Blake chose to deposit his things in his room before going to the dining area, his walk stopping as he overheard a conversation, one that had one person heated more than the second, so he hung back around the corner.

“What when?” came the voice of Hilda, her tone sounded shocked and upset for some reason.

“This morning right after breakfast, he cumed four times in me.” Jackie said back, her tone less than amused at Hilda. “He used magic to keep going for longer than I thought we needed, I was losing consciousness close to the end.”

“Wait what, four times…” Blake heard one of them shuffle a bit. “Why would he do that so many times?” Hilda asked a bit of confusion in her voice.

“He was clearly trying to get me pregnant, and I think that is kind of him, plus our village would all help out if he did.” Jackie said with what sounded like happiness, “Besides, he will be leaving tomorrow, I figured that if I wanted to have a child, I would want their father to be a strong and dependable person like Blake.”

He heard Hilda shuffle again before she spoke, “Yeah I get that, that's why we all agreed that night after the troll attack, but think this over, we don’t actually know who he is or where he comes from,” Hilda sounded concerned, the light creak of the bench sounded as she likely sat down. “ I mean, he was a day out from the capitol, hates slavery, and has the power to overwhelm not only our captors and bandits but also a troll, what if the rumors are true that he is a demon?”

“Exaggerations for fun, he is human.” Jackie said with a dismissive tone. “Besides if he was then he wouldn’t have fought the troll or helped us, he would have more likely enslaved us, and would have dragged us south to the demon lands.”

Blake heard a hard slam on the table, “I saw the battlefield where he fought the goblins, he killed over four hundred in one night, why do you trust him?” Hilda asked loudly.

“Because, I know he had a wife, and he had been through a lot, he has many layers to the complex man that he is, “ Jackie started to say, her tone reassuring and voice soft and calm, “he understands grief and went out of his way not only to check the goblin issue but also rescued the other women and us, risked his life for no promised reward, and atop of all that, he quietly took on your own grief, I didn’t hear it but I saw you two.” He could hear her walk about the area beyond the wall he was against, “Don’t kid yourself, you know he is human and is a caring man, better than most of the pigs in this world, half would only look our way if our class is a strong combat-focused one, while the other half look only at our bodies as playthings. But he doesn’t, he cared and still cares about us.”

The bench creaked a bit before Hilda responded, “But he is a stranger, I thought the same as you a morning ago, but now I am not sure, he is powerful sure and I don’t understand what this Paladin thing is, but that doesn’t mean he is a good man, it could be that he is just good at hiding it, what if he is evil and we become some unknowing surrogates to the rebirth of the dark lord or something, I mean he can see through lies, but we don’t know if he isn’t lying to us.”

Blake heard Jackie laugh a bit, “No, you are right he is lying, he keeps a part of him hidden at all times but when we were fucking that vail slipped, and I saw no evil, no dark scheme, or vile demon.” she said as her steps sounded there way closer to him a bit, but he heard her rummaging through a cupboard, “I saw a broken man, he had suffered a lot if I had to guess based off what we know. He was once a normal person, with some shit class that didn’t help in fights, or maybe a classless, but he managed to get married, and he lived happily in some sleepy village like ours, then after his wife died he never got to deal with his grief, and in the despair he felt, he lost everything he had, got sold into slavery but managed to work his way out after finding the gods and was blessed late in life. Using the powers he got he was released and now just hates slavers because of his past.” Jackie ran through her logic, the story explained a lot. “ and if my guess is right it means his first wife chose him because he was kind and helpful even before he got his power. He understands the plait of the powerless and he does not abuse it for himself.”

“But everything we know could be wrong.” Hilda rebuked, her voice still sounding concerned.

“And what would you take instead, one of the lads that are still in the village, maybe the leatherwork’s son, the crafter, he already has his eyes on Granite because she is a crafter too.” Jackie said harshly, “Or maybe you want your husband back, it's wrong to speak ill of the dead but he only married you because he thought that your children would get his class.”

“Shut it” Hilda shouted.

“Are you mad because I am right or because you know you are smitten with Blake?” Jackie said back, “You know that is the only reason he married you, his class was a hunter and you’re still a shield maiden, if the rumors are true you will always bare your partner's class unless you are with a knight or warlord.”

