15. Epilogue

*See chapter 00. Intro and chapter descriptions*

We were in darkness, a cold shivering and damp dark and I knew I was not alone. The ground was hard, solid rock and slick with water. Screeches and hissing growing louder surrounding us, we could hear the sharp long nails clattering on the rock. I began to glow with yellow heat, knowing the danger was imminent; my companion with her silver coldness. A cavern deep and dark, our light beating back the darkness and revealing to our sight what we already knew. Surrounded by hundreds, if not thousands of goblins, and another. Behind the veil of dark black stringy hair a face of dark blue and purplish skin; bent over with age, malice and hate, her mouth twisted with an unnatural sneer, releasing sounds like the goblins clamoring down the walls around us. Deniera and I looked one upon the other, we intensified our power; my burning gold-like translucent wings grew and hers silver like shimmering ice. We levitated, our wings encased us....

I awoke before dawn; I knew from the silence out beyond our tent and the darkness within, deep shadows with only a dying fire lighting the space. In a cold sweat my breathing heavy as I lay on my side next to Zyre, our naked skin pressed against each other, my head had been resting on his chiseled chest and stomach, his breathing loud and regular, still sleeping.

The dream stayed with me, the details so vivid, and I needed no one to interpret the meaning. I knew what it meant and what was to come.

I lay there trying to close my eyes thankful my dream hadn't disturbed Zyre but my eyes would not stay closed. I tried to think of something else to shake the dream loose from my mind and thought about the previous day and night, all the things that happened right up to our returning to the tent only hours before when Zyre took and fucked me again long and hard before I could even wash his cum from my skin from the feasting table and tit fuck he gave me.

And now my head was resting just below his chest with my hand upon his stomach; it was only inches away, barely; long, girthy, hard, sticky with dried cum, and I was staring at it as it was me, or so it seemed. My fingers touched it and it jumped, I grabbed it feeling it, wrapping my fingers around it. Gently I slid my hand over him feeling his hardness, the protruding veins breaking the smoothness of his massive cock.

Zyre grew harder, his cock seemingly stretching itself towards my face, that large soft head looked as if it were moving towards me, it's lone eye never closing. His breathing never changed, not a muscle twitched except the one in my hand. I knew a way to distract myself from my dream tho it would certainly disturb him.

I didn't wait nor was I patient or teasing, I took his head and half his shaft in my mouth parting my lips over and around his girth. Stroking him slow I moved my face over him but my lips were dry and his cock sticky, and for a moment my soft lips stuck to him but soon my mouth watered and my tongue did what it's supposed to do, licking him, wrapping around him, tasting him.

The flavor of his dried cum, like salted honey, mixed with my own sweet nectar dried upon him from before, drew a moan from me and I felt a gentle pressure on the back of my head where Zyre placed his hand.

I stayed as I was, on my side half on him, my large breasts pressed against him, my head on his stomach. I did not change my pace, only slow long strokes of his shaft and kept half of him in my mouth sucking in and licking, tongue playing over his head, flicking under it, drawing from him moans and grunts of pleasure and satisfaction.

My eyes remained opened for watching my hand stroke his long cock, and when I took him from my mouth, watching his head expand and swell with my stroking before my eyes was making my heat rise and my wetness increase; giving him pleasure is half of mine, and I must confess I am fascinated by his cock.

How many minutes? I do not know how long I took my pleasure in slow stroking, slow sucking him; spit was leaking from my mouth and eventually I wanted more. Deeper, further in my mouth, filling my mouth, stretching my jaw, opening my throat for all of him. He never pressed me, pushed my head and face down, I did all on my own, taking all I could in that position, eventually feeling it tap my throat. Now with that I wanted his cum. I stroked him faster and harder, gripping his wide girth hard, my strokes becoming furious, so much so my own hand hit my lips over and over and I did not care; all I wanted was to make him cum for me again.

