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Though the gracious Horse captain had claimed they were not his prisoners, Airy and Jak were kept in the middle of his troop of riders all the way to the Horse people's camp. A mobile city of large and small tents illuminated by bonfires was visible miles away in the darkness. It appeared vulnerable, but before they reached it, they were intercepted by another company of Horse riders patrolling the perimeter. Airy and Jak were regarded with both surprise and suspicion. A few words from Raeph turned their misgivings into cheerful greetings and earned Airy a deferential salute and passage to the camp.

Once among the outer edge of tents, Airy, Jak and Raeph dismounted. Their horses were led away, and the remaining riders rode out to continue their patrol. The Horse captain beckoned Airy and Jak to follow him as he led them through the crowded and bustling encampment. As they walked, Raeph regaled Airy with information about his people, mostly related to their prowess in battle. Jak listened to his speech, but kept his attention on the camp itself trying to learn whatever Raeph left unsaid about this new society.

The camp was busy, crowded and many people moved about accomplishing an astounding variety of tasks. Jak had never seen anything like it before, and he wondered if this was just a shadow of what established towns and cities were like. Was Rikifur just as overwhelming? Airy did not appear to share Jak's sense of wonderment, so he assumed he could expect to be more amazed as he became exposed to these two empires.

Both Horse and Cattle people were present. Jak marveled at meeting his second new race in one day. The horse people present were entirely males as far as Jak could discern and all appeared to be soldiers. The cattle people, though, were present in greater diversity, which momentarily made them more fascinating. Cattle of both sexes were performing an assortment of occupations. The Cattle people shared similar facial features to the Horse people in that they tended to have square snouts and had short bristly fur in patterns ranging from solid to multicolored individuals with large blotches of colors scattered randomly over their pelts. Black, brown and white were the dominant colors but red was also present. They differed from the Horse people in that they did not have long flowing manes of hair down their backs or the Horse's broom like tails. Instead, they had what Jak considered to be more normal fur on their heads, though somewhat bristly. The most unusual differences, though, were their horns and ears. Unlike Rabbits, Wolves, Deer, Horses and Cats, whose ears stood up on the tops of their heads, Cattle ears stuck out sideways seemingly to accommodate their horns that sprouted from just above their rounded ears. Their horns came in a variety of styles ranging from straight to curving, and some were long and others short.

Unlike the Horses, none of the Cattle appeared to be soldiers. The females were doing domestic work such as cooking, washing clothes, fetching water and other household tasks, while the males fed and groomed horses, polished armor, repaired weapons, carried supplies and other jobs involving strength for manual labor. The division made sense because the males were much taller and stockier than the females. Like the Horse males, the Cattle males were taller than Jak on average and shorter than the only two cats he had ever met. The females were about a foot shorter than the males and slightly taller than Airy.

Jak had never heard before of two different peoples living and working together. Was this an indication of tolerance for other kinds that he had not seen before, or was it something else? Was there a more sinister explanation? The apparent status and division of labor between the races was clearly unequal, and the Horses had the military advantage, at least in this camp. He presumed the Juht was equine, since he was Raeph's leader. Based on that assumption, it was only appropriate that a ruler of his stature have his own troops present for protection. For all Jak knew, the Cattle folk were simply entertaining their friends and taking care of all the menial tasks as part of their obligation as hosts. He would have to keep his eye and ears open for more information and exercise caution regarding what he said until he knew more. He waited for an opportunity to have some time alone to discuss this with Airy in private, but Raeph never stopped talking to Airy in his friendly and effusive manner as they wound their way through the camp towards their unknown destination.

"As you can see, the Great Juht travels his empire visiting the entire realm. We are traditionally a nomadic people, and the Juht honors that tradition by keeping no fixed capitol. This is his capitol for a brief stay. He keeps his finest warriors by his side, including yours truly," he said with pride as he offered Airy his arm. She took it, letting him tuck her in closer to his body as they walked. Jak was surprised by how jealous he felt over that trivial gesture.

"Each region of the Storfay Empire must host the Juht, feed and supply his troops, and provide supplies for when the entire host moves on to the next lucky principality."

Airy had to wait for Raeph to pause for breath to ask a question of her own. "If this is just a camp, then where is the local town or city?" Jak was gratified to find that she was as eager for information about these people as he was. It reflected well on her potential as a future leader.

"Beyond the camp about half a mile to the north. I can take you and your protector, Sir. Jak, there tomorrow if you wish. Tonight, however, you will want to clean up and be refreshed from your travels, and here is where you can do that." He had stopped at the entrance to one of the larger and more gaudily colored tents and motioned for Airy and Jak to step inside. The tent, though large, was partitioned into many rooms by huge sheets of fabric that hung from ropes tied to the wooden poles that supported the roof. The first room was small, and contained only a single occupant, a young black and white bovine girl who stood meekly in the center of the room. She was plainly dressed in a drab colored loose shirt and skirt both of coarse fabric.

Raeph approached her and she curtsied to him. To the girl he said, "Janyff, baths are in order for these honored guests. This is her highness, the Princess Airiphryone, and her protector, Sir Jak. Provide them food, drink and suitable clothing for the feast tonight. Also clean, repair and polish all of their equipment as required."

"It will be so, my Lord."

With a pained expression on his face, Raeph returned his attention to Airy and Jak, "I am afraid I must leave you now for a little while. I have duties to which I am obligated to attend. This is my tent, and these are all my servants. Anything you need or want shall be yours. I shall be back within the hour to take you to the feast and introduce you to the Great Juht." He kissed the back of Airy's paw, bowed to her and then to Jak before departing.

More servants all dressed identically to the first girl and of the same bovine species led Jak and Airy into separate areas of the large tent. Airy was reluctant to be parted, but Jak convinced her they should try to observe their host's customs as much as possible, so she relented. The servant girls did not speak to Jak, but they giggled to each other a lot and seemed fascinated by his presence as if he were some never before seen creature in a zoo. Jak suspected that his kind was as foreign to them as they were to him.

He was led to a room with a large metal tub. A series of bovine servant girls were filling it from buckets that they carried in from some unknown source of hot water. Scents of flowers and exotic spices rose from the bath as pouches of powder and crystals were added with the water. The servants seemed intent on doing everything for him, so he let them remove his kilt and loincloth, which they took away. He wondered if he would ever see his clothes again. His garments were in poor shape from his journeys and looked especially ragged when compared to the way Raeph was dressed. He refused to give up his knives and spear until he was assured by the servants that they were obeying orders to clean and mend all of his gear. He felt a little foolish arguing with them while standing there naked, so he yielded and stepped into the bath.

