Part 40: Heir

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"LIEUTENANT."

RESIKH LAY upon his side, snoring lightly. Even when he dimly heard the voice somewhere in the back of his head, he didn't bother waking up, too lost in foggy dreams to bother. Something nudged against his shoulder then, jarring him; he grimaced, still half asleep, and started rubbing at his eyes. He rolled over onto his back, groaning. His head felt as if someone had split it open with an ax. He clutched at it, hoping it wouldn't fall apart in his hands.

A lamp lit beside him, just making him groan even louder with how the hammering in his head seemed to increase a hundredfold. Turning, he could see Lieutenant Tefkha rise to his feet, poking about at the floor. He tossed something at Resikh, and when he caught it he felt linen. A loincloth?

Did I really...?

"Hurry and get yourself dressed," Tefkha whispered. He slipped on his own loincloth, tying it and straightening his kilt. Resikh stared at the piece of cloth for a moment before groaning again and shutting his eyes.

"My head," he whined. "My mouth. I feel as if I have eaten mice and now they are chewing out my brains."

"This tends to happen, when one drinks a tavern dry. Hurry up." He grimaced a second time when the lieutenant nudged at his arm. "Wake yourself up and try to be presentable."

"What in the Duat for? It must be the fourth hour of the morning."

Tefkha's muzzle twitched. "Can you not even hear that? Gods, I don't see how you ever made lieutenant."

Resikh opened his eyes and blinked. Far off, now that Tefkha had mentioned it, he heard a low wailing sound, repeating itself. He frowned, his thoughts still foggy and disconnected.

"Is that...?"

"An alert. Someone must approach the city gate." Tefkha sat down on the edge of the couch and put on his sandals. "Now get yourself up, because you can bet you at least will be expected out there."

Resikh finally pushed himself up, wincing and rubbing at his forehead. He dragged himself up to his feet and swayed as he tried to put on his loincloth, having to lean against the wall to do so. Tefkha didn't appear to even be affected. He had fully straightened himself out by the time Resikh had just barely managed to tie on his loincloth, and he rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh, coming forward to help him with the rest.

"Oh, for gods' sakes, let me," he groused with a sour look. "'Tis funny, you're much better taking off your clothing when drunk out of your mind, than putting it back on when sober."

Resikh flushed and stood still while Tefkha brushed down his kilt and straightened the rest of his armor, which he hadn't even had the chance to remove the night before; his ears flicked in mortification when Tefkha grabbed up a covering from the couch and used it to wipe at his back, which felt oddly damp; he wasn't even certain what had happened to warrant that. All he could really remember was drinking a lot, and talking a lot, and stumbling back here, and...Tefkha doing something with his tongue. Memories started to hazily drift back and he cringed to himself. "I...I feel I should rather apologize for last night," he murmured. "It must have been the drink. I do not normally act like that."

Tefkha looked at him as he wadded up the cloth and his mouth twitched. "You're apologizing, now...?"

"I would have sooner, had I been conscious."

The lieutenant rolled his eyes and turned away. "Ah, gods, you're one of those Kana, aren't you? I told you already. Neither of us has to expect anything. You wished for nesakh'ai, I wished for nesakh'ai--there's hardly any need to turn it into anything more. If I had not wished to do it I would have simply punched you in the face and let you deal with that in the morning. We are both grown Kana."

Resikh's ears grew warm. "But I feel I might have imposed myself--and I never--"

"Was I lousy?" Tefkha asked; Resikh cut himself off abruptly, gawking at him. "Was any of it lousy?" Tefkha echoed himself with irritation in his voice; when Resikh shook his head, the barracks lieutenant turned, briefly straightened the couch, and tossed the dirtied cloth away. "You were passing good yourself. So there, nothing to apologize for, nothing to worry about, and it is all over and may as well have never even happened. Hurry up, and try to put your sandals on yourself."

Resikh sat back down on the couch and slipped on his sandals while Tefkha disappeared from the room. As he tied the straps his ears flared, an odd mix of annoyance and relief and confusion bubbling inside him. Not to mention the fact that he felt rather--insulted? He wasn't certain whether to feel happy that he had no obligations...or offended for the same reason. "It just is not like me to pass one night with a strange Kana!" he had to yell so he could be heard from wherever Tefkha had gone. "I only wanted this to be known!"

"Ah, for LOVE OF THE GODS!" Tefkha's voice came from another room. "You ARE one of those Kana! If I had known what a clingy little unat'e you are I would've simply left you to drown in your beer!"

Resikh's muzzle wrinkled and he yanked on the sandal strap. "Just so you do not go getting any wrong ideas about me!"

"Look, did I rape you or did you rape me at all last night? Even just a tiny bit?"

Resikh shot to his feet and bristled. "No!"

"Do you feel like going at it again right now?"

"I should HOPE not, you stupid ass!"

"And don't you already have a pretty Kana of your own--?" Tefkha at last appeared in the doorway, putting on his earrings. "You know, the reason you went so out of your way to help at the trial yesterday..."

Resikh bared his teeth at him. "He is better company than YOU are, you pissy little snot!"

Tefkha shrugged and rolled his eyes. "Then why are you still making a fuss of it--?"

Resikh growled to himself, wishing he had never set foot in the tavern whatsoever by now. "I do not even remember anymore! The same as I wish I didn't remember a thing from last night! If I'd known what sour company you'd be come morning, I would have thrown myself off the roof long ago!"

"Come now, you know you need to remember last night in order to keep your fragile sense of self intact," Tefkha responded, putting on his other earring. "After all, if you did not remember last night you would not remember just why you went to such trouble at that trial. Oh, don't give me that look." He brushed at his lappets. "You knew full well coming in here that you and Djuta will not be on good terms for a while to come. You had to get nesakh'ai somewhere, didn't you?"

Resikh gaped at him in disbelief. He started shaking and his face started to turn scarlet, when the low blare of the trumpet finally faded, and Tefkha flung up his hands with a gusty sigh. "Will you get on it already! The alert's stopped by now and you will be missed. General M-M-M-haki won't be happy if you do not show up at the city gate like a good little Kana."

Resikh felt his ears burn. "Go stick your snout in a crocodile's mouth! Now I'm wondering why I ever even allowed you to drag me in here, nag that you are."

Tefkha's mouth twitched in what might have been a smile. "You can use that humor on whoever has shown up at the gate. Now hurry it up. I have to get off to the barracks before everyone starts rebelling."

Resikh turned about sharply and trudged from the room, seething. "You do have a pretty ass," Tefkha called after him, and he ground his teeth so hard that they hurt, digging his claws into his palms almost hard enough to draw blood. He stomped out of the gate and was grateful for the dimness that enveloped him once he'd made it outside into the cool air. It worked to clear his mind a little bit, and he took a few breaths to calm himself.

"Irritating little piss," he grumbled as he walked, and winced and rubbed at his head. "The one time I try such a stupid thing, and I end up with someone like that! Djuta would probably have been better company, trial or no trial!" He stopped abruptly and took a few more breaths, shoving the annoying thoughts away before glancing in the direction of the since-ended alert. It had come from the north gate, and already the noises of other Kana, their armor and weapons clinking and their voices chattering quickly, could be heard in the distance.

