Meeting the Wind
Nayeli released a long sigh, her shoulders slumping for a moment as if exhausted.  “Thank Heaven that is over.”
“That man is exceedingly dangerous,” Sarahi nodded her agreement, “Even more so than Oro, perhaps?”
“If there is anyone in the Order besides the Matriarch (may she live again) that could possibly stand against Gorgorond, it is St. Culbert,” the priestess nodded, “For at least two hundred years he has been our foremost monster-hunter.  He was awarded sainthood for driving his own kind to extinction.”
“But we still hear tales of vampire attacks from time to time,” Diya countered in a soft voice, as though afraid their recently departed visitor might still hear her objection.  She was clearly very shaken.
Nayeli nodded.  “Yes, we do in Coras as well.  I do not know if there are some souls yet under that curse who are simply too weak to be worthy of his notice, or if it is our Saint himself conducting clandestine business.  I only know that was the basis of his nomination, and the Matriarch (may she live again) granted it.”  The priestess looked around the quiet camp.  Oro, however, was nowhere in sight.  “That man,” she shook her head, “I suppose we ought to find him.  Tuli, please come with me.  Diya and Kylan, please search that way.  Sarahi, please take Gaki and Grik in that direction.”
They split up at her instruction, each group in a different direction.  They hadn’t gone very far from the camp, however, when Nayeli stopped and turned toward her companion.  “We need to have a talk,” the priestess said somberly, catching Tuli off-guard, “I came dangerously close to lying to the second-highest ranking member of my Order today, and that is going to bother me for years to come.  It’s true that I expected King Absol to write to Corruscant, to complain about Oro’s behavior if nothing else, and it’s true that I was waiting until we completed our foray before sending my next official missive to the Order.  However...I did not make any report of the dragon because I sincerely believed the wind that is about you would carry word back to the Matriarch (may she live again) whether I bid it or not.”
Tuli blinked at her several times, trying to pick up the part that she played in this, and couldn’t quite find it.  “So...what went wrong?  Was I supposed to say something?”
Nayeli shook her head.  “No, I did not expect you to.  I believed the wind would make a report for us because all of the winds are faithful to the Order...except one.  Now I need to know,” she met Tuli’s eyes sternly, “Which wind favors you?”
Tuli tilted her head, perplexed.  “I get that you’re worried, and also get the impression you suspect me of something...but I really don’t know.  I don’t even know how to find out.  You said the blue sash meant that it’s the North Wind that likes me, so that’s what I thought too.”  The Ferruda raised both her hands in front of her shoulders in a sign of mock-surrender.  “I’m sorry it seems suspicious...I know I’m not really very useful to our family here...but I trust you, so if you really think I’m working against you then do whatever you need to do to satisfy yourself.  The last thing I have ever wanted to do is hurt anyone, and that even includes Oro.”
The priestess’ expression softened, and she shook her head.  “No, I don’t suspect you of ill intent.  I’m just...embarrassed.  I haven’t made an effort to get to know you better, or anything about your life before we met.  That includes having no real idea which wind might have taken interest in you, or why.  And if St. Culbert had even the least suspicion we might be harboring an enemy of the Order...well, things could have gone very badly.  So...will you just sit down for a minute?”
With a reassuring smile, Tuli nodded and tucked her feet up under her right there in the grass, as Nayeli knelt in front of her.  The priestess placed one hand on the ground between them, and the other on top of Tuli’s head.  “By the Authority, vested in me, I command the wind that loves this woman: hear my words.  Please, for our peace of mind and the sake of this one, whom you favor, make your name and nature known to us.”
Nothing seemed to happen.  Tuli looked around, but kept quiet, as the air around them actually stilled, which seemed to her about the opposite of a wind approaching.  “Dooo you think it’s shy?”
Nayeli shook her head, and answered in a whisper.  “The lesser winds here, little breezes and such, have removed themselves out of respect.  It’s coming.”  And sure enough, in another few minutes, the air stirred again.  It began as a breeze, grew quickly into a firm billow, and then seemed to circle the area around them.
“That was wise,” a voice remarked, carrying the sound of leaves falling and tree trunks creaking, and seemed to sweep around them as it spoke, each syllable coming from a different direction, “Commanding my attention instead of my presence.  How I wish more among the Order were so respectful.”
“You are older than any kingdom in the world, and wiser than any philosopher therein,” Nayeli answered, “I am certain you have more important concerns than I.  So thank you for answering.”
