FicWad

Pervikar 07


Per and his comanions run into a nomadic tribe







Per looked over the group of people that he was traveling with. Alana, the halfling, strode ahead of Per with confidence. Per had met her when a tribe of orcs threatened her village. Together they had rallied the village and removed the danger.

Karlto walked behind and Octavia walked to Per’s right. Karlto, apriest of Zeus, was jovial and talkative. He also seemed to have agood appreciation for the ladies. Octavia strode along with all the wariness and grace of a fighter. Her armor and weapons were well cared for. Per and Alana had found the two being tortured by abeholder. The beholder used a magical beam from one of it’s eyes to force Octavia and Karlto to fuck each other over and over and over again until they almost died of exhaustion. After a hard battle, Per and Alana rescued them.

All of them were headed south towards a distant mountain range. Progress was slow because, apart from the pack mules, no one could afford ahorse. Alana, being only 3’3” tall, usually rode one of the mules so the group would not be restricted by her stride. She had just gotten off to stretch her legs and to take the point. Per and his companions had just entered the foothills and were proceeding warily.

“We have about three to four months of good weather left to explore around,” Per said to Octavia. “Do you know anything about this area?”

“No, I don’t,” she answered. “Neither does Karlto. Itake it that you two have not been down this way before?”

“I haven’t and I don’t think Alana has,” said Per. He then laughed. “You know, I thought adventuring would be full of excitement and danger. Now, I find it’s just plodding along from one place to another.”

Alana held up her hand to stop them just as everyone heard crashing sounds in the brush and woods to their right. Before anyone could move, two women burst through the brush and stopped dead in their tracks facing Per and his friends.

Both women were about eighteen years old and dressed in buckskin shirts and skirts. They had reddish skin and long back hair. One had her hair done up into two braids, while the other’s hair was flowing free.

The two groups stared at each other in surprise. In the silence, the baying of hounds could be heard approaching. One girl grabbed the hand of the other and they ran over to a nearby tree. Climbing swiftly, they hid in the upper foliage. No sooner had the two girls disappeared than four men with two large dogs on leashes came out of the brush.

“Who the Hades are you?” snarled the leader, obviously irritated to find Per and the others there.

“Travelers,” answered Per, holding his crossbow nonchalantly, but in such a way as to cover both the men and the dogs. “And yourself?”

“I’ll be asking the questions,” growled the leader. “Where did the girls go?”

“Haven’t seen any girls,” said Per.

“Look around,” said the leader over his shoulder to the dog handler.

The handler began circling around as the other three faced Per’s group. All the men wore ringmail and carried long swords. The dogs were large wardogs and were soon baying around the tree where the two women were hiding.

“I think we have some interesting birds in this tree,” stated the dog handler.

“You’ve got poor eyesight,” sneered the leader. He had been looking over Alana and Octavia appreciatively and Per knew he was going to try something. “Well, no harm done.”

The leader pretended to turn around, but then charged straight at Per, his sword raised to strike Per down. Per’s crossbow bolt thunked solidly into the leader’s chest. The man’s charge faltered as he stared down at the couple of inches of bolt left protruding out of his chest. He then collapsed to the ground.

Per did not see him fall. He dropped his crossbow and yanked out his sword just in time to stab the first dog to reach him. The handler had released both dogs and was pulling out his own sword. The second dog slammed into Per, causing both of them to fall over. Per dropped his sword to grip the dog’s throat and keep it’s teeth from biting him.

The dog’s hot, fetid breath blew on Per’s face as he squeezed the dog’s throat. It’s attack diminished and it started to whine as Per tightened his clench. The dog thrashed and tried to get away as Per held on, squeezing and squeezing until the dog died. Pushing the carcass aside, Per rose to his feet only to see that his friends had finished off the other men.

“Are you okay, Per?” asked Octavia.

“I’m fine. How is everyone else?”

“Not bad. Karlto got a scratch on the arm. The two girls jumped down on the last man from above and slit his throat as he was on the ground.”

Per went over to where the two girls were watching him warily.

“Are you two alright?” His question was met by blank stares. “Are you hurt? Do you live around here?”

The two women continued to stare at him. Per tried other languages, but still received no response.

“Say, old boy, let me try,” said Karlto, who tried other languages with exactly the same results.

“Any ideas, Alana?” Per asked her. “We’ve got to get these two home safely. Who knows how many groups like these guys are out there looking for these girls.”

“This was the only one,” said the girl with the braids. “They were trying to capture us to sell us as slaves.”

“Why didn’t you speak before?” asked Per.

“We were unsure of your intentions,” stated the other girl. “I’m Morning Mist and this is Golden Sunlight. Come, our camp is half-a-day from here.”

“We’d be honored,” said Per, but then stopped as the two women bent down and started to strip the dead men’s clothing. “What are you doing?”

Morning Mist looked up at him, baffled by the question.

“Taking their possessions,” she stated. “It is too valuable just to leave here in the dirt.”

They stripped the bodies and loaded the equipment onto the mules. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight led them westward.

“Who were those men?” Karlto asked Golden Sunlight.

“Slavers, as I said before” she answered. “We were out fishing when we spotted them. Unfortunately, they were between us and our people, so we ran to try to get away.”

“Who are your people?” asked Octavia.

“We are the Burgassi,” said Morning Mist, as if that explained everything. “What is this, uh, person?” she asked, indicating Per.

“I’m a half-ogre,” said Per, removing his helmet and shaking out his green hair.

Both girls moved slightly away from him at the sight of his hair and his now clearly visible violet eyes.

“What is half-ogre?” asked Golden Sunlight, looking a little apprehensively at Per. “Either you are or you are not.”

“My mother was human, like you, and raised me,” Per told her.“Don’t worry. I’m not going to eat you.”

They all broke out laughing and the trip was soon completed. From a ridge, Per looked out over the camp. The camp was large and Per estimated that there could be about five hundred people down there. People moved constantly between the tents of the camp. The tents were tall, cone-shaped hide tents. In the center of the camp was a cleared circular area.

“Please wait here,” Said Morning Mist. “We will go ahead and tell the elders about you. Don’t do anything that the others may misunderstand.”

“The others?” asked Karlto. “What others?”

Golden Sunlight lifted her arm and waved it in a circle. A man on horseback about fifty yards away came out from behind a bush. He was carrying abow with an arrow notched to the cord.

“Oh, those others,” commented Karlto. “Not to worry, old girl. We’ll be good as gold until your return.”

Morning Mist looked at him with a sour expression.

“You talk funny,” she said before she and Golden Sunlight ran off towards the camp.

