3. A Cats Tale

A Cats Tale

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    (This is a trip Hedia and Kerrith take during the down time of the big boom of the server hope you all like.)

    The Journey Begins

    The sun shines through the morning clouds sending its warmth over the cold nars and finding its way to the Heyokarr camp. The air is filled with the sound of crackling fires that have just been restarted for the morning feast for the waking tribesmen and women. The sound finds its was into a large tent on one side of the camp and into the ears of a short yet very pretty red haired elf, it is just enough to bring her back from her dreams. She slowly opens her eyes before closing them again giving them a soft rub then turning to look out the door of the tent to feel the warmth of the sun on her face. The young elf women rolls over to face the other side of the room she smiles as she sees her beloved wife still asleep next to her. She leans over to give her a soft kiss on the cheek before slipping out from under the large bear skin blanket and standing up she wraps herself in a very thin silk robe. Still with a smile on her face as she walks over to the doorway to look out over the camp watching all the people start on their morning duties. Some of the men picking up there weapons to go out for the morning hunt the women starting to cook for the morning meal.

    Turning back into the tent she looks and giggles quietly as she sees her wife laying spread out over the bed with nothing on resting comfortably. Walking quietly back into the tent she pulls the blanket to cover her up so that she doesn't get cold and also to stop anyone peeking in to see her sleeping. As the young elf distracted by watching her beloved sleep she doesnt notice the small light foot steps walking up behind her untill she feels a light tug on her robe. Her eyes widen as her heart skips a beat at the sudden tugging on her robe spinning herself to see who has caught her off guard but as she finaly does she notices it is but a child. Her whole body relaxs as she slowly sits down onto the closest chair and smiles to the boy who doesnt seem phased at all from the sudden shock he just gave the girl. The boy gazes to the women sleeping in the bed and then shifts back to the elf "Is mother going to be sleeping much longer Hedia?". In turn she now glances to her wife and back to the boy "I'm not sure, Calagon, your mother was very tired last night she has been training very hard lately." The boy nods and then notices a few men walking past the tents door. He quickly picks up a small axe and round wooden shield " Mother wanted me to tell her if i was ever going to go hunting with the men can you tell her for me?". She stands up off the chair and walks over to give the boy a hug "Of course. I'm glad you remembered but also remember that your mother and I are going on a long trip, we'll be away a good long while, so be back before we leave today, so you can see us off, ok?" The small boy nods and runs out of the tent.

    "If you aren't I'll personally slice out and eat your liver" calls a muffled voice from the pillows on the bed, the only response a giggle from the boy as he bounds away to go hunt. "He knows I'm not joking." "I know love" replies Hedia, "But he also knows he'll be back. Besides, he's nearly strong enough to fight you and win. Nearly" "I know" Kerrith lifts her head and grins proudly "The Dragon is a strong spirit. I will miss him. Come, let's pack". Hedia smiles and nods once before slipping her robe off letting it fall to the ground she shivers alittle as she walks over to a chest and
    takes out some cloths and slips them on and heads out to get some breakfast for them both.

    Coming back moments later with two plates of food Hedia sets them down on the small table in the tent and gazes to Kerrith who slowly walks from the bed in her robe to sit for breakfast. "Love" Hedia says as she also sits down for her meal "The boat leaves from Peltarch in about three days so that should give us enough time to get there if we leave just after lunch." Kerrith shudders at the mention of the city but keeps eatting her meal "I know you hate the city thats why i made a deal for us to catch a smaller boat outside the city walls and head out to the big ship that way" Hedia says as she smiles to her wife. Kerrith seems to relax some hearing this news as she finishes her meal and places the cutlery on the plate. She stands and heads over to the chest and pulls out some cloths and starts to get changed for the long travel to the city, Hedia watches her change eatting her own meal slowly admiring her powerful wife. Picking up the plates and cutlery after she has finished her meal, Hedia walks out the tent placing them next to a large women that is cleaning all the dishes. Walking back into the tent she frowns a little and calls out "Love? Now were did she go" she says to herself as she starts to look around the large tent. Before suddenly being held around the waist by two powerful yet familier arms "There you are" she smiles as she pats Kerriths arms as they hold her "Ok, now what she we pack? I have never been on such a long trip." "You've not? And exactly how far do you think I have travelled from the Nars? They will feed us on this ship, yes?" "Of course they will," came the elven womans response. "And they gave us a decent sized cabin with a double bunk. It cost a fortune, damn superstitious sailors, but it will be worth it" Kerrith pales a little, her muscles rippling as she heaves a second axe and straps it to her heavy pack. "You know I have never been on a ship before, right? Not even a boat…" "It will be fine, my love. And if you get too sea-sick I'll just have to take your mind off it somehow" Hedia grins impishly and Kerrith rolls her eyes but laughs. Hedia waited patiently whilst Kerrith made her final rounds of the camp, checking on training schedules and her men. She came back just in time for Calagon's return, and after cleaning the blood from her fists and a final farewell to their son the two women shouldered their packs and headed off towards the City.

