Title: Winds of Change
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Summary: Our couple gets their first real experiences in the world of Undrehiel and meet a few new people and creatures. Again italics denotes mind speaking in body of story.
Thanks to all of you who took the time to review this story and tell me what you thought. Also thanks to those of you who are now following along with my story or with me as an author. I hope you continue to do so. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!
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CHAPTER 20
Jane and Maura stepped out into the morning light provided by two suns each looked to be a little over half the size of the sun in the human realm. Both women lifted their hands to shield their eyes as their sight adjusted. When their eyes normalized to the new environment, they saw that they were on a large stone plateau carved into the side of a mountain, very high up the mountain too. They stepped to the railing and looked out at the glorious view. The mountains around them and the valley below were breathtaking. The plateau they were on was separate from the much larger one they could see coming from a different area of the mountain.
A long and winding stone staircase led from the large plateau down to the bottom of the mountain. There was a road leading into the town they could see in the distance built into the hills and plains of the valley. A hanging cable car system was also available to take passengers to and from the depot station.
"I think I would much prefer the cable cars to those stairs. I would probably end up going down like Po and I don't have his cushion to bounce." Jane joked getting laughs from those around her familiar with the human realm.
"You could always ride a firework powered chair down." Maura laughed at the surprised look on her love's face.
"You have actually seen Kung Fu Panda?"
"Yes, you watched it with your mother on my large television. Later, I found it still in the player and watched it. It was a delightful tale."
"I find that incredibly appealing, dear." Jane kissed her adorable mate.
Alexi smiled at the pair. They really were perfect together. "I don't know much about that, however your transport is waiting around the corner there." She pointed to a walkway that lead around an outcropping of rocks.
The couple followed their lead guards, both stopping dead in their tracks when they saw their transportation, hardly able to believe their eyes.
"Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Jane felt giddy at what she saw. She was fighting not to run and act like a total kid to get a better look.
"If you are seeing a ship moored to the side of the mountain then we are seeing the same thing." Maura was equally as eager to explore the craft.
"My god it looks like a Galleon with a few features of a Brigand. It's glorious. Will you look at those sails, they're huge. There's even a crow's nest. I gotta go up there." Jane was moving forward again, her and Maura's gazes fixed on the beautiful ship.
"I am impressed with your knowledge, dear. Look at the sails, they look like they are pillowed. They're puffed out full of air. They must be at least double layered and then filled with hot air, helium, or something of that nature to help keep the craft afloat. It still doesn't seem like enough even as big as these sails are to keep it in the air." Maura observed.
"Open your senses, sweetheart. There is magic in the air. Those inflated sails alone aren't the only thing helping this magnificent ship live."
She did so, feeling what her love was talking about.
Ashley, Ethan, and a man dressed in dark trousers, a white shirt, and a grey jacket that went to mid-thigh waited for them by the gangway. The three guards who helped with the luggage were standing sentry around the area along with a few others.
The three waiting for them all gave a short quick bow when they appeared. "My Laird, all your luggage has been locked in your cabin. Ethan and I toured the ship and all is secured and in readiness." Ashley gestured to the dark haired man in the grey jacket with longish hair pulled back in a leather tie at the nape of his neck. "This is the Captain of your ship Braylon Donovan. He and all of the ship's crew are Hecation and aware of the situation. This vessel was designed and built with the two of you in mind upon the orders of Lord Fenrir and Lady Vivienne."
"Thank you Ashley, Ethan." Jane turned to the Captain offering her hand. He seemed startled, but quickly offered his. Jane clasped his forearm. "It is a pleasure meeting you. My mate and I have heard fine things about the beings of Hecation." She released his arm stepping back. "This is a grand ship and we look forward to our trip upon her and hope for a tour as well."
"It is a great honor to meet you and your lovely mate, Laird. I would be happy to take you on a tour myself. We have a meal prepared and ready to serve when you so desire in the Royal dining area. Unless you would prefer a more private meal in your cabin, we can arrange that as well. While you dine we will take the ship down to the valley and drop anchor. I was told you wished to visit the village of Vardinia there before we depart."
"That all sounds lovely Captain Donovan." Maura smiled at him. "Please lead the way. We will freshen up before joining you in the dining room."
He gave a quick bow. "As you wish, my lady." He turned leading the way up the gangway.