The water was delightfully hot. All of his aches and fatigue melted into that water. Not since the hot springs back in Winter Pack lands had he felt so relaxed. He prepared himself for some quiet time to dwell on what he had observed today about these new people. The need for a plan to continue his and Airy's journey north was also on his mind. No time was given to him for either activity. The Cow servant girls had other ideas and set upon him with a determined will to make him as clean as they could. He didn't understand why it took four of them to soap and shampoo his fur while brushing out the knots and untying the braids that Airy had woven into his head fur so many days ago, but he was beginning to believe that they all wanted to touch and preen the novel stranger. Much more unnecessary time was spent pawing and scrubbing him than he thought was necessary for simple cleanliness, especially when each girl made it their chore to scrub his private parts.

The process went on so long, they had to bring in fresh hot water to warm up the bath. Jak was verging on telling them he had had enough as they a started in on their third round of scrubbing when raised voices and movement behind the curtains interrupted their obsessive cleaning. Airy burst through the drapes like a sudden, violent storm. Two servants carrying towels followed in her wake vainly attempting to dry and cover her. Airy was completely naked and drops of moisture clung to her pelt like dew on morning grass. She was beautiful, and Jak felt himself stirring at the sight of her. When Airy stopped in front of Jak's tub, the two girl Cows chasing after her tried to drape her with towels, but she fended them off with

"Get away from me, and stay out of my way. I said I'm going to be with my Jak, and you can't stop me."

Airy tested the water with her paw. Finding it still plenty warm, she climbed in and sat astride Jak's lap. Throwing her arms around his neck she kissed him longingly. When she noticed that the servants were all staring open mouthed, she shouted for them to leave. They stammered and fidgeted, but did not depart. Airy threw bars of soap and splashed water to no avail. Summoned by the disturbance, Janyff entered and gazed on the scene with both dismay and disapproval.

"What is the matter, great Lady? Have these servants given offense?"

"Yes. They have...," began Airy, but stopped when Jak pinched her bottom hard under the water.

He whispered to her, "Careful. They may be punished based on what you say."

Airy considered this, and saw the worried expressions on the Cow faces. "I mean, no. We just want to be left alone for while. I want them to leave."

"But, Great Lady, how can they serve you if they are not here?"

"I don't need their service. I need his."

Janyff focused on Jak and Airy and the way the Rabbit princess was straddling the Wolf. "I see," she said with sudden understanding. With a clap of her hands and several quick gestures, the other servants rushed from the room, most of them giggling and whispering to each other. Janyff remained.

"Well?" asked Airy. "What about you?"

"Mistress, I was commanded by my master to never have you left alone. I, or one of my subordinates, are to be available to meet your every need at all times."

"My need then is for you to leave me alone, so go away."

The girl began to tremble and fidget nervously. "Please, Great Lady, do not make me choose between disobeying you or my master."

Again, Airy felt Jak tweak her bottom. She was starting to suspect rather cynically that he was just having fun at her expense. It was nice to have these comforts and servants again to attend to her needs, but it was irritating to have them be someone else's servants. "Oh, have it your way, then. Just don't stare or interrupt us."

The Cow was visibly relieved. "Of course, Great Lady. I know how to be discrete. I will be like a statue. My master trusts me implicitly to..."

"I am sure that you are an exemplary servant. Now add being quiet to your list of accomplishments while you are here with us."

Dutifully, the girl shut her mouth, stood still and stared at the floor in front of her feet. Airy marveled at how much like a statue she had become.

To Jak she muttered, "I don't trust her."

"We shouldn't trust anyone here, no matter how they treat us, until we learn more. Airy, you should not have come in here. Now they know about our relationship." She began to protest, but he stopped her. "I am not ashamed of it, but we don't know their customs about such things or how it might affect the way they treat us."

"I'm sorry, Jak. I just had to be with you. I need you to hold me. I need to feel you and share your strength."

"Is that all," he whispered in her ear. She answered with a kiss, and no more words passed between them as Airy began to rock back and forth against Jak's stiffening member. They made slow, silent love in the soothing water. To Jak's surprise, Airy deliberately accepted his knot again, and only breathed out heavily instead of shouting when her own orgasm struck. Jak followed quickly after, and they lay together in the still warm, soapy water waiting for his knot to shrink and to enjoy this rare moment of peace. True to her word, Janyff never spoke or looked up from the floor during their love making session.

Raeph returned as Jak and Airy were drying themselves after their bath together. He was surprised to learn of their relationship from his servants but gave no outward sign of his knowledge to his guests. Instead, he continued to ooze sincere and engaging civility to his guests.

Raeph announced that they would indeed be dining with the Great Juht tonight in a special place of honor at his table. The servants brought clothes for Jak and Airy to replace their travel worn clothes. Garish colors covered the cotton and silk garments. Airy was thrilled to be able to dress in clean garments suitable to her station and the royal life of her upbringing. Jak thought to himself, "How easy she slips back into the role of being served by others and dressing for her station in life."

Jak was less enthusiastic than Airy, having only ever worn simpler, rougher attire and as little of that as possible. His reluctance amused her, but she insisted he wear them. With a growl and a sigh of acceptance, he let the servants dress him. Not favoring being clothed by others, he gave in to that more willingly since he wasn't sure how the strange attire was supposed to be worn. When the servants left, he had to admit that the outfit was surprisingly loose, comfortable, and suitable for the climate, if a bit garish and ostentatious.

Raeph returned similarly attired, and he led them to the dining tent of the Great Juht. It was a massive structure in the middle of the camp. The smell of carefully prepared food was intoxicating to the two travelers who had been so long with only forage and dried rations to eat. Inside was a mad house of activity as Cattle servants hustled about with trays of food and pitchers of drink in an attempt to serve the dozens of rowdy Horse soldiers seated on rough benches at tables that formed a crescent shape facing a raised dais in contrast to a series of more finely crafted tables opposite them.

Led to the smaller, raised grouping of tables, Airy was seated at the middle table to the right of two impressively carved chairs. Jak sat to Airy's right. Other official and important looking Horses were already seated at the tables on either side of the middle table. To Jak's right was a short, portly piebald Horse, who introduced himself as Peotre, the Mayor of the local town of Oras. His wife was taller than the Mayor, heavy-set and had black fur with golden eyes. They both rose when Jak and Airy were led to their seats. Like Raeph, who regretfully left them to take a seat among the lower tables of the soldiers, they were outwardly friendly and enthusiastic to meet the new comers, especially Airy. The mayor and his portly wife probed Jak and Airy with questions about their lands of origin and their adventures together.

