Part 34: Relief

DISCLAIMER: Nonconsensual scene(s).


Note: This item has been rewritten and edited. All text in rose is BRAND NEW MATERIAL for this chapter of the story. In addition there are many minor changes to the original text itself. Please enjoy this new, expanded version of Part 34 and be on the lookout for updates to the next parts!


LIEUTENANTS NEHEF AND Ahai'ikh walked faster than they had ever walked before, in order to keep up with their general. General Mahakhi strode down the hallway toward the back of the household, his lappets swinging and stormclouds forming in his eyes. Groups of other Kana, and even Moru, had gathered out around their doorways as news of a strange altercation in the hallway had reached their ears, yet no one knew for certain what was happening. Word spread quickly that they were headed for the prison cells, and several more venturesome souls drifted in that direction to better see what would happen, though most of them wisely remained behind to hear about it later.

Mahakhi's eyes had never glittered so redly before. His claws gouged into his palms; Nehef and Ahai'ikh kept their heads lowered, ears flattened back.

"What in the bleeding HELLS is this again?" Mahakhi growled dangerously as they passed through the kitchens.

Nehef swallowed and attempted to explain for about the third time. "The--the physician Khetai, Lord...you see, um...apparently there was some sort of...um...confrontation, and one of the sergeants, well..."

"I KNOW WHAT HE DID!" Mahakhi bellowed. "It is what comes AFTER that that makes no damned SENSE to me!"

"Well, Lord..." Nehef struggled for words, and came up wanting; a glance at Ahai'ikh showed that even he couldn't think of anything appropriate to say.

"Perhaps--perhaps it will be clearer once My Lord sees for himself--?" he blurted out, and they strode across the yard behind the household proper, toward the prisoners' cells. Two guards stood out front, and stepped aside as soon as Mahakhi jerked his hand at them. Inside the small building, oil lamps hung from pegs, as it was still quite dark outside. Four of the cells were occupied, a larger number than usual; Mahakhi briefly glanced at the first cell on the left as they entered, seeing a lanky Moru sitting within staring back.

"He is accused of killing another member of his household, Lord," Nehef murmured. "Nothing to do with tonight."

Mahakhi snorted and turned to the right, where three of the cells were in use. "So what is this outlandish story you're trying to sell me, Lieutenant--?" he started to say, before he caught sight of the faces peering back at him, and halted abruptly. His wings flared and his eyes went wide.

"DJUTA?"

Lieutenant Djuta flinched and ducked his head. He sat in the middle cell, hands bound behind his back and his weapons removed. He still bore a bandage to his chest, and his face was strained and pale.

Mahakhi whirled to glare at Nehef. "WHAT IS HE DOING IN THE CELLS?"

The other lieutenants grimaced at the booming sound of his voice. "You see--" Nehef started.

Mahakhi bared his teeth. "I do NOT see! THAT is the problem! You bind and tie a wounded Kana and drag him into the cells like some common CRIMINAL? WHY DOES HE HAVE THOSE CORDS AROUND HIS WRISTS?"

"This is just it, Lord!" Ahai'ikh managed to get out. "Lord Djuta is the one accused of a crime."

Mahakhi's mouth opened, then shut. He looked at his second lieutenant and blinked stupidly, not comprehending. With a furrowed brow he turned to look at the cell to the right, where Sergeant U'heta sat, shaking and cowering. His lip curled back.

"What is THIS stupid mutt's story? I do not even know him!"

"This is Sergeant Second-Class U'heta, Lord. He has charged Lord Djuta with an assault upon his person."

"Wh-wholly unwarranted!" U'heta stammered, and shuffled to his knees. "I beg you to hear my case, Lord! I was attacked for no reason whatsoever!"

"SHUT UP!" Mahakhi bellowed, and U'heta promptly scuttled back into the corner. "You will be dealt with by the COURT! Until then, keep your stupid muzzle closed!" He turned back and gave Djuta a venomous glare. "This had best be a damned good story, Lieutenant! After everything you put me through with that stupid Moru brute, I am hardly inclined to be lenient toward you!"

"Lord Djuta charges that his attack upon Sergeant U'heta was justified, Lord," Ahai'ikh answered for him. "He states that he was merely defending...ah...the physician Khetai from Sergeant U'heta's...um...unwanted attentions..."

"Khetai--?" Mahakhi at last turned to look into the third cell...and his jaw dropped. Khetai sat in here, curled up in the back corner, still in her damaged armor and torn robe; even though she kept her knees drawn up and her arms locked around them, it was obvious there had been a change. She hung her head and didn't bother meeting anyone's eyes; her wings were folded so tightly behind her as to be almost nonexistent.

Mahakhi blinked and gaped. "Th...that is...Physician Khetai...?" he barely managed to whisper.

Nehef and Ahai'ikh bobbed their heads. "That was the confusing part, Lord," Nehef said. "Apparently...well...apparently, Lord Khetai was not quite what he...er...proclaimed himself to be..."

Mahakhi was no longer listening. He stepped slowly toward the bars of Khetai's cell and grasped them in his hands, staring in at her. The others fell silent and looked at him. A moment or so passed before Mahakhi's eyes narrowed slightly, a confused look upon his face.

"Physician Khetai," he said. She didn't raise her head.