A breathy chuckle, amused, swept through the trees.  “Perhaps, but I can attend to more than one at a time.  You wish to know me, but I believe you have already guessed my name.  I once fought all three of my siblings to remain free of the Order’s command...and won.”
“Then you are the South Wind,” Nayeli nodded, “Why have you pressed upon Tuli to join us, then?  She will be in constant danger in Corruscant, as a servant of the rebellious wind.”
“Mmm...you don’t say that the way your brothers and sisters do, I notice,” the wind answered, pleased, “They say it with much more venom, and favor the word ‘heretic’ over ‘rebel’.  This, in part, is why I encouraged Tuli to join you.  As a woman of deep faith, you will not treat her unjustly merely for her ties to me.  And I believe you can be trusted with her safety, even in the holy city.”
The Ferruda in question raised her hand, looking around as if she hoped to actually spot the wind’s face somewhere among the trees.  “Um, not that I don’t appreciate it, but what ties?  I didn’t even know your name until now.  I didn’t even know your voice was outside my head.”
Laughter rang through the trees.  “Indeed!  Never once have you made prayer or supplication to me, or thought me anything but a cool touch on your fur.  Ah, but you and I are both great lovers of dance.  I still remember that day, though you were yet so young, that I came upon you dancing in the gazebo of your parents’ estate.  And when I joined you, you also joined me, without so much as a misstep, as if it were another child clinging to your hand and playing with you in the afternoon sun.  And so you have been ever since that day, so that whenever I desire company and mirth I come to you and we dance until your breath begs me to let it rest again.”  A gentle breeze pressed briefly, directly into Tuli’s face.  “Such an offering could not be more pure if I commanded it.  I have no use for you, and do not believe you capable of much if I did, and yet you dance with me and I love you.  Is that not permissible?”
It was Nayeli who smiled fondly at Tuli on the wind’s behalf.  “That sounds beautiful,” the priestess shook her head, and Tuli blushed at (what she was pretty sure was) the compliment.
“Mmm...and out of respect for your respect, I will reward your honesty with truth,” the wind spoke to Nayeli, “For I have found I do have a use for her, and she is fulfilling it beautifully: through her, I wish to forge an alliance with Gorgorond.”
The smile melted from Nayeli’s face, and the priestess felt her blood run cold.  “What?!” Tuli gasped in unison with her.
“The Order has long turned a blind eye to my refusal to join its ranks,” the wind explained, now every bit as somber as the pair of Ferruda, “This was in equal parts out of respect for my siblings, respect for my own power, and practicality for more pressing concerns.  This will not be so for much longer, as the Order begins another wave of expansion and encroaches upon lands that revere me.”
Nayeli considered that carefully.  “I understand if you still do not wish to join your siblings within the Order,” the priestess answered carefully, “But I do not understand what value you believe Oro may have in that effort.  He chaffs at the bond, but while I still live he can well be considered under the Order’s purview.”
“Oh, you have the bearer well leashed,” the wind agreed, “Not so the demon itself.  And I do believe there will come a moment when its bearer will have to choose between rising up against the Order or being consumed where he stands.  I don’t need to tell you what his choice is likely to be.  So please him well, Tuli, and make him aware of my support.  For now, as a token of my goodwill, I promise you freedom from the spies that are my siblings’ servants,” it cooed, and the voice seemed to grow distant.
“I do wish you would not,” Nayeli cringed, “It looks suspicious to those whose trust I most treasure.”  But there was no answer this time, and the air had grown still once again.  The South Wind had departed.  “Authority have mercy on us,” the priestess sighed, “Well...I have my answer.  Thank you, Tuli.”
Tuli nodded, though she didn’t think gratitude was what Nayeli was feeling right now.  “I’m sorry,” the Ferruda said softly, placing a hand on the priestess’ knee, “Really.  I didn’t know, or I would have told you from the start.  I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You are honest and kind,” Nayeli patted the hand on her knee with a smile, “I will never consider that a bother.  Please don’t worry about it.”  The Ferruda then added with a sigh, “Mercy, what a day,” and got her feet under herself.  “Let’s head back.”
“Don’t we need to look for Oro?” Tuli tilted her head.
“That was just my excuse for taking you off alone and get possibly uncomfortable answers.  Nothing in these woods could put that man in danger...well, aside from St. Culbert.  He will return when he is done sulking, and not a moment sooner.”
