The Restless Gods - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: The Young Warrior and the Sea

The sun of the late morning shined over them as they stood outside Nibi town's stone walls.  Karyn, clad in a white cloak, top and loincloth, stood with her Mustel's reins firmly in hand.  Flinton stood beside her, brown pants and a green tunic on his body and a hand around his lover's waist.  Jatz sat on his Run Lizard while Lynthia grasped the reins of her Mustel, walking and chatting happily with Teneila dressed in flowing purple robes.

"I am sorry Teneila." explained Karyn,  "But we only have three beasts of burden.  I am afraid you will have to share with someone."

"There is no need." Teneila replied.  "I am just a low-level magician but I am capable of low height flight."  Teneila paused briefly to concentrate and her body rose a foot above the desert.  "I can fly at a constant speed for some time. It is one of my best abilities."

Teneila closed her eyes and chanted a mantra inside her head. She rose a few more feet above the ground, placing her eye level with the rest of the party aboard their animals.

"Very impressive." Karyn complimented.  "Flinton, you will ride with me."

Lynthia glared slightly in Karyn's direction as Flinton mounted the Mustel and wrapped his arms around Karyn.  Lynthia squeezed her reins angrily and turned away as Flinton pressed his torso against Karyn's back and reached around to tease her breasts.  Karyn giggled slightly as he cupped her breasts through the sheer material of her top and touched the bare flesh of her belly.

"Would you say that kind of behavior is appropriate Karyn?" asked a voice from over Karyn's shoulder.  Karyn and Flinton turned and saw Teneila hovering behind them, a scowl marring her face.

"It is appropriate enough Teneila." Karyn replied.  "I am not sure if you are aware Flinton and I are lovers."

"I am fully aware." Teneila replied coldly.  "I am also aware of some of the circumstances behind it."

Flinton narrowed his eyes at Teneila to match the sour expression on the magician's face. 

Karyn noticed the intensifying glare that connected the two and said to Flinton, "Flinton, ride with Jatz for a moment please."

"What?  I object to riding with the thief on that creature!"

"Do it." Karyn ordered, her voice pointed.  Flinton was taken aback by the strength of her tone, and obediently dismounted.  He then mounted Jatz's Run Lizard, much to Jatz's dismay.

"Very well sorceress." Karyn sighed with resignation.  "Why are you here with us?"

"I am only seeking what you seek. The Gods."

"With no promise of success or wealth, you would follow us?" Karyn asked skeptically.

"I am training to be a sorceress Karyn.  A sorceress is to be a mortal with the highest possible relationship with the gods.  I have trained for so long, yet my power has yet to grow substantially.  I want to join your quest only for the purpose of growing stronger and attaining my dream."

"So, you wish to help me, only to make yourself more powerful." Karyn said condescendingly.  "It rings of selfishness when you state it a certain way."

"Karyn, I insist I do not wish to make your journey difficult.  It is just that I have heard from Lynthia that..."

"It is none of your concern what goes on between her and me." Karyn interrupted.  "Yes, she and I shared a brief, passionate affair.  I love her dearly but... I have fallen for Flinton. She has just not taken my choice very well."

"I see." Teneila nodded before scoffing, "And you accuse me of being selfish."

Teneila's words were like a blade through Karyn's dignity.  The warrior's fist visibly twitched and a flash of anger briefly appeared on her beautiful face.  "And you insist that you do not wish to make the journey difficult." Karyn said through gritted teeth.

"Then we are both disciples of hypocrisy." Teneila said before floating towards the back of the party.

The party traveled through the Nibi desert for hours.  Nothing but endless dunes greeted their vision and soon even Nibi town was a speck on the horizon behind them.  Lynthia began to grow worried and hoped that she had made the right choice in continuing in Karyn's journeys.  Already the intensity of the sun and the agony of watching Flinton shamelessly fondle Karyn in front of her made her question her decision.

