Kindred Spirit Lodge Presents
RolePlay
Tantalas
Parts 12 thru 16 (Conclusion)
by the Kindred Lodgers
March 2nd~~2002
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(Part 12 - Attack, Rescue, Dark Butch and little spitfire) --
Ikarias had made sure the horses' hooves were muffled with thick cloths before her group rode silently from the east. The ill-kempt warbitches were easy to spot, usually because they smelled, and they didn't know the area nearly as well as the Lodgers. Still, there was a lot of ground to cover before they found twi and kil.
The half-dragon had her group fan out. She kept an eye skyward and whipped two stars into the temple and throat of a brown clad woman in an oak. The marauder fell with a quiet thud.
"Damn, should have just winged her. What's this?" Ikarias bent to retrieve a scrap of clothing she recognized as last worn by twi. "Gnnuggggg--" a crossbolt stuck out of her human side. She fell from Asher as she tried to pull her sword free.
"Maybe ya oughta stay ass up, that's the way Durga likes 'em..." A big blonde woman laughed from behind her. Ikarias swung and gasped as her forearm sported a second shaft. The sword fell. Durga kicked her hard in the ribs, knocking the breath from her. A third bolt clicked into place.
"Yeah, especially if they be half-lizard. Hey, you're the cunt that tried to burn my hair!"
"And you're the dogshit that tried to kill Gabrielle, if Alison hadn't taken the bolt." Ikarias was rewarded with another rib cracking kick. She rolled holding herself, hand inside her jerkin. "Where- where's the girl that-- wore these?" She asked, indicating the fabric scraps.
"Mykael probably took her off to camp after she got a really good fuckin' from the both of us. You'd make her scream just seeing your snakey face. We had her screamin' cuz she liked it, a lot. Everybody's gonna want a piece of that sweet ass and cunt. Yanno, you'd be good for a jokefuck. Strip and lemme see if the scales go all the way. Tantalus just loves freaks."
"That's what I figured, since you serve her," Ikarias retorted and turned just as Durga brought her boot up. One shuriken sunk into the blonde's left eye, the second ripped open her throat spraying the undergrowth scarlet.
The crossbow trigger jerked as Durga's body convulsed and the last bolt parted Ikarias' hair. It didn't matter, twi was still alive and one of her tormenters wouldn't take another breath.
Ikarias snapped off the protruding bits and whistled for Asher. She picked up her sword and mounted up.
***********
Alison was positioned at the top a small ridge. She found the handy little spot when she and Nessa were circling the camp. It was perfect for spotting the tree snipers that would prevent Nessa and her band of Lodgers from beginning their assault.
Alison lay flat on her belly, pipe and darts ready. She could see several of Tantalas' fighters perched. Her actions then were methodical, accurate, quiet and deadly. She was clear that this was not a mission of simply wounding to cripple the enemy. For all her gentleness for those she loved, Alison the Warrior was a mother tiger in defense, and she killed without hesitation or regret.
One by one the enemy fell from the trees to thud hard against the earth. They were dead before they got there, thanks to Amber's poison. Nessa and her Lodge Warriors stayed positioned in the forest not far from the falling bodies. They watched in wonder. Nessa looked up at the ridge and saw the signal they were all waiting for. Smoke rose from the ridge in a thin swirl.
"When we get to the edge of the clearing, spread out across the treeline. Wait for my signal and move with the spirits that guide ye. Lets go!" Nessa spurred Tuttle. She knew Klancy was waiting for the signal and there was no time like the present. Nessa bleated out that stunning Celtic war cry and the Lodge fighters burst from the treeline in a frenzy of screaming angry women. Klancy and Ikarias got the signal. It was as if the three Furies themselves descended on the unsuspecting camp. They came from three different directions tearing through the small sentry barrier the pompous Tantalas thought would be enough.
The battle was on. Nessa swung sword and battle axe in a crisscross that took more than half dozen warriors out before she spotted killian's staff. It was being wielded clumsily by a rather punchy looking warrior. Nessa spurred Tuttle. She caught the staff just as it was about to land on a downed lodger. The stunned idiot looked up to see what stopped the blow.
Nessa swung the flat side of her battle axe and hit Neach solid in the head. Neach fell stunned and several degrees stupider than before. Nessa flew into dismount and pulled the idiot up by the collar. She hissed through a haze of fury that Neach could not face. "Where is the one this staff belongs too? Die swift or die slow... you decide!" Nessa watched while the poor fool struggled with the decision, then saw her point to a tent at the back of the camp.