It was not to be. He stopped me before I could draw his seed from it's home and feed upon it. Zyre grabbed me and pulled me over him. I spread my strong legs over him, grabbed him and put him at my wet dripping entrance, rubbing him over me, pressing him against my lips, my clit wanting immediate attention. His shaft in my hand I pressed and rubbed him over and over against my button, intensifying my own physical pleasure, his eyes watching first my face then his cock in my hand rubbing over me until I released over him. My orgasm was hard, my fluid pouring down my thighs, over his shaft that wasn't even in me yet as I came again and again, still keeping his head rubbing on me, pressing against my spot.

His hands now upon my thighs, before my orgasm settled, I slid down over him, taking him fully in me, I screamed now, letting my pleasure be known as he pushed his hips up and drove deep inside me. The feeling and intensity were overwhelming and I leaned forward, hands outside his shoulders, on my knees. He knew I could not, and with a satisfied growl he began pushing into me, driving into me, my body grabbing him, pulling him in, deeper and harder he thrust making my breasts bounce above him.

I could no longer hold myself up, my arms growing weary with the effort, all of that going towards taking him, feeling him, screaming and moaning as he made me his own over and over with every thrust reclaiming me.

My body pressed against his, his legs propping me, giving him the angle he needed to thrust his whole length inside me. My first orgasm having never truly settled or subsiding, he quickly made me cum for him again and mid way thru my own, Zyre released his seed inside me; his thrusts jerked, pausing between every explosion of warm sticky cum coating my insides, filling me, a satisfied grunt and growl with every pulse of his liquid, every throbbing explosion. His massive arms encircled me squeezing me against him tight. I could not move and barely able to even breathe he held me so tight as his unrelenting fucking and cumming continued for minutes, over and over cumming again and again and I only hoping to completely drain him and give him complete satisfaction, knowing well he is an orc and emptying him with only one cum was near impossible.

As our mutual orgasms subsided I collapsed upon him, breathing hard and our sweaty bodies stuck together while I felt his huge cock throbbing inside me still, my walls quivering against him. His hands roamed over my body eventually ending up on my plump cheeks, squeezing them, gripping them; I felt his hips push against me slightly, without intention but it sent a shock thru my body that was still on fire for him. Pushing myself up I braced my palms upon his sweaty leather like skin, my fingers dug into his chest as I leaned forward on him, gave him a mischievous grin.

"I want more, make me cum again for you."

"Hmmm there is always more. Fuck my cock to your pleasure and contentment."

Bracing against him I pushed myself back upon him filling myself again with him. I could hear, even thru his grunts and my soft moans, his iron hard cock stir my fluids and his cum inside me, both leaking out of me and pooling upon him.

I went slow, pushing back, easing off, sliding him out before pushing back again. I knew not what brought more pleasure; feeling all of him in me so deep? or sliding him out so far that pushing back I felt his soft head pushing against and parting my lips as he spread and split my body?

I had no wish to stop, I wanted to feel both as much as I could and my body wanted the impossible, to feel both at once. I had but one choice, to increase my speed, but always always hesitating, moving so slowly as his head split my lips, then with speed and a force like he used fucking me, I pushed and slammed my body back into him, to his base, bringing me pain and pleasure, until I came on him a third time.

I stopped with him fully in me while I came again, riding out the immense pleasure without moving except my hips sliding back and forth, now sitting straight up upon him, his eyes watching my body in complete bliss.

Recovering, mostly, I thought to dismount him but he caught my hips and held me there over him.

"I am close to giving you more."

"Then Lord Zyre fuck your Queen until you give her as much as you desire."

He did not lie as it wasn't long. He held me tight and with a few quick deep thrusts I felt his warm cum release again. I took his hands in mine and put them upon my chest and pressed his hands into my soft flesh, and as he continued to fill me and roar he squeezed my large tits hard, pressed them together until he finished fucking and cumming in me again.

"Hmmm you may have done the impossible Analea Queen."

