Naked Warrior

PART THIRTEEN


Novick was furious with Mars for putting Daria to sleep before he left. He was positive that he would have been able to get hard after the god was gone. He could have fucked his slave all night long. But now, even if he obtained an erection, it would do him no good with Daria. He wanted her wide awake when he rammed his awesome cock into her for the first time. Now he was just frustrated. Horny and frustrated.

He went out into the living room and tried to calm himself down with a few glasses of fine brandy before going back to the bedroom and retiring for the evening.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As soon as the sun came over the horizon, Mars appeared in Novick's bedchambers. Both he and Daria were still asleep. He looked at his small, great one and smiled warmly. Then Ares used his powers to transport Novick and himself to the living room, dressing him at the same time.
Needless to say, Novick was in a bit of disarray when he opened his eyes a moment later.

"What. . . what's going on here?" he asked to no one in particular. Then he heard Mars' voice and knew exactly what happened.

"It's time for you to rejoin the search party. You really should have left yesterday. Since that didn't happen, I will take you to where the men are camped this morning, so that you don't waste anymore time. Regardless of your personal actions, Novick, you are still the best man for this job and I want you there to overlook the search."

"Yes, Lord. Thank you for still having confidence in me. I'm ready."

Even though Novick was still upset with the god for cutting his action short last night, he was glad that not all his ties had been severed. If he found this woman he wanted, perhaps he could still gain his favor. As much as he desired Daria, slaves were a dinar a dozen, but Gods were few and far between. He did not hesitate at the opportunity to mend his error.

"Excellent!" Mars said and waived his hand. They vanished and reappeared at the camp where the
men were waiting. They were on the outskirts of a town about a day’s walk from Novick's manor.
Before Mars disappeared again, he told Novick that he wanted another report in a few days. This time, however, Mars would come to him. He didn't want him wasting any time traveling back across land that had already been searched.

Novick nodded and agreed that that was a good idea and Mars disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ares arrived back in the bedchambers at Novick's manor, dressed as normal in his black leathers. Daria had awakened about ten minutes earlier and removed the gown she still wore and went to wash up.

Still groggy, she splashed the cold water from the washbasin onto her face in an attempt to help her wake up. She felt like she had been sleeping for days. She couldn't remember anything about the previous night's activities after she had gone outside and was trying to figure out how she got to bed.
Ares was seated on the bed. Daria had not seen him arrive. When she finished drying off her face, she caught view of him in the mirror and gasped in surprise. She quickly reached for a robe to cover herself.

As soon as she saw him, she remembered how she suddenly found herself in the bedroom with Mars and Novick and she remembered what they were planning to do with her.

She turned around and looked at Ares with fear in her face.

"What are you doing here? What do you want from me?" Her voice was cracking and she sounded like she was about to cry again.

"Daria, it's me! Ares!"

Now she looked frightened and confused. "What do you want from me?" she asked again.

Ares stood and started walking towards Daria. "I've come to take you home."

Daria moved away from him as he approached. She still did not know who he was.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she warned and then made a dash for the door.

Ares didn't move quick enough to block her exit. He was momentarily baffled by the way she was acting and had not expected her to run from him. He materialized directly in her path at the end of the long corridor and she ran right into him.

Taking hold of her shoulders, he looked her directly in the eyes.

"Daria, what's gotten into you? Why are you running from me?"

She tried to break free from him. "Please, just leave me alone," she pleaded.

"Oh, I get it! You're mad at me for not coming to get you sooner, huh? But you don't understand. Athena was hiding you from me. . "

"Athena? What does Athena have to do with this? And why would she hide me from you?"

"Because she didn't want us to be together. She's convinced that I am going to interfere with your 'destiny' and screw up her plans."

"What are you talking about, Mars? Where is Master Novick?" Ares could hear the panic in her voice.

"Why are you still calling me Mars? Don't you recognize me?"

"Well, isn't that your name? Mars?"

"No. I mean, yes. I mean, yes, here in Rome I'm known as Mars. But back home in Greece I am
Ares, God of War."

She stared blankly at the god.

