 
                          --===CHAPTER 8===--
 
Part 2: Seeking the Dragon
 
 
 
Chapter 8
 
 
 
    It took the group about an hour to gather up all of the
things they needed for their journey.  Gaphnia had told them to take
what they needed from the castle without concern for Iamor.  She'd
said, "I'll deal with him later."
 
    Don had left Kate to look after packing their clothing
items; he didn't have very much in the way of new clothes, and she was
better at it, anyway.  He was now down in the dining hall, making his
way to the kitchen.  He could smell dinner cooking, and it was making
him hungry.  Too bad they weren't staying.
 
    "Yarice?" he called out softly, not wanting to startle the
woman, especially after his little outburst a few days ago.
 
    "C'mon in, Master Don.  I was just finishing up."
 
    "Smells delicious."
 
    "I hope you'll like its taste even more so."
 
    "Yarice... we're leaving.  Iamor has -" he started.
 
    "I know," she said, her mouth turning into a frown.  "That
bastard never has liked being challenged, and you're just a little too
direct for his tastes.  Maybe you remind him too much of himself when
he was human."
 
    Don shrugged at the thought.  "Not really important why he
wants us gone, but I'm not going to try to fight him... I'm not strong
enough.  I was wondering if we might... raid a few supplies."
 
    Yarice got a twinkle in her eye.  "No, you may not."
 
    "What?" Don asked, not expecting to be rebuffed.
 
    "You can take the food packs I carefully prepared for you,
but you may not rummage around in my kitchen, you young whelp."  She
smiled at him, and he laughed.  Stepping forward, he gave her a hug.
 
    "What would we have done without you?"
 
    "Starve?" she asked lightly.
 
    "Probably!" he said with a chuckle.
 
    When Don released her, Yarice moved to the back door of the
kitchen.  "Malmot, could you come here, please?"
 
    Don had not had a lot of contact with the large creature
that had first led them to Iamor when they'd arrived, and he'd
forgotten just how *large* the creature was.
 
    "Yes, Miss Yarice?" Malmot said when he entered - and
promptly filled - the kitchen.
 
    "I want you to help Don take the food I've packed for him
and his friends out to their wagon.  Can you do that for me?" she asked
the creature very sweetly.
 
    "Yes, Miss Yarice," Malmot said, shaking his head up and
down with a smile.
 
    "Thank you," she said.  Turning back to Don, she said. 
"Good luck, Master Don.  Your journey is going to be dangerous, and I
rather think you're in for more trouble than you expect."
 
    "That couldn't possibly happen, Yarice.  Not after our trip
here."  He gave her one last hug, and turned to go.
 
    "Wait!" she said, stopping him.  He turned to see her
pulling something from the oven.  "I almost forgot.  This isn't *our*
dinner, you see.  It's yours.  I couldn't pack it, because it wasn't
done.  It looks just about ready."  She pulled the pan out of the oven,
and slid it into a special sack-like container, before handing it to
Don.  He noted that the sack didn't let any heat get through.
 
    "I know you're not ready to eat yet.  You'll want to wait
until you're out of the valley, at least.  This sack will keep your
food warm until you want to eat it.  And then you can use it later, for
the same purpose."
 
    He looked at it in awe.  *A Domino's delivery bag, here?* 
"Surely this is much too valuable to part with, Yarice..."
 
    She waved him off.  "I have a dozen of them.  Losing one is
no great hardship, and Gaphnia can make me another one when she has
time.  You take it, and go, with my best wishes.  I've met all of the
travelers that come to Ballor.  You are the only one who has ever taken
the time to be kind to me.  Please be careful on your journey, and good
luck."
 
    "Thank you," he said, bowing, since his hands were now
full.  "And I hope things get better for you.  Maybe Gaphnia will be
able to put Iamor in his place soon."
 
    Yarice looked at him sideways, but said nothing.
 
    "Farewell," Don said, rather formally, but it was one of
those occasions.  Turning to the creature, he asked, "Are you ready,
Malmot?"
 
    "Malmot follow.  With food."
 
    Don nodded at him, and turned, walking out the door.  He
heard the creature lumbering behind him.  *I just hope he doesn't step
on me*.
 
    Don met Kate and Annie in the main hall.  They both
shivered a little at the sight of Malmot, but they'd grown a little
used to his presence.
 
    "Yarice was one step ahead of us.  She'd already packed our
food."
 
    Kate was about to pick up her bags to follow Don, but
Malmot shifted the food load he was carrying, and picked up all their
bags as well.  Kate looked up at him with an uneasy smile.
 
    "You not should carry heavy stuff, Miss Katie," Malmot said
with a grin.  Don turned his head so Kate wouldn't see him snickering. 
It was clear that Malmot had a crush on her.  *Too bad he can't go with
us.  He'd probably be one hell of a fighter.*
 
    The four made their way toward the castle entrance, but
were once again stopped by the pink monkey-thing, known as Barry Ur.
 
