The Desert: Tales of Miurag, #2

Published by Corpus Nexus Press

ISBN: 978-1-949552-22-5

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The Desert, Copyright © 2018, 2023, A.S. Etaski

The Sisters of V’Gedra, © Etaski, January 2016

The Sisters of V’Gedra - Ishuna, © Etaski, April 2017

Cover Design by Eris Adderly

Book Layout by DocKangey

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This book is a work of fiction and intended for adults only. Sexual activities represented in this work are between adults and are fantasies only. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as the author advocating any non-consensual activity.

INTRODUCTION

The Desert is the origin story of the Valsharess Ishuna, the Dark Elf Queen in the Sister Seekers series. Worth noting, she is far from the only antagonist who discovers her path in these pages.

In this story, we catch glimpses of many powerful figures from Sister Seekers. Most of them are perhaps more relatable when we see them younger and less sure of their goals.

Originally written at the request of my patrons as two shorter works, Sisters of V’Gedra (2016) and Ishuna (2017), this tale has been heavily revised and combined into a whole and continuous novel.

The story begins roughly 3,500 years before the start of Sirana’s tale in No Demons But Us.

Warning: This book contains mature themes and is intended for a mature audience. The story includes explicit sex and some violence readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.

A glossary is available at World Anvil where I keep my series lore.

Part One

Life & Water

Chapter 1

Koorul – 401 B.S.E.

Their eyes met, each gaze sliding once toward the Captain. The elder sister signaled, turned her stallion’s head toward the canyon ahead. The younger nodded.

"Hyah!" cried the Queen’s daughter, digging her boot heels into shining sorrel flanks. Her mount neighed loudly and surged forward, kicking up his hind legs as he sensed her excitement. Innathi just clung on.

"Hai, you two — !" Xala called.

Any further words of command were lost in a doubly thunderous gallop. Ishuna’s silver-white mare was just behind the copper-red stallion, having already been given her head. The heir kept her focus on her mount, lest he shoulder the mare to a halt so that he could rear up onto her with no concern for the riders present.

"Hyah!" she urged the fine Hilsav faster, her tight grip on the reins keeping his eyes forward. "Qee-vaiy!"

The finish line was that first, multi-colored stone jutting up from the rust-red sand, heralding the trailhead through the canyons of Koorul. The waterfall deep within would be the endpoint of the sisters’ journey, where they would allow the horses to drink, rest, and then saunter their way back to the Queen-Mother’s city.

A full two weeks out of the Capital this time. ostensibly because the royal daughters had reached acceptable maturity for this anticipated trip. The Queen-Mother always knew how to keep them wanting more, and over the last twelve decades, Alyarra’s heirs had come to know the desert they would one day inherit a little at a time.

Ishuna claimed victory by a mere head as the stupid stallion dropped his speed and turned his neck to nip at the mare’s bright shoulder at just the wrong moment.

"Vith!! Innathi cursed, slapping his withers with her crop as the charging hooves slowed to a soft canter and then a trot. Horny beast! Typical! So dumb!"

Ishuna gasped for breath as she laughed, keeping one wary eye on the stallion as he lifted his lip toward her mare. Rest in that shade here? she suggested, indicating the tall cliffs forming a narrow entryway into Koorul — the only shelter available this far into the morning as the sun climbed high.

Innathi inhaled to accept.

"Qu’essanil! Stay there!"

Innathi and Ishuna turned their horses at the commanding voice, pausing to allow Captain Xala Ja’Prohn to catch up with them.

Trusted by the Valsharess to bring her daughters home each time, Xala displayed legendary patience at times. Perhaps tellingly, the dark gelding upon which she rode responded to the slightest command from his rider without a lash.

The Captain wore a dark red uniform of fine quality, the blouse and pants loose enough to breathe, with supple, earth-red leather armor with matching boots and gloves. Her hood was shade-shaped to not easily be knocked off by a stiff breeze, her pure white hair, the whites of her eyes, and her teeth standing out within it.

