Title: Winds of Change
Pairing: Jane/Maura
Rating: M
Summary: It is tournament time in Elfwood. How is Jane going to do in her first real tests of her fighting ability? We find that out a little in this chapter. Again italics in body of story denotes mind speaking.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review. Your words are a real boost to my motivation. Also a big thanks to those of you who have favorited and followed. It really makes my day to receive feedback from my readers. Now on to the story. Happy Reading!

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CHAPTER 24

Hours later Maura and Jane returned to their lovely 'living' suite. It was still early, but Maura had put her foot down on staying out late once she saw the list of events on the large board near the tournament field and that Jane was ranked at the bottom of the bracket with the other untried warriors. Maura was getting her mate to bed early so she would have plenty of rest as well as the extra time to train with the Gods while they slept. Both women were worried about the day ahead.

After cleaning up for bed they climbed together under the soft sheets. Jane unable to not respond to having her sexy naked mate skin to skin with her. Their satisfying interlude in the shower had been hours before.

The tall dark beauty rolled over above her wife pressing her long body against the smaller warm one. Both women sighing in pleasure at the full contact. Jane kissed her first mating mark moving up the soft neck to nibble on a small earlobe. Her mate seemed to love that particular move very much.

The smaller beauty's hands came up capturing Jane's head, her fingers tangling in dark locks pulling her warrior's mouth up to hers. The kiss was long, deep, and full of the love they shared. "You are not over exerting tonight, but I'm not denying either of us." Without breaking the kiss Maura applied pressure.

Jane allowed her wife to roll them over where she was now on bottom. She pulled her wife hard against her loving the feel of her weight pressing into her.

Maura's mouth closed around a firm breast and hard nipple as her hand mimicked the movement on the other. She loved having her strong mate under her. The Queen switched back and forth between the lovely globes for loving minutes until she felt the tensing in her wife's strong body. Jane had incredibly sensitive breasts. Maura made a trail of hot open mouthed kisses down a taunt stomach and through trimmed curls to the full wet petals of her wife's core. Her tongue and lips caressed and laved, driving Jane closer to the brink with every touch and stroke. Maura let out a little shriek when Jane sat up using her incredible strength to flip her wife around where the smaller woman was facing the warrior's feet with a wonderful view of endlessly long legs.

"You may want me to take it easy during our lovemaking tonight, but I won't be idle." The Laird sent her lady as she pulled a fully erect clit into her hungry mouth and suckled.

It took Maura a few pleasure filled moments to get her mind to clear enough to go back to her enjoyable task. It was a race together to the summit, both women caught up in the pleasure of their bodies as they gave and received ecstasy. Their holds tightened on one another as they crested, each drinking deep of the fruits of their labors of love.

They lay panting for long minutes before Jane helped bring her spent wife back up to her side. They kissed and it was a marvelously intimate experience when they each could taste themselves and their wife as their lips and tongues devoured and caressed.

"God, I love you. I will never get enough of you." Jane clung to Maura.

"I feel the same. It is like I need you to live as I need air to breathe." Maura pressed even closer to the love of her life.

Jane eventually pulled back smiling at her wife. "You love are very poetic. I like getting to be the only one who sees that side of you."

"You are the one who brings it out in me. I have never been particularly poetic before."

"That makes it even more precious." Jane kissed her wife one more time before sliding out of the bed to retrieve a glass of water and a damp towel to clean-up. She knew her wife would prefer to do so before they fell asleep.

Once done Jane flung the towel so it landed on the back of a nearby chair and sat the empty glass on the nightstand.

Maura snuggled close loving how well her mate knew and cared for her. No one had ever loved and taken care of her the way Jane did. No one knew her so well. Sighing in deep contentment she clung to her soulmate as they drifted into the land of slumber together.

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The warbling of birds outside the window finally woke the dark haired warrior. She opened her eyes taking a moment to focus before she actually saw four beautiful purple birds perched on the windowsill. They looked like finches although she had never heard of a purple one, but then again they weren't in Kansas anymore.

Jane kissed the top of her wife's head before slipping out of bed and heading to the shower. Her mind racing with all she had learned through the night and with thoughts of what the day would bring. She and Maura did not train together that night. Usually Jane would be receiving training in one area and she could see Maura not far away working with Goddess Vivienne or another ethereal being. However, that night Maura and the Goddess disappeared into a vast library that caused an excited gleam to appear in her love's eyes. She had not seen Maura again until she returned to her sleeping body. Jane herself had been taken to an arena where she faced off with fighters that were experts in each event she would be competing in and also received more lessons on how to use her enormous force of will to increase her speed and physical strength. She had to channel it where she wanted it, how much she needed and when. It was harder than it sounded, because she had to do it while fighting at the top of her game. The Gods and Goddesses she fought were relentless and never gave quarter. Jane was glad the bruises and scrapes she earned on the ethereal plain did not follow her or she currently wouldn't be able to move.

