Chapter 17

"Come back safe, Kal," said Perra as she laid in bed with the covers pulled back so Kal could take in the candlelit view of her naked body. He paused every few minutes in his preparations for his extended trip into the mountains to kiss and run his hands over her. She was putting herself on display for him and he wanted there to be no doubt in her mind he appreciated it. He wished he had more time but he and Ikuno had decided to leave out at sunrise and the sky outside was starting to lighten.

"I plan on it," he said with a smile as he finished buttoning up his heavy coat. All he needed was his cloak that was hanging by the door and he was ready.

"Come back safe and I'll have something special to give you," Perra rolled away from him onto her side then twisted back to look at him. One hand went to her bottom and pulled her cheeks apart, displaying her pucker.

Kal was more than a little surprised at the offer. He hadn't played with her rear yet, much as he wanted to, out of worry that it might drag up bad memories of Sir Michael. He reached over the bed and gently ran his fingers over her backdoor. Perra tensed for just a second then forced herself to relax.

"Are you sure about this?" he asked as he dipped a finger into her sex to collect some of her natural lube before returning to her asshole and continuing to rub his finger around it.

"I know you'll make it good for me, Kal. I want to replace those memories with ones of you making love to me back there and making me feel wonderful," said Perra as she started to breathe harder. She knew how much he enjoyed being in a woman's bottom and she was starting to understand why the other women liked having him there.

Still leaning over the bed Kal licked her juices off his finger, "If you are certain, then how about something for you to look forward to as well?" Taking her by the hips he pulled her over to his side of the bed and dropped to one knee. He then pushed her knees up to her chest and had her hold them there. Kal dragged his tongue through her quim to get more of her juices then started teasing her rosebud with the tip.

Perra gasped in amazement at how good that felt. Not as good as when he licked her clit or was sliding in and out of her pussy, but she had never realized how sensitive that particular spot was. She tensed again, but only for a moment, as Kal's tongue slowly but insistently slid past her sphincter. Kal was doing a wonderful job of chasing away those bad memories already and he hadn't even taken off his pants.

Kal slowly slid his tongue in and out of her rear, gradually stretching it and observing Perra for any pain, physical or otherwise. When she was taking the thickest part and seemed to be wanting more, unfortunately, he was on a schedule. He finished up with a long lick from her anus to her clit, making the girl's body jerk.

Perra put her legs down as Kal leaned over to give her a goodbye kiss. Kal was again surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck and fiercely pressed her lips to his, her tongue darting into his mouth . Their tongues wrestled for a minute before Perra pulled back with an evil grin on her face.

She brought her knees back up to her chest and said, "Do that again, then give Ikuno a hello kiss from me." Kal chuckled as he bent back down to get another taste of her.

A couple of minutes later Kal stepped out of their room, stopping for a moment to get his bearings. He was still unused to walking out of his room on what felt like the wrong side of the house.

His and Perra's morning activities on the day he went to see Bea had not gone as unnoticed as they had hoped. He felt rightly embarrassed when he returned home late the next day to find that his mother had moved all her belongings into his room and vise-versa. Perra had been sleeping in his mother's bed since she moved in and had her clothes there already. Lately, it had become more Perra's room than his mother's especially since he had put a small cot together in front of the stove to keep her warm.

Having someplace to sleep so close to her sewing chair meant that Kal's mother was only returning to her bedroom on occasion. The last time had been when Perra snuck out and woke Kal up. Perra wouldn't have tempted fate that morning by trying to sneak past she if she had been sleeping out on the cot. His mother had been awake the entire time, having woken up when Perra got out of bed to sneak out. She had heard not only their lovemaking but their conversation as well. Later that day she instructed Perra to switch the rooms out, making his mother's room with the larger bed into Perra's and his. An equally embarrassed, yet excited, Perra had greeted him at the door when he came home and shown him to their new room.

When he asked his mother the next day she didn't even try to hide her intentions.

"I'm just hoping that Perra might convince you to give up your promiscuous ways and settle down with one woman," she said with a smile as she sewed a patch into one of Perra's dresses.

The move did have an unintended consequence. Kal's mother had known what was going on ever since Perra's birthday. Since they kept their trysts out in the barn or somewhere away from the house but had never had to deal with it directly. With them in the same bed, it was a nightly thing, and often morning too, where she had to listen to their quiet lovemaking. It was making her cranky.

A few days later she snapped at Perra badly enough to bring the girl to tears.

"Mother!" said Kal, shocked.

His mother's eyes widened as she realized what she had done, "I'm so sorry Perra please forgive me I didn't mean that." She turned to Kal, "My apologies to you as well for seeing that side of me. I didn't think having a young, and active, couple in the house would affect me as much as it has." Kal was pretty sure he understood what she was saying but had no clue what to do about it.

Perra, on the other hand, headed straight for the door, calling over her shoulder to Kal, "Breakfast is yours, I'll be back in a little while." Kal and his mother stared at each other in confusion until they heard Bonn headed off to town with Perra on his back. Around a half an hour later she came back and took his mother into her bedroom for a few minutes. All through breakfast his mother sat there blushing furiously, an odd experience for Kal as he had never seen her act this way. After a while, her blush faded and the rest of the day went on like normal, until bedtime.

At Perra's request, Kal had stoked the fire for the night as the sun started to set then helped his mother settle into bed, an activity that still felt odd to him. His mother wasn't frail or scrawny, anyone looking at her would see a prime example of a woman in her early forties. Whatever her ailment was it seemed to be sapping the life right out of her, leaving her exceptionally weak with no other outward signs of sickness.

Perra came in as he was finishing up and gave her a kiss on the cheek, "Have a good night, Mom." His mother again turned bright red.

Kal noticed the pack in Perra's hand and gave her a questioning look, "Going somewhere?"

"Yes, and you're coming with me. Our room at the Inn is already paid for."

"Why…"

Perra held a finger up to his lips, "No questions. I brought Bonn around front. Let's go."

A couple of minutes later when they were out on the trail to Telsin, Kal asked again what was going on.