"You spent the night at my temple. We had dinner together. You accepted my offer to teach you how to fight. The training camp. Does any of this ring a bell?" He let go of her shoulders. "Oh, how quickly we forget," he said, sounding a bit insulted.

"So I know you?" she said studying his face.

"YES, yes!"

"Ares, huh. Well your name sounds familiar. Then why are you pretending to be Mars?"

"I'm not pretending. I am Mars. . . to the Romans."

Daria threw her hand up in the air and rolled her eyes.

"Listen, whoever you are, I don't know what you're talking about. Are you sure you haven't mistaken me for someone else?"

Ares finally realized that she really didn't recognize who he was. He quickly surmised that his sister must have tampered with her memory so she wouldn't try to return to him after she kidnapped her from his camp. He took her by the hand and led her back to the bedroom.

"Come on, little one. Let's go sit down and I'll explain everything."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Novick had assembled the men for a meeting before heading off to the next town. He wanted to divide the group up into smaller ones and assign each team an area of town to search, but found that he kept getting distracted with the memories of last night's events. The more he thought about it, the more he felt like something wasn't right.

Why did Mars want him to rejoin the search party so quickly? Could it be that he wanted to get rid of him? And why didn’t he want to meet him at the manor again? He thought maybe Mars didn't want him back at the manor. Maybe if he did show up at there, then he might catch Mars seducing Daria. That's why he wanted to get rid of him so quickly, so he could have Daria all to himself.
Novick became furious. Convinced that this was all a big deception that Mars had conjured up, he abandoned the search party and started back home again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

". . . by the time I got back to the camp, Athena had already taken you somewhere," Ares explained.

"If what you say is true, then how come I don't remember any of it?" Daria asked.

"Athena must have done something to your memories, to keep you from returning to me on your own.

"Why did you wait so long to come get me?"

"Because I couldn't find you. Believe me, I searched all of Greece. I searched with both my eyes and my mind. It all makes perfect sense now. I couldn't figure out why you wouldn't call on me for help. You just needed to say my name and I could have found you in an instant. But by not having any memories of me, you never thought to call on me. I'm still a little surprised that Athena would hide you outside of Greece, outside of her realm."

"I don't think she did."

"What do you mean, Daria?"

"Well, I didn't get here until about a week ago. Before that, I think I was on some island. I remember waking up in the morning and not knowing where I was or what I was doing there. That's where the slaver caught me and I was sold to Novick that same day. The following morning, I was put on a boat with the other slaves. In less than half a day, we were already at shore. We continued the rest of the trip here on foot, arriving by nightfall."

"An island, huh?" Ares smiled and then looked upwards and said, "I have to admit, that was pretty clever, Sis. I completely forgot about Poseidon's islands."

The sight of Ares talking to the ceiling was entertaining to Daria. I wonder if all the Gods are as eccentric, she thought. Just then, a glittery cloud of silver-white puffed out of thin air and a short man with a jelly belly took shape. He had on a pair of winged boots and was holding a scroll.
"Ares! There you are. I've been all over Greece looking for you. I would have never guessed I'd find you here," he stated.

"I'll have to remember that. What do you want, Hermes?"

"I have a message for you."

"Nooooo, really? And I thought you just dropped in to say hello."

"It's from Athena. Your presence is required in Olympus immediately to discuss compromise. . . " he said, and then added, "as per the order of Zeus."

Ares stood and towered over Hermes "Tell Athena it will have to wait. I'm a little busy right now."

"Sorry, Ares. No can do. Have you forgotten about the new "as per" law? Any message sent with an attachment which reads 'as per the order of Zeus' comes with an automatic transporting feature."

Ares glared at the lesser god as he unwillingly began to disappear.

"Hey, I'm only the messenger," Hermes said, disappearing as well.

Daria just sat there in amazement. She was starting to believe that what Ares had told her was the truth. That other god had called him ‘Ares,’ so he must be who he says he is.

A knock came at the door. It was Megan.

"Oh, I thought I heard you talking to the Master. I figured he'd be wanting some breakfast soon," she said.

"Morning, Megan. No, Novick's not here. He returned to the assignment he's doing for Mars."

"Oh, I didn't know he was gone. I never saw him leave." She got a big smile on her face. "So, does that mean we's gonna try again tonight?"