    "Howdy!"
 
    "Well, howdy to you, too, Barry," Don said happily.  He'd
had a few, almost unintelligible, conversations with Barry over the
time they were here, and he'd come to realize that, though the
creature's speech pattern was almost indecipherable, he was one of the
friendliest creatures at Castle Ballor.  The only "Barrier" he
represented to *anyone* was that he could call Malmot, who would
certainly represent more of a threat than Barry did.
 
    "You go leave now?" Barry asked brightly.
 
    "Yes, Barry.  It's time for us to go."
 
    "You come back, so I'sa said Howdy?"
 
    "We can't.  Iamor doesn't want us to come back."
 
    "Oh."  For once, they saw the monkey-thing frown.  "Too
bad.  Barry likesa say howdy to you!"
 
    That, they figured, was as close as he'd come to saying he
enjoyed their company.  "Thank you," Katie said to him quietly.
 
    Barry swung from his tail until he was close enough, and
then he grabbed Katie in a light hug.  He did the same to Annie, and
then to Don.  When he was done, he swung back to his usual position. 
"You beesa careful out there!  Goody luck!"  With that, Barry popped
back up into the ceiling, and was gone.
 
    "Well, at least some of the people don't want us to go." 
Annie said.
 
    "Too bad it's not their opinion that matters around here,"
Don groused.  "C'mon, let's get going."
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    The rest of the group was waiting for them out by the
stables.  The wagon was waiting to finish being loaded.  Malmot carried
their food right to the wagon, but it appeared to already be full all
the way to its lid.
 
    "No more room," Malmot said in confusion.
 
    Darnell chuckled at him.  "There'll be room in just a
second, Malmot.  Gill, Don, help me with this.  Let me show you how
this works.  The wagon is expandable.  The problem with big covered
wagons, of course, is that they're seriously top-heavy.  But if you
make the wagon too small, then there's not enough room.  This was our
solution to the problem."
 
    The wagon had a solid wooden lid on it.  On closer
inspection, the boys realized that it wasn't actually just a lid; the
top piece actually came all the way down the sides, making an inverted
"bin" to cover the wagon.
 
    "Now, yank the metal pins out of each corner.  Susan, you
come over here, too.  You look strong enough to help, and the boys will
need help when they're on the road.  Okay, yank the pins."
 
    "Susan," Don said, "You take the pins.  We'll lift it, and
then you can put the pins back in when we're in the right place." 
Susan nodded at him, and took the pins from him.  She went to the other
side and took Gill's pins as well.
 
    "Okay, just lift together.  We used a lighter wood, so it
shouldn't be so bad for you, but it is heavy."
 
    The two boys nodded to each other, and heaved in unison. 
Though they nearly gave themselves hernias, the lid didn't budge an
inch.
 
    "I think it's stuck," Gill said, with a gasp for air.
 
    Don pushed on it.  The top rattled.  "It isn't stuck... but
it must weigh five hundred pounds."
 
    "How the fuck are we going to lift something that heavy?"
 
    Don got a glint in his eye.  "The easy way, of course. 
Susan, be ready with those pins.  Give Gill his back.  You do my
side."  He waited for them to be ready, and then outstretched his
arms.  His fingers splayed, Don closed his eyes and began a chant.  It
took only a few seconds before the top rattled again, with nobody
touching it.  Then, slowly, it began to lift.  Don opened his eyes.
 
    "Okay, guys... I'm carrying all the weight, but I can't
position it easily.  Just shove it upward until it's in the right
place, and slap the pins in.  And," he added with a grunt, "If you
could hurry, I'd appreciate it."
 
    Gill and Susan quickly slid the top piece upward until it
was at its highest point.  Susan rammed the pins home into their holes,
and she heard Gill do the same.
 
    "All done, Don," she said.  Don exhaled explosively, and
the lid creaked slightly, now accepting its weight again.
 
    "I hope we don't have to do *that* too often," Don said
with a grunt.
 
    "You should have had Annie help you," Darnell said.
 
    Don shook his head.  "It's really hard for two magicians to
work together like that.  Their mental images have to be *exactly* the
same, or they end up fighting each other."  He turned to make sure that
Malmot was doing all right loading the food.
 
    "Hmmm," Darnell replied.  "Maybe if she could make use of
her psionic skills to read your mind, then the images could be more
easily synchronized."
 
    Don stopped in his tracks.  He turned back to Darnell and
said, "I'd never thought of that."
 
    Darnell shrugged.  "It's a thought for later.  Now, let's
get this wagon loaded.  You don't want to be traveling too long after
sunset."
 