Perra turned to look back at him, "Your mother is frustrated, Kal. We've awakened urges she hasn't had in many years and haven't properly taken care of since your father passed. I picked up something from Kahrin earlier to help with that and now we are giving her some time alone to put it to use." Kal's face suddenly turned as red as his mother's had been. Perra quipped, "I can see the family resemblance."

When they reached the Inn, Kal saw that Master Ellis was still ill and Kahrin was manning the bar again. He was beginning to seriously worry about the innkeeper. They went and put their belongings in their room, Perra had chosen the same one as before but with assurances to Bren that there would be significantly more sleeping tonight. After settling in, they came back downstairs. Perra and Kahrin chatted behind the bar as Kahrin worked while Kal and Bren manned the door.

The other barmaid, Ada, took issue with Perra being back with the money. Kahrin quickly silenced her by informing the woman that Master Kal and Lady Perra had enough money to buy the place outright if they wanted and were hardly worried about their few coppers. Kal frowned, in actuality, he could buy the entire town. However, he hadn't realized that his financial status was so widely known, even if underestimated.

Perra seemed to thrive working with Kahrin. She happily chatted with customers and poured drinks helping the barmaid as much as she could. After a while Kahrin even let the girl run the counter by herself while she went out and helped Ada in the dining room. Things stayed pretty tame for the first part of the night until a traveling minstrel pulled out a lute and began singing. Regaling them with a bawdy tale of the many feminine conquests of sir such-and-such from the kingdom of somewhere, each one more lurid and graphic than the last.

Kal's presence dampened most of the lewder attention directed towards Perra. But, as some of the customers got a bit deeper in their cups they began caring less and less about the wizard. Bren nudged him as one of the patrons stumbled towards the bar, a lecherous grin splitting his features as he stared at Perra. Kal smiled at the big man and pulled his hood over his head so no one could see his eyes start to glow.

Perra had seen Kal smile and put his hood up as he watched, though she didn't really understand his actions she knew he would keep her safe. Because of this, she stood there calmly as the leering drunkard reached towards her breast.

Motion and music stopped as the man was hit with a blast of air from the side. The drunkard opened his eyes to see a hand on his arm stopping him from moving forward. Looking to the side he saw Kal, his hood pushed back by the wind as he dashed the couple of steps to the bar. Terror etched the man's features as he saw the young wizard's glowing blue eyes. He sobered quickly as the mage moved his hand away from Perra and back his side, using no more effort than he would for a small child.

"You were about to touch something that belongs to me," he said glaring at the man. "That would be unwise." One by , the rest of his runes except for his shield lit up. The man about lost his mind with fear when the haste rune appeared and started spinning. Suddenly all the runes along with his glowing eyes faded. Kal clapped the man on the shoulder making him jump. "Understood?" he asked with a genuine smile. The man nodded dumbly and for a moment was going to return to his table once the wizard released him. Seeing the glares he was getting from the other patrons, he instead turned towards the front door and made a hasty exit. He felt a rush of elation come from Perra at his words that felt out of place, he dismissed the feeling as something to come back to later.

"Bloody hell Master Kal. Ye about made the arsehole piss himself," called out Kahrin as she jumped down off the chair she had been using to watch. The crowd parted to let her through and she waggled a finger in his face. "Rest assured if'n he had ye'd be the one cleanin' it up too." She shooed him back towards his and Bren's table, "Off wit' ye now, back ta yer ale."

Kal quickly realized what she was doing and made a production of saying, "Yes ma'am," and hanging his head as he returned to his table.

"Da fuk wassat?" yelled one of the customers, "'e was 'bout ta kill a man. Then gits 'andled by a fuggin' bar wench."

Bren's rumbling chuckle as Kal sat down drew everyone's attention. "The bar wench wasn't about to put her hands where they weren't wanted. There's your lesson for tonight everyone: don't fuck with the wizard's woman and he's just another good man. Bard! Play something heroic, save the tales of cocks and quims for another night." The minstrel nodded at the big man and launched into another song. Slowly, things in the dining room returned to normal.

Kahrin sauntered over and leaned over the table. Speaking just loud enough so only the two men could hear she gave Kal a sultry look and said, "I bet I could put me hands on the wizard's woman."

Kal took a sip of his ale and smirked back at her, "You heard the man," he said nodding at Bren, "I only get involved if it's not wanted. Perra told me all about the advice you gave her on her birthday. Knowing that, I won't be taking that bet."

Kahrin stood up with a smile, "Phooey, she shouldn'a told ye that. Think I might find out anyway." Bren and Kal both chuckled as she walked away.

Kahrin sauntered over to where Perra was standing behind the counter. She pulled the lone stool over for Perra then had the girl sit and lean back against the bar with her back to the dining room. The barmaid stood close beside her facing the counter and they chatted amiably like that for a minute. Perra suddenly sat straight up putting her hand on Kahrin's arm. A moment later she looked over at Kal with her eyes wide. Kal made a point of staring at her face, then at where Kahrin's arm disappeared beneath the counter, then back at her face before giving her a questioning look. Perra thought for a moment before nodding back at him. Kal raised his tankard in salute. Perra looked back to the barmaid and gave her a similar nod before taking her hand off Kahrin's arm and leaning over into the older woman.

Kahrin whispered something into the younger woman's ear and Perra nodded again before scooting down on the stool. Kal couldn't see Kahrin's arm any more than anyone else in the dining area but looking carefully he could see Perra breathing a bit heavier. He was amazed and quite aroused that she would be so audacious as to do this in a room full of people. They were interrupted by a customer approaching the bar for a refill. Perra sat back and put her elbows on the counter as though she had just been resting against the older woman while Kahrin got the man his drink. If he had any inkling what had been going on there a moment ago, he never showed it.

Kahrin stood in front of Perra for a moment and sensuously licked one of her fingers clean. Perra heaved a great sigh as another customer, followed by Ada with a handful of empty mugs, approached the bar. She hopped down off the stool and turned to help them, a bright smile on her face. Kahrin, meanwhile, walked back over to Bren and Kal's table.

The barmaid leaned over the table again and wiggled one of her fingers under his nose, Perra's familiar scent was unmistakable. "Care for a taste, Master Kal?"

Kal smiled and shook his head, "I'll get some straight from the source later. You worked for that, you should have it."