The constant fights in the ethereal arena had instilled in Jane more confidence in her ability, because if she could stand her ground against the heavens' fighters she could against Hecation warriors. She only hoped that she didn't find her ass in the dirt and a sword to her neck during her fights with them as she had with the gods and goddesses in the arena. Lord Fenrir assured her that one day she would be the victor against those great heavenly warriors. Jane wanted to believe that, but felt it would be a long time in coming.

Once dried off she combed through her hair and towel dried the thick mass once more. Back in the bedroom she smiled at her lovely wife still sleeping in the wonderfully crafted bed. Jane loved the fact that her wife's hair was beginning to fill with red and auburn highlights, it practically glowed in the morning sunlight like deep honey mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg. She laughed to herself for her utterly sappy poetic thoughts, but Maura brought out that side of her. A part of her that was for Maura alone.

Walking over to their opened trunk she grabbed her robe off an inside hook and donned it before moving over to the window to get a better look at the purple finches. It seemed like they sang to her as they sat up and preened focusing on her. Jane briefly thought of opening the window to see if they would fly away and decided against it. With her luck they would fly inside and she didn't think Maura would enjoy being woke up by birds flying over her head.

A knock sounded at the door and Jane made sure her robe was firmly belted before opening it a crack. Mistress Pineheart and a young female Elf she had met briefly the night before stood in the hallway with trays laden with delicious smelling food and coffee. Jane glanced to the bed assuring herself her wife was well covered. Whispering she opened the door to allow them in. She saw General Poledio was on guard duty in the hallway and nodded to him.

"Please ladies, come in. Place those on the table there. I was about to rouse my wife, but I believe these delicious aromas just may do it for me." Both women smiled and blushed at the King's praise.

"We weren't sure what you liked, but we made some of our specialties and kept in mind your requirements of energy food for your coming day, Laird." Mistress Pineheart began setting the table for them.

Maura began to stir and Jane moved to the bed with the woman's robe. Her wife wasn't really modest around the women who assisted them, but Jane still preferred Maura to have a robe on.

A smile spread across Maura's face as she looked up at her lovely wife. She truly was beautiful, and usually always carried a roguish gleam in her eye that she loved. It was no wonder men and women were so drawn to Jane. Still unbelievable to her was Jane's cluelessness to the true impact she had on others. "Morning love, looks like you have been up for a while." Her warrior smelled of clean skin and hair and a scent that was all Jane.

"A little bit." Jane leaned down for a quick kiss. "Mistress Pineheart and Lori have brought us a wonderful breakfast. I thought you would want to eat while it was still warm."

"It smells wonderful." She sat up accepting her mate's help in slipping her robe on. Jane did not care for others seeing her completely naked even if they were maids sent to help her dress. Maura could hardly argue though, she had a similar feeling when it came to her wife.

Lady Snow briefly greeted the women before excusing herself to the bathroom. The other women were gone when she stepped back into the room. Jane stood and held her chair helping her settle at the table. Her gallant mate did things like that for her often and without thought. Jane was a true gentlewoman. "Thank you, love."

They shared another quick kiss before settling into the morning meal together. It was all delicious and Maura was happy with the nutritional value of the meal. It was an excellent meal for a warrior to eat before an active day of fighting. "Eat till you are full dear, but not stuffed." Maura advised her warrior.

"Yes, dear." Jane smiled, if her Ma had said that to her she would have rolled her eyes and ate too much on purpose. However, with Maura it only made her feel warm and fuzzy inside that her wife cared so much. All things were different, more, and better with Maura.

They ate and talked of their nights. Maura had read books and visited with healers. Goddess Vivienne thought that other than practicing daily Maura's skills with the rapier, knives, bow, and martial arts were at an acceptable level for her and that she currently did not need any more ethereal training in that area and she would begin to learn more about the healing arts.

Jane smiled at the excited chatter of her wife. Maura laughed and crooned sympathetically when Jane told her of her night gaining hard and painful lessons in the arena. Soon the meal was done and Maura escaped back into the bathroom to shower and prep for the day.

Jane set their trays outside the room and took the time to perform a routine very similar to Tai Chi as she practiced focusing her will and stretching and warming her muscles. The routine also helped to settle her mind. It was one of the first things Lord Fenrir had taught her.

The birds had flown away earlier when the knock on the door came, but had returned and sat watching Jane intently throughout her entire routine. They continued to do so as Maura came out of the bathroom followed by a myriad of alluring scents. Maura spotted them and cooed over how precious and beautiful they were. The little birds seemed to understand and preened for the woman.

"We will have to ask Mistress Pineheart about them." Maura said as she turned to the trunk to pick out her clothing for the day.

Jane slipped on comfortable pants and shirt before putting on her new sneakers. It was a nice change from the boots she had been wearing so much of lately. She would be changing into her fighting gear later in the Royal tent in her caravan's camp. Maura didn't know about the very minimum outfit that was worn in the tournaments. Jane had been introduced to it during her time in the arena the night before. It took some getting used to, that was for sure.

