Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2010 12:29:57 -0700
From: William Steps <secondary2@live.ca>
Subject: Trials of Kardan V

Kardan took her time walking down the hill towards Dirk. The information
she had received from Graff was encouraging, but it left her a little
bothered. The foremost issue in her mind was her arrangement with
Dirk. Their business was now concluded, and she had to decide how to handle
that. If she was going to be reverting back to her former self she
definitely didn't want to explain that to him. She made her decision by the
time she reached him at the bottom of the hill; they would part ways at
this juncture. Not only would the explanations of her situation be awkward,
but she also had begun to care about him enough that she didn't want him
getting killed.

"Did you get what you were after?" Dirk asked her as she neared him. "As
much as could be got." She replied. Dirk seemed to realise what this meant
as well. "Well... what now?" He asked, shrugging. "I had just been thinking
that." Kardan began, "and I suppose we are ended." She concluded. Dirk
looked a little disappointed, but he didn't argue. "I suppose so." He
conceded. There was a long pause while neither knew whether they should
walk away or not. "I want you to know that I came to enjoy our...time
together." Kardan told him. Dirk nodded. "I wonder if I could ask you to
spend one more night with me before we part," Dirk said, "if you want to."
He added.

Kardan looked at him a moment, and then smiled.

As evening set on the two lovers they were laying on their blanket near the
fire. Dirk was cuddled up behind Kardan, his cock pressing against her
backside. He began working her sex with his fingers, causing sighs from
Kardan. Moisture built inside her as she turned her head to kiss him. When
her excitement had made her ready, he pressed the head of his member
against the burning opening to her body. Slowly he slid inside her, feeling
her body accommodate him. Kardan pressed back into him, enjoying the
feeling of her body being filled.

They intertwined in this fashion for some time and then, desiring her own
climax, Kardan pulled away from him and turned. Facing Dirk she crawled on
top of him and straddled his hips, she lowered her pussy onto his shaft,
feeling the fullness once more. Taking control she began grinding into him,
Dirk accommodating her by thrusting up at her pace. Soon she was moaning
and crying out, her orgasm overpowering her. Her energy and pleasure drove
Dirk to his breaking point as well, and shortly after Kardan started
cumming, he peaked as well. He filled her slit with his fluid as they both
revelled in the pleasures of their final coupling.

When the cold, grey dawn began kissing Dirk with its dew he awoke - to find
himself alone under his sheepskins. He stared a moment, looking at the
empty place left behind by the strange woman-fighter he had barely known...

Traveling alone proved faster for Kardan, and by the following morning she
was entering a small town on the other side of the hills. She had not eaten
for most of a day, and she eagerly sought some place to find some food. A
modest inn sat in the center of the town, and she made her way towards
it. The entire population of the settlement could not have been more than
fifty people, though doubtless more were spread out in the surrounding
farms. Those that were there all eyed the strange woman who swaggered in,
staring down anyone who met her eyes. Kardan walked up to the door of the
inn and stepped into the dimly lit interior.

There were no patrons inside, and the only room was lit by a few candles
and some small windows scattered along the far wall. Kardan walked up to
the bar, and just as she was about to wonder if she was alone, the owner of
the place emerged. It was a woman who stepped out of the back room to greet
her. She was perhaps thirty years old, light brown hair tied back from her
face. Her body seemed healthy and strong, with a generous bosom to
boot. She had a tough look about her. One got the impression she had
acquired it from growing up too fast, being a pretty girl in such a time
and place as she lived in. Her eyes were a bright hazel, and her mouth was
sensual but warned that she had no taste for nonsense.

"I don't know you." She said flatly. Kardan shrugged. "I don't know you
either." The owner of the bar looked Kardan over, not sure whether or not
she liked her new guest. "Usually it's men who come struttin' in here with
swords. I'm not sure what I make of you." She told the warrior woman. "You
can make me out to be a friend, unless you have some need of an enemy." The
woman nodded, seeming to like Kardan's answer. "Very well then. What can I
do for you?" Kardan moved a little closer. "I would like some food, I don't
have much money but I do have some." She told the innkeeper.