Karlto stared after them open-mouthed. Per and Alana smiled at each other at his embarrassment. Octavia walked over and threw an arm around Karlto’s shoulder.

“Don’t let it throw you, old boy,” she said, mimicking his dialect.“They’ll become accustomed to it in two or three years.”

Karlto snorted and stomped over to a large rock where he sat down and sulked. The other three, smiling at his expense, went over and apologized. It took a couple of minutes, but they finally eased him back to his normally cheerful self. Shortly thereafter, Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight returned with an old man. Per and the others rose to their feet to meet them.

“I am Nanago,” stated the old man. “I am one of the elders of the Burgassi. My granddaughter has told me how you saved her and Golden Sunlight from the slavers.”

“Your granddaughter?” exclaimed Per.

“In a sense,” replied Nanago. “She is really my sister’s daughter’s daughter, but we share a close kinship. Will you come and share my tent and food?’

“We would be honored,” said Per.

Nanago waved to the man with the bow. He disappeared back into the brush and was joined by two other men and two women who were all on horseback.

“My compliments,” said Alana. “I only heard two others in the brush, not four.”

“You should not have heard any,” said Nanago. “I will have to speak to them tonight.”

“Not too harshly,” replied Alana. “I have exceptional hearing and know what to listen for.”

Nanago smiled. “Maybe just enough to make them more diligent.”

They were soon in the bustle of the camp. Children ran back and forth in games only they understood. Older girls and women tanned hides, ground flour, or worked on other chores. Men came and went bringing in game or other provisions. Per and his friends were looked over for a few seconds by each person they passed before that person went back to work.

They reached the center of the camp and a large ring of tents formed acircle around a wide cleared area. The only thing in the center was an eight-foot high pole. The pole was about a foot in diameter and aman was bound to it. Per saw immediately that the man was not of the Burgassi. His fingers were interlaced and tied to a small rod so that they were immovable. He also had a gag in his mouth.

“What did he do?” Per asked Nanago, indicating the man tied to the pole.

“He exceeded the limits of our generosity,” said Nanago. “He then tried to use magic to escape, thus the need for the elaborate precautions in securing him. I must now confer with the other elders. Please, wait here. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight will keep you company.”

Nanago turned and went over to a group of older men and women. They all sat close together in a circle. Six men and women armed with spears and hatchets formed another circle around the elders to keep the curious away.

“I say, deciding our fate like that poor sod?” Karlto asked Golden Sunlight.

“Yes,” was her reply.

“What exactly did he do?” asked Alana in the silence that followed as Karlto gaped at Golden Sunlight.

“He would not take ‘no’ for an answer,” replied Morning Mist. “We are a free people. One woman allowed him to sleep with her for several nights. One night, she decided to sleep with another and he could not understand that it was her choice to do so.”

“He raped her?” snarled Octavia.

“No, if he had tried to rape her, she would have killed him. He argued, shouted, and disturbed everyone in the tent. When they tried to quiet him down, he cast a spell on the ones around him putting them to sleep. Luckily, the guards came in and captured him.”

Per looked over at the man. He was of average height and build with brown hair, which was hanging down lank onto his forehead. His face was beet-red and his clothing was dirty and sweat-stained.

“How long has he been tied up?” asked Per.

“Two days.”

Per looked over at the man again and then picked up his canteen. Walking over to the pole, Per removed the gag and held the semi-conscious man’s head up. Per carefully tilted his canteen to let the man drink.

“Why did you do that?” came a question from behind Per.

Per looked around and saw that the elders were standing behind him. Nanago was in the forefront.

“For the same reason I helped your sister’s daughter’s daughter,” answered Per.

Nanago smiled. “Do you accept responsibility for him?” he asked Per.

“Uh, what does that mean?”

“To keep him out of trouble while he is among us,” replied Nanago,“Or you will take his place.”

Per grimaced and looked at the limp figure on the stake. He then shook his head and sighed.

"Yes, I will,” he said.

“Good!” said Nanago, smiling even wider. “He is yours. I’m glad you took the responsibility, otherwise, I would have had to today.”

Per looked at Nanago shocked and then broke out laughing.

“In other words, I’ve been duped,” Per said.

“In a word, yes,” replied Nanago. “Come, you will share my tent tonight.”

“Nanago, I don’t mean any offense, but I don’t know the way of your people,” stated Per. “I’m rather large to share a tent with. Could we sleep in our own tents and share our meals with you?”

“Are you sure?” asked Nanago.

“It will keep this man out of, um, temptations way,” Octavia said.“It will also give us a chance to learn from you without making the same mistakes he did.”

“Maybe it would be for the best,” stated Nanago. He studied Per’s size and build as a horse trader looks at a horse. “Definitely, that would be a good idea if I want to get any sleep. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight will show you where you can set up your tents and help you with anything else. This man will be brought over to your tents after our medicine man has seen to him.”

Per, Alana, Karlto, and Octavia followed the two girls to an area near the outside of the camp. The site had good drainage and a clear view for over two hundred yards away from the camp. They all quickly unpacked the mules and set up their tents.

“Who wants to go hunting?” asked Per, hefting his crossbow.

“I believe I have to stay here,” said Karlto, pointing at two men coming towards then carrying the man on a stretcher between them.

“Per, I’ve tried to keep up with you before,” stated Alana. “Go ahead. We will see you in a couple of hours.”

“Do you want us to come along?” Morning Mist asked Per.

“Trust me,” Alana told her. “He’s better on his own.”

Per smiled and took off for the forest in the distance. Karlto had the man placed in his tent. The man was severely dehydrated and his skin was sunburned. Alana took off with Golden Sunlight and returned after an hour with a couple of pheasants she had brought down with her sling. The sun was setting when Per returned with a boar and adeer.

“We were beginning to wonder about you,” said Octavia.

“Damn boar sidestepped just as the bolt was released,” said Per. “It hit him, but didn’t kill him. It took me some time to track him down. I couldn’t leave him out there wounded. Shall we go see Nanago?”

Nanago was overjoyed to see the game that the group had brought in. It was turned over to the cooks. At dinner, Per ate quickly, excused himself and carried food back to their tents and entered Karlto’s. The man, who was lying on a pallet, sat up and licked his dry lips, gazing at Per apprehensively.

“Relax. I’ve brought you food,” said Per.

“What am I doing here?” asked the man as he started to eat.

“Nanago released you to me, which means you have to behave or I’ll end up on the stake. We’ll both lose then because my friends won’t like that and you won’t like what they’ll do to you.”

“Warning noted,” said the man, shamefacedly. “I became infatuated with a woman here. I should have realized that it would only be temporary When I went to the tent and saw her with another man, I…uh…you know.”

