Zion: Light of the New Moon, Bannihar's Post Milestone
Zion - Light of the New Moon
Bannihar Intermission
After having been put through so much, the group needs some time to regain their bearings and calm down... thankfully for the few remaining members of the caravan, there are plenty of ways to go about doing just that.
The few remaining survivors of the caravan stopped only long enough to gather up what supplies they could salvage. Of the casualties, only Raes, Elesin, and the thylacine survived, but all three were unconscious. Kayte spent several minutes kneeling over the bodies of those travelers slain when the wagon exploded; over twenty people killed when Lizzy released the powerful blast of energy. Roarg and Sebastian made a very quick trip back to the walled town to see what could be salvaged. Elias, in the meantime, spent a few minutes examining the remnants of the destroyed transport.
By the time the priestess had completed her prayers for the departed Elias was already channeling the mana of his chosen school of magic. Small up wells of rock bubbled out of the ground and Elias began molding them in place, using it like glue to reconnect timbers, smooth over broken wood, and even replace an entire axle. When the armadillo finally completed his project the wagon was once again standing on all four wheels (two made of wood and two of stone).
"Goddess..." Kayte whispered as Elias tilted sideways, a ledge of rock rising up for him to lean against, "You have such a gift." she murmured.
"It is what it is." the Geomancer replied, "The Goddess blesses you as a conduit of her power and she decreed that I have a knack for working with her dead brother's bones."
Kayte paused at the armadillo's comment, "That is a crude way of putting it."
"Sorry, Priestess..." Elias made a half-hearted apology, "I'm just so tired I really don't have the energy for pleasantries." and, with that, he moved to where the unconscious party members were laying, "Anyway, the Goddess also appears to have spared us any great injury so between the two of us we should be able to get everyone else into the wagon."
The wolf watched Elias for a moment, both ears alternating between any number of expressive motions though her muzzle remained unreadable, "Right." she acknowledged at length, and went over to help him with the three injured travelers. Once they were in the wagon, Kayte jumped up to join them, "I'm going to see what I can do about healing them... when Iskiy comes back from scouting out a path let me know." and she didn't wait to hear his response, turning from him and focusing her attention entirely on her patients.
Elias closed his eyes, mumbling something about his own inability to deal with people and he went to the side of the Highway to sulk. The armadillo scowled, pacing back and forth as he contemplated his ineptitude when it came to personal interaction; he didn't have long in which to do it.
"I know your muzzle isn't that short, but that's still a pretty long face you have there." Roarg hailed, making his way up the hill toward Elias; the badger had a long wooden pole over each shoulder, large bundles tied to both sides of each.
"What'd you find?" the armadillo questioned, his tone making it obvious that he wasn't in the mood for humor.
"Some food... spare clothing... blankets and a few other supplies." Roarg responded, lowering the two wooden poles and resting the four bags on the ground, "Sebastian should be here with some more." he glanced back over his shoulder toward the weighed-down gryphon who was clamoring his way up the hill, just as weighed down as the badger had been. Roarg looked back to Elias, "How's everyone?"
"Iskiy is still out scouting. The Priestess is seeing what she can do for the injured." Elias answered simply, kneeling down to begin inspecting the contents of the first bag. He began rummaging through several small bottles, "What're these? Potions of some sort?"
"Liquor." the badger responded with a grin, taking one of them from the armadillo.
"We're not out on the road to party." Elias scowled.
"It has more uses than just leisure." Roarg responded, "Come on... help me with these," he hefted the bags, offering one of the poles to the armadillo, "You can look at everything later."
The two returned to the wagon with Sebastian in tow. Once the newcomers got over their initial shock at the transport's new appearance, Sebastian shrugged off his load and approached it, giving it a once-over, "That bunny blew this thing apart!" the gryphon stated, flicking it with a front talon, "You actually put it back together?"
"It's not a puzzle." Elias answered, "Wood and stone don't go together seamlessly, but it should work as long as we stick to the road."
"It was destroyed but you got it moving again." Roarg announced with a smirk, giving Elias a hearty pat on the shoulder, "You must be part Necromancer."