A strong, alcoholic drink was served to them in metal goblets. Jak had never experienced anything like it before. Dark red, like blood, the liquor warmed his throat as he swallowed. It was excellent, but went straight to his head much faster than the drink he was used to in Olchanth. When given a moment's rest from the relentless questioning of their newfound dinner companions, Jak urged Airy to go easy with the drink. He could see the effect it was having on her small body already as she swayed on her feet. Irritated by his fussing, Airy waved him off insisting that she was fine. Again, Jak wondered at this change in Airy's attitude toward taking his advice. Was she ignoring him because she thought he was as out of place in this sophisticated court as he felt? Jak was tempted to take her drink from her but was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder.

Another male horse slightly taller than Jak with dirty snow colored fur and a black mane of tangled hair stood motionless behind Jak. Like a mute, he said nothing as Jak turned in summons to this stranger's touch. This new Horse was so slender that he was almost skeletal, and unlike the rest of the company, he was drably attired in clothes that were disheveled as though he had slept in them. Jak would have written him off as some vagrant who had wandered into this lavish feast except for the piercing gaze of intelligence that was present beyond the surface of his indigo eyes.

At this strangely silent Horse's side stood a short bovine woman with a pleasant and inviting smile. She was about halfway between Airy and Jak in height, and stood erect and proud in a manner unlike the rest of the Cattle folk he had observed, who went about as though they were used to bring ignored. Her dress was simple, rough garments like the others of her kind, but she held herself as though she belonged in this company as an equal. Her fur was reddish brown with white patches, her eyes brown, and she was large breasted like all the Cattle females Jak had seen so far.

The Cow female nudged the disheveled horse, who grunted at the contact and abruptly said "Hi." His companion frowned briefly, recovered her smile and stepped forward to bend on one knee before Jak.

"Please forgive my lord for his lack of proper greetings, Sir Jak. He is ill at ease around strangers and not partial to social functions such as this. He meant no insult."

Her words were delivered with a grace and eloquence that bespoke a shrewd and diplomatic mind. There was something more to her than her simple dress and servant status implied. "There is no insult. Please stand and tell me who you both are."

In response to Jak's kind words, she rose. "This is Jorveth, a most unique and talented Horse. He is the inventor to the Great Juht. He is responsible for discovering the secrets of bronze metallurgy, the powder that burns and the distillation process that created the beverage you are drinking. He is the Great Juht's head of the school of invention. My name is Camorra. I am Jorveth's humble servant. "

Despite her statement, Jak did not believe this Cow was humble and just a servant. There was an oddness about the relationship between her and Jorveth that did not seem to fit with what he had so far observed regarding the interactions between the Horse and Cattle folk. Sniffing, he detected multiple layers of subtle deceit. She spoke in half-truths. "Well, this drink is excellent, Jorveth. You should be commended for discovering it." The gaunt Horse nodded his head slightly but said nothing. The silence that followed would have been awkward except that Camorra deftly intervened.

"May we be introduced to her highness, the Lady Airiphryone? Jorveth is eager to talk with her about her armor and weapons."

"Certainly." Jak had to drag Airy away from a crowd of local functionaries she was regaling with stories of her homeland in an unsteady, and to Jak's distaste, reckless manner. He worried a little that he may have created an insult by his abrupt removal of her from their company. This formal court setting was unfamiliar to him. Untangling the hierarchical ranking of those present seemed an insurmountable task. However, it was worth the risk to keep his intoxicated princess next to him so he could keep her under close observation.

Before he could he introduce her to his new acquaintances, Jorveth uncharacteristically became animated and began talking to Airy without prompting from Camorra. "Your weapons and armor are very impressive. Raeph showed them to me. You have perfected some process of making iron less brittle. Is it some sort of alloy with other metals or is it your process of smelting the ore that allows you to do this? May I travel with you to your country to see how you make this metal?"

Airy was uninhibited from the strong drink, but even intoxicated she would never yield up the secret of steel even if she knew it. She became instantly suspicious of this lanky Horse, though she did still have enough of her wits about her to try to remain diplomatic. "I am sorry, but the manufacture of steel is a deeply held secret of my people. Even I do not know how it is made, and if I did, I would be forbidden to tell you."

Jorveth lost interest in Airy and became contemplative and introspective again. Jak suspected simply knowing of the existence of steel was enough for this clever Horse to divine how to make it, and that worried him. Both bronze and steel were wonders to Jak. The weapons and armor that the Horse's had already seemed a match for her steel. He wondered if this taciturn inventor would explain the why one metal was superior to another.

"What difference does it make? You have metal weapons that seem as good to me."

The inventor roused from his introspection at Jak's question. "There are many differences. Our weapons are made with bronze, which is an alloy of copper and tin. Based on the color, weight and hardness of her blade, I suspect it is made of iron. I have not had much success extracting pure iron from the ore we have available. The blades we have made using iron have been inferior to our bronze weapons. Her blade is lighter, thinner, longer and stronger than anything we can make. There are many advantages to using iron apparently. Iron is more plentiful than copper and tin. If we could make these blades, not only would we have stronger and lighter weapons and armor, we could make many more of them. An army so equipped would be unstoppable."

"Our army already is unstoppable," boomed a deep voice. All conversation in the tent died, and those who were seated rose to their feet. Everyone but Airy and Jak bent down on their right knee and placed their open right palm over their heart in salute to the owner of that voice. He was the largest of the Horse people that Jak or Airy had yet seen. Easily seven feet tall, he was a giant even among his own kind. His fur was milky white with light gray spots. In stark contrast, his mane and tail were black as the darkest corner of a deep cavern. He wore the loose colorful garments that all the non-soldiery wore, but he carried a plain bronze sword in a scabbard at his side indicating that he was a soldier first and the leader of all of the Horse armies in Storfay. Though physically imposing, his manner was friendly and inviting much like Raeph. When he spoke, his deep, rich voice, commanded the listener to pay attention and trust what he had to say. He was a natural leader completely at ease with commanding others and used to being obeyed. This was the Great Juht.

Behind and to either side of him stood two more figures that were imposing in their own unique ways. On his left was a lean and dun colored female Horse with a blonde mane. In direct opposition to the Juht, she radiated malice and danger. Rather than drawing people in towards her out of trust, her manner and countenance were forged to terrify and intimidate. Upon her face was a perpetual scowl that would only smile out of need to deceive others or to delight in their misery. Her dress was a simple red one-piece garment tailored for her gaunt, but still powerful frame.

On the Juht's left was an even stranger person because he was so out of place among this company. A Deer male dressed in elaborately sculpted armor stood only a half a foot shorter that the Juht. His impressive antlers made him taller, though. His face was scarred as were the exposed portions of his arms and legs. He was also armed like his leader with a bronze sword with a plain hilt. Clearly a veteran of many battles, his armor and presence at the Juht's side indicated to Airy that he was a soldier of very high rank.