"And what is that Hegemon?"

"I think you emptied me, took everything I have this night."

"Haha I hope not, or at least that there will be more soon."

"Hehe, never fear. An hour at most and you may not walk the rest of the day."

"I barely can now I think. But if I cannot walk I have the solace of knowing I will lay beneath you."

My legs were indeed soar and aching when I slid him out from me and rolled off the furs, his cock hitting his stomach with a thud. I heated water and washed myself, fixed my top knotted braided hair and dressed; leather breeches, my black vest, boots, knife belt, and simply to complete my warrior queen status my blade over my back.

"You are leaving?"

"I am. The camp is quiet and I would go out to the plain to see the sun rise over the hills, the moon set behind the mountains while there is stillness."

Leaving the tent I stepped out to a misty early morning, only bird calls in the trees and dying fires around. There were no clouds and once the mist cleared the sun would be shining bright.

I weaved thru the tents and fires, sleeping bodies and the occasional group of guards, usually in two's, patrolling throughout the camp, otherwise I was alone, I thought.

Approaching the plain thru the trees where it was least occupied thru the mist and trees there was a figure cloaked and hooded, a blade not unlike mine on her back, stooping down at trunks and picking plants placing them in a leather bag; a woman by shape, tall and slim. Getting closer I saw her hair slipping from her hood; Deniera.

"Queen Deniera is all well?"

"Analea, Queen of the Orc, indeed it is, a peaceful morning, no?"

"It is and to gain a moment of peace I go to the plain."

"Like minded we are as that is my goal as well, as soon as I pick a few more fragrant flowers and herbs."

"To what purpose? Is there an illness?"

"Nay, you shall see if you join me?"

We walked together at the edge of the forest while she sought out more of her flowers and herbs, even picking more once we left the trees and entered the tall grass of the plain.

"Is there a place out here with rocks? When we arrived days ago I remember passing what seemed to be a pile of stone rubble."

"It isn't far and if the grass was not so tall you would see it now."

Denieras' gait was erect, each step moved with intention, regal thru and thru; raised to rule in a palace and it showed. She was slim in form, her curves not like mine and it made her appear taller than myself tho she was not.

The sun had broken the horizon tho only barely and the sky was brightening quickly and the full moon fastly approaching the peaks appeared more and more translucent as we approached the rock pile in silence.

Thru the tall grass the rocks appeared; a pile of rubble in the field put there by no one remembers who or for what purpose; perhaps an alter or a remembrance of someone.

There was a long and heavy flat stone, round boulders waist high forming a rough circle around, at least that is how those that remained appeared. Scattered about were much smaller rocks by the hundreds. There were no other rocks or stones like them on the plain until you reached the mountains some hours away.

"This will do nicely, I could not have asked for better."

Deniera looked to the east then west, looking briefly at the sun and moon, one rising, one setting, then began to work. Taking the smaller stones she set them in two tight circles upon the large flat stone and I began to understand what she was doing. I began to pull the dead grass, only little handfuls and placed them within her small circles.

"You will want kindling, not to burn the flowers directly, but to smoke only?"

She said nothing but placed some of the flowers in each before stepping back.

"It is not much of an offering, I know. But it is an acknowledgement of where we come from. Can you enflame them?"

"I have never tried to control it like this, indeed it is only recently I realized I could control it at all."

I put my fingers to the kindling, closed my eyes and envisioned what I intended, just enough heat to spark the dead grass. As always my whole body heated before cooling, then it was just my fingers; I heard the snapping of the grass and withdrew, repeating for the second as well.

"Come closer, join me."

I copied her movements; we knelt down to the first, already smelling the fragrance of the flowers and herbs. Deniera gently blew the smoke to the east, with her hands waving it to the sky, I did the same. I at least closed my eyes and silently acknowledged the one I sprang from for the first time in my 100 years; I will not lie, I grew emotional, and my mind called out 'mother'. I opened my eyes just as the full orange disk broke over the horizon, a soft breeze blew dispelling the mist and she blazed forth in all her glory; it felt as tho it was for me alone. I reveled in her glory for a moment before looking at Deniera, waiting for me. She smiled but said nothing, and we repeated the process to the west as the full silver moon began slipping behind the mountains.