Sharp, crimson eyes evaluated the royal Hilsav mounts, along with every shadow on those cliffs. A strong jaw and stronger mind worked while Xala formed her next suggestion, which her two charges knew they dismissed at their peril.

Their relationship had been fairly easy for decades now: the qu’essan listened to their bodyguard, and their bodyguard kept them alive while they had their fun and learned about the Queendom.

The day is hotter than anticipated, she said finally. The horses will need more water after a race.

I planned to give Tiuin the rest of mine, Innathi began. Ishuna and I have some extra.

I did not hear that, Xala replied with mild amusement. We will stay low for the day’s zenith and travel when the sun is much lower. Before twilight.

Ishuna made a face within her pale, elegant headwrap. So, we crouch next to a wall for the next several hours, pouring water into our palms while muzzles slobber on them?

Just like yesterday, Innathi chuckled.

Xala winked with a smirk. We’ll go farther into Koorul and hope we find the waterfall.

Hope? Innathi echoed. "You know the location of every oasis, where to overturn every stone to find the smallest well of water. How could you not know where the waterfall is?"

The smirk mellowed. "I take it you haven’t been listening to the caravan stories about Koorul, qu’essan?"

"Pfft. What stories? That the waterfalls never match the maps or seem to be in different places? Or even that there is only one waterfall, but sleeping in Koorul steals your memory of where it is?"

"Ah. You have been listening."

Mystic superstition. Surely you recall the Queen-Mother’s law about that.

"I do, qu’essan. Some stories have deep roots, is all, and we may not be the only ones here."

Ishuna lifted her tan-gloved hand. "Do they not also say one must be open to ’harmonine’ to find it?"

Xala offered a modest bow of her head to the younger sister as Innathi laughed, flipping her hand. "Harmonine? Isn’t that pretending to predict what hasn’t happened?"

Her sister’s shoulders hunched. Not … quite.

Hm, the Captain grunted, watching the younger until the horses loudly smacked their lips and stamped their feet. Hm. Let me lead you to some shade while the others catch up. Perhaps they can do some scouting.

No, I want to stay at the front, Innathi argued. I want to see Koorul without passing by a pile of fresh road apples.

Xala chuckled. Very well.

If we find a waterfall, Ishuna began skeptically, could we bathe?

Another bow of her head. "As always, qu’essanil, once I deem it safe, you may do as you wish."

The sisters shared a look, imagining the best midday syvis yet.

Let us go, then, Innathi said with a sweep of her arm. And hope we get ‘lucky,’ Captain.

Koorul was an extraordinary place.

The bands of rock displayed all shades but green which was claimed by the plants clinging to the many ledges and crevices. The patterns became ever more complex the deeper the travelers went, even as the height of the cliffs rose many times above their heads within the first quarter-league following their break.

Neither Innathi nor Ishuna had seen anything like this in nature, though now saw exactly where some of their best artists and architects might have gotten their inspiration. The vibrant, multilayered rock appeared to have been carved and sculpted by some massive god’s hand reaching down from the sky, displaying more variation and nuance than they could take in a fortnight.

The Queen’s daughters gawked to imagine how adding a waterfall would alter the brilliant scenery.

The Zauyr like to say this place was carved by Musanlo, the sun god himself, Xala explained, amused. As a gift to a mortal Queen of theirs whom he courted for a time.

I read something like that before, Ishuna said, her voice quiet like the Captain’s so as not to echo off the walls while she absorbed the breathtaking canyon. I never imagined something extraordinary like this.

Indeed, Innathi said, eyebrow arched. "Sssooo … If there is water here, why isn’t there a settlement? At least a trading well?"

Xala raised her brow in confusion. Koorul has been neutral ground for generations, your grace.

So, we say, but why? The heir chuckled, not quite hiding her impatience. I am sorry, but I just imagine that every ruler or general has thought about the advantages here, not to mention the beauty!

"Ah. Well, you aren’t wrong, qu’essan. Some have tried to break the Preservation Treaty."