“You don’t know that, he was kind to me, never pushed me to do anything.” Hilda shouted, her tone hurt and voice cracking.

“I do, he had spent a few evenings here drinking with mine and Phanna’s husband, along with the blacksmith.” Jackie said back, not backing down, “Have you ever spoken to Blake about your class, none of us have, it's like he doesn’t understand this world at all, or more likely he is one of those rear people that just don’t care.” Blake could hear Jackie walk a bit and he heard fabric shifting over each other, “I am sorry Hilda, but that is the truth, I didn’t want to tell you because you were happy at the time but you need to know and move on”

Blake could hear Hilda let out soft wails for sadness, his own heart ached at the truth he had not known and felt a renewed need to change how this world worked.

“But why him, why is he the one that has to be here, why is he the one that treats us like this?” Hilda asked between her pants as she cried.

“Because he had been fated to come to us at our lowest, he armed us even after he knew that we may choose to kill him, he gave us food and water, used his powers to protect us, we had seen his battle with those scumbags that had enslaved us,” Jackie said with a gentle tone and soothing call in her voice. “the powerlessness we had all suffered through on our first night of in enslavement, that was what we thought he would try to do, But he didn’t he watched over us, protected us even at the risk to himself, surrendered to sleep even after he knew we may attack him while he slept, a fool would have rejected our offer, but he took it with a smile and a single condition.”

“But how did he know the bandits were there, and how could he fight humans like that, a merciless frenzy to kill them as fast as he could, or his fight with the troll, I watched him get knocked four times, he was hit hard enough to crush a man four times, yet he stood up after everyone,” Hilda said the sound of her voice showed fear at his unknown abilities. “How does a goddesses of maidens and lovers along with a god of commerce make someone that powerful?”

Jackie sounded like she pulled away as the sound of bubbling came from the fireplace, “I don’t know but I think that's because he knows them better, we only know about them when the churches send a missionary to conduct a crowning ceremony.”

“I don’t understand that, how is he so favored by the gods, how is he so kind and gentle with us yet so powerful and barbaric with his enemies.” Hilda asked as the bench creaked again. “Why is he still not scooped up in some nobleman’s villa, playing guard to a woman that will try and seduce him.”

“Because he doesn’t care, I feel like if he wanted to he could take on this nation on his own and win, aside from the heroes I don’t think there is someone that can fight him on equal footing, but I am not sure, never seen a real knight in battle.” Jackie said calmly, “I don’t think there is anyone that can make him do anything he doesn’t want to, I mean he can remove his own slave mark for the sake of gods’.”

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“There is the other thing, he is clearly a physical fighter, but he has holy magic, I know the only class that can do that is the hero, but she is in the capitol.” Hilda said right after.

“Hmm…, holy magic, he used that too.” Jackie remarked back quickly.

“What?” Hilda asked her voice taken back at the comment.

“Yeah, used that spell, the one Lisa’s daughter could use, Hallowed binding, but it was soft ropes instead of chains like when he fights.” Jackie added, shuffling a bit from what Blake could hear, “Yeah used it the fourth time, held me up off the ground, I was helpless in the way he had me, but he pleasured me first before he did anything. Have to say he has some nobleman’s taste for fucking.” she said as she took likely a sip of the food she was cooking. “Yeah, can’t say that I didn’t have fun, being helpless yet being gently taken care of was really something, and the way he does it, pleasuring me, it was like he had been fucking his wife every day. Makes me wish he would stay here with us, but I know he wouldn’t. Still made me jealous of Phanna just now, wish he and I could go again.”

“For fuck sake, at least it was in the bedroom, unlike you and Marice, you two were animals.” Hilda said a second after.

“Oh, no, Blake and I are animals, in fact, you are sitting in the spot he had me bent over at, he was really going at it, made my legs give in. but that was after he was pounding me on the table,” she said with clear playfulness in her tone, but Blake could hear Hilda get up with her own disgust at the locations. “Don’t worry, I cleaned the whole room after I got up, he really did a number on me, but I can tell you this, one of my skills did activate last night and I know he will return, and I saw six children greeting him. I am not one to anger fate, but even if you don’t want to admit it you still want him and I know he wants you too.”