Mahakhi's wings flared. "Physician Khetai!" he barked, and she flinched and at last lifted her head, just barely, to peer up at him. Her eyes were red and swollen and her chest hitched. Mahakhi stared into her face--the same face which had tended to him earlier that same night--then looked over the rest of her. Despite the way she hunched over herself, her damaged armor made the truth much more obvious, and he did not have to look at her for long.

Mahakhi's ears flared and he tilted his head forward, his muzzle wrinkling and tusks baring. Nehef and Ahai'ikh looked ready to creep away when he whirled away from her cell, jerking his hand at the air so savagely that they jumped.

"Out!" he snarled. "Move her out into a different building! And put her in some different clothes! Females do not belong with males, and they do not wear armor!"

The lieutenants bobbed their heads again. "Yes Lord." They moved to Khetai's cell to undo the latch, while Mahakhi turned back to Djuta. The lieutenant made eye contact with him, which for some reason infuriated him all the more.

Mahakhi scowled. "I do not even know how," he hissed. "HOW to even begin with you this time! You are a good soldier, but I will be damned if you could ever stop bringing these LUDICROUS disputes into my household! First that dumb brute--now THIS!" He bared his teeth and clenched one of the bars. "What in the hells prompted you to defend a fraud from the punishment she likely deserved--?"

Djuta's ears flared. "Sergeant U'heta was raping her," he snapped. "This is the punishment Moru deserve?"

Mahakhi looked at him, then turned to U'heta with the same withering look.

U'heta quailed. "She--she has DECEIVED us, Lord!" he whined. "Every last one of us! I fol...followed her here suspecting--I saw how oddly she acted in the market--when she thought no one was watching! And I was right! I only thought to protect My Lord from such deceit--who knows what she would have done, what she COULD have done to you, had she had the chance to act--!"

Djuta bristled. "THIS IS A PILE OF LIES! She has done NOTHING to deserve such vile treatment! Just this night she tended to me AND to Lord Mahakhi--without incident! She had no plans on anyone! And for this you see fit to stick your cock in her and bash her head against the wall--?"

U'heta hissed. "You cannot rape a MORU!"

Mahakhi's wings rose up over his back. "ENOUGH!" he bellowed, his voice making the bars rattle; both Kana cringed and ceased arguing. "YOU as I said will face the tribunal!" he roared at U'heta. "I do not CARE what punishment you feel she deserved--she is of this household and you are NOT, hence punishment was NOT yours to serve!" He turned to Djuta and his look grew even more hateful. "And what is this of you KNOWING of her beforehand, and not TELLING anyone--? Not only do you cause trouble, but you see fit to LIE to me now--?"

"I have not lied to you," Djuta muttered. "I found out myself only just this evening, on accident. I had only just left my rooms when I came across THIS mutt!"

"And why is it I feel you STILL would not have told me, come morning?" Mahakhi growled, and put his hand on the pommel of his sword. "The nights of sleep I have lost dealing with the messes you make! Either you draw bad luck like a flame draws a moth, or you have no sense at all between your ears! If I were in my right mind I should thrash your tail myself!" He yanked on the latch. "GET UP! And thank your lucky stars if I do not cut your head off while taking off those cords!"

Immediately U'heta clambered to his feet. "L-Lord! Lord!" he wailed. "You--you are setting him free--?"

Mahakhi snarled at him. "What of it, stupid? YOU are the only criminal still remaining in here--except for HIM!" He waved at the Moru in the other cell. "Lord Djuta may be guilty of LACKING COMMON SENSE--but at least he saved ME the trouble of knocking you upside the head first!"

"But--but--!" U'heta tottered toward the bars, sticking his muzzle between them, his eyes wet and pleading. "But--I can only be accused of acting brashly, Lord! Lieutenant Djuta, he--he is the real criminal! His crime is FAR worse than mine!"

The big Kana scowled. "Perhaps in your own addled head! Now shut your muzzle and wait for your trial!"

He pulled open Djuta's cell door and jerked his hand at him again. Before Djuta could rise U'heta pressed himself against the bars, his voice coming out in a shrill screech.

"Djuta is the criminal! He is! He assaulted one of the trainees from the barracks!"

Mahakhi and Djuta both froze, eyes wide. Mahakhi slowly turned to look at the sergeant and his eyes flared red.

"What did you say?" he growled in a deadly voice.

U'heta faltered, but then managed to dig up his voice again. He bobbed his head accusingly at the lieutenant.

"He--he did! I heard of it myself! There is--there is rumor, but--but everything holds true! A trainee in the barracks--he--he was seen leaving in Djuta's company--they took drink together--practically hanging off each other's arms! Then a bit later the trainee comes back crying and looking for poppy! I--I was not there, Lord, but--but everyone is speaking of it! The--except the trainee, he is not speaking, but--it's pretty obvious, isn't it, Lord--?"

Mahakhi was silent for so long that it was almost as if he had disappeared, if it had not been for the mere tension of his presence. The oil lamps were burning low and so he was cast almost into silhouette by now; his reddish eyes narrowed as they turned toward Djuta, and his tusks glinted.

"When was this, Sergeant...?"

U'heta stood taller, apparently emboldened by the attention he was now receiving. "The very SAME night he received his wounds--however that happened! I heard of it myself! That is why I remembered it!"

"The same night you attempted to kill yourself...?" Mahakhi's voice still came deadly low, and Djuta at last lowered his head to not look at him anymore, his ears burning. He flinched when the cell door slammed shut again. U'heta stood and watched as Mahakhi secured the latch and turned away from the cell.