The Juht motioned with his hands for the assembly to get up off their knees. "Arise and as you were. Camorra, introduce us to our honored guests."

"Yes, my Lord Juht," replied Jorveth's companion. "This is her Royal Highness, Princess Airiphryone of the kingdom of Rikifur, which lies far to the west on the other side of the Earth Spine. Lady Airiphryone, this is the Great Juht, ruler of all the lands called Storfay, an ever expanding empire." The Juht stepped forward and bowed to Airy. Next to him, she was like a child in size. Airy curtsied in the manner of her people.

"Welcome to our lands, Princess Airiphryone."

"Thank you, Great Juht. Your hospitality is beyond reproach."

"You are welcome, my dear. We are all curious about this never before heard of kingdom of yours, Rikifur. It is obvious from your weaponry that you are also a clever and inventive people. To date, in all of our conquests, we have found no others who have fashioned metal into armor and weapons as we have. I eagerly anticipate the day we meet in battle. It will be a truly glorious challenge."

Airy was about to question why they should ever meet in battle and how that would be possible with the insurmountable barrier of the Earth Spine between their two nations, but the Juht turned towards the cold and pitiless female on his left and said, "Before we discuss politics, let me introduce my two companions. This is the Lady Lithia, the Juhtmare, and my wife."

Lithia nodded imperceptibly to Airy and ignored Jak completely. The hackles on the back of Jack's neck were starting to rise in unconscious response to this person. Something besides her appearance and demeanor made him uneasy. It took all his concentration and control not to growl at her and stand between Airy and this icy queen. Airy returned her nod in kind with no trace of animosity, but yielding no level of sovereign equivalence to her.

Turning to his right, the giant Horse king motioned for the Deer soldier to step forward. Even when he bent on his right knee while saluting Airy with an open palm over his heart, his antlers still towered above her head. "This is General Moordenaar."

"We are well met, Princess." The Deer spoke with yet another strange accent that had a musical quality that was out of place with his imposing size.

Airy had never met any of the Deer people before, and was momentarily baffled by both the newness of seeing one for the first time and by his place of prominence among the Horse people. "It is my pleasure to meet you, General Moordenaar. May I now introduce Captain Jak of the Rikiguard, my protector and traveling companion?" There were some whispered words followed by barley contained laughter from the table where Captain Raeph was seated. Word of Jak and Airy's relationship was being spread already.

To the three dignitaries, Jak bent down on one knee with his ears forward and gazing downward as was the custom of Rikifur that Airy had taught him.

The Juht appraised Jak favorably. "I see we share some of the same customs, allowing talented members of other species to serve us in command capacity. I suspect General Moordenaar and Captain Jak will have much to discuss. I am surprised, though, since we have met precious few of the Rabbit folk, but they all have sworn to be mortal enemies of the Wolves. Are things different in Rikifur?"

The Juht had a subtle method of prying information out of his guests. Despite being mildly addled by the liquor, Airy was not going to give away too much about her unusual relationship with Jak and Rikifur's tense association with the Wolf people. She decided to provide a safe, if ambiguous, answer. "Relationships among the various peoples are very different in Rikifur."

Rather than press her immediately for more information, the Juht guided her to the table and took his seat next to hers. The Juhtmare sat to his left, and the general took the seat on Jak's right displacing the mayor and all the dignitaries on that side of the Juht down one place. Jorveth and Camorra sat to the left of the Juhtmare.

The food was soon served in courses too many to count. The blood red drink flowed freely, and the feasting tent grew loud with the rowdy boasts and stories of the soldiers and the endless ingratiating prattle of the dignitaries on the high tables. Several fights broke out between soldiers. The resultant brawls were encouraged and allowed to run their course until either both combatants declared a truce or one was carried out unconscious.

The Juht pressed Airy constantly for details about Rikifur, and she shared what she thought prudent about her country's customs, geography, military strength, neighbors and technology. Jak fretted that she would give too much away under the influence of the drink. His protestations to her not to consume the beverage were ignored. Despite his concern, he could only lend one ear to that conversation. General Moordenaar stole his attention in endless discussions of military strategy. The Deer was disappointed to learn that Jak was only recently inducted into the Rikiguard and knew little of their tactics. To make up for the deficit in Jak's knowledge, the General explained Storfay's military abilities. These were details that Jak knew might be important later, so he was compelled to listen and give less attention to Airy and the Juht's conversation.

Airy also learned much about the Horse people. Storfay had not always been a sweeping empire covering much of this high plateau from the Earth Spine to the distant eastern ocean. Until recently, it had consisted of many semi-nomadic tribes of Horses either living in harmony with the more settled and agrarian Cattle people or at war with them. This balance had existed for so long that no one could remember a time when things had not been that way. Then the Juht and his armies had emerged from a distant northwestern corner of the empire with their metal swords, armor, and recurve bows. No one could stand before them. Politically crafty, he did not so much as conquer the other tribes of Horse people, as absorbed them into his growing empire. Leaders of conquered Horse tribes were killed and new ones who owed their new stature to the Juht were raised in their place.

The Cattle people were not afforded this same treatment and became enslaved, confirming Jak's suspicions about the malignant relationship between the two peoples. Enslaving the Cattle folk was the genius that held his empire together. The once nomadic Horses became settled and tied to the land and dependent upon their slaves for their food and a new, richer quality of life. All of this was owed to the Juht whose technology allowed them to win battle after battle. He had nearly all of the lands of the Horse and Cattle people under his dominion now. Even portions of the Wolf and Deer lands to the south had been overrun and the people similarly enslaved. It was clearly the Juht's goal to continue to expand and absorb all of the lands of the West including Jak's own former pack. Learning of this angered Jak. He found it difficult to control his rage thinking of what this despot had planned for his people. Feelings of love and loyalty to Blackrock Pack still ran through his veins surprising him with their intensity.

As the Horse leader revealed the history of his empire and the cost to build it, he remained affable and friendly towards Airy, expressing often how similar and evenly matched their nations were. "This is a great day for me, Princess Airiphryone. To meet another leader of an empire nearly equal to ours in strength and capability. It is obvious that we will be friends for a long time."

He called her his friend and their two nation's friends often during the evening. Each time the word "friend" was uttered, he insisted they drink together. Airy was relieved that he did not seem to consider her people to be a future part of his expanding empire the way he viewed all of the people east of the Earth Spine. Thinking of her own nearly fatal journey over the pass filled her with relief for the first time. The volcano that killed so many of her people and banished her to these strange eastern lands now seemed like a blessing from the gods. She blanched when she imagined a massive army of Horse soldiers with metal weapons pouring across the mountains into the smaller and less heavily populated lands of Rikifur.