The Celt knew this creature would go on to kill more of her kindred if she showed mercy. Quickly she jammed her sword through Neach's heart sending the idiot to whatever land of the dead that might take her. She picked up killian's staff and ran through the foray toward the tent where killian had to be.
*********
Slaide pulled herself up from her captive at the sound of ruckus outside. "What the... " Standing at the opening of the tent was a tall Warrior with rage in her gray eyes.
**********
I saw Lord Nessa's face, filled with fury, and my own eyes closed briefly in prayer, thanking Artemis that she got here before my throat was slit. My body hurt terribly, but I wasn't thinking about that now, or about the feel of that kiss the brown eyed bad ass gave me. I had time to worry over murky feelings later. Right now, i wanted to create a distraction, so Lord Nessa could act.
"Hey Bitch!" I shouted. "You fuck like a one legged Centaur." I didn't know where that came from, but it worked. Slaide looked at me, wounded from my words. I almost felt bad for her, cause i knew it was far from true. Just then Nessa body tackled her to the ground. I couldn't see what she was doing, but i could hear fist hitting jaw, and bone shattering. There was grunting, and swearing, then silence in the tent, if not in the camp. Nessa stood up holding a knife covered in blood. Her eyes had that haze i had seen many times before, in many warriors. She looked at my body, and slid her eyes back up to meet mine. I met her gaze, and consented right then and there. Maybe i wanted the feeling of Slaide's rape to be off me. Maybe i was grateful that Nessa had just saved my life. I don't know. All i know is i needed her to take me right then and there, and she needed to be taking.
She cut my legs free and tucked the knife, not bothering to wipe it clean. Her gaze was hot as iron in the coals, and it burned right through me. She opened her britches and pulled herself out and was on top of me and in me, fucking me hard and deep. Her lips grabbed mine and consumed me with both passion and rage. I knew she wanted to whip me, and i thought maybe i would let her one day, but right now i rose to meet her raging thrusts with my own. I would purge what had happened to me here.
Nessa grabbed my welted ass and i screamed into her mouth as i came and came again. she kept up the fucking, taking me past what i thought was my limit, to aching new heights. i let go and wailed and screamed, all the while she had my mouth as hers, claiming me back to myself. Her Orgasm pealed out of her with blinding force, pulling me into a final body crashing release of my own. I was finally purged, and spent. She pulled off of me, and turned away as she put herself back together again. When she turned back again, she was Lord Nessa, my friend, and today, my savior. She looked at me, troubled by her behavior. I took the cover from the bed, and wrapped myself in it, allowing her to help me up. When i was close to her, i hugged her with everything i had left.
"Thank you, Nessa. I needed you, this." I started crying as i shook and started to pass out. She picked me up and held me in her arms.
"I've got ye, lass. I've got ye."
She carried me out of the tent as i lay my head on her shoulder.
"Are there others?"
"Yes, lass. twilight came on her own to save ye. I think Lady Alison and I will be havin yer hide over the foolishness of what ye done. Then there is Kit's kin, we have to find em both."
"I am sorry i went on my own, Nessa. I couldn't help it. I........." I couldn't speak as the tears came hard and fresh.tears came hard and fresh.
"shhhh, lass........ I will tell ye how we got here after we get you safe. I'll say this, yer a brave one ye little spitfire."
"spitfire. That's a new one. Thank you, Nessa. I will not forget this." I held onto her like she was the only thing keeping me alive. And maybe she was.
Tuttle stood just outside the tent waiting for Nessa to emerge. She snickered at the sight of killian in her master's arms. Nessa lifted killian to sit sideways on Tuttle's back and then mounted up behind her. The fighting was still raging. She had to get killian up to the ridge where Alison waited then return to fight by the side of her sisters.
Nessa thought of the noble Klancy and the easy way she took command of the situation. She saw the Highlander breaking skulls and slashing enemy flesh in the camp just as Tuttle turned to take them to safety.
The Celt also caught sight of Ikarias, the brave and incredible half dragon. She looked wounded but not slow. Nessa felt an urgency to get to her and help. But she heard the advice of the great Warrior Princess ringing in her ears "First things first." She headed for the ridge with the blanketed killian cradled in her arms.