Jane and Maura were both taking in as much as they could as they boarded the ship. The wood gleamed and the craftsmanship of everything was exquisite. They were led towards the rear of the ship or the stern. They went up a short flight of steps to the quarterdeck. Two doors opened up behind the wheelhouse and between the stairways that led up to the sterncastle deck, then up to the poopdeck.
"This is the Grand Cabin." The Captain stood aside to allow them entry.
The couple entered a finely appointed receiving room designed to meet and chat with guests, which also held a table against one wall with maps slid into cubby holes around it. There were navigation tools stored in a few. Another large door opened up in the back of the room and to the left of the door a spiral staircase led upwards.
"The staircase takes you to the Royal Dining room. A pocket door slides open at the top. This is the Grand Receiving room and beyond that door is your private quarters." The Captain explained.
Jane opened the beautifully carved door. Inside they found an elegant yet comfortable sitting room with sofa and chairs and a small dining area for intimate gatherings. Small doors opened up on either side of the room onto what looked like slim balconies. Windows ran along the sides of the cabin and would give excellent views of the scenes around them. There was even a baby grand piano in one corner of the large area and a fireplace in another. It was all very beautiful. They walked to the door in the back of the sitting room. Behind another carved entrance they found the glorious bedroom, bath, and dressing area. There were a few more windows on the sides, but the eye was drawn to the grand windows at the rear of the area.
The chamber was two levels. The lower, where they entered had two huge wardrobes for their clothes, bookshelves on one wall with a comfortable sofa nearby, and a reading lamp attached to the wall. A beautifully decorated screen to one side hid a large bathing area with a marble tub and shower, and raised double sinks. A frosted glass door to the side, which Jane opened, held the toilet. It was a really great bathroom. Maura liked the lighted seating area designed for putting on make-up and doing one's hair.
Over the back half of the room was the open second floor. A curved staircase led up to an area holding an ornately sculpted King sized four poster bed. The windows across the back of the ship would give a lovely view as they now stood at the uppermost part of the ship. There was a loveseat and another small fireplace opposite the bed. All in all the whole cabin lived up to its name, Grand!
"This is indeed a Grand cabin, Captain. We love it." Jane smiled at the man.
"Yes, it is Captain! The craftsmanship and artistry in every detail is magnificent! We will be extremely comfortable here." Maura smiled with excitement.
Captain Donovan smiled back at the two gorgeous women. "I am glad you like it. I will leave you now. When you are ready simply go up the spiral stairs in the receiving room and through the sliding door. I will see you there." He bowed once more before leaving them alone. The others except for Marcus, Evie, Zeon, and Alexi had been shown to their quarters while the couple toured the Grand Suite.
"This is an amazing cabin. We will leave you now to freshen up. Jaden and Warren will be on guard outside your cabin for now. Once Ashley or Tony finish their meal they will replace Warren so he too can eat. It will take a day or two to adjust to the time shift, but if we can manage to stay awake until night sets in it will help us all adjust that much sooner." Evie waved the others out of the room. "We will meet you in the dining room." She followed the others out shutting the doors firmly behind her.
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Jane pulled Maura tightly to her. "Do you believe this ship? It's amazing. It's like something out of a fairy tale. We are on a freaking flying ship!" The Laird was grinning from ear to ear. "Oh man, I forgot to ask her name. A ship this grand must have a good one. They said it was our ship. Do you think that means like just our transportation for now or our ship, like 'our' ship?"
The light caught all the reds and browns in dark honey colored hair as the smaller woman laughed in delight at the childlike excitement of her mate. Standing on tip-toe Maura kissed her hard on the lips. "You my dear are utterly adorable. We can ask about the name and ownership at dinner, sweetheart. I too love this ship. The workmanship throughout so far is amazing. It is like they blended old world with elegant modern convenience. I can hardly wait to tour the rest of the vessel."
It was the dark haired woman's turn to laugh at the intrigued gleam in her wife's eyes. She knew Maura would be inspecting every detail of the craft. Jane pulled her tight against her finding joy in the simple pleasure of holding her. "I love you so much. It is so great sharing this adventure with you."
Snuggling into the taller woman's embrace, Maura sighed in pure contentment and bliss. She ran her arms around her love inside her leather jacket holding her just as tightly enjoying the loving warmth of the embrace.
