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A Possibility for Hope?

The sun was blaring full blast on his face as Ketilbjörn slowly started to wake up with a headache and groggy vision. He groans as he rubs his eyes. "Perhaps the gods may have blessed us with too much fun." he grumbled. He looked around to see himself in possibly in Kiriads' hut as it was later confirmed when he saw her next to him. The white tiger princess was curled up next to him, soundly still asleep. Ketilbjörn smiled as he carefully slipped out from the covers to let her sleep. He then decided since he was up to walk around the place and possibly take a bath in the river.

Coming to the river, Ketilbjörn undressed and dived into the cool water feeling immersed by the vast liquid. After swimming under the water, he submerges feeling the warmth of the sun again as he brushes the water from his face. He floated on his back as the water felt so good against his skin. He didn't know why, but he felt like he didn't want leave the water for most of the day. That was until he thought he heard some giggling. He paused to hear for a moment, then resumed when there was nothing else. He had grown big in muscle, his arms performing powerful strokes in the river as he swam around. As soon as he came back up, he was soon greeted by three new faces he hadn't seen before: Kenzi, Naisha and Rula. Startled, Ketilbjörn nearly fell backwards into the water. The three of them giggled at his reaction and he cleared his throat. "Uh, hello ladies. I...didn't see any of you there. Uhh...what can I do you for?"

"Oh nothing..." Kenzi giggled as she looked at him up and down. "We were actually wanting to come down here for a swim and we just so happened to see you here." Both Rula and Naisha had mischievous looks on their faces as if they had something on their minds. "So maybe..."

"We could maybe join you?" piped in Naisha, her hands behind her back.

"Uhh...yes uh of course. Please by all means." He made a gesture for them to dive on in with him. The three tigers smiled gleefully as they stripped down while Ketilbjörn turned away as a common courtesy. "Oooo it feels so good." said Rula, humming with pleasure.

"Yes...eh...indeed." said a nervous Ketilbjörn, still looking away his cheeks red.

"What's the matter, mister Viking?" asked a flirty Naisha. "You're not afraid of a defenseless tiger now are you?" She, Rula and Kenzi slowly started to encircle him like three 'hungry tiger sharks'. Before he knew it, Ketilbjörn had two tigers on each of his arms and one feeling him up, her breast against his back.

"N-n-n-no. No. No, it isn't that." he stammered, trying to stay composed as they felt the tough bulge of his muscles in his chest and arms which made him even more nervous. As he stood 5'10", they stood about his height but they still intimidated as they came unto him. "I just...um..."

"Then you shouldn't be afraid to 'handle' us then, should you?" He could feel Kenzi's hands up the front of his chest along his pecs, feeling along the hair on his chest as Rula and Naisha pressed their breasts against his arms. Kenzi then walked over to face him, her hands feeling along his chest muscles still as they started to move up to his shoulders. He could feel Naisha's fingers tickling the scruff of his beard before stroking his chin. All three of them were awfully close his face as they were leaning in to kiss him as Kenzi was the first to attempt to. A wiry smile soon crawled upon the blonde haired tiger's face. "Oh my. Is that a river snake that's come between the two of us, or are you just excited?" she asked in a saucy tone. With a nervous swallow, tried to remain calm as he squirmed a little. As her lips neared his, they were soon interrupted by a familiar voice. "Excuse me! But what are you three doing?!" All four of them looked to the bank of the river to see Ennek with a disapproving look of shock and dismay. Ketilbjörn looked guilty as if she was to castrate him along the three of them. "Oh Ennek, nice to see you again." said Rula with a smirk. "We were just about to do a little...'cultural exchange' with Ketilbjörn here. There's room for one more you know."

"Actually, I was just about to...see the princess about something after I got done with my swimming so if you ladies will excuse me...". He scooted past the tiger women and hurried over to the shore to quickly get changed into his clothes, for he was wearing nothing but a loincloth. He then said farewell to Ennek and the ladies a little bow to them. "Miss Ennek, ladies." And with that, he hurried back to the village. "Ah nuts, now you scared him off, Ennek." teased Kenzi a few moments after Ketilbjörn left the scene.