And? They’ve somehow kept being pushed out?

You could say that.

By us?

Xala pursed her lips, and Ishuna shook her head, scoffing softly at her sister. No one stays for long, Innathi, not Zauyr nor Davrin. Not on purpose.

"Not your fearful stories again," the elder growled.

Well, the Captain ducked in seeing Ishuna’s expression. "This is a labyrinth in the middle of nowhere, your grace, far off the regular trade routes with nothing else to recommend it except a pilgrimage to say you saw it, plus a little water to give you the strength to go back. We know it’s at least sacred to the Human tribes and many travelers, even if the Queen of V’Gedra has paid it less attention these last centuries."

"I have read about the sacred places in the southern continent, Innathi responded, squaring her shoulders with a tart look at her sister. As part of my lessons! These canyons, pretty as they are, were not among them."

The younger sister gazed around. They should be.

It still is, Xala replied, to some.Your Queen-Mother’s mother allowed the Zauyrian Realms to claim it as theirs to worship, as long as there wasn’t war between us."

Ishuna smiled a bit. Because she knew they would not stay, and words of Humans change ten times during a single Queen’s reign.

"And because there’s nothing here we want, Innathi countered, smirking on a shrug. Except maybe a drink and a bath."

Xala nodded. Though do note the Sorcerer-Kings of the Realms are longer-lived than most. They remember their bargains better than those around the Great Lake, and thus are often our best allies.

I remember, Xala.

Just the rulers, Innathi repeated, squinting with suspicion. I’ve always wondered how those ‘kings’ manage this when many Humans have no magic at all!

Lots of speculation, said the Captain without sounding like she wanted to get into it.

About five kings, yes?

Exactly five, your grace. Seems a stable number for them.

"And each sorcerer also has one of those, hm, corpse mages among his Court?"

Death guides, Ishuna added, pouting as her sister stuck her tongue out at her.

Close enough! ‘Guiding’ each death among Humans would certainly be a lot of work. So many, aging so fast, I see the eldest dying every day!

"You’d be correct, qu’essan, said the Captain. In that regard, do not underestimate how quickly they learn in the short time they have. Their scholars have made ours’ heads spin. I’ve seen it."

Hah! Perhaps I’ll invite some to the archives when I become Valsharess. We can compare records.

Not unheard of in V’Gedra, Xala mused. Though you may be waiting on four generations of Zauyrians not yet born to write everything down and bring it to you.

The Queen’s daughters looked taken aback by the thought despite the regular presence of Humans in their city.

Perhaps we need to sit in on more of Mother’s audiences with the Realms, Innathi said with a chin rub. Try to keep track of which leaders change out and when.

She won’t let us into her audience until she says we’re ready, Ishuna replied. We’re still too young.

"Are we? The elder tossed her head. Is three centuries not enough?"

She waited fifteen hundred before she had us.

Innathi palmed her face, muffling a slight growl. "And ruled for twelve hundred to avoid the risk of an heir growing impatient before the Queen’s transition. The fact she bore us means she looks ahead to that very moment. We must prepare!"

"Patience, qu’essan, Xala said. I’ll mention your interest in those meetings in my report."

Will you?

Sure. Heh. Though, I should warn you, they can be boring.

So are my tutors, but I do what I must.

"They’re not that bad," Ishuna muttered, eyes drifting over curls of colored stone.

They never look at me! her sister complained. They never laugh at a single jest I make!

If you would jest about anything but how to use a prick, perhaps …

Pricks are funny.

Xala cleared her throat. They’re afraid of offending your Queen-Mother, your grace.

"Pfft. As if I’d tell on them? Fearful scholars are boring. At least the Guardsvrin will banter for my amusement."

The younger lifted her eyes toward the cliffs. If banter and gossip are the same.

Oh, be quiet, sister. As I’ve said, better to know what happens in the Palace and around the city, and they only speak if you make them laugh. Now we must expand the view!

I’d rather just enjoy this one.

Well, so be it. That waterfall can show itself anytime.