The couple stood together like that for long minutes taking pleasure in the quiet moment.
Reluctantly, they pulled apart. "We better hurry up Jane. They will be holding the meal for us." The shorter woman stepped back looking her mate over. "I think you should leave your jacket here. You will be too hot in it to eat and I think it would be good for the Captain, crew, and the new security team to see just how fit you are under it. Perhaps, it may discourage some from challenging us."
A dark eyebrow quirked at that. "Us?"
"Of course. Some will not challenge you because of the aura of power and danger you project and in turn, they won't want to do so with me in fear of incurring your wrath." An impish smile formed on Maura's lovely face.
Jane chuckled. "Alright. I'll do my best to look powerful and dangerous. Now let's freshen up and get up to the dining room. That sandwich from earlier is gone and I'm starving." With that she shucked off her jacket.
Her mate simply ogled. "I am so lucky." The smaller woman breathed out loving how Jane looked in only the leather vest, pants, and boots with her weapons and Royal band displayed along with her defined muscles. "Very lucky indeed." Maura shook herself focusing once again on her loves grinning face. "Come on sexy let's get to dinner."
After a few short moments cleaning up they headed up the spiral stairs Jane in the lead.
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Captain Donovan, his First Mate Nina, Marcus, Zeon, Evie, and Alexi were all there when they arrived. They were standing around talking and all unconsciously came to attention when the couple arrived.
Jane smiled. "Let's all be seated. I don't know about everyone else, but I am famished."
The large table could easily sit twelve, two on each end and four on each side. From the looks of the table and the room the couple suspected it could be lengthened to sit at least four additional guests, possibly more. Now, however it was set for eight. Two at the head of the table and three on either side.
Jane escorted Maura to the head of the table seating her comfortably before taking her own seat next to her. The other six did not sit until the Royal couple had.
The wonderful food came in five courses and Maura was pleased to see it was a very well balanced meal.
They were introduced to the First Mate Nina, a whip cord of a woman about five and a half feet tall. Her auburn hair was barely past her shoulders and pulled back much like the Captains, showing off her slightly pointed ears. They discovered during the meal that her mother was an Elf and her father Magi.
Their Captain was full blooded Magi and had a way with wind and water magics. The pair seemed to get on well and the group soon discovered that Nina, who was also Second in Command, was the Captain's niece. The pair had enjoyed a mutual love of sailing since Nina was very small and took her first trip on one of her Uncle's ships.
The conversation was easy and enjoyable over the meal. The Royal couple found out the ship had been built for them and was a gift to them from Lord Fenrir and Lady Vivienne. As for the name, that had been chosen with care. They did not want to give away who the owner was yet, but still have it named with them in mind. They chose Raven's Lady, obscure enough not to give away their secret because naming things after the legendary figures was popular in many areas of Undrehiel. However, the name was also bold enough that when the truth became known it would be obvious who the ship belonged to.
Jane loved that even though her name was on it, the ship was essentially named after her mate. From the smile on her wife's face she could tell Maura liked it as well. The dark haired woman could also feel it through their mental link.
It was decided that initially Jane and Maura would split up when they went into the city. Maura wanted to shop and since Jane wasn't too keen on shopping, Marcus and Zeon wanted to take her to the local pig races. They were a big draw for the area. Maura said she would like to hear about them later from Jane, but she would much prefer shopping. The only shopping Jane and her escorts were going to do was at a local armory. The Laird was very interested in the small crossbows some of the security members carried.
It was further decided everyone would meet up that afternoon at a pub the security team favored when in the area. The couple was informed that clothing was in their wardrobes that would help them blend a little better with the security teams. They should save their current outfits to wear again upon arrival in Hecation where they would not be hiding who they were.
Hecations would be able to speak freely of them within the borders of their Province since outsiders didn't travel within. However, it was impossible for them to do so outside the Province. None on board the ship would be able to greet them as other than, ma'am, my lady, or my laird. Any reference to Laird Raven, Lady Snow, King, Queen, Your Highness or Majesty was strictly off limits.
The crew was very skilled, they maneuvered the large vessel from the high mountain station to the land marina outside the village with such ease and grace that Jane and Maura barely felt it happening. After the meal, which Jane sent their compliments to the kitchen, the women changed before joining the others on the main deck for departure.
Jane now wore an outfit similar to the security team except her vest, pants, and boots were black and her shirt was deep purple. Her weapons had been put back in place.