He chewed his lip as he started jogging in that direction, from where he could see the flickering light of torches and lamps. The River Tribe lived to the north...had they regrouped and strengthened themselves under a new leader since Sut'khut's attack...?

Pained memories of Nehekhi's death, an ax slamming into his breast, flashed through his mind as he ran. Back then, they had been so proud to have defeated the enemy tribe. Now, he wished they had done a complete job of it...

He stumbled a bit, reminded himself of his still mildly inebriated state, and slowed his pace. The gate seemed damnably far away.

It was an alert, he told himself as he went, and forced himself to take another breath. If the River Tribe approached us...if any more than a handful of Kana approached us...then they would have sounded the alarm. It is not the River Tribe. It is not more than a handful of Kana. We can surely deal with a handful of Kana.

If that is truly all it is.

Growling to himself, he rubbed at his blurry eyes and picked up his pace again, not caring whether he tripped or not. Whoever was coming to the gate, he would be needed there. And so he focused his sight on the lamps and torches ahead, and made his way unsteadily to the northern gate.

* * * * *

A long, low moaning sound cut through Djuta's dozing thoughts, jolting him awake immediately. His eyes opened and he stared into darkness for a moment before the sound--coming from the south--died down, then came again, slightly louder this time, and from the north. A trumpet blare, sounding an alert.

He sat up and rubbed his eyes, glancing about the room. From the positions of the shadows he could tell it was very early, still practically the middle of the night. He was ready to roll over the bed when the form beside him startled him and he pulled back, then blinked and squinted at it even more closely. Khetai slumbered beside him, looking for all the world as if she would never awaken; one glance down showed him that her arm was resting across his thigh, her hand practically touching his sheath. He stared at it for a moment or two as if not even sure what he was seeing, before gently picking it up and setting it aside; she pulled her limb back toward herself and sighed in her sleep. He glanced at her now, and noticed how much younger and prettier she looked, when she wasn't angry or anxious; her face seemed almost peaceful now. He stared at her, and almost had the urge to reach out and touch her cheek, before the low noise came again, drawing him back to his senses. He arose from the other side of the bed and pulled aside the gauzy drapes, unsteadily stepping outside to seek out his clothing.

His foot struck something hard and he tripped with a yelp, crashing into a pile of broken boxes. Khetai gasped and sat up, looking around wildly. Djuta stumbled to his feet and cursed as he kicked away one of the boxes she had tossed about the night before, limping and picking up a loincloth from another one of them. He tied this on, then fetched a kilt from the mess; he turned around and pulled it up and around his hips, grumbling to himself as he did so.

A hand poked out of the drapes and Khetai peered out, her face pale. "What's happening? What was that noise?"

"Nothing." Djuta made a face and shoved the boxes aside with his foot, stepping into his sandals. "You can go back to sleep."

"Where are you going?"

"The city gate. Someone sounded an alert."

Khetai's eyes grew round. "An alert--?" She gasped. "The River Tribe--!" She jumped up out of the bed and yanked the drapes aside. "What if they need a physician--"

Djuta finished tying his kilt. "You are not the physician," he reminded her, hating how her wings drooped and her face fell as soon as she remembered. He turned to look straight at her, and had to blink as soon as his eyes fixed straight on her breasts. She stared back at him in seeming confusion, until his stare wandered down below her waist, and he noticed for the first time how pretty the fur was between her legs; at that she seemed to realize that she was still naked, and her mouth fell open, her face going brilliant red. She let out a horrified gasp and took a hasty step back, grabbing frantically at the drapes to pull them around herself, tears springing up into her eyes.

Djuta had to force himself not to roll his eyes at her belated reaction--surely he would be getting used to the sight of her, if they were to fulfill their bargain--as he stooped and retrieved her shift from the floor, not even certain how it had ended up over here. He tossed it to her and she let go of the drapes just long enough to grab hold of it, ducking back behind the cloth and hurriedly pulling it on.

"Do not worry," he muttered, fixing his sandals and straightening himself out, "it's nothing I have never seen before. I'm supposing I will only see it a lot more in the days ahead, so you'd best get used to it."

After a second of making certain everything was tucked into place Khetai shakily pulled the drapes back aside, stepping out meekly. She pressed a hand to her belly and made a face. "I feel...I feel sore."

"This is normal. You may also bleed a bit for a while. If it persists, you may speak with the physician. The real physician." He gave her a look. "As a physician yourself--why you did not know all of this already...?"

She flushed. "I--I did not deal with that sort of business!" she retorted, clutching her arms to herself.

He waved dismissively. "Well, I have my own sort of business to attend to now. If Nehef is still outside he can help you with anything you need, though I suspect he'll be gone by now. Which means that you stay here." He frowned at her hard enough to make her shrink back inside the curtains. "You understand? You are not Kana anymore and you no longer have the right to wander about by yourself. Should you leave this room, you leave yourself open to anything. I do not have the time right now to babysit you, so you'd best behave."

"I don't wish to be babysat," she replied with a scowl.

His ear twitched. "Why do I not trust you?" he mused. "Could it be because you claimed you would never be a slave? As if I would expect you to forget that vow so soon after making it."

Her muzzle wrinkled. "I am fully capable of keeping an eye upon myself! I did so for three years without incident, remember! Which is more than I think you could ever do. Go do your important Kana things and stop speaking to me as if I am five years old!"

"You have the temper of a five year old," Djuta replied, and stepped around the bed on his way to the door. "I'm going to find the first guard I can and see if he can track down Rithukh'het and have her keep an eye on you. I would call you Simit or Bikhthet to keep you entertained, though they are not my Moru to call. I do not think she goes that way, but perhaps Rithukh'het can think up something."

She bared her teeth and hurled a pillow at him. "Filthy ass! I only wish that were made of rock and not cloth so I could bash your disgusting head in!"

Djuta paused at the door long enough to blow her a kiss. "Behave yourself," he said. "I look forward to tonight. I'm certain your lovely little breasts do, too."

She started screaming--"YOU REVOLTING SHITPILE!"--and tossing every pillow she could find at him. He turned away and exited before she could discover that he still did have a few chests left intact.

* * * * *

Nehef waited out in the hallway, not far from his rooms, though it was obvious he had long been ready to depart. He shifted from foot to foot and could barely keep the smile from his face as Djuta approached, and they started on their way toward the entrance.

"I could not help but hear," he confided as they went, and his mouth twitched. "She has very powerful lungs. From the sound of it she has a very powerful throw, too." He nudged Djuta in the ribs. "'Hikh and I made a bet last night! I bet that down below, rather than a warm pleasant entry, she has some sharp-toothed jaws! Do you need me to call another physician--?"

"No, my cock is not chewed all to bits just yet. I think I will manage. Today at least." He rubbed his head. "Though I cannot speak for tonight."

