“Howdy!” the Inlon called back. She had what Ann recognized as a thick southern accent. “Mighty well armed there. ‘Preciate it if ya identify yourselves first, before we get to trustin’ y’all.”

“Of course,” Bren called back. It was at this point that Annita noticed the heavy crossbow sitting over the Bultrong’s lap, pointed directly at them. All three of them pulled their medallions from their gear, holding them up. The pair on the wagon couldn’t possibly inspect them from this distance, but seemed to relax slightly at their display. “My name is Bren. This is Katlyn, and the tall Lupine is Annita. We are making our way back to Graven Keep from the outpost east of here. Took the direct route through the woods.”

“You can come over,” the Bultrong beckoned as he lowered the crossbow. “Names Jessamy, and this here’s Bon.” He gestured to Bon, who waved back enthusiastically, her ears flapping with the movement.

The pair were interesting to Ann’s eyes, though that might be because she was seeing someone like them for the first time. Bon was bright blue, with dark brown eyes, and dark green hair tied back in a ponytail. Her pointed ears stuck out to the sides of her head and drooped slightly at the tips. Her frame was petite, and she wore a set of overalls that gave her a farm worker’s appearance. Jessamy on the other hand was a burly fellow. Thick in both arms and legs, with a dark complexion and a bristling beard. His eyes twinkled blue beneath a bushy brow as he greeted them.

“Pardon the suspicion, friends. Bandits have been a plague around these parts lately. Can’t be too careful. Mind if I take a closer look at those badges?” He stuck out a hand towards them.

“Sure, here you go.” Annita gathered the badges from Kat and Bren, then handed the stack over to Jessamy. After a moment of inspection, the Bultrong grunted and handed them back.

“Two with houses, one without. Those’re official though. Thanks for cooperatin’. So, you said you were headed to the Keep? We are too, but I reckon you already figured that.”

“Aye, been a long trip, as we said,” Kat returned. “Would greatly appreciate it if ye would give us a ride.”

“Don’t see why we culdn’t. Right Jess?” Bon spoke up.

“Nope, no reason I can see to deny some road weary travelers. Just don’t be causin’ trouble and we’ll get on fine.”

“If you have any questions for us, don’t hesitate to ask. And don’t mind Bartholomew back there. He’s just there for security. Like Jess said, can’t be too safe.” Bon said with a wide smile. “He’s the quiet sort though, so don’t get offended if he doesn’t respond to y’all.”

“Gotcha. Thanks again!” Ann said enthusiastically as their trio walked to the back of the wagon.

As they pulled back the canvas that covered the back, they saw boxes and crates piled high, likely their ride’s cargo. Nestled on top of it was what could only be Bartholomew. It wasn’t a person. It was a large black panther. Two tails swept from his hindquarters as he observed his new acquaintances intently. True to Bon’s word, he kept quiet and left them alone.

“How friendly is he?” Ann called back to the front of the wagon.

“Oh, friendly enough to people he knows. I’d probably not test y’all’s luck, though.” Bon called back. “He won’t hurt you, but give him his space.”

“Got it. Ready to go!” Annita called back.

As they settled in, the crack of the reins sounded. The oxen groaned, and the wagon lurched as they began to move. It wasn’t particularly fast, but they didn’t have to lug their gear around while walking. Spreading out their bedrolls together in the somewhat intimate space, the three companions made themselves as comfortable as they could. Kat wound up close to Annita while Bren was afforded some space for himself. Not much, but some.

“Oh, this is much better than walking,” Ann sighed as she casually wrapped an arm around Kat.

“Aye, an’ those oxen’ll make good time, too.” Kat said as she settled against Annita. “Seen their like. They’re strong an’ ‘ave endurance fer ages. Likely they’ll be movin’ all the way tae Graven Keep. Should cut this all down to a day and we’ll be at our destination in the mornin’.”

“I am looking forward to getting back to civilization,” Bren said wistfully. “A good, hot meal, a proper room with proper furnishings. I can stock back up on tea.”

“Yeah, and we can figure out better food for the next trip than these rations,” Ann replied. “They do their job but Gods, are they bland.”

“Aye, there’s other stuff we can get. Not tae mention equippin’ you fuzzbutt. Can’t have ye on the brink o’ death every time we get into a fight. Not just with Warped, mind, but with people too. Yer gonna draw a lot o’ attention once yer identity is out.”