Her smile turned mischievous as she turned to Bren, "Hear that Bren? He says this one's for me," she said as she began to teasingly clean her finger. Kal saw a whole new side to the giant of a man as Bren's eyes locked on Kahrin's finger while she ran her tongue over it then took it all the way in her mouth and sucked it clean. When her finger came away from her lips Bren's eyes met Kahrin's and the man made a growling noise that started deep in his chest and vibrated the table.

The barmaid leaned towards Kal while continuing to give Bren a sultry look and said in a conspiratorial whisper, "One o' the big lout's favorite things is seein' me tongue buried in another woman's puss, drinkin' her juice. Yer woman and ye just made certain I'm goin' ta have a good night."

Kal and Bren shared a look as Kahrin walked away to help Ada get caught up. Both men adjusted themselves before returning to their ale.

Eventually, things wound down and most of the patrons wandered off to their respective homes. Those that didn't, like the minstrel, found their way to their rooms. A few late-night hangers-on were gathered around the low burning fireplace chatting. The bleary-eyed night cook and clerk came out and took their positions relieving the kitchen staff along with Kahrin, Bren, and Ada. Kal took note that Ada went into Master Ellis's room instead of her own. Perra bounced over to their table, still full of energy from the excitement of working the bar.

Kahrin pretended to drag Bren up out of his seat as the large man stood up. As they walked away the older woman called out to Perra, "There's some things I'm needin' ta get ready, I'll be up in a minute."

Kal shot a confused glance at Perra as they walked upstairs towards their room. She looked up at him and said, "She asked me if we would help her do something special for Bren, if you say no that's fine. She said there'd be no hard feelings."

"I'm curious now. Do I dare ask what this special thing is?"

"Can it be a surprise?"

"Sure," he chuckled as they entered their room. Kal drew a small rune and magically lit the candles scattered about. By the time he was done Perra had already stripped and was standing in front of him naked. "This is certainly a change from last time we were here," he said smiling as she began helping him undress.

"I didn't know how good it would feel that time. If I had, then I might have just flipped up my dress and bent over the bed," she said as she pulled down his trousers. Perra immediately sank to her knees and took his half-hard dick in her hand. She pointed it at her mouth and moved forward enveloping the head with her soft lips and making Kal groan in pleasure. Perra then bobbed up and down on the top half while stoking the bottom with her hand until he was fully hard.

After instructing Kal to lay down, she threw a leg over his hips and quickly sank down onto him. Then, in a complete change from their norm, she sat back on his cock and began lightly playing with her clit.

"I'm guessing this is part of that special thing you were talking about?"

"Mmm hmm," she answered with her eyes closed as she enjoyed the pleasant feelings.

There was a light tapping on the door before Kahrin, wearing only a nightdress, let herself in. The older woman smiled as she took in the sight of the Perra sitting astride Kal. He noticed she was walking awkwardly as she came over to the bed, remembering her toys sitting in her bedroom Kal could guess why. By the time Kahrin was standing next to them, Kal could feel Perra's juices start to run down his sack and drip to the bed below.

"Yer sure ye don't mind, Perra?" the barmaid asked. "I'll not blame ye if'n ye be wantin' Kal ta be the only man here ta know what ya taste like."

In all of the excitement of the night, Perra hadn't thought of that. She looked down at Kal with a questioning expression.

"You're my woman and my lover, not my slave, Perra, the choice is yours. I will say that Bren is a good man in my eyes, in that respect, I don't have any problem with this." Kal smiled, "I just wonder if you will be able to look him in the face after he knows what you taste like."

Perra flushed bright red.

"He don't know what I'm up here for so if'n ye changed your mind ye won't be dissapointin' him," said Kahrin.

Perra smiled at them both as her face returned to normal, "I gave my word and I'll keep it. If Kal doesn't mind, then I see no reason not to help you and Bren out tonight." She slid up and down Kal's cock a couple of times then leaned over onto his chest.

Kal's prick slipped out of the girl only to be immediately engulfed by the barmaid's mouth. Almost lovingly she cleaned him of Perra's fluids. Her tongue seeking out every drop she could get beneath the crown and even swiping the tip of her tongue through the slit at the top. After running her lips down the underside and cleaning the couple of drops off his scrotum she took his cock and pointed it at Perra's entrance.

Perra had lifted herself up had been watching between her legs as the barmaid made love to Kal's cock. It was apparent that this woman may not love the man, but she certainly loved the part of him currently in her mouth. Perra wanted a better view so she stood up on the bed and turned around facing Kal's feet before slowly lowering herself back onto his prick. Kahrin watched intently as Kal's cock slowly disappeared into the young woman. There was something about these two that turned her on fiercely and she unconsciously swallowed hard as the girl's pussy completely engulfed the young wizard's dick.

Kahrin swore under her breath, annoyed with herself for forgetting her purpose here, as the two young lovers quietly laughed at her. Perra lightly brushed her fingers across her clit and said, "Don't worry I have more."

Three more times Perra rode Kal until they could hear how wet she was, with Kahrin cleaning him up afterward. As the barmaid went to work on his cock a third time Perra whispered quietly into Kal's ear. He gave her a questioning look, seeing the curiosity and excitement tinged with nervousness in her face. He nodded with a supportive smile. Something that is more difficult than it sounds when your cock is being worked by an expert fellatrix.

Kal raised himself and Perra off the bed until they were sitting up, Perra throwing one arm around the back of his neck to make it easier for him to watch. As Kahrin finished cleaning his prick and pointed it back at Perra's dripping sex, Perra pushed Kal's cock off to the side and put a hand on the back of the barmaid's head. The delight on the Kahrin's face was unmistakable as the younger woman pushed the barmaid's mouth towards her pussy.

Perra leaned back and groaned in pleasure as Kahrin's tongue went to work teasing her lips and clit then gathering up the young woman's natural lube. Too soon for Perra's liking, Kahrin began paying attention exclusively to her clit. This indicated to the younger woman that the barmaid had collected a mouthful and was now trying to get her off.

Perra laid her hand gently on Kahrin's forehead and shook her head when the woman looked up in confusion. "Kal will take care of that," she said with a smile, "I think Bren has been waiting long enough."