"Tonight?" Nehef started laughing. "By the gods, I was so right about you! She wants to tear your guts out, yet at the same time she wants to make love to them! You really do have some strange luck."

"Let us just see how long it holds." He straightened his lappets and gave Nehef a look. "Can you do a favor for me? Find Rithukh'het? I'd like for her to keep her eye upon that shrew for the moment. I don't trust her back there alone. I would fetch her myself, but I rather think you are on better terms with Mahakhi at the moment, and can stand being late just once."

"Rithukh'het? Are you sure?" Nehef cocked his head. "She's a mite on the short unfit side, and that 'shrew' might just toss her across the room!"

"Eh. I doubt this. Little Rithukh can have quite a pair herself when she needs to." Djuta yawned. "And if the shrew gives her trouble, she may simply sit on her until I return."

Nehef laughed again. "Oh, you and your mates. This is really quite funny. A shrew who thinks she is a Kana, and the fat little Moru who may crush her with one blow. Very well, I'll go fetch her. If Lord Mahakhi asks after me please make up an excuse--I don't want him to know I'm looking after your females!"

"As you wish. Though I'm certain you'd have a great deal of fun with them." He continued on his way as Nehef turned toward the Moru quarters, chuckling all the way. He left the household and headed for the main gate, picking up his pace and steeling himself for whatever might await him there.

* * * * *

Tas'eta's and Binena's voyage to their destination was delayed somewhat, as now that he was equipped with a Moru of his own, Tas'eta insisted on stopping every so often to "rest." Resting, of course, usually consisted of the two of them heading off on their own, and the surrounding area soon echoing with their cries of passion. Tas'eta apparently didn't know, and Iast'et apparently didn't care, that they were still audible to the sergeant, yet he said nothing to embarrass the youth. Their frequent lovemaking hurt no one. He was rather happy he'd found a way to distract the young Kana during their exhausting trip; he'd been growing quite peevish, until Iast'et had joined them.

I wonder how long it will be before a pup ends up joining us, Binena thought to himself, with a wry smile.

As they neared the settlement of the Great Red Tribe he found himself occasionally wanting, however, and had taken to actually listening to them mate alongside the river, their moaning spurring his own desires; they stopped early in the evening this day, Tas'eta taking Iast'et's hand with a smile and wandering off, though not nearly as far as usual, as this time Binena could even still see them as they started to hurriedly disrobe. His mouth twitched. That Moru would be with child before they even reached the tribe. Within seconds they stood naked under the trees, giggling like children, and Iast'et pressed herself close to her master to admire his wings. He spread them wide with a proud smile to let her see them, and she trembled with delight. She promptly slid down his body and gave him hakh'tua, wrapping her mouth about his lengthening shaft. Tas'eta's eyes fluttered shut and he let his head fall back, swaying his hips.

Binena sat underneath his own tree and as usual kept himself busy carving until such time as they should mount one another. He kept his own stirring silent. He could be patient, though he was only mortal. He missed his slave back home, and wished he could have brought him. Like Tas'eta, he disliked the idea of taking another in his slave's absence, yet knew it could very well be necessary. As idealistic as he was, he had always been more of a realist than anything.

Perhaps there will be Moru for sale at the Great Red Tribe, he thought absently. Perhaps Sakh'ta would not mind a companion too much...he must grow lonely at times, with so few Moru like himself to keep him company...

His thoughts grew distracted by the loud whimpers Tas'eta was letting out by now, and he felt a slight discomfort between his legs. Thankfully, this time, the young Kana was more interested in nesakh'ai than in mouthing; after a moment or two he gently pulled Iast'et's head away from him and chucked her affectionately under the chin, and they sank to the ground with their arms around one another, laughing softly. Tas'eta slid his hand up his mate's thigh and smiled at the long sigh she let out. She rolled over onto her belly and parted her legs wide and he sat atop her with his own knees bent, and carefully guided his penis between her buttocks. They both stiffened for a moment, smiling rapturously, before he grasped her arms and began to pump. Iast'et whimpered and he flapped his wings for her, causing her to shriek with laughter. Their hips rolled against the ground and Tas'eta grunted softly.

Binena gave them a moment to establish a rhythm--it was a fast one, a bit faster than he liked--before setting aside his carving and settling himself back against the tree, shutting his eyes and reaching beneath his kilt. He undid his loincloth and rubbed his swelling sheath. It wasn't too long before his shaft emerged, slick and wet, and he cupped it in his hands and began to stroke, letting out a soft shuddery sigh. He thought of his slave, imagined thrusting into him.

Sakh'ta...my dear little Sakh'ta...

He enjoyed thinking of the lean Moru, whenever he stroked himself. He was certain Sakh'ta likewise thought of him, when doing the same. He knew his love had been with others, and would likely seek their solace in his absence; he was saddened that he forced him to be alone, yet not that he would seek others. It was only natural. Sakh'ta would agree. Binena had had to take several female mates, in order to have children of his own. Sakh'ta enjoyed keeping an eye upon his Moru children. If the slave would ever have young of his own, he would make an excellent father, Binena knew...

"Oh! Oh! Oh, Master!"

Stroke--stroke--stroke. Binena ran his hands up and down, following Tas'eta's rhythm, the rhythm of Iast'et's cries. He wondered if he should look for a mate who liked wings. Or perhaps a mate who had wings himself...a former Kana, perhaps? As soon as he thought this, the image he had had in his head changed, into one of his mate taking him, a Kana straddling him from behind and lunging between his legs, wings flaring...he shivered a little, and came sooner than he'd intended, sighing and grasping his tip, feeling the hot milky fluid seep between his fingers. His muscles untensed and he sat panting softly as his hardness died and retreated into his sheath.

He'd never considered taking a former Kana as a mate before. He'd always considered them so...pushy. They had volatile tempers, unlike most Moru, having been trained to fight from such a young age. Perhaps he should look into it, though. It would be an interesting change of pace, at least...

That was, considering that they ever got there, at the rate Tas'eta and his own mate kept holding things up.

He opened his eyes and sat up, tearing loose some tufts of grass and wiping his seed away before retying his loincloth. He brushed the kilt down over his still-trembling hips and stood, just to hear Tas'eta's high whine of climax, the female's shriek accompanying it. Beneath the trees, their bodies quivered rapidly before Tas'eta's wings lowered, their breasts moving quickly. He removed himself from his mate and looked her over, running his fingers along her spine, licking at her shoulder, rubbing his hand over her buttocks to wipe away his fluids. Iast'et took his hand in her own and placed his fingers in her mouth, giggling, earning a surprised gawk. Binena couldn't help but smile. The youth knew of hakh'tua, yet he still had a few things he needed to learn in the ways of pleasure.

Iast'et turned her head a bit as her master stood up, and he could tell she saw him watching. Her cheeks went pink but she offered a shy smile which Binena returned, letting her know she was in no trouble. She stood and hopped sprightly, bending to retrieve her dress, giving him an excellent view of the dark hair ringing her opening; he blinked, before she stood up again, giggling and prancing away to slip on her clothing. Tas'eta didn't notice the brief interaction, tying on his kilt and loincloth and girdle, straightening himself out and coming toward Binena. Binena turned away and picked up his carving as the young Kana emerged, brushing back some fronds. They had not been occupied as long as usual today.

