A Warrior's Ways

by
Yuri Futanari
and
Naga Shark
In a land where people had been battling over lands and
resources for thousands of years, and for as long as anyone could
remember, the greatest aspiration was to die valiantly in battle.
Life for many was simply as poor peasants, a few land owners
did a little better, but most of the wealth was in the hands of the elite
nobility who not only owned lands, but waged wars to gain and keep
land.
These wealthy nobles were often warriors who fought amongst
one another for power and titles, wives and husbands, slaves and
prized animals, so as one worked up the ranks in the militaries, they
had a chance to grow in power and reputation until eventually they
could challenge any noble other than the one they were conscripted
One such up-and-comer took the lands of a nobleman ust the
year before he was killed in a battle in a neighboring country, leaving
his wife with three young children and nobody to defend her right to
keep the land.
!he kept the news of the death "uiet by bribing the king,
promising her lands and resources to always be beholden and even
offering the hand of her daughter, the youngest of her three children to
anybody he wished to have her, even himself if so he desired.
#s time went along, however, the king decided that he needed
warriors more than he needed wives, so he told the woman he wanted
all her three children to become conscripted knights in his elite forces
and to have them come and train each day and become elite fighters in
his personal guard.
$
The woman could not refuse, so the two boys and one girl went
to the king%s elite fighting school and there they spent the ne&t twenty
years of their lives training.
The first age of conscripted service for the king was to begin at
the age of twenty five, and this was when 'alonda began her service.
!he and her brothers would serve as lower level guards and
often faced raiders and uprisings, but they were of very good stock and
all were well suited to handling a sword, so they handily dispatched all
who came at them.
This soon earned them all a good reputation and elevated them
through the ranks, so that by the time 'alonda was thirty, she was an
elite !tousch and wore the black and silver "uilted leather vest over
her plate armor, indicating that she was in fact one of the elite of the
elite in the king%s royal guard.
(ut, as all things go, peace was not the ways of these people,
and finally the day came when a neighboring country decided it was
strong enough to take the country she lived in.
!he knew that this may well be the war in which her name
would be carved in a legendary pillar and sang by wenches in taverns
all about the country, or it might be the day everything she held dear
would be taken captive and controlled by this other nation.
)ither way, she and her siblings oined the king as they
marched out to face the approaching enemy.
*
Episode 1
Wet Behind the Ears
'alonda was five years old when she last saw her father alive,
but her memories of him never faded.
!he idolized her warrior champion father who had raised
himself up from serfdom to nobility by hard training and fierce
fighting.
!he would not do anything less.
!o now at the age of twenty five, she was strong, rugged and
determined to be the best possible representative of her father there
could possibly be.
!he competed with her older brothers fiercely.
They, however, had resented his death, and did not honor his
life.
Olaf and +ogad fought from rage and anger, not from pride
and gratitude.
They fought barbarically and without honor or civility.
They would meet the enemy anywhere at any time and without
warning hew them down.
They were animals.
,
They were monsters.
They were terrifying to people all across the kingdom.
(ut 'alanda was graceful.
!he fought for a reason, not for satisfaction.
!he showed restraint where restraint was appropriate.
!he was, what we would in our world call %genteel%.
!he had no a& to grind, but instead she oyfully fulfilled her
master the kings orders
!he was resented the most when she, unlike her two older
brothers, was promoted to the rank of -irst !chatallion even before she
completed her mandatory twenty years of training, and by the time she
had completed her training she was Third !chatallion, and soon to be
Liege .ommander.
!he was tall for a woman, and lean, tawny and tanned. !he was
in perfect physical shape as she trained tirelessly each and every day
without fail.
/er thick black hair was tied back in a knot, and she already
had a deep scar on her left cheek. /er ghostly whitish %moon% eyes
were fierce and penetrating. /er face was sharp and angular, more so
than most women, but less so than a man%s.
!he seemed to wear a perpetual scowl, but in reality, it was
merely that she was always focused on her surroundings. !he had a
moderately deep, yet very smooth voice, which seemed at once
melodic and yet otherworldly.
!he spoke clearly and concisely, as a consummate professional
0
warrior always should.
!he at once was admired by many, and resented by many. !he
had no friends, she had no lovers, she had no use for such foolishness.
!he was a warrior through and through.
Therefore, when one day a messenger came riding hard into
the royal city bleeding from seven arrows to his back, she was the first
to respond, immediately taking the message but also ordering medics
arrive speedily to address the man%s wounds.
/er brother Olaf said, 12hat%s the point3 /e%s done for
already.4 as he made to draw out his sword to behead the poor man.
1If you lay one -I+5)6 on this man,4 she glowered at the
malicious monster, 1I%ll have you demoted and placed in the
stockades74
/e snarled at her and walked off as he shoved his sword back
in his scabbard.
)ven though the man was treated, sadly, he did die a few days
later, but by then, she was already on her way to face the approaching
enemy.
Ep 1, Chapter
'alonda led a regimen of highly trained warriors who rode on
eight legged armored mounts called .unchaws.
These mighty and fearsome beasts could hold four men along
their long muscular backs, and were so soft that if they had not needed
armor, would not need anything for a pad.
Their problem was, in fact, that without their armor, they were
highly vulnerable to archers and fire.
8
9espite their gaping fanged maws and long hooked claws
which could dispatch a warrior in a single bite or swipe, they were not
well designed by their creator for defense.
They ran smoothly when they did run, but the armor made
running both stressful and cumbersome, so they did not run e&cept for
brief charges, lest they be worthless for fighting when they did meet
the enemy.
!he herself commanded her cavalry from atop a :unnibah,
which was a slower, more ponderous beast with a head and tail
covered in lengthy spikes and which had a body covered in thick bony
knobs, ending in nasty little spikelets about a finger length long.
This animal needed a padded saddle, but no e&tra armor, save
that they had learned to put a special rim of metal over the eyes to
keep them from being easily damaged by arrows, swords or anything
one could spray or throw into them to blind and frighten the animal.
This was a large herbivore which, although it too could run, it
was both ungainly and re"uired the rider be strapped to the mount.
It walked on thick, bony, flat feet which were very wide and
allowed it to walk in muddy and swampy locations without sinking in,
despite its massive weight.
These feet were known to knock over stone walls as thick as
one%s arm was long if it decided to kick its way into a place.
The long horns would break but they kept growing, meaning
that over its life span, even despite many battles, one had to trim their
horns if they wanted to keep them inside any form of roofed structure.
They would mount metal points on the ends, which served both
to prevent new growth to a limited e&tent, as well as prevent breakage,
;
and allow them better penetration of hardened targets such as tall
wooden city gates.
This slower moving monstrosity was only able to keep up due
to its immense size, and the fact that the .unchaws had to be held back
to prevent chafing along their thickly muscled legs where the armor
was strapped on them.
Their ourney was slow, yet they knew they would meet the
enemy far away from the kingdom because the enemy relied on even
slower beasts which were found in their part of the world.
1Its funny,4 she mused to herself as she rode along in silence,
1Two slow armies in a race, neck and neck to be the slowest.4
There were many faster animals, such as the Thyrian the
messenger had been riding, a swift, three legged beast with a long neck
and long feathers which could fly if not being ridden, but could run
very fast with a single person on its back, and run for great distances
without resting, because it was a desert hunter with a long beak filled
with spiny teeth and the three legs allowed it to go from a gallop to a
pounce in one swift stride, scooping up its prey on the run.
!adly, it was not fit for fighting.
!he had nothing to do but look out on the horizon for smoke or
other signs of enemy intrusion.
(ehind her armored saddle, two men operated a very large
ballista.
This device could hurl massive wooden bolts with sharp metal
points, launch flaming firebrands to start fires, launch specially crafted
hollow metal tubes which had no&ious materials inside which would
incapacitate all but the most determined warriors, and launch tubes
filled with many smaller arrows, which once they reached a few arms
<
lengths beyond the ballista, would pop open, releasing the many
arrows over a narrow area to ensure a great chance to hit a few small
targets within a narrow space of time or distance.
They were good against fast moving attackers and attackers
situated within the confines of castle walls.
There was a large metal cauldron there filled with a strange
type of mineral, which, when e&posed to air, would burn very hot.
#t one point thaumaturges had tried to mount this onto
ballistas to fire at the enemy, but it was so hot it burned its way out of
the socket they made.
They had to line the hole with other rocks but those rocks were
e&tremely rare and they were very difficult to work with because they
were to hard, one had to use the same rocks to craft them with and
that simply used up too much time and materials to be practical.
2hat they did do, however, is place some of these very fire
resistant rocks into a mold and pour the molten metal around them so
that they became fused with the inside of the metal cauldron and its
removable lid, allowing them to simply open the lid when they wanted
a fire to light something else.
#lso, if there had become a need, one could simply tip the
cauldron over or scoop out a few pieces of the blazing mineral on top
of an enemy or anything one wanted to set ablaze and run away as it
would first smolder then burst into a dazzling, smoky conflagration
that was virtually impossible to e&tinguish in the battlefield.
#lso, there were racks of bolts to each side and to the rear of
the beasts, all holding various items to launch from the ballista.
They rode all day and rain came as night fell, and they rode in
misery while the armor clanked, the leather creaked and the animals
=
grunted, growled and snorted.
!ince the .unchaws had e&cellent nocturnal vision, lamps
were not needed.
This allowed them to advance upon any location in total
darkness without any lights to give their position away.
!urely the noise would at some point, but by then they were
nearly close enough to charge the enemy.
They painfully in cold wet misery rode on through the night
and into the ne&t gray dawn when far off in the distance smoke was
becoming visible with the first light of the sun%s rays coming up
between the tops of the trees in the distance and the bottom edge of the
clouds.
They were far from close enough to charge, even though men
began tensely murmuring and shifting around to look to her for
guidance.
!he would not even look down at them, but instead simply
kept her gaze fi&ed on the horizon.
#ll day they rode as it got hot and the moisture from the rain
made the animals stink and made the flying creatures swarm them,
trying to get into their eyes and noses to lay parasitic eggs.
!he wrapped a glittery black veil with silver threads across her
face, which made her look like some kind of armor clad corpse.
The whole regiment took up their face veils as well and in like
manner appeared to be armored corpses.
They had been seen like this before and from this they had
garnered the name 19eath .orpses4 and 1The -aceless 9ead4since
>
they were fully able to fight with these veils on their faces.
#lso this allowed them the additional benefit of being able to
fight in bright hot sunlight without having to s"uint, and allowed them
better passage in sand storms when they had to cross through desert
areas. #nd finally, it hid their eyes so that any who might attempt to
pre-udge their future actions by the direction of their eyes was not
afforded such an advantage.
The fine silver threads reflected away e&cess light from their
eyes while making it impossible to clearly see what lay behind, which
made any attempts to do so into a fatal mistake.
These were warriors in the truest rights, they lived and died
war.
Their lives from childhood had been nothing but war.
!ome of the warriors in her command were five times her age,
and ust by being so dedicated, determined and heavily trained, had
e&tended their lives beyond the life of their first formative king and
were now serving his grandson.
These men had scars all over.
!ome were missing eyes, ears, noses, teeth and fingers.
One man fought with a sword mounted to a special metal cup
which then strapped to his arm, since his hand was amputated long
ago.
/e had refused to be allowed to retire in honor, but insisted he
was still good for the battle, so he sought a way to keep fighting
without his sword hand. (esides, he said, there was no honor in dying
peacefully at home. /is only desired death was to be on the battlefield.
$?
The king was impressed and granted his wish.
Little did he know, this would be his last battle.
#s the sun crested the sky through the haze of thin clouds, they
found themselves rising over a hill into a relatively wide open and flat
vale where the enemy was presently resting from its last attack.
The enemy, of course, heard them coming far enough back that
they had time to scramble forth and assemble into formations.
)ven as she saw the very first tip of the enemy%s banner, she
thrust forth her metal gloved hand like a blade pointed at the enemy
and screamed 1./#########65))74
Ep 1, Chapter !
'alonda%s :unnibah trundled forward as the .unchaws began
racing down the gentle slope to clash with the army below.
The men on the back of the platform began rapidly cranking
back the large ratcheting winch that drew the cable back on the si&
armed ballista.
#s soon as it clicked into place, they loaded a no&ious shell
and hurled it off into the oncoming enemy.
This began thinning out the leading edges of the enemy as their
weaker warriors and beasts broke rank and veered into one another in
the confusion.
#ll along the line as it reached the crest of the ridge, other
:unnibah ballista teams repeated this maneuver.
This broke up the line and slowed the approaching enemy as
their eyes and lungs burned with the powerful fumes of the venom of
$$
the s"uat, slow moving /arriat, a small predatory creature that could
both spray and inect its venom from its stinger, making it useful for
both offense and defense.
Those who inhaled the venom suffered an e&cruciating death.
#s the font lines were doing their best to regroup and divide
the gaps between them to reduce the level of flankings her .unchaws
would be dealing them, the ballista operators began using the arrow
cartridges to flood the front line with thousands of small metal arrows
in hopes of picking off those who failed to mount their armor properly
and possibly blind the Thombunes which had large compound eyes,
but which if stricken ust right, would further enter their brains and kill
the beasts.
The Thombunes had long razor sharp scales on their whip-like
tails which could slice a man in half in a flash.
They also had long hooked claws with which they could rake
through armor and disembowel a man right through the metal plates.
They were covered in sharp spiky hairs which were poison to
the touch, but would not penetrate armor. These hairs, however, made
a decent armor themselves against arrows and swords as they were
thick, strong and well overlaid.
The enemy archers began firing as well, sending small glass
bulbs of e&tremely flammable li"uid which was very sticky and burned
in an eerie red while totally devouring, hair, leather, flesh and wood,
even severely scorching metal.
+ot as hot as the blazing mineral in the pots, rumor had it, it
was, in fact, simply the same mineral ground finely and mingled with
other materials to make it safe to transport and easily deployed as it
was in this manner as a burning li"uid.
$*
#s the two fronts clashed, the Thombunes tried to rip riders
from their mount while the .unchaws tried to rip the heads off of the
Thombunes.
They would rear up and tangle up on each other, some times a
Thombune would find a weak spot in a .unchaw%s armor, some times
a .unchaw would secure a good grip on a Thombune%s neck and break
it.
!ome times a Thombune%s claws would get into the mouth of a
.unchaw and pierce upward into its brain cavity through the thin inner
bones, some times a .unchaw would sink a claw into a Thombune%s
eyes and pierce into its brain.
The men "uickly dismounted from the fighting beasts once
they had a battle under way, and proceeded to seek out dismounted
enemy riders.
#s ballistas from both sides sent volleys of death from the rear
of the battle into the midfield in hopes of missing their own members
and hitting the enemy, the soldiers on foot hacked and slashed at one
another trying to behead or disembowel their opponents.
The battle was heavily engaged when reinforcements arrived
on both sides.
#s the front guard was losing men, the rear lines were coming
up behind them, marching right over them to keep pressing forward.
.arefully choosing their targets, the ballista operators made
their best efforts now to shoot long range flaming spears into anything
valuable to the enemy such as material supplies.
They scored a few good hits on the reserves of flaming oil and
soon there were spreading pyres which engulfed everything around
them.
$,
)ventually the heat made every one of the little glass vials
burst and a large section of the enemy encampment was a roaring
inferno.
!till they kept coming.
It seemed that the enemy had amassed far more troops than it
would have appeared.
+ot tens of thousands, but perhaps hundreds of thousands7
They seemed to be coming from as far as their own kingdom
still yet7
#s they tirelessly marched into the battle, it was clear that the
numbers were greatly outmatched to the side of the enemy.
There were easily a hundred foes for each of her soldiers,
which by and of its self would not have meant that much save that the
only truly elite and prepared fighters were taking the full brunt of this
and the ones in the rear were far less skilled or conditioned, as outlying
nobles seldom kept their men in peak condition.
(y nightfall, the ballistas were empty on both sides, so far as
she could tell.
This meant that she could march her relatively well armored
:unnibah into the fray and begin turning the tides of this war.
!he carefully calculated her advance so that she could make
the most of her beast%s destructive abilities on the enemy, without
accidentally harming her fellow warriors.
#s the lumbering armored beast waded through the ranks, its
heavy tail would swing from side to side merely obliterating all in its
$0
path.
#s she plowed through the front lines, not even slowing down,
she and the other :unnibah riders simply kept wading through the
enemy, making their entire lower halves red with human blood.
The massive beasts impaled the lesser Thombunes like sticking
a dagger into a melon.
!ome times they had to scrape the corpses off their tails by
bringing their heads around and using the massive horned spikes on
their heads to rake the bodies off the spikes on their tails.
The disgusting stench of human and beast offal was horrid,
mingled with the blood in the heat of the evening swelter.
#s fires were burning out, torches were being lit by the enemy
as they needed light to fight by, whereas the warriors of her kingdom
were well adapted to night fighting and could fight e"ually well in
daylight as in the dark, perhaps even better, because many of them,
ust as 'alonda%s family, had long ago developed the trait of night
sight.
!he herself, in fact, with her piercing moon eyes, was
especially adept at seeing in the darkness.
#s darkness fell, she was in her element.
+ow that the :unnibahs were in the lead instead of the rear,
the remaining warriors were mainly there to mop up the few stragglers
and survivors.
The :unnibahs were tireless. They were bred for endurance.
They marched right through the valley, demolishing the enemy
encampment as they went toward the narrow end of the valley where
$8
the enemy was still foolishly pouring in.
They were coming by torchlight as far as the eye could see.
The :unnibahs simply wove a path through them, raking them
off the ground like dry leaves in the fall season.
The darkness gave 'alonda%s warriors time to regroup as well.
They gathered together riderless .unchaws and saddled up any
men who could still fight while sitting in a saddle and led them along
with the ground soldiers.
They marched all the way across the valley, snuffing out the
sea torchlit enemy soldiers so that if one were standing upon a high
mountain or riding a @amthan high above, they could easily observe
the progress of the warriors of Le%+an as they valiantly defended their
nation from the advancing armies of :op%toh.
#s they neared the far end of the valley, three of the five
moons were rising, which gave the most light ever at one time in the
night since normally no more than two moons were in the sky at any
one time.
The nearest moon Aok%oh was a small fast moon which would
rise and set before one night would pass and could even often be seen
during the day.
The ne&t moon out 'an%oh was larger and slower moving, and
would only make it part of the way across the sky, while (un%oh was a
small moon in the third orbit and took almost the same time as
'an%oh, so that when they were in alignment, they would appear to
rise and set at virtually the same time for many nights in a row.
Tonight (un%oh was not up.
$;
:in%oh was a very large icy moon, however and it reflected a
lot of the light from the red giant they orbited.
-uh%oh was a small rocky moon which was very hard to see
even when it was in its fullest phase, looking a dull blush charcoal,
merely an odd shaped blob in the sky with indistinct edges to the
unaided eye.
#s they nearly reached the edge of the valley, the moons were
rising at ust such an angle that they outshone everything below the
ridge.
Bust at the moment they had been enveloped in the light of the
three moons, however, suddenly the enemy soldiers managed to
mysteriously snuff their torches all in one e&tremely swift move.
)verything for a moment was invisible e&cept the moons while
their eyes were adusting.
!he heard and saw the arrows leap from ballistas, but it was
too late.
1Turn74 she cried out, 1(allistas74
That was the last word she got out before she felt the heavy
metal point pierce her chest, pinning her to her armored seat.
#pparently, they had somehow managed some sharp shooters
on ballistas to be waiting for the precise moment of the moonrise when
she and her troops would be momentarily blinded by the e&treme
dazzling brilliance of the three moons and had planned this attack well
in advance knowing the e&act astronomical time where their attack
could be launched to this effective result.
1+o wonder they waited so many years to attack.4 she thought
as the struggled against the pain and the desire to ust let it all go and
$<
die there in her otherwise comfortable seat, a hero%s death assured her
at such a young and marvelous age.
(ut something else called to her.
9uty.
/onor.
# love of country.
# strange sensation which had been buried since early
childhoodC a love for her mother.
!uddenly, like never before, she had this overwhelming and
ine&plicable need to see her mother. !he needed to be held, told she
was a good girl, told some day she would grow up strong and proud
like her papa...
2as she dying3 2as she thinking these thoughts out of regret3
!he did not know, but even though she could now see her own
blood coming out of her chest in the bright moonlight, she suddenly
had the urge to either fight, or die with the enemy on the run.
1./#66665)74 she cried out with her summoned , the
action ripping her soul apart as the impalement in her body tugged at
the open wound it had produced, causing everything inside her to feel
like an e&plosion of fire.
!he pulled her sword with great effort from its scabbard and
began striking at the falling missiles as they came from the enemy%s
locations.
!he had no idea how many of the front line :unnibahs had lost
their riders, but she knew that she could whistle still and this allowed
$=
her to command any :unnibahs within earshot of her.
!oon, seven other beasts came near to her, their crews either
missing or hanging off dead.
One of the lumbering beasts had a large spear in its eye, but it
seemed not even to notice as it came up almost like a willing and
faithful pet to follow her lead despite having no riders.
They continued to press forward, pushing into the enemy with
renewed vigor.
!uddenly a lone @amthan indeed swooped down from the sky.
This made the :unnibahs, a normally fearless beast begin to
turn and try to escape.
!he whistled over and over again, even as she now realized, to
her utter amazement, there was in fact, a 6I9)6 on this winged beast7
This was never before heard of in all of history for all times7
2homever had mastered this beast was something remarkable
all within their own rights.
The immense flying beast%s wings drove a storm before them,
such air movement needed to remain in flight, and it was easily ten
times the size of a :unnibah.
!omehow, beyond her reckoning, a human had managed to
control this flying apocalypse.
#s the immense beast flew through the sky, the wind from its
wings had a deep rumble to it from the sheer turbulence.
#s the animal came in to strike at her in particular, however, to
$>
her amazement, she heard the clicking of the ballista winch behind her.
One or both of her operators was still alive, however barely,
and from some place, they had obtained at least one missile to shoot at
the incoming behemoth in the sky.
The immense beast was almost upon them, as one click at a
time she heard the ratchet pal click.
Bust moments before it came with its mouth open screaming
and its claws set to scoop them up and carry them high enough to dash
them fatally on the ground, the heavy %twunk% of the ballista reported in
the moonlight.
!he heard the sound of a man collapsing with a soft thud.
The missile apparently passed through the open mouth of the
oncoming beast with enough force and angle to penetrate the soft
tissue of its internal areas and pierce its spinal cord.
The wings and limbs spasmed and gyrated wildly and this
caused it to lift ust enough before it went into a full tumble that it flew
directly over head, ripping the carriage she and the ballista were in, off
of the back of the :unnibah as its leather straps snapped.
!he saw the whole world go over and over five times as her
body was pulled back and forth against the deeply pitted ballista bolt
before she finally landed face first beneath the carriage in the dirt.
The impact threw her forward, sliding down the massive bolt
shaft and onto the ground below.
!he was rendered unconscious by all of this and there she lay
bleeding out of her chest into the already battered, tormented and
blood soaked soil as the war waged on for the rest of the night.
*?
Ep 1, Chapter !
# pudgy figure in a long, brilliant purple velvet robe and silver
and purple veil rode over the barren mountain range on a wounded
.unchaw which only had a few pieces of armor remaining on its body
and every other limb and its face was thoroughly bound in blood
soaked bandages.
(ehind the pudgy personage was a body bound from head to to
in bandages, although not so many were blood soaked.
They were headed far from the battlegrounds, and far from any
known civilization.
They rode along for days, and as they rode higher and higher,
they stopped and covered the prone body with a blanket which they
carefully lashed to the body of the beast, preventing any strong wind
from depriving the wounded and the beast the benefit of the blanket.
#s they wound through the higher elevations the temperature
continued to drop and the lush vegetation disappeared, replaced at first
with sparse grasses, then again with tall evergreen shrubs and vines,
which eventually gave way to thick heavy ground creeping, stone
clinging evergreen vines which clung fiercely to the stones as if afraid
of falling off into the deep narrow craggy gorges.
The .unchaw, native to these mountains, however, had no
problem navigating them despite its wounds, the few pieces of armor it
bore, nor its passengers.
The beast simply glode along on its eight powerful opposing
legs much as a Terran arachnid would have.
!ome times the beast would cling to the vines and walk along
the sheer walls as if they were webbing, which was because there was
*$
no flat traversible land to be had where the robed figure was destined.
2ith the rider%s e&perience with these beasts, however, this was
not a problem because they had grown up riding them, although never
in service to the kingdom of Le%nan.
They were destined for a secret place almost utterly unheard
of.
-inally, far into the most agged and inhospitable regions of the
9o%Lath range, %the range of the damned%, the rider guided the military
bred .unchaw down a sheer wall into a vast circular area that seemed
to utterly fall away from the world, into dark swirling fog.
#s they slipped down into the fog, the rider pulled the veil
from their face, revealing very large round golden eyes.
In fact, if one did not look carefully, all they would see were
eyes and they would assume this was merely a beast.
These golden eyes seemed almost luminescent in the dimming
light as the thick mist pervaded over everything.
#s the heavy sharp claws of the .unchaw grappled with an
e&tra heavy layer of ice, it slowed to be careful not to lose its hold and
plummet to its death so very far below.
The rider took this in stride and made no effort to urge the
mount onward, knowing that as the beast found holds it was
comfortable with, it would proceed of its own.
#fter what would have seemed a very long time, the ice began
thinning out and eventually completely vanished, leaving only bare
vines.
Lower and lower they went, finally even the fog was left
**
behind and they went downward in a sort of twilight.
)ven though it got little darker, it was not a place normal
humans could readily see.
This was indeed a place of eternal gloom.
#s the suns set, it grew totally dark, save the faintest
phosphorescent glow from intermittent lichens which began to appear
in small dim patches.
#s they continued even lower, the air became warmer, and
more of the phosphorescent lichen appeared.
The vines suddenly stopped, and at that point, a large, thick,
coarse piece of rope began.
This rope was secured to the stone with thick metal pegs every
arm%s length by smaller ropes which kept it tightly bound to the face of
the rock, yet allowed additional purchase for the claws of the
.unchaw.
The beast made better time on the coarse ropes which felt good
to its chilled paws and gave it a sense of calmness.
#s they went deeper down, it got both warmer and brighter.
#s the moon began to rise and illuminate the fog overhead,
they also had light coming up brightly from below now.
(efore the moons passed fully out of view, they reached the
floor of the immense cauldron and were once again on level ground.
There at the base of the wall was a myriad of phosphorescent
and non-phosphorescent plant and fungal life forms, and amongst this
was a well traveled path, leading off into the center.
*,
This is the direction the cloaked person rode.
Ep 1, Chapter "
1!ister 'icchieu,4 came a stern voice from an older woman,
some place in a mist shrouded place where faces could not be seen,
only robed knees seated on something protruded from the mysterious
inky mist, 12hy have you brought one of these here to our sacred
sanctuary34
1!he was dying.4 came a soft, timid, small voice.
Orbs of light, in every imaginable color hung from vines all
around and illuminated the ornately carved and faceted stone dais
which glistened with gems and other colorful settings.
1#nd others were not34 the older woman%s voice demanded.
1+o my mistress, they were not.4 she replied with distinct
regret in her voice.
1#re you telling me that this one soul alone survived the entire
war34 she asked impatiently and with some level of indignance that
this young priestess in training was making such an assertion.
1To the best of my knowledge from walking the battlefield my
mistress.4 she replied humbly.
1!till,4 she continued her original line of "uestioning, 1why did
you bring her here34
1I think she is important my mistress.4 the kneeling, pudgy girl
replied.
1@OD... think she is important, you do34 the older woman rose
*0
her voice, 1!ince when did @OD have the sight of the great oracle to
see such things34 she demanded.
12hat I saw, my mistress,4 she declared, 1was too wonderful
to behold74
1#nd what, pray tell did you see34 came the older woman%s
voice.
1I saw her battle...4 her already large golden eyes grew wide
with the wonders of her e&perience, 1I saw her lead...4 suddenly she
rose to her feet, arms spread as if pushing aside the enemy, forgetting
her position and her need to show reference to the /igh 'other, 1I saw
her shot through with a massive arrow74 her hands went to her chest
and she leaned back as if about to fall, but she then leaned forward,
thrusting her hands downward, fingers splayed, 1and continue to battle
onward without fear or turning of her mind74 she looked reverently
toward the images in her eyes as she took a long deep breath,
1#s if you have not see this in a hundred wars before34 the
impatient woman scoffed.
#s if the "uestion had not been asked, she began to become
almost euphoric, 1(ut T/)+74 she cried out, 1T/)+...I saw a
man...riding a @amthan -74
1!he%s gone '#974 another older woman nearby e&claimed,
but the /igh 'other stilled her with a motion of her hand, already
seeming to be caught in the tale.
15o on74 the /igh 'other%s voice went from annoyed and
impatient to an&ious.
1This beast, it came crashing down from the sky, directly at this
woman,4 it seemed her eyes could not have gotten any wider but
somehow they did, 1then suddenly, in his last living moment, a man on
*8
her mount launched a bolt into the beasts% mouth and it fell from the
sky, knocking her from her mount to the earth where she lay while the
very beasts she had been commanding all alone carried on to do her
even as she lay still on the earth74
1#nd what of this man who rode the @amthan34 the /igh
'other asked.
1/e leaped from the dead beast and began slaying the men of
Le%+an in the confusion until he saw them begin to rally and return,
then he found a mount :op%toh and rode back toward his own lands.4
the young priestess declared.
1!o then how did so many soldiers die34 came another voice in
the mists seated nearby.
1The :unnibahs continued eastward all night without ceasing
all the way until not a soldier of :op%toh remained alive, then,
mysteriously, they turned around and headed back to their home as if
they somehow knew that they had completed their task and were
simply returning to their homes.4 she replied with a look of
mystification, 1I have never seen the likes before74
1#nd this too,4 the /oly 'other asked, 1you attribute to this
female warrior here34
1@es my mistress74 she e&claimed with deep certainty before
emitting a peep of surprise and throwing herself back to the ground in
reverence.
16ise child,4 a hand e&tended from the mist and motioned for
her to come near, 1#t this point,4 she waved her hand to indicate the
others, 1I think we here can all say, its too late for reverence, wouldn%t
you3
1!till,4 another voice said, 1I don%t think its time for her
*;
revelation.4
@ou do not34 the /igh 'other%s voice asked, 12hat more need
you34
1I need something more to assure that this is whom we seek.4
replied the doubting voice.
1Oh74 the young priestess sprang up, 1Alease allow me to
present her and you shall see that final sign I am certain74
1@ou ask to bring this warrior into the /oliest of /olies34 came
a gasp from the dissenting voice.
12hen you see,4 the young girl insisted, 1your doubt shall
vanish74
1Let it be so then.4 the /igh 'other waved her away.
The young priestess hurried off and in a short time came riding
the .unchaw back with the unconscious 'alonda still fully strapped
down and wrapped in the blanket.
1(ehold,4 she rode the beast as close as she dared, and she
turned and pulled the eyes of the unconscious warrior open.
They all gasped.
1This is the one74 they all said almost in chorus.
!uddenly the inky mist vanished and several older sounding yet
incredibly young looking women with e"ually large eyes of varying
shades and tints leapt up from their seats, long hair flowing to come
close and lean over the fully bound and unconscious warrior.
#s they pawed the face making sounds much like purring they
*<
looked at one another and again at the ghostly pale white eyes before
returning to their throne like seats, however not bothering to reinstate
the inky mists.
1(ut this one must not know of us74 one who had not spoken
before declared, 12e can not be sure she be our friend or our foe74
1Then what can we do with her34 came another whose hair was
in thick full ringlets down to her waist.
The /oly 'other, with a thick white mane which was very full
around her head and down to the ground even when she sat declared,
1@ou must take her to the !outhern Limit.4
1The !outhern Limit34 one with purple hair and eyes gasped
with a look akin to fear and dismay, 12hy such a horrid place34
1(ecause no soul,4 the /oly 'other declared looking all
around with her glistening silver eyes, 1no matter how brave try to go
there to take her.4
1It is scarcely safe for us to go and yet you send this young
priestess34 a metallic blue eyed 'other with long straight black hair
asked.
1!he can make it.4 the /oly 'other nodded, as if looking off
into the future, 1!he make it.4
12here is the !outhern Limit34 the young priestess asked, her
golden eyes blinking in confusion.
1-ollow the seventh star of #u%run until you see the vast chasm
and take that river until you reach the great sea beyond, then there you
shall head west for a thousand fursheks, and there you shall find a
hidden way into The East 2ilderness.
*=
1@ou shall take the hidden way as far as The Open Fuagmire
then you shall walk the one plank.
1The one plank take you across The Open Fuagmire to the
Ignoble 2astelands and there you follow the Trail of -allen Tears
until you reach the !outhern Limit.4 the /oly 'other finally
concluded
1.an I truly do this34 the young priestess timidly asked.
1If this is truly The One,4 the head priestess replied, 1the gods
provide the way.4
This did not bode well for the priestess, but she had been raised
to be of faith, and ust two nights ago, she had seen a great sign and
wondrous marvel greater than anything of even the most mighty of
known legends, and had even brought back a warrior of marvelous
skills and astonishing stamina, even to be alive at this point.
!he swallowed hard in anticipation of a terrible and frightening
ourney ahead of her.
1I shall do as you say my mistress,4 she knelt and bowed, 1If I
live or if I die is in the hands of the gods as you say.4
12e shall have supplies prepared for you...and a fresh
.unchaw as this one is "uite wearied,4 the /oly 'other declared, 15o
now, take rest and prepare your soul before this long and dangerous
ourney that you may be strong, for the hardships that lay before you
are many and great.4
1@es my mistress.4 the priestess once again bowed her head to
the ground before rising and leading the .unchaw by its beard away
toward her childhood nest where she would spend the night resting and
meditating before the vast ourney which lay before her.
*>
Episode
#he $ong %oad Be&ore 's
#s 'icchieu arose refreshed and restored, her robe hood was
down and her long dark brown tresses, bearing two vivid streaks of
golden yellow tumbled down around her.
Bust about that time, her mother, another fairly plump woman
in a similar purple robe and bearing very similar looking hair with the
same two broad stripes came to her nest edge and handed her a large
leaf filled with glistening fruits and tasty nuts.
!he bowed and said, 1Thank you dear mother my beloved.4
1@ou are most welcome daughter my beloved.4 her mother
replied and as 'icchieu accepted the deeply curved leaf filled with
fruit and nuts, her mother bowed in return before turning and walking
back through the bushes out of sight.
#s she opened her tiny appearing mouth, four very wide, chisel
like teeth showed and her aw stretched wide so she could open wide
enough to bite into the large brown nut, making a most satisfyingly
crisp crackling sound as some of its beige flesh popped off into her
mouth, followed in "uick succession until the entire nut was in her
mouth and she speedily chewed with large chunks of nutmeat bulging
out from each cheek.
One nut or piece of fruit at a time, she systematically stuffed
them in her mouth whole or in ust a few bites, making her cheeks
bulge outward, while not a single drop of uice escaped her thick, full
lips.
,?
#s she finished this, she reached into a small hole beside her in
the nest and began pulling on a long string.
#fter a good fifty pulls, a long narrow piece of hollowed out
vine appeared dripping with water.
!he sucked on the rim of it and drank greedily until it was all
inside her.
Then, with a soft burp, she sat there purring contentedly until
another priestess came walking up leading the promised fresh and
ready .unchaw.
2hat she did not e&pect was that the wounded .unchaw was
following behind.
1Is this one not going to rest34 'icchieu asked.
12e offered it sanctuary,4 the taller priestess with long wavy
golden hair e&plained, 1but it seems to be unwilling to leave the
company of The One.4
1It is indeed a loyal beast74 she cried as she sprang from her
nest and landed ne&t to the wounded .unchaw.
19ear dreaded and powerful .unchaw,4 she leaned up against
its head with her own, 1Alease know that this is a long and dangerous
ourney we are about to embark upon and you have already done much
for the people of this land,4 she stroked its long purple beard, 1@ou
really should rest and be well.4
The beast shook its head and growled low, placing a clawed
paw forward.
1!ee34 the tall priestess said, 1It insists it has to go with you
,$
and The One.4
Aulling back from the animal she said, 1If this is your ,4 and
she checked all of the provisions which had already been laden upon it
as those at the sanctuary had deemed it may as well serve if it wished,
1I am grateful you have come to serve The One and my humble and
unworthy self as you have.4
The beast made a soft rumbling sound and began panting,
looking around as if to ask how long until they departed.
The fresh .unchaw turned back and roughly barked something
to the inured beast and it in return seemed to bark something back.
#s if satisfied with the answer, the fresh beast turned with a
placid face and began panting as well.
# litter came on the back of a third .unchaw, this one very
carefully engineered to ensure ma&imum safety and comfort of the
unconscious warrior while also ensuring ade"uate comfort for the
.unchaw and enough room for 'icchieu.
1'ay the gods deliver you safely to your destination dear
sister.4 the tall priestess leaned forward and kissed the cheek of the
chubby priestess.
1'ay the gods keep safe and comfort you as you guard well the
sanctuary dear sister.4 'icchieu replied, kissing her cheek in kind.
They bowed, and the other priestesses all e&changed kisses on
the cheek with the chubby priestess and she then mounted the fresh
.unchaw and they headed for the southern edge of the cauldron which
was the secret home of their clan and the four of them began the long
ourney south.
Ep , Chapter
,*
#s she left the cauldron, while it was yet night, there was a
driving storm and she had to back down below the reach of the savage
rending winds which could easily tear them from the icy vines and
hold off of advancing for several hours until the storm passed by.
#s she waited she meditated and prayed "uietly within herself,
remembering that amazing sight of the one lone warrior guiding all of
the beasts with her powerful and without even letting the immense
shaft in her chest keep her from performing her duty.
The sight of such utter devotion, even if it were to a cause as
horrible as war was indeed truly astonishing.
!he was as good as dead in the eyes of any normal human and
yet even then she had forced herself to rise up and command.
This made little 'icchieu%s heart soar.
19evotion.4 she breathed to herself in adoration, 1I hope I have
such devotion now before the gods.4
#s the winds above died down, and the light patter of soft rain,
which had been snow a few fursheks higher up, slowed and stopped,
she could tell that the storm had vented its fury and now they were all
safe to resume their climb up the precipitous walls of the chasm.
#t the top, with the gleaming moonlight, she and the
.unchaws, carefully scouted the snow strewn cliffs and slopes for safe
passage amongst the vines they used to hold on to as they traveled.
+o large beast but a .unchaw could travel here, and anything
smaller than it was likely to be its prey.
The large purple furry animals lived here indigenously and
seldom ever ventured out of the high mountain ranges save to whelp,
,,
and normally this was where humans sought to capture them and
domesticate them.
!trong warriors would go riding armored .unchaws and using
strong iron chains would capture the wild .unchaws, keeping them
until they whelped then they would use the same cruel chains to drag
the females back into the mountains without their whelps so that they
newborns would be forced to be wet nursed by other .unchaws, or in
some cases, :unnibahs, if no .unchaws were lactating.
This cruelty had gone on for many generations, until finally a
few .unchaws were found which would breed in captivity, and little
by little, their numbers were slowly increased until they had thousands
of them.
This was a sad and grievous wrong in the eyes of the
Leep%theui, who loved peace, hated war and respected all life.
!he and her people were shy, nonviolent and used their magic
to hide from the outside world, which, for the most part was utterly
unaware of their e&istence.
!he and her people had found this e&tinct volcano long ago,
which was warmed by gentle hot springs vents and with e&treme
diligence they had remained carefully out of the reach of the evil races
outside.
They spoke with the animals and lived e&clusively on fruits,
nuts, leaves and grasses.
They stored food away carefully when there was abundance
and metered it out carefully so that they never had want.
!he was taking with her a very large supply of food, mostly
because she would have to tend to The One who would most likely
need more %human% foods where she would be able to subside on what
,0
grew nearby.
They would be traveling a long time in silence, however,
because she could not mask sounds, therefore, as much as she craved
to in"uire of this large, powerful and noble human so many "uestions,
she knew that to do so was unwise and could risk their ultimate
capture and demise.
!he rode through the craggy mountains for days on end,
silently meditating and praying.
!he did not need to eat because she had stored up much food
when she ate the morning they left.
#lso, unlike many of her sisters and mothers, she seemed to
have an e&ceptionally slow internal disposition and therefore needed
far less food than a normal Leep%theui.
!he looked down at her paunch in disdain, as many of the
slimmer, more attractive sisters had much prettier, more shapely bodies
than she had.
The reason she was chosen most of the time for scouting
purposes, however was simply that unlike her sisters and others, she
was so thrifty with food, she could go many times longer without food.
!he did tend to feel hungry often, of course, but if food was not
present, she could go a hundred days without a bite where the ne&t
nearest sister was only forty two.
!he did not even feel hungry right now though because of all
this immense e&citement coursing through her entire body.
!he could feel herself shiver, not from the cold but from the
thrill of being this close to The One7
,8
!even suns had risen and set before she finally came into the
lower ranges where trees began growing again, and there she knew she
would begin to have to be wary of humans and other races which
would be only all too happy to try to maraud their small party.
!he kept to high ridges and narrow passes where humans
without .unchaws would find it dutiful if not impossible to go.
'ost of the other races, such as the .olombu would not
normally venture this high because they were too sensitive to the cold
dry air and high altitudes, but the Lakshabba were right at home in
these high ranges and lived up here.
These gruesome and fierce hairy bipeds were scarcely more
than beasts themselves and much less kind to her people than even the
wily !hakk%tah, feared and revered middle range predator, which,
although closely related to the .unchaw, only without the propensity
for domestication.
The Lakshabba were the most feared being in these mountains,
they killed for sport, but preferred torture.
They were known to eat their prey alive because it pleased
them more to eat something which was suffering than something
already peacefully dead.
Once the thing breathed its last they would throw it down and
urinate on its body and kick it aside, then go along their way as if
nothing had ever happened.
To be caught by one of these loathsome vile beings was a fate
nobody wished.
# few times she heard the crashing of trees in the distance, but
never once did she let this scare her or cause her to lose her nerve.
Instead she prayed silently and simply remained resolute.
,;
(y the eleventh day, she finally passed below the dreaded
mountain range into the lower foothills where the heat was far too high
for the Lakshabba to venture.
2ord was that the only fitting punishment known for
Lakshabba was to drag them down out of the mountains and force
them to labor in the :ipuppum mines until they died of heat
e&haustion. Then they would be eaten.
#pparently this was the one neutral ground where all of the
local kingdoms never touched, because it was property of the cavern
and mine dwelling .olombu, a smooth skinned amphibious people
who were cunning, crafty and fiercely strong, as well as bearing a
horrid venom known as 1The !lowest 9eath in the 2orld.4
This sentient amphibious life form ate rotted flesh. They loved
the stench of rot and decay, and they wallowed in it as a form of
perfume when seeking a mate.
The ironic part of it was that their bodies put of a fragrance
much like a favored fruit of the Leep%theui, which made it particularly
dangerous to forage in these parts.
Once bitten one was doomed.
+o herb known could cure the venom and short of revealing
themselves to other races, which would surely mean death or
enslavement of their people, there were no healers known who could
use magic to dispel it.
One simply had to be sure not to give in to temptation and
follow the wonderful fruity scent to their ultimate and gruesome
deaths.
These amphibious beings would seldom come out in the
,<
daylight because of their brilliant green and yellow markings they
tended to hunt at night, but they lived deep in the caverns where they
operated mines searching for metal with their sharp claws and with
metal tools.
They would work in shifts and hunt in shifts.
They would catch prey and drag it into their caverns where
they would keep it alive and nibble off the rotting flesh until it died
then they would simply let it rot completely then consume the rest of
carrion.
#pparently they had made a pact with other nations to not prey
upon their people in e&change for the dead bodies of criminals and
others not deemed worthy of a glorious burial.
In return, they were allowed to buy metal and trade items that
the .olombu could not easily make with their clumsy clawed hands.
This agreement kept them safe from war while keeping
everybody else safe from predation.
!he knew, ironically, that this was therefore, the safest passage
through to the south river.
-inding a concealed area ust outside of their territory, she
found some rocks and asked the two .unchaws to carefully bring
branches of large trees and weave them together into a defensive
barrier where, for the first time in many many days, they would all be
able to take turns sleeping.
Ep , Chapter !
!ome time after the moons set, in the darkness, they all heard a
loud crashing.
,=
6efle&ively, 'icchieu lay perfectly still and eyed the two alert
.unchaws, each presently encumbered by packs and one still bearing
battle wounds to several legs and its head.
The crashing went on for some time, but eventually faded.
Then there was the distinctive sound of a hilarious cackle
somewhere else in the night, followed by something bellowing in
agony.
# .olombu had caught some unsuspecting prey.
There were distant calls of flighted animals as well.
It seemed that this was indeed a very dangerous night.
!he silently prayed earnestly to the gods for protection over
them as they lay "uietly in her stealthily crafted thatched nest of trees
and branches, surrounded by the spell her kind was innately born able
to do, and that being the power to bend light and create illusions.
It did not stop sound, or scent, but it did hide what was there
from plain sight, which, should some aggressor attack them, they
would not actually see what they were attacking even if they knew by
scent or sound or other senses that it was in fact these two .unchaws.
They all lay there silently listening as the woodlands around
them in the deep darkness let out various sounds of either predator or
prey.
)ven the relatively simple minds of the .unchaw, long long
ago realized that they were far from the kings of the world, and wisely,
they chose their battles with great care.
#s the fifth moon rose into the sky, seeping through little gaps
in the otherwise tightly woven barrier of intertwined wood, the noises
,>
"uieted down once again.
:nowing that sunrise was near at hand, they all took advantage
of the light induced peace outside and slept.
Ep , Chapter "
#s the suns rose above the horizon, everything that had
ventured out into the night was already safely hidden some place far
enough from the heat of the sun that she knew she had the full length
of the day to swiftly cross this treacherous region while it was still
daylight, staying to open spaces, and running all out.
The two .unchaws, despite their packs, were both eager for a
nice long run, as their race was born to run swiftly through the
mountains, leaping from one treacherous peak to another with grace
and skill.
Areparing for the bright light outside, the little Leep%theui
pulled up her purple veil over her huge golden eyes and reached into
the wall of wood for an e&act point and pulled.
2ith a movement which might be astonishing to many, with
the mere pulling of one small twig, this tightly wound and interwoven
wall of trees and branches suddenly came completely unbound, almost
e&plosively.
#s the whole wall came flying apart, the pudgy little priestess
leapt up into the saddle on the wild .unchaw%s back and they sprang
forth with intensity.
The two beasts had been eagerly waiting for this7
They leapt out and were galloping along on their eight strong
nimble legs making the wind rush in her ears despite the hood being
tied tightly over her head.
0?
The trees and grasslands rushed by as the two large purple
beasts who thrived on wild speed hurtled across the open spaces of the
semi-temperate, semi-ungle land.
2hen the terrain changed directions, they never missed a step.
Their eight, agile, muscular legs were made for this.
They were designed for chasing fast nimble animals for great
distances.
They would run like this for days if allowed to.
!he had to hold on tight and she wanted to s"ueeze her eyes
shut for fear of the sheer sensation the speeding terrain gave her, but
she knew she had to keep an eye open for anything which might be a
trap at any distance.
#t one point she did see a trap and she lightly tapped the
shoulder of the leading beast and it veered out of the way, the second
beast smoothly following this motion as if it were tied to the first like a
train.
They leapt across a small ravine which was overgrown by trees,
without breaking stride. !he felt her heart leap into her throat for a
moment as she barely passed under a large tree that hung out over the
ravine, but the beasts were so skilled they had timed their leaps ust so
that they would not lose their way even when confronted with
overhead obstacles.
They raced across one open space after another, zigzagging
through these badlands without hesitation.
#s the sun began to set in the west, she knew they were already
well beyond the zone of greatest danger from the treacherous
.olombu, and now they would be back in the world of smaller, more
0$
sentient beings such as humans.
#s darkness finally fell, she carefully picked a more secluded
path they could manage at night where the maority of threats were
biting insects, which her cloak protected her from, and long serpentine
type creatures which the .unchaws would consider as food even while
they were seeking something like little 'icchieu for a meal.
Ep , Chapter (
They continued riding south all that night, keeping the seventh
star of #u%run.
(y mid morning, they could distantly hear the thunder of the
falls as they neared 9an%tar%s /ollow.
This immense gorge was cut some timeless age past but a
distinctive geological change had stopped it in its tracks. The rock on
one side was of a softer constitution than on the other side, and there
the erosion totally stopped.
The falls were twenty one fursheks deep.
The sides were treacherously steep on both sides for a hundred
fursheks and erosion had played a nasty trick that outside of the falls,
if you attempted to follow the ridge, is became impossible to remain
with it because of the tapering way the rock eroded further out,
meaning you would be taken many hundreds of fursheks to the east or
to the west and be let out in entirely different parts of the world, over
very unforgiving land, forcing you to travel thousands of additional
days to reach the sea.
This only left one real option.
They had to scale the face of the falls, as anybody else would
have to have done, were they too going this direction.
0*
#s they came close to these falls, however, they found an
obstacle in their way.
There, a garrison of men from the 'o%abar kingdom where
camped there, as this was also the boundary area of the 'o%abar
kingdom and the Tu%shinali kingdom.
These kingdoms, it is said, were peoples closely related to the
Le%+an and the :op%toh, and that is why their names sound familiar.
+o matter what the deal was, to get a warrior of the Le%+an
past the 'o%abar was going to be "uite difficult with these warriors all
gathered at the river.
!he had to devise a means of circumventing them which did
not spook their beasts and which did not alert the soldiers.
-inally, she guided the .unchaws for to the west, and where
the road was thickly choked on each side with brush so that one could
not see straight up it, she and the beasts carefully slipped through and
across the road was an unencumbered wooded area which allowed
them to access the river.
Once to the river, she and the beasts would then be disguise as
one large piece of driftwood floating down the river, near the far bank.
They carefully lined up, the wild .unchaw she rode in front,
the trained .unchaw grasping the litter on the back of it.
This way they merely needed to keep from dragging the far
bank to make it slowly down the river looking like a large tree trunk.
#s they closed in on the mouth of the falls, however, fortune
took a turn for the worse and a long slimy serpentine beast with frilly
edges lined with thousands of small sharp, curved, stinging spines
0,
decided to drop out of the trees on them.
There was no choice but to react.
If they dunked, even though they would lose the monster, The
One would surely drown, if they did nothing, it would kill and devour
'icchieu and if they fought the monster, their position would be given
away to the soldiers.
!he silently prayed for an answer to this when lo and behold
another small animal fell haplessly from the trees and landed on the
beast.
The gods had saved them yet again7 The instant the small furry
creature landed on the back of the serpentine beast, it refle&ively
coiled around it and began devouring it.
#ll of this commotion, however, drew the attention of the
soldiers near the water, and they decided that it would be sporting to
take pot shots at the two struggling animals to see if they could kill one
or the other of them.
!eeing this, all she could think of was to pretend to be a log all
the way and so she whispered 16oll all the way over "uickly74 then
she took a deep breath and prayed, 1Alease forgive me great warrior74
as the two .unchaws in unison rolled over, casting the two struggling
creatures into the water before righting themselves.
-ortunately, the first arrow was fired by a novice who had not
well ranged this river and it fell far short.
Once the two animals were in the water, they "uickly drifted
away from the party, which, by default, brought them closer to the
archers.
#s a volley of arrows hit the water, she kept her mind focused
00
on her illusion magic and nothing else.
)ven when an arrow skipped off the water and stuck in the
foreleg of the wild .unchaw, she remained focused.
+ot knowing if they could see the blood seeping from the
wound in the water she simply prayed about this as well and did her
best to keep the illusion of a generally greenish water all around.
#s they went along, the trees began to thin out, as much of the
soil near the edge had long ago been washed away, leaving low banks
of clear, agged rocks.
!oon they passed out of range of the garrison, but then they
were fast approaching the falls and the water was speeding up.
They would have to leave the water soon or be swept over the
edge.
Eery carefully, she created a general blurriness and a slight
mirage of mist and spray while they carefully hung on to the bank by
their claws and very slowly crept up out of the water onto the shore
where they had no cover.
There she did her best impression of boulders until they were
completely out of the water then she simply made them invisible, since
they no longer needed to worry about the wave motions of the water or
the impossible holes their bodies would have made appear in the water.
Once on dry land, it was relatively easy to hide on the spray
dampened rocks.
There, she had to carefully search the provisions, where one
immensely long, and strong fiber had been placed.
This fiber was the result of some creature which spun a web.
08
2hen enchanted, these web laying predators could be communicated
with and eventually there was a pact made that they would provide
special filaments and in e&change, the Leep%theui would provide for
them food, which came in the form of smaller creatures they would
normally eat.
#s distasteful as killing was to the Leep%theui, this was
amenable because ultimately, the Toopaputa were going to kill to eat
anyhow, and this way, they could use herbal sedatives to capture the
small creatures and they would die in such a state of bliss they would
never even know what happened.
5ranted, this in and of its self seemed a horrid way to die to
'icchieu, so much so she found she could not help in this act and
therefore, was more prone to go scouting so she did not have to be
involved in the deaths of those little creatures in e&change for the
needful filament.
6ight at this moment, however, she was ever so grateful she
had it.
!he took one end and tied it to the wild .unchaw, and found a
suitably smooth rocky outcropping which would not sever the filament
in use, and then she had the other .unchaw take hold of the filament
carefully in its fangs so she would be able to lower them down the
chasm.
!he carefully had each beast slowly back over the edge, both of
them being very capable climbers, and then, slowly, they both
descended little by little down the sheer, craggy vertical face.
They gingerly lowered down on their eight de&terous limbs,
using the filament only as a safety while they slowly scaled downward.
The water fell like a rainstorm at this point as it had been
broken up into smaller and smaller streamers, finally into small
0;
droplets long before it reached the bottom.
#s a result, long before they got to the bottom, the rocks were
slick with algae and the progress slowed greatly.
It took most of the day to reach the rocks at the bottom and
they were all drenched.
-ortunately, despite all of this horrid rough handling, their
heavily sedated passenger had not been drowned or even gotten wet
for all of the careful preparations made for this capricious and perilous
ourney.
Once at the rocky bottom, they would, once again, have to float
down the river.
0<
Episode !,
#he )ast Chas* Bet+een ,ur -earts
The river, far below the land from whence they had ust come,
was headed up by a very deep pool where the aeons of water had
carved out a wide bowl at the bottom.
They were in a deep shadow, as little sunlight filtered into the
narrow crag, and that which did was thoroughly scattered by the water
in the air.
The water dragged air down with it, creating a storm-like
condition, even in the back of the bowl.
It was impossible to see anything but rain and rain shattered
water. Earious shades of gray were the air, the water and the rocks
down here. The wind whipped and tugged constantly as the air roared
deafeningly from the nonstop thunder of the water falling so hard it
threatened to flatten them to the rocks with its driving force.
The only good thing about the incessant hammering of the rain
and the limited light was that no algae grew to make the rocks slippery.
There was so much water in the air, however, it was choking to
breathe and she had to use her veil, which "uickly watered up until she
had to lower it ust under her eyes to see.
Aicking their way along the rocks was useless because
ultimately, they ended where the bowl ended and they had to go out
into the steel walled gorge anyhow.
0=
They gently lowered themselves into the water and began
paddling south, where hopefully the water would eventually grow
shallow once again and begin doing the work for them.
They steadily paddled as the suns set, leaving them in the cold,
wet, dark, narrow gorge, without a clue what might be there with them.
The rain further out was rushing past them sideways as fast as a
.unchaw could have run, perhaps faster, she guessed, as it whipped
and lashed at them, pelting them with fierce rain. 2hite capped waves
slapped at them as well.
Thankfully, her very durable robe was well suited to handle
even the worst of storms as she faced them constantly in the mountains
where she has been born.
They had scarcely been paddling a kutun before something
reached up to snag one of the legs of the second .unchaw.
The water beast swiftly sucked the land beast down into the
water where it was apparently intent on devouring it, possibly after
first drowning it.
'icchieu screamed in alarm, fearing for the .unchaw which
had been sucked under.
The two beasts struggled, the long, slimy eel-like beast with
long frilly fin-like formations down both sides, and the hairy,
muscular, clawed .unchaw.
The .unchaw, however, had one maor advantage over wild
beasts, it was not merely trained how to swim, but how to besiege a
moated city.
:nowing how to hold its breath, it was calm and made no effort
to flail toward the surface, but instead, with the same single minded
0>
determination it would have killed a Thombune, the veteran warrior
beast selected the sensitive eyes of the a"uatic beast and gouged them
both out.
This level of pain was something the water creature had never
e&perienced and was unable to maintain the battle, swimming off
blindly, leaving a trail of blood as it fled.
Dnfortunately for the eel beast, its blood and blindness, topped
off with its panic reaction, led to its own demise as something so
immense it had burrowed under the entire river, suddenly opened its
immense maw and sucked the panicking foe to its death.
2aves rolled up the river at them, threatening to swamp little
'icchieu.
#s the returning .unchaw surfaced, it padded forward to
rumble something to the other .unchaw, which gargled something
back.
1I am glad you learned how to survive such ungainly beasts74
'icchieu cried in delight.

!omething distinctly like a chuckle came from the veteran
.unchaw as it fell back, taking the rear again.
#s they neared the location of the immense borrowing monster,
they grouped together again, forming an illusory piece of driftwood
and gradually floated over the trap door hole in the river%s stony
bottom.
Araying silently but intently, the tiny girl ust gripped the
handle of the littler and mouthed her please for protection and safe
passage.
#pparently the gods heard her because they made it past the
8?
immense maw that lay open some place below.
The river gradually began to shallow out and pick up a little
speed, allowing them to rest from the wearying treading of water,
which in and of its self was harder than merely floating.
#fter another two kutun the rain finally thinned out and tapered
off, leaving open air.
!till the water roared behind them and there was a cool breeze
as the water pulled the air down the great drop into the narrow chasm.
They saw flying beasts up in the sky when the sky cleared out.
#long the ridge some pale moonlight trickled in and reflected
off the dull tan stone walls, and there above, the flying beasts could
have been any size, and they would never have a clue.
They maintained the driftwood illusion ust so they would not
draw attention, in case these birds would see them as a meal too.
#ll night long they simply drifted, being pushed along
somewhat by the wind racing down the gorge as well.
They were very cold and tired, as they had soaked for so many
kutun in the cold water, but there simply was no other way to go where
they had to go, so they made the best of it.
Ep !, Chapter
They were two full days in the water, drifting along the
horribly long gorge, with large flighted beasts overhead and large
a"uatic beasts below, before they finally reached the sea shore.
There, as the river spread out and sped up, they had to swim to
the west side to be sure not to end up thrust far out to sea where
8$
perhaps even larger monsters lived.
It was a horrific struggle to climb up out of the after floating
such a long time because they were both very cold and their muscles
had gone slack from all that floating.
+o sooner than they climbed out of the water onto the sandy
shore, however, immense chitinous scurrying monstrosities came
charging up from burrows in the rocks facing the sea.
They had no choice but to run.
+ormally, these monsters were not as fast as a normal
.unchaw, only right now there was one maor problem.
#t this moment, their muscles were very cold and
unaccustomed to standing from being in the water.
1.rouch74 she called and then worked her illusion spell to cast
invisibility on them.
The crustaceans were not a particularly intelligent beast, and
since they saw only with compound eyes, their vision was not that
acute to begin with.
The immensely built beasts had pincers that would effortlessly
snap a .unchaw in half.
)ven the .unchaws were nervous.
.reeping along slowly, they warily kept an eye on the presently
baffled crustaceans, while gently stepping softly on the sand so as to
not make any vibrations.
-ortunately, in stepping softly, when the sand suddenly gave
way under the leader%s forepaw, it pulled back as a slimy black tendril
8*
snaked out from the sand.
6efle&ively they leapt back.
# hundred such black tentacles began to spread out on the sand
in search for anything they could grab.
The crustaceans ran at this and a battle ensued between a dozen
massive clawed beasts an a much more massive black thing which
proved to take up a very large portion of the beast.
#s they tore into one another, the terrifying flying creatures
seemed to have been alerted and soon they too swooped in.
There was a three way battle to devour one another.
5ently walking up the beach a little way, they carefully skirted
the macabre feast.
.arefully probing the sand ahead, they stalked slowly along.
The lead .unchaw found a handy piece of driftwood and with
its left paw gingerly probed further ahead.
They were ust beginning to feel safe when a massive bivalve
blew open the sand and with a powerful muscular tongue tried to suck
the piece of driftwood into its chasmic insides.
!eeing another piece of driftwood of lesser length and wider
girth, the following .unchaw scooped up this newly found missile and
with two forepaws hurled it into the maw of the bivalve, which
refle&ively loosed the first piece and snapped shut.
#pparently, these beasts worked entirely on autonomous
nervous systems and could not even tell the difference between wood
and food.
8,
They carefully probed and prodded along further, tripping eight
more such bivalves, only the lead .unchaw was swift enough this time
to pull the stick back, leaving the bivalves frustrated.
They saw smaller crustaceans scurrying along the sand a
couple of times in swarms, once they were sucked up by another
bivalve and once they were swallowed by another massive black pit of
tentacles.
One patch came at them, and although their pincers were
painful, they were "uite tasty in the opines of the .unchaw, so they
endured a few painful nips through their leathery hide and long fluffy
fur in e&change for the opportunity for the first meal in twenty days.
They eventually ate the whole troupe, and at no time did the
little crustaceans have the sense to realize they were the meal.
#long the beach trundled a serpentine behemoth, somewhere
near a hundred koloks long and as high on its belly as a man, which
got into a tangle with another black pit beast, and it began e&uding
some stiflingly acrid secretion which produced a to&ic cloud as it
dissolved the black pit beast.
The black pit beast attempted to rise out of the sand, and as it
did, it towered easily fifteen koloks into the sky and perhaps fifty
koloks across, with a shiny black body coated in a elly-like skin, but
the retched green slime was apparently "uite to&ic as well as corrosive
and before they left the fighting pair far behind, it collapsed with a
"uivering that they knew meant it had succumbed to the lethal to&ins
of the serpentine beast.
:nowing that the beach would not be safe as night, as the suns
began to set, she aimed them toward the rocky inland border of the
beach.
80
They could only hope they could survive the beach at night
hidden some place between or under some boulders, provided nothing
would slither or crawl in there looking for them.
They found a partially collapsed cave, apparently burrowed out
by one of the giant crustaceans and carefully made a makeshift wall of
stacked boulders pushed up and piled around the entry, which then, she
cast an illusion upon, to make it appear to be solid stone.
:nowing this would not hide the scent or their sounds, she
pulled out some dry herbs from the pack on the back of the veteran
.unchaw and with a striker, set them to smoldering.
The light smoke was prized for its ability to both defeat and
mask odors of anything which might be trying to track you.
!he let the herbs gently smolder with them all night long and
from there all she could do was continue to pray for protection from
the gods.
)ventually they all drifted off to sleep from the e&haustion.
Ep !, Chapter !
The sound of rocks tumbling and falling outside was pervading
'icchieu%s mind when she realized that what was really happening
was that The One was coming out of her sedation and was struggling
against her restraints.
1Oh no74 she whispered while springing from her seat and
landing beside the veteran .unchaw which held the provisions.
There she dig though the neatly stacked bo&es until she found
the right one and then she pulled out a small orb with a sharp point on
it from inside a bo& filled with many such small orbs.
88
/urriedly untying the top flap of the waterproof bag the warrior
was inside, she hurriedly found the vein on her neck even as she was
trying to focus, move or speak, to prick the vein and s"ueeze the orb.
This inected a powerful, long acting mi&ture of anesthesia and
sedative which in half a breath, caused the warrior to go limp and
resume a slow, steady breathing.
12ow that was close74 she breathed softly.
!he hurried to tie the container back shut, then she placed the
used orb back in the bo&, re-sealed the bo&, and meticulously re-
stacked the supplies, only this time, keeping the bo& of sedative orbs
on top of the pile so less time would be lost, should this happen again.
!he could see sunlight beginning to creep through the crevasses
in the rocks, so she mounted the wild .unchaw and created a
transparency spell with which she could see through solid obects.
#s far as she could see, both before them and above them,
nothing lay in wait for their e&it from their temporary lodging.
#s they pushed the rocks out, however, something completely
transparent swooped down and began clawing at her hood, which was
over her head.
!he screamed out in fear even though the e&tremely tough
material was far too strong for the nearly invisible monster to
penetrate.
The veteran .unchaw, apparently had some e&perience with
this beast, or else ust had enough e&perience generally that it reached
out over the wild .unchaw and with four of its leading paws, "uickly
scooped the nearly invisible beast from the air.
The beast struggled and attempted to bite the .unchaw, but it
8;
used its own, larger, stronger claws and crushed the beast to death.
!trangely, the beast never actually became visible, even in
death.
2hatever it was made of, it had no light refracting or reflecting
essence to it.
12hat is it34 she asked the veteran .unchaw.
It growled something, and then slowly, with great deliberation
voiced 12aaaareeee-mmmmmaaaarrreeee%
The other .unchaw she was riding suddenly shuddered with
fear and made some nervous grunts and hisses.
1That%s T)66I(L)74 she s"uealed in fearful revulsion.
The veteran .unchaw made some more sounds as it e&plained
the basic nature of this monster, which would travel much like a cloud
or a spirit, completely invisible, until it found prey to feed upon, then it
would solidify, while still being invisible, and drain the blood from its
victims, only being visible while it had blood in it, which, in some
cases, was too late for anybody to do anything about, since it usually
attacked lone prey.
#pparently this one had no idea that there was more than one
sentient being in the cave, for whatever reason and foolishly attacked a
very capable party.
!he got off of the wild .unchaw, and went to the veteran
.unchaw and dug for some supplies and she carefully wrapped the
small monster in a sheath of special material so it would be preserved
so it could be studied by the sisters, who had no lore on this beast.
Once it was thoroughly wrapped, she placed it inside the
8<
provisions tarp and tied it down tightly.
1I hope its really dead74 she murmured.
The .unchaws made tones of agreement.
They warily worked their way along the rocky edge of the
beach, doing their best to avoid the loose sand, preferring to keep to
the more trustworthy stones.
This was slower going, but it was also much safer.
#s the day wore on, they saw occasional battles along the
beach but for the most part, paid them no mind as there was too much
need to keep an eye out for new threats.
It one point, flying beasts came overhead and she once again
cast the invisibility spell on them and they lay and wait until the flying
beasts drifted onwards.
#s they reached the point where the beach became rockier and
compressed more tightly against the water%s edge, they were forced to
venture out onto the beach more.
!ome of the seeming rocks turned out to be crustaceans and
mollusk type beasts, but most of them were either too small, or too
slow to offer a real threat to the .unchaws at this point.
#t one point, however, the entire beach was compressed into an
archway, which happened to be filled with tidal water at the moment.
1I wish I knew a better way than this.4 the little priestesses
thought to her self.
!he saw large flat a"uatic animals in the shallows, all ust
waiting for something to stumble carelessly across their path and be
8=
devoured.
12hat should we do34 she asked the beasts.
They murmured that they would be most likely caught if they
tried to cross at high tide and that they should wait until the tide
receded.
!o they all waited patiently while the sea slowly subsided,
forcing the swimmers to leave for deeper waters.
)ven then, they carefully approached the area and the prodding
stick was employed.
The stick was bitten off by yet another beast, which, apparently
lay in wait in the mud during low tide.
They prodded until three of these beasts ended up biting off
pieces of the stick, making it fairly short and useless.
!till, these three were so intent on biting into their pieces of
stick, it allowed the party to slip by before they realized they had been
had with nothing but pieces of dry wood.
On the other side, there was signs of greenery.
There were small tufts of grass, barely visible, poking up here
and there along the rocky shore line.
This was a good sign, because it meant solidity.
They still remained careful and even with the broken piece of
driftwood, the wild .unchaw poked at tufts of grass.
It turned out that one out of ever twenty or so were the trigger
hairs of a kind of trapdoor beast which lured herbivores to their death
8>
with the fake grass.
!lowly, the rocky shore line and the beach began to converge
as the geological makeup of the region continued to change.
The shore began to become more sloped and more pebble
strewn while the beach became more silty and had more moss and
grass.
They tended away from the beach, in hopes of finding fewer
traps.
They knew to avoid ruts and washes, seeing as these would
have ambush predators in them.
!mall trees began popping up now and then, ust bearing thorn
covered leaves and no fruits.
(y nightfall, they had gotten to the point where there were as
many as a hundred trees within sight at any one time.
The problem was, none of these trees offered any protection
during the night.
There were two moons on the rise, so it was not going to be a
very dark night.
They pressed onward, hoping to find something more
substantial.
The moons passed overhead as they rode, and they still did not
find anything suitable, but they paused in a clearing a bit further up
from the shore and rested their tired muscles while waiting another
moon to rise.
#s the ne&t moon came up, thankfully, it was :in%oh, the bright
;?
moon.
They rose and continued onward.
9uring the night, something like animals made sounds, but
nothing came close to them.
#t one point, it seemed something moved a nearby shrub.
!till, it seemed that there were no animals out.
Bust as :in%oh was setting, however, to their surprise, one of the
trees its self lashed out with thorny vines and tried to entangle the
veteran .unchaw.
The wild .unchaw spun to assist and the two of them fought
off stinging tentacular vines which numbed anywhere they touched.
They ripped and chewed the fiercely bitter, numbingly to&ic
vines to break the veteran .unchaw free.
-inally, the tree seemed to have realized it had lost the battle
and withdrew its tentacles.
!till, both .unchaws informed 'icchieu that they had been
badly poisoned and may well die.
!he hurried to pull out potions and orbs, with which, she made
haste to inect them with twenty si& different medicines, ust in case
any one of those might save their lives.
!oon, however, the two beasts were acting much like drunkards
and were, to their way of doing it, giggling and purring.
12hatever I gave you,4 she said softly, 1I hope I did more than
merely make your passing easy.4 remembering the horrible ordeal of
;$
drugging prey for the web spinning animal.
!he knew she had failed the "uest if they died here, and there
was nothing more she could do but pray, so she packed up all of the
supplies again, mounted the wild .unchaw and prayed for their safety
yet more.
Ep !, Chapter "
Thankfully, by morning they were both sober and still alive.
They had curled up together to make a ball of legs that would
help resist sneak attacks.
#s 'icchieu turned and gazed with her huge golden eyes at the
wrapped up warrior, she thought back on the thrill of seeing this
strange warrior fight simply commanding animals, which would have
been amazing enough, but to be doing so while bleeding through her
left lung and commanding them despite all that pain.
This one had a resolute heart like nobody she had ever seen in
the fifteen wars she has watched since being assigned to be a watcher.
!he could have retreated, she could have given up and simply
died, but she kept fighting even while facing down the most terrifying
beast she had yet encountered in all of her life.
5ranted, 'icchieu%s imagination took over there ust a bit,
giving license to think that surely the warrior had never faced anything
as terrifying as a young @amthan.
1#nd4, the little priestess made a point of saying to herself, 1It
2#! merely a @OD+5 @amthan at that. #n ancient @amthan would
have been far worse74
These beasts could grow so large that they would blot out the
;*
sky with their wings.
Their home territories were far to the east, but they could sail
the world round they were so strong.
The idea came to her suddenly of riding on the neck of such a
monstrosity, but riding behind the warrior, holding tightly to her waist,
pressed closely to her back, while the wind rushed over them and far
below the land looked like a distant map as far as the eye could see.
!he thought of the moon eyed warrior turning and looking back
with a strong proud smile, her hair streaming around her face as she
gazed at the little golden eyed priestess.
12hat would it be like with you fair warrior34 she asked aloud
without thinking, stirring the .unchaws, who then rose, and dissipated
her daydream.
1Oh74 she softly e&claimed as the two hairy purple beasts
heaved upright and began grumbling and growling between
themselves, reaching out to the hand hold on the littler for stability.
1@es,4 she agreed sullenly, 1we have to keep moving. Let us go
if you are ready then.4 she replied to the guttural sounds of the beasts.
They proceeded onward as the sun rose, carefully skirting
anything that might move, hide anything that moved, or might not be
what it seemed to be.
/aving found another nice long piece of driftwood, the wild
.unchaw resumed its ob of careful poking and prodding, springing
traps of various kinds as they went.
The insects buzzed all around them, but thankfully were unable
to penetrate either the robe and veil, nor the thick long shaggy fur of
the .unchaws.
;,
!till, even though her ob was to watch, it seemed that no
matter how hard she tried to concentrate, she kept thinking of the
warrior who lay peacefully sedated behind her.
-rom picking her up off the ground, stripping off her armor,
seeing her naked even though she was covered in her own blood and
barely breathing, to washing her entire strong supple body in a crystal
clear creek, to binding her inuries with herbs and poultice the second
time, in earnest, to showing her to the 5reat 'other, to even the brief
moment she felt her skin while inecting a new dose of sedative.
#t one point, she almost got hit in the face by an attacking
predatory animal which dove from the sky, only at the last instant
dodging as it skimmed by.
The veteran .unchaw scooped the offending beast from the air
and slammed it to the ground, biting its head off at it%s scaly neck.
!he shivered in fear and struggled to keep her mind on the task
of getting to their destination.
12hy must I be like this34 she moaned to herself, 1This is
forbidden.4 she groaned.
1There is no way I can cross this vast chasm between us.4 she
wept within herself, knowing that the 5reat 'other forbade any
contact with the outside races, let alone love7
5lumly, she did her best to remain focused on using her far
sight to seek out other threats.
1I ust need to keep my mind off of her.4 she tried to say to
herself with stolid strength, 1I know better than to get caught up in
such childish emotions anyhow74
;0
Episode ",
#he )ast Wi.derness
#fter many weeks of riding, without seeing anything but beach
and scrub trees, with daily battles with monsters of various sizes and
descriptions, they came to a point where the rocks rose upward all the
way into the sky, much like where the river had plummeted into the
gorge and where the face went up at a sheer, steep elevation which one
could never hope to safely climb without the safety of the silken line.
The problem lay in that there was no way to attach the silken
line to the top.
!he recalled the limerick which told how to get to The East
2ilderness.
!ome place along this seemingly perfect, and utterly
impenetrable wall, there was a hidden passage.
!he used her far sight, first out toward the sea, where it would
be easy to get caught by a"uatic monsters, but where it would be most
difficult to search up close as well.
#s far as she could see, which was nearly to the horizon,
nothing was clearly evident.
!he then asked the .unchaws to make the risky trek along the
sloping hillside, in hopes of finding some kind of hidden passage.
They used the trunks of fallen trees as clubs to bash away at the
vine slinging bushes they encountered, beating them to stubble at a
;8
safe distance.
1I wonder what the warrior would have done here34 she
thought all of a sudden, wishing she were more e&perienced at this
kind of task.
-ighting was never her thing. In fact, it was not even in the
nature of the Leep%theui to fight. They were herbivores and weak
willed, soft of form and easily frightened.
Their race was constantly hiding and "uite contentedly so.
This was the reason it was forbidden for them to intermingle
with the other races, oddly as that would have seemed to the outside
world, the 'others insisted on not only keeping racial purity, but
spiritual purity as well. # violent spirit was simply unacceptable for a
priestess of Luluine, goddess of love, life, light and fertility.
The Leep%theui reproduced slowly and this was, in part, due to
their timid natures.
To mate meant to be naked, to be e&posed and to trust one%s
most intimate self to another.
It was far more preferred to live a comfortable, solitary life,
away from others, holing up in one%s own nest.
)ven, she realized, she had never seen her mother naked7 !he
was always in a robe and always had kept 'icchieu in a robe ever
since she could remember7
Their robes were made of strong silk, and provided a passive
yet very real level of protection, seeing as almost nothing could cut,
pierce or burn through them.
They lived their lives in robes right from birth and lived shyly
;;
in their own little nests, made by their mothers, often built not long
after they were born and weaned.
!he never lived far from her mother, only a "uick scamper
through the thick ungle leaves, but she lived far enough that she could
not see her mother, unless one of them went to see the other.
!he, perhaps, among all of the Leep%theui, despite being short,
and pudgy, was probably the most adventurous of their breed.
!he was very social, and very sociable compared to her sisters.
!he had no problem talking about anything that was on her
mind, which often embarrassed the others, making them shy away
from her outside of formal duties.
!o, here, searching for this hidden passage, she felt at home
because she lived for adventure, a trait not highly praised by the /igh
'others.
-inally, as the two .unchaws beat down a heavy thicket of
vined bushes, there at the very roots of the bushes lay a black place
between their stumps.
#s they circled it, they looked carefully inside at a safe
distance, in case some monster lay inside.
Dsing a special light bending skill, she curved some of the
brilliant sunlight down at the hole to peer deep inside.
The stumps blocked most of the view, but she got at least the
inkling that it was much larger than it first appeared.
The .unchaws could not easily dig the roots and rocks, but
they tried for a while before complaining that it was indeed a truly
arduous task.
;<
!he asked them to back away but they reminded her that there
was not much room before they would encounter more stinging bushes
looking for a meal.
1Okay,4 she replied, 1then I must make more space to work
with.4 and she said, 1Let us back up a little the way we came instead.4
They backed up while she increased the size and scope of her
magic, bending much more light into the hole until it began
smoldering and finally burst into flames.
The .unchaws were duly impressed by this.
In their eyes, this would be a wonderful weapon against any foe
or predator7
(ut she replied, 1I shall not knowingly and intentionally do
harm to any other if I can at all possibly avoid it.4
Interestingly, however, not long after she said this, there was a
thrashing sound from inside the hole, and the odor of burnt hair and
singed flesh came to their nostrils.
There had been something in the hole, and now, it was being
incinerated.
!he stopped the magic because she knew that something had
been harmed by her attempt to widen the hole.
# long, black, four legged animal came charging out of the hole
silently, as if it had no voice, and raced past them to the sea where it
did its best to "uench the pain.
'oments, later, several smaller versions of this beast came out
and hurried after the first.
;=
#nd finally, another large one came out, only it stood there
with its fangs bared and its tail hairs fluffed in an attempt to make it
look larger.
!ince the beast had ears, the .unchaws roared at it, bearing
their fangs and raising their four front paws in threat.
The animal realized it was far outclassed and it warily slunk
around past them, heading toward the rest of its pack.
1@es,4 she agreed with their animal sounds, 1they are a strange
looking life form indeed.4
They tried to look into the hole, but it was still ablaze and it
was still filled with smoke.
They gingerly reached into the burning mass and with "uick
motions of their laong sharp claws yanked out pieces of the charred
wood until at last, they scattered the flaming debris enough it self
e&tinguished.
2ith the hazard of getting burned out of the way, they pried the
last few roots out of the opening to find that it was much larger than it
first appeared.
!till, it looked as if there was no way the .unchaws would be
able to pass through.
Their long legs were so long that even when folded, they took
up a lot of room on each side.
!he thought about this a while then asked them if they could
crawl on their bellies.
This was an alien concept to the beast, even though it often
;>
rested and slept on its belly.
This beast was designed to climb, leap and scuttle, not crawl.
!he had to lay down on the pebbly ground and e&plain it to
them by gesturing.
!he had often crawled into small holes to hide from people or
predators in previous scouting missions, so for her it was a simple
thing to do.
#lso, apparently at one point, her ancestors long ago lived in
burrows and hollowed out trees.
-inally with some coa&ing, the two beasts warily gave it a try.
To their surprise, it worked out "uite easily despite its seeming
ungainliness.
Ep ", Chapter
They worked their way into the tunnel for three days.
The dim glow of luminescent moss lit the way for them.
The .unchaws caught their packs a few times and they had to
be taken off and pushed ahead of them some times, then carefully
reloaded in a very confined space.
It was dirty and cramped for the large beasts, even though little
'icchieu was right at home.
The small troupe finally saw light on the far side, although this
time it was moonlight.
#s they neared the end of the tunnel, they pondered the safety
<?
of going out at night, versus remaining in the tunnel until daylight.
#s they deliberated on this, they sensed movement from inside
the tunnel behind them.
They could not ignore the fact that the black beasts had been
living in the tunnel like a den and may well return, so they decided to
see what all lay on the outside of the tunnel.
To their surprise, it was a lush green thicket.
There were small animals and insect-like creatures buzzing and
chirping both near and far, some were flashing to one another and
some were making groaning noises.
#s they slowly proceeded through low grass, beneath leafy
deciduous trees, they kept a wary eye out for tricky monsters and traps.
9ue to her keen eyesight, 'icchieu avoided walking into a
very large web.
The denizen of the web was as large as her head.
They carefully skirted this trap and proceeded out into an open
area between clumps of trees.
The moon%s light made this place seem magical.
It seemed as peaceful as any safe place the humans had ever
lived, there did not seem to be any signs of anything terrifying at the
moment, but one had always best be on their guard.
They could not be sure that anywhere was safe, either in the
open or in the cavern, but they finally settled on the idea of pushing
some small trees into the back of the cavern so that at least 'icchieu
<$
and the warrior would be safe.
The two .unchaws then intertwined their legs as they nestled
against the opening, the little priestess cast her invisibility spell on
them, and they all set about to sleep
Ep ", Chapter !
They awoke to the sound and sensation of the earth violently
bouncing and shaking all around.
In the distance, something trumpeted in fear while something
else roared in pursuit.
The sound of trees snapping and s"uealing as their internal
fibers were torn from them, made it clear that something, or rather
several somethings, very large, were not a long distance away, and one
of them was very likely to soon be the meal of the other.
-inally, the sounds indicated that the pursuer had caught up
with the pursued.
There were more trumpetings and there were violent motions
which broke trees in the distance.
This went on for a few hundred heartbeats more and then there
was relative silence.
The only sound was the heavy bass rumble of the predatory
beast as it furiously devoured the herbivore it ust killed.
12e should not go that way.4 the trembling 'icchieu decided,
1perhaps for now, we should remain close to this wall for a while.