We stood in silence for some moments without speaking while watching the moon disappear, Deniera looking enraptured.

"It is the acknowledgement that matters, I think. I see you have not done this before."

"My birth, my origins have been kept from me, except by the Queen who raised me; her warning never to speak of her still rings in my ears; my power feared. Never has it been said to me openly, like a secret, a shame. The reason I have been kept at arms length. And to my knowledge, never known even by her."

"But no longer Queen Analea, except perhaps feared, but only by those who should. She has always known you, has she not watched over you for these 100 years?"

"I have questions, Queen Deniera. Why him? Why his seed, in that place, that kingdom? Cyllian has revealed the danger I was in. There is little sense."

"Queen Analea you were born to the strongest ruler in the most powerful kingdom, until yesterday. You had a protector of great power; one who taught you the blade, a Queen raised you under her care and knowledge, watched over you. It is my belief your goddess mother knew what she was about, and now you are here, in glory and power, set to change the world."

"Perhaps. The Witch of the Woods said as much, in her own way."

"You have been summoned? I was as well."

"I had a dream of her first-"

"As all who are summoned do. What did she say to you?"

"She spoke of my union with Zyre, how it was fated, but it could still be denied. That war was coming, and the Fate of many depended upon our union, that is all. And you Queen Deniera?"

"My dream you and I were in a dark cavern, shedding our own light, goblins were coming, by the thousands. I saw her in that dream, the Dark One, Anis; I pitied her, then I awoke. I was summoned only a day later to a stone fae circle."

"I had this same dream this very night."

"You know what she suffered thru, and after, she cried out to the gods cursing all. The goddess sisters see and hear all, nothing can be hidden from them, except those things that lie in the earth. Anis swore the world cursed until the twin sisters' lighted the ever dark and set her free, and as they darkened the world thru her ordeal, turning their radiant faces away from the earth, so they are destined to light the dark places.

"We are they, you must know this. We are the sisters of light; we embody what they are, we are their light that will light the dark places. That is why I say we are sisters. You and I will end the curse and set Anis free."

All this had been on my mind as well, I simply did not allow myself to think about it; my sole concern being united with Zyre. Of course I had known there would be more, for those born with, and into power, there is always more. I knew war was brewing almost from the moment Zyre brought me here after the arena, and ever since Melee first mentioned her, Anis has been in my mind lingering like long evening shadows, instinct telling me she would play a part yet in all this.

Deniera fell silent as I contemplated all these things and when I turned my eyes away from the morning sky I saw the same look upon her face as I have when I use my power. She reached toward the smoking fragrant piles of mostly ash, her hand turning something between white and silver, the cold emanating from her releasing a mist before smothering the still flaming flowers upon the rocks.

"Ahh.. even a little fire from you burns hotter than that drawn from a fire stone. I doubt even at full power, encased in my wings I could resist your heat."

"Even enfolded in mine Deniera I felt your icey cold when we side by side destroyed the hobgoblin host upon the battlefield. I was briefly concerned our powers would clash and come to naught."

"May it never be Analea. May we ever side by side be sisters and allies."

"And friends, Deniera. I would have ourselves, our kingdoms, and our chosen mates ever be in friendship."

"As would I."

Deniera seemed sincere but I was still thinking of the previous night and the words we spoke; I felt a nagging doubt and wondered, was she mocking me then, now? I knew not how to find the answer, for I truly wanted to trust her, to have no barrier of doubt between us, but did not know how to dispell my concerns. Perhaps asking about Cyllian would lead to the answer I needed.

"I have been in this camp for weeks now with little news, tell me are you and Cyllian bound?"