"Something cuts you short, Lord?" Binena asked, tucking the wood away in a pouch and replacing his knife.

"Hum? Oh." Tas'eta blushed. "No, I just wished to ask, how far we may be from the tribe yet."

"We may reach there tomorrow, about the middle of the day, after a night's rest here."

Tas'eta thought for a moment, then tilted his head to the side. "What if we went straight on? I am hardly tired at the moment." He yawned and scratched his neck.

Binena lifted one shoulder. "Then we would reach there late in the night, early in the morning, at the latest. My Lord wishes to leave immediately? I must warn you, it is still a long ride, with few decent rests after this one. We shall have to turn west and double back to approach their main gate without threatening them. And it is unlikely that we should find another nice spot for you to pass the time with Iast'et."

"I do not mind," Tas'eta replied with another wide yawn. "I think she may need her own rest, as it is, and I am dying to see this Great Red Tribe for myself. Father wrote that he had lots of Moru."

Binena nodded. "This I know."

Tas'eta fell silent as Iast'et returned, pausing beside him to wrap her arm around his, though he hardly seemed to notice her. "Binena?" he asked softly after a moment or two. "The letters...did you bring them with you...?"

Binena shook his head. "I thought it best to leave them at home, so they do not get lost." Tas'eta's face fell and Binena made certain he had gathered all his belongings. "You know very well though, Lord, that I have read them many times, and may remember most of them. You wished me to recite one to you along the way?"

The youth's face lit up again and he nodded vigorously. "The last one!" he exclaimed. "The last one he sent me before he..." He trailed off, smile dimming, then shook his head a bit to clear it. "The last letter. Tell me again what he said about me, Binena. Please?"

"Very well, Lord. Allow us to pack up our belongings first, though, and I will tell you along the way. I will go over all of them that I can remember, from the first to the last. It should help pass the time."

The three of them set about packing up their items upon their Sha, before Binena and Iast'et climbed atop them, Tas'eta walking alongside Iast'et's and holding the reins. They headed north along the river, and the whole time they rode, Binena went over what letters from Tas'eta's father that he could remember. Tas'eta beamed even more with each one. When Binena quoted from the last letter he had received, about a year past, the youth was practically swelled with pride. The sergeant found it good, that he had not grown up bitter at being left behind.

"'I have heard that my Tas'eta has grown to be a proud strong Kana,'" Binena recited from memory, idly steering his Sha along the bank as the others did likewise. "'I know in my heart that if he were here, he should make me most proud of him. He does from afar. I wish only that I could see his progress for myself. I trust you to keep me informed of it. I know I shall never have anything to regret of him, and that he shall also acquire all the best I knew of you. You are a most honorable friend. I thank you always for telling him of me. Should he ask of me himself, let him know that I shall always be proudest of him, as proud as any father may be of his son.'"

Tas'eta's eyes were alight. "And this was a year ago," he exclaimed. "So much changes in a year! If only he had heard I had finally been made an elite!" His smile dimmed again and he sighed, his wings sinking. "Alas, these desert journeys...even by wing they take so very long." His face grew gloomy. "I wonder if he ever received my last message at all."

Binena glanced back at him. "If he did, I am certain he read it, Lord, but was merely prohibited from replying. I know he spoke true when he claimed he was proud of you."

"I know," Tas'eta murmured. He paused, then lifted his head, eyes looking skyward as if expecting to see something there. "I believe it as well!" he said with utmost conviction, and smiled at Binena. "I am truly lucky, am I not, Binena? To have had such a father as Nehekhi-Kana, and such a guardian as Lord Pekhten. And such a friend as you! Do not think for a moment I would ever forget you!"

Binena smiled back. They turned their Sha away from the river, slightly inland toward the desert. "Of course you would not, Lord. Though Nith'khet and Hy'unti might be somewhat peeved with you!"

Tas'eta flushed. "Oh! I would never forget them intentionally! Nith'khet and Hy'unti as well. Definitely! And you too, Palm Frond!" He beamed back at Iast'et, and she smiled and placed a hand to her breast, her eyes following the movement of his wings as they rode. And they rode for a long time.

The land grew dark in the descending dusk, but eventually a tiny light formed far ahead and to the east, the first they had seen in quite a while. Binena noticed Tas'eta squint and lean forward to peer at it, trying to make out what it was, though he himself already knew. Iast'et was yawning and dozing off atop her Sha, and more than once he had to reach back and grab hold to make certain she didn't fall. Tas'eta picked up his pace and pointed.

"Is that it, Binena?" he asked, his voice hopeful.

"I believe so, Lord," Binena replied, although he was fairly certain it was.

Tas'eta shielded his eyes, although it was not necessary. "It's so bright, even this late at night. What could it be that makes it so bright?"

"They should keep lights at the watch posts atop the wall."

"Wall?" Tas'eta didn't seem to understand. He began to as they drew closer, and his eyes grew.

"There's a wall around it! The entire thing!"

Binena nodded. "This is how the larger tribes protect themselves from attack."

"It is bigger even than the other walled cities!" Tas'eta exclaimed, gaping at the sight in slack-jawed amazement. Binena kept his amusement to himself. Things were relatively peaceful with their tribe; they'd never had need of such a wall, and it didn't seem to matter how many tribes they visited; the sight of such a structure always amazed Tas'eta. He moved on ahead before Binena could stop him, and the older Kana hurried to catch up, grabbing the reins of Iast'et's Sha.

"Lord! You might wish to slow down a bit."

Tas'eta slowed to a stop and looked back at him. "Why? They should know me."

Binena shook his head. "Not necessarily, Lord. They knew your father."

"This is good enough, isn't it?" His ears flared and he jumped when a low blaring moan cut through the air, carrying out for several moments before dying down, then repeating itself. He glanced at the tribe with trepidation.

"Binena! What is that--?"

Binena had to sigh. "Remember, Lord, whenever a strange Kana draws near, they must sound the alert. Do you forget all of this already?"

Tas'eta flushed. "Oh...this is right. I just...I never get used to hearing that noise!" He made a face. "Such a hideous racket! And at this hour, too! It is a wonder they do not awaken everybody within the city!"

"This is their intent, Lord. To prepare their men in case of attack."

"Attack?" Tas'eta frowned. "There are only three of us! We could hardly threaten them."

"They do not know this, Lord; many tribes have been tricked by a seemingly harmless party of Kana, while their armies awaited under cover nearby. They only do this to protect themselves." He shifted himself atop his Sha. "In times such as these, it is a smart measure."

Tas'eta looked at the wall as they passed the city, turning toward the river again to head back; the alert came again, this time from the wall they now approached. "It is sad that they must take such measures," he murmured, so quietly that Binena almost couldn't hear him. Binena glanced at Iast'et and saw that she was yawning, and apparently not even interested in the situation; he turned back to the other Kana and nudged his Sha in the ribs when they at last turned to head south.

