Re: A Warrior of Gor (reserved for LadyBird Raven)

[questor]

Daniel smiled as he saw the packs arrive. Silver explained the dangers of the pack inside the city and he understood and had the information relayed to the the rest of the warriors. So far the main attention had been drawn to the southern wall of the city. Troops every available troop had been brought there to defend the city. The river provided cover for the north wall. A couple sentries perhaps. But he was hoping that Darious' friend inside would take care of that.

Once the packs were there and the word spread, Daniel moved his men forward towards the wall and gate. At the gate he found it slightly opened and he pushed it open enough to look in. He saw a couple dead guards and a clear street. He gave the signal and the men pushed it open and started running down the street towards the center of the city. Though it was nothing like Ar or Ko Ra Ba or some of the other major cities, it was impressive and still being improved on. The streets were deserted as they moved forward.

A patrol of Port Cos Solders, ten men, were marching towards the northern gates. He pointed to them, Mama growled and lead her pack forward at a dead run, he looked at Silver and nodded. He had a feeling that she was itching to use her new claws.

[LadyRaven]

Silver nodded as the information was passed on about the sleen and then turned about, brazenly putting her back and ass to Daniel. She loped away with Mama back to the pack generals. Silver's General, turned as she came past him and sniffed long at her before he growled in his throat and followed very closely. Mama's turned also, but didn't scent her, nor growl, he just got up and followed and at a longer distance also.

Taking her place once again with her pack, Silver watched as the army approached the gates and they were opened. She moved her pack in behind and then amongst as it was clear a path had been made for them from within. Once again, her general stayed very close and Silver began to growl at him to back off some. He did so, but only briefly. The army ran in into the empty streets, but Silver and Mama lingered a while, checking things as they moved. Shutters moved on windows and stifled cries and mumbles came from almost every building. Silver stood up briefly to scent the air around them, but then dropped down again and carried on as many of the sleen began to growl and grunt at each other. They were wondering what was going on. It all seemed too quiet.

Just then, and seconds before Daniel pointed them out, Mama, Silver and many of the sleen discovered the patrol. As he pointed, Mama growled and went for them and Silver was right behind her, taking off without even looking to see Daniel's nod. The patrol shouted the alarm and took a defensive position, though how they intended to defend against a dozen sleen, they didn't know. Still, the alarm had been raised and it wouldn't be long before more and more soldiers arrived.

The ten were dispatched quickly and viciously, leaving literally nothing for the army to either find or catalogue as a kill. Silver made her kill, driving her new claws right through the neck and upper shoulder of one soldier and then grinned at him as he died, his eyes filled with shock at her. And then the pack merged to move on. Daniel had unleashed them and now they would do what they did best. Spreading out, they began to clear the streets of anything and everything that moved. A few civilians were caught up in it and though Silver regretted their deaths, she didn't linger on them.

Horns began to sound as the alarm was passed on and within minutes, the soldiers on the South Wall were being called to arms within the city. They had finally realised they had been duped. The pack came together again in the main square and both Silver and Mama roared to bring attention to the many soldiers that now took up defensive positions all around the central space. They ducked down behind their shields to create a shell of protection, their spears poking out between the gaps. Sleen knew this naturally from other places, so they became more cautious and started pacing along the line, looking for a weakness and hissing and growling. Silver was among them and she could hear the disturbance their presence and her caused. They had never seen anything like Silver before, nor this many sleen in one go. Her claws clicked and scraped lightly over the stone as she paced with them. And then, in among the hushed noises, Silver heard a crank. She turned to face the shell dead on and roared at it. They were loading crossbows, big ones. Sleen armour was thick, but it could be penetrated by bolts big and fast enough and Silver didn't want to take that chance. Her roar sounded the attack and the sleen turned on the protected soldiers.

The battle in the town's central square was as vicious and brutal as it was uncoordinated and it wasn't long before the protective shields began to fall. It provided the opening needed for one or two sleen to get in and cause major damage. Bolts began to fly from crossbows and spears were jabbed and thrown, swords swung and lunged at the sleen and the noise was horrendous and frightening.

As Alpha, Silver was somewhat protected by the rest of her pack, as was Mama, but that didn't stop either of them claiming more than one kill each while the rest were tearing their way through the soldiers. Within minutes, more and more arrived and Silver looked around to make a quick count and guide her sleen. However, that soon became an impossible task as she could no longer distinguish between friend and foe. They all looked the same. She couldn't even see Daniel anymore. With a close nudge from her general, Silver returned her attention to the soldiers at hand and the pack quickly started fanning out, killing anything and everything they could get their claws and teeth into. The slaughter had begun in earnest.

For Silver, the time and the killing passed by like it was little more than a memory. The soldiers came down like felled saplings, but it was inevitable that some sleen would also meet their ends. She began to hear death roars from sleen fatally wounded and felt the sadness and loss in her heart, but this was not the time to dwell on it, not yet. She would grieve with the pack later.

After some time, Silver began to hear shouts of victory and she slowed her pack's sprawl across Port Cos and started calling them back to her. What soldiers were left seemed to be Daniel's and they stayed well back from her and the sleen, so they must have been his men. The shouts began to spread wider and Silver realised they must have won the battle. Port Cos had fallen, or so it seemed. She began to count her returning sleen. Out of the eight of them, five returned. That wasn't a bad result really. From Mama's pack, six more returned, but Silver couldn't see Mama. She felt a sting in her heart, wondering where the sleen was. She should have returned. Where was she?