"I don't appreciate the comparison after dealing with all of those corpses." Elias noted, loading the bags one at a time into the wagon.
"What did you find?" Kayte asked, moving from the injured and over to the wagon's tail gate.
"The looting went well today, Priestess." Roarg responded with a smirk, "A little of everything..." he winked, "I think there's even some bandages in one of those bags there." he motioned to the two that Elias just set up into the transport. Kayte smiled at that and accepted one of the bags then the other.
"Any word from Iskiy?" Kayte inquired.
"None." Elias answered.
Roarg chuckled to himself as he ran his paw across the transition from stone to wood on the side of the wagon. "This is amazing."
"It's a wagon." the armadillo countered.
"Well, if it's our only source of transportation then it deserves a name." the badger grinned, "I dub this wagon 'The Risen'." he noted officially.
"The Risen?" Kayte inquired, one ear up, the other back.
"Is that a not-so-subtle suggestion that you're done done with the 'necromancer' comparison?" Elias questioned. Roarg's only reply was an ear-to-ear grin. The armadillo sighed, rolling his eyes.
Iskiy returned to the caravan about an hour later. He was able to report that the way was clear for several miles and that there didn't appear to be any indication to suggest that the undead plague had survived Lizzy's death. "Considering the time of day," he added, looking at the reddening sky, "We should probably try to move to a safer location." the antlered wolf then glanced to the wagon, "uh... if it can move." The scout jumped when the transport began to roll of its own volition.
Elias grinned, but it turned into a grimace as he clenched and unclenched a hand. "It will move." he confirmed, "but I need to rest first."
"I can set up the Divine Shield and protect us on the Highway." Kayte confirmed, climbing back up into the transport without another word.
"I really don't like being out in the open like this." Roarg commented, glancing around, "If only we could find something a little safer, with maybe a--" and he stopped the moment several large stone walls rose up around the group.
"I'm gonna go for a soak." Elias announced, his voice tired. A small section of the interior of the stone fortification branched out, creating something of a privacy screen as an indent in the ground began to form, filling slowly with water.
"Why don't you climb up into 'The Risen' and see if you can get some sleep." Roarg offered to Iskiy, "Sebastian can have first watch and I'll take second." The tired scout merely nodded his agreement, and trudged off to the wagon. Roarg followed him, just so he could drop off his axe and the majority of his equipment... and, so he could talk to the Priestess.
"Kayte..." Roarg spoke quietly as the wolf climbed out of the wagon, "You're not alright, are you?"
"I'm just busy." she responded, moving toward the front of the transport with her holy censor.
The badger reached out and grabbed her by the arm, "I can tell." he stated in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Things like this aren't supposed to happen." she spoke slowly, "So... no... I'm not alright."
"Put the Divine Shield up, then we'll talk more." Roarg offered simply, waiting patiently as the priestess spoke her prayers and set the censor down in place. Kayte continued to chant until the Divine Shield glowed white.
"He likes you, you know." Roarg stated.
"What?" Kayte inquired, walking over to the badger.
"Elias. He likes you."
The priestess laughed a single 'ha', "He certainly doesn't do a very good job of showing it."
"That's because you intimidate him." Roarg countered, heading away from the wagon with Kayte in tow.
"What do you mean I intimidate him?" the priestess demanded, "I'm a mid-level Priestess... he's a famed Geomancer. If anything, I should be intimidated BY him!"
Roarg chuckled and glanced sidelong at her, "Are you?"
"No." she answered simply.
"That's probably why you intimidate him... if you couldn't tell he's used to being listened to. He's used to people jumping at his every order." Roarg smirked when he got a light giggle out of her, "I'm willing to bet that he doesn't know how to deal with you because everyone he ever interacts with are his underlings."
"How does a quarry worker know so much about understanding people's motives?" Kayte inquired.
"Like knowing that you're trying not to admit that you like Elias too?" Roarg grinned, coming to a stop. The priestess didn't respond; she blushed instead. The badger reached out and took hold of her paw, pulling it free from her robe, "The way your whiskers twitch when we talk about him... or the color your ears turn when I told you that he likes you..." the badger explained, "But you say a lot by the things you don't say either." he took a step closer to her.
"Like?" she asked.