That made sense, and Tuli nodded her understanding as they started making their way back to camp.  But along the way she couldn’t help but ask, “So...what should I do now?  I think I just got mixed up in a spat between the South Wind and the Order.  I’ve basically been given a divine mandate to cozy up to Oro, but I get the feeling that’s going to make everyone uncomfortable, especially you.  And at the end of the day...I still don’t have much to offer besides a pretty face.”
Nayeli nodded sympathetically and smiled encouragingly.  “Start with what you have, then, and don’t be concerned for me.  I will hate it every bit as much as I hate this polygamous relationship, and I will accept it just as graciously.”  The smile faltered.  “Although...if it’s Oro you wish to please, even I can’t be much help.  I get the sense he likes me on some level, and Sarahi agrees, but that has never been suggested in his daily actions.  The best advice I can give...ugh, my stomach churns even contemplating it,” she admitted, rubbing her forehead, “If anyone came to me describing their life in such circumstances, I would urge them to flee the relationship, even against vows, and seek shelter and aid within the Order.  But being in our position, if you mean to pursue this command seriously, I can only warn you to be prepared to accept a great deal of abuse, and invite him to indulge it often.  He delights in nothing except feasting, but will at least be more relaxed after being allowed to vent his frustrations in violence.  It might actually be easier if you first do something to make him detest you, as Sarahi has.”
Tuli nodded quietly, and was lost in thought as they emerged into the clearing of their camp.  “I don’t think I could handle that,” she admitted at last, “But thank you.”
“Thank me when I make your life better rather than worse,” Nayeli chuckled, collecting the pot from near the fire and going about setting up to prepare dinner, “But there is something you can do for me while we wait for the others to get back that will make my life a little better...or at least relieve some guilt.  Would you be comfortable telling me about your past?  At this point I know you love to dance and your parents owned an estate, and I only learned that in the last ten minutes.”
That made Tuli giggle, which was something of a relief to both of them.  The busty Ferruda pulled some stock out of there supplies to help with making dinner.  “Well, there’s not exactly a lot of details to add to that.  Mom and Dad are nobles, but Dad believes in ‘multiple foundations for rule’, so he set up a number of shops and basically became a merchant-prince on top of nobility.  So they’re swimming in money, popular with the other nobles, and I never had to work a day in my life,” she admitted with mild embarrassment, “Ah...they’re actually probably furious that I haven’t come home.  I should write to them if we ever get back to a town.”
The priestess nodded in agreement.  “You all should.  I’m sure King Absol would also like to know how his daughter is faring, and Diya and Kylan must have at least some friends who have missed them this last week.”
“Yeah...so I guess I’ve basically been a professional hedonist for the last twenty winters or so.  I dance, I dress as I please...or don’t...and I’m pretty sure my parents agreed to send me as a candidate with every expectation that it was only a formality,” the Ferruda finished.
“Oro has a talent for upsetting expectations like that.  Apparently that extends even to people not present in the room at the time,” Nayeli sighed, “My condolences to your family.”
Tuli shrugged, smiling.  “I dunno.  It’s not like they lose much in me, and I’m kind of glad it turned out this way.  I never imagined I’d be part of any kind of adventure.  I’d be lucky to have an exciting marriage.  But in just a week I’ve become companion to half-Bastiids, a priestess, and a princess, faced a demon, seen a dragon, befriended a couple of kobolds, and met a vampire Saint.  I can’t even imagine what stories I’ll have to tell by the end of the month!” she laughed.
In response to that, the priestess surprised her by drawing her into a tight hug.  Tuli blinked in confusion, but returned it.  “Thank you,” Nayeli told her softly, “For facing it with such courage and good spirit.  I promise you will have many more amazing stories to share in no time.  But every parent feels the loss of a child, whether to death or distance or mere marriage.  Write to them, for their sake, as often as you have a chance.”
“I will,” Tuli promised, her hug becoming more genuine.  After another minute, they collected their composure and went quietly about making a humble dinner, the scent of which called their other companions back to camp with tummies rumbling.
“No luck?” Diya asked as she and her brother gratefully accepted their bowls.
Sarahi shook her head.  “It’s surprising.  I imagined at least one of us would hear him felling trees and roaring furiously...but it’s like he slithered under some rock somewhere to await nightfall for his vengeance.”