Leaving the generals in charge, she went looking for her mother, but couldn't find her near or around the town's central square. Nor was she close by in the side streets. Silver began to wander further. She began to find the dead sleen, but after a quick check, they were not Mama. She gave out small howls and growls to try and get a response, but there was nothing. Silver wandered further yet, but still could not find any sign of Mama, so she began to back track again towards the square but by a different route. It on this different route that Silver finally found her mother.

Half buried under a number of baskets and other items, Silver found Mama laying still on the ground with a spear shaft in her side. "Mama?" Silver whined as she approached carefully. Injured sleen were known to lash out even at their young, so she moved carefully. Mama didn't move. "Mama?" Silver began to whine as she realised her mother would never answer her. Tears began to fall down her bloodied cheeks as she came closer and closer still until she reached out and touched her mother's soft fur. She was cold. "No." She said quietly, "No, not you. Not you, Mama. Wake up Mama." She carefully pulled the spear from Mama's side and started to nudge and shove the sleen to get her to move. Nothing. "Mama? Mama, please. Not you Mama. Wake up!" The sleen was dead and Silver knew it, she just couldn't accept it. More tears fell and she suddenly screamed out in anguish. She followed it quickly with a loud, high pitched roar.

In the main square, the generals pricked up their ears and lifted their heads, hearing Silver scream. Then they heard the roar and they all got to their feet and started running for the sound. It was loud enough to be heard also by the soldiers and several of them turned to it too. Arcius was one of them and when he saw the sleen heading for the sound, he decided to follow with a small contingent to see what was going on. More and more screams began to filter through the streets of Port Cos as Silver again and again, screamed her loss. She gripped her mother's fur and skin, her claws slicing into the flesh easily, but it still did not bring Mama back to her.

The rest of the pack arrived, along with Arcius and his contingent and he half turned his head to one of them. "Go and fetch the Commander." He said quietly, "Quickly." he could see Silver screaming and crying over the dead sleen and it was clear to him that if not handled perfectly, things could get even more ugly. He motioned for his men to keep well back as the sleen crowded around Silver and started howling in loss. The sound was terrifying and soul destroying. Half of them had lost their Alpha, the other half a respected warrior and Silver, her mother.

[questor]

The slaughter of the ten had raised the alarm but they were well within the city now and as the reinforcements arrived, Daniel could see it was not the entire complement of warriors of Port Cos. Less then a quarter of them had come to answer the call, since the rest were still needed to protect the southern wall against what they thought was an immenent attack.

As the warriors of Port Cos formed their defensive square the sleen paced back and forth with Silver doing the same. They were shocked and confused seeing silver there acting like one of the sleen and even commanding them. Daniel and his warriors gave the sleen room but moved around the broad street. if the Warriors of Port Cos moved or broke their formation they would be ripped apart by the sleen. So Daniel's men were able to take up positions for when the whole was punched and the sleen attacked those trying to run were cut down. Some of the warriors managed to get past Daniel's but not the sleen.

When it was over Daniel looked around and saw Silver take off down a street and then heard the howeling and saw the other sleen race towards it. When he got there he saw Silver with Mama. Daniel's heart felt heavy and saddened. Mama had been a good friend and companion. He moved slowly forward looking down at the sleen. Those that had been with Mama made way for him and as the others tried to approach him blocked them growling and snapping at them.

He knelt down by silver and took her in his arms and held her tightly to him as he placed a hand on Mama to stroke her fur. He knew she was dead and there was nothing he could do about it. "I am sorry." he whispered to Silver.

It was not up to silver to lead the rest of the sleen. They still had to enter the palace and take the Ubar. By now he was probably with his personal body guards and in a fortified area of the palace. He looked up at Darious and said, "I will remain here and get the sleen out of the city. They have done their part and they need to be released. Take the palace and the ubar."

Darious nodded as he stood back with the other warriors of Sadar and then gave the command and they ran across the square to the palace. "We will return for her and give her a hero's honor and burrial." he told Silver. She would be read into the history of Sadar in a place of honor. "Let us get the others out of the city so they can be free to roam."

[LadyRaven]

It seemed the messenger wasn't needed as not long after Arcius made the order, Daniel arrived and went to Silver. He watched in amazement as the pack parted to let him through without so much as a snap or growl. A few others chanced it, thinking they would be treated the same, but the sleen were having none of it. The pack formed a defensive ring around Daniel and Silver and they stayed there.

At first, Silver just flinched as Daniel came up behind her and held her. With her hands still deep in Mama's fur, her claws deep in her dead flesh, Silver could do little but rock back and forth gently and pant in her grief. She was briefly aware that he'd spoken to someone, but it only lasted a moment and she returned to her panting and rocking. She stopped again when she saw Daniel's hand reach around and disappear into Mama's fur and he started speaking again. Silver began to growl in a deeply dangerous and feral way and the pack followed suit. Silver didn't like him touching Mama for some reason. That growl deepened and the pack began to turn to Daniel.