Kahrin nodded and gave both Perra and Kal a nuzzle on the cheek before almost running out of the room.

Perra and Kal both sighed as Kahrin left, the sexual tension seemed to drain out of the room as soon as she was gone. Perra leaned forward and got on all fours. "No offense Kal but I'm exhausted and had about as much foreplay as I can take, I'd love it if you would fill me up before we went to sleep."

Kal chuckled, "No worries, I'm right there with you," he said as he lined up his cock and pushed home. Kal set a blistering pace and Perra just managed to get in two orgasms, the second with help from her fingers, before Kal emptied himself inside her. Just as they were laying down and getting comfortable they heard a loud rhythmic banging coming from directly below them. followed by what sounded like a low roar from some wild beast.

Moments later they heard Kahrin's voice through the floorboards saying, "I'm okay! I'm fine! If it happens again I'm fine then too!" The young lovers laughed as Perra pressed her back onto Kal's chest and he draped an arm over her side. Within minutes they had both fallen asleep.

Kahrin had almost tripped in her haste to get back to Bren's room, the large stone cock inside her made it hard to move quickly. When passing through the kitchen she grabbed a small cup and let some of the contents of her mouth drain into it. Entering Bren's room, Kahrin saw that he was laying on the bed naked and had nearly fallen asleep waiting for her. The barmaid put the cup down on his nightstand and pulled the big man into a sitting position, earning a drowsy groan of annoyance. She quickly threw off her nightdress and removed the stone phallus before dipping her hand in the jar of lube, similar to her own, sitting on his night table. Bren was awake enough to know something was odd with the normally chatty barmaid, but he had a hard time focusing on it when she started lubing and stroking his massive cock.

Kahrin smeared the rest of the lube on her stretched pussy then wrapped her arms around the big man's neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss. She pushed the remaining fluid into Bren's mouth as their tongues swirled around each other. Kahrin pulled away and watched while Bren tried to figure out the strange flavor.

"Tell me, Bren," the barmaid purred, "how are ye likin' the taste o' Lady Perra's cunt?"

Bren's eyes widened then narrowed, "You're lyin'."

Kahrin laughed, "On me life I'm not. Was willin' ta suck it offa Master Kal's cock if need be. Lady Perra was kind enough ta let me get some straight from the source," she said licking her lips and sinking slowly down onto the man's rod with a groan.

"I'll be damned," he said breathing in through his nose and savoring the taste in his mouth "Would've loved to see you lickin' that girl's pussy." Bren put one hand behind Kahrin's back to support her and brought the other up to her throat. "I'm supposing you want your reward for being so good to me," he growled.

The barmaid's eyes flicked to the cup on the nightstand before she smirked and leveled a challenging stare at him. Pressing her neck into his palm she said, "I'm fuckin' countin' on it."

The next morning Kal, Kahrin, and Perra all got a shock. Perra had needed some time to collect herself before she went down to face Kahrin and Bren. They had been woken up twice more last night by the activities below them with Perra knowing the cause all too well. Finally getting up her courage she almost strutted down the stairs. Kahrin came around the bar and gave Perra a hug and a tender kiss on the lips, while Kal gracefully settled for a chaste kiss on the cheek from the barmaid. What surprised them was when Perra went over to do the same for Bren. As her lips touched his cheek the normally quiet and unflappable giant of a man turned bright red and stumbled over his words as he attempted to say goodbye.

Perra took pity on the man and rushed out the door while Kahrin and Kal burst into laughter. Kal was still laughing when he clapped the big man on the shoulder and walked out the front door himself.

Kal and Perra returned home that morning to a much calmer but brightly blushing mother. It wasn't until that afternoon she was able to look either of them in the eye.

All of that had happened a little over a week ago and it still made him blush to think of what his mother had been doing that night. However, he had to admit she had become far more pleasant to live with. Kal was only slightly disappointed that the cot he put together was now going unused since his mother was now spending nearly every night in the privacy of his old bedroom.

It was still dark as Kal stepped out of the house. Popping the last of his small breakfast of dried meat and cheese into his mouth, he started the two-hour trek to Ikuno's home. The mage eagerly awaited the sunrise so he could use his magic to get there quicker. Though he knew the way by heart, running at high speed through a forest in the dark didn't seem like a smart idea.

Ikuno had all but tried to devour Kal when he told her about Perra's gift, using her long tongue to get every tiny bit of the girl's flavor she could from his mouth. When she broke the kiss she growled, "Damn that girl, doing this on a day we don't have time for more. I'm positively soaked right now."

This little game had started the day after he impregnated Bea and was likely the reason Perra had been open to their fun with Kahrin the other night. Kal was feeling recuperated and Ikuno wasn't willing to wait until his next visit. She nearly dragged him to bed for some intimate time together before he left .

Upon returning home, Perra had called him over to the barn where she was doing chores. Once she had pulled him out of sight from the house, she immediately dropped to her knees, tugged his trousers down and took his soft prick in her mouth. A moment later she pulled back and smacked her lips together at the strange taste.

Kal looked down sheepishly, "I would have warned you. Ikuno and I were together just before I came home."

Perra's expression went from surprised, to disgusted, to thoughtful, then finally to accepting before she sighed and said, "It was bound to happen someday. Besides, she doesn't taste bad, I just wasn't expecting it." The girl shrugged and took him back in her mouth.

His next trip to Ikuno's, Perra had made certain to return the flavor. The girl making sure that his cock was loaded up with her juices before he left and giving him instructions as to what to tell Ikuno. The oni's reaction was far different. She nearly ripped his trousers open then spent the next few minutes carefully cleaning his cock with a look of unbridled lust on her face. After that, nearly every time he went between his and Ikuno's home he left with a gift for the other woman.

Later that morning Kal found himself in a very unexpected situation: riding piggyback on Ikuno. She was taking advantage of the natural trail that ran along the base of the mountain range. The oni surmised that it had been made over many years by herds of game animals traveling north and being turned aside by the steep mountain faces, eventually creating a decently wide path. Kal had used it a few times to get to Ikuno's but it wasn't significantly faster than his normal route straight through the forest. Since planting Eludora he hadn't used it at all, stopping to check on his daughter each time it was light enough out to do so.