    Everyone agreed on that particular point.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    In short order, the wagon was fully packed, and Malmot had
said his good-byes and left.  The group was now standing together,
delaying their inevitable departure.  It was at that point that Don saw
Paul and Carysta standing in the garden, watching them.
 
    "Everyone else, especially you," he said, pointing to Gill,
"stay here."  Gill bit off his reply, and just nodded.  Don headed over
to the two, who made no moves as he approached.
 
    When Don stopped near them, he said, "May I assume you're
not coming with us?"  He tried to keep his tone neutral, without
accusation or anger, but it was difficult.
 
    "No, I think I've had enough of your bullshit," Paul said
bitterly.  Don saw Carysta squeeze his arm more tightly.  He stared at
her for a moment, and she stared back, her gaze penetrating... trying...
 
    "Stay out of my head, witch," Don snapped.  The expression
on her face became one of shock.  "Yeah, I know how to tell when you're
doing it.  I also know how to fight it.  Don't try that shit again."
 
    "You leave her alone," Paul warned.  Don turned back to him.
 
    "So long as she leaves me alone, I'll leave her alone.  I
can't say I'm surprised you're not coming.  What bothers me is that I
also can't say I'm not relieved that you're not coming.  I sure as hell
don't want to spend this trip with two people trying to kill each
other.  Bad enough that whatever's out there is going to try to kill us.
 
    "I don't know what the fuck's gotten into you lately, but I
don't have the time to care, either.  It's your life, and if you want
to fuck it up, hey, that's your business.  Contrary to what you may
believe, I don't have anything against you-"
 
    "So long as I shut up and do what I'm told, right?" Paul
seethed.
 
    Don cocked his head sideways and looked at Paul strangely. 
He decided there really was no answer that Paul would actually
believe.  He straightened up.  "Good luck, Paul."
 
    "Fuck off."
 
    Don nodded in understanding, though he, in truth, had
none.  He turned and walked back to the group.  He could feel the gaze
of the other two watching him: one he sensed was downright hatred.  The
other seemed to be apathy.  What bothered him was that he couldn't tell
who was who.
 
    "Not coming?" Julie asked.
 
    "No.  I'm sorry."
 
    "I'm not," Gill said.
 
    "Gill.  Drop it."  Gill nodded.  Julie wiped a tear away,
and Annie gave her a hug to show support.  Don saw it all, but he was
actually relieved.  As much as he liked Paul and considered him a
friend, he knew that his presence on this trip would be nothing but
pure hell.  He'd had to ask for Julie's sake, but he was just as happy
that Paul was staying behind.
 
    *But what will I tell his parents if we get out of here
without him?*
 
    That issue would have to wait until later.
 
    At that point, Darnell spoke up.  "It occurs to me that we
need to get some horses so you can get this show on the road.  That sun
isn't standing still, you know."
 
    "Don't I know it."
 
    Just then, they heard a heavy set of footsteps.  They
turned to see a small girl they'd not met before... but she was riding
the biggest horse any of them could possibly imagine.  They thought
that an elephant could not have been a whole lot larger... but this
animal had agility, speed, and intelligence.  It was clear on the
animal's face.
 
    "Ah, Dreanna.  Just in time."
 
    As the horses approached, most of the group took unsteady
steps backward, away from the animals.  Kate was cringing behind Don;
she'd had an accident on a horse when she was six, and that had been a
*small* horse.  These creatures were enormous.
 
    Dreanna stopped the horses next to the wagon, and she slid
down off the one she was riding.  It was amazing to the others she
didn't break her neck; the horse was nearly twice her height.  She
reached up, and the animal bent its head so that she could pat it
softly.
 
    The one person in Don's group who was not showing outright
fear was Susan.  She stepped gingerly up to the animal standing next to
Dreanna.
 
    "What's its name?" Susan asked quietly.
 
    "This is Whirlwind.  That one is Nightmare.  Don't let her
name fool you; it comes from her birth, not her personality.  And that
one is Jeremy."
 
    "Jeremy?" Gill asked incredulously.
 
    Dreanna stared him down.  "Yes, Jeremy.  You have a problem
with my names?"
 
    Gill blushed, and put up his hands defensively.  "No, no...
just fine, just fine."  The rest of the group laughed at him.
 
    Susan grabbed the reins of Whirlwind, and stuck her foot
into the strap that hung below the stirrup.  The horse was far too
large to mount in anything like a normal manner.  The process seemed
more like climbing a mountain.  Finally, Susan was on the animal, who
shifted slightly at the strange rider on its back, but didn't fidget
more than that.  Susan leaned down and stroked the animal's neck,
receiving a guttural sound for her affections.  She sat back up, and
looked down at the others.  She was staring at the tops of their heads.
 
    "Gill, are we leaving now?" she asked in a very submissive
tone.
 
    "Uh... yeah, in a minute, Suse."  Looking to Don, he said,
"That's a big fuckin' horse."
 