Although the sun was still high in midafternoon, the deep shade within Koorul made the atmosphere seem closer to dusk, especially whenever the mind wandered. More than one in the company had asked another about the time of day.

The royal sisters had fallen quiet as well while their Hilsav grew thirstier with no water to be found. The liveliness of the day had dimmed and grown sober as concerns grew. Even Innathi let the scouts make their reports to Xala without interruption.

Should we turn around? she asked quietly after they’d left, leaning on her antsy stallion. We might make the oasis by midnight.

Xala had been observing Ishuna in the corner of her eye for the last league, watching how her light red eyes drifted in wonder. She weighed how to answer the Queen’s heir now.

This … may be the best course of action, she began, watching Ishuna’s shoulders sag slightly. But I want to try one thing, first.

What thing?

Will you remain with Lead Baetae while I go farther ahead with Ishuna?

What? Innathi was confused and miffed. Why her? Why not me?

Xala exhaled softly. A promise I made to your Queen-Mother, your grace. Please, trust me. It won’t take long. Then we’ll turn around and head home.

Reluctantly, Innathi agreed to stay behind as the Captain led the younger royal daughter up the next gradual incline. Ishuna questioned with her face rather than her tongue but appeared less put out by the separation.

"Have you been … feeling odd, qu’essan? the mature Davrin asked with care. While we’ve been here?"

Ishuna swallowed. You mean, unwell?

Not necessarily. Just anything different.

The horses’ hooves clopped over the stone and sand. The royal daughter’s breath wavered as she pulled air in and let it out. She hesitated to answer, but the answer was yes.

Nix it, I never asked, Xala murmured, not for the first time. Just walk with me.

Perhaps it was only their history that this helped at all. Xala could not have said she felt any change, and perhaps the truth was that her long, sensitive ears had picked up the sound of water spattering over rock by chance, an echo like the already rare rainfall in the desert being sequestered to one small spot.

There. She breathed in, detecting the faintest hint of vapor across her tongue. Just around the bend.

She didn’t dare return to her company until she’d laid eyes upon it. For the sake of her charges, she must be certain they’d found the waterfall of Koorul.

I hear voices, Ishuna said, trying not to sound afraid.

The next moment, Xala heard them as well.

Men.

Beco’s Balls …

Chapter 2

Looks like we caught them in some rite of passage, Xala explained once she and Ishuna had crept back to their entourage, the rush of the waterfall still touching their ears. If the Zauyrians bother coming all the way out here, these gatherings can last a few days. We will have to negotiate for the water. Shouldn’t be difficult, though, if you let me do the talking.

The royal sisters nodded, and Innathi said, What about the bath?

I can’t say yet, your grace. Depends where they are in their rituals.

I want the bath, she repeated. Include it in your negotiations.

Xala’s face settled into focus. "We risk a conflict if they won’t all leave to grant privacy, qu’essan."

Then they can watch, Innathi stated.

What? Ishuna asked with alarm, looking down at her with a frown.

That could be dangerous, your grace, said Xala.

Why? They’re just buas.

"Not the best comparison, qu’essan. The men tend to make all the decisions about politics and defense."

So more like you and me? Very well. And hasn’t my beauty been part of fertility parades back home? I’ve stood showing the public as much in those sheer costumes.

Well —

Wouldn’t that be a tempting privilege they could claim in their stories back home? Surely you can protect me, Captain. The Queen’s heir barely waited for that pause of indecision. Might I suggest you also get the best-looking of them to bathe as well, so they have someone to risk.

Xala blinked and smirked when she spotted the pathway. Get naked, you mean?

The elder sister grinned. I’ve never seen a Human man nude. We can make this fun. Wouldn’t you agree, Ishuna?

I don’t care about the bathing, the younger said. I’ll pass.

Innathi sighed. Whatever.

Ishuna scowled but looked to her protector. What do we have to negotiate for the water?

Not sure yet, Xala admitted. "I’ll have to talk to them, but they will negotiate if they want to keep the treaty, though they wouldn’t risk insulting the Valsharess by suggesting something demeaning involving you two."