"Barracks," he snapped at U'heta.

The sergeant blinked, then took a step away from the bars. "Barracks--er--Barracks Area Two, I believe. A young pup of a private--I do not know his name--but the trainees would know!"

Mahakhi's claws dug into the grip of his sword. "If this story is verified," he growled, "then you will face the tribunal alongside Khetai and U'heta." He turned and started striding for the door. "I am disappointed, Lieutenant."

U'heta craned his neck to watch him go, peering out through the bars. The door slammed behind him and the sergeant turned to leer at Djuta, but the lieutenant had already dropped his head to his knees, his eyes squeezed shut and his wings slumping.

* * * * *

Another day and night, another tribe. The voyage to the Great Red Tribe was long; Lieutenant Tas'eta had had no idea how long, until they had been voyaging for over a week. He'd grown tired of riding so long, and of stopping the night, when they could, and when they were welcomed, at foreign tribes, to spend their sleeping hours with potentially hostile Kana. This went without mentioning the danger of attack from humans; Tas'eta preferred not to think about it, having never fought humans before. He'd heard all sorts of stories about them; he hoped he would never have to face one of the vile creatures.

He missed his son. He missed his Nith'khet. How dreary this trek was turning out to be.

Sergeant Binena kept a close eye upon him as they rode, and noticed how Tas'eta's expression changed from one day to the next, his early enthusiasm dimming into boredom and then irritation. He growled crossly at every inconvenience, scowled every time they reached and departed from a tribe, and very nearly bared his teeth at every foul-tempered Kana they crossed. He had never been so inhospitable while back at home with the West Oasis Tribe; and so when the distant walls of yet another tribe came into view, Binena made certain to pull his Sha up alongside Tas'eta's.

Tas'eta was already grumbling. "Another one?" he groused. "I had always thought the land was practically empty! Now I find it full of other Kana! I will have to tell Lord Pekhten to build that wall after all. They are all so ill tempered; how have they not even attacked us by now?"

"You merely grow tired of traveling all the day, Lord," Binena replied. "If you were properly rested and relaxed, you would see they are merely being cautious, as they have every right to be. These are poor times in which to travel as we are."

The young Kana scowled. "Yes, well, they do not have to take it out upon us. And what do you mean 'rested'? I have slept perfectly fine! It is everyone else who is cranky."

Binena suppressed a smile. "Just bear with them, Lord, this one more time. I have enough rings to fetch us a tent and enough food to last the rest of the way. You will not have to see another Kana face until we get there. All right?"

Tas'eta's lip stuck out but he offered no complaint. The tribe grew ever closer until they reached the main gate, and it took a little haggling to be allowed inside; but once the guards were certain they were only two Kana, and could not possibly cause too much trouble, they were allowed in, and a few silver rings passed to the guards by Binena secured them safe passage through the market. Tas'eta didn't even bother browsing the numerous stalls by now, he had grown so weary of perusing markets. Binena, on the other hand, kept his eyes and ears open, listening in on everything he saw. It was a good way to learn the state of the land and of the opposing tribes, and as usual he did not much like what he heard.

Between snippets of hushed discussion about wars and fights and faraway conflicts, he also paid attention to the merchants, mentally taking note of which stalls seemed promising. When Tas'eta began to fidget and grumble Binena touched his arm to draw his attention.

"Lord, if I might suggest; I spotted a beer stand a little ways back down the main road. Perhaps a drink will settle your nerves a bit. Here, take these rings."

Tas'eta reluctantly accepted the rings he was offered, but didn't leave. "And what of you?" he asked with a frown. "I do not even know my way around here; where will I find you?" He made a face. "Though it seems as if EVERY one of these places looks exactly alike!"

Binena's mouth twitched. "I will just be picking up a few necessities, as I already said. You go ahead and get your drink. I shall be done before you are. How about this; I will meet you back outside the gate by the end of the hour, all right?"

Tas'eta paused, and fiddled with his lappet. "We are not staying here tonight...?"

Binena shook his head. "I will get you a nice tent and cot to sleep on, just like home."

Tas'eta made another face. "I do not sleep on a cot at home!" he exclaimed, but Binena could tell the comment had amused him, and he turned to walk away back in the direction of the beer stand. Binena smiled to himself before turning and setting out for the first stall which had caught his attention. He had been listening carefully to the merchants selling all their wares, and so knew already where to find the best prices. He located a seller of tents, and then purchased a sturdy cot, testing it a bit to make certain it would withstand Tas'eta's weight, plus some. He secured these upon his Sha and continued browsing, purchasing some dried fish, some sweetened bread, and some fruit to tide them over until they should reach the Great Red Tribe; he stopped by another stall to buy some dried figs, which Tas'eta loved. As he tucked the fruit away inside his Sha's pack he thought over how such a small taste of home would help to smooth the young Kana's frayed nerves.

His first ever trip so far from home, he thought, and sighed quietly, tying the pack tight. It should not be for a reason such as this.

He had noticed, too, how Tas'eta sometimes snuffled to himself at night, when he thought Binena was asleep; and how when he awoke in the morning, Tas'eta's eyes were often red, his face gloomy. He tried to present a bold face during the day, yet it was obvious that the reason for their journey wore on him heavily.

Poor Tas-Kana. If his father had but sent one more letter, I know he would not feel so lost...but Nehekhi-Kana was never very reliable with such things...