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    The little boat rocks in the small calm waves of the bay as it heads out towards the large ship. Hedia, seeing Kerrith's nervousness, tries to calm her by holding her hand and giving her a comforting smile. A sudden clunk is heard and the small boat is stopped under the shadow of the large ship "Sending down a ladder!" is heard from a crewman as he tosses down a rope ladder. Hedia still smiling to Kerrith as the rope ladder stops and then starts to swing in the sea breeze "Ok love you first. You will feel abit safer on the larger boat" Hedia says as she helps Kerrith to the ladder. Watching her climb all the way up and onto the boat before she starts her own slow climb up, reaching onto the railing and pulling herself over once she reaches the top.

    The wind blows calmy but just enough to help the ship set sail out across The Icelace towards the sunset of the first night of its journey. Hedia smiles and points to the sunset. "Look love isnt it beautiful." Kerrith simply nods, most of her attention focussed on her balance. Seeing her wife looking nervous Hedia walks over and takes her hand and leads her into there cabin "ok love lay down on the bed" she leads Kerrith to the bed and gets her to lay down. "Seems I'm going to have to do something to get your mind off being on a boat" she smiles and begins to give her wife a massage. Kerrith struggled to relax, the knots in her shoulders like steel bars. "It's not natural, that's all. It doesn't stay still it keeps bobbing around and there's no land. I'm a shaman, I like to feel the land, -my- land beneath my feet. All this… this unstable wood... it's just not natural!" Hedia covered a slight chuckles with a cough as she tried to free some of the muscles up a little, but Kerrith knew her far too well and was too closely bonded to be fooled. "Fine, laugh at the grumpy landlubber. I'm sure the crew are when i'm not looking." "Maybe love, but keep your temper, we need them to sail the ship. Unless you wanted to learn how?" Kerrith snorts and then rolls her eyes. "Alright. Temper will be kept. At least unless they laugh in my face. They laugh in my face I break theirs." Hedia smiles and nods, going back to work.

    The first few nights and days the two spent there time in the cabin talking to one another Hedia only leaving to get them there meals. After returning with lunch on the second day Hedia smiles to Kerrith, "Love its been a few days now. Sure you don't want to step outside so you can feel the fresh air?" Kerrith grumbles slightly getting to her feet to follow Hedia outside onto the deck the two of them standing together hand in hand looking over the water. A small boy up in the crows nest calls down, "Captain something strange is coming towards us" the captain looks up to the boy and then to where he's pointing. "What ye talking about boy I aint see a thing just a few storm clouds." He looks closer at the clouds think blinks as he notices they are approaching the ship at an alarming speed. The deck suddenly becomes full of action with sailors running about pulling ropes tying them down and carrying lose objects inside. Hedia and Kerrith just watch as the captain walks up too them. "You two lasses should head on inside this is going to become very rough and windy soon. It's one heck of a storm" he points them back to the cabin then looks at the oncoming storm.