Daria contemplated the situation for a moment before responding. "The sooner the better and tonight is as good a night as any!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ares materialized in Athena's temple on Mt. Olympus. Both she and Zeus were patiently awaiting his arrival.

"What's the meaning of this, Sister? Your timing couldn't be worse."

"Silence, Ares," Zeus bellowed. "Athena has explained the situation concerning the girl to me. Daria does have an important destiny and you are not to interfere with it."

Athena was seated at Zeus' right side. She smirked at Ares as it to say "Ha, ha, I win!" Ares glared back at her.

"But, Father. . ."

"No buts, Ares. You know the consequences of screwing around with destiny. I will not allow it. Do you understand?"

"Forget it! Athena interfered first by kidnapping her and then she even went as far as to alter her memories. I just want to bring Daria back to Greece. Back home."

This was the first time Zeus had heard of Athena doing anything against the rule of the Gods. He was taken by surprise, but did not show it. He turned and looked at his daughter.

"Is this true, Athena? Is Ares speaking the truth?"

Athena cast her eyes at the floor and answered, "Yes, Father. It is true." She looked up at his face. "But I only did it because. . ."

Zeus raised a hand as an indication for her to be quiet. She complied and returned her gaze back to the floor.

"Athena! I would have never thought you, out of all people, would break the rules of the Gods. I am very disappointed with you."

"You see, Father. She even admits it. So it is only fair that I be allowed to bring Daria back home with me."

"But, Father. . ." Athena interjected.

"SILENCE! Both of you." Zeus thought for a moment before continuing to speak. "All right, Ares, Athena, this is what I will allow. Since Athena clearly interfered where she had no right to, Ares, you will be allowed to take Daria home. But only if she agrees to go with you willingly. I will not allow either one of you to throw her life in an upheaval again. From what I can tell, Daria is still on her destined path. How, after dealing with you both, I don't know. But she is right where she is supposed to be."

Ares stuck his tongue out at Athena. He enjoyed winning so much and really wanted to rub it in.

"I wouldn't be so cocky, if I were you, Ares. Daria has not agreed to leave with you, yet."

Ares smirked. "She will. As long as you make Athena return her memories. If she is to fulfill some sort of destiny for Athena, then her knowledge of me should not make a difference in that, anyway. Right?"

Zeus looked over at Athena. "He's right, Athena. Give the child back her memories."

"But. . ." she started to protest.

"Just DO IT," Zeus ordered.

Athena reached for a small sack attached to her belt and tossed it at Ares. "Here. Give her this bag. It holds her memories. When she opens it, they will return to their proper place."

Ares smiled and nodded, holding the bag in his hand like he had just acquired all the ambrosia in Olympus and disappeared.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Ares returned to the manor, Daria was talking with Marcus. He didn't bother to mask his arrival and startled Marcus more than Daria.

Daria turned and placed her hand on Marcus' shoulder. "It's okay, Marcus. He's not going to hurt you. He just wants to talk to me."

"D-d-do you know who that is? That's Ares, the God of War. He doesn't like our Goddess Athena. He's come here to stop us." Marcus said as he backed out of the room. Another second passed and he ran off.

"Did you really have to scare him like that, Ares?"

"Ares! You called me Ares! So you remember who I am?"

"No, I still don't remember meeting you. I heard the messenger call you that, so that must be who you are."

"Well, here. Maybe this will help jog your memory." Ares tossed her the bag.

She caught it and could tell it was empty "There's nothing in this bag, Ares."

"Just open it, Daria."

Reluctantly, Daria opened the small sack and the air whooshed around her. She felt like she had been hit over the head with a rock. Then her memories began flooding her. She stood there a moment, trying to keep her balance as she recalled her meeting with the handsome, dark god standing before her.

"Ares?"

"Yes, my sweet. It's me. I've come to take you home."

"Oh, Ares!" She ran to him and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Athena! Why did she. . ."

"She wanted to keep me from you. But Tartarus would have to freeze over before I let that happen." He took her chin in his hand and turned her head to his and placed a warm, gentle kiss on her tender lips. She responded by pulling him harder against her. After a moment or two, Ares broke the kiss, leaving Daria breathless.

