The Cleric's Farewell

By Paul Lucas

Tobias of Winterbourne has been chosen as the Envoy for the Kingdom of Raelen, and is about to leave on a five-year odyssey to many exotic kingdoms and worlds.

But he leaves behind not just his home and his kingdom, but two extraordinary and sensual women--his fiery late wife, the sorceress Safiya, and the buxom nature priestess Theodora. On the eve of his departure, Theodora gives him a send off that he will never forget...

BOOK ONE of the FANTASY ENVOY Series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Lucas
• Release date: May 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476334233

Paul Lucas

I grew up on the shores of Lake Erie, just a few snow drifts away from Buffalo, NY. I am a life long science fiction and fantasy fan, and avidly keep up on developments in the fields of science, technology, and ancient cultures.Currently I am a freelance writer and artist, with fifteen years of experience in the field. In 1998 I had a tabletop RPG published, and in 2005 my first novel CREATURA came out. My shorter works have seen the light of day in publications such as Strange Horizons, Afterburn, Tales of the Talisman, Fables, and others. Currently I do a lot of personal commissions and ghost writing work.

Book preview

THE CLERIC'S FAREWELL

BOOK ONE of the FANTASY ENVOY Series

By Paul Lucas

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Copyright 2012-2017 Paul Lucas

Cover Art by Paul Lucas

On The Cover: Theodora, high priestess of the Nature Goddess, welcomes an old friend in the best way possible.

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Smashwords Edition

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Check out the author's Patreon Page!

https://www.patreon.com/paullucas

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Other books in the FANTASY ENVOY series:

THE MAD KING'S ROAD (Book 2)

THE ELF WIFE (Book 3)

A NIGHT AT THE DEBAUCHERY (Book 4)

100 POTIONS (Book 5)

Deep Delve (Book 6 -- Coming Soon!)

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CHAPTER 1

The priestess waited under the tallest oak in the temple gardens, her form painted azure and silver in the bright moonlight. She leaned against the immense tree, her order's casual white and violet robes hiding very little of her generous curves. She wore her dark hair back in twin braids.

Idly looking up at the stars, she felt her heart flutter with excited anticipation. She wondered if her good-bye to Tobias tonight would be everything the both of them hoped it would be.

Theodora, a familiar voice called to her quietly.

Tobias, she greeted him as he walked up to her. He was tall with a trim build, sporting closely-cropped hair and a neatly-cut, finger-thin beard accentuating his dignified jaw. She looked about to make sure they were alone, then met his hazel eyes with a mischievous smile. I bring you blessings from the Nature Goddess.

He matched her smile, already having a strong suspicion of what those 'blessings' would be. Oh?

With a girlish giggle she threw open her robe, dramatically revealing her nude curves to him in the moon's graphite luminescence. Sweeping, melon-heavy breasts juddered gently with her deep breath, punctuated by the wide sweep of waist and hips just below. Soft silk leggings hugged shapely thighs. She wore bits of jewelry; a headband, a necklace, and armband, spun of silver and brass and dappled with minor stones. Do these blessings please you?

In a heartbeat, strong hands were on her hips, pulling her roughly to him. Their lips met, the kiss long, deep, and fiery. Theodora took Tobias' hands and pushed them back over her generous rump, which she knew he loved. The kiss broke when he squeezed her soft buns, causing her to titter mirthfully. You do have a diplomat's hands, you know. They communicate your thoughts so eloquently…

He laughed at that, just enjoying holding her against him for a moment, playing with her softness. You were able to get away from Roderick without a problem, then?

She nodded. I told my husband that I wanted to prepare a special blessing for your journey tomorrow. And that much is true. I do have a number of formal blessings for you, but that can come later. Right now I want to give you a proper farewell not as a priestess, but as a woman.

Well, I can hardly say no to that, can I?

Theodora took his hand and led him deeper into the huge gardens that surrounded the temple of the Nature Goddess, away from the usual walkways and onto a little-used dirt path among the thicker growth.

Tobias knew he could probably forget about getting any decent sleep before he left on his great journey in the morning. Watching the interplay of Theodora's naked tan moons as she walked, he decided that was one sacrifice he would gladly make. Even after all these years, that amazing generous backside still had the ability to completely entrance him.

Theodora was halfway through her thirties, four years older than Tobias. It was true that her figure was not quite as sleek as when they had first met seven years before, but what she lacked in the tightness of her body she more than made up for in that amazing smooth softness women acquired as they matured. She also possessed that quiet, self-assured confidence that can only come from experience. She had blossomed into the epitome of the sexy older woman many young men spent their days fantasizing about.

The nature priestess led him to a small clearing, with tree trunks, saplings, and bushes hemming in the view on all sides. Quite secluded from any potential prying eyes. As the temple was dedicated to the Nature Goddess, the priesthood had imported many exotic plants from other continents and worlds, all nurtured and maintained with the help of their nature magic. Many living things in this immense garden surrounding the Temple could be found nowhere else on Ximenes.

In the middle of the clearing was already laid out a thick, broad blanket, covered over with loose cushions. Theodora had thought ahead. Tobias noticed that the night air had lost its early-spring chill, and no nuisance insects buzzed in the small glade. Both were no doubt thanks to previous castings of Theodora's nature magic. You thought of everything, he said.

Its just a little love-nest. I want tonight to be special. She stepped onto the blanket and turned back to face him. Watch this. The naked woman spread her arms wide and whispered a soft evocation to the Nature Goddess.

The grasses surrounding the blanket suddenly bloomed into a riot of colors; yellow, red, blue and violet flowers, all tinged silver in the bright moonlight. Their perfumed scent wafted into the air.

Amazing, he said.

She beckoned him forward and her hands shifted down to the tight bulge in his leggings. You poor dear. Did I do all this already? She caressed him very softly through the cloth. I'm surprised you could even walk behind me at all, with how stiff you are.

He exhaled gustily at her touch, his heavy shaft jumping in her fingers. His own hands shifted up to cup her heavy breasts, thumbs tweaking at her hardening, thimble-sized nipples.

Theodora was just close enough now that he could inhale very heady scent of her feminine body, mixed with perfume of the surrounding blossoms. She moaned softly under the attentions of his