As Darious left to find the Ubar and take him prisoner, things on the street began to turn against the humans. Slowly getting to her feet, Silver kept her growl as she slowly retracted her claws from Mama's dead flesh and she turned to face Daniel. Her eyes were filled with grief and anger and she clenched her fists then, arching the claws dangerously. "We were never yours to release." She said darkly and with conviction. "And we do not obey you, Human. We will leave with our dead and remember them in our own way." Her general came to her side and reared up some to free up his front first legs. He drew out his claws briefly and then dropped down again. It was a defensive warning gesture to protect his Alpha and to intimidate a rival. Making no move to stop the general, Silver kept her eyes firmly on Daniel. "You can finish your war without us." Silver began to turn away, but made sure to keep her claws in full view of Daniel to remind him that should he make a wrong move, she had no problem using them, even on him, no matter how much she loved him.....

[questor]

Darious and the warriors of Sadar made their way to the palace and quickly defeated the guards at the entrance. Inside the palace the warriors of Port Cos fought hard, but were slowly defeated. Those in command of the warriors on the wall were notified of the massive force in the city and that they were at the palace. More men were dispatched, and those left on the walls were becoming nervous.

Darious and his warriors were fighting hard and he knew that before long they would be trapped between two forces if they did not win through and take the Ubar. He was not about to lose this battle nor be disgraced again. At his side Hector fought like ten men. His freedom had inspired him to be more then he had ever been before. He used his shield and sword, bashing one opponet with the shield and spining to take another in the throat with his sword and turning to reengage the one he had hit with his shield. He to had swore he would not be disgraced again and fought with the others with pride and honor.

Soon enough they burst into the throne room and faced the Ubar and his personal body guard. They were the best that Port Cos had, but those of Sadar now fought again with a pride and an honor that was fierce and unstoppable. They had a Home Stone, a home that they wanted to keep safe and free. Yes Port Cos was fighting to defend their Home Stone which was just behind the Ubar, but that was not enough that day.

Darious soon fought and defeated the Ubar. It was a glorious fight, but in the end, Darious had the Ubar up against a wall his sword at the man's throat and in his other hand he held the Home Stone of Port Cos. When the warriors of Port Cos entered the throne room to fight, they found that they had already lost. Port Cos was Darious' and the warriors of Sadar.

In the side street One of the sleen of Silver's Pack. It had reared up and extened its claws. To Daniel it was a challange. He had heard Mama growl for many things and especially when she was challanging one of her pack. This Daniel imitated as he stared down at the sleen and he took a defensive stance. He looked into the eyes of the sleen as he had Mama and waited for the sleen to attack or to back down. Mama's pack growled and moved in to keep the others away. They knew Mama had considered him the Packs Alpha, even though he was a human.

The sleen moved forward, its tail moving back and forth as it kept its eye on Daniel. It was not backing down. Daniel did not move, but watched and noted every movement the sleen made. He had watched them in action on the Plain before Sadar and there in the city. He knew when the sleen would attack and was ready for it. Daniel used his shield to bash it as it leapt at him, knocking it to one side and then using his sword to slash it side.

It howled in pain and rage and as it landed on its feet turned and attacked again. It was fast and Daniel had not fully recovered his stance, but managed to turn as one of its paws raked his chest sliceing through his tunic and skin. Daniel regained his stance and snapped his shield back up in place as the sleen again attacked. But this time Daniel rushed it as well and again hit it with his shield, but this time knocking it to the ground. His sword was at the sleen's throat, the tip biting into it. Again he growled like he had heard Mama do. The beast slowly moved exposing his underside in a sign of submission. Daniel then backed away and looked over at Silver, blood soaking his red tunic.

[LadyRaven]

Silver watched the fight with some interest. She had not acknowledged her general's attempt to impress her by defending her, so she did wonder why the skirmish happened, but she did understand it. The fight was brief, but it was vicious and it didn't take long for Daniel to emerge the victor, but he had been wounded. The sleen's claws hadn't done a lot of damage, but what he had been able to do bled copiously. She continued to watch and eventually, the sleen turned on his back and exposed himself in submission. Daniel then backed away and looked back at her and she looked at him.

He had defeated her general and proven himself Alpha again to Mama's pack, but Silver had some trouble remembering that technically, he was her Alpha too. She took her general's defeat as an insult rather than reassertion and she lifted her arms defensively. The general had proven himself weak and it wasn't long before the others began snapping at him, bringing him down to the lowest level possible. He'd made himself a runt and would have to earn his place once again.

Curling her fist, she ducked down, thinking Daniel would now try and put her down too. She growled deep in her throat for the others to back away and they did. Silver then scraped her deadly claws along the stones beneath them. She had never fought him before, nor had she really seen him fight before now, so that gave him an advantage. It registered briefly that something was wrong in what she was doing, that she should be kneeling to him, submitting and the slight shifting of her collar kept that thought a moment longer, but her anger and shock had not yet faded into true grief, so the thought was pushed back.

Silver growled in her throat again and dipped her head down to glower at Daniel, taking her position to fight and prove herself fit to be Alpha again, or at the very least, second best. She growled and hissed at Daniel, daring him to make the first move and then began to pace side to side. She had done this once before. It had been the day he'd first bought her from Ar's slave market.....

[questor]

As he looked at her, she got into a stance that told him she was ready to attack him. She raked the metal claws on the stone. He squatted down and stared at her. "Silver, I am your master and you will obey me. I Am your alpha and master." he waited a bit and then again he said. "Silver! Who is your master?"