Nessa hoped Klancy would fight her way straight to the evil Tantalas and strike the warlord to dust. The band of cutthroats were not that skilled anyway but without a leader, they would have no motivation to continue against the fierce Kindred. Her chest swelled with pride when she thought of the way the Kindred took arms without question. Freya, Amber, Kit, the daring dj and all the Lodgers were fighting hard and felling a foe that had no idea of the absolute solidarity of the Kindred.
Other thoughts of her own actions came to Nessa. She lost all control of the lust that killing brought when she saw her naked friend already whipped and taken by that bitch of a Tantalas warrior.
Out of the corner of her eye, Ikarias saw Nessa galloping away with the squirt, kil. One down, one to go. Klancy was a veritable Furie, scattering body parts with aplomb. Alison's perfect lips were delivering deadly kisses with the darts. Thank the goddess she was moving, albeit stiffly. The others were just as deadly and graceful in dispatching the enemy.
The bolt in the half-dragon's side was irritating but it hadn't hit any major organs, or her brandy flask! Her sword crunched nicely through a shoulder. "Where's our wench?" She yelled at the filthy brigand, but the ashen faced woman wasn't in any condition to reply coherently before she fell over.
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(Part 13- Fight and Rescue Continues, sarah's amnesia) --
The Kindred were blazing a path of blood through the camp. The raiders had taken on more than they expected when they invaded this valley. Klancy moved around the edge of the skirmishes and was checking the tents. As She exited one, She spotted a poor wretched creature. she was half naked and filthy. What remained of her skirt was in tatters. Her ankles were manacled so her steps were awkward, and she wore a collar around her neck.
Klancy followed the wench, and when the girl heard her coming tried to hasten her steps. This only caused her to stumble. she rolled and struggled to move away from the approaching Warrior. Klancy's eyes widened in shock. "sarah!" reaching for her "sarah, is that you?"
The girl cowered and wriggled back to get away. "Please, please d-d-don't hurt me. Please don't hurt me" she said turning her head away and covering her face against the blow she thought would come. Klancy stepped back. It was sarah. The girl acts like she doesn't know me. "sarah. It's me, Klancy. sarah."
The girl looked up at the Warrior. There was no recognition in her eyes. "Come, girl, I am here to help. I will not harm you, but you have to come with me. Now." Klancy reached down and picked the wench up carefully. She could see the bloodied welts and old dark bruises. There was a cut above sarah's eye and a large swollen lump. sarah tensed but did not struggle. she was not sure why, but she believed this huge woman would do her no harm.
A thousand questions raced through Klancy's mind. The Kindred sisters had assumed sarah had left with her Lord Sirius who was away on business. How did she get into this mess? What am I saying, trouble just seems to find this wench no matter what. And now look, she doesn't recognize me. I have to get her back to the healers.
Klancy spotted dj and headed for her. When She reached her, she sat sarah on the ground. She pulled her legs out and as wide as the chain would allow. She stepped back and lifted her sword, "Now don't move". The sword dropped and the chain sprang open. Klancy gave sarah a hand back up to her feet.
When they turned back, dj had a shocked look on her face. "Yeah, I know, but don't ask, we will figure it out later. Take her back to the healers, I need to get back to the fight." dj moved towards sarah, but the girl stepped back and reached for Klancy. "It's ok, dj is a friend. Go with her." Turning to dj, "she has no memory of us, be careful." Klancy turned and returned to the battle. dj led sarah to the healers.
**************
kitty had sat with this unknown battered woman in her lap trying to clean and possibly put some salve on her torn and bloody back when the woman finally stirred. The woman finally turned her head and looked up gasping saying, "Lord Kit, what are you doing here?"
When kitty heard Kit's name come from this woman's mouth she smiled and said, "i am not Kit, dear, i am her twin sister kitty. you know my sister? How is she? Is Hunter with her? Is she ok?" The woman was full of questions.
It took twilight some time to figure out but then remembered Kit saying she had a sister. twilight looked up and smiled, "Yes, they are all at the Lodge and were safe last i heard. Why are you here? That reminds me, they should be arriving soon. Oh and by the way my name is twilight, my friends call me twi. "
"Who?"
"The lodgers including your sister to save us."
"But Kit does not know i am here. i was captured about a moon ago. Why would she come after me when she does not know i am here?"