He shook his head to clear it. No time for such thoughts now that these things were past. As he told himself this he passed the Moru section of the market, and slowed his step, the sound of the Moru traders yelling out the prices of their slaves ringing in his ears. Binena looked toward the clearing with its tents, the traders standing outside their entrances and waving and calling anyone to come and see what they had to offer; after a moment of thinking, the Kana turned and walked toward them, glancing at each tent and pretending to politely ignore the cheery shouts of the traders as he passed them. Only after he had made a circuit of the entire section did he select one of the tents, and left his Sha in the hands of a slave servant while the trader ushered him inside with many exclamations.

"So bright, so perceptive you are to have chosen this tent, Lord! I offer the very best prices--the very best selection. Step right over here and take a look for yourself--you will certainly not be disappointed! So please tell me, Lord, is it a female you require, or a male--? A nice sturdy worker, or a pretty little pup...?"

Binena again ignored the prattle as he browsed. Every Moru he paid attention to became the subject of yet another longwinded spiel full of praise. He looked only briefly at the males before turning his attention to the females, and peered from one to another. The trader went over why every single one of them was fully worthy of purchase. Binena looked one over and then stepped to the next.

The trader kept perfect pace with him, not even tiring. "And THIS one, Lord...very skilled she is, very much so indeed! Very good at hakh'tua, AND at nesakh'ai; and fully able to stay up the whole night, she is...!" Binena took a step to the next female, the trader right alongside him. "And this little pretty--! How can one ever turn down such a sweet face? She is untouched, Lord, iat'ah, but just the right age for a decent Kana like yourself...and this one, she has borne THREE pups, all in squalling good health, every last one of them Kana, I swear it upon my father's grave!...and this one, she is quite a saucy little thing, quite willing to do just about anything a Kana might require of her, anything at all...and this one..."

Binena suppressed a yawn and stretched his wings. The female they were busily passing took in a breath and Binena glanced at her as she did so. He saw how wide her eyes went, her hand pressed to her breast and her cheeks flushing pink; upon further looking he noticed that the subject of her attention was his wings. He lowered them and she relaxed; then he flared them again and she blushed and put her hands to her face and very nearly giggled.

Binena stopped and turned to the trader, waving toward her. "And this one, what is this one's story...?"

"Her--?" The trader glanced at the female as if not having noticed her; Binena knew the routine. "Ah, this one...let's see..." He feigned forgetfulness, then snapped his fingers. "Ah, that's right...this one is quite a pretty little one, very well mannered and obedient, but with just a bit of spice in her! She has quite a fondness for Kana, Lord, very much indeed; though she does have a particular preference..."

Perhaps ten or so minutes later, the Moru trader counted through his rings happily while Binena went on his way, leading both his Sha and the young female, her large dark eyes wide and bright as they ventured back into the street. The way she looked about at all the activity around her reminded him of how Tas'eta had been when they had first set out, before the tedium of travel had fully set upon him; and before they reached the gate he flared his wings again just to test her, noticed how pink her ears went, and then stepped outside the city, the great double doors slowly grinding shut behind them.

Tas'eta sat not far outside the gate, chewing on a strip of dried meat from their previous store of food. He eyed the female curiously as they approached, and stood up when Binena gestured at his Sha.

"Tent, cot, and food and drink to last us the rest of the way," the sergeant said. "As I promised."

Tas'eta cocked his head, still peering at the female. "And what is this?"

Binena vaguely gestured toward her. "Just another thing to remind you of home. Come, let's get going; we have a good amount of land to cover before nightfall, if we ever wish to reach there."

Tas'eta obeyed and stepped toward his Sha, getting ready to climb atop it; yet as soon as he saw Binena stepping aside to offer his Sha to the female, he flushed and stepped down, hurriedly pulling his own forward. Binena stood and watched as the young Kana helped the Moru atop the animal's back. He stuck out his tongue at Binena.

"You did not buy her a Sha?" he exclaimed. "I knew you were thrifty, Binena, but this is just too stingy! You ride--I will walk!"

Binena again suppressed a smile, and climbed atop his Sha without comment. Tas'eta took his Sha's reins and they started away from the city, and though he still sighed and groused at the sand now and then, Tas'eta's mood seemed improved already, and Binena could not help but notice how every so often he would glance back at the female, just to make sure she was still there. She smiled at him every time, and Binena could not remember ever having seen the young lieutenant's ears grow so red.

When evening came, they made their way down closer to the river to set up camp, pitching the tent Binena had bought and spreading out some of the food. Tas'eta disappeared just long enough to return with a pair of ducks he had managed to shoot down, dangling them proudly from his hand as if they were gazelles or lions rather than fowl. The female seemed quite amused by his bravado, and they settled down to cook and eat the birds along with some of the figs and other items Binena had bought. They ate in silence for a while, Tas'eta seated beside the sergeant, the female on the other side of the fire; Binena noticed how the lieutenant watched as she daintily nibbled on her piece of duck, and every time she peered up at him and smiled he blushed and averted his eyes.

"Well, Binena?" he murmured after some time had passed and they were finishing off the last sweetened cakes for the night. "Are you going to just have her sit over there by herself all night...?"

Binena cocked an ear. "What would you have me do with her, Lord...?"

Tas'eta frowned. "Well--what it is that Kana do with Moru! Why else did you bring her along--?"

