The Eagle and the Vixen (Closed)

[The Selkie]

Judging by Mhairin's reaction, it had been rather a mistake to ask.
He saw the whirlwind going off, but didn't pay attention where to. Chris concentrated on Mhairin trying to get her chirpiness back - which slowly but surely worked, by getting back to the cousins topic.
"So, no need to know, I got it" - he said, referring to his question. "So yeah, I also have Cousinen - and of course, male and female cousins alike are counted to my Inner Circle of honorary siblings."

"Honory siblings... that's a good term.", Mhairin said with a smile.
"We usually say, that Mam adopted us.", I chimed in from the side, grinning, "Might as well be true. Felicia is our Big Sis, Mam our... well, Mum, Forc is our Little Brother and we have enough Big Brother Figures to make them an army!" I let a beat pass, looking at Chris. "Don't worry, though, none of them will try to intimidate you."
"We have long since come to the conclusion, that Cel and a few others are Big Girls. And Big Girls are allowed to make Big Girl Decisions.", Mhairin said, her smile restored to her eyes.

[Lillorainen]

"Honory siblings... that's a good term.", Mhairin said with a smile.
"We usually say, that Mam adopted us.", I chimed in from the side, grinning, "Might as well be true. Felicia is our Big Sis, Mam our... well, Mum, Forc is our Little Brother and we have enough Big Brother Figures to make them an army!" I let a beat pass, looking at Chris. "Don't worry, though, none of them will try to intimidate you."
"We have long since come to the conclusion, that Cel and a few others are Big Girls. And Big Girls are allowed to make Big Girl Decisions.", Mhairin said, her smile restored to her eyes.

"In other words, Big Girls doing Big Girl Stuff." Chris nodded.
He had to grin when thinking back ... again, the old story where his Navy-cousin Robert had gotten his hydrophobia from. But also a couple of other ones, including Marco and his trouble with his bully. For some awkward reason, that had immediately stopped when said bully had received a visit at home by the Riescheid Army.
They had been totally friendly ... strange.
"Does your big family accept members with foreign passports?" He tried to look as innocent as possible. "Asking for a friend ..."

[The Selkie]

"In other words, Big Girls doing Big Girl Stuff." Chris nodded.
He had to grin when thinking back ... again, the old story where his Navy-cousin Robert had gotten his hydrophobia from. But also a couple of other ones, including Marco and his trouble with his bully. For some awkward reason, that had immediately stopped when said bully had received a visit at home by the Riescheid Army.
They had been totally friendly ... strange.
"Does your big family accept members with foreign passports?" He tried to look as innocent as possible. "Asking for a friend ..."

"We already have, actually.", Mhairin said with a smile, knowing exactly where this was going and having a good idea as to who this 'friend' was. "Passports are just pieces of paper, if you ask me. They matter little, as far as the heart is concerned. And if one worries about the passport, then the heart is not into it." She let a beat pass. "Please tell your friend, that he would be welcome, as long as his heart is pure."
"Well...", I said and turned on the spot, "...I'll have to take my leave, then..."
"You know what I mean with a pure heart.", Mhairin said while rolling her eyes in amusement.

[Lillorainen]

"We already have, actually.", Mhairin said with a smile, knowing exactly where this was going and having a good idea as to who this 'friend' was. "Passports are just pieces of paper, if you ask me. They matter little, as far as the heart is concerned. And if one worries about the passport, then the heart is not into it." She let a beat pass. "Please tell your friend, that he would be welcome, as long as his heart is pure."
"Well...", I said and turned on the spot, "...I'll have to take my leave, then..."
"You know what I mean with a pure heart.", Mhairin said while rolling her eyes in amusement.

Chris nodded, smiling, satisfied with the answer.
He raised his eyebrows and grinned when Cel was about to take her leave.
"No Cel, you need to stay" - he said, still amused. "I'm quite convinced that you have the purest heart north of the Windsinger Islands." To both Cel and Mhairin, he said, "I'm also sure that said friend is well aware of this fact, considering he has the second-purest one. He will be glad when being informed that passports don't matter."
He turned around as if there was someone to talk behind him, then stepped back half a meter and imitated the tone of a little boy who had just received the gift he had always wished, slightly raising his fists. "Passports don't matter! Yay!"
He laughed and got back to his normal tone, still grinning. "You've got the idea, I assume."

[The Selkie]

Chris nodded, smiling, satisfied with the answer.
He raised his eyebrows and grinned when Cel was about to take her leave.
"No Cel, you need to stay" - he said, still amused. "I'm quite convinced that you have the purest heart north of the Windsinger Islands." To both Cel and Mhairin, he said, "I'm also sure that said friend is well aware of this fact, considering he has the second-purest one. He will be glad when being informed that passports don't matter."
He turned around as if there was someone to talk behind him, then stepped back half a meter and imitated the tone of a little boy who had just received the gift he had always wished, slightly raising his fists. "Passports don't matter! Yay!"
He laughed and got back to his normal tone, still grinning. "You've got the idea, I assume."

Mhairin and I laughed at the antics of my boyfriend and nodded, indeed getting the idea.
I wanted to add something, as Patty came to us. "Hey, guys, sorry to be the party pooper, but we're departing in two minutes.", she said with a grin, Nora closeby. Indeed, the entrance hall had filled up with old and new faces alike, as well as a few redressed faces and a few cases with instruments and bags with what I could only assume were bottles of different percentages. No doubt, each and everyone of them wore a bathsuit of different descriptions underneath. But I also saw a number of quivers and bows slung over the backs of my friends, to ward of unwelcome guests. Our stalkers would have a rude surprise awaiting them. "Mam, are you the designated coacher?"
"Yep, I am.", Mhairin said and gave us a shrug. "Sorry, but I need to inspect my ride. I'll see you in a moment!"
And with that, she departed, leaving Patty and Nora with us... who were very much averting their eyes from Chris and me.