" I scared ** ** him off?! You guys are the ones that scared him off!" Ennek retorted, pointing at them. "He seemed to be at peace here until you girls had to make him feel awkward with your flirting!" At this, the girls smiled and went 'ooo'. "It looks like someone is feeling a little jealous." teased Naisha.

"Maybe so." said Rula. Feeling steamed, Ennek gritted her teeth in frustration. " I'm not jealous!!" she exclaimed.

"Hmmm, are you so eager to get laid Ennek?" asked Kenzi. "You seem to really like the human don't ya?" The statement made Ennek blush as she struggled to get the words out. "N-no...I mean...look I just want to get to know him better that's all."

"Yeah, we noticed. From how you two were talking, you two were getting real close." said Rula with a sly grin as her friends giggled. The blush on Enneks' face grew even more red. "Wait...you what?!"

"Oh yeah, we followed you trailing after the Viking and we just had to see how it went. And you two were just too** **adorable!" Feeling even more irritated, Ennek then charged at them to deal with them in her own way.

******

A few miles away from the river, Ketilbjörn was able to calm down after feeling a little flustered. He was still absorbing what just transpired. The young Viking prince had a few run-ins as such as that time in Rome when his cousin brought him to one of their brothels when he was twenty years old. Ketilbjörn had never felt so awkward and uneasy as any virgin would feel. He couldn't help it if felt a little sentimental or having some feelings. This sort of thinking led him to be questioned by the other Vikings in his clan, despite the many raids and battles he partook in. Ketilbjörn believed that might was to be used only when diplomacy failed as was taught by his father. For now, he was to be wait for love until business was taken care of; as he was about to do now. He makes his way back to Kiriads and sees her outside of her hut. Upon Seeing him approach, she waves to him and walks up to him. "Good morning Ketil."

"Good morning highness. I apologize for not reporting sooner. I was...taking a quick dip."

"Quite alright Ketil. Shall we get started then?"

"Yes, lets." The two of them went off and began their first day of worldly exchanges. Ketilbjörn first began to teach both tribes of tiger women the bow and arrow; first by finding a sturdy straight stick that works good enough for a bow (reasonably thick but not too thick) about three to four feet tall. They were then to cut this stick down and trim it to the correct length while also trimming off the twigs. He then has them put notches onto the ends of the stick so that the string can slide onto it. They selected the bowstring that could be made of a wide variety of material including rawhide, fishing line, twine, thin nylon rope and even cotton strands and tie the bowstrings securely on both ends of the bow and ensure that it is much shorter than the length of the unflexed bow and applying some beeswax to the bow and bowstrings to smooth them out. The tigers were taking well to his instructions, but some had difficulty with the bowstring.

Once the bows were complete, Ketilbjörn then demonstrated to them how to make a quiver of arrows. The right arrow sticks were to be straight and dry. The sticks were to be completely dry, and their length should be half that of the bow. Arrow sticks could be smoothened by peeling their barks off using a knife. He then straightened the sticks by passing them gently over hot coals and to be careful not to burn them. He then attached the arrowheads onto the tip of the arrow. Feathers were used to streamline the flight of an arrow, attaching the feathers at the end of the arrow using glue. The arrows proved to be the more difficult task for the ladies as they tried their best to work with the goose feathers. They had to try multiple times to get it right, some being more frustrated than others especially Tam'syn who huffed in frustration.