"Come, now. Let's go home," he said.

Daria backed out of his arms and looked sadly into his eyes.

"I can't."

"What do you mean you can't? Do you know what I have been through trying to find you? You better have a good reason, young lady."

"I can't because I promised my friends that I would help them escape from this god-awful place. Novick is a monster. And if I abandon these people, when Novick finds out, he is going to take out his anger on them. I can't let that happen, Ares. I can't leave knowing that these poor folks are going to pay the price for my freedom. No. I'm going to stay and help them escape."

Ares narrowed his eyes and tilted his head. He was not happy with her answer, but he knew she was right. Novick would not take Daria's disappearance lightly. And more than just these few slaves would feel his wrath.

"Okay, how about if I take all of you back to Greece? Will you come with me then?"

Daria's face lit up in excitement. She threw her arm's around his neck again and started placing little kisses all over his face.

"That's a wonderful idea, Ares! Oh, thank you. Thank you. I've got to go tell the others." She ran off before Ares could say another word. He smiled. She was so happy at the moment, it was infectious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daria located Marcus in the stables, as usual. He looked relieved when he saw her enter through the barn doors.

"Daria! You're all right. I thought that maybe. . ."

Daria cut him off. "Marcus, Ares is a friend of mine. He wouldn't hurt me, or any of you, either. He came to rescue me. To take me back home. He's going to take us all back to Greece. Isn't that great?"

Marcus frowned. "Well, I can't speak for the others, but there is no way in Tartarus I'm going anywhere with him."

"But, why?"

"Daria, I serve Athena, and only Athena. Ares would expect us to worship him for rescuing us, or at least insist that we owed him a favor. My Goddess and he have been on opposite sides for as long as I can remember." Marcus sat down and motioned to Daria to do the same.

"I have lived my whole life in honor of my Goddess Athena. What would it say about my faith if I allowed another god to help me? Especially after she has revealed to us that she has sent you to help. Well, I'll tell you. It would be a direct insult to her. And Ares would love nothing better than to hit her where it hurts the most - with her followers. No, Daria, I'm sorry. But I won't be going with you and Ares."

Daria heard the rest of his group agree with Marcus. She frowned and looked at the ground and then she looked at the faces of the slaves. She turned back to Marcus.

"Very well, Marcus. I respect your decision and admire your faith, however misplaced it may be. If you folks won't come with me, then I won't go either. We proceed with the escape as planned."
Cheers rang from the small group at the announcement. She smiled half-heartedly.

"Excuse me, now. But I will have to inform Ares that I won't be leaving with him. He's not going to be too happy about it.," she said as she walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"NOT GOING? What do you mean you’re not going? I said I would take along your little friends, so what's the problem?"

"They declined your offer of help. Something about having loyalty for Athena."

"Athena! That bitch has gotten in the way again. Wait until Zeus hears about this one."

"Ares, please don't be upset. I thought it was very generous of you to offer. I'm sorry they can't see you the same way as I do. But I've made up my mind. I'm going to lead them to away from here, tonight. We have everything all planned out."

Since Daria's memories returned, she felt confident about taking on this task. Now she also recalled all the training she received from Balicus and knew she could handle a weapon. She was still a long way off from being a real warrior, but at least the idea of battle didn't seem foreign to her any more.
"Then I will go with you to make sure nothing happens."

"No, Ares. Marcus and the others made it clear that they cannot accept your help, however small it may seem. No, we must do this alone."

"Daria, I don't like the idea of you leading a bunch of peasants through the Roman countryside. None of those people know how to fight. And you can just barely take care of yourself. How do you expect to protect them should you run into opposition?'

"I don't know, Ares. I'm inclined to say 'faith'. Not mine, but theirs. They truly believe that Athena is proteg thg them. Maybe she is. Maybe that's why I'm here. I don't know. All I do know is that I plan to be at your temple by tomorrow night. Will you be waiting for me?' Daria looked innocently at the god and batted her eyelashes, smiling.

Ares took her into his arms and pressed her head to his chest. He stroked her hair gently, then kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll be sure to have your next lesson planned," he smiled and then disappeared.


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