    Kerrith walks into their cabin quickly followed by Hedia the two sit on there bed and look at each other. Hedia, seeing Kerrith looking a bit nervous, takes one of her hands and holds it. "It's going to be alright. We will be fine." Kerrith, not so trusting of the boat, starts too look around the room "What if something does happen? What will we do then?" Hedia just smiles to her shifting over to sit beside her "I'll be here with you we can look after each other". A sudden explosion is heard from outside making both Hedia and Kerrith jump and look to the doorway just as some black smoke drifts into there room from under the door. "That can't be right a storm wouldn't cause an explosion" The elf woman gets to her feet and walks slowly over to the door and opens it, peeking out into the corridor. "Um.. nothing here" she shrugs and turns back to Kerrith. The door is suddenly thrown open sending the little elf flying forwards only to hit the ground and roll into the side of the bed. Kerrith blinks then looks down to see her wife at her feet not moving. Anger fills her eyes as she looks to the door way standing as she waits to see the one that caused harm to her beloved wife. A cruel low laugh is heard from beyond the door way. "Oops did I hurt someone." Kerrith growls and picks up the axe that is resting against the dresser next to the bed. "Get in there and kill who ever is inside and grab everything thats worth my time" the deep voice slowly gets quieter as who ever it was walks down the corridor away from their room. Kerrith who has drifted into a fit of rage doesn't give who ever it is enough time to run into the room as she leaps from her spot to the door way making a powerful over head swing with her axe. The sound of bone shattering and flesh tearing then the sound of her foe dropping dead to the ground she looks down at her kill to see the green skin of an orc with a pool of its own blood seeping from its cleaved open head. The two other ugly green beasts roar and charge the battle priestess the first one to get within range is only met with a fist right into its face another bone shattering sound is heard as its nose is crushed but with the push of the other orc Kerrith is forced back into the room to gain her footing. The one orc that isnt dead or bleeding looks at Kerrith in a rage of his own "Yous going pay for dats humi gonna cause you lots of pain." Both the orcs bash there axes against there shields and charge again. Kerrith, knowing she will only be able to kill one, of them hopes that she can survive a blow from the other she brings her axe up in a upwards swing. She catches the bleeding orc in the stomach and waits knowing she doesnt have time to dodge its blow but nothing happens the orc is only a few steps away not moveing as if frozen by ice. The orc she just sliced stummbles back trying to hold its split stomach closed finally falling silent as Kerrith walks around the frozen orc to see Hedia on her knees hands out towards the now still form. The two women smile to each
    other and catch there breath Kerrith knowing exactly what Hedia just did pivots on her feet and takes the frozen orcs head off before the holding spell fades. "Hurry love" Kerrith pulls Hedia to her feet and grabs the elf's pack handing it to her then picking up her own. "I woke up and saw the orcs. Whats happening?" Hedia asks picking up her sword and shield. Kerrith steps and looks out the door this time "I'm not sure. By the look of their gear, they're pirates" Hedia looks at the dead orcs. "Think they have something to do with that storm?" Kerrith simple shrugs "Lets go find out." Hedia nods quickly then the two dash out the doorway after casting some faithful blessings to aid them in what they may face.

    Outside on the deck there is a huge storm in a ring around the calm in which their ship now rests, just a slight breath of wind and only small waves splash on to the edge of the ship. A well spoken very large orc, with two great swords tied to his back, kneels on the deck before an unseen lord. "My lord Kanzar we have gathered everything of value off this pitiful boat" the deep voice speaks once again. "Excellent work Rend you have once again proven yourself and you shall be rewarded with this ship. Use it how you wish." The orc bows, says "Thank you my lord", and waves his hand to a group of about 20 orcs giving them a command to start repairing and crewing the ship. "I leave you now. Return at once. I will be waiting" The orc turns and bows once more "We shall be there in three days my lord Kanzar."

    The two women dash through the cabins until the reach the window that looks out over the deck. Kerrith quickly ducking under it as she sees the orcs she then pulls Hedia down too. "Whats out there?" the elf asks as she
    slowing peeks up to look out, "Eep orcs." Pulling her down once again Kerrith quickly covers her hand over Hedias mouth then moves a finger to her own lips to shush her curious wife. An orc passing the window at the time hears the commotion and looks in the window and grunts and starts to head inside but is stopped by another larger orc pushing him "You get back to work scum no time for rest". He grunts again and pushes the larger one back and starts to walk off only to be punched in the back of the head by the larger one and before long a fist fight breaks out with roars of other orcs stopping their work to watch. A deafening roar is quickly heard over the clamour and it quickly breaks up the fight. The voice is obviously that of Rend the new orc captain of the ship "What is going on? Why have you scum all stopped work the lord will skin us all if we are late." The larger orc pushes the smaller one onto the ground in front of Rend. "This puny one started slacking on job" The smaller one quickly pushing himself to his feet points to the other "He insulted me honour." Rend obviously not impressed quickly and with ease pulls both greatswords from his back with his massive arms steps forward running both the pathetic fighting orcs through "Let this be a lesson to all you scum. You waste time you die."