    Don could feel Kate nod and shiver behind him.  "I know. 
Katie," he said, turning to her.  "You can ride with me, or you can fly
ahead of us.  I don't know how long you can go without getting tired,
but I know you hate horses."
 
    "I'll... be okay.  I guess," she said, walking up to
Jeremy.  The horse looked down at her with the strangest eyes she'd
ever seen.  She'd never even *heard* of a horse with blue eyes before. 
Jeremy stared at her for a moment, and then the mammoth beast knelt
down.  Its head was now just at Kate's eye level, and it stared at
her.  She smiled wanly, and the animal bowed its head.  It was clear
that he was waiting for her to get on.
 
    Slowly, very unsteadily, Kate walked along the horse's
body, always keeping her hand on his side.  When she got to the saddle,
she jumped, and used her wings to land softly on the animal's back. 
Jeremy actually turned to see if she was in place before he stood back
up.  Katie grew pale, but she managed.
 
    Annie was also shivering at the thought of riding such a
large creature.  Don walked over to her.  "Are you going to be okay?"
 
    She shook her head.  "I'm afraid of horses, *and* afraid of
heights.  Do you have a Shetland Pony I could ride?"  The others
chuckled, and she smiled at her self-effacing comment.
 
    "Sorry, Annie," he said to her quietly.  "Julie can help
calm your nerves.  Unless..." he let his thought trail off.
 
    "Unless what?" she asked, wondering if he was thinking what
she hoped he was thinking.
 
    "Unless you'd rather I rode with you, until you get used to
it."
 
    She nearly fainted.  "Oh, would you, please?"
 
    Don nodded.  He went back to tell Kate, but it was clear
she'd already heard.  She just smiled at him and winked.  Julie climbed
onto Jeremy while the animal stood stock-still.
 
    Gill had already joined Susan on her horse, and they were
all waiting now.  Darnell had hooked the wagon up to Nightmare, the
horse that Don and Annie would be riding.  Darnell gave them all a
final salute, and he marched off.
 
    "Not much on good-byes, I guess," Don said to nobody in
particular.
 
    "This is hard on all of us," Gaphnia said.   She startled
Don, because he'd not known she was right behind him.  "We've grown
attached to you over the short time you've been here.  It saddens me
that you have to go, and it sickens me more that I have to say, I hope
to never see you again.  Good luck on your journey, and I hope you find
Vernior."
 
    "The map you gave me is very clear.  Thank you for
everything."  Don paused only a beat before he stepped close, and
hugged her.  Gaphnia embraced him in return, and her grip was clearly
growing stronger.
 
    When they separated, Don said, "And good luck to you, on
beating Iamor.  That bastard needs a hard lesson."
 
    Gaphnia nodded, but she said nothing.
 
    Turning, Don walked to Nightmare.  He put his foot in the
strap, and made his way onto the horse.  He reached down for Annie, and
he could see the fear in her eyes.  He smiled at her encouragingly, and
she finally got her foot into the strap.  Nightmare could have been a
statue for all he moved while Annie made her way, with Don's help, into
the saddle in front of him.  He put his arms around her and grabbed the
reins.  She settled back against him slightly, and let out a very soft
sigh.
 
    "You smell nice," Don whispered in her ear, both because
she did, and to take her mind off her fears.  She grinned at the sky,
but said nothing.
 
    "Good luck to you all!" Gaphnia called out one last time
before she, too, turned and made her way back to the castle.  Don
looked around, and knew that everyone else was waiting for his
instructions.
 
    "Katie, you take the lead.  Gill, you bring up the rear. 
We'll keep the wagon in the middle, in case of trouble.  Whenever
you're ready, Sis."
 
    Katie nodded to him, and turned, dipping her head to say
something to the horse.  The animal, known as a Moonsailer Horse,
dipped its head in reply, nickered, and began a slow trot to the south.
 
    "On our way," Don sighed to himself.
 
    "Will we make it home, you think?" Annie asked him softly.
 
    "I didn't come this far to screw up now," he half-answered
her.  *I really wish I knew the answer to your question, Annie.  But
right now, I'll settle for getting the hell out of this valley.*
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Getting out of the valley turned out to be trickier than it
should have been.  There was only one pass through the rocky terrain
surrounding the castle's meadow.  It turned out to be strewn with rocks
and boulders.  Some of them were big enough that the horses could not
make it past them, so they had to be moved.  It took four hours to
clear the path wide enough so that the horses and the wagon could make
it into the grasslands beyond.
 