“What’s your name?” asked Per.

“I’m sorry. I’m Pawl.”

I’m Per. Is it true that you can conjure magic?”

“Yes, I can,” replied Pawl. “I studied at the Thamurgical Academy. I found a reference to a lost book of spells. It correlated with some other references and I thought I had found the book’s location. I was wrong and ended up here.”

“And tied to a stake,” added Per with a chuckle.

“Ah, yes,” commented Pawl. “Not to worry. I have no desire to cause more trouble.”

“What can you tell me of the Burgassi?”

Pawl sat still for a moment collecting his thoughts.

“The Burgassi is a nomadic tribe who value individual freedom. Don’t let that fool you. The good of the tribe always comes before the good of the individual with them. The men and the women work side by side. There is no ‘man’s role’ or ‘woman’s role’ here. The Burgassi do not get married. Most of them have multiple partners, but there are a few that stay with one person all their life. It is their choice.” Pawl sighed. “I thought I had found one of the few. Anyway, the elders run the tribe. Show them the utmost respect. They are not selected by their age, but by their ability. I saw a dinner burn because the boy and the girl who were cooking it, stopped to listen intently and respectfully to the raving of a senile old woman who had once been an elder.”

“We didn’t insult Nanago by telling him that we would stay in our own tents, did we?” asked Per.

“No, he was probably glad you did. Nanago would have had to move several members of his family out of the tent to accommodate you. Anyone displaced would have been upset, not only for being displaced, but also for the chance to be in the same tent with the four of you.”

“Huh?” grunted Per, confused by the last statement.

“When you stay in a tent with other Burgassi, you are indicating that you are willing to have sex with them. You can refuse and it is not taken as an insult. People move from tent to tent every night. You may even get a couple who want to just spend the night here with you. They could be displaced and looking for a place to sleep or seeking to have sex.”

“How do you know which it is?”

“She…or you, go to the bed of the one that is desired,” said Pawl.“Throwing back the blanket indicates willingness. Pulling it up is a refusal.”

“Why don’t you get some rest?” Per told Pawl. “Two days without food and water is taxing.”

“Per, I need a favor,” said Pawl as Per stood up. “I need to apologize to the Burgassi, which means to the elders. I can’t do it without you because they have put me in the status of achild.”

“Why me?”

“Because you’re my parent, Dad,” said Pawl with a faint smile because his lips were still chapped.

“This has to do with me taking responsibility for you, doesn’t it?” asked Per rhetorically. “What do I have to do?”

“We have to sit before the elders without moving or speaking until they talk to us first. Once they ask us what our business is, you can ask them if they will hear a statement I wish to make. That’s it.”

“How long do we have to sit still?” asked Per.

“If we time it right, like right before lunch, not long.”

“Let’s do it then,” said Per. “Getting you out from under my wing is part of my duty to you, son.”

Per left the tent and went to find his other three companions. They were outside Nanago’s tent, swapping stories with Nanago, Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight.

“Ho, Per,” shouted Nanago, when Per cam into sight. “Come and tell us some tales.”

“None that would be as thrilling as yours,” answered Per.

Nanago shot him a glance. “You’ve been talking to that rascal Pawl. I feel sorry for him. Soft Dove gets great delight out of such manipulations.”

“Pawl wants to apologize to the elders tomorrow,” stated Per. “He told me what I have to do.”

“Well, since you have no stories for tonight, I’ll be off to bed,” Nanago told all of them. “Octavia, the offer to share my tent still stands.”

Nanago turned and entered his tent. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight followed him.

“I say, I just don’t get it,” commented Karlto. “Octavia has gotten numerous offers to sleep in just about everyone else’s tent, while I have not gotten any.”

“Let me tell you about the tents and sleeping arrangements here,” stated Per and he quickly told them what Pawl had explained him about the Burgassi. Alana was almost doubled over in laughter when Per finished.




“No wonder Octavia got all those invitations,” she chortled as she wiped away a tear. “I think we should take it easy until we have come to know the Burgassi better.”

Just then a young Burgassi man, about 18 years old, came up to the group. He stood there silently just staring at Alana.

“They say you are a full grown female,” he said to her, disbelievingly.

“Yes, I am,” retorted Alana.

“You are too short,” said the man with utter conviction. “You must be a child.”

“Would you like to sleep in my tent and find out?” dared Alana, miffed at his attitude.

The man’s conviction crumbled a little under the dare, but he strengthened his resolve.

“Yes, I will come,” he told Alana and they took off to her tent.

“So much for going slow,” commented Octavia.

Per, Octavia, ad Karlto walked back to their own tents. After saying goodnight, Per went into his tent and started to take off his armor. He was down to his pants when he heard someone scratch on the tent flap. Per pulled back the flap and standing there in the moonlight was Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight. Each had a bedroll under her arm.

“May we stay in your tent tonight?” asked Morning Mist.

“Of course,” said Per, hiding his trepidation.

The girls came in and quickly laid out their beds. Per had purchased alarge tent for himself so there was ample room. Per blew out the candle and got into his own bed. No sooner had he laid down then Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight crawled out of theirs and came over to his. The tent was almost pitch black, but Per’s ogre heritage allowed him to see in the dark. He immediately noticed that both girls were naked.

“Per?You may not know the ways of our people, but…” Morning Mist started to say.

Per touched her arm to stop her. “I understand that I can not stay and that I have to move on,” he stated. “Not tomorrow or next week, but I will have to leave. You two belong to the Burgassi. Your home and family is here. You can’t leave anymore than Ican stay. I am honored to share my tent with you.”

“You two talk too much,” griped Golden Sunlight. “Are you going to lift that blanket or not?”

Per looked at Morning Mist who just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. Per shook his head and lifted the corners on both sides of his blanket. The girls slid in next to him, pressing their cool bodies against his.

Morning Mist hiked herself up until she was half-laying on Per’s chest. Brushing her long black hair to one side, she leaned down to give him soft lingering kisses. Golden Sunlight sighed in appreciation as she ribbed her hands over Per’s rock-hard chest muscles. She leaned over to suckle at one of his nipples. Per felt his cock twitch and stir as Morning Mist nibbled on one of his ears and rubbed her body on his arm.

Per rubbed his hand up and down Golden Sunlight’s back as she continued to play with his chest. Per’s other arm was held down by Morning Mist’s body, but he could touch and caress her thigh with his hand. Morning Mist smiled down at Per and hiked herself up to her knees off his arm. Per, his arm now free, brought his hand up between Morning Mist’s legs.