A hand suddenly clasped around Lynthia's shoulder.  Lynthia looked up, startled at first, but then saw it was Teneila who was hovering right beside her.

"I can see you are distressed." Teneila said in a whisper.  "Do not let it bother you.  It does you no good."

"Easy for you to state." Lynthia replied, placing a hand on Teneila's.  "But...have you ever loved someone Teneila?"

"Yes." Teneila replied.  "There was a man in my life at one point.  But he left me for another."

"Oh." Lynthia said as a realization came to her.  "Then, you know exactly how I feel?"

"Yes.  And this is why I tell you not to let it bother you.  I was just like you when he left me for another woman.  It is perhaps why I dedicated myself to becoming a sorceress.  It was a sign to find a new purpose in life.  I hope you can find a new purpose Lynthia, perhaps I can help you find it."

Lynthia smiled warmly and stroked Teneila's hand.  "I would like that Teneila.  I would."

---

Eventually, the rolling dunes of the Nibi desert turned to a vast ocean horizon.  The smell of ocean air was an invigorating change from the sandy, hot desert winds. 

Karyn dismounted her mustel and held the amulet in her hand.  The wind whipped over her body, sending her loincloth and hair flying.  As she continued to walk closer to the crashing waves, the vibrations of the amulet became stronger.  She stopped advancing just as the waves began to wash against her toes.

"We will need to commission a boat." Karyn announced to the party.  "The amulet seems to indicate something in the ocean."

"Where are we exactly?" Flinton asked.

Jatz looked up from the map he produced from his satchel.  "According to this, we are at the Cetba Sea.   And, there is a port town a few miles down, called Reluc.  We may be able to get a boat there."

"We will not steal a boat." Karyn insisted.

"Understood." Jatz remorsed.

The party continued down the beach, eventually seeing a group of buildings and a long pier extending into the ocean.  The town seemed centered around an enormous set of docks, as many of the boats seemed to resemble buildings.  Dozens of massive sailing ships were anchored off to one side, their presence dwarfing the other boats surrounding them.

A small shed with a wooden signed marked 'Shipyard Master' came into view.  Jatz and Karyn dismounted their beasts and walked up to it.  Jatz blocked Karyn with his arm as they were about to step through the door.

"If you don't mind Karyn, I would like to negotiate myself.  Just let me at least try first." Jatz insisted.

Karyn paused for a moment, thinking about Jatz's suggestion.  "Well..." she muttered, "alright.  But if you fail, I will try."

"Absolutely.  Wait here." Jatz smiled before entering the shed.

The party waited outside the shed, pacing impatiently around the dock.  After what seemed like an agonizingly long time, Jatz re-emerged from the shed with a tinge of confidence in his stride.

"We may take that one." Jatz said, pointing to a boat on the far end of the dock.  It was a large vessel with three levels below deck.  Two massive masts stood erect with their huge sails rolled up, and the name 'Golden Phoenix' was inscribed proudly on the ship's side, accompanying an intricate statue of a phoenix at the ship's prow.

Everyone nodded and hurriedly boarded the ship.  Lynthia led the beasts of burden down to the bottom levels of the ship while Jatz untied the rope to the dock and kicked away the boarding plank with a hurry that Karyn noticed.  It was when she saw the group of harbor men running towards them did she realize what was going on.

"Cast away now!!" Jatz yelled to the party before Karyn could bring her objections. 

Jatz and Flinton undid the ropes on the main mast that let the ship's mighty white sails fly open, while Lynthia and Teneila hauled the anchor up on deck.  With the ship beginning to lurch forward, Karyn had no choice but to steer the ship out to the ocean, and saw the group of men cursing and waving knives at them as they journeyed off.

"I told you we don't steal!" Karyn snapped at Jatz once they were safely on their way.

"And I said I understood.  We will return this ship Karyn.  And I will even pay the man for borrowing it."

"And why did you not pay them to start?"