[Lillorainen]

Mhairin and I laughed at the antics of my boyfriend and nodded, indeed getting the idea.
I wanted to add something, as Patty came to us. "Hey, guys, sorry to be the party pooper, but we're departing in two minutes.", she said with a grin, Nora closeby. Indeed, the entrance hall had filled up with old and new faces alike, as well as a few redressed faces and a few cases with instruments and bags with what I could only assume were bottles of different percentages. No doubt, each and everyone of them wore a bathsuit of different descriptions underneath. But I also saw a number of quivers and bows slung over the backs of my friends, to ward of unwelcome guests. Our stalkers would have a rude surprise awaiting them. "Mam, are you the designated coacher?"
"Yep, I am.", Mhairin said and gave us a shrug. "Sorry, but I need to inspect my ride. I'll see you in a moment!"
And with that, she departed, leaving Patty and Nora with us... who were very much averting their eyes from Chris and me.

While Cel and Mhairin were laughing and Chris' girlfriend was already going to add something to his antics, Patty approached them, urging them to prepare for departing. Nora followed.
Now, the entrance hall filled itself; some faces were known to Chris, some were not - but they all brought drinks. Some were also armed with quivers and bows, ready to free the place from stalkers.
Mhairin went off to inspect her ride, announcing to be right back.
Patty and Nora tried not to look at Chris and Cel.
Awkward silence.
Chris asked Cel, "Should we inform Dragan and Janina? I've seen them in the bar, trying in advance what the Free Lands have to offer."

[The Selkie]

While Cel and Mhairin were laughing and Chris' girlfriend was already going to add something to his antics, Patty approached them, urging them to prepare for departing. Nora followed.
Now, the entrance hall filled itself; some faces were known to Chris, some were not - but they all brought drinks. Some were also armed with quivers and bows, ready to free the place from stalkers.
Mhairin went off to inspect her ride, announcing to be right back.
Patty and Nora tried not to look at Chris and Cel.
Awkward silence.
Chris asked Cel, "Should we inform Dragan and Janina? I've seen them in the bar, trying in advance what the Free Lands have to offer."

"Yes, please do.", I replied to Chris inquiry, breaking the awkward silence. "I'll check with Mister Folaíochta if he can handle the troupe and say him my goodbyes." I reached up and kissed Chris onto the cheek. "We'll meet outside. See you in a minute!"
And with that, we left Nora and Patty and whatever they had on their minds.
Indeed, roundabout a minute later, with my worries eased, I was outside.
Let's just say, that the forecourt of the inn was a lot more crowded now, with around two dozen horses and a rather large double-axle carriage standing there, the horses in different stages of preparation. There was one, however, that I looked out for: A black colt, feathered legs and massive chest, who came trotting up to me and nuzzled me.
A few stablehands were running around, but all in all, most of the people here were models from Bicíní, either with reins in hand or taking the carriage. Mhairin was already on the block, talking with a redhead.
But I, quite honestly, didn't care, for I had a nuzzling colt to deal with, grinning.

[Lillorainen]

"Yes, please do.", I replied to Chris inquiry, breaking the awkward silence. "I'll check with Mister Folaíochta if he can handle the troupe and say him my goodbyes." I reached up and kissed Chris onto the cheek. "We'll meet outside. See you in a minute!"
And with that, we left Nora and Patty and whatever they had on their minds.
Indeed, roundabout a minute later, with my worries eased, I was outside.
Let's just say, that the forecourt of the inn was a lot more crowded now, with around two dozen horses and a rather large double-axle carriage standing there, the horses in different stages of preparation. There was one, however, that I looked out for: A black colt, feathered legs and massive chest, who came trotting up to me and nuzzled me.
A few stablehands were running around, but all in all, most of the people here were models from Bicíní, either with reins in hand or taking the carriage. Mhairin was already on the block, talking with a redhead.
But I, quite honestly, didn't care, for I had a nuzzling colt to deal with, grinning.

After receiving his goodbye-and-if-it's-only-for-a-minute kiss, Chris left Patty and Nora standing there with their minds, walking to the hotel bar, where his fellow countrypeople had taken a seat, the whiskey glasses in front of them indeed showing that they were testing the domestic drinks offered in here.
Chris grinned. "Ussdrinke, mer jonn!" ("Get finished drinking, we're going!") - he said.
Dragan and Janina grinned back. They held their glasses up, where only some rests were in, to show they were almost finished.
"They got good stuff in here" - Dragan said, in German.
Janina added, "Everything done right."
Both took their last sip. As they had already paid, they just got up and took their own stuff with them, both carried one big cooling box each. Then, the three Lillos left the bar, went through the entrance hall outside.
The forecourt of the inn was slightly more crowded now, more than twenty horses, one big carriage and dozens of people preparing horses or taking the carriage.
They found Cel with a black colt nuzzling.
So, that was what they had been preparing while Chris had been made familiar with some of their friends by Miss I-can't-stress-it-enough-times-how-damn-trustworthy-she-is Felicia.
"Wat geht'n hier ab für 'ne Mark?" - Dragan wondered in the unique Lillo way of wondering what was going on. For a Mark.
Chris didn't answer - he was too busy approaching his girlfriend. "Here we go again!" - he said and kissed her onto the cheek.
Janina didn't answer, either - she was too busy adoring the horses, starting with the colt nuzzling Cel. No wonder, given that she was from a village inhabited by more horses than humans. She grinned, her green eyes were shining. "And who are you?" - she asked the colt.
Dragan laughed and put his cooling box onto the floor. "You'll have a hard time getting Janina away from here now!"