How do you know? the younger asked bluntly, for that very thought apparently had crossed her mind.

"Because one of them is wearing the firebird symbol on his clothes, so he’s at least related to the ruling sorcerer of the Third Realm."

Ishuna nodded, but Innathi narrowed her eyes. Only one? And not the ruler himself? she asked.

Xala shook her head. The Sorcerer-King wears a firebird ring no one can remove but himself. It’s too far to see if he wears that ring. She paused. Plus, he looks young.

Young? Hm. Innathi cleared her throat, straightened her back and gestured to Xala as her stallion pranced sideways. Well. Negotiate on our behalf, Captain. Whatever is necessary. Our horses are thirsty.

And lusty, one of the Guardsvrin behind them said as the red stallion sidestepped and again fought his mistress’s control to sniff the white mare’s haunches, tossing his head excitedly and lifting his upper lip. Bad time to go into heat.

As if the mare times it that way, Xala commented with eyebrow raised.

"No insult, Captain, just my wager. Another day out here and not even a qu’essan can hold him back."

Ishuna pursed her lips, moving her pale, shimmering mount farther from her sister’s red sorrel. Soon they had to sleep, which meant that her current favorite would be pregnant with a foal before long.

Preoccupied by Innathi’s teasing stallion and what the evening would be like being so close to the Zauyrians, Ishuna almost missed the cue from the Captain to ride forward into view.

Time to show ourselves, Innathi murmured to her. Keep your back straight. We’re representing Mother and V’Gedra.

Ishuna yanked herself back to the present and nodded. With a gentle kick, she moved forward with the rest.

They kept plenty of distance between the two groups while Xala stood in the middle with a Human man wearing a uniform of his own, bearing less red and more blues and golds. They had dismounted and stood on even ground; Xala’s gelding was even the first allowed to wander over to the stream and start to drink in loud slurps. The men had started grinning and pointing, looking amused but also admiring the brilliant sheen of the dark Hilsav coat.

That must be a good sign, Ishuna thought, wondering why she felt so anxious about being here. The Captain spoke smoothly in the Zauyrian language, a growling, rolling sound much faster than Davrin speech, but she didn’t know if it conveyed any more nuance.

The younger qu’essan flicked her eyes toward the others lined up on either side of the stream closer to the waterfall. The Zauyrians were all male, no females among them, which was a strange sight to see. She granted that it appeared as though the Davrin company had interrupted a ceremony, as all kinds of items — bowls, daggers, pouches — appeared deliberately placed and far too ornate to have been brought to use at a mere campsite.

How could Xala be so sure they were safe here if the men were offended at all? What if their short-lived pride dismissed that an all-female Davrin troupe could be more dangerous than them? The qu’essan knew they would win, but she was still afraid of a fight breaking out.

More gestures, more strange words. Ishuna could not make them out, so she tried to read Xala’s body language instead.

The Captain was confident, at ease; she even laughed, keeping her best humor, and had the Zauyrian man smiling at her. It seemed genuine, even admiring.

Does he … know her from before?

What about the rest?

She peered carefully for the one wearing the firebird symbol on his clothes, but she could not see him right away. What she glimpsed instead was the subtle pulse of a young mage trying to hide his aura when he wasn’t accustomed. Perhaps a Davrin child born twenty summers ago might not see it, but that aura was very plain to her.

Eventually Xala broke off with the man; they each returned to their group with the proposed terms. The Captain was smiling, her hands resting on her hips as she began to speak.

"So, good news, your graces. They haven’t yet started the important part of their rite and can delay it up to one day. They have men available if any of my Guardsvrin need stress relief, and no obstacles to access to the water up to the time limit, which means we can bathe if desired. She looked up and swept eyes over her company. All of us."

Ishuna’s mouth sagged a bit, but Innathi spoke first.

"Wait, do you mean you bargained with ‘stress relief’ as if they are serving you?" the qu’essan asked, astonished but with a touch of glee.