"This band of raiders were trying to take our lodge and we are fighting to keep it. i am sure by now they know i am missing and there was another of my sisters that they had. her name was killian. Have you seen her?"
"No, i am sorry, i have not, but i have been away from the camp most of the day foraging for berries and herbs and such."
"Oh, are you a cook?"
"Yes, i am the tavern cook from where i am from, but i have come to visit my sister. Then i get myself into this mess."
Just as the two women were talking they heard battle cries and swords clashing out in the main yard. kitty got up and limped over to the flap and saw a battle going on. she looked around and saw her sister Kit being deadly with those knives or hers. kitty smiled and said, "Well, twilight, it seems like our saviors have come." kitty went over to twilight and helped her to stand and to walk to the flap and they looked out together. When they saw no one guarding the tent entrance, they slipped out and went behind a tree and then the two watched the battle as it carried on.
twilight had looked up into the trees off to the side and had spotted her Lady and gasped. kitty looked down at her and twilight pointed up to her Lady saying, "There is my Lady Alison. She should not be there. She was wounded by an arrow. She should be back at the lodge resting."
kitty looked up and caught a glimpse of purple and a most gentle and pretty face she had yet to see. she smiled at her new friend and said, "you are lucky, She is very beautiful." Then at that moment kitty looked back around the tree and her sister caught her in the eye. They looked at each other for a long moment and Kit went running to her sister embracing her.
When Kit let kitty go she looked at her sister ready to ask lots of questions then kitty said, "i will tell you later, sis, but right now i think you have a battle to win." Kit smiled at her sister and ran back into the fray with the knowledge that her sister was safe now.
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(Part 14- Tantalas gets her due) --
Rushing up from the shoreline, dj caught sight of the fierce battle raging in the glen. Friends and enemies were striking blow upon blow. Blood trickled down faces, arms, and legs of dirt strewn women. The shrill battlecries made hair stand on end. This was a chilling scene to witness.
The blonde tried to quickly access the situation before advancing in. Seeing movement up in a tree, dj's eyes snapped upwards. A purple cloak shimmered through the branches...'ahhh, our Ally is safe and dartin' these smelly bitches!. The girl smirked and snicked her approval.
More movement in trees from the other side of the clearing. An arrow streaked out. Phhhhhfoom. Shriek! The arrowhead pierced through flesh and bone. It was embedded deep within a howling foe's leg. Looking back up, it was the lovely Rach. She sat perched on a branch, back braced against trunk, tracking and aiming her bow. 'Wow, she looks great up there,' dj admired.
Back down on the ground, Lords Freya, Kit, and Amber stood back to back in a loose circle. They protected each other while clashing with the marauders. It was a majestic display. Honor and determination shone out from their bodies. It blazed in their eyes, stance, fighting style, and whole bodies. It was sheer artistry in action.
Glimpsing a flash of green, the Courtly Butch streaked across the field. Her shirt was torn, flapping in the wind, dirt covering clothes, boots, and flesh. A look of great concern covered her face. She ran swiftly, boots pounding the ground. Ikarias was down. Arrow shafts protruding from scales and skin.
"Oh, god, NO!", dj's pulse thundered. She let out a breath upon seeing the majestic Dragon snap shafts off. Nothing was going to keep the WarriorMistress down!
Being too far away to help, "Klance! Ally! Rach! Over there!", pointing towards two trees, "More snipers. They've got aim on Ikarias!"
Pfffeng!
Pfffffft!
Phhhfoom!
Several bodies hit the ground seconds later. The extraordinary Bowswomen were a true vision of beauty and motion.
Attention shifted, dj had to sidestep as a bandit rushed forward. Her staff slammed hard against the back of the woman's neck, knocking her down and hopefully out.
Towards the rear of the camp, a tent flap flew open. Lord Nessa stood there, darkness filling her gray, bloodshot eyes. She cradled a blanket-clad woman. It was killian. "Shit!"
A shout from across the way. Poking her head from around a tree was a small, battered woman. kitty peered around the edge. Kit ran towards her sister, grief, joy, and relief lighting their faces.
"Ally! Ikarias! Anyone! Any sign of twilight yet?"
"Behind ye, lass!" Klancy shouted. It wasn't a call of discovery, but one of warning.