[The Selkie]

After receiving his goodbye-and-if-it's-only-for-a-minute kiss, Chris left Patty and Nora standing there with their minds, walking to the hotel bar, where his fellow countrypeople had taken a seat, the whiskey glasses in front of them indeed showing that they were testing the domestic drinks offered in here.
Chris grinned. "Ussdrinke, mer jon!" ("Get finished drinking, we're going!") - he said.
Dragan and Janina grinned back. They held their glasses up, where only some rests were in, to show they were almost finished.
"They got good stuff in here" - Dragan said, in German.
Janina added, "Everything done right."
Both took their last sip. As they had already paid, they just got up and took their own stuff with them, both carried one big cooling box each. Then, the three Lillos left the bar, went through the entrance hall outside.
The forecourt of the inn was slightly more crowded now, more than twenty horses, one big carriage and dozens of people preparing horses or taking the carriage.
They found Cel with a black colt nuzzling.
So, that was what they had been preparing while Chris had been made familiar with some of their friends by Miss I-can't-stress-it-enough-times-how-damn-trustworthy-she-is Felicia.
"Wat geht'n hier ab für 'ne Mark?" - Dragan wondered in the unique Lillo way of wondering what was going on. For a Mark.
Chris didn't answer - he was too busy approaching his girlfriend. "Here we go again!" - he said and kissed her onto the cheek.
Janina didn't answer, either - she was too busy adoring the horses, starting with the colt nuzzling Cel. No wonder, given that she was from a village inhabited by more horses than humans. She grinned, her green eyes were shining. "And who are you?" - she asked the colt.
Dragan laughed and put his cooling box onto the floor. "You'll have a hard time getting Janina away from here now!"

I turned to them with a grin, taking Chris' kiss as well.
The colt looked at the strange girl with shining eyes, flaring his nostrils lightly. "It'll be rather simple: We ride off. Either Janina comes along... or she doesn't.", I said with a grin, before I turned to Janina: "This chap is named Camfheothan or Cammy for short. He has been my horse for as long as I could reach the stirrups. Reach out with your hand to have him smell you."
Meanwhile, the last preparations were completed around us, the last of us leaving the inn - Nora and Patty amongst them, who quickly got themselves people to ride with, as well as the Khana, who got her own horse's reins handed to her.
She rode a gigantic beast of a horse, taller at the shoulder then Chris was at his whole body, the tall woman unimpressed, mainly because she finally didn't have to look down as she inspected the reins - high quality, yet very subdued. Her charge, Marla, had her own colt being brought up, who nuzzled her.
All in all, it was a busy scene - but not too busy for people to not laugh and greet each other.

[Lillorainen]

I turned to them with a grin, taking Chris' kiss as well.
The colt looked at the strange girl with shining eyes, flaring his nostrils lightly. "It'll be rather simple: We ride off. Either Janina comes along... or she doesn't.", I said with a grin, before I turned to Janina: "This chap is named Camfheothan or Cammy for short. He has been my horse for as long as I could reach the stirrups. Reach out with your hand to have him smell you."
Meanwhile, the last preparations were completed around us, the last of us leaving the inn - Nora and Patty amongst them, who quickly got themselves people to ride with, as well as the Khana, who got her own horse's reins handed to her.
She rode a gigantic beast of a horse, taller at the shoulder then Chris was at his whole body, the tall woman unimpressed, mainly because she finally didn't have to look down as she inspected the reins - high quality, yet very subdued. Her charge, Marla, had her own colt being brought up, who nuzzled her.
All in all, it was a busy scene - but not too busy for people to not laugh and greet each other.

Janina reached out with her hand so Cammy could smell her.
She grinned. "I know what you're thinking" - she told the colt. "I smell like whiskey!"
Meanwhile, Chris noticed the Khana's horse - a woman taller than him riding a horse taller than him. "Gods" - he said. "Where we're from, the Khana would have to get off her horse everytime she has to go under a bridge!"
Dragan agreed. "If maximum height's three point five or below, for sure."
"And don't worry I might not come along - rather ask the guys!" Janina grinned. "I grew up with horses. But I'm sure the big city guys are too edgy not to." Of course, she was joking - well aware that at least Chris had some experience, yet not a lot, but sufficient.

[The Selkie]

Janina reached out with her hand so Cammy could smell her.
She grinned. "I know what you're thinking" - she told the colt. "I smell like whiskey!"
Meanwhile, Chris noticed the Khana's horse - a woman taller than him riding a horse taller than him. "Gods" - he said. "Where we're from, the Khana would have to get off her horse everytime she has to go under a bridge!"
Dragan agreed. "If maximum height's three point five or below, for sure."
"And don't worry I might not come along - rather ask the guys!" Janina grinned. "I grew up with horses. But I'm sure the big city guys are too edgy not to." Of course, she was joking - well aware that at least Chris had some experience, yet not a lot, but sufficient.

Cammy smelled Janina's hand... seconds passed, me watching it... and then he licked the hand.
I grinned at Dragan. "Seems like you have a competitor!", I told him, then turned to Chris, "Well, she is a tall woman and a small horse would be bad for her. Just like a small horse is good for Marla..." Quite honestly, if the girl pulled her head in a little, she could ride through beneath the Khana's Horse's stomach. "...and a large horse would be bad. And it would look ridiculous."
For a moment, I had to hold my hand in front of my face, holding in laughter of the image of the Khana, with her whole 2.16 metres, sitting on Marla's little colt, her feet dragging in the dust of the road.
Sadly, the little chap would not find it even half as funny.