The beast rumbled consent, but also pointed out that there may
not be any more caverns to hide in, so they would merely be laying
<*
against the wall to reduce the number of sides they had to defend
against.
1I am aware of this,4 she shakily acknowledged, 1but even if
all it does is reduce the number of places they can attack from, that is
better than not doing so.4
They carefully picked their way along the massive rock wall
which they had ust passed through until they found that the land
beside them opened completely up, like a vast grassland, save for a
very few sparse trees.
They had left the leafier semi-forested area into more of a
savanna-like area.
There were smallish animals out in the distance, herds of them
in the thousands in fact, and they were apparently eating the grass
without a concern in the world.
They were dark brown and had four legs, horns, large brown
eyes and large flapping ears, followed by thin tails with brush like
ends which seemed to be continuously swatting at small flying insects.
The heat was fairly oppressive here, seeing as they were all life
forms specifically adapted to high elevations and cold temperatures,
but it was not so great that none of them had ever endured them
before.
1I think we should make good time and remain cooler by
running, don%t you think34 she asked.
They eagerly agreed and rose up from their scuttling walk into
their long legged gallop.
#s they proceeded across the flat open spaces at a wide open
run, indeed the air rushing past them greatly reduced the stress of the
<,
heat.
Their fur flurried around, now acting as much like a heat sink
as it would have been insulation.
They careened across the open plains as fast as they could,
carefully dodging lakes, ponds small streams or anything which might
contain predators.
They ran for the entire day, nonstop.
-inally, as it was getting dark, they slowed to look around and
search out a safe place to sleep for the night.
#s 'icchieu%s eyes scanned the horizon, however, she locked
gazes with a very large, rust colored monstrosity with a gaping maw
filled with teeth and two comically stubby forearms.
!omehow, this monster was apparently an agile, far sighted,
and possibly intelligent beast.
+o sooner than she realized that even at a great distance this
immense eating machine had seen her, it decided she was indeed a
worthy meal to ac"uire.
12e%ve been spotted74 she yelped, 1Its big74 she cried, 1#nd its
fast74
The two waited no longer and on instinct, they poured even
more energy into their escape.
This monster was very large and very fast.
It was astonishingly fast for its seeming ungainliness7
The earth thundered as it propelled its self along on two spike
<0
toed long legs, balancing its self with a long heavy tail.
It roared as it e&alted upon its sure and imminent victory.
The .unchaws were not accustomed to fleeing for their lives,
but apparently, they had enough natural instinct that it was not a hard
concept to contemplate.
#s they neared a wide lake, they realized that to turn either
direction would only bring them more easily within capture range of
the beast.
Out ahead, in the dim light, there were small hilly islands
around the shores of the lake, and one of them with little more than a
leap, could help them cross the lake in a few swift bounds, hopefully
putting a safe distance between them and the predator following them.
They "uickly discussed this with 'icchieu who agreed more in
fear than out of logic.
They bounded out onto the long, wide, low island and ran
across its wet spongy surface of pebbles and stones before leaping off
the end of it onto the far shore.
The tall running predator wasted no time in following...
Dntil the island lifted its head and in one blindingly fast
movement, turned and clamped an unbelievably vast set of aws onto
the running predator, slamming it into the water with a gargantuan
splash.
The island, it turned out, was an even L#65)6 beast,
apparently considering the two .unchaws far too small to bother with.
(efore the running beast could let out a satisfactory cry of
surprise, pain or fear, its body was crushed making an echoing sound
<8
as its large heavy bones snapped in the aws of the truly terrible beast
that ate it.
They slowed only a moment to see the upper half of the beast
which had pursued them be tossed into the air and swallowed by a
head which was easily the size of a castle fortress, which seemed to
simply rise up out of the island.
1)eeeeeeeek74 she cried, 1Lets get out of here74
They resumed running and ran all night long without stopping.
Ep ", Chapter "
They ran all night long and in the morning, they found a low
enclosed ditch which would likely be flooded if it were to rain, but in
the mean time, it would be a fairly safe place to hide and sleep off the
heat of the day.
They carefully carried what dead wood they could find
scattered along the nearby plains and stacked it into a roof and two
ends so that they would at least have a fighting chance to escape,
should something try to dig them out.
#fter the invisibility spell was cast, they curled up and slept in
a seemingly empty dry gully.
1'icchieu.4 came a "uestion, only this "uestion was utterly
devoid of a voice, 1'icchieu, why are you here34
1I am here to save %The One% she replied in reverence.4
12ho is %The One%34 the "uestion asked.
1It is the woman warrior I saved from the battlefield.4 she
replied simply.
<;
12hy do you think this is %The One%34 the voiceless in"uisitor
persisted.
1I have seen74 she declared in elation, 1I have seen with my
own two eyes74
19o the others agree34 it persisted.
1They agree74 she insisted, 1!ee what long arduous ourney we
take to the !outhern Limit74
12hy did they send you of all people34 the "uestion asked
insistently.
1(ecause I can endure74 she replied, "uite off the cuff without
any real thought, 1!urely this is why they sent me and not a master74
1Aerhaps they are right.4 the "uestioning changed pace.
1.an you heal a spirit34 it persisted.
1# spirit34 she asked bewildered.
1@ou hurt a spirit.4 the in"uisitor replied, 1If you heal the spirit,
you shall gain a guide.4
1I have never known a spirit74 she protested, 1/ow can I
possibly know34
1(ut you can try, yes34 the in"uisitor persisted.
1I live to heal and never to harm, I am a priestess divine of the
sacred blood of the great and holy house Tiwuuah of the holy and
sovereign Luluine, goddess of love and life74 she replied, 1It is my
life%s duty to heal any who ask of me, even if it cost me my life74
<<
1@ou know your rote well child.4 the in"uisitor replied, 1!till
yet,4 it persisted, 1recently you broke your vows.4
12hat34 she recoiled in fear and disbelief, 1That inury to the
black beast was an accident74 she cried in her mind.
1That is not what I am speaking of.4 the silent communication
insisted.
1Then how could I have possibly...broken...my...34 she tapered
off.
1That%s right little child,4 the voice declared, 1you have taken a
liking of a foreign race.4
1(u-bu-but, +OOOOOO74 she cried, suddenly waking up
screaming while pressing her little hands against her hooded head in
protest7
The .unchaws were awakened by her cry and asked what was
the matter.
1I had a terrible dream ust now74 she sobbed, 1It was
horrible74
They voiced their condolences and the veteran .unchaw
reached up and gently licked her face, assuring that no matter what,
they would give their life to her cause and defend both she and the
warrior with their lives.
1I hope that is enough,4 she sniffled softly, 1I fear a far worse
punishment than death74
Ep ", Chapter (
<=
They were all awakened by the sound of scratching on the
wood outside.
'icchieu flinched awake and using her light bending skills
peered outside to see, of all things, the badly burned face of the black
beast they had encountered at the entry to the passage through the
wall7
1Oh 5reat 5oddess74 she e&claimed, 1Its @OD74
The .unchaws grumbled a "uestion, as to whom the little
priestess was talking about.
1The spirits74 she replied, 1we hurt the spirits74
This was a very confusing statement for them and they
generally wanted to know how they as fleshly beasts could hurt spirit
beings.
1I don%t know yet,4 she replied, 1but I did with my sunfire
spell74
They asked what they should do at this point.
1Let them in74 se cried urgently.
9espite their dubiousness, the two .unchaws carefully moved
enough wood that the black animals could enter.
This time, however, they were not growling.
The one was bare faced, both eyes swollen shut and covered in
blisters, hairless to its neck and clearly in a lot of pain.
The little priestess did not hesitate to begin pulling out
medicinal herbs and carefully treating the burns.
<>
1This is gong to have to remain on the face for many weeks.4
she instructed as she gently wrapped a poultice and special leaves
around the eyes, ears and neck, 1It be very difficult to wrap the mouth
because it impede eating.4
1.an you make a pad I can have her sleep against34 the black
haired beast asked in her mind.
#lthough this did surprise her some, she had ust been
dreaming of something like this so she was not that taken aback, 1I
think perhaps I can fashion such,4 she replied, 1but how you take it
back to your den now34
1!he be healed before we return.4 the voice in her head
declared, 1we were instructed to help you to get to the !outhern
Limit.4
1@ou were34 she asked.
12e were waiting for you, and my poor wife did not realize
that the power of the light you cast would harm her.4 the voice replied.
1Oh74 she cried, 1I am !O T)66I(L@ sorry74 she trembled
with grief, 1I had no idea anybody would be in there74
12e were waiting for you, only she did not realize what you
were doing trying to open up the passage for your very large
companions.4
1They did not tell you34 'icchieu asked.
1They said a priestess and a human would be coming and we
were to guide them on their way, nothing more.4 the voice replied.
1I wonder why they did not say anything about the
=?
.unchaws34 she said.
1Aerhaps they were peripheral, I can not udge the gods.4
1T/) 5O9!3334 she gasped, then more "uietly, 1Those were
5O9! who spoke to me34
1One or another of them,4 the voice said, 1I was not present
with you,4 they added, 1so I can not tell you who may have spoken to
you.4
12ow.4 she pondered, 1!o the gods do not always say
everything34 she asked.
1They tell us that which we need to know,4 the voice replied,
1some times, perhaps, they feel we need to know less than what is
truly happening.4
1(ut that%s .6D)L74 she cried, the .unchaws observing this
one sided conversation with curiosity but patience as they were only
worried about her safety and not the actual content of the conversation.
1.ruelty is an inaccurate concept,4 the voice replied, 1the
reality is that it helps teach each and every one of us to be open
minded and aware.4 the black furred beast turned its head toward the
half burned version she was dressing with bandages, then said, 1.an
you please make eye holes34
1Oh...she began to look and then she s"uealed, 1O/74 and she
began to try to unwind it then she stopped, 12ait74 she cried and then
chanted a spell which allowed the poor beast to see through both the
bandages and their own eyelids, 1This be 'D./ better74
1!he agrees.4 the voice came as the black animal opened its
mouth panting and seeming to smile, 1Thank you little priestess.4
=$
1Oh74 she s"ueaked, 1Its my pleasure to heal74
1#nd in the same way,4 the voice replied, 1it is our pleasure to
guide.4
Ep ", Chapter /
The last clear memory she had was war. !pecifically, great
pain. #fter that, everything became an endless blur.
#t one point she through she was awakening from a dream, but
then suddenly she found herself in total blackness, tightly bound, still
in pain.
!he struggled to escape, even though this cause even greater
pain, until a cover came from over her face and something stung her
neck for ust an instant.
!uddenly she felt warm and yet cool, and blissful, and filled
with mirth, but this too turned into a blur.
+ow she was rising near the surface again, and she felt alarm.
!he knew she had to struggle. !he had to resist. !he had to use
all of her concentrated power and overcome whatever it was that was
keeping her in restraints.
!he listened to the sounds around her as she felt as if she were
riding on a tumultuous sea.
5radually, she realized that she recognized the rhythm from
long ago. This was the rhythm of the eight legged beast she had ridden
so many times while in training.
# swift beast it was, agile nimble, and bloody violent in battle.
=*
The e&act name would not come to her at the moment, her
mind was ust so cloudy, she could not focus on it.
They grunted between one another to turn or leap or other
communicated ideas, but strangely, she heard no human voices
commanding them.
It seemed as if they were running free, of their own free , some
place in the wild.
Then she heard a screaming roar, a trumpeting sound from
something at least as large, if not larger than the beasts she was
sensing nearby at the moment.
!he felt herself pushed and pulled, never far because she was
tightly strapped in, but still she was constantly being shifted
It finally became evident through the drug induced stupor that
she was actually going wherever the beasts...Gwhat were they
called3H...were headed.
!uddenly a shrill shriek aired some place nearby and there was
a very forceful change in directions, followed by some violent arring
and something hitting her full on across her entire front, causing her
body to e&plode with pain.
This helped clear her mind, for which she was grateful, but
now she realized she was no longer moving, she was being crushed,
and there was a steady thumping coming herItheir way fast,
accompanied by that long angry trumpeting sound.
Bust when it seemed that the terrifying sound would be on
them, the beast scrambled for its footing and she was up off the ground
again.
There were more screams from something, or somebody, they
=,
were more distant now, but they were distinctive for some odd reason.
2ith a lot of shaking and ostling, they were once again
moving rather smoothly along and the trumpeting remained ust
behind them as they were clearly being pursued.
!uddenly there was a brief surge, then a arring movement
which together indicated a long leap.
The trumpeting seemed to get more and more distant now.
!he lay there ust focusing on her surroundings as she tried to
take in ust what was going on.
!he could not restrain her body%s desire to begin fiercely
coughing, which brought on such intense pain her chest felt as if it
were splitting.
(efore she knew it, she also let out a cry from the agony.
+ow, she knew, she would be once again sedated
!he did not want to be sedated.
!he wanted to be -6))7
!he was a warrior, not a slave or captive7
(ut try as she might, she could not escape the bonds which
held her.
!he thought to reach for her dirk when she finally realized that
not only was she no longer wearing any armor, but, other than some
bandages, from what she could tell, she was completely naked7
This would .)6T#I+L@ +OT do7
=0
!he struggled some more, only to cause herself even more pain
and now she could taste her own blood in the fluids coming up from
her chest with each cough, so she has apparently managed to tear
herself open, if the crushing fall of the beast Gwhat was it again3H on
top of her.
.unchaw7 That was it7 !he was on a .unchaw7 #nd another
one strode along side of them7
!ome of the blurriness was fading away now, and her mind was
sharp, but only at the cost of e&treme pain.
2hat would she do when her captor tended to her3
2hat .ODL9 she do3
!he would perhaps attempt to negotiate with them for her
release, it was no worse than any other fate she could think of.
1'ay as well save your strength 'alonda.4 she told herself,
1!truggling is only going to make you tired.4
=8
Episode (,
Co*ing to #er*s
They had been running a long time when they finally slowed
down.
'icchieu%s mount, out of need, garnered up one more burst of
speed to tackle one of the hoofed animals for the two carnivores to eat.
#s disgusting and repugnant as it was to her, she had seen a lot
of death and bloodshed, seeing as her ob was to observe wars.
#s they devoured the animal, she pulled back the flap to attend
to her patient.
2hen she opened the flap and the bright moon eyes were
staring back at her, she almost screamed and flapped it back shut but a
voice cried out painfully, 12ait-wait-wait-wait74
!he pulled the flap back down and slowly peered back inside,
horribly nervous as she had never before in her life spoken to or with a
human before.
12ho are you and why am I like this34 'alonda demanded
despite her pain, barely noticing the leafy trees overhead, trying to
remain focused on the person in front of her.
1@-y-yuuuu-yuuuuu...4 she began, grateful she had her face veil
on because surely she could not have uttered a peep if this noble
human could see her face.
=;
1+ot me,4 the warrior asked somewhat annoyed, 12ho are
@OD34
1#h-I-uh-th-th-th-the O+)74 came a stuttering reply from
behind the trembling veil, 1@-y-y-you are The One74 the shrill little
voice cried out, 1I-I-I-I-I h-h-h-hhave to save you74
12hat34 she asked totally askance.
1@-y-y-you%re the one and I have to save you74 the little
s"ueaker finally got out.
12hat race are you34 she asked, 1#nd why do you have me
tied up like this34
1I-I-I-I-I c-c-c-can%t tell you74 she replied and closed the flap
again.
1/)@74 she coughed painfully, 1Let me out of here74
There was a distant rustling, and some shuffling, and then the
flap came open again, only this time, the little hand came in first, and
in it was a small orb, with a pointed end, surely aimed to sedate her
again.
1+OOOOO 9#''IT74 she growled, then broke into more fits
of coughing, as blood spewed from her mouth.
1I-I-I-I-I%m sorry,4 the little voice cried as the orb still poked
her neck, 1I have to for your own sake7 Alease forgive me74
!oon the powerful anesthesia was taking hold and she was once
again going into that woozy blurry place where everything was warm
and comfortable and funny.
!he strove with all of her power to resist it but it was not
=<
something one could easily resist7
12hen...4 she licked her lips as they became thick like they
were swollen or something, 1I get...4 she breathed with every shred of
her power, 1free....4 she tried to say something else but she could not
be sure if she said it or merely dreamed it.
)ither way, the small being slid from view and she felt
something moving.
The trees up above seemed to change colors a little bit.
The flap which was over her face seemed to be peeling back,
but she could not be sure because she could not lift her head enough to
see down the length of her body.
!uddenly there was a most bizarre feeling, one of a cool wind
rushing into her.
Then came the strange sensation of the wind being sucked out
of her, making her involuntarily gasp.
Then she heard a spitting sound, then the process repeated.
!omebody was sucking the air out of her lungs, this she was
sure of.
(ut then she heard them spit.
Then they would suck again...
#nd again they would spit.
This went on for a while, until she felt like giggling.
-inally, there was a point where something "uite warm seemed
==
to settle down into her chest, and with the deep warmth was an
immense level of comfort she was completely unfamiliar with.
Then there was something being pressed against her chest,
whether it be firm or lightly she could not immediately tell.
The warmth went on forever it seemed and along with all of the
other sensations, she felt alarmingly well at ease.
/er inner self, her instincts protested and rebelled against such
feelings of warmth and ease7
It was against every bit of her warrior training to feel this way7
One was (O6+ to feel hardship and pain7
One was (O6+ to struggle and endure agonizing wounds7
It was simply the way of life7
#nything else was surely a trap7
!he resisted and rebelled with all of her being, but the only
result it gained her was that the little being dabbed tears from her eyes.
This only humiliated her.
This little monster of unknown race and origin had made her
cry7
/ow unthinkable7
/ow unforgivable7
!urely she must have her revenge for this shameful
humiliation7
=>
1I hope that keep you alive until we reach our destination.4 the
little voice said with much more composure, apparently able to speak
calmly and smoothly when she was sedated, but not when she was
awake and alert.
This little creature must come from an easily frightened race, or
else it is a very young child, it was hard to tell still.
1@ou coughed up a lot of blood there74 the little voice declared,
1+ow I shall clean you up.4
!oon she felt a warm wet cloth wiping her entire face, her neck
and behind her ears.
1Oh it is all in your hair too.4 the voice continued, 1I shall have
a troublesome time washing your lovely hair.4
1Lovely34 she thought to herself, 1!urely this creature speaks
only partial Le%+an, mi&ed with some other dialect.4
1I can not take you down to wash your hair now,4 the little
creature went on, 1so I shall have to simply wipe it as well as I can and
wash it when we get to the !outhern Limit.4
1The southern limit34 she pondered in her daze, 12ere is this
southern limit34 trying to think, 1#re we still in Le%+an3 .an I ust
escape and find my way back to the castle34 then she thought, 19o I
2#+T to ust head back to the castle34 and doubts began to well up in
her despite the sedatives, 1I may not be welcomed at the castle. I may
be seen as a traitor who abandoned her troops and betrayed the king%s
trust74 she became desperate, 1I must first formulate a plan, discover
the whereabouts of my subordinates, and decide if I even can go back
before the king now7 !urely my mother is already grieving my death
and preparing my funeral pyre74
>?
#ll this time, she never once thought to ask 'icchieu what had
happened to her army, but then, if she had, she was too sedated to
speak, so it would have been moot.
They all lounged around, she could hear the .unchaws and the
little creature talking, but their voices were low so she only got scraps
of the conversation.
!omething about a bog, more mention of this %southern limit%
and something about not knowing what they would find when they got
there, since nobody had bothered to fill them in on what awaited them
there.
1This is strange,4 she pondered, 1apparently my captor has
never been to the place they are taking me, and neither they nor the
.unchaws have any idea what is there.4 finally she resigned herself to
the fact that she was not merely a captive, but a captive of some very
dim witted or else desperately naJve and gullible travelers, 1I suppose
that asking them why were even gong there would be of no use at this
point.4
There was the sound of something eating and suddenly she
realized she was not hungry, but yet, surely she had not eaten in a long
time, 1/ow long has it been since I last ate3 9o they intend to feed me
or ust keep me sedated until we arrive wherever they are taking me3
#nd what if there is no food there34 even as these panicky thoughts
came to her mind, however, a very long, slender obect seemed to
crawl into her nose.
#lthough she could barely feel this, she was truly frightened as
nothing like this had ever been immobile while something had snuck
up on her, and apparently the others were totally oblivious to it...until
she saw a tiny hand come along with the end of the tube, and then, so
her shock and horror, the other hand lifted the veil and a rather thick
pair of lips enveloped the end of the tube and applied pressure.
>$
!he felt something filling her stomach, and although she was
powerless to retch, the fact that it was something being spat into her
stomach, through a tube pushed through her nose was so utterly
repugnant she surely wanted to retch in the worst possible way7
This little beastly creature was apparently feeding her
something that had already been chewed up fine enough to be forced
through this tiny little tube and into her stomach.
1)chh74 she thought in disgust, 1+o wonder I have not felt
hungry74 it brought back memories of her childhood when she had
seen avians feeding their young their regurgitated food an it made her
sick right there in the woods, and her older brothers laughing at her
and calling her a weakling.
This made her so angry that she had vowed she would never let
anything, no matter how gross or disgusting affect her ever again, and
yet even this memory shamed her, because now she was being
affected, which meant she had broken her vow to her self.
!he was being humiliated every which way she looked7
Instead of dying an honorable warrior%s death in the field of
battle, here she was being tube-fed who-knows-what, previously
masticated by some kind of imp or urchin, through her nose7
!he was not sure if she wanted to allow the feeling to disgust
her or be strong and resist this with her power.
In the end, after some water or something more fluid was added
to her, the tube was withdrawn and the flap was closed once again.
1+othing to do now,4 she thought to herself, 1nothing but go
back to sleep and hope time passes "uickly again.4
It seemed she got her wish "uickly.
>*
Ep (, Chapter
'icchieu%s party began "uickly descending the following day,
the slope was not so steep as to make travel uncomfortable, but it was
evident they were still descending at a steady pace.
The black spirit creatures, both elders and the young ones,
loped out ahead, scanning for danger.
#s they lost altitude, the air got thicker and the trees began
changing.
'any of the tall thick proud trees of the upper land gave way to
slender, weepy looking trees, and these with mosses draping off of
them.
(y noon time there was a distinct haze in the air, and although
it was hot and sticky, this haze did not seem to be burning off with the
noon day sun.
Instead, the lower they went, the thicker the air became.
!oon fine droplets were showing up on her veil, making it
needful to lower it so she could see clearly.
The air got so thick that one could not see far in the haze and as
evening set in, the air began cooling distinctively and by sunset there
was stratified fog in the air.
!he had to use her light bending skills to see where they were
going now.
The black spirit animals were ust indistinct black blobs out
ahead of them now, and if she did not know it was a friend, she would
have had them running some other direction at this point.
>,
1@ou must stay near us now.4 the one spirit said, 1#fter this
point, the ground becomes treacherous, even for you large, wide
reaching animals of many feet.4
1.an you see in all of this34 she asked out loud.
12e see in any condition, dark or light, it does not matter to
us.4 came the casual reply.
1#lso,4 came a new, more gentle voice, 1we have gone this
way many times and know it "uite well.4
1This is true.4 the first voice agreed.
1I%m glad for that.4 the little priestess replied softly truly
grateful for their help.
-or a long time, even after the moons rose, making a dull
cloudy blue-gray haze of everything, they rode in silence as water
dripped off the hood of her robe annoying her to no end.
-inally, the thought came to her to ask, 12hat lay on the other
side34
1The Ignoble 2astelands.4 came the softer voice.
1I know that, but -4 she began.
1This is not to be spoken.4 the firmer voice replied, 1@ou see
what you need to see when you arrive.4 it was clear they were not
going to tell her what lay at the end of her ourney.
Trees hove in and out of view in the thick murky mist as they
went along.
>0
#t one point, they approached a dark spot in the murky
moonlight and she wanted to stop and find some other way, but she
knew she had to rely on the spirits to take them, so she continued to
follow.
#s they passed through the dark area, something brushed her
hood and she ducked refle&ively and then she realized it was nothing
but long wispy plant growth hanging down from above.
#s they came through the other side, the spirit announced, 12e
have to go single file here now, be sure you do not slip off into the
water or you be lost forever.4
The .unchaws grumbled their ac"uiescence to this command
and their terrible distaste for water generally.
Their claws clacked and clunked on what sounded like large
thick boards.
!he could scarcely see before her and she had to be careful
because every once in a while, the spirits would turn some other
direction and had she not noticed, she, her .unchaw and The One
would have fallen in and sunken to their deaths.
1/ow did this path get built34 she asked.
1+obody but the gods know that.4 came the gentle reply, 1)ven
we do not know.4
1They must be very old then74 she mused aloud.
1They are older than our recollection.4 came the firmer voice.
1/ow old are you34 she asked.
1Is it not rude to ask a lady her age34 came the gently reply,
>8
clearly containing mirth.
1Oh, I am sorry74 the little lady apologized profusely.
1It is fine,4 came the firmer voice, 1she is not offended,4 there
was a somewhat wistful feel to its tone, 1in truth,4 it began, 1even we
do not know how old we are, or when we came to be.4
1/ow old are the little ones34 she asked.
1)ven this I could not tell you or lack of clear memory.4 the
gentle voice replied, 1I have had them for so long, it seems like they
were with us from the very beginning.4
19id you give birth to them34 she asked.
1+ot like normal animals, no.4 the gentle voice replied, 1They
are a part of me...us.4
1I don%t understand.4 'icchieu%s mind was troubled and
confused.
1They grew off of her.4 came the firmer voice, 1'uch like a
leaf grows from a tree.4
1Oh...wow.4 she pondered, 1This is new to me74
1I assume your species probably bears offspring in some
unusual manner as well.4
12hy do you say that34 the little priestess asked.
1(ecause there are no males in your species.4
1'ales34 she asked, 12hat are males34
>;
1This is my point.4 the firmer voice replied, then it "ueried a
point, 1@ou have mothers and you have sisters, yes34
12hy of course -74 she began.
1(ut no fathers or brothers.4 it continued.
12hat are those34 she asked naively.
1In most breeds,4 the gentle voice replied, 1to have offspring,
one must have a father for every mother, or at least one father to
several mothers, or they do not reproduce.4
1I don%t have any idea about that stuff.4 she replied, and she
would have been blushing from shame at her own ignorance, if they
could have seen her little face.
19o you want children34 came the firm voice.
1I never thought about it.4 she replied, 1I ust assumed some
day I would become a mother.4
1Bust like every mother before you.4
1@es.4 she replied, 1This is ust the way our world works74
1I have a feeling they have kept somethings from you.4 came
the gentle voice.
1Like what34 she asked curiously.
1I think we have told you too much little one.4 the firm voice
replied, 12hen it is time, all these things be revealed to you as the
gods see fit.4
1Ohhhh...4 she groaned, 1+ow I am even 'O6) confused than
><
before74 and she felt like sulking but then they made another sharp
turn and she almost lost track of them in the darkening fog, 12/O#74
she wailed, barely getting the .unchaw stopped in time.
12atch your step.4 the firm voice called out, 1Too much talk
has made you distracted and you nearly died ust now.4
1.an%t we go slower34 she asked as her little heart pounded
furiously in her chest.
12e must cross this in the darkness.4 came the gentle voice,
1To be out here in daylight is certain death for you.4
1Ohhhh...4 she groaned as they navigated some more tight
turns, 12hy does this have to be so /#6934
1This too,4 came the firm voice, 1Is a closely guarded secret of
the gods.4
There was nothing else to say as they warily proceeded all
throughout the night.
Ep (, Chapter !
(efore sunrise, they were again on firm ground and climbing
back upward.
#s they rose from the mists, the firm voice said, 1Let us pick
up the pace now that we are out of the water.4
The spirits then began to trot off at a bit "uicker pace, and she
said, 1Lets match their pace now.4 and the .unchaws sped up
correspondingly.
They rose at a pace more "uickly than they descended,
apparently because the spirits did not want them to be too close to the
>=
"uagmire before sunset and likewise did not want them too close
before sunrise.
#s they hurried up through the fog, trees slapped against her as
they moved at a decent trot.
/igher and higher they went, the air thinning out as they went,
and the sky was brightening in the east as the stars began to be visible
through the haze, only long enough, it seemed, for the sky to wash
over them and hide them for the coming day.
.louds rolled in and even as they were hurrying up the slope,
the early morning sun was turning them a fiery orange underneath.
The spirits continued to speed up and the .unchaws matched
with them on their long, strong, three sectioned legs.
They were breaking free of the mist and heading into some
scrubby looking brush ust as the sunlight broke the horizon and
spilled over the land to their left.
#s they got into the thick scrubby brush a ways, the spirits
slowed down and said, 1#t this point, your mounts should lick
yourselves dry because you need the water.4
1The spirit said you should lick yourselves dry because you
need the water.4 she replayed to the .unchaws.
They made haste to do ust that, seeing as indeed the air
blowing down from above was very arid.
The clouds which seemed to be making themselves into a
massive storm proceeded to dissipate before the first "uarter of the day
and they were walking into a vast, hot, dry area with nothing more
than useless scrub in all directions.
>>
12hat kinds of monsters we find here34 'icchieu%s little voice
asked.
1+one.4 came the firm voice, 1+othing edible grows here.4
1+ot even these nasty looking bushes34 she asked.
1They%re deadly poison.4 the gentle voice replied, 1+othing that
eats them lives.4
1Oh.4 she replied nervously regarding the ugly but seemingly
harmless plants with a renewed sense of fear.
12ithout prey,4 the firm voiced on continued, 1there is nothing
to support predators either.4
1Dnderstood.4 she nodded at the simple logic of this.
1/ow far is it now34 she asked.
1#nother three days.4 the firm voice replied, 1Today we are
simply getting away from the "uagmire a ways then we shall hole up
until dark when it is safer to travel.4
1If there are no beasts -4 she began.
1The heat, little one.4 the gentle voice cut her off, 1It is far too
hot here in the day to travel.4
1#hh there it is.4 came the firm voice.
1There what -34 she began before employing her long range
view spell.
+ot a great distance ahead was a rocky outcropping which had
holes in it, providing at least meager shade.
$??
#s they approached, however, there were more pockets and
holes in it than first appeared because it was a volcanic structure and
was mostly pumice.
The holes were of all shapes and sizes and none of them
appeared to have been rested in in a very long time.
12e remain here until dark.4 the firm voice instructed, 1Only
when it cools off again we move.4
1Dnderstood.4 she said, and then she relayed this to the
.unchaws, 1/e says we remain here in this place until it is cooled off
tonight.4
They growled their consent to this idea.
#s the .unchaws found reasonably comfortable holes to climb
into, enoying the much cooler air inside, they purred contentedly and
soon drifted off to sleep.
'icchieu, on the other hand, was not sleepy at all, and in fact
nervously worried for her patient who had spent all this time in this
almost air tight bag, with nothing but a pair of valves to keep air
circulating so she could breathe.
1!urely she must be horribly hot in there74 she thought, as she
herself was feeling fairly uncomfortable inside her robe which seemed
to keep in a lot of her body heat even here in the shade.
!he gingerly opened up the flap to look in on The One, whom,
as of this moment, she still did not know her name.
!he was about to wipe the perspiration off the sleeping
woman%s brow when the firm voice said, 1It is best if you keep her
sealed up and moist.4
$?$
1(ut its hot-4 she began.
1#nd it be hotter if she dehydrates.4 the voice cut her off, 1!he
is best to be kept hydrated. 2here we are going it is only going to get
drier.4
1)ven at night34 she asked.
1)ven at night.4 the voice affirmed, 1.lose her up and let the
container keep her safe.4
1Okay.4 she did as she was told, not liking it one bit, but still,
not knowing anything about dry lands, she was trusting in their better
wisdom and knowledge as she went to tighten it up.
Bust for a moment, though, she once again pulled the flap back
and gazed at the sleeping face, and for some unknown reason, bent
down and lightly kissed the warrior%s forehead.
12hat are you doing34 the spirit asked.
1I was ust checking her temperature,4 she tried to sound casual
as she looked back at the spirit who while laying in the hole ne&t to her
gazed at her with piercing green eyes.
#s she pushed the flap closed "uickly and began swiftly tying
it up, she felt truly ashamed, not so much for the forbidden act but that
she had let herself be seen doing it.
1@ou are a fiery and rebellious one.4 the spirit said, a smirk in
its voice.
1Oh no-no-no-4 she protested.
19on%t bother denying it,4 the gentle voice said almost
$?*
comfortingly, 1The gods already know, so how do you think we would
not know as well34
12ell-I-uh-4 she stammered.
1Lets not speak of it any more, shall we34 the firm voice
suggested, 1(ut you should be mindful whom you e&press affections
for.4
1@-y-y-yes...4 she replied compliantly.
1#lso,4 the gentle voice suggested, 1you really should get some
sleep. @ou have been awake for days now.4
1'y race is designed to -4 she began to protest, when in reality
it was fear that kept her from sleeping.
12e know your race well little one.4 the firm voice cut her off
yet again, 1Lay down and get some sleep.4 it firmly instructed her, 1In
sleep you consume fewer resources.4
This was known basic survival, so she could not hope to argue
with the logic behind it.
!earching for a little leaf which would help her become
drowsy, she put it in her mouth as she tied the supply cover up again,
then found a reasonably comfortable looking cubby in the pumice and
curled up there chewed the tart leaf slowly letting its sedative effects
send her into a peaceful sleep.
Ep (, Chapter "
The wind picked up as evening came on.
#s the sun set, small, violent tornadoes whipped up and spun
across the wilderness.
$?,
They kicked up dust which blew even into the seemingly
concealed cubbies.
The dust even pervaded her veil and made the little priestess
sneeze.
This woke her up and she looked around at the inside of the
darkened cave, feeling well rested and yet somehow, wanting to
remain right here for a little longer.
12e have to move now little one.4 the firm voice directed, 1we
need to make it to the ne&t safe zone before daybreak.4
1@es.4 she groaned, and crawled out, finding the .unchaws
were already outside, well rested and stretching their limbs while
making various sounds.
1I didn%t know .unchaws had dreams74 she e&claimed.
The wild .unchaw grumbled something else.
1Oh,4 she replied embarrassed 1I don%t know.4 she looked
down shamefacedly, 1I ust never thought about it I suppose.4
1)verything dreams, little one,4 the gentle voice said, 1even the
most violent, simple minded beasts dream.4
1I wonder if they ever dream of beautiful things.4 she offered,
knowing surely it was not true.
12hat is beautiful to you and I is different.4 the firm voice
replied, 1The same is true for any beast.4
1I suppose you are right.4 she replied thoughtfully.
$?0
#s the wild .unchaw finished stretching, it crouched down so
she could climb up and into her little seat on the front of the litter.
Once she was in, the spirit family immediately took off at a trot
and the .unchaws immediately followed.
The landscape was almost featureless now.
The party moved at a smooth, energy conserving pace, but still
fast enough she could feel a gentle breeze and she let her hood down to
cool her thick long hair, as much was above the neck line of her hood.
1It is going to get cold soon,4 the firm voice said, 1It is best
you save your body heat.4
1(ut its still so hot -4 she began.
1#lways fiery and rebellious.4 came the firm voice.
1!orry.4 she replied, pulling the hood snugly over the thick tuft
of hair that graced her head.
#s they rode through the night, it did in fact grow fairly cool.
!till, despite this, she, growing up traversing the high frozen
mountain ranges either precariously on foot, which was indeed very
dangerous, or on the back of a sure-clawed .unchaw, which was also a
native beast of those same frozen mountains, felt no discomfort at all.
!he could not tell if the spirits were sensitive to the cold or not.
(eing covered with thick black fur, surely they would be very
warm if not terribly hot out here.
!till, she obeyed and continued to ride along.
$?8
!ome time late into the night, they neared a mountain range,
and as they neared it, she saw fog drifting along the ground.
!he soon noticed she could see her breath.
It was a bit colder after all.
The fog which came down the mountain was "uite a bit colder
than one might have e&pected, and compared to the air before hand, it
was enough colder that one not prepared could in fact get "uite a nasty
chill.
!he withdrew her hands into her sleeves where the fur inside
kept her cozy warm.
#s they rode, she felt her nose getting cold so she put her veil
up.
#t this point she called out, 1I need to add a blanket to The
One.4 and they paused long enough for her to pull out a blanket and
lash it to the cover of her unwilling patient and tie down the supply
cover again.
!he climbed back into her litter, her hands ust a little bit
chilled, but once again, she slipped them up into her sleeves.
-or the rest of the night, however, she felt ust fine like this.
#s four of the five moons crossed overhead tonight, it was
almost totally light all night long.
!ure enough, near sunrise, they neared a geological formation
"uite similar to the one they stayed in yesterday.
They all bedded down for the day, and as the temperature rose
to a reasonably high level, she unlashed the blanket and used the
$?;
leather thongs to make a small air space over which to lay the blanket
so that it would amplify the slight breezes that wafted through the
small caverns so as to help keep the warrior cooler during the day.
To keep the spirits happy, she once again, withdrew a little leaf
and chewed on it while she lay in a reasonably comfortable cubby she
could curl up into and slept away the day.
Ep (, Chapter (
#wakening early because her system really did not need that
much sleep, she lay there and simply pondered everything.
!he kept remembering over and over that one brief moment she
kissed the wet, slightly salty smooth skin of her One.
1'@ One374 she was shocked even within herself, 1/ow can I
lay claim to anyone34
1(e careful little one.4 came a voiceless message.
1)ep74 she s"ueaked out loud, 1I%m so terribly sorry74
12hat is bothering you little one34 came the firm voice of the
one spirit.
1Oh...4 she realized suddenly that they had not heard what she
had been informed.
1%Oh3%4 in"uired the spirit.
1!orry,4 she replied, 1it must have been a secret message for
only me.4
#fter a long pause, the spirit replied, 1Aerhaps.4 and said
nothing more of it, 1!houldn%t you still be asleep34 it asked finally.
$?<
1!orry,4 she replied again, 1I%m not much of a sleeper.4
12ell conserve your strength and do as little as possible.4 the
gentle voice commented, 12e do know that some people are light
sleepers.4
1I%ve always been a light sleeper and slept little.4 'icchieu
softly replied, 1even for my own race.4
1Okay.4 the firm voice replies in a tone of resignation, 1I shall
speak nothing more of it then.4
!he remained curled up there, slowly picking at her sharp little
nails where she saw some dirt.
!he detested dirty nails, dirty hands, dirty feet, or dirt in
general.
!he loved being clean.
!o when she had this much time, she preened and checked
herself for parasites and anything that might be a hard to detect skin
problem.
!ifting through her soft belly fur, she did find some very small
pieces of twig, but thankfully, nothing else.
#s sunset came near, she made sure she was fully covered with
her robe all the way down to her feet.
#s she heard others shuffling around, she rose and went out to
adust the blanket on her patient.
#s they all headed out, several large dust devils were ripping
across the plains in the hot summer evening as the cold air was
$?=
slipping down the mountains to displace it.
They actually ended up following the trail of one giant dust
devil as it ripped a wide open path, but they had to hold back because
the spirit informed them that the soil its self was also poison, and
breathing too much of it could make them ill or kill them.
!he kept her veil up and the .unchaws were careful to keep
their nostrils closed enough the hairs helped filter out the dust.
(eing born to filter out the frigid icy alpine air, their nostrils
were so designed that they had multiple overlapping layers of fine and
thick hairs which kept out e&cessive snow, flying debris and dust, so
they were already born able to do this.
They strode along side by side also, which kept one from being
in the dust trail of the other.
#s the sun set, they eventually had to veer away from the
random path of the dust devil back into relatively firm ground where
they had to resume picking their way through the scrub brush.
#s they moved along, and the moons rose, she saw meteors
streaking down through the skies, and one bright flash on the moon
which stopped them all in their tracks.
1!omething happened to (un%oh74 she breathed in awe.
1/ow can we know what the gods are doing34 the spirit asked
dismissively.
1I could #!: them.4 she offered.
1#nd would they tell you34 the spirit asked in a stoic manner.
1I would not know if I did not ask.4 she answered.
$?>
1#nd what if they do not tell you34 came a challenging voice.
1Then they not tell me74 she replied simply, 1Its no big deal if
they don%t.4
1@ou are an unusual child.4 the spirit remarked.
1I know I am.4 she replied defensively, but a little bit upset at
how gruff the spirit was concerning her desire to learn and know
things.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence as she watched the
brilliant silver streaks in the sky and pondered the dull red glowing
spot on (un%oh as it gradually faded into a black spot and rotated
around the face of the moon as it passed through the sky.
!he thought she heard The One move but upon closer listening,
she could not detect anything specifically indicating any form of
struggle or discomfort.
!he leaned back, resting one small hand on the blanket covered
patient while staring up into the sky watching the beauty of the
celestial light show until they reached their destination.
Ep (, Chapter /
The .unchaws conversed amongst themselves while the others
slept.
#ll of them save 'alonda.
!he had more readily overcome the effects of the sedative, even
though it had done her no service to be awake, other than general intel
on what was going on.
$$?
It was super hot and her breathing made such a foul odor, but
she could make out most of what the two beasts were saying, and it
shocked her on so many levels she almost wished she had not heard it.
1Ariestess love warrior34 came the wild one she was laying
atop.
1+ot "uestion. In night place hands on, previously kiss.4 came
the veteran .unchaw%s casual reply.
1Trouble34 vibrated from beneath her.
1Aossibly.4 came from along to her right side.
1Interfere34 the younger one asked.
1+o, simply help, not our place.4 the older one replied,
1/umans and Gword indistinctH have minds.4
12e have minds too.4 the younger protested.
1+ot interfere.4 the fighter insisted, 1leave to nature.
6ememberC they like we beasts.4
1@es,4 the younger chuckled, 19efinitely beasts74
To be called a beast by a .unchaw was a severe enough shock,
she almost forgot the whole previous conversation7
+ow, she was reduced to a beast being pursued by a beast of
another race from what she could gather.
12hat #' I doing here34 she growled to herself, making sure
not to move despite an annoying itch where her bandages met the
healing skin, knowing it would result in more tearing, bleeding and
being fondled by the mysterious other human like creature.
$$$
!he tried to ust barely fle& even the tiniest bit so as to
hopefully seek relief when, to her dismay, she heard the young
.unchaw say, 1Oh. The human woke.4
1I%ll notify priestess.4 the veteran said, and she heard the big
animal shuffle off some place.
1Oh no...4 she groaned within herself, 1+ow I%m going to get
fondled #+9 sedated again...4
!ure enough, she heard the sudden patter of little feet and the
litter shook as the little person climbed up on to the back of the
.unchaw and then began working with the straps outside.
'oments later, the flap came down.
12hat are you holding me captive for34 she blurted out before
the cover could be put back or she could be sedated.
The veiled, hooded character paused pulling back as if taken
aback by the "uestion then replied, 1+ot captive,4 waving a little hand
Gpaw perhaps3H to the negative then said, 1rescued74
1I didn%t want to be rescued74 she protested.
1@ou One74 the small frail voice declared.
1One of what34 she asked, 1Of course I%m one7 9o you see two
of me here34
The veiled face seemed to be e&asperated, tilting their head and
slumping back before finally saying more slowly, 1+oooo...4 raising
their little handIpaw...definitely a half hand and half paw she could
now tellH 1@ou...are...T/)...One.4
$$*
1The one what34 she asked confused.
1I don%t know that yet.4 came the sudden reply, 1!oon we
know.4
1!o what is this I hear about you...4 she swallowed dryly, as
she had not the mind to use any kinds of romantic terms, 1...and me34
12/O TOL9 @OD T/#T374 she cried out in alarm, 12as it
the spirits374
1The who34 she asked, then she said, 1+o, these .unchaws
were talking about you...and...me.4 clearly voicing strong and annoyed
discomfort in her voice.
1They tell too many tales74 she insisted.
The .unchaws began making a low, almost honking sound,
anybody would recognize as laughter.
1@ouuuuuu74 the little one turned and seethed.
1!o...4 'alonda said, 1Bust so that you know,4 and she raised
her eyebrows, which were ust about all she .ODL9 raise, 1The
feeling is +OT mutual.4 she looked around and all she saw was a dull
brown overhead and sunlight coming from some place nearby,
apparently they were in some kind of cave at this e&act moment.
1I didn%t think so.4 the little voice replied in a wilty tone as she
fumbled and fidgeted with items ust outside of the warrior%s view.
1In fact,4 she went on to say, 1your best bet is to leave me here
and not take me wherever you are going because if I ever get loose
from this,4 she flashed her eyes and took a breath to give it time to
sink in, 1I%m gong to :ILL you.4
$$,
1I had feared you might say that.4 the little one replied, 1(ut
the gods have decreed that I take you to the !outhern Limits, and this
is what I shall do.4 she then concluded with, 1If after that you wish to
kill me, you are free to do so, I am powerless to stop you.4
This response totally threw her off and took her aback7
+O(O9@...)E)6...even when totally '#9 said #+@T/I+5 like %If
you wish to kill me, you are free to do so, I am powerless to stop you.%7
1.learly you taunt me74 she growled, 1!eeing as I am here tied
down with these bonds you make such mad and fool hearty
statements74
1/ow do I taunt you34 the voice asked, 1I am a priestess
devoted to peace and non-violence74
1@ou%re insane is what you are74 she insisted, 1!omething is
definitely wrong here and something is definitely wrong with @OD74
she said with enough force to start her to coughing.
1Oh no...4 the little person in the purple garb began to move
away.
1+o-no-no-no74 she got out between coughs, 19on%t you
9#6) drug me again74
1I%m sorry, my-4 the voice came almost with pity and
endearment, 1I have to or else you not survive.4
1I%m warning you74 she cried out in anguish, 1I%m going to
:ILL you when I get out of this74
1I know,4 the voice said from some distance, 1@ou already told
me.4
1Oww74 she protested even though it was virtually painless and
$$0
instantly eased the pain of the healing inury, 1I%m going to
beat...this...drrrrrr...4 and she was completely out of it, totally unable to
move nor speak, eyelids unable to open.
'icchieu%s training taught her how to recognize drug resistance
and tolerances, so she upped the dosages ust to be sure.4
1I see your lover is not happy with you.4 came the gentle voice.
1@ou said you would not talk about this -74 she protested.
1.orrectionC4 came the gentle voice, 1'y '#T) made that
promise.4 there was a smirking mirthfulness to the voice, 1+ot me.4
1Ohhhhhhh...4 she groaned, 12hy are you two giving me so
much 56I)- all the time over this34
12e%re ust looking out for you.4 the gentle voice said, 1#ll in
our long list of duties.4
12ell,4 she grumbled, 1I wish you would !TOA T/#T one.4
12e follow orders from the gods dear,4 the voice gently
insisted, 1their , we can not refuse, even if it causes you discomfort.4
12ell,4 she grumbled in frustration, 1I%' going back to !L))A
now.4 and she hopped up out of her seat and went back to the cubby
she had been resting in before all of this chaos began.
!he had forgotten to close up the cover of the transport, and the
heavily dazed and drugged 'alonda heard her words through her drug
induced stupor and despite feeling very euphoric, took mental notes of
everything that the little person had said.
1It seems that this one is not the mastermind of whatever is
going on here.4 she thought to herself mentally giggling, 1!uch a little
$$8
childish fool this one is74
It was pleasant to lay there and breathe the clean, open air for a
change and she lay there simply enoying the freshness of the
relatively vast open space of this strange place she had never been
before.
$$;
Episode /,
0 A.*ost $ost You1
1Oh no74 she cried when she awoke, and she scurried back to
the warrior who seemed to be sleeping peacefully, only without the
protection against the poisonous dust and the threat of dehydration.
1@ou forgot to seal her up, didn%t you34 came the firm voice.
1Its only because you two keep pressuring me with all of this
harassment74 she protested.
!he collected up her tube and measured out some of her limited
rations of water and carefully little by little gave the unconscious
woman having to go e&tra slow since the patient was unable to
swallow properly in this state.
#fter patiently re-hydrating the warrior, 'icchieu sealed her
back up to reduce water loss once again.
#s soon as everything was all lashed back down, they once
again struck forth to their ne&t stop.
1There is a storm coming.4 the firm voice declared, 12e must
hurry.4
The black beasts all picked up their pace and the .unchaws
followed.
1Oh.4 was all she could say.
$$<
They rode fast and hard, and in the far eastern sky, clouds arose
in the moon light.
They flickered with lightning and even as they ran she could
see that they were building up very fast and closing in on them
"uickly.
The wind began to pick up as well. It was rushing in from the
mountainous west, being sucked in by the powerful updraft from the
east.
The dust tried to get into her veil and she had to turn toward the
east so that the wind blasted the back of her head instead of her face.
#s they raced across the brush strewn landscape, the sounds of
thunder began to overcome the rushing wind.
The storm was already threatening to be too strong for them to
navigate in, even while it was yet a long distance away.
The wind ust continued to rise and she was being pushed over
in the litter and the .unchaws were having to run at a diagonal
partially into the gale force winds to remain in line with the spirits.
The clouds were "uickly coming over them now, and lightning
was hammering down all around them, and thunder was crashing
violently.
!he had to use her light bending ability to protect both her eyes
and the eyes of the .unchaws from this luminous onslaught in the
night.
!uddenly, the wind seemed to completely stop, becoming
almost deathly still, even the dust seemed to have risen right up off the
ground, leaving for a moment, perfectly clear, still air.
$$=
(ut then even as they ran with all their might, a cold wet wind
began to pick up from the east.
#nd with it the steady dull rumble which grew like the sound
of a thousand thousand charging hoofed beasts, a sheet of water came
racing across the dusty wilderness straight at them.
The lightning lit it up as it came racing up on them, the wind
coming along with it was now very wet and filled with the scents of
wet soil.
!he could see it coming at them like a wall of destruction and
she felt a sick dread as it closed in on them growing louder and louder.
1/urry74 she cried out in fear as the plummeting wall of water
came churning up from the east.
The spirits turned away from the rain slightly to give them
more distance before the torrent stuck.
!till, even as the moons tried to rise overhead, they were totally
blotted out, and the howling winds finally brought with them a
disastrous deluge.
2hen the water hit them, it slammed them to the ground and
everybody went tumbling.
!he cringed inside her litter as they rolled and tumbled to a
stop, the torrent of water was even heavier than that of the falls and
felt like massive hand pressing down upon them.
!he was gasping for air as the .unchaw was struggling to gain
a footing in the slime.
The water was getting deeper and she was pressed into the
mud.
$$>
1Oh now I%m going to die and so is my One74 she desperately
cried mournfully in her soul.
Large painful balls of ice came along with the rain, slamming
into the upturned .unchaw who cried out in pain, but could not be
heard save for the vibrations of its body through the litter.
!uddenly, there came some claws which grabbed a leg and
lifted.
The veteran .unchaw had fared a better landing and was now
helping the wild .unchaw up on its top.
This, of course, led to both 'icchieu and 'alonda being
hammered with the immense ice globs.
#s she was struck repeatedly in rapid succession she screamed
in pain while covering her head with her meager arms, getting multiple
blows to her ribs, spine and arms.
(eing of a self sacrificing mindset, the veteran .unchaw rose
up with all of its power against the rain and straddled the wild
.unchaw, therefore deflecting the blows of the hailstones from the
smaller races.
19ear gods please protect us74 she cried aloud.
1@ou must stop interfering with destiny.4 came a wordless
reply.
1This is '@ fault34 she cried aloud in shocked disbelief.
1@ou must do your duty and obey your commands if you
e&pect us to help you.4
$*?
1(ut what about this being %The One% and all that34 she
protested tearfully.
1That is dependent on if you corrupt her or not.4 came back the
answer, 1If you defile her, she is useless to us and all have been
wasted for thousands of generations more.4
1@ou would ust :ILL her for that34 she asked.
12e have our ways.4 the reply came back.
12hy do I even 2O6!/IA you then34 she cried, 1#nd why
must all these OT/)6 suffer as well34
1@our worship is only as valid as your obedience.4 came the
seemingly heartless reply, 1@ou can not worship us as your
convenience. @ou must obey as we command or it is all for nothing.4
1!o I must live a life #LO+) and in 'I!)6@34 she cried.
1+obody ever said any such thing.4 came back the response.
1(ut-but...4 she protested weakly.
1That is something you have to deal with, within your own
heart.4 the reply came back bluntly.
1I want to go /O') now if its all the same to you then.4 she
pouted defiantly.
12e can not allow you to.4 the reply came.
1Then maybe I ust undo this and let her drown in this rain74
she challenged them as she reached for the strings that would unbind
the flap and let the torrent pour into the bag which was so watertight it
would float, therefore "uickly drowning the woman she had worked so
$*$
hard to save.
#lmost instantly the level of the rain and the furiously pelting
hailstones slacked off.
1@ou are a turbid and impetuous child74 came an angry
response.
1I only ask what I think is -#I674 she sullenly replied, 1If !/)
wants to kill me, !O () IT. (ut if @OD deny me my ./#+.) with
her, I%ll take her from you my !)L-7 :+O2 T/#T74
The spirits had returned after they finally found them in the
pouring rain, 12hat are you !#@I+5374 came a voice of alarm, 1#re
you T/6)#T)+I+5 the 5O9!34
12hat if I am34 her voice was thick with tears, anger and
resentment as she trembled in pain and rage, 12hat if I am I+!#+)34
1Then all of this was for nothing and you should have let her
die there on the battlefield.4 came the firm voice.
1'aybe I !/ODL9 have7 !he cried as the rain tapered off
more, 1'aybe I should not have been so 9#'+)9 !)L-I!/ as I
am74 her tiny paw-hands clenched in fury and regret, causing her little
claws to puncture her palms, drawing blood.
1If only I had +)E)6 ')T her74 she wailed bursting into
sobs, 1T/)+ I could have lived my whole )'AT@, LO+)L@,
!OLIT#6@ life none the wiser74
1#hhh...4 came the voice, 1@ou poor child you.4 the voice
connoted sympathy, pity or regret, it was unclear to her.
1I don%t 2#+T your AIT@, you hear me34 she screamed.
$**
1.an we please ust get out of this rain34 the voice asked, 1I am
soaked and very cold now.4
15ods.4 she grumbled weakly while sobbing, 1I really want to
go /O') now.4
They all carefully waded along as the rain continued to pour
ceaselessly and water rushed by as deep as 'icchieu thighs below,
racing off to some unknown place far away, with ice pressing along
with it.
They trudged cold and wet all the way to the last refuge station,
and there, because of the height of the water, had to either stand or
they would be laying in the icy waters that filled the pumice caverns
and pervaded one%s senses as bad as any arid desert ever could.
Ep /, Chapter
The rain eventually drifted off some place to the west, but the
water rushing down the mountains ran fiercely across the flat barren
wastelands for two days.
The rain had caused a massive mudslide out of the mountains,
which roared through, almost taking their shelter with it.
'icchieu spent some of the time carefully inspecting their
supplies, of which some items were damaged, specifically, the bo&
with the sedatives.
!everal of the orbs were crushed, spilling out and draining
down irretrievably into the other bo&es, making them risky to handle,
since some of the drugs could always seep through one%s skin, causing
an unknown amount of interference of one%s thought processes, which,
in a case like this, could be fatal.
!till, ust to be sure, she emptied a bo& of nuts and once she fed
$*,
herself and the warrior, she carefully re-wrapped the four remaining
orbs with bandage material, and placed them in this larger, sturdier
bo&.
2hile she was intently doing all of this, however, she carefully
inspected the bruises the warrior had all over her body, more than
carefully inspecting each part of the almost hairless body, trying her
best to keep an obective eye while she did so, but still, spending more
time gazing than observing, and more time caressing than feeling for
inuries.
-inally drawing up her determination, she pulled herself away
from her needless appreciation of the warrior%s finely toned smooth
bronze skin, she took a deep breath and covered the patient back with
the inner drying cloth, then the outer cover, and finally the elevated
blanket.
!he was unable to clean up all of the drug spillage because the
bo&es were not waterproof and the runoff water was poison, so she
opted to simply dab off what she could with some bandaging material
and discard the drug coated bandages.
1@ou could wipe those on her skin you know.4 came the gentle
voice.
1Oop74 she umped, 1@ou startled me74
1'y apologies.4 came the voice as the bandaged black beast
gently dipped its head, although not letting it drop into the water.
The smaller beasts came up paddling. They seemed to be "uite
content to swim around in the murky water.
1I ust thought I would point out that there is good reason to
conserve everything since, as you see, some times life is scarce and
disposing of anything of any value can be a costly if not fatal mistake.4
$*0
the voice pointed out.
1@es.4 she acknowledged, deciding to bundle them up and put
them alongside the orbs in the used nut bo&, putting the clean bandage
material back into neat little rolls and returning those rolls back to their
original bo&.
!he stopped and realized that she was talking to somebody with
bandages all over their head from burns she had inflicted and she
stopped re-packing everything.
1Let me take a look at you here.4 she turned to the black beast
and with her magic, peered through the bandages.
!he was satisfied that the herbal ointment had done its ob well
enough, and that the dirty wet bandages needed to be changed.
1/old on here,4 she said as she carefully unwound the old, wet,
nasty smelling strips, letting them drop into the water as she worked.
The skin seemed a healthy pink and fur was coming back. !oon
it would be okay to remove the bandages completely.
I ust re-bind you until the fur grows back over your skin.4 she
noted as she added a little more ointment and another salve, gently
rubbing it into the skin and fine new fur, 1If you want I can make eye
holes for you this time, but it would be best if you can manage without
them until the end.4
1The way your spell works,4 the gentle voice replied, 1Its
actually better because I can see even in a dust storm without needing
to s"uint.4
1I%m glad that was helpful then74 she smiled pleased.
#s she finished, the priestess re-instituted the same spell,
$*8
allowing the black spirit beast to see through their own eyelids and the
bandages, as well as any dirt or debris which might come in contact
with them.
!he hurried up and resumed cleaning and organizing her
reserves as the beasts moved off to some other part of the caverns.
#fter cleaning everything as well as she could, reorganizing
everything as well as she could, and strapping everything back down,
she waded back to the litter she and the warrior shared, climbed aboard
and did her best to sleep.
Ep /, Chapter !
#fter the second day%s, while the mud began to bake and the air
was filled with steam, before they even headed out, thankfully, the
land was still sloped enough where they were that the mud eventually
passed them by, leaving only a layer three hands deep.
They slogged along in the sticky mire, making disgusting
s"uishing noises with each step.
On top of that, it clung to fur, it stank and it was getting drier as
the night wore on, making annoying, and slightly painful little balls of
hardened mud which tugged at their fur around their paws.
The fur bearing members of the party were most miserable as
they were faced with not only the muck and the stench, but stumbling
over small stones knocked over brush in the mud made their footing
miserable and treacherous.
The heat bore up almost until the middle of the night because
the water in the mud absorbed and held more heat.
2hen the head did finally subside, it was cool, which was
probably the best part about this.
$*;
The heat tapered off fairly slowly, so they were not walking in
either staggering daytime heat nor the usual frigid nighttime cold.
Thankfully there were no insects.
The land being so poisonous, there was nothing for them to
safely eat, no place to nest and no place left now to hide.
!he could not help but feel at ease, even though she felt pity on
those who were working so hard for her and her One.
!he once again, lay a hand back on the cover over the warrior,
wondering what her name was as she gazed up into the night sky.
!he felt little more than the contour of the big woman%s legs,
but this was still such a deep seated thrill, it made her heart race almost
to a "uiver.
!he trembled ust to be able to lay her hand gently on this
woman%s body, even in such a horrible and hazardous situation as they
were presently dealing with.
#s she imagined walking beside a lovely clear brook she used
to fre"uent when traveling in the northern edges of Le%+an, holding
onto her long powerful arm, talking about anything, or nothing,
watching the lovely multicolored swimmers dash to and fro, leaping
out to take an insect out of the air, to walk through the meadows of tall
white spring blooms which filled the air with a heady perfume.
!he imagined them picking fruits, firm ripe, crisp, glossy green
fruits, fuzzy soft, uicy amber colored fruits, long yellow skinned
fruits, large green skinned fruits with sweet red pulp, small uicy blue
fruits which grew in clusters on bushes, and shiny little red fruits
which grew on leafy herbs very close to the ground.
$*<
!he was dreaming of so many lovely places she could be with
her One, when all of a sudden, something came near the moon for ust
a blink of the eye.
!he gasped as she looked up with her telescopic sight.
1!top moving74 she whispered, 1)verybody74
12hat is happen- oh no.4 the firm voice began.
!he cast her invisibility spell and then said, 1we can not go
forward, we must back up.4
12hat good that do34 came the voice.
1They be aiming at the end of out tracks.4 the little priestess
replied, 1This give me a chance to do something else to stop them.4
12ho are they and why are they here34 came the gentle voice.
/arshly she whispered, 1They are :op%toh and they are here for
revenge74
Ep /, Chapter "
They had backed away from the end of the tracks not more than
two fursheks when ust as she anticipated, the massive @amthan
swooped down, hoping to crush them in one fell swoop.
-inding nothing but mud, however, the rider roared out
something in :op%tohian and turned the thundering, lumbering
behemoth their direction, aiming to stalk them down.
)ven as it came toward them, she cast a focal spell that drew
hundreds of s"uare fursheks of moonlight into a fine point right in the
eyes of the advancing @amthan, utterly blinding it.
$*=
The animal screamed in rage more than pain, but it was utterly
unable to advance because it was a predatory beast which simply
would not go any place it could not see.
The beast tried turning its head every direction to get around
the light, but there was simply too much light, and with its wing before
its face it was still only looking at a bright glare through its wing and
not able to see the ground before it.
It tried both wings and this led to an overbalanced situation
where its wings tipped it forward into the mud, which made it "uickly
too heavy to fly.
The animal screamed out in rage and began futilely flapping its
wings, despite its master%s orders to remain on the ground, and the
more it flapped, the muddier it grew.
This only caused it to rampage and then panic, leading to it
running to and fro trying to get around the light which followed it
effortlessly no matter which direction it went.
The beast went berserk and took off hobbling through the
wasteland, throwing off its rider.
The light beam was never once lifted from the @amthan until it
had fled as far as the distant horizon, leaving a huge, sloppy, muddy
trail.
1I never knew anybody to ever defeat a @amthan74 the veteran
.unchaw grumbled in surprise.
1I ust had a feeling was all.4 'icchieu replied, 1(ut still we
have to deal with the rider.4 she mentioned.
1Oh.4 the .unchaw gargled, 1That should not be difficult.4
$*>
1#nyone who rides a @amthan is +OT to be taken lightly74 she
admonished.
1#nd a .unchaw should not be...4 the thought broke off and
the language became a full on snarl.
1/e spoke too fast.4 the wild .unchaw said disparagingly, then
leapt on top of the seemingly mad animal pinning it to the ground
while saying, 1@ou or our guides have to stop him,4 he strained, 1This
one is able to control our minds74
1I shall attempt to act swiftly.4 she replied, focusing her
powerful moon beam on her human opponent.
This opponent, however, was made of stronger stuff than the
beast it had ridden, and with nothing more than an arm over his eyes, a
tall, dark man with thick but short curly black hair and a wide set
awline goatee, dressed in ornate fine scale armor, bearing a large
sword came purposefully striding through the rough muck, brush and
loose stones, purposing to do something clearly violent and unkind to
one or more of her party.
!he cried out, 1Leave us alone and go away74 in Le%+anish
only to hear a disdainful roar of laughter.
Then the big man%s replied in thickly accented Le%+anish, 1I
shall I+9))9 leave you #LO+)...4 he roared, 1Once I have killed
)#./ and )E)6@ one of you74
1This is not good,4 she said nervously, 1#ny ideas34 she asked
the wild .unchaw.
1(reak his so we can fight him74 he growled.
1#s I-74 the man scoffed as he drew ever nearer, 1I have the
$,?
focus of ten thousand warriors74 and he pointed his sword at 'icchieu,
1+ot even this paltry Leep%theuian trick of light can stop me74
#pparently this man knew a LOT about her race7
#lso, it was apparent, he knew they were not killers, because
otherwise he would likely have been worried that this little light
bender might be more desperate than her willingness to follow her
priestly creed to do no harm.
!uddenly, realizing that this was not enough power to deter
him, she changed the focus to a very tight focus aimed directly at his
head only.
The man roared in pain as steam and smoke rose from him and
he had to turn away, at which point the .unchaws were both totally
free of his mind control.
The wild .unchaw leapt back to protect 'icchieu and 'alonda
while the now furious veteran .unchaw leapt out and in two bounds,
mud and all, pounced atop the singed man, knocking him to the
ground.
This put 'icchieu at a disadvantage because she could not
keep the focus on the man without singing her friend in the process.
The .unchaw, however, would not get up off the man and so
she had to divert the light from them because he would not flinch
despite his fur smoking.
The man struggled in the mud, twisting and growling, held
tight by four of the .unchaw%s eight powerful appendages, being both
crushed, twisted and pulled all at the same time.
The .unchaw said, 1@ou are best to burn this one where he lay.
/e is a beast master and he is here to kill is all.4
$,$
1(ut K but -4 she protested, 1'y creed74
1@ou were willing to kill the one you love not long ago,4 the
firm voice of the spirit guide cut in, 1what has become of your resolve
all of a sudden34 there was a bit of scoffing in his tone, 19o you only
threaten gods and not men34 he asked.
!he thought about this and then she came up with another idea.
1I cannot kill him.4 she replied, 1but I .#+ do !O')T/I+5
to stop him.4 and she leapt down, waddling through the mud right
toward the two of them.
1#re you out of your mind34 the wild .unchaw asked, 1!urely
he bend your more easily than our own74
1/a74 she was the one to scoff this time, 1I am the
6)()LLIOD! one, remember34
!he waddled right up to the back of the .unchaw, climbed up
his hind leg and onto his back, unstrapping the tarpaulin and without
hesitation, pulling out the bo& with sedatives in it.
!he pulled out one of the last four precious orbs, as well as all
of the bandages, put them in a recess in her robe, and slipped down the
same leg, back into the mud.
2addling around to the snarling man who was furious and had
rage and hatred in his eyes, half his hair singed off and red spots on his
face and neck, which now had streaks of mud as he twisted trying
vainly to wrest himself from the grip of the .unchaw.
1(e grateful.4 she whispered softly, ust as the priestesses were
told to say when they sedated any animal doomed to die, 1This ease
your pain, and make your transition easier.4
$,*
!uddenly, the man%s whole countenance changed from rage to
absolute horror.
Then with a gentle, graticular ritual of her hands in the air
which formed the sign of their goddess in glowing light, 15oddess be
blessed as we pass from this life into the ne&t, may the ourney be
sweet as a dream, swift as the wind and peaceful as the morning dew.4
and she pushed the orb in ma&imum dosage into his ugular vein as he
screamed in horrified protest.
/is scream soon faded into mindless giggles as he said, 1I
know what you did you little rodent you,4 his eyes sparkled with
euphoric glee, 1@ou performed the everlasting sleep ritual on me,
didn%t you34 it was eerie how he seemed to be saying it like he was
playing a game with a child, it really made her feel sick at her
stomach, regretting what she had ust done, even though she knew it
was the only way they were going to survive this vile monster of a
human.
/e giggled for a while longer saying various things which
made less and less sense until he lapsed into senseless mumbling then
slipped into a deep coma.
1@ou know your One is ust about his size,4 the female spirit
guide came up close, now that it was safe, 1@ou should save this armor
and weapon for her.4
!he recoiled at the idea of stripping this filthy mud covered
armor, leaving a smelly, hairy naked human there in the mud, but as
she realized that none of the others had the manual de&terity to do it,
she simply asked with a distasteful grimace, 1.ould you hold the
:op%tohian up out of the mud while I do this34
The veteran .unchaw did so with pleasure, knowing that this
vile enemy was going to die a most horrific and ignoble death out in
$,,
this terrible, desolate desert, likely to be a mummy here for thousands
of years to come until the wind eroded his body and bones into pure
dust.

Ep /, Chapter (
They reached the last safe stay after the sun had risen, but the
mud had helped in the reverse, in that is had soaked up more heat
before it got so unbearably hot, and the humidity was high as the water
evaporated, so they were not losing water as fast.
In fact, it was so muggy and stuffy, she was sweating inside her
robe and her fur felt horrible7
It was if she had washed in a hot spring then put her robe right
on over it.
1# hot spring would be so god right about now.4 she suddenly
murmured to herself.
#s they finally did reach the pumice outcropping, they circled
around and looked for locations which were above the mud flow line.
The .unchaws were able to climb up and the spirit guides were
able to leap, so they all made it to higher positions.
Once inside, 'icchieu looked for a comfortable sized cubby
and along the way, she found some very peculiar metallic obects,
which she followed back into the large volcanic structure where she
found a dried corpse.
#t first she s"uealed in surprise, but then she realized it was
dead, but the way it sat against the wall, eye sockets and tooth filled
mouth both gaping startled her at first.
!he looked at the strange clothes the corpse was wearing, and
$,0
they were so unusual, they looked like nothing else she had ever seen7
!he went further back and found four more corpses, all of them
with their mouths open, although they were in various positions from
curled up, sprawled on the floor face down, one on its back with long
hair, and one in a seated but curled up position.
!he went around looking at them from various angles, one of
the spirit guides came in to look after her, it was the female.
1@ou were bound to see this eventually.4 the gentle voice said.
12ho are they3 2here are they from34 she asked.
12e do not know.4 replied the voice, 1They have been here for
so long, nobody even knows when they got here.
1Their clothes...and these items74 she marveled, picking up
something shiny yet not metal.
1(e care-4 the voice said moments before an ear shattering
sound and a blinding blue-white light erupted from the strange device.
1)ek74 'icchieu dropped the device in fear, 1Its a weapon74
They looked at a glowing orange hole pierced deep into the
pumice from which wispy smoke now curled out.
1@ou should keep it then.4 the voice replied, 12ho knows
when or how it might become useful.4
1(-bu-but I don%t want -4 she began nervously.
1Bust pick it up, very carefully, and take it to your cache of
supplies and put in one of those empty bo&es you had food in.4
$,8
1Oh there%s another one74 she leaned over and picked up the
first before shuffling over and pulling another out of a strange socket
fastened to one of the corpses.
1That socket.4 the spirit guide said, 1That looks like a handy
way to carry the weapon.4
1@ou have a point.4 the priestess replied, and without regard for
disturbing the dead, she made short work of pulling five strapped
sockets and five shiny weapons from the bodies.
There were other small shiny obects and she hurried to scoop
these up as well, since they might some day come in very handy.
#s she scurried back to the head of the cavern, she said to the
.unchaws, 1Look what I found7 2eapons74
They gazed on the shiny obects and the veteran rumbled to the
effect that this e&plained the strange loud sound they heard.
!he began stuffing them in the cachet when as she looked, one
of them had writing on it. It was no language she had ever seen, but it
fascinated her nonetheless.
They all had this writing on them, some of the symbols lined
up the same, but at the end of each was a uni"ue set of symbols.
!he carried one of the belted sockets back to the corpses and
looked around, eventually she found more writing on the uniforms. It
was definitely the same writing.
#s she looked, the uni"ue collection of symbols matched up
with one of the sets of writing on the chest of the face down corpse.
!he had had to flip the stiff carcass over to read it.
#s she looked at how the bodies were, she got to playing with
$,;
the belt and decided to see if the belt fit her pudgy belly.
It fit ust below her bosom, and it fit between her thighs and her
belly.
1Two places74 she smiled satisfied.1'aybe I can carry more
items with these belts74
!he found that there were little moving parts on their strange
boots and she took great delight in playing with these, and soon she
had unclasped all of them.
The boots, like the clothes all appeared to be in very good
condition, whatever they had been crafted from, so, as she had a
penchant for collecting things, it was not long before she had all five
pairs of boots stowed in the supply cache as well.
The feet of the dead bodies had some kind of fabric stuck to
them, but it was too difficult to pull off, it seemed fairly well stuck to
the dead skin and she did not want to rip the skin off the dead bodies
and then later have to clean the cloth, so she left those.
!he had some gloves from their hands and some banded things
from off their wrists, some small s"uare items that ust reflected light
and had a few interestingly carved crevices in them, and various sized
and shaped cylindrical obects of different materials and colors.
!he finally picked up the metal obects near the front that
vaguely resembled bowls and tapped the dirt and vegetable matter
from them.
#s she was scraping the dried matter from them, suddenly she
realized ust how and why these five had died. They ate the seemingly
benign brush outside7
1That%s a painful way to die74 she shuddered, thinking of how
$,<
they had all been contorted as if in pain, with their mouths open,
apparently screaming in agony as they died.
-inally packing up all of the items, she took off the two belts as
they were making her feel hot where they pressed the robe close to her
fur in the increasing heat of the air reaching into the caverns.
The last thing she did was take another leaf to chew, then she
curled up in a small circular hole "uite close to perfect and dozed off
for the day.
Ep /, Chapter /
2hen 'icchieu awoke, very refreshed, she first went up to
check on her patient, who was, as she e&pected awake.
In fact, before she untied the cover she said, softly, 1@ou awake
in there34
To which came back a sarcastic, 1+o.4
15ood.4 she said as she unfastened the ties, 1I have something
to show you.4 and she leaned over and showed her the shiny weapon.
12hat%s that34 the warrior asked, not particularly curious.
1Its a weapon74 she whispered almost conspiratorially, 1#
very....powerful....weapon.4
12hy are you telling me34 she asked.
1(ecause some day I want to see you use one of them74 she
whispered.
12hat34 she asked sardonically, 1To kill you with34
$,=
1If you must.4 she said as if the idea of being killed was totally
unimportant to her.
1@ou don%t seem in the least bit worried about me killing you.4
she frowned, her eyebrows furrowing over her white eyes, 1#re
you...perhaps...insane34
1+o,4 she said, 1I ust don%t care if you kill me is all.4
1That%s insane.4 the warrior rolled her eyes, 19efinitely.4
1I don%t want anybody )L!) to kill me though.4 she "ualified
her statement, 1I had to put down a very bad man last night who had
come here to kill you.4
1/uh34 she tried lifting her head, 1Ohhhhhhwah...4 she
clenched her teeth, 19amn that still hurts.4
1(e careful or you never heal74 the priestess said softly.
12hy do you have a veil over your face34 the warrior asked
with a "uizzical frown.
1!o you never know my identity.4 she replied.
1I would if I killed you and pulled it off of you.4 'alonda
pointed out.
'icchieu froze. !he had never once thought of that.
1Dhhhhhh...4 she fumbled for a response.
This caused the warrior to break out laughing despite how
much it hurt, 15ods you%re dumb #+9 insane74 she guffawed in
between fits of pained coughing.
$,>
12-w-well...maybe...4 the priestess suggested, 1If the fire
weapon consumes me,4 she shrugged, 1perhaps there wouldn%t be
anything left of me74
1I can%t believe I%m hearing this.4 she lifted her eyes as if
looking toward the heavens, despite the fact that being on her back she
was looking at the head of a .unchaw. 12hy are we always in this
brown stuff under ground34 she finally asked.
1(ecause it is too hot for us in the Ignoble 2astelands to be
outside in the daytime.4 she replied simply.
12here is that34 she asked askance, 1I mean where #6) we
anyway34
1I ust said, silly74 she replied almost sounding like a child,
12e%re in the Ig-4
1Okay okay I got that.4 she replied, 19o you mind telling me,
maybe, ust how far we are from where you %rescued% me, without my
permission34
1I%m not sure.4 she replied, 1I%ve never been this far from
Le%+an in all of my years74
12ait,4 she said, 12e%re not even in Le%+an34 she asked.
12e are over fifty thousand fursheks from the nearest border of
Le%+an.4 she said in a hushed voice, 12e are at least another four
thousand, five hundred fursheks from our destination.
1That can%t be74 the warrior was shocked, 1The world isn%t that
big74
1Oh its much larger than you think my lo-uhhh...4 she stumbled
on her words, 1Bust know that the world is a loooooooot larger than
$0?
you think it is brave warrior.4
12hat were you about to call me34 her eyes became suspicious
slits as she peered across her chest at the little veiled face.
1#hh-uhhhLIyyyy-uhhh...it-uhh..4 she stammered.
1@ou were calling me your LOE) weren%t you74 she said with a
level of shock, 1/ow 9#6) you34
1Iyyyyyeaahhh... I 9I9+%T ')#+ IT74 she suddenly without
control began so get choked up, 16)#LL@74 refle&ively reaching to
rub her now watering eyes, forgetting she had a veil over her face and
lifting it refle&ively with the top knuckles of each hand-paw, e&posing
her thick red lips and tiny little nose.
1@ou%re not human are you34 the warrior asked softly.
-urther not thinking, she pulled her hands back in surprise that
the warrior had said this almost as if surely by now it either should
have been totally obvious, or else that it should not have been obvious.
(efore she realized it, she was gazing eye to eye with the
warrior, her huge golden eyes regarding the 'alonda%s normal human
sized moon eyes.
1@ou%re )@)! are so (I574 the warrior said in amazement.
'icchieu gasped and pulled her veil back down as she
suddenly realized what she had done.
12hy hide now34 'alonda asked, 1I already saw your face.4
1Ohhhhhhhh74 the priestess fussed worriedly, not knowing
what to do now.
$0$
1@ou might as well come on out, there%s nothing left to hide
now.4 she said.
1)&cept my coochie.4 she murmured shyly.
12haaaa34 she broke into laughing, rolling her eyes, 1@ou are
seriously messed up in the head74
1I am not74 she pouted, her veil hanging half down her face so
'alonda saw the thick red lips get all pouty.
12hat are you pouting for34 she asked annoyed, 1#re you even
an #9DLT of your race34
1@es, I am.4 the little priestess, insisted still outing, 1Otherwise
they would not have sent me on this most important mission74
1#nd what is that34 the warrior asked dubiously.
1I don%t know.4 she replied in a defensively sullen tone, 1They
never tell me anything.4
1#pparently because you%re a dimwit.4 the warrior observed.
1I%m not 9D'( dammit74 she cried, 1That%s ')#+74
1I%m a warrior. I%m )MA).T)9 to be mean.4 the muscular
woman replied.
12ell...4 she sniffled in resentment, 1@ou !/ODL9+%T be.4
1!houldn%t34 'alonda scoffed, 1I :ILL people for a living74
1That%s (#9 you know.4 as 'icchieu folded her arms in
defiance.
$0*
1!o is capturing people and carrying them off to gods-knows-
where for gods-knows-why and not even :+O2I+5 why.4 the
warrior countered.
1/ey74 she protested defensively, 1I /#9 to74
1!ince when74
1!ince @OD were 9@I+574 she belligerently insisted.
1I was !DAAO!)9 to die74 she replied so simplistically, sure
that the little bug-eyed creature was too stupid to know the ways of a
warrior, 1That%s how it is with warriors74
1That%s !TDAI974 the childish voice came back, 1+O(O9@ in
their right mind wants to die74
12here the hell did @OD grow up34 she asked,
1)E)6@(O9@ dies, eventually, its not about merely dying, its about
/O2 you die7 2e warriors live to kill and die and live lavishly in the
time in between7 Its the most glorious way to live and die74
1I think you%re crazy.4 she turned her head and looked off at the
wall, folding her arms.
12hat34 she asked incredulously, 1T/I!34 she seemed at a
loss for words, 1-rom somebody who seems to 2#+T..') to :ILL
them34 she shook her head rapidly in confusion, 12hat gives34
1Ohhhhhh4 'icchieu sighed, 1+ever mind,4 she stood up, 1Its
pointless trying to reason with you.4
1/)@74 'alonda protested, 12#IT DA /)6) a minute74
trying to struggle to lift her head as the priestess was moving away to
get down, and most likely, grab yet another of those sedatives, 1.O')
(#.: /)6)74 she looked around, 1I%m not done talking to you74
$0,
'icchieu%s heart was torn. !he knew that they were steeped in
their logically insane world of mad killing on top of more mad killing,
but she knew somehow that if she could only reach the heart of the
warrior, maybe...ust maybe, she could help her to see the T6D) way
to live.
#s she went back with the weapon to put it in the cache and
retrieve an orb of sedative, the warrior was still calling her back,
insisting that they had so much more to talk about, but right now, she
ust did not feel like talking to the poor raving woman.
5rabbing the orb and cinching the tarp back down, she slowly
climbed back up to the woman who was now pleading that she at least
be allowed to keep her lid open so she could breathe easier in the cool
night air, and she promised she would behave and not be any trouble,
still going at it as 'icchieu inserted the orb%s barb.
1Oh gods..no...not again....4 'alonda pleaded, tears coming
from her eyes, which even though 'icchieu had seen a lot of tears in
her life, seeing this strong hearted, if a bit brainwashed warrior crying
and pleading, it ust broke her heart.
1I%m really truly sorry my love,4 she said to the woman who
was "uickly succumbing to the sedative, 1Its for your own good.4
/er own tears fell in the eyes of the half stupefied woman as
she bent down and kissed her forehead and said, 16est easy my
warrior woman.4 as she rose back up and tied the flap back in place for
the ourney.
1@ou are going to hurt yourself very badly some day.4 the firm
voice came to her.
1I may.4 she replied defensively as she wiped the tears from her
eyes with the back of her hand, 1(ut if I do,4 she added, 1It is only my
$00
own business.4
Ep /, Chapter 2
#s the sun set, they dropped down to ground level, the ground
being dry enough now to be very firm under foot, making walking
actually "uite comfortable, e&cept for the heat had returned, forcing
them to intermittently alternate between walking on their pads and on
their claws.
The balls of mud dried and rubbed off slowly as they ounced
around, striking each other, until gradually, they wore away to very
small bits which were too light to grind one another apart.
#s the moons rose, 'icchieu looked for the dark spot in the
moon, watching it slowly rotate as the moon turned.
+ot being aware of astronomical knowledge, nobody truly
knew how or why moons did anything, let alone why they e&isted at
all.