Jolting around in astonishment, dj gasped, quickly stepping backwards. The leader of this scumcrew, Lord Tantalas, hovered above the young woman. A red-streaked blade pointed at the girl's heaving chest.
The leathered tip of a bullwhip snaked around the blood-streaked blade bound for dj's heaving breast. Klancy7 yanked the sword from Tantalas's gloved hand with a deft snap of her wrist, and the warlord gaped at her, enraged.
Klancy jumped to the bed of a deserted wagon and signaled to Ikarias, keeping her steely blue eyes on the lavishly bosomed warlord.
"What say you, sistren?" Her butch alto voice blasted through the brigands' camp. It was an old signal, and each of the SpiritLodgers heeded it, working to end their various bouts, and sight Tantalas, in the center of the field.
"On behalf of the LodgeKeepers," Klancy bellowed, "I accuse the charming little Miss Tantalas of theft, kidnapping, rape, and behaving like an ill-bred bore, thus darkening the image of Xena-loving lesbians everywhere!"
Klancy spied Ikarias, mounted again on Ash, bleeding profusely from her wounds, but riding steadily for her. With a quick leap, the Courtly Butch jumped astride behind the half-dragon, and wound one muscled arm around her waist, to brace her sister erect.
"Your verdict, women of the Lodge!" Klancy called, and Ikarias glared at her for screaming in her ear. "How do you judge Tantalas?"
"GUILTY!" The word roared from a dozen throats, and at least that many daggers, darts, knives, and arrows followed, streaking in from all directions to impale the writhing Tantalas.
Nessa, dj, rach, Alison, Ikarias, Klancy, and every other Lodger within throwing distance delivered enough fatal strikes to kill Tantalas several times over.
The dying, pin-cushioned warlord's face suffused with color, and she bawled cheated obscenities to the sky, as she toppled from her knees to the blood-soaked earth.
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(Part 15 - Caring for the fallen) --
Alison had heard Klancy's battle voice from high atop a tree and as quickly as she could and as gingerly, made Her way down to the ground. She swung up on the mount Nessa had provided and headed to the camp. She had to find Her fair maiden, simply had to. She drew closer and saw the bitch that had been responsible and was glad she was dead, saved Alison from having to kill her outright. She rode up to Klancy and dragon butt. "Twilight, have you found twilight yet? We have to find her."
Together the three began searching the camp, calling out for twilight. Alison went round one way, Klancy and dragon butt the other. Alison saw a rather large warrior and held in one hand by the throat she saw Her fair maiden. The sight of Her pet made Alison's heart sink. She also saw Kit, but didn't understand seeing Kit at first. ~That must be kitty.~ Alison saw Klancy and Ikarias out of the corner of her eye.
"Let...her...go!" Alison spit the words at the much larger warrior as Her eyes locked on twi's. ~Hold on, My pet, we are here.~
"Fuck you and your little whore, which by the way I did and she screamed and begged for more. You look like you'd make a good whore too. Come one step closer and I'll snap her fucking neck like a twig."
"I say you best let her go, bitch. She is not yours, she belongs to Alison. Your companions are dead as you will be if you do not let her go." Ikarias' voice rang out causing the bitch to turn towards Klancy and her. It was the chance Alison had been waiting for. She loaded the blow gun and blew, watching as the poisoned dart struck the bitch right between her eyes. Before she hit the ground, Alison was off Her horse and running towards Her pet.
When She saw twilight up close, Alison could not stop the tears from filling Her eyes. "My pet, we have come to take you home." Alison picked her up gently and heard twi cry out at the contact with her beaten ass. "My gods, My pet, what have they done to you? It matters not, it is over now, now we will go home." She laid twi over Her lap, not wanting to cause her anymore pain and rode off as fast as the horse could go towards home.
They hit the Lodge at a full out gallop. Alison stopped outside the door, placed twilight over Her shoulder and burst thru the door calling for Amber as She did. She laid twi face down on the divan and knelt by her side. Softly She stroked her face and tried Her best to soothe her, the pain very evident in Her pet's eyes. "Rest, My pet, rest now. Amber will help. Later you and I are going to have a long talk about you running off like that, but not now. Now you rest." Alison placed a tender kiss on fair maiden's lips and turned her over to the healer.
*************
Klancy behind Ikarias on Asher, held Ikarias from toppling over with that last shuriken throw.