Maura wore a similar outfit except with a skirt instead of pants. Her vest, skirt, and boots were a pale sand color and her shirt an emerald green. It accentuated the subtle green accents on her vest, skirt, and boots. Her eyes really popped in the outfit. She had also placed her weapons back on her person.
They stood together as Marcus and Zeon chose the security teams for each woman and Jane informed the Captain to expect several deliveries to be sent to the ship. The woman knew her wife. Maura did not like having such a depleted wardrobe and if quality items to her liking for herself or Jane were found, Maura would purchase them. Jane might even find a few things she liked.
Two security teams were formed. Alexi and Evie headed up Maura's with Jaden, Lauren, Hector, Ethan, Ashley, and Tony making up the rest of the team. Marcus and Zeon headed up Jane's with Nolan, Silas, Max, Grady, Warren, and First Mate Nina rounding out her team.
The two teams were basically divided by who preferred shopping vs. the pig races. Ethan was the only grumbler, he wanted to go to the races. No one paid him any mind.
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There was a small river that ran through the town, however it was not near big enough for crafts the size of Raven's Lady. All of the larger vessels that arrived to the small city were by air.
The land marina they were docked against looked like someone had taken a large section of the Great Wall of China and plopped it down around half of Vardinia. Some vessels like Raven's Lady were moored with their sides to the dock for on and off loading. However, as the group walked along the wide wall they could see that not many of the ships were passenger carriers or for passengers alone. They were cargo cruisers, huge vessels with balloons of various sizes attached to help them float in the sky.
First Mate Nina informed. "Balloon craft are much slower in air and water than those with sails." As they walked by the cargo ships that had the straight front or back of their vessels moored to the dock. A portion of the end of the craft, near the dock, lowered to form a ramp as part of the deck of the ship did the same, forming a seamless ramp from the cargo holds up to the wide road across the top the marina wall.
Nina saw how the couple took in the procedure and construction of the cargo ships. "The Raven's Lady also can carry cargo in her hold. There is an elevator lifting system that raises and lowers the cargo. A section of decking forms a conveyor of sorts and makes on and off loading much easier. I am sure you will get a chance to see it at some point before we return to Hecation. There are certain goods the Province elders would like us to bring back. Also, we have goods from the Province to trade and barter with."
"Do you not use funds to purchase goods from outside of Hecation?" Maura asked.
"We do, but Hecation goods are highly sought after, so we often get better deals trading and bartering. Some of our goods we will sell outright for funds though." Nina was glad to answer any questions the Laird and Lady had.
Zeon led the group onto a roundabout section out of the way of the marina traffic. The group parted so that Jane and Maura could move to the railing and get their first good look at the city.
Most every building looked to be made of stone or brick. The streets were paved of brick and stone as well. The city was at the end of a valley between two mountains. There were structures carved into the sides of the mountains continuing down in layers until they reached the valley. It looked like the mountains sprouted buildings until they spilled down the sides and across the valley to meet at the small river running the length of the valley to disappear into the far woods.
From their vantage point they saw a great deal of the colorful city and the flow of people walking, riding on horseback, or in wagons to and from the depot station.
"There is another main road that leads out of the city on the far end. It heads into the forest and through a large tunnel made through the hills coming out on the other side. Not far from the exit of the tunnel the road branches off in many directions." Alexi said as the two women looked around at sights similar in some ways and utterly foreign in many others.
"Come everyone let's head down into the city." Marcus was standing by a locked section of railing that formed a gate. He produced a key unlocking it letting it swing wide. Half of the guards moved down the steps revealed before Jane and Maura were waved through.
"Ladies, further adventure awaits." Came from Ethan behind them.
The Royal couple descended the wide stairs hand-in-hand surrounded by their protective friends and guards, leaving behind Raven's Lady and the marina, and venturing into the small city of Vardinia.
As in many cities and towns the area around the marina was the warehouse district. A trolley was arranged to carry them all further into the city. The sides of the trolley were open and had six bench seats. Jane and Maura sat in the third seat back. Evie sat on the outside with Maura in the middle and Jane beside her. Marcus sat behind the dark haired woman not liking her not being protected from the side.