Binena had to keep himself from smiling at the young Kana's ignorance. "Lord, I did not bring her along for myself. I had thought that you would enjoy her company."

Tas'eta blinked, then his eyes grew wide with surprise. "Me--?" He glanced at her, then opened and shut his mouth several times, ears going bright red. "But--I already have a mate! Nith'khet! I--I do not need another one--!"

"One who is far away now, back at home," Binena pointed out. "And you likely will not be seeing her for weeks yet."

Tas'eta's face fell. "Weeks? We are to be gone for weeks?"

Binena nodded. "This I told you, before we left, Lord; and you considered it imprudent to bring Nith'khet and little Hy along, which was a wise decision. Still, a young Kana has his needs even away from home."

Tas'eta's face grew red this time. "But Nith'khet will be so terribly upset!" he whispered in a near-panic. "I cannot REPLACE her!"

"You do not have to replace her, Lord. Many Kana make do with more than one mate, and make do just fine. Moru understand that they will not always be the only ones about. Please, Lord; she is with us already, so why do you not go and speak with her at least?" He paused, then started, "If you truly want, I suppose I could take her back..."

Tas'eta got to his feet immediately. "Take her back to the trader?" he exclaimed, and before Binena could reply, he was setting down the remains of his dinner and striding over to her. She looked up at him as he joined her, sitting down nearby, and they did nothing for several moments but this, the young Kana's ears flicking every which way as he chewed on his lip, blushing furiously. Binena smiled to himself, then got to his feet and retreated closer to the palms to grant them a bit of privacy. Tas'eta had never been the best at speaking with females; even Nith'khet had made him blush, when he'd first acquired her. After a while he heard the lieutenant start to haltingly ask her a question or two, and the female replied to each; a while after that, the two of them were chattering away as if they were old friends, and Binena pulled out a knife and a small piece of wood, setting to carving it to pass the time as they spoke.

"And your name again?" Tas'eta inquired, after a while spent chattering about their own respective tribes. "I am sorry, my mind so easily forgets..."

"To be forgivable, Master. Name to be Iast'et."

"It's such an unusual name," Tas'eta murmured. "No wonder I keep forgetting."

"To mean 'palm frond' in Moru tongue."

"Palm Frond? This is a beautiful name. I love to relax under the palms when it grows too hot."

"Forgiveness for asking, Lord, but what 'Tas'eta' to mean?"

Binena paused, ear flaring. "Tas'eta...?" he heard Tas'eta say, and he could imagine the look on the youth's face; when he turned his head to look, he could see that he was right. Tas'eta blushed and averted his eyes as if mildly embarrassed. "Oh...it means 'left behind.'"

Iast'et's eyebrow cocked. She didn't question him further.

"My father gave me that name," Tas'eta said after a pause, "after he had left the tribe...I was born after he was gone. So, 'Left Behind' he named me. We wrote to each other though. I hoped to see him someday...but I cannot do this now." He stared at the ground, his eyes glimmering, before appearing to shake himself out of it. He sighed and rolled over onto his stomach, yawning and stretching. He stretched his wings as well, and Iast'et placed her hand to her breast, the color rising in her cheeks. Binena saw him blink at her a few more times before she herself noticed his stare, and averted her eyes with a guilty smile.

"Apologies, Master. Just that...well...to have very beautiful wings."

Tas'eta's ears pricked, a surprised look on his face. "I do?"

The Moru nodded quickly. She pressed her hand to her mouth and giggled.

Tas'eta quickly pushed himself up with a dismayed look. "Something is amusing--?" he exclaimed; then shrank in on himself. "I said something incredibly stupid, didn't I..."

Iast'et gasped and waved her hands, trying hard not to smile. "Oh--no, Lord, no! To--merely--wonder what they to look like in flight, is all."

Tas'eta just gave her a blank stare. Binena sighed and rubbed his eyes. It was a wonder he had a pup of his own already.

Fortunately, his confusion didn't last too long. The slave must have finally managed to convince him that she truly was flirting with him--he wasn't used to being flirted with, having been only with Nith'khet so far--and with a flush rising in his own cheeks, he stood; the Moru took his arm, giggling and leading him back toward the tent. He cast Binena a look as they went, but the sergeant merely waved his hand for them to go. At that moment Iast'et ran her hand up and down his wing and he let out a great snort, spine stiffening; almost immediately he had taken her arm instead, and they disappeared inside without so much as another word. A lamp had been lit within the tent earlier, to illuminate it; as soon as the two of them set foot inside they were upon each other, mouths and bodies meeting, and judging by the sounds they let out Binena could tell he'd gotten the young Kana a companion just in the nick of time. No wonder he had been so cranky lately.

He kept his place not far from the trees, whittling at the piece of wood, while Tas'eta and Iast'et occupied themselves within for the next few hours, the light throwing their shadows upon the tent wall. He noted how they fumbled about, kissing and fondling, for quite a while before actually doing anything; he sensed that was more Tas'eta's idea than anything, as the youth could be quite naive when it came to nesakh'ai. It was most likely Iast'et who finally convinced him to get right down to it. They did not even bother removing their clothes before they sank down over the cot, which Binena knew would support them just nicely, no matter how vigorous their activities might get. Tas'eta flapped his wings, and Iast'et giggled wildly; Binena had known she would make him a decent diversion, at least until they got back home. He continued looking at the tent wall, a slight smile on his face, his hands still absently carving. Tas'eta might not have been the most worldly Kana, or the best fighter of his tribe, but he still had wings, and from the looks of it that would do fine enough.