Maura was dressed in a beautiful forest green dress with white and gold accents. The sleeves were three quarter length and her silver Royal band gleamed.

"You are breathtaking." Jane stepped to her kissing the gorgeous woman.

Another knock at the door forced them to part. "Come in." Jane called. She knew it was Mistress Pineheart returning this time with her husband.

All five of the Royal couples bodyguards were now also in the hall dressed in their security uniforms. They would not be competing in the tournament as many of their other warriors were. Their full attention would be on the Royal couple. Nina would be joining them in their bodyguard detail. Each woman would have three guards at all times. Jane had stipulated that they were not to be too close or obvious. She and Maura needed to be approachable. They needed to get to know and be known by the citizens of Hecation. Both women would be armed and were skilled in protecting themselves, what they needed was someone to watch their backs.

The couple began getting their weapon's in place after Evie came in with the Elder couple. "Morning, Laird, Lady. I hope you are both ready for the day ahead." Evie smiled as Jane rolled her eyes.

"We're as ready as can be. Are the others of our party up and ready as well?" Jane helped Maura slid her knives into her fashionable boot before turning to the others.

"Yes they have broken their fast and are preparing as we speak. Your things Laird are ready for you in your tent."

Maura smiled at Mistress Pineheart. "Niani, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of birds those four in our window are. They have been about all morning. Jane said it almost seemed like they were watching and listening to her."

That drew everyone's attention even those still standing in the hallway outside the open door.

The Head Elder's hand went to her mouth. "Oh my! It is very rare to see a Royal or what is commonly called King Raven's birds. They only live in two places in all of Undrehiel at present, though long ago they dwelled in many places in our world. They live on the property of King's Manor and in the forest surrounding the Palace of the Lycans. A being is lucky to hear them sing and even luckier if they ever catch a glimpse of them. They have the ability to hide well and some believe become invisible. Long ago Lord Raven saved the ruling pair and they were devoted to him and his lady from then on. The birds have been scarcely seen since the first King and Queen left the realm."

Jane finished strapping on her weapons before walking over to the window. She unlocked it sliding it up. The birds sat still staring at her. "You are welcome to come in my friends."

They chirped and flew in. Jane instinctively held her arm out before her and the four small birds perched there so lightly she could barely feel them. The largest bird of the four hopped up her arm and pecked once at the gold band on her bicep. "Yes little one I am Laird Raven King of the Lycans." The quartet warbled together and actually bowed their heads to her.

Jane continued to follow instinct and blew across the tops of their little heads and stroked each one with her finger. "It is an honor to have such loyal creatures as friends."

The four preened and the larger turned to the others and made a few chirps and two of the birds flew to Maura perching on her offered arm.

"I do believe dear that those two were just assigned to you. We have gained four more bodyguards." Jane smiled as Maura stroked the fascinating creatures.

The others simply stared at the Royal couple as they interacted with the rare birds. "The sight of the two of you with those birds will greatly reassure many in our world." Mistress Pineheart stated gaining agreement from those around her.

Jane turned to them. "Well I suppose it is time I make my way to my tent and prepare for the tournament." She held her hand out to her wife who took it gladly. The birds moving up to perch on one of Maura's shoulders as the ones on Jane did the same.

The others nodded, many smiling as they all departed from the Elder Tree.

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Jane looked into a long mirror as she adjusted what amounted to a leather sports bra. It had incredible engravings on it. She had on clinging shorts of the same color, but of a slightly different material and over the shorts was a skirt type garment that was barely longer than the shorts and stopped a good four inches above her knee. The skirt was thick leather split many times so that one could easily move in it. It reminded her a bit of the skirt garments she had seen in old movies of Roman times. Jane had on sturdy leather boots that came to just below her knee. She also had leather gauntlets fastened around each wrist to mid forearm. Her hair was in a very tight French braid down the back of her head and her Royal arm band stood out on her bicep. Her knives were in place at waist and boots. Her sword was at her hip and she also had a special rig on her back that held two crossed swords. Her staff and unstrung bows lay on the bed behind her.

Maura had yet to see her dressed as she was. She knew the other female warriors' outfits were the same as hers and the men's also except they didn't wear a bra. They were completely shirtless. Most of the warriors' outfits would be varying shades of browns, greens, and blends of those colors. Hers would be the only black outfit on the field.

"Are you ready Laird?" Marcus' voice came from the other side of the closed tent flap.

"Yes, Marcus. You may enter." He did so followed by Jeremy. The boy was in sturdy brown pants and matching shirt with a blue vest over it. He and his sister had went through marked changes since she saved them from a mad hog. "You are looking mighty handsome this morning Jeremy."

The boy blushed before putting fist to chest and bowing to his King. He was smiling when he stood. "Thank you Laird Raven. I am to be your page for the tournament. I will carry your weapons and get you food and drink when you need it and carry messages too if you wish." He was very excited about his position for the tournament.