[Lillorainen]

Cammy smelled Janina's hand... seconds passed, me watching it... and then he licked the hand.
I grinned at Dragan. "Seems like you have a competitor!", I told him, then turned to Chris, "Well, she is a tall woman and a small horse would be bad for her. Just like a small horse is good for Marla..." Quite honestly, if the girl pulled her head in a little, she could ride through beneath the Khana's Horse's stomach. "...and a large horse would be bad. And it would look ridiculous."
For a moment, I had to hold my hand in front of my face, holding in laughter of the image of the Khana, with her whole 2.16 metres, sitting on Marla's little colt, her feet dragging in the dust of the road.
Sadly, the little chap would not find it even half as funny.

Janina didn't mind Cammy licking her hand at all - she was quite used to getting a wet hand whenever a horse turned out to be approving of her, which happened on a regular basis.
Dragan laughed about Cel's comment. "Competitor, sure ... it's not like I could ever win against a horse!"
It seemed totally logical that a tall woman needed a tall horse - everything else would indeed have looked ridiculous. They all had to hide their amusement about the image of the Khana sitting on Marla's colt.
Chris said, "Still not as ridiculous as getting hit off the horse trying to pass a subway. But less painful."

[The Selkie]

Janina didn't mind Cammy licking her hand at all - she was quite used to getting a wet hand whenever a horse turned out to be approving of her, which happened on a regular basis.
Dragan laughed about Cel's comment. "Competitor, sure ... it's not like I could ever win against a horse!"
It seemed totally logical that a tall woman needed a tall horse - everything else would indeed have looked ridiculous. They all had to hide their amusement about the image of the Khana sitting on Marla's colt.
Chris said, "Still not as ridiculous as getting hit off the horse trying to pass a subway. But less painful."

Mhairin called something from the block of her carriage, first in Selkie and then repeated in English: "Departure in three minutes, people! Get mounted!"
I grinned at Chris.
"You're riding with me.", I decided and swung myself upwards, one foot in the stirrups, controlling my seating. Chris looked so small from up here... as soon as I was seated, I extended my arm towards him, my foot leaving one stirrup on the same side free, so that he could mount the horse between me and the package.
The package... an assortment of things, which were mostly expendable, a few brushes for Cammy and camping supplies, rations... and a bag with a few bottles of Cuan's Green Water and blocks of sugar and other tools, which would be fun later tonight.

[Lillorainen]

Mhairin called something from the block of her carriage, first in Selkie and then repeated in English: "Departure in three minutes, people! Get mounted!"
I grinned at Chris.
"You're riding with me.", I decided and swung myself upwards, one foot in the stirrups, controlling my seating. Chris looked so small from up here... as soon as I was seated, I extended my arm towards him, my foot leaving one stirrup on the same side free, so that he could mount the horse between me and the package.
The package... an assortment of things, which were mostly expendable, a few brushes for Cammy and camping supplies, rations... and a bag with a few bottles of Cuan's Green Water and blocks of sugar and other tools, which would be fun later tonight.

Chris did not hesitate a second. He took her hand, put a foot into the stirrup, pulled himself up and swung himself onto the horse, as if he had never done anything else.
"How's the air up there?" - Dragan asked, grinning.
Chris gave a thumbs-up. "Just like the place horses live in - stable!"
Dragan snorted. "Perfect!" Then he turned to his totally-not-girlfriend. "Now, let's get some seat on the carriage before it's too late. Otherwise we have to walk!"
"I wouldn't mind riding, either ..."
Dragan picked his cooling box up. "And what are we gonna do with these?"
"Oh. Good point."

[The Selkie]

Chris did not hesitate a second. He took her hand, put a foot into the stirrup, pulled himself up and swung himself onto the horse, as if he had never done anything else.
"How's the air up there?" - Dragan asked, grinning.
Chris gave a thumbs-up. "Just like the place horses live in - stable!"
Dragan snorted. "Perfect!" Then he turned to his totally-not-girlfriend. "Now, let's get some seat on the carriage before it's too late. Otherwise we have to walk!"
"I wouldn't mind riding, either ..."
Dragan picked his cooling box up. "And what are we gonna do with these?"
"Oh. Good point."

I motioned for Chris to sling his arms around my waist.
The concerns of Janina, though, were quickly answered as a young man, short black hair and eyepatch, quite good looking, if one asked me, came riding and declared: "Fear not, fair maiden, for you can ride with me and leave the lifting of heavy materials to the carriage, for I heard Madame Mamaí taking cargo without cargo-holders as well!", he declared in a bombastic, almost knightly way.
One should add, that he was not wearing a suit of armor with the characteristic Marcach's Half-Cuirass or something along those lines, no... but swimming trunks. Red swimming trunks, which looked good on him, admittedly, but kind-of didn't fit with the way he was saying things. He was well-muscled, though, not an ounce of fat, but many muscles on him.
He carried himself like a proud horseman would.
On his saddle, he had a longsword in its sheath, as well as a round shield, green and with an intricate pattern, on the right, and a quiver full of arrows on the right, the bowcase right next to it. A Marcach's Saddle where he wasn't wearing the armour.
I almost burst out laughing, hiding it as a sneeze.