"She died too fast," the half-dragon mumbled, the loss of blood getting to her. "And I'm deaf from your dulcet tones." Why did the ground look so far away?
"And you're bleeding on my favorite shirt," the Courtly Butch replied dryly. Considering said garment had an assortment of red from at least ten different sources, the remark was satire at its best.
Ikarias remembered getting back to the Lodge. "Where's twi? We get her back?" She asked as someone got her inside.
"Alison has her safe. We've got kil and kitty and sarah's back too. We didn't lose anyone."
"Nice to know... call me next time we're invaded... helluva party there Klance..." And the half-dragon passed out.
************
The tall Warrior paused on the steps leading to the Lodge's back entrance, and looked back over the peaceful lake behind their property. The deep mirrored surface of the water had always seemed to cast a protective spell over their home; Klancy prayed it would hold that promise now.
Ikarias was more seriously injured than any of them had realized, due to her cavalier disregard for her own wounds in the field. Their fair healer Amber's powers were all but depleted, after caring for a dozen different injuries among her sistren -- she could only rely on her knowledge, now, instead of her mystic abilities. As formidable as that knowledge was, Ikarias had lost a dangerous amount of blood, and her halfling chemistries were difficult to match. Her survival was not assured.
Klancy was the last to return to the Lodge, after making sure the deserted wounded of Tantalas were humanely treated. She had weathered her share of strikes in the battle as well, and she suspected most of her sisters, Warriors and wench alike, had injuries there hadn't been time to tend. For now -- this first night -- the most gravely wounded among them had highest priority.
twilight, killian, sarah, and Kit's beautiful twin, kitty, might well be as traumatized as any Lodger who had raised steel. They had each been horribly abused at the hands of Tantalus's horde, and their bodies and psyches needed deep healing.
Klancy's broad shoulders sagged with weariness beneath her cape as she turned to bolt the Lodge's back door. But fresh energy surged through her as she turned to join her sisters, scattered throughout the Lodge, in caring for their fallen.
************
Tris weaved a path between cots set up in the main dining hall that served as an infirmary now that the battles were over and the wounded needed care. She was heading for the kitchen when she spotted the healer changing the bandages of the dragon Warrior.
The young wench heard about Ikarias' exploits through the battles. She wanted to pay her respects. She walked up to the bedside and asked Amber if there was anything she could do. The concerned look on the healer's face sent alarm through Tris.
"Well, I think if she were to have someone near. It might be something to hang on to." Amber's voice was soft. "Sit with her a while Tris... hold her hand." Tris sat on the cot next to the unconscious half-dragon. She reached for the silver scaled hand. She held it. She caressed it softly.
Tris began a song. She didn't know why. She just sang. She heard the song from a bard once and never forgot it's touching words or it's haunting tune.
you can't take her she loves me
When I bowed down so low she bowed down too.
Even when she couldn't find me, she stood beside me.
Even when she couldn't understand me she stood by me.
Even when she couldn't stand me, she stood for me.
You can't take her, I love her as a friend
Because of her I know more about being human
I know more than standing up for myself
I know standing up for another woman.
Tris ended the song with a simple humming and watched for signs of waking in the beautiful face.
Someone was singing... Ikarias heard that, and small fingers pressed into her hand. She didn't know who it was but it was real nice. Some one held cool water to her lips and she drank a lot of it. Still couldn't open her eyes... "Nice singing," she murmured to whomever was there. "Weak brandy..." she mumbled and drifted again.
Nessa watched from across the room. Pride filled her at the growth she saw in Tris. Killian was laying face down on a cot. Apparently the bitch Slaide, whose name is Celtic and means "whip," wielded the instrument heavily enough to break skin on the back of the fair Killian. Nessa would not leave her side. She bathed the cuts and harsh welts with the solution given by Amber.
She thought this Kindred would be made more solid in heart and soul by this hard experience. These women had proven to be the best of the best. They risked all for their home and their Kindred. Nessa felt the swelling of her chest. She let those big ole tears roll with the love she felt for the sistren.
*************
killian felt fire coming from her shoulders to her ankles, and inside her center she felt torn up and swollen. Her lip hurt. When she went to feel it, she could feel blood oozing from it. And her eye, it was so swollen she could barely see.
