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

[LadyRaven]

As Arcius began giving his report, Silver listened closely, but also kept silent and kept her head down as though concentrating on easing her Master's back. It seemed everything was well in hand, so Daniel could rest easy knowing his men were taking care of business. However, it shocked her as much as he over how long they had slept. They had missed two entire days, so it was no wonder everyone was eager for news of Daniel. And rightly so. Like Arcius had said, he had made the impossible possible and they respected and revered him for it. Silver did too, taking no credit at all for her part in bringing Port Cos under Darious' control.

Once Arcius had left, Daniel turned to face her and she carefully began to soap his front, but he leaned down and he kissed her. She kissed him back with tenderness before she smiled. "Master, you should wait until I have cleaned us both." She told him, "For I would not wish to make you dirty again." She could see he had managed to scrape some of the grime away, but most of it still lingered. She moved back a step and carefully applied the soap to his torso and she massaged it in, being careful not to spread too much on his wounds and irritate them. She would clean them properly with the correct potions when she had dried him. She shook her head at the lingering state of the lines on his skin. "This girl is so very sorry Master." She said with true regret, "Had I known the whelp had hurt you so badly, I would have ended his life myself. In not acting, this stupid slave has failed you, Master.".....

[questor]

Daniel shook his head. "It is not your fault. The sleen challanged me and I dealt with him. I have a feeling he wanted to be the Alpha and was trying to show off for you. But by the looks of things he was put into his place and then some with the pack making sure he was put in his proper place. These wounds were my fault for being slow."

She had played a very important role in both battles. But being a slave she would not be recgonized as one of the main forces behind their victory. But all knew and deep down more then likely had a deep respect for Silver. Daniel knew he did. He knew what she had done and if not for her and the sleen, their victories would have been defeats. Darious knew it and so did Arcuis and Hector. Though all would not acknowledge it publicly, they knew and looked on Silver in a very different light he was sure.

He let her clean him of what dirt and blood he had missed and enjoyed her touch. He stopped her for a few moments, lifting her head up to look at him. He again kissed her and then let her finish washing him.

Two more days passed before Daniel felt himself fit to be out in public. Four days had passed since the conquest of Port Cos. Not only Cos received the word of its fall, but Ar and all along the Vosk. Even Port Kar heard of it and in particular an individual, a Captain there. Not only of the fall of Port Cos but of one that had brought forth the Home Stone of Sadar and united the settelment and lead their warriors to victory. "Now what are the chances that such a thing could happen twice." he said to himself.

[LadyRaven]

Silver nodded slowly as Daniel blamed himself for his slow reaction, but she didn't dare say anything, so she just agreed with him instead and finished cleaning him up and massaging his stiff muscles. Once he was done, she washed herself quickly and then helped him dry off and dressed his wounds. She then eased him onto a low couch while she brushed the furs stiffly and then covered them in soft blankets so they wouldn't irritate his wounds any.

Two more days passed before Daniel felt fit enough to venture from his bed and Silver was right by his side where she belonged. When he arrived in the courtyard of his home, Hector stood and saluted his commander and hero and Moira and the house girls quickly sank to their knees and bowed their heads in respect. Much the same happened in the new township and he was hailed once again, a hero, Sadar's hero. As expected, Silver was paid no mind at all in public, but privately, she received smiles and nods of respect and gratitude. Silver paid her respects back as she should, but otherwise, let the rest pass without memory.

As gifts, many donated a slave to Daniel's house, but they were all house slaves, for they knew he would not take another pleasure slave. He had given Friska to Arcius and Moira to Hector, so it would be pointless. Some did donate the more trained slaves to be dancers that they felt would compliment Moira and Silver, but that was the best it would get. The new slaves would ease the time and tension on Moira and Silver, allowing them to concentrate on their Masters as they should be.....

[questor]

Not only did he receive slaves but his share of that taken from Port Cos. It was way to much and he distributed most of it among his tarnsmen. He took the praise and the cheering and all in stride. He was a warrior and tarnsman, that was all that mattered to him. He had done what had to be done and that is how he saw it. But people needed heroes. history, and legends. One day he might be considered a legend.

There had not been any word from Cos or any indication that they were assembling an army. But of course things seemed to have heated up between them and Port Kos again. The Pirates seemed to be hitting their shipping more. A coincidence? Or was something else going on. He had a feeling that they were getting support from Port Kos but why he had no idea. Well at the time he didn't.

Towards the end of the fourth day back from Port Cos one of the patrols had returned with a sighting. "A large Black war tarn and rider is heading this way from the east." Daniel sent a number of his tarnsmen to investigate. A few hours later they returned with the Black War Tarn and its rider. Daniel awaited them outside the city with Silver at his side.

The rider did not look like your tiypical tarjnsman. His clothing was not that of a warrior or tarnsman, but more of a pirate. The man dismounted from his tarn and was instantly surrounded by warriors and brought to Daniel. The man smiled at Daniel. "Tal Daniel Campbell. My name in Port Kar is not relevent here, but you can call me by my earth name, Tarl Cabot." At the name Daniel's brow raised. The name was not lost on him. "Tal Tarl Cabot." Daniel replied.

[LadyRaven]

After those first couple of days, it didn't take long for Silver to get back into her old routine, though she was much quieter in herself than before. She used the next couple of days to restore his clothing and remove the memory of the sleen that he had battled with. His uniform looked as good as new and Silver had worked on a few more tunics for him. They were easy to make, so she didn't find anything difficult in making them for him. She did not sing as she sewed anymore, nor as she went about her usual chores either, but no-one bothered her about it, for they understood her sadness for now.