“Ugh, I’d prefer it kept secret. Less hassle, but I get that it’s a big deal for the country and the churches.”

“It will not come with all downsides, remember,” Bren said as he pulled out a book. “Knowing who you are will open opportunities for the kingdom and the churches to sponsor you. It will be up to you how much you are willing to take. However, I suggest utilizing them to increase your odds of success in this quest we’ve found ourselves on.”

“You’re right, as usual. I just get an icky feeling imposing on other people for who I am, not what I’ve done. I didn’t really earn any of this. I’ll most likely be given it all because of who I happen to be. Feels wrong.”

“Then…” Kat said, laying her head on Annita’s shoulder, “how about this? Ye’ve already helped with a Seed, yeah? We’re reportin’ a Guardian was slain. Once we get tae Korvas, whenever the Hells tha’ is, we can report the rest. It’s a boon tae the kingdom, it’s a service tae the world and the Gods, an’ we can collect the letters if Gods keep droppin’ ‘em off fer us. Bren an’ I’ll be plenty credible witnesses.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“That… yeah, that does make me feel a bit better about it.” Annita sighed.

“Good.” Kat huffed. “Can’t have tha’ pretty face all wrinkly with worry.”

“Oh shut it, long ears.” Ann retorted.

“Only if ya make me.” Kat teased further.

“If you two are going to get frisky, maybe we can ask for a halt and let you wander off to handle things?” Bren interjected, killing the back and forth.

“Ye killjoy,” Kat pouted.

“Excuse me for not wanting to watch my, for all intents and purposes, sister get all handsy with her new girlfriend.”

“Girl… wha’?” Annita sputtered. “Nothin’s been made official.”

“Aye! Just helpin’ each other out. That’s all.” Kat confirmed, despite the blush quickly heating up her cheeks.

Bren didn’t bother responding. The raised eyebrow was enough to tell them he didn’t buy that for a moment.

“So, uh, yeah. I guess we’ll do that later. Libido is getting up there. Still unsure about letting it hit that cap,” Ann said, a hand scratching behind her ear.

“Fer now, let’s uh, get some rest? I dunnae. It’s been a long few days.” Kat was almost as red as she could be, all the way to the tips of her long ears.

“Agreed.”

Bren returned to his book, while Kat and Ann spent a while laying there, close to each other. Neither of them would admit it but Ann could feel her cock stretching at her underwear and she could hear Kat’s breathing. The woman was desperately aroused, and trying to hide it. Both of them knew that Bren would catch anything they tried, even if they attempted to be subtle, and respected his request to keep their intimacy away from him.

Instead, they just enjoyed the closeness. Their hands gently exploring the other, feeling muscles and skin. It was nice, just getting to know someone else’s body. Even keeping things chaste, Annita appreciated how strong Kat’s arms and shoulders were. She was built incredibly solid, with a thin layer of skin and fat smoothing out her definition. She’d seen some of it in action though, and when Kat was straining that softness disappeared. She’d love to see some of that strain in the bedroom.

Turning her thoughts from future plans, she spent time running her hands over Kat’s braided hair, and through the unbraided portions as well. It was silky smooth, wavy, and lovely to run her fingers through. Gently, she stroked the top of the woman’s head. Kat leaned into the touch, happily basking in the attention.

Kat’s hand wasn’t idle either. She’d roamed up Annita’s back, feeling along the strip of medium length fur that ran down her spine. It was an entirely new sensation, but felt as good as having her head scratched. A soft sigh escaped her as she felt Kat’s fingers trace idle patterns through the strands. After a short while, her hand worked further up, into Annita’s grey mane and massaging the back of her head. Ann melted into the other woman, body going limp as her scalp was massaged. It wasn’t voluntary, it just felt so good she couldn’t help it. A finger accidentally brushed one of her ears and a moan rose from her lips unbidden. Kat looked up at her in surprise, then made an effort to focus on her ears. Ann’s tail twitched madly in appreciation of the attention.