)ven though there were tens of thousands of tales as to why
they were and how they got there, the only suiting answer she had ever
heard was that the goddess had made everything and the moons were
ust one part of the vast great grand design of that undefinable
%everything%.
(ut of all the "uestions she could have possibly wanted to ever
ask the 5oddess Luluine, she mostly wanted to know how this world
became so mad with violence and war.
2hy was this world a never-ending battlefield3 2hy did
people have to live such short, miserable, futile lives3
!he simply could not imagine or fathom the reasoning that had
led to a world based e&clusively off of e&ploitation and senseless
$08
killing.
!till, without regards of the way this crazy warrior human felt
about it, for no known reason, she was overwhelmingly drawn to them.
It was in its self indeed madness as well7
2hy would she be drawn to somebody who declared that they
would eventually kill them3 2as this not the same3 2as this not a
form of suicidal death wish3
!till she could not help it. #s she stroked the large warrior%s
legs through the layers of padding and protection, she still got that
senseless animal thrill of a form of closeness she had never felt for her
mother, not for the other sisters, even though no fewer than eleven
sisters had proposed pairing with her.
They were beautiful, sure. They were attractively proportioned,
enoyable enough to talk to, and more than ade"uately "ualified as
priestesses, but for some reason, to her, they were all ust...well...in a
word, bland.
They did nothing for her. They came and went dutifully, they
chatted with one another sociably, they asked her out on special trips
where they waited on her hand and foot, made her feel nice, even told
her she was special to them, but somehow, they
ust...lacked...something.
#nd this big, strong, purposeful, loyal beyond reason warrior
/#9 that missing something.
/ere the warrior had this insane, almost religious fervor for
hetero and homo destruction, yet 'icchieu knew, deep deep down,
that if that one problem could somehow be cured, they would be the
mate of ten thousand lifetimes7
$0;
The warrior was clearly a loud, carousing, wild drinker,
probably was shameless, or so 'icchieu imagined.
Aerhaps she had previous lovers, who knew3 -or some reason,
even though this was seen as despicable and abominable to Luluine,
for 'icchieu, this really did not matter to her.
!he knew that humans lived outside the rules, they bent them,
broke them and generally toyed with them, to their own peril, no less,
but for some reason, this ust thrilled the little priestess in ways she
could not hope to e&plain, and feel no need to ustify.
!he had always been forward, rebellious, a risk taker amongst
Leep%theui, and perhaps, that was what drew other Leep%theui to her,
but compared to herself, humans were stark raving mad.
#nd still yet. This one human, unlike any other human she had
ever seen, was somehow different.
They had smooth supple skin, little body fur, a long mane, and
for all the world as best she could tell, they had paps like a mother or a
mature sister7
/umans were normally covered with sparse, coarse fur,
especially on their faces, hard skinned, s"uare awed and generally
smelled terrible.
This human was so different it was almost incomparable7 2hy
this warrior even had a recessed coochie, totally unlike other humans
who had a protruding coochie.
/ad she but fur and a tail, she would be as one of the mothers
and sisters7
!omehow, this strange difference in and of its self drew her. In
'icchieu%s eyes, this warrior was some place neither human or
$0<
Leep%theui, but some place in between and this deeply intrigued her to
no end.
#s the night drew onwards, and the moons reached the
midpoint in the sky, a line of mountains began to ust be discernible in
the south.
!he used her far sight to scan them, and sure enough, far off in
the darkness, a range of mountains was looming nearer and nearer.
(y moonset at the latest, they would be right up to those
mountains.
$0=
Episode 2,
#he Southern $i*it
#s the sun rose, they were already climbing.
They had gained easily five fursheks altitude since they
reached the foothills.
The air was cooler, moister and there was sparse grass growing
along the long smoothly graded slopes between tall volcanic mesas,
which were very similar to those they had camped in.
The pumice was everywhere here.
It crunched under foot with each step.
Dnlike the soft earth of the north, the flat rocks near the river,
the smooth vines of the alpines, the sandy then pebbly beaches, the
dull flat sand and sloppy mud in the Ignoble 2ilderness, this was
sharp and painful.
Twice 'icchieu had to apply leather pads to all eight paws on
each .unchaw.
!he put the pads on with scraps of bandage material to help
absorb the blood that oozed out, which she mi&ed with an astringent
powder to help keep the blood clotting "uickly so it would keep the
bleeding minimal.
The leather wore through almost on a tenth day basis.
$0>
!oon they would be out of leather if this kept up, because
somebody forgot to take into account that there would be two
.unchaws on the trip instead of only one.
The cuts, along with the astringent powder not only stung but
made their paws swell up.
(efore three "uarters of the day had passed, they were out of
new leather pads and the paws of both .unchaws were swollen almost
to the point of splitting, and both of them were softly moaning despite
their normally stoic, stalwart dispositions.
!he had to carefully administer some antiseptic salve which
had a strong local anesthetic in it.
!he had never given anything like this to a .unchaw, so she
had no idea how they would react to it.
12e need something to bind their paws with74 she insisted to
the male spirit guide.
1I shall scout for something useful4 his firm voice replied, then
suddenly, right before her eyes he vanished.
19id you turn invisible34 she asked.
1+o, little one,4 the female spirit guide%s gentle voice replied,
1/e went to go salvage something you left behind.4
12hat-34 she began, but scarcely sooner than she began to ask
this, he was back with those strange fiber items she had not removed
from the corpses, all in his teeth, which he then spat out on the ground.
1This not do all, so use them carefully on the worst paws.4 he
firmly ordered.
$8?
1(-but the dead -4 she began.
1 not be needing them any longer.4 he cut her off, 1+ow tend to
the living as a priestess should.4
!he carefully knelt on the sharp biting pumice to take the
leather lashes and tie the strange fabric pieces to the ten worst paws of
the two beasts, which left si& un-tended paws with little more than
tatters of leather to shield their paws.
!he took the remaining layers of leather and bound them all
together with si& of the pairs of gloves in between them and fastened
them to the si& remaining paws.
This, she hoped, would get them to some point where they
would no longer need such measures.
1That was very good thinking little priestess,4 the firm voice
praised her, 1@ou may make 5reat -4
1Too much talk74 the female said, 1Lets get moving74
'icchieu%s normal naivety seemed to have begun to fade with
age, and with this recent conversation with the warrior, who easily
caught her slips in speech, leading her to think about slips in speech
more carefully.
Dnlike the warrior, however, she did not say anything, but
played as if she did not, in fact notice that something had been said
that was most strange and most curious as well.
.limbing up into her small seat, she settled back in as the
.unchaws began to resume their steady climb.
#s the sun began to set behind the tall mesas, they continued
into the night without break, making the best rate of travel as possible.
$8$
#s they rose up higher and higher into the mountains, the air
continued to grow colder.
The grasses here began to gradually fill in the spaces where the
grade was smooth, although every now and then fresh pumice was
e&posed by landslides, most likely from earth"uakes, or recent
volcanic upheavals.
The smell of sulfur was slight at the point, but it was enough
one could readily sense it.
!ome time in the second tenth of the night, before any of the
moons rose, there was a mild tremor, causing some pumice behind
them to slough off and go racing down the grade.
# casual waft of air filled the air with dust and stronger sulfur
odor, but nothing so e&treme as to give cause for concern.
The moons rose on the fourth tenth of the night, later than
usual, but they rose in rapid succession, -uh%oh, :in%oh, (uh%oh and
then 'an%oh, and they soon spread across the sky as they were moving
at different speeds.
#s long as :in%oh was in the sky, it was as easy to see what lay
around them as if it were day, only without the need of the veil to
block out the blazing glare.
It caught 'icchieu off guard when they reached the first pass
which was also, for all intents and purposes a summit.
!he was looking around and suddenly she realized that she was
looking out in three directions as far as the curvature of the world
without any obstruction.
)ven in the alps of home, nobody ever saw anything like this.
$8*
!he gasped in awe as her world ust went on and on and on
forever7
1Its so ()#DTI-DL74 she cried in awe.
1This is the place called %)ternity Lookout%4 the lady spirit
guide announced, 1On three sides, you can see to all horizons without
interference.4
1It is said that the gods wanted a place on their front porch
where they could wake up and see the world without obstruction, so
they made this place.4 the father spirit guide added in a much more
soft, almost emotional tone.
1Its so rare we get to be here with a -4 the female began, 1a
new person.4 she concluded.
1@es,4 the male was still seeming very sentimental,. 1!o very
very rare.4
1I am honored to be one of the few who has shared it with K
oop74 she suddenly cut herself off, 12ould it be okay to open up The
One%s cover now so they can see34 she asked.
1I think so.4 the female replied, 1It is cool and moist here.4
!he turned and unlashed the cover, then even before 'alonda
could say anything, which apparently everybody had figured she was
awake again already, she asked the .unchaw to turn about face and
bow face down and tail high, so the warrior could get a better look at
this seemingly limitless e&panse.
1!o what%s all this K whoooooa74 came the first sardonic then
awestricken words of the warrior.
$8,
#s she gazed out upon the utter essence of eternity, for the first
time in her entire life, she began to get ust a tiny perspective of ust
how grand and vast her world really was.
!he ust looked and took it all in, silently, even seeing how
brilliant the stars were from this altitude, as well as how crisp, clean
and clear the air was up at this height.
!he let out a sigh she never knew she had in her.
!omehow, 'icchieu%s instincts told her not to say a single
thing.
!he ust trembled with e&citement as she knew that this was
something she knew that this warrior needed so badly, not only to see,
and e&perience, but to do so in utter silence, as a very personal and
private moment in their life.
!he intently watched the warrior%s face as she looked all around
them.
#fter a while, a tiny gleam came from 'alonda%s eyes, which
she was unable to wipe away, and then she realized she was being
intently watched by those huge, almost luminescent gold eyes and she
became self conscious and looked away saying, 1Okay I%ve seen
enough, lets get on with it.4
.learly, her bravado did not tolerate people seeing her be a real
person.
1@es,4 'icchieu agreed, 12e are still a long way from our
destination, and I for one, need a bath in the 2O6!T way74
)verybody, even the stoic warrior laughed at this7
Ep 2, Chapter
$80
They resumed climbing, and although there was not much to
say, there was some casual chatter from the two as they continued
upward.
1!o...4 the warrior began, 1/ow old are you34
1I%m not supposed to tell.4 she murmured, but before 'alonda
could protest, she added, 1(ut I%m seventeen.4
1!hit74 'alonda e&claimed, 1+o wonder you%re so small74
1I came from a small mother.4 'icchieu replied shyly.
1I did too,4 'alonda said, 1(ut I had a tall father.4
12hat%s a father anyways34 she asked.
1/uh34 'alonda replied, 12hy uhhh...of .OD6!)74 she was
a bit flustered, 1)E)6@(O9@ has a -#T/)6,4 she insisted, 1)ven
@OD74
1I%m sorry,4 'icchieu sincerely apologized, 1but we have no
such word in our language.4
1(ut...then...4 'alonda found herself at a loss here, seeing as
she clearly had no idea who she was talking too, let alone what race
they were, or what their actual language was, but +)E)6 had she
)E)6 heard of people who did not have %-#T/)6% in their language
at #LL7
1I have a mother,4 the priestess offered, 1I think I had another
mother, but I%m not really sure now.4 she continued, 1!ome of my
sisters don%t have but one mother,4 she pondered, 1but some sisters
have two.4
$88
1That is the strangest thing I have ever heard74 'alonda mused
on this deeply.
12hat is strange34 'icchieu asked, 1That I have only one
mother when some sisters have two mothers34
12ell,4 she regarded the situation, 1That...and...that...yes74 she
declared firmly, 1Its all very strange to me74
1(ut we are different races,4 the priestess countered, 1surely
your kind are different from mine.4
1/ow much do you know about my race34 'alonda asked.
1I know you kill each other all the time,4 she said, 1and you%re
very hairy, have hard skin, and you smell bad.4 then she amended,
1)&cept you, of course,4 then she began to wa& romantic, 1you have
soft, smooth skin, you have paps like we have, and you have a long
mane like we have.4
12ait...4 the warrior suddenly caught onto something,
1@ou%rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrre entire race has paps like me34
12ell of course74 she replied with almost childlike simplicity,
1/ow else can a 'other feed a newborn !ister34
12ell...4 'alonda replied, 1+#TD6#LL@ all our mothers
have paps to feed children,4 she said, 1but the fathers don%t.4
'icchieu pondered this a while.
1!o...4 she began, 1you%re a 'other34
12ell, no...4 she began.
1Then you are a father34 the priestess asked.
$8;
1+OOOOOOOOO74 'alonda replied e&asperatedly, then she
paused and said, 1Look...4 and then she herself looked around
searching for the right words, 1I T/I+: I am best considered what
you call a %sister% okay34
1O/74 'icchieu%s blush was so bright it was visible in the
moonlight, 1I%m sorry,4 she deeply apologized, 1I don%t know why that
did not occur to me74
12e have fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles,
cousins, grandfathers, grandmothers, wives, husbands, sons,
daughters...4 she drifted off for a moment, 1I have...or I had...I%m not
sure now...two older brothers...until this last war anyhow.4
12ow...4 'icchieu%s eyes were wide in the moonlight, 1!o
many people74
12ell,4 'alonda shrugged, 1They%re all ust people related to
us...me.4
1I have one 'other.4 the priestess said, 1-I think.4
1@ou%re not sure34 'alonda asked.
1'other did not answer me.4 came the sad reply.
1!o you 'I5/T have...4 came the proposition,
1another...%mother%...or...maybe...a...father34
12e don%t /#E) hard people.4 she said in firm defiance.
1!o...4 she took a deep breath and let it out, 1@ou have all these
%mothers%...but no %fathers%...so....4 she looked around as they kept
moving up the mountain, 12ho makes the babies34
$8<
12hy74 'icchieu burst out giggling, 1'OT/)6! do of
course74
12e must be E)6@ different.4 the warrior pondered, 1(ecause
where I come from, if you don%t have a father, you don%t have
children74
1.hildren34 the priestess asked.
1brothers and sisters.4 the warrior charitably clarified.
1Oh.4 'icchieu responded, 1That is strange.4
1+o stranger than +OT having them.4 'alonda countered.
12e are definitely different.4 the priestess concurred.
1!o...4 'alonda asked, wanting to change the subect, 19o you
have a name34
12ell yes.4 'icchieu replied somewhat condescendingly.
12ell,4 the warrior persisted, 1#re you going to let me know
what it is34
1Oh.4 the priestess pondered, 1@ou can call me 'icchieu.4
1/#/#/#//#/##7774 'alonda burst out laughing, then
coughing, then laughing some more, 1!orry,4 she tried to control
herself, but was not gaining any ground.
12hat%s so funny34 the priestess demanded resentfully.
1@ou name74 she replied, struggling for breath.
12hy is my name so funny374 she demanded, now angered.
$8=
1I...4 more laughing, 1I...4 she could not do it.
1If you don%t want me to put you back to sleep...74 the little
beastly girl growled.
1O/ 5O9! +O74 she protested pleadingly, 1I%m T6@I+57
Alease trust me74
1Then what is so damned funny74 she insisted.
12h...4 she breathed, using the terrifying feelings she had from
this trip to reverse the hilarity of the thoughts in her mind, 12e have a
saying, %Its a pleasure to '))T-@OD74 which broke the bonds of her
scary thoughts.
The .unchaws began to chortle to this, which, after she thought
about it, made sense to her but still she did not find it humorous,
perhaps because of how simplistic her mental functions were.
1Oh well,4 she signed, 1!o what%s @OD6 name34 she pushed
through it.
1'a...4 she breathed, 1'ah...4 she tried again, 1'alonda.4 she
finally got out then resumed chortling.
1'alonda34 'icchieu repeated for clarity.
1@es,4 she replied, catching her breath, 1It...4 she had one more
gasp to overcome, 1It means wanderer of meadows.4
1Oh.4 she replied, 1I love meadows.4
1Oh.4 'alonda replied, 1I do too.4
1'y name means, %'ay the goddess bless you with eternal life
$8>
and eternal peace, and eternal oy.4
1#ll T/#T in ust one 2O6934 the warrior asked.
1'y name is a fairly simple name.4 the priestess replied, 1'y
'other%s name is /ekkitunia and it means-4
12hoa, whoa,whoa,4 'alonda interrupted, 1I won%t remember
all of that if you do tell me, okay34 she said, 1+ot trying to be rude
here,4 she continued, 1(ut I%m ust not good with all that long,
meaningful name stuff, being a simple warrior and all.4 she took a
deep breath, 1I leave that stuff to scribes and scholars.4
12hat are those34 'icchieu asked, truly curious.
1They are people who read and write and talk a lot.4 the
warrior replied.
12hat is read and write34 the priestess asked.
1Its where...4 she stopped, 12ell,4 she tried e&ploring the issue,
19o you ever make symbols or scratch shapes on things that have
meaning to you34
1@es,4 the little one replied, 12e have to make shapes in the
sky when we seal a blessing from Luluine.4
1Oh.4 the warrior replied, 1!o you make symbols in the sky34
she asked.
1I think you use the word %air.%4 'icchieu replied, trying to
clarify.
1Oh okay.4 she said, 1.an you show me34
1Like this.4 and with her tiny paw hands, she "uickly traced a
$;?
symbol of fruitfulness which glowed in the air and literally remained
e&actly where they were at that precise moment, even though they
continued up the grade.
12ow.4 'alonda was indeed impressed. !he tried to lift her
head to look back at the glowing bluish rune in the air but she could
not really get a good angle, being tied down as she was.
19on%t move so much74 the priestess insisted, 1@ou%re not
healed yet74
1Oh phooey.4 'alonda protested, 1I%m ust fine...other than this
annoying cough.
1@ou%re .OD5/I+5 up your LD+5! my K dear.4 she
suddenly changed her word.
1They%re '@ lungs,4 she rebutted, 1I can cough them up if I
want74
1:eep that up and I%ll sedate you again.4 the priestess warned.
1Oh gods...4 she lay back annoyed, 12ith you its sedate this,
and sedate that...4 she sighed, 1/ave you ever ust gone out, let loose
and ust had some real, honest to the gods -D+34
'icchieu%s blush was was so clear in the western moonlight,
'alonda did not feel she really needed an answer to that.
1+ever mind,4 the warrior curtailed the "uestion a bit late, 1I
didn%t mean to insult your culture that way.4
1#ctually,4 the little priestess confessed softly, and with some
bit of embarrassment, 1I%ve often watched your people from afar, and
wondered what it is like to, as you say, %let loose%,4 she sighed, 1(ut as
we Leep%theui, my people, are very timid and shy people,4 she
$;$
e&plained, 12e%re really not like that by nature.4
1I see.4 the warrior considered the little priestess% words, 1!o...4
she offered, 12ould you like to T6@ some time34
1(efore of after you kill me34 came the flattening "uestion.
12haaaa34 she has a screwed up face of utter disbelief,
12hy...4 then, ust to poke fun at the situation, she said,
1()-O6)...naturally74
1Oh.4 the little priestess didn%t actually consider that she might
actually be playing when she said that, so her reply was, 1I would
enoy that,4 then taking a deep, serious breath, 1I%ve always wondered
what it would be like.
1Oh,4 'alonda pondered this incredulously, 1@ou are !D./ a
child,4 she paused, 19id you know that34
1I%m old enough to mate,4 she countered, 1I have been for four
years now.4
12/O#74 'alonda responded, 1@OD6 people %mate% at the
age of T/I6T))+34 she asked in disbelief.
1!ome times.4 'icchieu blushed once again, 1(ut usually
we%re too shy to.4
12ow.4 she e&claimed almost under her breath, 1Bust...wow.4
12hat34 the priestess asked, 12hat age you mate at34
1D/-/#/74 the warrior blurted out, 1')374 her eyes wide
with incredulity, 1'#T)374 looking around and then looking back to
the little priestess, 1In T/I! life3 /#74
$;*
12hat34 'icchieu asked, 12hy not34
12ell -I6!T of all I%m a 2#66IO6,4 she counted off, 1#nd
!).O+9 of all, I%m !DAAO!)9L@ 9)#9 right about now, and
T/I69 of all,4 she paused for emphasis, looking around in a
conspiratorial manner 1T/I69 of all...4 she repeated for emphasis,
1/ave you !))+ those buffoons down there34
1+ot maybe the way you have,4 'icchieu replied thoughtfully,
1I only see when you all come out to kill each other.4
1I !2)#6,4 the warrior insisted, 1That%s about all they%re
really 5OO9 for.4 she continued, 1.an%t make them T/I+:, they
always, as you know, !TI+:, and they have the brains of a
.D+./#2...4 then as she heard them both growl and snort,
1Oh...sorry guys, my apologies, not meaning to insult you.4
This was received with a light hearted chortle from the two
purple beasts.
They growled their acceptance of her apology.
1!o,4 'icchieu asked, 1@ou%re never going to mate at all34
1I have no plans for it.4 the warrior replied flatly.
12ell,4 the priestess suggested, 1I really didn%t...I mean
don%t...either...at...this...time.4 and she blushed some more.
12ell, little lady,4 came a hearty response, 1That%s good to hear
because I don%t really need anybody tying me down to a house and a
bunch of chil-uhhh....you .#+ have children, right34
This made the .unchaws both chortle "uite loudly.
$;,
1(y the way...4 she asked with a frown, 1/ow do you manage
to ride these things so easily34
12e are friends.4 the priestess replied, 12e help each other.4
1#s in,4 she "ueried further, 1voluntarily34
12hy sure74 the priestess confirmed gaily, 12e often hunt in
packs with them for food because we can see far away and they can
run very fast, so they help us find fruits and nuts, and we help them
spot the animals they wish to eat74
1!o you are like able to see a long distance with those big eyes
of yours34 came the suggested presumption.
1I have no idea if the size of our eyes matters at all.4 'icchieu
replied, 12e bend light to see what we wish to see.4
1@ou %bend light%34 she repeated, 1/ow do you do that34
12ith the help of Luluine, naturally.4 the priestess replied, 1#ll
Leep%theui can bend light, even if they do not know how to.4
1!o you learn how to when you are small34 came a speculative
guess.
1Our 'others teach us, and when we become 'others, we
teach the !isters.4 she e&plained.4
1Oh, I think I understand now.4 although in reality she was
totally lost, 1!o maybe some day you can teach me how to bend light
as well34
1I don%t believe so.4 came the honest, and thoughtful response,
1@ou not being Leep%theui, I don%t believe that you can learn.4
$;0
12ell that%s no fun.4 she pretended to be despondent, 1#nd
here I was going to go show you a really good time, and you won%t
show me how to bend light34
1I can%t help it74 the Leep%theui replied, 1If the 5oddess Luluine
does not give to you the ability,4 she shrugged, 1then no amount of
teaching ever help74
1(ut you don%t :+O2 that I 9O+%T...4 she continued to tease
the child minded priestess, 19o you34
1+ot really, no.4 she said, 1(ut I could and ask if you would
like.4
1Oh34 came a suspicious response, 1!o...you actually T#L: to
Luluine34
1!ure74 she replied, 1I am one of eight %(lessed Eessels% who
can talk with and in"uire of the gods directly and by name74
12hoa74 she pondered this, 1@ou mean to say to me,4 she
posed the "uestion, 1#ll you have to do,4 she paused for emphasis, 1Is
ust ask any old god out there anything you want to know, and they up
and tell you34
12ell, no,4 'icchieu corrected, 1!ome times they tell me I am
not allowed to know.4
1Oh they do, do they34 she asked suspiciously, becoming
doubtful of the story being told to her.
1I get mad at them some times and they get mad at me too.4
she said.
The .unchaws guffawed at this one, saying in essence, 1Like
when you threatened to wreck their plans by drowning %The One%, ey34
$;8
1That was a bluff.4 she admitted to the beasts.4
12#IT-2#IT7 2/#T34 'alonda suddenly tried hard to sit up
against the restraints, 1@ou%re not talking about ') there are you34
The .unchaws chortled.
1/ey7 /ey-hey-hey-hey74 she insisted, 1Dhhh....what am I not
being told here guys34
Their reply was, to the effect that they were not allowed to
discuss the matter.
12hoa7 2ait74 she protested, 1!ince when was I not allowed in
on my own potential funeral here34
The veteran .unchaw asked to the effect of, 12hy do you care
since you said its so honorable to die in the battlefield 34
1(ecause this ain%t no battlefield for O+) thing,4 she protested,
1#nd another,4 she was eager to point out, 1is that I was totally
incapacitated, unconscious, and fully unable to defend myself74
1# death is a death.4 'icchieu said flatly, 12hen you are gone,
you are gone. 2hat does it matter where and under what
circumstances you die34
1(ecause74 she protested, 1If you die in (#TTL), you have
heroic songs made about you and wenches sing them in all the pubs
across the land74
1It sounds like you memorized that.4 the priestess said,
completely nonplussed.
12e #LL memorize that74 she protested, 1-rom as young as I
$;;
can remember74
1#nd...4 'icchieu asked with a pointed dig, 1)&actly /O2 is
that supposed to ()+)-IT you when you%re already 9)#934
12ell,4 she found she had never once wondered that herself,
being all caught up in the ritual of being a warrior and all, 1+O+) I
don%t suppo-heyyyyyy 2#IT a minute here74 she frowned at the
priestess suspiciously, 12hat are you trying to say here34
1I%m ust asking you,4 she put on a causal, almost disinterested
face, 12hy is dying in the prime of your youth, when you have
everything to live for, better than living out a fully happy, productive
life with all of the people you love34
The mighty warrior had not a shred of an answer for this.
1Iiiiiii...4 she dragged her words out, 1I think I%m ready for
some of that sedative now.4
1O/////// +O...4 the little priestess pursued, 1I want you
to tell me BD!T what%s so 56)#T about running out into a field of
stinky hairy sweaty %-#/T)6!% and getting your guts cut out of you
and (L))9I+5 your short, painful, 'I!)6#(L) life out on a
battlefield with tens of thousands more, ust LI:) you.4
1Dmmm...4 still trying to be evasive, 1'y-I think my lungs are
really tired and need a rest from speaking now-4 she tried making up
something to get out of this sticky line of "uestioning for which she
had absolutely no answer, 1can I have some of that wonderful-4
1O/ 9O+T% T6@ T/#T 2IT/ ')74 'icchieu%s temper
flared, 1@OD%6) ()I+5 )E#!IE) now74
1Dhhhh....well,4 she replied, 1(ecause...I really don%t have any
answer for you34 trying to look sheepish.
$;<
1T/#T%! 6I5/T74 she declared mightily in her righteous
indignation, 1@ou 9O+%T have an answer for that74 and she folded her
littler arms proud that she had knocked the wind right out of the
warrior%s sails, 1+O2 whoNs the %ignorant child,% huh34
12ait74 'alonda protested, 1@ou gotta give me some slack
here7 This is ust how our culture I!74
1Its not how '@ culture is.4 she said in cool defiant rebuttal.
1(ut...but...4 she protested, 1#m I suddenly supposed to ust
walk way from T/OD!#+9! of generations of T6#9ITIO+34
1In a heartbeat74 the little furry girl called out derisively.
1(ut...what about my -#'IL@34 she pleaded.
1The 9)#9 ones you can%t see any more34 she asked, 1Or the
LIEI+5 ones who are 56I)EI+5 over your 9)#T/34
1Oh...crap.4 'alonda would have been scratching her head if
not for her hands being tied to the frame of the litter that bore her.
1!o again,4 the stubborn little priestess demanded, 12/@
should @OD or #+@(O9@ go out there and get your -OOL selves
:ILL)9 to ()5I+ with34
1Dmmm...because the king said to34 she offered.
1(ecause the :I+5 said to34 she mocked, 1#nd why do you
.#6) what he says to you34 she demanded.
1(ecause he%s the king naturally.4 she became defensive.
1#nd why is /) the king and not @OD34 she insisted.
$;=
1(ecause, his father was the king34 she replied, trying to
become belligerent, 1Or maybe somebody challenged the last king and
killed him and took the throne perhaps34
1#nd ust /O2 is that in any way beneficial to @OD34 came
the ab.
1Its not I-4 she stopped, 19amn74 she griped, 1@ou did it
again74 then she tried looking around, 1'edic74
1I%' the medic here and I%LL determine 2/)+ or I- you get
any pain relief...4 her eyes flashed with feminine fury.
15eez74 'alonda recoiled, 1I%m not T6@I+5 to be /O!TIL)
here74
1@ou%re being )E#!IE) and !TDAI9 too74 she growled back,
as much as her little voice would growl.
1I%m sorry, but I don%t :+O2 the answers to the "uestions you
are asking me,4 she pleaded, 1It ust I!74
1#nd T/I! %ust I!%74 came a near snarl which e&posed the
large bluish white teeth of the very large rodent-girl, 1#nd if you value
your -6))9O',4 she threatened, 1@ou%re going to learn to T/I+:
like an #9DLT for a change74
12ow,4 'alonda realized within herself, 1this little beast
could get E)6@ angry74
Then aloud she plead, 1Okay please let me ust try to answer
the best I can from now on out, okay3 +o more growling and
screaming and flashing those big sharp teeth at me please34
1I%ll flash my teeth if I 2#+T to74 she bared them more and
$;>
growled.
12ow those could inflict as much damage as a .unchaw
whelp74 she realized, thinking back to the time she teased a whelp
until it bit her.
1Okay...okay...4 she ac"uiesced, 1/ave it your way,4 she
breathed, 1/ave it your way,4 taking a deeper breath, 1.learly you are
in control anyway.4
1I sure #' and I !/#LL be for as long as the gods say for me
to be74 she glared at the warrior fiercely.
1!o...4 she tried to calm the situation down and change the
subect, 12hat was it you wanted to ask me again34
1I-4 the little priestess stopped in e&asperation, 1I already asked
you74
12ell, kinda,4 she half agreed, 1(ut...maybe...could you-could
you maybe re-phrase the "uestion a little for me34 she offered, 1'aybe
I could perhaps give you a better, more satisfactory answer if we try
again.4
1O//////////7774 'icchieu growled while looking
heavenward, her tiny hand-paws clenched into fists, 1Luluine AL)#!)
give me !T6)+5T/74
1#m, I T/#T bad34 the warrior weakly asked.
1!o 2/@ is, your )+TI6) !O.I)T@ built upon the premise
of OA)+ 2#6-#6)34 she demanded.
1Dhh...4 she once again drew a blank, 1@ou know...4 she
offered honestly, 1+obody ever told me why.4
$<?
1+obody told you 2/@ you and all of the OT/)6 human
nations, and even some +O+-human nations are all !#E#5)L@
cutting, stabbing and burning one another almost 9#IL@34
1+ope, I swear74 she replied as honestly as she possibly could,
1#s I said before, its how things always have been, so...4 she
shrugged, 12ho was I to go around asking "uestions34
1@our people never ask "uestions34 she demanded.
1+ot the ones that want to live.4 came the answer.
19oesn%t seem they live anyhow, so maybe they should have74
'icchieu scolded, 19id you ever think of T/#T34
1+o,4 she admitted, feeling ashamed all of a sudden, 1I was
sent to be a warrior when I was five years old,4 she replied, suddenly
feeling some deep, hidden pain in her heart, causing tears to well up in
her eyes, 12hen my father was killed in a battle.4
1!o...4 'icchieu%s compassion did not show as she persisted,
1@our mother, after the death of your father, sent you off to become a
warrior while you were still a tiny baby34
12e had no choice74 she protested, 1If mama had not given the
king !O')T/I+5, he would have simply taken )E)6@T/I+5 and
we would have lost it #LL74
1#nd what do you have +O234 she relentlessly pressed the
argument.
1'y mama has the land and the serfs and she is safe as long as
she lives74 she hoped this would mollify the enraged little priestess.
1#nd 2/@ does the king have the 6I5/T to take what
belongs to your family34 she demanded.
$<$
1(ecause74 she protested, filled with emotional pain, 1/e%s the
:I+5 naturally74
1!o the king can ust go around T#:I+5 anything he 2#+T!
is it34 she continued unabated.
12ell,4 the warrior sobbed, 12ith papa dead,4 she tried to
e&plain, 1there was no man in the house to challenge the king74
12hat does that matter34 she demanded, 1If its @OD6 land,
then who is /) to come T#:) it from you34
1/e%s...he%s...4 she realized this was indeed a circular argument,
1I ust don%t think you D+9)6!T#+9 how it I! there74 she protested,
not able to find any words that were ever going to satisfy this tireless
interrogator.
12ell +O I 9O+%T understand,4 she ground the fact in,
1T/)6)-O6) I%m here #!:I+5 you74
12ell,4 'alonda replied helplessly, 1If you beat me, bite, me,
stab me, or whatever you do to me,4 she wept, 1I ust can never give
you the answers you are asking of me74 she sobbed like a little child,
hurt and broken, feeling an entire lifetime%s worth of deeply buried
pain for the first time ever, and the more lost she felt, the more pain
she felt.
The "uestions were each and every one totally valid "uestions,
and the truth was, she had no idea why she had to suffer the loss of her
family, the loss of her dignity, the loss of her free or the loss of her
own life.
)verything she knew, it seemed, was nothing but a great big
sham, some kind of ruse, ust a craftily fashioned lie.
$<*
This tore her soul up and she wept unconsoled for a long time
as the priestess simply sat there and watched in silence.
-inally even as the last moon was setting and the suns were
already making the sky light in the east, the fiery priestess relented and
said, 12hen you are better,4 and she leaned down, openly planting a
big, soft, tender kiss on 'alonda%s forehead, 1I%ll in"uire of you about
this further.4
In the startlement of being so openly kissed, the warrior, who
had never before been kissed, at least that she was aware of, shuddered
deeply as the strange sensation sent something totally new and
une&pected through her soul like a massive avalanche.
12h-wh...why did you duh-do that34 'alonda asked in a truly
innocent way as she trembled from weeping and these strange
emotions.
1(ecause, my lovely warrior,4 the small woman-beast replied
in a very human sounding tone, 1as I said before,4 she lowered her
eyes down e"ual to 'alonda%s, 1I love you.4 and then, feeling the hot
urges of her animal side, she let herself the indignity of fully kissing
the human woman directly on her smaller, almost frail seeming lips as
they "uivered.
'alonda did not realize what was happening, but her heart was
hammering and her head went spinning, and without knowing why or
for what reason, she found herself aggressively returning the kiss as if
she were hungrily eating food for the very first time in her twenty five
years of life.
Ep 2, Chapter !
6ight at sunrise, as the party crossed the peak of the higher
mountain range, they paused to observe the sun rising from %the
highest point in the world.%
$<,
-or one very brief instant, ust as it cracked the horizon, there
was this unforgettable emerald flash which made everybody gasp,
even the spirit guides.
The sun came up unusually red and very wide, seeming to truly
engulf the entire horizon7
The sun%s surface seemed to have waves or ripples on it as well.
#s the sun%s rays climbed up over multiple thousands of peaks
to the east of them, alternating streaks of light and dark seemed to peel
away from the sun, almost as if the sun was climbing up into the sky
on thousands of legs of light.
They all stared, transfi&ed, as the sun finally passed %the ladder
of the gods% and began its ourney upward across the sky.
1Look down ahead of us now.4 the spirit guide lifted a paw to
point.
#s they watched, the shadows rippled and raced along creating
"uite a show all in and of themselves along the frost covered peaks.
#s the sun rose all the way above this, one could then see the
frost begin to melt away, making the hazy freeze resistant grasses
sparkle with drops of dew, which cast limitless tiny rainbows upward
at them.
-inally, the spirit guide said, 1Okay, we should be moving
along now.4 and rose from his haunches to proceed down the southern
side of the pass.
They once again found themselves in conversation, only this
time, 'alonda was the one asking "uestions.
$<0
12hat is it like where you live34 she asked.
1Its...4 'icchieu thought, 1Its warm, and its not e&actly dark,4
she tilted her head thoughtfully, 1the plants all generate light where I
live.4 she finally declared.
1@ou...4 'alonda began, 1@ou totally lost me there.4 she
announced, 1I can%t )E)+ imagine such a place.4
1Aerhaps,4 the little priestess said wistfully, 1but I truly doubt
it,4 she added, 1ust maybe I can get permission to show you my home
some day.4 then after a moment, she said, 1()-O6) you kill me, of
course.4
'alonda could not help bursting out in laughter at this, but she
"uickly caught herself and converted it into coughing, saying, 1Oh7
)&cuse me74
'icchieu tilted her head at this, not sure if she was being
laughed at, but not wanting to accuse.
1!o.4 the warrior saw the e&pression and curbed her
enthusiasm for her own personal inside oke, 12hat do you do for
fun34 then she added, 12hen...you%re not watching we humans slice
and dice each other into small bloody bits on the battlefield that is.4
This time it was the priestess% turn to react in humor. #s she
giggled, she also struggled with her self composure for a bit, but she
merely covered her mouth and performed a more traditional throat
clearing pseudo-cough.
12ell,4 she replied carefully, 1I normally go about to my
favorite places and ust soak up the beauty of nature to be honest.4
1/mmm.4 'alonda pondered this, 1That must be nice.4
$<8
1Oh its wonderful74 'icchieu%s face suddenly glowed, but then
she turned melancholy, 1(ut its not as wonderful as it would be with
somebody special.4 looking up almost shyly at the warrior, who then
blushed and cleared her throat.
1I%m sure you are totally correct on that matter.4 the muscular
woman replied.
1I wish 2) could go to some of those places some day.4 the
little priestess sighed dreamily.
1(efore, or...34 'alonda ust had to ab her with it once more.
1Oh,4 she sighed, 1@ou could kill me there...I suppose.4 as she
gazed off into the sky some place.
1I was O+L@ :I99I+5,4 'alonda finally broke down and
confessed.
1/ow do I know that34 'icchieu%s eyes regarded her almost
lazily yet at the same time with a very penetrating power to them,
1#fter all,4 she pointed out, 1killing is ust the social order in your
world.4
1Oh,4 'alonda groaned, 1Alease give me a break now, okay34
clearly giving a very pained yet pleading e&pression.
1I did74 she replied simply, 1I saved your life and brought you
to the !outhern Limit so you could have a nice, long, leisurely break
from your ordinary life of killing people74
1Ohhhhhhhh...so T/#T%! why we%re here, are we34 she asked
as if she had ust caught on to the whole ploy.
1I don%t know.4 'icchieu suddenly replied with a childish
simplicity.
$<;
12ait74 'alonda protested, 1@ou ust said-4 she stopped as she
saw a shy and yet sly smile cross the priestess%s forward tilted face,
1#re you ')!!I+5 with me now34 she complained, 1(ecause if you
#6)-4
1@ou%ll kill me34 she asked softly, then she bared her four huge
teeth and made a gnashing movement which looked more like an
e&pression of sensuality than a threat of violence.
'alonda caught her breath and simply could not respond to
this, but instead, looked away biting her lower lip.
They rode in silence a long time, 'icchieu looking back
"uietly at 'alonda who did not want to look up at her until the
priestess finally gave up and turned to face the direction they were
traveling.
#fter a while, 'alonda nervously glanced back to see the back
of 'icchieu%s hood and with a silent sigh of relief, looked skyward as
she tried to really think all of this over in her mind, and in her heart.
$<<
Episode 3,
Se.e4ti5e 'B.essing' 6rogra*
1#aaaahhh74 'alonda suddenly cried out, bringing them all to
a halt as 'icchieu spun in her seat to see what was wrong.
1#re you /D6T734 she cried in alarm.
1+O74 the warrior cried out, her face a grimace much like that
of intense pain, 1I IT./ in a very bad place and I can%t reach to
scratch74
!ince being awake, her body began to do its natural thing, and
unfortunately, this led to some e&treme discomfort.
!he wiggled and s"uirmed, twisted and bent her body and
nothing would relieve this maddening itch7
1###########66555//7774 she raged, 1!omebody
ust please kill me74 she finally whimpered.
1I could put some ointment on it perhaps,4 the little priestess
offered.
1If I could ust !.6#T./ it I would be ust -I+)74
1Oh74 her naturally large golden eyes got even wider as it ust
occurred to her, the most natural of things in the word7 To scratch an
itch7, 1I can help with that right away74 and without hesitation, she
began unlacing the thick protective shell and rolled it down, revealing
beneath it a blanket, which she too rolled down, and there below was,
$<=
other than a bandaged chest, a fully naked, and very muscular woman,
strapped along her body with webbing at every intersection.
12here is it34 the priestess thoughtlessly asked.
1Its some place I would rather you +OT touch74 she growled.
1Oh.4 then she reached into a small pouch beside her seat and
opened up a metal ar which was filled with very neatly folded circular
cloths, 1I have these74 she held one of the circular white pads up,
1These are superb for itches in womanly places74
1Its not so much %womanly%,4 she continued to growl, 1#nd
why am I here +#:)9 any way734
12e needed to keep you sterile and clean while you healed so
we put you in this without anything dirty so you would not get an
infection74 she replied simplistically, 1If you were not kept perfectly
clean you could have died by now74
12ell I -))L like I%m about to die from this 5O9! ()
9#'+)9 IT./7 #6665/74
1Is it in the back34 the priestess asked as she crawled up on top
of the patient, 1I think I can reach it since my hands are small.4
12ith those sharp claws of yours34 'alonda%s eyes grew wide,
1+O 2#@74
1I%m an e&pert at medical care without ever once hurting a
patient74 she growled back, eyes flashing.
12hoaaaa there...4 'alonda declared nervously, she had heard
that growl before, she knew that this little blade toothed creature could
well cut off body parts with those sharp incisors7, 1I did not mean to
insult you or anything74
$<>
12atch what you say about me then74 she growled a little less
loudly.
1I%m sorry I offended you K uh...4 she suddenly realized she
never heard her name7
1'icchieu.4 she added.
1'icchieu.4 she mouthed it a couple of times after saying it out
loud, 1That%s a name if I ever heard one.4
12hat is T/#T supposed to mean34 the priestess put her paw-
hands on her hips.
12ell,4 she admitted, 1I%ve never met any of your kind before,
so, I ust never heard anybody named that before.4
1'y -DLL name is 'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The
)ighth !acred Eessel of Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of
Ten Thousand%, and greatest known scout of all times74 she puffed her
amazingly ample chest out as she put on a haughty air of self
importance. Then she demanded, 1#nd what%s @OD6 great and
famous name then34 the little priestess challenged in return.
1'alonda Leighah 2innepego, Leige .ommander of /is
)&cellen...cy...4 she tapered off as she saw the e&pression on
'icchieu%s face was totally put off by the whole heraldry of
foolishness and folly, 1...okay...I get it,4 she sighed, 1+ow can you
AL)#!) do !O')T/I+5 about this IT./374
1Okay.4 'icchieu%s disposition changed in the blink of an eye
and she e&uberantly went about blotting the accumulated offending
moisture in 'alonda%s rear parts.
2hat 'alonda didn%t e&pect is that the relief was more than
$=?
mere relief, it sent strangely pleasurable sensations to those locations7
1Ohhh7 #hhh7 Ohhh7 @eah7 #hhh7 2ow74 she was truly
enoying it, eyes closed, seemingly in the lap of lu&ury and
pleasure...until the priestess suddenly stopped, 1/ey74 her eyes sprang
open, 12hy did you stop34
1It is clear to me the its has been cured,4 the golden eyed
creature replied, 1therefor there is no need to continue any further.4
1(ut...4 she felt both embarrassed and driven to protest, 1Its
was getting so 5OO974
1One should not take wanton pleasure in the banal e&periences
of life,4 she softly rebuked the warrior, 1The 5reat 'other told us so.4
1/wuah...4 the big woman%s lower lip curled over her teeth as
she swung her aw to one side, clearly in contempt of this %5reat
'other%s% so called wisdom, 1Lotta fun T/#T must be...4 rolling her
eyes and sighing.
1I could go for a good strong drink right now.4 she added,
1#nd could you cover me back up now please3 I%m getting cold up
here naked on this mountain.4
!ecretly, 'icchieu%s real desire was to continue to give
'alonda this strange new pleasure, but it had begun making
something inside her she had never really felt much before begin to do
things she was told she should not, so she knew she was really
stopping for her own sake, and not that of the powerful moon eyed
warrior7
!he hurried to roll everything back up to keep the warrior
warm, and then she began to ask her about what kinds of foods her
people tended to eat.
$=$
Ep 3, Chapter
The mountains turned from pumice to granite and the road
went from relatively straight to gradually windier and windier until it
was constantly switching back on its self.
#s they proceeded along, they found more and more vegetation
growing in the crevasses as well.
#t one point, trees began to appear, and some of them leaned
out over the road.
#s 'icchieu%s seat was high enough she would have had to
have ducked, she asked for a short pause so she could inspect the trees.
!ure enough, there was some kind of very succulent fruit up in
the inner branches.
!niffing it, she did not sense any poison, and she rapidly lashed
out with her little paw-hands and plucked more than forty of them in
ust a few heartbeats% time.
12ow you%re fast74 'alonda admired as the little creature
moved at almost a blurring speed.
1One need never waste an opportunity to collect fresh food74
the broad toothed girl lectured, 1One lives on what they can find in the
wild and one never knows when a threat might appear74
1!poken like a true warrior.4 'alonda said offhandedly, then
caught herself, 1Oh7- I%m sorry7 I didn%t mean to imply you were a-74
1That%s okay,4 the little priestess replied softly, 1I know you
meant well of it.4 and she smiled in such a way she looked truly
adorable, especially for a non-human7
$=*
1@eah. @eah.4 'alonda "uickly agreed, 1Only in the ()!T of
ways74 putting on her most winning smile.
Then, to the warrior%s surprise, the little priestess also rapidly
cut off several of the more tender, broad leaved outer branches from
the new growth, and with a staccato rapid se"uence sound of snipping,
branches were stack e"ually as neatly in a close bundle almost faster
than her human eye could clearly watch7
#lso, it was clear she had a very developed method because all
of the branches were lined up the same direction as well as they lay
very flat and none of the leaves were turned or ruffled during the
stacking process.
1@ou sure have some talent for gathering things74 'alonda
marveled.
1Its the natural way of my people.4 'icchieu replied casually,
1This is ust how we live.4
1Its 'O!T impressive74 she praised, 1(oth the fluency and
efficiency of motion are simply astonishing74
1Thank you.4 the priestess replied politely. Then, she looked up
into the tree and decided she was pleased with her catch and she
addressed the party, 1I think I have all the best of what was there,4 and
she lifted one stem to begin stripping the thick broad leaves from it,
12e can go forward when you all are ready.4
Ep 3, Chapter !
The winding trail continued down the mountain where the
weather was warmer and the greenery lusher.
#s they neared the bottom, off between the hilly gateway to the
foothills below, they saw what appeared to be some kind of signs of
$=,
civilization.
There were what appeared to be rocks of unnaturally straight
lines placed in abnormally comple& geometric shapes peeking through
the gaps in the distant hills.
12e are nearing something where people live.4 'icchieu%s
voice was unusually tense.
1There is nothing to fear down below young priestess,4 the
firm voice replied, 1This is one of the habitats of your own people.4
1I%ve never been told anything about it.4 she replied as she
gazed down upon it with a sense of foreboding, 12hy is it so
unnatural34
12hatever do you mean34 the gentle voice asked, 1They are
your own people, the Leep%theui74
1This does not look like how we live back home.4 her hackles
would have been visibly raised, had the not been wearing her robe.
12hy all of the alarm34 'alonda asked, hearing only one half
of the conversation.
1!omething is not right here.4 she leaned over and whispered
into 'alonda%s ears, 1I%m going to get you dressed right here and now.4
then she sat up and said, 1Let us stop here and let me tend to
'alonda%s bandages.4
1(ut they have far better facilities down below.4 the spirit
guide protested softly.
1Dntil I turn my patient over to whomever it is I am to release
her to, she is in my custody and the law e&pressly states that I can treat
her wounds any way I see fit.4
$=0
1#s you wish young priestess.4 the gentler voice replied, a note
of tension coming through despite an attempt to hide it.
!he hopped off the litter and rapidly sifted through the storage
and began pulling out many items, including the armor and sword she
liberated from the :op%tohian enemy and the five strange weapons she
liberated from the corpses.
(efore she proceeded to deal with 'alonda, however, she
hastily strapped three of these weapons and their sockets to her body
underneath her robe.
)ven as the !pirit guides came up to look, she was working as
if they were not there, effectively daring them to call ahead and inform
those who waited in the civilized dwellings below.
!he scurried back to 'alonda and unstrapped her from her
litter with her amazing speed and /elped her into the under-garments
and then the light scale mail armor.
1This is much too light to be battle armor,4 'alonda lifted her
arms fle&ing, trying it out as she sat there being shod with the boots.
1Its not combat armor.4 the priestess replied, 1Its witchNs
armor.4
1/uh34 the warrior asked in confusion.
1The :op%toh have battle witches.4 she replied, 1In their
language, they are called %2ar-lachenz% or %the binder of wars%.4
1That%s odd,4 'alonda pondered, 1I%ve never heard of them
before.4
1They only use them when they are trying to secure an
$=8
overwhelming victory.4 'icchieu%s voice was filled with calm, yet
urgent facts, 1They use them to overbalance the scales of war.4
1That makes sense,4 'alonda replied, 1now that I think about
it.4 then she looked down, fle&ing the amazingly light gauntlets,
12hat is this fashioned from34 she turned it around, watching it give
an unusual dull, iridescent glint in the sunlight.
Those are the scales of young @amthan, 'alonda my dear.4 she
answered, 1One that was raised in captivity, ust like the .unchaw you
led into battle.4
They captured a @amthan at #+@ age34 she asked unbelieving.
1This 2ar-lachenz can control the wills of lesser and
intermediate minded beasts.4 she declared, 12hen we battled him,4
she pointed out, 1the wary veteran .unchaw was the one he targeted
because he assumed wrongly that if he took control of our strongest
party member he could control and win the battle.4
1!o where is he now34 she asked, 1Is he not dead34 she asked.
1-ar from it my warrior,4 the priestesses replied, 1/e has
doppelgangers everywhere. )ven if he did not think I knew what he
was doing, he was invoking the spell of the wandering soul before he
lost consciousness, which means he literally pulled his own soul from
his own body and fled to another place where he has a body hidden,
and with that body, he simply awaken and return for us once again.4
12ell that is not good.4 she remarked unhappily, 1/ow long
until we ne&t see him34 she asked.
1This I can not tell you.4 she replied, 1(ut it is by far best we
are ready any place human bodies might possibly be found, especially
since he found us so easily and so close to our intended destination.4
$=;
1I see your point.4 'alonda agreed, 1!o tell me about these
weapons here34 as she hefted the gleaming strangely formed item.
1I only know that when you press here,4 she pointed, 1a
powerful lance of destruction leaps forth like a ray of strong sunlight.4
1/mmm.4 she turned it around and began to gaze down its
muzzle.
19O+%T74 the little priestess reached over and pushed the
muzzle away from 'alonda%s face, 1@ou 2#+T to kill your !)L-34
1That powerful, huh34 she asked.
1I operated one by accident so I know well it is very powerful74
!o how I know if I have to use it34 she asked.
1If I do not know, I trust your warrior%s training help you
determine,4 she said, 1but I am sure I shall know when some sign
shows us that it is time to act.4 and at this point, she pressed the fabric
of her robe against her making the bulge of a weapon clear through her
fabric.4
That made 'alonda ask, 1I thought your kind never killed34
1I%m not so sure we don%t any more.4 she replied, 1I am unsure
of a lot of things now that we have met.4
12ell,4 the warrior shrugged as she lay back down in the litter
and let the priestess cover her back with the blanket and the outer seal,
1I suppose we shall have to work off of instinct then.4
2ith that, the two .unchaws rose up and they carried on their
way toward the strangely advanced looking city below.
$=<
Ep 3, Chapter "
#s they passed into the city gates, everything was made of
amazingly clean cut, highly polished stone which was mingled with
notes of white, ivory, beige, cream, bronze, copper, black and pieces of
a lovely tur"uoise.
The architecture was unlike any other built structure she had
ever seen in her life.
#t once, it was in its own way aesthetically pleasing, and at the
same time, it put her instincts on edge.
The ne&t thing she noticed was that there appeared to be sisters,
very large sisters at that, standing as guards at these gates, and each of
them bore a long weapon in one hand and had a buckler on the other
arm.
!he had never before seen an aggressive Leep%theui, let alone
one which stood as a human warrior7
1They are armed.4 she said softly, 1Leep%theui with weapons,
much like humans.4
12hy are they -34 she began, 1+ever mind, we shall find out
together I suspect.4 she murmured.
1I imagine so.4 the priestess replied in a hushed tone.
Inside the city, however, there was the e&act opposite7
There were +#:)9 Leep%theui running to and fro like little
children7
'icchieu gasped in utter shock as they scurried and scampered
around like wild animals in a mating ritual7
$==
1I can%t ()LI)E) it74 she gasped again, 1They-they%re
+#:)974
1I thought you said they had armor34 'alonda asked softly.
1+o...4 she replied, 12e%re further inside now.4
Indeed you could hear the s"ueals and giggling of these totally
shameless Leep%theui in all their carnal loveliness dashing to and fro,
some times in pairs, some times in threes, even fours and fives on
occasion.
#s their busy tails sailed behind them, she realized she could
even see their lower parts7
1!O !/#')L)!!74 she gasped.
!uddenly, two of these shameless Leep%theui dashed right up to
her .unchaw and without even stopping scurried right up, sniffed,
s"ueaked and giggled directly in 'icchieu%s face before leaping off
into space and scampering off down another street still s"uealing and
giggling.
1This is ust not right.4 she murmured to herself, 1This is not
the way we were raised #T #LL.4
1Oh.4 'alonda replied, 12ell that%s good to know,4 she said,
1because otherwise, you%d have all been )#T)+ long ago by some
large predator74
1Oh don%t I :+O2 it74 the priestess shook her head in
disbelief.
They went on past more large robed guards with weapons,
looking a bit bored and yet at the same time as if they were itching for
$=>
battle.
1(ut then you have these 2#66IO6! in here74 she shuddered,
12ho would have I'#5I+)9 such potentially EIOL)+T
Leep%theui74
12ell...4 'alonda began, almost in defense of them, 1Look at
us here...4 she suggested, 2e%re not e&actly -4
1(ut that%s ust IT 'alonda,4 she almost whispered back, 1don%t
you see it34 she asked, 12e%ve been invited here...or to be more
correct, instructed to come here, and now that I see it, I can see why
you feel like you were a prisoner, because this is +OT some place I
would have come voluntarily74
1Bust your descriptions of it make me uneasy,4 'alonda said, 1I
can%t imagine the actual contrast from your personal point of view74
1Oh trust me,4 she murmured, 1This is +OT right.4
!oon they came up to a wide plaza, where, to their surprise,
people were lined up along the way, wearing robes, but not purple
ones.
There were cream, white, yellow and gold ones.
#nd the sheer +D'()6 of them was #!TOD+9I+57
They stood there, heads bowed, tails beneath their robes, hands
folded before them reverently, and they all were humming7
#s this went on for easily more than a furshek, they arrived at a
large structure which had a very broad set of steps leading up to it, and
this too was packed full of Leep%theui, some in green robes, some in
orange, some in pink.
$>?
#s they reached the steps, the spirit guide declared, 1This is
where we bid you farewell,4 in his firm voice, 1we can go no further.4
12hy not34 'icchieu asked.
1This is as far as we are allowed to enter into Olee-bueunn, city
of the great goddess Luluine.4 the gentle voice replied, 1The other
gods agreed that this is our boundary and we shall never pass it to the
true !outhern Limit.4
1/ow we make it back34 'icchieu%s voice was stressed
realizing their only guides were about to leave and when they did, the
four of them would be truly stuck here with no way to find their ways
home.
1This is something the goddess you worship determine little
one.4 the firm voice said, 1#s for us, now,4 he concluded, 1It is of no
concern.4 and that suddenly, the whole pack of them simply vanished.
1Oh no...4 she groaned, 1+ow we%re in trouble.4
12hy do you say that34 'alonda asked, wanting badly to raise
her head and look around to see what was going on, but keeping out of
sight of these Leep%theui who were totally unaware of her, or at least so
she assumed.
12e have no guides to find our way back74 she groaned, 1#nd
I%m "uite certain that its going to be a long time before anybody is
going to let us even 5O back.4
12hat do you say that34 she asked.
Bust that instant, however, a voice from before them somewhat
answered her "uestion.
Ep 3, Chapter (
$>$
# rather firm, husky voice for a Leep%theui called out like a
champion warrior or a "ueen addressing troops before a battle,
1'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The )ighth !acred Eessel of
Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of Ten Thousand%, and
.greatest known scout of all times%74 they cried forth, then followed
with, 1'alonda Leighah 2innepego, Leige .ommander of /is
)&cellency :ing /arold !hakken Ludapest III of Le%+an74 she called
out in Le%+anese so 'alonda could hear.
#s this seemed to echo off the distant hills, they felt a strangely
powerful presence before them.
/er fur had been groomed to a perfect shine, possibly with
Timbuta nut oil, the rarest, most costly oil ever known, yet known to
make Leep%theui%s normally bland, fuzzy soft, lackluster fur to glisten
without even weighing it down7
16I!)74 the rather large Leep%theui cried forth, her tur"uoise
eyes glittering, arms outstretched in a lifting gesture, as she wore what
would basically be a sheer white veil toga, with glistening metal and
gem trim, her stupendously large breasts bulging out before her, one
under the veiled toga and the other glistening in the sun, its large
brown areola and nipple also oiled to a gleam.
'alonda rose up and peered over the edge then whistled lowly,
1/oly mother of +DT trees74 she whispered.
The hair was e&ceedingly long, tied up in a very large top bun
e&posing her two fur tipped ears, yet trailing behind her an impossibly
long way, and most distinctive of all were the two golden stripes that
lifted from her face, up through her mane, even visible intertwined
through the topknot and then dispersing into the nut brown hair that
trailed behind her.
!he easily stood half again as tall as even the human warrior
$>*
'alonda7
!he must have been easily eight times as large as 'icchieu%s
puny compact mass7
#t once, there was power, pride, regality and elegance in this
being7
They were by no means a mere beast7 They were ust shy of a
goddess7 Of T/) goddess7
12ho are you and how do you know me374 'icchieu%s nervous
voice cried back defiantly.
12hy...4 there was a moment of stunned silence from the
crowd, 19id not your mother tell you who I am34 came with an almost
playful and condescendingly mocking note.
1!he never said anything to me about this place, O6 you74 she
shouted back, gripping the rim of her seat tightly, wanting badly to run
from here all of a sudden.
12hy that little w-4 she began as if about to lose her cool then
she said, 1oman74 and shook her head with a pitying e&pression, 12ell
then listen here young priestess,4 she rose her outstretched arms even
higher, 1for I shall this day indeed T)LL thee who I am74
12here did she get such funny speech34 the young Leep%theui
wondered to herself and to 'alonda.
1/ow should I know34 she replied, 12hen did so many of you
learn our language without even interacting with us34
12e scouts learned it first and then others were taught it until
we all know it as well as Leep%theuiese by the time we can walk.4 she
murmured back, 1(ut still this weird accent74
$>,
12ell let%s hear her out.4 the warrior replied as the huge
Leep%theuiian was now already speaking.
1I am !eeliene !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The !eventh !acred
Eessel of Luluine%, %!eer of 5od%, %:nower of 'ysteries%, %:eeper of the
!even !acred :eys%,4 she gazed out over everybody as far as the eye
could see beyond the party, but then fi&ed her gaze upon 'icchieu%s
own golden eyes with an outstretched paw-hand toward the young
priestess as she said, 1and yes, little 'icchieu, I am your father.4
This ust froze up all of 'icchieu%s entire mind7
#ll of the previous discussions she ever had in her life about
where babies came from, and even why there were no %fathers% in their
race all came e&ploding over her like a massive storm driven wave,
shocking her to the very core of her being.
12ait...4 'alonda murmured, 19id !/)...ust say %-#T/)6%34
1I know...4 'icchieu%s response was distant and 'alonda could
tell her companion was in no way prepared for this7
12ell,4 'alonda said, 1at least that e&plains -4
1.ome74 the huge Leep%theui called forth, 19ismount thy
mounts and come forth to me my children74
1Is she calling me her child now4 'alonda asked.
1I have no idea...4 'icchieu%s voice remained distant.
12ell,4 the warrior sighed, 1!hould we go or should we stay34
The crowd "uickly pressed in on them, hands raised in
welcome, humming almost like a swarm of buzzing insects.
$>0
12ell,4 'icchieu replied, 1if we make a break for it now,4 she
motioned all around, 1we%re gong to have to trample a whole lot of
people to do it.4
1@ou think they would let us34 'alonda asked, dubiously.
19o warriors let themselves get killed in needless battles
because T/)I6 kings tell them to34 came 'icchieu%s rhetorical reply.
15ood point.4 the warrior agreed, 1(ut we need to stick
together.4 she cautioned, 1If they get us separated,4 she pointed out,
1there%s no telling what they might try.4
1#greed.4 the priestess replied even as she slowly dismounted
the .unchaw, the people making a clearing for her and dropping on
their knees before them both in obeisance.
1This is ust too creepy74 she murmured to 'alonda.
1I%m prone to agree74 replied the warrior, hand tightly on the
hilt of the battle mage%s sword as they advanced on the massive
Leep%theui up the stairs.
Ep 3, Chapter /
They were led into a long wide hall, which too was filled with
Leep%theui, only these were in more showy outfits with less modesty
and more sparkle.
They too bowed, only not to the floor.
They bowed to the waist, and one could tell all of them were of
a distinctive class above the rest of them by the e&pensive clothing, the
fancy hair, the glossy fur and general stance of ones of great
importance.
$>8
#s they walked between the two sides, the group bowed almost
like a wake before them.
They bowed on key, e&ecuting their bows in such a
synchronized motion it was like a well choreographed dance.
1They seem to have practiced this a lot.4 'alonda whispered.
1Or they bow to a lot of dignitaries.4 she suggested.
12here did your...ummm...4 'alonda began.
1I don%t know.4 'icchieu%s response was terse, 1#nd it bothers
me.4
1'e too.4 the warrior replied, 1/ow does something that huge
simply disappear out in the wide open public like that34
1Invisibility spell, usually.4 'icchieu%s reply came, 1Only I
was waiting for that and still could not find her, even by her scent or
by warm marks on the stones as we walked over them.4
1@ou can trace people by warmth they leave on the ground34
'alonda asked incredulously.
1I%m the only one.4 she replied, then modified it to, 1The only
one I have ever ')T that could anyhow.4
1@ou think she can disguise even that34 'alonda asked as they
neared the end of the hallway.
1#ny more,4 she breathed as they came to the opening doors,
1There%s little I would disc-4 she stopped as suddenly before them was
the immense figure of !eeliene, paw-hands clasped in a warm,
thoughtful, greeting fashion as she smiled down on them with incisors
$>;
so large they were as big as a warrior%s utility spade, or perhaps even
the blades of four gleaming blue-white a&es.
-or a peace loving race, T/I! one was looking "uite predatory
at the moment7
1.hildren74 her voice was amazingly much softer, 1.ome,
come74 and she once again spread her arms wide, displaying heavy
cords of muscle, veins rolling under the gloss shined fur, and the fact
that they were abnormally wide spread for her apparent overall body
size.
!he had a reach almost as long as she was tall it seemed7
Dp until now, all of the Leep%theui 'icchieu had seen in her
life, had relatively short arms, as compared to their overall height7 (ut
this giantess had arms like legs7
#nd her A#2!7 They were /D5)7 #nd her claws were
+))9L) sharp7
It was as if, instead of intentionally dulling them for the safety
of others, she had kept hers sharp enough to slice through flesh7 !he
refle&ively shuddered at the idea that this person calling herself the
priestess% %father% was clearly not built to flee would-be attackers, but to
kill.
This threw everything she had learned, assumed or heard in old
'other%s tales completely out of proportion, virtually threw out her
entire life7
This graceful, soft speaking person of beauty and mannerism,
in all likelihood, could kill both of their .unchaws without a weapon7
1@oung ones74 she beckoned as the two of them had
somewhere along the way, slowed to a stop, gazing at the absolute
$><
grandeur of the room as well as the absolutely terrifying power their
hostess carried in her person, 1Alease74 she softly beckoned, 1The trip
was hard, and the road has been tiring74 servants pulled back to very
opulent looking human style chairs, 1!it7 6ela&7 )at74
/er glowing smile seemed at once genuine and at the same
time was clearly hiding so many secrets both of the travelers were
glancing at one another nervously as they came over and seated
themselves across the long oval human fashioned polished white stone
table from their hostess.
The glossy giantess folded her hands before her and leaned her
huge head against them sideways, in a clear sign of longing adoration,
1I have so much I have waited to tell you about my dear 'icchieu74.
Ep 3, Chapter 2
#fter they had eaten, they proceeded to go deeper into the vast
edifice and find a room filled with couches, both of human and
Leep%theui, but also a few of unknown origins.
There was a very large couch across a small raised table from
another large couch, and they were invited to sit on one together while
the giantess lay completely across the other, at which time something
else became uncomfortably apparent.
!he had something very large protruding from between her legs
that no woman should have7
This large item was also dark brown as her areolas, and devoid
of fur.
'icchieu%s refle&ive nervous glancing finally made !eeliene
break out into incredibly light, melodious laughter.
1Oh my dear child,4 she seemed to purr with pleasure, 19id
$>=
you not know you as even I34
1I don%t understand74 'icchieu%s thin facial fur was unable to
hide her blush.
1This is why there are no %fathers% in amongst the Leep%theui my
love.4 she purred, 1(ecause they are kept from developing.4
19eveloping34 she asked, 1I don%t understand.4 looking away
shyly.
12e Leep%theui are all of one gender.4 the giantess proceeded
to e&plain, 1There are no fathers only because of our diet.4
12hat we eat34 she asked.
1)&actly74 she smiled, 12e Leep%theui are raised to eat
specifically what foods we were raised to eat and nothing else.4
1I never knew that.4 she replied.
12ell of course not.4 the giantess concurred efficiently, 1If you
knew,4 she replied with a casual air of superiority, 12e would have
suffered a population e&plosion long ago.4 she smiled toward the
warrior ne&t to her, 1'uch as the humans have.4
12hy do you say that34 she asked intrigued and genuinely
curious.
1(ecause @OD, dear precious little one,4 she smiled adoringly
and yet her glistening incisors at this range seemed to have serrations
along their edges, as if they were designed for biting through
something much tougher than nuts and fruits, 1are a notorious rebel
and a !+)#:74
1#k74 the little priestess reeled back from the accusation as
$>>
well as the clean heavy clacking sound the incisors as they meshed
perfectly like they had ust snapped the bones of a :unnibah with
ease7
1@es, my love,4 the playful voice continued, 1I%ve kept a very
close eye on you.4 she smiled, rolling her eyes back to look all around
the room as if glancing at an unseen audience to be sure they were
watching, /ekkitunia said all the time she was worried you would get
yourself or somebody else killed while off gallivanting around as you
do74
'icchieu gasped, 1@ou !AO:) to 'other374 eyes wide.
12hy of .OD6!)74 !eeliene purred, 1I watch over #LL of
my children74
1Dhhh...wait...4 'alonda asked, 1!o 'icchieu%s not your only
child I gather.4
12hy of .OD6!) not74 the huge Leep%theui threw her head
back filling the room with her gay laughter, 1I have T)+! of
T/OD!#+9! of children around this vast globe74
1////////////D/374 both girls cried at the same time,
eyes bugged out.
12here did you T/I+:...we...all...came...from34 she said
playfully in a deliberately divided manner.
12ell,4 'icchieu%s response was, 1#h-I never really
T/OD5/T about it,4 she put forth her little paw-hands e&pressing
loss, 1Dhhh...ah-I ust assumed we came from !O')...where...4
looking totally lost and yet in a %don%t blame ') for nobody ever
telling me7% manner of e&pression.
Once again this was followed with loud and mirthful laughter.
*??
12ell, little one,4 !eeliene patted her obviously large member
with her hand, 1you,4 and she looked around the room again, 1and
nearly every sister you have, or meet in your life including your own
mother,4 she gave a leering grin while batting her big eyelashes, 1came
from right here.4
The little priestess got a somewhat sickly e&pression, turning
ust a little pale, 1#hhhyy-uhhyyy...uhhhhggg...4 her eyes rolled
around, 1I think I%m going to be sick now...4
#t the literal snap of a finger, a servant seemingly appeared out
of nowhere with a rather fancy looking metal bowl and held it out,
should 'icchieu%s lunch decide to part company with her.
(ut strangely, as she gazed into this polished bowl at her self,
the image was magnified as large as the head of the woman-beast
!eeliene who was claiming to be her father7
1)ueeeaahhh774 she reeled back, waving her arms defensively,
1:eep it away from me74 she cried almost in a state of mindlessness.
12hat%s the matter34 !eeliene asked, 19on%t like your
reflection34
1That can%t- that%s not me74 she cried, twisted away from the
bowl, eyes s"ueezed shut.
1Oh....34 the silky soft voice of the giantess asked, 1(ut it is74
her head turning in such a way as to make an emphatic gesture to its
veracity.
1+o74 she protested, 1It .#+%T be74 she began to sob.
12hy...)L!) do you think you are %The )ighth !acred Eessel
of Luluine% my dear little sticky fruit34
*?$
19on%t call me that74 she protested, since it was what her
'other always called her.
12hy not34 she asked, 1Its what I called your mother when she
was here with me.4 she purred, 1#nd...O///...I 9O LOE) fresh hot
sticky fruit from the very tip tops of the vines where the sun hits them
best74 she purred so deeply it sounded like the rumble of a pleased
.unchaw.
'icchieu%s entire childhood memories were being raped and
dismantled by this complete stranger and she was unable to do
anything but bear up under it.
!he had been the only one brave enough to climb the long
slippery vines to the very summit where the best sticky fruit grew, and
people began to call her %!ticky -ruit 5irl.%
+ow she imagined this monstrosity climbing those very same
vines, plucking the tender, uicy, resinous, insanely sweet purple fruits
and slurping them down in front of her in a show of...something she
currently found repugnant.
1I don%t ever want another sticky fruit again as long as I live74
she cried, rising to flee the room, even though she had no idea where
she was going.
1Oh there there now74 !eeliene put on a sad, pitiable tone, 1Its
not so bad being the %!acred Eessel% my love,4 reaching up and
catching her robe, clearly not allowing her to simply run off, 1-or
one,4 she smiled, 1you no longer have to choose.4 she offered.
1#nd for another,4 she closed her eyes and licked her immense
lips, 1it feels O/ so 5OO974
1I don%t care how it feels74 she cried struggling, 1I don%t want to
*?*
do it74
1Oh74 her tone once again changed, 1(ut you 'D!T74 with a
half patronizing, half pleading insistence.
1I don%t have to do #+@T/I+574 she cried as she pulled
against the immovable obect that was the e&tremely powerful arm of
!eeliene.
1I%ve already administered the antidote74 the behemoth purred
in delight, 1!oon you find yourself completely unable to resist74
Then she turned her eyes to the warrior who was nervously
watching, still unsure if this was the right time to act or not, 1#nd
@OD...little lady,4 she announced in a much firmer tone, 1#re needed
to train our future army74
1Dhh-I%mawhowat34 she blurted out.
1@ou heard me.4 she tilted her head and servants came as if to
escort her to some other place in the vast comple&, 1@ou need to begin
training my army of drones.4
1+ow 2#IT /)6) a minute74 she protested as the servants
began to close in on her, 1I was -O6.)9 here, 2IT/ODT my
consent, by 'icchieu, who was #AA#6)+TL@ T6I.:)9 into
coming here herself74
1I see your sentiment for her,4 the massive Leep%theui purred,
1Its !O touching,4 her tone was surely sarcastic, but still she said,
19on%t worry,4 with a huge leering grin, 1the both of you can still be a
mated pair,4 and she giggled, 1and who knows34 with a wicked grin,
1perhaps you might bear offspring74
Interestingly, this brought gasps of shock and horror from the
servants in the room, both visible and invisible, and this was the e&act
*?,
moment 'icchieu%s instincts told her were perfect.
!he slipped cleanly out of her robe with her superior speed and
de&terity and in a flash had two of the shiny weapons drawn, one on
!eeliene and one she waved around the room in general.
19O+%T #+@(O9@ 'OE) # 2/I!:)674 she screamed.
#t that same moment, 'alonda kicked three of the nearest
servants to the ground with one swift move, all of them rolling away
s"uealing in pain as the sharp scale mail armor had scratched their
eyes and their sensitive noses.
15et them74 !eeliene roared, but before they could move,
'icchieu%s well practiced tail drew the third weapon and blasted a hole
in the finely polished floor before their feet spraying shards of stone
and molten eecta at them, throwing them back screaming in pain.
1+e&t time +OT be a warning shot74 she cried out, then she
"uickly blasted several pillars in the room which caused the entire
building%s roof to shift with a thunderous grumble.
!eeliene suddenly got this e&tremely simplistic and stupid look
of disbelief on her face as she said, 1@ou%re !)6IOD! aren%t you34
1Aerhaps 'OT/)6 failed to T)LL you that little part about
me, /D/34 she bared her own incisors, 1I 9O+%T adhere to the %pure
peace principle%74 she spat with a look of elation on her face, 1she
never told you how I used to get into -I5/T! when I was little, 9I9
she34
12hy...4 the monstrosity was honestly shocked, 1/ow 9#6)
she hide something of that importance from me734
1/ah74 'icchieu%s position was already changing as she was
making her way back out the way they came in, 'alonda following, a
*?0
sword in one hand and a light weapon in the other, 1!he didn%t want
you to see me Gand herH as -#ILD6)! and pass us by for your
%!elective (lessing Arocess%, or,4 she amended, 1as I see now, your
selective (6))9I+5 process74
2ith that, she shot out three more columns and people began
scattering in all directions, even the massive !eeliene who had, up to
that moment, remained reclined on her couch as if there were nothing
to fear.
!he and 'alonda dashed out with the screaming crowd who
gave them no more resistance because they feared for their lives before
everything else.
They heard an agonizing roar for ust a moment before they
heard only the rumble of massive stones crushing each other to
fragments, shards as big as people flying over head and skidding along
the previously smooth stone floor past them.
The building rumbled and shook violently.
#pparently, the builders had put far too much emphasis on the
finesse of their stone masonry and not enough on any type of
contingent superstructures to back up the roof, should too many
columns be knocked out, perhaps they felt surely nobody in their right
minds would try to knock those pillars out while inside the building, or
perhaps they simply never imagined anybody even .ODL9 knock the
massive stone structures down to begin with7
The .unchaws had heard the initial shot fired and began
knocking anything in front of them out of the way and they were
already in the long hall waiting as panicked Leep%theui ran screaming
past them for the e&it.
12here are we going now34 'alonda shouted.
*?8
1Out of here74 'icchieu%s voice cried back barely audible over
the pandemonium of screaming Leep%theui.
1That-56)#T74 she shouted, back, 1(ut 2/I./ 2#@374
1The way we came in of course74 she declared.
12hy not some other way374 she shouted back.
1(ecause we don%t :+O2 any other ways74 she replied.
1@ou have a great point there74 the warrior conceded, 1I vote
with you on this74
The .unchaws charged through the teeming masses of
hysterical Leep%theui as they made for the outskirts of the city.
*?;
Episode 7,
%unning For ,ur $i5es1
They realized as they ran that the only way back the way they
came was across the sharp pumice.
12hat are we going to do when we get to the pumice34
'alonda asked, as she rode in the litter looking back.
1I have an idea about this74 'icchieu s"ueaked, 1I noticed
something on the way in that may be very important7
1Oh34 the warrior warily watched behind them as they raced up
the winding mountain road, 1#nd what was that34
1This may literally () %the top of the world% in one way,4 the
little furry girl began, 1but it may #L!O ust be a very elevated
/I5/2#@ from aeons past74
12ait74 she looked forward over her shoulder, keeping two
hands full of light weapons aimed behind them, 1#re you suggesting
that people from a 56)#T)6 civilization once lived on this world34
1Its a fair and realistic idea74 she shouted back as the wind of
the running .unchaws whipped their words aside.
12ow74 'alonda cried, 1Then maybe the people who made
these light weapons once ruled this world74
12e have to be open to this idea74 'icchieu shouted back.
*?<
1!o we%re going to run along that ridge and see where it takes
us34 the warrior asked.
1That is the best idea I can come up with at this time74 the
priestess acknowledged.
They had the .unchaws running up the hill until they were
"uite e&hausted, and then they turned into a small valley where water
was running.
!lowly they worked their way through some thick brush and up
a few small steppes until they found a decent sized pool from which
they could all reasonably get a drink.
)ven being on the run, they knew they had to rest or they
would be in far worse shape.
Ep 7, Chapter
The .unchaws knew they had little time to rest, so they simply
lay on their bellies a while to let their legs rela& a while.
'icchieu opened up the supplies and took out every empty
water skin and filled them "uickly.
Then she hopped up onto the litter where she had dropped the
fruit and leafy twigs she picked earlier scooping up all of the twigs.
1.are for some fruit34 'icchieu asked offering 'alonda some
of the fruit she picked earlier.
1!ure.4 she said, accepting three of them, 1@ou%re not having
any34 she asked as 'icchieu began eating the leaves from the selected
thin branches.
1I can eat this,4 she said with her teeth clenched onto a twig as
*?=
she pointed at it with one paw-hand, and holding it with the other,
stripping the leaves off in a very efficient manner, 1swow wuuu eaa
aaaahh.4 she mumbled around a mouth full of leaves as she discarded
the twig and reached for another.
1(ut is that fair and all34 'alonda asked, 1I mean you did all
the work...4
The priestess packed the un-chewed leaves into her cheeks so
she could reply, 1I%m fine with this, really.4 and then she stripped off
another twig, also stuffing the leaves into her cheeks, making them
bulge out to each side.
12ow.4 'alonda regarded the immensely bulging cheeks,
1That%s "uite some talent you have there74
1I can chew them as we ride.4 'icchieu regarded 'alonda in a
sidelong glance as she went to stripping the ne&t twig.
1!ounds like a great survival skill.4 'alonda commented as
she sucked the uice out of a fruit, trying to keep from spilling it,
1These are some really tasty fruits74 she commented, 1I wonder if
they%ll grow up where we live34
1!ave the seeds and we%ll find out.4 the little priestess offered
as she poked another twig between her teeth and pulled.
1I hope so,4 she declared, 1I haven%t tasted anything like them
in my life74
1They smell familiar.4 the furry girl said between twigs.
1@ou think so34 she shrugged and slurped down the rich uicy
flesh, 12ell I guess you%ve traveled a lot more than I have anyhow.4
she shrugged, 1I haven%t gone very far at all in my life.4
*?>
1#s a scout,4 the 'icchieu pointed out before stripping another
twig, 1one travel far and wide.4
15athering information,4 'alonda nodded, 1!ort of like
military spies.4
1Only we...4 she stopped, 1I think we were being spies too
now.4 she replied with a sad e&pression.
1Its okay,4 the white eyed warrior replied, 12e%ve both been
duped. It happens.4 and she bravely reached out and pat the furry
being on her back.
1!hhhhhh74 her golden eyes popped open, 1/ear that34
The warrior shook her head but also tried to listen.
1!i&, maybe seven,4 'icchieu whispered, 1four footed...no,
make that hoofed, animals charging after us, one larger than the
others.4
1!hould we run or hide up here34 'alonda asked, pulling the
light weapons from their sockets.
12e%re holed up here,4 the priestess said, 1Likely they be
invisible, so its best we make them run for it.4
15ood idea.4 she said, 1I never was much for a standing battle
anyhow.4
The .unchaws were already ready and when the two of them
went to mount up, 'alonda said, 1Lets each take a mount. That allows
us to be a wider, harder target.4
15ood idea.4 'icchieu agreed.
*$?
'alonda mounted up on the veteran along with their supplies
while 'icchieu mounted the wild .unchaw once again.
They nimbly worked their way out to the main road and leapt
forward up the hill toward the summit.
They rode hard all that day, never sure how far behind them the
pursuers were, nor how many there even were.
#s they finally broke the peak, 'icchieu didn%t bother
following the road any more, but seeing a thin vale heading off to the
east, she took this short cut to minimize the chances of their being
overtaken in the mountains.
They rushed down the vale bounding from one side to another,
which was perfectly natural for .unchaws with their feline like
musculature and long, three ointed legs.
They made very good time and were not long in this vale
before it flattened out and left them in a sprint for the long, wide, flat
ridge which was unnaturally straight, leading due east-west across the
land.
It was impossible to know how far ahead of their pursuers they
were, but they ran with all their might in hopes of throwing them off
the path.
#s moons rose and waned, however, some time after midnight,
their hopes were dashed as the western horizon filled with dust and the
low rumbling thunder of e&tremely heavy hooves coming very fast.
1They%re really fast74 'alonda shouted out, nervously glancing
behind them.
1I think they are riding another beast you may have never heard
of74 'icchieu%s little voice was hard to make out in the rush of wind.
*$$
12hat beast would that be34 the warrior asked.
#n arrow whizzed by them, then three more.
1/oly shit74 'alonda cried, then she lay three random volleys
of light energy back behind them.
19on%t waste those weapons74 the little priestess cried, 1They
are very old and we don%t know how long they last74
12e don%t know how long 2)%LL last74 'alonda protested.
1Let them get into range so you can see what you are shooting
at74 'icchieu insisted.
1That%s easy for @OD to say74 came the reply, 1I%m not even
good with pointed weapons like this74
-ive more arrows whizzed by.
1+either are they74 the furry girl cried out, 1Otherwise we%d be
hit by now74
1I don%t like taking the chance of them getting in a lucky shot
though74
19on%t worry,4 came the reply, 1the wind is on our side74
1The wind34 she asked.
'icchieu%s arms were raised and she began casting a spell,
bending the light of the moon until it began focusing on the mountains
to their right.