On the fourth day, Daniel was up and about and looking and feeling a lot better. Silver was still quiet, but she carried on with her routine as normal. But today would not be normal. Not long after mid morning, a report came of a black war tarn heading to Sadar. Daniel was right out there at the town's gates to see this tarn and its rider and Silver, as always, was at his heel. As he stood and watched the rider brought to him, Silver sank to her knees in silence and bowed her head. She was among Free Men after all. The rider introduced himself and when she heard his name, her eyes went wide and she partially lifted her head. The Tarl Cabot! Daniel seemed to take it all in his stride though and greeted Tarl with welcome. Silver could barely believe it though. She was in the presence of a living legend!.....

[questor]

Daniel smiled at Tarl. Oh he knew his name but had not put a face to it. The warrior and tarnsmen that had stolen the Home Stone of Ar, kidnapped the Ubar's daughter and made her a slave, and brought the Ubar that sought to rule Gor down a peg or two. Marcillus had fallen from grace, but returned and regained the love and the respect of the people of Ar when he saved it. Now there was a living legend as well. But Tarl Cabot, was just as much a legend now as the great Ubar, that still ruled Ar.

"We have to talk." Tarl told Daniel. "If I have learned one thing here on Gor, nothing happens by chance and all that has happened here has happened for a reason." His words seemed to echo his own thoughts. He nodded to his men and they fell in behind them. A Tarn Keeper came forward and asked about the War Tarn. "He will be alright. He will hunt when he is hungry, and return here to wait or when I am ready to leave."

Daniel took Tarl into the city. The people watched as the two men walked together with silver just to the right and a step behind Daniel. Tarl looked at her smiling. "An interesting slave. I don't think I have ever seen the likes of one like her before. Where did you find her."

Daniel chuckled. "It is a long story and an interesting one." He looked back at Silver a smile on his lips. "She is one of a Kind it seems."

Tarl looked at the way Daniel looked at silver and nodded his head understanding. He knew that look well and had it a time or two himself. At the Gate he left the bulk of the warriors and tarnsmen and continued on with just Hector behind them. Once back at the house and in the courtyard, the house servents brought wine and spiced meats and cheese.

It was only Tarl, Daniel and Silver in the courtyard. "No what is it that you wish to talk about?" Daniel asked.

"Why you are here. I do not think that you are here by chance or that you were brought here to be a slave." he shook his head. Tell me of your arrival here and how you came to Sadar."

As Tarl ate and sipped wine, Daniel told him of how he had come to Gor and what had happened. Of his visit to Ar with the Slaver and him finding Silver there and her savage nature there. He explained his arrival at Ar Station and his mission to find out what was going on with the raids on Port Cos that had been blamed on Ar Station.

Tarl laughed and again shook his head. "You don't think that was a bit strange and then all that has happened since?"

Daniel had to agree with that. He had not told him about the visitor he had but it seemed that Tarl had an inkling. "Have you been contacted by anyone strange?" he asked Daniel

"Shortly after my return from Port Cos." Daniel told him. "A man in white robes and bald head. A messenger from the Priest Kings he said. A priest of theirs I think."

Tarl nodded. "I could see their hand in this. They have their eyes on you Daniel. They always have. They have brought you here to do something. They did that to me and for years now I have been reluctently working for them. If I know them they have brought you here because of the Kur."

Daniel looked at him. "Kur?"

An alien race that wants to conqure Gor and Earth. Their fleet sits between Mars and Jupiter. The Priest Kings have been battling them and keeping them at bay for centuries. There are Kur here on Gor, some want to continue on trying to take over this world while some are not. They are just happy to be on a world like this and not on ships. But they have brought you here to do something, and I have a feeling it is because of her." he nodded to Silver. "She is not like any on Gor or Earth. All I can say is be careful and your sword sharp. They have invited you in to the mountains, so go. I think you will be quite enlightened when you finally get to where they live. But enough of this, I have also brought word from Port Kar. We have no love for Cos and seeing Port Cos fall to Sadar, has earned the respect and the alliegence of Port Kar. Sadar and Port Kar are much the same and we feel a kinship with you." he looked over at Silver once more smiling. "Serve him well Slave."

[LadyRaven]

Silver remained silent and with her head down as Daniel and Tarl began to talk and when they went back into Sadar, she followed at Daniel's shoulder as she always did. She lifted her eyes briefly when she was mentioned, but she said nothing and made no notion to act at his comments. What Daniel said about her made her smile inside, but outwardly, she showed nothing. She was definitely unique, there was no doubt of that, but beyond that, she was just another slave.

Once inside the house, Silver watched carefully as the house girls brought wine and foods for Daniel and Tarl and she took her place to serve them while they spoke. Moira came and went, but Hector had other duties for her. She served the wine and held the foods out for them as they wanted, but otherwise, she remained as silent as death. She kept her usual grace and skill that people seemed to comment on the most, but her silence and her sad eyes seemed to dumb down the beauty of it. But what Silver did do was listen and she listened very carefully.

The Kur had meant little to her before now. She'd heard the tales and horror stories around the pens and in the odd house, but beyond that, she knew little about them or where they had come from. All she did know really was what she had overheard and what they were supposed to look like. But that seemed to fantastic to believe, just like the Priest Kings were supposed to look like giant insects. She passed it off as fancy story telling and had carried on.

The conversation moved on and Silver served Tarl and Daniel more wine as it was brought by the house girls. So, Port Kar was sympathetic to Sadar. A kinship. That meant a treaty of some kind later down the line, trading and such to help each other and soldiers for the war campaigns. Men and their wars, Silver thought, never happy unless they are killing something or fighting someone over something. It was a wonder they hadn't wiped each other out yet. She kept her sarcasm tightly in her mind though, never daring to air it beyond the back of her throat. When she felt Tarl looking over at her, she stopped and knelt to face him. Serve Daniel well, he'd said. Silver nodded, but kept her head down, "Yes Master." She said with reverence, "This slave will serve her Master to the best of her ability." Normally, such a speech would incite a sense of pride on Silver, especially as it concerned her beloved, but today, it seemed a little empty and far too quiet for her....

