Ethan picked up the pace, the portal just around the corner. The scene that meets them is of Lara standing surrounded by young men wearing expensive clothes. Their retainers are standing behind the young nobles. Lara waved her arms and talked, backing away from them. She did not have anywhere to go. There was a chill in the evening breeze, as the sun had set ten minutes ago. Lara had on a delicate white dress in floral patterns.
"Hail, Ethan, that dress is not for windchill like this. Just look at her nipples. We should suck on them in the future. What do you say, Lucy."
Lucy tapped her foot with her hands on her thighs.
"Squee, why would I want to do that? I would rather suck."
Lucy's eyes were on his groin area just for a second. Then she turned back to Lara's predicament.
"Squee, that is something for the bedroom. Ethan, we should rescue her. She looks like a deer at the end of a hunter's bow."
"Alas, girls, do your thing. I will be right behind you."
Wendy and Lucy jogged over to Lara, taking her arms. Wendy was putting her best foot forward as she spoke to the men. Lara sighed loudly as her shoulders relaxed. Lucy kissed Lara, to the surprise of the young nobles, and then Wendy did the same but with passion. Ethan could feel his lower region wanting to salute their display of affection. Two massive arms enveloped Lara from the back. Ethan pulled her against him, his fingers intertwined on her stomach.
"Alas, honey, did you miss us? Thank you for waiting for us. Sorry, we're a bit late."
Lara turned her head upwards to look at Ethan. Ethan bent down and kissed her gently, holding the kiss for four seconds. The young noble's jaws dropped, and their eyes widened as they looked upon the scene. Lara held Ethan's arms, pulling him towards her. She was trembling. Lara whispered as Ethan stopped the kiss.
"I am so cold. Hold me, please."
Wendy and Lucy's adventure gear protected them from the cold. The fact that they had walked to the portal also warmed them up.
"Alas, thank you for looking after my Lara. You never know who has ill intentions."
The older of the young men stepped forward.
"We did not know she was you're your woman, giant man. We apologise; we thought she had no man. We would not have hurt her, only a bit of fun ploughing her and a good meal. Our intentions were good—good night, dear professor.
He fell silent, not knowing Ethan or the two young girls. Ethan waved his hand.
"Alas, I understand she would have been well treated by the fourteen of you. You have my thanks."
Ethan turned towards the portal, Wendy and Lucy by his side. Lara's teeth were chattering from the cold. Ethan picked her up in a princess carry and hugged her tightly. His warmth enveloped her; Lara moaned softly with pleasure. Stepping out of the portal, it was dark in the forest, a cold breeze cutting through the lady's clothes. Wendy and Lucy's adventure gear protected them from the cold. On the other hand, Lara wore a thin dress with short sleeves and generous cleavage. The knee-length dress did not protect her from the cold.
"Alas, Lilly, we need light. The area is covered in shadow and darkness. Lara, will you be okay?"
Lilly floated out of his robe, and purple light flared out of the ball, illuminating the area around them. Lara had her hands in Ethan's robe. Ethan's massive hands almost covered all of Lara. Lara moved, making herself comfortable; her shivering had stopped.
"Just hold me. You're warm. Thank you for saving me. I did not know how to let them down without insulting them."
"Squee, nobles could be demanding we have no recourse against their demands."
"Hail, we have all lived through their whims. A noble sent slavers after me when I escaped his cage."
Lara lifted her head.
"He wanted to breed you without your consent."
Wendy shook her head. Ethan breathed slowly, not wanting the women to feel his emotions surface. Lilly spoke.
"Alas, seven people from the village are heading this way. They have some night vision gear on. They are well-armed. Be careful."
Ethan moved Lara to his left side, pulling Zelda from his robes and throwing her into the air. She floated in the darkness, ready to strike. Wendy and Lucy armed themselves, taking guarded positions. Lara placed one leg between Ethan's backpack and his back, one arm around his back, and the other inside his robe.
"Alas, Lara, are you comfortable? Hold on tightly."
Lara placed her leg inside his robe as well.
"This is much warmer now. Thank you for shifting me. Does your hand have to be on my ass?"
"Hail, he needs to make sure you do not fall."
Seven people rushed up to them, surrounding them, weapons drawn. By the look of it, they were a mixed lot, four shifters and three humans. They were bandits, by the look of it. Lilly spoke in his mind.
"Alas, the Skinwalker is nearby as a titanium tiger. He must be behind this ambush."
"Alas, thank you. Tell me if he moves towards us, a titanium tiger would not be easy to kill."
The one shifter spoke. He was halfway transformed, looking like a werewolf, his sword held defensively before him. Two men, five in total, held collars with chains on them. Wendy stepped forward, holding her two short swords at the ready. Lucy stepped back till she could feel Ethan against her back. Her ears moved franticly, listening to every sound around them. Ethan pinched Lucy on the ass gently.
"Alas, do not worry, Lucy, we will be fine."
"Hail, I will never wear a collar like that again. You will have to kill me first before that happens."
Ethan held Wendy back as she stepped forward to engage the man before her.
"Alas, hold it, Wendy. What do you gentleman want from us."
The Shifter at the back walked into the light that Lilly gave. His face would seduce many women. His eyes roamed over the women, then stopped as he stared at Lara.
"He said you had fine gear, and women, the man told the truth. We see that two are missing; regardless, we will have them in time. The auction will be in three days, giving us enough time to enjoy these pretty young things to our heart's content. I want those short swords, elf."
The other men, the shifters, their main fighters, stepped into the light. Lucy pressed closer to Ethan as Wendy bent her knees, preparing to strike. The bandits closed the circle they had surrounded them in.