"Proceed at a normal pace," he suggested. "If you approach too quickly, they will shoot. If you approach too slowly, they may either suspect you, or think you a coward."

"All right!" Tas'eta started walking, though his step bounced and he craned his neck forward curiously as the city drew nearer. Binena's mouth twitched and he waved at him, then pulled his Sha up beside the younger Kana and dismounted. He gestured at him to keep moving and they did so.

"Lord," he said, "if I might be somewhat tactless for a moment..."

"Huh?" Tas'eta looked at him and his brow furrowed. "Of course, Binena, I won't mind."

"With respect, Lord, these are sophisticated Kana whose tribe we approach. Your father's name was esteemed among them, and it would be best if his son acted in a way befitting his name. You are grown now, Lord; you may be as curious as you wish, but you may find it wise to carry yourself more as suits someone of your age and standing." When Tas'eta frowned he murmured, "Stand upright, fold your wings properly, carry your head high but do not put your nose in the air; do not lean yourself forward quite so much, and try not to look too eager. This tribe has had difficult times lately; too much eagerness on your part may not go over well with them."

"Oh." Tas'eta flushed and ducked his head. "All...all right." He lifted his head again, taking a breath and letting it out, and flared his wings--Binena heard Iast'et giggle and sigh--before tucking them behind himself. One moment the sergeant was looking at a young Kana who had barely left his puphood behind; the next he was looking at a young Kana who had just lately been named an elite. Tas'eta's eyes did flick to the side to silently seek Binena's approval; Binena smiled slightly and gave a small nod, and the younger Kana continued walking, the three of them growing ever closer to the great tribe. After a few moments the blare of the trumpet died away, and they could see and hear figures moving along the top of the wall, back and forth, clanking their weapons and calling to each other. When they were at last within clear earshot of the wall, a voice called out, hard and unwelcoming.

"Name yourselves!"

Tas'eta halted, the others following suit; he glanced at Binena and frowned. Binena nudged his arm and whispered.

"You'd best answer quickly, Lord."

Tas'eta flushed but obeyed. He lifted his head and yelled back.

"I am Lieutenant Tas'eta, of the West Oasis Tribe!"

There was a brief pause, then the voice called, "And the others with you--?"

Tas'eta flushed even harder, as if having forgotten they were there. "This is my sergeant, Binena, and my Moru Iast'et!"

"State your purpose here!"

Tas'eta's ear flicked. "They don't seem very welcoming, do they?" he whispered to Binena, before turning back to the gate.

"I have come to see to the estate of my father!"

"And we are to know who your father is?"

Tas'eta's ears flared. "My father was Captain Nehekhi!" he exclaimed, as if in disbelief. "Surely you knew him--?"

He was too flustered to notice how Binena's mouth twitched again. There was a bit of murmuring atop the wall, and Binena could see the guards staring down at them, cocking their heads and looking at each other. Another moment passed, then one guard cupped a hand to his mouth.

"Keep your place while the gate opens. We will escort you in to see General Mahakhi!"

Tas'eta let out his breath. A shout went down to the ground below, then the great doors began to creak open. Tas'eta grasped the reins of Iast'et's Sha tightly in his hand. He cast a look at Binena and bit his lip.

"Here we go...I suppose."

Binena nodded at him. The great double doors at last drew open, revealing the city within, and the three visitors made their way through the gate of the Great Red Tribe.

* * * * *

A door creaked slightly open, just a sliver. One eye peered out, first one way, then the next, then the door closed. Khetai leaned against it and let out her breath, her heart thudding hard in her chest.

"No damned guards...typical. No wonder so much mess happens in this household, with the way things are run." She lifted her head and peered toward a large storage chest which had escaped her earlier wrath, simply because she hadn't been able to lift it; she bit her lip, then went toward it, unlatching and tentatively opening the lid.

A thoroughly unpleasant growl made her flinch back. Rithukh'het was in this box, her ankles and wrists bound and a gag in her mouth. Her eyes were livid, and fixed straight on Khetai's.

Khetai bit her lip again. "You know I did not want to do this!" she hissed under her breath. "But I cannot stand having a babysitter one moment longer! If I stay in here I will go crazy! All I intend to do is walk about a bit, then come right back! It's not worth the trouble of running away, believe me!"

Rithukh'het growled again, unconvinced. Khetai wrinkled her muzzle at the plump slave, her claws digging into the chest's lid.

"You are the one who nearly took my eye out, just trying to get you in there! I even gave you the chance to look the other way but you are such a slave to that ass that you cannot keep your muzzle shut for one moment!" She made a face at the Moru. "The reason your master never came to visit you last night?--he was too busy mating me!"

This comment had rather the opposite effect of what she'd intended; rather than appearing to get angry with Djuta, Rithukh'het snarled behind her gag and started struggling, obviously aiming for Khetai herself. Khetai quickly shut the chest before she could get the chance to crawl out. She latched it shut, and placed some armor atop it for good measure, before leaning down to whisper at it, "Keep yourself at least moderately quiet! I said I will not be gone long! If you give me trouble, I will give YOU such trouble as you will never believe!" She paused for an answer, but all she got was a dull thumping, and the chest rocked a little bit; satisfied that the Moru would not be heard out in the hallway, Khetai stood, opened and peered out the door again, and then slipped outside, shutting the door behind her. She had to straighten her clothing, such as it was; Rithukh'het could fight very well, when she had to, and her dress had been sufficiently mussed. She stood outside the door for a moment, trying to steady her breath, and looking warily from side to side.

I cannot help it! I know it's stupid, but if I stay in there one more moment...I will lose my mind! This entire household moves on without me! I have no idea what is even happening anymore! That alert--what goes on? Who has arrived and why? If it is the River Tribe...

She bit her lip anxiously, then told herself this could not be so; the alarm would have been sounded, in the event that the River Tribe had recouped and come along. Still...there had been no mention in the past days of visitors...and it was not normal for visitors to arrive completely unannounced, much less in the middle of the night. Her fingers itched; she looked down to realize she was crooking them, mimicking the motions of someone sewing up a wound. Her face flushed.

Even if...I can never do that again...I am not the physician anymore, no matter how much I know...

I must at least find out what's going on! I am so sick of this! I am so used to being Kana, I do not even remember how to be Moru!

She paused to listen; the noises of Rithukh'het's motions didn't carry through the door, and even if they did, she figured the thumping and whimpering could be taken to be some Kana passing the time with his female. She could no longer hear the alert; it had stopped sounding quite some time ago. Biting her lip again, she fiddled her fingers a bit before turning and setting off down the hall. She would take one little look, and come right back. That would be all. Just one little look couldn't hurt that much, and she would not even be missed.

* * * * *

Lieutenant Ahai'ikh stood just inside the front gate, holding his spear and watching tensely as the great double doors slowly came open. He cast a glance over his shoulder every so often, and almost spoke when a Kana came jogging forward, then sighed in disappointment when Djuta joined him, panting for breath and looking at the gate.