Maura was staring at the unique animals that were pulling the trolley. They looked like a sort of Zebra from the head to the middle of their back, except for the parts that would be white on a zebra were a more brownish tan. The stripes continued down the neck until they slowly disappeared halfway down the animal and the back half of the creature looked like a brown horse.
Evie saw where the woman was looking. "They are extinct in the human realm now, have been for over a hundred years."
"Quagga!" The fair-haired woman said. "The most famous of Africa's extinct animals. I knew I recognized it from somewhere. I have read about them, they are a subspecies of the plains zebra. This is fascinating! Are there many species of animal that are extinct in the human world that are living here?"
Jane was also fascinated by the topic and not at all surprised that her wife knew what the animals were.
"Yes, actually. This realm is lush with plant and wildlife. Many species that are extinct or that you may only know of through fiction, fantasy, and folklore exist here. There are not many endangered species in this realm. A multitude of environments exist here that make it easy to keep them all alive." Evie smiled at the eager and intelligent eyes of both women. "I am sure you will learn more than I ever have about them in your upcoming studies."
"Isn't this amazing Jane. We are looking at an animal that has been extinct in the human realm for over a century?"
The arm around her excited wife squeezed tight. "Yes, it is and even more so because I am sharing it with you." And it was true, Jane had always enjoyed experiencing things through Maura's eyes. The woman often had a unique vision of things.
Maura smiled up at her sexy mate. "I feel much the same." They shared a brief kiss before both turned to watch the new world around them as they passed. They saw street vendors hawking their food goods to the workers and customers of the warehouses, as well as, the travelers to and from the marina. Some of the smells were interesting while others were vile and both women wished at that moment they didn't have such a heightened sense of smell.
They passed through areas that were more residential, with a few store fronts scattered among the homes and apartment style buildings. As they made their way further along to the shopping district of the city, the homes and store fronts became more elaborate and decorative, and the clothing of those they passed looked more trendy and elegant.
Maura's excitement grew as she noticed this and the things she saw in storefront windows. The trolley stopped at the next corner right in the middle of the district. The large group exited the trolley. Zeon spoke with the driver arranging for him to meet them in an hour outside the armory a few blocks away. Jane's group would need a ride across town to the pig races. The trolley lumbered off as the party began to separate.
"You have fun shopping and remember if you buy me anything, please, nothing too girly. I get enough of that from Ma." Jane smiled down at her lovely wife. "Stay close to your friends here and try to stay safe for me. Trust me when I say it would not bode well for anyone who hurt you. I don't know how well I could control myself."
"I promise to stay safe sweetheart and not to get you anything too girly. And the same goes for you. I want you to be careful and stick with your friends. I am sure the races you are going to will be a lot more dangerous than shopping is going to be."
"I promise." They shared another kiss. "I mean it Maura. Please be careful and stay with your guards. If anything happened to you, I don't know how well I could control my animal instincts. I love you and you are my world."
"I feel the same sweetheart, again I promise to stay as safe as I can. I want you to do the same. I know you are a big bad ass, but still please take care of yourself and stay close to the others. They know a lot more about this world than we do."
"I promise and dear did you just say ass?" Jane teased as they pulled apart physically and mentally.
Maura laughed as she blew Jane one last kiss before turning to enter a nearby storefront with her new friends.
Jane was pleased with the way they immediately surrounded her wife, but in such a way that it didn't hamper her ability to move freely within the store. She watched through the large window for a moment before heading off down the street with her own new friends doing much the same with her. Their life had certainly taken a major turn in the past few weeks.
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Maura loved the shops and found many things that she liked for both herself and Jane. Alexi assured her that there was plenty of room onboard the ship for all of her purchases. They had went through two shops and were headed in the direction the others had gone nearly an hour before. Lauren told her a shoe store, run by the same family that she had bought from at the depot in the human realm, was across from the armory.
Maura saw the Landrekin name and symbol on the sign hanging over the sidewalk in front of the store. A pub was on the other side of the shoe store and a large male creature that looked like a large troll, except with smoother skin, came out and it was obvious that he had already had too much to drink.
"Damn, this isn't good." Jaden said as she, Tony, and Ethan stepped in front of Maura. "These guys are normally home in bed by now. He must be of mixed heritage for his skin to be so smooth and to have such resistance to the morning light. He is also larger than most trolls." She kept her voice low.
