Making Camp in the Forest – 3C-EW

Chapter 3 – Getting Underway (continued)

“We don’t know how much further we have to go to reach the village.” Kaylen decided. “So let’s continue on, but stop at the first sign of a good camp site.”

They all agreed as they returned to the horses, “Was anyone hurt?” 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 landed under the harpy.” Vesili reminded them.

“Once we make camp, let Alanthea take a look at the both of you, just to be sure.” He suggested, then vaulted into the saddle once more.

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 Vesili watching them. There wasn’t much space to hold an entirely private conversation, but Dinnae didn’t seem to be bothered by it, and Vesili was getting to her feet.

“If we’re going to be sharing, I wouldn’t mind sleeping next to you, Kaylen.” The half-elf offered.

The green-eyed elf blushed as she nodded and made a little bow. “I will leave you to settle things together. I was going to suggest Dinnae might be amenable, but I suppose I will keep her company in your stead.” She gestured to where the ****-girl was sitting nearby.

“I’d rather not impose on Dinnae so early into our relationship, considering how that relationship began.” He turned then to the half-elf. “I would be happy to share with you, Vesili.” Kaylen told her. “Though you should have Alanthea look at you first.”

“Sure, though she looks busy with Lyria at the moment.” She turned away to grab her bedroll from where she’d set it earlier.

“I’ll meet you there.” Kaylen replied, then began his rounds, first heading to where Dinnae sat. “You heard what we were discussing?” He asked.

The brown-haired girl nodded. “I do think you’re handsome, and perhaps someday we will share a bed, but I don’t know if I’m quite ready for that. Even if all we are doing is sleeping.”

“That’s what I thought. I’m not going to coerce you into such a position.” She offered a smile, and he turned as Talindra approached with her bedroll.

The green-eyed elf set her bedroll down. “I’ll look after her.”

“Thank you again.” Kaylen smiled as he 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, but couldn’t resist teasing her a little, “Nothing I haven’t seen before, unless you’re worried about me judging you for your impressive physique. Or are you and Alanthea getting up to something you shouldn’t?”

“I was massaging her sore muscles.” Alanthea said, not seeming to pick up on Kaylen’s teasing tone. “Which are quite impressive, I agree.”

“I’m not injured, but Alanthea thought I could use some relaxing to ensure I stayed limber after getting tumbled in that fight.” His sister explained, her voice thick with embarrassment.

“Hey, Sis.” Kaylen said, turning back towards her. “We’re going to be traveling and working closely together for a while now. If we can’t handle a little skin, it’s going to make things pretty tricky.” He met her gaze, and deliberately sat down in her line of sight, while making a point not to look over her body. “It’s not like I don’t have plenty else to look at.”

She sighed, and her body relaxed somewhat. “You’re right. You surprised me, is all. Look your fill, I guess. I trust that you don’t mean anything unbrotherly by it.”

He reached down and pat her softly on the head, as Alanthea returned to her previous position, her agile hands working at the knots in his sister’s surprisingly toned back. He 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 she will be sleeping next to Dinnae, Vesili will be with me, 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 Vesili to share with you?” She asked, quirking an eyebrow.

“The other way around, actually; after the Sister checks her for injuries, though Lynn did also suggest Dinnae might wish to, but I don’t want to impose on her.”

“I appreciate that. And I’m sure she appreciates that.” She said, letting her breath out in a groan as Alanthea bore down on a particularly tense section of her back.

“Indeed. Well, if you need anything, you know where to find me.” He added, getting back to his feet, and leaving the two human women to their healing.

He passed Vesili on his way to locate 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.

“You didn’t think I should be told that?” He asked.

“I didn’t wish to interrupt you and the elf.” She replied.

“Who is taking second watch?”

“The elf.” She said simply.

“And third?”

The half-giant shrugged, “Ask Lynn.”

“I’ll do that. Do you need anything before I turn in?”

“I’m good.”

“If you get cold, you can set up your bedroll next to one of the others.”

“I should be fine, but I’ll keep that in mind, if there’s room.”

“Very well. Good luck, and sleep well.” He got to his feet and dusted off his trousers before ducking back under the tarp canopy, and making his way to the nook formed by the crack in the boulder.

There he laid his bedroll, making sure there would be room for Vesili’s 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 and then laid himself out on the bedroll.

It was a few minutes before he sensed Vesili move alongside him in the dim light. “What did Alanthea say?”

“She said I’m fine.” She murmured, taking off her own boots before laying down next to him. “Do you… I’m a little chilled.”

“You’re welcome to move close.” He assured her.

Vesili nodded, and shifted into his side, gathering her blankets atop his, “This is a little odd for me. I’m not used to touching.”

“Not in a friendly way at least?” He asked, laying on his back as she nestled into his side, her head on his arm.

“It feels right with you. I’m still a little unsettled, but I want to get used to this kind of thing with you.”

Kaylen was surprised by that, “I guess I made an impression?”

“You have.” She nodded, a movement he felt more than saw.

Kaylen smiled, and began stroking her soft black hair. “I will be as gentle and respectful as I can be. Now let’s try to get some sleep.” He pulled the blankets close around them both, and Vesili murmered softly against his tunic. Her body was thin and willowy, and she had a seeming fragility, but he knew her to be quite resilient.

Under different circumstances, Kaylen may have tried to explore a little, but with the others so close, he allowed himself to drift off to a peaceful slumber.