I should probably state right now that this is invariably going to degenerate into sex comedy at some point. Also, that there are LGBTQ characters and all sorts of relationships. If such ideas offend, please read no further. I will warn for all "high-rated" material and eventually change the rating of this story to M if need be.
This story will be updated at least once every day until November 1st, on which the last chapter will be posted. Enjoy a month of fic!
Caravan - The Home Stretch
"All these roads, but they all lead home."
There was a faint hint of smoke in the air. Sherrill sniffed deeply, taking in the damp, friendly aromas of the autumn breeze. Yellowed and reddened leaves swirled across the ground, her long dark hair blew teasingly across her face and caught on her chapped lips. She sighed, and another's hand reached to brush the offending strands away.
"Peace," Raithen, her co-captain, said, tucking the strands behind her ear. Though he was a Yuke of massive stature, his large brown paws were, as always, surprisingly gentle. He might have towered over everyone at a handspan over six feet tall, but as a rather tall Clavat lady, Sherrill was no slouch herself. "We'll be home soon enough."
Below them the road wound and traversed its way down to where the home valley stretched, new and glorious in the morning light. The morning sun was only just clearing away the last vestiges of fog. The crystal gleamed and winked in the weak sunlight, a blue pinpoint of hope. Thin tendrils of smoke curled from the chimneys of several homes, and she was fairly certain that the brown figure moving in the fields was Farmer Kellen. Perhaps the figures in the orchards were the children?
"I know," she said, mindlessly adjusting her pack on her shoulders as the two of them stood aside to let Ren lead the pack animals ahead. "It's just... Hao." Three months should have been long enough to swallow the lump that rose in her throat whenever she thought of the Selkie woman, yet Sherrill still had to fight the grief that tightened her chest.
Raithen inclined his head slowly. "The ceremony."
Sherrill didn't answer. The nice thing about Rai, she thought, was that one never really had to.
"Marina must miss you dearly, though," he stated after a moment's contemplation, seemingly non-sequitur. "And Lena and Loren. I wonder how much they have grown in this past year. Poor Arro must be desperate to share all his learning as well."
Thinking of them waiting for her, she smiled. With a clap on his bony shoulder, Sherrill jogged up to where their second Clavat, little Ren, was steadfastly ignored Aaron's teasing and Jai Noo's flirtations. "On the double, lads!" she told them, grabbing the boys by their ears and pulling them along with her.
"Goddammit, Rai!" Aaron swore, tripping along in her wake. His short Lilty legs had to sprint to keep up with her rangy stride. "Why do you always have to-yaaaargh!" He squirmed under Sherrill's suddenly extra tightened grip. Jai Noo suffered quietly as he tried to keep up, the occasional muttered curse passing his lips. He'd grown used to her good natured hazing in the mere months he'd traveled with them.
Behind them, Ren laughed herself silly, her tiny five foot frame leaning against and somehow propping up the giant chuckling Raithen. They were on the downhill of the pass that led to their valley home, it would be an easy walk from here. Sherrill relaxed her pace and let go of the boys, who mumbled bad names at her that she easily pretended not to hear. She took another deep breath. Home.