The death of Mama had a great impact on Silver. It was driving her back to her wild side and perhaps even to the point of no return. Should she become the she sleen again, she might not be able to return. At the moment he didn't even know if she remembered who he was, or what he was and what she was.

[LadyRaven]

Silver growled as Daniel squatted down. He was getting on her level, which shocked her. Humans didn't do that, especially the male ones. She continued to pace and hiss at him as he stared at her and then began speaking to her again. It took a moment to register and she began to pant again and falter in her step. That little niggle that told her this was wrong came back and this time, it dug in. She listened to his words and his eyes as he spoke. And then he shouted her name. Silver stopped dead and stared at him.

Who was her Master? Who was her Alpha and her Master? Who did she obey? Who did she belong to? The questions started spinning in her mind and her panting increased. Her claws scraped on the ground and she began to tremble. Who was her Master? Who did she belong to? Who did she obey? She continued to stare at Daniel until finally, some recognition set in. Her backside hit the ground and her hands relaxed, followed by her shoulders. Her silver eyes glittered with fresh tears as she realised what she was doing and who was crouched before her. "Daniel?" Her voice was barely above a whisper and it was coarse from her growling and roaring. Daniel was her Master. Daniel was the one she belonged to. Daniel was the one she obeyed. Full recognition set in then and she collapsed in grief on the ground......

[questor]

Daniel shook his head and moved to Silver and removed the claws from her. He then took the cloak of a dead warrior and wrapped her in it and picked her up in his arms. Looking down at was was his pack, and one of the males, he nodded back the way they had come. "Go, Take the others with you." As if he could understand him, the beast growled and howled then began moving in the direction of the gate to the docks.

At first the other pack did not move looking at silver and then Daniel. Evidently, Daniel had beaten their Alpha and was now their alpha as well. They finally moved with the other pack knowing Daniel had commanded them and now that he was the alpha followed suit. The sleen was now one big pack.

Daniel carried Silver up to the palace past the dead warriors. He followed the path of strewn bodies and blood and came up behind the warriors of Port Cos. On the other side of the room he saw Darious and what he assumed was the Ubar of Port Cos. The man spoke finally, "Lay down your weapons." he ordered and the warriors of Port Cos placed their swords and shields on the ground.

Darious was the next to speak. "Port Cos has fallen. I Darious Arcrillus hold your Home Stone. Port Cos now is ruled by me and all with in will obey me." he looked about the room. The warriors went to one knee and bowed their heads, submitting to the change of rulers. "Rise warriors of Port Cos. Pick up your weapons. Those that wish to leave and return to Cos may. If not you will serve here to defend the city.

Darious saw David and ordered the warriors to make way for him. Daniel moved forward and nodded his head to Darious. "This is Daniel Campbell, my Military Commander. His orders are my orders. He commands the forces of Port Cos and Sadar." Another man was brought forth, "This is Marcus Corllius. He will be the Administrator of Port Cos."

"Port Cos no longer is controled by Cos. Though it may retain the name it has, Cos has no authority here. Go forth now and inform the citizens of Port Cos of the changes. Those that wish to leave may do so."

Daniel Held Silver tightly in his arms. She had been though a lot and had lost a lot. When the former Ubar was lead away to be imprisoned, the warriors of Port Cos departed the palace and began going door to door informing the people. Daniel then informed Darious of what happened, to Mama and requested her body be brought back to Sadar.

Daniel knew it would take some time for Darious to make sure the change in command of Port Cos was completely done. He told Darious he would take his tarnsmen back to Sadar since it was totally unprotected at the moment. He would also inform those of Ar Station of the fall of Port Cos so they could return home.

Soon he was in the saddle with Silver, and flying home, with the rest of the Tarnsmen and one of the new warriors of Sadar. Hector rode behind one of the tarnsmen. He was not leaving Daniel. A few hours later they were decending to an awaiting populace of Sadar.

[LadyRaven]

Silver flinched again as Daniel came to her and put a cloak around her, though this time it wasn't in shock or anger, it wasn't even in fear. This flinch was all in grief and when he picked her up, she cried quietly on his shoulder and cuddled into him. In the last decade, Silver had known life without her mother, but until now, there had always been that hope. Now, there was nothing. Silver believed in the Priest Kings, for she had felt their presence, but she had never believed in the old gods of Gor, so for her, death really did mean death. There was nothing after it and no return from it. She would never see Mama again and that devastated her.

Daniel carried her into the palace and was introduced as Darious' Military Commander, but Silver made no motion or had any intention of being put down. She clung to him tighter almost and buried her face away into his chest and under the cloak, but it was clear she had been involved in the battle. Her bare legs and her hair were still on show and were covered in blood and dirt from the fight. Many of the soldier that turned to regard Daniel also stared at Silver with confusion. This was no place for a slave, especially one so small and delicate looking. If only they'd known what she had been doing less than a few hours ago.

With business being dealt with, Silver soon found herself strapped to Wind Strike's saddle still in Daniel's arms and they were flying home. Silver didn't make a sound and didn't even hold on like she normally would. She simply curled into Daniel and closed her eyes.