Trees whipped by from the screaming pace Ikuno was setting with the help of Kal's haste rune. He could move fast using his runes, but the oni's long legs were eating up the distance to their destination at an impressive rate.

Ikuno informed him they had a good reason to test traveling like this. An unfertilized harpy's egg started losing it's magic as soon as it was laid. This meant they would need to get from the harpy nest to the salamander's cave in the eastern mountains as quickly as possible.

They were far beyond any lands he was familiar with when she finally slowed then stopped in front of a rocky crag on the mountainside. A fissure ran up the stone that had slowly filled with rocks, making a slope for them to start climbing.

As she caught her breath, Ikuno looked up at the fissure and the sheer stone faces on either side that stood well over the treetops. "Last test," she said, "climb up then jump down. I'll catch you if something goes wrong. Don't forget your strength rune too before you jump."

Kal rolled his eyes. "Yes Mom," he said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ikuno glared at him as he set both their travel packs down and began climbing the slope of loose rocks. He appreciated her worry, but they had done this same test of his feather fall rune dozens of times already. He had to remind himself that her caution was because she loved him and not because she doubted his abilities. On the other hand, he could understand her concern. The feather fall spell and rune were going to be their quick way back down once their business with the harpy was done. He disliked the idea of becoming a greasy smear on the side of a mountain as much as anyone else.

The strength rune brightened when he was about halfway to the top. Kal crouched then launched himself up to the edge of the fissure, grabbing the lip and quickly pulling himself up with his enhanced muscles. He then calmly walked off the edge of the cliff as the feather fall rune began glowing white. True to all his other tests, he floated down towards Ikuno. Unlike in his other tests, a side wind knocked him off course. He had to push off a couple of tree branches before maneuvering himself into a clear spot to land.

Ikuno smiled. "I should make you do it again just for the 'mom' comment," she said handing his pack to him. Kal laughed and checked the crystal tucked into a small pouch he put on his vambrace for just that purpose. It was about three-quarters drained after the trip and testing the feather fall rune The mage slipped it back into its leather pocket. He didn't see the need to switch it out with one of the other three he had brought along just yet.

Ikuno had also stocked up on magic for this trip. Kal had gotten so used to seeing her horns with black tips they almost seemed odd now that they were completely golden again. After getting drunk on magic last year she made certain that there was room in her energy stores whenever Kal was around so there wouldn't be any repeats.

As they reached the top of the fissure Kal looked over the bleak landscape. A few scraggly trees were managing to eke out the nutrients needed to live from soil that had blown into the cracks scattered about the rocks. Fauna was nearly non-existent, the only exceptions being the occasional bird flitting from tree to tree searching for seeds or bugs. Large spikes of rock that had long ago sheared off nearby stone faces jutted out at odd angles giving the area a very inhospitable atmosphere. Occasionally small patches of lichen could be seen tinting the stone green in areas protected from the biting wind.

The stiff breeze whipped Kal's cloak about. Now that they were above the treetops, there were no natural windbreaks besides the mountain before them. Ikuno went on ahead as Kal flipped up his hood and secured the rarely used fasteners sewed into the garment. He wondered for a moment if other wizards had to deal with such issues or if they had some spell that protected them from the annoying gusts. As he started after Ikuno, Kal mulled over the concept of a protection from air spell but quickly discarded the idea. He didn't need a rune to accidentally protect him from the air he needed to breathe.

Unlike the mountains by Ikuno's cave, there were no game trails between the northern and southern forests for them to follow. Up ahead Ikuno was carefully making her way across an area of sharp looking rubble and broken rocks. Kal looked up at the area just below where the snow covered the very top of the mount and sighed. For all of their haste in getting here, he had a feeling that this was going to be a very long and very slow climb.

About noon they found a dimple in the rock face along the tiny ledge they were traversing. It gave Ikuno and him just enough room to sit and get a bite to eat. There had only been two mishaps on their journey so far. The first where another ledge similar to the one they were sitting on crumbled beneath Ikuno's feet. She lunged forward and caught the ledge in front of her with her claws. Her expression was more of annoyance than fear despite the long fall beneath her. A moment later, Kal jumped the missing section and helped pull her up. Later on, Kal overbalanced while passing under an overhang and quickly anchored himself with geomancy to keep from falling.

With all of their attention on the treacherous climb, there had been no opportunity to talk until now.

"For a couple of magic users this seems to be the slowest way we could go about this," Kal said.

"If you have any ideas, I'm all ears," Ikuno responded, "I could probably climb straight up with a little help," she said as a red magic circle Kal recognized as her strength spell formed in front of her hand. She grinned at the look he was giving her, "I know I said earlier that we should conserve our magic since there won't be time to rest and recharge o,nce we get the egg. But, if I'm being honest, I'm as sick of this as you seem to be. Were you wanting to try the piggyback again? I'm worried that will be a lot of weight pulling me backwards."

"I have something in mind," he said looking over the edge and fighting off momentary vertigo. Down below them was a small rock ledge that they had crossed earlier. Kal reached out and as quickly as possible tied his will to the rock but with much smaller magic cables than he had used when practicing with Gerda. Giving a small tug Kal felt the connection was secure enough for what he planned.

"Okay, I'm curious. What have you got?" said Ikuno as they finished up their midday meal.

Kal stood and studied the steep rocky slope above. A fair distance up he could make out a ledge big enough for them to stand on. He crouched for a moment as the strength rune shined bright then sprang high into the air well above his intended target. As the feather fall rune glowed he reached out with one of the magic cables and attached it to the wall behind the ledge. Yanking himself forward as he severed the rope he quickly drifted down onto the outcropping. As his feet came to rest on the shelf, he touched the wall and anchored himself with magic. Kal checked the crystal he was pulling power from. The entire maneuver had only taken a couple of seconds and he only saw a small drop in the crystal's level.

Looking back down he could barely make out Ikuno's smile as she cast a strength spell on herself. With the nimbleness of a cat she quickly climbed up to join him, the claws on her hands and feet sinking easily into the stone. Kal kept one hand anchored as he reached out with the other and helped Ikuno onto the ledge.