"Oh. 'Tis only you," he said.

Djuta frowned at him. "If this is the greeting I can expect nowadays, I would prefer to keep to my quarters!"

Ahai'ikh sighed. "It is not you, merely that Nehef is supposed to be here...and when he is tardy or negligent, then it reflects poorly on me, and we BOTH get our tails thrashed!" He made a face. "I wonder whose female he is out humping now! The stupid dog. I do not see why he is not surrounded by other females' pups..."

"I had him see to my Moru so I would not show up tardy myself. So unless he is busy humping Rithukh'het or Khetai, then rest assured that he is not out humping anybody's female."

Ahai'ikh blinked. "Oh...that's right. The phys--the female." He cocked his head curiously. "How is it going with her, anyway...?" When Djuta made a face he reciprocated. "That poorly, is it?"

Djuta nodded shortly. "She wishes to have a pup, but is not interested in all the fine details that go into having a pup."

"Still, did you two...?"

Djuta nodded again. "It was like trying to excite a dead fish."

Ahai'ikh gave him a sympathetic look. "Well...just one more year, Brother; and then you need not deal with her any further. Just remind yourself of this at each new moon, that that is one less month you will have to deal with her." He grimaced. "Where in the Duat is that Nehef...!"

Djuta sighed. "I cannot get my tail lashed any worse than what happened yesterday...I will go try to find him. So I do not have to put up with your pissing all day." He turned and jogged away, leaving Ahai'ikh on his own. A moment or so later Nehef appeared, gasping for breath and stopping to double over, putting his hands on his knees; the other lieutenant gave him a sour look.

"It is about time! I should have known you would only come out if someone dragged you out!" He rapped Nehef's back with the shaft of his spear. "At the first sounding of the alert we are to be right at the gate! No detours, no pauses, no anything but running straight out here! Because of you I nearly lost my job!"

"Oh...stuff it!" Nehef panted. "You are such a worrywart! And what is this about being dragged out--? I am only late as I was seeing to Djuta's Moru. He does not know how to control women nearly as well as I have learned how!"

"Yes, I am sure," Ahai'ikh muttered, rolling his eyes. "And I mean Djuta! You mean he did not fetch you here--?" When Nehef looked at him and shook his head with a frown Ahai'ikh let out a gusty sigh. "Oh, by the gods! Now there is not just one of you, but two of you! And Resikh is not even here, so that makes THREE of you! I am the ONLY decent lieutenant left within this household!"

Nehef wrinkled his muzzle. "You unat'e! The times I have stood up for you!" He stood up straight and glanced at the doors as they finally came fully open. "Now once I find out exactly why we are dragged out at such a gods-awful hour of the night--"

Ahai'ikh nudged him into silence, and the Kana pulling open the doors stepped aside. Three Apsiu waited outside, two Kana and a female; they peered around themselves as if with curiosity, while Nehef and Ahai'ikh frowned and glanced at each other. As soon as they noticed that the guards had stepped aside the smaller Kana, in sergeant's lappets, touched the arm of the bigger one--a lieutenant--and he blinked and snapped out of his daze, the three of them and their Sha stepping forward.

Ahai'ikh had to nudge Nehef again to cross his arm to his breast in a gesture of respect. The younger Kana looked at them, then flushed and followed suit somewhat awkwardly.

"Greetings, Lords," Ahai'ikh said. "I am Second Lieutenant Ahai'ikh, and this is First Lieutenant Nehef. We are lieutenants to General Mahakhi."

"Is this the Great Red Tribe?" the younger Kana asked.

Nehef frowned a little. "Yes, Lord," Ahai'ikh replied with a small bow.

"Formerly the Red Tribe?" When Ahai'ikh frowned and nodded this time the young Kana prompted, "This was the tribe of Nehekhi-Kana--?"

"If you'll forgive me, Lords," the sergeant said, stepping forward and touching the younger Kana's arm; he blushed a little and stepped back. The two lieutenants shared another look. "But we have been traveling for a long while now, and it is easy to lose one's direction. Times are uneasy and so we thought it best to make certain of our whereabouts."

"Might we ask your names, tribe, and reason for coming?" Ahai'ikh asked.

The sergeant blinked, then glanced up at the wall. "I was told you would be informed and we would speak with the general..." He shook his head. "No matter. Lord...?"

He looked inquiringly at the young Kana, who flushed again--he seemed terribly out of sorts with the entire situation--and saluted. "I--I am Lieutenant Elite Tas'eta, of the West Oasis Tribe," he recited. "First lieutenant to Captain Pekhten...this is my sergeant, Binena-Kana...and my Moru, Iast'et. We..." He coughed, then lifted his head higher. "I have come to see to the estate of my father."

The two lieutenants looked blank. "Your father?" Nehef prompted after a moment's silence. The younger Kana deflated a bit, stared at him, and then furrowed his brow.

"Yes," he said, and his voice lost its swagger. "You mean--you do not know Nehekhi--?"

Nehef and Ahai'ikh both gaped at him. "Captain Nehekhi--?" Nehef echoed after a moment. "Of the Red Tribe?"

Tas'eta's face lit up and he nodded. "Yes, that is he!" He paused to dig in a pouch at his waist and pulled out a piece of papyrus. "I was told to show this to the general--my captain explained everything--he was good friends with my father, while he was with the tribe--"

Ahai'ikh and Nehef looked at the scroll which Tas'eta proffered, sealed with a blot of wax and the name Pekhten. "We do not disbelieve you, Lord," Ahai'ikh said quickly, waving back the scroll. "It is just that--well--we were never informed that Captain Nehekhi had an older son. I am afraid your visit comes as a bit of a surprise."

"Oh." Tas'eta's enthusiasm dimmed again. "Well...I received a message some time past, from this tribe, informing me of his passing, so I had just assumed..."

Another Kana came running from up the street, stopping beside the group and panting. Lieutenant Hiath'ikh cupped his hand to Ahai'ikh's ear and whispered something while the others looked on. Ahai'ikh frowned, then nodded; Hiath'ikh turned and jogged back the way he'd come. Nehef watched after him, then scowled at his comrade.

"What was that all--"

"Apologies, Lord," Ahai'ikh said to Tas'eta, and bowed. "But there appears to have been some delay in communications; we were not informed of the message sent. But things have been cleared now. If you'll please follow us, we'll take your Sha to the general's stables and tend to them there. If it bothers you not too much, we may also escort your Moru to the general's Moru quarters."

"Um--" Tas'eta's ears flicked, and he cast a glance at Iast'et. "If it is not too much trouble...I would prefer to keep her by me. I only just purchased her not that long ago. Would...would this be acceptable?"

Binena looked at him. Nehef and Ahai'ikh shared a look of their own, then shrugged and turned back.

"Yes...I suppose this is acceptable, Lord. Only make certain to keep a close eye upon her. Let us see your Sha; they'll be well cared for."