"We are not yet. A few weeks from now the flower will bloom upon the silver myrtle vine, then in accordance with my people our hands will be twined together with vine when the moon reaches her zenith, and the king and queen will relinquish the throne and place us upon it. But as you saw he is certainly bound to me already."

This last was said with a smile and a sideways glance as we walked in the meadow together. I hesitated in my response not knowing what to say.

"I am sorry for the intrusion. I promise you it was not inten--"

"Haha it is well, after all I witnessed your claiming, and not just that but again later in the night."

"I did not think you would still be in the tent..."

"You are embarrassed? Do not be, there is no need. Indeed I knew you entered before I looked up; I smelled your scent. Melee is correct, there is... something to being seen."

I was shocked and speechless, this is not what I expected to hear from her. She paused to give me space to respond but I could not.

"Although it would not be my choice, there was a thrill, an excitement in being watched that greatly enhanced my pleasure, along with watching. Your willingness to be taken in sight is relatable. In truth witnessing your claiming thrilled me in ways I never imagined, at least not since I first set eyes upon Cyllian, those first nights. Tell me, was it difficult, your claiming?"

This was most unexpected, and it was doubtful I should speak. Other than Melee I never thought to say these things, but it was also tempting to speak with one who may understand more than Melee.

"No, tho I was nervous before. The marking was far more difficult."

"I have heard of an orc marking and witnessed the aftermath but not seen one, there is much indeed."

"I am no longer troubled with being claimed before others, tho it is not my first choice, but a public marking I would rather avoid."

"A public marking only?"

"May I ask you a question?"

"You are reticent to speak of it; I understand, but I am simply curious. If it helps I would take the seed of Cyllian any way I can, and I have, but an elf is not an orc."

"They are not and I hesitate simply because this is new to me, and the marking shocked me greatly; I knew not how to react being.... bathed like that, twice in one night, before others, it was overwhelming."

"Bathed is a fitting word from what I have seen."

"I can think of no better way to describe an orc marking than that."

Deniera had been laughing, perhaps making a simple joke but I was becoming uncomfortable speaking of such things, even with Melee I was reluctant.

"And now your question?"

"How is it your fae blood remained hidden? We have met before, tho briefly. I never sensed it, nor have I ever seen your hair."

"The true story of my birth is rather long, so another time perhaps. As for hiding my true blood origins, my father and mother feared greatly the reaction of other, more powerful kingdoms, should my secret become known. My hair was always hidden or disguised; scarfs, veils, hoods, and even false hair coverings. Your father was and is, greatly feared and even knowing you existed, his thoughts upon those like you were well known. And Cyllian told you how our half blood cannot be sensed."

"How long has Cyllian known, when did he tell you of himself?"

I desperately wanted to change the topic from my marking and claiming, and wanted to fill the gaps of my knowledge.

"From the first. He came when our union had been arranged. I had simply accepted it as my duty to my people, even tho I did suspect Fate had things in store for me. When our eyes met I knew there could be no other I would want, and I saw it in his eyes, there would be no other for him. On that first night he scaled the walls to my chambers and pushed the silken hood from over my face, I worried what he would say, but he only laughed. He told me then about his own bloodline, his true one and we gave ourselves to each other that very night and have been bound since."

"Strange there would be an arrangement if the king and queen wished to keep your secret?"

"A delaying tactic until a way out could be found, but once seeing him I would not hear of it; I knew there must be a way."

"I think Fate has bound us to our chosen mates long before we were born. There was never a man I wanted until I saw Zyre, and it was uncontrollable from the first."

"Yes, I agree; we two are very different from our mothers in that regard, haha, the stories of their myriad lovers thru the ages and eons, but like you with Zyre there can only be Cyllian, there has never been another. Interesting is it not? How we are them, but not?"

"It was hinted to me that Zyre and I are the consumation of the love between my mother and the god of war, that our offspring will rule for generations to come, but I know not. Dreams and prophecies mean little to me, only that I do what I must today."