Time drifted on, and the sun began to set. Shadows crept as the light retreated. The oxen continued their rhythmic plodding as they made their way ever onward. Bon and Jessamy were having a quiet conversation on the driver’s seat, their voices muffled by the walls of crates. Bren had dozed off as well, exhausted from their time walking and fighting, his book having slipped from his hands. Bartholomew, true to every cat Ann had known, had slipped down from the stack of crates and curled up next to Bren, choosing the one who’d paid him the least mind to get friendly with.

“Hey, Kat. I think it’s about time I handle things.” Annita whispered. They hadn’t moved much from earlier, still intertwined comfortably.

“Mmm? Ah, yeah. Want some help tonight or just do it yerself?” Kat asked, drowsiness muffling her speech as much as Annita’s shoulder was.

“Up to you. I’d appreciate it, though.”

“All right, let me wake up a min’. Go tell the drivers. Meet you at the back.”

With that, Annita extracted herself from Kat’s arms and slipped out the canvas flaps of the wagon’s cover. Quickly, she made her way around to the front.

“Hey Bon, Jessamy. Kat and I need to take a minute to relieve ourselves. Would you mind stopping for a few?” Annita asked as she kept pace with the cart.

“Truly? Ah, sure, sounds fine. Oxen could use a short break too. Get yourselves handled an’ well be right here for ya.” Bon said quietly. “Barty back there keepin’ to himself?”

“He was. Now he’s curled up next to Bren.” Ann informed them as the oxen slowed to a stop.

“Aw, good for him. All right, off you hop. We don’t want to pause too long, so be quick, if you could.”

“Thanks, be right back,” Annita said quietly as she hurried back to the rear of the wagon.

“All good to go,” Ann whispered as she peeked back into the wagon. Kat had pulled a blanket up over Bren and folded his book back into his lap. She nodded and slipped out of the space, one of Bartholomew’s eyes opening to track her lazily. “But they said we should be quick.”

“Think that’ll be a problem, lass?” Kat teased.

“I don’t think so, not with you.” Ann shot back as they walked deeper into the treeline.

“Aww, gonna let it all end so quick? Gonna hurt a girl’s feelin’s.” Kat egged her on.

“You and that mouth. You sound better when you’re moaning.” Ann said as she suddenly grabbed Kat’s shoulder, spun her and pinned her back against a tree. In the same motion, she sealed her lips over Kat’s, feeling the other woman yelp in surprise before a low moan vibrated her tongue. “Yeah, like that.”

“Feckin cheater.” Kat panted from the surprise kiss. “C’mere.” She launched herself back into Ann’s lips as she kissed back madly. “Gods, your lips taste amazin’. Never get tired o’ it.”

Hands were moving everywhere, under shirts, loosening bindings, freeing their bodies slowly as they enjoyed the rapturous kiss. Their tongues wrestled fiercely as they devoured each other. Breaths came quickly in the small breaks between lip locks.

[Spicy content over at Scribble Hub! Enjoy the rest for now!]

Once she finished her task, Ann stood and kissed Kat again, feeling the other woman draw close once more. “Let’s get dressed.”

“Aye, we should.”

Quickly they gathered their scattered clothes and left the cum soaked tree behind.

A couple of minutes later, they returned to the wagon, right where they’d left it. Bon and Jessamy were standing off to the side of the oxen, seemingly checking on them.

“Hey, we’re back. Sorry for the delay!” Annita called out.

“Oh, it’s no bother. Just checkin’ on ol’ Rutherford here,” Jessamy said. “He’s been gettin’ a little slower these days. He’s still got a couple of years in him, but soon enough he’ll be out to pasture.”

“You two take care of everything you need?” Bon asked.

“Aye. We’ll pop back in the wagon and grab a wink o’ shuteye.” Kat replied.

“Sleep tight y’all. We’ll let you know if there’s anything coming up.” Bo called back as the two women re-entered the covered interior.

Bren and Bartholomew were exactly where they’d left them. The large panther raised his head at the movement, but laid his head back down on Bren’s lap when he recognized them.

As quietly as they could, Kat and Annita settled back onto their makeshift mattress and drew close to each other. Kat laid her head gently on Annita’s shoulder and let out a long yawn.

“Big day tomorrow. Let’s get some rest,” the sleepy Alfhindur said.

“Yeah, see you tomorrow. Can’t wait.” Ann replied softly.

“Mhm, tomorrow.”

They both drifted off in each other’s arms.