The woman nodded and moved off, back towards the back room. She told Kardan
that she didn't have much to offer besides rice and chicken, and Kardan
told her that was just fine. As the food was cooking they gradually began
conversing a little more, until they found themselves in a full-out
conversation. "My name is Bethany." The woman told Kardan. She told Kardan
that she had lived in the same area all her life; mostly in the town she
now ran her business in. "What's the business like in a small place like
this." Kardan asked. "Not." Bethany answered. "To tell the truth most of
the folk around here still hold some resentment for me retiring into honest
trade." Kardan raised her eyebrows, and then she guessed what Bethany
meant.

"At first the men used to come round, thinking I was still selling my usual
services under the luxury of a rented roof. But when they found out that I
had started sittin' with my legs crossed they decided to do their eatin'
and drinkin' at home." Kardan felt like she should offer sympathy,
especially since she had recently experienced the reality that sex was the
only trade most men in her world wanted from a woman like her. She wasn't
sure what to say though. "Of course, strangers drift through from time to
time, though not usually as unique as you." Bethany added. "Well, I've had
an odd life." Kardan stated, smiling at how true that was.

Despite Kardan's laconic form of speaking, the two women became more
comfortable with each other. When it came time for Kardan to request a room
as well, Bethany had answered before she even finished asking. "Pay what
you can," She told Kardan, "I don't want to leave you penniless." Kardan
thanked her. She also told Kardan that the back room had a small bath, and
that she could heat up some water. This news was very appreciated, since
Kardan had not bathed since washing herself in a river after her last night
with Dirk. Bethany put the water over the hearth, and the two shared a
bottle of wine as they waited for it to warm.

The two woman's conversation never got too personal, just light
pleasantries to pass the time and increase their comfort with each
other. By the time the bath was ready both women were a little
tipsy. Kardan found herself relishing the sensation of being relaxed and
worry free, even if it was partially just the alcohol. The two women moved
into the back room where the large wooden bathtub sat steaming. Kardan
began to disrobe, carefully placing her weapons where she could reach
them. "Do you mind if I stay?" Bethany asked, "I'm enjoying talking to
another woman for a change. I understand if you want your privacy though."
Kardan was also enjoying the relaxed nature of their conversation. She
informed Bethany that she would be grateful if she kept her company during
her bath.

Kardan could not help but sigh as she sunk her body into the hot water. She
had not realised how taught and poised all the muscles in her body had been
until she made the conscious effort to relax. Bethany smiled as she watched
the warrior woman unwind in the steaming bath water. "It looks like you
have been travelling a while." She said quietly. Kardan reclined in the
wooden tub and spread her limbs around her. "Longer than I would care to
say, with nothing but cold steam water to bathe in." Kardan turned her head
and smiled at her hostess. "This," She added, "Is a miraculous luxury."
Bethany returned her smile. "I'm glad to have provided it to you." She said
warmly.

There was a moment's silence.

"So what is the story of this town? What goes on here?" Kardan asked after
the pause. Bethany had brought another flagon of wine with her, and she
handed a cup of it to Kardan. The warrior woman took the offered wine and
swallowed a deep gulp of it. "Very little." Bethany said in response to
Kardan's question. "It is a man's town, full of gamblers and
ex-killers. Men come here to get too old for living lives of toil or
murder." Kardan nodded. "That does not seem like a place a woman would
choose to live, unless..." She did not finish her sentence, but her
companion knew her meaning. "Unless she is a whore?" Bethany offered in
completion to Kardan's thought." Kardan looked stern, sorry for her
words. "Or a devoted wife." She added.

