Here's another chapter for you, the climaz is a comin'! Sorry this is a bit of a cliffhanger but it can't be helped. Read and Review and tell me what ya think!
Ch 18
Larka ran through the Ashlands, a large Kagouti on her tail. She ran and ran, knowing by the animals heavy footfalls that it was gaining on her. She could see the smoke from the fires of her tribe off in the distance and knew she was close. Her breathing was slightly heavy and her leg muscles burned but she was smiling as the beast charged after her. Then, just as the footsteps paused Larka threw herself forward and rolled, just as the Kagouti leapt at her.
The creature went sailing over her and stumbled, not expecting its prey to suddenly sink down. Larka rolled, dust and ash rising in a small cloud she propelled herself to her feet and drew her Daedric tanto. Just as the Kagouti was charging she ran at it and as it lunged down to bit her she jumped up and flipped over the beast, her legs straight in the air so she was vertical upside down. Using the momentum of her legs she twisted and landed on the Kagouti's back as if she was riding a horse. The thing bucked and reared but Larka hung on, laughing as she was tossed about.
The creature gave a great heave of desperation and Larka was thrown from its back. She landed with a grunt on the ground and flipped herself up, though her stomach muscles screamed in protest. The Kagouti charged again and Larka dodged and danced around it as it attacked, every once and a while slashing it with her tanto. Eventually the creature grew tired and its attacks faltered. Seeing her predator's energy was spent Larka rushed at it and thrust her tanto into the weak spot at the back of its head, killing the Kagouti instantly. Panting heavily and soar all over Larka smiled with satisfaction and headed back to the tribe.
Upon re entering the tribe's limits Krillan, who had been talking with a group of young boys walked over with a look of immense amusement on his face. "What?" Larka asked as he walked up to her.
"Larka, what in the Daedra's name have you been doing?" he asked with a laugh. She was quite a sight, her cloths and hair covered in ash and dust and sweat on her brow.
"Just exercising, the local predators are most helpful in my venture." Larka said with a smirk.
"Well let me applaud you on originality." Krillan said handing her a handkerchief to wipe her forehead. "Only you would think of using vicious, attacking wild animals as a form of fitness."
"If it works." Larka said with a shrug. Krillan just laughed and went back to the group of boys he was telling a story to.
Larka took a moment to stretch and then continued to Taka and Krillan's hut where Taka was taking care of Tyrade. When she entered she found Taka and WhisperWing playing a game with the child, WhisperWing summoning a small ball of light for Tyrade to bat at and squeal when she touched it and it went through her hands to reform. Larka laughed at her toddler, picking her up and twirling her around making her laugh. "Did you have fun with Taka and WhisperWing?" Larka asked the child who squealed and reached for Llilith's ring on Larka's finger.
"I wonder if she knows what she's reaching for." Taka said taking the child and setting her on the ground at their feet. So far Llilith had not been needed again and Larka suspected that the Daedra was perfectly happy about it.
"She's very bright," Larka said. "Just the other day she worked one of my smaller daggers loose from its holder and unsheathed it, holding it by the hilt and swung it around in what I could have sworn was a perfect stop thrust." Larka said with a smile at Tyrade who looked up at them wide eyed.
"The child has many gifts." WhisperWing said with a maternal smile. "She already shows great potential as a mage."
"The little warrior witch." Taka said sweetly to Tyrade. "She'll be greater than all of us combined I'll wager."
"Waaggger!" Tyrade exclaimed happily. The three women laughed, the girl had only recently begun forming words.
"My goodness look at you Larka, what have you been doing all this time?" WhisperWing asked noticing her disheveled appearance.
"Exercising with the local wildlife." She said brushing a dirty lock of hair out of her eyes, "Rebuilding the muscle I lost during pregnancy."
"Oh like you need to! You're in better shape than all of us…oh! Did you finally master the flip twist?" Taka asked excitedly, she had taught it to her the week before. Larka nodded with a satisfied smile and Taka clapped her hands excitedly.
"Used it on a Kagouti, it's a very handy move, I wish I'd learned it earlier." Larka said.
"Oh I'm sure you managed without it." Taka said jokingly. "Perhaps sometime you'll have to teach me how to fight with that twig of a sword you use." She said referring to Larka's wakazashi, which was quite thin and small compared to Taka's longblade Icicle, though perhaps even more deadly.
"I'd love to, but right now I think Tyrade needs to go to sleep, shall we find your father darling?" Larka said to the toddler as she picked her up. "I'll see you both later." Larka said to the two of them who waved goodbye.