Morning Mist gasped as Per’s large fingers stroked gently, but firmly over her pussy. Per could feel her moisture seep out as his fingers deftly parted the outer lips of her cunt. Morning Mist humped backwards slightly as Per’s middle finger wormed its way into her pussy up to the second knuckle.

Golden Sunlight was pressing and rubbing her body against Per’s. Per felt her hard nipples slid against his side. Golden Sunlight ran her hand lightly over Per’s chest before slowly, very slowly, sliding down over his stomach to touch his hard cock.

Golden Sunlight inhaled sharply and looked down quickly as if to confirm by sight what her fingers were touching. She pulled back the blanket exposing his twelve-inch long prick. She started breathing a little harder as she stroked up and down its entire length.

Golden Sunlight let go of Per’s cock and snagged one of Morning Mist’s hands. She pulled it down and placed it on top of Per’s cock. Morning Mist also gasped and looked down as she felt the size of it.

“Sun and Rain!” she exclaimed as her fingers probed the length and width of his hard meat.

Golden Sunlight had scooted down so she could caress Per’s heavy balls. She then gripped the lower portion of Per’s cock as Morning Mist wrapped her hands around the upper portion. With his cock pointing straight up, the two women pumped his cock in unison. Pre-cum oozed out the tip and over Morning Mist’s hands.

Per’s finger was now sliding all the way in and out of Morning Mist’s pussy. She breathed heavily as Golden Sunlight nodded to her. Morning Mist moved so Per’s finger had to slide out of her. She scooted around and threw a leg over his hips. Golden Sunlight, still holding onto Per’s cock, positioned it so that the tip touched the entrance to Morning Mist’s cunt.

“Oh!It’s so big!” gasped Morning Mist as she rocked back onto Per’s hard cock driving an inch into her wet pussy.

She continued to rock back and forth forcing a little more up her cunt each time. Per felt Morning Mist get about half of his cock inside her incredibly tight vagina. Morning Mist was biting her lower lip as she fucked herself on his huge prick. The pressure on his cock was immense and Per felt the tension building fast in his balls. He knew he had to get his mind on something else or he would blow very quickly.

Per reached down and pulled Golden Sunlight up. She was startled as Per lifted her up completely off the ground and set her down right on his face. Golden Sunlight moaned as Per’s tongue flicked out and licked right over her clitoris. Her musky scent filled his nostrils and Golden Sunlight groaned with her fingers entwined in his hair as Per’s tongue delved deep within her hot, wet pussy.

Both women were breathing heavily and moaning as Per lapped furiously at Golden Sunlight’s pussy. His cock felt like it was being squeezed in a soft, wet, hot vice. Per was shaking in an effort not to cum too soon. All of a sudden, Morning Mist shoved herself down on Per’s cock She grimaced as half of his cock went in and hit bottom, but then gasped as her orgasm flooded throughout her body. Her pussy clamped even tighter on Per’s cock, which was enough to send him over the edge. With a gargled cry, Per felt his cock explode and squirt gobs of hot, sticky cum into Morning Mist’s pulsating pussy.

Barely able to catch her breath, Morning Mist held on until she felt Per stop spurting. She then tolled heavily off to the side to collapse. Per’s cock, slick with their mingled juices, slurped nosily out of her and slapped wetly against his stomach. Per pushed Golden Sunlight over onto her back as he felt the fire of desire begin to burn again in his balls.

“Wait, I…OH!” gasped Golden Sunlight as four inches of Per’s rock-hard prick penetrated her wet cunt. “I…Oh, yes!”

Despite his need to climax again, Per was keeping almost all his weight off the girl. He gritted his teeth in concentration, fighting to only fuck her with half his cock against the almost overwhelming urge to bury it all the way in.

“More!” panted Golden Sunlight as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. “More!”

Per snorted and let go of his restraint. He shoved ten inches into her pussy before hitting the top of her cervix. Golden Sunlight quivered at the hard meat stuffed into her pussy. She then pulled herself up against his body so that she was off the ground. Per was still fucking her, but now Golden Sunlight was swaying underneath him.

Per pulled up so that he was on his hands and knees, lifting Golden Sunlight up with him. The fire in his balls had spread to his whole body and the urge was now overpowering. Per rocked back and forth causing Golden Sunlight to sway under him. She was like a swing and her ass banged against his legs each time he thrust, driving his cock with incredible force into her sopping wet cunt. With Per being on his hands and knees, it shortened the length that his cock could go in to nine inches. Even so, Golden Sunlight’s eyes rolled back in her head and her eyelids fluttered with each hard thrust.

Per felt the tension build in his balls. He was dimly aware that Golden Sunlight had orgasmed twice and that her grip was weakening. Breathing hard through his nostrils, Per increased the pace.

“Yes, Per!” gasped Golden Sunlight. “Yes! Hurry! Squirt your seed into me! Hurry! Faster!”

Per’s whole body went tense as his climax enveloped him. Golden Sunlight, sensing his peak, gripped him tightly and held on. Per quivered and shook as a great pressure seemed to squeeze him from all sides. Finally, with a snap, his climax burst and his cock spewed forth torrents of jism into Golden Sunlight’s waiting womb.

Golden Sunlight gasped as she felt Per’s cock blast its load into her again and again. She felt her pussy fill and then overflow, as his cum dribbled down her ass and drip onto the bed. It seemed to last forever, but soon Per’s spurts died off and the lust left him. Golden Sunlight, unable to hold on any longer, thudded down onto the bed.

Per rolled off to one side. The fire was gone and he was exhausted. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight kissed him on the cheek and rolled over into their own beds.

Per awoke the next morning to find himself alone. The girls’ bedrolls were still there, but Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight were gone. Per hefted himself up and went outside to wash up. As he stepped outside, he spied Alana sitting on a boulder.

“Well, how was your night?” he asked walking over to her.

“Tiring,” replied Alana. Per smiled at her knowingly. “Oh, no, no, no!Not what you’re thinking. I got that young buck to my tent, but wouldn’t let him sleep with me. I started talking dirty and then masturbated in front of him. Gods, I must have orgasmed five times. I kept refusing him by reminding him that I was only a little girl in his eyes. By the way he was all hunched over, he must have had the worst set of blueballs I’ve ever seen. I kept telling him all the nice, nasty, lewd things I’d do to him if I wasn’t such a little girl.”

“You’re cruel, Alana,” stated Per with a laugh. “At least you got rid of him.”

“Oh, no! Wrong again!” corrected Alana. “He has to come back tonight or I told him that I’d tell everyone what really happened in the tent.”

“Alana, be careful,” warned Per. “You said yourself that we should take it slow.”

