stopping just ahead at the next clearing.”
Within minutes, they burst through the trees into a small mossy clearing. There was plenty of hard rock as well, but the moss was at least a small mercy. The crocottas slowed to a walk before drawing to a full halt. The waning evening light dappled everything in shadow. A small stream ran down a carved path in earth and stone, the wet banks providing fertile ground for several spring flowers.
“We could still get several more hours of travel before the dark becomes a nuisance. Why stop now?” Raskyuil asked as he dismounted. A scowl was plastered on his face as he glared at their surroundings.
The lucomo raised an eyebrow as he began to unstrap his armor. “This is a safe place to stop. While even that which is immortal desires rest on occasion, your bodies require it. Given that humans have poorer eyesight, it benefits us to stop now while she still can offer direction to Keena. I can take advantage of this time to scout ahead,” he added as he shucked off the rest of his armor.
His clothes were thrown into the discarded pile, leaving the hard, muscular length of his body bare to her vision. Diana’s tongue plastered itself to the roof of her mouth. Under all that alabaster skin, his muscles bulged as if here stood one of the ancient marble statues that depicted the perfection of gods. She remembered at least that much from high school.
What she didn’t recall seeing was anything like the cock nestled between his muscular thighs. It was nothing like the dick of any man.
It was long and thick, with a pattern of knobs of various sizes that went up its length until it tapered at the head. Even the corona was different. It was fleshier at the top than a human phallus, and it was hard to miss that at the very tip it drew up into a small raised nub. That nub drew her attention until she realized, with considerable embarrassment, that she was staring. Still… What was its purpose? The texture along the shaft was certainly clear enough. It swelled beneath her scrutiny, and she tore her eyes away, heat flooding her cheeks.
Raskyuil frowned as he glanced over at her and back again to Silvas. “What if the lord or mistress of this territory approaches? We will be considered intruders.”
“I intend to make my pass through their territory very obvious. If any dare to approach, they will have to contend with me upon my return. No doubt the spirit overseeing this part of the wood is already aware of our presence,” he concluded as he tilted his face to the sky, nostrils flaring as if scenting the air.
“Very well,” the troll mumbled as he unstrapped his ax from the harness on his back. “I will stay on guard until you return and then we will… rest.” His lip curled on the last word, as if he were tasting something foul.
Diana was certain that he blamed her for this new inconvenience. She didn’t particularly care at that moment since she was more interested in watching Silvas’s body darken and reform into that of an ivory griffin. The twin crests of plumage over his ears lifted before flattening once more. He flexed his massive wings twice before leaping into the air, his wings beating furiously as they took him up into the sky. Transfixed, she watched as the lucomo flew higher, shrinking off into the distance. When she finally dropped her gaze, she discovered that Raskyuil was still watching her sourly.
Well, at least he wasn’t suggesting murdering her anymore as an answer to a potential obstacle. Diana drew a heavy green cloak around her body as she unstrapped her bow from her harness and leaned it against a tree alongside her quiver. The belt that sheathed her shortsword followed next, along with the knives that were strapped around her thighs.
Once free of the weight from her weapons, Diana leaned against a large stone, half sitting on one sloped side, as she returned Raskyuil’s stare. She cleared her throat, but flinched as a tiny dragon-like creature with gossamer wings, no bigger than her palm, zipped by. She opened her mouth to give voice to her awe when she saw the troll still staring at her, possibly looking less impressed and even grumpier than before.
“I appreciate you no longer suggesting my untimely demise,” she offered in an attempt to break the ice.
“Are you mocking me?” he