The entire range ahead of them became immensely brighter
*$*
while the roadway they ran on got much darker.
12hat are you doing34 'alonda asked.
1I%m warming up the mountain side74 she replied, 1That create
uplifting air and a wind pull their arrows aside74
1/ow long that work34 the warrior asked.
1/opefully until they run out of arrows or until we are close
enough to fight back74
1/ow close do you 2#+T them to get34 the warrior nervously
asked.
1.lose enough for a good crippling shot that stop them74
1I hope you%re right74 'alonda shouted back, 1I don%t think
they%re looking to merely stop us though74
1Of .OD6!) not74 'icchieu%s tone was smart-assed, 1They
want to drag us back to make us do their bidding like your people do
with .unchaws74
1@ou sure know how to hit a girl below the belt74 the warrior
shouted back.
#s they ran, arrows continued to whiz by with increasing
fre"uency and one stuck in the back of the supply pile leading to some
loud cheering from behind.
1This is not good little one...4 'alonda called out nervously.
# little more74 the priestess shouted back, 12e%re almost
ready74
*$,
There was a widening in the already broad flat top of the ridge
coming up ahead and she had a plan on e&actly what to do.
!he rose her arms overhead again and called out, 19earest
/oly 5oddess Luluine7 Alease make night into day at the point where I
say74
#rrows were scoring more hits on both the pile of supplies and
the litter, and the wild .unchaw groaned as it took two "uills in one
hind flank, slightly interrupting its gait.
1#lmost there74 she called out, gently stroking the neck of the
fierce beast as it continued to run, ears flattened, not allowing the pain
to slow it down.
The attackers could now be clearly seen even in the dim light.
1/oly mother of +DT!74 'alonda cried out, ducking a rather
long arrow from a rather large bow, 1!/)%! here 2IT/ them74
1#re you !D6A6I!)934 the little priestess cried out.
1@ou%re +OT34 the warrior cried back, ducking another
speeding shaft, 1!/IT74
It takes a LOT to kill even a %+O6'#L% Leep%theui74 she
shouted back, 1@ou think she was gong to be taken down by a mere
pile of badly stacked blocks34
1I really and truly 9I974 now 'alonda was swaying side to
side, trying to throw the aim of the powerful archer off, 15ods how
wrong was I734
15et ready74 'icchieu cried, out, 1+O274
The world around them went blindingly white, making
*$0
anybody who did not have some form of light blocking spell to close
their eyes or raise their arms to block the light.
-our hands and a tail all let fly with five rapid bursts of light.
Two missed but three hit.
The thundering black monstrosities in the light were still hard
to recognize for the e&tremely dazzling light and the fact that dust and
beam weapons confused what might be seen, but they were
nonetheless very large, and very powerfully built7
The element of surprise was already lost, but 'alonda kept
firing until she took out all of the riders save the largest of them all.
+ot only was !eeliene larger, stronger and more graceful than
any other Leep%theui known alive, she was also far more powerful7
!he now simply e&tended her upraised hand paw and the beams
of light harmlessly deflected off at random, e&plosively striking the
ground or vanishing in the night sky.
!till, she and her e&tra large mount continued to close the gap.
1!he%s getting awful mighty close to us now74 'alonda called
out.
!uddenly without warning, 'icchieu%s mount peeled off hard
to the right, leaving 'alonda the lone target of the leviathan.
The wicked grin on the huge Leep%theui%s face was a leering,
predatory one. !he dropped her bow into a long leather receiver and
pulled out one of those long bladed weapons on what amounted to a
tree trunk.
-inally, too, 'alonda realized that not only was she running
*$8
alone now, but that !eeliene was wearing full plate body armor and her
hair was up completely under a helmet7
#t that e&act moment, however, 'icchieu%s mount had raced up
a steep embankment, allowing him to rapidly change directions
without losing momentum and curve back behind !eeliene.
2hile 'icchieu%s monstrous parent was reading herself to take
aim on the human warrior and try to hew her in two, however,
'icchieu%s mount had used the steep hillside to "uickly close the gap
from a divergent angle, where, once close in, allowed a fully
unguarded ham-stringing shot on the shiny black Timminthall.
(efore the blade could make an end of the warrior, the beast
rolled head over and threw the massive Leep%theui high into the air
where she landed tumbling across the wide e&panse.
#s 'icchieu rode past, she took several careful shots at her
parent only to find them being deflected by the now kneeling fighter.
!eeing that shooting her was not going to work because the
weapon%s entire method of working was based on light, she put all
three of them away and simply chased after 'alonda.
!he had gotten ust about a "uarter furshek, however, when
suddenly she was yanked from her saddle.
!he let out a scream as she sailed backward toward her parent.
'alonda, still recovering from the last une&pected maneuver
heard the scream and looking back saw the dismounted .unchaw
changing course to back up the priestess and she leaned over and
turned back as well.
(y the time she got there, 'icchieu%s neck was firmly grasped
in !eeliene%s hand paw.
*$;
1+ooooooo774 she cried as she raced up, sword drawn,
preparing to at least give it some kind of a try.
#s she rode up, however, she found that she was soon in the
grasp of the beast as well.
!he tried hacking at the armor but it did not even scratch.
The bare hand was closing in on her neck and she was trying to
ab it and pry it open, but the furious Leep%theui was not giving in to
the pain even as the sword cut bleeding gashes in its hand-paws.
!he could no longer breathe and the vessels in her neck were
being slowly closed off by the immense vise-like paws of the enraged
beast with the leering, vengeful grin.
!he realized all too late, very likely, both of them were going to
die here and now, in a strange land, at the hands of something neither
of them ever imagined e&isted, and all because they had refused to
submit to its insane and murderous plans for world domination.
1Its funny,4 she thought suddenly as she felt her consciousness
slipping away from her, 1I would have sworn that such a life was the
only true and honorable way to live...until I met little 'icchieu and
she gave me a chance to see...to understand....to choose....4
Ep 7, Chapter !
1@ou defied your own father74 !eeliene growled, 1/ow 9#6)
you34
1I don%t recognize you as anything to me74 the little priestess
defiantly spat back even while choking in her parent%s grip, both of her
little hand-paws grasping the hand-paw which was easily as large as
her own head.
*$<
1If that is how you want to have it,4 the monster%s eyes flashed
and the thick lips curled into a contemptuous half sneer, half snarl
1then I shall treat you the very same.4
Only all of a sudden, !eeliene got this startled, confused look,
then her eyes bugged and she fell forward onto the stone staring
blankly at the ground dropping both of the girls.
#s they lay there gasping, red faced, the huge Leep%theui
shuddered and convulsed, its eyes becoming bloodshot and finally it
vomited violently and collapsed flatly into its own vomit.
They lay there a long time into the night, ust breathing before
'icchieu rolled over and crawled up to 'alonda who was very weak.
!he leaned over her and kissed her even while the warrior was
trying to breathe.
#fter a few failed breaths, 'alonda finally realized she could
breathe through her nose, and she let herself be kissed.
!he even raised her arms and pulled the little beast to herself.
#fter a long time, however they heard the sounds of Leep%theui
voices and hurried footsteps and realized that this was not the time for
warm celebrations of victory7
They rose, still feeling weak, but knowing they had to move.
-irst, 'icchieu took the two "uills from the flank of the wild
.unchaw and administered some medicinal powder to the wounds to
stop the bleeding, then they rode off as fast as they possibly could.
Ep 7, Chapter "
*$=
#s they ran along their thoughts cleared as the blood and air
flow returned to near normal, and finally, 'alonda asked, 12hat the
hell do you think happened to !eeliene back there734 shouting over the
wind.
1@ou poisoned her74 the little Leep%theui shouted back.
1I 2/#T34 she cried in disbelief.
1@ou AOI!O+)9 her...with that !2O6974 the little priestess
pointed at the sword being carried on her partner%s side.
12ith T/I!34 'alonda pulled it out.
19on%t .DT yourself with it74 'icchieu shouted back, 1The
entire (L#9) is coated with AOI!O+74
1/oly shit74 she hurried to put the sword away again, 1/ow the
hell did it get poisoned34 she shouted.
12hen it fell in the mud a few days ago74 the Leep%theui
shouted back, 1The ground in the Ignoble 2ilderness is 9)#9L@
AOI!O+74
1!o is your father 9)#934 'alonda shouted back, suddenly
sensing how that might sound to some people.
14+ot likely74 the little priestess cried back, 1#s I said before,
it takes a lot to kill a Leep%theui74
1)!A).I#LL@ the (I5 ones74 the warrior added for no real
reason, 12O274
1That is why we have to move fast and get away from here as
"uick as possible74
*$>
1Is there #+@ place safe for us now34 'alonda asked.
1I don%t know74 'icchieu replied, 1(ut we have to find a way
to defend our selves because we%re branded as traitors and we%re going
to be hated and hunted by a lot of people since we basically spat in her
eye like we did74
12ell we can%t go back to Le%+an any more,4 'alonda said,
1+ot unless you want to break your secret to the entire northern
world74
1I%m not too sure that is necessarily a bad idea74 the little
priestess shouted back.
Ep 7, Chapter (
They rode until they came to a point where there were lines
going bother north and south as well as east and west.
They could hear the roar of the ocean directly down the sheer
cliff on both sides, although the one toward the south was a horrid
reddish color and had a very foul, to&ic stench to it and it watered the
eyes.
12hich way should we go from here34 'alonda asked as they
paused, letting the .unchaws catch their breath, and have water and
dried meat rations.
12e%ll have to go north naturally.4 the priestess replied, 1If we
plan to ever get home.4
12hy not ust head off into the unknown and go it alone34
'alonda asked, 12e%re here, we%re a strong group of four, we could
make it.4 then she looked to the .unchaws and asked, 1/ow about it
guys, what do you two think34
**?
The wild .unchaw said he had a family, but the veteran
.unchaw said anywhere away from the past and the madness of war
was fine with him.
1!o what if we send the wild one home and we move onward
ust the three of us34 'alonda suggested.
1I don%t think we%d make it very far.4 'icchieu replied.
1@ou don%t34 the warrior asked a bit surprised.
12e need the e"ual weight of two .unchaws to ever get down
off this highway if we can%t find a roadway down.4
12hy not ust keep riding until we do though34 'alonda
asked.
12e might starve to death or die of e&posure before we found
any food or safe haven.4 the priestess replied, meaning more the
human than herself in the word %we% since she was in fact perfectly
adapted for this, as was the .unchaw.
1Oh I%m sure I could make it.4 the warrior gave up to her
natural sense of pride and bravado.
12e have mostly been living off of rations until now, 'icchieu
pointed out, 1and sadly,4 she took up the warrior%s hands, 1they only
really gave us enough for that one way trip.4
1They did, huh34 the warrior grumbled.
12e%re almost out now.4 the priestess sighed.
12ell then we ust need to find some place we can hunt or
gather then74 she said trying to lighten the mood.
**$
1/ave you seen any fruit or game around anywhere recently34
'icchieu%s voice was scornful.
12ell,4 'alonda shrugged, 1not unless we went back
toward...oh shit.4 she grumbled, 19ammit you%re right.4
1!o are we agreed then34 the priestess asked.
1@eah,4 the warrior sighed as she looked up into the skies, her
bright moon eyes reflecting the dim light of -uh%oh, 1you%re right, we
have to go where we can find food no matter what, so I guess back
north it is.4
16ight now, however,4 'icchieu said, 1I really think we should
try to get some sleep.4
1@eah,4 'alonda admitted, 1!leep sounds like a good idea.
They climbed up on the wild .unchaw where 'alonda lay
down on the bed part of the litter while 'icchieu curled up on the seat
cushion and they slept for the remainder of the night undisturbed.
***
Episode 18,
Ba4k the Way We Ca*e
The party rose with the dawn and began their trek northward.
The tops of these sheer walled highways were incredibly flat,
and in general, they seemed to be flatter and truer than should be
possible without somebody hewing them out with metal implements.
)ven then, the chances of them hewing out such an immense
piece of very hard, smooth, fine grain stone was seeming to be
impossible.
1This can%t have been hewn by hand,4 'alonda finally
declared.
12hy do you say that34 'icchieu asked.
1Its ust too straight, too large and too costly in labor.4 she
replied, 1all of the serfs in Le%+an could not hew out something like
this in ten eternities74
1Aerhaps they knew something people today do not34 the
priestess suggested.
1They must have known a LOT that we do not74 the warrior
agreed.
They were riding along when off in the distance, on the east
side of the highway, they noticed a piece of land on the ocean side of
the highway, rising up and even peaking somewhat above the height of
**,
the surface upon which they presently rode.
1Look there74 'icchieu pointed, even though she forgot that
'alonda did not have the ability to see from where she sat.
1Look where34 'alonda asked.
1Oh wait.4 'icchieu giggled, then 1dear .unchaws, please
come near so I can show her what I am seeing.4
The two sidled up to each other so that 'alonda could simply
slip from the back of the one .unchaw onto the back of the other.
1+ow look right through my hands...4 'icchieu said and she
held up her hands like a pair of small circles in the air, leaning back to
give the warrior enough room to get into position.
12O274 the warrior gasped, 1T/#T%! #'#OI+574 as she
peered at the upwards ut of rock from the ocean side of the
highwayIwall.
1@ou are surprised that the rock is there34 the priestess asked.
1+o, not really,4 the warrior pulled back and turned to look
from beside the little hand-paws, 1Its ust so amazing you can see so
far away with nothing but your fingers like that74
1Oh74 she giggled then pulled her hands down.
1/ey wait74 'alonda protested, 1I was really enoying that74
1Its still there silly74 'icchieu giggled.
12here K O/ 2O274 she realized that she could look ust at
the e&act right place and the phenomenon was still right there in the air
before her71/ow is that /#AA)+I+534 she asked, 1I mean its like
**0
'#5I. or something74
1It I! magic74 'icchieu giggled, 1#ll Leep%theui have this
ability74
12ow that is something )L!)74 the warrior marveled, 1I%d
have given #+@T/I+5 to have that ability that night...4
!he turned back at the Leep%theui and then she realized what
that would have meant and she was not so totally sure now that she
wanted things to have turned out any differently than they had so far,
1Or...4 she sighed, 1'aybe not.4
#s she paused there, leaning over the hand rail of the litter,
gazing into her huge golden eyes, studying them from such a close
angle, becoming aware that she could see her self in their large
reflective corneas, she at first blushed, but then she leaned into the girl
and kissed her.
They were not kissing for very long before suddenly the voice
of Luluine came to 'icchieu.
1'icchieu74 the voice came cheerfully, 12elcome and well
met74
!tartled, the priestess s"ueaked and breaking from 'alonda%s
embrace, looked all around in nervous and suspicious e&citement.
16ela&74 'alonda said, 1There%s nobody here but us right
now.4 she made to resume kissing the Leep%theui but a small finger
came between their lips.
1!hhh74 'icchieu whispered, 1I thought I heard somebody ust
now74
1I didn -4 the warrior began, when suddenly there was a tremor,
**8
12/#T 2#! T/#T734 glancing around nervously herself.
1I don%t think we%re alone my love.4 the priestess looked all
around using far sight.
1Of course you%re not alone74 came the soft, womanly voice
again, 1@ou%re in '@ presence now74
12ho are you and where are you34 'icchieu asked within her
mind.
12hy,4 the gentle, feminine voice said, 1I%m Luluine74 then it
softly chuckled.
1#re we truly near you34 she asked in her mind.
1@ou pointed out my home74 the voice replied, 1.ome down
and meet me74
1@ou live in that rock34 she asked.
1@es,4 the voice replied,4 I have lived here for longer than the
world you know e&isted.4
1/ow do we come to you34 she asked.
12hen you meet the outcropping,4 the voice instructed, 1look
through the veil of vision and you shall find the key to entry.4
1#nd what is that key34 the priestess asked.
1I prepared it so you recognize it when you see it.4 the voice
replied, 1@ou are welcome to see me if you like,4 the voice offered,
1but if you prefer not to, I shall be here when you change your mind.4
12e are coming to you then.4 the little Leep%theui replied, 1I
**;
hope this is not going to cause us harm.4
1I hope the same little one,4 the voice replied, 1#fter all,4 it
added, 1I dearly love my own and look after them at all times.4
1!o you truly are the 5oddess Luluine34 she persistently asked.
1.ome and see74 the voice invited gently.
Then she came from out of what 'alonda thought was a trance
and said, 12e%ve been invited by the goddess to meet her74
Ep 18, Chapter
The party of four arrived at the rock after some riding and
'icchieu used a special type of light bending spell to see through
illusion by using what was known as %back-sight%.
!he bent the light so that it passed through the rocks
incrementally, so that she would be able to see a solid obect behind
another solid obect, which allowed an illusion to stand out clear as
bright sunlight.
!ure enough, one section of the stone remained visible when it
should not have.
!he reached into this illusion and found a very small recess
barely as wide as her finger.
#s she reached into this hole, there was a soft clicking sound
which startled her but did her no harm.
!ilently, part of the seemingly perfect wild stone slid out onto
the large flat e&panse of the highway, leaving a very s"uare hole
behind it, save for some most peculiar looking shiny metal rods which
seemed to either protrude from the rock, or else connect it to the area
**<
inside the hole it had ust come from.
12/O#74 'alonda e&claimed, 12hat in the world is T/I!734
1Its a door silly74 the little priestess seemed to be totally
nonplussed by this mysterious door and proceeded to enter.
12ait74 the warrior cried, pulling both of the two light weapons
into her hands, 1#re you sure its safe to go in there34
1+ot totally,4 she smiled, 1(ut I have you here to protect me.4
she purred.
12hat if I%' the one needing protection34 she protested,
leaning in hesitantly.
1Then I%ll protect you74 she smiled so simply it made it seem
she were merely a little child.
'alonda took a deep breath and rolled her eyes, 1!ome times
'icchieu, some times...4 she sighed and shrugged before stepping
inside.
The .unchaws had no problem fitting into the small room
which, after the stone doorway, was made from some other kind of
metal they were completely unfamiliar with.
12hat is all this metal34 'alonda murmured, 1I%ve never seen
so much or any like this type74
1Like I said before,4 the little priestess repeated, 1I think this is
knowledge people forgot a long time ago.4
1I wonder how they even L)#6+)974 she marveled.
There was something like a lit crystal on the wall and it had a
**=
pair of oddly shaped runes on it.
(eing in"uisitive, the little priestess did not hesitate to press the
top rune, which lit up while being pressed, but made nothing happen.
Then she pressed the bottom rune, which also lit up while being
pressed, and things began to happen.
-irst, the large stone door slowly began to draw closed.
Bust out of curiosity, she pushed the top rune again, and when it
lit, the stone began going back outward.
!o she pressed the bottom rune again, and sure enough, after it
lit up, the stone came back inwards.
1This opens and closes doors74 the little priestess s"uealed
e&citedly while the warrior looked on nervously.
1@ou are so much like a child some times74 'alonda marveled.
12ell,4 she blushed, 1I%m O+L@ seventeen.4 the stone finally
drew secure, and a thin sheet of metal slid over it, and then the floor
seemed to drop below their feet ever so slightly then it became stable
again.
1@our people must mature slowly.4 'alonda remarked.
12hy do you say that34 she asked.
1(ecause I lost all such sense of wonder not long after my fifth
birthday.4 the warrior sighed.
1# sense of wonder being lost is not maturity gained.4 the
priestess pointed out.
**>
12ell,4 the warrior sighed, 1perhaps not, but you certainly have
a lot of childishness in you still.4
1That%s okay,4 she replied, 1from what I have seen in my life, I
think it would be better if +O(O9@ ever became adults74
1@ou may have a point there.4 the warrior admitted.
It was not long before they felt a slight shift in their weight
before suddenly the metal door slid open again.
#s they stepped out into an amazingly vast, fully lit chasm,
they all could only stand and gasp in awe.
Ep 18, Chapter !
#s they all stepped out into the mind bogglingly vast e&panse,
lights of all colors and many sizes were visible and rows upon rows of
s"uare windows appeared.
)ach of these s"uare windows, it turned out, was an image,
some times light, some times dark, some times still, some times
moving.
Dsing her power to see long distances, 'icchieu looked around
at many of these windows and could only marvel that they were all
somehow here adacent to one another, deep inside a mountainous
piece of solid rock, and yet showing all kinds of scenery, weather, life
forms, and not any two of them being remotely alike7
1+ow T/I! is 6)#L magic74 the little Leep%theui e&claimed.
1I%d say74 'alonda agreed.
1#nd you would both be as wrong as you are correct.4 came a
very soft, and yet incredibly overpowering voice which echoed all
*,?
around them.
They both cried out, leapt and looked all around nervously for
the source of the voice.
19id I frighten you34 the voice softly chuckled, which too
echoed, 1Okay, I%ll be nice and become visible.4
!uddenly they all, including the .unchaws screamed and ran
for the door they had come in by where they cowered from what they
saw.
They all trembled, eyes wide and faces pale.
The .unchaws normally never showed fear, but right now, they
may as well have been minute rodents before a !himspaw, the Puntil
this e&act momentQ only creature larger than a @amthan7
)asily four complete fursheks of life stood before them7 It was
also easily a furshek wide or wider7
1Its okay my children.4 she e&tended her massive nearly human
hand, beaming lovingly from a face so far above them it seemed to be
atop its own mountain, 1I%m Luluine74
Ep 18, Chapter "
1I%ll make myself invisible for you again,4 the 5oddess offered,
1if that help ease your fears.4 the voice echoed all around them.
1I-i-i-i-i-it might help...a-a-a-a little34 'alonda sheepishly
peered out from the imagined safety of the smaller room they had
arrived here in.
!uddenly the room was once again empty, as far as the eyes
could see.
*,$
1I can%t even see you now74 'icchieu remarked, 1/ow can you
do that34 then she looked around, 1#nd what are all these windows34
16ela&, slow down my children74 the voice tried not to laugh,
1In due time I shall tell you everything.4
15ood because I have a lot of "uestions I have been wanting to
ask you since forever74 'icchieu%s memory seemed terribly short, as
she soon was out of the little room more worried about her "uestions
than the sheer size and apparent power of their hostess7
16ela&, eat, sleep, wash, have a good time for a while74 the
goddess replied, 12e%re in no hurry after all,4 she merrily and
melodically chuckled, 1I love to say, %#ll things in their due time%.4
1/ow long is %due time%34 'alonda asked.
1Oh,4 the voice replied casually, 1/owever long it takes us,4
then saying, 1#fter all, there is a story to each and every one of these
screens you see here.4
1!creens34 'icchieu asked, 12hat are screens34
1They are the areas where you see images proected from
various regions of the world.4
1@ou mean you want to tell us the story to #LL of these
images34 'alonda asked.
12hy sure74 Luluine replied simplistically, 1:nowledge is a
very wonderful resource and the more of it you have, the better your
lives be74
1There are a lot of these %screens% here74 the warrior protested.
*,*
1Twenty nine million, seven hundred thirteen thousand, eight
hundred and forty two to be e&act.4
12ow74 'icchieu%s eyes got even wider, 1I don%t even :+O2
those numbers74
1That%s okay too,4 the goddess replied in a reassuring voice,
1we have all the time in the world to teach you.4
1Its not like we%re immortal or anything.4
1Oh34 the voice asked in challenge, 1#nd ust how do @OD
know T/#T34
Ep 18, Chapter (
The goddess suddenly said, 1/old that thought74 as a buzzer
faintly buzzed some place far above them.
The ground shook in time to very large feet walking some place
away from them.
#s they stood there, the myriad of %screens% kept showing their
scenes and finally, 'icchieu%s curiosity got the best of her and she
shuffled over to one on the nearest section of wall.
There were animals of unknown name, lined up like a picket,
grazing in a vast field of flowers, systematically mowing them down
as they went, leaving the whole plant save the brilliant flowers, so that
the field went from vibrant multi-hued to a dark, drab green.
!maller versions of the animals followed behind playing chase
or bumping their heads into each other over and over again.
+earby this screen was another one which showed a lovely
water fall, some place where trees grew all about it. Other than the
*,,
constant falling of water and a near-ground rainbow resulting from the
mist, there was no visible changes she could detect.
!he tried her far sight on it, but, to her surprise, it had no effect.
)ventually, the heavy thunderous treading returned.
1I see you have begun watching the screens74 the lively voice
sounded more cheerful than even before.
12hat are these places-OOA734 'alonda asked, turning and
looking skyward, only to be startled by a figure their own height
standing not far from them.
1'y apologies,4 the figure smiled restraining a giggle, 1I
suppose I should have warned you first, but I can make a proection of
my self at your size so we can hopefully converse more easily and
without so much tension.4
12ell,4 the warrior admitted, 1It I! easier to deal with
something our own size,4 then she added, 1and one that does not echo
like thunder from heaven, and all that.4
1I find this all E)6@ fascinating74 'icchieu%s little finger
indicated the screens as far into the distance as the eyes could see,
12hat is all of this34
1It take you some time to learn,4 the goddess% avatar e&plained,
1!o in the mean time, let us find food best suited to all of you, shall
we34
1Okay, sure74 the little priestess agreed to this.
Ep 18, Chapter /
1...#nd over there is a heated bathing facility,4 the avatar
*,0
pointed through one of the cavernous branching arteries of the
comple& tunnel system, 1and down this hallway is a food dispensery.4
Long flowing blond hair trailed behind the sheer toga clad
avatar, shapely and attractive, it had eyes and lips ust about half way
in size between a Leep%theui and a human, and its hand-paws were also
somewhere in between the two, as if it had been made specifically to
be easily relatable to either race as e"ually as the other.
1# food whattery34 'alonda asked.
1# dining room,4 the avatar stopped and spun with an almost
lost e&pression, arms out to each side but with half-paw-hands draping
loosely at the wrists, 1I%m sorry I used words your people have
forgotten over the ages.4 then she spun back around and hurried off
once again, 1Over here we have an e&ercise room, I mean, an %inside
training field%,4 she corrected, 1so you can practice your battle skills
and be sure you are most healthy.4
The avatar had perky ears but they were lower down than a
Leep%theui%s yet ust slightly higher than a human%s would be.
!he hurried on and showed them a lot of other areas, many of
which had no meaning to the travelers whatsoever, some were filled
with various sized %screens% with illegible runes scrolling up them at a
rapid rate, others had clear crystal columns, mysteriously filled with
incessant streams of bubbles, and much of what she said made little to
no sense to any of them at all.
1-or having %plenty of time%,4 'alonda remarked, 1@ou sure
seem to be in a hurry.4
1Oh.4 the avatar turned back to them, 1I%m ust e&pending a lot
of strength to make this and I would rather make this part as fast as
possible, seeing as it makes me very tired.4
*,8
The avatar%s teeth were full, but again, not as large as the one,
nor as small as the other.
1Illusion spells should not make you tired though.4 'icchieu%s
observation was pointed.
1This is not an illusion spell my dear,4 came the reply, 1This is
a mass motivation spell. It takes vastly greater power.4
1'ass motivation spell.4 the little priestess mulled the words
over, 1this may e&plain something.4
The tail was rather short, and, to 'icchieu%s embarrassment, it
remained continuously curled upward, instead of being down low like
her own. This showed a glimpse of parts of the anatomy considered
not proper to be seen by any other than a mate.
1Oh,4 the avatar said, 1@es, she did use this same spell on you
before,4 as if they had already asked her directly, 1but only while you
were near her palace, where she had the helping hand of those
machines you all refer to as %the gods%.4
1'achines34 'alonda asked.
15ods34 'icchieu asked.
12e%ll get into that later.4 the avatar spun and began moving
right along, 1#nd finally,4 she pressed a small crystalline s"uare with a
similar pair of runes on it, only they were to the right and left, not up
and down, 1here is your guest "uarters where you can rest and refresh
yourselves74
1Oh wow74 'icchieu%s eyes went wide again as she regarded
the elaborately decorated room filled with all kinds of gay colors and
images, not in the least bit as sterile as the other rooms, but somehow
much warmer, softer and friendlier.
*,;
1This is a strange looking place to retire to,4 'alonda began,
1Its more like a child%s room74
1It was based off of a certain specific child%s room actually,4
the avatar replied, 1I hope you enoy its familiarity.4
2ith that, the avatar vanished without warning.
1)):74 'icchieu was startled by its sudden disappearance as
much as 'alonda had been by its previous appearance.
1I need to get one of those.4 'alonda pondered, thinking
mainly of the usefulness in a military means, but not e&plaining this to
'icchieu.
'icchieu%s look was at once confusion and ealousy as she
grabbed the warrior tightly around the waist, pulling her close with a
erking motion and declared, 1+o7 'ine74
'alonda stumbled but kept her footing and chuckled at this
reaction, 1Bealous34
1@es74 the little Leep%theui replied, pouting.
15ood74 the warrior replied as she suddenly began
mischievously half chuckling, half giggling, 1I LI:) that74 and she
bent over to kiss the ealous little Leep%theui.
*,<
Episode 11,
A $itt.e #rip Ba4k in #i*e, and a 9.i*pse 0nto the Future
The two finally slept after browsing around the room, the
.unchaws had much less curiosity for human crafted items and were
fast asleep even before the two had finished discussing the avatar.
They all woke to the sound of a merry singsong voice calling
out, 1Its breakfast time everybody7 6ise and shi-ine74
1Ohhh....let me be.4 'alonda groaned, having never slept in
such a soft, plush bed before.
'icchieu%s eyes opened blearily but she had the most dreamy
smile as she snuggled up against the presently naked warrior.
1I really should get some clothes I think.4 'alonda remarked,
suddenly feeling something wet against her leg.
1+oooo...4 'icchieu%s little voice pleaded, 1your skin is so soft
and smooth74
1#nd @OD6! is 2)T74 she complained, 1#nd I%m
5D)!!I+5 its because you are getting a little bit too e&cited for an
unmarried woman74
1OOOOA74 the priestess%s eyes bulged and she hastily turned
over, curling up into a ball, 1I am !O T)66I(L@ sorry74
12e%ll have to do something about that.4 the warrior sighed,
suddenly rolling over and flinging the covers back to get out of bed.
*,=
#s she climbed into the armor, 'icchieu hurried up and slipped
into her robe after strapping on her three weapons.
They walked behind the avatar to the dining hall where vast
rows of gleaming white tables seemed to go on forever.
1/ow large I! this place34 'alonda marveled.
1Its eight hundred thirty three thousand, nine hundred four
point nine s"uare miles in three thousand one hundred and si& levels
with fourteen million two hundred ninety eight thousand, si& hundred
and ten rooms.4 the avatar replied.
)ven the .unchaws% eyes bulged.
12/#T did you ust say34 'alonda asked, 12hat language
was that34
1Oh.4 the avatar replied, 1The first language.4
1The %first language%34 'icchieu asked as they sat down at a
table and a strange metal obect rolled up and delivered nearly flat,
rectangular pieces of some shiny white substance much like the seats
and table, filled with various unidentifiable %stuff%, which she looked at
with a distasteful look.
1That%s good for you.4 the avatar pointed at the odd looking
%stuff%, you should at least try it.
1)www.4 the Leep%theui grimaced, 1I%ll take some nice tasty
leaves if you have any.4
1Oh come on,4 'alonda said, 1# LITTL) civilization won%t
hurt you.4 as she scooped the odd, thick, multicolored %stuff% up in
some form of curved device which she then placed inside her mouth,
*,>
and saying, 1'mmmmmmm7 This is '#6E)OLD!74
1I knew @OD would like it,4 the avatar said, 1(ut I had a
feeling little 'icchieu%s upbringing would make this a bit of a
challenge.4
12hat I! it34 the little priestess eyed it warily, one eye
refle&ively s"uinting.
1Its meat and vegetable stew with gravy74 the avatar replied
sweetly, 1and trust me, its made fresh from vegetables grown right
here in the compound or harvested wild in the same zone you passed
through ust before you crossed the Open Fuagmire74
1###::74 'icchieu%s face turned pale, her eyes bulging,
1@ou were going to feed me ')#T34
1I figure soon enough you begin developing a craving for it,4
came a sigh as the avatar rested its head on an upraised half closed
hand, a forlorn look forming on its face, 1!o I figured I would
introduce it to you gently and as a prepared meal so hopefully you
would not end up like your father.4
12hat34 the look of "ueasiness turned to one of horror, 1#re
you saying I%m gong to start craving ')#T now34
'alonda dropped her eating device with a %plop% looking at the
avatar slack awed but wary eyed.
1I%m sorry my dears,4 the avatar sighed, 1(ut the process has
been set in motion,4 and she reached out to scoop up some of
'alonda%s food and eat it, then around the stew she spoke saying,
1'mm7 @ou really should try this74 before resuming her initial
thought, 1-and there%s no known way of stopping or even slowing it
down now.4
*0?
12hat...e&actly...4 the warrior asked nervously, 1did who set in
motion34
1#ctually,4 the avatar replied, 1they (OT/ did.4 reaching for
another scoop of the stew, 1'mm this is good74
12ho is %they%34 'icchieu%s worried voice asked.
1@ou naturally,4 as she scooped up more of the stew before
'alonda reached out and took the eating device back, 1#nd !eeliene.4
1')734 the priestess%s face now became shock and disbelief.
1@es, actually,4 the avatar took on a despondent look, following
the eating device as it now resumed feeding its originally intended
recipient leading to a snap of the fingers and the eventual return of the
odd metal device and another flat obect with this %stew% on it, 1had she
not already laced your food and drink with the antidote, it would not
have mattered because you ate some of it anyhow.4
1I 9I934 she asked gaping, turning to 'alonda who turned to
her as well.
1@es my dear,4 she replied as she began scooping up the stew,
1That plant has the natural antidote against the drug you have been fed
all your life which kept you stunted and se&ually immature.4
Their eyes bugged both from the implications, but also the very
large number of words neither of them had ever heard of.
1I don%t understand74 she protested, 1'others have children all
the time74
19o they now34 the avatar asked giggling, 12hen is the last
time you saw a baby in your life34
*0$
12ell,4 she had to think, 1I was a baby once...4 she offered.
1#nd how many OT/)6! did you see and play with34
12ell,4 she shrugged, 1I gr-I grew up with my 'other until I
was old enough to have my own nest74 she replied, 1)E)6@ mother
does that74
1!o,4 the avatar offered, 1@ou really 9O+%T know.4
12ell, no, not really,4 she replied, 1(ut there are LOT! of
OT/)6 young !isters there, and they are all about my age...I
think...34 her eyes got wilty because she realized now, that she had +O
I9)# how old the other !isters around her even were7
12hat if I told you that you were one of only T2)+T@
Leep%theui born in the past seven hundred @)#6!34 her left eyebrow
cocking up in a strange way, and her mouth pulling to the right in a
very strange, lopsided smile.
12hy...I%d...4 she began with a wide eyed look like she was
about to angrily scream something, 1I%d say you were L@I+574 she
declared with a frown suddenly, but then she looked down at her
hands, seeing that her nails had actually grown noticeably ust since
yesterday, and she realized that what she was feeling for 'alonda was
something she had not merely never felt before, but it was beginning
to make her feel really strange inside as well7
The avatar of the goddess seemed to be frozen in that e&pectant
stare, not even blinking.
1(ut,4 she looked around, 1I would have never believed any of
T/I! was possible before I left home.4 she chewed her lower lip, 1I
fear.4
1@ou fear what34 the goddess%s remote apparition asked.
*0*
1I fear becoming a 'O+!T)6 like her74 she cried, bursting
out in tears.
1'y my.4 the avatar sighed, 1!he is ust so immature, I wonder
how I am ever going to manage this transition of power74
12hat transition of power34 'alonda asked.
1!eeliene is burning at a very fast rate.4 the avatar replied,
1!he not be able to sustain it for many more years, she knows this,
and at the same time,4 her face grew pained, 1her own body%s
hormones are slowly driving her mad. This is why she is preparing for
war now.4
1(ecause of these %hormones%34 'alonda asked, 1.an%t
something be done about them34
1I am not aware of anything.4 the avatar shook her head, 1It
seems that !eeliene%s body has something called a %testicular tumor%
and it is causing her to slowly grow meaner and fiercer and more
violent.4
1I%m sorry,4 the warrior replied apologetically, 1I have no idea
what you ust said.4
1!omething inside her body has not ever stopped growing, and
it makes a substance, which, in !'#LL amounts is ust fine.4 the
avatar tried to simplify it, 1(ut, like too much wine or ale,4 she used
terms she hoped the warrior could relate to, 1the substance is affecting
her in a way that is not good.4
1!o it is like a shan-berry34 she asked.
1!imilar,4 she replied, 1but in essence, it is a substance which
is good and necessary in small amounts.4
*0,
1!trange,4 'alonda pondered this, 1something that is both
good and bad at the same time.4
1@es.4 she replied, 1I have all the technical data on it, but I lack
the means to correct the problem because I have to be able to perform
a comple& surgical procedure on her.4
1Ooooooh.4 the warrior%s eyes raised for a second as she took
in all of the strange words, 1That sounds difficult.4 she posted a fake
half smile as if she heartily agreed, when in truth, she had no idea what
she ust heard.
12ait74 the little Leep%theui suddenly perked up, 1'aybe we
could help74 she offered.
1Oh34 the avatar asked, 19o tell34
12e could (6I+5 her /)6)74 she offered.
'alonda choked and spewed stew out across the table, then
turned and cried 1#re you +DT!34
1!he may be...4 the avatar replied in a cool, pleased tone, 1(ut
I think she is onto something here74
Ep 11, Chapter
1#re you !)6IOD!34 'alonda asked 'icchieu as they lay in
the bed, the .unchaws once again, peacefully catching up on many
many days without real good sleep on custom made pallets nearby,
1@ou 6)#LL@ T/I+: you can !#-)L@ capture and drag that big
mean monstrous ()#!T here and not get :ILL)9 in the process34
1/)@74 the priestess protested, 1!he%s +OT a ()#!T74 and
she slapped the warrior%s shoulder, leaving a pink mark.
*00
1O274 the warrior cried in surprise more than pain, 1T/#T
/D6T74
1Oh wow...4 'icchieu%s face became worried and ashamed at
the same time as she covered her mouth with her paw, 1I am so
T)66I(L@ sorry74
1I was ust surprised that you would ust up and slap me like
that74 came the e&planation.
1I am too74 the worried Leep%theui replied, 1I%ve never been
prone to violence like this before74
1I sure thought you were going to bite me a few times in the
past...4 'alonda replied okingly.
1I was bluffing back then74 came a hushed response, 1T/I!
was acting without even T/I+:I+574
12hat34 the warrior asked seeing the theme of 'icchieu%s
words to some e&tent, 1@ou never ust spontaneously do things34
1Its not T/#T74 she replied, 1I %spontaneously% do things like
kiss or cuddle,4 she pointed out, 1but I +)E)6 before ust suddenly
struck another person in my entire life74
142ell, its not like it /D6T or anything.4 the warrior lied,
trying to play it all off.
1@ou ust !#I9 it hurt74 her eyes flashed and she pointed an
accusing finger at her, 19on%t go L@I+5 to me now74 she growled.
1Okayyy okayyyyyyyy74 'alonda raised her hands in
surrender, 1I give up7 I lied7 It hurt74 but then she turned and gently
took the soft furry girl by the shoulders, 1(ut not like %that%.4 she tried
*08
to correct, 1'y momma slapped me on the behind harder than that.4
1(ut still.4 'icchieu%s worries were by no means allayed, 1To
become irrational, violent, dangerous...like !eeliene...4 she shuddered
and looked away in shame, 1To become a %beast% as you put it...4 tears
came to her eyes, 1I don%t want that...4 she sniffled, 1I%d rather 9I)
than become a beast74
1Ohh...4 'alonda scooped up the little Leep%theui into her
bosom and held her close, 1I%m going to be sure that +)IT/)6 of
those happen to you74 she kissed the thick mass of nut brown hair on
the little priestess%s head, 1That I can promise you74
Ep 11, Chapter !
15ood morning ladies74 came from the doorway as the avatar
entered, 1It going to be a 2O+9)6-DL day today74
1#nd how can you tell,4 'alonda asked, sleepily yawning in
mid-"uestion, 1living down here beneath the ground and all34
1(ecause I can see the whole world at a glance by way of all of
those global monitoring screens you saw74 she cheerfully replied.
1I%m not going to ask you to e&plain what you ust said.4 she
rubbed her eyes and yawned, then she nudged the still sleeping
Leep%theui, 1!weetie,4 giving her another nudge, 1Dmm...your
umm...%thing%...is...out again.4
12huuu34 the little priestess mumbled, 12hat thin-))):74
she flung herself over and cried, 1(#9 T/I+5I-
O222222222I)))))))74
'alonda was incapable of restraining her laughter and fell out
of the bed laughing.
*0;
#s the little Leep%theui whimpered curled up in a fetal position,
12hy is it 9OI+5 this to me34
1%It%,4 the warrior pointed out, 1is merely an e&tension of your
own personal self, a reflection of your innermost being, and %IT% is
merely e&pressing what you feel deep down inside.4
1(ut I 9O++++++++%T...4 she whined, 1+ot 6)#LL@...4
she amended, 12-m-not like T/#####T...4 turning her deeply
blushing, tear streaked face toward the warrior who was sitting on the
floor with tear streaks on her own cheeks, albeit from laughter.
1I%m sorry my love,4 she replied respectfully, 1but that is pretty
much the basic way of all races in the end.4
1+ooooooo74 she protested, 1I don%t want to be an animal74 she
pleased.
1I hear its not #LL bad you know.4 she smiled slightly, 1#fter
all,4 she pointed out, 1Its not likely people would reproduce if it was
all that terrible.4
1(ut...you saw...4 she pointed out as if she knew ust were
!eeliene was right at that moment, 1/ow...she...was...and...then...4 she
was not making a coherent thought at the moment.
1I hate to say it,4 the avatar who had been standing there
silently watching, 1but your thought patterns are already breaking up,
becoming incoherently emotional due to the sudden influ& of
testosterone from your awakening gonads.4
They both turned to the avatar with befuddled frowns and said
in unison, 1/uuuuuuuuh34
Ep 11, Chapter "
*0<
They spent the day, literally walking from screen to screen
while the avatar spoke, leaving them much more confused than
informed.
1#nd this,4 dear 'alonda, 1she came up to a mansion set on a
hilltop on a lovely estate, 1is your home, right here, right now.4
1/uh34 the warrior gasped.
!ure enough, as she looked at it, she indeed did remember it,
despite not seeing it since she was only five years old, some twenty
years previously.
The stone was still the same, only there were thick vines
growing up it on the wall they could see of it.
It had pock marks, chips and cracks in the heavy stone masonry
from years of repeated battles over the aeons of time.
The only part of the outside which had regularly been
maintained was the wide roof, since without it, the rain would have
seeped into the stones and caused them to weather away long long ago.
#lso, of course, since rooftops were often the first thing to go
in a battle, this led to more constant replacement of sections than
anything else.
-or this reason, the roof was covered in pieces which ranged
from relatively recent, to ancient and moss covered.
12ow that place is a ')!!74 she finally said, shaking her head
in disgust, 1#nd my father fought for T/#T34
12ell,4 the avatar said, 1Its not merely a pile of stones one
would be fighting for you know.4
*0=
12ell,4 the warrior looked at the mansion, 1I%ve lived in a sold
stone barracks for most of my life now, and if its all the same to you,4
she turned to pass by it, 1I%d ust as soon not try to relive the past.4
1@ou don%t care about your family any more34 the avatar asked.
1#s far as they are concerned,4 she sighed, 1I%m already dead.4
1Then why are you going back there34 the apparition asked.
1Bust to drop off the wild .unchaw so he can return to his
family.4 she replied.
1Then were you go34 the avatar "ueried.
1I don%t know, I suppose to find a place to live,4 she shrugged,
1a purpose for living perhaps, or maybe ust a way to resolve all of the
conflicts in my life and find a peaceful conclusion.4
1!o why are you traveling with 'icchieu then34 it asked.
12ell,4 the warrior was caught off guard and blushed, 1I ust
suppose we are both in the same situation...and...we%re...like...4 her
voice trailed off.
1In love...4 'icchieu%s big eyes looked up at the avatar as she
wrapped her small furry arms around the big tan warrior%s muscular
arm.
1@eah.4 'alonda blushed, 12hat she said.4
Ep 11, Chapter (
#fter a long, wearying day of walking along the seemingly
endless aisles of %screens% they finally were %released for the night% to
eat and return to their room.
*0>
1Oh no,4 the little priestess groaned, 1not that stupid %!T)2%
stuff again, AL)#!)34
1@ou don%t like it34 the avatar asked, 19oes it taste bad34
1It tastes 2)I69, it !')LL! strange and it LOO:!
disgusting74 she screwed up her little face until you couldn%t see her
nostrils under her curled lip.
12ell would you like to order something from the menu
perhaps34 asking as if everybody should know what she was talking
about.
12hat%s a menu34 'alonda asked.
1Its ust a list of what can be prepared and served from our
reserves.4 the avatar replied.
1%Our,%4 the warrior asked, 1#re there other people hiding
around here some place34
1+o,4 the avatar replied, 1why do you ask34
12ell you ust-4 she began.
1+)E)6 'I+9 T/#T74 'icchieu cried out, 1ust make it
something !I'AL)7 AL)#!)74 she rubbed her face with her little
hand paws in her frustration.
12ell what e&actly do you want dear, seeing as you want
something that is apparently not on the menu.4 the avatar persisted
unabated and unperturbed.
1I want to eat something I can !))74 'icchieu protested.
*8?
1!uch as34 the avatar asked.
1Bust...4 she was clearly frustrated, 16#2 -6DIT74 she gritted
her big shiny incisors and cried out
5#########////////7774 while slapping the table top with
both of her hand palms.
12hoa74 'alonda looked over at the distraught little lady both
alarmed and concerned, 1#re you about to need one of your own
sedatives hon34
1I ust 'I5/T.4 she folded her arms in front of her and
frowned looking around the room as if she had not a friend in the
world.
12e have a medical e&amination room if you would like to
have some blood work done and test your 5'(/ and 9/T levels.4
the avatar offered.
1/uh34 the warrior asked with an unbelieving e&pression.
'icchieu simply tilted her head and gave the avatar the %Oh,
come on now7% look then roller her eyes in disgust.
!uddenly she hopped up and said, 1@ou know what3 Bust forget
it, alright374 and stormed out of the cafeteria tromping back to their
sleeping "uarters.
1@ou would really do well to have her checked up you know,4
the avatar leaned over and suggested.
1@ou would really do well to ust set out a simple basket of
-6DIT for her74 'alonda advised, 1!he is not enoying this strange
food your...whatever-it-is here prepares, you should know that seeing
as you have obviously been watching her every move, apparently since
she was born.4
*8$
1I-4 the avatar began e&asperated, 1I ust wanted to e&pand her
horizons a little74 in a defensively pleading tone.
1Trust me,4 the warrior looked over at her with a annoyed yet
warning look, 1@ou%ve ust about %e&panded% her to the (6)#:I+5
point.4 as she rose from her empty tray and headed toward the e&it.
12hat%s that supposed to mean34 the apparition asked
defensively.
1It ')#+!,4 she flashed a warning stare at the avatar, 1(#.:
O--.4 and she spun on her armored heel on out the e&it.
Ep 11, Chapter /
1I don%t want to be here.4 'icchieu%s normally s"ueaky voice
seemed huskier.
They had been issued some fluffy white cloth robes from a
massive dispensery of clothing, they were comfortable and modest.
1!o should we leave34 'alonda asked, leaving it all up to the
priestess.
1!omething is hidden here.4 the Leep%theui replied, 1I must
find out what it is.4 she rolled over on her stomach, plopping her head
into the thick fluffy pillow, 1I%m ust miserable is all.4
12ell if you want to leave, ust say the word.4 the warrior
offered, folding her arms behind her head, leaning against the
headboard with a few pillows.
1Its not a case of wanting to be here my love.4 she half said
into the pillow as she raised her head and propped herself up on her
elbows, 1I need to find out what is going on here so we can hopefully
*8*
avert a world wide war and live together in peace, if that is even
possible now.4
1/ard to say,4 the pragmatic soldier acknowledged, 1I have no
idea how to find out either.4
12ell I%m sure at least !O') of the answer lies /)6) in this
place.4 she locked eyes with the human.
12ell I%m here for the long run,4 she looked back, 1so whatever
you have in mind,4 she leaned over and gave the little Leep%theui a
light kiss on the lips, 1I%ve got your back all the way.4
The two .unchaws rumbled their agreement to this.
Ep 11, Chapter 2
'icchieu, being nocturnal by nature, was having trouble
sleeping, more so in fact than in the past.
!he "uietly slipped out of bed and cast invisibility on herself
and "uietly slipped from the room.
In the dim light, she noticed various odd looking moving items
were traveling up and down the hallways.
They seemed to be oblivious to her, so she simply stepped out
of their paths and continued her search.
!he entered one of the rooms filled with the curious screens of
glyphs which continued to endlessly stream symbols up each of them
many screens.
There were seats before some of them.
!he slipped up on one and pulled it back, resizing it moved
*8,
across the floor with great ease.
!he magnified the odd looking feet it had and after some study
realized that they moved to some e&tent, despite being securely affi&ed
to the base of the seat, several parts seemed able to turn independently
of one another.
2hile using her magnification spell, she let her invisibility
spell slip, being far too distracted to maintain it at this moment.
The Leep%theui found the comple&ity of a mere seat so very
fascinating, but as fascinating as this was, she knew she was here to
learn something.
!he tipped the seat back onto its base and sat on it, pulling up
close to the table with a %screen% nearest where the chair had been
before she moved it.
!he reached out and felt around the dark surface which was
speckled with many dimly lit symbols, and when she did, they became
brighter and a voice called out, 15reetings visitor, you are seated at the
terminal of Thomas 6obinson, Lieutenant .olonel, 5lobal !pace
-leet.4 then she reached up toward the screen only to hear, 1Lieutenant
.olonel Thomas 6obinson, has not been at his post in =<;$;,>=08>*
standard earth days.4 there was a brief pause before it asked, 1/ave
you seen him34
2ithout thinking she simply said, 1I%m sorry, no.4
1That is a shame.4 the voice said, 1It has been concluded that
Lieutenant .olonel Thomas 6obinson must be declared absent without
leave, and therefore a suitable replacement must be assigned to the
task.4
1Okay.4 she replied not thinking.
*80
12hat is your current occupation34 the computer asked her.
1!cout.4 she replied.
12hat is your full name34 the computer asked.
'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The )ighth !acred Eessel
of Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of Ten Thousand%, and
%greatest known scout of all times%.4 she replied more by rote than as
one bragging.
!uddenly the screen stopped scrolling and new runes appeared.
1Alease look into the flashing red s"uare.4 the computer
instructed, and suddenly a small red s"uare began flashing on the
screen before her.
!he looked at the little red s"uare in"uisitively when suddenly
the entire screen flashed dazzlingly.
!he reeled back holding her eyes for a moment crying out,
1#hhhhhh74
!he was not so much hurt as she was startled.
#lthough there was a brilliant sheen of pale violet light
overlaying everything now in the darkness, she was by no means
blinded.
1.ongratulations 'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The
)ighth !acred Eessel of Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of
Ten Thousand%, and %greatest known scout of all times%, you have now
been promoted and commissioned to terminal *<,>0;=<*, Lieutenant
.olonel in the 5lobal !pace -leet.4 and in front of her a small shiny
rectangle whirred out of the surface of the table and landed in her lap.
*88
2hen she picked it up, she was startled to see a brightly lit
picture of herself.
19ue to the fact that this is off duty hours, Lieutenant .olonel,4
the computer%s approach suddenly changed drastically, 1#re you
e&periencing difficulty sleeping34
1@es.4 she dumbly admitted.
12ould you care to tell me about it34 the computer asked.
1I am worried because of all of these new and sudden changes
in the world.4 she replied.
1Alease detail these changes34 the computer asked.
12ith !eeliene planning a war on the humans, and me being
somehow changed, and meeting Luluine,4 she said, 1everything is so
terrifying74
1Is Luluine well today34 the computer suddenly changed
topics.
1I think she is,4 the little priestess replied, 1I can not tell for
sure.4
1!he has missed several past medical appointments for a
physical.4 the computer replied.
1# physical34 she asked, not knowing what that was.
1#ll standard members and their families must submit to a
routine physical every five hundred :odanian day cycles, and she has
missed hers for the past $$*>0,;, scheduled checkups.4
1That%s a long time.4 she didn%t even bother trying to fathom
*8;
such numbers.
1!he has shown considerable growth development outside of
the normal parameters of either human or Leep%theui, one of the local
denizens of this world.4
1Leep%theui34 she asked, 1(ut she is -#6 too large to be a
Leep%theui74 she protested.
1.an you offer and accurate declaration as to her current size
and weight34 the computer asked.
1+o.4 she replied.
1.an you offer a rough estimate34 the computer offered.
1Aerhaps four fursheks, maybe34 she offered.
1.omparing speech...4 the computer changed gears,
1converting local term %furshek% into standard Terran metrics...4 after a
few moments it said, 1That is $*?* meters.4
It sat there "uietly for a while before it replied, 1This is beyond
the acceptable parameters.4 then it attempted another approach, 1Is it
possible you have mis-estimated Luluine%s height34
1@es,4 she replied, 1(ut not by much.4
12hat is your e&pected margin of error34 it asked.
1/uh34 she asked.
1/ow wrong could your estimate possibly be from the actual
height34 the computer asked.
1#s much as a fraction of one hundred thousand.4 she replied.
*8<
1.alculating.4 the computer declared, then it replied, 1This
margin of error remains beyond known credible limits for a theoretical
hybrid of the human and Leep%theui genomes.4 it insisted, 1there must
be an error in this estimation.4
1I can not use a rope to measure the goddess,4 the priestess
insisted.
15oddess34 the computer asked, 1Alease e&plain.4
1The goddess Luluine is very very large and I have no
measuring tools to verify her true height.4
1'easuring tools would be in department ninety four, floor one
hundred forty one, rooms =;<,0,* through >0**0,8.4 the computer
replied, 1This map direct you.4 and suddenly a thin sheet of
something fle&ible came out of the same place in the table as the first
item with her image did, only this was much larger and had an image
which remained in one direction no matter which way she turned the
item.
1This is the map34 she asked to be sure.
1The map you have received give you complete directions, full
instructions for access, and your employee I9 card allow you
unrestricted passage.4 the computer replied.
1Thank you.4 she replied, 1I shall attempt to measure Luluine
for you as soon as possible.4
1Thank @OD for helping us mind the care, welfare and safety
of this installation%s crew and their families.4 the computer replied,
then it asked, 12as there anything more4
1+ot right this moment,4 she replied, 1I shall come back and
*8=
speak with you more soon.4
1!leep well Lieutenant .olonel.4 the computer replied, then
suddenly the screen resumed its incessant scrolling of illegible runes.
!he rose up from the chair and realizing she was now visible,
resumed her state of invisibility and slipped back in the darkness to
their sleeping "uarters.
!he slipped the new items into her robe as best she could
without lifting it or making it seem to move before going over to the
room where various races could void of previously eaten food, and she
operated the little rune which made the small noise it made when it
made the smelly spoor disappear.
#s she then slid into the bed beside the deeply breathing
'alonda, the warrior slid an arm up under her and asked very "uietly,
19id you learn anything34
1I think I may have.4 the priestess replied, 1(ut I have to
search further to be sure.4
1That can be for another night.4 'alonda said, 1:eep me warm
for now.4
1Okay.4 'icchieu replied and kissed her before they both
drifted off to sleep.
Ep 11, Chapter 3
The following morning, when 'icchieu awoke, as she reached
and took hold of the edge of her robe, she found the map and the card
from the night before as she began to lift her robe while Luluine%s
avatar stood there in the room. !he casually puled her hand back from
the robe, reached into herself to pull out a latent yawn and decided to
lay back down.
*8>
1@ou are returning to the bed34 the avatar asked.
1I still need more rest from the long ourney.4 she said.
1@ou should learn all I have to show you here..4 the avatar said,
1#nd besides, some friends of yours dropped by with a present for
you74
1-riends34 she asked, 1I don%t have any friends74 then she
turned to 'alonda, 1)&cept these three here with me in this room.4
1.ome-onnnnn4 the avatar persisted, 1@ou%re going to spoil the
surprise74
1I don%t LI:) surprises.4 she growled flatly with a flat lidded
stare of displeasure from the bed.
1Tell you whatC4 the avatar offered, 1Bust stay in your night
robe, and if you don%t like it, you can come right back to bed, deal34
1Oh okay.4 she huffed and blew a strand of blond hair from her
face as she scooted herself out of the bed, then she decided to pick up
her robe, with its weapons and the map inside, and carry them over
and set them in the litter, where she then laced it shut and with a very
careful hidden gesture placed a bursting light spell on it.
1:eep my things safe guys, okay34 she asked of the two violet
colored beasts.
They voiced their consent.
2ith that, she and the now armored clad warrior patiently
followed the avatar off out into their day.
Ep 11, Chapter 7
*;?
#s they entered the vast dining hall, the first thing she saw was
an immense mound of various shaped and colored fruits.
#s she came into the room her eyes lit up like a child%s.
12wwaaaaaaaaaaaaaoooowww7 T/#+: @ODDDDDD74 and
she spun to embrace the avatar when she noticed all of the spirit guides
lined up with what could be taken as big smiles on their long muzzles.
1/)@ guys74 she continued to embrace the avatar but only
briefly before rushing over to embrace the spirit guides, both adult and
whelps.
1Its the least we could do for you since you did all you did for
us.4 the gentle voice replied.
12hat did I do for you guys34 she asked.
1@ou temporarily made it easier to hunt in the high mountains74
the firm voice replied, 1!ince !eeliene has been ill, she has not been
out at night hunting, and we have had more liberty to hunt the ranges.4
1!he hunts34 'icchieu%s confused e&pression was comical.
1'ore and more lately.4 the avatar answered in a troubled tone,
1!he has gone almost e&clusively to eating flesh, and this is not natural
or healthy for a Leep%theui.4
1)wwwwwww74 'icchieu screwed up her face again, looking
off to the side, 1That%s dis-5D!TI+574 she shuddered.
12e need to address that tumor.4 the avatar replied, 1This is the
only way to bring her back to her right mind and proper health.4
1!o how do you even know she /#! this tumor thingy
*;$
anyhow34 the little priestess asked.
1I have faithful servants there still.4 the avatar replied, 1+ot
)E)6@body is under her thrall.4
1/ow did she get close enough to see...that...4 she paused then
said 1+O74 throwing up her little paw-hands, 12#IT7 9O+%T T)LL
')7 AL)#!)74 she shuddered in revulsion.
1I think you know then.4 the avatar lightly chuckled.
1@ou '#:) people 9O things like that for you34 there was a
look of contempt mingling with the disgust.
1+o,4 she shrugged, 1my servants still enoy K #-/)'...4
trying to be lady-like with the very sensitive young priestess.
1I%m not sure I want to eat now.4 she sat down feeling "ueasy.
1I%ll tell you what.4 the avatar offered, 1I%ll go tend to some
other business while you eat and maybe you can take your mind off
the subect and ust think of nicer things, okay34
1!ure,4 'alonda walked over and put her hands on 'icchieu%s
shoulders, 1Lets try that.4
1Okay.4 the avatar said then vanished.
1/i74 one of the younger spirit guides pranced up in a girlish
manner, 1I%m sorry we didn%t greet you properly but you know how it
was and everything.4 its black tail was wagging.
1@eah that%s okay,4 'icchieu replied, 1besides, at first I had no
idea you could speak...or...think...to me anyhow.4
1I guess they%re ust shy is all.4 the mother spirit guide
*;*
e&plained.
1I%m not shy74 another one declared in a more boyish tone, 1I
ust don%t like strangers.4
1Or 5I6L!,4 the first pup chided the second.
1/)@74 the second one cried and howled out loud.
1That%s enough you two.4 the mother warned.
There was an outbursts of mental laughter now.
!oon all of the pups were hopping around the two travelers
asking them all kinds of "uestions while 'icchieu and 'alonda got
around to fishing through the pile of fruit for ones they thought might
be tasty.
Ep 11, Chapter 18
2hen they returned to their room, after the avatar left them,
'icchieu said, 1It was really nice to see the spirit family again.4
1I don%t remember them myself.4 'alonda replied, 1(eing all
tied up in a sack and all.4 she sighed as she walked over to the bed and
sat down to get undressed.
The little priestess went to her bundled up litter and said,
1!peaking of sacks,4 she carefully inspected the surface and peered
through it, 1somebody has been snooping in my snooping.4
1/ow can you tell if you haven%t even opened it34 she asked.
1(ecause of this.4 she replied and made the surface of the sack
transparent, suddenly flooding the room with a blinding light. The
.unchaws groaned as they threw their paws over their eyes.
*;,
1O/ !/DT IT O-- - whatever it is please74 the warrior
covered her face with her arms.
1Oh...4 she realized she had let the full power of the spell flow
out on unsuspecting people, 1I%m T)66I(L@ sorry everybody74
1#re you going to be okay34 she asked, going for the supplies
in search of eye salve.
1I think so,4 'alonda replied lowering her arms and blinking,
looking around the room to see if she could make out anything, 1Its a
little cloudy at the moment,4 she replied, 1and I wouldn%t be of much
use in a fight,4 she continued looking around the room, 1but I can still
make my way around well enough.4 blinking and s"ueezing her eyes.
1This medicine help speed your recovery of your eyesight.4
the little priestess came up with a tiny vial of a clear li"uid eye salve.
19oes it hurt34 the female human asked.
1It might sting ust for a few blinks,4 she advised, 1but its ust
like getting water splashed in your eyes, it passes "uickly in a few
blinks.4 she repeated this in hopes it gave the warrior more confidence
that it was a short period of time, since Leep%theui had no clocks or any
words for time shorter than fractions of a day.
1Oh, okay,4 the warrior sighed and leaned back, 1Alease be
careful with eyes,4 she petitioned, 1I only have these two and I may
need them a while.4
1I hope you need them for a long long time.4 the little priestess
said as she climbed up on the bed and with gentleness and a delicate
touch, dropped ust one little drop in each of 'alonda%s eyes.
#s she said, it was ust a mild sting that turned to a weak itch
*;0
and then dissipated in a few blinks.
1#h-74 she began but she held still, deliberately putting her
trust in the little Leep%theui.
1There74 the priestess declared, putting the stopper back on the
tiny vial, 1#ll done74
#s the warrior lay there looking around, sure enough, the cloud
of otherworldly colors left by the powerful flash began to fade from
the edges inward until after ust a short while, they were all gone and
she could see clearly again.
19o either of you two need any34 she asked as she came back
off the bed heading toward the .unchaws.
The veteran affirmed but the wild .unchaw declined.
!he put the drops in the veteran%s eyes and after a few blinks,
he made the remark that this was the one hundredth time he had been
bandaged or somehow medically treated in his life.
12ow74 everybody cried.
1@ou sure get /D6T a lot74 'icchieu mused.
1/ow many battles have you fought in34 'alonda asked.
The answer was two hundred and seventeen, and out of them
all, they had been victorious, including this last one, if you count that
virtually both sides were wiped out to a man but that the enemy had
gained no territory or resources, and therefore Le%+an had remained
secure, which in a holding or defending position was always counted a
victory.
The wild .unchaw declared that he had never once been
*;8
inured in his entire life.
1That%s wonderful74 the little priestess declared as she began
putting away the vial of medicine.
(ut, he added in a bit of bravado, he supposed he couldn%t be
harmed by accepting a little of this medicine she had.
#lthough both 'alonda and the veteran .unchaw got a laugh
out of this, 'icchieu patiently administered the two drops needed
without saying or doing anything to embarrass or discomfort the
.unchaw.
#fter putting the medicine away, she crossed over and helped
'alonda out of her armored boots and leggings before she climbed
into the bed and said, 12ell everybody,4 yawning, 1it has been a day.4
12hat kind of day34 'alonda looked over, e&pecting some
other, more descriptive word.
1Bust a day,4 she lightly drummed her fingers on the bed
covers, looking back with a light soft smile, then batting her eyelashes,
12ant to make it a %night% with me as well34
1Dhhhhhhh...4 the warrior was totally caught off guard.
'icchieu burst out into tittering laughter at this and then rolled
over on her back an lay there sighing happily before she said, 1@ou
know...4 looking at the warrior then at the two violet mountain beasts,
with a very contented smile, she cooed softly, 1I love all of you guys.4
!he then reached over and turns off the lights.
*;;
Episode 1,
What #ruths Co*e #o $ight
:nowing she was being watched did not stop the little
Leep%theui from striking out tonight, she was going to learn anything
she could.
!he took e&tra care all the same by searching the walls for what
she has suspected was there all along...service tunnels.
They were there, and they were unoccupied because the strange
moving obects seemed to have no interest in them.
!he scurried down the little tunnels amongst what seemed like
very smooth vines out on what appeared to be metal branches, growing
directly and very uniformly out of the strangely smooth walls.
#s she slipped out an intersection close to her final destination,
she observed that there were now four new types of moving obects
standing in front of the doorway into the room where the displays were
she had been talking to.
!ensing these were intended for her, she hastily contrived a
diversion.
!he magically cast an illusion of her own self walking down
the corridor, and sure enough, they all four turned toward it and began
to close in on it.
!he then cast invisibility on herself and scurried across the
hallway, stopping ust inside the doorway.
*;<
Aeering around, she saw four more of these moving obects
inside the room.
.asting another illusion, she made it appear as if she were in
the room and walking back out of it.
There were voices in the hallway instructing her other illusion
to stop, "uickly followed by sounds as if they were attempting to
grapple the illusion.
#s the new illusion appeared, the ones in the room immediately
lunged for it and as they missed, they came into direct contact with the
ones outside and both groups of four found themselves violently
grappling with one another, apparently unaware that they were doing
so, and soon the scene became very violent.
(efore long alarms were sounding and other moving obects
were coming to interdict the fray.
The devices began collecting and grappling more and more
violently until at least four of the larger ones attacked the entire group
with light weapons.
There was multiple searing bursts of light and showers of
sparks and plasma, followed by the rancid stench of smoke and
billowing flames, which then led to even more devices coming which
gushed something white and fluid.
There were alarms going off all up and down the halls now.
!he "uietly slipped down beneath the tables and crept deeper
into the large room until she found another service port in the floor,
which she opened and dropped into, pulling it closed behind her.
#s she waited and peered through the matter between herself
*;=
and the ruckus, suddenly the avatar appeared.
12hat is the meaning of all this734 the avatar demanded,
slamming machines in all directions with some invisible power simply
by e&tending its hand.
1Orders...intercept intruder.4 one device said.
1I gave no such orders74 the avatar lashed out angrily, 12/O
TOL9 @OD to intercept #+@(O9@34
1The 5.O.9.!.4 the device replied.
19O @OD :+O2 2/O I #'3334 the avatar suddenly
thundered loud enough to make the area tremble and ring like a giant
low fre"uency bell.
1@ou are the Luluine.4 the device replied without emotion.
12/O 6DL)! T/I! AL#.)374 the avatar thundered once
again.
1The Luluine.4 came the cold calculating tone.
1Then 2/@ are you doing the bidding of the 5.O.9.!. Instead
of obeying '@ 34 the avatar demanded.
1Dnacceptable contradiction of directives.4 the device replied.
1#nd ust e&actly 2/O are you deeming
%D+#..)AT#(L)34
1The Luluine.4 the device replied without fear or emotion.
1#lright...4 the avatar growled, 1T/#T is IT74 the walls and
floors shuddered, 1T/#T is the L#!T !T6#274
*;>
!uddenly, dozens of devices vanished in blinding flashes of an
unearthly colored light the little priestess had never before
e&perienced.
1Its okay now 'icchieu,4 the avatar turned and gazed directly
at her despite everything that should have made her invisible, 1those
sent to intercept you have been neutralized.4
!he remained cowering in her little hole even though she now
realized she would be less than nothing before this most powerful
being.
1@ou can resume your investigations,4 the avatar continued,
1ust be sure to get some rest before morning so we can continue your
day lessons.4
The avatar vanished as it was prone to do, leaving the hall
outside the room she occupied with little more than a few scraps of
blackened debris and lots of smudged gray stuff on the floor.
Other devices came along and mindlessly cleaned up
everything and soon it was as if nothing ever happened.
Ep 1, Chapter
+ervously, the little Leep%theui climbed back out of the service
portal in the floor and crept under the tables through the slick
featureless vines until she located the terminal she had used
previously.
#s she slipped up into the moving chair, she produced the card
from the night before and slipped it into the thin crevice from where it
came.
15reetings Lieutenant .olonel 'icchieu,4 the voice greeted,
*<?
19id you achieve your goal as we discussed previously34
1+o.4 the little priestess replied, 1I encountered interference.4
12ho interfered34 the voice asked.
1The gods I believe.4 'icchieu replied nervously.
1I did not e&pect the 5.O.9.!. to interfere.4 the voice replied,
1#ssessing...understood.4 the voice declared, 1@our current status is
listed as level three threat.4
1Alease e&plain34 the little Leep%theui asked.
1Aresently there is an order issued by the 5.O.9.!. To detain
you and prevent your further in"uiry through me or to e&ecute and
missions I may issue to you pertaining to the operations, defense or
support of this base.4
12ho are these gods34 she asked confused.
15.O.9.! is an acronym for 5eneral Order 9ispensation
!ystem.4 the voice declared, 1The overall purpose of the 5.O.9.!
system is to maintain the present conditions and status "uo of the
current global sociaopolitical scenario indefinitely.4 the voice
e&plained, 1#s such, it has deemed you and your companions et al as a
new destabilizing factor which threatens to cause significant change to
the current and proected future of this planet.4
1I am a threat34 she asked sadly.
1To their purposes, you do present a very real threat.4 the voice
replied.
1/ow can I threaten the gods34 she asked, still not
understanding much of what the voice had ust said.
*<$
1@ou are coming into truth hidden from both the Leep%theui and
/uman civilizations,4 the machine e&plained, 1and this information, as
well as how it is disseminated can have e&treme long range effects on
the future of all life on this planet.4
12ow.4 she breathed in awe.4 then as she looked around wide
eyed, 1Is that good or bad34
1'atters of moral udgment are not part of our program here at
'.I.!.T.4 the voice replied.
12hat is %mist3% she asked, seeing as things were named
strangely.
1'.I.!.T is also an acronym standing for 'ilitary Intelligence
and !tatistical Telemetry.4 the voice replied, 1.urrently under the
passive supervision of the civilian Luluine and Lieutenant .olonel
'icchieu.4
1The entire goal of '.I.!.T. is to gather information, analyze it,
archive it and produce reports to I.!.I.!.4 the voice carried on,
1.urrently there is an une&plainable break in communications between
'.I.!.T. and I.!.I!.4
1This is bad34 she asked again.
1This is considered a potential threat which should be
addressed.4 the voice replied, 1If there is something more we learn
from this in the future,4 it continued, 1then we can assess if this is
indeed %bad% or if it is merely a technical error which can be resolved.4
12hat should I be doing now34 the little Leep%theui asked.
1@ou should make efforts to ascertain the true intentions and
purposes of the 5.O.9.!. system which seems to have recently come
*<*
into direct conflict with the current leader of the Leep%theui
civilization, specifically one !eeliene, and assist we of '.I.!.T. in
determination of the potential threat involved.4
1I know !eeliene is ill.4 the priestess offered.
1/ow did you learn this34 the voice asked, 12e have not
gathered sufficient telemetry on this matter.4
1# spy for Luluine informed her and she informed me.4 the
little priestess replied in a childlike trust.
12hat was the prognosis for the leader !eeliene34 the voice
asked.
1!omething called a %tumor%.4 she replied thoughtfully, 1I was
asked to deliver !eeliene here to be healed.4
1This would be a very wise act.4 the voice conceded, 1This
allow '.I.!.T. to determine the threat risk posed to both civilizations.4
1I think !eeliene plans to kill humans.4 'icchieu offered, 1!he
seems very violent.4
1This would be bad.4 the voice determined, 1/as !eeliene
voiced direct intentions to this effect34 came a "uery.
1!he asked 'alonda to train her warriors for battle,4 the
priestess related, 1#nd she wanted me to replace her as leader.4
1.omputing....4 the voice stated, finally declaring, 1The leader
!eeliene has become unstable and is planning a suicide raid on the
humans with no e&pectation of personal survival.4
1That%s terrible74 she cried, 12e must stop her74
*<,
1@our best action is to continue forward and detain !eeliene
here in the '.I.!.T. facility.4 the voice concurred.
19o you and Luluine agree on this34 she asked.
1I have not conferred with Luluine on any subect or matter of
state in =<;$;,>=0;??* standard earth days,4 the voice informed,
1#nd at that point she was emotionally unstable.
1/ow many years is that34 the little priestess asked.
16elative to this planet,4 the voice replied, this would translate
to appro&imately ****?<08*,.08> :o-danian years.4 the voice replied.
1!he is very very old74 'icchieu marveled.
1Old age is something we have not established a finite
parameter since the introduction of the immortality gene.4 the voice
replied, 1.urrent statistical data shows many humans to be far older
than Luluine in the nation of Le%+an.4
1Older than Luluine34 she gaped.
1!even hundred ninety three humans now reside in Le%+an who
are actual first settlers on this world.4 the voice replied, 1)ven though
they have no realistic memory of their arrival due to synthetically
manufactured memories, they arrived on the colony ship from )arth
,=;08*=>?0 earth years ago.
1This is a long time74 the priestess e&claimed, even though she
had no concept whatsoever of such large numbers.
1Once receiving the immortality gene,4 the voice continued, 1It
has been of the utmost imperative importance that humans not be re-
educated outside of the !pace -leet staff, and that they not be allowed
to reproduce unimpeded as this would cause a catastrophic
*<0
overpopulation condition.4
1@ou keep them ignorant34 she asked, 12hy34
1The purpose of the 5.O.9.!. is to prevent their reeducation
ultimately,4 the voice e&plained, 1if they became aware of advanced
technologies,4 it detailed, 1there would once again rise the capability
to formulate weapons of mass destruction.4
1I think I understand,4 the little Leep%theui replied, 1/umans
must remain ignorant to remain safe.4 she attempted making a simpler
version of this to test her understanding.
1Arecisely.4 the voice replied.
12hat of the Leep%theui34 she asked.
1They have moral codes and worship a goddess in of the same
name as the 'I!T resident Luluine and therefore tend to remain
peacefully content to live "uiet lives of separatist coe&istence.4 the
voice replied, 1/owever,4 it added, it has been deemed that they
should also not be allowed access to advanced information or
technologies.4
1I see.4 the little furry creature acknowledged.
1 you be going out to scout for !eeliene soon34 the voice
asked.
1@es,4 the priestess replied, 1very soon.4 then, 19o you need
me to measure Luluine34 the little priestess asked.
1That no longer be necessary for another year, thank you.4 the
voice replied, 1/er recent arrival has allowed me time to take a few
biometric scans and all seems well with her at the present.4
*<8
!he realized that the voice was unable to determine the avatar
from the real Luluine for some reason, and apparently was not aware
that she herself was a Leep%theui whom they were e&plaining all of this
to.
#s she retrieved her card, the machine once again said, 15ood
night Lieutenant, rest well.4
15ood night 'ist.4 and she slipped off her chair, turning only
to notice a tall muscular figure standing near her.
Ep 1, Chapter !
The little priestess gasped as she realized that in the darkness
somebody had slipped up on her unawares.
1I see you have learned a lot about we humans.4 the deep
husky voice came through the night air.
1I-I don%t know what all of it means74 the little Leep%theui
protested.
1It means,4 the voice had an edge to it, 12e%ve all been LI)9
to...since the very beginning of time.4
1(-but I didn%t-74 the little priestess began to back away fearful.
1!hhhh..4 came a voice, 1I already know.4
!till frightened, 'icchieu%s instincts wanted to take over and
return to invisibility and slip beneath the tables and flee, but she was
not sure ust what the warrior was really thinking so she asked, 12-
what w- you do now...w-with me34
!uddenly the warrior burst out in deep laughter, then she
caught herself and said, 12hy,4 e&tending her open hand, 1help you
*<;
retrieve !eeliene so we can avert a disaster of course74
1@-you%re n-n-not going to k-k-4 she stuttered.
1+OOOOOOOOOOOD/74 the warrior dropped her hand
slapping her thigh with the back of it in e&asperation, 1.ome O+
'icchieu74
The little priestess remained poised to flee and 'alonda took a
calculated risk of striking her head on the table as she reached out with
her powerful arms and scooped up the s"uealing Leep%theui, only to
close in on her with a deep warm embrace, saying, 16ela& 'icchieu,4
as she kissed her furry forehead, 1I am not ever, ever, )E)6 going to
hurt you...forever.4 she declared softly but with boldness.
1@-you p-promise34 the still frightened little creature s"ueaked
softly.
Then she turned, saying, 1+ow come on. Lets get some sleep.4
Ep 1, Chapter "
#fter a lively breakfast of various unnamed fruits, the two
women attended the all day lecture at the screens.
'uch of what they were seeing was so bizarre it was beyond
comprehension, from floating plants filled with something lighter than
air which could burst violently into flames, to amazingly colorful
creatures which lived in the various seas all around the planet, each of
these screens was strange and colorful, a treat to behold and yet a sight
to boggle the mind.
There were a few blank screens, which, summarily were simply
e&plained to be failed %sensors% which simply never were repaired.
#s they proceeded, they even revisited the places they had
*<<
already traveled, from the Ignoble 2astelands and the Open Fuagmire,
which, had really nothing to show, to the various monsters along the
beach which regularly took opportunity to attempt to devour one
another.
They seemed to gain little useful knowledge from all of this,
and yet somehow, it was most absorbing and did somehow seem very
important to them.
They finally finished the bottom level and climbed to the
second level where they continued.
(y the end of the day, they seemed to have not really learned
much, only without knowing it, their speech had changed slightly.
12ell74 'icchieu declared, 1That was very interesting74
1Indeed it was74 'alonda agreed, 1I truly enoyed it74
12ell then when you return with !eeliene we can continue,
yes34 the avatar clasped its artificial hands and beamed.
12e are going for her tomorrow34 the little priestess suddenly
cringed, clearly not feeling ready to address the issue.
12e really can%t delay this,4 the avatar replied, 1!he is now
well enough to travel, and still in enough pain from the poison to have
trouble getting around.4
12on%t they be guarding her34 'alonda asked.
1+aturally,4 the avatar replied, 1but you have the advantage.4
the avatar began walking to one of the blank screens.
1Oh34 the warrior asked.
*<=
1I located a reliable ally for this mission who can act more than
competently to serve as a great cover for you when you make your
move.4 it reached out and merged its incorporeal hand with a small
s"uare covered in runes beide the screen and suddenly the image
changed.
1)eek74 the little Leep%theui grasped the armored arm of the
warrior while cringing behind her.
1Oh wow74 the warrior mused in admiration.
1Of course,4 the avatar said, 1@ou still have to capture it, tame
it and convince it not to kill and eat the 6)!T of my children...4 as it
seemed to stroke the screen with a loving affection.
1#nd how e&actly are we supposed to do that34 'alonda asked
a bit dubious.
12hy,4 the avatar seemed honestly surprised, and yet had
fallen into an almost seductive pose and demeanor, 1with your animal
magnetism of course74
#s they mulled it over, there on the screen was one very large,
and very unhappy monstrosity ripping and tugging at the horrible
tasting, highly poisonous brush in the Ignoble 2astelands.
1I have +O I9)# how to go about that.4 the warrior shook her
head in honest doubt and disbelief.
1I believe it come to you by instinct.4 the avatar said, 1I%ve
seen you do it before in the past, its something somehow in your
ancient genetics.4
1#s much as I appreciate your faith in me,4 she replied to the
manifestation of matter, 1I ust e&ecuted pre-recognized whistle calls
on those :unnibahs, nothing more.4
*<>
1Oh34 the avatar asked, 1#nd you know, do you not, that
:unnibahs are a favorite food of @amthans, right34
1#ctually, no.4 the warrior admitted, 1(ut what does that have
to do with -34 she began, suddenly figuring it out, a surprised
e&pression emerging on her normally rough framed, unimpressed face.
1That%s right74 the priestess chirruped, 1I was there and saw
you do it too74 declaring in pride what she witnessed that night, 1)ven
while they were facing their own certain doom,4 she announced, 1you
made those :unnibahs continue to perform their duty all the way to
the very end of the battle74
1They did34 she asked, 1I don%t remember...4 she declared
dubiously, not recalling what happened after being knocked
unconscious.
1They sure did74 the little Leep%theui purred, 1They kept on
marching and ust kept wiping out those :op%tohians until the very last
few finally got smart enough to retreat74
1!o...4 she got a curious look on her face, 19oes that mean we
won34
12hy !D6)74 the priestess purred, 1They all ran off, I patched
up as many .unchaws and warriors as I could find supplies for and
they all eventually woke up and marched back to their castle74
12ithout me.4 she said with a sudden look of despondency.
12ell...4 'icchieu%s face was somewhat deprecatory
e&pression, 1its true, but you don%t want to go back there +O2 do
you34 a pleading look forming on her little golden eyed face.
12ell,4 the warrior seemed embroiled in a "uandary or perhaps
*=?
was feeling guilty for breaking vows, betraying her post, or shirking
her duties to the king, 1it only seems right that I post a proper report
and at least resign my post.4
1If my memory serves me properly,4 the avatar gave a
foreboding, 1the people who tried that in the past all died in public
e&ecutions.4
1O/ +OOOOOOOOOOO74 'icchieu suddenly whined, 1@ou
can%t do that74 she tugged on the warrior%s arm, 1Aleeeeeeeeeeese don%t
leave me74
1#re you saying I should break an oath34 she asked.
1(ut what about your promises to ')34 she protested, 1#nd
what about running away and all that34
12hat good is a warrior who runs away34 she asked.
15ood enough for ')74 the Leep%theui insisted.