Tas'eta nodded, gesturing Iast'et down from her Sha; he and Binena handed the reins to another lieutenant, who led the beasts away. "Please follow," Nehef instructed, shooting Ahai'ikh a dirty look as he did so, and they went deeper into the city. The few Kana who had bothered getting out of bed for the alert were gathering to stare at them, talking amongst themselves. Tas'eta seemed to be trying not to stare at them in return, though Ahai'ikh and Nehef could tell he was having a hard time of it. The two lieutenants peered at each other, then Nehef cocked his head back.

"Here we come, Lord!" he called. "To the residence of General Mahakhi."

Iast'et was too busy yawning to look; Tas'eta and Binena both did so. As soon as the younger Kana set eyes upon Mahakhi's household, his jaw dropped.

"It is gigantic!" he cried, childishly.

Nehef's mouth twitched and he had to hide a smirk. "Yes," Ahai'ikh said. "We have joined tribes with the Palm Tribe and the Red Tribe, to fend off the River Tribe to the north. Apologies if we were strict allowing you in, yet we believed you might be them."

"Oh--no!" Tas'eta quickly shook his head, as if his identity were not clear enough. "I came merely to speak with Lord Mahakhi!"

"You came at a rather late time, so he may still be in bed," Nehef stated. "It will not take too long to rouse him though. You said that you have come to see to Lord Nehekhi's estate?"

Tas'eta nodded. "He is...was my father. I did not ever get to meet him, but I do not like the thought that his property may go uncared for."

"There is little risk of this, Lord, as General Mahakhi has been seeing to it in Lord Nehekhi's absence."

"Oh? He has?" Tas'eta cocked his head. "They knew each other well, then?"

"Oh, yes, Lord. Very well." They made their way up the steps into the building, past the guards, and down the hallway, before Nehef spoke again. "General Mahakhi's rooms are just ahead, Lord. You would wish to speak with him in private, or--?"

Tas'eta started to step forward, his eyes eager, but Binena held him back. The younger Kana gave him a questioning look and Binena leaned toward him and murmured quietly.

"Lord, I ask that you allow me to speak with General Mahakhi first."

"But..." Tas'eta's face fell. "But I have never even spoken with a general before. I thought it might be interesting to meet with one for myself."

The other lieutenants raised their eyebrows at each other.

"With respect, Lord, you have little experience with larger tribes and the way they work," said Binena. "Here it is much different from back at home. Certain diplomacies are required that you may not understand yet. Do not worry, I am certain he will wish to speak with you, soon enough."

Tas'eta blinked and his nostrils flared. "Oh. Well...very well, then. What do you suggest I do in the meantime...?"

"You may wait out here, if you wish; or perhaps one of the lieutenants may take you on a tour of the place...?" Binena looked at the two lieutenants questioningly. "It would do you well to learn the terrain of this place, as we might need to stay here for a while before we are through."

"I may take you to look about a bit," Ahai'ikh offered. "It's no trouble at all."

"All right," Tas'eta replied as Nehef knocked at the door. "Thank you, muchly. Please come seeking me when you are done, Binena; I wish to know what you speak of, and to meet this Mahakhi-Kana for myself."

"As you wish, Lord." Binena bowed and followed Nehef inside Mahakhi's quarters. Nehef met Ahai'ikh's eyes once more before disappearing from sight. Ahai'ikh bowed to Tas'eta and gestured, and the two of them, plus Iast'et, continued down the hallway.

"I could not help but overhear a bit, Lord," Ahai'ikh commented as they went; Tas'eta looked at him. "If you plan on staying, and if the general is so accommodating, I may show you the area where your rooms would be."

Tas'eta's face lit up again. "This would be good! Thank you."

Ahai'ikh led them into a darker, quieter part of the household, considering how late it was. The walls were lined with so many doors that Ahai'ikh was long used to, but Tas'eta seemed on the verge of getting lost, even with a guide on hand. He eyed all of the columns and tiles and wall decorations with wonder.

"We have nothing quite like this where I come from," he murmured, absently.

Ahai'ikh's ear flicked. "Oh? Your tribe is quite small, is it?"

"Compared to this, yes, I'm afraid so." Tas'eta's ears pricked and he started speaking so eagerly that Ahai'ikh could tell he had never known many people to converse with at length. "We have not a wall, nor even a general! My...guardian...Captain Pekhten...leads the tribe. We have never been raided so much as once, although this should not be such a surprise; I am guessing there is simply not enough for anyone to want to raid! I have lived there my whole life and this trip is the furthest I have ever been away from home. We stopped by a few tribes on the way here, but there were none so great as this one. Judging by all the houses, I am guessing our tribe has not even one quarter of the people that this tribe has. Nor are any of our households so large and lavish as this one!"

"I should show you to the Moru quarters later, Lord," Ahai'ikh said. "I know you would be most impressed. You would know that your mate would not be at a loss there. Mahakhi treats his Moru very well. You are sure you do not wish her housed among them...?"

Tas'eta nodded. "Oh, this is all right. I rather prefer to keep her nearby..." He glanced back at Iast'et and smiled, then turned back to Ahai'ikh. "So--please tell me about your tribe! I know only what my father wrote to me of the Red Tribe. The general's message said there had been a coup--?"

"Yes, Lord; the generals Djiu and T'uris were overthrown when our tribes joined together."

"Did my father take part in any such?"

"Yes, Lord; your father was instrumental in the overthrow of General Djiu, and played quite an important role in our battle with the River Tribe."

"Oh, please! Will you tell me all the details? I so wish I could learn more about him; his letters were all so very short, and he barely talked of himself at all! Please, will you tell me all you know...?"

"Of course, Lord...though you may wish to speak with General Mahakhi more on the matter, as he knew your father much more than I..."

They continued on their way up the hall, chattering away so much that they paid little attention to their surroundings any longer. They thus missed sight of the shadow pressing itself flat behind one of the columns as they passed by, peering out at them tensely.

Khetai held her breath and waited for the small group to pass out of sight, praying that they wouldn't notice her. Of course, someone would decide to show up, in the middle of the night no less, just as she'd finally gained her freedom. Her eyes raked over them as they went by, but she recognized only Ahai'ikh; the other two were strangers, including the female Moru who followed, yawning as she went.

Moru--?

Khetai focused on her, craning her neck to see better just as the Moru turned her head, catching the movement out of the corner of her eye. Their eyes met and the slave froze in midstep, the two men going on ahead of her. Khetai just stared and said nothing, her voice stuck, but the Moru's eyes grew so huge that she feared they would burst. She placed one hand to her breast and sucked in a wavery breath, her chest hitching; at first Khetai thought she'd inadvertently frightened her, until she realized the Moru wasn't running away.

She blinked.

The Moru turned toward her, eyes still wide. They roamed Khetai up and down so that she wanted to squirm, yet she somehow refrained. The corners of the stranger's mouth turned up and her lips parted in a look of delighted awe; she slowly approached, and her look was such that Khetai unconsciously took a step back, flaring her wings. The slave halted immediately but her hands flew to her breast again and she gasped with a huge smile. Khetai, confused, tried to follow her stare. It took her a moment to realize it was focused on her wings, and she frowned in puzzlement.