Once in Sadar and on the ground, Daniel was met with many that cheered. The Tarn handlers in the enclosure clapped and shouted the victory, word having arrived a few hours ago by message bird, and wanted to shake Daniel's hand. Moira was waiting also and sighed with relief that Hector had returned also, but her happiness faded somewhat when she saw Silver wrapped up in a cloak with Daniel. Fearing the worst for her friend, she managed to push to the front of the crowd and reached up to touch Silver's feet. Silver didn't react, making Moira worry even more. "Master?" She asked, reaching up once more, but touching his sandal instead. "Is Silver alright, Master?"

Getting off the Tarn, Hector thanked the Tarnsman for the ride and quickly went to Daniel and Moira. He looked up also and his face filled with worry. They didn't know that Silver was alive and mostly uninjured, only that she was covered in a cloak and she did not move when touched.....

[questor]

Again the settelment were cheering and shouting out names of the warriors. All had the blood of Port Cos warriors splattered all over them, and some was covered in it. They had taken Port Cos and had lost more warriors and tarnsmen but not as many as they had. The sleen had done their job and he was having second thoughts about training them. They were not meant for war. He had needed an edge in the battle for Port Cos, but he found that it had cost to much.

He carried Silver home in silence, even when Moira was asking about Silver. Hector just told her to be patient. Once home he told the house servants to prepare the bath which they immediately went to do. When he put Silver down on a couch, and stood up Moira gasped, "Master, you have been wounded."

Hector looked and swore, as he sent Moira to fetch a physician. That is when Daniel felt the loss of blood and went to one knee by the couch. His head began to swirl in circles and he felt light headed. The adrenilan had kept him going, but now that was gone and he was feeling the full weight of the loss of blood.

[LadyRaven]

Moira didn't waste any time and quickly made haste to find a doctor. Silver remained silent on the couch, but when she saw Daniel falter, she felt another sting in her heart. His wound was her fault. She did not stop her former general from fighting with him, she had been too lost and too selfish in her grief to care. She reached out tenderly from the cloak and touched his arm as a single tear slipped down her cheek.

The doctor arrived promptly and Moira brought him straight to Daniel. "Sir." He said as he snapped his fingers at his slave to unpack his medical equipment. It looked barbaric at first, but it was the best technology Gor had to offer and he had all the necessary cleaning materials and antiseptics that could be possible. He didn't pay any mind to Silver, she was just a slave and replaceable. Daniel was Sadar's hero and could never be replaced. "Remove your tunic please Sir and let's have a look at that."
"It was a sleen attack." Hector said, trying to explain so the doctor wouldn't have to spend too long investigating. "The War Sleen lost their Alpha in the battle and he had to tussle for control of them."
"I see." The doctor said. He already knew the story of the sleen, particularly the one that had taken up residence before the war with Port Cos. He took out his cleaning fluids and some fine needles and thread. "We'll have you right as rain again very soon, Sir." He said with a smile.

By the couch, Moira knelt down and leaned over to check Silver. Having seen her hand on Daniel's arm, she knew the girl was still alive, but she looked such a hellish mess and utterly broken, Moira was still worried. She turned slightly on her knees and touched Hector's foot. "Master." She whispered.
"Yes?" Hector asked as he looked down.
Moira motioned her head to Silver, "Master, she's in a bad way too."
Hector nodded, "I know, girl, I know." He said and touched her head lovingly before he regarded the doctor. "When Daniel has been dealt with, Doctor, I'd like for you to look at his slave, please." He said.
The doctor looked at Silver and then at Hector, "Why?" He asked, "She is a mere slave. She can be replaced easily enough."
Hector shook his head, "Yes well, that being so, he rather likes this one and I think he'd like to keep her." He looked at Daniel carefully, wondering what his thoughts on the matter were.......

[questor]

"He now needs rest, so he can recover the blood that he has lost." Daniel's wounds had been cleaned and and anitspetic applied then bandaged. He was drifting in and out of conscienceness as the doctor did his work. Once he was done with Daniel, he began to examine Silver, as Hector requested.

"She is not hurt, the blood is that of someone else. However she lookes as if she has been traumatized by something. She should be alright." Once he was finished, he said, "Change the bandages every few ahns and make sure there is no infection setting in. If there is send a slave for me and I will be here immediately."

It looked as if the bath would have to wait. Daniel was in no shape to bath, and Silver was not looking as if she was. With the help of Moira and the house slaves, Hector got Daniel up to his furs and then came down and picked up Silver and took her up to the furs as well. It was all they could do for the moment.

A few hours later a messenger arrived. Daniel was barely awake as Hector brought the man up to him. He saluted Daniel and then said, "Sir the sleen that was called Mama could not be found. Where the body was could be but there was no sign of it and no sign that it had been dragged off." Daniel tried to sit up but could not, he was to weak. As if the man already knew what he was going to ask, "No, the other dead sleen were still there where they fell."

To Daniel that made no sense. Who would have taken Mama's body. How had they taken it? No one was going to lift that size of creature and carry it away, and why would they just take her body?

[LadyRaven]

Silver growled some as the doctor examined her, but she didn't lash out, nor make her growl anything more than a small whisper. She would be in enough trouble when Daniel recovered without adding the doctor's complaint to it. She watched as Hector and Moira helped Daniel to his bed and then it was her turn. She was a lot easier, for Hector simply picked her up, cloak and all and carried her. It felt strange, but Silver didn't try to move.