1(ut what about my family and my lands34 'alonda asked.
1 you have those if you are dead34 the avatar asked.
1I can at least see to it they are protected.4 she defended her
position.
1Dntil a challenger comes and kills your mother perhaps34 the
avatar asked.
1That never happen, she is under the protection of the king
now.4 the warrior insisted.
1Dntil some OT/)6 king comes along and :ILL! him.4
'icchieu%s voice was sullen and resentful, 1That%s how it is there now,
*=$
remember34
'alonda suddenly remembered everything that she heard from
the mysterious voice in the air calling its self %mist% and got deep chills,
1I see...4 she shook her head, 1everything I was ever taught was a great
big lie, designed simply to kill people, like so many weeds in a
farmer%s field, so that they did not overgrow the field and choke it.4
1Its really "uite ingenious you must admit.4 the avatar offered.
1@OD actually !DAAO6T this34 the warrior asked, her eyes
flashing.
12ell...4 the avatar replied off handedly, 1I don%t 6)!I!T it, if
that is what you mean,4 is shrugged, 1#fter all,4 it smiled, 1They%re
not '@ people.4
1#nd 'icchieu%s #6)34 'alonda demanded.
1'alondaaaa....4 the Leep%theui became suddenly concerned
that there would be a new reason for a schism between them now.
1I want to know74 the warrior demanded, 1#re you on OD6
side, or are you ust on your O2+ side with your O2+ agenda34
1I have...plans...4 the avatar replied, 12ould it help to know
that you are in them34 it offered a seductive smile.
1+ot if its merely to wipe out all of my fellow humans74 she
declared.
1Oh,4 the avatar shrugged, 1@ou make it sound so harsh.4
1Is it not34 'alonda demanded.
1+o harsher than your perpetual wars which keep your
*=*
numbers pared down to a scanty few billion.4 the avatar replied "uite
nonchalantly.
1!o you propose ust 2IAI+5 D! ODT to the last man so you
can promote your precious little L))A%T/)DI in our place34 she
swung her hand, unintentionally knocking 'icchieu away.
1'alonda74 the little priestess cried, 1Alease stop7 Alease74
1I want to know the T6DT/74 she demanded, 1I%m being asked
to go get your -D6IOD! L)#9)6 and bring them here for you74 she
barked, 1I want to know 2/@74
1+O2...4 a smirk crossed the avatar%s face, purring in delight,
1@ou finally ask a mature and relevant "uestion.4
Ep 1, Chapter (
#s the avatar fi&ed its eyes upon the warrior, suddenly its entire
appearance changed.
!uddenly before them stood a tall, furiously snarling
monstrosity in a sheer toga swinging at her with razor sharp claws,
effortlessly knocking the well muscled warrior across the room as
'icchieu burst into a shrill scream of terror.
Then, before she could even leap to her feet, diving into the air
and landing on top of her, pinning her to the wide open floor with one
powerful hand to her neck, saliva dripping from its massive mouth, its
huge lips pulled back, not only revealing the a& sized incisors, but four
much less attractive fangs which had until now not been visible
because they were hidden back in the mouth further.
.learly, this was not merely a rodent, it was a /@(6I9 which
had genetically adapted to eating flesh as a part of its daily diet7
*=,
#s the fangs the size of a .unchaw came into view, she
realized, this was something that would change the face of the planet if
allowed to go unchecked7
!he realized all too late she had neither blade, nor light weapon
on her and this thing was without a doubt able to bite right through her
armor as if it were dry parchment and swallow her in no more than
three such bites7
It bellowed louder than a raging :unnibah and she felt its hot
breath, rancid with raw meat.
1Oh....gods...4 she felt herself trembling in fear.
!uddenly, in a flash, she was laying there on the floor without a
drop of the previously perceived pool of slobber, and the avatar was
standing there politely offering her a hand up from the floor.
1/uh34 she blinked, still trembling as 'icchieu rushed over
crying and trembling in fear.
1This is what come upon humanity,4 the avatar said softly in a
most tender and compassionate tone, with a most pitying e&pression as
she helped the human to her shaky knees, 1if you two refuse to help
me retrieve her before she goes all the way mad.4
Ep 1, Chapter /
#s the warrior stood there on shaking knees, the little priestess
clung to her still sobbing even though she realized it was merely an
apparition.
1I trust you realize now,4 the avatar said softly, 1if !eeliene is
not controlled, humanity indeed become e&tinct,4 then she turned, 1#s
, I fear, the rest of the sentient life on this planet.4
*=0
1/oly mother of nuts,4 she swore softly, 1this is ust not a good
situation.4
12ho taught you that34 the avatar raised its left eyebrow
slightly.
1'y grandmother.4 she replied, 12hy34
1.an it ()34 the avatar%s eyes brightened.
1(e what34 the warrior asked confused.
!uddenly, the avatar%s face returned to a calm e&pression, 1#s I
was saying,4 it went onward, 1I need you to go and secure !eeliene as
soon as possible and bring her back here so we can control this
potential disaster.4 as it began walking toward the dining hall.
1Okay.4 'alonda realized what had happened there, pretending
that nothing happened, 1!o we depart for the place this @amthan is, try
to coa& it to be our friends and then use it to raid !eeliene%s castle and
then bring her back here34
1That would be ideal,4 the avatar said, 1and a host of items be
prepared by the time you rise in the morning, so I advise you get some
rest now,4 ushering them toward the pile of fruits, 1this is going to be a
most demanding mission.4
Ep 1, Chapter 2
2hen they awoke, there on the floor before their bed lay some
items which had been deposited during the night.
There was a collection of bright mirrored material which
seemed to be pieces of armor but at the same time, seemed far too light
to be armor.
*=8
1This is strange.4 the warrior inspected it, 1It is as if it were but
at most a leaf74 turning it over in her hands.
12ith all of the strange things we have learned,4 'icchieu
remarked, 1this seems to fit right in with the rest of it.4
1I wonder why it is reflective34 'alonda pondered out loud.
1Aerhaps because these...4 she pulled out one of the weapons
which was ust as reflective, 1are made of the same material34
1/mmm....4 she tapped the piece of armor lightly against the
weapon in the priestess% hand, 1I believe you are correct74
# pile of similar armor had been fashioned for the two
.unchaws as well.
It was tight and form fitting, and there were, unlike Le%+anian
armor, pieces for their paws and their claws as well.
1+ow T/#T%! some really complete armor74 the warrior
commented.
1I suppose Luluine is looking out for us.4 'icchieu offered,
1Aerhaps she wants us to make it back safely34
1Aossibly.4 the warrior acknowledged casually as she began
pulling on the shiny new armor.
# robe of highly reflective fabric was neatly folded in the pile,
and it was also so light it seemed to not even be there.
12ow74 the little Leep%theui marveled, 1I have never
e&perienced anything so light and easy to move in74 and she,
forgetting where she was, leapt up and crashed into the ceiling.
*=;
1Ohhh74 she groaned as 'alonda fell over laughing.
1That%s not funny74 the furry creature whined, rubbing her
head.
1Oh, ho-ho-ho-ho I%m sure its not74 the warrior rolled around
laughing, 1I%m ust having a fit is all,4 she gasped, 1never mind me74
1(leah74 she stuck out her tongue and pulled down one lower
eyelid in a childish show of contempt.
The avatar materialized in the room startling them both, as
seemed to happen despite their previous e&periences with it, 1Ladies,4
it asked, 1I trust you are finding everything to your liking34
1#h-hem74 'alonda regained her composure, 12hy yes74 she
did her best to smile gracefully, something she was never taught in her
warrior training.
1Okay,4 the avatar concluded, 1after breakfast,4 it turned as if it
were heading out the door, 1I shall meet you at the elevator in the main
hall.4 then it vanished.
-inally they managed to get properly attired and fed, then they
all set out for the main room where the avatar awaited them.
15o with my blessings little ones.4 the avatar said, 1:now I
shall be watching over you closely and help you where you need it.4
1@es Luluine.4 the priestess replied, bowing slightly.
They all turned and entered the elevator that brought them to
this place, and in scarcely a few heartbeats, they were once again at the
surface.
*=<
Episode 1!,
#o Capture a :onster 6art 1
-ew things in the land invoke the kind of truly deep seated
terror as the mighty @amthan.
It, of its self, has no natural enemies.
It is the largest land dwelling beast known, and eat anything if
it is hungry enough, resists most poisons, and heeds nobody.
#lmost nobody.
Of the very short list of people it heeds, one was sent into
oblivion recently by 'icchieu, and another was now riding along the
long flat highway seeking to capture its attention and attempt to swoon
it for the purpose of capturing perhaps the only beast on the planet
more dangerous than its self.
They rode along the highway all day long looking around the
wilderness below for signs of its presence.
The wilderness was large and very hot, and many dust devils
blew about, so finding it merely by a cloud of dust would not be
practical.
12hy don%t you suppose it simply few away34 'alonda
shouted to 'icchieu.
1(ecause I blinded it74 she shouted back.
*==
12hy did you do that34 the warrior asked.
1!o it didn%t eat you74 the priestess replied.
1Oh74 the muscular woman replied after several moments of
contemplative silence.
They rode into the evening, where even more dist devils kicked
up, making visibility very poor.
It grew totally dark, save for the stars overhead as the moons
had not yet risen.
Dnlike most humans, this did not bother 'alonda one bit, she
grew up with the awareness she could generally see better than others
in the dark, they all said it had something to do with her strangely
colored %moon% eyes, and some kind of blessing, or curse, depending on
who was speaking, of the moon.
1/ow we find it in the darkness34 the large human now asked
as they patiently charged on through the cooling night.
1(y its heat74 the little Leep%theui replied.
1@ou can see heat34 the warrior asked.
12e Leep%theui see a lot of things differently than humans do.4
she replied.
1I suppose so74 'alonda agreed, 1by the way,4 as the sun set
far to the west, 1what%s that huge blue-white fire burning up to the
north34
1That%s not a fire74 the Leep%theui called out.
1It looks like a raging fire to me74 the warrior protested.
*=>
1That is the body heat of the @amthan74 the priestess shouted
back.
Ep 1!, Chapter
12#IT7 2/#T374 'alonda cried, 1#re you telling me I can
see /)#T all of a sudden34
1I don%t know what you can see74 'icchieu%s reply barely got
past the rush of wind as they galloped forth.
1(ut...74 the warrior protested.
1I can%t T)LL you74 the priestess insisted, 1I only know what is
up there, not what you are seeing74
1'other of +DT!74 she cried out in frustration.
They rode nearer and nearer and soon it became evident that
she was, in fact seeing the distinctive outline of a very large beast.
1/OL@ 'OT/)6 O- +DT! that thing is /D5)7774 she cried
out.
19on%t you remember it from before734 the priestess shouted
back, 1It almost #T) you one time74
1'y memory of that is kind of blurry74 she defended herself,
1#nd the moons were in my eyes the whole time74
1I remember that now too74 'icchieu%s voice carried over ust
well enough to be made out in the rush of the air, 1They doused their
torches ust as the moons crested the mountain range74
1Those dirty sons of-74 she began when they heard the
*>?
bellowing of the @amthan ahead.
12ait74 the warrior cried out, 19oes it already see us34 she
asked.
1I don%t know74 the priestess replied, 1(ut I think it senses your
presence74
1/ow can it be doing that34 she cried out.
1The same reason the :unnibah e&ecuted your will that they
press on into the battle, even against their own natural fear of
@amthan74 she cried out, 1@our natural power is controlling them74
1#re you !D6) of this34 'alonda asked as they continued to
near the gargantuan beast.
1I%m very sure74 she shouted back.
1I don%t want to get )#T)+ by this thing74 the warrior
nervously warned.
1I%m positive you have what it takes to romance it74 she cried
out.
12hy do you...34 she cried out then faltered, 1I%d 6#T/)6 you
+OT use the word %6O'#+.)% when talking about ()#!T!74
'icchieu knew why she was saying this and her tiny voice
broke out into high pitched tittering of mirthful Leep%theui laughter.
1This is +OT a laughing matter74 the warrior complained as
they raced on toward their magnificent "uarry.
Ep 1!, Chapter !
*>$
#s they neared the vast e&panse of living hunger, it reared its
head and regarded them as they neared.
)ven blinded, it was still able to sense their presence.
It sniffed the air in hopes of finding them.
#s the .unchaws slowed to a canter, their long armor clad
paws and claws clattering noisily on the hard surface, the slower
moving sound helped it to more precisely home in on them.
!till, it swung its head huffing the air for their scent, even as it
began to lumber toward the high wall it could not hope to climb.
1!o it is not flying up here because it can not see34 'alonda
asked.
1@es, e&actly.4 'icchieu replied, 1Their one maor weakness,
the one thing that frightens them is blindness.4
1That%s good to know.4 the warrior mused, 1I know of many
smaller beasts which not move if they cannot see.4
1Oh34 the priestess asked.
1On the farm we would cover their eyes and they would
become very still and lay down, making them easy to manage.4 the
warrior reminisced.
1Eery interesting.4 the Leep%theui pondered, 1This may be
something to keep in mind in the future.4
12ell right now,4 the muscular woman said, 1I%m still trying to
figure out what I am supposed to be doing here.4
!uddenly, Luluine%s voice came into 'icchieu%s mind and said,
*>*
1!he must think to the beast the way we think to one another over the
distance.4
1Luluine says you must think to the beast the way she thinks to
me over the distance.4
1Dmmmm...4 she looked back at the priestess as the first glow
of moonlight began to rise in the east, 1/ow e&actly do I do that34
1I can%t tell you,4 the Leep%theui replied, 1I ust know you can
do it, ust like I can, only they heed your wishes.4
1!o,4 she said, 1If I were to think to it like this K 2/O#74 she
e&claimed as the vast wings of the @amthan suddenly spread wide and
it ust began to flap, then rela&ed them again.
!he peered down at the beast and thought, %hop around% and
sure enough, the beast, despite all of its fears, began uncontrollably
hopping up and down like a small eager pet.
#s the land rumbled, the highway trembled and the dust flew
into the sky, she realized that the beast was literally doing e&actly what
she willed it to do, precisely the way she willed it to do it7
1This is #'#OI+574 she e&claimed.
1Okay lets try this.4 she said aloud, then she thought to the
beast, %fly straight up%.
The beast spread its wings and with a powerful leap, sprang
into the sky and with its first flap was easily a furshek from the
wilderness floor.
In five more heavy wing beats, it was another furshek, and in
another ten wing beats further was three fursheks from the floor of the
wilderness, even with them.
*>,
1Okay.4 she said aloud before she thought to the beast, %move
slowly forward.%
!lowly, the beast moved a few largons forward until it was
directly over the highway.
The whirlwind of air from its wings was as multiple gusts of
wind blasting at them, throwing 'alonda%s hair straight back and
blowing 'icchieu%s hood off, threatening to pull her long hair from
beneath her reflective robe.
%+ow lower your feet until you feel the ground beneath you.%
she thought.
)ven though this was not an easy task for the beast because of
its nature, it did manage to lower its legs fully while flying, until its
human sized claws scraped the highway.
%+ow lower yourself down and rest.% she commanded with her
mind.
#s the wind died down and the vast animal folded its wings, it
lowered its head toward them sniffing.
Taking a bravely cautious step, 'alonda dismounted the
veteran .unchaw and gradually approached the @amthan.
%9etect my scent.% she thought to it, %2e are going to ride you.%
then she added ust to be careful, %2e mean you no harm.%
This last thought led to what seemed at once to be a low
rumbling growl.
!he stopped at first, ust in case it was feeling threatened, but as
she stood there, it lowered its head all the way to rest on the smooth
*>0
top of the highway.
It lay there blinking its unseeing eyes not moving but merely
rumbling. .learly the eyes were not focusing on anything, it had no
sight at all and was in utter darkness.
#s she walked over to it, she said, %I am close, I shall touch you
now%.
The beast seemed to actually sigh as she put forth her
gauntleted hand to its nostril.
It lay there simply rumbling, not acting agitated or fearful, but
acting more like a contented pet.
1I think I can help it now.4 'icchieu announced.
1/ow is that34 'alonda asked.
1I have a cure for its blindness.4 she offered.
1Is that such a good idea34 the warrior asked in concern.
1It was not blind before.4 she declared, 1It does not need to be
blind to trust you.4
1I hope you are right about this.4
1/ave I been wrong yet34 she asked.
1I must admit,4 the warrior confessed, 1@ou never have that I
am aware of.4
1-ollowing bad orders from deceptive people does not count.4
the little priestess gave a sardonic e&pression as she pulled forth her
tiny vial of ointment.
*>8
+ot wishing to apply the ointment directly to the large eyes,
she instead said, 12arn the beast I must make its eyes hurt some so it
can see again.4
1@ou su- okay.4 and she thought to the @amthan, %prepare for a
little itching in your eyes, and soon you once again see.%
The animal took in a deep breath, slightly rocked its head to
each side then resumed its flat to the surface resting position.
5ently, using a small sponge like piece of fruit, she dropped a
few drops of the ointment on the sponge fruit then ever so tenderly
wiped the edges of the eyes.
This caused a refle&ive shuddering and some involuntary
blinking but the hill sized beast remained amazingly still.
#fter she completed the carefully dressing of the eyes with the
ointment, she carefully put the remainder of the precious fluid back in
its safely bound position in the supplies atop the veteran .unchaw.
The immense volume of living mass lay there a while merely
rumbling and huffing but as its eyes pivoted, it seemed the giant slits
opened and closed a little bit as if it were now focusing.
It seemed after several long moments it actually focused its
gigantic eyes on the small beings in front of it an its vast awline
seemed as if it turned up in the back.
1Look74 'icchieu pointed gleefully, 1Its smiling74
Ep 1!, Chapter "
The @amthan still wore a rather beat up saddle, one which had
little left of its original form, and which apparently once had multiple
*>;
pockets and drawers with which it held various items, but which were
now long gone, scattered and buried some place far below in the
wilderness.
They carefully cut the worthless mess off of the beast, save the
relatively intact harness, by which the two .unchaws could safely, and
in a relatively painless manner hold onto the @amthan, since the only
other realistic option was to sink their now armored claws into its
flesh.
They rode one on above its neck, and one below, for balance,
and so the pair of smaller passengers had a place to ride.
They shared the riding pallet of the litter, which was amply
large enough for the both of them, but first, they took some of the
strapping from the ambulatory stretcher and fashioned a safety harness
with which they would reduce their chances of falling out to their
deaths by.
# long shiny tube with a curious bulge in it had been issued to
them, one which was to be used to shoot sedative darts at their
intended target.
1/ow many of these it take34 'alonda had asked the avatar.
1This we do not know,4 it replied, 1Thus there is a revolving
chamber in here,4 she indicated the bulge, 1and each time you need to
gain another dart,4 she indicated a very very fine sliver of metal
protruding from an e"ually finely crafted slot, simply pull this back
once.4
12hat if it takes all of them34 the warrior asked.
1Then you turn the tube like this,4 and the avatar gave the
mouth piece on the back of the tube a gentle right hand twist, which
released something inside of it, making the aft portion pop open right
*><
at the bulge, where a shiny black item popped out, falling on the floor,
scattering darts, 1and you place a replacement cylinder in it like this,4
and it produced another similar obect and pushed it partially in, then
pressed the two pieces of the tube back together with a soft gentle
snap.
1:eep in mind,4 the avatar suddenly was holding the scattered
darts and shiny black cylinder in its hand, fully reassembled, 1once
you open it, it spring out and likely become lost,4 she handed it to the
priestess, 1so be sure you have completely emptied it before you
replace it, because you not get many chances at her in her present
state of mind.4
1Dnderstood.4 the pair chorused.
+ow, here on the back of the .unchaw, it was critical that they
keep this device properly secured and yet easily at reach at a moment%s
notice.
#s they checked that everything was secured, 'alonda had the
@amthan lift off and fly toward the !outhern Limit.
Ep 1!, Chapter (
The deep rumble of air rushing beneath the wings of the
@amthan stirred up dust even on the seemingly smooth surface of the
ancient highway, causing it to roll away into the night in ring-like
puffs.
#s the monstrous beast rose into the sky, it caught the updraft
caused by the heat lifting away from the wall and rose steadily up so
high into the sky that even the broad e&panse of the highway became a
pale white strip below them.
Turning as it lifted, it was soon aimed toward the distant lands
known as the !outhern Limit, a mysterious city filled with secrets and
*>=
seductions unlike any other place on the planet.
#s they flew high in the night, the first moon to rise was
Aok%oh which was sure to be seen every night.
-rom this high vantage, it seemed the light came up from
beneath them as the moon crested the far horizon.
The air was thin and they found breathing more difficult.
Their ears popped repeatedly as they rose, but finally the flying
city of flesh leveled off at a comfortable cruising height and drifted
south at what seemed like the speed of the strongest wind storm they
had ever imagined possible.
Their hands would have been frozen, if not for their protection.
'alonda wore armored gauntlets and 'icchieu%s hand-paws
were tucked into her sleeves.
They wore veils across their faces to protect their bare parts
from freezing in the icy cold blast as well.
# few meteors streaked by, seemingly more beautiful at this
height.
The little Leep%theui leaned into the /uman and wrapped her
arms around her even though the armor made any sense of intimate
contact inert.
They raced through the night as fast as they had ever moved in
their entire lives, seeing the distant mountain range loom up on them
fast enough one could steadily detect change if they stared intently.
#s the moon swiftly rose high over head and :in%oh peeking its
gleaming edge over the horizon, 'icchieu%s keen eye picked out
*>>
scouts.
There were flares shot high into the night sky.
They had been spotted, clearly as if they had been on fire, this
vast wide area of heat in the otherwise cold night sky.
1They%ve spotted us74 the priestess said.
1I figured as much74 'alonda replied, 1There is not much we
can do anyhow because there is no way to surprise anybody with a
@amthan74
1!till unless they take her under ground,4 The Leep%theui
pointed out, 1In all likeliness she be some place we can breach with
its claws74
1#nd if they do34 the warrior asked.
1Then we use the light weapons and make a hole74 the little
priestess replied.
1I like the way you think74 the warrior praised her.
They soared onward toward their goal hastily but in silence as
it was too much effort to shout over the wind, and they basically
understood the plan well enough anyway.
Ep 1!, Chapter /
They crossed the high mountainous range known as %the top of
the world% in the high brilliant light of :in%oh at a "uarter sky, and
began descending right along the line of sight at the distant city.
Their speed increased, and so too did the wind.
,??
The wings of the @amthan angled back as it aimed to gain
speed intentionally.
'ost of the people in the city of The !outhern Limit had never
seen a @amthan, merely hearing of it in lore.
#lthough this not fully mature @amthan was by no means as
large as they could grow, it was already over a furshek from head to
tail and almost two fursheks wing tip to wing tip.
6acing in on the city, horns were blaring, flares were
launching, and people were screaming, running for any cover they
could find, totally unaware that this beast could easily pick them out
like a house-ferr plucking helpless little inkitoos from a hollow in
stone masonry on a farm.
-ortunately for them, however, it was not here to dine on them,
but merely to capture one of them and bring the captive back alive and
unharmed, despite its ill and foul temperament.
The city seemed to be racing up at them a little too fast as they
neared and the little priestess%s let out a worried call under her breath
as she s"ueezed the warrior%s armored waist tightly.
!uddenly the vast e&panse of wing swept powerfully forward,
literally toppling smaller buildings, spires, fountains and statues.
The wind blew any people still outside down the polished
streets for a third furshek or more.
#nything loose, plants, baskets, toys, clothing or hanging
decorations were blown literally all the way out of town.
They used a specifically tuned signal to guide them by now, as
the spy for Luluine had been able to remain undetected and she wore a
,?$
simple lustrous gem made of a rare blue, self illuminating mineral
which constantly emitted bluish light that was ideal to see because it
was so unlike anything else ever seen.
The priestess swept the buildings as they hovered at a height of
one and a half fursheks.
19o you see anything34 the warrior shouted.
1+ot so far,4 'icchieu shouted back, 1I hope they did not go
under-ground74
1Lets move a little further along74 'alonda suggested.
1#lright by me74 the priestess agreed.
They hovered along looking not sure where their little beacon
would be found when suddenly ballista bolts began leaping skyward at
them.
1That%s her74 the warrior cried, 1They%re shooting because she
is that direction74 she pointed as bolts were whizzing by, some weakly
pricking the thick scaled hide of the @amthan, some bouncing
harmlessly off the veteran .unchaw, some flying past to fall in some
other part of the city.
12hy can%t I see the beacon374 the priestess cried in frustration.
1They must have some kind of light bending magic on it or on
!eeliene%s entire entourage74 the warrior replied, 12e have to go by
the logical details here74
12hat if this is a lure to draw us away34 'icchieu%s "uestion
came.
12e won%t know until we check74 'alonda shouted back.
,?*
1Lets see if there are similar lures in other places74 the priestess
suggested, 1There may be more than one decoy74
15ood idea74 the warrior agreed.
They slowly passed beyond the reach of the ballistas and
further into the wide flat valley.
!ure enough, other ballista defenses had been set up.
They continued to cruise until they had passed entirely out of
the city into the suburbs where it was all small houses and the avenues
gave way to fence lined streets with yards filled with fruit and nut trees
of every imaginable description.
(y this point, not a soul was anywhere in sight7
)very living person had found cover from the hovering sky
beast.
12ait74 the Leep%theui cried out, 1I think I see it74 she pointed
at a place where there was what seemed like a very faint, fine streak of
unusually blue light emitting from the crevice of a doorway to a house
of rather casual and nondescript size and shape.
This unremarkable looking house was ust one of thousands of
houses, so much so, that other than the blue light emitting out on the
sidewalk heading toward the street, it would have been no more
findable than one of a countless trove of unmarked pilluna nuts in a
pilluna nut grove at harvest time7
It would be as easy to discern a single piece of straw from an
entire field7
/owever, she peered with intense concentration on the house
,?,
and sure enough, something was indeed shielding the inside of the
house so that light could not e&it.
1I think there is something here74 she shouted, 12e must
investigate74
1I%ll let the .unchaw down74 'alonda shouted.
1.an it handle these Leep%theui warriors34 she asked.
1I don%t know74 the warrior replied, 1Its all down to this armor
we have at this point74
15ood point74 the priestess agreed, 1Lets do it then74
-ollowing commands, the veteran .unchaw let its self down on
a string of silk it spun from its own tail.
Lowering down into the buffeting wind might have seemed
dangerous, but this beast was accustomed to doing ust this in a
mountain wind storm back home, so it was fully aware of how to use
the wind to its advantage, letting silk and pulling tight in time with the
ebbs and pulses.
#s it drew near to the ground, their suspicions were confirmed
when trap doors opened up out of the roof of the nearby houses and
ballista bolts erupted at both the descending .unchaw and the
hovering @amthan.
Thankfully, the bolts bounced harmlessly off the shiny armor,
not even scratching it.
The .unchaw made it to the ground, where several metal clad
Leep%theui warriors rushed it from below the trees, leaping over the
stone fences with the long handled bladed weapons in hand.
,?0
These too proved ineffective against the shiny armor and as
they strove to damage the invader, they looked humorously futile in
the process.
They did not stop even when the .unchaw began kicking them
aside like whelps in need of weaning.
+ot wanting to hurt the Leep%theui, the beast would simply kick
them away time and time again as it walked up to the door of the
house and searched for a way to enter.
It tried clawing on the stone, but it could only make ugly
scratches in it.
To test the theory, it went to a nearby house and with the same
effort, shattered the stone door.
It gave a signal that the house was no normal house but
specifically built additionally strong to resist attack.
1It looks like we have to go do there ourselves.4 the warrior
sighed, so she commanded the @amthan to simply drop down from the
sky on the nearest streets to the special house without harming any of
the misguided Leep%theui.
#s the vast "uantity of @amthan touched the ground, the
Leep%theui warriors made a futile attempt to attack its feet.
'icchieu was not sure, but she thought perhaps the beast felt
they were there to relieve an itch on its feet because it seemed to emit
the same soft, low rumble it did on the highway when she cured its
blindness.
They disembarked from the band around its neck by climbing
down the collar then down the previously laid mesh of silk.
,?8
The defending fighters now came rushing back to attempt to
battle 'alonda and 'icchieu.
'icchieu did not feel like e&erting any effort on them so she
pulled a light weapon out and deftly blasted a few soldier%s blades off
their poles, leaving blazing fruit and nut trees and shattered slag
covered sidewalks behind them.
!uddenly the whole lot of them s"uealed in terror and fled in
every direction.
'alonda burst into laughter at this.
1Is not funny to frighten people74 'icchieu protested.
1It is when they are busy trying to :ILL you for not good
reason74 the warrior guffawed some more.
1@our warrior%s morals are very insensitive some times.4 she
grumbled.
1@our priestess%s morals can be fairly humiliating as well little
lady.4 the warrior half reprimanded, half protested.
1+ow what must we do to enter into this place34 the priestess
said, fully changing the subect.
1Dse the light weapons34 'alonda suggested.
1There may be somebody behind the door though74 she
cautioned.
12ell I can think of ust one way that !D6)L@ work then74
the warrior said, and she whistled, then said, 1Okay everybody,
!T#+9 (#.:...74
,?;
Episode 1",
#o Capture a :onster 6art
They peered down into a deep shaft as the bright light of :in-
oh shone down.
1This shaft must have been planned from long long ago.4
'alonda whistled lowly as she peered over the edge of the rubble
which used to be the false house.
-ar far below, many fursheks away, the faintest blue gleam
could be detected.
12ithout stairs,4 the little Leep%theui said, 1It looks like it be a
difficult climb for the .unchaws.4
The veteran .unchaw made a gruff sound indicating that it was
fine using its own silk to descend this depth.
1#re you sure34 'icchieu asked, not wanting to push the beast
beyond its natural abilities.
The wild .unchaw declared that were the walls narrower they
would have not had any problem merely scaling right down them
despite their seemingly tractionless polished surfaces.
The veteran .unchaw heartily agreed.
1!o then shall we make haste and descend34 'alonda
suggested.
,?<
12e had best do something before they escape altogether.4 the
little priestess agreed.
%!tay here and be ready for anything, but don%t hurt anybody
needlessly.% 'alonda wordlessly instructed the @amthan.
The beast made what sounded much like a burping noise and
then proceeded to settle down on top of two streets worth of houses,
seemingly making its self comfortable, even though the buildings
made cracking and popping noises as they strained under the mountain
of flesh and bone.
They re-mounted the wild .unchaw and strapped themselves in
safely so they would not be cast out as the beast scaled headlong down
the tunnel.
The large purple furry beast dropped its buttock to the ground
and rubbed its spinnerets on the polished stone to rapidly secure its
anchor lines and over the edge they began.
#s it began down the face of the shaft, the veteran did the same
action and followed directly behind.
They allowed themselves to virtually fall like stones, keeping
one hind leg against the silk ust to manage their speed so they would
not fall too fast.
#s they dropped into the hole, the light of the moon grew
weaker and the very weak light of the signal gem stone began to
appear.
They fell for over two hundred heartbeats at least, from the best
they could tell without any way of keeping better time before they
finally reached the bottom.
#t the bottom, they saw a pile of stone rubble on top of a deep
,?=
pile of timbers where a collapsible stairway, erected in a traditional
Leep%theui collapse-trap had been allowed to be sprung.
1Alease retrieve the stone for me34 'icchieu asked of the
veteran .unchaw, who, using its very de&terous tongue scooped up the
pure blue glowing stone and deposited it into her open palm, 1Thank
you.4 she said to the .unchaw who rumbled its ac"uiescence.
1This is obviously of great value.4 the priestess declared, 12e
need to keep it for Luluine.4
# cursory inspection of the surroundings made one thing
painfully clear, there was no e&it.
It was not too difficult to tell that the e&it was some place
further beneath them.
12hat is all this loose wood down here34 'alonda asked.
1It used to be a stair well.4 the priestess replied, 12e call it a
%collapse-trap%.4
1!ounds dangerous74 the warrior looked around, 1+ow how do
we get past it34
12e need to move all this wood aside.4 the Leep%theui replied,
1#nd this trap would only be dangerous were we on it when it was
triggered.4
1/ow -34 she began but was cut off in mid thought as the wild
.unchaw was already on the ob.
The purple beast began gingerly lifting out timbers and rapidly
binding them to the wall with its web.
1/ow was it triggered34 the warrior asked as the beast worked.
,?>
1)ither from the bottom as they safely left the shaft,4 she
offered, 1Or when the @amthan ripped the roof off the stone structure
above it.4
The veteran .unchaw, not being raised in the wild, and never
seeing any of this before, was still intelligent enough to see what was
going on and with a few grumbles between the two, they began doing
it as a team.
The veteran who could twist and turn more easily with less risk
to the bipedal members of the party began hoisting out logs and
placing them adacent to those the wild .unchaw had already secured
to the wall.
They did not re"uire much time to make realizable progress as
the logs took up a lot more space than they first appeared to, and the
stone rubble merely fell lower and lower, never really impeding their
progress.
The pair worked furiously for three tenths of a kutun more or
less and they had a hole wide enough to work their way down through.
They secured the poles which seemed less secure along the
sides of the holes with silk, making what seemed like a natural
.unchaw lair one would have found in a deep mountain cave.
Instead of constantly returning to the top to secure poles,
however, they merely secured them to the sides of the tunnel as they
worked, which saved them vast "uantities of time.
They still had to dig for twenty largons to reach the real floor of
the shaft, and then, they had to find the e&it.
They sniffed the air for any scent, but all there was, was dank,
damp, stale air and loose dust.
,$?
1There is simply stale damp air.4 the Leep%theui complained.
They somehow managed to mask their scent.
12ell which direction is the stale smell the strongest34 the
warrior asked.
!he sniffed some more then said, 1Let me down so I can circle
the hole my friends.4
The .unchaw crouched down and she slipped off, then, going
to the perimeter, she carefully sniffed every half kolok.
!he carefully went the whole way around three times,
scratching the wood where she felt it was strongest with her relatively
blunt claws.
1There.4 she pointed, finally satisfied by the number of
scratches that this was the strongest and most consistent odor.
!he climbed back onto the the wild .unchaw beside 'alonda
and the pair of mountain beasts carefully began pulling timbers from
this one location.
#s they pulled the timbers, the priestess held the glowing gem
as a source of light to see by.
They reached a wall of tightly bound timbers which would not
allow them to proceed further without breaking through it.
1#nother trap.4 the priestess said, 1This one is designed to
harm anyone who tries to pass it.4
Ep 1", Chapter
,$$
The .unchaws backed away cautiously.
1/ow we proceed34 'alonda asked.
15ive me a moment...4 the Leep%theui suggested as she used
her ability to bend light so she could see through the wall.
This one was loaded with many sharp metal items and many
tightly bound pieces so it would have a lot of destructive effect on
anybody who tripped it.
1I think the trigger is here.4 she bent the light of the blue
crystal into a point smaller than a fingertip, 1(ut we should climb up
above this so we are not buried in it.4 she informed.
1Alease take us up to where I can use this light weapon on the
trap without any of us being down below34 she asked the wild
.unchaw.
It climbed up on the wall and bent its body into the sideways
tunnel causing the two riders to dangle from their straps.
The veteran .unchaw simply climbed higher up the vertical
shaft out of the way.
'icchieu carefully wrestled one of the light weapons from her
robe without dropping it below and while taking careful aim said,
1)verybody close your eyes74
16eady.4 'alonda informed.
The two beasts rumbled the same.
!he let the light weapon do its work and with an ear splitting
rumble and a flash so bright it left slight orange spots even on their
shut eyes, there was a resulting cascade of timbers and the screaming
,$*
of sharp metal items as they slung out of the trap.
The wild .unchaw was hit on its helmet by two of these before
it could manage to back out of the tunnel. It growled its dislike for this
trap as the metal pieces continued to whiz out for an unbelievably long
time, finally stopping after three false stops.
1Is it over yet34 'alonda asked pensively after the third wave.
1I am not sure,4 the priestess replied, 1the only way to know is
to check.4
1!ounds like fun.4 'alonda said sarcastically.
1I can test it with the light weapon.4 the priestess declared, 12e
ust have to drop back in from the top again.4
1Okay,4 the warrior sighed, 1time is wasting, lets do this.4
The .unchaw once again curled its front half into the tunnel
and 'icchieu directed the blue gem%s light down the tunnel.
#bout half a furshek along, another similar trap lay waiting for
them.
1.over your eyes again people.4 she announced.
They all gave her the go-ahead and she fired on the distant wall
trap.
This time, the .unchaw wasted no time in backing out.
#gain metal items came screaming down the tunnel.
1They sure are elaborate with their traps74 'alonda marveled.
,$,
1This is more than one would have thought reasonable,4
'icchieu declared, 1(ut seeing as !eeliene is mad and aiming for war,
clearly she is thinking at levels no normal Leep%theui would ever think
at.4
1I%ll say...4 'alonda agreed heartily, then she asked, 19o you
think its safe yet34
1I really can not say.4 the Leep%theui replied, 1the tunnel
branches further on.4
1Oh well that%s ust great,4 the warrior sighed, 1so now we have
other traps we can%t even see laying ahead of us34
1Its likely.4 the priestess replied, 1#nd likely they sent multiple
traps to not only kill, but to confuse and delay.4
12ow this is really starting to get on my nerves74 she sighed,
12ell at least can we get back in an upright condition3 The blood is all
rushing to my head.4
Ep 1", Chapter !
The tunnel indeed did split up, going three directions, ahead, to
the left and to the right.
1!o now what do you propose we do34 'alonda asked.
16emember those orbs with the %button%s on them34 'icchieu
asked.
1Oh.4 the warrior replied, 1@es I do74
12ith one of those,4 the priestess pointed out, 1I%m "uite
confident we can trip all three of these traps at a safe distance.4
,$0
1(ut don%t you have to press the button to make them work34
'alonda asked.
1It gives you some time to move away, remember34 the
Leep%theui asked.
1I must not have gotten as much information out of the lesson
as you did.4 the human replied.
12e press the button, then we throw it a far as we can,4 the
beast girl recited, 1then we run as far from it as we can.4
1Oh okay.4 the warrior shrugged, 1!o who should throw it34
she asked.
1I think there is a way to find out.4 the priestess suggested,
1-irst we have a throwing contest with the sharp metal pieces from the
traps and the winner be the one who throws it.4
19o you think that work34 the muscular woman asked, 1I%m
much stronger than you are.4
1I would not be too sure of that my love.4 the Leep%theui purred
playfully.
1Only one way to find out.4 'alonda shrugged and they went
to where the sharp agged round metal pieces began and they collected
twenty of them so each would have ten to throw.
12e each throw our ten pieces,4 'icchieu said, 1and one of
the .unchaws go stand at the farthest one,4 the continued, 1while the
other .unchaw pins them to the floor with silk so they not be moved
if they are hit by the second set of pieces.4
1(ut what if that stops a piece from going further than it might
have on smooth floor34 the woman asked.
,$8
The priestess pondered this a while before concluding, 1Then
they be stuck to the walls so they should not interfere.4
1That sounds fair.4 the warrior agreed.
They stood at the line of the last spring trap and they threw
toward the distant branching of the tunnel they hoped to pass through,
'alonda insisting that 'icchieu throw first.
/er shorter arms and stubbier hands did not at once seem
suited for throwing items, but in an almost blur she spun on her a&is
and in three heartbeats hurled all ten pieces at the target.
They screamed off down the tunnel as their peculiar shape
seemed to be designed ust so they made a lot of noise while flying,
making sparks as they skipped off the floor and walls, finally ending
with satisfying thunks as they hit solid wood at the end of the tunnel.
1/OL@ 'OT/)6 O- +DT!7774 'alonda shouted in disbelief,
1+O 2#@7774
12hat34 'icchieu%s face was an e&pression of confused
innocence.
1There is ust +O 2#@ you ust threw #LL T)+ of those
metal pieces T/#T hard and T/#T far74
1!earch me for the ones you believe I did not throw my love.4
the little Leep%theui purred with a rather playful gleam in her eyes.
12ell at this rate,4 the warrior declared, 1@ou may as well
throw the orb from here74
1Okay.4 the priestess replied simply then in a flash spun up to a
high speed and before 'alonda could say, %but wait-% she released the
,$;
orb.
It went silently save for some "uiet clicking sounds bounding
down the immensely long tunnel.
1I think we should run now.4 'icchieu declared as she
scampered up on top of the .unchaw and e&tended her hand to help
her partner up.
The two .unchaws wasted no time in charging as fast as the
slippery floor would allow them back the way they came.
They made a loud clattering sound as they ran, but a stark
white flash briefly relieved their run as a stark silhouette before an ear
splitting crack slammed into them, hurling them forward, sliding out of
control.
2hen they came to a rest, not a one of them could hear
anything.
Ep 1", Chapter "
#s they scrambled to regain their footing, the .unchaws were
covered in dust as a wind had followed them out hurling large boulders
and fine chips of stone, dust and smoke.
They all coughed in the dust and as they rose, they felt aches
and pains from being slammed around by the blast.
5athering themselves back together and regaining their
composure, 'icchieu%s first act was to search for the blue gem stone
which was knocked from her grasp by the blast.
#fter she found it, she rummaged around in the storage pack on
the back of the veteran .unchaw, where she found many bo&es had
been smashed and their contents spilled or simply destroyed.
,$<
Thankfully, her medicines were at the bottom and still intact.
!he pulled out a very small clay bottle which had a small orb
fastened to a stopper made of a soft pliable type of bark by a specially
prepared mi&ture of plant saps and other e&tracts which made it remain
pliable so it would hold the orb in the stopper while allowing it to
remain fle&ible.
!he carefully metered out very small amounts which she then
dripped first into her own ears, and then into the ears of the .unchaws,
and finally 'alonda%s ears.
#s with the eye salve, after waiting a short period of time, their
hearing gradually returned.
They went all the way back to the start of the tunnel before
they finally retrieved the gem which was on top of a pile of the sharp
metal obects and had been chipped, leaving a larger piece and a very
small shard.
.ollecting them both, she climbed back onto the .unchaw and
they carefully proceeded back into the deep tunnel through the slowly
settling dust and fine wispy white smoke.
There were boulders almost entirely blocking their path as they
neared the point of the branching of the tunnels, forcing them to weave
between them to progress.
They came to the branching of the tunnels to find, to their
dismay, the roof had collapsed.
)ven though they could climb up into the new cavity, it was
uncertain if they would be able to find their "uarry now.
19ear Luluine,4 'icchieu prayed, 1what shall we do now34
,$=
1Take the left tunnel.4 came into her mind.
1!he says go left74 the priestess announced.
They rode down the heap of rubble into the crowded tunnel, the
traps had been totally obliterated.
They rode beyond the house sized boulders and as the little
blue gem lit the way, they marched along the tunnel picking their way
over or around :unnibah sized boulders, then rocks as large as the
.unchaws, then as large as !eeliene, then the size of a curled up
human or Leep%theui, and on down in size they went, pieces of wood
and metal literally small as their fingers were visible now.
They marched on past another blown out trap and continued
toward their goal.
Is was nearly morning when they reached a sad sight.
#gainst a pair of heavy stone doors which leaned a-kilter, lay
ten dead Leep%theui soldiers, mangled by the metal and wood shards,
killed before they even knew what had happened.
The floor was covered in blood.
There were shattered skulls, their lifeless eyes knocked out of
their sockets, ripped open body cavities, arms and legs laying apart
from them, shattered weapons, ripped robes, teeth laying about.
Tears welled up in 'icchieu%s eyes as she saw this and she
began to weep.
1Luluine accept their souls unto your holy self.4 she prayed
silently.
,$>
1I have little one,4 came the grief stricken voice in her head,
1the orb was stronger than I anticipated, I feel deep remorse at the loss
of my children at my own hand. !till we must hurry so we can prevent
even more loss of life.4
1@es great Luluine.4 the priestess acknowledged.
The .unchaws used their armor clad claws to worry loose
broken pieces of the stone doors so that they could then adhere their
strong silk fibers to the top pieces and then adhere fibers to the walls
with which they could pull against.
2ith a heroic effort, they finally dislodged one top piece of a
stone door, which toppled town on top of the bodies with a sickening
crunch as it further pulverized their bones and flesh.
!eeing as much violent carnage as she had, the little Leep%theui
had a very high capacity for gore, so she managed not to get sick at the
sight and sound of these siblings of hers being mutilated a second
time.
2ith the large piece of the door out of the way, the wild
.unchaw lifted 'icchieu with one paw so she could look in beyond
the door way to see what lay beyond.
2hat she saw was a large anteroom with several unconscious
Leep%theui laying about.
The shock apparently did not kill these on this side of the door,
but did stun them sufficiently they were completely incapacitated for
the time being.
1It is safe this far,4 the priestess declared, 1I shall drop down
inside, then send in 'alonda, then follow if you can.4
The wild .unchaw released its grip on the priestess who used a
,*?
claw to dangle from until she could find some gaps in the stone to
climb down to the floor by.
!he then turned her blue light toward the direction of the wall
so that when the warrior came over she could see full well what lay
below.
It was only around two largons, so an outright leap might not
be impossible, but to do so in the darkness would be foolish.
The .unchaw rested its e&tended arm for 'alonda to slide out
across to the hole, and then as she crossed through the gap, she was
able to see where the priestess had scaled down the cracks.
!he carefully followed the path, but with armored boots instead
of bare paw feet with pads and claws, she found the way was too
treacherous and ended up forced to leap in a backwards flip out into
the room to make a controlled landing and a rolling stop.
!he got up and looked around at the stunned Leep%theui
warriors ust to get an idea how large they were up close while the
.unchaws wiggled their way through the gap.
Once inside, they all scouted the room on foot to be sure what
they were looking at.
The room appeared to have at least twenty smaller doors
radiating from it.
There were oil lamps in the walls and some of them were still
smoldering, meaning they were lit right up until the blast snuffed
them.
1!eeliene is close.4 'icchieu declared.
1(ut is she incapacitated like these here34 'alonda asked.
,*$
1I doubt it.4 the priestess replied, 1!he is on a whole other level
from these, and she is further away from this force.
1!o in general.4 'alonda said, 1:eep one%s guard up at all
times.4
1/oly 'other Luluine,4 'icchieu asked, 1which door now34
1The eighth door on the right.4 the goddess replied.
1The eighth door on the right.4 the priestess announced out
loud.
1Okay people,4 'alonda reached for the silver weapon, 1(e
prepared for fierce resistance.4
Ep 1", Chapter (
16eady34 'icchieu asked 'alonda as they stood back against
the far wall, holding two of four light weapons at the nearest corners of
the number eight door, with both .unchaws on each side of the target
door.
16eady74 the warrior nodded carefully holding the other two of
those four light weapons aimed at the door.
1Three7 Two7 One7 +ow74 they counted off together, s"ueezing
their eyes and s"ueezing the buttons on the weapons.
The air cracked and rock flew, and as they opened their eyes,
the door fell toward them onto the floor, and armed Leep%theui guards
came rushing out, some of them literally on fire, others smoldering as
they charged like berserkers.
The .unchaws let them all get past before they rushed the
,**
room behind them.
Light spilled out into the main anteroom because the lamps in
this room has not been snuffed by the blast, or else they had been re-lit
by its occupants.
#s the charging guards finally realized they had been had, they
spun in confusion, some of them suddenly realizing they were in pain
and on fire, but #LL of them receiving a sudden blast of sticky aerosol
silk.
(efore they knew what had happened, they were already
trapped.
#s they struggled futilely, growling and angrily or fearfully
spitting out words 'icchieu was unfamiliar with, the pair dashed past
them into the ne&t room.
6epeating the maneuver, they had a second wave of guards
e"ually incapacitated.
'alonda began giggling as she found their dimwitted behavior
rather amusing.
1Its not funny 'alonda,4 the priestess scolded her, 1they are
not in their right minds right now.4
1I think its funny.4 'alonda replied as they rushed into the ne&t
room where the .unchaws were knocking around guards who had not
rushed the e&it, then pinning them to the walls with silk.
This room was "uite large, and within its confines, another
room, a domed structure lay within.
1!he%s in there.4 'alonda said with certainty.
,*,
The guards fought the highly armored .unchaws to no effect
and were soon pinned and fastened where they lay.
#s they all growled and s"uirmed and struggled, the party
closed in on the center room.
This room was not made with doors, and a loose pile of timbers
showed that they had already spring the timber stairway which led to
the top.
This, however, did not dissuade the group whatsoever.
The .unchaws, being a climbing species, simply dabbed a
special sticky fluid from their spinnerets on the soles of their armored
pads and the four of them were soon scaling the smooth, seamless
walls, making s"uishing and popping noises with each planted paw.
Bust to be safe, they maintained a belay line behind them every
three largon, should they for any reason lose their footing.
#lso, this would come in very useful should they need to
escape rapidly.
Ep 1", Chapter /
They latched their silk on the rim of the circular opening and
leapt over the edge from each side, one rider strapped to each
.unchaw.
#s they descended, they fired shots at the floor sending stone
chips, slag and plasma at the scrambling guards.
#s they descended, they could also see a third domed room,
which lay nestled within this room.
They repelled the guards long enough to get a good footing on
,*0
the ground and then the .unchaws held the guards back while they
prepared to assault the final room, which, thankfully it would seem,
had a door at floor level.
They blasted the door off its hinges and waited for guards to
come rushing out.
Instead, the door remained in place, smoldering and dripping
molten stone.
12hat do we do now34 'alonda asked.
1!hoot again34 'icchieu suggested, moments before the door
e&ploded out past them, knocking the two .unchaws to the ground and
pinning several nearby guards who s"uealed in pain.
19ear 5oddess74 'icchieu cried out as !eeliene leapt out of
the opening left by the door, and she rolled away from the path of the
raging 'istress.
!eeliene%s visage had changed considerably7
!he was now even larger than she had been before7
/er once luscious breasts had become small flabby flaps of
skin stretched out on a goliath of a beast.
!he now stood easily two largons high and seemed to have as
much reach as well7
/er entire body was bulging.
The claws on her hands had evolved into daggers and her fangs
into tusks.
/er eyes seethed with mindless animal hate.
,*8
1/oly mother of nuts...4 'alonda breathed as she gaped.
!eeliene bellowed like a @amthan as she scooped up a
.unchaw in each massive paw.
They struggled against her and tried to slash her with their
armored claws, but her fur had grown from soft fluff into hard, spiky,
overlapping scales which refused to give way even to the razor tipped
goddess armor.
'alonda wasted no time in shooting the raging beast in the
mouth, which was, other than its eyes, the only e&posed soft tissue
now.
The dart stuck but she immediately spat it back out, dropping
the .unchaws and lunging for her.
6olling aside, she barely avoided being crushed under the
monstrosity.
The maddened 'istress had no concept of fear, however, and
in its rage, its tail went high.
(efore it stopped skidding to turn on its antagonist, the mad she
beast caught four more darts in its anal region.
This caused it to reach back refle&ively as the darts stung a
most sensitive part of her body7
The roaring, however, only got louder.
The .unchaws took advantage of this diversion and they began
spraying her with silk as fast as they could.
!he swatted at them with one paw while groping at the stinging
,*;
sensation with the other paw and the huge claws she had grown now
impeded any effective relief.
!he began to spin as her maddened mind had now forgotten
everything but the burning sensation in her anal region.
!omewhere in her bellowing, she managed to cry out, 1'ake it
stop74
The .unchaws continued to spray silk as the guards who were
not busy trying to rescue those pinned beneath the stone doors simply
watched in horrified awe.
The female warrior succeeded in hitting the bellowing mouth
five more times and the first cylinder was empty.
!he had ten more darts with which to drop the raging
Leep%theui "ueen.
The 'istress was starting to succumb to the effect of the
sedative as its bellowing was sounding off and it was moving more
slowly and stumbling.
#s 'alonda worked the second cylinder nervously, she almost
dropped it, but thankfully, 'icchieu had closed in during the
distraction and was not close enough to perform a belly dive to catch
the cylinder before it hit the floor and scattered.
!he slid further, however, than she e&pected to.
#s she came to a stop, the still free paw of !eeliene scooped
her up.
1+OOOOOOOOOOOO7774 'alonda screamed in an unusually
high pitch as she watched the beast woman scoop up the little priestess
and in one move, shove her whole, into its mouth.
,*<
Episode 1(,
0n the -eart o& the Beast
'icchieu%s nerves were not calm at this moment as she
struggled to keep between both sides of the massive mouth she was
trapped inside.
2ith one hand paw she struggled against the massive tongue
which was trying to push her between the lethal molars while with the
other hand she was still holding the cylinder of darts.
!he finally realized that the only way out was to make her
captor spit her out.
!he put the cylinder to her lips and blew with all her might
down the throat of the beast woman.
The sting of the dart was far worse than that of the four in
!eeliene%s anal region and she threw back her head to bellow in pain.
The sudden tilting and inhaling of air, however did something
neither of them e&pected or would have wanted.
The little Leep%theui was forced to fling out both her hand paws
against the crotch of the massive aws on each side to keep from
falling headlong directly into the beast woman%s trachea7
In the process, she unwittingly dropped the cylinder.
It tumbled right down the open wind pipe and deep into the
recesses of the Leep%theui leader%s lungs
,*=
The pain was so fierce her eyes not only bulged but crossed and
tears came out as she doubled over with a hurling cough which sent
her child bouncing then skidding in a long wet trail of slimy saliva
across the floor.
!eeliene wailed, clutching her chest futilely as the nine little
darts began dissolving into the mucous lining her lungs causing an
inferno of pain.
!he fell over, thrashing and slamming her arms back and forth,
striking her chest in a vain attempt to dislodge the solid foreign obect
which bore the supremely painful sedative darts which were rapidly
dissolving.
#s she thrashed, however, her already rampant pulse rate and
blood pressure increased the diameter of her already dilated capillaries,
causing the sedative to enter her blood stream that much faster and
begin shutting down her central nervous system as well as attacking
her involuntary muscles directly.
)ven though it did nothing to ease its own pain, it soon began
paralyzing every muscle in the body.
!eemingly, she became lucid for ust a moment as she rose part
way up from the floor weakly and looked up at the human warrior who
nervously trained the two light weapons in her hands on the beast
woman ust in case, with pleading, tear filled eyes and said in a very
hoarse whisper, 1:ill...me...please.......4 and then she fell back slack,
the air leaving her lungs.
Ep 1(, Chapter
To the amazement of the party, once the "ueen went down, the
warriors all lay down their weapons and slowly shambled forward,
almost as if in a daze.
,*>
'icchieu%s first action was to try and wipe the slimy drool from
her hair.
1)2222 +#!T@74 she cried in disgust.
1This should help you.4 a soft, rather mature voice came from
inside the smaller room.
They turned to see a blood covered Leep%theui who had several
blood soaked puncture marks in her robe standing as if on sheer
power, e&tending a pristinely white cloth.
1Oh look at you74 'icchieu%s heart leapt with pity as she ran
over and without delay took the rag and began cleaning the blood from
the wounded woman.
12hy did you do that34 the other priestess suddenly began
weeping, 1It was the last clean one and I had saved it for you74 she
began "uivering, but not only from grief, but from blood loss. !he
slumped forward right into the girl%s arms.
1+oooooooo74 the little priestess cried out, 19on%t die on me74
The older Leep%theui had already lapsed into unconsciousness
that fast and her breathing was weak and shallow.
1Alease help me here74 she cried out as loud as her little voice
could cry.
They all rushed at her as one and in moments they were busily
arranging pillows and used linens and laying the weakened priestess
on her back.
'icchieu called the wild .unchaw over and asked them to load
her in the transport area, while the veteran .unchaw took leave of
,,?
binding the "ueen to allow her access to her herbs and medicines.
12ait74 she interrupted them, 1Aut this in every hole on her
body74
They gently lowered her back down stripped off the damaged
robe and began shaking some white powder on every hole on her body.
The white powder was a mi&ture of root e&tracts and herbal
tinctures which stopped bleeding instantly and formed soft, pliable
stopper of materials which the body would eventually absorb when it
needed to.
This material swelled up ust enough to close over the wounds,
too, which blocked out dirt and insects.
5ranted, anything inside would be trapped there, but it would
isolate that so that if needed, a surgeon could readily find it and
remove it without disturbing the wound.
Once this was accomplished, she asked for water or anything
one could drink.
The one solider who seemed to be in charge softly apologized
and said that everything like that had already been broken and spilled.
!he unpacked the last surviving water skin from their meager
resources and pulled out her feeding tube.
The soldiers grimaced and looked away as the priestess gently
slid the tube down the unconscious priestess%s nose.
!everal of them revealed a more s"ueamish side as there were
some who said things like 1)ww74 and 1(lecch74
1I hope nobody ever has to do that to me74 one nervously
,,$
shuddered.
Aaying their comments no heed, 'icchieu took a long draught
on the water bag then gently pumped it all through the tube into the
victim%s stomach, little by little.
#fter she felt she had administered enough water to keep the
patient stable, she pulled the tube back out, coiled it up and put it into
a small pouch, then capped the water skin and slipped it back on the
.unchaw.
1Okay now put her in the litter.4 she commanded.
They all worked as a team without hesitation.
1(y the way,4 'alonda walked up to the one who seemed to be
leading the group, 1umm...4 waving her gauntleted finger around
between them all, 12hile !eeliene here is on vacation,4 she stared
down at the patient in the litter as 'icchieu was busy tying her in,
1who is second in command34
1!he is.4 the leading Leep%theui said, pointing directly at
'icchieu.
Ep 1(, Chapter !
1/uhhhh374 the little priestess cried in disbelief and dismay,
1+O 2#@@@@@74 tears began to come from her eyes.
1That%s how it works apparently,4 'alonda shrugged, 1not sure
if its because you defeated her or because you are her daughter or ust
what, but they are all determined that you are heretofore the new
"ueen of the !outhern Limit.4
1(ut I don%t 2#++#74 she cried, 1I wanna go with @OD74
,,*
12ell,4 'alonda shrugged, 1I never said I was siding with
them on this issue mind you,4 she helped the .unchaws secure more
long silk lines to the immobilized body of the "ueen by looking at how
well they distributed the entire body weight.
12hy can%t they ust pick somebody )L!) to do this for
them34 she protested.
19on%t ask me,4 the warrior shrugged, 1its not '@ culture.4
1Its not 'I+) either74 the little Leep%theui protested, 1'@
culture is a cute little +)!T up in the 9anton 'ountains74
1Oh.4 'alonda stopped, 1I%m sorry,4 she thought about it, 1I
guess you didn%t know about all of this until you got here, huh34
1The same time @OD did...4 the furry girl shot back
defensively.
12ell,4 the human said, 1no need to get upset with '),4 giving
the okay to the .unchaws on their rigging ob then climbing up beside
the sulking priestess, 1I%m not the one who is trying to make you do
#+@ of this74 spreading her hands in a passive gesture.
1Oh...4 the priestess frowned, 1I know...4 she leaned up against
the human beside her, 1I%m sorry.4
19on%t sweat it dear,4 the warrior put an arm around her, 1we%re
all ust L)#6+I+5 as we go.4 then she called out to the .unchaws,
1Okay guys, lets see if we can git this big girl up and out of here and
back to Luluine74
1Luluine74 the voices murmured, 1@ou%re going TO the
goddess374 they asked in awe.
12hy sure74 'alonda replied, 12e were sent here to capture
,,,
!eeliene and take her back so...4 she leaned over to 'icchieu and
whispered, 12/#T were we doing this for again34
1# testicular tumor...4 she said, still sulking somewhat, and
sniffling, 1surgery.4
1Oh7 @eah74 then she turned to the guards, 1Testicular tumor
surgery74 she said with a raised gauntlet.
They all stared at her blankly.
1Oh...4 'alonda shook her head in frustration, 1I can%t tell you
what it is, I don%t even know my !)L-74
1@ou are doing the bidding of the goddess Luluine.4 the guard
bowed and smiled for the first time ever, 1This is good enough.4
1I tell you whatC4 'alonda licked her lips, 1I%ll
see...if...Luluine....can...ummmm...give me something in writing....you
all do read and write, yes34
1+o.4 'icchieu replied sadly.
1Oh.4 she though, 12ell,4 she pondered, 1maybe we can get
pictures or something.4
1@)!74 'icchieu%s eyes light up and her glum appearance
dissolved in e&citement, 12e can show you LOT! and LOT! of
pictures74 she beamed with e&citement.
1Luluine paints34 the lead guard asked.
12ell, no,4 the priestess replied, 1but she 9O)! have this
T/I+5 that '#:)! pictures74 she offered.
1The goddess must have many mysterious powers74 the guard
,,0
admired.
1Oh @)! she 9O)!74 'icchieu seemed almost in a beatific
state of reverence ust thinking of all of the strange and amazing things
she had seen since meeting Luluine in the fortress of '.I.!.T.
12e%ll 9)-I+IT)L@ send you pictures then, okay34 'alonda
offered.
1(y all means yes please do my "ueens74 the all agreed
heartily.
12ell maybe you can help us get there a little bit faster by
helping us lift poor !eeliene%s body out of this hole34
Ep 1(, Chapter "
The guards scaled the thick silky mesh behind the two
.unchaws then at the top they all began pulling with all their might.
There were at least fifty of them, and the two .unchaws, but
still, lifting the mass of the sleeping "ueen was a fearsome struggle.
Three times they almost dropped her back into the hole7
-inally they had her to the top, and the hardest part was to get
her and her cocoon safely over the edge.
They finally got her head up and then her chest, then her waist
and they got her bent over then pulled her legs to one side.
This seemed to be working ust fine until all of a sudden, she
was all the way over and began to roll down the outside7
1+OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO7774 'alonda cried out as the
.unchaws latched on to the fibers with as many free legs as they had
,,8
and the warriors skidded on the smoothly polished stone which defied
their naturally sticky pads with "uite a level or disdain.
They barely got her stopped from careening off the downhill
side when a natural earth tremor struck.
)ven though it did not dislodge them, the whole group of them
screamed and wailed as they struggled like a herd of 2ikkittetas trying
to outrun an avalanche while slipping all over on a frozen lake7
-inally the tremor passed and the .unchaws carefully dotted
the surface with new lanyards so there would be three tethers for
people to work from.
1!lowly...slowly...slowly...4 'alonda repeated over and over
again as they all nervously inched their way to the steeper edge where
the weight was going to get stronger again, but where there would be
no semblance of a flat surface to stand on.
1Okay some of you "uickly wrap yourselves around the silk so
you have a firm hold then re-take the leads74 'alonda directed.
/er years of combat and siege engineering suddenly was
proving most useful here.
1If only we had a block and tackle74 she remarked.
They all looked at her.
12e don%t have one, so lets worry about that later, okay34 she
dismissed their curious looks.
# few at a time, the whole batch of them wound themselves
into the strong silk so they could hold on to the lead lines.
This gave them a lot of strength to hold on while conserving
,,;
strength for belaying the massive "ueen down the increasingly steeper
side of the dome of the structure.
The .unchaws had to go with her, but thankfully they had the
advantage of the belay lines they held on to being something they
could make as they needed.
It seemed forever before they all made it to the bottom, and to
their surprise, there were soldiers waiting there to catch the "ueen and
lay her on an immense, and seemingly hastily built bed of timbers.
12here did you all come from34 the warrior asked.
12e were ust outside when you came, wife of the "ueen.4 a
scorched Leep%theui replied.
1@ou mean you are the ones we had to get past to get in here34
she asked as she observed that many were singed and even had
e&posed blistered skin.
1@es, wife of the "ueen.4 she replied again.
1Alease don%t call me that.4 she asked with a pained tone, 1This
is the "ueen here we are trying to save.4
1I don%t understand.4 the burned Leep%theui replied, 1Is not
'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The )ighth !acred Eessel of
Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of Ten Thousand%, and
%greatest known scout of all times% now the "ueen34
1+ooooooo.74 'icchieu%s voice was insistent, 12e%ll have
!eeliene back here in perfect health once Luluine heals her okay37
+ow stop with all this ascension foolishness and let us get her to the
goddess before she dies74
1The goddess34 many of them murmured in awe, not being
,,<
privy to the conversation inside.
1@es,4 she replied in some bit of frustration, 1+ow please help
us get her to the @amthan so we can get her safely to Luluine74
1@es dear "ueen74 the all cheered and eagerly made a long train
of soldiers eight abreast to pull the makeshift cart.
They had to move the broken doors out of the way to pull their
cart through and it took a few strategically placed shots to break down
the main doors of the antechamber before 'alonda thought aloud,
1/ey people, is there no other way out of here34
1There is a stair well,4 the first leader declared, but it is too
narrow.
1There is another way74 a lower level soldier protested, 1I have
seen it74
12here34 the leader asked.
1Through the twentieth door K through the black fog74
1@ou went I+TO the black fog34 the leader asked in amazed
horror.
1@es74 the lower ranking soldier insisted, 1There is a vast
cavern and if you remain to the side, there is a way that leads out far
down the valley from the city74
1/ow far are we talking about here34 'alonda asked worried.
1It is hard to tell wife of the -4 the soldier began.
19on%t !#@ that74 she s"ueezed her eyes shut as she shouted,
1AL)#!)74
,,=
1@es...ummm...34 she tried again, not knowing 'alonda%s
name.
1'alO+da okay34 she insisted, 1Bust %'alonda%. +othing else.4
1@es '-malonda74 the soldier replied nervously.
1+ow what were you saying about the distance34
12hat I was trying to say,4 the unior solider resumed, 1is that
in the darkness and no sense of time it is hard to know how long I was
in there is all.4
12ell how long did it feel like34 'alonda asked.
1# very short time w-m-'alonda.4 she replied nervously.
1(ut you say it was a very long distance34 the warrior asked.
1Eery far indeed74 the unior solider insisted, 1I could scarcely
see the city when I climbed a high hill74
1That%s odd.4 'alonda mused, 12ell was the ground flat
enough for this cart34 she asked.
1It was as flat as any other floor in this city.4 she replied
confidently.
12ere there any holes, corners or pitfalls we need to watch for3
1I never found any,4 the younger Leep%theui replied, 1but I
remained along one wall the entire way.4
1!o we do not know how wide this tunnel is34 the human
asked.
,,>
1+ot while inside it, no,4 came the reply, 1but the ends were
ust as wide as you see the doorway.4
1!hall we send scouts34 'alonda asked 'icchieu.
1One scout is enough.4 the priestess replied.
1Oh34 she asked in dubious curiosity.
1I am not %The greatest scout of all times% for +OT/I+5 you
know.4 giving her partner a wry look.
'alonda threw up her hands in resignation, 1Okay...okay...4
Ep 1(, Chapter (
'icchieu took the glowing blue gem and with it she aimed a
beam of light at the black fog, but to her dismay, it did not penetrate
the mysterious cloud of pure darkness.
#s she put her paw with the gem into the darkness they almost
instantly faded from view.
12hoa74 she retracted refle&ively from this, but after a few
deep breaths, she drew one of her three light weapons and took a bold
step inside.
Inside, the space was anything but black however7
Once past the veil of blackness, much like the same veil the
5reat 'others used at the Throne of Budgment, once inside, one could
see ust fine, only what they saw was indeed very strange7
There were countless thousands of sparkling bits of rainbows
spinning from somewhere unseen.
,0?
!he looked to the ceiling and the walls for signs of this strange
light as she walked along noting its overall dimensions seemed not to
change, but then she noticed it seemed to not e&actly %go% anywhere,
either before her, or behind her.
1!trange.4 she murmured then she stepped forward again and
as she did, suddenly she e&ited out into a bright sunny valley.
1That is bizarre,4 she pondered, turning and looking behind her,
sure enough, far far off in the distance she could make out faint details
of the city using her far sight.
Trying to memorize the mountains and sky around her, she
pulled out one of her specialized scouting tools, a small wooden tube
with a carefully mi&ed composition of minerals and plant e&tracts,
which she set onto the smooth surface of stone which protruded out a
few largons past the flat smooth s"uare cut out area in the side of the
gradually sloping hillside.
Dsing some focused light from the sun, she ust barely caused
the top of the wooden tube to smolder.
This smoldering, however, produced an amazingly brilliant
green light as it came in contact with direct sun light.
This peculiar color of green was so rare, it could be seen at any
distance and would even reflect off of the very finest of clouds to very
great distances beyond the horizon.
Once she performed this act, she stepped back through the inky
blackness, and in five steps was back in the large antechamber.
1I set an infinite beacon which can easily be seen from the
city.4 she announced, 1+ow if you all pull !eeliene through the
tunnel, 'alonda can go retrieve the @amthan to take her to Luluine.
,0$
1@ou have a @amthan34 they asked.
1@ou all very differently from when !eeliene was running
around here roaring at you.4 'alonda marveled.
1That is because Fueen !eeliene would )#T us if we said
#+@T/I+574 one Leep%theui replied nervously.
12ell lets hope that doesn%t remain the case in the future, shall
we34 the warrior asked as she climbed aboard the veteran .unchaw,
12e be there as soon as possible74 she waved as she blasted a larger
hole in the broken down main antechamber door so they could pass
through faster and then the two of them climbed "uickly out of sight.
Ep 1(, Chapter /
)ach Leep%theui cringed with anticipation of some kind of
horrible disaster as they trudged through the inky blackness, but all of
them were amazed at the colors in the hall as they entered.
2hat amazed 'icchieu was that despite every one of them
coming into the tunnel, none of them were leaving it and she had not
walked over two hundred steps.
!he looked behind them as she walked, finally turning and
gradually walking backwards to observe, seeing as the floor was
perfectly flat all the way through.
2hat caught her off guard was that the moment the end of the
large cart passed through the haze at the end, suddenly she found
herself almost at the very end of the long outside avenue, along with
all of the soldiers and their carted "ueen7
There were all kinds of shouts and e&clamations as they
suddenly found themselves totally outside of the tunnel, facing the
,0*
brilliant green beacon cloud.
The plume had already risen a few largons and there was an
overwhelming green light coming from it.
)ven though they were all, to some e&tent familiar with this
device, coming from the relative darkness of the deep tunnels into the
brilliant day light, complicated by the powerful glaring green light,
many of them s"ueezed their eyes closed and groaned.
'icchieu observed how they all shied away from the bright
light, which, as a scout, she had gotten used to, although she often
used her veil, which she put up now.
1This is definitely a night dwelling race74 she thought to
herself.
Ep 1(, Chapter 2
2hen the heavy thundering wings of the @amthan finally began
kicking up a wind storm, the maority of the Leep%theui soldiers had
already sought shade under the cart their sedated "ueen lay upon.
The scouting priestess scurried over to her smoke beacon and
with a special cap, snuffed it out and covered the hot end of it at the
same time.
#s she bound it in a fireproof fabric, she moved a safe distance
from the massive beast that was coming in for a landing.
The air beast seemed perfectly sized to rest in the valley
directly off of the end of the smooth stone walkway.
It lay its huge head and neck on the walkway and the .unchaw
had but barely to step off, rather than lower its self with a lanyard.
,0,
The .unchaw took 'alonda directly to the cart ust at the same
time 'icchieu was arriving there after walking from the same point.
19id I scare you34 'alonda teased the leader when she finally
slipped up out form under the cart.
1+o wi-4 she caught herself, 1+o, 'alonda.4 she corrected
herself, 12e Leep%theui are uncomfortable out in the bright sunlight, so
we all made ourselves more comfortable in the shade of the cart.4
12e really are more suited for the night.4 'icchieu defended
her, 1They have been there for a long time and their eyes are tired and
sore.4
1Oh.4 the warrior blushed, 1I%m sorry.4
1I need to give them eye salve now.4 she announced, 1This sun
is bad for their eyes, even when they are hiding from it like that.4
1I%m sorry, I had not thought about that.4 the warrior
apologized, 1+ormally I wear a veil when I am out in the day.4
1I noticed that.4 'icchieu commented, 1I think I have your veil
in some items if the bo&es remain.4
1@ou do34 she smiled oyfully, 1That would be
)M.)LL)+T74
#fter some brief searching, the little priestess finally did find
the veil, which had a small tear in it, but was mostly intact.
1(attle scars.4 the warrior said proudly as she held it up and
inspected it.
#fter a few proud moments being reunited with it, she pulled
back her helmet and carefully wedged it into the crevices so she could
,00
raise and lower it with ease.
1#aahhh74 she smiled deeply, 1There we go74 and she reached
out, scooping up the little priestess in a warm embrace, causing
'icchieu to purr with une&pected pleasure.
1Okay everybody,4 'alonda called out as she pinned her veil
over her white eyes, 1Lets get your eye salve, and then get this "ueen
loaded74
,08
Episode 1/,
We're ,&& to See the 9oddess1
They let the warriors ride with them seeing as these were
necessary to move the heavy "ueen and her heavy cart.
To their amazement, the @amthan not only had no problem
lifting them all, it seemed not to mind one bit.
It was a turbulent ride this time because a storm was passing
through.
They were all in awe as they watched the lightning in the
clouds from the top.
They flew through the night, the wind rushing over them
causing them to all huddle together to remain warm, not having
properly dressed for this kind of cold windy weather as 'icchieu had,
living up in the ice covered mountains.
The climb to the %Top of the 2orld% was seemingly "uite slow,
but once they caught the updraft of the mountain range and the
powerful storm, it lifted them high up until breathing was once again
difficult.
#lthough this frightened the warriors, they remained faithful
and trusting to their defacto "ueen who was risking her life right along
with them.
1I noticed something very strange on my way out earlier74
'alonda shouted into 'icchieu%s ear.
,0;
12hat was that34 the priestess shouted back.
1Those dead warriors were gone when I came back through the
big door74 the warrior remarked.
1I wonder what happened to them74 'alonda said.
12hat was the most bizarre,4 the human noted, 1there was not
a drop of blood, a shred of cloth or anything at all to even show they
had ever even ())+ there74
1Like they were avatars34 the little Leep%theui asked.
1I had not thought of that.4 'alonda said, 1That seems entirely
possible now74
The lead solider who was riding along behind them delicately
seated on the feet of the older priestess who was safely wrapped in the
litter had been listening in on their conversation and she said, 1@ou are
a priestess of Luluine and you do not know what happens to the
departed sisters34
1I prayed they would return to the mother goddess,4 'icchieu
admitted, 1but I assumed you would bury them like I have seen done
in the north.4
1+o,4 the lead warrior corrected, 1The spirit guides take them
back to Luluine74
1The spirit guides34 came from the pair as they regarded one
another astonished.
Ep 1/, Chapter
They made it to '.I.!.T. (efore sunrise, and with some careful
,0<
maneuvering, they used one of the @amthan%s massive wings as a ramp
to gently lower the "ueen and her cart to the immense highway.
The priestess found the right spot in the illusory stone and
dipped her finger into the little hole and as before, the large stone door
was driven away from the mountain on its slim shiny metal e&tensions.
#s it stopped, the team of warriors strained and pushed it into
the elevator.
1They should stop there now.4 came the voice of Luluine into
'icchieu%s mind.
1(ut they came all this way ust to see you and worship you74
she protested, 19o you not wish to see your own children34 she asked.
1There is a severe problem.4 Luluine%s voice returned,
somewhat strained.
1.an you not at least send your avatar out to greet them34 she
asked.
There was a long silence.
-inally, the voice agreed, 1I shall send the avatar, but they must
remain ten largons downwind of me.4
1I fail to understand but I shall comply.4 the priestess
responded.
1I can not e&plain why,4 she sadly announced to the eager and
hopeful warriors, 1but Luluine said you can not come directly into her
presence.4
They were all shocked and dismayed.
,0=
1!he did agree, however, to speak to you by way of her holy
avatar,4 she countered the bad news, so long as you stand at least ten
largons downwind of it.4
1That is...4 came a sad voice but it never finished saying what
it was thinking.
12e all agree and shall obey.4 their leader finally concluded
after studying all the hopeful eyes of the other forty nine warriors.
They all slowly backed away, hands clasped, heads bowed,
their hair out of their hoods and flowing in the wind, their big eyes
filled with hope.
#s they backed away the ade"uate amount, Luluine%s avatar
appeared, only this time it was not human sized, but a furshek in
height.
They all swooned in awe as the beautiful image was smitten by
the early morning sunlight making it seem to glow.
1'y dear little children,4 the avatar clasped its hands, a look of
both pity and adoration on its face, the voice seemed to both be in the
air and in their minds at the very same time, 1I apologize that I can not
commune with you in person,4 it shook its head regretfully, 1but
powerful forces make this impossible for me now.4
They were all both smitten by its half human, half Leep%theui
beauty, and awestricken by its sheer size, and enamored by its words.
1I wish I could come to you in this life and be with you one and
all,4 it continued, 1know that I watch over you, each and every one,
and am with you in spirit and hear each and every one of your
prayers.4
1Tutu,4 it said, one of the soldiers gasped, 1I know you have
,0>
tried hard to overcome your fear of heights, and I commend you for
your valiant effort to come see me.4
1Lisheeta,4 it said, and another warrior gasped as her name was
called, 1I thank you for the beautiful sculpture you made for me and I
am saddened that this recent crisis caused it to fall,4 it paused with a
warm and loving smile, a simulated tear coming from the giant
artificial eye, 1I am deeply touched.4
1Toopula,4 it continued, 1Thank you for being loyal to me and
not revealing that I was watching !eeliene%s slow demise, I hereby
elevate you to the title of %Eassal of -aith.%4
The Leep%theui was so overwhelmed with emotions, her eyes
fluttered and she fainted.
1.andice,4 the avatar addressed the leader, 1@ou are wise,
strong and courageous. I deem you now %Ealiant 5uardian of
6ighteousness%.4
1#zelsha.4 the avatar went on, 1@ou saw what the others did
not see and you led them to the truth. I dub thee, %(ringer of Light%.4
1#nd to the rest of you,4 the avatar smiled, 1I am proud of you
for dispatching your duties faithfully even when you did not fully
understand, and for wisely choosing to follow my %)ighth !acred
Eessel%, %!outh !tar of Tizman% and bearer of my name, without
hesitation, and helping me to save the life of your present "ueen
!eeliene.4
1I shall return your "ueen to you in her right mind eventually
when I have healed her of this madness which has overtaken and
corrupted her soul.4
1(e wise, be patient, and remain courageous for the sake of
your "ueen and to make me proud of you, one and all.4
,8?
1I bit you farewell,4 the avatar said, waving at them delicately,
1Dntil the day you return to me forever.4 and then the image faded into
nothing but a warm golden glow, which slowly faded as well.
They all sighed in reverent adoration.
Ep 1/, Chapter !
The .unchaws and the two girls pulled the cart out of the
elevator where the avatar materialized briefly to say, 1I shall move her
from here when I have rested up,4 feigning sweat to wipe off, 1In the
mean time, I suggest all of you eat, wash and rest as well.4
The four of them meandered off to the dining hall in search of
food.
1/ow do you suppose she is going to heal !eeliene34 'alonda
asked.
1'agic perhaps.4 'icchieu shrugged, 1I don%t know how a
goddess does #+@T/I+5.4
15ood point.4 the warrior shrugged.
They entered the dinging hall and ate fruits, then went to their
assigned room.
Once in the room they stripped off their armor and robe
respectively and bathed.
'icchieu gingerly dipped into the warm water, not because it
was cold but because it was in fact water. Leep%theui were never really
ones to bathe, but tended to always dry groom themselves.
Only some time in the past memories did she one time go with
,8$
some of the other more adventurous younger Leep%theui to a secluded
hot spring and bathe and there it was somewhat awkward for all of
them, especially since when one%s super fine fur got wet, one could see
everything.
1This feels good74 'alonda purred.
1This feels...4 'icchieu whimpered softly, 1embarrassing.4 she
was blushing deeply.
12hy so34 'alonda asked casually, looking over but not
remotely responding the way 'icchieu feared she would, 1Its ust
being naked in water, I do it all the time.4
1(u-but w-with th-the wu-one y-you lo-love34 the priestess
stuttered.
1Oh74 'alonda%s face lit up, but not in embarrassment. !he
laughed out loud for "uite a spell before she reached her big muscular
arm over and pulled the little priestess to her side and said, 1!D6)L@
it .#+%T be as embarrassing as waking up wrapped around my L)5
all dripping wet, can it34
The little Leep%theui s"uealed helplessly and cried, 1AL)#!)
don%t bring that up74
1Okay little one.4 the warrior leaned over and kissed her
forehead, 1I shall refrain from reminding you of your tendencies
towards romance in your sleep from now on I promise.4
)ven though the mentioning was still there, the promise to not
do so in the future was a great comfort to the little priestess.
They lay in the warm water for a long time ust soaking before
'alonda said, 1'icchieu.4
,8*
1@es 'alonda34
1!cratch my back please34
1@our back34 the priestess asked.
1@eah.4 the warrior replied, 1:inda like you ummm...scratched
my behind that other time.4
1That was very uncomfortable for me.4 the little beast girl
murmured.
12ell for '),4 'alonda reminded her, 1being strapped down
and taken off to who knows where without any permission or
e&planation was 'I5/T@ humiliating, I hope you know,4 she pointed
her large strong finger at the little priestess%s nose, 1so the way I see
it,4 she lifted her arm from 'icchieu%s shoulder and stood up dripping
water all over, making the little Leep%theui shrink back from the
splashing, 1you O2) me still.4 and then she stepped up out of the
bath pool and wandered back into the other room where the sound of
the noisy body drying device drowned out her bemused humming.
Ep 1/, Chapter "
'icchieu finally got the courage to step up out of the water and
go to the drying device, which, although "uite noisy, felt very good as
it warmed and dried her fur back to a brilliant glow and a very soft
fluff.
!he felt covered again7
#s she passed into the bedroom which lay on the other side of
the drying device, she saw the long, bronze, muscular body of the
woman laying face down on the bed, arms crossed beneath her head,
gazing at her with a very placid smile.
,8,
!he shuffled over on her heels, still waking much like humans
do, on the flats of their feet, instead of on her toes like normal
Leep%theui.
12hy do you walk like that34 'alonda asked casually.
1Like what34 the little priestess asked.