    Both the women, who have now just watched the whole display from a safer window, sit back down. Kerrith grins ferally at Hedia "I kind of like him" Hedia huffs looking back at Kerrith "We still need to find away out of this mess you know." "Alright let me think" Kerrith looks out the window again scanning over the deck trying too look for a tactical advantage they could make use of. "Alright I've got it. Summon your water elemental and make it go around the boat and come up and take care of that pack of orcs over there" She points to a pack of about 8 orcs all working on a hole in the side of the ship. Hedia nods and quickly but also quietly summons the elemental into the water she can see through the outer window of the room "Ok Droplet, I need you to take care of those orcs working on that hole over there" The elmental, that is simply sitting on top of the water holding onto the ship, nods and sinks into the ocean and makes its way to the orcs. One of the orcs hands a plank of wood to another that is hanging over the edge of the ship it nails the plank over the hole "Needs more woods hands me another" it calls back up to the ship. "I gets more wood." As the other one on the deck turns to grab more planks of wood a quiet splash is heard. Feeling a few drops of water hit his face the orc turns back with a few planks in its hand to see its friend is no longer there. He looks over the edge to see some bubbles floating up so he leans down to look closer. Only to be met with the rising elemental that gets face to face with the orc and smiles before pulling the orc into the water. This time with a larger spash and a scream from the orc that alerts all the rest to run over and look over board. "Now that we have the element of surprise shall we my love?" Kerrith grins again and says a small chant and taps her axe handle onto the ground causeing the axe to catch aflame. Hedia grins back quickly leans forward to steal a kiss and then stands saying a small chant of her own causing her sword to glow and hum with energy. Rend looks down from above all the other
    orcs and grunts as he is the only one to notices Hedia and Kerrith walking
    out from the cabins, he jumps down onto the deck from were he was standing steering the ship. "This your doing?" Rend roars at Hedia and Kerrith. "Um.. love I don't think we have the element of surprise." Kerrith pats hedia on the shoulder "It's alright. We will be fine. Surprise is boring anyway" Hedia bites her lip and nods.

    Rend just chuckles deeply "Fine you will be dead shortly. Ok crew kill these two weaklings." He stands there with his arms folded for a while until he realises nothing is happening as he turns back he sees his crew all dead with water dripping out of there mouths. Standing above them all is a rather large water elemental. Rend just roars again and takes a swing only to miss as the elemental goes back to its home plane. "Hedia love good work taking care of the others but what about him?" Hedia scratches her head looking a little embarrassed "Well she can only stay for so long before the spell fades and she is pulled back to her home plain." Rend chuckles again "Seems now its just you two I need to kill now. Hedia bits her lip again and looks to Kerrith who has already charged at the huge orc and taken a overhead swing aimed at his head. Rend just grins holding both swords up and catch the axe as it comes down Hedia charges in to take the advantage as his swords are busy but gets nothing but a large boot into her chest throwing her back against the edge of the ship. Kerrith looks quickly at Hedia bouncing across the deck and in the split second Rend brings a knee up into Kerrtihs chin knocking her back "I think I'll kill your small friend first then you" He says as he walks over to Hedia who has now crawled and is curled up under her shield. Using his massive swords Rend starts bashing the shield trying
    to scare Hedia who looks very much like she is terrified, with her eyes closed hiding under the shield. "Come out from under there little elf." "Damn you leave her alone!" Kerrith yells as she charges him again bringing her axe in from the side this time only to be knocked flying again with the flat side of one of the greatswords. He walks over to Kerrith and kicks her hard in the ribs easily breaking a few. "Its not your turn yet but I agree play time is over" Stalking back over to Hedia he simply grabs the shield and lifts it up to find nothing. Chuckling again he looks overboard "I think your friend abandoned you and jumped overboard" He starts to laugh heartily before feeling a sharp pain and warmness running down his back. Opening her eyes slowly Kerrith sees Hedia behind Rend with her sword in his back she slowly rises and starts to build up enough momentum from one last charge. "Little elf scum you think this will kill me? You're dead!" Bringing both his swords up for a killing overhead swing. Hedia, knowing she wont get away, closes her eyes and waits for the end. This time it's her turn to notice nothing opening one eye to see the ugly face of her enemy on his knees looking at her, her eye drifts down to see a large familiar greataxe lodged in his chest. Opening both her eyes she quickly runs to Kerrith and wraps her arms around her and kisses her Kerrith just flinches as the pain of her broken ribs hits her. "Careful!" Hedia just lets go and covers her mouth with her hands. "Sorry! Sorry!" Kerrith just chuckles softly as it cause some pain "So did we win?" Hedia looks to Kerrith questioningly "I think so we are still standing and he's not" She sighs with relief. A deep chuckle comes from the orc. Both women look right at him. "You may have defeated me but I will have the last laugh" He holds out his hand that has a strange looking stone with a rune on it that starts to glow. Kerrith and Hedia both look as the stone starts to glow. "I think now would be a good time to run." Hedia quickly nods to Kerrith and they both sprint as quickly as possible back into the cabins, each grabbing their pack and the barbarian woman simply leaping through the rear of the cabin tearing out window and frame with her muscular form as she goes, Hedia leaping after her.