Once settled on Daniel's furs with him, Silver emerged some more from the cloak and whimpered at her beloved. His wounds were perhaps a lot worse than she had first realised. She didn't dare touch him in case she caused him more pain or made the injury worse, so she carefully pulled a blanket up to his middle and then curled up inside and well under the cloak he'd put her in. She closed her eyes slowly, checking Daniel was still breathing and then eventually nodded off into a dreamless sleep.

A few hours passed in silence and then Silver heard someone enter the room. It was one of the army and she watched carefully from a small opening in the cloak. Mama's body had disappeared. Silver furrowed her brow. That couldn't be possible! Mama easily weighed nearly three quarters of a tonne and as dead weight, it would have taken half a dozen men to move her. No, they were simply looking in the wrong place. She shook her head slightly and closed her eyes again, but the man kept talking. She opened her eyes again and peered back out of the gap.

Seeing Daniel try to sit up worried Silver and she flinched at the pain and weakness in him. This movement caught the attention of the warrior and he stared at the cloak. "Sir." He said, carefully drawing his blade with one hand and holding his other out to Daniel. Silver began to growl. "Sir, take my hand. There's something moving under your cloak." He didn't know it wasn't Daniel's and he couldn't know Silver was under it, for her meagre size meant she barely made any impact on the furs. And she was curled up tight in a ball, so she was even smaller. The warrior revealed his blade entirely and pointed it at Silver under the cloak, ready to strike and defend his commander.

[questor]

"Sheath your sword." he told the warrior. "it is Silver, my slave." he told the man. Slowly the warrior resheathed his sword and looked down at the cloak where Silver was. "Silver, come here." he called to her. He didn't know if she was still feeling her wild side or not. Nor did he even know if she had recovered any from her trauma of seeing Mama's body.

Silently he cursed the weakness that coursed through his body. "The body of a sleen can not just vanish, nor could it be moved except for several men and I do not think that any of the people of Port Cos would even go near the dead bodies. of the sleen. Have men go door to door in that area and ask if anyone seen anything."

The man saluted and left. Daniel laid there helpless because of the loss of blood. It would take some time for him to recover. It was just him and Silver in the room and the door had been closed behind the messenger. "Unexpected the way things have turned out. It was not anticipated that Sadar would conqure Port Cos." came a voice. A man in white robes stood at the foot of the furs. His head was bald and he had strange looking eyes. Daniel groped for his sword and cursed as he realized it was down stairs with his ripped tunic and his shield and helmet.

"Have no fear, I am not here to do you harm." the man said.

"Who are you?" Daniel asked.

"A messenger of the Priest Kings." he stated. "Once you are strong enough, you are to come into the Sadar Mountains. You will bring your silver haired slave with you. You will be guided to where you must go. Remember Daniel Campbell, come into the Sadar Mountains." with that the man backed up and just seemed to disappear.

[LadyRaven]

Silver continued to growl at the warrior as Daniel ordered him to stand down and explained it was her under the cloak. Then he ordered her to go to him and she peered out from under the heavy fabric. At first, it was only just the top of her head and her eyes and the warrior stared at her oddly. She growled back at him again and he stepped back. She only stopped when Daniel ordered his warrior to search again for Mama's body and ask door to door about her disappearance. At this, she looked to Daniel, her eyes somewhere between frightened and grief stricken. Eventually, the soldier left again after saluting his commander and Silver began to whimper. "I want Mama." She sniffled and began to crawl out fully from under the cloak. It didn't last.

Another voice came from the bottom of Daniel's furs and she shot back under the cloak again. She turned around and peered from the bottom of it at a strange man dressed in white. She felt Daniel shift, trying to find his sword no doubt, but she knew that was downstairs with the rest of his gear. His only defence now was her and she quickly began to lift up some and show her presence. She growled and hissed at the man, showing him she would kill this man if he stepped any closer to her Master. He revealed himself as a messenger and told him he had to go with her into the mountains. Silver didn't like that idea at all. When the man vanished again, Silver continued to growl some, but she laid back flat again on the furs and turned away back to Daniel.

Peering at him again from under the cloak, she moved a little closer to him and whimpered once more. She knew she was in trouble for what she had done in Port Cos and she would accept her punishment, which he would no doubt revisit when he had strength enough to beat her. She kept her head low and her eyes down as she tenderly reach out her hand to touch him.....

[questor]

Once the stranger was gone, Silver moved a bit closer to him. He reached over as she reached out to touch him and took hold of her arm and pulled her to him. "Come little one." he said in a calm voice. He pulled her to his side and put an arm about her. "It is alright Silver. You do not need to hide from me or anyone else." he told her.

He knew she was still grieving for Mama, and probably afraid of what he might do for how she acted when he arrived and tried to console her in Port Cos. "I know Mama's death is hitting you hard and I feel a sense of loss as well. She may have been a She Sleen but she was also something more. She was a friend and a companion and had become a part of my life. I miss her too." he pulled her closer to him the best he could. He was still weak and hated that feeling so much. Though the physician had given him something for the pain, he still felt the dull pain of the wounds.