Xala shrugged and gave her a wink, shifting her weight. It was a slow, graceful sway that some of the men were watching as they listened to their leader. I’ve met this man recently, your grace. Akil Safiya, Head of the Guard for his Sorcerer-King’s property closest to our borders. He paid tribute at V’Gedra to share training and exchange enforcers. And … well, we’ve fucked before, your graces.

Innathi laughed in delight, pressing her palms together, though Ishuna licked her lips before speaking. Mm. How often do your Guardsvrin rut with Humans, Xala?

Fairly regularly, your grace.

H … How regularly, Captain?

Either when there are no Davrin buas around, or we don’t want to risk catching a baby. She shrugged. Or both. As in this circumstance.

The younger sister nodded reluctantly, extrapolating what this must mean: They’re willing.

She had even heard the gossip around the palace that Elves and Humans could not breed. A few infamous squads of soldiers bragged about having done Zauyrians so often that, if true, they would practically prove the theory by themselves.

I wouldn’t recommend you two indulge, however, added Xala, unless you want a separate bargain.

Wait, I still wish to bathe, Innathi said, dismayed but trying not to sound petulant.

If you wish. And you don’t mind their eyes on you.

I do not. She harrumphed. "But why not indulge?"

Innathi, her sister hissed.

Men have been known to misinterpret its importance, said their Captain. "Remember, their women don’t live long but catch even easier than we do. Plenty die giving birth, so they choose who they allow between their thighs with care. The less experienced can take coupling as a promise, especially if she’s wealthy or higher status, which would be an annoyance to your Queen-Mother."

Before she had him executed, Xala did not say, though both daughters knew the truth.

Innathi and Ishuna made eye contact. They knew all about buas trying to bed themselves into a higher status. Such games back home had been light thus far, but everyone at Court knew the royal qu’essanil had indulged a few times each.

Suddenly the younger sister straightened up as she realized, So what have they bargained for? You told us what they would give us. What do they want in return?

The Captain chuckled. Well, Zauyrian men can be extremely promiscuous given the right situation. They’ll take sex alone as payment here. As long as we use each one for our ‘relief,’ I can guarantee there won’t be a fight and you may watch if you wish.

Innathi hid obvious giggling behind her hand, scarlet eyes sparkling, while Ishuna quickly counted the men.

Uh … began the younger. Some of you might have to … mount two.

Then so be it, your grace. Now Xala winked at her. Trust me. My caits don’t tire easily, especially when it’s the best way to protect the royal sisters.

An orgy beside the stream didn’t break out right away, to Innathi’s amused chagrin. But then, the Queen’s heir didn’t know exactly what to expect. She watched Xala and Akil introduce the two groups and clearly stated the terms in both languages.

Upon witnessing a wave of interested smiles on heavy, brown faces, Innathi tucked away the hint of possibility in leaving before dusk. The Davrin would be here at least until nightfall and would rest after the payment. If her troupe was too tired to travel at midnight, at least it was welcome at the waterfall. They’d probably leave at dawn.

Well with me.

This was the most exciting thing to happen on any of their trips so far. If only her sister would relax a little.

We’re untouchable, Innathi whispered to Ishuna as they tugged their exhausted horses to the stream to drink. You heard it. Don’t be so tense.

I-I sense something strange here, she murmured with a touch of her hand to the Hilsav’s withers as the mare ducked her head. I can’t explain it, but … it’s like something in a dream.

Oh, no, not this again.

What, is our sire speaking through dunes again? Innathi teased.

Ishuna took that as well as she ever had. "Shut up! I was just a child, and it was a horrid Reverie!"

Glad to hear you say that.

Her mouth popped open to form a hole. Horrid doesn’t mean it wasn’t real — !

"Ishuna, please. You said Reverie. It wasn’t real."

"You weren’t there. He was."

"How could I be there with you? Argh … Innathi flipped her hand. Never mind what I said. I’m sure this has nothing to do with him."