Alana patted Per on the forearm.

“Per, when did I ever take my own advice?” and with that said, she turned and walked away.

As Per finished washing up, a young man from the tribe came to him to tell Per that Nanago would like to see him. Per quickly put his gear away and went over to Nanago’s tent. Nanago and an elderly woman were sitting on the ground inside the tent playing a game using colored stones. Per sat down and tried hard not to move. The game seemed to last forever.

“Good move, Joran,” Nanago said at last. “I thought I had you there for awhile.”

“You did,” stated Joran in a clear distinct voice. “You overextended…again.”

“Wait until next time.”

Joran snorted indicating her thoughts on Nanago’s chances of winning next time.

“Shall we show him the gift?” she asked, jerking a thumb at Per.

“Why not?” said Nanago. “He’s been patient enough. With some training, he might even learn to sit still for longer than five minutes.”

“With a whole lot of training,” added Joran with a smile towards Per.

“I apologize,” said Per. “It’s not my nature.”

“Per, when are you and that rascal Pawl coming before the council?” asked Nanago as he stood up.

“Just before noon,” replied Per, who stood up quickly and held out ahand to assist Joran.

“At least his manners are not lacking,” she stated bitingly to Nanago. “Nixta is going to be upset if she’s kept too long from lunch.”

“Good,” said Nanago dryly. “Then it will be a short council.”

“Nanago, why do the elders have different names than the younger people? I mean, Nanago, Joran, Nixta while the younger people are Morning Mist, Golden Sunlight and Soft Dove.”

“It has to do with being an elder,” said Nanago. “A child born to the tribe is named after the vision the mother sees at birth. Sometimes the vision is outward and sometimes it is inward. The elders give up their childhood name to rule and govern the tribe. I’m afraid I can’t explain it better than that. Per, when you come before the council, think like a rock. Unseeing. Unhearing. Unmoving. When you see me pick up a fan of feathers, that will be the time for you to sit down with Pawl facing my tent.”

“Nanago!” admonished Joran. “You go too far!”

“Per does not know us and we owe him for saving Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight. Besides the timing will irritate Nixta.”

“You’ll owe me,” stated Joran slyly. “I would be honored if you slept at my tent tonight.”

Nanago’s mouth dropped open and Per took another glance at Joran. Now standing and out of the shadows, Per got a better look at her. Her long hair, which Per had first thought to be gray, was actually silver. Her body was still lithe and her face contained the beauty she had when she had been younger. Per quickly reappraised the crone status he had placed her in. Nanago finally found his voice.

“Honored,” he said, both delighted and awed. “Come, Per. We have a gift for you and each of your friends.”

Nanago led them outside the tent. Across the circular open area, Per spied the largest horse he had ever seen. It had to be eighteen and a half hands high with a blackish-brown coat. It’s mane and tail hung down in long wavy ripples.

“He’s yours,” said Nanago. “We have given each of you a mount for saving the two women.”

“He’s magnificent,” stated Per. “I’m surprised you can give him up.”

“He’s actually too big and cumbersome for us,” admitted Nanago. “I have a feeling, though, that with you on his back, you two will almost be unstoppable. You’ll look formidable to stop most arguments before they even start.”

“And how might that be?” asked Per. “Mostly everyone I know will take that as a challenge.”

“All too true,” said Joran, “but it should keep the riff-raff away.” She looked up to the sun. “You’d better go get Pawl.”

Per nodded to both of them and ran back to Karlto’s tent. Pawl was there, brushing out one of his tunics. Per gathered him up and they both headed back to the elder’s circle. Per and Pawl waited about fifty feet away from Nanago’s tent. Per looked over at Pawl when he heard him inhale sharply.

“That’s Soft Dove,” said Pawl, with a shiver.

Per looked over past the group of elders standing outside Nanago’s tent. A stunning Burgassi woman with thick black hair was moving adeerskin-stretching frame around to the side of the tent. She had dark smoldering eyes and smiled seductively at Per and Pawl while moving another frame. Soft Dove was wearing a very short skirt and ahaltertop so tight that it threatened to pop the one button holding it together in the front.

“Don’t look at her,” warned Per. “We’ve…Oh, shit. C’mon.”

Per pulled Pawl over to their positions and sat down. Pawl blew out his breath deeply and then also sat down. Nanago had picked up the fan of feathers while Per had been talking. One wrinkled old woman shot Per a look of anger and looked at Nanago. Nanago shrugged his shoulders to her and Per sat rock still. Blankets were brought out for the elders who sat down on them facing Per and Pawl.

Per hoped that they would not have to wait long. His eyes then widened as he heard Pawl swallow noisily next to him. Right behind Nanago, Soft Dove had made an enclosure between the tent and the stretching frames. She was smiling wickedly at both Per and Pawl, and Per suddenly realized that no one could see her unless they were in line with him and Nanago. With the large circular area behind him, Per knew that only he and Pawl would be able to see her.

Soft Dove smiled at them again as she began rubbing her hands up and down her body. She blew kisses at them as she squeezed her breasts over top of her halter and rubbed them around in circles. Soft Dove reached over and unbuttoned the single button holding her top together. She did not let the top go, though. She looked questioningly at Per, shaking her alternatively up and down, then side to side. Soft Dove started to gyrate in a sensual dance, still holding on to the edges of her haltertop. Per’s forehead broke out in a sweat and his cock began to grow in a very uncomfortable position. Soft Dove turned her back to them, looked over her shoulder, and pulled off her top.

Per swallowed hard and strove to remain still. Nanago and a couple of the elders were now looking at Per and Pawl with their brows furrowed in irritation. Soft Dove continued with her tease. She bent at her hips and turned from side to side, letting her breasts swing out for Per and Pawl to see. She then spun around covering her tits with her hands. Soft Dove quivered her hand, making the supple flesh jiggle underneath.

Per’s cock felt like it was bent in half. He knew that he would have to move soon because the pain was excruciating. Soft Dove had her back to them again and hefted her skirt up, displaying her well-rounded ass. All the elders were now staring at the fidgeting Per and Pawl with hostility.

Soft Dove turned to face them, her breasts now swinging free, as she placed her hands on her thighs and slowly pulled them apart. She smiled wickedly as her hands slowly slid up her legs to her cunt. She closed her eyes as she lifted her skirt with one hand and sank afinger into her pussy with the other.

Nanago’s eyes were flickering back and forth between Per and Pawl. His brow smoothed out as he realized that they were not looking at him, but past him. Nanago quickly jumped up and spun around just in time to see Soft Dove shove her finger into her cunt. A collective gasp went up from the elders and nearby guards. Per fell over in a gasp of relief as he released to cramp in his cock.

