Making Camp in the Forest – 3A-QO

Chapter 3 – Getting Underway (continued)

“Let’s look for a camp site.” Kaylen decided, “There’s no point stumbling around in the dark, and one night in the forest isn’t going to hurt us.”

They all agreed as they returned to the horses, “Anyone need healing?” He asked before they could mount up.

“She tackled me to the ground, but my armor took the impact.” Lyria explained, raising the visor of her helm.

“I may have bruised something on the way down from the trees.” Janel added.

“Then have Alanthea take a look at you both once we make camp.” He instructed, then vaulted into the saddle of his mare.

With the sun set, and the sky shrouded by the tree canopy, the light was fading quickly. But Talindra still spotted a clearing next to a leaning boulder about 30 yards off the road before full dark. They quickly moved into that partial shelter and set up some canvas tents as makeshift awnings in case of rain.

Armor started coming off as Kaylen and Ursa gathered some firewood, and Kaylen lit a fire with a muttered incantation while Alanthea watched with large avid eyes. They did what they could to ensure the light of their fire wouldn’t travel far, keeping it behind some of the canvas, with the smoke able to escape around the top of the boulder.

The girls were all choosing their spots, with Lyria’s bedroll near one end of their shelter as she motioned for Alanthea to approach. Then she sat facing away from the group as the priestess examined her for potential injuries she may not have felt earlier. Kaylen averted his gaze when the pale-haired healer had to lift Lyria’s tunic to expose her back.

“There is a nook around this side of the boulder where you could have privacy, Kaylen.” Talindra pointed to an area where the boulder was cracked and the earth had mounded up providing a low barrier to block line of sight of someone laying down, looking much more feminine out of her armor and with her braid uncoiled from around her head and hanging down to her knees even though she still wore her sword belt with her unstrung bow and quiver hanging from it as well. “Though it would be less cramped if some of us are willing to share space and warmth.”

Kaylen glanced around the campsite, and noticed Dinnae and Janel watching them. There wasn’t much space to hold an entirely private conversation, but they didn’t seem to be bothered by it.

“Should I take your suggestion as an offer, Lynn?” Kaylen asked, turning back to Talindra.

The green-eyed elf blushed prettily, “I suppose, in a way it is. Otherwise, I feel like Ursa might be amenable to such a thing, should you ask it of her.” She gestured towards the far end of the camp where the half-giant had disappeared to after depositing her share of the fire wood. “She volunteered to take the first watch.”

“Shouldn’t I have been part of that decision?” Kaylen arched one eyebrow.

Talindra shrugged, “You seemed otherwise occupied, but we can consult you in the future should you desire.”

He sighed, “No, that won’t be necessary, just keep me informed. I think my dynamic with Ursa is a bit fresh at this point, so I will set up my bedroll with you, Talindra, after I’ve spoken with the others.”

Lynn nodded, “Let me gather my things then.” She turned away to unpack her own bedroll from her horse’s saddle.

Kaylen began his rounds, first heading to where Dinnae sat a little ways from Janel. “You heard what we were discussing?” He asked.

Both girls nodded, “If you’re with Lynn, the two of us can cuddle if it gets too cold.” The blue and red eyed kitsune said looking up at him, causing Kaylen’s indentured servant to blush.

Kaylen nodded, “Don’t forget to have Alanthea check you for injuries.” He reminded the kitsune.

“I won’t.” She agreed. Then Kaylen moved on to where Alanthea was still knelt over his sister, who was laying face down on her bedroll, most of her torso obscured by the priestess’s body.

“Shit, Kaylen!” Lyria said when she saw him standing there.

Alanthea turned, shifting to the side to look up at Kaylen, revealing what had bothered his sister so, as she lay completely topless, her arms pulled in to her sides to cover anything he might have been able to see aside from the expanse of her bare back.

Kaylen dutifully averted his gaze, though he couldn’t honestly say he was sorry for catching a glimpse of his sister. “Calm yourself, Lyria. If we can’t handle seeing some skin from time to time we’re going to have a hard time traveling together. Besides.” He turned back towards the two women, “With your physique, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.”

Alanthea smiled at him, and followed his gaze back to Lyria’s bare back, “Her muscles are quite impressive, I agree. I was simply massaging some lingering soreness she was feeling.”

“You can at least look away.” Lyria scowled at him, but then sighed, “But you’re right, I suppose. I’m not injured, but Alanthea thought I could use some relaxing to ensure I stayed limber after getting tumbled in that fight.” She added, her voice thick with embarrassment.

Kaylen smiled and held her gaze as he deliberately sat down in her line of sight. “As I said; nothing to be ashamed of. If you weren’t my sister…” He trailed off, and had the decency to blush as they both glanced away from each other.

“You’re right.” She admitted, turning back towards him, her cheeks still red, “You surprised me, is all. Look your fill, I guess. I trust that you don’t mean anything unbrotherly by it. Oh…” She blinked, looking past Kaylen.

He turned to see Janel approaching and taking a seat next to him. “I’m supposed to have Alanthea look at me when you’re done.” She explained.