[questor]

"Your slave seems sad." Tarl commented. The man had many years of experience with slaves and knew them in and out. He could tell just by an inflection in the voice something was wrong, or the slight movement of the head or body.

"You may have heard of the sleen that were used to defend Sadar and take Port Cos." Daniel commented.

"Indeed. Something that has never been done before, and wild sleen at that." he looked at Daniel. "It is said you lead them. How did you do that?"

"Not I persay." Daniel told him. "There was a She Sleen of one Pack that....." He looked over at Silver, "Raised Silver since she was an infant. Silver was captured and sold into slavery. The She Sleen we found in Ar Station and ...... not sure how, but dominated it by staring it down. From that time on she obeyed me and obeyed me in the battles. The other pack, was controled by another." he nodded to Silver. She can control them after defeating their alpha."

Tarl looked at Silver with awe and a bit of suspision. A human controling wild sleen. That was not heard of. Sleen could be trained but they were still quite unpredictable.

"The one that raised her we called Mama. Silver loved her dearly and she was killed in the battle at Port Cos." Daniel caressed her face as she knelt by him. "She is still mourning her loss. I to feel the loss of her. She had become a part this household and her loss to me is great." Daniel knew that Silver was still very sad and that it was causing her not to sing or enjoy anything. He could only hope she would be able to put it behind her and enjoy life once more.

Tarl nodded and shook his head as well. A human raised by Sleen and able to control them. Daniel being able to subdue and make docile a She Sleen by just staring it down. He knew then that there was more to Silver and Daniel that met the eye. He looked down again at Silver, "Mourn the loss but think of what she would want you to do. What would a mother wish for a daughter to do." He pointed to Daniel. "What would she want you to do?"

[LadyRaven]

The topic of the conversation moved directly onto Silver and it made her feel a little uncomfortable. She just wanted to get on with her duties and be left alone, but it seemed this would not happen. She continued as they spoke about her and when done she knelt by daniel to await whatever they needed next. When she felt his hand on her cheek, she closed her eyes and turned it into his hand for comfort, but then looked up slightly as Tarl began to speak to her. What would Mama want her to do? As sleen, she wanted to send her off in the way that all sleen were dealt with when dead. To eat her heart and take courage in that she had fed the pack as her final act. As her daughter, she wanted to weep and cuddle her and wish her to come back. Neither of those things would happen and she said so. "It does not matter what she would wish me to do, Master." She said to him emptily, "For she cannot be here to see it done. Her body was stolen, so she cannot be honoured, nor brought back into the pack. She is gone.".....

Tarl raised a brow. "Taken, now that seems strange. Who would take let alone be able to take a sleen's body." he looked over at Daniel. He had a feeling he knew, but why was another thing. "Yes she is gone but you are not. Do not be sad because of it, she died in battle, a good death. You should rejoice that you are alive and the slave of this man. "Also I do not think that the issue with Mama is over yet." he smiled. She would have been taken by only one people and they would be meeting them.

"She died in a battle of men." Silver said rather boldly, "And she left me behind. And now I will never see her again. I see nothing to rejoice in that." She looked up at Daniel then, but her eyes were still sad. Yes, she loved him greatly, but her mother was still her mother. She cupped his hand softly on her cheek and let a single tear fall. "This was not the life she wanted for me. A slave's life. I was my father's favourite towards the end, he was grooming me to take Mama''s place."....

Tarl shook his head. No ones mother or father expected their daughter to become a slave. But this was Gor, a mans world and one where females became slaves. Daniel smiled at her warmly as she looked up at him. He knew she was hurting but had no idea of how to get her to get over it.

Tarl rose and said. "Well perhaps now I will have a bit of a rest from serving them. You will find it becomes tiresome at times." Daniel rose and both men clasped each other's sword arm. "I must return to Port Kar, my duties there are always calling. I can find my way back out to my tarn." again he looked down at Silver. Oh she had plenty to do with why Daniel was there.

Silver remained knelt by Daniel's chair as both men rose and said goodbye to each other. When Tarl looked down at her again, she did not look back, but she did bow her head right down. "I wish you a safe journey, Master." She said to him. Just beyond the courtyard, the house girls waited on their knees with Tarl's cloak and a food package to take with him. Silever remained as she was and closed her eyes.....

Tarl was gone and Daniel sat back down on the chair he had been sitting in. "Come sit on my lap little one and talk to me."

Silver moved with grace again and carefully climbed into Daniel's lap. Knowing that they were alone again, she snuggled into him and pulled his arms tightly about her. "I miss her." She whimpered....

"I do to." he told her. "I also miss you being happy, your singing and your smile."

Silver whimpered again and sniffled slightly, "But how can I sing and be happy when I am not, my love?2 She asked....

"One must look past what has happened. Look forward to the future." he told her, "In a couple more days, I have decided that we will be flying into the mountains. The Priest Kings have an intrest in us it seems. I want to know why." he held her to him. "I want my Silver back."

"But she won't be there." Silver said, "And what future do I have beyond your slave?" He was going into the mountains in two days and Silver nodded, "Yes Master, I would like to know as well why they are so interested in you, as Master Cabot claims."....

Daniel just sat there with her on his lap and holding her. She was not going to be his Silver for some time. It seemed she had lost the will to be happy. Being his slave, was that not something to be happy about. He sighed and just held her for the time being. Later he eased her off his lap and stood up and went back into the house. There were preparations to be made and orders to be given. He had no idea of how long he would be gone nor if he would be returning to Sadar soon.