Bethany laughed. "I am not that, to be sure. Though I was once the other."
Kardan gave her a look that bordered on sympathy. Regardless of the
circumstances, she knew what it was like to have nothing but her body to
offer. "And now?" She inquired. "Now," Bethany said with a sigh, "Now I am
an outcast. The men resent me for trying to live honestly. By depriving
them of my body I have managed to make myself the least popular person in
the town. That is why I have so much wine to offer the rare, amiable
traveler." Kardan took another sip of her wine. "I am sorry for your
predicament, but I do appreciate the hospitality." She said. "It must be
hard to live with no friendship. Are there no other women whom you know?"

Bethany looked ashamed, though she tried to hide it. The drink prompted her
to honest talk, however, and she answered plainly. "The women in town
resent me almost as much as the men." She said. "Why is that?" Kardan
asked. Bethany looked her companion square in the eye, staring her down as
she answered. "Because it had gotten around that, not only do I avoid men,
but I bed women as well." Kardan met her gaze. "Is that true?" She
asked. "Yes." Bethany answered. There was a moment's silence as the two
regarded each other. "I suppose I have made you uncomfortable." Bethany
said. Kardan's smile spread slowly. "Not at all. I have no such
prejudices."

Bethany's hand drifted into the warm water, circling the surface. Tiny
whirlpools drifted from her fingertips as she swirled them in the bath. She
brushed Kardan's leg softy. It was so gentle that Kardan might not have
felt it if she hadn't been watching Bethany's finger creep nearer. Even
such a slight touch sent a mild shiver up her thigh. Since her
transformation she had not had the opportunity to lie with a woman, and the
thought intrigued her. The hardened warrior woman found herself getting
excited at the advances of this lonely innkeeper whom she had only just
met.

With equal trepidation she crept her own hand forward and brushed Bethany's
fingers as they approached her a second time. Small as it was, mutual
contact had been made. Both women smiled at each other, they eyes looking
into one another with growing intensity. No words were spoken, but there
was no question that they understood each other completely. Bethany had
offered and Kardan had accepted. Kardan reached out of her warm blanket of
water and ran her hand up Bethany's arm. The innkeeper sighed and her skin
prickled. Kardan's hand kept moving upward until is cradled the back of her
head. The warrior played with her hostess' soft hair for a moment, and then
pulled her face towards her own. Bethany did not hesitate to return the
gesture as Kardan brought their lips together for a tentative kiss.

The kiss lasted some time, the passion between the two women
growing. Bethany's hand dove into the bath again, this time to softy caress
Kardan's submerged bosom. Kardan pulled her closer, her excitement
mounting. After a short while one of Bethany's hands moved lower, playing
over Kardan's flat stomach. Her finger slid still further until she cupped
the warrior woman's sex, rubbing it tenderly. Kardan moaned a little and
reached up to grope her hostess' breasts through her modest clothes,
leaving a wet handprint on the linen. Bethany began to remove her own
garments as they attacked each other over and over again.

The innkeeper had to break their embrace to shrug off her dress. Kardan sat
up in the tub, watching her lover disrobe. The dress finally fell from her
body and onto the floor. Bethany stepped out of it and stood before her
guest, fully exposed. Kardan noticed the small scars that adored a few
places on Bethany's skin, yet she didn't mind them at all. She knew she had
a far greater collection of wounds on her own body, the transformation
hadn't changed that. The women locked eyes again, and Bethany approached
the tub looking hungry. Kardan reached to meet her, sliding her hands up
Bethany's smooth, curvy legs. Kardan was relived in a way, to still find
such a soft and feminine body so attractive. She loved how different
Bethany looked from her own taut muscles and sunburnt skin.

Kardan's touch reached Bethany's groin, and she slid her finger past the
soft pubic hair to tease the folds of her womanhood. Bethany moaned quietly
as Kardan began to return the gesture she had performed a few moments
earlier. She was surprised as her guest pulled her even closer and craned
up to kiss her mound. Kardan smiled and motioned for Bethany to move over
the bathtub. The innkeeper felt her body grow even moister as she straddled
the head of the tub, parting her thighs. She lowered herself down as her
lovers mouth came back up. This time Bethany moaned louder as Kardan began
to pleasure her with her tongue.