Hilda let out a sigh and shuffled a bit before sitting back down from what Blake could hear, “Yeah, I know, it’s hard though, after what he did in the goblin village, and to the bandits, and the troll, not to mention those scumbag adventurers, I am a bit scared of him.” Hilda said slowly.

Jackie let out a laugh, “Yeah, I get that, but if you give him a chance I think you will be surprised, he was careful and tender with me, not hurting me once in a way I wasn’t ok with, but the important part for me and likely you, is that he sees us, and not our classes, I used my power to see his thoughts and did something that I never did before, and he thanked me for doing it. He will not do anything you aren’t ready for” Jackie said, sounds of her movement told she was moving the pot off the fire and onto the table. “Right, Blake?”

Blake seized up as she called his name, but sighed as he stepped out from behind the wall. Watching the two of them, Hilda’s face showed an extreme amount of red in embarrassment, while Jackie was smiling warmly. “So how long did you know I was there?” he asked Jackie.

“Long enough to know you figured out my class, and a bit beforehand” Jackie said back.

“What, when, how long?” Hilda asked in a cracking voice.

“From the second Jackie told you about how many times she and I did it this morning.” Blake said back. “So six kids, are your predictions always right, miss spirit seeker?”

“Not always, but they are only ever wrong on times, I saw winter snow and a group of six children about five or six years old,” Jackie said back playfully, “but I couldn’t tell who was standing by the gate next to me, but there was only five including myself.”

“Yeah, I am not going to try and figure that out.” He said as he walked over to the table and sat down opposite Hilda, locking his eyes on her as he did, “Hilda, I am not a fool, nor am I unaware of your feelings on the matter, but if you want something other then me staying here than you need only ask. If you don’t then I will leave tomorrow and will apparently come back in five or six years in winter.” He leaned on the table, turning his head a bit towards the sound of a closing door.

“Who are you really, just tell me that.” Hilda asked back.

Blake thought it over, and run down the reasons not to tell her and to tell her. But his eyes locked on Jackie as she seemed to focus on him. [if you can hear this, please don’t pry, it is better if you didn’t] he actively thought and saw her gaze shift away.

“I can’t tell you that for the safety of the village. when it is safe for me to do so, I will return and tell you everything about me.” He said after a second longer, turning to watch as Phanna came out with a new work dress on and sat down, kissing him on the cheek before she took a bowl of food and some bread. “Besides, I don’t think it should matter all that much as I will not be here for much longer.”

“What is going on?” Phanna asked as she took in what he had said.

“Hilda and I were discussing mine and Blake’s morning, and whether or not Hilda should have at him too” Jackie said quickly, making Hilda cough a bit as some food went down wrong.

“Jackie, why did you have to say it.” Hilda said after a second.

“Well that is a simple matter,” Phanna said and leaned over to Blake elbowing him to focus his attention. “Do you like Hilda, like would you want to fuck her, like right here and now, dash the food aside and pound her like you did with me, heard the table can be fun if you are skilled” she teased, but it made the other three go a bit red, “why are you two blushing?” She asked as she noticed the two women averted their gaze from him.

“I am very aware of the level of skill needed and the enjoyment of it, but we are eating right now, so how about we get back to the point.” Blake coughed to focus his mind and his eyes locked on Hilda, “Jackie was right about something, I don’t care for classes, I think judging someone solely on their class is morally wrong and foolhardy, so no I don’t care about your class as a shield maiden, and I wouldn’t care what class your children have, to me you are your own person, and you, Hilda” his voice was soft and sincere, he reached for her hand gripping it tight, “You are a wonderful and caring woman that loves her friends deeply, your generous heart only exemplifies your beauty, so much that your body must have been crafted by the goddess Geie herself to test the hearts of all men, and my heart has indeed fallen for that trap hoping that you would free me only at your wish.”