“He does that sometimes,” Nayeli nodded, handing a steaming bowl to the Sha'khari as Tuli offered the same to the kobolds, “It’s rare, and may not bode well for tomorrow, but he is off somewhere actually thinking about his next steps.  He will likely be weary when he returns.  We should be ready to comfort him.”
“Thinking wears him out, huh?” Diya snickered, and Sarahi likewise grinned in amusement.
Nayeli hardly blamed them for the jibe.  “More like the necessity of doing it seriously makes him even more angry than usual, and he finally finds his own limit,” the priestess explained, “Please be gentle when he returns.”
“I somehow doubt he would do us the same courtesy,” Sarahi sighed, and was not challenged, “But as you wish.”  From there they quietly ate their dinner, and listened to Nayeli tell some of the stories she had heard of St. Culbert as a means of taking the edge off their recent meeting.  The sun was well tucked into bed when a scarlet shadow emerged from the trees.  It found only Nayeli waiting outside the tent, her stories long told and the others already retired for the night.  The soft glow of a turned-down lantern beckoned from inside the canvas, though no one stirred within.
“I am tired,” Oro growled before she could even greet him.  And he looked it, surprisingly.
The priestess, already in a simple night-slip, nodded quietly.  “I believe it.  Did you reach a decision?”
“Several,” he scoffed, and offered no elaboration.
Nayeli was used to that.  She reached out one hand toward him, and gestured with the other toward the tent.  “I look forward to hearing all about them in the morning.  Come now.  They’ve been waiting for you to conduct our ritual.”
Oro didn’t even seem to have the energy to be offended at the thought, and ducked passed her into the tent.  Inside, by the dim light of the partially hooded lantern, Sarahi was thumbing through Nayeli’s copy of the Order’s holy scriptures.  Tuli leaned against her leonine shoulder, nearly asleep.  Behind her, Diya and Kylan had already succumbed to the exhaustion of the day.  All of them, even Kylan, had stripped down to their fur, and the tent already reeked of their pheromonal scent.
Sarahi closed the book and rolled onto her side, opening her arms to Oro and Nayeli without a word.  The Rabbit curled a disdainful lip, but plopped himself down with his back against her warm side, and allowed the other two Ferruda to snuggle up against him.  “You are tired,” Nayeli remarked quietly, noting his complete lack of verbal complaint as she pulled his shirt over his head.
Oro frowned, and closed his eyes with an unintelligible grumble.  Sarahi began to rub his shoulders and neck.  Nayeli ran her fingers through the fur between his ears, resting one hand lightly directly over his nose.  Tuli was likewise caressing his chest and stomach.  “Deep breaths,” the priestess urged, leaning close to kiss Oro’s cheek as his breathing slowed and deepened.
“Where in Hell does that hand of yours think it’s going?” the Rabbit growled suddenly.  Tuli froze for a second, one hand having slid low on his belly, fingers combing gently through the fur all the way to the hem of his pants, and just begun to slide underneath.  Instead of a verbal answer, she merely lifted one finger to roughly indicate the growing bulge between his thighs.  She had tried to be discreet about it, in hopes of avoiding an episode like last time.
Nayeli almost looked disappointed.  It was something about the combination of the three of them that got him aroused, there could now be no doubt.  But that meant she would almost certainly never enjoy a night alone with him as she had dreamed of for so long.
“Forget it,” Oro scoffed, “I told you bef—”
“Let her,” Nayeli urged, pressing her face into his neck and kissing it softly to distract him, “If you’re in the mood, you should let her.  She only means to give you relief, and you might sleep better.”
They could hear his molars grinding at the back of his jaw, and for an instant his hand claimed a painfully tight grip on the back of Nayeli’s head, pulling her away from his neck.  The Ferruda grit her teeth, but tried not to struggle against the grip on her hair.  In the next breath, though, Oro released her with a half-hearted sigh.  “Fine,” he surprised them all by saying, half to himself, “Fusking obsessed with it, like you’ve never had a man before.”  His other hand clapped the back of Tuli’s head, though not too harshly, “Do what you like.  And you,” he rolled half-lidded eyes to Nayeli, “Can watch another woman enjoy what you so often dream of, and pretend to enjoy it instead of envying her.”
“You really are a monster,” Sarahi sighed as Tuli obediently abandoned all pretense of discretion and began unlacing his pants, “What kind of man complains that his wives try to treat him well?  That they wish to please him?”