Judging by their shadows, he could tell Iast'et had convinced her new master to take her as she lay upon her back, rather than upon all fours, so she could admire his wings. However, he did better than that--clever youth!--by sitting upon the cot and taking her into his lap. For a good hour or more he sat rocking on his haunches with his tail quivering out, his fingers clutching Iast'et's quivering buttocks to him tightly, his head thrown back; in return the female clung to him, her breasts heaving, her gaze focused on his wings as they rose and fanned the air in rhythm with their coupling. She was a loud one, too. At the peak of their lovemaking she let out a scream that Binena was certain could be heard back in the settlement itself. At least Tas'eta was far too preoccupied to even notice, letting out a guttural yell himself. Only once they were finished with this did he then take her as a Kana properly takes his females, she crouching on all fours, he mounting her from behind with a harsh pant; and a while after that they stood and pressed themselves to the pole holding up the top of the tent, their bodies quivering. They barely moved, now, yet Binena could tell from their silhouettes that the big Kana held his mate to him tightly, his hips pulsing and his hands upon her breasts; she squeezed the pole and whimpered, their heads tilted back and tails trembling. Binena occupied himself with his whittling until Tas'eta's soft, urgent grunting finally died down into a long sigh. This evening had done the poor Kana good. He would never have been able to make it all the way to the tribe without some relief.

Silence fell for a great while after that, and Binena would have thought the two had fallen asleep, if it hadn't been for the light still burning. Instead they sat and whispered for a time. He stopped whittling the small piece of wood and started to rummage about for a whetstone when the flap to the tent parted, Tas'eta emerging, cheeks flushed and shining, leading Iast'et by the hand. Their clothing was mussed, their breath faint.

"Binena," Tas'eta said, and Binena looked up at him, lightly placing his arm to his breast. "Iast'et and I were going to...um...go down to the river for just a bit...to cleanse ourselves." His ears flicked. "The night is hot...I thought we should be presentable, wherever we end up next."

Binena bowed his head. "A wise decision, Lord. A swim would be an excellent way to cool off."

Tas'eta gave a quick nod, looking somewhat relieved. "We shall be back shortly," he promised; Iast'et leaned to press herself not too discreetly to his side and he flushed even harder, stumbling over his words. "Um...though if we should be a bit long returning, do not worry, we will merely be at the river."

Another bow. "I understand, Lord."

He said nothing else as the two of them walked briskly away, toward the river gleaming under the moonlight. He found his whetstone and spat upon it, starting to sharpen his knife. It wasn't too long before he began to hear distant cries echoing along the water--"Oh! Oh! Oh...!"---each coming after the next, in a quick rhythm. He actually paused in his sharpening just for a bit, to listen, and eventually the cries made a bit more sense, at least to his ears.

"Oh! Oh! Oh! Gods! Master! Yes! Oh! Gods! Yes! YES! OH! YES...!"

Binena smiled slightly to himself and returned to his chore. Perhaps Tas'eta was not such a lost cause, after all.

He decided he was right, when a dark shape rose slowly and awkwardly up into the sky a short while later. It lurched upward, descended a bit, then lurched upward, descended, lurched, like a bird in difficult flight. He watched it for a while with some curiosity, especially when it grew higher and a bit clearer. His eyes had always been good. And now he was very impressed, indeed. The Moru's body, as well as that of the young Kana, glistened with water and sweat as they ascended, their hips joined; he clasped her to him from behind, his arms around her waist and their twined legs holding them together, her hands clasped up behind his neck and his buttocks contorting as he urged himself into her. They both threw their heads back in exquisite passion as he rose into the air, ever higher, his wings pounding heavily. Not only was he bearing the weight of the both of them by himself, but he was also managing to satisfy her, quite well, from the sound of it. Binena had only ever heard of airborne coupling before; he'd never seen it, and had never been certain it was even possible. Leave it to Tas'eta to prove it true.

"Oh! Yes! Master! Yes! Oh! Gods! OH! GODS! YES...!"

Yes, he was quite impressed.

The two of them reached their zenith and Tas'eta hovered for a moment or two, their hips bucking forward hard, the female writhing, before Binena saw him clutch her tight, heard his own yell--"Oh gods, my palm frond, unh!"--before the Moru screamed again at the air--"OH GODS, MASTER!"--and they immediately started to plummet down toward the earth. Binena didn't worry. Not far from the ground Tas'eta remembered to finally flap his wings again, and again rose into the air, ponderously, this time--and as if in jest the female lurched and cried out a last time.

"Oh my gods, Lord, AHH!!"

Binena just smirked. Tas'eta had to hurriedly grab at Iast'et before she could fall from the shock of her second orgasm. The flapping of his wings as he lifted her into the air just made her body shudder against him all the more; the poor boy couldn't catch a break. He managed to separate himself from her and carried her in his arms back down to the river, from where he emerged with her shortly afterwards, panting heavily, head drooping in exhaustion. The female was draped in his arms, her own circled about his neck; she appeared to be fast asleep. Tas'eta's chest heaved as he carried her past, toward his tent. He had never looked so tired in his life.

Binena lifted his head from his sharpening. "You are clean now?" he asked mildly, at which the youth flushed.

"Y...yes...quite so," he stammered "Just...had a...vigorous swim...must get some rest...for the...morning..."

