Continued from S3: Ny'essa, of the cathedral of Choas. “In the Marshes! You must be mad!” Roland pushed her away. “No man goes into the Marshes of the Mist if he can avoid it! It is a foul and unnatural place!” “Surely you are brave enough to dare going there,” Ny’essa purred, moving closer to him again. “For enough gold and jewels to make any man a king… for artifacts of ancient power that just waiting to be claimed… or, perhaps, for me!” He knew she was only trying to seduce him to get what she wanted. But that didn’t stop his heart from pounding just from having her so close. What was it about her that made him want her so desperately? She was beautiful to be sure, but he knew other beautiful women and none of them fired his blood the way she did! She saw the struggle behind his eyes, and was surprised that he resisted her. Her perfume was a potion of her own creation, and its scent elevated men’s desire for her. It made most men little more then puppets to her will. But this Shazaarian knight refused her. She needed a strong man to protect her in the Marshes, but was his will too strong? “Just think of the possibilities,” she purred in his ear, as she slid herself up against him. “You could have everything you want… Anything you want! Wealth, power… and, if you desire me… I will be yours.” “No!” he replied resolutely, sighing as he looked into her dragon green eyes longingly, and then pushed her away again. “No matter what the reward, I will not take my men into the Marshes! Not for wealth… Not for power… Not even for you!” He turned away from her, fearing that his resolve might crumble before her intoxicating beauty. “Are you sure there is nothing I can do to persuade you?” she purred… To be continued on S3: Roland, lord-protector of Mistendell (portrait). Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!