Silver fell into silent reflection after that and laid there in his lap just holding him. After a while, he got up and eased her back down before he left to get ready to leave. He didn't say another word to her and she knew he was just as upset and felt just as much grief as she did. She waited until she was completely alone and then moved to the fur pelt that Mama had laid on and bathed her. She ran her hands over it tenderly and smiled as she remembered that bath. she remembered how Mama's tongue had very nearly ripped out chunks of her hair it as so rough. She remembered the sleen turning her over to get at those annoying places to clean them and how she seemed to purr in that sleen way. Silver's smile widened as she laid on the pelt, pretending it was Mama for a while and she began to sing to her, but only quietly. Still, the sound was loud enough for Moira to hear and the other slave stopped to listen. A single tear slid down her cheek and she leaned against the wall to listen to the sad lullaby. Hector also heard it as he hunted down Moira for something and he stopped near his slave to listen quietly too, resting his hand tenderly on Moira's shoulder....

Two days latere Darious was back with most of the warriors of Sadar. Port Cos was now his and under his control. Its Home Stone now rested next to Sadar's. Both were guarded day and night by the best that Sadar had. Darious heard about the man from Port Kar and of the offer of an alliance. He was not one to push such an offer away and sent a representative to Port Kar. On Daniel leaving to enter the mountains, that was a surprise but one did not one like Daniel why. If the Priest Kings wanted to see him, then that was a calling that needed to be heeded. Darious believed they had sent him in their time of need and would not tell Daniel not to go. The warriors of Sadar and tarnsmen lined the street to the tarn enclouser saluting him as he walked to it. Once on his tarn with Silver before him. He was ready to face his future. He only hoped he woudl return home soon. They were in the air and heading into the mountains.

For the next two days, everyone pretty much left Silver alone, even Daniel, but then, she figured he would not want a sad slave moping about him anyway. She carried on with her duties and that seemed to help bring her back around a little. On the day that Daniel left for the mountains, Silver sat with him on the saddle and felt that old nervousness come back. It had been a while since she had ridden on Wind Strike and it showed. She tried not to impede Daniel, but as the great bird lifted into the air, she couldn't help but push herself back into her Master and shut her eyes tight. Once up, it was easier, but Silver still remained pushed tight against Daniel....

As they flew on into the mountains a signal fire was lit. As they approached it another flared into life and Daniel turned Wind Strike to that direction. More fires blased to life and guided him. Finally they came to a lush green valley. Here there was a ring of stones lit with fire. A landing zone for his tarn. Daniel decended and landed.

Silver looked closely as fires began to light their way and guide them through the mountains. Eventually, it all led them to a stone enclosure and she held her breath as Daniel landed Wind Strike with ease. She became more nervous then as she looked around. She remembered she had been here once before, but it was a long time ago and her memory on the matter was a little hazy. Carefully, she unstrapped herself and then slid down Wind Strike's saddle in silence. She didn't like this, it was all too quiet.....

From a large cave opening came something that was not human. It had six legs and was defiantely insect looking. Daniel was out of the saddle immediately his sword drawn and shield on his arm in up in a defensive position. The giant insect stopped and then did something that shocked and stunned Daniel. It spoke. "Welcome Daniel Campbel. We have been expecting you."

Silver crouched down quickly as an opening appeared and something began to walk out of the darkness. As Daniel drew his blade and put his shield up, Silver got right down to her quarters and hissed at the creature that emerged. It was a giant insect! Could this really be? Silver backed up closer to Daniel some and continued to hiss and growl at the creature, but then it spoke and Silver instantly stopped. The giant bug spoke! The stories were true after all, the Priest Kings really were giant wasps! Silver remained on her fours and defensive and kept her eyes firmly on it. Daniel was welcomed. "Master?" She asked carefully, "Master, is that...?"....

"I don't know for sure, but I would assume that this is a Priest King." Tarl had said that the Priest Kings had been holding the Kur at bay in space a long time. That meant that they were more advanced then the humans on Earth or Gor. To have space travel, which was necessary to bring people from earth to Gor and weapons to keep another advanced alien race at bay was something to wonder at. "Follow me. You may call me Hamet. My real name you would not be able to pronounce." The Priest King turned and moved back to the cave entrance. Daniel sheathed his sword and bought silver back up to her feet. "I guess we follow." He started forward and followed the insect with an arm about Silver.

[LadyRaven]

Silver remained where she was as the Priest King introduced himself. Hamet. She couldn't help but stared openly at him, still not entirely sure she was actually seeing what she was seeing. After a moment, she felt Daniel lift her to stand and she moved closer to him as he began to follow the Priest King inside the cave. With each step, Silver began to tremble. "Master, let's turn back?" She pleaded, feeling her fear growing with each step, "Master, please. We shouldn't be here, we need to leave." That familiar feeling began to dig a hole in her mind and take root and that frightened her even more. Every fibre of her being said to flee for her life, but Daniel kept her moving forward.

The further they moved into the cave, the more Silver began to see what was around her. Once into the very belly of the mountain, Silver had to fight to keep her jaw in place, lest it actually fall off entirely and hit the ground. She had never seen anything quite like it! Everywhere she looked, she saw technology that simply could not exist. Everything shone with cleanliness and Silver suddenly felt quite filthy despite having a bath the day previously. As she looked up, she saw more of the Priest Kings moving here and there and when she looked again at ground level, she saw slaves, men and women, going about their chores as though this was normal life for them. On closer inspection, they looked to be in somewhat of a daze, but they looked happy and content. She wondered how that was possible.

Hamet led them deeper still into the mountain, taking them into the centre of the vast city and Silver began to turn as she walked, looking at everything she possibly could. Again, that sense of familiarity spread its roots a little wider in her head. "Master." She whispered, "Master, I know this place, but...." She looked around again, "But I don't know how I know it."......

[questor]

As they progressed into the mountain, Daniel could see the technology that the Priest Kings had. It was far in advance of Earth and he wondered why they had not done there what they had done on Gor. He even saw one of the sleek black ships that they used. What earth would not give for such technology. But then they two would have to face the Kur in space and that was probably not a very good idea.