Alanthea nodded then returned to her previous position, her agile hands working at the knots Lyria’s surprisingly toned back. Kaylen could see a light bruise along her ribs, but it didn’t look very fresh, so he guessed it must have been from sparring before they’d met up that morning.

“Talindra suggested that we would mostly feel more comfortable with the available space if we shared bedrolls and body heat. So Janel will be sleeping next to Dinnae, and I figure you can keep Alanthea company if she desires. I haven’t spoken to Ursa yet, but she seems to run a little hot, so maybe she won’t need the companionship.”

“I assume you invited Lynn to share with you?” His sister asked, quirking an eyebrow at the two of them.

“No, actually. She suggested Ursa as an option, but also offered herself.” The kitsune nodded to confirm Kaylen’s explanation.

“I’ve noticed you developing a bit of a rapport with Ursa.” She said, letting her breath out in a groan as Alanthea bore down on a particularly tense section of her back. “I’m surprised by how that’s turning out. It is a bit new though.”

“That development is a bit surprising to all of us.” Janel observed.

“Indeed it is. Well, I should talk with Ursa before turning in. She’s keeping watch. You know where to find me if anything comes up.” He added, getting back to his feet, and leaving the two human women and the kitsune to their healing.

He found Ursa a little outside the camp, sitting on the hill that led up to the top of the boulder. “I volunteered for first watch.” The half-giant explained when he took a seat next to her.

“Talindra told me.” He informed her.

“Good.” She said simply.

“She didn’t tell me who’s taking second watch.”

“She is.” The half-giant added, glancing at him.

“Did you decide who’s third?”

The half-giant shook her head. “Ask Lynn.”

“Next time, let me know when you determine such things without my input.” He instructed.

“Of course.” She said, a hint of a blush on her cheeks.

“Talindra suggested that people could double up for warmth if necessary, even hinted that you might want to share with me, but I figured we should probably wait a little longer for something like that.”

“I should be fine.” Ursa said, not meeting his gaze.

“Well, if there’s nothing more you need from me, I guess I’ll turn in.” He said, as he got to his feet and dusted off his trousers. “I’m sleeping by Lynn for now, but you can trade with her when you wake her for her watch, if you are so inclined.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, if there’s room.” She acknowledged.

“Good luck then.” He ducked back under the tarp canopy, and made his way to the nook formed by the crack in the boulder.

There he found Talindra with her sword belt propped against the cracked rock, laying on her bedroll with her braid pulled over her shoulder. She wore a sleeveless tunic, leaving her arms to practically glow in the filtered moonlight, the rest of her covered by her blanket. She looked up when he approached with his bedroll, laying it adjacent to hers before setting his staff beside it, with his knife belt and the sack with his armor next to that. Finally, he sat to remove his boots as the elf watched him with unblinking emerald eyes.

“I do not expect we will do much more than sleep.” She murmured once he had begun to lay down next to her.

“Is that because you are averse to more, or because our teammates are so close by?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Talindra shook her head, “I’m not averse, necessarily, and while the proximity of our allies is certainly a factor, I am also somewhat uncomfortable with the idea of revealing bare skin, even among close allies.”

“Well, I’m not asking you to undress.” He said, laying on his side facing her, their bodies only about a foot apart. “Come here.” He held an arm up in invitation for her to move closer.

She ducked her head, looking a little embarrassed, “I am not trying to make things difficult. I feel I should say that if I must see someone indecently dressed, I would prefer it was you.” She admitted as she snuggled into his side with his arm under her head. Her body was slender with subtle curves, and she had a softness to her but with firm muscle underneath, particularly in her arms and back.

“You’d prefer me over one of the girls?” He asked while gently stroking a hand along her soft silver hair.

“The female body has no mystery or appeal to me. And they are not elves. You are visually appealing, however. I do not think I should mind seeing you as much as the others.”

“Well I’m glad you feel more comfortable with me.” He tilted her chin up to look in her eyes. “I find you more appealing than I would other males as well.” He paused, looking back and forth between her eyes. “I’m going to kiss you, Talindra.”

“Oh.” Her eyes widened, but she did not pull away as he closed the distance, and pressed his lips to hers.

She was soft and pliant, her lips molding to his as she shifted, the muscles in her shoulders tensing as she pressed closer, taking over the kiss to some degree, and moaning softly into Kaylen’s mouth. He was left dazed when they parted, her large eyes staring into his, her pupils dominating the emerald orbs. “You’re good at this.” He murmured.

“I am not very experienced.” She admitted. “I’ve never had a regular partner, and I’ve only been experimenting with the occasional friend since I was seventy, a bit of a late start, I am told.”

Kaylen chuckled, “Well, now you do have a regular partner.” He said before going in for another kiss.

This time her eyes closed as she pressed herself closer to him, shifting her weight so she was half on top of him. Finally breaking away and turning her head to one side, though he could still see her blush even in the dim light. “We should sleep.” She murmured huskily.

He nodded, and she pulled her blanket over him as he draped his blanket over hers. She laid her head on his chest, and closed her eyes.

Kaylen wanted nothing more than to explore further, but figured he’d pushed her limits enough for one night, so he allowed himself to drift off to a peaceful slumber.