The sergeant nodded. "A wise idea, Lord...I'll keep an eye open so you may sleep as needed. Do not worry about me."

Tas'eta nodded now as well, letting out a relieved sigh. "This...this is good...good night. And thank you, Binena."

"You are welcome, Lord. Sleep well."

Still panting, Tas'eta turned to the tent, nudged the flap aside, and ducked, carrying the slumbering Iast'et within. The flap fell shut behind him, and it wasn't long before the light went out as well, and a loud, exhausted snoring filled the air. Binena smiled freely now. He knew his lord would have a decent sleep.

He leaned his head back against the tree and stared up into the palm fronds overhead, listening to the sound of the night insects singing, the occasional yelp of a jackal joining them. His thoughts wandered to his own family, back at home. It was true that all he had was his son, a pup just slightly older than Hy'unti, but no less adventuresome...Binena smiled to himself as he thought of him. He had treated the female who had borne him well, even though he had not felt for her as Kana usually felt for their mates; yet it had still hurt to see her fade away, when the illness passed through and took the lives of several of their number. They were fortunate in that it did not kill as many of them as it could have, but the fear was always there.

We have even greater things to fear, in these days...would that the illness were the greatest of our worries...

Binena's smile faded. He set aside his carving and stared up at the stars thoughtfully. By now, all he knew was peace, as that was all the West Oasis Tribe knew. He was grateful for that. He had practically seen Tas'eta grow up, and had been by him every step of the way, just as he had grown up beside Pekhten. Neither of them knew much of strife and difficulty, though Binena had known his share, before joining the tribe.

He lowered his head now to look out at the desert, as if seeking something. There was nothing there. By now, he hardly ever remembered to look; when he was a pup, he could hardly do anything but.

Whichever god may watch over us now, if any...I hope you do not wish such a fate upon us yet again. Tas-Kana has already lost so much. He is fortunate...yet he cannot lose more. I do not think he is strong enough, just yet...perhaps Nehekhi-Kana's death was a blessing in disguise, to teach him that life will not always go well for him...but still, if there had been any way I could take away his troubles from him, and make them my own...I would protect him forever...

Why did you not write to him once more, Nehekhi-Kana...? What sort of things prevented you from doing so? I know you did not forget, and I know you cared...I know you must not have wanted to write to him. Why...?

His thoughts drifted again, into more unpleasant images, though he kept his face as neutral as he could. The distant screaming sounds of Kana and Moru alike filled his ears...Sha stomping, snorting, their hooves thudding against the wet ground...the crackle of fire leaping from rooftops, the ugly slicing sounds of swords meeting skin. He could just about smell the smoke and blood and tears, could feel the hot singe of the air and the cold ground beneath him; yet worst of all was the one scent which for some reason continued to linger with him, the soft sweet scent of dried flowers. He had always loved that scent when he was a pup. Today, he could barely tolerate it.

His mother, the Moru whom his father had always doted on, the Moru in whose company he had always stayed during the times when his father was away from the house, had always carried the scent of dried flowers...

Despite the passage of time he still remembered her beautiful eyes, her loving smile, her warm arms, the songs she would sing to him as he went to sleep every night. Every time he had laid his head against her breast, she had smelled like dried flowers.

Binena's muzzle wrinkled at the memory and he shut his eyes. He had also smelled dried flowers the night the great army swept into the city, their Sha trampling and tearing apart the ground, their swords slashing open anyone who got in their way, their torches burning the houses and setting all the residents to screaming and running for their lives. He had smelled dried flowers when he had seen his father gutted like a caught fish, slumping to the ground as the enemy Sha galloped past him. He had smelled dried flowers as the rest of the Kana within sight were systematically slain, the Moru fleeing for cover, wherever they could find it, though there was precious little left. He had smelled dried flowers as his mother clasped him to her in the pathetic safety of an alleyway, her body shaking with fear as the soldiers tramped past and crowed over their victory. Even today, he still remembered the haunted look in her eyes when she had finally set him down, nudging him ahead of her toward the end of the alley. There had been a hole broken into the wall of one of the buildings to the side. She urged him toward it, and he crawled on hands and knees, his eyes wet and streaming and small snuffling noises escaping him. Halfway there, his small necklace which his father had carved snapped and fell from his neck, landing upon the ground, but he hadn't noticed until they had just about reached the hole. Then he had halted and quailed and tried to crawl back, but she had stopped him, dragging him to the entrance. He sobbed the whole time she shoved him inside, and waved his little arms at her, begging for her to bring it back. It was the only thing he had left of his father. She had been ready to follow him inside, into safety, yet she had seen the look upon his face and relented, turning back to scoop up the necklace. He remembered reaching up his hand to grasp hold of it as she dangled it before him, the feel of the wood cool against his fingers and the scent of dried flowers lingering in the air as she stooped down toward him, coming forward to crawl inside, to wait out the rest of the attack until it should be over, and they should be safe.

He remembered the scent of dried flowers as his mother was abruptly yanked away from the hole, her eyes goggling and her mouth opening in a startled gasp before she vanished from his view. He couldn't even cry out, her disappearance was so sudden and unexpected; his little necklace fell to the ground again, out of his cold fingers. He heard her scream, and the scuffling noises of her being carried away; though she did not go far. He heard her screaming again, then wailing and crying, the sound of other voices, strange voices, joining her own, low guttural sounds, the tongue of the Kana. He had crawled forward and stuck his head out, to try to find her, to call to her to come back, yet the sight of the soldiers near the mouth of the alley had nearly sent him back inside, quaking with fear.

