The Tempest of Eerikki - Book One - THE PANACEA QUEST

Chapter 4

Batair awoke feeling stiff and felt the small bundle snuggle deeper into his chest. His heart swelled, she was radiating a sensation of love and peace. It flooded through him as nothing else ever had. Opening his eyes, he looked down only to be engulfed in the depths of Tempie's bright gaze. He was unsure how long they just looked into each other's eyes but eventually the spell broke and he spoke.

"Good morning, little one are you well?"

As if to answer, Tempie stretched on his lap her delicate arms extending warding off the stiffness of sleep. Batair wished he could do the same. With a daft light motion, she left his lap the Captain then copied her and stretch to his full height.

This allowed Tempie to see the Captain properly, he was tall almost seven feet by her thinking not as tall as her sire but no mortal was. The soft undershirt he wore formed tight across his broad shoulders and chest. She knew he was strong and given provocation brutal as he had been last night but he also had shown gentle attention. Her mother was right he was both worthy and honourable too.

The crisp knock at the door tore Tempie's eyes from the Captain and she immediately positioned herself behind him.

"Enter." He commanded.

With that, the chamber door opened revealing nine warriors including the two that had refused to leave. Batair was not surprised at their arrival. They were well-trained and all knew what he would require of them. Two had already been to Cook demanding breakfast supplies and after but a little hedging on both sides the grumpy Cook had provided ample provisions of fresh bread, cheese, meat and fruit. Trays were now waiting on the table of the outer room. One had visited the healer to find out the current condition of the Sword Master with one warrior even visiting Blaz to ensure it was being adequately cared for.

Tempie still stood behind the Captain keeping his body between herself and the nine warriors. Batair feeling her hesitance bid his warriors take a knee while he sat on the end of his sleeping furs positioning her between his legs, a protective arm around her. In a soft deep voice Batair began to introduce the Nine. "Tempie, these are the Nine warriors you met last night." Tipping her head to the side considering each of the warriors' faces she then extracted herself from Batair's arms, she then went to them one at a time.

The first warrior was the same age as his Captain at twenty-seven cycles. He was tall and lean but still muscular, long angular handsome features fair skin with intelligent crystal blue eyes and blonde hair worn in a warrior's braid that ended just past his shoulders. Tempie touched his cheek. "You are Valiant, the bravest of the elite warriors you are the keeper of great knowledge and have many beautiful sisters who you cherish and adore." Valiant's mouth opened only to close it again realising he could not speak as a lump of emotion had grown in his throat.

The second sported no hair as favoured by the clansman of Baccas he was one cycle older than his Captain, he was considering Tempie with calm dark brown eyes. "You are Xear, you are most skilled with the dagger and have saved many a brother-in-arms with that skill." Xear too was speechless.

She continued to the next three touching each as she announced their names. "You fine brothers are Bailey, Dale and Boé one can best you in the art of hand-to-hand combat but are still to work out among yourselves who is the best."

The three brothers were the youngest of the warrior brethren at twenty-one cycles they had blushed and jabbed at each other playfully. Bailey, Dale and Boé were as Vikings of old. A mere inch shorter than Batair in height their chests and biceps were massive and spoke of sheer power. Mischievous forest green eyes that shone brightly from under thick locks of flaming red hair and well groomed beards.

She took a long moment looking into the eyes of Boé then leaned forward to kiss his cheek and spoke only for him. "Be not sad over what was taken so long ago, your gem will soon return."