A hand was on her back the minute she stirred. killian flinched at first, not knowing where she was. A soothing voice accompanied the softly stroking hand. "It's ok, lass. Yer safe here. Yer Home."
killian tried to turn her head, but the pounding made her unable to. "Lord Nessa? Is that you? I can't move. Can you come on this side?" Nessa moved her stool to sit on killian's other side. "Are they dead?"
"Yes, killian. We got them."
killian breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm so sorry i went off like that Nessa. Caitlin would have my hide if she'd caught me going in outnumbered and unprepared like that. I just knew i could help. Hades, was i wrong abut that."
Nessa sighed. She was so glad this little spitfire was alright, but now her anger rose. "I can assure you, lass, that once you are healed, somebody is going to have your hide for this dangerous and stupid thing you've gone and done. WE almost lost you, lass. If that doesn't desire a good hiding from me, I don't know what would."
killian started to cry. "I am sorry, Nessa. I just wanted to help. I really got myself into it didn't i."
Nessa's upset didn't abate. "Yes, lass, ye did. And that damned sweet tag along twilight went out to save you, and had goddess knows what happen to her. Ally is gonna have your hide for that, I can assure you."
killian cried harder, "Oh Sweet Artemis, i really did it. I don't blame you for hating me, Lord."
Nessa could see this was too much for the little thing. "Hey, hey now, shhhhhh. You meant well. We all did what we thought was best. You just lie still now, lass. I am going to put some more of this salve amber gave me, on your welts. Looks like she fancied your backside."
"Yes, that she did." killian tried to breathe, and stop feeling sorry for herself. "Lord, um...... I wanted to say...........thank you." killian looked away, not wanting to see the look in Nessa's eye.
"Hey, hey little one. Look at me. It is ok. I needed you too. I hope I helped, but i can't say i was thinking of your best interests, and I apologize for that. Do you forgive me?"
"Oh goddess yes, Nessa." killian pulled the Lord's hand into her own and kissed it. "Can you possibly forgive me?"
"You made a mistake. We all do. Your job is not to worry about that now, but to get you well. Your Kindred are here and they love you. Do you hear me, lass?"
"Yes, i hear you. But can you tell me how twi is?"
Nessa looked around to see twi laying on her stomach, not looking too well at all. Nessa stared applying salve to killian's back, which made killian wince, and quietly cry holding tight to the bedsheets.
"twi is doing ok, hon. She is with Ally, and amber is helping her. Now you just focus on you now, lass. That is an order. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Lord Nessa. I hear you. Thank you for staying with me. Where is tris? Is she ok, did she follow too?" killian tried to pull herself up to look, but screamed out in pain as she tried to move.
"Lass, stay still, or I will shackle you to this bed. You can't move killian. tris is fine, she is with Ikarias, who is not well. Now you need to stay still. Damn, do I want to turn you over my knee right now, you stubborn mule of a sub. But you are in too bad a shape. Please, just lie there, and allow me to tend you."
killian relented. Not wanting to upset her rescuer. The unspoken bond they now shared would forever change their relationship. killian was so grateful to be alive, and wanted to please the person who risked her own life to make it happen.
"ok, Nessa. I will do as you ask. Thank you. I love you, Nessa."
Nessa was silent for a time, as she stroked killian's cruelly wounded body.
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Alison made sure twilight was sleeping peacefully, then made her way over to where old dragon butt lay. Tris was keeping a close watch on her. Alison placed a gentle kiss on tris' cheek then bent down her mouth close to dragon butt's ear. "If you do not fight, I will force feed you brussel sprouts until they come out your ears." Alison turned back towards tris, "If you need spelling just let Me know My tiny one." Alison gave her another small kiss then returned to twilight's side.
They were coming to get her... small, green, round, smelling like good cabbage gone bad... They were vicious, rows of spiny teeth snapping at her. Ikarias whipped the shuriken through the air slicing one miniature green monster after another. She used her sword as well, deflecting and slashing the leafy little bastids. The world was silent except for the sounds of rustling crisp fronds advancing in waves of green. Where was their leader? If the half-dragon could get that one, then she'd be able to rout the rest. A flash of purple, musical laugher and a soft "Whoomph" as Alison shot one brussel sprout after another out of her blowpipe.