"I am honored to have such a loyal page at my side." Jane smiled at the boy. "My staff and bow are on the bed." She opened a weapons trunk and drew out a carrier with three throwing axes inside and offered the carrier to the boy. He took it putting it over his shoulder and head so that the carrier laid across his back. She then handed him a sheathed rapier hanging from a belt. He hung it over his opposite shoulder so that it would lay on his back crossing over the axes, the straps were crisscrossed on his chest. Jane was glad he was stronger than your average human boy, but was still worried about the weight of his burden. However, the Alpha didn't say anything to hurt the lad's feelings. She would have her warriors watch out for him. Marcus helped Jeremy strap the staff and the unstrung bows together to make them easier to carry.

Jeremy stood proudly by the tent flap with his burden ready to follow his Laird were ever she went. Jane left the tent and the area fell silent as the obviously strong and powerful warrior King emerged. Maura stopped talking in mid-sentence and ogled her amazing mate. She had never been one to put posters on her wall growing up or in college, but if she had posters of Jane as she was at that moment Maura would have used them as wallpaper. A few magic imagers went off and she made note to talk with Evie and Alexi about getting copies of the images.

The warrior sauntered over to her wife, her unconscious swagger evident.

"Jane you are so wearing that outfit in private for me sometime. You look amazing!"

"I will gladly do so. I am still waiting to see you in that overall outfit you promised me when we entered the depot station in the human realm." Jane teased.

Maura laughed aloud as her warrior reached her and they shared a very pleasing kiss. Lady Vivienne had reminded them they were no longer in the human realm and should not be shy about public displays of affection. It was good for the citizens of Undrehiel to see them in such a way. It reinforced the power and strength of their bond. Many felt a happily mated pair made for stronger rulers than a single being or unaffectionate couple.

Jane and Maura had no trouble with following that advice and would probably take the Goddesses counsel about doing the same when they returned to the human realm.

They pulled apart and Jane settled Maura's arm through hers as she looked down at little Emily in a pretty dress the same color blue as her brother's vest. "My, aren't you pretty. I love your dress." She could see the heads of Emily's bear and doll sticking out of the backpack the girl wore.

"Thank you Laird Raven." The girl quickly bowed to her. "I am going to help Lady Snow like Jeremy is going to help you. I promise to take good care of her while you fight in the tournament."

Jane reached over running her hand over soft blond curls. "With you at My Lady's side I have no doubt she will be well looked after." She tweaked Emily's nose causing the girl to giggle. Looking over Jane smiled at Millie. "You are looking pretty too Millie and are doing a wonderful job with the children." Even though Millie was older than Jane and Maura by twenty years she was still very young for a Fae.

"Thank you Laird Raven."

Jane looked around, it seemed most everyone who was not on the current shift to guard the camp was ready to go and some had already left. "I guess we better be on our way."

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Even though it was early in the morning a huge crowd had already gathered on the fairway and at the tournament grounds. As Jane and Maura passed they were given slight bows and they heard and saw the comments and pointing fingers at the purple birds. The two with Maura rode on one shoulder together, they perched on the side away from Jane. The dark warrior somehow knew they did that to cover the Queen from her unprotected side, because Jane protected Maura on the opposite side. The remaining two purple birds each rode on the hilts of the crossed swords that Jane wore on her back. The Pinehearts had been right about everyone noticing King Raven's birds.

"I am glad Lady Vivienne helped prepare us for how everyone would treat us now. I feel nervous enough already with everyone staring at us. I would hate to add the insecurity of how to act to that. I would probably break out in hives." Maura smiled at the crowd as they passed and waved to the young ones that waved at her.

Jane was doing much the same, but also aware of the warriors dressed for the tournament sizing her up. "I am glad also. I would be totally creeped out by now."

The honey and cinnamon haired woman's smile grew as she fought a laugh at her mate's words. Jane often expressed herself in words that surprised Maura, however she imagined she did the same to Jane. They truly were opposites that attracted, yet fit together amazingly well.

The Royal couple entered the tournament grounds to find the stands full all the way around the field. Even the ground in front of the stands had people sitting in chairs and on blankets and the walk ways between bleachers was filled with standing spectators.

Warriors were gathering in groups across the field. Jane saw one group held the warriors of her party who had left early. Warren was one of them and he held a pole with the Royal Lycan standard waving from it. She grinned and stood a little straighter upon seeing it. Every group held a flag representing the village or family they were from. Jane escorted her lady to the raised shaded area in the center of one side of the stands surrounding the field. There were three rows of seating. The Pinehearts and a few other Elders were already present in the back rows.

Maura paused before the steps turning to her warrior. "Good luck out there today. I know you will do well." She drew out a green bit of cloth that matched her dress from her cleavage. Smiling as the crowd nearby whistled. The smaller woman slid it under the outside section of Jane's Royal band tying it firmly in place before giving her wife a thorough kiss. The crowd loved it as did Jane.

"I will fight well for you." King Raven stated when they pulled apart.