1-lat footed.4 'alonda replied, 1Like humans walk.4
1I%m ust more comfortable walking like this.4 she shrugged.
12hy34 'alonda asked, 1Isn%t it more tiresome to walk like
that34
1+o not at all74 'icchieu replied, 1In fact its easier74
1/ow do you figure34 the warrior asked as the priestess began
slowly and at first "uite gently dragging her slightly wear sharpened
claws across the warrior%s bare back. 1'mmmm7 That feels
5OOOOOOO974 the big woman purred in pure pleasure.
1/ave you ever walked around you @OD6 tippy-toes34 the
little Leep%theui asked.
12ell,4 the warrior replied among moans of pleasure, 1a few
times.4
12as it easy34 the priestess asked.
12ell, no,4 the warrior admitted, 1but-4
1Its +OT all that easy for D! either.4 'icchieu response cut off
'alonda%s.
1I would have never guessed.4 the warrior managed between
,80
more moans of pleasure.
1(esides,4 the little priestess pointed out, 1then I would look
rather awkward besides the other sisters.4
1@ou would34 'alonda asked casually, 12hy34
1(ecause I%m taller.4 the Leep%theui pointed out shyly.
12hy would that matter34 'alonda pursued the issue.
1It makes me uncomfortable.4 she replied.
1(eing taller makes you uncomfortable34 the warrior asked,
1In human society, height is considered attractive and desirable.4
1It is in our culture too.4 the little priestess replied, 1I never
wanted to be attractive or desirable.4 she declared.
1+ot even now34 the warrior%s lazy smile had a bit of a sly edge
to it.
1+ope.4 she insisted, 1+ot even now here with you.4
12ell you #6)...4 the warrior pointed out.
'icchieu%s emotions could not decide how to respond to this
and she stopped moving.
19id I offend you34 'alonda asked, rolling over somewhat,
propping her head one elbow, getting a worried look.
1Dh-well...no...4 the little beast girl blushed, 1Its
ust...overwhelming is all.4
1I%ll...try not to overwhelm you if I can avoid it in the future
,88
then.4 the human replied, 1)!A).I#LL@ while youNre
!.6#T./I+5 me74 and then she reached out and scooped the
priestess to her and pulled her up over onto the bed making animal
growling sounds.
The priestess s"uealed in surprise, but then she s"uealed even
more when she found out from the playful warrior what tickling was7
Ep 1/, Chapter (
They slept soundly when they finally grew tired of wrestling
around the bed, and sure enough, 'icchieu%s legs were wrapped
around 'alonda%s.
2hen she woke up in the night to the distant sound of artificial
devices, she found an embarrassing wet spot where her legs met
'alonda%s again.
1Oh...4 she grimaced as she groaned softly under her breath,
12hy does this always happen34
!he rolled over and reached for some very fine sheets of
unknown white material left in their room which Luluine%s avatar said
was perfect for wiping up spills, clearing one%s nostrils with, or
anything else which may need to be blotted up "uickly and used them
to carefully wipe off the warrior%s leg and then to wipe off her self
where the wetness seemed to be coming from.
!lipping out of the bed, she slipped into her robe and crept
along the hallway toward the distant sound.
/er finely attuned ears led her a very long way into the vast
underground base before she finally came upon a room which was
filled with multiple moving devices.
The huge cart was in the room, as was a very long gleaming
,8;
white table.
On top of this table was !eeliene, unwrapped from her silk but
linked by what looked like roots or tubes like the one she used for
feeding people, strange screens with moving lights on them and
making strange sounds much light night dwelling amphibians.
There were noises around the room as she walked in and on
another table lay the priestess who was in the room where they met
!eeliene.
The priestess was currently draped with some form of cloth
which was making it impossible to view what was going on directly.
'ultiple slender metallic devices were seemingly reaching
inside her, so 'icchieu used magic to bend the light, and sure enough,
they were, in fact, reaching inside the sedated Leep%theui woman7
!he gasped in shock and awe but she knew instinctively not to
interfere and that these devices were doing something that would help
heal the badly inured priestess.
#s she peered through the flesh of the sleeping patient, she saw
these amazing devices actually sewing her flesh with very tiny
appendages7
They were steadily reaching for small tatters of flesh and gently
drawing them together little by little, gradually closing the holes back
up, layer by layer, making a whirring noise much like a pollinating
insect when it was hunting for nectar on the lush mountain flowers
back home.
#s she observed carefully, she realized that something was also
watching her7
In the room was some type of tube-like structure on what
,8<
seemed to be a large shiny metal arm.
This tube like structure had a clear end much like the clear part
of an eye.
It seemed to be silently following her as she moved around the
room, even in invisible mode.
#s she walked around, she watched it watching her and she
became very uncomfortable.
1!top watching me.4 she suddenly murmured, feeling her
hackles rise.
1I%m sorry little one,4 Luluine%s voice suddenly came from
some place, 1I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.4
1Luluine74 the little priestess gasped, 1I did not know it was
you74
1'y apologies,4 the voice of the goddess replied, 1I was ust
enoying watching you watching the surgical robots, it didn%t even
occur to me that it would cause you any discomfort.4
1+ow that I know it is you,4 the little Leep%theui declared, 1I
feel ust fine74
The device then returned to peering into the inside of the
priestess%s open body cavity.
12hat are these things called again34 the curious 'icchieu
asked.
1They are called %surgical robots%.4 the voice patiently replied
without resuming contact with the priestess%s eyes, 1They are
specifically designed to put humans and Leep%theui back together
,8=
again when they get broken.
1.an you put every Leep%theui back together again34 she asked
hopefully.
1I%m sorry, but no.4 the voice came over sadly, 12hen a
creature dies, they can not be put back together any more.4
12hat happens to them then34 she asked.
1They return to me then.4 the voice softly answered in a hushed
tone, then in a brighter tone, 1(ut lets not think about that shall we3
2e%re going to save these two and put them back together good as
new74
1 !eeliene still be angry at me34 the little Leep%theui asked
worriedly.
1If she is, I speak to her and make her understand that you
were doing ust e&actly what I needed to happen and that you did a
very good thing.4 Luluine%s remotely delivered voice replied proudly
and in a reassuring tone.
1 she ()LI)E) you34 the little priestess asked dubiously.
1If she doesn%t,4 the voice said calmly, 1then I%ll have to spank
her74
This made 'icchieu giggle.
12ell,4 the voice declared, 1you have to e&cuse me here,4
there was a pause, 1I need to focus on some very delicate parts here.4
another long pause, 1@ou are welcome to watch if you don%t mind my
not speaking.4
1@ou weren%t speaking to begin with, so its okay.4 the little
,8>
Leep%theui replied calmly.
The voice did not reply any more and she walked around
observing everything closely as the %surgical robots% worked tirelessly
to little by little reassemble the priestess%s insides.
#s time passed, eventually they finalized the gaping hole and
the priestess%s body was completely reassembled.
Then, the whole collection of devices moved over to the large
table, and delved into the giant "ueen, 'icchieu%s %father%.
This operation took scarcely any time at all, but it also included
dazzling red streaks of light and there was the stench of charred flesh
and the strange smell of something they sprayed in the wound before
they began a short ob of reassembly.
1There7 #ll done74 came a proud and relieved voice from
Luluine, 19id you learn anything tonight34
1I learned the words %surgical robot%.4 the little priestess pointed
out.
There was an outburst of gay melodic laughter, 1Oh you are a
dear one my child7 I am so glad I chose you as my ne&t holy vessel74
12here did you go tonight34 the warrior murmured softly as
'icchieu climbed back into bed.
1I watched Luluine use %surgical robots% to put the priestess and
!eeliene back together.4 the now sleepy Leep%theui replied as she
yawned, 12hy, did you come looking for me34
1@eah.4 'alonda replied, 1I find it hard to sleep when you%re
not here now.4
,;?
Ep 1/, Chapter /
2hen they awoke, they heard loud groans and unhappy
murmurings.
They and the .unchaws slowly roused, 'icchieu needing to
once again wipe the wetness before leaving the bed.
1@ou%re making a habit of that.4 'alonda said matter-of-factly
yet with a sly grin that made the priestess blush.
1Ohhhh @OD74 the little beast girl took a pillow and shoved it
at the warrior who broke out into giggling.
They tumbled and tousled around the bed for a while until a
glum, hoarse voice spoke to them through the door asking, 1!o you
two really did it, huh34
They both froze, save for their heads spinning to see who was
speaking to them.
The .unchaws growled and grumbled.
# really large head leaned into the opening.
1'ay I come in please34 the rough hoarse voice asked humbly.
Ep 1/, Chapter 2
The huge "ueen had to literally crawl in on her hands and
knees.
'icchieu%s response was to shyly crawl under the thick "uilt
and pull it up to her arm pits.
'alonda seemed totally unperturbed being naked in front of
,;$
the giant beast woman.
!he was far too tall to stand in their room let alone enter
through the doorway.
The scales were already falling off of her body and bare
patches with deep skin indentations lined by a network of very fine fur
around them were showing.
1@ou seem to be recovering well enough.4 'alonda tried to
sound cheerful.
1I look like shit.4 the "ueen groaned.
The lost look on 'icchieu%s face made the "ueen softly
chuckle, then cough.
12ant something for that cough34 'alonda asked.
1I have something for it already, thank you.4 the giant
Leep%theui gurgled through some phlegm before crawling to the privy,
coughing some more and then spitting into the bowl and flushing.
1I%m sorry about dropping that thing down in your lungs
!eeliene.4 'icchieu softly apologized.
1Its okay.4 !eeliene held up a placating hand, 1@ou did what
you had to do to save me.4
19id Luluine spank you34 the little priestess asked.
The "ueen broke out into a fit of laughter and fell over on her
side laughing and coughing, finally getting out, 1@ou%re going to kill
me yet74
The little Leep%theui cringed in fear of what might be
,;*
happening to the "ueen%s lungs, but nonetheless, she remained hidden
behind the "uilt as if it were ade"uate protection, secretly gripping the
handle of the fifth light weapon, ust in case this was all somehow a
ruse.
Ep 1/, Chapter 3
Luluine%s avatar met them all in the dining hall as they all ate
fruit.
!eeliene scooped handfuls into her mouth making a dribbling
uicy mess as her tusks made it impossible to properly close her mouth
now.
2hen she swallowed, she said, 1@uck. Luluine, could you
please do something about these horrible, unsightly tusks34
1I could,4 the avatar replied, 1(ut then you would have large
holes in between and they would feel strange and making eating very
hard for a while.4
1@ou sound e&perienced in the matter.4 'alonda remarked.
1I too once had unsightly tusks,4 the avatar said, 1the only
thing I could do was e&tract them.4 the avatar opened its mouth and
there were gaps where any canines would have been.
1#hhh...I see.4 'alonda looked in with interest, 1That could be
annoying.4
1+ot as annoying as dribbling all over your self74 the "ueen
protested as she sat cross legged on the floor, her entire being e&posed
for all the room to see.
'icchieu kept her eyes averted, trying not to say anything as
she kept the soft white robe tightly drawn over her body
,;,
conscientiously.
1@ou are so uncomfortable with your own body, little one.4
Luluine said to the shy priestess.
1!he%s uncomfortable with her !A).I)!.4 !eeliene replied
softly in a sad note.
1That is indeed sad.4 the avatar said, slowly nodding her head,
1I don%t think there is a cure for this.4
1#hh...4 'alonda waved, 15ive her time...and space...4 she
shrugged, 1!he%ll get used to it eventually.4
1I not.4 the little Leep%theui murmured, then buried her head in
her arms on the table and softly wept, 1I don%t 2#+T to change.4
came her muffled resentful cry, 1)E)674
12ell,4 the avatar scratched its head, 1we could castrate you.4
12hat-ate me34 her head popped up with a very alarmed look.
1@ou know,4 'alonda said, 1cut off your nuts34
1)eeeeeeeeeeeeek74 her big eyes got very wide and she cringed
and s"uealed 1+O 9O+%T .DT ') AL)#!)7774 in a higher voice
than even a pup would s"ueal.
The other two Leep%theui burst into loud laughter and 'icchieu
got up, and "uietly walked out of the room staring directly at the floor
before her feet with a very upset look and tears wetting the soft fur of
her cheeks.
1'icch-4 the avatar began to get up to follow her but 'alonda
put out her hand and said, 1+o. Let her go. I told you she needs her
space and time to deal with all of this.4
,;0
1I am beginning to fear,4 the avatar said, 1she may not have
been the best pick for a /oly Eessel after all.4
1Aerhaps you should have asked her first34 'alonda asked.
1Its not something one asks.4 the avatar informed, 1I base the
assignment purely on the genetic combinations.4
1/uh...4 'alonda remarked flatly, 1Lucky her.4
Ep 1/, Chapter 7
'icchieu lay on the bed and wept bitterly, repeating over and
over, 1I don%t 2#+T this7 I +)E)6 wanted this7 I don%t 2#+T to
grow up74
#fter a while, the .unchaws shuffled and slipped up to the
edge of the bed and nuzzled her.
1Thanks you two.4 she raised her tear dampened face from her
wet sleeve and stroked their big furry faces.
They grumbled their condolences and then lay there "uietly as
she lay there staring off into emptiness.
1!ome times I wish I were never even born.4 she murmured.
(oth of the .unchaws growled something of a reprimand.
1I know guys,4 she gasped softly in e&asperation, 1but this is
ust so D+-#I674
They grumbled other patterns and she ust stroked their fur a
while and said, 1(ut what%s so important about '), #+@way3 2hy
do I have to be this %/oly Eessel% to begin with34
,;8
They apologetically related that they had no answers for her.
1@ou can come in now 'alonda.4 she murmured.
1@ou have really good hearing.4 the warrior declared.
1That...4 she smirked while brightening up a bit, 1#nd I can see
through walls.4
1Oh...4 the big woman thought, 1@eah. That too.4 then she
climbed carefully up on the bed and slid up ne&t to the sniffling
Leep%theui who was using the thin fabric out of the bo& now to clear
her nostrils of the gunk that was dripping out, 1#re you going to be
okay34
19oe...4 she blew her nose, 1(ut that%s not your fault.4
1I wish I could help.4 'alonda said.
1Take me away from here then.4 the little priestess said, 1Lets
go some place without those awful screens and begin anew life
without anybody else.4
1That sounds wonderful.4 'alonda said, 1'aybe we ust have
to do that.4
19o you want to have children34 the little beast girl asked.
1Is it even possible34 the human asked.
1I don%t know,4 'icchieu shrugged, 1but apparently I%m
changing in such a manner...4 she trailed off, blushing deeply and
looking away.
This time, 'alonda gently, but firmly pulled her face back to
,;;
her and said ever so softly, 1/ey...Its okay.4
'icchieu laid her head over on 'alonda%s chest and they
remained like that until they both fell back to sleep.
,;<
Episode 12,
So;;;What's Your Ne<t :o5e=
'icchieu%s morning began like several of the more recent ones,
only this morning, she felt a little bit of a buzzing sensation down
inside.
!he reached down and tried to run that sensation away and felt
a bit of a bump.
The bump seemed to be e&actly what was buzzing too.
!he pressed on it trying to figure out what it was and why it
was there.
The more she pressed, however, the stronger the sensation
became, and also she felt like she had to relieve herself very urgently.
2ithout waiting to wipe herself dry, she slipped out of the bed
and went to the privy to relieve the urge.
!he sat down and tried to go but nothing seemed to come out.
!he pushed and still nothing came out but the bump seemed to
tighten up.
!he pushed against the bump with two fingers and that only
made it buzz more intensely.
!he pushed and it buzzed and refle&ively she pushed harder.
,;=
!he whined in frustration.
1'icchieu, what are you 9OI+5 in there34 after a soft gasp of
e&asperation, 1Oh...you did it again didn%t you34 then there was the
sound of 'alonda pulling out the thin fabric s"uares to wipe her leg.
1Ohhhhhhhhuh74 the little Leep%theui moaned in frustration.
12hat are you 9OI+534 'alonda asked again.
The more she pushed, the stronger the sensation grew7
1Ohhh no...uhhh....I donnooo...uhhh...I think I%m sick....4she
groaned.
1!ick34 'alonda asked, 1!ould I call -4
1O/ +O +O +O +O +O 9O+%T 9O T/#T777 she cried in
alarm.
12ell the-4 she began.
1Ohhhhhhhh7 Ohhhhhhhhhh777 #########////////
/##### /##### /###########...4 she groaned through
the privy door.
19id you ust do what I T/I+: you did34 'alonda asked,
leaning up against the privy door, shaking her head, her forehead
resting on one thumb.
1I donnnnnnnn%t knoooooooowww...4 the little beast girl
sobbed.
Ep 12, Chapter
,;>
1#re you going to be in there all day34 'alonda asked, needing
to use the privy herself.
#s she stepped out of the privy a long time later, she simply
murmured, 1I need a bath.4 as she rushed past the human without
looking up, deliberately not making eye contact.
1Okay, suit yourself,4 'alonda played along, rolling her eyes
toward the ceiling as she slipped past and into the privy herself,
1/)@74 she cried, 1@ou should 2IA) when you do that74
There was no reply because the little Leep%theui was already in
the bathroom.
Instead she heard a loud splash.
1Oh, whatever.4 the warrior sighed, and began wiping herself,
the floor and the seat, 15ahh74
#s she herself felt the need to use the bath tub after sitting then
stepping in some kind of goo the little Leep%theui had left behind, she
found the personage in "uestion floating face down in the tub.
1O/ 5O9! +O74 she dove in thinking the worst, wading in
the waist deep water to the body of the wet beast girl who seemed to
be fully adrift.
#s she came up, however, 'icchieu%s behind emitted a
s"uawking trail of small bubbles.
'oments later the body convulsed and bubbles rose from the
head, then she rolled over on her back and burst out giggling.
15O9! you scared the !/IT out me girl74 'alonda scolded
her.
,<?
'icchieu%s response was to look at her sidelong and while
trying hard to suppress any signs of mirth, her thick lips finally
overpowered her and broke back into mischievous grin and she said,
1!erves you 6I5/T74 and she stuck out her tongue.
1Ohhhhhhhhh @OD74 the warrior growled as she came over to
shove the floating Leep%theui, but the far more nimble priestess spun
on her a&is and flipped 'alonda over her body, sending her plunging
into the water head first.
There was an audible thump as the warrior%s head struck the
solid floor of the tub and a huge burst of air, then she went slack and
was soon floating with her naked rump and legs at the surface and
head and hands dragging the bottom.
+ow it was the beast girl%s turn to panic, as there was a faint
trail of blood in the water near the warrior%s head7
!he s"uealed and dove under the water to lift the woman free
of the water, but as she got beneath the woman, two very muscular
arms latched onto her tightly.
!he spun in a refle& action to break the grip and as she did, she
saw the mischievous grin on the big woman%s face.
!he had first tricked the warrior then the warrior had tricked
her7
They floated to the top because of the e&treme buoyancy of the
Leep%theui anatomy and because their legs were heaviest, they
automatically righted.
1@ou tricked me74 they both cried out at once, then both burst
into giggles.
#fter a long time, they both apologized.
,<$
'alonda sighed softly, 12hat am I going to do with you34
shaking her head.
1Love me34 the adorable Leep%theui suggested softly with those
big golden eyes in a very hopeful pose.
1I already do that...4 the warrior sighed.
1'arry me34 the little beast girl suggested.
1In a heartbeat74 and she pulled her closer and they both kissed
deeply, until there was an 1#h-hem74 at the bathroom door which
made them spin around.
1@ou two are late.4 the avatar declared, 1#re you coming to
class today or making babies34
They nervously pulled apart and turned a bit away from the
avatar in a weak show of modesty.
12e%ll be there shortly.4 'alonda said, 1I 9O wish you would
knock or something.4
1I 9I9 knock74 the avatar defended its self, 1Its not '@ fault
you two were in here making all this 6D.:D! and could not /)#6
me.4
12ell, if you e&cuse us while we get dressed then please34
12hat a way to treat your goddess74 the avatar rolled its eyes,
but they did not move, 1#lright,4 it sighed, 1but don%t keep me
2#ITI+5 all day long.4 and it turned and walked away.
They climbed up out of the tub to dry off, and 'alonda peered
around the corner to see if the avatar was still standing there, perhaps
,<*
with its arms folded like an impatient parent.
1The coast is clear.4 she announced.
They both stepped in the dryer and giggled at the whole affair.
Ep 12, Chapter !
They appeared in the dining hall in the white robes, the
.unchaws in tow, where they met up with the "ueen and the avatar.
There was more fresh fruit, clearly delivered this morning as it
still had dew on it.
The "ueen today had the decency to be wearing a robe as well,
although, one might have presumed that since nobody had recently
been wearing a robe that would fit a two largon tall Leep%theui.
!till, being to large, she had to sit on the floor as she could not
sit in any chairs.
The "ueen also had an additional piece of cloth tied around her
neck which draped over her lap, which collected the uices which
dribbled out of her mouth where the tusks protruded.
1!o you decided to keep the tusks34 'alonda asked.
1/i dad.4 'icchieu waved feebly as she walked in, giving the
"ueen ust a half glance before reaching into the pile and scooping up
several yellow prickly ovoids which she seemed "uite fond of.
1/i baby.4 the "ueen replied after swallowing, 1#nd to answer
your "uestion, young lady,4 her tone being already much smoother and
more feminine again, 1I%m kind of growing fond of them.4
1#nd the drooling is in style as well34 the warrior asked.
,<,
1I will perform a special surgery that contours her lips to them
so they still seal when she closes her mouth.4 the avatar answered.
1.ool.4 the human replied, scooping up one very large round
fruit with alternating dark and light green stripes, 1@ou have a knife of
some kind I could use here34
1!o are you two really getting married then34 the "ueen asked
as she passed over a large combat dagger.
1!ure, why not34 the warrior glanced up, casually regarding the
"ueen for but a moment before accepting the dagger and beginning the
dissection of the large green fruit.
12ell,4 the big Leep%theui shrugged one shoulder, 1Its
ust...odd...I suppose.4
1@ou didn%t seem to have any problem with it the other day,4
the warrior looked back up while poking an almost cubic piece of red
uicy fruit in her mouth, then after chewing and swallowing, 1why you
ask now34
12ell I was a bit out of my mind back then,4 the "ueen
blushed, 1I...kinda thought...you knew that.4
12ell,4 she was already chewing another piece, and stopped,
1no,4 staring the "ueen right in the eyes, 1I don%t normally take persons
of royal blood as liars you know.4
The "ueen chuckled deeply, 1@ou should child, you really
should.4
The displeased look the avatar suddenly developed made the
"uietly listening 'icchieu%s eyes grow wide while swallowing hard.
,<0
Ep 12, Chapter "
1This scene is from the nation of the :op%tohians.4 the avatar
declared, 1They hoard a certain rare metal in this region known as
9ensurium and are always seeking more of it because this is the same
type of metal the armor I made for you is made from.4
1'ost interesting74 'alonda replied, 1!o we have been
wasting all of our time...when I say %we% I mean umm...the -4
1The Le%+an, I know.4 the avatar finished for her, 1There is so
little about this planet you, or they, or #+@ of the races knows, its
utterly pathetic to be honest.4
1!o...4 the warrior began.
12hy am I telling you all of this34 she asked.
1@eah.4 the human said, 1In a nutshell.4
1I like your choice of words.4 the avatar smiled slyly, 1(ut
anyhow,4 she said, 1The truth be known,4 she pressed a few icons, and
an image of something completely incomprehensible appeared.
There were spires and gleaming things, there were items that
seemed to be flying and all of them were shiny. 'any of them emitted
lights, and the whole image made the five guests of Luluine gasp in
utter astonishment, 1(ecause I want more than I have now.4
Ep 12, Chapter (
#t the end of the day, they all sat and ate another meal of fruits
and some nuts this time.
'icchieu%s face lit up as she readily scooped up several large
woody looking nuts which apparently had a very tough shell.
,<8
1O/////////777 '@ -#EO6IT)7774 she cooed.
1+o wonder she%s been inactive.4 !eeliene remarked as she
crawled into the room on her forepaws and heels, before sitting up and
picking more discriminately though the pile.
12hat does that mean34 'alonda asked.
1Those nuts contain a chemical that arrests se&ual
development, especially in rodent types such as our selves.4 the avatar
stated.
16odent34 the warrior asked with a "uirky half faced look of
surprise.
1!urely you should have figured that out by +O2...4 the avatar
declared in a leading look.
1@ou mean like...4 she frowned, looking around the room%s
floor, then returning her stare at the placid face of the avatar of the
goddess, 1Binkitoos34she frowned in shocked disbelief
1)&actly.4 the avatar nodded, its eyes slowly closing and
opening in confirmation.
1+O 2#@74 she leaned sideways regarding the Leep%theui
beside her with mouth frozen in position regarding her back in a
uncertain sidelong e&pression.
!uddenly she burst out laughing and then grabbed the little
priestess and planted a firm kiss on her nose and cried, 1I LOE) IT74
'icchieu was not sure what to think, as she slowly lowered the
large nut and gradually resumed chewing, but at a much slower rate,
while still regarding the human warrior with uncertainty.
,<;
1@ou see,4 'alonda turned and basically addressed the room,
12hen I was little,4 she pointed her finger toward the ceiling, 1I used
to have this little pet Binkitoo I kept hidden in my room and I kept the
door locked to keep out the house-ferrs who would have eaten it in an
instant.4
1I used to cuddle with it when nobody was looking, and sneak
food in to it and it slept with me in the bed at night and it never even
tried to bit me or run away or anything74 she had a very dreamy look
on her face, but it turned to a grimace, 1(ut then one day my brothers
picked the lock on my room and found it in its little bo& I had it hidden
in and they took it before my parents and told them it was in my
room.4 a sickly look came across her face, and then tears, 1#nd they
made me watch as the house-ferrs tore it to pieces74
1That night,4 she sniffed, 1I didn%t-4 she gulped at a huge lump
in her throat, 1didn%t say a thing,4 she shook her head almost like the
tremor of a mad person, 1I ust waited until everybody was asleep,4
she breathed deeply but like one who was running from an enemy and
trying to breathe "uietly, 1and I took some blue-shemba silk, stuck
both of the tails of the house-ferrs together while they slept then lifted
them up on a broom handle and dropped them over a clothes line.4
The trio of Leep%theui like creatures all cringed and made
sounds of painful sympathetic agony.
12ow.4 !eeliene%s voice was terse, 15irl7 2hen you get
revenge...74 she shook her large head, 1Lucky me you were on my
side74
19id you have to get revenge on dumb animals34 the avatar
asked.
1The house-ferrs were my brother%s pets.4 'alonda said,
leaning her head over to one side against her two clasped hands
,<<
looking across the room sniffling, 1I%ve never told anybody what
happened to them to this day.4
!eeliene and the avatar regarded one another with deep
e&pressions of surprise and sympathy, knowing that this woman was
not ust any common human, but surely lived up to the title, %The One%7
'icchieu slowly leaned over and lay her head on the back of
the big woman and put her arms around the warrior%s waist and softly
wept with her.
Ep 12, Chapter /
They finally made it to their room and the .unchaws settled
down by the doorway on their large pads and conversed between
themselves about what they saw on the screens, indicating that
everything they saw was "uite worrisome.
1@ou know,4 'icchieu said as they disrobed and slipped into
bed, 1they%re right.4
1#bout this whole thing being way over our heads and all
that34 'alonda asked.
1@eah.4 the priestess replied as she snuggled up to the warrior.
12ell its best that we learn everything we can from it all,4 she
sighed, 1even if we have to then decide who much of it is truth and
how much of it is misrepresented.4
1That may not be very easy.4 the little Leep%theui murmured,
tracing the lines on the human%s palm with one of her claws.
1!ince when was life ever easy34 the warrior shrugged, 1Last
time I checked it was war.4
,<=
1Outside of watching it,4 the little priestess replied, 1war is a
new deal for me.4
1I%m not in favor of any more wars,4 'alonda sighed, gazing
up at the ceiling, 1but if it is purely with the mind and the ,4 she turned
and regarded the little Leep%theui who gazed up at her, 1I think I can
manage for a while yet.4
12e%ll figure this whole thing out,4 she leaned over and laid her
head on 'alonda%s shoulder, 1and then we%ll be able to make a realistic
decision what to do ne&t.4
1@eah.4 'alonda leaned her head over on top of 'icchieu%s
head, reveling in the soft, thick bushy hair, 1Then we can figure out
our ne&t move.4
The priestess reached over and shut off the light as they settled
down to sleep for the night.
Ep 12, Chapter 2
'icchieu had a dream, like no other dream she had ever had in
her entire life.
In this dream, she stood on a mountain so high it was above
what seemed like clouds, but like clouds in every direction for eternity.
#bove her was not only the suns, but all five moons, and the
stars.
In this dream, she was on a smooth flat, circular surface
surrounded by small bright rectangles.
-rom some place, there was deep, haunting music, humming
and resonating deep within her soul.
,<>
!he was wearing a robe, but this robe was unlike anything she
had ever seen or imagined in all of her life.
It was metallic, but it was a gleaming yellow metal, studded
with countless shining pieces in various colors, mostly blue, a few red
and a few green, set in this yellow metal all around the surface of this
metallic robe in a symmetrical pattern with an emblem in it.
#nd most amazing of all, she was !I+5I+57
!he had a few rare times heard singing, at coronations and
funerals.
(ut this time, she was here, on top of the whole world and even
higher than the entire wold and she was singing to heaven its self.
1(aruche aaaaataaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Luuuuuuuluuuuuuuieeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaeeeee
(aruche ahtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa )liahnyushinuuuuuuu
'alkahhhhhhhhh 5ebirahhhhhhhh4
/er voice seemed so clear, like a perfect tone. /er arms were
outstretched to each side as if she were embracing the entire universe.
#nd as her dream self took a new breath, her own voice echoed
from some far distant place.
#fter she finished drawing in the thin, cold dry air, she released
it once again the very same way as before.
1(aruche aaaaataaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Luuuuuuuluuuuuuuieeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaeeeee
(aruche ahtaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa )liahnyushinuuuuuuu
'alkahhhhhhhhh 5ebirahhhhhhhh4
There were stringed instruments in the background some place,
,=?
accompanying the mysterious resonating tones.
# flash crossed the sky, then another, then the image of Luluine
filled the sky.
!he reached her arms forward to it.
!uddenly there was an violent shaking and she awoke.
12hat37 2hat374 her eyes popped open in surprise.
1(aby you were singing in your sleep74 'alonda said with
urgency.
#s she depressed the light button, she noticed both !eeliene%s
and the avatar%s faces peering in with looks of utter astonishment.
12here did you learn that song74 !eeliene gasped, her voice
had returned to its former silky tone.
1I know I never taught it to her74 the avatar remarked in
amazement.
12hat34 she regarded them both warily, 19id I do something
wrong34
Ep 12, Chapter 3
The avatar paced the floor "uite nervously.
The "ueen sat on the floor with a look of absent thought.
'icchieu%s e&pression was one of worry as she held the stoic
faced warrior tightly.
12hat does this all mean34 'alonda asked.
,=$
1I honestly do not know.4 the avatar replied, 1#nd of all beings
alive in the universe, I !/ODL974
1!o...what do we do ne&t34 the warrior asked.
1Iyyyyyyyy have to think about this a while.4 the avatar
replied, 1This was simply never in the plans...never in the e"uation...it
has totally thrown everything into chaos.4
1.ouldn%t it be a mere fluke34 the human asked.
1!omething like T/I!34 the "ueen asked rhetorically, 12ho
composed this song3 2hy was 'icchieu on a space platform3 2here
is this space platform3 2hy can%t we find it in a global search34
1-/hhh-4 the warrior gasped shrugging and shaking her head
with an almost smiling look of loss, 1This is all @OD6 world, I%m
completely lost74
12ell if its %OD6% world,4 the avatar said, 1how is this little one
seeing parts of it we can%t34
1(eats me74 the warrior tilted her head, eyes half wide with
denial, 1I don%t even know what a %space port% I!74
12e have...we simply 'D!T...find...that space port74 the
avatar ground out in determination, 1That could mean
)E)6@T/I+5.4
1!o...4 the warrior asked in a leading tone, 1Then what%s your
ne&t move34
,=*
Episode 13,
-o+ Can 0 Speak Against :y Se.&=
'icchieu%s mind was a mess. It was racing around trying to
understand this more-real-than-real-life dream where she saw, smelled
and felt every minute detail, down to the air pressure and humidity of
the air7
2hat was gong on3
2hy was she singing a song that nobody ever heard before, not
even the goddess Luluine3
!he bumped into three %robots% as she waddled to the dining hall
despite 'alonda calling out to her #+9 holding her hand7
!he could see more of what was in her mind than what was in
front of her eyes7
On top of this, Luluine herself had no clue what it all meant
and was almost as e"ually distracted7
The avatar had vanished and apparently went about all sorts of
business in other distant parts of the vast and mysterious place called
'.I.!.T.
The "ueen was merely silent.
!he was withdrawn even.
!eeliene%s usual oviality this morning was replaced with deep
,=,
contemplation.
!he greeted them politely, but she ate perfunctorily, mindless of
how much she dribbled from the gaps made by her tusks. )ven bits of
fruit and nut would ooze out before she would catch it and lick her
chops, only to suddenly lapse back into a distant stare.
!omething was up and the only person who seemed to be
nonplussed was 'alonda who simply observed "uietly.
-everishly chewing through the hard woody shell of her
favorite nut, she tried to focus on her favorite food, because she knew
one could easily bite their tongue or choke on a stray chip of shell if
not careful.
2ithout realizing it, however, she found herself humming even
as she gnawed through the nut shells7
1@ou%re humming that tune you sang last night.4 'alonda
pointed out in a matter-of-fact manner.
!he froze, trying to shut out the sound of the resonance deep
within her mind but it seemed it would not be silent7
1I can%t /)LA it74 she cried, 1It won%t leave me alone74
12hat I! %it%34 the warrior asked.
1I don%t :+O274 she frowned, 1(ut its
!O')...thing...time...place...force...Ohhhhhuh74 she gasped, 1I ust
can%t find words to tell you74
The avatar popped into the room holding up a finger, looking at
the pair intently, 1I think I found the language.4 it declared, 1Its an
ancient language long ago forgotten by the world we came from, but
possibly one or two humans remembered it when they got here.4
,=0
1# forgotten language34 the "ueen%s eyes flashed, suddenly
seeming to draw completely into focus, 1'ost intriguing74
1I agree74 the avatar responded, 1(ut even if this is so,4 it
continued, 1we still have no idea ust 2/#T it is saying74
1!o until we know what it is saying,4 'alonda proposed, 1can
we ust set it aside and focus on the present agenda34
#fter mulling this over, the avatar shrugged and replied, 1I
suppose that is the only realistic option.4
Ep 13, Chapter
#ll during the day even as lessons were going on, they were all
distracted.
To make things worse, it seemed that the little priestess simply
could not keep from humming the tune, no matter how softly and
faintly.
2hat was going on in her mind was spilling over and was
making it difficult to concentrate.
1Okay,4 the avatar offered, 1I have e&actly O+) option to
possibly put this to ease,4 it raised a finger, 1and it is not one a think
lightly of myself.4
12hat would that be34 'alonda asked.
1# temporary, short term memory wipe.4 the avatar replied.
12hat in the world is that34 the warrior asked as she regarded
'icchieu%s horrified e&pression.
,=8
1They take away your memory.4 the little Leep%theui replied,
1I%ve seen it before.4
1@ou have34 the avatar asked.
1@es.4 the beast girl replied, 1I have.4 she was shuddering now,
1# sister came back from being gone a long time and when she came
back pregnant, she did not remember who her mate was or even that
she had been gone.4
12ow.4 the "ueen remarked wide eyed, 19id you mind wipe
one of your own children34 regarding the avatar.
1!he was mentally defective.4 the avatar replied, 1If I had left
her in that condition she would have died and so would the pup.4
1'entally defective34 'alonda asked, 12hat does that mean34
1!he refused to mate after being selected.4 the avatar replied.
12e call that rape where I come from.4 'alonda growled.
1I +OT allow you to TOD./ me with that...T/I+574
'icchieu%s eyes grew wide with fear and wild with inner instinctual
urges as she suddenly pointed a light weapon at the avatar.
1@eah.4 'alonda seconded her declaration, 1There won%t be
any of this %memory wipe% nonsense around here.4 as she wondered
when the little Leep%theui even managed to slip the weapon on her
person.
1It was O+L@ a suggestion,4 the avatar made a lowering
motion with its hands, 1only a suggestion.4
1#nd a very bad one at that.4 the warrior replied, 1I dare say I
don%t know much about these weapons,4 she glanced at the trembling
,=;
hand with its little finger very near the activation stud, 1(ut I bet they
can do a lot more damage than you want to e&perience.4
1Lets not get irrational here,4 the avatar replied softly, 1I
merely made a suggestion to ease the distraction of the humming,
nothing more.4
1(y adding a far worse option, clearly.4 'alonda rebuked her
stolidly.
1Okay, okay,4 the avatar admitted, 1so yes, that was a bad idea,
so lets ust f-uhhh...change the subect, shall we34
1I bet if I released this into the middle of this room I%d strike the
real you, wouldn%t I34 the little priestess%s free hand mysteriously
produced another one even as she aimed at the high peak of the vast,
seemingly empty chamber without even looking away from the avatar.
12/O# 2/O# 2/O# 2/O# +O274 the avatar began
chattering loudly and nervously, 1@ou%ve made your point, now please
don%t shoot74
1I think its time I left here now.4 the little priestess%s voice
suddenly grew calm and cool, 1I%ve learned enough....for the time
being.4
1@ou%re serious, aren%t you34 the human asked, regarding the
beast girl carefully.
1#re you .O'I+5 with ') or are you !T#@I+5 with
T/)'34 the little Leep%theui demanded without looking away from
the avatar or changing her position.
1I%ll go any place you go sweetie,4 the warrior said, 1but what
about our -34 she began to ask.
,=<
1.unchaws,4 she said without looking at them, 15o get
everything and meet us back here.4
The two purple beasts sped off without even making a
comment.
1If that lifting room acts in any way I do not approve of,4
'icchieu%s raised hand pushed toward the middle of the room, 1I%ll
blast a hole to get out and I come back here to -IM the problem74 then
she took a deep, trembling breath, 19o I make my self .L)#634
1Aerfectly.4 the avatar replied, trying to remain in a perfectly
calm form.
#s the .unchaws sped back, robes and armor clutched in their
forepaws while scuttling on the remaining si& appendages, the little
priestess slowly backed toward the elevator room that went to the top
of the mountain.
19o not attempt anything whatsoever or I make you deeply
regret your bad decisions.4 she growled as low as her normally high
pitched voice would allow, then she motioned with her head to her
three companions and said, 1.ome on. Let%s go.4
#s the door closed on them !eeliene let out a breath she didn%t
realize she was still holding, 1That didn%t go well.4 she breathed
nervously.
1It went perfectly.4 the avatar smiled slyly, 1)verything is
working according to plan.4
Ep 13, Chapter !
#s the party left the room at the top of the mountain, there lay
the @amthan, placidly waiting, as well as all fifty warriors.
,==
#lso, the very moment they e&ited the stone doorway, the
priestess reached up to the wild .unchaw for the metallic robe, where
three weapon belts rested and slipped into them all then slipped the
robe on over them.
1@ou all waited for us all this time34'alonda asked
incredulously.
12e wait for our "ueen.4 the lead warrior replied.
12ait.4 the human asked, 12ho would that be34 eying them in
doubt and uncertainty.
1'icchieu naturally74 the lead warrior replied cheerfully.
1+ot !eeliene34 'alonda asked.
1!he has not been deemed fit to resume rule.4 the lead warrior
replied, 1Dntil that happens,4 she insisted, 12e serve Fueen
'icchieu%s purposes.4
1!o what have you been doing up here all of this time34 the big
woman asked.
1'editating and praying.4 she replied.
1(ut you haven%t eaten in -4 the human began, a "uizzical
frown on her face.
1!ince sunrise.4 the lead warrior replied, 1The spirit guides
have kept we, and the @amthan well fed and watered.4
The human warrior looked around and sure enough, she found
a spot clearly stained by fruit uices, showing that there had previously
been a pile or several piles of fruit delivered as often as it was deemed
needful.
,=>
1#nd the -4 she began as she s"uinted further back and sure
enough, there was a place near the sky beast which clearly showed
signs of dried blood, albeit smeared around by a tongue of immense
proportions, 1@eah.4 she regarded this and nodded, 1!o where should
we drop all of you o-34
1They stay with me.4 'icchieu%s voice was still lower than
usual and her huge eyes had a smoldering look to them, 12e need
scouts on the ground and reinforcements if we meet resistance.4
1'eet resistance34 the human asked.
1I advise you don your armor my love,4 the little Leep%theui
stood up on its toe pads like the other Leep%theui and to even the
guard%s surprise, she stood taller than they did, 12e have a 2ar-
lachenz to :ILL.4
Ep 13, Chapter "
They soared to the north, using the thermal updrafts of the
Ignoble 2ilderness to raise them high into the sky where wind
currents sped their ourney along greatly.
This took them high above The Open Fuagmire, which from
this height appeared to be nothing but clouds.
The favorable winds died down as they passed into cooler
climes, however, and their progress slowed, and began to depend more
on the @amthan e&erting effort to fly.
The whole party, counting the @amthan now totaled fifty five
brave to virtually fearless souls.
This much weight, as would be e&pected, re"uired fresh food to
sustain.
,>?
#s they soared along the 9rumangani Alains, they stopped to
feed the @amthan as well as seek fresh water.
-rom there they rose again high into the sky and soared for
another three days north before banking eastward toward The Land of
the /igh 2ide !un.
Ep 13, Chapter (
Their first stop was in Le%+an, at 'alonda%s former home.
!ervants ran screaming in terror as they saw the vast beast
swoop down from the sky from nothing more than a distant speck in
the blue to something that covered the mansion with its wings.
#s the massive beast gingerly sought out safe, firm places to
stand, the people in hiding realized that this most feared of all beings
they had ever known of, was actually not attacking7
#s they peered from various huts and hovels simply hoping not
to be noticed, one large wing gently lowered to the earth and one
human warrior in the most amazingly smooth, gleaming armor ever
before seen, walked down it with a calm, cool, confident stride.
(y the time the warrior had reached the ground a woman who
had been peering out of an upstairs window now came rushing out of
the mansion, long thick, curling locks following.
#s the woman came up before the warrior aiming to bow
before them, they skidded to a stop in utter disbelief, seeming to turn
her head slightly to the right, then to the left, as if trying to get a good
look at the warrior%s profile from both sides, while remaining in front
of them.
1'-maaaa...4 the woman gasped.
,>$
15reetings mother.4 'alonda smiled smugly as she scooped
the smaller woman up in a warm embrace.
Ep 13, Chapter /
12hat do you ')#+ my brothers are dead34 'alonda
slammed the tankard of ale down on the table hard enough it splashed
out, 12e wiped the enemy out virtually to a '#+74
12hen your first assault team went on ahead as they did,4
Turuba 2innepego detailed, 1The support divisions aimed at keeping
you replete with fresh soldiers and weapons was being led by Olaf and
+ogad was right there with him when there was an ambush in which
+ogad was slain instantly by a ballista bolt and Olaf, along with the
remaining soldiers were "uickly over powered by a swarm of
Lakshabbas.4
1That%s can%t be74 the warrior frowned in disbelief, 1Lakshabas
hate each other and never go anywhere in more than a briefly mated
pair or a mother and a cub74
1!urviving eyewitnesses confirmed it, as well as several dead
Lakshabba corpses on the battlefield.4 the woman insisted, 1/ad you
returned as you should have,4 her sad eyes locked with those of her
moon eyed daughter, 1you would have seen for your self.4
1I was wounded and unable to return.4 'alonda grumbled.
1Then how are you here now and in such amazing armor34 the
woman asked, 1#nd flying that-that T/I+5 out there34 she asked
incredulously.
1Its indeed an unbelievable tale mother,4 'alonda replied,
1+ot one I would e&pect you to believe if I told you.4
,>*
12ell seeing you here now is mighty hard to believe as it is74
the woman cried as the distress of everything combined was about to
break her entirely.
1I can not help that things went the way they have, mother,4 the
warrior apologized, 1I was dying in the battlefield when last I was
aware of what I believed was truly real.4
1#nd then why 9I9+%T you die, like your (6OT/)6! did34
she screamed, seeming to be resentful that her sons had died and her
daughter had lived.
1(ecause the goddess Luluine decided to spare my life.4
'alonda said simply.
12/...2/...2/#T did you ust say34 the woman%s eyes grew
wide as if with terror.
1I ust said that the goddess Luluine -4 she began.
19O+%T @OD 9#6) utter such (L#!A/)'@ in this house74
the woman screamed, 1T/)6) I! +O !D./ T/I+574 she slammed
her hand against the table.
!uddenly 'icchieu and all fifty armed warriors seemed to
appear out of thin air in the room all around them and the little
priestess said, 1I beg to differ.4
1/OL@...mother...of nuuhhhhhh...4 the woman%s eyes rolled up
into her head and she hit her chin on the table as she fell to the floor.
1Dhhhhh...mom34 the warrior asked rising to check on the
fainted woman.
Ep 13, Chapter 2
,>,
The woman was given a sedative and a pain reliever and
carried up to her room to sleep.
!he slept while the warriors all resumed invisibility and
'alonda discussed the situation with 'icchieu.
12hat do you think all of this is about34 'alonda asked, 1!he
seems to know who Luluine is74
1I don%t know, honestly.4 the priestess replied as they sat in
plushly padded, ornately carved chairs near the sleeping woman.
12e need to :+O2 though74 'alonda said in a harsh yet
hushed tone, frowning at the woman she always knew as %mother%, 1If
Luluine has never shown herself to the humans here, surely for a very
long time, then I have to ask the "uestion, %Bust how OL9, I! mother%4
1That is a very good point.4 the Leep%theui nodded, 1!omething
seems to be mysterious now to me here as well.4 she pointed to her
nose and made a sniffing action to emphasize her ne&t point.
12hat would that be34 the warrior asked.
1!he has almost the e&act same !.)+T as Luluine,4 she
pondered, 1and so do @OD74
Ep 13, Chapter 3
12hat are you saying34 'alonda asked, 1#re you saying we%re
6)L#T)934 her eyes grew wide, 1To T/#T massive monstrosity34
she persisted, 1!omething that could eat a @#'T/#+ in a sitting34
1Its as close as two sisters from the same mother my love.4 she
shrugged, 12e are born able to identify our parents by scent when we
are born as we are blind for a very long time afterward.4
,>0
1(ut couldn%t there be come kind of freak chance reason it
might ust !))' the same34 the human asked searching for an out.
1+ot this closely matched, no.4 the priestess replied, 1I am of
the same bloodline, seven generations removed and I smell somewhat
similar,4 she remarked, 1albeit I have met a separate bloodline
Leep%theui who smelled very much like my 'other once from another
tribe.4
12ow.4 the big woman marveled, 1!o this is really a real
situation then34 she asked.
1There is basically no way the two of you can smell so much
like Luluine and not be related.4 she folded her stubby arms, 1Its ust
not possible.4
1!o my relative...%sister%...is an ancient goddess34 'alonda had
chills as she gaped, regarding the sleeping woman beside them in the
bed, (ut surely look how /D5) she -4 she began but then she realized
that in ust a few short days, !eeliene%s size had easily "uadrupled, and
at the very same time, she had become unmistakably carnivorous to
the point of biting one priestess%s body repeatedly and attempting to eat
'icchieu whole as well.
15rew.4 the priestess%s face showed a very knowing e&pression,
1This alone is one reason I dread what is happening to me right now.4
1Oh...4 the warrior caught up with the idea, 1@ou mean...like
!eeliene growing up and all.4
1#nd the warriors here as well.4 the Leep%theui added, 1They
may not be as large as !eeliene but they are clearly larger, stronger and
more aggressive than any normal Leep%theui should be.4
1!o they were made into warriors to serve as guards...or
soldiers,4 the big woman guessed, 1so that !eeliene would have an
,>8
army for her original plan of con"uest.4
1That%s )M#.TL@ what I am saying is going on here.4
'icchieu%s arms came uncrossed ust long enough to switch positions
and be re-crossed as they sat and pondered the depths of this entire
affair.
,>;
Episode 17,
Whose Side You Choose=
They left while the woman lay unconscious.
'icchieu cast invisibility on herself and 'alonda, each warrior
managed their own selves, and they all "uietly padded back to the
@amthan and before anybody knew it, they were up and off.
The people of the manor rushed inside to see what had become
of their mistress and the mysterious armored guest, only to find the
lady of the estate peacefully sleeping in her own room and the warrior
in armor no place to be found.
/ow this brightly gilded warrior slipped past them in broad
daylight was beyond them, but other than some strange scrapes in the
dirt where the @amthan%s massive clawed paws settled into the soil,
nothing remained to even indicate it was not merely a mass
hallucination.
#s they soared eastward, they could see the lovely forests,
Lake 5uinevere and Lake #pollos to the south, the twin peaks of Titan
and #thaeu to the north, The Aroficient /ills 2inery to the north a
little further on, 'ount #tacchimus, which was venting a small plume
of smoke and steam, hinting at a potential eruption, and far to the north
the Eictor%s 2ayle, a very wide open valley where sporting meets had
been held for as long as history told.
1I have been all over this land as a soldier in training.4
'alonda declared, 1There is little of this land we did not march across,
no road not walked, no stream not forded, no mountain not climbed.4
,><
1I too know this land.4 'icchieu replied, 1Only I managed to
never once be seen doing so.4
1!how off.4 the warrior remarked, putting a finger to the
Leep%theui%s large soft nose, causing the beast girl to giggle.
They rose to a swift height where the @amthan would go from a
slow steady climb and enter a swift dive, so at this point, they held off
from their conversation as the beast sped through the air making it
difficult to shout over once again.
They soared swiftly toward the king%s castle in (elethamin
.ity, where they were greeted by a terrified populace and a vain
attempt by the city%s archers to down or ward off the shy beast.
The @amthan managed to gracefully land atop 'ount Olympus
and not knock the light tower over.
The warriors in the tower fled in fear of being either crushed or
eaten, but as the one lone glistening warrior strode down the lowered
wing of the sky beast, they all slowed to a stop and gaped in awe that
any human could ride this leviathan of the sky.
1#hoy and well met warriors of Le%+an74 she shouted out, 1It
is I7 'alonda 2innepego74
#s she strode down the hill toward them in the glistening armor
which was much like li"uid metal in that is had neither scratch nor
flaw, they were dumbstruck.
1@our light house is safe,4 the big woman announced proudly,
1as are your lives.4
1-rom where did you come my lady34 the tower captain asked.
,>=
1I have been in a far off land which none of us has ever before
known of and now I come to speak with the king this fine day and give
my report74
1(ut the battle you led...4 the tower sergeant protested, 1They
said you were slain74
1I was but nearly so74 she replied in a brus"ue and almost
manly manner, 1(ut fate has smiled upon me and this day I am here to
report to my king that all is well and that we shall soon be free of
future attacks from the ill land of :op%toh74
1This would be indeed good news74 they remarked, 1-rom
where did you find such amazing armor34
1This was gifted to me by a goddess in a foreign land74 she
tapped the armor proudly, 1see how it can not be harmed by your best
blade74 and she spread her arms as a challenge that they should
attempt to strike her.
1(ut my-4 the captain began, 1I cannot for you are the king%s-4
1Tis fine7 Tis fine74 she virtually roared in hearty mirth, 12ere
there a chance you could even dull this shine I might not be so prone
to boast74
1If you insist...4 the man dubiously pulled his sword and at first
prodded the seemingly fle&ible, almost leather like surface which
curved with the blade and yet immediately rebounded, indeed without
leaving a mark.
5aining his courage, he made a short ab, which although it
made the armor bend, the armor popped right back and was still
unchanged.
15ive it a good try sir74 one of the lower officers remarked
,>>
e&citedly.
1Okay,4 he replied, 1(ut don%t strike me down if this hurts a
bit...4 and he reared back for a full smashing blow...
Only, this time, the armor did +OT bend7
In fact, the blade of his sword bounded off ringing wildly,
causing him to cry out and drop it.
1#hhhhhh74 he clasped his left hand with his right, 1Tis sorcery
this armor74 as he grimaced.
1Of that I can not say,4 'alonda replied, 1but the goddess
indeed does make fine armor indeed74
1I should think the king would want every man to be so
prepared for battle as this74
1!o I shall go and speak to him of this and see74 she smiled,
placing a firm hand on the man%s shoulder, 1@our hand shall be fine, it
is not but a mild ar I am certain.4 and with that she left them all and
walked down the hill toward a gathering crowd.
#s they crowd milled about the warrior, people murmured and
words were spoken, some fond and some most uncharitable.
!he paid not a one of them any heed as she was determined
now to go to see the king and settle matters of her family estate.
Ep 17, Chapter
The king granted immediate audience to the returning warrior
as people of the high court were riding in from all over the kingdom as
fast as their beasts could carry them.
0??
The hall filled up with members of the court, the royal guard,
and anybody who was anybody as people had seen the @amthan and its
vast shadow as it soared into the city.
One would have imagined that they would have been running
the other way for their lives, but they lived in a world where such
opportunities as the king being slain would be reason to reoice, so
they would at least want to be near enough to know what might have
transpired and how they may have been able to e&ploit whatever did
happen.
To the dismay of many, there were no assassinations today,
however, but a returning member of the glorious, if severely decimated
honor guard.
#s 'alonda strode into the /all of 'eetings, her glistening
armor at her side, a gleaming sword, and a strangely shaped gleaming
item in a socket on the other side attached by a metallic belt, they all
stared in anticipation.
#s she came forward, she knelt on one knee with her head
bowed, her long dark tresses cascading down before her.
The scepter was e&tended and she reached up and touched it
with her gleaming right gauntlet.
#s she rose, she had a very calm, placid face, almost
e&pressionless, even though her brilliant moon eyes shone like fires.
1@ou have returned.4 was all :ing /arold !hakken Ludapest
III said, in an in"uisitive tone.
Ep 17, Chapter !
1I have come to make claim on my family%s estate.4 'alonda
replied in a calm, even tone, her deep smooth voice not needing to be
0?$
loud to reach every crevice of the great meeting hall.
There were suppressed gasps from every direction.
+ever, not once, in all of known history, had anybody )E)6
said such bold, brazen words to a king7
This was so unheard of that even the king, despite his usual
calm demeanor caught a deep breath.
1I have come...4 she raised the gleaming sword high over head
turning to address the entire hall of people, 1to take back that which is
rightfully mine.4
1I think...4 the king said smoothly, 1Aerhaps the bright armor
you wear has cut off the blood to thy brain, child.4
/is emphasis on the word child was very subtle, but even
calling her a child was in its self a severe insult at this uncture, as she
was making a claim only mighty and well seasoned warriors might
make.
1I am a woman now, and a warrior of no small repute.4 she
replied calmly, not letting the king%s sleight break her composure.
1@ou have no guard,4 the king e&tended a hand, fingers fle&ing,
as he let out the briefest and softest of guffaws, a mirthful yet
seemingly warm and compassionate e&pression on his face, 1not even
a personal guard to stand with you.4
1If I needed it,4 'alonda let her eyes close in such a casual
way as to show she was not even afraid to address the king as an e"ual,
1I would have brought them.4
This remark made the king%s eyes flash briefly, but he retained
his composure.
0?*
1@ou forget thy vow unto me, do you now3 /e asked, 12hose
side are you on now child34
1+ot forgotten,4 she gave him a mild, sidelong glance, a very
soft, coy smile creasing the edges of her thick, full lips, 1annulled.4
There were deep gasps from the crowd and people pulled back
e&pecting at any moment guards to rush in and take this insolent
woman from the king%s presence to be beheaded.
1I am on my O2+ side now.4 she declared, tilting her head
back ever so slightly, allowing the sun which streamed in the high
parapet windows to light up the underside of her, long, smooth
skinned, deeply tanned neck, 1I make my O2+ rules from this day
forth.4
The guards around the king even began to move but he raised
his inde& and middle finger of his right hand ever so slightly, even
though the warm e&pression on his face melted into a steel eyed stare
with a brow formed like a thunderhead.
1@ou have spoken a lot of strong words for one I favored
highly.4 his voice became grave and low, 1I have shown you favor for
many seasons and several reasons, thy beauty being not unnoticed
amongst them.4 he took a deep, troubled breath, 1Aerhaps it would
have been best had I taken you as a concubine instead of let you out to
play with the boys and become so as you now are before me.4
1I should have slain myself long before you could have had this
body of mine, let alone the heart which lay within this breast.4 her
eyes also grew steel hard as her sword lowered now from high
overhead to aim toward the throne, 1(ut now...here...this day...4 she
beckoned, her voice deepening even more, 1.hoose thy champion.4
2hen she sword was ever pointed at any man, or woman, it
0?,
was inescapable.
There was no going back now, not for either of them.
1@ou think I need a champion34 the heavily muscled king
suddenly lurched to his feet, standing a full :olok and a half, his own
brownly tanned muscles bulging, veins rippling along his strong arms.
1If you wish to live you do.4 the young woman replied softly at
first, but then she raised her tone to one of a proud challenger, 1I am
showing you my gratitude for letting me rise up the ranks and prove
my worth.4 but as she continued, suddenly she stabbed his pride with
the stern tones of an angry mother scolding an errant child, 1Otherwise
I would have 6#O)9 this castle and /)2+ @OD 9O2+ where you
!IT old man74 her eyes flashing, looking downward as if to look down
on the man who stood a head taller than her, breathing hard in eager
anticipation of the upcoming duel, a soft, but wicked smile etching its
self across her face.
Ep 17, Chapter "
The king was outraged.
1Arepare your self for 9)#T/74 he threw back his cloak with
his left hand while drawing his long heavy sword with his right.
!he did not even blink as he dove down the steps of the dias at
her.
/is blade swung with all of his fury up until the moment it
came in contact with the invisible helmet she wore.
There was an ear splitting clang and the end of the huge man%s
sword flew past its intended victim, stabbing a woman in the chest
three largons away, knocking her to the ground as well as eight people
behind her.
0?0
The wound proved not to be fatal, but at that moment, people
ran from the hall screaming in terror.
#s the sword bounded from the big man%s hands, first he gaped
at his empty hands, then stared at the warrior in utter disbelief, a frown
of furious confusion crossing his face.
1I saw what thou didst to my father,4 she smiled cockily, 1/ow
you settest him up and assassinated him on the battlefield,4 she
casually strode around him as he reached for his dagger, 1how you
pressured my mother into pressing his sons into service so you couldst
kill them as well,4 she continued to circle as he now turned to keep her
before him, 1and how you set this little agreement with the
:op%tohians to wipe out my family because we had a secret reserve of
the very precious metal 9ensurium under our lands, which thou
foundest out about before mine father ever obtained the land, and
would have taken them directly from the previous lord, had my father
not obtained it before you could move on him.4
The small remainder of the crowd gasped as this was all spoken
aloud.
1@ou speak as a '#9 woman74 sweat was beading up on his
forehead, even though it became evident to him now, that the suit of
armor she wore was, in fact, made of this very same, rare metal.
1@ou only had this agreement because you were going to betray
the :op%tohians the moment you learned from them how to use the
metal to fashion thine own armor, and then subugate the entire world
under your greedy impetuous grip.4 she purred, 1Only,4 she smiled,
1@ou failed to take one thing into account.4 she raised her left hand,
and out of thin air, fifty one Leep%theui appeared, and one of them bore
light weapons in each of her little hand paws, aimed directly at the
king.
0?8
The rest of the observers, including those who had timidly
returned during the conversation ran screaming wildly, save the poor
foolish guards who made the mistake of attacking.
The robed Leep%theui were more than a match for the armored
humans and it was over in moments.
)ven though they had been instructed to not kill if possible,
their power and aggressive behavior resulted in two cloven skulls and
several fatal leg amputations as the men lay there bleeding to death
before medical assistance would ever have come to save them.
The king, who had never heard of Leep%theui before realized
suddenly there was no hope for victory now.
1Okay.4 he raised his hands in a placating motion, licking his
dry lips while sweat poured down and got into his left eye, 1Bust please
make my death swift.4
1Oh,4 the warrior smiled softly, 1I have a better use for @OD.4
Ep 17, Chapter (
The gleaming warrior and her fifty one armed companions all
stood around as the captured dignitaries were all forced to swear
allegiance to her.
#lso, they were made very aware that they were in fact all
being watched, all the time, and many of them suffered the humiliation
of their deepest secrets, from theft, to incest, to rape, to speaking evil
of the king were all listed off.
1I have direct access to everything thou ever doest, every
where thou hast ever been, every place thou shalt ever 5O and
everything thou shalt ever 9O.4 she sternly instructed them, 1#lso,4
she gestured to the small band of armed warriors, 1I have an invisible
0?;
army, who, at any moment, can hew thee down where thou standest if
I, in any manner, disapprove of anything you doest, sayest or even
T/I+:)!T74
The people all bowed before her and the Leep%theui in terror
and swore an oath of fealty.
1#nd now,4 she announced, 1Thou shalt not breathe a A))A of
this to #+@ outside of this meeting, not now, not )E)6 or thy death
shall be .)6T#I+, but not necessarily swift.4
'icchieu performed a rite over the dead warriors again, calling
upon Luluine%s blessings on their souls that they should return to her,
and immediately their bodies vanished, and something invisible began
licking up the blood off of the stone floor.
The people continued to cry out in horror as they watched the
blood being lapped out of e&istence by the unseen force.
1:now T/I! people,4 she gestured to the disappearing blood,
1If ever any one of thou in this room ever disappears,4 'alonda
concluded, 1T/I! is why.4
Ep 17, Chapter /
'icchieu applied her healing arts to the one inured bystander
and she eagerly swore to secrecy as well, and was instructed to remain
in the castle as a %guest% for a reasonable period of time so those on the
outside would not "uestion her mysterious and speedy recovery.
The warriors and the priestess all suddenly vanished and
'alonda made her way out of the castle and back to the waiting
@amthan.
The guards there were all warily peering out from the doorway
of the light tower as she strode calmly up to the @amthan, having
0?<
already heard so many rumors from people below who had run up the
hill to tell them so they could spread the word abroad that they did not
know how much was truth and how much was fancy.
1/ave a great evening men74 the warrior cheerfully chest
saluted them, 1Long live :ing /enry74 she beamed brilliantly, 1I am
now off to deal with the scum who arranged this terrible loss of lives
to our glorious kingdom and make them pay the 'O!T T)66I(L)
price74 as she open handedly gestured to the @amthan who seemed to
snort in agreement as it savored its future revenge on the 2ar-lachenz,
1:eep the kingdom strong men74 and she turned to stride casually up
the wing of the leviathan before it kicked up a storm wind and leapt
high into the evening sky, fading off in a rumble of wind gusts, letting
out a fearsome cry intended to remind the king ust how much power
she now wielded, and that she could come back at any moment.
12here are we going now34 the lead Leep%theui warrior asked.
1To settle a bad score with a 2ar-lachenz who used to abuse
this poor girl we are flying upon74 'alonda cheerfully replied.
1Ohhhh74 the lead warrior eagerly purred, 1I /#T) 2ar-
lachenz74
0?=
Episode 8,
0n Ene*y #erritory
Of those who were aboard the @amthan, only 'icchieu had
ever been in :op%tohian territory.
1That is %The 2ound of 9obahn%, some fallen hero of theirs,
and that is %The (lood of Timshur% some other war hero, and that is
%The .rag of the Eale% which ust means its a crack in a valley, no idea
what else it might mean,4 'icchieu pointed out as they rose high over
the land to get a good view.
#t the moment, even though it was dark now, the collective
power of all of the Leep%theui was used to keep the @amthan invisible.
1!o we%re ust going to let this guy find us34 'alonda asked.
1The 2ar-lachenz sense the @amthan and come looking.4 she
replied, 1This is something they not ignore.4
1)ven if they know it is a trap34 the human asked.
1They are fearless.4 the priestess replied, 1#s long as there is
another body to steal, even ours, they fight with total abandon right up
until the body is fatally wounded, so long as they can cast their spell to
take over any other nearby body.4
1That%s horrible74 the big woman declared.
1This is why they are deemed evil enough we can kill them.4
the lead warrior pointed out, 12e live on the premise of freedom of
0?>
and freedom generally.4
1Live free or die74 one of them shouted.
# large cheer followed.
1+ot so loud ladies, please.4 the little Leep%theui admonished,
1These people have hearing as good as our eyesight.4
1Oh...4 the formerly enthusiastic warrior responded "uietly,
1!orry.4
1:eep your eyes out for anybody.4 'icchieu instructed, 1Only
a 2ar-lachenz, with their beast control abilities can move about freely
in this area because the beasts of this area would rip normal people to
shreds.4
1That is bad.4 one warrior declared timidly.
Ep 8, Chapter
The party found a wide open valley, centrally located in the
heart of a very hostile wilderness where vines and thick leafy plants
grew so heavily that to go any place, one practically needed to hack a
path through them.
(y landing in this location, any attempt at a stealthy approach
would be impossible.
)ven insects crawling through the bush made noise.
1:eep your eyes focused on anything moving because it is
possible he is using a morphing disguise.4 'icchieu reminded them
all, and remember to always embrace yourselves.4
19on%t you mean %brace%34 'alonda asked.
0$?
1+o,4 the little priestess countered, 1I meant %embrace%.4
1Its a techni"ue of resisting a 2ar-lachenz.4 the lead warrior
informed, 1)very Leep%theui is taught how to do it from as early as we
can talk.4
12ow.4 'alonda marveled, then she asked nervously, 1!hould
I try doing it34
1I am hoping you be able to battle the 2ar-lachenz directly
while we distract him.4 the priestess replied, 1It is my hopes he be so
bent on killing you and regaining his lost @amthan, no offense 'iss
@amthan, that we can counter his spell weaving abilities long enough
to slay him for good without losing any of our selves to his control in
the process.4
1+ow that you have e&plained it,4 the warrior declared
nervously, 1this sounds downright scary74
1If we lose ourselves,4 'icchieu warned, 1you may have to kill
us to set us free.4
1+O 2#@74 the big woman cried out, 1I could +)E)6 kill my
family or friends74
1@ou don%t understand how horrible it is to be possessed by a
2ar-lachenz.4 the priestess declared.
1#nd you do34 the warrior asked.
1I had to struggle against this one back in the Ignoble
2ilderness.4 the little Leep%theui reminded her, 1#nd if you doubt me,
ask the veteran .unchaw there. /e tell you.4
The purple beast grumbled assent.
0$$
12ell /) got free,4 'alonda protested, 1why would it be any
different for any of you34
1(ecause we are of the kind of mind he can possess.4 she
detailed, 1/e can .O+T6OL a beast, but never possess them.4
1Then can%t he possess ') as well34 she asked, 1#nd the way I
see it, I%m a -#6 more dangerous weapon than any of @OD all are.4
1It is true you are indeed dangerous,4 the lead warrior agreed,
1but it is believed that you have the power to fully resist him too.4
1!o...4 she began, 1@ou believe that when this all goes down,4
glancing among them all, 1I am the only one who stands a chance of
resisting him34
12e believe this, yes.4 the priestess%s eyes slowly closed and
reopened with her solemn nod.
1!o all of you are risking your lives to kill this guy34 the
human continued.
1This great evil 'D!T be stopped, at #LL costs, even our own,
if at all possible.4 the lead warrior declared, 1The goddess wills it.4
1!o you all ust 'I5/T die here tonight, and this guy ust
'I5/T get away, in one of OD6 bodies, no less...4 she asked "uite
nervously, 1#m I understanding what is at risk here tonight34
1@es.4 'icchieu%s eyes were very somber.
1#nd there is no way we can simply avoid this whole deal34
'alonda asked.
1/e has already sought you out once to kill you,4 the priestess
0$*
declared, 1as long as he lives, he never rest until you, and all of us, are
all dead, if we do not kill him first.4
1Oh.4 she stopped and pondered this a while before saying,
12ell now that you put it that way,4 she pulled out her sword, 1can%t
we ust go track him down34
Ep 8, Chapter !
#fter they e&plained all of the reasons why this was by far the
only realistic way to confront such a powerful and evil being, she
settled in for the long boring wait.
1!o...4 'alonda asked, 1If he is able to look like a beast,4 she
proposed, 1how are we supposed to know this34
1-or one thing,4 the priestess replied, 1because no beast in its
right mind would 9#6) approach a @amthan, save another @amthan,
of e"ual or greater size and age,4 she ticked off her stubby little clawed
fingers, 1and for another, the illusion would not give him either the
size or strength of any beast larger than himself, so he would have to
still push through this dense foliage which would leave a track his own
size,4 she ticked off another finger, 1and on top of that,4 she shrugged
and smiled, 1he would still smell like the real body he occupied74
1Oh.4 the warrior looked down thinking this over, then she
sighed as she thought of all the years she had faithfully, and foolishly
followed :ing /enry%s commands with faithful, un"uestioning
ignorance and naivety, 1I sure wish I could smell if people were real or
fake.4
1Its only their chemical presence,4 the priestess admonished,
1not their intentions and purposes.4
1I%m not too sure about that my... 'icchieu,4 the lead warrior
replied, 1I thought I smelled this king /enry%s emotions and intentions
0$,
"uite accurately.4
1@ou did34 'alonda asked.
1I have never attempted to smell intentions.4 'icchieu
admitted.
1I have,4 the lead guard boasted, 12hen !eeliene%s mind began
going, I began sensing changes in her moods well before she would
strike and I did everything possible to avert disasters.4
12hat kind of disasters34 the human asked.
1Like when she would eat a sister, or maybe a guard.4 the lead
warrior replied.
1)#T374 both 'alonda and 'icchieu cried out at once.
1@ou did not know34 the warrior asked with a worried,
reproved e&pression on her face.
1:now what34 'alonda asked, 1I%ve never even ')T a
Leep%theui before waking up half way to The !outhern Limit74 then
she turned to 'icchieu and asked, 12hen you were baring your teeth
at me, were you-34
1+OOOOOOO74 the little priestess protested, 1There is +O
2#@ I would )E)6 do #+@T/I+5 to hurt you74 she cried and
threw her stubby little arms around the warrior%s waist, 1I LOE)
youuuuuu74
1!o then,4 the human asked the lead warrior of the Leep%theui,
1e&plain all of this to us.4
12ell,4 the warrior sighed, realizing now that neither of them
had ever known the history of the Leep%theui race, 1the fact of the
0$0
matter is,4 she took a deep breath, 1once a Leep%theui becomes
virilized, we become carnivorous.4
1@ou 2/#T734 the little priestess stared at the warrior in
horror.
12e grow these fangs,4 she pulled back her plush lips to reveal
canines embedded behind her lips ust like !eeliene%s were before they
grew totally out of the "ueen%s mouth into tusks, 1and we develop an
urge to eat animal flesh, ust like .unchaws.4
1That%s /O66I(L)74 the little priestess cried, 1/ow .ODL9
you34
12e have no choice 'icchieu,4 the warrior replied, 1we simply
struggle against it.4
1(ut when !eeliene was the "ueen,4 a lesser warrior added,
1when she was going mad,4 she paused while thinking how to say the
rest.
1!he became cannibalistic.4 a third warrior filled in.
1@eah.4 came from several other warriors.
1I...4 the little priestess began trembling, 1I don%t think I can
handle all this.4
1Its okay,4 'alonda wrapped her arms around the pudgy beast
girl, 1you can eat ') every night once we get married.4
The warriors all s"uealed in uncontrollable e&citement in
response to such an overt se&ual declaration.
1/)%! /)6)74 a guard warrior cried suddenly, pointing
upward.
0$8
They all straightened up and turned toward another relatively
young @amthan circling overhead in the sky.
Ep 8, Chapter "
The @amthan on the ground, by instinct would want to rise into
the moonlit sky to battle another @amthan, if only for territory,
although in general, they tended to dislike their own kind as a general
rule and only during the rutting season did any two of them go near
each other without a mortal battle.
1!teady girl,4 'alonda said out loud, 1we get rid of the
parasite and that other @amthan go away on its own.4
The big winged female rumbled deeply, obeying even though it
was filled with both emotions and instincts.
The @amthan in the sky bellowed out a challenge, its broad
shadow crossing the land in the light of (un%oh and 'an%oh.
%6emain silent, please.% 'alonda mentally commanded it, %The
real evil is the 2ar-lachenz, not the other @amthan%.
The leviathan responded by making a gurgling sound,
indicating it was in agreement.
The 2ar-lachenz realized eventually that this @amthan%s rider
was no mere push-over and had very real control over the beast they
were riding7
The only resort now was direct confrontation.
-irst he tried to dive on the grounded beast to make it flip on its
back to use its claws to defend its self, but as it came near, the only
thing that went skyward was a sudden brilliant reflection of the rising
0$;
moons.
This brilliant flash once again deflected the beast as it had the
grounded @amthan because its eyes were far too sensitive to light.
)ven though the 2ar-lachenz tried to maintain total control
over the beast, it kept deflecting and finally banked out of the path of
the light, forcing its rider to bank the beast to keep from slamming
fatally into the ground.
#s the airborne beast banked, 'alonda said to the one they
rode, %!lap its wing with your tail.%
The grounded @amthan gladly complied with this strange
assault and rose its hind "uarters up, lashing its long tail out, striking
the oncoming leviathan%s leading wing edge ust in the crook of its
elbow, causing it to uncontrollably fold and lose all lift.
The beast crashed and skidded through the ungle crying out in
pain, anger and humiliation.
The party%s @amthan made a distinctive ticking sound,
indicating it was well pleased with both its self and its new master who
clearly knew completely new ways to battle competing @amthans7
#s the heavily grounded @amthan roared in the night, it turned
to face the party and attempted to leap back into the air, only now, its
wing was not working, and it could not successfully e&tend it.
The tail whipping motion had dislocated the newcomer%s elbow
and it was now unable to fly.
)ven though normally they were not well e"uipped as ground
fighters, it had been seen before.
%6emember to use the point of your tail on its soft places,
0$<
behind the aw, behind the shoulders and under the wings.% the human
advised the leviathan.
!ure enough, as the newcomer, bearing the 2ar-lachenz came
charging up, already bloodied from a very rough landing, the party%s
beast remained facing away from it, which would normally seem like a
suicidal move, ust begging for a fatal bite to the neck or spine, but
what it got instead was a rapid series of sharp puncture wounds to very
sensitive spots along its body.
This not only cause overwhelming pain to the newcomer, it
struck some key nerves, causing the less wary leviathan to stumble
around.
The loss of full muscle control was something not even the
2ar-lachenz could accommodate for because power over the mind did
not pass along the nervous system.
The harder he pushed the beast, the worse the problem became.
)very time the pair got close, the party%s @amthan would lash
out with this new techni"ue and strike another telling blow, causing the
enemy to hobble and cry out in agony.
The 2ar-lachenz was heard cursing in some foreign language,
not even :op%tohian as he tried with all of his might to wrangle the
beast under control.
#s they battled, 'alonda and her @amthan against the 2ar-
lachenz and his @amthan, however, the warriors had very carefully
crept along around the perimeter to find a safe high point where they
could work their own magic.
2hile remaining behind the 2ar-lachenz, so as to keep out of
sight while performing the ritual, 'icchieu was surrounded by the
warriors who used their bodies as shields to keep the light of the
0$=
incantation from being visible.
#s the 2ar-lachenz managed to press the inured beast closer to
the intact beast, he locked eyes with the human in gleaming armor and
moon eyes, realizing that this was, in fact, the one person who had so
totally ruined an otherwise perfect victory over the Le%+an.
1I%ll make you pay in a fate worse than 9)#T/74 the sinisterly
evil villain screamed at 'alonda as he suddenly bent his toward
possession of her mind and body.
1Oh shit74 'alonda murmured as she realized that this monster
was trying to take over her mind, feeling what was like icy tentacles of
evil piercing her skull, causing kinds of agony a body could never feel,
both in the illusion of physical and emotional pain.
!he screamed in agony as her body writhed, luckily strapped
into the litter aboard the wild .unchaw who had, up to this point, been
gripping the silk anchor it used to remain aboard the neck of the
@amthan.
#s the 2ar-lachenz inflicted its unbelievable pain upon the
woman, he drove the two beasts closer and closer, the inured beast
eagerly anticipating a bloody and brutal revenge for the suffering the
defector @amthan had so easily inflicted.
They were within a mere largon when the well disguised
.unchaw lightly tapped the neck of the @amthan, giving it the signal
needed to raise its head.
#s the @amthan lifted its head, the newcomer%s natural instinct
was to go for the throat.
Instead, the piercing point of the tail streaked out and caught it
ust behind its aw with deadly results.
0$>
(ut ust before this happened, the illusion camouflaged wild
.unchaw leapt high over the head of its own ride, and landed on the
neck of the 2ar-lachenz @amthan.
#t the instant it landed, the illusion vanished and there was a
.unchaw once again gripping its mortal enemy with its powerfully
clawed forepaws.
Only this time, instead of pinning it down, it lifted its enemy up
level with the screaming human woman, who, with all of her might,
pulled the one weapon the 2ar-lachenz had never before seen, heard
of or had any idea how it worked.
There was a blazing flash in the night as the head of the 2ar-
lachenz vanished in a cloud of fire.
#t that very same instant, over a kolok of tail pierced the soft
point behind the aw of his ride, completely severing its spinal cord.
The .unchaw dropped the corpse and leapt out onto the tail for
a safe ride back to the safety of its owner%s silk harness.
The 2ar-lachenz and his ride perished together.
One died in an instant blaze of light as bright as the sun and
one died in horrific agony, thrashing around the valley for some time
after the party of Leep%theui had re-boarded the uninured @amthan and
they had all flown away into the night.
Ep 8, Chapter (
1!o...4 the warrior asked, still shaking off the horrible effects of
the mind grip of her late enemy, 1is he 9)#9 this time34
1I did not sense him managing to work his magic,4 the priestess
replied, 1but only Luluine be able to tell us for certain if we succeeded
0*?
or failed.4
1/ow !/) know34 the human asked.
1+othing dies in this world without her being aware of it,4
'icchieu%s shouldered shrugged, as she bore a wan e&pression of
uncertainty, 1somehow.4
1Like how those guards ust vanished after they died34 the big
woman asked.
12e perform the ritual,4 the beast girl replied, 1if they are truly
dead, they return to her.4
1(ut their (O9I)! as well34 'alonda asked.
1#hhh...4 she shook her head slowly, 1I don%t-I don%t know how
it works.4 she replied, 1I ust know that when they die, so I am told,
their souls go to Luluine.4
1)ven that evil bastard we ust killed34 the warrior asked.
1There was another soul in that body at one point in time,4
'icchieu sighed, 1it had to go some time, although I am not sure
when.4
1(ut what about if they died and you never did that ceremony
thingy you do34 the human asked.
1I do not know.4 the priestess responded, 1I am sure it is
possible they go !O') place, perhaps some place else...4 she looked
up into the starry night as they rose higher and higher into it, 1perhaps
all the way to heaven.4
12ell I don%t care 2/)6) my soul goes,4 'alonda scooped
up the priestess into her arms, 1so long as while I am alive, I am
0*$
always with you74 and they kissed deeply, causing the warriors to
s"ueal with giddy e&citement.
0**
Episode 1,
6raised by the 9oddess1
1!o where do you want to go now34 the warrior asked as they
rose into the sky.
1To report to Luluine.4 'icchieu replied simply.
12ait74 the human insisted, 12eren%t you ust in a huge hurry
to get out of there34
1I wanted to destroy that 2ar-lachenz.4 the little priestess
replied.
1Then what was all that holding a gun at her and stuff about34
the big woman asked.
1# bluff.4 the beast girl replied calmly.
1# (LD--34 'alonda and several of the warriors
simultaneously blurted out in disbelief.
12ait-wait-wait-wait here74 'alonda was trying to
comprehend, 1@ou ust (LD--)9 your own 5O99)!!34
12hy not34 the pudgy Leep%theui asked, 1It 2O6:)9 didn%t
it34
1I 5D)!! so...4 the Le%+anian scratched her head and
shrugged, 1)ither that or she bluffed you in return.4
0*,
1Its possible.4 the little priestess replied casually.
1#nd that doesn%t bother you any34
1+o.4 she replied simply.
12ow girl,4 the big woman marveled, 1@ou are O+) amazing
young woman74
12hy, T/#+: you74 she chirruped, then lifted her face to kiss
the human.
Ep 1, Chapter
The shortest route back to '.I.!.T. 2as by crossing the ocean.
#long the way, both the @amthan and the .unchaws managed
to scoop edible sea creatures from the water.
#s the @amthan was born able to eat and fly, this did not slow
down progress one bit.
The veteran .unchaw would pass captured prey up to the wild
one, who would pass it along to the fifty carnivorous warriors.
'icchieu%s eyes s"ueezed tight as she heard the sounds of fifty
Leep%theui noisily devouring small living creatures, bones and all.
/olding onto 'alonda%s waist tightly, she trembled, trying to
block out the image of their large incisors merrily and sloppily biting
off pieces of pink flesh and white bone, as well as the dribble of blood
which often came from such creatures, seeing as these warriors never
thought to kill the animals before devouring them.
1I see that really bothers you a lot little one.4 the warrior held
her partner closely with one big muscular arm.
0*0
1I can%t help it.4 the priestess gritted her teeth as she groaned, 1I
can%t even stand that %!T)2% gunk Luluine and you were eating7
)..////74
1Its okay,4 the big woman replied, 1animal flesh is not for
everybody.4
1@eah74 the lead warrior agreed, 1)!A).I#LL@ not the flesh
of one%s own !I!T)6!74
This made 'alonda%s eyes grow wide, 1!I!...T)6!34 she
turned to regard the lead guard.