“Nanago, what are you doing?” demanded Joran, angrily.

“You shame us all,” cackled Nixta, simultaneously.

“Quiet!” ordered Nanago in a surprisingly strong voice. He pointed at Soft Dove. “Seize her!”

The guards looked around baffled, unable to see Soft Dove, who now stood frozen under Nanago’s stare. One female guard walked over to Nanago and then gasped as she saw where he was pointing. All the guards closed in on the frames and, after a short tussle, pulled Soft Dove out. She was then dragged around front between where the elders had been sitting and where Per and Pawl were.

“WHY?” demanded Nanago of her. “Why? Why did you do this? You’ve shamed us all.”

“Shame?” replied Soft Dove, viciously. “The only shame is treating these…people as Burgassi. They should be humbling themselves before us. We are the superior ones! This was only to prove their unworthiness. No Burgassi would have failed!”

Nanago sighed deeply. “I suspect no Burgassi was ever put to your test. How many others has there been?” Soft Dove remained silent. “HOW MANY?”

“Hundreds!” she hissed between clenched teeth.

Nanago’s shoulders slumped. “Nixta, she is of your line,” he said turning to the old woman.

Nixta stood up and stared around the circle. Per looked around also and was amazed to see hundreds of nomads standing there. He had never heard them approach, although he now noticed the unnatural silence in the camp. Nixta looked back and forth over the crowd, looking at specific individuals before moving on. She finally sat down after a couple of minutes.

“I see no one here of my line,” she said with what seemed to Per to be a dreadful finality.

“Noooo…Umph!” screamed Soft Dove, only to have her scream cut short by a spear butt to the back of her head.

The guards dragged a groggy Soft Dove over to several four-foot high stakes driven into the ground. They lashed her arms to two stakes and her legs to two others. They finished the job by lashing her ankles down, leaving Soft Dove completely immobilized on her hands and knees. The female guard tied a gag around Soft Dove’s mouth. As soon as they were finished, the guards went back to their positions behind the elders and the rest of the crowd dispersed.




“What did you wish to discuss, Per?” Nanago asked him as he sat back down.

“Um, ah, my ward, Pawl, whishes to speak to the elders if you will permit it,” said Per, stumbling over the words as he was caught off guard.

Nanago looked to the other elders who nodded affirmatively. Nanago then nodded to Pawl.

“I wish to apologize to the Burgassi. My actions were unworthy and reprehensible. As a child, I would blame everyone, but myself and would not learn. As an adult, I can be responsible for my actions and learn from my mistakes. I am asking you to let me be an adult.”

“I think we have learned that your actions were not entirely your fault,” stated Joran. “Leave us. We will let you know after the meal.”

Per and Pawl returned in silence to their tents. Octavia, Karlto, and Alana were there along with Per’s stallion, three other horses and a pony. Laid out nearby on blankets were bridles, saddles and saddlebags.

“How did it go?” asked Octavia.

“We’ll know in a little bit about Pawl’s adulthood,” answered Per. “We almost failed due to the scheming bitch who got him in trouble in the first place. I see the gifts have arrived.”

“I say, what did happen with the elders?” asked Karlto.

Per told them everything that had gone on with the elders. He then told them how the horses and tack were gifts from the Burgassi.

“Although, it seems that they have added an extra horse,” concluded Per.

“Maybe they’re telling me that I’ve worn out my welcome,” said Pawl with a smile.

“Could be,” commented Per, “but I’m still going to need some lessons in riding.”

It was two hours later when Nanago walked over to their cluster of tents. Alana had taken off to the circular area to see Soft Dove’s fate for herself and had returned just before Nanago.

“Hail, Pawl,” Nanago intoned. “You are an adult.” He then broke out in a smile. “How does it feel to be grown up?”

“Better than when I was a child tied to that post,” replied Pawl.“Thank you.”

“You only get this one chance,” warned Nanago. “Per, you’ve lost a son.”

“But gained a friend,” added Per. “Nanago, I don’t know how to ride.”

“Do not worry. We will teach you.”

“Nanago, what will happen to Soft Dove?” asked Octavia.

“She is without lineage here,” he replied sadly. “If she survives the night, she will be banished in the morning.”

“But…but none of us have lineage here,” said Alana.

“Not true. You are of my mother’s line,” Nanago told them.“She is very old and her mind wanders constantly, but I speak for her and have accepted you as part of her line.”

“And Soft Dove?” asked Per.

“She is no one. No one will protect her and many that hate her will have their revenge on her. I told you she was manipulative. That has earned her a large number of enemies. Nixta protected her before. Tonight, they can strike with impunity.”

“And you condone this?” asked Octavia.

“She tried to influence the elders against Per and Pawl by twisting our traditions to further her own ends. To protect her would indicate that I agree with her actions and reasoning. I don’t. Not even Nixta, who is her grandmother, will protect her.”

“So she will be killed,” stated Alana.

“No,” replied Nanago. “No one will be merciful and slit her throat outright. She’ll be raped and abused enough to kill her. When she stepped outside of our society, she lost all of its protection. Ah, well. What did you do to Willow Sprout last night, Alana? He refuses to discuss anything and usually you can’t get him to shut up.”

“Oh, just feminine wiles,” said Alana, willing to allow Nanago to drop what was a painful topic to him.

“Be nice to him. He’s a nice boy, Not just worldly yet.”

“I promise to be nice to him,” said Alana sweetly.

Nanago shot her a look of disbelief. “Morning Mist, Golden Sunlight, and Willow Sprout will be by later to start teaching you to ride. By the time we have to leave here, you will be almost as proficient as any Burgassi.”

“When do you have to leave here?” asked Per.

“At the next full moon,” stated Nanago as he began to walk away.“In about thirty days.”

The riding lessons took up the rest of the day and went well. Per found out he had some leg muscles that he did not know existed before. As amatter of fact, the entire group was kind of hobbling around after the lessons. As dusk settled in, Per kneaded his sore muscles and then put on his armor and sword. He looked out of his tent before stepping out and saw Willow Sprout scratch on Alana’s tent flap.

“I am here as ordered,” he said stiffly as Alana opened the flap.

“Come in,” she said gently. “We need to talk…among other things.”

Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight were not in sight, so Per walked out of his tent and went over to where Soft Dove was staked out. The sunlight was fading fast and the clearing was gloomy as Per loomed over Soft Dove.

Soft Dove gave a muffled scream as Per’s huge body appeared before her. She fought hard against the bonds holding her, but to no avail. She screwed her eyes shut and trembled in fear as Per knelt down beside her.