[Lillorainen]

I motioned for Chris to sling his arms around my waist.
The concerns of Janina, though, were quickly answered as a young man, short black hair and eyepatch, quite good looking, if one asked me, came riding and declared: "Fear not, fair maiden, for you can ride with me and leave the lifting of heavy materials to the carriage, for I heard Madame Mamaí taking cargo without cargo-holders as well!", he declared in a bombastic, almost knightly way.
One should add, that he was not wearing a suit of armor with the characteristic Marcach's Half-Cuirass or something along those lines, no... but swimming trunks. Red swimming trunks, which looked good on him, admittedly, but kind-of didn't fit with the way he was saying things. He was well-muscled, though, not an ounce of fat, but many muscles on him.
He carried himself like a proud horseman would.
On his saddle, he had a longsword in its sheath, as well as a round shield, green and with an intricate pattern, on the right, and a quiver full of arrows on the right, the bowcase right next to it. A Marcach's Saddle where he wasn't wearing the armour.
I almost burst out laughing, hiding it as a sneeze.

Chris followed Cel's motion, slinging his arms around her waist.
When a young man came riding and declaring that he had a solution for Janina's problem, she was confused. Not by the fact that he kindly offered his help, or wanted her to join him on the saddle, no - her brain simply struggled synaptically linking her visual perception with her auditory one. What she saw was a young David Hasselhoff with an eyepatch on a horse - what she heard was a knight who had just left a time machine bringing him from the 13th century to 2018.
Just like Cel, Chris tried to hide his laughter.
Dragan hid his laughter behind his watch, pretending to be awfully busy estimating the intervals between the watch hands to get a totally precise time (hint: there were no hands, as it was a digital watch).
Janina slowly got back to reality, her brain recovering. She grinned, waited for Dragan to finish his precise determination of the time, then gave him her cooling box. "Problem solved, eh?"
Dragan nodded, grinning, too. He took both and hurried towards the carriage.
Janina turned to the young man and said, "Now then, noble knightsman, we shalt no longer wait! Thankful I am, for your noble offer, and I am willing to accept it, leaving the lifting of the cargo to mine friend!" She extended her arm for him to take it and help her up. "The reins shalt be in thine hands for this ride, sire."
Ey, Janina, please stop that! - Chris thought. Otherwise I'm gonna fall off the horse laughing!

[The Selkie]

Chris followed Cel's motion, slinging his arms around her waist.
When a young man came riding and declaring that he had a solution for Janina's problem, she was confused. Not by the fact that he kindly offered his help, or wanted her to join him on the saddle, no - her brain simply struggled synaptically linking her visual perception with her auditory one. What she saw was a young David Hasselhoff with an eyepatch on a horse - what she heard was a knight who had just left a time machine bringing him from the 13th century to 2018.
Just like Cel, Chris tried to hide his laughter.
Dragan hid his laughter behind his watch, pretending to be awfully busy estimating the intervals between the watch hands to get a totally precise time (hint: there were no hands, as it was a digital watch).
Janina slowly got back to reality, her brain recovering. She grinned, waited for Dragan to finish his precise determination of the time, then gave him her cooling box. "Problem solved, eh?"
Dragan nodded, grinning, too. He took both and hurried towards the carriage.
Janina turned to the young man and said, "Now then, noble knightsman, we shalt no longer wait! Thankful I am, for your noble offer, and I am willing to accept it, leaving the lifting of the cargo to mine friend!" She extended her arm for him to take it and help her up. "The reins shalt be in thine hands for this ride, sire."
Ey, Janina, please stop that! - Chris thought. Otherwise I'm gonna fall off the horse laughing!

The young man continued in the same tone, as more and more people were grinning: "I am deeply honoured, fair maid, and it shalt not be thyne loss, as it is not mine. The good Sir, who is carrying your cargo, shalt be compensated with the finest water of life that these Lands have to offer!"
He extended his arm and lifted Janina up with little difficulty, seating her behind him, between himself and the edge of the saddle. He grinned as she was seated, slinging an arm of hers around his waist.
"Fun aside...", he commented in a more normal tone, "...hold on tight. Wouldn't want a fair maiden to fall of my mighty steed, after all, right?" He petted the side of his horse. "But don't worry. Coiscéim will carry you safely. I'm Raidri, by the way. Who do I have the pleasure to be riding with?"

As Dragan boarded the carriage, he would quickly note that he wasn't the only one, who left his cargo with Mamaí, while quite a few people, from Mhairin's daughter Enya to the flute-player Enya, one sitting on the other's lap, were seated as well. Mhairin grinned at him over the shoulder: "I'm Mhairin, your carter for today. Put your cooler where it fits!"
There indeed was a spot, nearly directly behind the carter, where it would fit... next to a crate of Leuda Dark Ale and a package of bows and quivers, the feathering on the arrows denoting the many different types of arrows in the quivers.
A spot to sit was free as well, next to Enya, Enya and Finnegan, the green-haired young man playing a small game with the little Enya, to one side and a blonde, red-eyed girl, which had been introduced to Chris as Amy Laoch.

[Lillorainen]

The young man continued in the same tone, as more and more people were grinning: "I am deeply honoured, fair maid, and it shalt not be thyne loss, as it is not mine. The good Sir, who is carrying your cargo, shalt be compensated with the finest water of life that these Lands have to offer!"
He extended his arm and lifted Janina up with little difficulty, seating her behind him, between himself and the edge of the saddle. He grinned as she was seated, slinging an arm of hers around his waist.
"Fun aside...", he commented in a more normal tone, "...hold on tight. Wouldn't want a fair maiden to fall of my mighty steed, after all, right?" He petted the side of his horse. "But don't worry. Coiscéim will carry you safely. I'm Raidri, by the way. Who do I have the pleasure to be riding with?"