Hours passed in drunken revelry. The Juhtmare spoke little all evening, content to observe and cast disdainful looks on nearly everyone, including her husband, when he was not paying attention to her. Occasionally a skinny and scruffy looking Wolf would enter the feast tent and whisper in her ear. She would listen without expression and simply nod or whisper back some brief command to him. Jack desperately wanted to talk to this fellow Wolf and learn his story, but after making brief eye contact with him once, the scrawny, gray furred Wolf refused to look his way again.

Subtly, the Juht steered the conversation to Airy's purpose for being in Storfay. Having now consumed excessively of the potent liquor, she revealed more than she intended of the nature of the pass and her own accidental exile. The Juht was surprised to learn that she was not here voluntarily but was a victim of the volcano that blocked the pass over the mountains.

Jorveth leaned over the table at the mention of the volcano and spoke past Lady Lithia. Her disapproving expression that she eternally gave to the whole world became, if possible, more condemning towards the inventor.

"That explains the odd black clouds, distant glow we have seen over the mountains and the ash that has fallen here in Storfay. You say that this is the only pass over the mountains, and it is blocked?"

The Juht appeared to be strangely agitated by Jorveth's analysis. "Blocked!" he roared. "Damn! This is terrible news. How will my new friend, Princess Airiphryone, and I ever meet in battle if our armies cannot be brought together?"

Airy choked on her drink and spilled the blood red liquid down the front of her shirt leaving a stain as though she had been stabbed through the heart. "Meet in battle? Why would friends meet in battle?"

The Juht was stunned for a second by her question, and then roared his laughter. "We are all friends and equals until we meet in battle. After the battle, the loser is the slave, and the winner goes on to find other friends and equals to battle. That is our way. For now, we are great friends and we drink and eat and play together. It looks like we are destined to be friends for a long time, Princess Airiphryone. Let's drink to that." The Horse king downed his full goblet, and Airy wisely drank only a sip. Her head was spinning from the liquor and the revelation that the Juht was determined to invade Rikifur.

Airy chided herself for being a fool. She should have listened to Jak. Vowing to be even more careful about what she revealed of her country and access to it, she now only took small sips from her goblet when required by protocol to drink. It was impossible though, to avoid discussing where she and Jak were heading and why. Fortunately, the Juht considered moving an army across the frozen wastes of the north impossible. The horses would founder in the snow, and the Juht was incapable of envisioning an army without cavalry.

In a surprising act of generosity, the Juht did offer to have her and Jak escorted to the northern borders of Storfay where the grassy plains gave way to tundra and then to a massive wall of ice. Evidently, he took his notion of friends seriously until after they met in battle.

"I would like to travel with our new friends to the ice wall." Jorveth's unexpected declaration turned all the heads at the surrounding tables.

The Juht frowned. "Nonsense. You are too important to risk on such a journey."

The inventor was oblivious to the moods of others and showed no sign of flinching at his king's rebuke. "There are reports of discovery of new iron deposits in that region. I wish to inspect them to determine their suitability for experiments I have in mind for attempting to make steel."

Airy cringed and shifted nervously in her seat. She prayed that the Juht would not be convinced by Jorveth's argument.

"No. Others can do that. You have plenty of well trained students and helpers who can make this journey. You are too important to risk. You will stay here safe with me where you belong."

Jak was not surprised when Camorra interceded to argue on the inventor's behalf. "Great and mighty Juht, may I speak."

The giant Horse lord must have been used to such interruptions and discussions because the anger left his face and was replaced by an amused smile. "My dear Cammorra, I would be disappointed if you did not speak up and explain to me, oh so diplomatically, why I am wrong and should changes my mind."

The Cattle woman bowed her head respectfully. "My lord demonstrates his vast benevolence and kindness by allowing a lowly slave like myself the ability to speak to such noble and august company. As always you are generous in your praise implying my crude speech has the power to influence one as great as yourself." Her voice was deep and rich for a female, and held just the proper amount of respect to be inoffensive, but also contained a calm self assurance that commanded respect of its own.

The Juht laughed aloud. "It is a pleasure to hear you speak and beguile, Camorra. I like it best when you use your powers for me to influence others, but the effect is no less pleasing when used against me. Please continue."

Jak leaned in close to Airy to whisper in her ear. "Be careful around this one. She could talk you out of the secret of steel even though you don't know the secret."

Camorra bowed her head again in acceptance of the Juht's additional praise. "It has been my failure to communicate all of the dealings that Jorveth and I have had in setting up schools and laboratories to spread the knowledge and methods of invention and discovery that Jorveth has developed throughout your mighty empire. I believe that if I am allowed to correct that egregious omission of information to your greatness, you will perhaps discover in your infinite wisdom a different decision."

When she paused, the Juht continued to smile. "Please do correct this mistake."

"In our humblest attempt to comply with your directive to establish these schools, Jorveth has been forced to send his most able and best trained students from his side. Jorveth has only a few newly recruited acolytes among his present company. Since these far western lands are lightly settled, all of the schools are being established in the eastern, more developed parts of the empire. The nearest of these is several weeks journey away. It is clear that Princess Airiphryone and Sir Jak are in a hurry to attempt to make the northern crossing before winter weather sets in. To delay them would be, as you are no doubt well aware, a betrayal of the traditions of first friendship."

The Juht pondered her words with a furrowed brow as he rubbed his mighty chin with his hand. The entire company had slipped into silence to witness the familiar spectacle of the eloquent slave woman and their leader matching wits. "As always, you make a compelling case, but there is a flaw in your argument. Whereas it is true that our friends are in a hurry, and I do plan to provide them with horses to speed their journey, there is no urgency for Jorveth to inspect these iron ores. That can be accomplished by others on a more leisurely schedule." Satisfied that he had won this argument, he slapped his hand on the table and downed his goblet of liquor.

"My Lord is wise as always, and sees things clearly. However, Jorveth is convinced that he needs to inspect the ore and conduct experiments to refine it himself. New methods are likely needed to be developed, and not even his best students can match his genius."

"Then I will have the ore brought to him. He can conduct his experiments here as he travels with me."

"But, my Lord, that is impractical due the mobile nature of our..."

Camorra's rebuttal was interrupted by the Juhtmare, whose high, reedy voice was a startling counterpoint to the Cattle woman's. "May I interject a compromise, my Lord?"

Normally quiet and non-communicative at these events, Lithia's request stunned both the Juht and Camorra into temporary silence. The Juht placed a hand on her bony shoulder. "Certainly, Lady Lithia. Your advice is always welcome."