Larka found Liam sitting outside their hut sharpening his Dai Katana. He got up happily and took Tyrade from Larka cooing to the child. Larka smiled and kissed him, picking up his Dai Katana and examining it. "Why were you sharpening this? I've never seen you use it." Larka questioned. Liam's eyes became troubled as he sat down next to Larka, Tyrade in his lap.
"To be honest I've been thinking about the soldiers and their threat lately. True it's been months with no word but I wouldn't be surprised if they come soon and I don't know what will happen if they do. I'd like to be prepared." He said. Larka nodded.
"I've been thinking about that lately too. I agree we should be prepared, but we'll just have to be patient and wait for a messenger. If it should come to bloodshed so much the better!" Larka exclaimed.
"Larka!" Liam said sharply, even angrily.
"What?" Larka asked, taken aback by his response.
"I would have thought you'd see that it's not just about your sadistic pleasures anymore! You have a child and me to consider in your life now! Start acting like it!" he said standing up and beginning to walk away.
"How dare you!" Larka yelled, "How dare you imply that I don't care about you and Tyrade's lives!"
"Running around taunting Kagouti and letting our child play with daggers does nothing to make me see otherwise!" Liam yelled back. Tyrade began to cry and an elder tribeswoman quickly took her from Liam's arms and walked away from the two furious lovers. It was customary in Ashlander culture to let fights play out till things are resolved, one way or another.
"You son of a bitch! That's the way I am! I love you and Tyrade more than anything but I can't change! I'm a killer Liam! You knew that when you chose me, don't back down now that you know I can't be changed!" Larka yelled stepping closer to him thoroughly enraged now.
"I don't expect you to change Larka, but I expect you to show some responsibility! Putting your life at risk has consequences now whether you like it of not! Men are fighters Larka leave it to them. It's time you Learn Your Place!" he shouted at her.
Larka's strike was so quick Liam didn't quite know what happened except that he was on the ground and pain was exploding from his jaw and the side of his face. Larka stood over him in a fighting stance one foot returning to the ground from when she had kicked him, sending him sprawling. Liam looked up at her in surprise and alarm as she glared down at him with venom.
"How Dare you!" she said. "My place is here by your side, your protector and fighter, your lover and mother of your child. Don't you EVER tell me to learn my place!" she spat. All Liam could do was nod for he wasn't sure if he should move his jaw, but it seemed enough for Larka to relax out of fighting stance. "I'll find WhisperWing." She said walking off leaving him lying in the dust thoroughly shocked.
Once WhisperWing was fetched and Liam's jaw repaired Larka left to find her child, on the way she met Krillan. "So, you broke his jaw huh?" he asked incredulously.
"I'd do the same to you if you ever talk to me like that!" Larka said coldly, "Never let anyone tell you what to do, you are your own person and no one else has control over your actions but you." Larka said. "Tyrade used to say that to me as a child, it's been engrained into me since I was 8 years old." She said referring to her old friend.
"Well the man had a good point, but that doesn't exactly mean you can just go around breaking your boyfriend's jaw." Krillan said.
"I know…" Larka replied, "He just touched a nerve, I lost it. Another thing he used to say never to do, 'Never let your anger get the better of you, it makes you blind and stupid, vulnerable to attacks.' he used to tell me constantly, I'd forgotten." She said.
"Well you've remembered. And I'm sure Liam will forgive you, but you should meet him halfway. He's afraid for you; he doesn't want anything to happen to you." Krillan said gently, "None of us do."
"I can't change who I am." Larka replied.
"You don't have to, just remember, you're a warrior, but you're also a mother." Krillan said, "And a good friend." He stated giving Larka a hug.
"Thank you." She whispered. He smiled and walked away.
The sun had set when Larka returned to her hut with the sleeping Tyrade in her arms. When she entered she found Liam sitting silently on the floor, legs crossed staring into space. He started as she entered and immediately got up and after taking Tyrade and setting her in her crib gathered Larka up in a hug. "I'm so sorry." He said kissing her softly.
"I am too, for the outburst and the jaw." Larka said returning his kiss. "I'll just have to learn to be a little of both Larkas." She said. Liam nodded and pulled her in to another, more passionate kiss.
Later that night Larka lay awake staring at the tent ceiling thoughtfully. Liam was sleeping peacefully beside her and Tyrade was in her crib. Just as she was about to drift back into sleep there was a rapping at the door. Startled Larka sat up and after hastily putting on her shirt and pants opened it a crack to find a distraught Taka. "Taka! What are you doing here?" Larka whispered, puzzled.
"Larka, our night scouts have reported a group of Imperial Legion soldiers camped not too far from here! They look hostile!"