“I’m taking off your gag,” he told her. “Don’t force me to replace it.”

Per undid the gag and stood up. He moved about five feet away and started standing guard.

“So you’re the first,” snipped Soft Dove. “What’s the matter? Can’t stand sloppy seconds.”

“Such bravery from a woman who has lost everything,” stated Per. “I’m here to protect you.”

“Protect me?” sneered Soft Dove. “My people will protect me. Not some half-breed, ignorant…Ugh!”

Per reached over and grabbed her hair, pulling her face up to within inches of his large incisors.

“Listen, bitch. I’m here to protect you. Right now, I’m the only so-called friend you…” Per cut off talking as he heard someone approach. He unsheathed Dorgeth and his infravision soon picked up the image of a man coming towards him with a large dog by the man’s side.

“That’s far enough,” said Per quietly, standing up erect.

“The man started. “I did not know anyone else was here. I’ll wait until you are done.”

“Go back to your tent,” said Per. “No one is going to abuse her tonight.”

“No!” snarled the man. “For years, she called me a dog. Now, she can be fucked like the dog she is and Kawsa here is just the one to give it to her.”

“Go back to your tent,” said Per.

“Why are you protecting her?” asked the man. “You’re the one she tried to disgrace. Nanago would not have sent anyone to help her.”

“Nanago does not know I’m here,” stated Per. “This is something I am doing on my own.”

“Kawsa and I could beat you,” warned the man ominously. The dog started a low, throaty growl.

“All too true,” admitted Per, “but one or both of you would be hurt in the process. She is not worth that.”

The man stayed silent for a minute or two. He then patted the top of the dog’s head quieting him down.

“Also true,” he said. “Goodnight and good luck.”

The rest of the night was a repetition of Per’s first encounter. He warned off numerous groups and individuals. Oddly, it was not the twenty-man gang rape group or the young boys coming up with a red-hot branding iron who gave Per the most trouble. It was the women. This was their night to avenge each and every slight or insult Soft Dove had given them. It seemed that Soft Dove had a way of luring certain men to her tent just when the other woman wanted him. Per actually had to backhand one woman to keep her away.

During the entire night, Soft Dove kept her head down. She did not utter asingle word, but Per could see her shaking in fear each time someone approached. The stream of people tapered off and Per found it hard to stay awake. Finally, just prior to dawn, Nanago approached Per.

“What are you doing here?” Per asked him groggily.

“I’m here to get repulsed like the others,” Nanago said. “Having been done so, I now return to my bed.”

“Your bed or Joran’s?” asked Per smiling.

“I will tell you, Per, that my heart almost stopped twice yesterday. Once, when she invited me to her tent and again when she nearly killed me in the bed.” Nanago walked over in front of Soft Dove. He squatted down and pulled her head up roughly by the chin.“You had better thank the Wind each and every day for this man. He does not understand what you have done, just as you do not understand why he is guarding you.” Nanago stood up. “Per, go to your tent. No one else will be here tonight.”

“You’re wrong, Nanago,” said Per. “Two people are coming now.”

Per and Nanago waited side by side as the people approached. Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight appeared out of the dark. Morning Mist was loaded down with blankets and Golden Sunlight was carrying a wineskin and alarge basket of food.

“Grandfather!” admonished Morning Mist. “What are you doing out of bed at this time of the morning?”

“Here I am ready to berate her and she attacks first,” moaned Nanago to Per. “Her mother was the same way. What are you doing here?”

“We brought blankets and food,” said Golden Sunlight as she set the basket down. “We were waiting at his tent and just found out what he had been doing all night.”

“Go to bed, grandfather,” said Morning Mist, gently. “Joran will feel insulted if you are not with her when she wakes.”

Nanago nodded and walked off in the direction he had come from. Morning Mist rolled out the blankets as Golden Sunlight laid out the food.

“Why are you two here?’ Per asked them as they worked.

“They’re here to insult and abuse me,” snarled Soft Dove.

Both girls sprang to their feet so fast that Per almost stumbled trying to get in-between them and Soft Dove. He caught his balance with difficulty and stood between the three of them. Apart for jumping to their feet, Morning Mist and Golden Sunlight had not moved. Their hands were clenched and their bodies shook with anger.

“No one gave you permission to speak,” growled Morning Mist with alook of pure hatred on her face.

Per stepped forward and turned the two girls away from Soft Dove.

“What does it matter what she says?” he asked rhetorically.

Golden Sunlight shook off her anger and smiled at Per. She reached down and picked up the wineskin. Uncorking it, she took a swallow and passed it over to the still fuming Morning Mist.

“Drink,” she said to the other girl. “Deeply.”

Morning Mist took several deep swallows from the skin. She exhaled loudly as she passed the skin over to Per. Per could see a flush rush up her neck and give her face a warm, rosy glow. Per took a tentative sip and was glad he did as the fiery liquid hit the back of his throat.

“Let’s get you out of that armor,” said Morning Mist.

“I don’t think that is such a good idea,” stated Per.

“Is it comfortable?” asked Golden Sunlight.

“Not particularly.”

“You won’t need it for the rest of the night,” stated Golden Sunlight as she and Morning Mist began to unbuckle his chainmail.

Morning Mist knelt down and unbuckled Per’s greaves. Golden Sunlight laid out his chainmail on a blanket and rolled it up to prevent dew from settling on it. Morning Mist tossed over the greaves to Golden Sunlight and then rubbed both hands over Per’s cock.

Per gasped in surprise and reached down to grab both of her hands. He quickly let go though and reached behind him as Golden Sunlight grabbed both of his asscheeks and squeezed.

“Ladies, we can’t do this,” he said, trying to keep their hands off him without success.

Golden Sunlight stepped back, looked at him and asked,“Why?”

“Because…um…uh,” and Per glanced at Soft Dove tied to the stakes not more than ten feet away.

“As you said, it does not matter what she says or thinks or sees. She is nobody to us.”

Per gasped again as Morning Mist began to softly caress his balls. His cock twitched in response and started to grow. Golden Sunlight pulled off his padding exposing his chest and hard muscles. Morning Mist was rubbing her hands up and sown the entire length of his hardening cock. When it was completely hard, Morning Mist undid his belt and pulled his pants down.

“Wha…By the…” Per heard Soft Dove gasp as she caught sight of his twelve-inch long prick, but he was beyond caring as Morning Mist grasped his cock with both hands and gently pumped it back and forth. Golden Sunlight helped Per step out of his pants and then she stripped down to her skin.