Finally they came to an area that held three more of their kind. "Welcome Daniel Campbel, Welcome Silver." one of them said. Hamet took a place among the other three and the one that had just spoke continued. "We are happy that you decided to come and talk with us. Please sit and we will explain why you are here."

Daniel sat down in a chair, the only chair that was there. He was amazed at these beings. Were they native to Gor or had they come here and discovered it and made it their home. The one that had spoke continued. "We are an ancient race, one that has traveled the stars well before your kind came to be. Some of us have come to this world and made it our home. But that is not why we called you here."

The Priest King turned towards Silver, "She is the reason you are here." It then turned back towards Daniel. "We are at present in a war with another race called the Kur. They are much like your people of Earth and here on Gor. War like, suspicious, and the like. But they do not look like you. They are animal like though they walk on two legs. They wish to conquer Earth and Gor. Some have managed to come to Gor and though most are isolated on another continent and are limited on their technology, some have made it to this part of the world. Those here seek to find a way to take control. Silver here is but one of their latest endevors."

Daniel looked down at Silver, and wondered what they were talking about. "They have been experimenting with humans, trying to make a race that will be subservent to them and build an army to unleash on Gor. Silver here was the child born to two of their expeirmental humans. Both were killed trying to escape with the child, They never found her as it seems a She Sleen found her first and took her to raise her. We spotted her some time ago and it appears the Kur did as well and sent agents to capture her. But it seems one of them became obsessed with capturing her after failing and having a number of his men killed."

We have followed her life and have tried to keep the Kur from finding her. You were brought here, and with some guidance, to find her and buy her. We wanted to see what the Kur had done, to see what their experiments had produced. We now know what they have done and can see that their experiments have produced one capable of controling one of the most agressive animals on Gor."

"An interesting concept and one that could pose a problem. We do not know how far they have gone with their experiments or if there are more like her. That is where again you come in Daniel Campbel. For it seems that you have also have an affinity with animals, and we wish you and your slave Silver to go find out just how far they have gotten."

"What makes you think I can do such a thing. Will they not expect something like this. Surely the Kur will have their secret concealed and possibly those of Gor protecting them." Daniel asked.

"They will see you with Silver and want to know more about you and her. They probably already have heard of the battles you have lead with the sleen at your side, and of her with the sleen, leading them. Also you will not be alone in this matter. There is another that will be going with you."

(hehehehehe going to love this)

At that there came a very familar growl from one of the tunnels and a She Sleen entered the room. "We almost did not get to her in time. She was clinicly dead, but we were able to revive her and heal her."

[LadyRaven]

It took some time, but eventually, Silver found herself in a tall room with four more of the Priest Kings. Hamet took his place and they were both welcomed this time. As Daniel took the only remaining chair in the room, she knelt at his side and put her head down. She kept her knees tightly shut this time, she wasn't among Free Men, with the exception of Daniel of course. Opening her ears fully, Silver then began to listen to the conversation. What she heard blew her world apart all over again.

The more the Priest Kings spoke, the more she felt her heart being torn in two. It wasn't bad enough that she had been born different, but she learned now that she had been entirely designed! She listened with a broken soul as her past was laid out in great detail and felt quite a deep a shocking notion to kill herself. She wasn't even a real person, she was just another creation! Her shoulders slumped and she dropped down a good inch or so as she felt the wind knocked out of her and it only got worse from that point onward.

Learning that her entire life had been a lie and that Daniel had been deliberately led to her to buy her, Silver began to feel her anger rise again. She shook from it to the point she was ready to burst. It took all she had not to rise to her feet and scream at the Priest Kings for what they had allowed to happen. Then it was Daniel that spoke and Silver lifted her head only just enough to stare at his knees. He was consenting to this? Silver had to remind herself then that she had no choice in this. Slaves did not have that burden as a man would say. But, oh, how she wanted a choice this time!

And then, just as she felt her rage boil over into pure primal aggression, she heard a growl from across the room and lifted her head the rest of the way. "Mama?" The sleen loped into the grand room, giving the giant insects a cursory grunt as she passed them and went straight to Daniel. As Alpha, he needed to be greeted first. But she could see her daughter kneeling beside him and wanting so badly to make sure she was real. To confirm this, Mama let off a loud, but low pitched roar and snorted as she went to Daniel. Mama was alive and more than that, she was as fit as a whelp and twice as strong and wise. Silver couldn't contain herself any longer and fell over her own knees.....

[questor]

Daniel greet Mama by going to his knees and wrapping his arms about her neck. Tears welled up in his eyes as he felt her and knew she was indeed alive. Once greeted by Daniel she turned her attention to silver. It was as if she had not died and had only been out hunting or roaming the area outside of Sadar. Their technology was advanced and they had brought Mama back to life.

He could see the look on Silver's face as the She Sleen moved up to them. He had also noted before Mama'a appearance of the anger in her from hearing about her being created like she was. Apparently the Kur were instilling in humans, or their children the ability to control the sleen and perhaps other animals. They would only need a few of them, to control and army of animals that could devistate an army of humans. He could understand her anger, but also he knew she was more human then beast, and it did not matter where she had come from.

He would go and find out the extent of the experiments and if he could he would free those that the Kur had created. He was not about to allow an alien race conquer Gor. One already influenced the humans of Gor, but they let the people of Gor live their lives the way they wanted. They were not food for some Alien Animal like race. If what the Priest Kings said was true, then a new race had been created, one that could be benifical to the people of Gor. That is if Daniel could free them and win their friendship.

[LadyRaven]

Once Mama had greeted Daniel and licked him thoroughly, her attention turned to her daughter and the sleen lowered her shoulders and her head to the tiny shivering wreck before her. She gave a small whine and started licking Silver all over before she laid down on top of Silver almost and cuddled her beloved whelp to her. She was saying sorry for leaving Silver alone like that, for to her, Silver was still very much her pup and she always would be. It was a bond that few sleen shared naturally in the wild. Mama and Silver had it. Silver cried and whined in her mother's arms, showing how lost she had been without her beloved mother, and it completely left her the place and the situation that she was in.