As Dragan boarded the carriage, he would quickly note that he wasn't the only one, who left his cargo with Mamaí, while quite a few people, from Mhairin's daughter Enya to the flute-player Enya, one sitting on the other's lap, were seated as well. Mhairin grinned at him over the shoulder: "I'm Mhairin, your carter for today. Put your cooler where it fits!"
There indeed was a spot, nearly directly behind the carter, where it would fit... next to a crate of Leuda Dark Ale and a package of bows and quivers, the feathering on the arrows denoting the many different types of arrows in the quivers.
A spot to sit was free as well, next to Enya, Enya and Finnegan, the green-haired young man playing a small game with the little Enya, to one side and a blonde, red-eyed girl, which had been introduced to Chris as Amy Laoch.

The 'fair maiden' indeed held on tight, although she was quite experienced with sharing a horse with other persons, so she felt entirely safe behind the young man.
She had to grin when he announced what Dragan would receive as a reward for the 'big effort' to carry two cooling boxes to the carriage, well aware what was meant by Water of Life. The ideal compensation for Sir Drink-a-lot.
"The pleasure is mine, Raidri" - she said. "I'm Janina. Don't worry, I don't fall off horses that easily, I have grown up in the saddle. I have no doubt that your mighty steed will carry me safely."
Growing up in the countryside plus carrying the blood of many excellent cavalrymen in herself was clearly an advantage - as she knew, her ancestors indeed had been knights, and not the worst ones.

Dragan put the two coolers next to the crate of Leuda Dark Ale. They perfectly fit between the crate and the quivers and bows.
He grinned, satisfied. "Fits to a millimeter!"
Then he took the free spot (after giving a friendly nod seeking confirmation to be free to take it, of course) next to Finnegan, Big Enya and Little Enya, on the other side Amy Laoch.
"A pleasure to me" - he said. "My name's Dragan, Dragan Bandera. Your cooling box carrier for today."

[The Selkie]

The 'fair maiden' indeed held on tight, although she was quite experienced with sharing a horse with other persons, so she felt entirely safe behind the young man.
She had to grin when he announced what Dragan would receive as a reward for the 'big effort' to carry two cooling boxes to the carriage, well aware what was meant by Water of Life. The ideal compensation for Sir Drink-a-lot.
"The pleasure is mine, Raidri" - she said. "I'm Janina. Don't worry, I don't fall off horses that easily, I have grown up in the saddle. I have no doubt that your mighty steed will carry me safely."
Growing up in the countryside plus carrying the blood of many excellent cavalrymen in herself was clearly an advantage - as she knew, her ancestors indeed had been knights, and not the worst ones.

Dragan put the two coolers next to the crate of Leuda Dark Ale. They perfectly fit between the crate and the quivers and bows.
He grinned, satisfied. "Fits to a millimeter!"
Then he took the free spot (after giving a friendly nod seeking confirmation to be free to take it, of course) next to Finnegan, Big Enya and Little Enya, on the other side Amy Laoch.
"A pleasure to me" - he said. "My name's Dragan, Dragan Bandera. Your cooling box carrier for today."

"Ha!", Raidri made with a grin, "Good to know, that I'm not talking to a complete beginner, but keep in mind, that Selkie were born for the saddle!"
I shook my head and looked to Chris, pulling alongside as our Table-Finnegan and his Nora joined our little group, both mounted onto their own horses. "How are you holding up back there, Chris?", I asked and kept my horse still - he wanted to get going and we would run in a moment, Cammy, but for now... keep still.
Finnegan bumped fists with Raidri, the two men exchanging a few words in Selkie, which made Nora roll her eyes. "Ignore those two.", she recommended to Janina, "Boy only grow after turning five!"
"Hey!", both men protested, earning themselves a giggling Nora.

Amy smiled as she scooted over to make a little bit more room.
"The pleasure is mine, Dragan.", she said with a thick accent, rolling Rs and dropped vovels, as well as a melodic cadance, sounding a lot like she was barely holding back from singing the sweetest of songs. "Laoch. Amy Laoch." She nodded to the crates of Leuda Dark Ale. "Might happen to you, that I ask you for your box-carrying services later, if you don't mind?"
She even gave him puppy-eyes, which was usually super-effective with her hair styled to resemble dog ears a bit.

[Lillorainen]

"Ha!", Raidri made with a grin, "Good to know, that I'm not talking to a complete beginner, but keep in mind, that Selkie were born for the saddle!"
I shook my head and looked to Chris, pulling alongside as our Table-Finnegan and his Nora joined our little group, both mounted onto their own horses. "How are you holding up back there, Chris?", I asked and kept my horse still - he wanted to get going and we would run in a moment, Cammy, but for now... keep still.
Finnegan bumped fists with Raidri, the two men exchanging a few words in Selkie, which made Nora roll her eyes. "Ignore those two.", she recommended to Janina, "Boy only grow after turning five!"
"Hey!", both men protested, earning themselves a giggling Nora.

Amy smiled as she scooted over to make a little bit more room.
"The pleasure is mine, Dragan.", she said with a thick accent, rolling Rs and dropped vovels, as well as a melodic cadance, sounding a lot like she was barely holding back from singing the sweetest of songs. "Laoch. Amy Laoch." She nodded to the crates of Leuda Dark Ale. "Might happen to you, that I ask you for your box-carrying services later, if you don't mind?"
She even gave him puppy-eyes, which was usually super-effective with her hair styled to resemble dog ears a bit.

Janina grinned. "Already got informed about that. Still, no worries about me!"
Their Table-Finnegan and his totally-not-girlfriend Nora joined, each on their own horses.
Chris replied, "I can't complain! Everything's fine." Indeed it was - of course, he didn't have Janina's experience, but he still sat safe right at the rear edge of the saddle.
Finnegan and Raidri bumped fists and talked in their mother tongue. They protested after Nora's comment on boys not growing up, but just getting bigger once they turned five.
"I'll just pretend I hadn't heard that, eh?" - Chris said, laughing.
Janina laughed, too. "That's what five-year-old boys tend to do quite often!"