"The way you were gripping your robe a moment ago... the fidgeting... the way you won't look me in the eye right now..." he grinned as her eyes snapped to meet his gaze, "or the way your tail is going to start wagging any moment..." the badger's smile widened as he took the priestess' other paw. Her ears reddened... and her tail started wagging.
"What... does that mean?" she asked, looking away from his gaze as she blushed more furiously.
"It means that it isn't just Elias that you like..." Roarg accused playfully, "Is it?"
Kayte looked back at him, and opened her muzzle to speak, but the badger silenced her with a kiss; she melted in his arms immediately. Roarg deftly slipped a paw around her waist and undid the clasp holding her robe in place, "Goddess..." Kayte murmured, shivering at his touch.
"You've been holding it in so well..." the badger murmured, brushing the side of his cheek across hers as he lowered his muzzle, nibbling her lightly on her shoulder fur once he pulled her robe out of the way, "you don't have to hide from what you want..."
"So you think you know what I want?" Kayte asked playfully. The effect of the smooth, seductive tone was ruined by the soft gasp that escaped her when the badger whispered something into her ear. Roarg's grin widened even further when he realized that he had not guessed incorrectly. Kayte slipped out of her robe, adorned only in her undergarments as she and Roarg went the rest of the way to the warm springs and to where Elias had exiled himself.
The Geomancer sat in the water, his apron and breeches set off to the side. He rested with most of his body submerged, back against the stone with his head resting on the shore. Elias was staring up at the sky, obviously a prisoner tp his own mind. He didn't notice them until Roarg climbed into the water. The badger stopped only long enough to take off his loincloth, setting it just within arm's reach on the shore. More than the badger, though, Kayte's presence was noticed; she slid into the water, dressed only in a cloth halter and her waist wrappings.
"Feeling better?" Roarg asked of the armadillo, settling into the pool. Kayte moved over and slid into the crook of the badger's arm.
"I just needed time to let my mind settle." Elias noted, offering the words in as much an explanation as an apology.
"We all need some alone time now and again." Roarg acknowledged, "Just remember that you have friends who are here for you too." he smiled.
"There are a lot of people out there who need others for support, but I--" Elias began
"Everyone needs support." Roarg interjected, "even you." he added, softly stroking Kayte's shoulder as he moved a paw to rub the priestess' back. Elias didn't miss the motion.
"Right now, all I need is rest." the armadillo countered, "We can still get through this once I have a good night's sleep, and--" the words froze in his muzzle when Roarg's paw pulled Kayte's halter free, "and I don't need anyone telling me..." his words were choked off as Kayte slid through the water toward him as if she were stalking prey, "...telling me... I... uh... need.... that I.... need... to..." his words failed him as Kayte came to a stop directly in front of him.
"Not everyone has to be a follower or a leader, Elias." Kayte spoke softly, reaching underwater to take hold of one of his hands, "Haven't you ever heard of peers? Friends? Partners? Contemporaries?" she drew closer as she said each word, pulling his hand up out of the water and resting it against her left breasts.
"I've never had any..." he noted hesitantly, "You don't have those when you're the breast at what you do." Roarg and Kayte both smiled at the armadillo's misspoken word even though he didn't seem to notice.
"You're peerless in your field, Elias." Roarg acknowledged, "But you don't have to stand on a pedestal... you can still be reachable." he slid through the water, moving closer to the armadillo and the wolf.
"Bad things happen when you open yourself up to others." Elias answered, swallowing as Kayte slid into his lap, "I've been down that road before."
"And good things can happen too." Kayte whispered, squeezing the armadillo's hand, letting out a shaky breath as the motion caused him to cup her breast, "Are you going to live your whole life without something like that?"
"I..." the Geomancer noted, pausing as Roarg slid up behind the priestess, "haven't had such a good track record at it..." his eyes were transfixed on the events in front of him as the badger lowered his muzzle down on her shoulder; Roarg slid his tongue along the edge of her jaw as his paw reached around to softly caress her right breast. Elias cleared his throat, "People should... just... stick to what they're good at."
"Practice makes perfect." Roarg and Kayte murmured in unison.