Up high on his chair, Hamet looked at the reunion with his insect eyes and studied it closely. It wasn't often that he got to see such emotions up close like this and he found it fascinating the interaction between the tiny human and the near tonne sleen. "How fascinating." He said to his companions, "How they can interact without fear of her being damaged and how it doesn't occur to either or them the difference in race. We should consider studying this in much more detail." The others nodded in agreement and Hamet nodded again. "Daniel Campbell." He said, tilting his head to one side as he still regarded Silver. "This interaction between Silver and the sleen, Mama. We would like to study the relationship in more detail in the future. When you are done in your task for us, we would like her and the female sleen to remain here so we may study them. We find the relationship quite fascinating and have not seen this before. It would also give us a greater insight into the end results the Kur have been working towards. To understand your enemy is to defeat your enemy.".....

[questor]

Daniel listened to what the Priest Kings were saying and when it turned to having Mama and Silver be left there to be studied like rats in a cage he turned to them and said. "NO! They will not stay here for you to poke and prode and experiment on to satisfy your courisoity. You want to learn about them, then you come out into the world and watch." Daniel had understood the underlaying message that Tarl had brought.

The Priest Kings wanted agents out in the human world to do their work for them. He was not about to allow them to study Silver or Mama. "Once I have done the task set before me, that will be it. I will not be your go for out in the world. I think it is time that you took and active role in what is happening in this world. You have kept it as it is for centuries and have kept hidden.

If you wish to learn more about how Silver and Mama here can be as they are, you come to us and watch and that is all, just watch. We will live our lives with out interference from you."

He had been wondering about them and the Kur since Tarl's visit. Why had they not simply wiped out the Kur, especially those that were on the planet. "Why have you not nulified the threat of the Kur here yourselves."

They were silent on that matter but he had the feeling that they couldn't, or wouldn't. "Show me where we must go so I can do what I can and be done with it." The four of them talked in their own language for a bit.

After a few minutes of talking one said. "Very well Daniel Campbell. Hamet will guide your through the tunnels to a place that will exit the mountains. Since you can not take the She Sleen with you by tarn it will stay here. Your tarn will be well cared for and if needed will be brought to you. A High Tharilon will be provided to you to make it to where you will be going."

[LadyRaven]

Until Daniel raised his voice, Silver had been only vaguely aware of what was being said. She was far too engrossed in bonding with her mother to either notice or care about what was being discussed. However, Daniel raised his voice and everything stopped in that instant. Silver peered out from under Mama, her eyes wide with shock at what he was yelling at them and it was then she realised that they wanted her to return and stay and be studied. She didn't want to be like the other humans she had seen, wandering around in a daze all the time!

Wriggling free of her mother, Silver immediately went to Daniel and encircled herself in his arms. "I don't want to stay here!" She pleaded quietly, but it seemed Daniel had already made his case and point clear to the Priest Kings, for they relented and they were allowed to leave. She felt better at the idea that once they had succeeded in this quest for them, they would be going home again and Silver very much wanted to go home as soon as possible.

After a few minutes, Hamet came down from his podium and began walking towards another exit in the room. Silver kept close to Daniel as he beckoned them to follow. "We keep the Tharilon through here." He said quietly, "Come and make your choice. He will take you to where you need to be and then leave if that is what you desire. You will find all you need for your journey and weapons should you need them also." He turned to face them as they entered the enclosure. "Daniel Campbell, perhaps you may use this journey to reconsider our offer for your slave and the sleen. If it is money that you require, we will happily pay you her weight and that of the sleen in gold as seems the currency of the humans." Silver remained glued to Daniel and shook her head against his arm, begging him to say no....

[questor]

Again Daniel said, "NO. Silver and Mama will not be coming back here and they will not be experimented on. I think the Kur has done enough of that already." Daniel tightened his arm about her and Mama growled at Hamet letting him know she felt the same way. They followed and found the pen for the High Tharilons. He needed one that would not be skidish with a Sleen running at its side. He found such a beast and had it saddled. He was going to miss Wind Strike and flying high above the world.

"How will Swift Strike find me if I want him?" Daniel asked.

"We have an ever watchful eye above this world. Light a signal fire of three fires in the form of a triangle and we will bring him to you." Daniel nodded and made sure that they had plenty of food and water.

"Now where am I to go from here?" Daniel asked.

"South to the Rain forest." there we think is where Silver's parents escaped from and we have a hard time penetrating the dense jungle there." Hamet told him. Well if what they had talked about was true they would be noticed and probably approached. He nodded and then mounted up, drawing Silver up infront of him. They followed another tunnel a long way before it came out of the mountains and they headed south. Mama paced them at their side. She looked happy and very healthy. She also looked to be glad to be away from the tunnels and chambers built in the Sadar Mountains.

[LadyRaven]

Silver smiled again and relaxed as Daniel once again, denied them ownership of her and Mama. When he found the Tharilon he wanted, Siler quickly went about gathering up the food parcels and blanket sacks they would need for their trip. It turned out that the Priest Kings really did think of everything they would need for the journey and Silver spotted something wrapped with sword and spear that she liked very much. However, she would produce them to Daniel first before even considering wearing them. They were a set of claws very much like the ones Hector had given to Daniel for her for the battle. Once Daniel had made his checks, Silver helped strap it all to the creature and then lifted her arm as Daniel hauled her up into the saddle. She pushed her backside into him and settled so they were both comfortable and then took a firm hold of the saddle horn, gripping with her legs as well, so she wouldn't fall.