"He was asking far too much. We could never afford it.  I will pay him later, at a price I agree with."

Karyn sighed and turned away, deciding there was no point to argue with Jatz's methods.  The amulet on her bosom began to quake again, and she knew that was the more pressing matter.

The cold sea air proved difficult on Karyn and her current wardrobe.  After changing back to her leather garments and dark cloak, Karyn and the others navigated their mighty vessel farther out to sea.  Karyn stood out at the front of the ship, her arm extended and her amulet held firmly in her palm.  She signaled back to Flinton who stood at the wheel, steering in whatever direction she pointed in. 

Jatz, Lynthia and Teneila helped as best they could by pulling the ropes that turned the sails.  Lynthia dropped to the deck several times, her hands red and almost bleeding from the ropes and her arms ready to pop out of their sockets.  Karyn turned and watched Lynthia with concern, resisting the urge to run over and help her up.  She only knew that such actions would make Lynthia uncomfortable and were unnecessarily protective, especially when Teneila was constantly there to catch Lynthia when she fell.  Karyn sighed every time Lynthia giggled or smiled at Teneila, but her thoughts were interrupted when she felt the medallion tingle in her hand.  She returned her focus to the medallion and scanned the immediate area, but when she found nothing except the rolling waves of the ocean, she let her arm dip towards the deck in disappointment, which was when the amulet's vibrations intensified.

"Drop anchor!  It appears the next beacon is below!" Karyn suddenly bellowed over the ocean's rumbles.

"And how do we get down there?" Flinton asked.  "Only the richest kings have submersible pods!"

"Allow me." Teneila interrupted.  She walked up to Karyn and held the warrior by the shoulders, chanting softly as she did so.  Karyn stared back at her in confusion, which was when she felt her breathing become strange, as if her lungs were no longer working but her body was being fed some other source of air.

"I have granted you a temporary ability to breathe underwater, and the ability to endure massive pressures." Teneila explained.  "You will have it for approximately one hour.  I suggest you do not delay."

"Will you come with me Teneila?  Your powers may prove useful."

"Very well.  Karyn, I suggest you not wear those garments, as water will most certainly ruin them."

"Agreed.  Everyone wait below deck until we submerge." Karyn ordered. 

Lynthia and Jatz went down first, with Flinton joining them a moment later.  Once Karyn was alone with Teneila, she took off her cloak and undid the belt that strapped her hilt to her waist.  She then took off her boots, and was about to remove her top, when Teneila intervened.

"What are you doing?" Teneila asked, shocked at Karyn's wanton actions.

"There is nothing shameful about being naked if that is your objection." Karyn replied.  "Besides, I have no swimming garments.  And you are right, my leather clothing would be unsuitable for underwater.  Unless your magic can provide me with swimming garments, I have no choice."

"I, had not pondered that." Teneila admitted.  "Then, I may also have to swim without clothing as well."

Karyn nodded and finished removing her top and slid out of her pants and panties.  Completely naked, she wrapped the amulet's chain around her forearm securely and waited while Teneila tentatively removed her clothing, shivering as the cold sea air bit into her skin.  After removing her purple robes without too much hesitance, Teneila found it difficult to prompt herself to remove her undergarments.  Karyn looked at her impatiently and that prompted Teneila to quickly finish stripping.  After performing the spell of underwater breathing on herself, she and Karyn dove under the water.

The sea was dark, and every drop of water that embraced the women's skin was icy cold.  Teneila concentrated as best she could within the shivering depths and conjured two more spells.  One was a body heat enhancement spell and the other was a magic flare.  Within her fist a burst of light emerged and remained visible as she and Karyn swam deeper into the depths.  Karyn clutched the amulet tightly in her hand and felt for its vibrations, swimming blindly by its direction.  Teneila struggled to keep up, following Karyn as the flare occasionally illuminated her feet as she came close enough.