Queen Snow smiled up at her love. "I know you will. I love you."

"I love you too." Jane kissed her hand and watched until her wife was seated front row center in the covered booth with Emily beside her and Millie next to Emily. Evie sat on Maura's other side as Alexi moved to Millie's other side. Marcus stood near the stairs and the two purple birds now perched on the opposite ends of the front railing. Her wife was well looked after.

Zeon, Nina, General Poledio, and Jeremy stopped at the edge of the field directly behind the King's Warriors who were formed directly in front of the Royal box where Maura sat. Laird Raven strode confidently onto the field with much applause. The remaining warriors of her party who were competing walked with her. She moved to the front to stand by Warren.

The Master of Ceremonies was an Elf with salt and pepper hair and a matching trimmed beard dressed in red from top to toe. You definitely wouldn't miss him on the battle field. The elf favored his grandfather Master Pineheart.

The emcee raised his hands to silence the crowd. The pendant around his neck glowed as he spoke, his voice amplified for all to hear. "We are all gathered here today to watch the mighty warriors of Hecation compete for top honors and to watch for the first time in many, many centuries the King of the Lycans compete on a field of battle." Cheers from the crowd erupted.

Raising his hands once more the crowd quieted for the man in red. "Warriors you have all been given the rules. You will all fight with honor today. Dishonorable fighting is not allowed on this field of battle. The unranked warriors will compete first earning their chances to fight the warriors who have competed in tournaments before. We have warriors here today who have fought in tournaments from all over Undrehiel, not just our Province. It should be a grand day of competition. Now let our tournament begin." The crowd and the warriors all cheered.

None in Jane's party were new to tournament competition so they did not compete until later in the day. Their first rounds began around noon. Jane knew she would be run ragged by then. She was the only unranked warrior competing in every event, only a few of the high ranked warriors were also competing in every event. Bouncing from event to event over and over would be what her entire day would consist of as the competition continued to get harder, unless she was defeated in one of the events.

The warriors split up gathering at the areas where each event was to take place. Jane's first event was single heavy sword fighting. The young fighter she faced looked cocky as did the older fellow coaching him.

"Do you want advice or coaching or me just to stand here and look pretty?" Warren asked.

Jane laughed, her tension broke. "I think you are doing just fine. Are you going to be following me around with that flag all day?"

"I will be, unless I am competing then someone else will hold it. The citizens want to know where their King is competing."

"There is no use in me ever trying to fly under the radar is there?"

"No Laird. You and your Lady are well and truly out of the closet in many different ways."

The black clad warrior chuckled again. "You are very good at easing the tension of the moment Warren. Thanks for that."

"Anytime you're Majesty. Anytime." They spoke no more as the match was called to begin by the event referee's. There were three at each event.

The cocky young man performed some fancy sword moves as he approached the cordoned off competing area. Jane slipped off her crossed swords handing the straps to Jeremy who now stood beside Warren. Ethan now held her bundle with staff and bows. "I'll be back shortly to collect those." She winked at Jeremy before turning to approach the referees. Her exercise that morning and the walk over helped to loosen her up, but she still rolled her shoulders and shook out her arms and legs bouncing on them a few times much like a boxer before fighting.

"No running out of the area or throwing dirt or grass in your opponent's face. The first one to press blade to throat or heart, or force their opponent to throw down their sword wins. You may also win by forcing your opponent to leave the marked area. Now step into the center of the battle area and face off. Do not begin fighting until I give the signal."

Both warriors nodded moving to the center and facing each other.

The instructions Lord Fenrir gave her were running through her head. Look for the advantage and finish the early bouts as quickly as possible to save energy, but don't be over confident. Unranked did not mean unskilled.

A whistle sounded as the ref called fight. The male warrior came at her in a flurry of fancy blade work attempting to distract. Jane waited calmly watching, when the opening came she reacted quickly. Her blade flashed up catching his in mid flurry spinning it from his hand before bringing the flat of her blade down and around to sweep his feet from under him.

The cocky warrior soon found himself flat on his back wind knocked from his lungs, and a blade to his throat having no real clue how he got there, it had happened so fast.

The crowd cheered wildly. The large sheet of canvas suspended by magic above the center of the field shown on both sides of it a close up of the first event the new King fought in. All saw how quickly she had won.

After being declared the winner Jane offered her hand to the warrior helping him to stand. Unsure what to say she clapped him on the back. "You fought honorably. Good luck in the rest of the competition."

The man only nodded as the King walked away to join her group. Her morning continued on in the same vein. She would observe and act quickly defeating her challengers one after another. The knife and axe throwing and the archery competitions were different. They lined up in batches of ten being as the events had the most competitors. Much younger and much older beings could also compete in the events. A strong arm and good aim was all that was needed.

Jane used the same technique she used to focus her will for strength and speed to focus her aim within herself consistently hitting the bull's-eye advancing bracket after bracket throughout the morning.