After Hamet gave his directions, they were off and Mama kept an easy pace alongside them as they navigated out of the mountain again. Silver remained silent until they were well clear of it before she looked down at Mama and smiled. She then leaned back slightly and tucked her head under Daniel's chin, drawing his arms more about her. "Thank you, Daniel." She said to him quietly, "Thank you for not taking their offer. Being held there with them, it would be like the pens all over again, being prodded and poked and violated for their pleasure. I couldn't go through that again and it would surely kill Mama all over again and that would be even worse, so thank you, my love.".....

[questor]

This was more like his Silver he thought. Seeing Mama alive and well made both of them happy and it felt good to have her loaping along side them. "They seem devoid of emotion and lack the ability to see what they want would be harmful to the ones they want to examine. They in a sense are no better then the Kur, except they don't eat people, and basicly leave us to live our lives. The Kur I don't think would. They are more beastial and probably more war like then we humans are."

They rode on for a spell. "The only reason I agreed to help is to free those that are being experimented on or those like you. Experimenting on humans is something that I will not tollerate." Daniel then rode on is silence for a long ways. He was thinking of what they would find when they got to the Rain Forest. He knew very little of it. It seemed remote and he didn't even know if there were any cities there or not. None appeared on the maps he had seen. Only further south was there a city, Thuria where Hector came from.

[LadyRaven]

Silver listened carefully to everything Daniel said about the Priest Kings and the Kur and why he was doing all of this. She agreed with every syllable of it, but she did have one doubt. "Do you think they will really let us just leave after wards?" She asked. "Their city, their technology, it's nothing like I've ever seen before.... nothing like I remember anyways." She still couldn't shake the feeling and the memory that she had been there before, but nothing made sense. Daniel had fallen into silence after his short tirade about the Priest Kings, so Silver made no more mention of anything and simply looked out over the lands as they rode.

Knowing they would have to stop soon to rest, Silver began planning what she could make for them to eat. No doubt Mama would go off and find something to hunt down, but she would have to cook for Daniel. She tried to remember what few bits she had seen in the satchels as they were being checked. She remembered seeing some dried meats and fruits and a flagon of mead. She could do something with that and whatever else she could find in the bags....

[questor]

Daniel was going over in his head what his cover story would be. It had to fit along the lines of his finding her and buying her and the like, perhaps searching for other like her for his Slaver friend. It had to be convincing and truthful enough. But he would leave out the part about her leading a pack of sleen or being raised by them. Mama was going to be difficult to explain, except that he had stared her down and she submitted. It was the truth and he still didn't really know why he could do such a thing.

He finally stopped for a rest and made sure the Tharlion was hobled and he started a small fire for Silver to cook them some food. As expected Mama headed off to hunt. He didn't have to worry about here finding food. While she was preparing the food he asked her. "You have no recolection of your parents or before Mama. Yet you have memories of the Priest Kings home. How can that be?"

[LadyRaven]

The Tharilon was hobbled, Mama had disappeared into the tall grass to hunt and Silver, for the first time proper since Port Cos, took pleasure in something. She hummed a tune as she prepared the dried meat and fruit in the pot with a little mead for a sweet stew. As that was cooking, she set up his bed, making sure he had plenty of furs to protect him from the harsh ground and a good thick blanket to keep him warm. As she did so, Daniel started asking her questions and she answered them before she had even thought about it.

"I don't know exactly." She said, not even looking at him as she went back to the stew and stirred it carefully. "It happened to me the last time I was there as well, when the Master had dragged me along on the pilgrimage to try and have me blessed and calmed. I remember the feeling of being there, that it frightened me and I had to get out of there. It must have been decades ago now, for I really can't remember anything more than that. Mama is my first memory that I remember. I was suckling at her with my siblings and I was cold, so she covered me up with her paw and pulled me closer. I was more prone to it than they were and when they grew their fur and I didn't, I had to adapt. Every memory I have from that one to this, I remember, but there really is nothing from before it." She finally looked at him then and she smiled, "Until the hunters came, I would have sworn to you on my life that Mama gave birth to me the same as she did my siblings. We were her litter and I was just the runt that wouldn't give up." She shook her head then and looked back into the fire. "And now, I don't even know what I am, let alone who I am anymore. I'm not even a real human, am I. I'm not human, I'm not sleen, I'm just an experiment gone awry."

[questor]

Daniel smiled. "Oh you are human, but you have been enhanced, as some scientists back on earth would say. You have been given an ability that no one else seems to have. So not an experiment gone awry but a success that was taken from them by your parents. I think they knew what was happening and tried to get you away. Perhaps they were caught and killed, but you were lost and Mama found you.

He smelled the food cooking and grinned. Yes she was back to her self again. He sat on the furs waiting for her to finish cooking and serve the meal. To know what a place looked like or anything like that, one had to see it and yet she had never been there. Or the Priest Kings would have been experimenting on her to see what made her tick. No it had to be something else, something the Kur had done.

[LadyRaven]

Silver looked at her beloved and gave a soft smile. If he said she was human, then that would be good enough for her. The idea of being enhanced didn't mean much to her and she knew nothing of earth science or anything like that. However, the idea that her real parents had escaped the Kur and taken her away from them did make her feel better about it. But Mama was still and always would be her mother.

Serving up the broth, Silver took Daniel's bowl to him and offered it out as she knelt to him in the proper manner. It seemed natural to her now to do that. She put the Priest Kings and the Kur and all that out of her head and concentrated on what she was doing.

The broth was the dried meats and fruits mixed and cooked with the mead, so the meal was a sweet one, but it tasted very good too and she had added some of the prairie grass for a little roughage, but as always, it would taste really good. Silver may not be the best slave in the world, but her cooking was the best, especially after taking hints and tips from Hector before he was freed.....