The large male creature with mottled green and yellow skin saw them and they watched as the front of his baggy trousers tented. "Beautiful women." He garbled and rapidly advanced towards them.
Jaden threw her Elven magic at him to slow him down. It was difficult because most trolls were impervious to magic of any kind. Brute strength and force of will was about the only thing that worked. Unless, you wanted to kill them, then taking their heads worked as well. However, they couldn't kill this guy, but they did have to take him down before he hurt any of them, especially Maura, or anyone else on the streets.
Ethan threw his magic in with hers and they slowed him, but didn't stop him. The remaining Lycans of the group threw their force of wills against him, even Maura. It stopped the male from advancing on them, however he was getting more enraged by the moment and in his inebriated state he did not heed the warnings of those around him to stop. Two males in uniforms ran down the street to assist. They had large clubs in their hands. It was obvious that they were going to attempt to knock the large creature unconscious while they had him distracted. Unfortunately, it did not work. His large arm swung around sending both constables flying.
The troll was even further enraged and their hold on him was slipping. "I want the little woman in the middle. She is pretty. I want to love her." He slurred pointing at Maura as he was able to take one slow hard step forward.
Maura soon found Max, Nina, Grady, and Warren had joined the party surrounding her. Marcus, Zeon, Nolan, and Silas ran towards the large male, their wills and magic before them. Though they kept him from further advancing they did not keep him from using his amazing strength and rage against them. They too were soon sent flying. The troll never saw the astonishingly quick and supremely ticked dark haired woman approach him from behind.
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Jane stepped through the reinforced doors of the armory. The scents of metal, oil, wood, and leather filled her nostrils. She liked the smells together. The place was large. They browsed through many areas looking at all kinds of weapons and armor for all kinds of beings. She found the place fascinating. They soon came upon the area that held the crossbows, arbalists, and gastraphetes. The two latter ones were much larger and cumbersome for what she was interested in. She finally found a crossbow she liked that had a handle similar to an ancient firearm with intricate scrollwork on it. The dark haired woman was allowed to try the weapon out in the small test area at the back of the building. Jane took to it naturally and was a fine shot just as she was with her service weapon. The feel of the crossbow felt good in her hands. With the help of Silas, who was an expert with crossbows and the like, they haggled with the clerk for an agreeable price. The weapon along with a large box of target bolts and one of quality hunting bolts were purchased with arrangements were made to deliver them to the Raven's Lady.
Before leaving Jane's eye was caught by the throwing knives. She tried several of them out finding she preferred a set of thin, light weight, and extremely sharp black ones. The dark haired woman also liked a set of small black throwing torpedoes or spikes. The clerk saw the Elven knives she already carried and said he had some high quality sheaths that would fit on her belt, as well as in her boot, that had an additional pouch made into them to hold the throwing knives and the spikes. After all of her warrior friends in her party inspected them, Jane traded up for the better sheaths. While waiting her eye was caught by a beautiful set of throwing knives that were made of a material that shimmered with the colors of the rainbow, much like oil when upon water in the bright sun. The swirling effect on the knives was magnificent. Her gaze focused on a set that held a bit more green than the others. "May I see those?" She asked another clerk that was nearby.
Jane liked the light weight feel of them and they were smaller than the ones she had already purchased and the dark haired woman thought they would be a perfect fit for her wife's smaller hand. Maura would also like the coloring.
"Those have incredibly sharp edges. You could perform surgery with them. The material they are made of is often used for surgical instruments." The clerk said.
That sold it for Jane. Maura might not ever use them to harm anyone, yet she could use them in healing if she needed too. "Do you have a sheath in white leather like the ones I am purchasing in black?"
The clerk left and came back with several white ones similar. Jane liked the one with the vine like designs carved into it. Glancing over she saw one that had the scrolling work in it dyed black. Picking up the one she liked. "Can you dye the scroll work in this one green like the ones there that are dyed black?"
"Yes, ma'am. It will take about an hour to do and another hour for it to dry properly in our drying tanks."
The woman nodded. "Good, I want two of the white sheaths with vine work on them. One of the sheaths will be for wearing on the belt, the other most likely on or in a boot." She picked out two matching daggers to go with them. "Add them to my delivery to the Raven's Lady."
The clerk eagerly complied placing the blades in the box being packed with her crossbow and bolts. He took the two sheaths back to the workroom and spoke with an Elf there who soon began the delicate task of dyeing the vine scrolling deep emerald.