“Too many stories,” he muttered as though half-asleep already, “Of man and monster alike brought to ruin by this.  It dulls the senses.  Weakens the will.  I have no choice but to see it as a trap.”  The Rabbit forced his eyes open long enough to fix a malevolent glare on Sarahi’s surprised face.  “And I’ll break its teeth just like every other trap that springs on me, so you’d best be prepared next.  I’m going to fusk your ass so hard you’ll never sit comfortably again,” he threatened, even as one hand moved to the back of Tuli’s head, forcing her to scoot down quickly as he pressed her face into his crotch, never breaking eye-contact with Sarahi.
Poor Tuli looked confused and alarmed, trying her best to keep up with the changing pace of this strange coupling...but Sarahi had had enough.  “Well I wish you fucking would!” the former princess snapped right back, “That’s how it’s pronounced: ‘fucking’, you back-wood bumpkin!  And don’t bother threatening me again until you’re ready to make good on it!”
Nayeli, who had just begun moving into position to try and restrain the increasingly aggressive Rabbit, actually froze in shock.  Likewise Tuli, with her mouth open and hovering over Oro’s spear, the tip already resting on her lips.  The twins had bolted upright at the outburst, but wisely kept silent as they tried to assess the situation they’d awoken to.  Even Oro gave her a narrow look, though he seemed more curious now than surprised.  “I think you’d best explain your death-wish before I satisfy it.”
“That is exactly what I’m talking about,” the Sha'khari growled, “Though the world would be a brighter and better place for it, you know damn well you’ll do no such thing, because there’s still too much misery you want to inflict on the world.  You back away even as you make the threat.”  She turned her face away for a moment, swallowing hard, as if something besides anger was trying to come up out of her stomach.  “I was terrified when you threatened to take me like a male.  I admit it.  But waking up from the nightmare with my claws in Nayeli was worse.  I’m more afraid of what I might do in my sleep than anything you can say.” She met his spiteful gaze again, this time unflinching.  “So I’m done with that.  I won’t be intimidated.  I’ll believe you want this tail when you come and take it!” she declared, slapping the ground with her tail for emphasis, “Until then, shut up and let the only woman on the face of the fucking earth that could possibly love you shower you in the affections you will never deserve!”
The very air seemed afraid to breathe.  Oro stared at her through narrowed eyes for a long moment, and she met his murderous gaze without blinking.  At last, terrifyingly, he pushed Tuli away and got to his feet.  Sarahi did the same, fists clenched by her hips and head held high as she steeled her nerves against what must come next.  No, he would not kill her—she was certain he would not kill her—but it had already crossed her mind that she could probably survive, technically, without any of her legs, and most certainly without her tongue.  Oh, he’d probably relish ripping that out...
And that was exactly what he seemed to have decided as he seized the back of her head, pulling it down on a level with his.  Sarahi squeezed her eyes shut and, with some effort, forced herself to open her mouth, hoping at least not to lose more teeth in the process than necessary.
She was shocked almost senseless when she felt his lips mash against hers, and his tongue slide along the edges of her teeth once.  The Sha'khari fell back onto her side as he broke the kiss and released her.  “Sweet dreams,” the Rabbit growled ominously, then turned and stalked out of the tent, all arousal and fatigue equally dispelled by the exchange.
“Oh gods, I’m going to be sick,” Sarahi wheezed in earnest, turning and retreating as far into one corner of the tent as she could.  A soft, sympathetic hand caressed her back as her stomach heaved and the tears streamed down her face.  “He really is a monster,” she groaned, “How did you ever put up with it?  I’m going to have nightmares again...”
“Shh,” Nayeli cooed softly, placing her other hand on the Sha'khari’s shoulder while she rubbed her back, “You will not.  You’ll sleep well tonight, I swear by the Authority, vested in me.”
“I’m sorry, Nayeli,” she groaned as her empty stomach tried to find something else, anything else, to expel in its efforts to unknot itself, “I—”
“Enough,” the priestess insisted softly, “You’ve taken on too much; held in too much.  Disgust, anger, sorrow, fear...let it all out now.  It’s no trouble to me.”
The former princess all but collapsed with her head against the canvas, sobbing.  Nayeli sat behind her, continuing to touch her comfortingly and whisper soothing words, while Tuli and the twins cautiously curled up in the far corner.  Soon the Sha'khari fell mercifully to sleep, and the rest of the occupants were not long behind.