"Beautiful," the Moru whispered. She came even closer and Khetai cringed in panic and pressed herself to the wall, only for the Moru to reach out and gingerly touch one, as if afraid it wasn't real; as soon as she learned it was, she ran her fingertips very lightly down the membrane, letting out an odd, sighing-mewing sound as she did so. Khetai's breath picked up. She had no idea what to think of this one.

The Moru finally took a step back and clasped her hands together. Khetai had never seen anyone look so delighted before. "Very beautiful," she echoed herself, smiling widely. "Never to see any on female before. Very beautiful!"

"My...my wings?" Khetai stammered, bewildered. "You've never seen a winged female before?"

The Moru shook her head and beamed again when Khetai flexed them. Puzzled, she flared them again, so they rose high into the air, as if ready for flight. The Moru very nearly choked off a cry and pressed her hands to her bosom, bouncing up and down gleefully. She placed the fingers of one hand to her mouth, biting down on them and giggling, and her tail swished madly from side to side; she pressed her legs together and hopped in place as if she had to relieve herself. Khetai lowered her wings once more and just gaped at her.

Unbelievable. I would be ignorant if I could not tell this female is getting aroused just by looking at my wings!

"You like them?" she asked, stupidly. She couldn't think of anything else to say.

The female nodded hastily. "Very much!" She came forward once more, and before Khetai could back away, she had looped her arm about her own, smiling up into her face as she was somewhat shorter. Khetai blinked again as the Moru pressed herself uncomfortably close.

"To be named Iast'et," she cooed. "Mate of Tas'eta-Kana. Visiting Great Red Tribe for now. Name? Beautiful winged female?"

Khetai blushed. "Kh-Khetai," she stammered, feeling suddenly giddy.

"Khetai," Iast'et echoed, drawing the name out in such a way that it gave Khetai a lightheaded feeling; she then smiled and purred. "Beautiful name!"

"Th-thank you." Khetai had the sudden urge to pull away, yet found her feet rooted to the floor. Her breath had picked up as well; the Moru was practically fawning over her by now, and it was making her feel warm and bothered. She gasped when Iast'et reached up to trail her fingers down her chest, and the Moru purred again as her fingers fluttered over the hollow between her breasts.

"Khetai mate of anyone?" she purred. "Wandering about house alone! Iast'et to keep company, yes?"

Khetai's eyes grew and her ears burned. "What--?" she very nearly barked.

The sound of footsteps approaching from the hall behind her suddenly met her ears, making her spine stiffen; then a voice made her jerk to attention, fear stabbing through her breast.

"And so you cannot stay put for merely one moment, can you, even to save your very life?" it snapped. "I have no idea how you survived three years as a Kana, with how lousily you take orders!"

Iast'et craned her neck to look over Khetai's shoulder. Even without looking Khetai knew who it was, and turned around only grudgingly. Iast'et smiled on seeing Djuta standing behind her, but Khetai could only scowl.

"I left but a moment ago," she grumbled. "And I haven't even gone anywhere but here."

"And left my room in as much of a shambles as before, might I add." Now he scowled back, and they shot dark looks at one another. "I do exactly as you ask me to, though I have no obligation to, just because that is the kind of Kana I am. And the one thing I ask you to do proves to be too much! The only reason I put up with you is to save your sorry skin!"

Khetai hissed. "As if you did not have the thought of humping at me before that tribunal made up its mind! I can tell! You Kana are all alike!"

Djuta bared his teeth. "With the way you acted at the trial, and last night, AND this morning, I have it in my mind to just get rid of you and be done with it! You think you are ENJOYABLE to be with? After all this irritation you are putting me through--? I did not even get to stay at the gate because I felt you might pull a stunt like this, and I was RIGHT! There are times I seriously wonder why I even bothered with you. Perhaps you would be better off dead!"

Khetai clenched her fists, digging her claws into her palms until it hurt. "It couldn't feel any worse than being with you now, could it!"

Djuta bared his teeth again, but then noticed Iast'et. He blinked and moved his head to stare at her and the Moru giggled and clung to Khetai's arm, making her flush even more furiously.

"Mate?" she inquired, looking up at Khetai and pointing at Djuta.

Khetai's indignation flared. "Hardly! Only for reasons of convenience--and it is not very convenient!"

"I could easily say the same," Djuta growled. "My brains must be worm eaten for even considering saving the life of an ingrate like you!"

Khetai spat on the floor. "Dung-eating bastard! I did not hear you saying that last night!"

Iast'et started giggling. "Mates, yes! Long time? Kana and Moru! Yip, yip, yip!" Her giggling grew into full-fledged laughter and she hung off of Khetai's arm, still somehow managing to run her hand up and down her wing so that the color rose in Khetai's cheeks. Djuta looked from one of them to the other now with open surprise, before he rolled his eyes and let out a gusty sigh.

"Oh, for love of the gods," he groaned. "If you must go running off to couple with females, could you not at least seek out a room to do it in? Just to spare my own reputation? Already Nehef is laughing at me for letting my mates run about loose--now he will learn that they run about loose with others' mates!"

Khetai turned bright red, mortified. "I--I AM NOT RUNNING ABOUT!" she screamed, so that even Iast'et abruptly stopped laughing. She pulled her arm free of the Moru's embrace and backed away, tears stinging her eyes. "You are a HORRIBLE Kana!" she cried, her voice going shrill. "You pissy little prick! She came to me first! Which should probably tell you something, SHOULDN'T it!" She turned and fled away down the hallway before the tears could spill from her eyes, and Djuta and Iast'et both stayed behind to watch her go. Eventually the sound of her footfalls receded into silence, and the two of them were left on their own. After a moment or so the Moru turned back to the lieutenant, peering at him curiously. As soon as she saw that he noticed she smiled at him in a friendly manner. He stared at her in return.

"Winged female to be shy--yes?" she said in a knowing way. "To understand! Lovers' spat!"

Djuta rolled his eyes. "Hardly. There must be love involved in order for there to be a lovers' spat."

"Poor winged Moru in poor mood now! Iast'et to wish to help. Go to comfort, yes?" When Djuta gawked at her Iast'et giggled and covered her mouth. "Comfort well! Quickly get pretty female out of bad mood! To bother Kana-master--?"

Djuta realized at last what she was asking, and once more rolled his eyes. "If you would like to take a stab at her," he replied, "then go right ahead. It will not bother me in the least! She has already chewed my manhood to pieces repeatedly. Who knows. Perhaps a female might calm her down!"

The Moru smiled widely. "Kind master!" She turned to follow after Khetai, before peering back over her shoulder. "Very nice wings," she said to him, "for Kana." And before he could even think about it she had dashed off down the hall, giggling all the way.

Djuta stood staring after the two departed females for a very long time, utterly lost. He at last let out a sigh and took his time following. There was hardly any need to hurry around here anymore. He had no idea quite what was going on.

Continue:

"Part 41: Fling" 


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