"I agree, none may truly know what Fate will bring, and all we have is our duty."

We had been making our way unconsciously back to the camp, entering the trees and the smell of roasting meats and the stirrings of a waking encampment. It appeared that many were making preparations to leave, returning to their own lands. Returning to my and Zyres' tent we found him and Cyllian in conversation.

"We will leave with Kryzig and his host later this day, taking the path this side of the mountains. With us on horseback it will be faster than the forest road and his numbers will deter any from an attempted ambush."

"Aye, and Analea and I will come north in the weeks to come to witness the binding, the crowning, with a thousand orc from all the tribes so all will know of our alliance."

"You leave so soon Cyllian?"

"We must. There are things that yet need to be settled; tho strong things are not yet so secure as they are here and we must consolidate Deniera's power. And leaving with Kryzig is convenient."

I admit I was disappointed; I had had no time to speak with Cyllian alone and had only begun to know Deniera, but I understood; Zyre had just declared war last night and in the north they had already been battling conspiracy and subterfuge.

"Well then, safe journeys to you all, and I look forward to witnessing your binding, unless open war be upon us first."

"Worry not our enemies are not prepared, and as I have already revealed to Zyre the northern kingdom is not as weak as we let others believe. You will come see us in safety and peace."

"Queen Deniera, this is farewell then."

"Not Queen yet officially, but soon. Queen Analea it was an honor witnessing your claiming and enthronement by the Orc Council, we wish you well and thank you for your hospitality. I certainly do envy certain things of the orc life, this life under the trees in open air... perhaps someday the elfin race will return to their roots and leave walls behind. I know already Cyllian would prefer it."

"Indeed I would, like Analea I have no love of walls, nor do I strongly desire to rule; I leave such things for you, born to rule as your mother lords it over the stars."

"Haha, but the sun rules them all, but for her grace the moon and stars would never be seen... of course Cyllian all know you prefer the field of battle as all warriors do."

Deniera had said the first to me partly in jest I am sure, and certainly spoke truth of Cyllian.

"The love between the twin sisters above is known to all, only rarely does one blot out the other and then only in remembrance of past grief, shielding each other; as above let it be here as well Deniera, sister."

Zyre and I left them to prepare for their leaving and on our way we came upon Kryzig and Agneze, his right hand, preparing the hundreds of orcs in their company for leaving. The camp was fully alive now when from behind us came Zogreb. He is indeed huge and fearsome, the largest true blood orc I have ever seen, almost as large as Zyre.

"Zyre the envoys are off our lands, we stayed long enough to watch the dust of their leaving blow away with the wind. There is no sight or sound of an enemy on the plains."

"It took a long time to return Zogreb."

"Ha! No, you were with your queen on the feasting table, then there was that elf captain."

"Hmm, very well. I have one more task for you and your followers."

"What is it?"

"When you have your fill of feasting take all your followers and claim the swamp as our own. Root out any goblins or enemies and end them. I want no spies or hiding spaces for our enemies. Once they know you are there they will avoid it at all costs."

"Aye, there is hope for battle yet."

"He is a fearsome orc Zyre, Agneze commented that you fought with him?"

"He is and I did, twice. The first was a personal dispute the second he rebelled against my father. I fought him in personal combat to prevent an orc war."

"Is he dangerous to us?"

"Perhaps. If he rebelled many would follow him. He is like the orc of former days; a lover of war, carnage, bloodshed."

"Indeed Queen, their second fight was to be to the death, but Zyre beat him unconscious and left him lying there."

"Oh Gilead, and Melee!"

"Haha, Zyre would never say it himself."

"There is never a need to brag of one's victory Gilead. My dominance is already known."

"And that is the reason he is loyal? Your defeat of him?"

"Aye, and now the promise of war."