Smiling up at Ikuno, Kal said, "This feels more like how a wizard should climb a mountain."

"I couldn't agree more," she replied. "The harpy's nest should be off that way."

Kal looked in the direction she was pointing and picked out his next destination.

Kal sailed up over the ledge in front of the harpy's cave, then stared in shock as a human male dressed in thick furs screamed in terror and frantically scooted backwards from where he had been sitting. Kal was so surprised he forgot to pull himself forward onto the ledge. Thankfully, he was close enough to reach out and grab the lip as he slowly floated downwards and with some help from the strength rune quickly pulled himself up. The two men stared at one another until recognition dawned on both their faces.

"Rone?" asked Kal.

"Kal? Kal!" cried the man jumping to his feet with tears in his eyes and running over to wrap Kal in a big hug. "Master Kal! Thank goodness! I didn't know if anyone knew I had been kidnapped! I can't believe they sent you to rescue mmph!..."

Kal had heard the scratching of claws on the rock behind him that suddenly stopped just below the ledge followed by a quiet, "Dammit, dammit, dammit," from Ikuno when she realized there was another human there. Worse yet, a human from Telsin.

Kal had grabbed Rone by the collar and put his hand over the man's mouth. His eyes glowed followed by a menacing red light from his strength and fire resistance runes. "I am not here to rescue you and I will happily leave you here if you don't swear that you will speak to no one of what you are about to see." Kal hated to scare the life out of the already distraught man but Kal knew Ikuno would not come up unless she knew her secret was safe from getting back to his mother.

Rone's eyes flicked from the glowing runes to his eyes before the man nervously nodded.

Kal removed his hand from the man's mouth and in an official manner said, "Do you swear on your life you will never speak to anyone about my companion until the time I release you from this oath."

"I..I swear," said Rone nervously. Kal saw a bit of magic snap into place between the two of them that was slightly similar to the bonding magic, Kal hoped that if Rone failed to keep his mouth shut he wouldn't suddenly keel over dead from this.

Kal called back over his shoulder, "You can come up now, Ikuno."

"Are you sure?" came a call from over the edge, the man's eyes darted towards the voice.

"He swore an oath. He's good," Kal said as the runes faded and his eyes returned to their normal color.

With a fair amount of claws scratching on stone, a large blue hand appeared on the rock ledge quickly followed by the rest of the oni as she pulled herself up. Looking at Rone, Ikuno attempted to give him a kindly smile but Kal could see the strain in her eyes. He would have to tell her about the oath and the magic that seemed to go with it.

Rone saw things very differently. At Kal's call, a blue-skinned ogre climbed up and started walking towards them, flashing her fangs and grinning hungrily. Rone's conscious mind fled in terror leaving only instinct. The man screamed at the top of his lungs, abject horror and the certainty that he was about to be killed and eaten painted upon his face. The man ripped his collar out of Kal's hands and bolted, still screaming, into the mouth of the cave. Turning off into a side tunnel he ran full bore back to the harpy's nest and curled up into a ball off to one side. With no exits besides the one he just came in, he shivered and awaited his end.

Kal's first impulse had been to run after him but he only made it a few steps before his eyes were drawn far upwards to take in the enormous cave opening before him. The arched entrance could easily hold the entire Inn back in Telsin with plenty of room to spare all around it. At the peak of the arch, you could set a second inn on top of the first and still have at least a few paces between the roof and the stone above. The cave appeared to run a good distance inside before sloping upwards and disappearing off further into the mountain peak. Like Kal, Ikuno had been too distracted by the sudden appearance of Rone to notice the gigantic opening and now stood staring in amazement next to the slack-jawed runesmith.

"Holy hell… did a dragon live here? Or, more importantly, 'does' a dragon live here?" Kal said looking up at Ikuno, only to find that the oni had shaken off her momentary amazement and was looking down at long furrows in the rock beneath them.

"Not a dragon," said Ikuno looking confused, "If it had been a dragon there would be a second set of claw marks up there where the front legs came down when landing. Whatever lived here landed on two feet and they were much larger than a dragon's. You go deal with your friend, I'll see if I can figure this out."

Kal nodded, not bothering to correct Ikuno that he and Rone weren't friends as it didn't much matter at that moment. Rone's parents had been the ones to purchase his grandparent's old farm from Kal's mother. After getting things cleaned up Rone's father tended both farms until his son was old enough to take over their old farm. He and Kal had run into each other a few times in town over the years and chatted amiably but never to the point if considering the man a friend.

Kal stepped into the small tunnel just inside the cave entrance that Rone had disappeared down. It continued into the rock then made a gradual turn to the left before going back towards the center of the mountain for a few paces and finally opening up into the room Rone was huddled in.

The small cavern appeared to have been carved out of the stone specifically for a human-sized occupant. One corner on the back wall was filled with a large nest that Kal assumed had been made by the harpy they were seeking. Broken wooden shelves ran along the opposite wall next to a jutting piece of rock that looked suspiciously like Ikuno's flat-topped stone cook stove, Kal could see magic flowing through it along with feeling the heat it constantly gave off on his face. Kal could see a couple of runes he wanted to investigate further on the side but right now his priority was the man quivering in fear behind the broken shelves.

"Why did you run Rone? Ikuno is with me. She won't hurt you," said Kal to the wide-eyed man.

None of what Kal had just said registered with the terrified man, "I'm sorry Master Kal! When I get home, I'll ask my parents to give you your grandparent's farm back! They can come live with me and Marda, I won't mind! Just don't let her eat m…"

"RONE!" bellowed Kal making the man shut up with a startled whimper. Rone's voice had been getting more hysterical as he went on and Kal could see the man was on the verge of passing out from hyperventilating. Kal held up a finger, "Number one: Ikuno does not eat humans. Two: If I wanted your parent's farm I could easily buy it from them, many times over. Three," Kal took a moment to pull a small stone stool out of the middle of the room and sit down, "How the hell did a farmer like you manage to land as fine a woman as Marda?"