Jak did not trust the Juhtmare. Something about her reeked of treachery and deceit, but the Horse king seemed sincerely to trust her.

"The issue appears to be a balance of concern for our respected inventor's safety and the need for him to be able to continue to produce his wonders for the betterment of the empire. I propose that my own personal guard accompany our new friends and our inventor to the north. They are some of the fiercest and bravest warriors in the land. They will ensure the safety of this little party."

"But my love, who will then protect you?"

The Juhtmare's face twisted into an uncomfortable smile of affection for her mate. "Why, you will of course, my dear. Where could I be safer than by the side of the mightiest warrior of them all?"

The Horse king was satisfied by her answer, but Camorra betrayed the briefest unease before her face returned to its neutral, diplomatic expression. Jak saw it, but no one else seemed to notice. "Very well. Since both of my most trusted advisors recommend this course of action, I approve it." Clapping his hands together, he yelled for more drink, and everyone cheered and downed another goblet of liquor except for Jak, Airy and Camorra, who all sipped cautiously for different reasons.

The drinking, shouting, singing and brawling continued again now that a decision had been made and the tension at the high table resolved. Jak waited what he felt was a polite interval before urging Airy to excuse them for the night. She agreed. Her head was spinning, her speech was slurred and she could barely keep her eyes open. Jak stood and told the Juht how grateful he and Airy were for his hospitality, his friendship and his offered assistance to hasten their journey north. Several more toasts were called for during his brief speech, and he and Airy were forced to consume even more of the intoxicating liquor.

Jak was about to indicate his and Airy's desire to retire for the night, when the Juht interrupted him. "Well spoken, Sir Jak. Let us drink again." As he sat back down, Jak sipped from his goblet, which had been refilled by a servant while he talked. Much more of this, and we would be as incapacitated as Airy. "I have an announcement of my own to make. It is our custom with our friends that before we meet in battle, we enter into a symbolic combat that we call Aarosht. The Aarosht is a sacred ceremony invented by the gods themselves to predict who will win victory in the battle to come." A servant tapped a hammer to a triangular gong that made an echoing note.

In response, the tent flap behind the Juht was opened and the most unusual character of the evening strode in to a hushed and reverent silence. Everyone in the tent except for the four at the center table rose upon her entrance to kneel on the floor. Neither Jak nor Airy had ever seen or heard tell of her kind before. Despite being clothed in many layers of brightly colored skirts, dresses, sashes and shawls, her black and white fur and huge tail with its prominent white stripes marked her as a Skunk. She wore beads of pearl, bracelets of copper and chains of silver everywhere she could. There were so many piercings in her founded ears that Jak could not see how there was room for any more. In her left hand she clutched a long staff with the skull of some saber toothed cat like creature. It made a rattling sound as she walked as if stones or bones were rolling around inside the skull. The staff was not to assist her walking. She was fit and agile despite her advanced age, and she demonstrated her agility by leaping up on the table between Airy and the Juht.

"Y'all attend to meh words," she commanded in a strong, but dry voice cracked with age. "I am Tigan, keeper of t'e prophesies, and t'ese is t'e very utterances of t'e gods when t'ey laid down t'e first laws."

In a voice that was suddenly clear and free of her strange accent, she sang:

"Might is right to win and to rule

Over those they defeat.

The weak shall submit to the strong

Making the god's will meet.

_ _

The Aarosht is given to all

To decide in advance

Who shall be master or slave and

Who will win the war dance?"

Having finisher her chant, she rattled the cat skull and twirled the staff over her head before pounding the butt end onto the table.

"We honor the gods and the Aarosht," Chanted the assembly solemnly.

The Juht rose and his eyes were nearly even with the diminutive, old Skunk woman. For Jak and Airy's benefit, he explained the newcomer. "The Skunks are a rare people who claim no lands as their own. They are the only people we have encountered who never offered us battle, for they have no armies. Thus they are not our slaves. Yet many like Tigan serve us anyway as fortunetellers and keepers of prophecy. She has an infallible gift of predicting my victories, but since I never lose in battle, that isn't a very hard job after all."

Tigan moved closer to the Juht until her snout was nearly touching his. She had a wild and manic expression that promised unpredictable behavior, but the Juht did not flinch. "My Lord should not be overconfident in continued victory. T'e gods abhor perfection among mortals. A reckonin' is comin'."

"Are you predicting defeat for General Moordenaar then?"

The maniacal Skunk did not answer. Instead, she stepped sideways and squatted down in front of Jak. Tilting her head, she examined him critically. Her delicate hands probed his missing eye, his injured left paw and the muscles on his upper body. She then held his face for nearly a minute as she gazed into his one good eye. Though she remained immobile, a tempestuous whirlwind of untamed emotion raged behind fixed expression. When she was done with Jak she turned her attention to Airy who attempted to return the Skunk's inspection defiantly, but was too drunk to do more that blink her eyes and stay awake. Tigan did not touch the princess. Instead she rose to her feet again.

"I cannot say." There was a collective gasp from the audience. Never before had Tigan failed to make a prediction. "T'ere is a change comin', my Lord and t'ese two are at t'e heart of it. Ominous signs we have witnessed of late. Distant rumblin', a glowin' western sky, and eart' rainin' from t'e sky."

"It's just a volcano. Nothing magical about that." Jorveth's skepticism caught the wild woman's attention. She ran across the table and leapt into his lap forcing him to catcher in his arms as she wrapped her arms about his neck and tapped the top of his head with her staff skull totem.

"You are such a clever and intelligent boy, but t'ere is much t'at you do not know. You can help build t'e future, but leave predictin' it to me."

"Leave my inventor alone, Tigan, and tell me more of this dark future you foresee." The Skunk ignored her master's order to stop bothering Jorveth and stroked his face and snout as she continued her cryptic speech.

"I did not say t'ere would be a dark future. I said t'ere would be change. How you adapt to t'e change will make it seem dark or bright to you." With lighting speed, she sprang back onto the table. "I have no more to say tonight. T'e game board is set. The players must play t'ere parts and pray for t'e munificence of t'e gods." Leaping from the table, she landed on the floor behind the great table amid a plume of yellow and orange smoke. When the conflagration cleared, she was gone. Jak had seen this before in Winter Pack and now knew the source of Blue's magic. Apparently, the mystical Skunk was not above using Jorveth's inventions for her own purposes.

"That was unusual even for Tigan." The Juht examined Airy and Jak with a new sense of suspicion and concern. "The Aarosht foretells who will win the real battles to come. For the first time ever, I sense in you a truly worthy opponent. This makes tomorrow's contest even more important. The fight Airy and I will have until one of us surrenders or one of us is dead will be a grand and exciting affair."