Amy Laoch introduced herself in a heavily accented English. Melodic pronunciation, rolled R's ... Dragan felt reminded of the way he used to speak with his family.
He had to grin when she made that puppy-look fitting to her hairstyle.
"Mah, no issues with that" - he said. "Back in school, I've worked in a warehouse to better up my pocket money! I'm quite used to carrying stuff around. Not to mention that the apartment I live in now is in the fifth floor and the elevator's broken." He shrugged. "This isn't a lot of work for me."

[The Selkie]

Janina grinned. "Already got informed about that. Still, no worries about me!"
Their Table-Finnegan and his totally-not-girlfriend Nora joined, each on their own horses.
Chris replied, "I can't complain! Everything's fine." Indeed it was - of course, he didn't have Janina's experience, but he still sat safe right at the rear edge of the saddle.
Finnegan and Raidri bumped fists and talked in their mother tongue. They protested after Nora's comment on boys not growing up, but just getting bigger once they turned five.
"I'll just pretend I hadn't heard that, eh?" - Chris said, laughing.
Janina laughed, too. "That's what five-year-old boys tend to do quite often!"

Amy Laoch introduced herself in a heavily accented English. Melodic pronunciation, rolled R's ... Dragan felt reminded of the way he used to speak with his family.
He had to grin when she made that puppy-look fitting to her hairstyle.
"Mah, no issues with that" - he said. "Back in school, I've worked in a warehouse to better up my pocket money! I'm quite used to carrying stuff around. Not to mention that the apartment I live in now is in the fifth floor and the elevator's broken." He shrugged. "This isn't a lot of work for me."

Would she have had a tail, it would have wagged like there is no tomorrow as she leaned over and pecked Dragan onto the cheek, really only a short peck.
"Really? Thank you!", she expressed her gratitude more verbally, grinning. "I'll reward you, too!" Enya and Finnegan looked at her with raised eyebows. "With a bottle, of course. It's a really good dark ale!"
Both nodded, then went back to playing with Little Enya.
"No, fun aside, it's really a good ale. Have you ever drunken Selkie-Ale, Dragan?", she asked the Lillo.

Nora and I laughed with Janina at the joke, the protests of the three men falling onto deaf ears, even if Raidri and Finnegan were only acting and grinning themselves. It was all too true, however.
Then, there was a general move, that went through the crowd as the vanguard departed, four mounted men and women leading the caravan on the 'dangerous' trip to the beach, where our party would be held. In a minute, we would go, too, the first already approaching the gate.
I tightened Chris' grip around my waist as I made Cammy move forwards, slowly, Raidri with Janina, Finnegan and Nora behind us.
"How long will the trip take?", I asked Finnegan over the shoulder.
"Call it a quarter of an hour!", the young man replied with a grin.

[Lillorainen]

Would she have had a tail, it would have wagged like there is no tomorrow as she leaned over and pecked Dragan onto the cheek, really only a short peck.
"Really? Thank you!", she expressed her gratitude more verbally, grinning. "I'll reward you, too!" Enya and Finnegan looked at her with raised eyebows. "With a bottle, of course. It's a really good dark ale!"
Both nodded, then went back to playing with Little Enya.
"No, fun aside, it's really a good ale. Have you ever drunken Selkie-Ale, Dragan?", she asked the Lillo.

Nora and I laughed with Janina at the joke, the protests of the three men falling onto deaf ears, even if Raidri and Finnegan were only acting and grinning themselves. It was all too true, however.
Then, there was a general move, that went through the crowd as the vanguard departed, four mounted men and women leading the caravan on the 'dangerous' trip to the beach, where our party would be held. In a minute, we would go, too, the first already approaching the gate.
I tightened Chris' grip around my waist as I made Cammy move forwards, slowly, Raidri with Janina, Finnegan and Nora behind us.
"How long will the trip take?", I asked Finnegan over the shoulder.
"Call it a quarter of an hour!", the young man replied with a grin.

Dragan did not mind Amy's short peck. Whereas he did raise his eyebrows along with Finnegan and Enya, but lowered them again when she added that she was talking about a bottle of ale as a reward.
He answered, "Not until like half an hour ago. Janina - that's the girl on the horse behind your honorary knight over there - and I, we've tested some Selkie drinks in the hotel bar while you were at dinner; whiskey, ale, and some other drinks that are either awfully expensive where we're from, or don't exist altogether. Which is a pity - you guys do have a good taste!"

Of course, Chris had to laugh, too - Janina's answer had come quick and unexpected.
The vanguard leading the whole parade moved on - yes, a parade, as all three Lillos called it in minds, since they felt somehow reminded of the Furusiyya and some other parades back home.
Slowly, Cammy moved on. Chris held even tighter, as Cel tightened his grip. He wasn't afraid at all, but something with 'caution' and 'mother' and 'porcelain chest' - or whatever the proverb went like.
A quarter of an hour didn't seem like a long time, though.

[The Selkie]

Dragan did not mind Amy's short peck. Whereas he did raise his eyebrows along with Finnegan and Enya, but lowered them again when she added that she was talking about a bottle of ale as a reward.
He answered, "Not until like half an hour ago. Janina - that's the girl on the horse behind your honorary knight over there - and I, we've tested some Selkie drinks in the hotel bar while you were at dinner; whiskey, ale, and some other drinks that are either awfully expensive where we're from, or don't exist altogether. Which is a pity - you guys do have a good taste!"

