Steel Wolf

Course Change

"Is there any way for you to get a message to the Order and have it relayed to the king?" Tanaya asked her sister.

Tandala bowed her head slowly in the affirmative. She reached inside her robe and withdrew a gold ring inset with a large blue stone.

"This body is able to communicate with them directly, Sister." Tanaya glanced around the table at her officers. They reacted with surprised looks and raised eyebrows. "Do you wish to speak with them now?"

"Indeed so, Tandala," said Tanaya as she leaned forward, her eyes fixed on the ring.

Tandala moved to stand next to Tanaya and placed the ring on her thumb. She moved it close to her mouth and spoke.

"This body seeks a response from the high priests of the Order of the Body. This body's name is Tandala Paulsdottir. This body humbly requests that the commander of the Royal Guard be permitted to exchange ideas also."

A light male voice issued from the ring.

"Tandala Paulsdottir, the high priests are listening and watching. The commander is permitted to speak." Tandala moved her hand to Tanaya's lips while the rest of the room looked on in awe.

"This is Commander Tanaya Paulsdottir, Royal Guard and personal bodyguard of Princess Serenna Newlander. Relay this message to the king, 'Sire, your daughter is safe. The company has been reduced by one-third. The Red Witch is dead. Three months until our arrival as we must travel over land. Any aid would be appreciated.' Get the message to him as soon as possible."

"It is done, Commander of the Royal Guard. The message will be delivered shortly. Might this body offer a suggestion to speed your travel?"

"Of course, High Priest. Suggestions are always welcome."

"The eastern coast lies three days travel from your present position. These bodies have confirmed that the way is clear of the Hand of Five and its minions. Make your way to the eastern city of Goxell-Galbria. These bodies will contact a seafarer for passage. The name will be passed to Tandala." Tanaya looked around at her officers and noted their trepidation.

"High Priest," she said, "Goxell-Galbria lies on the other side of the capital city; the one we rapidly vacated a few days ago. At last check, that city was still inhabited by undead." A mirthful chuckle emanated from the ring.

"The undead are no longer a problem in that area. However, Commander, this body recommends that you lead your guardsmen in a wide circle around that city, or rather what is left of it. That area is uninhabitable by even the hardiest of life. The monks will show you the safest path around it. This body suggests that you listen to them." The last words held a direness about them which stuck in Tanaya's mind. She tapped her teeth in thought.

"Very well, High Priest," she concluded, her voice softening. "It's good to speak to you after all these years, my friend."

"It is indeed a pleasure, Tanaya." Furtive, curious looks from the other officers in the room. "This body, along with several others have followed your career with interest. The high priests shall speak with you more as time progresses. Fair travels to you."

Tanaya sat back in her chair as Tandala removed the ring and placed it back inside her robe. Serenna, who had been quietly observing up until this moment, spoke first.

"You know him?" she asked, as she settled into her wife's lap, leaning against her comfortably.

Tanaya flipped her luxurious, curly blond hair and kissed Serenna's forehead, giving her a little squeeze.

"He's the reason I left the Order of the Body." She shifted a bit, fully aware of the several pairs of eyes on her, but speaking solely to her wife, as if they were the only ones in the room. "We were studying together one night, going over the days' lessons, and he kissed me. It was sort of a mutual thing. He's a really good looking guy. I kissed him back and things started to heat up."

Serenna looked up curiously at Tanaya to meet those bottomless deep blue eyes, almost losing herself again.

"But, I was under the impression that the Order was a sexual fulfillment entity? Wasn't it a natural progression of your training?"

Tanaya's husky, smoky laugh rang through the room. Those present had grown totally silent knowing that they were outsiders looking into the very heart of their commander. Eyes were wide, bodies leaned forward, ears were wide open, lungs barely breathed, lest the story come to an abrupt end.

"Oh yes," Tanaya said, "Sex is a very important part of training for the Order. However, we were second-year students. We were to abstain totally from any kind of physical contact until the end of the third year. That way, we could focus solely on the philosophy and teachings without distraction. As second-year students, even holding hands was forbidden to us." She shifted in her seat and went on, "When the dinner bell rang, we had thirty seconds in which to stand outside our own doors or we would go hungry that night. Seeing as how he and I were both totally nude and writhing madly on the floor...well...we didn't make the bell. When one doesn't show up for the bell, a certain time is allotted and then an upperclassman is sent to make sure the student is alright. When the door opened, we hadn't had a chance to get fully dressed or clean up the evidence of our encounter.

"The upperclassman did what he had to do and reported us. I knew that it was Celmin's, the man you just heard, fondest wish to join the Order. Since I was partly to blame and knew that we would both expelled, I claimed that I was the one who instigated the whole ordeal. They wanted to get rid of me for rape, but since he wouldn't press charges, the charge was reduced to a drastic conduct infraction and they kicked me out. I spent a few days at home, feeling sorry for myself, then decided that I felt more at home kicking the shit out of things than fucking them, and gave the King's Guard a whirl.

"And here we are." Tanaya held her wife at arm's length and gazed into her beautiful brown eyes, her peripheral vision noting the occasional nose-twitch of the wolf-woman. "Do you still trust me, Highness?"

Even though they were married, the Commander knew her station.

"You took the full brunt of heat for something that was the fault of two people. Your honor was instilled in you at an early age, wasn't it?" asked Serenna rhetorically, fingering the tooth marks on Tanaya's throat. "You and your guards are the finest it has ever been my privilege to know." She raised her head for a quick peck on the lips and then snuggled into the protective arms.

"Lieutenant Packer," intoned Tanaya, spearing the newly-made officer with her intense gaze, "Make sure that Captain MacNaulty's patrol is fed, comfortable and getting rest. When that's done, spread the word that we move for Goxell-Galbria at first light. We're getting the hell out of this place. And have someone fetch Lieutenant Lauran, please."