The wonder of seeing Kal use magic right in front of him immediately followed by such a mundane question seemed to derail Rone's terror and he sputtered for a moment before answering. "Dad got sick this last winter, I was making trips into town to pick up his medicine. We started talking a bit and suddenly she showed up at my farm one day. Watched me all day as I worked, asking questions the whole time." Rone visibly relaxed as he told more of his story, "She spent the night with me," the man blushed, "then got up and left the next morning. Two days later she showed up with a cart full of her belongings and moved in, it never occurred to me to turn her away. At the beginning of this spring, her dad and the Tanner made it official. The woman's been a godsend and she's pretty sure we have a little one on the way already." Rone's face fell, "I hope she doesn't think I've run off on her."

The apothecary's second daughter had been the star of quite a few of Kal's fantasies just before he met Ikuno. The woman was the definition of voluptuous and was not ashamed to flaunt it by wearing low cut dresses to show off her ample cleavage. She was also the center of attention for some time when her eldest sister visited from the capital, where she was studying to be a cleric, and brought a new fashion that was popular there called a corset. More than once Kal walked into the apothecary's store to find it filled with young men buying silly things just for the chance to ogle the woman.

He also knew that she was very strong-willed, having seen her get into arguments with her father behind the counter numerous times as he went to pick up medicine for his mother. This was also the reason, according to the town's gossip circle, that she hadn't seen much for suitors. Rone's story didn't surprise him much.

"I'd be more worried that she thinks you're dead, Rone. How long have you been here?" Kal said quietly wishing for a moment that he had been able to form a bond with Perra the same as the rest of his women, so he could at least get a message to the family that the man was alive.

Rone's eyes widened in horror at the thought until he mentally conceded that Kal had a point. "Four days," he said, "Is there any way you could get word to her that I'm alive? Felli picked me up when I was out in one of the back fields, away from the house. I doubt she could have seen me get taken."

"Felli?" asked Kal.

"The harpy, her name is Felli. Disgusting thing she is, eats her own young. She laid an egg yesterday then cut the top off and slurped half of it down like it was a fine ale. Worse yet she offered the other half to me. I ran outside and emptied my stomach on the ledge. Then when I come back she turns around and acts all sweet and loving towards me like she didn't just kill and eat her own child! I can't figure out how something so warm and caring, even if she is forgetful, can be so horrible at the same time. Now that you are here to take me home I won't have to worry about it."

Now who was being forgetful, thought Kal. "Rone I'm not here to rescue you, I have business with the harpy. Felli? Is that correct?"

Rone's face fell, "You did say that outside, didn't you."

"I'm sorry, but we didn't bring anything with to get you down the mountain safely. Had we known you were here things would have been different. As things stand, between Ikuno and I we might be able to figure out a way to get you down, but I won't risk either myself or her dying for you. Your best bet is to make a deal with Felli and get her to take you back or you will have to wait a few days until we can mount a proper rescue with the correct gear."

"Make a deal? How do you mean?" asked Rone.

"Have you had sex with her?"

Rone looked appalled, "Of course not!"

"Good, there's your bargaining chit. Agree that you won't sleep with her until she promises to take you home.

"Why on earth would I sleep with that monster?!"

"Why not? It's your quickest way home."

"Only to watch her eat my child in a couple of days?!" Rone stood up, furious that Kal would even ask him to consider the idea.

Kal waved off the man's ire, "I would never suggest such a thing. A harpy will defend a fertilized egg with her life, the one she ate was unfertilized. I'm sure you have chickens back at home and know as well as I do that they'll keep laying eggs without a rooster, only those eggs will never hatch. It's the same concept."

"I've never seen a chicken eat its own eggs," Rone growled.

"Of course not, you take care of your livestock. Starve them or deprive them of water and you may see a different side to them before they stop laying completely. Harpies don't have that luxury, they won't stop laying and it takes a lot out of them to make each of those eggs, both from their bodies and from their magic. Which brings me to why I'm here, I need one of her unfertilized eggs for some magic I'm working on. If she agrees then I have to leave the moment it's laid," Kal said calmly.

Rone bit off his retort when he heard Ikuno's voice from the tunnel's entrance.

"Is it safe for me to come in, Kal?" she called.

"Yes!" he yelled back. Rone had already shrunk back into the corner by the time Ikuno's large blue form entered the room, partially bent over so she didn't scrape her horns on the ceiling of the passageway. "I think I've convinced Rone you aren't going to eat him. Find out anything interesting?" he asked.

Ikuno's eyes flicked to Rone's frightened visage, then directly to Kal's eyes. She dropped to her knees by the doorway and slowly crawled over to Kal, "The only man in danger of being eaten is you, Master," she said with a sly grin while shooting lustful glances at his groin.

Kal knew the display was for Rone's sake but that didn't stop the front of his trousers start to rise. Ikuno laid her head on his leg and Kal gently ran his fingers through her hair, getting a very honest purr from the oni. He looked up at Rone who had started to relax at the unexpectedly tender display, "Ikuno belongs to me, Rone. As I said before you have no need to fear her."

"How on earth did you tame an ogre?" the man said staring wide-eyed at the large blue woman.

Ikuno grunted in annoyance but Kal answered, "She's not an ogre. She's from the far east and called an oni. How she became mine is a story for another time." Kal looked down at her, "Did you find anything interesting?"

Ikuno sighed in disappointment, she had been enjoying the feeling of Kal's fingers through her hair. Sitting back on her feet with her knees out in front she said, "I think I have, and it may mean that we need to explore these caves some more. I'm beginning to think that this may have been a roc's nest."

Kal looked dubious, "A rock's nest? I'm pretty sure stones don't need nests."

Ikuno giggled, Kal knew it was for the kidnapped farmer's sake yet again, but it felt very out of place coming from her. "No, not like stones. Like the legendary bird, sounds the same but it's spelled differently. Imagine a bird that can make those scratches outside." Kal and even Rone nodded after a moment, "Those were made by a baby roc, barely out of its shell." Both men's faces showed their shock as Ikuno continued, "Rocs were known to have attendants, usually an elf for their long lives, whose main duty was to deal with the 'lesser races' on the roc's behalf. Where we are now would have likely been the attendant's quarters. Rocs are also known to be extremely magical, far beyond dragons even, as well as being master stone shapers, able to hide massive caves like this from those not worthy of being able to fly."