Golden Sunlight rubbed her body against Per’s back, looking around him every now and then to watch Morning Mist. Morning Mist was stroking Per’s cock just inches away from her face. She stared intently at the slit where his cum would be spurting out of. Per-cum was oozing out of the tip as Morning Mist leaned forward and licked allover the sensitive head of his cock.

Per heard Soft Dove groan at the same time he did. Golden Sunlight was mashing and rubbing her breasts against his back as she watched Morning Mist suck him off. Per reached behind him and in between her legs. Golden Sunlight’s pussy was hot and wet as Per easily sank a finger deep into her hole.

Morning Mist continued to lave her tongue around and around the head of Per’s cock. Per stiffened his knees as he felt the pressure build in his balls. Morning Mist’s lips formed an ‘O’ and she placed them over the tip of his prick. Her long black hair swayed back and forth as her head and hands moved back and forth in his cock.

Per felt the tension increase in his balls. With one girl rubbing his back with her naked body, while the other sucked his cock, he would not last long. Out of the corner of his eye, Per noticed that Soft Dove was watching them mesmerized. That little thrill of being watched sent Per over the edge. With a strangled cry, his balls tightened, sending the first spurt of hot cum racing down his cock. The jism blasted out of his prick into the wet, waiting mouth of Morning Mist.

She moaned as she felt her mouth fill with Per’s sperm. Morning Mist swallowed as the second spurt followed the first filling her mouth again. The third spurt billowed out her cheeks. Morning Mist managed to swallow enough to keep ahead of the fourth and fifth spurts. As Per’s climax subsided, Morning Mist pumped his cock for that last pearly white drop and swallowed it down. She moved away as the fire began to burn in Per’s balls once again.

“My turn,” said Golden Sunlight, moving around in front of Per.“Per, grab a hold of my waist.”

Per, the fire of desire burning in his balls and starting to move throughout his body, grasped her waist. He almost forgot about the fire when Golden Sunlight smiled at him and slowly brought one leg up between them to raise it straight up in the air. She rested her ankle on his shoulder. Per held on as she reached down and grasped his iron-hard cock. The fire burned even hotter at the cool touch of her hands. A red haze started to filter down over his vision.

“Pull, Per,” he heard Golden Sunlight say.

Per pulled her waist towards him. Her legs split wider apart and his cock, which she had been holding, sank into that tight, wet delicious warmth of her cunt. Per needed no other encouragement. He readjusted his grip on Golden Sunlight’s waist and started to push and pull her onto his large cock.

Golden Sunlight gripped Per’s wrists for support, although she knew by his lust-driven grip that he was not going to let go until he came in a big way. She smiled a seductive, wicked smile and pulled herself to Per as he thrust deep into her. Golden Sunlight’s leg slid on Per’s collarbone and her breasts bounced wildly with each impact of his cock into her. She was taking all of his cock and it was painfully hitting the top of her womb, but she did not care. She was going to be fucked like she had never been fucked before or probably would ever be again.

Per was beyond caring. All he knew was that his cock was fucking a tight, wet pussy that tightened as he thrust in, spreading Golden Sunlight’s legs farther apart. Sweat glistened on both of their bodies and they were gasping heavily from both the lust and exertion. Per’s mouth was open and his lower lip was curled down exposing his over-large incisors as he rammed his cock into Golden Sunlight’s cunt. Per could feel the tension build in his balls like a hand slowly squeezing them. Per increased his speed and Golden Sunlight cried out in pleasure as her whole body shook from the impact of his cock.

Per was snorting fast and heavy through his nose as his climax approached. Sweat was now flying off both of them. Golden Sunlight could only grunt in lust as her pussy stretched wide to accept his cock again and again. She had lost count of the number of orgasms she had. Per felt his body tense and, with amighty pull, he buried his cock all the way into her cunt.

Golden Sunlight gritted her teeth and held on tightly to Per’s wrists as his body shook and quivered. Suddenly, his back arched and his cock literally hosed a huge load of hot, slippery cum into her. Golden Sunlight gasped when she orgasmed again as her vagina filled and overflowed with his hot jizz. Per’s cock hosed out another load of sperm and Golden Sunlight’s over-filled gushed it out to roll down her leg. Per fired off one last wad and then they both collapsed to the ground.

Morning Mist ran over to them. “Are you alright?” she asked concerned.

Golden Sunlight laid sprawled on her back with her legs apart and pearly white cum leaking out of her pussy. Per had thrown himself to one side so not to crush Golden Sunlight. He was on his hands and knees panting heavily with his head down. Morning Mist knelt down beside Golden Sunlight and grasped her hand.

“I’m…I’m fine,” gasped out Golden Sunlight. “I…ow…won’t be able…to walk for a…ugh…a week. Check on, Per.”

Morning Mist started to get up when Per grimaced and motioned for her to remain where she was. He rolled over to a sitting position and began to gingerly flex his arms and shoulders.

“You won’t be able to walk and I’ll be screaming in pain each time someone slaps me in the arm,” Per said to Golden Sunlight.“I couldn’t lift a pebble now. My arms are on fire.”

Golden Sunlight lifted her arms up. Between Morning Mist and Per, she was able to sit up.

“Unfortunately, we have to get back to the tent and you have to get dressed,” Golden Sunlight said with gritted teeth as she stood up all the way.

“Let me help you,” said Per.

“No, we can manage,” stated Morning Mist. “You have to stay. The elders will be here shortly after breakfast,” and with Golden Sunlight’s arm over her shoulder, the two of them faded into the false dawn that was rising.

“Permission to speak, Per,” came a quiet voice to Per’s side.

“That’s not necessary with me, Soft Dove,” he answered. “What is it?”

“I wanted to…Thank you for your kindness,” said Soft Dove contritely. “You could have used me, but you protected me. Idon’t understand, but thank you.”

“After those two, I couldn’t whip a wet noodle,” said Per, stifling a groan as he reached for his pants.

“Those two,” mused Soft Dove. “They did the most cruel abuse to me that anyone could have thought of. They showed me what I have lost. In the morning, Per, I’ll be banished with spear, knife and food. I’ll have to travel far to leave the Burgassi ranges, but I owe you a debt that one day I’ll repay. This Iswear.”

“You owe me nothing,” stated Per. “Since you have to leave today and we’ll be here for a month, there is small chance that we will meet in the future.”

Soft Dove smiled and Per was taken aback. It was the first time he had seen her smile at him without malice. Despite the dirt and the mud, it made her beauty shine through.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “When you are in your greatest hour of need, the Wind will bring me to you. Even if I am no longer of the Burgassi, I can at least start acting like one. Get dressed, Per and eat. I see long journeys looming for both of us.”