    They had traveled north from their arrival point in Zemlia
Nov to reach Castle Ballor, and they were now heading south again,
though it was more southwest than due south.  The three horses, each
with two riders, traveled at an easy trot, moving through the
grasslands carefully but as quickly as possible.  They all knew that
Dan Gelmer would find them if they stayed out here too long.  There was
also the issue of whether or not Denonia would cause them trouble,
since she still believed them to be allies of her brother.  The only
magician in the castle that Don was still willing to call an ally was
Gaphnia, but it was clear that she didn't like Denonia, either, so that
was, perhaps, not of any real comfort.
 
    Even after the sun set, the team rode on in the dark.  It
was clear why these horses were called Moonsailers; they could see
quite well by the light of the waning moon, and their silver manes
shone brightly in the moonlight.  Their dark bodies thundered along,
moving with the ease of animals accustomed to heavy burden, and
enjoying the light work they had to do now.  What suddenly bothered Don
was how he was going to return the animals to the castle.
 
    *Assuming I have any choice in the matter.*
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    It was several hours after nightfall when the group finally
stopped to rest.  Annie didn't make any move to get off the horse when
they stopped, however.
 
    "You plan on sleeping up here?" Don asked her jokingly.
 
    "I like it here," she said, settling back against him.  Don
responded by wrapping his arms around her.  She smiled into the
darkness, laying her head back against his shoulder.  They both looked
up at the stars for a few moments, until their reverie was broken by
Gill.
 
    "You wanna come down here and get our dinner out, Don?  No
one else knows where you packed it."
 
    Annie moved away from Don reluctantly, and he held her hand
as she descended from the horse.  He saw her quickly move away from the
animal.  It was obvious that she was still not comfortable around the
beast.  Don had grown used to Nightmare, and he patted the horse's neck
before he slipped down out of the saddle to the ground.  The horse
waited while he freed it from the wagon, and then it immediately moved
off to the small patch of still-green grass where the other two horses
had begun grazing.
 
    Don lowered the gate on the wagon, and reached in for the
bag that contained their dinner.  He was surprised when he opened it
that it was still quite warm, even though they'd been traveling for
what seemed endless hours.
 
    "Do I need to heat that up?" Julie asked quietly.  He
jumped slightly, as he had not heard her behind him.  Seeing what she
had done, she said, "Sorry.  I didn't mean to scare you."
 
    He smiled as he turned to her.  "Don't worry about it.  And
I think we can probably eat this as is.  It's still pretty warm."  He
handed her the pan, and she nodded.  Julie liked cooking, and she had
taken it upon herself to be the group's cook, since, in her own words,
"I ain't good for nothin' else."
 
    Don next went over to Katie, who was watching the horses,
but from a good distance away.  He made sure she was aware of his
approach before he touched her, rubbing his hands across her shoulders,
and then moving them down around her waist to hold her to him, much as
he had done earlier with Annie.
 
    "How are you doing?" he asked quietly.  No one wanted to
make too much noise out here on the plains.
 
    "Scared again," she answered, her voice quavering.  "We're
not safe here, are we?"
 
    "No," he told her honestly.  "I don't think we'll be safe
again until we get home."
 
    "What if we don't?" she said, her voice rising.  "What if
we never get home?"
 
    Don turned her so that he could hug her properly.  She
buried her face in his chest, and began crying.  Annie started to come
over, but Don's look warned her away.  This was obviously a
brother-sister moment.
 
    After a few moments, Don pulled his sister back, and put
his finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him.  "I promise,
Sis.  We'll get home."  He leaned in and kissed her.  What started as
an act of support and encouragement quickly became one of passion, and
the two kissed feverishly.  The heightened emotional state they felt
was evidencing itself in a manner they were more comfortable with, and
they kissed for several minutes before finally breaking apart.
 
    Breathless, Don smiled at his sister.  He said, "I think
we'd better go get dinner, before we.... Uh... lose track of time."
 
    Kate blushed, but nodded.  She held his hand tightly as
they moved back to the fire together.  Don noticed that the hesitancy
of the initial nights in the woods when they had arrived was completely
gone.  Gill and Susan were sitting side by side, talking and whispering
to each other, and Gill occasionally ran his hand along her back, which
caused her to stop and smile at him.  Julie and Annie sat together,
talking quietly to each other, and huddling together.  Don wondered if
there was more there than he knew about, but decided it didn't really
matter.
 
    As for Don, he was content to sit by Katie.  Actually, he
was now sitting behind her, and she was leaning against him.  The
dinner that Yarice had made for them was wonderful, and they took their
time enjoying it, knowing that they wouldn't have food that good for
quite a while, since they had little in the way of cooking utensils out
here in the wild.
 
    After dinner, Don stretched, but didn't move from his
spot.  He held onto Katie, who had also finished her meal.  Katie
stirred, turning in his arms until she could lay her head on his
shoulder and look up at him.  He leaned down to kiss her again, and she
came to him readily.
 