At lunch Jane only had thirty minutes to eat and replenish some energy before the much more difficult afternoon began. She joined Maura who had food and drink waiting. It felt good to sit and Jane sighed as she sat next to her love.

"I am so proud of you, Jane. You are doing so well." Maura kissed her breathless.

Once she caught her breath she laughed. "For kisses like that I will keep doing so."

Her comment caused the elders around them to laugh.

Maura smiled. "Here eat your sandwich and drink your juice. You don't have much time." "You really are doing great. It was good strategy finishing your bouts so quickly. You are looking much fresher than I thought you would at this point."

"Fenrir and I talked about it last night. I am really glad the overall strength competition as well as that of wills is tomorrow morning and if I can rank high enough today I will get a longer recovery time from that before my turn through the battle obstacle course." Jane plowed through the meaty sandwich which also had plenty of veggies on it, but she was too hungry to care. She drank a very good dark red juice and started on the second sandwich Maura handed her.

"Me too. The Elders have really organized the tournament well." Maura sipped her juice and slowly ate her much smaller sandwich.

Jane sat for a few minutes relaxing her body and mind after eating enjoying the simple pleasure of holding her wife's hand as she watched the tournament continue. Maura had the best seat in the house. She could easily see the entire field and with the large suspended canvas giving her close-ups of certain bouts, Maura wouldn't miss much of the action.

Reluctantly she stood then leaned down and kissed her wife deeply for luck before leading her guards back onto the field, an apple in hand. Her lady had slipped it to her as she eased from the kiss. Jane smiled as she bit into it, the sweet tarty juice dancing in her mouth. Her woman took very good care of her.

That warm happy feeling helped her easily get through the mid-level rounds of the competition. She had now begun to face a few of her own warriors. They fought well, but Jane fought better. She observed and absorbed everything around her cataloging new things and watching for strengths and weaknesses in potential adversaries. Giving advice to her warriors when one fought someone she had observed. Her warriors were doing very well in the tournament. All making it into the top ten of their events before being defeated by her or another skilled warrior. Jane defeated Max during a light sword bout and Silas in a two sword face off. In staff fighting she took Ethan out.

The fights were getting longer and harder, but Jane never gave up and always fought on with cool focus and determination. The final rounds of axe and knife throwing as well as archery were a nice respite from the grueling bouts of fighting. The crowd cheered wildly as a surprised Laird won the top spot in each event.

Those victories alone would push her up the ranking for the later start time in the obstacle course the next day.

She raised her arm that was still holding her bow up to the cheering crowd. "You are so brilliant my sexy warrior. I am so very proud of you. Now go kick some more butt. I am giving you a very thorough massage later. I'll take care of all those wonderful tired muscles of yours." Maura slid through her mind.

"Jesus woman! My shorts just got tighter in a certain area and it is a good thing this bra is thick leather or my nipples would be sticking out." She smiled as Maura's laugh sounded through her mind. "I love you sweetheart and I will do my best to kick some more butt." Jane headed back to the section of the field where the last rounds of fighting were happening.

She faced one of her own again, but this time in hand-to-hand. Herron was a member of the group of guards from the Raven's Lady. A wiry Lycan jaguar. He fought well and was tough, but Jane stuck it out to the end catching the man in a flip move that sent him flying out of the fighting ring. That victory put her in the final match for the event.

It seemed like days later and Jane felt tired and sore. However, she stood with six other warriors in front of the crowd. The seven of them were the final warriors remaining. One bout remained in each of the six events left of the day.

King Raven had already won the knife and axe throwing as well as long and short bow archery events, now she stood as one of the finalists in hand-to-hand, staff fighting, and the four different sword events. The crowd was going crazy. It had been many years since a warrior had won so many events and even longer since a warrior had won them all. Everyone was excited to see if King Raven could win them all after starting off at the bottom of the heap as an unranked warrior in all of them.

Jane had no idea if she could. The crowd kept her adrenaline up, but she was getting tired and she now faced the toughest competition of the day. Each match would take center stage and happen back to back with short fifteen minute periods between each one. That period had been extended from the original five minutes. It was in their rules to do so if a warrior was to fight in all final bouts.

King Raven's warriors formed ranks on one side of the now raised battle platform. Jane closed her eyes relaxing her muscles and mind. She brought her will up building it tightly within herself forming a great ball of energy. She siphoned some off into her weary body holding the rest in reserve as she would need it. She briefly wondered if the others were doing the same. Lord Fenrir told her all great warriors learned to create energy from their force of wills when they needed it.

The first bout was hand-to-hand fighting, neither warrior wore weapons or shoes. The large Lycan bear she faced was beefy with lots of big muscles and a hairy body she wasn't real thrilled to get up close and personal with. She was going over moves in her mind to try and keep herself out of the big man's reach as much as possible. The man was a skilled brawler and liked to use his size and weight to take an opponent down. That was how he had defeated Warren to get to the finals.