His words hung in the air, as Hilda pulled away and withdrew inwards sheepishly covering her face, while Jackie laughed a bit to herself as she watched the embarrassment of Hilda, and Phanna stopped elbowing Blake now just staring in disbelief at his thoughts of Hilda, but Blake’s eyes didn’t come off of Hilda, his gaze at her making her withdraw more after every time she tried to peek.

He eventually gave in and went back to his food, “If that doesn’t make my feelings about you clear then I ask you to get better and learn to protect your friends, but know that I will never be your enemy.” He said as he eats a spoon full of the soup.

The air was thick with tension as they ate for a few minutes until the meal was almost done.

“I need a bit of time Blake, you did steal my heart the other day, and again just now, and while I do want you to stay here and live with us, I know that you wouldn’t,” Hilda said after finishing her bowl. “ I don’t know what you are running away from or why you can’t tell us who you really are, and I’ll have to be ready for the day that happens, but you are terrifying to me, I had seen men fight when I was younger, they do drills, they have to focus to use skills, and they fight in a less chaotic manner, but you, you rush in cutting men down with ease like the blood and violence is not a thing that you concern your self with, and that scares me, I am terrified of my child being the same. How do I reconcile that with my desire to hold you.”

Blake considered her words and then sighed as the answer he had for why he could fight like that wouldn’t make any sense to them. “Because I understand the danger I pose, and if my child is the same you need to teach them self-control, they need to understand that as humans they are capable of horrifying and terrible things, and they need to learn that extreme violence is the absolute form of power that can’t be challenged, but that using it for any reason other then the protection of loved ones is a sin of the highest order. That is how I came to be who I am today.” he locked his eyes on her, “You said earlier that you didn’t understand how I was able to kill all those goblins, simple, I overheard some of them talking about them attacking this village again, and one said he wanted to make you his plaything. So I destroyed them so that they would never look at human women like that again, not for humanity’s sake, but yours.”

She and the others shuddered at the tale, remembering the goblin’s last attack the night the three had lost their husbands.

“I am a monster in human form, whose heart still beats a human tune, but knows exactly how much danger I can be, I don’t want to see any of you hurt, so Hilda if you want time then you can have it, I would never ask you to do something you didn’t want to do.” He said after a second when her eyes met his, his soft reassuring smile for her gifting some comfort and gaze warm and caring.

“Thanks, Blake I think I understand, I need to think and get back to work.” she said as she stood up and walked over to the wall picking up a felling axe before heading out the door.

Phanna let out a whistle and looked back to him after she left, “So, why did you blush earlier?” she asked and got her answer as Jackie whispered in her ear, “What the shit, you two are animals, gross, I need to go.” she said before standing up and headed to her room. Leaving just Jackie and Blake.

“You know don’t you, who I really am?” Blake asked as she sat next to him and played a bit with his hair before braiding it a bit behind his ear.

“Know what?” Jackie asked back, not willing to give information.

“You know… what I am, who I am.” he said softly.

“Maybe, but I don’t care, that was like a week ago, and they don’t know where you went to.” Jackie said, “How did you figure it out?”

“When you were talking with Hilda before you gave me away, you were lying, that story you told about me, was too close to the real thing.” Blake said back, “How did you learn that, while I was sleeping?”

“Yeah, spirit night walk is the skill I used, it helps the recovery rate of my target but in exchange, I get to see your memories.” she said back, “imagine my surprise at all I found, you are a complex man, Blake Winters, but that complexity is what made you who you are.”

“And your prediction?” He asked after a second.

“it only works on me, I can see my future, and I can only see my interactions with someone,” she said as she started on a new line. “I wanted to see if you would return, and I did, I saw three times you coming back, the thing I found most interesting is that you didn’t age a day, and i can tell that the last one will be about twenty years from today.”

“An accursed blessing from Geie, I wasn’t sure how to tell you.” He said back after a second. “do the people after me come after you?”

“No, they never come here,” She said with a smile. “But I wouldn’t tempt fate just yet, best to keep this between us only.”

Blake smiled and turned a bit and pulled her into a hug, before pulling away. “Thank you, Jackie, this does make it easier on me, I don’t think I could move forward if I didn’t know you guys would be safe. I have things to do, I'll be back later.” he said before getting up and walking out.