    After what seemed like several minutes, the couple came up
for a breath.  Don took a nervous look around, to see if the others
were staring at them.  He was surprised to find that the other four had
moved off.  He saw the barest hint of Julie and Annie off in the
distance, and he saw Susan and Gill over by the horses, until they
ducked down behind one which had knelt on the ground to rest.
 
    It didn't take long for him to realize what was going on;
the rest of the group had the same idea that Don and Kate did, and
they'd mainly needed someone to jumpstart things.  Don was only mildly
surprised about Julie and Annie, but he was happy that the two had each
other to turn to for emotional comfort.
 
    That was Don's last frivolous thought before returning his
attention to his beautiful sister.  Don pulled Katie more tightly
against himself, and she came willingly, wrapping her arms around his
neck and thrusting her tongue into his mouth.  As they kissed, Don
slipped his hands down onto her new skirt and found the fastener.  As
he was about to undo it, Katie stopped him.  Without breaking their
kiss, she lifted the skirt material out of the way, and took his hand,
planting it on her pussy, which was not covered with any underwear.
 
    Katie groaned as Don slipped his hand against her
already-wet cunt.  His other hand continued to caress her back, pulling
her tightly against him.  Finally, she broke their kiss.
 
    "Make love to me, Donny."
 
    He nodded to her, and she slipped her hands down to
unfasten his robe.  Getting his dick free from the Novian underwear was
difficult with him sitting, but she managed it.  Her eyes glistened at
the sight of his hard dick.  Lifting her hips, she positioned him at
her opening, and slid down onto his cock.  She sighed at the sensation
of being penetrated, and smiled warmly at her brother.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Over by the horses, Susan pulled Gill down to the ground. 
The two rolled in the grass together, kissing and fondling each other. 
Gill ran his tongue along Susan's lips until she opened her mouth,
admitting his tongue to join its playmate.  For many minutes, the two
kissed hotly in this manner, until they had to come up for air.
 
    "Boy," Gill said breathlessly, "You're sure hot tonight. 
What's gotten into you?  Not that I mind," he added with a wicked grin.
 
    "Horse riding always does this to me," she said by way of
explanation.  She was now on top of him, and she held him down as she
sat up.  She moved off him so that she could take hold of his pants. 
With his help, she got his pants and underwear down off his hips.  She
licked her lips in anticipation of what was to come.
 
    Leaning down, she lightly grasped his shaft and began to
lick his cock in long, smooth strokes.  Gill groaned at the feel of
it.  Susan continued to massage his dick with her tongue and hand,
while her other hand did its best to pull her own pants off.  When Gill
saw this, he reached over and helped her, getting her pants below her
knees.  At that point, Gill maneuvered until he was beneath her,
staring up at her wondrous cunt.
 
    At that moment, Susan wrapped her lips around the head of
his dick.  Gill inhaled sharply at the pleasant sensation.  For just a
moment, he allowed himself to be lost in the ecstasy, but then he
returned to the matter at hand.  Reaching up, Gill pulled Susan's hips
downward, bringing her pussy within reach of his waiting tongue.  He
licked at her outer lips, and she groaned, sending vibrations along his
cock, which caused him to groan, completing the circle.
 
    The two moved quickly, his tongue flitting across her pussy
lips, and her mouth bobbing on his cock.  It wasn't long before they
were both nearing release, and they increased their pace to try to come
together.  In moments, the two erupted.  Susan squirmed and twisted
above her brother, who was shooting his spunk deep into her throat. 
She swallowed with pleasure each spurt of his cum.  For Gill's part, he
lapped hungrily at his sister's juices, enjoying the moment immensely.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    A slight distance from the other two couples, Annie and
Julie sat together, leaning against a large rock and staring up at the
sky.  They were huddled together, and occasionally one or the other
would lean over, and they would kiss for a while.  Neither of them felt
the need for sex this evening, though if one of the boys had asked,
they would have jumped at the chance.  They had decided that someone
needed to pay attention in case something bad came along.
 
    "They sound like they're having fun," Julie said wistfully.
 
    "Yeah," Annie said with a sigh.  "How well do you know Don?"
 
    "Well, I mean, I see him a lot, because us girls hang out
together, but really *know* him, I'm not sure.  Why?"
 
    Annie hesitated before she said, "I think I'm falling in
love with him, but I don't really know if he feels the same way or
not.  He's kind of hard to read."
 
    Julie nodded.  "He's quiet.  He always has been."
 
    "Do you think...?"
 
    "I don't know, Annie.  I can ask Katie to find out for you,
if you want me to..."
 
    "I'd be too embarrassed that he knew how I feel!"
 
    "Katie knows how to be discreet.  Heck, whenever we want to
ask something of one of the guys, we always ask his sister.  It's just
easier that way."
 
    "I don't know.  Let me think about it."
 
    "Okay.  But it's probably the only way you're going to know
for sure, unless you ask him yourself.  He's probably not going to come
onto you, no matter how he feels."
 
