aid. The streets turned from stone pavement to mud as he approached the scene of the commotion. Two men, illuminated by the streetlamp, were holding Ruby down to the ground and she was pleading for help from bystanders, but no one was out. Her hood was pulled back to expose her ears and her pants were pulled down to expose her tail.

The men were large in stature, much bigger than Jackson, but they were only armed with knives and a club. One man, dressed in a cloth tunic and shorts started to prop up Ruby's bottom to expose her even more. "Take a good look at this!" He exclaimed to the other man pinning down her shoulders to the muddy road. He grabbed her butt.

"Oh, man, I think we struck gold." The brute pinning her down exclaimed as he slapped her ass. "Damn that's one fine piece of ass."

Jackson approached, he walked slow enough to not get their attention. He knew that it wouldn't take but a second for them to break her neck then focus on him. He didn't see a small puddle in the road, there was barely any light from the moons to see anything. "What's that?" The brute holding Ruby down asked as he let go of her only to pin her down by his knee. The man who was admiring her pussy looked up and saw Jackson standing there, his hand on the handle of his sword and his eyes set on him.

"Look at this creep Danny." The man said as he pulled his shorts back up. Jackson laughed to himself; he was the creep? Even though these men were about to rape Ruby and he was the creep? He stood his ground and stared at the two of them.

"Please help me!" Ruby cried out unable to see Jackson. "Please, I need help!"

"Shut up you stupid bitch Varin!" The man holding her down said as he slapped her on the ass. "Look here creep, we claimed this fine piece of ass and we're not giving it up. So, you can fuck off and find your own girl to keep you company." He said as he formed his fingers together in a way to assault Ruby."

"You so much as lay a finger on her, you'll be dead before you know it." Jackson threatened gripping his sword tightly.

"Dave, I don't think the bitch can run anymore so help me out with this creep." Danny barked as he pulled his knife. It was a simple steak knife most likely stolen from any of the taverns around the city. Dave stood to his feet and made sure to plant his boot on Ruby's neck.

Jackson wasted no time closing the gap between him. Mud splashed up with every stride he made. Danny now braced for Jackson to run into him. Jackson planted his left foot down into the mud as hard as he could just a few feet in front Danny. This gave him a good base to use to rotate to the right as he drew his sword lopping Danny's arm cleanly from his body at the elbow. As he came around, he switched his grip on his sword to a reverse grip. With his back turned he thrust the sword behind him cutting through Danny's chest and heart. Turning his back to Dave left him an opening to strike but Jackson planted his right foot and pivoted away, both creating needed distance and dislodging his sword from Danny's chest.

"You blond bitch, die!" Screamed Dave as he stumbled over Danny, those were his last words as Jackson swung down cutting his skull in half. As the sword passed down between his eye's, through to his throat, he fell limp and slumped over the others corpse. Blood spewed out and covered the ground in a shinny coat of crimson liquid.

Jackson could only think about Ruby, she was still on the ground, sobbing. He rushed to her side, sliding on to his knees as the sheathed his sword. "Ruby!" He blurted. She looked up, her eyes watered, and she tried to speak but she couldn't produce any words. She lost her voice from her incessant pleas for help. "It's okay, I'm here now." He said trying to comfort her. She pulled her way up into his arms and started sobbing into his chest.

He slid his hands down her side and pulled his trousers up to her waist. She flinched slightly as his cold hands met her bare skin. He, without thinking or meaning to, kissed her softly on the forehead. She pulled herself ever tighter into his embrace. The coldness of the night melted away as they came together. He gently picked her up and carried her away into the dark avenue. He walked with her in his arms until she mustered up the strength to walk on her own. Even then she leaned on his for support and he gladly obliged her.

They stopped in an abandoned house in the outskirts. Jackson took every precaution to ensure they were alone. "Stay here." He said as he headed up to the second floor to clear it out of any unwanted people who may have been lurking in the darkness. He entered the master bedroom and the bed was still there. The moonlight shined perfectly through the window and lit the room. The bed was unmade but clean and the room wasn't as breezy as the floor below. The windows were still intact and the walls were thick enough to keep the cold out. He walked back down stairs to Ruby who was curled up at the bottom of the stairs. "Come on up." He said softly. She crept up the stairs slowly and grabbed hold of his hand once she reached the top of the stairs.

Jackson escorted her into the master bedroom and helped her undress for bed putting all of her belongings into a neat orderly stack next to the bed. She laid there on the bed in nothing bet her panties and a cloth wrapping around her breasts. "When'd you wrap your breasts?" He asked as he shed his own clothes.

"They get sore." She replied, her voice broken and raspy.

"Well, I could always try to buy you a garment to hold them for you." He was now very shy and avoiding eye contact as he dropped his wet and muddy pants. The atmosphere was filled with their lust for one another. She got up and hugged him. "Thank you, I'd like that, Jack." She whispered; her voice still sore. "But right now, all I want is to be with you."

"You have no idea." He turned to face her and wrapped his arms around her.

"So, do you still plan on leaving me in Vern?" She asked.

"No."

"Then what?"

"You know, for being a senator, Samuel is an incredibly intelligent man. I don't plan on leaving your protection to anyone else, ever again." He said. "I'm sorry I even thought to leave you. You're too important to me to lose."

"Then, I want you to be my first mate. I don't want it to be anyone but you." She leaned into him, her breasts pushed up against his chest and her head tucked under his chin. He tilted her head back and stared into her eyes. They reflected the moonlight and shimmered a brilliant red. He leaned in and kissed her. She pulled him in as he leaned over her. They fell back on to the bed where Jackson put his arm under her and lifted her up on to the center of the mattress, kissing her the entire time. Jackson with the same arm the lifted her up, reached behind her and untied the wraps hold her breasts. "Oh Jack." She swooned as he started kissing her neck.

"Well, you started this." He said as he groped her breast. "And I don't plan on letting you go anymore."

"You, oh." She paused as he kissed her. "You better not Jack." She reached down to his pants and pulled them down. "So, that's what it looks like."

"What were you expecting?" He replied as he looked down at his cock.

"Something smaller, will it hurt?"

"To be honest, I don't know. You're my first as well." He said spreading her legs and rubbing her pussy. "But you're so wet I'll bet it just slides in."

"Then do it." She said as she wrapped her arms around him. They made love compassionately until dawn, Jackson was spent and Ruby, though she refused to admit it. She was sore from the constant use. Her hair was ruffled, especially the fur of her tail. She was out cold on top of her lover, her clothes strung about the room. The breeze from the broken window sent a chill from the base of her tail to the nape of her neck. Jackson woke from her sudden shiver and pulled the cloaks, now acting as blankets over her.

"Do you think you'll have children? I've never known a Varin to bare human children." He whispered into her ear.

"If I do, then we still won't know for a few weeks. At least, that's what Miller told me when he taught me of sex." She said as she blushed from embarrassment. She was still a young lady, uncomfortable with speaking of inappropriate topics such as sexual intercourse.

"Well, you're, amazing at it so there's that going for us at least."

"Please, you're only saying that because- "

"Because I meant it." He interrupted. They laid there a moment longer before he decided it was time to move on with the day. It was an odd feeling for him. He felt as if he were a young boy again as the chest tightened and his breath stiffened when he was around her, but he always was like that around her. Maybe it was the weight had been lifted and he was free to express himself finally. There were plenty of thoughts rushing through his mind, but he had to shake them free and focus. There was a reason he even came to this city to begin with and there was no more time for distractions from his plans.