This time it was Jak's turn to choke on his drink, but unlike Airy, he still had enough control to avoid spilling on himself. "What? Airy fight you to the death?" Jak looked to his princess, but she was beginning to doze and was no longer paying the conversation any more attention. It took all her will to keep her head from hitting the table.

The Juht reached his great arm around Airy and slapped Jak hard but good naturedly on the back. "Don't worry about your princess, protector. I said it was a symbolic fight. Her and I are not allowed to engage in real combat."

Jak was relieved. Airy was an excellent warrior, but the size difference between her and the Juht was likely an insurmountable advantage, especially if he was only half as good in hand to hand combat as he had been bragging to be all night. He knew she would be too stubborn to yield a fight, even a symbolic one, if she felt it was important to her people.

"I am happy to hear that, Great Juht. It is my duty to keep the Princess safe at all times. I could not allow her to enter into such a match without first placing myself between her and the opponent."

The Horse leader's hands slapped together in agreement. The sound was like thunder, and the raucous din of the feast quieted for a few seconds as the revelers took note of their leader's mood before resuming their rowdy partying. "That is the spirit Captain Jak, because you will naturally fight in her place tomorrow just as I have selected a second to fight for me."

The Juht was grinning mischievously at Jak, and the Wolf realized he had been expertly duped into setting himself up for accepting this fight. Jak could only smile in return and ask who would be his symbolic opponent, though he was certain he knew the answer.

"I am." General Moordenaar was grinning also. The whole evening, it seemed, had been a set up for this. Sizing up his opponent and what little he knew about him, Jak wondered if he could defeat this Deer. He had fought Moordenaar's kind before in his own lands, but this one was clearly of exceptional ability. The Juht would not have selected him for such a prominent position in his army or have offered him up as Jak's challenger unless he had unwavering confidence in him. Jak felt an even more urgent need to vacate this feast so he could have time alone to think about what strategy he would use to win this critical symbolic victory. Though it was a seemingly remote chance, victory here could potentially deter invasion of Rikifur and war in the future. The people of Storfay had a superstitious reverence for this Aarosht ceremony. A victory by him over Moordenaar could cause them to hesitate and delay their ultimate invasion. Jak had no doubt that these clever people would find some way to cross the Earth Spine once their leader decided that was their goal.

Jak also worried about his fellow Wolves. The presence of the Wolf that was passing messages to the Juhtmare indicated that his kind and the Horse people had already met with unfortunate consequences for the Wolves. How long until all of the lands of Olchanth were overrun and only the mountains were left to slow their advance? A victory tomorrow could have the added benefit of slowing an invasion against his own people. Jak laughed aloud at the irony of himself fighting for two peoples neither of which cared whether he lived or died.

Moordenaar misinterpreted Jak's ironic laugh. "Look, Lord Juht. Captain Jak is eager for the fight." He raised his glass as did the Juht. "To the fight! May the gods prove who is the stronger nation."

"To the fight!" echoed the Juht.

Jak reluctantly downed the rest of his drink. Turning to Airy to advise her once again to drink moderately, he found that she had lost her battle with consciousness. Her head was resting on the table, she was asleep. "What weapons will we use in the fight?"

"Practice swords," replied the Deer, "and no armor. Still, in the right hands, even a blunted sword with no point can be deadly. Do you agree, Captain Jak?"

"I do, bare paws, or in your case hands, can be just as deadly. I imagine those antlers on your head are allowable weapons."

"Indeed, as are your claws and teeth. We are allowed to bring into the fight whatever the gods have given us at birth."

"When does the fight begin?"

The Juht answered. "At noon. Everyone will be sleeping late tomorrow. There is still much celebrating to do tonight. Now that we are done feasting, the orgy is about to begin."

His words were a summons, and the first female equines that Jak had seen entered the tent in a line and began to spread out among the crowd, primarily among the soldiers as most of the guests at the high tables were already with their mates. The newcomers were scantily dressed in garments that were quickly removed by the awaiting males, whose clothing was in turn removed by the females. An all white beauty planted herself upon the General's lap and two pure black ones were giggling and groping at the Juht. Jak became aware that the Juhtmare had left and idly wondered if the Horses were more like the Rikifurians or his own Wolf people when it came to sexual promiscuity. Based on what he saw happening around him, he suspected they were something in between.

When a tall, busty palomino tried to sit on Jak's lap, he rose and pushed her gently to the side. "Great Juht, I apologize for my poor manners, but my mistress is incapacitated. I need to take her to her tent and put her to bed. Please understand."

"Nonsense. We can have servants do that. Stay. Enjoy yourself."

Jak knew that Airy would not approve of this orgy and would be distraught if she found out he had participated in it. The encounter with the Cats was still a fresh psychic wound for her that he did not want to aggravate. "Perhaps another time, your Greatness. I have my duty to the Princess to be with her and protect her at all times."

Frowning and shrugging his mighty shoulders, he accepted Jak's excuse. "Very well. I understand duty well enough. Raeph will see to you in the morning to help you prepare for the fight with General Moordenaar." With that dismissal, Jak and Airy were forgotten as the debauchery began in earnest. No servants appeared to help him, so Jak picked Airy up and slung her over his shoulder. On his way out, he saw enough sizable male Horse anatomy to make him wonder if he would have been able to please the mare that had tried to sit in his lap.

No one hindered him as he carried Airy through the camp, and he could detect no one following him. If Airy had not been so desperately drunk, he would have given thought to stealing some horses and escaping. Cat was out there somewhere. He was certain of that. If they could join up with her, they would have a chance of getting away. The irritating feline was good at concealment and stealth. Airy was in no shape to travel, though, so he carried her to Raeph's tent not knowing where else to go. The servants were expecting them, and Janyff had the other girl Cows change Airy's clothes into suitable sleepwear and put her to bed.

With a trace of uncertainty and embarrassment in her voice, Janyff asked, "Where will you be wanting to sleep tonight, Master Jak?" It was odd to Jak that the Horse's cultural prohibition of mating with other species still gave this Cow pause after she had stood in the same room as Airy made love to Jak in the bath.

"With the Princess, but not just yet. I need to get some air to clear my head and find a place to drain my bladder of this drink. Before I go, have you repaired my traveling clothes?"

"Yes, Master Jak."

"Please, call me Jak. I am not your master."

"My Horse lord masters would consider it a great offense if I did not address you that way. I would be severely punished if they heard me call you by your name only and not with a title."

"Punished for not using a title? You are all slaves, then?"

"Yes, Master Jak."