Amid a rain of coleslaw, Ikarias awoke screaming at the top of her lungs: "ALICAT YOU BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Those words were music to Alison's ears and Her hearty laughter could be heard throughout the Lodge. "That threat works every time."
killian tried to lift her head to see what the commotion was. Lord Nessa stopped her. "You don't want to see honey, it is getting ugly over there."
Why was killy smelling cabbage?
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(Part 16 Conclusion - Aftermath Ponderings) --
Lord Freya slumped into a chair and watched the sistren as the less wounded tended the wounded. She saw the haunted expressions in the eyes of the ones that had to be rescued. Freya knew roughly what had transpired. She had the experience of body betraying one when least expected. Under the worst circumstances. She knew the physical wounds would heal faster than the psyche ones would.
But the subs were made of stern stuff and would overcome this also.
Freya watched Amber and her respect for the healer grew with each passing moment. Amber had fought along side the warriors. But she still had the energy to treat the wounded with total concentration and love.
The love and solidarity of the sistren would be unshakable now. The battle for the Lodge would be told and retold in poetry, stories and song for years to come. Any that thought the lodge and the women that lived here, and called it home, would think twice before underestimating our loyalty and strength again.
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All around the Lodge, Alison saw Her sisters, some wounded, others tending to them. Now with the battle over and everyone safely back in the Lodge, Alison found Her thoughts turning to Her fair maiden and killian. From the damage to their bodies, Alison could only imagine the nightmare they went thru, and it made Her want to kill those evil bitches all over again. Time would heal the damage done to their bodies, but what of the damage done to their souls and hearts?
Her pretties had tender hearts and gentle souls and Alison prayed to every God and Goddess She had ever heard of that time and the love of their sisters would overcome whatever damage those bitches had caused. Alison heard Her pet cry out in her sleep, a sound that spoke of nothing but pain and it nearly broke the Lady's heart. She softly caressed twi's beautiful face and whispered in her ear softly, "Shhh, it's over, My pet, you are home now, you are safe. I'm right here, My precious pet."
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Once Kit and kitty got back to the lodge kitty was overwhelmed at the sisterhood she found there. While her sister went and got water for a bath for her sister, kitty watched everyone taking care of each other. She looked to the one called twilight, that she had met at the camp. When she saw her, kitty went to her and sat down by her side and said, "Hi, twi. How are you feeling? you look allot better."
twi opened her eyes and did a double take. she thought she was seeing double when she saw kitty sitting next to her and Kit standing behind her. Kit put her hand on her sister's shoulder and kitty turned and grinned at her sister. Then twi remembered and said "Oh, kitty, hi. i am feeling better yes. Thank you for asking."
"Of course i asked, you are a fellow sister aren't you? we sisters have to stick together. Well i best be getting to Kit's room. I can't wait to have a bath. Talk to you later, ok?" Then kitty smiled at twi and went on upstairs with her sister.
When Kit and kitty got in the privacy of Kit's room, Kit asked, "What in the name of Zeus were you traveling for? Did your Mistress do something? Why are you here?"
kitty let her sister ramble on then. When she seemed to have stopped kitty said, "Kit, my Mistress sent me here so i would be safe while she has gone off to war. She was told that Persians were invading Her homeland and She had to go and fight to win against the Persians. She wanted me to stay with my sister since She knew you. She knew you would keep me safe. When She comes home, She will send word for me to come back to Her, but until then i am to stay with you. That is ok isn't it, Kit." kitty waited for her sister to answer.
Kit was still trying to absorb the fact that she was going to have her sister with her again that she did not catch the question at first. Then when it dawned on her that her sister was asking permission to stay with her she said, "Of course, kitty, you can stay with me. I should give you a spanking right now for even having to ask. Of course you can stay. We are sisters and nothing takes precedence over that."
The two sisters smiled at each other and took each other in embrace for a long time, both crying tears of joy to be with each other again. Then when they finally were composed kitty asked, "Well, sis, where am i to sleep?"
"Well, right here with me of course, it will be like when we were children when we slept in the same bed with each other. It will be fun."
"Ok, now i know where i am to sleep, what about that bath you promised me?"
"Oh yes you need one badly sister."
"Hey you watch it. i know things about you i don't think you would want others to find out."
"Oh, don't you dare, kitty. Now lets get you to the hot springs where you can soak and clean up."
Then they left together heading for the hot springs and maybe some sisterly fun.
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The End - RP - 'Tantalas' - by the Kindred Spirit Lodgers