In almost two hours, everyone was able to make ready for target practice. Ketilbjörn had set up some improvised b ig targets via dry wood tied up against some trees. They were to aim their arrows at the target as best as they can and to come close to the target as possible. He had them go four at a time at a distance of fifteen paces to be safe. As some would get better, he would move the line back five more paces. Out of all of them, Kanti, Zurina, Ennek and Rula seemed to be the best out of them all. Tam'syn was able to hit the bullseye once and she got excited as her big sister cheered for her. "Nice job sis!" said Ashaki, clapping for her little sister. But more times than not, Kanti was the more accurate as she had the better grouping. Ketilbjörn was doing his best to teach them, even so much as get close to them and help them adjust their position made some of the lady tigers a little flirty with him; especially with Naisha, Rula, Kenzi and one other tigress by the name of Aika who did it just a little but it was enough for Ennek to get ruffled up. Tam'syn and Raz even felt a little steamed that their fellow sisters trying to put the moves on the young Viking. Trying to play it cool, he went along with it as he cleared his throat. Seeing that it took up most of the day, he decided to call it a night and had them all be prepare for tomorrow. He was about turn in when he was given a hut of his own as was made early in the day. Ketilbjörn seemed satisfied and happy about it and thanked the tigers for the time they put in for doing so. He was about to sleep happily but was confronted by the saucy trio who were waiting for him. "Ladies, is this really necessary? " he asked them.

"Why not? We never got to finish what we started this morning." said Naisha. "You didn't think..."

"That we would forget, did you?" Rula finished. Both sisters were on his makeshift bed with Kenzi in between them. "We were also hoping to thank you for doing such a good job in teaching us."

Ketilbjörn kept a straight face even though he squirmed just a little. "No thanks are quite necessary." he replied. "I'm only happy to be of assistance to you."

"And modest too." said Kenzi sweetly. "Are all Vikings as well-mannered and cute as you?"

"Hmm nope just me I guess." The ladies then got up and walked up to him, cozying up to him just as they were trying before. "So tell us Ketilbjörn, would the women of your clan be jealous if they ever found out your with any of us?" Naisha inquired who was in front him this time, tracing a clawed finger along his broad chest.

"I don't know, not that I'm certain." Ketilbjörn made a small nervous gulp as he tried to remain focused and not be tempted so easily. After all, all Vikings were to prove their strength; even if it was resisting the advances of three lovely kitties. "I wouldn't know for sure actually." Naisha raised a brow in suspicion at the sound of that. "Oh? So have you actually been with another woman before?" He was feeling himself being backed into a corner. "I-I'm not at liberty to say at the moment." Ketilbjörn then cleared his throat as he tried to keep calm.

"Hmm. I'd say he's either never been with a woman, or is to shy to...experience a woman like us." suggested Rula as her face was near Ketilbjörn's ear as she spoke in a sultry voice. A slight whimper escaped from the young humans' mouth which only seemed to encourage them. He then felt Rula sniff him a bit as he stayed perfectly still growing nervous by what she was doing to him. It took a while until she stopped and her smile turned into a sly grin. "He doesn't have the scent of a woman on him. Which could only mean..."

"He's maybe a virgin Viking?" inquired a suspicious Kenzi as she tilted her head in curiosity as did her compatriots. Now really feeling on the spot, Ketilbjörn was not sure what to say. "Oh powerful All Father, please help me out of this." Odin soon answered his prayer as Mabel approached from behind them with a clearing of the throat. "Perhaps you three should give our guest some peace for tonight. He's had a long day of teaching you and I don't think he really has the stamina to please any of you for now. So why don't we give him peace for tonight?" Seeing their fun spoiled, the three tiger temptresses sauntered off with a sour puss; vowing in their minds that they'll be back. Breathing a sigh of relief, the young Viking then turned to the elder. "If I were you, young man, I'd consider all my options on who I'd want as a mate."

"I'll do well to keep that in mind Lady Mabel." Ketilbjörn said in thanks. "I do thank you for coming at the right time, for you are right in saying that I have been feeling a little exhausted after today."

"Oh surely not all that exhausted." she teases him with a chuckle. "A young male of your age must have quite the stamina." She gives him a wink which makes Ketilbjörn laugh nervously.

"So what can I do for you madam?"