Of course, Chris had to laugh, too - Janina's answer had come quick and unexpected.
The vanguard leading the whole parade moved on - yes, a parade, as all three Lillos called it in minds, since they felt somehow reminded of the Furusiyya and some other parades back home.
Slowly, Cammy moved on. Chris held even tighter, as Cel tightened his grip. He wasn't afraid at all, but something with 'caution' and 'mother' and 'porcelain chest' - or whatever the proverb went like.
A quarter of an hour didn't seem like a long time, though.

Amy giggled.
"Oh, I'm very sure, that you have quite interesting stuff at home, too.", she said and swayed slightly as the carriage began to move. "I must admit, though, that I'm not too much into alcohol... I'm more of a sweets-girl. Give me something sweet and I'm your best friend..."
At the mere thought, her tail would have started to waggle even more, if she would have had one.
"Chocolades, caramelized fruits, all of the many things, which are sweet, are tasty!", she added.

This was not a parade.
A parade would see us all in full armour, fully armed and equipped, with little flags on our lances, ready to fight for our cities and towns and villages. The half-cuirasses, typical-Selkie, would be polished to gleam golden and, if there were heavy horsemen amongst us, the horses would also have a pair of additional bronze teeth, fangs, almost, reaching down like with a sabretooth. We would also be in a tighter and more precise formation, the signal for departure would be given by a horn and horse-artillery would follow us.
This was a convoy.
I still enjoyed Chris' arm around my waist as we departed the inn, Miss Nora waving after us. With a smile, I noted, that the Lutetiian Businessman's Son had come with us, sitting behind our Table-Amy and clinging to her, which made her grin and plan evil.
My hand left the reins as I stretched myself, quite unannounced, using my thighs and legs to steer Cammy.

[Lillorainen]

Amy giggled.
"Oh, I'm very sure, that you have quite interesting stuff at home, too.", she said and swayed slightly as the carriage began to move. "I must admit, though, that I'm not too much into alcohol... I'm more of a sweets-girl. Give me something sweet and I'm your best friend..."
At the mere thought, her tail would have started to waggle even more, if she would have had one.
"Chocolades, caramelized fruits, all of the many things, which are sweet, are tasty!", she added.

This was not a parade.
A parade would see us all in full armour, fully armed and equipped, with little flags on our lances, ready to fight for our cities and towns and villages. The half-cuirasses, typical-Selkie, would be polished to gleam golden and, if there were heavy horsemen amongst us, the horses would also have a pair of additional bronze teeth, fangs, almost, reaching down like with a sabretooth. We would also be in a tighter and more precise formation, the signal for departure would be given by a horn and horse-artillery would follow us.
This was a convoy.
I still enjoyed Chris' arm around my waist as we departed the inn, Miss Nora waving after us. With a smile, I noted, that the Lutetiian Businessman's Son had come with us, sitting behind our Table-Amy and clinging to her, which made her grin and plan evil.
My hand left the reins as I stretched myself, quite unannounced, using my thighs and legs to steer Cammy.

"We do." Dragan nodded. "We even just combine sweets and alcohol. Fruit brandies, fruit liqueurs, even chocolate and caramel liqueurs. Though, I must admit that I'm less into that. Regarding food, I do enjoy chocolate and stuff, but I generally prefer salted and spiced things over candies."
He shrugged.
"Probably something related to what I've grown up like. Sweets used to be rather something special in my childhood."

Obviously it wasn't a parade in the classical sense, but convoys like these tended to be a very rare view where Chris was from. Janina would probably told differently, too.
Cel stretched herself for steering Cammy - rather unannounced, but Chris didn't get startled by that.
Miss Nora was waving after them. The Lutetiian businessman's son was coming with them; obviously he had found some nice new acquaintance in Amy Ramallae, and she quite enjoyed it. Making plans ...
"Die Karawane zieht weiter, der Sultan hätt Doosch ..." - Chris sung in a low tone so not many people around could hear it. Then, he had to laugh.

[The Selkie]

"We do." Dragan nodded. "We even just combine sweets and alcohol. Fruit brandies, fruit liqueurs, even chocolate and caramel liqueurs. Though, I must admit that I'm less into that. Regarding food, I do enjoy chocolate and stuff, but I generally prefer salted and spiced things over candies."
He shrugged.
"Probably something related to what I've grown up like. Sweets used to be rather something special in my childhood."

Obviously it wasn't a parade in the classical sense, but convoys like these tended to be a very rare view where Chris was from. Janina would probably told differently, too.
Cel stretched herself for steering Cammy - rather unannounced, but Chris didn't get startled by that.
Miss Nora was waving after them. The Lutetiian businessman's son was coming with them; obviously he had found some nice new acquaintance in Amy Ramallae, and she quite enjoyed it. Making plans ...
"Die Karawane zieht weiter, der Sultan hätt Dorscht ..." - Chris sung in a low tone so not many people around could hear it. Then, he had to laugh.

"Oh?", Amy made, looking adorably confused, "You believe more in Spiced then in Sweet? Hm..."
She thought for a moment.
"How about Sweet-Spiced?", she asked, "I know an awesome chocolade, that is cherry and then chilly and all of that coated in deep, deep brown chocolade!" She grinned widely. "It's to die for! Bloody expensive, but to die for!"
She smiled a bit sheepishly.
"I would offer you a piece, but said chocolade always mysteriously vanishes, when I am around..."

I looked over my shoulder in a bit of confusion, Raidri joining me, the two of us exchanging looks.
"Well, Chris...", I began, "...if you want to sing, then do so! Lound and clear for everyone to hear!"
"You might not be as good as your girlfriend and I'm not sure, whether everyone will understand you, but if you will put into it, it will not matter!", Raidri added.
At our words, quite a few people were looking over - and expectantly at Chris.