He then thought of the stranger. A messenger of the Priest Kings. The way he was dressed, the bald head, told him he was a priest of the Priest Kings. They were not the type to go about preaching in the streets and such but they were there in every city. Some said they were spies for the Priest Kings, and that they could see through their eyes and hear through their ears. Why would they send him a messenger telling him to come into the mountains. He always thought that the Priest Kings, like most so called Gods, were just something made up to explain natural things that happened. But perhaps there were someone or something in the mountains.

The Stranger also said that it was unexpected the ways things turned out with Port Cos. What had he meant by that? "What did you make of the man." he asked silver.

[LadyRaven]

Silver flinched and whimpered again as Daniel took her by the arm and pulled her to him, but then he spoke calmly to her and told her everything was alright. She relaxed a little, but not entirely, for she knew he was still weak right now and she had no idea how quickly his mood turned yet. He cooed at her, telling her how he missed Mama too and what she meant to him, and then pulled her closer still. Silver went without hesitation and let him hold her in a way that didn't hurt him.

He went quiet after that and Silver began to relax more, knowing that for now at least, he wouldn't punish her. She then settled to sleep a little more, but it was broken when he asked her for her thoughts on the man in white. Taking a few deep breaths, she collected her thoughts. "I would never trust someone that could come and go like that without being noticed. People like that remind me of ghosts and spies. I don't like them."

[questor]

Daniel chuckled. Didn't trust the type. Well he didn't really trust him either but he was curious. If indeed he had come from the Priest Kings, why did they want to talk to him. What was he to them. He turned his head and looked at Silver. "But it is intriguing. Why would a messenger of the Priest Kings come here. Why would they want me to bring you?"

Then he wanted to know how she was feeling. She had been through a horrible experience. "How are you doing?" he asked her. "You seemed to be out of it back there in Port Cos." he turned the best he could and caressed her cheek. "You had me worried there for a while."

Moira came in to see how Daniel and Silver were doing and smiled as she saw Silver next to Daniel and not under the cloak. She knelt down and looked at Silver. "Are you alright Silver. I have been so worried about you."

[LadyRaven]

Silver shook her head gently against Daniel's side, "I know mot, Master." She offered quietly, "And I don't want to go into the mountains, please Master?" She looked up at him with fear, "Those that go in don't come out again. The Priest Kings eat them." One of many stories that had come and gone over the years as morals and such to keep children and slaves in line. Then his talk moved on.

How was she doing? Silver felt like her entire soul had just died! She felt awful and it showed as her head dropped down and fresh tears appeared. She nodded as he told her how worried he had been. "This slave is so very sorry Master." She said humbly, "She meant not to lose herself so badly, but.... Slave is sorry Master." And then Moira came in and Silver looked up.

She didn't smile, but Moira could see that her presence was welcomed. It seemed everyone had been worried about her and she let her head drop again. "I'm so sorry Moira, I didn't mean to worry you, any of you, I swear.".....

[questor]

Daniel again caressed her face. "It is alright. Such things happen when you lose some one you love. I also know it will take time to put it behind you. All that matters is that you are safe and you are you." he smiled. "As for going into the mountains, I am not sure I really have a choice. Something just does not seem right about it all and I need to check into it. But that is down the road a ways."

Moria smiled and took one of Silver's hands in hers. "As Master has said it is alright. I am just glad that you are alright." Moria knelt there a bit and then rose and checked the bandages and the wounds. They had been deep and they would leave some scars. Once satisfied she again knelt beside Daniel and Silver and kissed Silver on the forehead, before leaving them alone.

Daniel pulled one of the furs up over Silver the best he could and just let himself relax. Soon he was asleep and he did not wake for hours. Word had spread about him from the physician. Arcuis along with a number of others waited on word on how he was doing. Word even spread to Port Cos to Darious.

[LadyRaven]

Turning her cheek into his hand, Silver whimpered again, but felt a lot more at ease. Daniel showed no signs at all of his temper turning. If anything, he seemed to want only to comfort her and make sure she was ok. He even went so far as to say it. Silver had never had anyone that had cared for her so deeply before, but it didn't make her nervous or on edge, she felt a peace about it instead. She was loved, or that was what she understood his tenderness to be. Moira echoed that as well and it left Silver feeling much better than she had thought she would feel.

After checking his bandages, Moira left and Silver settled down under the furs with Daniel as he fell asleep. Hopefully, when he woke again, he would be feeling much better. She didn't like to see him so weakened and out of sorts like that. She worried for him.

As the word spread, the news of Daniel's health was good. He was recovering, he just needed a little time. That same news was sent to Port Cos to Darious. Daniel's injuries, though severe, were not mortal or fatal and he would recover quickly enough with a little rest and some care. That brought sighs of relief to many. Arcius was one that made such an audible sound when he heard the news. He had been worried for his commander, but at least he had the excuse he needed to hunt the rotten sleen down and kill it for hurting his superior. It was perhaps that most people thought that way, but it would be up to Daniel if he wanted vengeance for his injuries.

Many hours passed and soon enough, a whole day and night passed. Daniel and Silver were left undisturbed, though food and wine were brought in as well as some hot (coffee, I forget what they call it now) drink should they want it. The house slaves worked hard to get the house in top order for when Daniel made his rounds again and they made sure that he had his finest tunic and belt clean and ready for him. Fresh silks were put out for Silver too if she was permitted to wear them. It was the understanding that she had suffered a great injury too, just not a standard physical wound and she, like Daniel, would need a little time to get things in order again.