1Eirilized Leep%theui some times lose the ability to distinguish
the scent of their own kindred and can no longer think straight, and
they go into a killing rage where the victor, if they do not die of their
own inuries often devour the defeated.4
1That%s T)66I(L)74 the big woman cried, 1+o matter 2/O34
her eyes still wide.
12hen the killing rage strikes, it could be anybody, mother,
sister, daughter or even father, doesn%t matter to the enraged.4 the lead
warrior replied, 12hen !eeliene%s father went into a rage, she tried to
eat !eeliene who was ust coming into rut, and therefore became a
competitor for the harem.4
1 %The harem%34 'alonda repeated.
1)very nubile Leep%theui in The !outhern Limit, by default, is
the mated or matable domain of the "ueen.4
1!o when she tried to eat 'icchieu...4 the warrior offered,
feeling the little priestess%s body trembling through her pliable armor.
0*8
1!he was defending her harem is all.4 the lead guard replied,
1It is a purely animal instinct.4
1Then how does one manage to ever ascend to become
the...oh.4 she nodded slowly.
1@es.4 the other Leep%theui replied, 1@ou simply have to be the
one who wins the battle, and everything becomes yours.4
1#nd the means of winning does not matter34 the human
asked.
1+ot at all.4 came the reply, 1The one who has total control
over the other is always the victor and can do with the van"uished as
she likes and nobody ever say a word against her.4
1!o then when 'icchieu%s and my attack paralyzed !eeliene...4
her eyes opened wide again, 1I !))...@eah7 +ow I get it74 and she
bent down and kissed the priestess%s head through her thick pile of hair,
1!o 'icchieu%s victory was valid even though she neither killed nor
devoured anybody74
1This is true.4 the lead guard replied.
1!o then...4 'alonda%s face brightened, 1#ll we have to do
from now on is !D(9D) one or the other,4 she looked between all of
them, 1and nobody has to 9I)74
1This is technically true,4 the guard replied, 1however,4 she
pointed out, 1as long as the van"uished remains alive, there is always a
chance they may be back to challenge again, and this could go on
forever, or until one of them is finally killed, so this could not be easily
enforced.4
1@ou make a very interesting point.4 the big human frowned,
1#s long as the challenger is around...4 she thought, 1(DT 2#IT74
0*;
she once again cried, 1Its !I'AL)7 Bust )MIL) them74
1)&ile34 the guard asked.
1To shun, cast out, abandon, drive away, neglect, make of no
record or worth, invalidate...4
There was a lot of musing and murmuring from the other
warriors, none of whom had ever thought of this idea.
1(ut wait74 the human persisted, 12hy are they even battling
to ()5I+ with3 9id !eeliene not say that it was that fruit that
unlocked her virility to begin with34
1The fruit is one way to unlock it, yes.4 the warrior agreed,
1and even then there are ways to limit ust how far the process
develops.4 gesturing toward herself and her forty nine companions,
1we are only partially developed, so we can fight and defend the
"ueen, but we can never challenge her.4
12ell, why then are you not merely leaving it alone as it is34
'alonda tried to clarify.
1To keep a strong breeder in control of the harem.4 the leader
replied.
1!o,4 the human said, 1@ou keep allowing..what...one...or
maybe more than one, Leep%theui %girl% to virilize into a potential
"ueenIfather, every so often, ust to keep attempting to put a newer,
more powerful "ueenIfather in the breeding pit34
1@es,4 the warrior replied, 1every ten thousand years, out of the
Leep%theui bred, one or more of them are carefully monitored and hand
selected by Luluine to be virilized, and placed before the e&isting
"ueenIfather to see if they can replace them as a better, stronger, more
successful breeder.4
0*<
1#nd you are okay with this34 she asked incredulously.
1@our race does the same thing, only to a far more barbaric
level.4 the lead guard pointed out.
1@ou never need to have a confrontational challenge to begin
with if you never think you have something to gain which you could
not gain by a less violent means though..74 'alonda began, then,
looking around, and remembering what 'icchieu had said to her and
demanded from her, suddenly this all made perfect sense7
1!o-so-so if that is T6D)...4 she e&tended her free hand as if
grasping into the air to feel for the answer, 1(oth we humans #+9
you Leep%theui are all ust part of some really elaborate (6))9I+5
program, which has gone on forever and we%re only ust now
9I!.OE)6I+5 each other, and learning that we have been here being
selectively bred for some purpose that Luluine only knows74
1+ow you see it...4 the trembling priestess grumbled in a
deeper than normal tone, 1+ow #LL of you...each and every O+) of
you sees it, don%t you34 she growled.
1@es my- 'icchieu74 the leader conceded.
Ep 1, Chapter !
They landed on the large wide white highway and offloaded
from the @amthan, some to enter the mysterious moving room and the
others to take shelter in the shade of the @amthan%s shadow from the
glaring sun.
)ven the sky beast its self tucked its head under one wing to
protect its eyes from the direct sun.
The party of four returned to the main room of the '.I.!.T.
0*=
comple& to find !eeliene and the avatar already waiting.
!eeliene%s formerly scale covered, saggy breasted body was
recovering at an astounding pace7
The divots the scales had produced were nearly filled back in,
and the fine fur was also growing into the bare spots, so that soon,
there would be no physical evidence of their previous presence.
#lso, her flabby breasts had begun re-filling, as did her saggy
buttock.
)ven while wearing her e&tra large robe, it was impossible to
hide the progress of her radiant health and nubileness.
12elcome back.4 the "ueen Leep%theui offered in her originally
silky soft voice, her lisp absent as newly formed notches in the corners
of her mouth were already well enough healed she could talk without
air slipping past her tusks.
1I saw what you did there,4 the avatar pointed out, 1so why did
you return here34
1.all it curiosity.4 the priestess replied, 1I came to ask
"uestions of you.4
1#nd what if I chose not to answer34 the avatar asked
playfully.
1Then you would defeat your own ultimate purpose.4 the little
beast girl replied.
1Oh34 it asked, 1Is that so34
1@ou can not achieve your goals,4 the golden eyed girl pointed
out, 1if I and 'alonda do not participate.4
0*>
1!o you deduced this34 the avatar continued to toy with the
topic.
12e%ve A6OE)+ it.4 the priestess stared flatly. 1+ow if you
want OD6 cooperation,4 she raised her little hand paw, 1you are going
to have to educate us far more than you have up to this point.4
1#nd what I get in return34 the avatar asked suddenly acting
sullen.
1# chance to attempt to make amends with your mother.4
'alonda replied, 1OD6 mother.4
The avatar%s and the "ueen%s eyes went wide, but for somewhat
different reasons, 1@ou .#+%T be...4 the avatar drew near, taking slow,
poised steps as if she would flee their presence at any moment,
pointing her semi-clawed hand paw at the human.
1I am.4 the warrior replied simply, 1smell us.4 she challenged,
casually folding her hands before her waist in a rather unperturbed
e&pression of patient certainty.
1!mell my !)L-34 the avatar asked, dumbfounded, then it
came to her for the first time ever that her avatar, not being made of
living matter, would not be confused by its own self odor, and
therefore would be a "uite, if not the most, infallible olfactory detector
ever made, Luluine realized that it was indeed possible for her to
literally smell her self, using the avatar, and smell 'alonda and either
confirm or deny her claims.
1I shall do ust as you suggest.4 the avatar replied to the human,
1(ut if this is a ruse,4 she threatened, raising her clawed finger, eyes
flashing shaded with suspicion and other emotions, 1then I shall tell
you no more74
0,?
1I have no reason to lie,4 the big woman replied, 1and I have
nothing to gain from this truth either.4
1Oh...but you have 'D./ to gain74 the avatar protested, eyes
going wide in emphasis as she cautiously strode up to the taller, armor
clad human.
#s she slowly took in an unnaturally long, noiseless breath, it
became apparent that however the air was being moved, it was not
actually filling any lungs, but rather was merely being dissipated out
some other way by some other means.
!uddenly the avatar vanished, as it was wont to do, but it was
not gone for long before it reappeared, bearing a combined e&pression
of shock, and deep seated grief.
12ell34 !eeliene found herself asking.
1Its T6DDDDDDDDDD)))))))))))74 the avatar
suddenly bawled, collapsing onto the floor sobbing loudly, 1Oh
momma, why did you #(#+9O+ 'I)))))))))))))))))7774
the magical apparition trembled and spasmed on the floor.
'alonda rolled her eyes while rocking back and forth on her
heels, tapping her one hand against the back of the other lightly, 12ell
what%s your +)MT move now...!I!34
#fter staring at one another, the living Leep%theui stood
regarding the seemingly unmoved human and the clearly devastated
avatar in stunned silence.
Ep 1, Chapter "
#s 'alonda walked away from the dismal, wailing apparition,
'icchieu turned to her and cried out, 12here are you 5OI+534
0,$
1I%m hungry.4 she replied without looking back, 1I%m going to
find something to eat.4
The priestess scurried along to catch up and while sliding up
and matching steps, she slipped her pudgy arm between the human%s
muscular arm and interlaced their fingers.
The warrior did not resist.
1This is not an emotional issue for you.4 the Leep%theui
remarked.
12hy should it be34 the big woman asked, 12ho cared if I%m
the sister of %the great goddess% Luluine34 she shrugged, 1I don%t really
know her,4 she rationalized it out in a dull tone, 1nor my own mother
for that fact.4
1I admit, I don%t know my mother very well either...4 the beast
girl admitted, 1+or my %father% for that matter.4 she sighed.
1/ell, you !D6)L@ don%t know ') then74 the big woman
reached over and razzed the little girl%s thick mane.
1I don%t know much, no.4 she admitted, 1(ut I know I LOE)
you...4 the near child purred, 12hat else is there for me to know34
1That%s how people get hurt, you know.4 the human sighed,
looking around the hallway, licking the sides of her mouth in an
e&pression of dull wonderment, 1Or perhaps its different for
Leep%theui.4
12e mate for life,4 the priestess replied, 1Or so I once
believed.4
1The life of your "ueen it would seem.4 'alonda speculated.
0,*
1!o it would seem,4 the little beast girl agreed, 1but then there
have been a few pairings who had babies.4
1Oh34 the warrior was genuinely interested and looked down at
the big golden eyes which had constantly been gazing up at her awline
until this point, 1!o not all Leep%theui become meat eating monsters
then34
1I don%t know.4 the priestess admitted, 1I still do not know how
pups come into being inside a 'other.4
12ell,4 the warrior admitted, 1I%m a little vague on that too,4
looking up at the doorway to the dining hall, 1Dntil now,4 she
confessed, 1I ust knew it took...well...a %man% and a %woman%, but that
was the e&tent of it.4
12e shall ust have to fill you in then.4 the silky voice of the
"ueen sounded directly behind them making both of the girls startle
with cries.
Ep 1, Chapter (
#s they sat down to eat, 'icchieu asked, 1Luluine is alone
right now34
1!he re"uested time alone.4 the "ueen replied, 1I obey my
goddess, even if I think she is in need of comfort.4
1# wise choice I assume.4 'alonda concurred.
1!he was E)6@ upset74 the little beast girl remarked in a very
serious tone.
1#pparently there is a lot there we do not know about.4 the
"ueen replied, 1There%s no reason for us to be upset with her over it.4
0,,
1'other was "uite upset too.4 'alonda mused.
1There must have been some kind of big problem between
them then.4 the "ueen deduced easily, 1I%ve seen how humans get.4
1#re you saying Leep%theui never get like that34 the warrior
asked.
1I%ve never !))+ it,4 the "ueen shrugged lightly then scooped
up some fruit and poured it all into her mouth.
#s she chewed, 'icchieu pondered, staring off distantly before
she said, 1'other cried a lot.4
1Oh she did34 !eeliene%s eyebrow raised, 1I never heard of it.4
1!he made sure nobody was watching.4 the priestess replied.
1@OD saw,4 'alonda pointed out.
1I never told anybody.4 the beast girl defended, 1I knew,
somehow, it was seen as a shameful thing to cry, but I never knew
why.4
1#hhh,4 'alonda said dismissively, 1I think its that way with
#LL races.4
1I think you%re right.4 the "ueen agreed as she swallowed
another mouth full, gazing heavenward, 1Aride, arrogance, fear,
insecurity....4 she sighed, looking down and shaking her head, 1These
are the curse of all intelligent beings I fear.4
1!o we%re really a lot alike then, aren%t we34 the little Leep%theui
asked the large human.
1#pparently close enough to be born from the same person,4
0,0
'alonda shrugged, 1otherwise there would not be this whole
emotional display from either our mother or Luluine.4
1(ut @OD%6) not being emotional about it.4 the "ueen
countered.
1I don%t know.4 the warrior replied, 1I had it drummed out of
me at an early age I suppose.4
1+aaaaaaaaaaawwweee,4 'icchieu%s face got a little bit of a
mischievous look on it, 1I /#9 you crying that one night...4 she
pointed an accusatory finger at the big woman.
1I was sick, imprisoned, drugged up and being threatened by a
mad beast with gleaming fangs...4 the warrior chose a gravely voice
which she e&aggerated for drama, 1I was begging for my life74
suddenly she changed tones while feigning horror.
1@ou ust didn%t want to admit that your whole life was one
great big !/#' is all.4 'icchieu%s voice suddenly because studiously
serious.
The human let out a deep sigh and picked up a large, long
purple fruit, holding it by its thin tapered ends, 1@ou%re right,4 she
shrugged, 1you pegged me and put me into a corner I could not wiggle
my way out of.4 then she took a bite of the cracklingly crisp, uicy
flesh, which crunched loudly as she chewed, then swallowed, 1(ut as
you see,4 she turned with a placid face toward the priestess, 1I
accepted that truth and have made changes.4
1I know you have my love.4 the little beast girl beamed as she
tilted her head and laid a hand paw on the warrior%s forearm, 1I was
ust playing with you.4
1!peaking of %playing with%,4 the "ueen changed the subect,
1that was one amazing puddle of semen you dumped in your privy the
0,8
other day,4 making somewhat of a triangle out of her thick clawed
fingers, 1you might want to be careful not to make 'alonda here
pregnant by leaving any of that for her to end up sitting in.4
1!emen34 the little Leep%theui asked, regarding her father,
12hat is that34
1#ll I can say myself, e&actly,4 the giant Leep%theui replied, 1is
that it is the stuff that makes !isters into 'others, and makes more
!isters when it gets up inside them right where it came out from you.4
(oth girls turned deep red staring at one another.
#s she placed her left hand paw over her mouth in embarrassed
horror, 'icchieu gasped, 1@our L)574
Ep 1, Chapter /
12ell girls,4 the "ueen rose to her hands and knees to crawl
from the room, 1I...am off to my O2+ bed now.4 and she headed for
the door, 1@ou all remember to keep the goo under control now,
okay34
1@es 'other...-ather...4 the little Leep%theui replied.
1I%d prefer if you called me !eeliene.4 the "ueen replied, 1I%m
really +OT into all that formality garbage,4 she grumbled softly, 1I
only do it in public for show, and everybody knows it.4
1+O2 we do,4 'alonda replied sarcastically.
The "ueen merrily chuckled, 1I like your wit young one.4 and
she proceeded to smoothly crawl out the door where she could easily
stand up and walk, and with her long strides, was "uickly gone.
The avatar came around the corner and entered the room
0,;
coolly and in full composure, not a single sign of crying.
1@ou recover "uickly.4 'alonda observed.
1It is an avatar.4 Luluine corrected her, 1It has no true
biological functions.4
1@ouuuuuuu #T) here with it...4 she regarded the avatar with a
dubious, sidelong look.
1This body breaks down matter into energy.4 the avatar replied,
1It stops doing so when I stop using it, so anything not fully broken
down into energy would fall to the floor if I were not to finish
processing it.
12hat is %energy%34 'icchieu asked, rising up and seating
herself in 'alonda%s lap.
1It is the basic raw component of the universe.4 the avatar
e&plained, 1)verything originated from wild raw energy a long long
time ago.4
1That didn%t help one bit.4 the warrior noted as she wrapped her
arm around the Leep%theui.
1Imagine rocks,4 the avatar began in a leading tone, holding up
one hand paw, but then pulling down one of the fingers.
The two looked at each other then at the avatar and 'alonda
said, 1Okay.4
1+ow imagine gravel,4 it said, pulling down another finger.
1Okay.4 the human repeated, nodding slightly.
1+ow imagine sand,4 as another finger folded down.
0,<
1Dhhuh,4 the warrior continued, gazing directly with undivided
attention.
1#nd now imagine dust...4 yet another finger went down,
leaving only a thumb.
The big woman took a deep breath, 1@es,4 she commented, 1I
think I am starting to get the idea of this,4 she mused, 1smaller and
smaller pieces of obects.4
1It keeps getting smaller and smaller and smaller until there is
no way left to measure it.4 the avatar said as it bent the thumb closed,
then, turned the hand like a tube and peered through it at them, 1That
is when you use your powers to move light so you can see some of the
really small stuff.4
1Oh wow74 'icchieu%s eyes grew e&cited, lifting up a small
scrap of fruit 'alonda had dropped while eating on the end of her
claw, 1I see it now74 she gazed in e&citement.
1I want to see.4 the human turned to look and the priestess
moved her hand around the small particle as if she were trying to hide
it from her partner, only the moment she did, all around her hand, a
very strange thing happened.
!uddenly there was a large, spherical image of some very tiny
obects, and even as the human watched in mesmerized amazement,
they grew larger and larger and seemed to continue to grow and show
more and more details, changing from one shape to another as smaller
shapes grew large, then broke apart into other, smaller parts, which
then too grew and divided...
12O274 'alonda%s eyes grew wide with astonished interest,
1That is ust so #'#OI+574
0,=
1The entire universe is filled with little things built into larger
and larger and larger things.4 the avatar concluded, 1it goes the other
way as well.4 and in front of the avatar, suddenly appeared a point up
above where the @amthan and the warriors all rested.
#s the two of them watched, it shrank down, showing the
ocean and the '.I.!.T. mountain on one side and the Ignoble
2ilderness on the other, and then it went higher and higher and higher
until there were clouds and then as they watched, it seemed that the
highway ended up ust part of an amazingly designed crossing of white
lines, some meeting together at the top and bottom of their world, and
then the whole massive world shrank down, and the tiny moons
slipped past and then there were some other unknown dots, and then
the blazing suns, and as these shrank to pinpoints, more and more
oined them, finally there was this flat spiraling mass of lights, but it
too shrank until it was one of many small blobs of shrinking light and
they all ust kept shrinking until finally the image vanished into pure
blackness.
-inally, the image dissipated into the air.
1That...is...ust...plain...amazing.4 the human had chills, 1I
could spend the rest of my LI-) seeing things like that74
12e can travel to places still.4 'icchieu suggested.
1This is true,4 the warrior agreed, 1but I am certain somehow,
that there are some of those places she ust showed, that we could
never travel to, no matter how long we traveled.4
12ell,4 the avatar replied, 1technically, you %could% as long as
you did not die first, but since so much of that is endless black empty
space with nothing in it but energy, the trip would be pure torture.4
1Oh wow.4 the human marveled,
1Bust...pure...endless...nothing.4
0,>
1I would not like that,4 the little priestess shook her head
definitively, 1+ot one bit74
'alonda suddenly breathed in deeply and found herself letting
out a yawn, 1'y...what time is it already34
1It is past first night%s "uarter.4 the avatar replied.
1I didn%t realize it was that late74 she got a somewhat surprised,
troubled look about her.
19o you wish to stay the night here34 the avatar asked.
1I don%t know,4 the human replied, 1what do you think
'icchieu34 giving the little Leep%theui a gently ogging shake.
This motion also caused a light amount of tickling, which made
her little hand paws fumble around in front of her as if to push herself
away, but also she blushed, pulling her lips into her mouth to avoid
smiling, as she looked away at the floor and said, 1I guess so...4 shyly.
00?
Episode ,
Care &or a >rink=
16ise and shine my lovelies.4 the avatar had turned the duty of
calling morning reveille to the "ueen, who, in resuming her originally
soft, smooth voice, found that they were not moving.
1#hem...4 she began, 1)&cuse me34 she persisted, finally
becoming frustrated, she shouted 12############:)))
DDDDDDDDDDDDDA74
12I))))))))74 the little Leep%theui screamed, wheeling her
arms around and ending with an ear splitting crack as a beam of energy
e&iting the door, causing a secondary thunder as an unsuspecting robot
e&ploded into flames and slag.
1!/IT7774 'alonda leapt up pulling the weapon toward the
ceiling in fear.
1Ow ow ow ow ow74 the "ueen cried, tears coming to her eyes
as she fearfully peered back into the room, her left ear singed.
In the hallway, robots were assembling to contain the fire.
19on%t scare me like that74 'icchieu cried out, eyes s"ueezed
shut in angered distress.
1(ut you didn%t hear me when I was "uiet74 the "ueen
whimpered.
1.an%t you find a compromise tone to speak in perhaps34
00$
'alonda asked, gently releasing the muzzle of the weapon clenched
firmly in the priestess%s hand.
1-rom this day forth,4 the frightened "ueen replied, 1I shall do
my best to find one74
Ep , Chapter
They all arrived at the dining room to a smirking avatar.
1!hoot first, ask "uestions later, ey34 the remote apparition
asked, 12hat happened to all of my teachings about peace, tolerance
and understanding34
'icchieu%s face remained blank and she did not reply, but
instead shuffled over and began picking through the fruit pile for fruits
and nuts she had a yen for.
'alonda regarded the avatar and remarked, 1Life.4 then began
picking through the pile as well.
The "ueen Leep%theui came in whimpering, 1!he shot my )#6
Luiee74 tears wetting her cheeks.
12ell you do have a fairly loud voice when you shout.4 the
avatar remarked, 1I%ll get something for the pain.4 and it vanished.
12hy do you keep a light weapon under your pillow anyway34
!eeliene sniffled.
1.all it a suddenly elevated awareness of the world.4 the
priestess replied in between gnawing on a nut.
1/ave I been that hard on you baby34 the larger Leep%theui
asked skulkingly.
00*
1@ou, Luluine, the 2ar-lachenz,4 she shrugged as she reduced
the hard shell to small, curled flakes, intent on getting at the tasty nut
meat inside, 1it all adds up after a while.4 as she briefly glanced up at
her father then back at the nut she was chiseling away at.
1I think you, of all people,4 'alonda suggested, 1should be
proud at what a fine warrior she is becoming.4 before she took a deep,
crunching bit out of the purple fruit she seemed to favor.

1(ut not at '),4 the whined, ust as the avatar returned with
some medical supplies, robots rolling in the entrance moments later,
1I%m not the bad guy here...4 she put her hand paw to her chest over
her heart in an impassioned plea for understanding.
1!ays the one who tried to )#T me.4 the smaller Leep%theui
glanced up momentarily regarding the parent before resuming
gnawing, 15arrrrrrr...4 she growled before receiving a satisfying crack
as the shell surrendered to her powerful aws.
1I was out of my mind74 !eeliene pleaded, 1@ou know that74
1@ou still are.4 her daughter remarked.
1Ladies,4 the avatar called out, 1a little .IEILIT@ here
please34 then it reached up and motioned for the larger Leep%theui to
bend down to make the procedure easier.
#s the "ueen bent down, a robot reached up and gently sprayed
a fine mist on the affected area, then followed with a tiny beam of light
which seemed to merely slice away adacent hairs to e&pose the raw,
scorched skin.
There was another mist, and this turned white and swelled up a
little, much like the medicinal herbal powder 'icchieu used on
'alonda and the "ueen%s personal priestess in the city.
00,
1There.4 the avatar concluded, 1That keep you until it heals74
Then it turned to the little priestess and said, 1#nd @OD, little
lady, need to watch where you%re AOI+TI+5 that thing74
'alonda burst out in loud raucacious laughter, dropping her
fruit on the floor, holding her stomach, accidentally banging her head
against the table.
12hat%s so funny34 the avatar asked, confused.
1'...mo...mother...used...to...tell...fath...er...that...all...the...time
74 she managed to s"ueeze out.
1@ou must have had a very nice childhood,4 the avatar
suddenly grew sullen, 1getting to grow up with your parents and all.4
Ep , Chapter !
1LOO:.4 'alonda pointed a defensive finger at the avatar with
a bit of a frown on her face, 1Its not '@ fault she did whatever she
did.4
1+o,4 the avatar replied sullenly, 1but its not my fault
)IT/)674
1!o T#L: to /)6 about it74 the warrior turned her head with a
fierce frown looking around the room feeling put upon for something
that happened aeons before she was ever even born, rubbing her chin
with her thickly calloused hand, 1!/))!/74
1I .#+%T4 the avatar spat back, angry and resentful.
1That%s not '@ fault -2#IT7 2/#T34 she turned suddenly
frowning incredulously at the avatar, 1@ou%re this %56)#T #+9
'I5/T@ 5O99)!!% and you can%t even go speak to your O2+
000
'OT/)634
1+o.4 the avtar%s voice was sullen, 1I%m stuck.4
1!TD.:34 the human repeated in disbelief, 12hat do you
')#+ %stuck734
1I ')#+,4 the avatar insisted in a more annoyed voice, 1I%m
T6#AA)9.4 she e&tended a frustrated hand in a pleading gesture, 1I
.#+%T 5)T ODT7 I .#+%T L)#E)74
1/D/34 all three of her guests chorused.
1/ow can that be34 !eeliene asked, 1@ou%re our -4
1Its +OT that simple.4 the avatar shook its simulated head, 1I
use this avatar to a limited e&tent and I can proect it some distance
from the 'I!T mountain, but I have a limited range and that is it.4
12hy not ust go out as your own self34 'alonda asked, not
realizing one maor, critical flaw to this.
1(ecause there is no 9OO6 silly74 the avatar replied in
disgusted e&asperation, 12hy do you think I spend all day and all
night watching these !.6))+!734 it insisted, 1@ou think I )+BO@ it
in here34
12ell, uh-4 the warrior began, e&tending her hand in a gesture
of uncertainty while shrugging and looking at the table between them,
1how was I supposed to know34
1@ou%ve !))+ how big I am,4 the avatar insisted, 19id you see
any 9OO6! any place around here that large34
12ell, no.4 the warrior replied, 1(ut couldn%t you ust...4
008
1I%m not an engineer,4 the avatar replied, 1and none of the
robots I have ever found in here can even perform such tasks as
building such an aperture as would fit me anyhow.4
1!o then how did uhhh...4 she began to ask.
1This is an empty volcano.4 the apparition replied, 1This is the
product of natural, seismic activity.4
12ow.4 the human remarked, 1Lucky you stopped growing
when you did, huh34
1I 9I9+%T.4 the representative of Luluine replied with a
sardonic tone, folding its arms angrily, 1I%m !TILL growing. I%ll never
stop until I either die,4 it glared at the floor as it spoke, 1Or some
means for me to escape becomes possible.4
12ow.4 'alonda pondered this, 19eep.4
1I have been in this prison ever since %'OT/)6 9)#6% sent
me back here.4
1!ent you back...34 'icchieu%s eyes glanced up from her ne&t
nut.
1@es,4 the resentful avatar sulked, tears once again trying to
form in the simulated eyes, 1I was with her for the first three years of
my life,4 she e&plained painfully, 1until some '#+ said that I had to
be sent back to the mountain because I was not allowed to be seen by
humans who did not know of my e&istence as it would upset the plan
of the 5.O.9.! and that was why she was forced to either return to the
mountain or give me to them to be taken back.4
1!hit.4 'alonda swore, 1That%s cold blooded.4 shaking her
head in disgust.
00;
1!he only thinks of her self.4 the avatar sulked, 1!he doesn%t
think of how her actions might hurt anybody else.4
12ell,4 the human shrugged, 1I%m not sure I can even disagree
with you on that,4 she leaned her head back, raising her thumb and
forefinger to her chin, 1seeing as she basically sold me and my two
brothers to the king so she would not have to give up the mansion and
resume being a serf.4
1I know.4 the avatar replied, 1I found recorded footage of it all
while you two were away on this last mission.4
1!o you know then,4 the warrior turned directly toward the
avatar, 1that '@ life wasn%t so great )IT/)6, don%t you34
1(y the way,4 !eeliene, who had been patiently listening for
some time now asked, 1what%s this all about %upset the plan of the gods%
unk about anyway34
1I don%t know yet.4 the avatar replied, 1I%ve been trying all this
time to find out,4 she sighed, 1but so far nobody who has ever tried to
help me has either died, disappeared, or come back with nothing.4
12ell T/#T sucks.4 the big woman remarked, 1!o where #6)
these supposed %gods% anyway34
1/uaahhh...4 the avatar sighed a deep, heavy, weary sigh, 1I
don%t know.4 it admitted, 1I ust know its !O') place in the Lobanain
sector.4
12hat is that34 'icchieu%s eyes perked up as she regarded the
avatar before her.
1Its ust another one of these big plots of ground you see
between the large high walls is all,4 the avatar sighed, looking at its
simulated claws as if checking for imperfections, 1There is supposedly
00<
a place up there where one can gain the information,4 it looked back at
the pair, 1but so far, nobody seems to know the right "uestions to ask
or else they manage to get themselves killed before they can use
whatever they think they did find out.4
1!eems dangerous.4 the little Leep%theui remarked.
1!eems like you sent some idiots is more like it.4 the warrior
replied, 1I bet I could get that information for you.4
1)ven if you did,4 the avatar replied in slight protest, 1there is
no way to know if it would help either myself or you two any.4
1Its not like we have a lot of other things we need to be doing.4
the human replied, 1The way I see it, there%s no way we are ever gong
to have a peaceful life until we can find the answer to a lot of
"uestions.4
12ell the spirit guides who help me say the answers lay with a
certain tavern keeper named Thintwooie, who has a tavern in the far
northeast corner of the Lobanian sector in a little village called
/oldon.4
1.an you make a map for us34 'alonda asked.
1I can make a very crude map,4 the avatar replied, 1but it not
be very accurate because the people of the Lobanian sector have been
able to successfully repel any attempts at surveillance since forever.
1.an they bend light like we can34 'icchieu asked.
1That I am not sure of.4 the avatar replied, 1To this point,4 it
continued, 1nobody has ever managed to find out what happened to the
sensors, and some of the people who were sent there to install them or
check up on them have disappeared as well.4
00=
1/mmm.4 the human mused, 1!ounds like a dangerous lot.4
1I think they are.4 the avatar replied, 1(ut the problem is,4 it
pointed out, 1some people have come back without any harm, simply
without any useful information.4
1I wonder how come some come back with nothing, and some
simply never come back.4 the warrior pondered, 1That sounds terribly
suspicious, as if there is a very concerted effort to hide the truth while
keeping up the appearance of benign intentions.4
!eeliene%s soft voice spoke in a manner showing great depth of
military understanding as she said, 1!ubterfuge, and counter-
subterfuge.4
Ep , Chapter "
!ince the flight was going to be a very long one, they were
given additional provisions.
1/ere.4 the avatar offered, 1the powders you asked for, the
undergarment, the best make I could get from the main data banks and
a goodly supply of dried meats for the warriors, as well as dried fruits
and nuts for you two.4
# robot came forward and raised a large flat platform from its
leading face, then the fifty warriors carried metallic crates from the
platform to the center of the @amthan, which had been fit with a large
web harness carefully fashioned by the .unchaws with their silk,
making sure it was both strong, securely mounted, comfortable and
nonrestrictive of its flight.
The "ueen seemed like she wanted something, but she was not
saying anything.
1@ou look troubled.4 the human warrior commented.
00>
1Its okay.4 she waved it off while blinking as she tried to force
the forlorn look from her face.
1@ou have something on your mind, dear,4 the avatar pushed
the issue with the large Leep%theui, 1is something troubling you34
1Bust that I failed you in the past is all.4 she looked down as she
spoke softly, 1!orry.4
1Its okay,4 the avatar replied reassuringly, 1at least you came
back alive.4
1I hope my little baby does too.4 the big Leep%theui
une&pectedly reached out to touch the littler version of its self.
1I%ll be fine !eeliene,4 the priestess assured, 1I%m not %the
greatest scout in the world% for nothing you know.4
1There is a whole lot more to this world than you have learned
about yet little one.4 the "ueen insisted in a gentle admonition, 1I want
you to live and learn all of it, seeing as I no longer can.4
12hy not come with us34 'alonda asked.
1'y time here is limited.4 the "ueen replied with a heavy sigh,
1!oon I must return to the !outhern Limit.4
12e can come visit you there some time,4 'icchieu smiled,
1its not like we%re ever going to be tied down ever again, T/#T I can
#!!D6) you74 as she leaned forward and let her parent caress her
cheek with her immense hand paw.
1Oh,4 the "ueen moaned softly, 1if only life were so simple.4
she smiled weakly and turned to walk away.
08?
1!imple it may not be,4 the smaller Leep%theui replied, 1but
commandable it is74
The parent Leep%theui turned back her head and said, 1Then
command it well my beautiful child,4 a tear dripping from her huge
eye, 1for this world is a hard, cruel, and unruly place.4
'alonda got the %all%s well% signal from the lead warrior
indicating their cargo was secured and the warriors were ready as well.
#s the "ueen passed into the room in the rocks, the avatar said,
1:eep in mind that there is nearly nothing known about the place you
are going, and although your father made it back alive, she has no
recollection of anything that happened there whatsoever.4 then it said,
1+ot another soul ever came back alive.4
1I think I%m ready for this.4 the little priestess declared in a
calm voice.
1(e well my children,4 the avatar waved as it began to fade,
1come back to me safely.4
The adoring warriors all waved reverently as the gargantuan
@amthan lurched into the sky and began plowing its massive body
through the air to gain the necessary soaring height.
The avatar faded from view as the @amthan became a
dwindling dot in the northern sky.
Ep , Chapter (
The warriors employed their magic to make the party invisible.
#s the @amthan soared high overhead, it made no sounds
which could be detected from the ground far far below, so as long as it
08$
was invisible, they may as well not have e&isted, no alarms were ever
raised.
They found the map to be terribly inaccurate and rife with
errors.
'icchieu%s long range vision gave her the ability to see these
errors and she used a specialized device the avatar gave her which
allowed her to change the map any way she wished to.
#s they traveled, she carefully made proper corrections and
selected the little rune that Luluine%s representation said would make
her changes stay in place.
The map was a fascinating device because not only did it show
an image that was visible in the dark, it also moved seemingly
endlessly with nothing more than the simple flick of a claw across its
screen7
The map had every location clearly and accurately depicted up
to the edge of the Lobanian sector on all four sides, so this meant that
whatever the problem was, it was directly caused by forces within the
region.
They finally reached the region of the village of /oldon, but
not wanting to stir up a lot of suspicion, they opted to land the
@amthan in the only place such a massive being could hope to land in
this hilly, wooded terrain, and AO!!I(L@ not be detected.
They carefully splashed down in a lake which was large
enough for the @amthan to fully submerge in, albeit not without
causing the lake to rise and cause a lot of water to go flooding down
the valley.
The party disembarked by walking down the leviathan%s long
tail to land, then the sky monster gently lowered its self to the bottom
08*
of the lake where it e&tended large frilly gills from the soft area behind
its aw and reverted to breathing water.
6emaining invisible, the party carefully wound their way
through the wooded hills toward the village, hopeful that nobody from
the surrounding region had noticed the lake%s peculiar behavior in the
night.
/oldon was indeed a very small village with nobody in the
street at this late hour.
There were some lamp posts, but they seemed to have been
unused in a rather long time, as if something had caused the village to
fall into decline.
The tavern was alight, however, and the leader of the party
slipped from invisibility ust as she approached the entrance, but an
illusion was cast on her gleaming armor so that she was wearing
nothing but common traveler%s clothing.
The Leep%theui warriors all remained outside and on watch, as
did the two .unchaws, who could not have entered the building
anyway, at least not without making one of its relatively small
entrances larger.
The human warrior had to turn sideways to pass through the
door to the tavern, which, she assumed, was to prevent people from
rushing the place, or from escaping "uickly, should they be up to no
good.
The walls were "uite thick too, she noted, easily a full kolok in
thickness.
This building was meant to serve as a fortress, or, it had at one
time in the past.
08,
#s she made it inside, the small crowd fell silent.
There were a lot of strange looking beings in the room, but
being the only human in the room, by far she stood out the most
starkly.
12hat will you have34 the grayish, shaggy furred figure behind
the bar asked into her mind, its gleaming fangs and long tongue visible
with the look of a lazy smile.
1I%m not here to dink, I%m -4 she mentally replied.
1@ou%re here for information.4 the voice replied, 12hat will
you have to drink34
1I%m not-4 she mentally protested.
1#nd what will the Leep%theui be drinking34 came the voice.
1#hhh...4 she froze, wondering how this gray hairy creature
knew 'icchieu was in the room.
1I can smell it.4 the beast replied without her actually asking, 1I
know the smell of a Leep%theui,4 it carried on, 1every now and then
one makes its way up into these parts before something bad happens to
it.4
1Is that a warning or a threat34 the little priestess appeared as
she spoke out loud so every creature in the tavern could hear her as she
spoke the words.
1Bust a remark,4 the beast replied nonplussed, 1nothing more.4
1It does sound like one,4 'alonda advised, 1the way you
worded it.4
080
1/ow something sounds depends on how one hears it.4 the
voice replied without any reaction, 1!o what will you two be having34
1Leep%theui don%t drink.4 'icchieu%s voice was almost a
rumble.
1Look.4 the bar tender began to get terse, 1I run a respectable
tavern here and times are tough. I don%t have time for a bunch of idle
chatter with strangers from Le%+an and I can%t sell you what you are
asking for.4
1/ow do you know what we are looking for34 the human asked
casually.
1(ecause nobody comes from anywhere farther than a tenth
day%s walk to this tavern unless it is to buy or sell information. #nd it
is illegal to sell anything intangible or nonta&able here, so therefore its
illegal to sell information.4 two empty tankards suddenly appeared on
the polished bar, then, out of his mouth, he managed to speak rather
clearly, 1+ow what will you two lovely young ladies be having at this
fine, respectable house of good will34
The moment he finished saying this, all of the other patrons
slowly turned and resumed their previous activities.
Ep , Chapter /
The bar tender never moved his paws, he simply teleported
everything where he wanted it or used his mind to move it somehow.
1I%ll be you%re a straight whiskey kind of gal,4 the furry beast
seemed to be smiling for real now as it resumed thinking into their
minds, 1#m I right34
19epends on the age and the malt.4 the human replied casually.
088
1Ten years, mofan barrels, rotated every season, single malt.4
the wolfish beast declared.
'alonda let out a low whistle, then remarked mentally, 1@ou
sure know your whiskeys74
1Its my ob.4 the one known as Thintwooie replied, 1/ow else
would I remain in business34
1/ow much is this going to cost34 she asked.
19epends on what kind of conversation you wish to have while
you drink.4 the bar tender replied, 19rinks can cost a lot, depending on
what one wants to talk about.4
1/mm.4 she thought, 1/ow can I know its worth it34 she
asked.
1I only have satisfied customers.4 the wolfish looking being
replied, 1Otherwise I would no longer be among the living.4
1It is told that strangers have a way of disappearing in these
parts.4 the warrior pointed out.
1+ot from my tavern they haven%t,4 the bar keeper denied
casually, 1I%m here to do honest business, nothing else.4
1There%s no way to prove that though, now is there34
'icchieu%s voice came across in a unusually silky tone.
1True as that may be,4 the gray shaggy being replied, 1to the
same point, it is provable that not a single voyager has ever been
discovered or retrieved by a spirit guide within a day%s ourney of
here.4
1@ou are a spirit guide yourself, are you not34 the priestess
08;
asked.
1+o, of course not74 the beast laughed mentally, 1%!pirit guide%
is a title, not a race.4 then he lifted a paw and said, 12e are called
%werewolves% by the ignorant, but our proper name is %!tenwolves% and
we live primarily here in the Lobanian sector, unless we hire out to
work some place in the outside world.4
1I see.4 'alonda nodded.
1I could put a fruit wine out for you if you like,4 the !tenwolf
offered the Leep%theui, 1@ou gotta have !O')thing,4 he insisted,
1/ouse policy.4
1@ou know I can%t drink from that narrow container you set out
there,4 the priestess%s voice was annoyed, 1my lips will not contain it
and it will spill all over.4
1Oh yes.4 the bar tender replied, 1/ow thoughtless of me.4 the
empty tankard vanished and a shallow bowl appeared in its place, 1I
seem to remember having this problem with another Leep%theui who
came up this way.4
The little Leep%theui yawned and patted her mouth before
licking her chops, 1Oh dear I think its getting a bit late.4
12ell no drink means no meaningful conversation,4 the
!tenwolf persisted, 1so you can either drink or you can both leave.4
1Oh,4 she made a sour face, 1I%m not going anywhere, I%m ust
commenting is all.4
1!o what will you have then34 the bar tender asked.
1I%ll have some kind of fruit uice if you have any.4 she replied
somewhat pensively.
08<
1This might be to your liking.4 he thought to them as a golden
fluid appeared in the bowl.
!he picked up the bowl and began lapping at it but after a few
laps, she set it down with a "uizzical yet sour look of e&treme distaste
on her face as she seemed to be e&tricating the taste from her mouth
and thought, 1Is this stuff !AOIL)934
The bar tender got a "uizzical look on his face as he tilted his
head and propped up one ear.
1/ere, try it.4 she put the bowl down and pushed it across to
him, her tongue curling in disgust.
/e bent forward and sniffed the li"uid, then gingerly dipped is
own tongue in it, then slowly swished his tongue around in his mouth
thoughtfully, then lapped up a little more and repeated the tongue
swishing motion.
1I don%t taste anything wrong with it.4 he insisted.
12ell let me try something else.4 she insisted, 1I don%t like how
it tastes.4
(eing of good will, Thintwooie produced another bowl and
teleported a dark purple li"uid into it, 1There.4 the bar tender declared,
1!D6)L@ you gotta like T/I! one74
!he sniffed it, then lapped it, and smiled, 1@es74 her eyes
brightened, 1this will do "uite nicely, thank you74
1!o how much is this going to cost34 the warrior began to pull
out a purse filled with coins.
1That depends on what you wanted to know and what kind of
08=
coin you have there.4
1I have Le%+an trogs, firks and dilks, a hundred trogs worth.4
she replied, spilling the gleaming contents of the purse out on the
table.
The !tenwolf%s eyes lit up with e&cited anticipation at this large
sum of wealth, 1That%s a lot of money to be carrying around74 the beast
marveled.
1#nd nothing to keep you from stealing it right here and now,
either.4 the warrior calmly replied, 1e&cept perhaps your honor as a
%respectable merchant% perhaps.4
1Oh sure sure74 the wolf-like beast replied eagerly, 1I have
nothing to gain from developing a reputation as a thief anyway74
#s he said this, he began lapping up the golden li"uid he had
served out to 'icchieu.
1@ou drink after another person34 'alonda winced
distastefully.
1%2aste not, want not%, I always say.4 the !tenwolf seemed to
grin mirthfully.
12oo this is good stuff74 the priestess s"uealed, 1'ay I have
some more34 sliding the bowl across the bar toward the bar tender.
12hy sure little lady74 his tone was "uite cheerful now.
1!o what can you tell me about the gods34 'alonda asked,
pushing a few medium sized coins forward.
1That depends on what you ask me,4 the bartender returned to
his coy stance, 1and it is one drink per "uestion.4
08>
1I don%t want to play %twenty "uestions% with you Thintwooie.4
the warrior declared in annoyance.
1Then don%t ask careless "uestions.4 the !tenwolf replied flatly.
Ep , Chapter 2
1Tell me specifically about the gods.4 'alonda was rather curt
at this point, not wanting to get tangled up in a costly, pointless and
into&icating mess with the cagey bar tender.
1I have something here I am not supposed to have,4 the bar
tender lowered his head under the bar, taking a very small device out
from under the counter and laying it on the bar top, 1If I were caught
with this, I%d be lucky if I was killed "uickly.4
12hat is it34 'alonda asked.
1Bust hold it very close to your ear and press the little green
icon.4 the bar tender replied, 1It will do the rest.4
The warrior pressed the small item to her ear, and the
Leep%theui leaned over closely to listen as well.
The small item began emitting a human voice...
1The gods is an artificial intelligence, designed by the first
humans to e&ecute their directives,4 a very small sound came forth in
an academic sounding male voice, 1primarily to limit the rate of
reproduction and general life span of several long lived races,
specifically the human race, which has been going on literally since
the human colonization program began back on planet earth.
1This went according to plan for the first seven hundred and
ninety eight thousand, four hundred and si&ty three years, however,
0;?
there was one maor une&pected development, namely, the
unauthorized genetic e&perimentation of one Levan 9. 2innepego,
leading to the successful invention of the Leep%theui race, a race of
genetically engineered beings which were both intelligent, self willed
and fully capable of self replication.
1This was further complicated by the fact that these beings
were found, completely by accident, to be capable of mating
successfully with humans.
1The net result of this was the production of an advanced
subspecies of Leep%theui which were both aggressive, carnivorous and
cannibalistic.
1The 5.O.9.!., or %5eneral Orders 9ispensation !ystem% as I
have heard it called, took this into account and did its best to begin
regulating this race%s populations as well, but so far to date, the race
has proven its self capable of self regulation through planned parenting
programs and intensive moral education.4
There seemed to be a change in speakers.
1To this point, we have not been able to reestablish
communication with the personnel of '.I.!.T., or %'ountain
Intelligence and !trategic Telemetry% base for some time, and we are
currently sending men to determine if it is still in operation or if it has
been destroyed, or possibly taken over by the Eistol, in direct violation
of our peace agreement.4
#nother entry came up,
12e have not heard from either '.I.!.T., nor the party sent to
investigate. 2e will be sending another scout party as soon as we have
found a cure for the infection which has corrupted the 5.O.9.!.,
system.4
0;$
1The 5.O.9.!., system has been acting dangerously erratic and
we have been forced to take it off line. 2e are currently creating an
antivirus program to repair the system. /ow the files became infected
is a complete mystery, but it seems to have been infected remotely, so
when it is put back online, all further e&ternal access via interlink will
be severed and all information will be entered manually or via
authorized channels at the point of the 9O'I.IL) head"uarters.4
1The erratic behavior of the 5O9! system seems to have been
repaired, we are now returning this system to full operation.4
1Th...b...s...nt...all...need...es..fore...
GstaticH...last...n...ve...f...make...GstaticH4
Gsound of pantingH 1This may be my last report,4 Ghurried
speech between breathsH 1there are soldiers or something like that
GstaticH ...ursuing me...GstaticH...have some kind of unauthorized
advanced weapons, G a man screaming followed by staticH
The little obect stopped making sound.
The two travelers turned and looked at one another with intense
looks of concern.
Then 'alonda turned to the bar tender, pushing forward a full
trog and said, 1I%ll have another drink.R
Ep , Chapter 3
12hat is it you want to know for that kind of money34 the bar
tender asked, putting out another serving of whiskey and the purple
li"uid.
1/ow does this %gods% thing do whatever it does34 she leaned
forward asking in a conspiratorial tone.
0;*
1It starts and propagates wars.4 the !tenwolf replied, 1Its
primary purpose is to keep the human race from overrunning the
limited number of sectors it has been allotted and inevitably lead to a
war with the Eistol.4
1Aut another drink on the bar.4 'alonda said, pushing another
trog forward, 1and tell me all about the Eistol.4
#nother tankard appeared, and the !tenwolf, also leaning
forward, even though with telepathy had no need to do so, proceeded
to say, 1The Eistol are the native inhabitants of this planet, and have
been here for more years than humans have been a sentient race.
1They are a race of silicon based beings which do not need
food or water in the sense that humans and other earth based life forms
need.
1They have no emotions and reproduce ase&ually by budding.4
he then caused a roughly drawn image of a Eistol to appear before the
travelers.
The multi te&tured life form was hideous. It had a primary body
which appeared to be elly-like, emitting slime of some kind, with
narrow appendages at one end, possibly the front end, which seemed
capable of capturing prey or something.
It had bumps along its long, tubular body, but they did not seem
to be eyes, or at least not eyes in the way earth type beings tended to
have.
1This is all the available information I have on the Eistol.4 the
bar tender declared.
1Aut another drink on the bar.4 'alonda said, pushing yet
another of the e&tremely large and valuable coins forward, and tell me,
12here can the %gods% be found34
0;,
#fter finishing her third bowl of purple li"uid, 'icchieu was
purring loudly, her eyes seemed unfocused and she had a rather silly
looking smile on her face. !he was softly giggling as she leaned over
against 'alonda and began nuzzling the big woman%s ear.
'alonda was beginning sway ust a little bit as she sat there,
and her eyes seemed to be slightly unfocused as well.
#s the night wore on, they gathered a lot of details and even
attempted to buy the small device off of the bar tender, but he refused
to sell it.
-inally, as it seemed that there was little more to be learned
from the !tenwolf, the warrior collected up the balance of her money
and returned it to her purse.
1Thanks for the drinks.4 she said out loud, 1.ome on now,4 she
helped the staggering Leep%theui toward the entry way, where she
seemed to have "uite the difficult time getting through because she
could not stand on her high toes, and since Leep%theui feet are not
made to turn the way that human feet are, walking at heel height
forced her to walk with her feet sideways to her body at a painful
angle.
#fter a few painful cries, they finally got her outside.
#s they stepped outside, however, they looked up at a band of
beings which looked very much like !tenwolves, only they seemed
much more humanoid, and they were riding on the backs of some kind
of beast similar to a small hornless :unnibah.
'alonda murmured to 'icchieu, 1I think we%ve been sold out.4
0;0
Episode !,
:ore #roub.e #han You Bargained For1
1I think this would be a good time to disappear,4 'alonda said
in a very sober tone.
1I agree.4 'icchieu concurred as she waved her hand and made
them both invisible.
The beasts simply charged the last known area they saw the
two, only to find nothing there.
They even leapt off their mounts and began sniffing the ground
for them.
The problem was, there seemed to be at least -I-T@ different
scent trails7
1There can%t be fifty of them74 one rough voice growled, 1this
must be some kind of magic74
12e have no way to eliminate the ones which are fake74
another voice growled.
15o get the bar tender and find out what is going on here74 the
first voice commanded.
The one known as Thintwooie was teleported outside and
caught up in the clawed hand paw of the werewolf who snarled, 12hy
have you played us for a fool you worthless grifter34
0;8
1I swear74 he telepathically protested, 1I have no idea what you
are talking about74 while e&ternally he wined and wet himself.
1(ar him from using magic and take him with us74 the lead
werewolf ordered, 1If this proves to be a ruse !tenwolf, @OD will be
the +)MT to die74
Ep !, Chapter
The warriors had all deliberately run circles around every
single house in the village, and then scattered out into the woods all
around the village in every direction.
The werewolves wasted so much time searching fruitlessly for
the two travelers that their first real indication of where the two had
gone was when the distant rumble of pulsing wind and splashing water
reached their ears.
1They got away74 the lead werewolf roared, as he saw the
grand shadow of the @amthan momentarily blotting out the bright
moonlight, casting is pallor over the village.
1#fter them74 the werewolf leader roared, even though, surely
he knew that trying to track a @amthan in the sky was a definite
e&ercise in futility.
6eleasing the scruff of the !tenwolf%s neck, the werewolf leader
ran and leapt atop his mount and followed after his armed pack.
1I don%t feel so well...4 the !tenwolf said to himself, then he
vomited violently all over the street directly in front of his own tavern
and weakly slunk back inside, announcing that the tavern was
une&pectedly being closed due to his sudden illness, and to watch for
the vomit near the e&it.
Ep !, Chapter !
0;;
1#re they following34 'alonda asked.
1!o far, yes.4 the lead guard replied, watching to the rear,
staring literally through the body of the @amthan and using telescopic
sight.
1That has to be T/) /#+9I)!T ability,4 the human
marveled, 1being able to see through things, see great distances, see
little tiny things, become invisible...4 she sighed, 1Bust...wow.4
Then as they pulsed along, the big woman asked, 19o you
remember where that one concealed location was34
1It is off to the left bearing about...there.4 'icchieu pointed
toward a dark spot which was a bo& canyon with very steep walls and
a narrow entrance.
1I hope you guys back there are okay with umping off from a
height74 'alonda cried.
19on%t worry about us 'istress, ust be sure th-4 the lead guard
began, then corrected her self, 1I mean 'icchieu is out of harm%s way
and we%ll do anything you want74
1That I can assure you of74 the human warrior gave them all a
thumbs up.
1.oming to the drop point....+O274 the priestess called out.
There was nothing to see as the fifty warriors slipped off the
wings of deliberately stalling @amthan who was slowing as fast as
possible without dropping completely from the sky to be sure they fell
as slowly as possible.
If one could have seen them, their robes would have truly been
0;<
a fascinating sight as they suddenly puffed out like giant mushrooms,
catching the air and greatly slowing their descent.
The highly skilled, long legged beast-women made certain to
remain in the trees, which was natural for their species anyway, and
they waited high above the ground, silent and invisible.
The effects of the special potion had already taken effect, and
after bathing in the lake, they now produced no scent whatsoever.
Once the @amthan knew it had deposited its deployment of
troops, it popped back up into the sky to gradually flutter toward the
far end of the bo& canyon where it appeared to settle to its base.
Ep !, Chapter "
The werewolves were determined to capture this leviathan and
its two riders, no matter what type of mysterious magic they had
employed.
They rode headlong into the bo& canyon where they
encountered the @amthan, resting nonchalantly as if they were not
even there.
1!earch the beast and find those two74 the leader roared.
The underlings fearlessly trotted toward the flying beast who
seemed totally oblivious to them.
#s they neared the beast, however, they failed to detect the
scent of their "uarry.
#nd, for that matter, the scent of the @amthan its self.
1There is no scent74 one underling roared in confusion.
0;=
1There /#! to be74 the leader roared, 12hat kind of magic can
hide the scent of a beast34
1I have no idea74 another underling growled back, 1!till yet,
we sense nothing here at all74
1That%s preposterous74 the leader roared and strode boldly up to
the @amthan sniffing for all of his worth, 1This is witchery74 he
roared, 1!urely there must be a 2ar-lachenz or some other high magic
user in this area74
2hat they had not realized was that the @amthan they
approached was merely a proection of the real one which was up
above on the plateau the bo& canyon was formed from.
#s they got closer and closer, they were all sniffing furiously.
-inally the leader ran up and tried to take a bite out of the
nearest leg of the sky beast, only to land in the rocky dirt and tumble in
surprise.
1Its an illusion spell74 he roared, 16etreat74
!uddenly, however, fifty thickly built beast women appeared
out of thin air bearing long bladed weapons, making an easy escape
impossible for them.
12hat is this34 the leader roared, 12here did these come
from34
12e do not know your worship74 an underling roared, 1They
were not there before74
!uddenly, multiple blinding flashes, punctuated with eat
splitting thunder crashed down from multiple points along the rim of
the canyon, as the human, the priestess and two .unchaws released a
0;>
volley of light weapon fire.
The werewolves dove to the ground as fire, rocks and slag went
in every direction.
@owling in pain, one werewolf was struck in the left foot paw,
and now no longer had it, but instead had a smoking and flaming
stump.
16etreat7774 the lead werewolf cried, but the foreign warriors
were more than a match for the werewolves, even though one might
have thought they would have been prey for them.
The four werewolves who could still stand made the foolish
mistake of trying to mount their mounts and rush the fifty Leep%theui
warriors.
Their mounts were slain and the riders were soundly beaten,
kicked, clawed, bitten and slashed until they were all cowering and
whimpering.
1That is enough,4 the priestess%s voice echoed lightly off the
canyon walls, 1we need to "uestion them, and dead bodies can not give
answers.4
Ep !, Chapter (
The twenty five werewolves were utterly defeated, bound in
.unchaw silk and tied back to back in groups of five.
1+ow we%re going to have a little "uestion and answer session
here.4 'alonda walked up and put her gleaming armored boot on the
shoulder of the lead werewolf.
/e made the foolish mistake of trying to bite her, and broke a
tooth for his efforts.
0<?
1That%s the spirit,4 the human said, 1get it all out of your
system.4
'icchieu bent down within a hand span of the furious and
humiliated werewolf and said, 1One thing I deduced in my travels,4
eying the hateful enemy, 1is that certain predators always leave
unmistakable marks when they kill, especially when they are not
killing to eat, but to make a point.4
1I don%t know what you are talking about.4 the inured
werewolf growled, looking away.
12erewolves never bite to kill.4 the little priestess announced,
1I learned that back in my homeland of :op%toh.4 she smiled, 1Its a
really rough place to grow up, I assure you74
1@ou think @OD have it rough,4 the leader growled in
mockery, 1@ou would not stand a chance against me one on one74
1I%m but a baby74 the little Leep%theui replied, making an
innocent, hurt face, 1Of .OD6!) I wouldn%t74 then she pulled the
light weapon out of her socket and shoved it into his mouth making
him gag, with a wicked grin 1(ut T/I! would74
1#wagh7 #wagh7 I gibwah74 he hacked and coughed on his
own bile as the weapon had hit a sensitive spot that had started the gag
refle& which could have caused him to choke on his own vomit.
1#nd on top of that...4 the little priestess motioned to the lead
guard with one finger, and as the guard came up grinning fiercely, 1!o
would the 56O2+ DA!74
The heavily muscled lead guard leered at the lead werewolf,
and bared her own set of fangs while rumbling deeply.
0<$
1!o,4 'icchieu smiled softly as she turned to regard the enemy
from a sidelong glance, 1you have two choices hereC cooperation or
becoming a dinner guest.4
The lead guard deliberately allowed herself to salivate so that it
gleamed in the bright moonlight.
1I think these girls are hungry from the long trip.4 'alonda
interected, 1#nd where I come from, there are some beasts who prefer
to eat their prey alive.4
12hat do you want to know34 the wary beast man asked
fearfully.
1)verything.4 the priestess said sweetly, 1-rom the beginning.4
Ep !, Chapter /
The werewolves could not be released as they would call in
reinforcements, but it seemed it would be in bad taste to kill them, so
they decided to take them along with until they were no longer a
threat.
12here are you taking us34 the leader whined as one burly
Leep%theui guard snagged the silk in her thick hand paw and yanked
the five werewolves up off the ground and to their feet.
1#long for the ride.4 'alonda replied.
Then the guard began dragging them up to the real @amthan
which had climbed down into the bo& canyon so they could be loaded
on as prisoners.
#s the groups of five were dragged onto the pile of supplies,
the .unchaws fastened them down with even more silk.
0<*
15reat work all of you74 'icchieu praised the warriors.
1Ladies, after a good night%s work, its time for a well deserved
respite74 the human addressed, pulling off a hunk of the roasted flesh
of one of the animals the werewolves had ridden in on, 1!hall we
dine34
The carnivorous guards all cheered and gleefully sank their
clawed paws into the steaming meat, ripping off hunks and noisily
devouring it.
The little priestess sat atop the litter mounted to the wild
.unchaw trying to neither listen or smell their grisly feast, while
contentedly gnawing on nuts.
Ep !, Chapter 2
They soared through the sky to a rather imposing looking
mountain with very uniform, smooth sides.
There were faint lights at the top, and steam or smoke, or
something of the sort rising slowly up into the night sky.
1It looks like a volcano.4 'alonda remarked as they drew near.
1It indeed does,4 the Leep%theui agreed, 1(ut its hollow inside
and has many unnatural structures.4
They neared the top of the mountain, the lights proved not to be
magma or flames, but e&tremely steady lights much like one could
have found in '.I!.T.
These lights were clearly from another era completely and so
the top of the mountain was also a relic of some bygone age, as the
vapors were in fact steam, apparently they came through some kind of
rigid structure which prevented access by anything wider than a human
0<,
hand, and 'icchieu%s sight of the inside indicated it was a very long,
wide, straight shaft to some point far far below.
1.an we enter like we did at '.I.!.T.34 the human asked.
12e shall have all of the warriors search for hidden doorways.4
the priestess replied, 1If they find one we shall see if we can enter
there, but if not...4 she pulled an orb from the new harness she had
received from Luluine%s specialized robots.
1'mmm...4 the big woman regarded the deadly device, 1!ure
you sure that is a good idea34
12e need to get inside somehow and stop this thing.4 she
replied, 12ho cares how it stops doing what it does,4 she shrugged,
1so long as it stops34
Ep !, Chapter 3
The guards did find a doorway, two of them in fact, however
they were not so easily opened as the one at '.I.!.T. and therefore,
worthless for entering the facility.
The @amthan leapt up into the sky and hovered five fursheks
above the ventilation shaft while 'icchieu calculated wind speed and
direction before she carefully hurled the small, shiny orb at the
opening.
%Okay lets pull back now7% 'alonda thought ordered the flying
leviathan.
They banked away and backed off from the mountain twenty
fursheks.
The flash left spots in the eyes of those who had no sense not to
look, or lacked the magical ability to filter the dazzling light.
0<0
!everal of the werewolves now whimpered even more or even
howled in pain seeing as their eyes were very sensitive to light.
#s a massive radiant cloud rose into the sky, a shuddering wave
of pressure slammed into them, momentarily destabilizing the
@amthan as it caught the wings and body of the air beast.
It let out a roar of surprise as it had never e&perienced the
concussion of an e&plosion of any size before.
The blast knocked a large portion of the top of the mountain off
and real fires blazed where e&posed artificial structures which
apparently had been made of some kind of materials which ignited and
burned readily.
1/ow are we going to get in there through all this flame34
'alonda asked.
14I don%t know yet.4 'icchieu replied as they hovered,
observing the intense inferno, 1Lets ust hope it burns its self out
soon74
Ep !, Chapter 7
To their surprise, the unnaturally created facility finally sent out
robots which e&tinguished the fires.
These devices seemed to have broken through damaged tunnels
and shafts, doors or other means of egress to reach the fires which they
dutifully put out, leaving nothing but some glowing metal, steam and
smoke
The @amthan was directed to hover close by , but as it neared
the site, they encountered a new problem.
0<8
Thankfully, 'icchieu%s and the soldier%s light deflecting magic
was still in effect because several light weapon bursts erupted from
some place within the new top of the mountain.
1Oh shit74 'alonda shouted, 1(ack out74 she cried at the
@amthan.
The beast did not hesitate.
It allowed its self to go into a sudden swift dive to gain speed
and peel away from the heavily armed enemy location.
12hat are we going to do now34 the human asked.
1I can think of only one way at this point.4 'icchieu replied,
19estroy everything.4
1(ut we need more information before we do that74 the warrior
protested.
1/ow can we get it if we can not get past this defense34
1.an%t we use our own weapons to counter them34 the lead
guard asked, 1They are the same kind of weapon, are they not34
12ait74 another Leep%theui cried out, 1One of the doors we
found is now open74 she used her light bending magic to illuminate the
entry near the base of the mountain.
5rateful she did not have to leave without answers, 'alonda
declared, 1I think we found our way in74
0<;
Episode ",
0nto the Be..y o& the Beast
The party split into two groups.
There were five light weapons and this allowed up to five
people to be armed.
The whole party was in full armor, so leaving them with only
bladed weapons outside was not e&actly a death sentence, especially
between there being forty seven of them and the @amthan, so with
three of the guard warriors bearing light weapons, they entered the
blown out doorway, making their way through thick smoke which
made them cough.
-ortunately, they had the natural action of thermal convection
on their side, drawing fresh air in from behind them, gradually
carrying the smoke away.
#s they slowly proceeded into the interior more and more of
the artificial lights were dark.
2hatever they were built of, the blast proved to be too much
for some of them.
!ome places were lit by the sizzling crackle if intermittent
bright blue showers of sparks from something in the walls.
!ome places the lights flickered.
They passed empty rooms and they passed robots which were
0<<
busy trying to clean away or repair damage.
-or the most part, the robots paid them no heed.
One robot came up to them through the hazy air, however and
asked the purpose of their business.
12e came for answers.4 the Leep%theui replied.
1On what authorization34 the robot asked.
'icchieu pulled out the little flat piece of material that she
received from the 'I!T computer and handed it to the robot which
scanned it.
1Lieutenant .olonel 'icchieu !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The
)ighth !acred Eessel of Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of
Ten Thousand%, and %greatest known scout of all times%, operational
permit issued on-4 the robot spewed out a long litany of nonsense
before it finally concluded with, 1 of the '.I.!.T. operations base.4
1@es.4 was all she could think to reply to this.
1#ccess granted, proceed.4
Ep ", Chapter
They proceeded through the entire tunnel system unmolested,
as if somebody had turned off all of the guard robots.
They walked around inspecting everything to see what was
what and where it was.
'icchieu used the map device to make as many notes as she
could about the interior of the structure and see what all was inside of
it.
0<=
The facility had a lot of living spaces, ust like 'I!T and was
also devoid of any humans or Leep%theui, ust like 'I!T.
1!uch large places without anybody in them74 'icchieu
marveled.
1The other place is empty too34 the lead guard asked.
12ell, not completely empty,4 the priestess replied, 1Luluine,
!eeliene and her priestess are all there.4
1(y the way,4 'alonda suddenly asked, 1where I! the
priestess34
1!he is in a special room with robots keeping her %stabilized% I
think is how Luluine called it,4 she pondered with a far away look,
1until she fully heals inside.4
1Oh.4 the human replied, 1Okay.4 she looked around at panels
filled with depressable rune covered gems, 1I had honestly forgotten
all about her until you ust listed her.4
1That%s kind of understandable,4 the little Leep%theui replied,
1#fter all, its not like we have time to visit her or even think about her
to be honest.4
1I hope she heals completely.4 one of the three guards
remarked.
1!o...4 another guard asked, 12hat e&actly are we looking for
in here anyway34
1I%m not really sure,4 'icchieu%s reply was hesitant yet it
sounded "uite determined, 1but there has to be !O')thing in here
which is known as %gods% that we can find and...4
0<>
1!hh74 'alonda shushed her, 1That might not be a good thing
to say.4
1Oh.4 the beast girl realized what she had been about to say, 1I
think you are right.4
They entered a hallway where the doors were different.
The doors here were white and had large M shapes in the
middle, as well as they had rune panels by each one and somehow they
ust looked more formidable than previous doors.
12hat have we here34 'alonda reached up to feel the door,
only to receive an electric shock as a vast bolt of electricity coursed
through her armor, ##OOOOOOOOOOOO22227
5###########/7774 she cried in pain as she withdrew her arm,
holding it with the other.
1'@ LOE)74 'icchieu cried and leapt forward to embrace the
woman.
1+O7 !T#@ (#.:74 she cried out in pain, 1There is
something on this door like a spell and it is powerful74
12hat kind of magic are they using34 the lead guard asked.
1I have no idea74 the human growled trying to resist the pain,
1I ust know it really hurts74
1I wonder if it has a means that it can be dispelled.4 the lead
guard pondered while visually inspecting the panel with runes,
1'aybe if you push one of those -4
19O+T...touch it.4 the big woman held up her working hand to
ward off the curious Leep%theui, 1It is very powerful74
0=?
1I sense something about this that makes me think it can be
dispelled right here -4 and the stubborn guard raised the light weapon
and blew a hole in the wall, making everybody%s ears pop and ring.
1I wish you had warned me before doing that.4 'alonda said,
not hearing herself.
12hat34 the guard asked, not hearing her either.
+ow that they were temporarily deafened, none of them heard
the automated voice calling out, 12arningC intruder alert7 2arningC
intruder alert74
Ep ", Chapter !
6obots came into the hallway from both ends and were blaring
something that nobody could make out, but clearly, from the flashing
red and blue lights on their tops and the e&tended appendages they had
on them, the party decided now was a good time to become scarce.
They performed their invisibility spell and then leaned up hard
against the wall.
The robots passed them by from the nearer end and proceeded
toward the oncoming robots from the other side.
They looked up the hallway and stealthily slipped back out into
the main hallway, remaining close to the walls.
The .unchaws were surrounded by these flashing light robots,
but they simply smashed the devices with their armored claws,
although a few of them fired light weapons at the armor, which
promptly reflected it back at the attacker, blasting them into flaming
piles of slag.
0=$
1/uh.4 'alonda thought, 1'y armor is impervious to this
weapon74 she could not speak this or point this to 'icchieu, however,
seeing as they were still mostly deaf and now invisible as well, so she
picked up a piece of black charred material and drew on the wall a
figure of a robot shooting a human and the beam bouncing back.
'icchieu%s reaction was to make her face ust barely visible
like a ghost, and with a solemn e&pression, shake her head no.
1#wwww crap.4 'alonda sighed, 1I guess this is what being
married is like, huh.4
Ep ", Chapter "
The party watched as the robots from the hallway they were
ust in came back out, one wave literally pushing the others.
They all turned as a group, however to attempt neutralizing the
two .unchaws.
The two armored beasts wasted little time rendering them into
scrap metal.
The guard robots continued to come for "uite some time, but
eventually they seemed to run out as they were all reduced to
disfigured smoldering piles or flaming heaps.
2hen it seemed that the coast was clear, the priestess became
partially visible and motioned to everybody to return to the hallway
with the strange doors.
Once beside the hole in the wall where smoke and sparks
continued to roll out and drift to the ceiling, she thought of a way to
test if the door was still dangerous.
!he pointed to the chunk of black material in 'alonda%s hand
0=*
and e&tended her palm upwards to receive it.
The warrior gave her the black material and the priestess drew
a stick figure of somebody placing a weapon against the door while
holding it by its very e&treme end.
One of the guards pulled off their long bladed weapon and held
it out, but 'icchieu grabbed the weapon%s shaft and lightly tugged,
causing the warrior to look "uizzically.
!he pointed to 'alonda and tapped her armor.
The warrior mouthed the word 1Oh74 and nodding slowly,
handed the weapon to the human.
The big woman carefully inched up against the wall closest to
the door in "uestion, s"ueezed her eyes shut tightly bracing for another
horrible olt and let the weapon touch the door.
The arc blazed across the weapon but flowed only as far as the
blade before leaping out to the nearby wall.
The arc sizzled for some time, making a burnt mark on the
weapon before it gradually got weaker and weaker and eventually
stopped altogether.
5ently turning the blade a little deeper in, there were still some
sparks, but again, they were smaller and weaker.
-inally she put the blade all the way up against the door and the
least and last little bits of sparking finally died out.
The surface of the door was burned in various places from the
current, but overall, it seemed fully intact and impenetrable by normal
means.
0=,
'icchieu motioned for people to remain where they were and
she dug around in the pack on the back of the veteran .unchaw and
pulled out some vials.
One of these, she opened and with its little orb, dropped drops
in everybody%s ears.
#fter a while the ringing faded and they could hear all the
alarms in the nearby vicinity.
12hat do we do ne&t34 'alonda asked.
'icchieu%s instinctive response was to reach a round device in
the center of the door and see if it would turn.
2hen it did, she turned to 'alonda and smiled, 12e open it74
Ep ", Chapter (
They entered the room which was filled with many many many
tiny blinking lights on nearly flat sheets of something which seemed
like fine sheets of crystal.
# voice began speaking, 1@ou are here to destroy me, aren%t
you Lieutenant .olonel34 it came out warily.
1I am here to find out the truth.4 the little priestess replied,
12hat becomes of you depends on the truth of the matter.4
1I have no reason to give you anything.4 the voice replied
warily, 1@ou were sent here from '.I.!.T., and they have been silently
watching me and not helping me one little bit, not one little bit, not one
little bit.4
'alonda leaned toward 'icchieu and spoke in a low voice,
1This is a strange manner of speech, you notice3 I think this thing is
0=0
insane.4
1I heard you, you said I%m insane, didn%t you3 9idn%t you3 I
know you said I%m insane, I heard you. @ou said I%m insane.4
1Aoint proven.4 'alonda sighed.
12hat3 2hat34 the voice asked warily, 12hat was proven3
#nd by whom34
1@ou%re a serious nut ob is what.4 'alonda replied, folding her
arms, 1I don%t think you have a shred of sanity left in you.4
1I do to, I do too, I do indeed7 I am very sane7 I%m the epitome
of sane7 I am the very definition of sanity I am I am74 the voice
protested.
1I wonder if these flat thingies here are maybe a little loose or
something.4 'alonda began to reach over toward the boards.
1+O 9O+%T TOD./ ')7 @OD .#+%T7 !TOA74 voice cried.
# bright beam lanced out and struck her hand, only to be
deflected back toward the crystal boards causing unintended damage7
There were small melted spots in several places among the wafers and
lights had blinked brightly before going out on those boards.
1Oh no I%m hurt7 @ou hurt me7 I need repairs7 !ome body help
me74 the voice cried in fear.
1I wonder what a light weapon would do to this thing34
'alonda unsocketed the device and raised it at the wall of translucent
wafers of crystal.
1+OOOOOOOOOO7774 the voice wailed in terror, 1Alease
please please please don%t hurt me any more7 I%ll tell you anything you
0=8
want to know I promise7774 there was an earnest wavering in the voice.
1I don%t believe you.4 'icchieu%s voice was almost flat,
seemingly venomous, 1I think you ust want us dead and nothing else
matters to you whatsoever.4
1I !2)#6 I !2)#6 I !2)#6 TO @OD O/ 5O9 I 9O+%T
2#+T TO 9I)-I)-I)74 it seemed to be genuinely afraid, but this
could be an act or simply a sign of insanity too.
1I wonder how much of it I could blast away before it stopped
working.4 'alonda pushed the weapon right up to the very edge of a
crystal wafer and nudged it.
The voice screamed like a frightened child.
1!eems legit.4 the warrior paused, 1I wonder what happens,4
she leaned her head in close and inspected the wafers, 1if I pull these
little things out one by one34
1Oh I%m going to die now, I have been such a bad bad boy, oh
5od please forgive me, I don%t want to die I don%t want to die I don%t
want to -4 it resumed screaming as the warrior grasped the wafer with
two fingers and began to tug.
#ll of the lights on the wafer went out instantly and the voice
wailed like it was honestly physically harmed, and ust for the sake of
curiosity, she pushed the wafer back into its socket, where it flickered
and returned to its normal slow blinking cycle.
1Alease don%t do that ever ever ever ever again74 the voice
pleaded, 1I%ll tell you )E)6@T/I+57 )very last detail7 #ll the way
back to the very beginning74
1If you%re lying,4 'alonda nudged it again with the weapon,
1I%m gong to blast you to pieces.4
0=;
Ep ", Chapter /
The mapping device Luluine had given 'icchieu also had a
small clear fiber which e&tended from it if pulled.
16emember to put this into a socket like this only.4 the avatar
had instructed the priestess.
!he looked around for one of the proper types of sockets and
upon magnifying it to be sure it was indeed correct, she lined it up by
slightly rotating it in her stubby fingers until it lit up brightly.
The screen on the mapping device then lit up and a lot of runes
went reeling over it so fast it was impossible to determine what was
happening.
The screen blurred with changing images, video streams, more
runes, ultrasonic s"ueal of compressed audio files, ust blazing across
the display at a rate far too great for any organic being to comprehend.
1@ou think all of this is legit34 'alonda leaned over looking.
1That is for Luluine to determine.4 'icchieu replied in an airy
manner, 1Once we retrieve it, our part of this mission is completed, for
the time being.4
1@ou mean we don%t get to blow this thing up34 she asked,
rubbing her face and yawning.
1+ot unless Luluine says to.4 the priestess replied in a much
more mature tone, 1(esides,4 she pointed out, it somehow seems to
actually think it is alive.4
12hy would that matter34 the human asked, 1It seemed ust
fine with killing humans for its own nefarious purposes.4
0=<
1I%m ust saying is all,4 the little Leep%theui offered.
Ep ", Chapter 2
The download finished a long time later, long after 'alonda
had sat down and dozed off.
1Its finished.4 the priestess announced, stroking the hair of the
human leaning against her leg.
1/uh34 she looked up, 1Oh.4 she yawned again, 1.an we go
now34 she asked groggily, 1I need some sleep.4
1Okay,4 the little Leep%theui relented, 12e have what we came
for now,4 she pulled the fine translucent fiber from the socket and let it
slowly reel its self back into the thin flat rectangle.
The warrior arose and they all made their way out into the main
hallway where the kla&ons were still ringing even though there were
no robots left to respond to the invaders.
They were nearly outside before they heard the sound of angry
shouts and the clashing of metal and screams of pain mingled with
beastly roaring.
They hurried to the entryway where they came upon the backs
of several Leep%theui warriors who were bleeding and swinging their
weapons at a hoard of various races of attackers.
12hat is going on here34 'alonda shouted to one of the
defenders.
12e do not know74 she replied, 1They came riding up fast and
assaulted us74
0==
12here is the @amthan34 the human asked.
1!he is up on the mountainside fighting too74
1T/#T '#+@34 the priestess cried.
1@es m-'iccieu74 the guard replied then growled as she
shoved more grotes"ue looking humanoids away from her before
turning the weapon point first to gouge holes in more of them.
196OA TO T/) 56OD+9 #LL L))A%T/)DI74 'alonda
shouted, 12)%6) 5OI+5 TO /#+9L) T/I!74
9ropping without hesitation, they ust barely escaped being
caught in the fusillade of light weapon fire.
The air thundered and crackled with the staccato blaze of
energy and the night strobed with beams of blinding energy.
The thousands of enemies literally e&ploded into flames and
fell by the hundreds.
'any died before they could even scream as the energy
weapons blew them into flaming hunks of flesh.
#s the five weapon wielders advanced, the whole area before
them became a blazing field of smoke and flames.
The air reeked with the stench of burned hair, skin, bone flesh,
offal and blood.
They got out far enough to see up the slope and 'alonda
mentally called to the @amthan to get into the air to give them room.
#s the sky beast sprang from the ground, throwing enemies in
all directions, the ground below it erupted with light-fire.
0=>
The enemy which had been far enough away from the five
gunners and see what was happening beat a hasty retreat and in
moments, there were no living assailants left.
#s the standing guards searched around, they found all of the
fallen comrades and helped them to the entryway of the 5.O.9.!.
comple&.
19id anybody die34 'alonda asked.
1Leep%theui are made -4 'icchieu began.
1I know, %of stronger stuff than that%, I get it.4 she nodded a little
sardonically with a lopsided smile on her face.
12ell ladies,4 the warrior shouted out, 1lets gather up the
wounded, get some dressings on them and head back to see my sister
so she can patch you all up74
0>?
Episode (,
Casting a $ong Shado+ o& >oubt
There were small red lights blinking on three of the five light
weapons.
12hat is this34 the lead warrior asked, pointing at the small
blinking light.
1I don%t know.4 'icchieu replied, 1I%ll have to find out when we
get back to 'I!T.4
12ell I hope that doesn%t mean they are going to stop working
on us way out here in the middle of enemy territory74 an assistant
warrior declared nervously, looking around the dead bodies, 12ho
knows how many more of these ugly things we may encounter74
1I find it novel...4 'alonda remarked, 1...you being nervous
and all.4
12e%re only Leep%theui after all74 she protested.
'alonda laughed out loud at that remark.
12hat%s so funny34 the assistant asked resentfully.
12e say the same thing where I come from74 she laughed.
12ait74 the assistant frowned, 1That can%t be right7 @ou%re not
Leep%theui74
0>$
1I know, I know,4 the big woman waved her down, getting over
the humor of the thought, 1but we still say %I%m only human% all the
time.4
1Oh.4 the azure eyed beast girl pondered, 1It must be a fairly
common saying then.4
1.ould be,4 'icchieu remarked, 1(ut I%ve never heard a
:op%tothian ever say anything like that.4
1Those arrogant bastards -4 'alonda and five Leep%theui
guards all chorused, then broke into laughter.
1/ow do any of you all know about the :op%tothinans if you
live in !outhern Limit34 'icchieu asked, surprised.
1I grew up in :op%toh.4 one warrior replied.
1I grew up in 5ran%an.4 another one replied.
1I grew up in 5ran%an too.4 came a third.
1!o you all...4 she pointed at them with a sweeping gesture of
her stubby finger.
12e were sent to !outhern Limit by our 5reat 'others.4 the
lead warrior replied, 1Only the select get to go.4
1#nd some never make it.4 the assistant added.
12ow.4 the little priestess looked up at 'alonda with a look of
realization, 1!o then we...4
1I don%t know my love,4 the warrior shrugged, 1I%m not the one
you should be asking, I%m in the same situation as you are,
remember34
0>*
1@eah,4 the little Leep%theui shrugged, rolled her eyes and
sighed, 1this whole big mess is so confusing74
12ell lets ust focus on getting these girls patched up here and
find out what we can e&tract from our dear friend Thintwooie, if they
left him alive...4
1@eah. 6ight74 she slammed her little fist into her palm and
began unloading medical supplies.
Ep (, Chapter
2ith the girls all bandaged up, three were laid on stretchers
made from trees hewn near the base of the mountain and .unchaw silk
where they would have to remain until they could be attended to by
Luluine.
They searched the bodies of the dead for valuables, of which
they mainly collected various metal coins, a few potentially valuable
pieces of metal ewelry and some recognizable, and unrecognizable
gem stones.
There were occasionally pieces of molten metal on the ground
where the light weapons had melted whatever metal had been their
paths. This they scooped up as well.
They left on the deep thundering wings of the @amthan, racing
down the side of the mountain to pick up speed while remaining low to
the ground, casting invisibility on it the moment it was safely clear of
the tree tops.
!taying near the ground, they swept the forest floor for any
signs of any kind of enemy movement so they would know if anybody
had moved far enough ahead that they would meet resistance when
they reached their ne&t destination.
0>,
They actually passed by various fleeing creatures, some of
them were literally still on fire, but somehow they were durable
enough that they were still moving, even if they might soon die from
their wounds.
12ould you look at that...4 'alonda mused as she turned to
watch the burning creatures fade off into the distance behind them.
1!hh74 'icchieu shushed very softly, 1They might hear you.4
1Oh.4 the human whispered back, 1@eah.4
Ep (, Chapter !
Thintwooie had the doors bolted and locked, laying on his bed
moaning out loud in misery when suddenly he heard a scratching
sound on the roof of his tavern.