"Well first and foremost, you may refer to me as Mabel if you wish. And secondly, if you have the time I hope to have a little walk with you if you don't mind. I wish to speak you about something" With a nod, Ketilbjörn agreed as he followed the old tiger as she took him down an old path. It was quiet as they walked about a mile or two until at last Mabel spoke. "How do you like our humble haven?" she asked him. Looking surprised at her getting right to the point, he answered he in polite honesty, "I can honestly say it's something I never expected. Though I will admit I was concerned about how you ladies would take to me. Imagine my surprise that only so few would be...well for lack of a better word apprehensive. Not that I don't blame them, I'm sure it would be the same if it was the other way around."

"I'm sure it would be."

"What of you Miss Mabel? What is your opinion of me?" Looking at him firmly, Mabel thought about what she wanted to say about him. "I never knew exactly what to make of you if you want the truth from me. I was thinking that you were possibly a spy or that your people were waiting to invade us. Even when there was no proof of such, I still wanted to see how you could be of help to us as Princess Kiriad had hoped for." Ketilbjörn looked back at her with surprise. "The princess said that?"

"That's what she had hopes for. But the question that remains is, where do you stand on all this?" Ketilbjörn didn't think it would come to debate, but then again he didn't think it would be ignored. Treading carefully, he responded with "I only wish for my people to make trade with new potential partners. I won't confirm or deny if some would plan a raid upon your village; but as for my clan, I don't believe we would do so without reason. We may be known for a lot of things, but the Ragnar clan are not barbarians I can assure you." A moment of silence passed between the two of them, as if a game lingual chess was coming to a standstill. Mabel soon spoke "Just don't disappoint me or any of the girls if you prove otherwise. I'm willing to trust you as much as I could give to any stranger; only so much. But I can at least thank you for such manners and a polite tongue."

"I understand ma'am and thank you for being honest with me. It something that I hope for more than anything."

"You certainly are a strange person, son of Dufniall. But I'm glad that you are here, it brings me pleasure to see these girls happy during such times. I've not seen such happiness like this for as long as I've lived. All we've ever done was fight against the dragons and so little in between."

"If you don't mind me asking Mabel, has anyone ever tried to make peace or at least try to reason with these dragons?"

"As far as I am concerned, none have tried to. They seem to rather burn us on site than ever speak to us. Especially after they..." She seemed to hesitate in wanting to finish the sentence until Ketilbjörn finished her sentence in saying, "captured and and tormented your daughter?" Mabel looked at him in surprise when he said that. When he saw this he explained to her, "Your daughter told me on the first day I made contact with your people. I do apologize if it was confidential for her not to say this, I honestly didn't know." He knew from experience and tales from others on his travels of such accounts, one that happened to one of his fellow comrades when they were captured by enemy forces. They had left him near dehydration, with many bruises and looking malnourished. Why the gods would allow such cruelty to persist was beyond his understanding. "I swear upon the gods of my people to not bring the same fate upon her again or any of the others." As he said this, he bent on one knee and bowed his head as he made his vow before the elder. "I sure hope to assume so Ketilbjörn, for everyone's sake. Just don't hurt my daughter, or you'll have to sleep with both eyes at night."

"Understood madam."

"But enough talk of this, let's just head back before they start worry about us." Nodding in agreement, the Viking stood up and proceeded with her back the way they came. As they did, they continued talking about other things and enjoyed each others company. Mabel even shared a few embarrassing stories about Kiriad which got a chuckle out of Ketilbjörn as his mother would surely do the same if it was the other way around.

They soon reach back home as they saw the princess herself talking to Scyde with Raz. She looked concerned as if something was wrong, then she turned to see him walking up with her mom. "There you are." said Kiriad, looking upset. "Where have you two been? We were beginning to worry that you two were gone missing. So where were you?"

"Just getting to know each other better and coming to an understanding." said Ketilbjörn, looking over at Mabel as they both flashed a smile at each other. "You could have told one of us you know!" said Raz. She looked just as worried as Kiriad as she went over to Mabel. "He didn't hurt you did he, Mabel?"