As soon as the whistle blew he charged her in an attempt to take her down fast. She ran at him sliding under his reaching arms kicking him in the back as he passed causing him to stumble down on one knee on the platform, but he didn't go over the side. He was up quickly, more wary now of his opponent. As he closed in Jane met him in the middle of the platform not wanting to get trapped too close to the edge. For a big man he was fast. The pair exchanged hits and kicks. Fortunately Jane avoided and managed to block more than he did. There was one close call when he grabbed her arm pulling her close and attempted to squeeze the life out of her. She used her forehead and long legs to get out of that one. After one solid blow to the sternum that winded him good, she was able to sweep his legs causing him to go down hard. Jane was on him quickly arm around the stunned man's neck cutting off his wind pipe and pressing hard on pressure points to knock the man out. They never got that far. He tapped the floor signaling defeat seconds before he would have passed out.

Jane stood bent at the waist breathing hard as a healer checked the man over. The healer declared him okay, he only needed to catch his breath.

King Raven was once again declared the winner and the crowd once more went wild. Shouts of Raven! Raven! Raven! were being chanted around the field. Jane raised her fist high in acknowledgement before shaking her opponents hand and nodding to him. Neither spoke as they were both short of breath, just in different ways.

Jane stepped down off the platform accepting water and towel from a grinning Jeremy. She ruffled his hair as she passed before sitting on the stool on her side of the platform.

Jeremy brought her boots and socks and Jane began putting them back on. As she worked she spindled a little more energy into her body. No one spoke as they watched the Laird prepare for her next match. Staff fighting was the next event.

Once her boots were on Jane spent the remaining minutes meditating gaining focus and replenishing her body as much as possible.

She faced a Fae warrior once on the platform. The female warrior was as tall as Jane with equal reach. They appeared to be fairly evenly matched. The match was another long and brutal fight with a few close calls for Jane that brought the crowd to its feet. Finally in a flurry of moves so fast the spectators could hardly follow Laird Raven backed her opponent up to the edge of the platform, where with a quick change in mid-strike she hit the Fae warrior hard in the chest sending her falling backwards off the platform to land in the sand surround.

The chanting began again as King Raven was announced the winner. Jane's between bout routine continued. The next four matches were the most dangerous. Many injuries had already happened from the sword events. One serious injury that could have ended in death if Maura had not have stepped in helping to save the Elven warrior. Proving to all Queen Snow was equally as powerful in her way as King Raven was in hers.

Jane faced another female warrior in the light sword competition. She came out with a minor cut on her arm, but had enough control to never once bleed her opponent. However, she did disarm her and pause her killing strike which could have run the other warrior through the heart.

Maura's voice ran through Jane's mind as the King stepped down off the platform with the blood on her arm. "How bad is it and do you need me to heal it?"

"I am okay baby. It is a minor injury and one that the field healers can easily close. I hardly feel it. I promise."

"Alright, but I am still looking it over when I get you to our room later."

"I look forward to it sweetheart."

"You are doing so well Jane. I am not sure I should admit this, but seeing you fighting the way you are and hearing everyone chanting your name is really turning me on. I really like knowing that badass warrior everybody is rooting for is all mine."

Jane chuckled ignoring the looks the healer at her arm gave her. "I am glad babe. I like having the Angelic Lady Snow as mine. The woman who can bring warriors back from the brink of death. I have heard many warriors on this field talking about the beautiful Angel that is their Queen. I wanted to be totally childish and tell them… 'Neener, Neener, you can't have her cause she's all mine'. But I didn't think a badass warrior King would do something like that."

It was Maura's turn to ignore looks as she laughed. "I love you sweetheart. You only have three more events to go and then I will feed you and take you to our room for a nice shower and massage. Now go kick some more ass so I can get you alone."

"Yes, my Lady. I love you too."

Jane climbed back up the steps of the platform the rapier replaced by her sword. The warrior she faced this time was part Magi and part Fae and carried a large broadsword with a long reach. She sighed, it would be another long bout, but she didn't have it in her to give less than her all. This was a day where her stubborn streak and her competitive nature served her well.

The large warrior was skilled, but relied on brute strength too much. Jane matched his strength as she deftly blocked and countered his blows. They had been exchanging strikes for long minutes when Jane faked a weakness that her opponent went for and soon found himself on his knees with a sword at his throat. He dropped his sword in defeat.

Only two more to go was what Jane was chanting to herself as she meditated and recharged as much as she could. The sword and dagger event was next and was another long fight with a skilled competitor, but her opponent was getting tired quickly as the match continued and had misjudged a few times and bloodied Jane on her leg and side. It was a great mark of honor and skill to defeat your opponent and not draw blood. So far Jane had been successful at it all day long. As her opponent tired Jane picked up the pace until she once again sent an adversary off the platform into the sand. She immediately sent reassurances to her wife that she was truly okay. They were only shallow injuries.