The first clerk returned with her black sheaths and the woman took little time removing her old ones and replacing them with the new ones sliding her Elven blades, throwing knives, and spikes into their allotted places. Jane experimentally drew the knives and spikes a few times liking how easily it was done. After going over the arrangements of her order and delivery one more time, the clerk was paid and the group was soon on their way.
"Shit!" Warren exclaimed as he exited the building and was the first to see what was happening across the street.
Jane stepped out in time to see the constables go flying. "Warren, Nina, Max, Grady go to Maura, keep her safe. Marcus, Zeon, Nolan, Silas try to subdue the big guy if you can, but at least distract him. Go!" The Laird put force into her orders and they were instantly carried out.
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Maura watched with the others as her dark warrior came up behind the lumbering giant of a troll, grabbing his arm nearest the side of the stone building, and spinning him into it while bringing the arm around and bending it up behind his back, holding him in place. They watched as she exerted more strength against him as the troll tried to push off the wall. They all felt it as Jane used her force of will to help subdue the creature.
"You have no idea how close you came to death. If you had been able to get to my wife like you were trying to do, I would have already taken your head."
Her will and words were slowly pushing the drunkenness from the trolls mind. He realized he was in serious danger and had done something very stupid. "Sorry, didn't mean nothin by it. I only wanted to kiss the pretty lady before I went home."
"No one kisses that pretty lady but me, and you should never try to kiss a lady without her permission no matter who she is. Understand?" The dark haired warrior did nothing to hide the menace in her voice. She was pissed.
"Yes." He wheezed as he was pressed harder into the wall.
For the first time, Jane used her ability to dive into others minds. She found that the constables wanted to take him to the drunk tank to sober up and that the troll was now coherent enough to go with them agreeably. "Will you go with the constables without trouble? You will spend a day in the drunk tank to sober up and hopefully smarten up, as well."
He sighed. "I will."
The dark warrior brought his other beefy arm behind him and held it while one of the constables latched huge cuffs and chains to his wrists. Jane slowly eased up cautious of any wrong movement the large fellow might make. The constables thanked them all for their help as an actual paddy wagon arrived pulled by a pair of giant lizards of some sort. The wagon groaned as the troll climbed in, but with the strong reptiles pulling it, the wagon was soon underway.
Jane was breathing deep calming her inner self back down. She had not been kidding when she told the troll she would have killed him if he would have harmed her mate. The warrior turned as a comforting hand touched her arm sending soothing warmth, calming her greatly. Smiling the powerful Alpha turned to her mate. "I thought you told me that shopping wasn't that dangerous." Pulling the smaller woman into her, Jane took comfort in holding Maura as the last of her ire settled.
"Technically that wasn't shopping, that was walking down the sidewalk." Maura teased as she soothed her warrior woman.
Chuckling Jane kissed her hard and deep. "I love you sweetheart and thank you for calming me. You have the magic touch where I'm concerned."
"I am glad to hear it and so you know you are getting lucky tonight. These shows of power and strength you have been doing lately are really huge turn-ons for me. I'm going to buy some sexy lingerie that will knock your socks off. "
"God, you have me turned on already babe. I look forward to you modeling for me later."
The couple pulled from the kiss and embrace seeing that their friends had their backs to them creating a barrier that gave them a little privacy.
"Thanks everyone for everything. I think we are all good to go now, and Maura the next time you run into a drunk giant troll, run the other way. You are much faster than they are." Everyone laughed together.
The trolley pulled up alongside them at that moment. "Your ride is here sweetheart and the shoes in this store are calling my name. You have fun at the races and we will see you all in a few hours at the pub for a meal before we head back to the ship." She hugged and kissed her wife giving her a quick pat on the ass before quickly disappearing into the shoe store with her guard.
Jane chuckled as she watched her woman disappear behind the shop doors. The woman always kept Jane on her toes and surprised her and alpha liked it, a lot. Turning Jane smiled at her friends. "Well let's get going before anymore large green monsters show up. I have never seen a pig race before, though I have seen videos on YouTube."
Her comment got a laugh from those who knew what YouTube was and sparked jovial conversations as her comment was explained to the others. The group quickly loaded up and was shortly on their way.
R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I
So what do you think? I hope you liked. Until Next Time…Holly