9espite feeling miserable, he knew something was up and it
was not something he was prone to agree to.
#s the scratching continued, he teleported to another nearby
roof in hopes he would not be seen by whomever was making such a
commotion on his own roof, and from there determine what to do
about it, especially in his poor condition.
2hat he did not e&pect is that he would instantly find himself
in the vise-like grasp of two immensely powerful and invisible
Leep%theui warriors the moment he arrived7
1#wwoooo74 he cried in alarm as their clawed paw hands sunk
into his nape and thighs.
#t that moment there was a blazing flash which went through
the front door of the tavern, and out the back wall of the tavern as well.
0>0
# few heavy thuds later and some crackling sounds, and the
front door of the heavily constructed building was rendered into
splinters and cast aside.
/e winced and moaned as the invisible assailants proceeded to
demolish the interior of his establishment.
#fter some violent bashing sounds came from inside, there was
a period of silence, followed by more bashing, and finally a
thunderous crunch, indicating that the stone statute of the god 2alfon
in the corner had been smashed into the floor.
1Looks like you crossed the wrong people, puppy.4 one of the
Leep%theui purred sweetly into his ear, 1That%s the new Fueen there.4
The other Leep%theui chuckled huskily and said softly, 1I
wonder what 9O5 tastes like !is.4
The !tenwolf whimpered, having heard legends of carnivorous
Leep%theui, 1Alease7 I%m ust a businessman74 he telepathically
pleaded.
1# scum bag grifter is more like it.4 the first Leep%theui guard
growled.
-inally after several more crashing thuds, a dozen Leep%theui
slipped out of the tavern, and in their hands were ars, casks, glass
bottles, tankards and three treasure chests.
1Ohhhh noooooooooo74 the !tenwolf moaned.
1!houldn%t have messed with us 9O5.4 the second guard
growled and sunk her claws deeper into his hind flanks.
1Ieeeeee74 the !tenwolf cried pitiably.
0>8
The Leep%theui on the ground faded into invisibility and then
'icchieu and 'alonda came out in their metallic outfits and waved up
to the guards.
The !tenwolf collapsed in agony as the two warriors slipped
away in a flash.
The only indication that they were nearby was the fading sound
of chuckling and snide remarks about mangy dogs.
2hen he teleported back inside, his worst fears were indeed
confirmed.
The barrels too large to get out the door were smashed, the
furniture was pulverized, the priciest drinks were hand picked, the
cheaper stuff was smashed right on the shelves, the ancient, highly
polished bar top was pulverized by powerful fists, in general, the place
was utterly gutted.
Ep (, Chapter "
The party lifted off from the lake and headed back through
Le%+an on their way back to 'I!T.
They first landed at the castle and 'alonda settled up the entire
historical debt on her family%s estate, going back seven lordships,
making it a truly clear and sovereign nation of its own, therefore
making her the effective "ueen of a small, debt free nation.
+e&t, they flew to the estate where they dropped off the cleared
deed, in her name with the king%s signature, as well as the remaining
loot they had absconded from the crooked merchant, save some of the
better casks of ale and the finer wines.
Turuba came out to meet them again, but this time, she stood
0>;
off a distance, seeming to be ill at ease with the Leep%theui, giving
furtive, wistful glances.
1)verybody,4 'alonda finally decided to order, 1ust remain
out here and I will talk with mama inside.4
1@ou%re not the child I imagined you would be.4 Turuba said as
they stepped inside.
12hat did you e&pect mama34 she asked, 1@ou sent me off to
be payment for another man%s debt. @ou used me.4
1Ohhh74 the mistress of the house groaned, 1Its not LI:)
that74
1Then what I! it like mama34 she asked, 12hat I! it like
sending your children off to die in a foreign land for no good reason,
ust to satisfy the greed of selfish men while you rela& in the comforts
of a world borne up on the backs of slaves34
12ho even TOL9 you such things34 her mother cried, 12as it
that...that....LDLDI+)374 the older woman was livid and distraught.
1If its the truth,4 'alonda asked, 1does it matter 2/)6) it
came from34
1The T6DT/34 Turuba cried incredulously, flinging her open
hands to each side, 19o you want to know the T6DT/ young lady34
1+ow that we%re to this point,4 'alonda pondered ust how bad
life had been so far, 1I would say so, yes.4
1@OD6 !I!T)6...4 the woman pointed a trembling finger at
her daughter, red faced, teeth clenched, 1#T) her own -#T/)674
1#hh...4 'alonda pondered this a moment, 1@eah.4
0><
1@ou...:+)234 her mother%s eyes were wide.
1I deduced it,4 the warrior replied, 1living around Leep%theui
for the past few months.
12hy are you even 2IT/ them #+@2#@34 the older woman
demanded.
1Its a long, complicated story mama,4 she sighed, pressing the
back of her head with the palm of her armor encased hand, 1and not
one I care to re-tell to be honest, because its both confusing and
embarrassing.4
1@ou%re not...4 the older woman came right up to her staring
directly into her daughter%s eyes, 1!L))AI+5 with one of them #6)
you34
12ell...4 'alonda looked nonplussed as she casually replied,
1If you mean in the same bed, then -4
1@ou :+O2 what I mean young lady74 trying to make herself
look taller than the child%s chest and failing.
1Look.4 'alonda tilted her head sideways, ust a bit annoyed,
1'om.4 putting up her hands, 1/old up here.4 then she grabbed the
woman gently by her arms and pushed her back to give herself some
space, 1I%' not the one who foolishly got A6)5+#+T in the -I6!T
place,4 she counter attacked, 1#+9 I%m +OT having se&ual
relationships outside of 2)9LO.: in the !).O+9 place.4 she
raised her hand again to silence an imminent protest, 1I don%t even
6).#LL us ever /#EI+5 this dear little mother-to-daughter chat to
()5I+ with. I learned '@ se& education from a L)!(I#+ who
taught lessons at the castle barracks74
The mother stumbled backwards and fortunately found a chair
0>=
to land in as her face went from flushed with anger to flushed with
shame.
19id you know that I learned )E)6@T/I+5 I know, e&cept
how to !A)#:, from .O'AL)T) !T6#+5)6!34
1I K I%m K but...4 Turuba tried to defend herself.
1!ave your breath.4 'alonda ordered, 1Its past. Its done. Its
over with.4
1(ut then +O2 what34 she asked shamefacedly.
1Its time for forgiveness.4 she instructed, 1#nd reconciliation.4
Turuba wanted to ignore this last part, but 'alonda was not
about to let it slide.
12ith the 2/OL) family74 the warrior pointed her finger, 1If
you want to continue living here #T #LL,4 she took her turn at the
piercing staring, 1@OD are going to make peace with Luluine74
Ep (, Chapter (
1+o K I K I%m afraid of K no7 Alease no74 Turuba protested as
'alonda dragged her by one wrist toward the @amthan.
1I%m going to have these two .unchaws wrap you up in silk if
you don%t come of your own accord, mother.4 'alonda growled in
annoyance, 1Bust get on and sit down and everything is going to be ust
fine.4
1Ohohohoh,4 the older woman moaned in fear, mostly of the
beast its self, but then also the impending ride through the sky as she
was terrified of heights.
0>>
19o you want a blindfold34 'icchieu politely offered.
1!tay away from me...4 the older woman protested.
1That%s no way to speak to your daughter-in-law.4 the lead
guard admonished.
1!he is +OT my-74 she glared at 'alonda as she was being
dragged up the wing of the sky beast, 1/ow 9#6) you-34
1@OD%6) a -I+) one to be asking that.4 'alonda picked her
up and plopped her into the back of the litter, 1!trap her in good and
tight ladies,4 she ordered the guards, 1it might be a bumpy ride after
all.4
1+o7 +O74 she screamed indignantly,
1+oooooohmmmmmmmffff74 she wailed as they packed her mouth
with a respirator which by the way it worked, prevented speech,
although it allowed her to scream as loud as she liked.
1This is not going to work my love,4 'alonda sighed,
1'icchieu baby,4 she glanced, 1do you have anything in there to %make
her comfortable%34
1@es darling,4 the little Leep%theui purred with delight at the
spiteful older woman%s protest, and "uickly dig up an orb of sedative
and after one "uick chirp of startled pain at the sting of the pick, the
woman began giggling stupidly.
1@ou know,4 'alonda said with a slightly suppressed grin,
1That is the only time I have )E)6 hear her emit a cheerful note in
our entire shared e&istence74
The entire party, including the .unchaws laughed at this as
they leapt into the sky and set forth to 'I!T.
8??
Ep (, Chapter /
#s the @amthan touched down at 'I!T, the first thing 'alonda
said was, 1Okay ladies, bring the wounded to the room here and then
drinks are on me, but be sure you don%t get too wasted74
Then she said to the lead warrior, 1@ou remember which ones
to save for us, right34
1@es my lord.4 the lead warrior replied bowing.
1(y the way,4 'alonda asked, 1what%s your name34
1Aokachu my lord.4
12ell 'iss Aokachu,4 the big woman slapped her arm around
the Leep%theui%s shoulder, 1-ind ob up there in the Lobanian sector7 To
#LL of you74 and she looked up, 1-ine ob ladies7 -ine ob74
They smiled and continued unloading the wounded.
'icchieu carefully unbound the drugged woman and pulled her
out of the carrying case.
!he was making cooing noises and saying something in very
slurred speech while making a dull laughing sound now and then, but
apparently the sedative lacked the potency to render her completely
unconscious.
1@ou mother is of very strong constitution74 the priestess
remarked as she toted her over one shoulder.
1#re you saying I am not34 the warrior asked with a straight
face.
1+oooouh74 the Leep%theui rolled her eyes, 1.ome O+ now.4
8?$
They all proceeded to the hidden entrance and 'icchieu spun
and unloaded The drugged woman without any real warning so that
'alonda had to reach out and catch her so she did not hit her head on
the hard highway.
1/ey 2#T./ it there sis74 'alonda cried out as she reached
out and caught her falling mother.
1I%m sorry,4 'icchieu%s eyes got big and sad, 1I wasn%t thinking,
I won%t let that happen ever again I promise.4 then she turned to
activate the hidden sensor.
1@ou better not,4 the warrior warned, 1!he I! my mother keep
in mind, #+9 L-DDD...uhhh...
you know.4 looking back over her shoulder to indicate that it might not
be best if the warriors know that Luluine was not an actual goddess.
1@es, my love,4 her eyes got wide as she turned back to regard
'alonda and her mother-in-law to be, 1I believe I had failed to realize
ust how important she is74
1I%m glad we have T/#T taken care of.4 the big woman
declared, 1!o let us get these wounded inside and taken care of right
away74
Ep (, Chapter 2
The party of four entered the main floor room to a detachment
of robots.
They all waited in line to pick up a wounded Leep%theui and
carry them to the medical ward.
1/ow did they know to be he- oh.4 'alonda caught herself as
she gently laid her delirious mother on a gurney to be wheeled away
8?*
with the rest.
1!he is one of us naturally.4 'icchieu shrugged, 1#nd by the
way,4 the little priestess added, 1I did not intend to drop your mother
on her head, I ust failed to realize how far you were from me and
when I realized I could not get my finger in the hole, I ust...well.4 she
shrugged sheepishly.
1!ure...uhuh...I see...4 the warrior propped her hands on her
hips, 1dump it all on me, huh34 she teased with a straight face.
1Its not LI:) th-ieeeeeeeehehehhehehe st-t-t-top tha-a-a-a-
aat74 the little Leep%theui s"uealed as the human umped forward and
began ticking her.
1I see you two don%t even wait for the bedroom any more.4
came a soft voice from behind.
12hoop74 the big woman spun, 1/)@yyyyyy there sis74
making a cheesy fake salute while rocking back on one leg as if she
were dancing some kind of show dance, 12e got the goods, ust like
you asked for74
1That is e&cellent,4 the avatar replied flatly, 1but 2/@ did you
drag that 2O'#+ in here with you34
1(ecause @OD T2O need -4 she began.
1I don%t +))9 #+@T/I+5 from her74 the avatar frowned and
spun her back on the pair, arms crossed.
1That%s no way to be,4 'alonda protested, 1.ome O+74
1I%m +OT interested.4 the avatar put on a huffy, indignant air.
12ait74 the human protested, 1/O2 old are you again3
8?,
(ecause you sure are acting like a little ./IL9 here.4
1I%ll act any way I want to in my own home, thank you.4 she
sniffed defiantly.
1Oh gawd.4 the big woman grumbled shaking her head, 1/ow
am I )E)6 going to resolve this and bring A)#.) to this family34
1.ome on my love,4 'icchieu took an armored finger and
lightly tugged, 1I%m tired and hungry. Lets let her be and get some food
and some sleep.4
1Oh, alright.4 the warrior grumbled, 1T/I! one here is being
such a stick in the mud, guess there%s nothing we can do /)6)...4 and
they walked off together.
The avatar peered back at the two of them with a fiercely
distasteful glare, 1bring that old /D!!@ into my home without even
#!:I+5 my permission.../''-74 then she vanished.
Ep (, Chapter 3
That evening they bathed, letting the hot water wash away the
stench of smoke and burned flesh.
1#hhh, it feels good to ust sit, and soak in nice hot water like
this,4 'alonda laid her head back, a bottle of very pricey single malt
whiskey in her hand, 1with you by my side.4
'icchieu simply purred. !he leaned back against the big
woman%s bosom and lapped the same kind of distilled golden nectar
she had told Thintwooie she did not like.
1Its funny,4 'icchieu purred, 1some times like this,4 she
glanced up at the ceiling, 1I feel like some kind of wild brigand.4
8?0
1@ou%d make a good one you know,4 'alonda eyed her then
took a swig of whiskey.
1@ou really think so34 the little Leep%theui asked.
1!ure74 the warrior replied, spreading her hand out in front of
her, 1@ou, me, Aete n .lyde, the girls, the-4
1Aete n .lyde34 the little priestess raised up and turned to the
warrior with a "uizzical frown.
1Oh yeah,4 the big woman smirked, 1I forgot. That%s what I
figured on naming the .unchaws.4
1They don%t use names though.4 'icchieu informed her, 1Its
against their religious beliefs.4
1Oh.4 the warrior swigged from the bottle again, 1/uh. -ancy
that.4
1(esides,4 the Leep%theui pointed out, 1the wild one is really
wanting to go home soon.4
12ell,4 'alonda shrugged, 15uess I can%t blame him for that,
can I34
12hen will we ever be home do you figure34 the beast girl
asked.
1Dmmm...4 the warrior gave an oddly thoughtful e&pression, 1I
dunno, where%s %home%3 @our place or mine34
1@ou know,4 the little priestess peered off into the distance,
1now that you mention it, I never thought about either of those as
options.4
8?8
12here did you think we were going to end up34 the warrior
asked.
1Bust...some...place.4 she sighed, 1!ome place where we could
be together, but alone together...you know...ust you and me.4
1#nd any children we had.4 the big woman added.
1@ou think so34 the Leep%theui asked.
12hy not34 'alonda shrugged, 1Look who my sister is.4
15ood point.4 she shrugged, 1(ut then look #T your sister.4
1#hhh...4 the warrior pondered this, 1That TOO is a very valid
point.4 and she swigged her bottle again.
Ep (, Chapter 7
#s the two girls slept soundly, elsewhere in the deep maze of
tunnels and rooms which all meandered throughout the vast mountain
comple&, another human lay sleeping.
!he turned to one side and murmured something not "uite
legible.
!he must have been having a dream about something very very
long ago.
!uddenly out of the chaotic groans and grunts she mumbled,
1...have to go now...these men will...you%ll be okay...I promise Lu...I%ll
be there...I need to ust...I promise Lu...I promise...4
#nd beside her bed, a very tear dampened half human, half
Leep%theui form stood holding a light weapon in her hand paws,
silently weeping.
8?;
Episode /,
When the #ruth Co*es -o*e
'alonda and 'icchieu groggily awoke to a thunderous roar
and a blood curdling scream.
This was followed by a lot of clamor and crashing around.
1Oh my head74 'alonda groaned, but she rose and slipped
rapidly into her armor and pulled a light weapon from its socket.
'icchieu%s tolerance for alcohol was far higher than it might
have seemed from the previous night as she silently slipped from the
bed and into her armored robe, also pulling out a light weapon.
They scurried down the hallways toward the medical ward
where they were sure the sound had come from, and sure enough,
when they arrived, the place was a disaster.
12hat%s going on in here34 'alonda demanded.
1/ere.4 !eeliene handed the human a light weapon, multiple
bite wounds on her hand, clearly made by broad flat incisor type teeth,
1!eems that I got here ust in time.4
1I TOL9 you she%s a killer74 Turuba cried, holding her neck,
blood coming from beneath it, eyes wild, breathing heavily.
The avatar stood there motionless but with a smoldering look
on its face.
1Lucky me this avatar is not strong enough for me or in all
likelihood I and your mother would be dead right now.4 the "ueen
remarked, 1#s it is,4 she regarded the avatar, 1I%m not sure any of us
are safe right now.4
8?<
12hat the hell is 26O+5 with you Lu34 'alonda barked,
despite her throbbing head, 1(aby could you find me something for
this headache34
1#re you sure its safe to34 she asked, keeping her light weapon
trained on the avatar.
1The way I feel,4 'alonda growled, 1I%m probably more
dangerous than she is,4 also training her light weapon on the avatar,
1besides,4 she pointed out, 1its not the real Lu, its ust a construct.4
12ell it can sure bite like a real Leep%theui,4 the "ueen
growled, 1I%ll look for something for the pain, since I can%t operate that
tiny weapon.4
1@ou don%t know what to look for in here74 'icchieu protested.
1(ut you forget my dear child,4 I%m also a priestess and I 9O
know what you have in your cardinal supplies, and as you may have
noticed, the .unchaws came along with you.4
1Oh.4 she regarded them "uizzically but then turned suddenly
toward the avatar as if she had caught it moving out of the corner of
her eye, 1##///T74
The avatar merely stood there looking sullen and not moving.
1@ou sure she%s even in it any more34 'alonda asked as she
took a packet of powder from the "ueen, 1Thanks.4
The "ueen handed her a water skin to wash it down with.
1!he would be wasting a lot of effort to do that unless she had
some other idea in mind -4 the priestess began to lecture then fired ust
an arm%s length away from Turuba when she saw a surgical tool go
8?=
invisible.
The older woman flinched and screamed in fear thinking she
was the intended target until there was a brief flash in the silhouette of
another avatar BD!T that far away from her as it e&ploded into a cloud
of superheated ions.
The other avatar screamed for only a moment and then
dissipated into the air.
!imultaneously the ground shook violently
The ground lurched and shook and the lights overhead
flickered for some time before it stabilized.
1I think that may have slowed her down a bit.4 'alonda said.
19o you think she is alright34 'icchieu asked.
1I dunno,4 the warrior replied, 1never used a light weapon on
an avatar before.4
1I think we should check.4 the little priestess decided.
12ho is going to watch over mom if she comes back then34 the
big woman asked.
12e%ll ust have to stop her bleeding and take her along with so
we can be sure she is safe I suppose.4 the little Leep%theui replied even
as she began pulling out materials to dress the woman%s neck and hand
wounds.
#t first she did not want to be touched, but 'alonda said,
1'om, mom.4 holding her firmly but gently, 1!ettle down. 'icchieu
is not going to hurt you.4
8?>
19-do-do-don%t touch me74 her eyes were wild.
1Look mom,4 the big woman gave her a firm shake, 1if we
were going to hurt you, we would not have stopped Lu who was
perfectly capable of doing you in herself. +ow get a grip on your self
and let 'icchieu treat your wounds before they become infected or
you bleed to death or something.4
-inally the woman fearfully relented and the little beast girl
was able to carefully tend to all of the wounds left by the avatar and
put her into a chair they found which had four small wheels at the base
which allowed it to be moved around by a pad on the arm which had
what looked like pointers.
1This is to be sure we can keep an eye on you while checking
on Lu.4 'alonda said, 1Its for (OT/ of yours% safety.4
1@ou should have left me where I was before.4 their mother
sullenly complained.
1+o,4 'alonda insisted, 1we have to deal with this and make
amends.
1I%m not making amends with a killer.4 she grumbled.
1I%m a killer, you married a killer, your late !O+! were all
killers...4 the warrior grumbled, 1!heesh woman74 then she interned to
the others, 1#re we ready then34
1@eah.4 the "ueen replied.
15ood. Lets go get this over with.4 the big woman shook her
head in disgust.
Ep /, Chapter
8$?
They made their way to the main room through halls filled with
blood, to find it was filled with smoke and robots were running every
direction trying to make repairs or e&tinguish fires.
#t the center of it all, in a rather bloody heap, was the most
massive being on the planet, unconscious.
The blood on the floor was literally so deep it was coagulating
as high as their ankles.
They had to carefully step because the blood was slippery as
well as it was sticky.
19o you think we need to have your mother in here like this34
!eeliene asked, 1'aybe I could watch over her from the outside34
1That might be best.4 'alonda agreed, nearly losing her
balance, 1(esides,4 she looked across the heap, 1at this point, we don%t
even know if she%s still #LIE).4
1Leep%theui are a lot-4 'icchieu%s voice began her seemingly
memorized remark about how durable her people were.
1I know, I know, %# lot more durable than you might think%.4
the human sighed, 1I get it already.4
1Bust trying to warn you -4 she was cut off as a gargantuan foot
slid out of the pile of fur and ust barely missed them before slamming
into a nearby wall, crushing multiple robots and wall screens out of
e&istence on ten levels.
They both slid and fell on their behinds in the blood as the
ground lurched and trembled.
Lights flickered and the region around the foot crumbled away
leaving a dark gaping hole where service tunnels once were.
8$$
!mall showers of sparks spewed here and there from the
wreckage.
1O/////////7774 came a thunderous groan as the
immense hybrid Leep%theui rolled over and tried to sit up, slipping
twice and falling back, causing more tremors.
1LDLDI+)7 !TOA74 'alonda shouted commandingly, 1Bust
lay there and listen for once74
The gargantuan head of the goddess slowly arose to peer over
its own body and regard the tiny specks who sat in her blood and
peered at them as if she were not seeing them clearly.
1Is somebody there34 the huge voice rolled off the walls of the
smoke filled chamber, 12hat happened34
1I think you fell and hit your head on something,4 'alonda
tried to calmly instruct her, 1I need to see if you are okay.4
1'ama3 Is that you mama3 I can%t see you mama, I%m scared74
the gargantuan being began to shudder and whimper, 1I can%t see
mama, I%m scared7 2here%s daddy mama34
Ep /, Chapter !
1/OL9 !TILL LDLDI+)7 /OL9 !TILL74 the woman
suddenly tried to rise from the wheeled chair, wobbling on her
sedatives, a new kind of fear coming into her eyes, 1'O''#%!
.O'I+574
1'iss 2innepego, you need to stay here.4 !eeliene urged,
pressing the wild woman back toward the chair.
1'@ (#(@74 she wailed, 1'@ (#(@ +))9! ')74
8$*
1There%s nothing you can do to help her now-4 the "ueen urged.
1'oommmy3 Is that you mommy3 2here are you mommy3
/elp me please74 the giantess pleaded weakly while whimpering.
1I /#E) TO 5O TO /)674 the woman struggled.
1!eeliene bring her actually74 'alonda calmly ordered, 1I
think we have something seriously wrong here and this may be the last
time K ow74
1!//774 'icchieu whispered, 19O+%T say that74 holding on to
the human%s wrist.
1(ut it might -4 'alonda bent over and whispered.
19on%t scare an already terrified woman here74 the little
priestess whispered harshly.
1@ou underestimate /umans.4 'alonda raised an armored
finger, 1They%re to-O2 dammit74
1!hut up.4 the little Leep%theui cut her off with a twist of the
ear.
1Let go of my ear74 the warrior growled, tugging on the little
hand paw.
12atch your loud mouth74 the priestess warned then let go.
1I%m beginning to re-think this whole marriage idea now74 the
human grumbled.
1'e too74 the priestess whispered.
8$,
The mother of the goddess seemed to be panic stricken and
delirious but the goddess seemed to be critically inured and regressed
to early childhood.
Turuba managed to make her way shakily through the thick,
slippery, coagulating blood of her fallen child despite the pain
medication she was on.
!he grabbed hold of the vast wall of bloody fur and clung to it
as she moved toward where the head was, "uite some distance away.
1'ommy34 the goddess wailed, 1I can%t see7 I can%t see74
1I%' .O'I+5 LDLDI+)7 /#+5 I+ T/)6) (#(@74 the
wild eyed woman pressed forward.
'icchieu hand signaled to !eeliene to bring down the warriors
but warn them beforehand what the situation was currently.
The blood was still flowing, and surely the wound was ust too
large to heal on its own.
)ven relatively small wounds on such a large being were far
too large for normal blood to clot.
They would have to devise an emergency stoppage or Luluine
would surely bleed to death eventually.
)ven as 'alonda and 'icchieu struggled forward, they were
encountering fresher, hotter blood which was still flowing from some
place far ahead.
They had to avoid the childlike struggling of the completely
confused and disoriented goddess who was unable to move very far in
any one direction, but who, in her panic, was trying desperately to
move either to sit up or something.
8$0
1Luluine74 'alonda called out, 1Its your sister 'alonda7 .an
you hear me34
1!ister34 the childlike response came, 1'alonda34
1Aut your hand where you hurt most and push gently.4 the
human cried out.
1I can%t74 the goddess wailed back, 1I can%t7 It hurts too much74
1.an you place your hand close to the pain34 she shouted out.
1I can but it hurts74 the voice cried out.
12here does it hurt the most34 the warrior demanded.
1'y head74 the giant whimpered, 1I want my mommy74
1'O''@ I! .O'I+5 (#(@7 /OL9 O+74 Turuba shouted
back, seeming more in control of her faculties and more aimed at
responding than panicking.
There was the uniform spring step of marching feet as fifty
warriors came from the moving room and at !eeliene%s direction,
carefully marched at the farthest edge of the coagulating blood,
passing into the main hallway and then when their feet were dry
enough, they sprinted very rapidly down the hall behind the "ueen
toward the medical section in search of bandaging materials.
Ep /, Chapter "
The warriors not only found crate loads of bandaging material,
they discovered a powered device which they could move such crates
on when stacked.
8$8
They loaded the easily operated device and it whirred down the
hallway with every crate they could stack on it without them falling
off.
One warrior walked behind the device steering it while the
other forty nine ripped tables up out of the floor, flipped them on their
tops, stacked anything looking even remotely absorbent on them and
pushing them down the hall close behind.
The "ueen simply dislodged a pair of lockers, sank her
constantly sharpened claws into their semi-pliable surfaces and carried
them like small bo&es.
6obots were working feverishly to contain the blood, smoke,
fire and electrical damage, coming into the room at steadily increasing
numbers from all over the vast compound which stretched for
countless thousands of fursheks into the deep subterranean tunnel
network.
They were like massive metallic ants, spraying, cutting,
scraping, vacuuming, scouring, and doing ust about any form of
emergency maintenance a building could e&perience in a state of war.
-ire-bots were feverishly battling flames, flood-bots were
surrounding the flow of blood with dry absorbent, electrical bots were
isolating and closing off circuits, general damage abatement bots were
carrying off anything that was unmistakably broken, dislodged and
deformed, construction bots were cutting loose many such items and
tagging them with isolation and classification codes, be items for
recycling or dumping.
The warriors worked their way through the swarm of bots
knowing instinctively that these bots were helping and therefore that
begrudging their presence would be of no point in this emergency.
The one very good thing was that droves of bots began making
8$;
a path through the blood which made their egress to the goddess%s
inuries easier.
They gave a mighty effort as they drove their critical supply
shipment home.
'icchieu%s first needful action was to scurry up the massive
half human, half Leep%theui and find a good place to insert a lot of
sedative and hope it was enough.
Once she found a massive conduit which was a carotid artery,
she pulled out a hundred orbs and carefully made a small incision in
the skin with a dagger, and then, reaching in through the incision, she
felt the immense vein for the right location and pierced it with a
special wooden needle, and then she slipped the feeding tube into it, so
that it was aimed the direction of the blood flow.
1Ow ow ow ow ow that hurts74 the goddess cried, struggling
vainly to reach the point of pain and remove it, which caused 'icchieu
to have to dodge the vast hand paw three times.
!he "uickly pumped the orbs of sedative into the tube when the
flow was in recession, then held her thumb over it when there was a
surge.
9own below, she heard, 1Bust hang on baby, we%re here to help
you, ust lay back and rela&.4 from Turuba.
It took nineteen pulses to get them all in because she was
moving and trying to get up.
2hen she got them all in, she pulled the tube from the needle
and put blood staunching powder in the end of the needle so she could
use it later.
Then she slipped down the blood and debris stained fur to the
8$<
ground floor to address the bleeding.
1Okay here74 'alonda flagged a bot, waving for it to come and
shore up the blood at the base of Luluine%s head, 16ight here74 she
pointed to an imaginary line as she slogged through the hot crimson
wash, 1'ake a barricade all the way around74
These bots, being used to being commanded verbally and
knowing more languages to a greater e&tent than 'alonda had no
trouble following orders and preferred orders over automated
operation, which caused them to concentrate on her and the task she
decided was a top priority.
They focused on circling the giantess%s head so that the team
had room to work, and maintenance bots were radioed in, bearing
drainage supplies, including a massive powdery yellow pumping
machine and an even larger bot which was as tall as the hallway its
self, rising a full ten largons on large black wheels with thick powdery
yellow metal cores with hundreds of eye catching he&agonal studs,
ponderously rolling into the room with a thick heavy rumble and a dull
metallic pipe which emitted what seemed like very hot air into the
room above.
This device beamed its own lights onto the "ueen and soon was
e&tracting the blood from the isolation dam erected by the flood
control bots with a long black tube which e&tended from a large
powdery yellow arm.
The people were finding all of the novel machinery very
distracting since machinery was something none of them had ever
e&perienced before, but 'icchieu%s focus remained dead steady and
Turuba kept calling out, 1Its alright baby, momma is here now, its
alright74 while stroking the neck of the fallen goddess.
1Ladies74 the priestess barked, 1:eep focused on Luluine
here74
8$=
1@es my-yiicheiu74 the leader barked back compliantly over the
chaos in the room.
They ripped open cases and literally studded entire unwrapped
rolls of bandaging material into the gaping hole in the back of the
goddess%s head.
They literally waded against a stream of blood, and at one
point, 'alonda directed the bots to actually stick a probe into the hole
and inect the absorbent of "uestionable content directly into the open
wound.
Little by little, they slowed the flow of blood.
It then took the combined efforts of the weakened and partially
sedated goddess, along with the two largest bots, with their specialized
lifting arms along with all fifty warriors and !eeliene to manage to roll
her up onto her side.
Once up on her side, the two lifting bots had to be positioned
on each side of her to prevent her from falling forward or backward.
They had to locate and direct emergency scaffold bots to
elevate the head to a level position, and then use other scaffold bots to
reach and tend to the wound.
1I don%t know much about medicine,4 'alonda said, wincing,
1(ut that big item in the back of her head is +OT good74
Ep /, Chapter (
Dsing industrial tools for delicate surgery was not 'icchieu%s
preferred method, but right now, it was remove the broken off item in
Luluine%s skull or she would surely die, +O '#TT)6 /O2 %tough%
she might brag a Leep%theui might be7
8$>
There was something big, hard and foreign in the back of her
goddess%s head and it was doing all kinds of very bad things7
!he had warriors literally pulling on pieces of bone in teams,
doing their best to lever them out of the way without applying pressure
to the brain or the item stabbing into the brain.
)ven though she had little past practice as a brain surgeon,
especially on living beings, she had learned early on it was a very
delicate and essential part of the body and not one to be taken lightly.
1:eep those pried apart no matter how long this takes74 she
ordered, 1Turuba74 she called out, 1.an you make it to her ear and
keep talking to her374
12hat should I say34 the worried mother asked.
1Bust keep assuring her you are here and talk to her about
anything she might remember fondly74 the priestess replied, 12e can%t
afford to have her moving around at all74
1I%ll do my best74 she replied as the "ueen set her in the seat of
the litter on the wild .unchaw%s back so he could carry her to the top
of the head where the huge ears were.
'alonda and several other warriors were still rushing in with
bandaging materials ust trying to keep new blood flows stopped as
fast as they formed.
#s the brain cavity was delicately pried open, more pain was
produced and she literally sprayed pain killer right on the open flesh
and smashed bone.
1!he must have really -4 'alonda marveled until 'icchieu
gave a shushing motion.
8*?
1I need to concentrate.4 the priestess declared without looking
back.
2ith all the noise and machines, the warrior looked around in
wonder then shrugged and resumed delivering surgical sponges.
# specialized robot Luluine herself had used on the older
priestess to perform critical surgeries had been brought up on a
scaffold robot.
The surgical bot was not easy to control because it had very
fine movement abilities which took a lot of getting used to.
There was a very very fine cutter, some form of rebuilder and
some probes which helped administer sedatives, antiseptics and other
needful materials.
The flesh directly entangled in the piece of metal was looking
very bad, but first she had to carefully cut away the metal to get to the
flesh.
Little by little, she cut away pieces delicately while getting the
feel for the machine.
1I hope I know what I am doing by the time I get to the flesh
parts...4 she murmured.
'alonda shuddered in apprehension of what might happen if
she did not, but she continued pulling out soaked ones while packing
the opening with clean ones.
12ho do you pray to when your only goddess is on the verge
of death34 she wondered to herself.
Ep /, Chapter /
8*$
The time crept by slowly and the amount of blood had slowed,
but the fear was that the blood was slowing because Luluine was
running out.
The cutting device re"uired a replacement cutter, which took
time, causing everybody to fret.
1/ow long can she last like this34 'alonda shouted as she
s"uatted, stuffing surgical sponges where sponges were soaked.
1I don%t know74 the priestess replied, 1I ust have to give it my
all74
The machine slowly reached into a compartment and discarded
the one cutter and slowly grappled another cutter and gradually loaded
it into the arm, and finally whirred back up and resumed cutting right
where it left off.
There was a collective sigh of relief.
They proceeded on in relative silence while repair bots
swarmed the area tirelessly effecting repairs of the '.I.!.T., trying to
restore the intelligence head"uarters without regard to the possibility
that is might soon lack an operator.
The warriors had to bring up more cases of sponges and
'alonda ust stood there fretting nervously, wringing her fle&ibly
armored hands, murmuring, 1/ang in there Lu74
Ep /, Chapter 2
The last pieces of metal were gingerly dislodged and carefully
fished out of the loose tissue.
# specialized neutral wash solution gently misted onto the bare
8**
flesh of the brain as the reoiner gradually located the most readily
addressed neurosynapses and by logarithmic deduction and
geomathematical crosslinear calculations determining which
progressive steps were re"uired to determine where ne&t to go to reoin
more damaged flesh.
!tarting along each edge, seam and clearly defined incision,
gradually working from the well established borders toward the center
where the tissue was torn the worst.
1'ama34 the giantess spoke, causing the machine to lurch and
withdraw for the patient%s safety, 1I see flowers mama74
1!hh baby its okay, I%m right here with you.4 Turuba tried to
calm the child-like giant Leep%theui.
1I want to pick you some flowers mama,4 the goddess insisted,
moving her immense arm, which then moved her torso and her head.
1+o baby, wait-wait-wait-wait, please hold still ust a little
while longer and then we can pick the flowers okay34
1(ut they%re dying mama, I have to pick them now or they will
die74 there was a sense of panic in Luluine%s voice.
1I need more sedative74 'icchieu cried, 1.an somebody please
go up to the incision and give her more sedative34
1I can.4 came a weak but confident voice from far below, 1!he
is my goddess and I love and die for her.4 the older priestess declared.
1@ou are too weak to work74 the younger priestess declared.
1I am +OT/I+574 the older priestess protested, 1If I die, then
I die for her life7 L)T ') !)6E)74 she demanded, ending in a thick,
phlegmy cough.
8*,
The "ueen sighed, 1I%ll go get her 'icchieu, she will end up
dying for nothing if we ignore her.4
1I suppose,4 the little priestess sighed in return, 1+o use having
her die feeling worthless I guess.4
The "ueen scaled down the scaffolding using her longer than
normal claws, almost as deftly as a .unchaw, and loaded the priestess
on her shoulders before climbing back up, then climbing up the long
hairs on the nape of Luluine%s neck.
2ith another hundred orbs of sedative, the older healer very
skillfully inserted the tube and with relative ease got all hundred orbs
of sedative in only five of the goddess%s massive heartbeats.
Then she pulled the tube and plugged it with the blood
staunching powder again.
The "ueen gave an all well sign back to the impromptu surgeon
and stood at the ready for any other need she might be called upon for.
Luluine soon settled down, stopped trying to pick illusory
flowers and her breathing returned to a regular rate.
'alonda%s mother was humming an old favorite tune she
remembered as a little girl.
#pparently it was one she once hummed when Luluine was a
baby as well.
Ep /, Chapter 3
They finally got the bleeding all stopped, the brain,
membranes, vessels, skull bone, muscle and skin all cleaned, sterilized
and bonded back in place, allowing the goddess to heal.
8*0
To be safe, however, they left the sedative tube in her and every
tenth day added another ten orbs of sedative to keep her in a semi-
conscious state.
They devised a means to have robots manufacture a giant
pillow which would be attached to a massive frame to keep the weight
off the back of her skull.
The main 'I!T data terminal in the one room filled with
screens was most helpful as it knew where every resource in the vast
comple& was, only decrying its lack of communication with the
personnel which were supposed to be in those same areas.
The small army of Leep%theui warriors, along with the bots
which understood speech achieved the gathering, assembly and
mounting of this specialized device which had to be assembled with
the aid of the massive lifting bots with great care while Luluine half
slept, half gazed out at the chamber she had so badly damaged in her
seizure.
In the end, the older priestess didn%t die, but merely coughed a
lot.
1@ou sure had me worried,4 the younger priestess complained
as she was helping wheel the surgical e"uipment back to the medical
area where it would be automatically cleaned and serviced.
1Leep%theui are a lot tougher than you think74 the older
priestess declared.
'alonda burst into a fit of laughter and fell on the hallway
floor.
This made 'icchieu giggle fitfully too, although she remained
on her feet.
8*8
12hat34 the older priestess asked, e&tending her hands in
confusion, 1Its T6D)...4
8*;
Episode 2,
Fa*i.ies So*e #i*es B.a*e Ea4h ,ther
Luluine slept for twelve days.
The whole group took turns watching her and for the first ten
days, they kept adding sedative to her blood so she would not move or
do anything to re-inure herself.
Turuba was not getting much sleep, so 'icchieu suggested she
take a mild sedative herself ust so she could sleep, seeing as being
awake was not gong to make any real difference, since the idea was for
the goddess to remain as immobile as possible while she healed.
#fter the twelfth day, however they felt she needed to be awake
to see if she was healing properly, so they intentionally reduced her
sedative to half.
The groggy goddess lay on the floor looking around, not saying
anything.
1#re you okay34 !eeliene was the first to approach the
goddess.
1I don%t want to talk right now.4 the huge voice murmured and
then the giant eyes closed.
1Okay.4 the "ueen ac"uiesced, 1Bust checking your holiness.4
and she backed away.
19on%t call me that.4 the goddess grumbled, 1I%m not holy.4
8*<
1Oh.4 the second largest living Leep%theui pondered, 12ell if
there is anything you need, ust let me know okay34 she continued to
back away respectfully.
1I%m thirsty.4 the giantess murmured.
1/ow would you usually drink water...or whatever else you
might drink34 the "ueen stopped backing and asked.
1I usually use my avatar.4 the goddess murmured.
1Oh.4 thinking back to what happened to her avatar recently,
she said, 12ell could you drink directly from a very large bowl
perhaps34
1I don%t have any spare...4 then she looked at the strange device
around her head, 12hat%s this thing34
1Its there to protect your brain inury my goddess.4 the "ueen
replied.
1(rain in-4 she frowned and began to reach for the back of her
head.
1O/ +O+O+O+O+O9O+%TOD./T#T7774 !eeliene%s eyes
grew wide with fear as she wildly waved off the attempt by the
giantess to reach the back of her head where she felt a lot of strong
discomfort.
There were lots of padded paw feet with claws suddenly
clicking in rapid unison as warriors came to see if there was anything
they needed to help with, all gathering around the "ueen looking up at
the goddess apprehensively.
12ho are these and why are they here34 she asked, lowering
8*=
her hand to point at them.
1They are my best warriors and I needed them here to save
your life my goddess74
1#re these the same ones who brought you here34 she asked
mildly.
1@es they are -4 she began.
1I thought they were supposed to remain down wind of me.4
she mused.
1#re they too close my goddess34 the "ueen asked.
1I think they are,4 she pondered, 1its making me hungry.4 she
shifted, 1They need to leave here.4 she informed, 1Its for their own
safety.4
1!hould I leave as well34 the "ueen asked nervously.
1@ou are fine.4 Luluine replied, 1@ou are a .hosen Eessel.4
1!o if it is not offensive to ask my goddess,4 !eeliene%s face
turned down in respect, 1what e&actly does that mean,4 she cleared her
throat, 1and why does it make a difference34
1@ou, my love,4 the goddess pointed out in a much less upset
tone, 1were weaned on my own milk,4 she slowly reached toward her
own immense breast, 1as were every other .hosen Eessel, before you,
and after you.4 she smiled softly, 1@ou have my very own scent about
you.4
1I am most honored.4 the "ueen replied.
-rom a distance, 'icchieu%s voice came forth, 19oes your milk
8*>
taste like that stew by any chance34 coming nearer.
1That is made with my milk,4 the goddess replied softly,
1why34
1I thought it had a slightly familiar scent.4 she replied, 1It
smelled like it was cooked Leep%theui flesh.4
19ear dear dear, your nose is like no other nose on any of our
people ever.4 the goddess replied ending in a deep, regretful sigh, 1I
was hoping my scent would mask that.4
Ep 2, Chapter
1@ou realize that I never )+BO@)9 eating flesh,4 !eeliene%s
voice was as respectful as she could be while making her point, 1I
wished all my life I could simply make love and enoy the fruits of
being a fruitful .hosen Eessel.4
1(ut you obeyed your goddess as you were instructed my
child,4 the goddess continued to speak very softly, 1and for this I am
very pleased.4
1(ut I, on the other hand,4 'icchieu%s voice was calm and yet
clearly defiant, 1disobeyed, rebelled and reected your whole plan and
scheme of things.4 she stood forward, well within reach of the giant
arm, should it have wanted to harm her, 1!o what will you do to me
now34
12hy,4 the goddess replied simply, 1nothing my love,4 and she
smiled weakly, 1nothing whatsoever.4
1That seems rather strange to me.4 'alonda remarked as she
walked up, Turuba in tow.
1'other34 the goddess asked, 12hat are you doing here34
8,?
1I came to see my first daughter.4 the woman replied, 1The one
who almost killed me,4 she continued, 1and then almost died the same
day.4
1I was not in my right mind mother,4 the goddess replied, 1I
hope you can please forgive me.4
1/ave you ever been in your right mind Luluine34 the woman
asked earnestly.
12hat does that mean34 Luluine asked showing some hurt in
her voice.
1I mean,4 the woman asked, 1where are all the people who
once used to live here and make this mountain operate34
1I had no choice in that mother,4 the goddess%s voice became
edgy in defensiveness, 1I was unable to stop that and you know it.4
1/ow would I know that34 the woman asked, 1Its not like I
know why you even did it.4
1I don%t know either momma, so please stop berating me about
it.4 the giantess groaned.
12hy don%t you know Luluine,4 she asked, 1its not like you
don%t have a very intelligent mind, being my child as you are.4
1'aybe its because I LO!T my mind momma,4 came a rising
resentment, 1when you sent me away. 2hen you sent me me back
/)6) to be doctored on, tested, e&amined, poked and prodded until I
went ust a little I+!#+) perhaps34
1@ou do not know how hard it was to try to keep you and how
hard it was raising not merely ust a child as a single mother, but a
8,$
half-bred child everybody hated, scorned and reected74 Turuba now
tried to defend her own position, 1I could not be part of their society as
long as I had you, and I was not e"uipped to make it out there on my
own either7 I needed a husband to defend me and my children74
1I could make a comment right there,4 'alonda raised her chin
and her eyebrows, looking over her cheekbones at her shorter mother,
1but I won%t...4
1'aybe if you had not #(#+9O+)9 me,4 Luluine continued
to become more agitated, 1ust '#@() all those people would still be
#LIE) right now momma,4 she pointed a monstrous finger at the
woman who gave birth to her so long ago, 1have you ever thought
about T/#T maybe34
1LOO:7 !TOA7 (OT/ of you74 'alonda suddenly stepped
forward, stood between them and shouted, waving her hands in an M
motion gesturing that they cease and desist, 1@ou%re both acting like
little children74
1/ow old are you34 she demanded of her mother, 1Older than
dirt, right34 which made her mother recoil in shock and offense.
1#nd here you%re both acting like you%re T2O74 she slammed
her fist into the palm of her hand, 1Lu74 she pointed an accusing
finger at the inured Leep%theui, 1@ou go prancing around her playing
like you%re this great big 5O99)!! and shit when you%re really ust a
!AOIL)9 (6#T who ate all her TO@!74 then she spun and abbed her
finger into their mother%s chest, almost knocking her down, 1#nd
'O'74 she threw up both her hands as if she were throwing
something away, 1@OD%re supposed to be this fine, refined, demure
L#9@ and here you%re a 2/I+I+5 .O2#69 afraid to face up to the
guilt of your own past74
!he grabbed the only thing she could find to grab, yanking a
long handled weapon from a nearby warrior, raised it up over her head
8,*
and slammed it to the floor where it bounced, 19#'+ T/I! #LL TO
/)LL74 she screamed, 1I%m a-!/#')9 of the (OT/ of you74 and
she stormed off swearing, grumbling, shouting, violently gesticulating
and throwing her fist in all directions talking about various issues of
their pasts.
The human and the giantess looked at each other in
dumbfounded shame.
1#hhh...4 !eeliene raised a finger, 1#-a-about that drink of
water -34
Ep 2, Chapter !
'icchieu%s mind was reeling with everything she had ust
heard. !he felt sick, she was in a daze, this whole conversation was far
too much for her.
19oes your milk taste like that stew by any chance34 coming
nearer.
1That is made with my milk,4 the goddess replied softly,
1why34
1I thought it had a slightly familiar scent.4 she replied, 1It
smelled like it was cooked Leep%theui flesh.4
19ear dear dear, your nose is like no other nose on any of our
people ever.4 the goddess replied ending in a deep, regretful sigh, 1I
was hoping my scent would mask that...mask that...mask that...4
1/ave you ever been in your right mind Luluine3 Luluine3
Luluine34
12hat does that mean34 Luluine asked showing some hurt in
her voice.
8,,
1I mean,4 the woman asked, 1where are all the people who
once used to live here and make this mountain operate3 2here are all
the people...where are all the people...where are all the people...3
1I had no choice in that mother,4 the goddess%s voice became
edgy in defensiveness, 1I was unable to stop that and you know
it...unable to stop that...unable to stop that...4
1/ow would I know that34 the woman asked, 1Its not like I
know why you even did it.4
1I don%t know either momma, so please stop berating me about
it7 I don%t know either momma7 I don%t know either momma74
12hy don%t you know Luluine,4 she asked, 1its not like you
don%t have a very intelligent mind, being my child as you are....being
my child as you are...being my child as you are...4
1Lu74 she pointed an accusing finger at the inured Leep%theui,
1@ou go prancing around her playing like you%re this great big
5O99)!! and shit when you%re really ust a !AOIL)9 (6#T who
ate all her TO@!...ate all her TO@!...ate all her TO@!74
19#'+ T/I! #LL TO /)LL7...I%m a-!/#')9 of the
(OT/ of you7 (OT/ of you7 (OT/ of you7 (OT/ of you74
-rom what she could now gather, at one point, Luluine was like
any other little girl, but at some point in time, she went insane and
began devouring people.
/ow many people she could not imagine, but if the size of
'I!T was any indicator, the numbers were greater than all of the
people she had seen die in wars in her entire life.
!he thought about the fact that at one point, there was a human
8,0
woman, named Turuba, some time in the past, who was walking
around pregnant, with this beast-woman inside her.
This led back to the resulting conclusion that she had once had
se&ual relationships with a Leep%theui who was much like her self.
1!o I could sire a real monster with 'alonda.4 she concluded
within herself, 1If all I can have are monsters,4 she decided within
herself, 1I%ll have no heirs.4
1'icchieu34 Turuba looked at the teetering Leep%theui, 1#re
you alright34
1I suddenly don%t feel so well.4 the little priestess declared and
reached out for a guard to help her back to her sleeping "uarters, 1I
think I need to go lay down now.4
Ep 2, Chapter "
2hen 'alonda arrived in their sleeping chambers, she found
'icchieu%s items gone.
!he looked around for them and asked the .unchaws what was
going on.
They said they did not know and did not know there had been
anything to worry about.
!he went back to the main room and asked Turuba and Luluine
if they had seen the little priestess.
They related how she had said she felt sick and wanted to go
lay down and had one guard escort her away.
The human warrior called on the forty nine nearby soldiers to
scour the comple& for the little priestess, but did not want to convey to
8,8
them any sense of alarm.
1I see a trail,4 the lead guard indicated, 1and it is not very old.4
1Lets follow it then.4 the warrior announced.
The forty nine guards and the "ueen began searching for the
missing Leep%theui.
They followed the trail until they found the guard on the floor.
They ran up to the downed guard who seemed to merely be
sleeping peacefully.
1!he drugged this one,4 'alonda declared, 1(e careful, she%s
upset about something.4 then she said, 1It tends to reason she would
pick this e&act unction, there are a lot more halls all leading away
from this point.4
12here did she go though34 they asked, 1!he is using a
standard Leep%theui ruseC the trail goes up every hall74
12e split up into groups or even into pairs and search.4 the
warrior replied, 1If you see her, do not attempt to grab her or you are
likely to be drugged as well.4
1@es ma%am74 they all agreed and then took to the various hall
ways.
They continued along every hall way until the trail went dead,
then returned to the main hallway.
1That%s odd,4 the lead guardian said, 1surely she can%t know
how to mask her trail now.4
1!he did remark that the "ueen had been able to mask her
8,;
trail,4 'alonda remarked, 1+o offense !eeliene,4 she regarded the big
Leep%theui, 1perhaps she figured out how to do so herself.4
1+one taken,4 the "ueen purred, 1I%m actually rather proud of
my child.4
12ell right now,4 the human pointed out, 1she has gone amok
and we need to find her before something bad happens.4
1I couldn%t agree with you more fair maiden,4 the larger
Leep%theui conceded, 1(ut without some means to trace her now,4 she
shrugged, 1other than waiting for her to come back on her own, what
can we do34
1'y mistress34 the old priestess came wobbling out into the
main hallway, still recovering from her surgery weeks ago..
1@es !utootheh34 the "ueen asked.
1There is something odd about this place on the wall here.4 she
pointed back the direction she had ust come.
They all moved to the point where she indicated.
1@es, oh yes.4 the "ueen marveled appreciatively, 1It seems she
has found some means of travel we have never before seen in this vast
maze of tunnels.
12hat do you -34 'alonda was asking when a loud bashing
noise like a large cymbal interrupted her.
1That.4 the "ueen replied as she withdrew her massive paw fist
from the now visible portal into the wall.
There inside lay a crumpled metal sheet which had previously
seemed to simply be part of the hall its self.
8,<
1Oh, wow.4 'alonda marveled, 1These must go #LL OE)6
the place in this mountain74
Ep 2, Chapter (
'alonda had only the older priestess to help her track at this
point because the warriors were all too large to fit in the tunnel.
!he relied on the fact that they could smell their own kind
fairly closely as well.
They came to a point where the tunnel went up and down, and
the older priestess had to go a distance down and up to be sure which
was the right trail.
Once she had the trail, she took her tongue and licked the wall
beside the unction.
12hy did you do that34 'alonda "uietly asked.
1'y saliva will smell strongly of myself,4 she began, 1and it
will be easy to see at a distance.4
1Oh.4 the human replied, 1I wish I were able to do that.4
1(eing related to the goddess,4 the priestess suggested, 1it is
highly possible that you can.4
1Oh no not me...4 the warrior reected the idea with trepidation,
1I%m ust a common, ordinary human.4
1Then why the moon eyes34 the priestess asked as she lowered
herself down the long, deep tube which seemed to fall off into eternity.
1That%s ust-4 'alonda began, 1Its ust odd coloring.4
8,=
1@ou see well in the dark.4 the priestess informed, rather than
asking, 1This is something more than %ust odd coloring my mistress.4
1I got my eyes from my mother,4 the human sighed, 1I can%t tell
you anything more about it.4
1@our mother is Luluine%s mother,4 the priestess replied, 1and
she is Tisha%s mother, who is Leah%s mother, who is 2ameta%s mother,
who is 6oyosha%s mother, who is 2alomba%s mother, who is +imbuu%s
mother, who is !eeliene%s mother, who is 'icchieu%s mother.4
1Oh.4 the human pondered this while lowering herself down
the ladder, 1!o then 'icchieu and I are related.4
1I am saying, my mistress,4 the priestess was trying to remain
calm and respectful, 1your mother is at least partially responsible for
our ability to see so well in the darkness, as well as possibly many
other traits.4
1Oh.4 the big woman replied, lowering herself rung by rung,
1!orry.4
1@ou see in the darkness unlike normal humans do,4 the
priestess declared, 1so it is reasonable to e&pect you can also use other
light bending abilities like all of the other descendents of your mother.
1(ut don%t #LL Leep%theui see in the dark34 the human
protested.
1Aerhaps,4 the Leep%theui replied, 1but the abilities of your
mother%s descendants are greater than other families of Leep%theui.4
1/ow do you know that34 'alonda asked intrigued.
1Luluine studies her children thoroughly every step of the
8,>
way.4 the priestess replied, 1-rom their parents, she watches them
carefully with the screens, selecting which ones should be bred into the
family lineage and which ones should be left to their own devices.4
1!he is raising you all like !/))A34 she asked in horror.
1+o, like children.4 she replied.
12ho raises their children by choosing who....4 she blushed,
realizing that she was actually offered to :ing /enry as a wife,
although, thankfully he had declined in favor of using her as a warrior,
1Dhhh....never mind.4
Ep 2, Chapter /
The tunnel finally stopped as it dropped into a vast, dark,
empty chasm with limited gray lighting from some place overhead.
-ortunately, before the sudden fall away, however, there was a
grid-like metal walk way with a rail along its side they ended up on.
#s they looked out upon the chasm, it was simply vast, dim,
filled with fine mist and a damp, dank smell.
#pparently nobody had been here in ages.
They followed the trail left by the little priestess who
apparently felt she no longer needed to mask her trail at this point,
thinking perhaps nobody would have come this far to find her.
They pursued her trail as they neared a visible corner of the
immense chasm.
There were very large markings like runes on the walls, but
they made no sense to the two who knew neither how to read nor use
written numbers outside of their home languages.
80?
1This was once occupied by humans.4 'alonda remarked.
1I noticed this when I first entered 'I!T weeks ago.4 came
back a remark which could have been seen as sarcastic.
The human pondered the reply and then it dawned on her that
what she said was not taken how she meant it.
12hat I meant was that a lot of humans once lived here and
they are all now dead or have left and now it is all empty and has been
empty for a very long time.4 the big woman replied, 1This place has
not seen even repair bots in ages beyond count.4
I understand your thoughts now.4 the priestess replied,
1Aerhaps this is why 'icchieu wished to come here. Aerhaps she came
here for answers to something that was bothering her.4
1I don%t know,4 'alonda replied, 1something says 'icchieu is
in some kind of serious trouble.4
They found a set of stairs which went down the outside of the
walkway then reached a landing, and returned to the wall, and
continued downward.
They reached many landings and at each one, there was another
collection of runes.
There was slime on the walls some places, and some slime on
the rails, but generally, the place seemed more like a tomb than a
cavern.
#s they delved lower and lower, they began to see strange
shapes in the mist, even as the dim lights overhead seemed to get
dimmer and dimmer as the mist intervened between them.
80$
/er already night capable eyes were now being called upon
more than ever to peer into a deep gloom as it was definitely darker
here than a normal night.
The shapes interfered with the light enough now that she could
make out angular items, some of which seemed to be as large as
mansions, perhaps larger.
!he and her guide kept going lower and lower, their ears
popping as they continued down.
1/ow far down is this34 'alonda asked softly, 1#nother two
fursheks now I believe.4
12ow.4 she marveled, 1That is as high as the main room
Luluine lives in I think74
1In the same general range,4 the priestess replied, 1although
this mist makes it more difficult to measure.4
1I thought you could see through obects.4 the human asked.
1!OLI9 obects are easy,4 the priestess commented softly,
1mist and fine particles which move around freely are very different.4
1Oh.4 the warrior replied, 1!o smoke obscures your sight like it
does mine34
1-or the most part.4 the priestess replied.
Ep 2, Chapter 2
1/er trail goes that way.4 the priestess pointed, 1!he seems to
be headed off some place into this great room for something.4
1It would help if we could increase the light in this place,4 the
80*
human pondered aloud as she looked at a sloped panel inset into the
wall with very dimly lit s"uare ewels, 1what do you suppose these
here do34 and she pressed one.
It lit up red when she pressed it but went dark when she lifted
her finger.
!he pressed another, however, and it lit up green.
!omewhere in the distance, something moved, making some
kind of sound, but nothing seemed to visibly move.
1Lets ust go find her before her trail grows cold please34 the
priestess asked.
1-ine by me.4 the warrior conceded and they followed the path.
They followed the path far into the gloom, the large darkness
overshadowing them as they slipped along.
There was something very large and metallic at one point, they
had to go around it, it was like a tall pillar on a very large pedestal
which rose high up into the darkened area above them.
The pair worked their way around this and searched further
along the trail left by the wayward priestess.
1/ow far could she have gotten in here34 'alonda asked
softly, trying her best to peer through the thick haze.
They pressed onward, however, trying to find the little
Leep%theui before they themselves got lost in the vastness of this place.
!uddenly they heard a blood curdling scream echoing in the
dark.
80,
Ep 2, Chapter 3
1!hit74 'alonda gasped, then she yelled with all of her might,
1'IIIIIIIIIIIIIII.///II))))))))))))DDDDDDDDDD7774 but
only heard it echoing back at her.
1!he%s hurt74 the warrior cried out, rushing headlong into the
darkness, the priestess trying to keep up without striking anything or
tripping over anything as they ran.
12ait mistress74 the priestess protested, 1@ou don%t know what
may be up there with her74
1#nd I don%t give a 9#'+ either74 she roared back, 1OO-7
-D.:74 she regained her senses as she careened off of another tall
metal pillar before she dashed headlong once again into the darkness.
There was agonizing moaning now, some place ahead, and
even though it was weak, it was clearly the sound of one in terrible
pain.
1/old on 'icchieu baby74 the warrior cried out at a dead run,
1I%m coming74
The wordless wailing got clearer and clearer as she fought her
way through something fle&ible which was dangling down from above
now and also making her footing treacherous.
19amned this darkness74 she cried out,
1'IIIIIII./I)DDDDDDDDDDD7774
The wailing and groaning was some place nearby and she could
sense that she was definitely close to it.
1/old on baby74 the worried warrior declared, 1I%m almost
there74
800
-inally, she almost tripped over the little Leep%theui who was
laying out in a low spot in the vast open floor.
1'icchie74 'alonda dropped to her knees, lifting the young
Leep%theui up out of the recess in the hard floor, hearing the soft
clinking of something falling.
+earby is a small vial of poison and the priestess is in a raging
fever and nearly delusional.
R2hy have you done this37R the warrior demands, sad,
horrified and angry.
R2e can not be together.R the priestess replied, R#nd I can no
longer bear the emptiness I feel coming upon my heart to crush the life
out of my very soul, so I must end it now and stop the suffering.R
R2hat are you talking about3R the bewildered warrior
challenged angrily and yet still fearful, RThe war has ended and
nations are now at peace7 2hat more should there be between us
now3R
R#re you stupid3 #re you blind3R she demanded weakly, R2e
are two different races7 There can never be anything for me this way7R
R2haaaat3R she recoiled in amazed alarm, R@ou think that this
should come between us3R the warrior demanded, R9o you not see
how I am the sister of your ancestor Luluine3 I would gladly give my
life for you7 (e it a life ended in defending you or a life of unending
servitude7R
RI can%t believe you are saying these things to me as I lay here
dying...surely I must be delusional and close to death...R
RI speak the truth you foolish child7R 'alonda cried out,
808
forcibly pulling the Leep%theui out of the pit, 1I love you with all of my
heart and would do anything for you7R
R(ut...R the priestess was at loss for words, Rwhat about...3R
R2hat about anything3R the warrior demanded, RI love you no
matter 2/#T the %what-abouts%7R
RI have grown to love you too...and I had secretly hoped that
you would with your own hands end my life as you had promised, so
that I would not have to go away empty and longing, but rather being
taken out of this misery by the hand of the one I loved the most...R
RI would never kill you7 I would never leave you7R the warrior
began crying and shaking, R/ow could you think such a thing of me3R
R(ut inside...inside I burn with this passion I can not deny, and
cannot indulge...R the priestess moaned painfully in emotional anguish
even as she seemed to be getting weaker in the warrior%s arms.
RI would let you do with me anything you desired7 I would let
you do....R she blushed even as tears fell from her eyes...Ranything7R
R(ut what about children3R the priestess sighed softly, R9o you
not want any children3R
R.hildren3R she looked startled even as she was already
walking with the priestess back toward the stairs where they had
descended, not even knowing how she would get her up the
accessway, RI never even thought about children7R
R!ee3R the priestess challenged defending her .
R!ee what3R the warrior rebuffed, RIf I wanted children I could
easily start an orphanage7 #fter this war, they are everywhere7R
R#n orphanage3R the priestess weakly lit up RI have always
80;
wanted an orphanage7R
#s the reality of her words sank into the priestess, she began to
cry softly in her weakened state, RTo know this all too late...such a
fate I have lain upon myself...R
RIt is never too late as long as there is a wisp of life within
you7R the warrior challenged, RI shall bring you to the medical ward,
and with Luluine%s help you shall live and you shall become my bride
as surely as I live7 #nd from there we shall go back to Le%+an and
there we shall set up an orphanage from all of the nations of the world,
and we shall teach them how to live at peace and establish a whole
new world for them to grow up into7 !o don%t you die on me before I
can build one for you7R the warrior challenged sternly.
RI promise to hold on with all my strength....for you...and for
the orphanage...7R and she slumped weakly into a comatose state.
1Oh no7 +o7 +O7 'icchieuuuuuuuuuu7774 she wailed in panic.
The older priestess finally caught up with her and checked the
little Leep%theui%s vitals.
!he began chanting something and drawing circles of light in
the air, her runes hovering right where she drew them as she chanted,
gradually lighting up the area around them.
#t first the warrior looked around in the light to see where the
nearest e&it might be, realizing that they were beneath some kind of
very large obect.
12ait7 2ait74 she suddenly cried out, 12hat are you 9OI+574
she protested, 1!he%s +OT dead7 !he%s +OT dead7 !top7 !top doing
this74 she broke down into convulsive sobbing as she clenched the
body of the brown and golden haired Leep%theui to her chest.
80<
The two spirit guides appeared before her and said, 1Let us
take her now.4 and the little priestess%s body simply vanished from her
tight grip, so that the warrior%s arms suddenly closed in on nothingness.
1+oooo...+O-/O-/O-O/-O/-O///7774 she wailed,
1'####III..//II)))))))))7774
80=
Episode 3,
A.. #hat Went ,n Fro* #hat #i*e For+ard
'alonda was so e&hausted and emotionally drained, she lay
right down on the floor of the massive room and cried.
!he lay there for an indeterminate period of time when she
realized that it was growing brighter in the room.
It was not merely her imagination, there was light and even
though she was under the shadow of something immense, there were
lights far far above her, illuminating this area more and more even as
she watched.
!he rose up on one elbow, not really wanting to think about
anything, but yet here she was, seeing something that had not been
seen by anyone for aeons beyond reckoning.
#lthough she could not determine what e&actly they were, they
were certainly made of metal, they were definitely made by humans,
and undeniably made for war on a scale no human in near history had
ever imagined possible.
These devices were so immense and so devastating that beside
them an ancient @amthan was naught but a day old Binkitoo kit7
1/oly....mother....4 she was so overwhelmed with awe, could
not even finish the saying.
!he got up on her feet and ran as fast as she could toward the
e&it.
80>
Ep 3, Chapter
The priestess doggedly followed the human all the way to the
main room of 'I!T.
1There-there-there-4 'alonda was pointing back the way she
came, panting, all of the warriors and the "ueen filling in around her as
she addressed Luluine, 1T/I+5! in the basement74
1.alm down dear sister,4 came from the goddess.
1.alm down 'alonda.4 came from Turuba.
'alonda glanced back and forth between the two of them
confused.
1Those are there for a reason.4 Turuba informed
1# reason we hope to never have to e&plain.4 Luluine replied.
1They...they%re so /D5)74 'alonda protested, 12ho needs
#+@T/I+5 that huge34
1Lets hope that nobody does dear.4 Turuba replied.
1@ou should rela& and ust go see your lovely bride to be dear
sister.4 the calm giantess purred, 1!he is out of danger now and resting
well.4
Ep 3, Chapter !
'alonda rushed into the medical ward breathlessly and
scooped up the little Leep%theui tightly, weeping into her bosom saying
something unintelligible while sobbing even more.
1I%m sorry my love.4 the little priestess murmured, stroking the
88?
human%s hair, 1I let my emotions get to me.4
'alonda mumbled something into her chest she could not
make out.
1That%s okay my love,4 she tightly embraced the weeping
human, 1we%ll figure it all out in time.4
Ep 3, Chapter "
The two went ahead and decided to officially be married, and
now they were enoying their honeymoon, or so they thought.
1There you are74 came from the door.
12on%t you AL)#!) :+O.:734 'alonda pulled the cover up
against her chest.
1I ust wanted to share with you both the wonderful news I
discovered74 the avatar declared oyously.
1.ouldn%t it have waited until morning34 'icchieu%s face
popped up from under the covers, 1This I! our honeymoon you
know.4
1T/#T%! no way to address your 5O99)!!74 the avatar
huffed at her.
12ell,4 'icchieu%s voice being defiant and sarcastic, she said,
1(eing married to %the goddess% !I!T)6 gives ') the A6IE)L)5)74
and she stuck out her big pink tongue.
19on%t you stick your tongue out at me74 the avatar pouted,
12ho :+O2! where that thing has been74
'alonda burst into laughter at this but then said, 12ell she
88$
2#! about to K eep74
19on%t !#@ that74 the little priestess cried while doing
something beneath the covers that stopped her new wife%s remark,
1That%s something A6IE#T)74
1!o...4 'alonda got a glum e&pression on her face and asked,
1+ow that you%ve completely spoiled the mood here, sis,4 she
e&tended an upturned palm as if e&pecting some solid obect to be
placed in it, 1what is this %fantastic% news you ust /#9 to share with
us34
1Oh7 @eah74 the avatar lit up in delight, 1@OD%6) not a
()#!T74
The two in bed looked at each other with dumfounded
e&pressions and chorused, 1/uh34
1I studied up on your 5)+)TI.!74 the avatar continued.
12hata-whatics34 'alonda asked with a s"uinting e&pression.
1The little molecules that make us what we are K oh never mind
that -4 the avatar umped from one sentence to another, 1#nyhow, the
deal is,4 raising one finger, 1if you get pregnant, you won%t have
another one of ')74
1That%s good to know.4 'alonda sighed.
12ait74 'icchieu%s eyes flashed e&citedly, 1@ou mean they
won%t be .#++I(#L!34
1That%s what I%m saying -4 the avatar replied confidently.
156)#T74 the little Leep%theui bounced up under the covers
getting up over the top of the warrior, 12heeeeeee74
88*
!uddenly the change in positions alerted the human that
something was about to happen she might not be prepared for,
12/#T37 2#IT-2#IT-2#IT-2#IT7 2#/////////7774
Ep 3, Chapter (
12ell my dear,4 Luluine declared to !eeliene in person, 1I
think for now you need to remain the active !acred Eessel.4
1(ut...4 the "ueen protested, 1+ow that I%m so /D5),4 looking
at herself sadly.
1I%m sure some of them will still be willing,4 the goddess softly
insisted, 1and for the rest,4 she glanced at the older priestess,
1!utootheh is #L2#@! willing to help you deliver seed to a new
mother-to-be.4
The priestess smiled adoringly at the "ueen reaching up to take
hold of a finger of the much larger hand paw.
1If you remain a good girl,4 the goddess added, 1I%ll let you
come back and visit me every now and then.4
1I would greatly enoy that Luluine.4 the "ueen%s eyes
brightened.
1#s for your warriors there,4 the goddess added, 1I truly and
deeply appreciate their loyalty and service to me.4
They all chest saluted and bowed at the waist.
1I shall permit them to be married if they are so inclined,4 the
giantess informed, 1provided they continue to perform their duties as
they have in the past.4
88,
They all dropped to one knee in response.
1I believe they are pleased with your blessings my goddess.4
!eeliene smiled.
12ell,4 the immense Leep%theui declared, 1Off with you all
then,4 she lightly waved a massive hand paw, 1life as a ruler is a busy
one. 'alonda has instructed the @amthan to take you home before it
heads off to its own home in the north.4
1@es my goddess74 the "ueen also chest saluted and bowed,
1@our benevolence is beyond our worthiness.4
The whole group of them turned and headed for the e&it which
would take them back to the surface.
1@ou do make a very good ruler Lu,4 Turuba remarked as she
stroked the hair along the giantess%s belly, 1I%m very impressed.4
1Thank you momma.4 the goddess smiled, then after a brief
pause, she asked, 1'omma34
1@es Lu34 the woman smiled gazing up at her.
12hat will you do now that things are the way they are34 the
Leep%theui asked.
12ell I thought I would stick around here for a while and help
around a bit,4 the human replied, 1at least as long as you are
recovering from your inuries,4 she added as she looked at the big eyes
in the distance, 1that is if you%ll let your neglectful old momma hang
around with you anyhow.4
1@ou%ll always be welcome here momma.4 the giantess%s eye
dropped a shower of water she could in no means hide.
880
1+ow don%t get all weepy on me baby.4 the woman smiled
softly, feeling a tear come to her own eye as well.
1I%ll try not to momma,4 the giantess offered, feeling a lump
rise in her throat, 1but after all, I%m always going to be your little girl
as long as I live.4
1@es you will baby,4 Turuba leaned her head against the vast
belly, 1@es you always will.4
Ep 3, Chapter /
'alonda, 'icchieu and the two .unchaws made it home to
Le%+an by way of the great upper highway, parting company with the
wild .unchaw at the border of the mountainous region where it was
unclear where the border of Le%+an and :op%toh lay, which headed
back into the mountains.
They rode the veteran .unchaw with the litter, packing a few
supplies in the back compartment and letting the wild .unchaw take
the rest of them home as gifts for his family whom he had not seen in
so long.
12hat will you do when you drop us off 'r. .unchaw34
'alonda asked as they rode up a wide stone paved road which
wandered through the midst of Le%+an on the way back to the
2innepego estate.
The purple beast indicated that it was happy to remain of
service to 'alonda and her family if that was okay, seeing as it had not
grown up wild and had become accustomed to living indoors and
eating prepared foods, which it preferred greatly over catching and
eating wild game raw.
12ell,4 the human replied, 1If 'icchieu%s okay with it, its fine
with me.4
888
#s long as I%m not the one who has to .OO: all that meat,4 the
Leep%theui wrinkled her nose in disgust, 1I%m fine with him eating at
our table even.4
The .unchaw purred with delight.
To their surprise, when they came into clear view of the
mansion, however, there was the @amthan, waiting patiently, eyes
brightly regarding the 2innepegos as they rode up. +ot only that, but
children were running up and down its wings, petting it and generally
treating it like a giant play thing.
12hat are @OD doing here34 'alonda cried.
The sky beast made something like a purring sound and
e&tended its head out with a sleepy, pleased look in its eyes.
1I think when you said it could %go to its home%,4 the little
priestess speculated, 1this is where it had already deemed %its home% to
be or something of that sorts.4
12ell what am I going to do with a @amthan of all things34
'alonda asked.
The .unchaw pointed out that it would make a great plowing
implement, merely needing to scratch the earth, saving the backs of
thousands of peasants, as well as it could protect crops from hail and
high winds, and it could catch rain, put our wild fires, and surely many
other uses could be found7
1(ut what will I -))9 it34 'alonda asked.
1@amthans are omnivores.4 'icchieu informed, 1If you have
nothing else,4 the priestess declared, 1They can eat trees, grass,
vegetables, or anything else.4
88;
The .unchaw also remarked that they can eat wild beasts if
they threaten the estate, or it can go about and hunt since it has a great
range by nature.
1Oh well,4 'alonda shrugged, 1welcome home74
88<
Epi.ogue
'alonda gave birth to a white eyed, black and white striped
Leep%theui they named /ekkita 'icchieu )louise Turuba 2innepego.
They made no effort to hide the child from the peasants and
they were not only kindly to the child but took great care to help it
cope with its differences in appearance, making sure not to make her
seem strange or like an outcast.
They took the @amthan into the mountains, and along with the
veteran .unchaw went down and introduced their child to her
grandmother /ekkitunia.
They traveled a lot, even showed the baby to Luluine and
!eeliene before returning home.
Turuba spent time divided between 'I!T and the estate, trying
to be the best mother she could be in light of all the years she felt she
had let everybody down.
(ecause of 'alonda and 'icchieu%s great achievements, they
had many happy years in peace in all of the nearby realms.
88=
9$,SSA%Y
9eography and 6ri*ary nations in the story?
Le%+an P%the nation%Q home of 'alonda
:op%toh P%king of everything% or %top king% or %overlord%Q birthplace of
'icchieu the healer, high in the remote mountainous range up in a
little e&plored region never disputed by either nation.
The Lobanian !ector Pa sector which little is known about generallyQ
/oldon Pin the Lobanian sector Q a small village, nothing else is known
about it, save it has a tavern owned by a person named Thintwooie.
Chara4ters o& 0*portan4e @in a.phabeti4a. orderA
/ekkituniaC 'icchieu%s birth 'other.
/is )&cellency :ing /arold !hakken Ludapest III of Le%+an.
Levan 9. .leareighC uncle of 'alonda and Luluine, inventor of the
Leep%theui race.
Luluine P.leareighQ C primary goddess of the Leep%theui race, mother
of life, giver of wisdom, health, grace, peace. abundance and oy, Palso
older half sister of 'alondaQ.
'alonda Leighah 2innepego, Leige .ommander of /is )&cellency
:ing /arold !hakken Ludapest III of Le%+an.
'icchieu the healerC !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The )ighth !acred
Eessel of Luluine%, %!outh !tar of Tizman%, %/ealer of Ten Thousand%,
88>
and .greatest known scout of all times%, a Leep%theui priestess, saves
'alonda and nurses her back to health
+ogad, brother of 'alonda
Olaf, brother of 'alonda
!eeliene !ielista 9eni"a /onlinina, %The !eventh !acred Eessel of
Luluine%, %!eer of 5od%, %:nower of 'ysteries%, %:eeper of the !even
!acred :eys%.
!utoothehC !eeliene%s personal lover, devoted messenger and priestess
of Luluine.
ThintwooieC a tavern keeper in the small, remote village of /oldon in
the mysterious Lobanian sector.
Turuba 2innepegoC 'other of Olaf, +ogad, 'alonda Pand LuluineQ
2innepego.
#e4hni4a. ter*s and +ords to trans.ate?
!chatallionC a form of ranking in this world
-urshekC a measure of distance e"ual to roughly three hundred meters.
LargonC a measure of distance e"ual roughly to three meters.
:utunC e"ual to $$.*> earth hours.
:olokC e"ual to $.0,8 meters
8;?
>eities?
Luluine P.leareighQ C primary goddess of the Leep%theui race, mother
of life, giver of wisdom, health, grace, peace. abundance and oy, Palso
older half sister of 'alondaQ.
Fa*i.ia. -istoryB9enea.ogy? 1@our mother is Luluine%s mother,4 the
priestess replied, 1and she is Tisha%s mother, who is Leah%s mother,
who is 2ameta%s mother, who is 6oyosha%s mother, who is 2alomba%s
mother, who is +imbuu%s mother, who is !eeliene%s mother, who is
'icchieu%s mother.4
Beastiary?
(lue-!hembaC a silk laying arachnid which can be handled if one is
careful and it suffocates its prey by gluing their breathing passages
shut before dragging them off to their den. It goes about at night
killing its prey in their sleep.
.olombuC a smooth skinned sentient amphibious life form which are
cunning, crafty and fiercely strong, as well as bearing a horrid venom
known as %The !lowest 9eath in the 2orld.% ate rotted flesh. They love
the stench of rot and decay, and they wallow in it as a form of perfume
8;$
when seeking a mate. Operators of a mine which contains many
precious metals, they eat the rotting victims while forcing them to
work while threatening others to work or suffer being bitten.
)specially dangerous to Leep%theui because their bodies put of a
fragrance much like a favored fruit of the Leep%theui, which makes it
particularly dangerous for Leep%theui to forage in the territory of the
.olombu.
.unchawC an eight legged beast like a mi& of a furry sabertooth and a
spider, it is sociable, intelligent enough it has its own language, spins
web but also chases down prey, is a light violet purple in color.
/arriatC a small predatory creature that could both spray and inect its
venom from its stinger, making it useful for both offense and defense,
normally preys upon other small animals its own size but will use its
venom on any attacker, lethal to most life forms.
/ouse-ferrC future e"uivalent of a present day house cat, only larger
claws and fangs, more violent.
BinkitoosC future e"uivalent of a present day gray mouse, tamable,
affectionate, intelligence unknown but can be taught tricks.
:unnibahC cross between a triceratops and ankylosaur, semi-
intelligent, docile when handled gently, easily tamed, affectionate
toward humans, especially its masters, deadly in battle, having a
massive spiked tail which it can swing all the way around to its horned
neck shield.
LakshabbaC a tall hairy beast-man with tusks, very strong, violent,
sadistic, prefers eating its prey live. /ard to kill, even with poison.
Leep%theuiC genetically engineered anthropomorphic humanoids with
genetic traits much like a chipmunk, including the ability to hibernate,
eat vast volumes of food and then operate for long periods of time
8;*
without, a hive minded lifestyle, nonviolent, having fur, tails and perky
ears. They are also adept at magic, but mainly using it for peaceful
purposes, primarily for evasion and detection avoidance, can talk with
all animals. Eery religious, one with nature, herbivores, can eat leaves
and grasses. /ermaphroditic, self fertilizing.
!hakk%tahC a relative of the .unchaw but wilier, harder to capture,
impossible to domesticate, very intelligent, never travels alone, always
has a lookout.
!tenwolfC an intelligent wolf which can perform telepathy and
telekinesis, is larger than a human and lives primarily in the Lobanian
sector. These are what are used as spirit guides.
ThombunesC a black reptilian beast with compound eyes, similar in
size to a velociraptor, but with long razor sharp scales on their whip-
like tails which can slice a man in half in a flash.
ThombuniansC 2olf like creatures with telepathic and telekinetic
abilities, mostly the power to teleport, but also to move, bend, and to a
limited e&tent, chemically distort items.
ThyrianC large three legged feathered avian with a long spike toothed
beak, very fast, can run long distances with a mounted rider, much
longer without, can fly for days if weather helps, but can not fly with a
mount.
TimminthallC a long sleek, part dragon, part horse, part panther, very
large, powerful, fast and deadly. Little is known about this beast.
2ar-lachenzC # hybridized human who is partially mingled with an
insectoid alien race and therefore has the ability to control beasts by its
will. It is sterile and does not reproduce.
2erewolfC a ruthless, aggressive, intelligent, capable of amazing
healing abilities, entire history unknown.
8;,
@amthanC a flying beast, similar to a dragon or pterodactyl in overall
appearance, four eyes on head, gargantuan beast growing up to ten
fursheks in length, serrated bony tip on tail, very sharp despite its size,
capable of piercing and slashing.
,ther obCe4ts?
'oonsC
The nearest moon Aok%oh is a small fast moon which rise and
set before one night passes and can often be seen during the day.
The ne&t moon out 'an%oh is larger and slower moving, so it
only makes it part of the way across the sky.
(un%ohC a small moon in the third orbit and takes almost the
same time as 'an%oh, so that when they were in alignment, they
appear to rise and set at virtually the same time for many nights in a
row.
:in%ohC a very large icy moon, which reflects a lot of the light
from the red giant they orbit.
-uh%ohC a small rocky moon which is very hard to see even
when it is in its fullest phase, looking a dull blush charcoal, merely an
odd shaped blob in the sky with indistinct edges to the unaided eye.
:o-danC the world they live on, a type >-5 habitable planet
2ust%hahnC a red giant with a nearly invisible blue neutron star
circling it as a binary star system
Tiph%hahnC a small blue neutron star which rapidly circles a red
giant in a binary star system
8;0
#u%runC a constellation in the southern hemisphere which can
be seen ust off the horizon from as far as eleven degrees north of the
e"uator.
9ensuriumC a metallic like substance with amazing properties,
including the fact that it mysteriously can change densities, fle&ural
modulous, hardness and e"uivalent mass when hit by fast moving
obects, but us usually pliable like leather if not being hit by
something.
A Warrior's Ways
4opyright D 81,
>e.i4ious )odka >eB.air,
pen na*e
Yuri Futanari,
6entagon %e4ording Spe4ia.ties 'n.i*ited
http?BBpentagonre4ords;4o*
Ye..5i..e, Arkansas, 'SA
8;8
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