Jane sat as the healers did their job sealing the wounds while she released even more of the ball of energy into her tired, sore, and injured body. Her next fight would be the toughest of all. She faced the father of the young cocky fighter she had faced first thing that morning. Jane had been careful all day to not open her mind to others so she could keep the fights fair, however the warrior was sending great waves of dislike at her and she knew he was not planning on pulling his blows. He wanted to bleed her as much as he could. He was a Lycan jackal, the leader of his clan and did not plan on ever answering to any King. He already ignored the council as much as possible. The jackal planned to show everyone that the woman King was less of a fighter than a real man and couldn't handle herself in a real fight.

The warrior was a true enemy, one she had earned simply by existing, and aggravated by defeating his son and all comers throughout the day, leaving him to prove she could be beaten.

Laird Raven stood taking her double sword rig from Jeremy and strapping it on with his assistance. She ruffled the boy's hair again. "Thank you for all your invaluable help today Page Jeremy."

She bounded up the steps refusing to show her foe how tired she was.

The man only topped her height by maybe an inch, but he was a lot wider in the shoulders and didn't appear to have an inch of fat on him. He did not bow to her as they faced one another which did gain him some boo's from the crowd, so Jane didn't give him the courtesy either. Jane wasn't going to stoop to his level, but hell would freeze over before she bowed to the arrogant prick.

The jackal was a great deal fresher, only having fought a handful of times that day, but Jane knew she had more heart and a stronger backbone than he did. This was one fight she was determined to not lose, yet win in the most honorable of ways.

The big burly man drew his swords rapidly as the whistle blew going for a cross cut to Jane's abdomen. The crowd booed him when it became obvious he was purposely trying to bleed King Raven. Jane's swords were in her hands instantly as she nimbly side stepped his attempt to cut her stomach.

The referee called a warning on the jackal at the deliberate move. The fierce battle continued for forty-five minutes non-stop, the jackal constantly attempting to seriously injure the Laird. Jane had many chances to return the favor, yet didn't. The man finally caught her across her stomach with a shallow slice, moreover seeing the blood on her seemed to enliven the warrior more. Still Raven refused to stoop to his level.

"You may bleed me all you want, but I refuse to draw yours. I will prove what an honorless warrior you are and defeat you without losing my own. We both know I could have easily done bled you many times by now. Everyone watching knows it. All you are doing is proving to all how much better I am than you."

Jane was not aware that her voice would be magically picked up and carried for all to hear, but the crowd roared as she spoke and began chanting Raven! Raven! once again. The audience further enraged her enemy and he began trying to also use his force of will on her which was a big no-no in the event. The only events you were allowed to use it on others was at the test of wills and during certain parts of the obstacle course.

Alarms went off around the raised platform and an orange haze formed around the jackal indicating he was the one cheating. They referees began blowing whistles declaring the jackal disqualified, but Jane stopped them from ending the fight.

"Let us finish this. I will defeat him fair and square."

The refs backed off as the jackal growled, his face changing as he charged. Jane's swords flashed and during his feral rage she was able to disarm him and put her sword to his throat, however her opponent had shifted his hands into claws and he swiped at her again not giving up the fight. He spun away from her with the wild move and Jane brought the hilt of one sword around smacking him hard at the base of his partially shifted head sending the defeated Lycan to the sand below. He was already unconscious before he hit the ground.

The crowd went crazy as the tired bleeding King raised her swords above her head in victory. She had fought hard and with great honor winning the day. The King was nearly knocked off her feet when her beautiful wife ran up wrapping herself around the larger woman.

Jane quickly sheathed her swords catching her flying wife. The crowd loved the romantic scene of the Lady kissing the daylights out of her warrior and King.

Security surrounded the downed jackal as he began to wake. He was officially suspended from the tournament and possibly more. They heard the Elders say they were going to file an official complaint with the Hecation tournament board for further action for such dishonorable tactics.

While security was paying attention to the father, the son leaped onto the platform to charge the King while she held her Queen, but the Royal bodyguards instantly closed ranks. Furthermore the young warrior was taken down by four bright purple birds. One charged his face, one his chest while the other two hit him in the back of his knee bends. The young jackal was toppled from the platform in a roar of laughter to land beside his shamed father. Both warriors now fully suspended from the tournament.

Jane kissed her lovely wife once more. "Are you ready to take me home now? I have lots of placed for you to kiss and make better." She forgot about the fact the crowd could hear her while still on the platform and wild cheers, whistles, and many ribald comments flew around the field. The King was too tired to blush and only smiled shrugging her shoulders in apology to her wife.

"Let's get you home and I will take VERY good care of you!" Maura smiled as the stands and the field erupted even more. It was a highly charged night and Jane took in that energy jumping off the battle platform with her wife still in her arms. The crowd parted like the Red Sea as the victorious King carried her Queen away.

R&I R&I R&I R&I R&I

So what do you think? It is a little longer but I got into the fighting stuff and the chapter grew. I hope I did okay writing about the events Jane competed in. So how did I do writing action, haven't got a lot of experience at it. I hope you enjoyed and I would love to hear from you. Until Next Time… Holly