Ishuna bit her lip to force herself to take a breath. "Perhaps. But there is still strange magic here —"

Of course, there is. Third Realm royalty is here. She tried looking for him again, recognizable by that barely suppressed aura, but Ishuna was tugging on her sleeve at the same time her stallion wrenched her arm.

No, not him, I mean —

"AIEE!"

The red stallion had finally waited long enough. His thirst slaked, the spirited animal jerked free from his rider’s distracted hand and nearly kicked her sister trying to clamber up onto the neighing mare’s white back, a long, mottled erection hanging underneath his belly.

Move, Shuna! Innathi cried, reaching for her as she dodged low but stumbled over a stone. Get out of the way — !

The elder sister tried for a shield spell for them both, her magic disrupted when Xala was suddenly there. Raising a magic shield of her own with little effort, their Captain pulled them back from the stream and behind her as the horses got to coupling before any of the Guardsvrin.

Stepping around her own shield, Xala gave a hard slap to the stallion’s rump with the flat of her sword. The beast hardly noticed as he thrust his hips, seeking relief in the source which had made him so hard to handle the last two days.

"Idiot we’ha, Xala groused. Couldn’t wait until the saddles came off and save me a mending spell?! Shuaknen!"

Chuckling from the Zauyrians bounced gently off the cliff walls. Shaking her head with a smirk on her lips, Xala sheathed her blade and took her two young charges by an arm. Come on. Better just to let them finish already. Hopefully the foal gets her mother’s smarts.

Innathi glanced back, fascinated by the forceful, demanding rut in a way she hadn’t been until recently. How much of that long prick had disappeared into the mare’s quim as he mated, so desperate to breed her while she took the breeding stance to hold them up.

The Zauyrian men even seemed to like what they saw; a few whooped and clapped, laughing alongside the Guardsvrin at the spectacle. If Innathi understood their accents better, she would have thought there had been a couple of innuendo jests about what was coming as well.

Her face flushed, quite warm — surely, she needed water — when she turned and found herself placed before the tiny pool at the base of the spattering waterfall. The flow was not as abundant as what she’d heard about in the green lands, but this precious flow was more than enough for all of them.

Four or five could even bathe beneath the water at once.

Innathi was free to step right beneath that stream and let the water beat on her head. She wanted little else right then and, feeling bold with the palatable anticipation surrounding her — not to mention backed by the trills and squeals of mating horses — the Valsharess’s eldest Daughter loosened her belt, willing herself to be the first to strip from her dusty traveling clothes.

Innathi! Ishuna whispered, unaccountably shaken.

"I asked for this, and I shall do it, she replied with her Mother’s elegance. Only fitting that our eve of rest and play begin with me."

Xala didn’t protest but stayed close. With a hand on the hilt of her sword, eyes up, and her flanking officers on alert, the heir to the throne effectively stunned every male there, not only with her Elven beauty but the confidence with which she revealed it.

Innathi’s first thought had been to act, show no hesitation once she’d decided — something she learned from her Mother. She knew what she wanted, after all — A bath in the falls! — but she could not have imagined the looks on the tanned faces of these dark-haired Humans as they watched her shed her clothing and show them … well, everything.

One might think they are about to drop to their knees.

Either to worship her or hide immediate erections.

She smiled a little. Then a lot more. She liked this.

Oh, I can enjoy this.

With a brilliant grin, Innathi tossed her clothing toward Ishuna hiding behind Xala and stepped into the shallow pool. So cool. Delicately licking at her ankles as the spray prepared her skin for the falls.

Or so she believed.

Innathi gasped at the unexpected chill but then shivered with delight, wetting down her gritty hair. Her nipples grew painfully hard as the cool water glided down her back and over her hips; she hummed.

Xala was right. A bit of paradise in the middle of nowhere.

Innathi’s attention was drawn briefly from the shower of water to her Captain when the older Davrin cleared her throat expectantly. But the experienced fighter wasn’t looking at Innathi or Ishuna but rather Akil Safiya, one eyebrow quirked and a wry smirk on her face.