We ate and drank and eventually right at midday a loud blast from a horn blew and echoed throughout the camp, three times it sounded, then the howling of wolves and shouts of orcs.

"Ah Kryzigs' host is leaving, come."

Out to the plain we went where all of Kryzigs' followers had gathered along with Cyllian and Deniera and their small band. I saw the elfin captain from last night in full war garb upon her white mare shouting orders to her men, all of whom snapped to attention at her word apparently not letting the previous night's activity interfere with duty.

We made our farewells, both personal and formal; I embraced both Deniera and Cyllian, we bowed our heads in respect of rank before the host, and I made a personal farewell to both Kryzig and Agneze.

"My Queen shall we meet at the binding of Queen Deniera and Lord Cyllian?"

"We shall Agneze, I look forward to it. I have barely left this camp since my first arrival."

"Ha! Good we shall drink together and tell more tales! Maybe you'll start telling us about our Hegemon, no? Many a woman wants to know, haha!"

"Perhaps I shall be bold enough to speak on such things, good journeyings to you Agneze!"

"And to you Queen Analea of the Orc! Good bye Melee, old friend, we'll have more adventures soon!"

"Haha Agneze, it's been good to see you and I look forward to it!"

The horn blasted again, and with a mighty thunderous roar wolf and steed bounded away thru the plain, first directly east but soon a turn to the north following the foot hills of the mountains. We stayed to watch briefly, including Zyre which surprised me. When the backs of the last remnant were leaving our sight Zyre turned to Gilead and Melee.

"Gilead, Melee is all prepared as I asked?"

"Aye Zyre. The council has been informed as has your and the Queen's band. Orders have been given and all is set."

"What is this Zyre? Preparations for what?"

"You will see. Melee retrieve them, we are ready."

"Ready for what?"

Melee simply laughed and quickly turned and went back to the camp in the trees, arriving a few minutes later with Gorlung and Tiamat in tow.

"Lord Zyre, ready as you ordered. Harnessed, weapons ready, my Mistress' bow and a sheath of arrows, water and wine skins, and hunting spears at the ready!"

"What is this Zyre? Where do we go?"

"Into the forest Analea, into it's darkest heart and deepest shades, to where the river cuts thru it in rough rapids crashing over the rocks in a deep torrent. It is time you learn the lands you now rule."

"Truly? How many are we taking? Are Melee and Gilead coming? What of the camp?"

"Ha! No it will be just you and I. We will sleep on the ground, hunt our food. If we are fortunate we will hunt goblin and brigands, slave traders, who knows what. As for the camp, orders are given. If war comes sooner than I expect riders will be sent out sounding the iron horn and we will return."

"I did not expect this..."

"Come mount Tiamat, she waits as does the forest. Gilead, Melee look for us in five days, you know what to do if we are needed sooner."

"Aye Lord Zyre, the camp will be secure I promise you that."

I, tho shocked, mounted Tiamat but let the reigns go and gripped her thick coat of fur. I felt I should say something but was too surprised.

"Worry not Mistress, all is well. I will see to Broge and the band and when you return all will be as you said last night."

Five days in the forest, just Zyre and myself with the wolves; hunting, riding, perhaps fighting, and of course haha the other. I felt exhilaration at the thought and my eagerness grew with each passing second.

"Ready my Queen?"

"Just one last check of things."

My weapons ready, my blade on my back, knives around my waist, my bow strapped on the saddle, two short hunting spears on the other side, and a full quiver; Melee was as thorough as always.

"I am ready my Hegemon."

"Then let us ride."

He gave a roar and Gorlung rose up on his hind feet before springing off thru the camp, I gave Tiamat a tap and leaned in close as she followed fast. We raced thru at full speed, the wolves dodging those milling about and tents before we finally reached the furthest edge of the camp in the trees, then we were free, free in the forest. We headed south, then further west, the trees grew bigger and thicker here, the canopy darker, and it was not long before even the noise of the camp could no longer be heard.

END.