[LadyRaven]

Daniel accepted the bowel and told her to fetch hers and come sit by him on the furs. "I don't know what is a head or how we will be accepted. If things go badly, you and Mama must make a run for it and get away and hide." he told her. "The Kur will surely want you to see exactly what they had done and their minions will do what ever it takes to make sure that happens." He was no fool when it came to something like this. He had taken a chance on Sadar, but that had been with Renegades and Outcasts. They were at the time easier to fool. But now they were heading to a place which was more protected and controled.

Silver collected her bowl and went to him on her knees before she sat more comfortably and started eating. He didn't know what was ahead, but he spoke of his expectations on the matter. Silver nodded, but she was nervous about it. "I understand." She said quietly, "But do not expect Mama to obey that order and if she doesn't, neither will I." She looked at him then as she drank some of the broth down.....

Daniel looked at her. "I do not want you falling into their hands. They will do much worse then what those in your past have done. You will have to convince Mama to do so." he told her. It all depended on those that served the Kur. On if they were honorable warriors or if they had become so wretched that honor meant nothing to them.

Silver's eyes flickered with fear again and she instinctively moved closer to Daniel as he told her what would happen if they caught her. She shook her head quickly, "Then I will obey." She said quickly and drank more of her broth. The last thing she ever wanted was to be treated like she had been done before Daniel bought her....

Making the journey by ground was going to take longer then by Tarn. They flew faster and could glide and soar great distances. Also they would be more visable on their approach to what ever lay in the Rain Forest. Once he was finished with his food he placed the bowl down and waited for Silver to finish. Once done, he laid down and waited for her to get done cleaning up and join him on the furs.

Silver ate her broth in silence after that and when Daniel was done, she put hers down to clean his bowl first and pack it away. She then returned to her own meal and finished it quickly. She cleaned her bowl out too and then packed it away with his. With everything cleaned up and put away, Silver held out hte mead flagon to Daniel. "Master, would you like a drink before you retire?" She asked.....

Daniel shook his head, "Not tonight. Come and lay down and sleep." he held the blankets open for her.

Silver nodded and packed away the flagon before she moved to him. "Yes Master." She said and carefully crawled in next to him. she placed herself so he could cuddle her or use her, whichever his desire was to be and smiled up at him.....

Daniel drew her to him and coved the both of them. Mama returned looking quite satisfied and laid down by the dieing fire to clean herself. Having his little slave against him felt good and comfortable. It took a few days like this to get to the Rain Forest. Days of enjoying Silver and just cuddling up with her. They had not encountered or seen another living soul the entire journey. He stopped before they got to the rain forest. They had traveled past many lakes along the way. He was surprised that there were not settlements or cities built in the area. With the abundance of lakes the land was lush and green, a farmers dream. But they had not seen any type of settlement. He looked at the few scattered jungle like trees that dotted the land before the main Rain Forest. Some where in there was the Kur and those that served them. This would be a world where Mama was more at home. Though not the forests to the north, the Jungle was more home like then the plains. He urged his Tharlion on and the distance closed fast.

The days began to pass on their journey and Silver enjoyed the time spent with her beloved Master. But she too found it odd that they didn't find any other settlements or lone houses. The area was teeming with all manner of life and the lakes and small rivers they passed would no doubt be fileld with fish, but there was no-one. The jungle before them loomed and Silver began to feel a sense of foreboding about it. Mama did too, for she began to stay closer to them. Yes, the outskirts of the jungle looked a fair bit like home, but looking was not being and Mama was cautious. Besides, there were other breeds of sleen among the trees that would no doubt be highly pissed that another had entered their territory uninvited. The closer they got, the more Silver began to feel nervous and she started looking around more carefully and lifting her head to the breeze to try and sniff out anything that could be dangerous. She didn't like it and she said so, "Master, I don't like this. I don't like not knowing.".....

Daniel didn't like it himself, but they had come to find those that were experimentong on humans and he was not turning back. He rode on keeping an eye on the trees and shadows. Once in the Rain Forest itself, they began hearing the various animals, from the birds to the roar of the large predators. The smells assailed their senses. It was differnt from anything Daniel had ever experienced. Mama growled and moved off to the right and stopped. Daniel followed and found what looked to be a beatened path, as if there had been a lot of foot traffice of late, as well as Tharlions. "Perhaps Mama has found the path to those we seek. They have to go north at times for what ever reasons." he followed it further into the Rain Forest, Mama was in the lead sniffing the ground as she looked about.

Silver looked around carefully, taking in every angle, every shadow and every flicker that could be something. She was on edge and it showed by the way she fidgetted in the saddle. When Mama went off at a tangent and found a path, Silver found it was impossible to sit still now and so she unbuckled herself ffrom Daniel and slipped off the saddle before he could grab her. The very second her feet touched the ground, Silver crouched down and began moving with Mama. The sleen didn't stop her daughter doing this, nor did she grunt at Daniel to have her stop either and the pair began to work as they always did, sniffing out and locating anything that might be dangerous, or otherwise. The path became wider as it approached a small clearing and both Mama and Silver began to pace along the edge as they decided what to do.....

Daniel let her go to Mama, there was no sence calling her back at the time. But as they began approaching what might be a clearing, he did and told her to stand as he slid from the saddle and drew his sword and brought his shield around to his arm. He moved up to them, the reigns of the tharlion tightly in his hand that also held the shield. He moved up the clearing looking all about. No one challanged them, no one seemed to be about. But from what he saw there it seemed strange because there was what looked to be some sort of community. There were a number of wooden structures, formed in a circle with a central building.

When Daniel came to them and ordered Silver to stand again, she growled, but did as he ordered and she began to look around again, pacing gently with Mama. The sleen growled and hissed quietly as she kept her pacing, wondering what Daniel would do. When he drew his sword and pulled his shield around, keeping the tharilon's reigns in that hand, Silver moved slightly behind him. He'd already told her the last thing he wanted was her being captured and he was her best protection so to speak. Mama however, was another matter. She began to test the edge of the tree line, seeing what moved within the strange structures that seemed to look like houses.....

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