Kardan quickly brought about the first of her hostess' climaxes this
way. When Bethany had finished moaning from her ecstasy, she pulled away
from her lover, panting and smiling gratefully. Kardan stepped out of the
tub, her body dripping with soapy water. She sat on the edge of the vessel
as Bethany slid down to kneel in front of her. Kardan spread her muscular
legs as Bethany reciprocated her oral pleasure. Kardan relaxed and
succumbed to the sensations her lover was providing. She felt her hostess'
finger slide inside her as her mouth worked on her most sensitive
areas. The warrior woman played with her own breasts as Bethany devoured
her.

As the sun set slowly, the two women found themselves in Bethany's
bedchamber. They were still entangled with each other, desperate to bring
their lover more and more pleasure. The advantage, Kardan realised, to two
women lying together was that they were virtually inexhaustible. The climax
no longer signalled the conclusion of their love making, and both women
seemed eternally hungry for more. Finally, as the night wore on, the two
lovers lay motionless apart from their heaving chests. They were gasping
and glistening with sweat as they held each other close. It was many hours
after their passion had first been aroused before they allowed themselves
to sleep.

The two lovers rested peacefully all night and did not arise until late in
the morning. Kardan awoke fist, starting up from the bed with her eyes wide
open. It took her a moment to recall where she was and what had
happened. As the memory came back to her she looked over at the sleeping
form of Bethany and smiled, relaxing back into the bed. Bethany began to
stir as well, and her groggy eyes flitted open to see the dark-skinned face
of her companion admiring her. Kardan brought her lips ruthlessly down on
Bethany's, kissing her hard. The innkeeper returned her kiss with fervour.

It was another hour before the two women came downstairs to make themselves
breakfast. Though the mean was merely a second helping of rice and chicken,
Kardan was far from disappointed. It had been a long time since she had
known the comfort of two hot meals and a comfortable bed, and she was more
than happy with her companion. "I suppose it would be too great a hope to
think you may not resume your travels, at least for a short time?" Bethany
asked as the two of them ate their breakfast. "It is true that I have to
depart," Kardan replied, meeting the other woman's eyes. "Yet I believe
that I could spare a few more nights before I leave. I could use
the. rest." The woman laughed softly, grateful for each others company for
as long as it could last.

Their mirth was suddenly shattered by the front door being ripped
open. Kardan immediately leapt to her feel and reached out for her weapons
which were, as always, nearby. Her eyes darted to the entrance to see the
grizzled man who had just kicked it open. His clothing was little more than
mended rags and his hair was an oily tail that was tied back from his
face. He had a large dagger on his belt and a short sword to accompany
it. "Good morrow to thee, whore." The man said, addressing Bethany. He
shifted his gaze to Kardan, who was slowly drawing her sword from its
scabbard. "I don't know what to call this one, the woman who acts like she
is equal to a man and likes to carry a blade."

"What do you want, Kren?" Bethany demanded. Kardan was still edging around
the table, gaining a better line of attack on their intruder. "Gods, I can
smell it on you two." Kren spat, glaring at the two unconventional
women. KArdan let her eyes drift out of the smoke-coloured windows of the
inn. She saw several other shapes moving around outside. She surmised that
there were at least four men waiting around the building. There was most
likely another one or two at the back as well. "If you don't want anything
then get out," Bethany demanded, "I've already made it clear that I will
not pander to your drunken manner." Kren sneered.

"Oh, but I do want something," He said, "As do plenty of other people in
this town. I'm here to inform you that you are to be removed from this
place. We are casting you out, exiling you. We demand to see you depart
from this inn this very moment or we shall remove you ourselves. We will
not tolerate your ways any more. Shunning men and corrupting women."
Bethany met his gaze with a level stare of resentment. "I shall not let any
man in this pile of offal tell me what to do." She said plainly. "To be
honest," Kren said, "I held hopes that you would refuse. I find it far more
enjoyable to have you resist."

