XIII Sailing

*Just as a FYI, many of the characters in my rp are based on those that I've had the honour of rp'ing with over the years. I do not mention names or specific areas to prevent god-moding of exact events. These writings are my own.*

The kailla had picked his way carefully through the forest… his black hide blending with the shadows of darkness that danced under the canopy of trees. Occasionally he had stopped, head held high and all senses alert to any unusual odor or sound that reached him. But morning comes and he and his rider depart the cover of the trees… the swaying of the prairie grass greets them in the soft light of dawn.

At some point during the night they had traversed a tributary of the Cartius River and now travel with the scarlet peaks of the Voltai to their right… the majestic crags brilliant against the crystal sky. A handful of berries suffice to temporarily constrain pangs of hunger for the weary rider.

The kailla is allowed to graze for a few moments while Lilith dismounts… walking about and relieving the tightness of muscles from the long hours in the saddle. A few ehn later and they continue onward… the animal sensing the woman’s increasing urgency and his pace quickens to a trot… she does not hold him back… allowing him to eat away at the distance separating her from home.

The sun makes its way over the mountains… as noon comes and goes… shadows disappear then reappear… stretching longer and longer as fingers pointing toward the red cliffs. The lights of the small port city can just be seen winking on in the distance as the sun gives a final kiss to the day… the sky responding with a crimson blush before the sun sleeps.

She rides directly into the port village… ignoring the looks of the curious… the murmurs of the indignant free women… “just look at her”… “who does she think she is dressed like that”… “she should be collared for such”. At this last comment, she halts the kailla… a gentle tug on his rein swinging his head in the direction of the gowned slut that had spoken.

“And would you be the one that would attempt to collar me?”… steel gray eyes reflect the flicker of the street torches… the tips of sharpened teeth visible as she speaks. Her countenance falls upon the gaggle of women gathered, the light reveals the dried blood of the slave that paints her face and mats her hair… and though it is impossible to tell against the dark fabric that she wears… the even darker stains on her clothing and cloak look suspiciously like blood as well.

With a collective gasp, they withdraw from her with the reaction that one might have if she had exhibited the symptoms of darcosis to them. As one, they make their way hurriedly down the street… away from this woman who is either mentally ill (rare on Gor, making it something to be avoided) or some type of peculiar outlaw… which the men can deal with.

A deep guffaw is heard behind her and the clawed paws of the kailla clack on the stones… spinning at the bidding of his owner to face about. The man is not a tall man… but his shoulders are broad… chest thick and arms powerful… and he looks up at the woman that sits above him on the back of the prancing kailla. The expression of amusement doesn’t fade as she gazes down upon him… her appearance being that of a wild creature… but he has no fear of her.

A broad hand extends up to her and as she swings off, he catches her easily and lowers her to the ground. Planting her feet on the ground… the two of them standing close together… an uncharacteristic grin parting her lips.

The rumbling voice of the blacksmith is the first to break the silence. “And jus’ when I was wonder’n what I was go’in ta be do’in for the even,” a lecherous smile spreads wide upon his grizzled face.

“Greetings to you too, old friend. I can see your appetite hasn’t changed.” She laughs, but her hands remove his from her hips and she steps back. “However, you’re speaking to a companioned woman… to a man that wouldn’t find humor in the activities that you have in mind.”

He drops his hands to his sides sulkily. “Aii, jus’ my luck.” Fingers scarred by years at the forge brush through his beard. “Tho wha’ kind of man allow his woman to be travel’in in country like this?”

Again she laughs… eyes twinkling… “A wise one and she leans in to give him a kiss to his forehead. “So rather than pouting… tell me if there is a ship in port headed north.”

A sigh… a grunt… and then he motions toward the waterway. “There’d be one that sails the way ya go. Are ya certain ya don want to be keepin’ a tired ol’ metal work’r warm for the even?”

“You know if I wasn’t companioned to my life’s love… you’d be my next choice.” With a smile, she tugs playfully at the chin hair of the blacksmith.

With a grumble and a wave of his hand, he lumbers away… and she gazes after him fondly for a few ihn… the man had remained a faithful friend throughout the years and past the gruff exterior lies a heart of gold.

Taking the rein of the kailla, she leads him in the direction of the docks. A short time later, the kailla remains on shore… tied to a post and now owned by the dock master. Not one for any displays of outward emotion… her eyes remain on the beast that had brought her safely across many lands… watching him until his form blends with that of the invading darkness.

Gathering her cloak around her… the deck of the ship rising and falling with the gentle swells of the river… she sinks into a corner with knees drawn tight to her chest and forehead resting against them. Lulled quickly to sleep… her breathing becomes regular… and dreams soon come… happy dreams… those of reunion with the man she loves.