Elias let out a primal groan the moment the priestess' free paw slid up his thigh. He clenched his jaw when her fingers slipped up beneath his loincloth and she pulled it free without a single objection. Behind Kayte, Roarg pulled a stopper free from the small bottle in his paw by using his teeth. The badger slowly poured the amber liquid out onto Kayte, who shivered as it dribbled down her body; the distinct scent of alcohol filled the air, and Roarg began to lick it off of her shoulder and back.
The Geomancer was unable to resist as Kayte eased him up and out of the warm water. He moved in embarrassment to cover the proof of his excitement with his free paw, but Kayte quickly intercepted it with one of hers, and brought it to her muzzle, swirling her tongue around one of his fingers as she brushed the back of her paw across his member; Elias' eyelids fluttered as he released another groan, and fell backward onto the ground, feet dangling down into the water.
Kayte released his finger from her muzzle as she leaned foward, her nose brushing across his abdomen before trailing down to the inside of his leg.... and then she pulled back. Elias let out a strangled rasp when his flesh disappeared into Kayte's mouth in one fluid motion. "Oh Goddess..." he murmured, the gravel around his hands vibrating at his excitement.
Roarg chuckled, running a paw across Kayte's back as she leaned over the exposed Geomancer. The badger turned the bottle over again, letting the rest of the liquor dribble out all over the priestess' lower back and her tail. He leaned forward, nibbling his way down the small of her back and along her spine. His tongue trailed her hips at the top of the base of her tail, and he lowered further down into the water, pulling her tail gently to the side with one of his paws. Kayte gasped against Elias' member when the badger's tongue transferred to her wet opening.
The badger's tongue slowly plied her open, sliding deeper into her; by that time her tail was content enough to remain out of the way on its own. Roarg held her rump tightly as he felt her quiver against his tongue. Unabated, he pressed his whole muzzle against her, teeth touching her skin as he got as much depth as he could before pulling back. Elias was fidgeting on the shore as Kayte began to work him vigorously, her own excitement driving her on. The badger rose back up, one paw moving to grip her by the hip while his other encircled his own flesh, guiding it into her leaking opening, "Just relax..." he whispered softly, though to whom the comment was directed never was explained.
Elias awoke in the morning, warm and relaxed. A strange euphoria still stuck with him in a way he couldn't describe. Part of it, he realized, must have been the fact that Kayte was still in his arms, her soft, supple body pressed against him in a way far more intimate than he realized was ever possible. It wasn't that the Geomancer hadn't been with a woman before-- he'd had more than one lust after him but, he always realized, that it was his money and influence that they were interested in, and not him. Kayte was different... she had to be; it was morning and she hadn't left.
Closing his eyes, the armadillo snuggled back up against the wolf highly humbled by the fact that he realized there WAS more for him to learn about life... and he hoped he would live long enough to do just that.
At the edge of the wall separating the hot spring from the rest of the camp, Roarg sat on a rock watching the two sleep. Sebastian sat on the ground beside him, looking more at the badger than at the other two, "So that's it then?" he asked.
"For me? Yea." Roarg nodded, "I've spent long enough getting to know the way people work."
"She really likes you." Sebastian pointed out.
"But I'm no good for her." the badger countered, "I think they have a lot they could learn from each other."
"They DO make SUCH a cute couple." the gryphon offered with satirical emphasis.
"You just need to learn a thing or two about romance, bird brain." Roarg noted, standing up and heading back toward the wagon, "Then maybe I can play match-maker for you too."
"Fine." Sebastian followed after, "But I'm not taking sloppy seconds."
Roarg chuckled, "Apparently we have a long way to go."
* * * * *
Well folks, here it is: the bridge between the Milestone and the first Chapter afterward.
The plot was chosen by the readers and involves an Adult rating, Elias, Roarg, and Kayte-- I'll leave all of you to figure out what that means.
The Post Milestone chapters this week constitute my contributions to the character bonus for the involved Author-Contributed Characters. In this case, I'll be giving a point to Roarg or Kayte. Go ahead and vote on who you think should get it!
One final note: Watch for an upcoming Journal vote regarding the expenditure of experience points-- that's coming up VERY soon!