Just before he could retreat, he had seen her again...and halted, staring back out at her. Her own eyes, wide and wet, met his...and stayed focused on his, the entire time the Kana standing in the alley held her down to the ground, pushing up their kilts and squatting upon her, thrusting themselves between her legs as they groaned and grunted with pleasure. Binena crouched in the opening and stared at them as they held her legs spread and clasped her arms tight behind her back, rutting at her hard and fast, panting harshly as she wept aloud. He crouched and watched, numb, the entire time they spent themselves in her, one of the soldiers at last sitting clumsily upon the ground and hiking up his kilt, gripping her arms as she was handed to him, embracing her to him tightly and jamming himself inside her; a second Kana came down over the two of them, and clasped her hips, and pushed himself into her anus. Only then did she break eye contact, her own eyes squinching shut and a pained cry escaping her. Binena crouched in the hole, staring silently, the whole time the soldiers moved and grunted with her in between them, their hands all over her, splaying her legs, pulling up her dress, squeezing her breasts, fondling her buttocks; their mouths noisily sucking at her nipples, their tongues licking against her neck, her ears, her nape...and once they were done, another two took their place, then another, and another...Binena did not know how long he watched, only that it seemed to go on forever, and forever, and the entire time the Kana pleasured themselves with his mother, from somewhere beneath the reek of beer and blood and tears and musk and seed, came to his nose the faint scent of dried flowers.

He had sat silently and numbly and watched, saying not a word, when they at last grunted and quivered against her, each one loosing his seed, and murmuring and chuckling to his fellows about what a fine Moru she was. He had watched in silence, not once rising to his feet or letting out a cry, as they had pulled the nearly unconscious Moru up to her feet, supporting her between them when she sagged and threatened to fall over, her face sweaty and pale, and blood and fluids staining her once simple but beautiful dress. Binena had sat and watched, without a word, as she was half-carried, half-dragged away with them, and with them went at last the final sight of his mother, and the faint scent of dried flowers.

He had sat silently in that hole for at least two or three days...he could not tell which...so frozen with fear that he soaked himself in his own urine. It was only when the remaining Kana of the tribe entered the alley to survey the damage, and found him, that he at last came out, though it had been quite a while longer before he could even speak again. Ever since that day, he was hata'tai, without parents, without a family. Ever since that day, he could not stand the scent of dried flowers.

If the gods are merciful, they will never wish a fate such as this upon another...especially not upon Tas-Kana...I cannot say the times have changed much, but they have gotten worse, and Tas-Kana will be in the middle of all of it...

Would that I could protect you from everything, Tas-Kana...

Binena opened his eyes. They threatened to drag themselves shut, but he knew that even if he wanted to, he would not have slept for long, not with that memory in his head. He took what little good from it that he could--if it had never happened, he would not have come to this tribe, so peaceful and unassuming...he would not have met Pekhten, and he would not have met Tas'eta. He would never even have met the young Kana who had called himself Nehekhi, so long ago...

But good thoughts were not enough to keep the memories away.

Binena set his whittling aside to stare up at the stars again. In his head he went over the text of every letter Nehekhi had ever sent his son--he remembered them all word for word--seeking clues as to what could have changed. This also distracted him from his other thoughts, and for the rest of the night he pored over all the words in his mind until they made little sense anymore.

He himself was exhausted by early morning, but when he again heard a slight murmuring and groaning from within, he knew he could rest his eyes a bit. He still didn't sleep, the sound of the lovers' shifting bodies and soft noises of desire--Iast'et's whimpers, Tas'eta's gentle grunting, their loving whispers--keeping him awake.

"Beautiful little Iast'et...sweet little frond...you can come back with me, if you wish...I'll gladly bring you along..."

"Mmh...Master...of course to come...with you...to be a wonderful master..."

"Oh...Iast'et...my little frond...mmh...mmh...unh...unh...unh..."

"Unh! Oh! Unh! Unh! Oh gods! Unh! Unh! Unh...!"

They grunted and moaned for a short while longer before their whispered sighs joined, the tent shaking slightly with their climax. Silence followed; Binena still dozed. After a while, the flap again opened, and the lieutenant emerged, stretching his wings and scratching at the space between them, thoroughly rested and satisfied. His poor mood of the previous day was gone.

Binena opened his eyes and lifted his head. "You are ready to continue, Lord?" he asked quietly. Tas'eta looked down at him and blinked the sleep from his eyes, then yawned widely. Through the still-parted flap, Binena could see the young female sprawled across his cot, lips parted, breasts wet. She breathed deeply and evenly. He would hate having to wake her up.

"I believe so," Tas'eta murmured, rubbing his eye. He lifted his head and sniffed at the air, then took a deep breath and let it out. He looked down at Binena again and smiled. "Yes. I believe so. Thank you, Binena."

"You have my welcomes, Lord."

They spent the rest of the morning gathering their supplies, waking the drowsing Iast'et, and taking down the tent. The sun had not traveled too far up in the sky by the time their Sha were packed and ready to go, Iast'et yawning atop Tas'eta's as he led it along by the reins, Binena taking up the lead. Before long they were again headed north, on their way to the Great Red Tribe.

Continue:

"Part 35: Intervention" 


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