Kal sat quietly for a moment and processed everything Ikuno had said. "That must be why we never saw the cave entrance as we were climbing. You said we should explore the cave some?"

Ikuno gave him a beaming smile and nodded a little too vigorously, "Yes, Master!"

Kal sighed and looked at Rone who seemed to be completely at ease with Ikuno's presence. "Sorry, Rone," the man gave Kal a questioning look as he turned back to Ikuno. "Drop the act please, it's just too strange seeing you behaving like that."

Ikuno sighed as the look of adoration left her face and took on a more normal smile. "Fine then," she said. Rone seemed to be getting very agitated about the deception until the oni leaned forward and put her head back on Kal's leg then reached up and directed his hand to play with her hair again. "That's better," she said contentedly, then continued with her explanation. "I think we should see if there is any chance of even a tiny shard of the egg left or, if we got really lucky, a feather. Even after thousands of years, either one should still have far more magical potential than the harpy's egg."

"Then perhaps we should do that while Felli is still away," Kal looked over at Rone, "Any idea when she will be back?" he asked.

Rone stared at the oni seeming unsure of what to make of her, "She usually takes a few hours to hunt each time she leaves," he answered only paying partial attention to his words. "She left not too long before you two showed up." Rone looked up at Kal, "If you find something will you come back here or leave right away?"

Ikuno looked up at him, "If we find an egg shard then the next half of our journey won't be necessary, so we wouldn't need to leave right away."

"He is hoping that we might be able to rescue him. He was kidnapped a few days ago by the harpy that lives here," said Kal.

"I thought that may have been the case. If we find something in the nest, rescue could be a possibility. Unfortunately, feather fall wastes too much magic for me to guarantee a second person would be able to make it down the mountain and still have enough left for the trip east." Ikuno raised her head up and gave Kal a kiss on the cheek before standing, "That felt wonderful Kal. If he needs rescuing, it would be easiest to wait a couple of days and come back with Gerda once she returns."

"Gerda?" asked Rone nervously. He liked the oni better when she wasn't towering over him.

"Another one of Kal's women," said Ikuno, "She's an earth elemental and can move through rock like swimming in water. She can also take people with her. She can't get you home, but she can get you to the bottom of the mountain safely and quickly."

Kal stood as well, "Let's worry about that later. I'm curious to see what this roc's nest looks like."

Ikuno nodded and ducked as she entered the tunnel outside. Kal turned to Rone, "Think about what I said. Felli isn't dumb, she can be bargained with. She just wants you to give her a child, agree to that and you may be home as soon as tonight," he said before turning and following the oni.

Kal caught up with Ikuno as she started up the slope towards the nest. When she felt they were out of earshot of anyone standing inside the tunnel they just came out of she stopped and rounded on Kal.

"What are you up to Kal? When we started this journey, you were ready and willing to fuck this harpy, Felli or whatever her name is. Now you seem to be dead set on letting your friend in there do your dirty work for you."

"Rone is an acquaintance at best, not a friend. He may not be the most assertive guy but from what I know he's a decent man. Takes care of his animals and his woman too, his wife wouldn't put up with any mistreatment for even a second. I'd rather give Felli's chick a chance at having a father nearby then someone like me who will only be around every so often."

Ikuno seemed taken aback by his answer, "I must say I'm impressed. I was a little worried that your change of attitude might make you feel like you had free reign to put your cock in any hole that was available."

"Technically I could do just that," he said stepping up to the oni and slipping a hand underneath the leather flap to cup her pussy, making her gasp. "However, I have plenty of options already and sometimes have a hard time keeping up with those. I don't plan on adding any more to this little harem unless necessary."

"Hmm, maybe I should teach you that rejuvenation spell sooner rather than later if just the five of us are getting to be too much for you."

"'Just the five of you,'" Kal snorted and continued walking up the slope, "if I ran into another woman with yours and Perra's sex drive I think someone would just find an empty husk that used to be me fluttering in the breeze."

Ikuno followed him, "Hey now, that was Aradelle that tried to suck you dry, not me and Perra."

Kal laughed, "True, but you both have certainly have been trying your hardest to match what 'Dell did."

"Do you want us to stop?"

Kal smiled, "Not on your life."

It was late afternoon when a very confused Perra walked into Master Jurien's store. The normally jolly man had a dour look on his face.

"How can I help ya, Lady Perra," he said in an uncharacteristically exasperated tone.

"Um… Master Jurien is your daughter here?" she asked.

The apothecary looked surprised for a moment, "Aye she is, but she just lost her man a few days ago and is in no mood ta be talking ta customers."

"My apologies Master Jurien but I'm not here as a customer I came to see her specifically."

Jurien's eyes narrowed as he glared at Perra, "Marda! Lady Perra is here ta see you. Nina, you'd better come too," he yelled without turning. "Now don't be going and upsetting my girl she's had a hard couple of days."

Perra nodded nervously under the man's gaze as they waited. Moments later Marda pushed aside the leather curtain that covered the door to the back area soon followed by her mother.

It was plain from Marda's eyes she had been crying, "Can I help ya, Lady Perra?"

Perra struggled for a few seconds to find the right words before suddenly blurting out, "Your husband is alive!"

Hope was tempered by disbelief on all three faces in front of the young woman.

"Please don't be lying to me, Lady Perra."

"I'd almost bet my life on it that he was talking with Kal not long ago. What's more confusing is that Kal is hours away, getting spell components from a harpy in the northeastern mountains. I believe he is upset but unharmed."

Marda's eyes lit up, "A harpy! That would explain why his tracks just stopped in the middle of the field!"

Nina nodded at Marda's assessment having seen the tracks herself and readily accepted Perra's words. Knowing Rone was safe, she quickly reverted to her profession saying "Blast it, wish I had known that Kal was going to a harpy's nest. I could use a few feathers."

Jurien was more skeptical, "How on earth would you know that, Lady Perra."

Perra shook her head, the look of confusion evident on her face, "In all honesty Master Jurien… I don't know."

Her pendant glinted as the setting sun touched the treetops.