    Rend just starts laughing insanely and loudly and then the stone erupts with a huge explosion destroying the boat leaving just about nothing left except small amounts of burning wood.

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    Traveling north through the Nars the two women chat to each other of their life together and what lies ahead of them in the times to come. "Love" Hedia says as she watches Kerrith walking beside her. "Yes?" Hedia smiles "My legs are getting a little tired can we set up camp soon?". Kerrith stops and looks around before pointing over to a small area under some trees just ahead of them. "That will do well for a campsite. You can rest your legs there for the night". Hedia smiles and not a second before they start to head over to their found camp sight it begins to snow lightly the two rush over and begin to set up camp before the snow becomes heavier. "This should keep the snow off us for the night," comes the barbarian woman's voice as she lashes the final bough into place. "Have you got the fire started yet?" Kerrith looks over to Hedia as she ties the final knot to the shelter. "Almost done love" Hedia replys as she holds a pot of oil and a flint. Hedia starts to spark the flint towards the oiled fire wood "Remember, you dont need much oil to start a fire" Kerrith says to her as she watches her wife sparking the flint "Dont worry I know what im doing". The second she finishes the fire catches alight with a bright flame that flashes the young elf in the face forceing her to jump back out of fright. She falls back into the snow with a black soot covered face. Kerrith just shakes her head and walks over picking Hedia up with little effort and laying her onto a bed roll "I am sure I heard you say you knew what you were doing" she says with a slight amused tone in her voice. Hedia grumbles to herself quietly before she feels a burning pain from her arm "Ouch! I think I burned my arm" Kerrith raises a brow to her wife "You think you did? You're lucky you didn't burn your hair off with that fireball".

    Coming back a few minutes later carrying some small plants and other herbs Kerrith sits and begins to crush them up to make a think brown paste that she places on the burn and then wraps it with a bandage "That should help. Next time, less oil." "Im sorry love" the elf replies as she frowns and rubs her burned arm. Kerrith sighs and then holds Hedia in her arms. After a brief moment Hedia looks thoughtful "Love? I'm kind of hungry" Kerrith chuckles, "I was wondering when you would say that. Very well. I suppose with a burnt arm it must be my turn to cook? Of course, somehow it's always my turn to cook" She smiles at the grinning elf woman and sets about roasting a pair of birds she's caught earlier huddling together against the cold under a bush. Hedia smiles and sits up as the smell of beautifully spiced pigeon fills the space. "Mmm they smell great love your cooking is the best" Hedia rubs her hands together and takes the plate as Kerrith hands it to her setting it onto her lap and begings to eat. With the first bite her eyes light up as the delicate roast pigeon hits her tastebuds Kerrith watching her eat just chuckles and shakes her head "Sometimes the simplest things impress you the most". The two finish there lovely dinner of roast pigeon and then find comfort of each others arms as they rest for what will await them the next morning.

    The mornining is heralded by the rising sun and the sound of birds and also the sound of a sleeping elf curled up in a ball with her blanket wrapped around her "Do you plan to sleep all day?" Kerrith whispers into Hedias ear. The red haired elf stirs a little but doesn't wake. Kerrith thinks to herself for a moment and then starts to cook breakfast the sound of the crackling bacon and the smell of the lovely meal makes its way to were Hedia is sleeping, Her ears and nose twitch slgihtly as she sits up "Morning already?" she asks as she lets out a long yawn. "That's right the boat leaves today so eat your breakfast so we can leave we should be able to make it just in time". The two women finish the breafast and pack up their camp and head off up north towards the city of Peltarch for what is meant to be a joyful trip together. "There it is love finally reach the city" Hedia smiles back to Kerrith who is taking each step abit slower then normal "I told you we're not actully going in so you don't need to worry so." Hedia walks over and takes Kerrith by the arm walking her around the city "And there is our boat to take us out to the ship" Kerrith just nods and slowly walks towards the small boat. "Did I ever mention my huge and various experiences on boats and ships?" she asks. "Um, No?" Hedia looks confused. "There's a reason for that…" and with her well tanned face looking paler than usual Kerrith steps off the jetty and tries to keep her balance as she sits in the little boat.