"You may call me just 'Jak' in private if you wish, or not. You are free to use whatever you find more comfortable. I do not condone slavery and will not have anyone think of me as their master. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Mast..." She hesitated, then smiled and replied in a whisper, "Yes, Jak." She giggled and looked about as if she were a naughty pup who had said something she did not want her parents to hear.

"Now please fetch me my clothes, and have your staff keep a close eye on the Princess while I am out." Jak grabbed Janyff by the upper arms and held her tight. His voice was nearly a growl, and her eyes grew momentarily wide with fear. "Nothing bad is to happen to her, or my vengeance will be worse than anything your masters could deliver. I am trusting you with the most precious thing in the world to me. Can you assure me that she will be safe?"

"Yes, ...Jak. She will be safe. No one would dare harm her while she is under the Juht's protection. I will stay here personally with her if that is your wish."

"Thank you. That is my wish. I am sorry if I scared you just now. She is important to me."

"You do not need to apologize to me, Mast..."

Jak put his paw to her snout to silence her. "Jak. Just Jak, and I do need to apologize because you are not my slave to order around. However, I would appreciate if you would have someone fetch my own clothes and help me get out of these. I couldn't put them on by myself. I doubt I will have any better luck getting them off."

Jak walked to the edge of the camp. Again, he could sense no one following him, so he simply set out past the last tents using what little light the moon and stars provided to make his way out onto the rolling and hummocky prairie. The Horse patrols were easy enough to avoid, but he stayed within their perimeter anyway. He didn't want anyone to think he was trying to escape, not with Airy in their custody.

Cat, of course, found him first. She was silent as she appeared beside him, motioned for Jak to be quiet, took his paw in hers and led him to a pile of broken stones on top of a hillock with an unobstructed view of the prairie. They sat together on top of the highest rock.

"So, you escaped. Vhere is Bunyic?"

"I didn't escape, at least not permanently, just for a few hours. Airy is sleeping back in the tent city."

"She is hostage to keep you around?"

"No. She is as free to leave as I am."

Cat was unconvinced. "I do not believe that you are free to leave. I vatched you sneaking out of camp. I sneak about and listen, and I hear Horse people and Cow people talking about a contest tomorrow. I hear that Volf and Horse named Moordenaar fight tomorrow. I only see one other Volf and he does not look like fighter. He looks like beat down dog. No offense intended."

"None taken. I don't know his story, but he is likely another slave or perhaps an adopted former enemy like General Moordenaar, who is a Deer and not a Horse, by the way."

"Very dangerous vith the antlers. Puppy must be careful. Better yet, I can sneak into camp and kill him in his sleep. I do that for you, puppy. You just have to ask." As she said this, she snuggled up close to Jak and sniffed the fur around his neck and shoulders. "You smell like Horse."

"I don't want you to kill him. It wouldn't help. You would create trouble and arouse their suspicions. Besides, they would just have me fight someone else."

"How about I cripple him a bit so he doesn't fight as vell? How vould you thank me for that, hmm Jak?" She put her arms around his shoulders and licked the side of his snout.

"Please, Cat. Don't. If I go back smelling like you, Airy will be upset."

Cat stopped licking him, but she did not remove her arms. Instead, her claws extended and she used them to play with the shaggy fur on the back of his neck. "Vhy should that matter? Vhy do you have to play by her rules?"

"Because I love her, and I want her to love me."

"I don't understand you two. She is bossy, mean and reckless. You are nothing alike. You and I, ve are more alike. Vhy do you love her and not me?"

"I can't explain it. It's complicated. It's the way we met, the things we have done together and the things we are going to do together. The differences don't matter, and I pledged myself to her."

"If you love her, vhat am I to you?

"A friend. An ally."

"Ally? Vhy did you come out here Jak? To see me?"

"Yes."

"Truly?"

"Yes. I came to tell you that the Horse people are going to escort us north to the ice wall. We will leave soon. I wanted to make sure you knew so you could follow."

"How sveet. You do care even if I am just your ally."

"So you will still come with us on our journey to Rikifur?"

"Jak, as your lover I would follow you anyvhere, but as your ally, I vill stick around as long things are of interest to me and no longer. You have no hold on me as friend and ally."

"How can you say that? Does friendship mean so little to you?"

"It is not enough, Jak. I vant more. If I can find it elsevhere, I vill."

"I am sorry you feel that way."

"As am I. I vill follow you for vhile at least. There is no one here in these lands for me. Cows are pathetic slaves and Horses are crazy to control everyone else. There is no freedom here. I vill see vhat the north has to offer."

"I need to go back now to sleep and prepare myself for tomorrow."

Cat did not let go her hold on him. "Kiss me before you go."

"Cat, I..."

"For luck and because ve are friends. Cannot friends share kiss?"

"Fine," he relented. "A good night kiss..."

Cat greedily attached her lips to his and kissed him with an aching hunger that went far beyond a tender peck between friends. Jak knew it was inappropriate, but he let her do it anyway. He justified his response by invoking within his conscience her traumatic past and her need for friends and affection. It felt both right and wrong. The act held a duality of friendly pity and sexual desire. He was willing to let her have this but no more, so when she pressed herself against him and tried to force him backwards onto the rock, he resisted by interposing his paw between their lips. He would have pushed her away, but was uncertain that he could. She was easily as strong as he was, and a wrestling match was clearly part of what she wanted.

"Cat. Enough. Please."

Hesitating for a moment, she satisfied herself with a quick lick to the side on his snout. "Fight dirty tomorrow against Deer. Do not concern yourself vith honor." She lovingly touched his eye patch with one paw, and then held his damaged left paw in hers.

Rising to go, she added, "You can't afford to lose much more of yourself. I vill be unhappy if there is less of you vhen we next meet." Slipping behind a rock she was gone, but her voice came back to him briefly from somewhere not too distant. "Any time you vant some of that kiss and maybe something more, just come out alone. I vill find you, love."

Jak growled to himself in frustration. Problems he had aplenty. Why did Cat continue to vex him with her amorous teasing? Did she really care for him that much, or was it all just a game? He couldn't decide, and his sense of smell told him nothing. Besides he was unsure of his own feelings towards the feline. Did he love her in return? If she were a Wolf and he were back in the pack, he would have mated with her when she pressed her kiss; but she was not a Wolf, and he was in a new pack with different rules. How had he come to this, he wondered? Neither of the two females in his life were even of his own kind; an occurrence that would have been unimaginable to him a few months ago.

This was a distraction. He had to be focused for the fight tomorrow. Sleep was what he really needed, so he walked back to Raeph's tent. Janyff was asleep in a chair by Airy's bed and did not awaken even as Jak snuggled up against his princess and fell asleep.

[END OF CHAPTER]