"Young lady do I look like I've been hurt?" asked Mabel with a raised brow. "I'm completely in one piece as you can plainly see. I appreciate the concern though Raz." She then looked over to Ketilbjörn. "I thank you again for your time, Ketilbjörn. I'll let you be for tonight. come along Raz." Both saying goodnight, Raz and Mabel headed back to where their clan was staying for the time being. As they left, all that was left was the Viking and the two tigers. "I'm sorry if we made you concerned, princess. She only wished to speak to me about certain issue."

"We'll discuss that later." said Scyde. "Right now, we have urgent news to speak of."

"Yes, indeed." said Kiriad. "We just came across something that might help us turn the tide in this fight. Some of our warriors came across some paintings along the mountain range, one of them depicted as we believe is a Zhirite claw. We have Xiu already looking it up and doing research on it even as we speak."

"What can I do?" asked Ketilbjörn.

"Actualy, that's why we were looking for you. I'm having Scyde assemble a team of our finest warriors to go after this Zhirite claw, and we were hoping that you help assist them."

"How far will the trip be?"

"Only a few days to there." Scyde answered. "Are you in?"

Ketilbjörn nodded in response without hesitation. He had hoped for a chance to see if he might see these dragons, what they were capable of with their powers and if he could find some way to talk them and hopefully get both sides to talk this out. With any luck, he could get this handled peacefully with little to no resistance and maybe get to do commerce with both sides. "When can we leave?"

"First thing tomorrow morning. We travel lightly so bring only what you need for the trip. We'll meet up at Kiriads' before we leave."

"Understood. I'll get on it right away." With a little nod to the both of them, he turned heel to head for his hut when Kiriad suddenly spoke to him. "Oh and Ketilbjörn, after you finish packing I wish to speak with you in my hut if you don't mind."

"As you wish highness." While Scyde went to assemble the team, Ketilbjörn went ahead to pack the essentials. About twenty minutes later, he went back up to the Kiriad's hut and entered. He placed his pack along with his armor down near the doorway as he saw her looking over a map on the table. She looked behind her shoulder and saw him. "Ah welcome back Ketilbjörn. I have the map laid out and I want to show you the route that I'll be having you and the team take." He walks over to her to look at the map. As Ketilbjörn observed, the trail they'll be taking went in an uphill slope eventually leading into the mountains. "Once there, you'll make your way through the crevices and eventually make it to the designated tunnel where the Zhirite claw should be at." she finished saying. "All that's to be done is to grab the claw and make your way back home."

"Seems simple enough. Are we certain that this Zhirite claw is actually real?" Ketilbjörn questioned.

"I'm not sure, though I certainly hope so. That's why I'm willing to take that chance. Shaleigh seems to think so."

Ketilbjörn looked up at her from the map in surprise. "The fox was here?"

"She was, she helped provided this map to the claw's location." She then smiled at him. "Why, afraid she'll come after you like Rula, Naisha and Kenzi?" she teases him. Ketilbjörn tugged his shirt nervously and cleared his throat. "No...I'm just...surprised that she came back. A-a-and besides, retrieving the claw should be my only concern for now. What I am concerned about though is if we encounter any dragons along the way. I'm not saying I'm fearful of them if I have to fight them, I'm just a little worried about my weapons being able to withstand their magic. I don't wish to be in a fight and have my sword blade blasted by a blast of magic and it disintegrates the blade."

"It's funny that you should mention that. I happen to have a little something for you just in case. Wait here." She then went into the back of the room and came back with weapons that looked just like his weapons but a little crude: a sword that looked like his Viking sword, a quiver of arrows that looked almost completely smooth and a shield that was roughly the size of his oak shield but was completely made of some strange metal. "They may not be exactly perfect, but hopefully they'll do well against the dragons should you and Scyde's team come across them along the way there. The main difference between these and your other weapons is that we made them with Zhirite as the metal. I had them commissioned to be made as you were gone down to the river and finished as you were walking with my mother." Kiriad then twiddled her thumbs nervously as her tail swished back and forth slowly. "I hope they are to your satisfaction." she asked hopefully.