As the day and night passed into a second morning, Silver woke with heavy eyes and a heavy head. She had not dreamt nor stirred at all, like her body and mind had simply shut down for a while. Taking a few deep breaths, she managed to move herself some, but she was stiff and ached all over. Daniel had not moved much either by the look of him, but he looked comfortable and at peace. Moving carefully, Silver checked his wounds, being careful not to get her dirty fingers anywhere actually near the wounds themselves. The stitching was very professional, but rough enough to leave Daniel with some pride scars and the healing salve he had put on the bandage that covered it had worked very well. Nearly a week's worth of healing in a matter of days and Silver was pleased with it. No doubt Daniel would be too when he woke. She felt that perhaps another day, maybe two to rest properly and he would be back on his feet again, though perhaps not straight back to battle. That would take a couple of weeks, but up on his feet was a good thing nonetheless.

Putting the bandage back on, she carefully moved from the bed and went into the bathroom. Her heavy head put her balance off, but otherwise, she was ok. First thing was first, she needed to run Daniel a hot bath for when he woke. He would need the heat to clean his skin and ease his aching muscles. If she ached this badly, she figured he would ache twice as much.....

[questor]

Daniel slept and slept long. The loss of blood and the fighting had exausted him. He awoke with the stirring of silver at his side. He just laid there as she checked is wounds and bandages. When she got up and moved away he opened his eyes and looked around. He felt better and a bit stronger. He had no idea of how long he had slept. With a little effort he sat up, and looked at himself. He was still covered in blood in places and probably stank. He heard Silver in the Bath Chamber running the water.

Slowly he got to his knees and then to his feet. He felt a bit off balance but that faded quickly and he took a few deep breaths. Walking slowly, to not over do it, he made it to the door of the Bath Chamber and looked in. Silver looked better and seemed like she as doing good. But again he knew it would take some time to get over her loss.

He smiled at her as he watched her. The two of them had gone through a lot together in the last few weeks, especially the last few days. He walked to the tub, "Come and join me. I think you need this as much as I do." About that time Moria came in and smiled as she saw him up and about. He turned his head towards her and said, "Have Arcuis sent for. I wish a report on our patrols." Daniel was worried about Cos. Their river port had been taken and he figured they would send a force to retake it. It would not take long for them to assemble an army powerful enough to retake it.

In the mean time he eased himself into the sunken bath and let the heat of the water begin to ease his sore and stiff muscles. The bandages he removed and sat on the side of the bath. Fresh ones would have to be place on, but for now he needed to clean himself and Silver needed the same.

[LadyRaven]

Silver turned her head slowly as she heard footsteps behind her and then a compounding smell similar to her own that told her it was Daniel. He was awake and he was upright. This was a good sign, so long as he didn't overdo it. She watched with care as he moved to the sunken pool and beckoned her to join him. She nodded, "I will Master." She said quietly, "Just as soon as I gather your soaps and a square of cloth for you to dry with." She gathered up the items and brought them slowly to the bath's edge. It was clear she was still somewhat unbalanced as well.

Once everything had been placed, Silver carefully stepped into the bath and then moved across to turns the fountain taps off. The water was steaming hot, but it was tolerable and it would ease Daniel's stiff and no doubt aching body. With his bandages removed, she could see now the extent of the healing flesh that had been plastered in salve, but also the parts yet to heal where the salve had not quite done its work yet. She decided she would deal with that once he was clean and his muscle was loosened.

Collecting the soap, she moved back to Daniel and lathered her hands up. She began to massage the soap around his shoulders and the back of his neck from behind. She would wash herself quickly, but thoroughly when she had finished with him. She used what Moira had taught her to ease the tension and release the stiffness in his neck, shoulders and upper back before she moved down, being careful of the wounds near his sides. She didn't say a word as she did this, feeling that he would enjoy the silence for a while to collect his thoughts.

Arcius arrived when Silver reached about midway down Daniel's back and he bowed his head as he was led into the bathing chamber. "You sent for me, Sir." he said with respect.....

[questor]

The massage and washing of his back felt good. His muscles were tight and stiff from sleeping so long and after having been in two battles. As she washed his back he slowly began washing and scraping the blood and grime from the front of his body. He he had to be careful of the wounds as he did not want to rip the stitches out. It was slow going but he was getting himself clean.

When Arcius arrived he looked up. "Insure that the patrols to the west are on the alert for any movement from Cos. I am sure they will send a large army to retake Port Cos and deal with Sadar."

He smiled and said, "Has already been done sir. We have also placed men along the coast to light signal fires if any ships are spotted. Also there is news that Ar has fielded an army that is marching north. I have a feeling Ar Station has the same thoughts as we do and has asked for aid. Ar Station has already offered their aid in the defense of Port Cos and Sadar, their new allies." he grinned.

Daniel looked at him a bit surprised. So much had happened, how long had he been asleep. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked.

"Two days sir." Arcuis told him. "The people and army will rejoice knowing that you are up and about." He shook his head and sighed. "You have helped do the impossible, made it possible, and I don't think there is a soul here that would not do any thing for you. I will keep you informed of what is happening. Get well sir." he then turned and left.

He turned slowly in the water to face Silver. He smiled down at her and bent down and kissed her lips tenderly.

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