    "Why?" Annie asked, a little tearfully.
 
    "He's just too shy.  Katie told me how reluctant he was
even to be with *her*, and he's known her for all her life!"
 
    Annie sighed.  "I suppose that's true.  I need to think
about it."
 
    "No problem."  Julie leaned over and gave her friend a
kiss, to help ease her pains.  Annie returned the kiss, and the two
began to neck once more.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Don was in paradise.  Katie was slowly moving up and down
on his cock, sending shivers of pleasure throughout his body.  He was
lying down, letting her do the work, as she'd asked him to.  He reached
up and gently caressed her tits through her shirt.  She sighed,
enjoying the feel of her brother's hands on her body.
 
    By mutual consent, their pace quickened, but they didn't
rush.  Tonight was not a night for frenzy, but a night for lovingly
sharing.  Kate mewled as she began to ride his dick a little faster,
and Don's hips began to move, pushing back up at her as she came down. 
The feeling was wonderful, and she didn't think she could hold out much
longer.
 
    Don was certain that he couldn't withstand more, though. 
He pushed himself to a sitting position, wrapping his arms lightly
around his sister.  The two began to kiss as they continued to move
against each other.  It was a little awkward, but they were so caught
up in the emotion, they could not have cared less.
 
    It was only a little while before Don could not take any
more, and pulled Katie all the way down onto his dick, blowing his load
deep inside her.  The feel of it sent Kate over the edge, and she, too,
came, crying out in her pleasure.  The two remained locked together for
some minutes, unmoving, lost together in their own world of love.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    Gill rammed into Susan again and again.  After he'd
recovered from her outstanding blowjob, he'd flipped her onto her back,
and slipped his dick inside her.  Susan wrapped her legs around him, to
pull him further into her, and she grunted in joy.
 
    "Yes, oh, God, yes, fuck me, Gill!" she cried.  For his
part, Gill slammed into her faster and harder, thrusting for all he was
worth.  Susan began to buck beneath him, and he knew she was on the
very edge of her orgasm.  He reached over with one hand and began to
twist her nipple.
 
    A blinding wave of passion overcame Susan, and she screamed
out in orgasm.  Her body bucked and thrashed beneath her brother, who
continued ramming into her until he, himself, began his own climax. 
The feel of Gill's seed splashing inside her cunt caused Susan to ride
even higher, crying out and twisting until she lost her senses and
could only grunt and buck her hips at him.
 
    It was several moments before the two were able to calm
down from their peak.  Gill slipped out of his sister's twat, and lay
down beside her in the grass.  He pulled her to him, and she turned,
allowing him to embrace her fully.  The two kissed softly for some
minutes before they truly settled from their encounter.
 
    "I love you, Gill," Susan said after a long moment of
comfortable silence.
 
    "I love you, too," he said, meaning it.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    After a while, the group came back together.  There were a
few sheepish grins shared among them, but everyone understood the
reasoning; for the moment, they still seemed to be relatively safe. 
Since that could change at any time, they had each taken the
opportunity to relieve a little stress.
 
    Once the group was gathered around the fire once more, Don
said, "Looks like it's just you and me, Gill.  You want first watch, or
second?"
 
    Before Gill could answer, Julie spoke up.  "Why can't the
rest of us stand watch?"
 
    Don looked at her as if she'd just sprouted antennae.  The
thought had never even *occurred* to him that they might.
 
    Annie looked at him and chuckled.  "She's right, you know. 
We're just as capable of standing watch as you are."
 
    Gill said, "But, Julie, you don't really have any way to
defend yourself..."
 
    "You think my scream isn't going to wake you guys up?" she
said with a smile.  "All I've got to do is see it coming, right?  You
guys can beat it up when it gets here."
 
    The group laughed.  Gill said, "If we're going to do that,
then I'd suggest that we stand watch in pairs."
 
    Don asked, "Why?"
 
    "When we were standing watch before, I noticed it was kind
of hard to stay awake at times.  A little easier if you have someone to
talk with, and to keep you awake."
 
    "Okay, so, three teams?  Or should we just rotate it
around?"
 
    "I think it would be best if we stuck to the pairs we're in
now."  Gill looked rather pointedly between Don and Katie.  Don got the
message, and knew that Gill was right; Katie was in no shape to be
without Don at night, now that they were out here in the wilderness
again.
 
    "So, who wants first watch?  Katie and I will take second
watch tonight."
 
    "We'll do it," Annie said.  "You four look... uh....
'tired'."
 
    The group chuckled slightly at that.
 
    "Thanks.  See you in five hours."
 
    "Um... Don?" Annie said.
 
    "Yeah?"
 
    "How do I know when five hours is up?"
 