"You didn't really have to do this for me, highness. It's very kind of you to do this for me. Thank you for this." he said smiling as he inspected each of the new weapons. Kiriad felt pleased by his response as she felt her spirits lift with a gleeful smile and her tailed swished happily. "Oh it was nothing. I didn't want to send you off without being prepared for such peril. I couldn't have anything to happen to our new ambassador, I mean what would happen us without you?" She shuffled nervously as she hesitated about what to say next. "Ketil? Are you...happy here with us?"

"I am, really. I've been to almost every part of the world and I never thought I'd find this place. Only..." he then thought about home.

"You miss your clan?" Kiriad moved in close to soothe him if he was feeling homesick. He felt her hands on each of his shoulders as if she was going to hug him.

"I do...a little. I only wish that I could go back home to them as a successful Viking and not a failure...or at least sent to be burnt upon a funeral pyre ala my knarr. I am prepared for whatever happens, and yet nervous about if that possibility of death should happen too soon." Ketilbjörn then felt her embrace him as she brought him close to her. He felt his heart race as he felt his body pressed against her warm furry body. Kiriad could smell his scent as it was a unusual but pleasant smell emitting from him. "You know, if you like I could come back with you if this all blows over I could come with you so I can meet your clan."

"What about the others? Who will rule them if you're gone?" He still allowed her to hold him, for it felt com forting to him.

"I could always have Scyde take charge while I'm gone. Or would you rather have the whole clan come along?"

"Eh...ah...well...I think that would be a nice outcome, though it probably would be better than just you." Kiriad looked at him a little hurt as he said that. "Why? Why would you say that?"

"Well because...I didn't want to get you hurt or anything. I didn't want anything to happen to you or any of the girls. I do not wish to have anything to happen to any of you girls, especially you Kiri." The tiger princess felt a skip in her heartbeat as she felt him care for her. Kiriad wasn't sure why she felt like this with him, but the Viking made her feel safe and felt wanted. Feeling a little nervous, she went over to face him as she took his face in both of her hands and had him look at her straight in the eyes. "I do want you to promise me something, Ketil."

"W-what's that?" he stammered a little but remained reserved, feeling his heart racing even more with her face so close to his.

"I want you to promise me that you'll come back to me alive and whole, even if you are a bit banged up and scarred up. And...just in case you feel uncertain,..." The next thing Ketilbjörn knew, he felt his lips against hers as he felt her pull him in for a kiss. It felt wrong, yet he didn't seem to mind it. In fact, he didn't seem to be apprehensive to it at all. Kiriad then pulled away from the kiss, feeling rather infatuated in a childish sort of way. "So you have something to come back to. No matter how bad things look, I want you to have something that will make you always have the courage to come to me...uh I mean to us. To us is what I meant to say." She was starting to get abashed as she was fumbling over about what to say. Not feeling so nervous anymore, Ketilbjörn lifted the tigress' chin to look at him as he returned the kiss, his lips delivering her a passionate response to how he felt about her. Soon the young Viking lord and the princess of tigers locked lips as they held each other close, feeling more closer to each other. As they were doing so, however, a pair of canine eyes belonging to a certain blonde hair vixen were watching them from the shadows with intrigue and curiosity. "Well this is quite an interesting turn of events." she said in her thoughts. "So mister Ketilbjörn, you seem to have quite the attraction to her. But I do wonder how it will help if you meet any of the dragons like say...Oscura herself or any of the other lady tigers if they ever knew about this. Or if possibly...someone else came between you two." A mischievous grin came upon her face. She would see how this would play out, if not interact with him and maybe have some fun of her own with him."Even so, this could prove to be a surprising change of pace for this ongoing struggle; for you and both races."

(Thus ends part one of the young Viking's saga, as I plan to do a three if not four part story if you guys like this so far. If you do let me know and I promise to deliver on this. I am open to criticism if there is any, as long as it's kept on an adult level and is delivered in a mature manner. Thank you and I await your response.)