He backed out the door and, before Kardan could stop him, gestured to his
friends outside.  Almost instantly the main window shatters and a blazing
torch crashed into the table. More burning sticks followed. Bethany tried
to stifle the flames but it was of no use, soon the inn was smouldering as
the fire spread. Kren was standing at the door looking insufferable
smug. "Why not step outside, ladies?" He quipped, "I have brought more than
enough men to show you what you have been shunning." Kardan understood
perfectly. There was only one real option left, and she certainly was not
going to allow herself to be violated by a cadre of malicious men.

Kardan's dagger stuck squarely in Kren's chest, much to his
surprise. Before it had even struck its mark she was running after it,
sword raised. She opened his body cleanly from the throat to his hip, and
then stooped to recover her dagger. "Stay behind me!" She shouted to
Bethany, "Watch my back!" Bethany only hesitated for a second before
dashing after the warrior. Her life there was gone, each moment the flames
took whatever was left of it. She knew she was no longer safe on her own.

Outside three men ran to meet the charging valkyrie. She lunged at the
closest man, the man on her left. He sword tip arced across her body,
gathering her opponent's blade as he swung a clumsy cut at her with his
rusty weapon. Pivoting to the outside, she glanced off of the impact of the
blade and brought her sword down across his arms, severing them both. She
then stepped again and moved behind him as she severed his neck with the
false edge of her weapon. The man's body fell at the feet of his two
companions and Kardan assumed a low guard.

She moved around the fallen body of her first opponent to engage the man on
her right. Her first cut was parried and driven upwards. Her enemy tried to
bind the blade high without following up, prompting Kardan to launch a
vicious kick into his groin before retreating and throwing another downward
blow. This time she connected and her blade split skull and brain on its
merciless path. Kardan wasted no time in turning her attentions to the next
foe. The next swordsman to face her attacked with a hard rising cut. Kardan
attacked in counter time, stepping in and to the inside to ensure her
ascending blow landed first. She opened the would-be assassin's belly,
leaving him stumbling in his agony. He was quickly dispatched by a thrust
to the kidneys.

Kardan spun around, scanning the burning house. As she had expected, there
was a man watching the back door. With all the commotion out front he had
come running to help his friends, only much too late. Kardan waited
patiently for his approach. This final assailant was furious when he saw
what was left of his companions. The two fighters began circling each
other, one seething with rage and the other dead calm. The first few
attacks were tentative, and Kardan dealt with them easily. As murderous as
this man was he was not going to risk attacking her in a hurry.

Kardan did not feel she had the luxury of time on her side, not knowing how
long it would be before more irate townspeople arrived. She closed in and
threw several decicive attacks, but her cautious opponent retreated and
parried each of them. Yet he could not run backwards as deftly as she could
run forwards. Kardan feinted once and then passed deeply foreword with her
back leg, tearing her opponent's blade aside with her guard. She reached
out with her left hand across her foe's body and, stepping behind him,
threw him over her hip. As soon as he hit the hard ground she drove her
blade through his body and into the dirt.

As Kardan looked up, seeking more threats, all she saw was Bethany's
stunned face watching her. She withdrew her swords from the last of the
fallen men, a small geyser of blood erupting up to follow it. She wiped her
blade clean on the dead man's clothes before walking slowly towards
Bethany. She smiled weakly at her, sympathetic to the position she was in.

"It is not safe for you here anymore," Kardan said gently, "You must
leave. Shall we go together?" The warrior woman held out her hand to her
lover, entreating her to come. Bethany was only silent for a moment. She
was certain that, if nothing else, she would be safe with this woman. Still
shaken, the innkeeper nodded and took Kardan's hand in her own.  Together
the two women raced away from the smouldering wreckage of the place that
one of them had called home.