    Stifling a yawn, Don nodded, and chanted a little spell.  A
small orb of light settled onto the ground, glowing dimly.  "Remind me
to teach you that trick tomorrow.  When the orb fades, five hours is
up."
 
    "Gotcha.  Thanks."
 
    He nodded, and snuggled down next to his sister to get some
sleep.
 
 
 
...---=== http://netwolf.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    The morning came soon enough on the grasslands.  The four
who were awake moved around very quietly to allow Annie and Julie to
get their final measure of sleep.  In due course, it was necessary to
wake them.  Don went over to them both, and knelt down, lightly shaking
their shoulders.
 
    Julie rolled over and grumbled without being fully awake,
but Annie snapped her eyes open, and sat up quickly.  It took her a
second to realize who had awakened her, and the adrenaline rush had her
shaking like a leaf.
 
    Seeing her fright, Don moved closer to her, and hugged
her.  She grasped at him, seeking the comfort that he provided.  They
held each other for some time, until Annie finally calmed down from her
fright.
 
    "I don't like it out here," she said in a weak, small voice.
 
    "Neither do I.  We'll be okay."  He tried to put as much
conviction into his voice as possible.  She smiled weakly at him.
 
    Don, not sure if he should or not, leaned in.  Annie tilted
her head up to meet him, and they kissed tenderly.  She embraced him
again, but more softly this time.  Their kiss was long and heartfelt.
 
    When they finally parted, Annie smiled more readily at
him.  "Thanks," she whispered.
 
    "Any time," he answered with a smile.  Turning to Julie, he
smacked her on the shoulder.  "Jules!  Get your cute butt out of bed!"
 
    Julie finally rolled back over and opened her eyes.  She
looked up at him, and half-smiled.  "Time to get up already?"
 
    "Yeah.  Sorry.  You guys can have tomorrow night off of
guard duty.  C'mon, we've gotta get moving soon.  Breakfast is waiting."
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    It wasn't long before they were back on the horses and on
their way.  Once again, Don was riding with Annie, though he kept his
sister in sight.  He held onto the young woman snugly, and she was
settled back against him.
 
    "I could get used to this," she said quietly.
 
    "Used to what?" he asked.
 
    "Having you hold onto me like that," she replied.  He
smiled, and squeezed her a bit before returning to his previous grip.
 
    "Have I told you how pretty you are?" he asked.
 
    "Not in the last ten minutes," she said, fishing for the
compliment.
 
    Melodramatically, he began, "Your hair is the fire of an
autumn sunset, your eyes are the purest jade..."  He didn't get any
further before she began laughing.  When she settled down, he said,
"You are beautiful, you know."
 
    He saw her blush.  "Thank you," she said quietly, her eyes
gazing out at the grasslands.
 
    Changing the subject a little, he said, "You *do*
understand why Katie and I have to stay together at night, right?"
 
    She frowned slightly.  "Not really, but I didn't figure it
was my business."
 
    He squeezed her again.  "I'm making it your business.  As
scared as you might be here, Katie was terrified when we first got
here.  I mean, not only was she thrown into this really strange place,
but she got changed into an Elfling.  I still don't think she's fully
accepted it yet, and being back out here in the wild, well...  She's
scared again, big time.  And I have to look out for my sister.  I know
you want us to spend some time together, but..."
 
    She took his hand.  "Okay, I understand.  You're right; at
least I have Julie to keep me company, but you're all Katie has."
 
    Not able to resist asking, Don said, "Just how well does
Julie keep you company?"
 
    Annie blushed crimson, but gave no answer.
 
 
 
-----
 
 
 
    The day wore on in one monotonous roll of grassland until
well after lunch, when the land turned upward, and became more rocky. 
It was slower going, as the trail they were now on was barely wide
enough for the wagon.  On one side of them was a heavy stand of trees,
too thick to move the horses through, and on the other side was a steep
drop-off, lined with trees and boulders.  They moved carefully, but Don
was concerned; if they were attacked by anything more menacing than a
rabbit here, they were in trouble.
 
    As they reached a bend in the trail, Don's fears were
manifested.  In a flash, Dan Gelmer came soaring around the curve.  It
was obvious that he had been lying in wait for them.  Katie screamed
and rolled off Whirlwind.  Julie jumped as well, and Dan Gelmer plowed
into the horse, decapitating it with a vicious swipe of his claws.
 
    Don was about to toss Annie off Nightmare when the body of
Whirlwind slammed into his horse.  Nightmare reared up, tossing both
its riders off.
 
    Annie and Don were both thrown clear of the horse.  Don hit
his back on the wagon, and he saw Annie hit her head.  He reached out
for her, but could not catch her as they both rolled off the wagon...
 
    And over the edge of the cliff.
 
 
 
...---=== http://netwolf.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
...---=== http://netwolf.wolfpub.org ===---...
 
 
 
    