The two continued diving for some time before Teneila noticed her flare illuminating something beneath her.  It was a few more moments before she realized it was the bottom of the sea floor.  She almost blurted out to Karyn her discovery when she remembered Karyn would be unable to hear her.  The warrior woman seemed aware of Teneila's discovery anyway as she swam towards a small cave Teneila could barely see.

Teneila reluctantly followed Karyn into the narrow tunnel and saw from the flare's scarlet light that the cave was not natural.  The tunnel they swam through was actually made of ancient stonework, worn away by many years of underwater creatures.  Strange fish she had never seen before swam by her as she invaded their home, and her heart began to race as she pondered the possibility that something dangerous could be lurking just ahead.  The tunnel finally ended much to her relief, and they surfaced in a large room. Teneila and Karyn paddled in the water, their faces dripping with icy water and their lungs pumping for air.

"I thought...you said we could...breathe underwater..." Karyn gasped, her breasts heaving desperately.

"Hhh...takes time to...adjust back to...regular air..." Teneila replied through gasps of her own.

Once the women had recovered, they swam to a ledge made of similar stonework that the tunnel had been constructed out of.  The rock was smooth, having been undisturbed for an unknown number of years.  Complete darkness enfolded the women, forcing Teneila to intensify her flare.  Karyn unwrapped the medallion chain around her arm and placed it around her neck, letting the round charm rest between her swaying breasts.

"This way." Karyn said as she walked into the darkened hallway before them.  Teneila walked beside her, extending her hand to illuminate the darkness.  For an amount of time equal to the their swim, they walked down a completely straight hallway until they were greeted by a large chamber.  Karyn and Teneila looked around as best they could within the darkness, but they could see that despite the room's size, nothing but the same familiar stonework surrounded them.  Karyn stared down at the floor, dragging Teneila beside her and looking for something noticeable in the stone.

---

Jatz and Flinton laid soundly on their bunks while Lynthia paced nervously back and forth.  Jatz was half asleep while Flinton occupied himself by inspecting some of his arrows.  There was complete silence between the three, only the sounds of the ships creaking and groaning filled their ears.  The groans suddenly starting to intensify, and the ship began to rock back and forth.  Jatz was awakened as the ship's motions rolled him against the wall, and Lynthia was forced to grip the edge of Flinton's bunk to prevent from falling to her feet.

"What is going on?" Flinton asked as he looked up warily from his bunk.

Jatz creased his brow in confusion and listened carefully to the howling sounds coming from above.  "Oh gods..." he muttered.  "It's a storm."

---

"Look." Teneila said as her magic flare illuminated the edge of something in the floor.  Karyn stood beside her and saw it was the edge of the familiar circular pattern that surrounded all the beacons.

"Good work." Karyn complimented, putting a hand on Teneila's shoulder.  Karyn took off the amulet and placed it in the small circular indent, lining up the arrow with its hole and turning it.  The floor beneath her burst with light, sending Teneila reeling backwards while Karyn stood in the center, basking in the beacon's glorious light.  Teneila squinted at the spectacle and her jaw dropped in awe as the previously dark chamber was completely illuminated. 

Karyn stood in the centre of the storm of light, completely unfazed by its intensity.  The lights suddenly stopped, and the chamber was once again plunged into darkness.  Teneila rubbed her eyes as they adjusted to the sudden disappearance of the light. She re-ignited her magic flare and walked to Karyn, who was already bent down and fetching the amulet.  Once Teneila's light came close enough, Karyn lifted the amulet and saw to her satisfaction, a new sparkling green gem glittering on the back.

"That makes three." Karyn smiled. 

Teneila smiled back and was about to speak when a massive rumbling was heard.

"What was that?" Teneila asked warily.

The answer came in the form of a giant roar from the darkness.  Teneila turned her flare towards the direction of the sound and saw a massive wall of water coming at them.  Before she could even scream, she and Karyn were enveloped by the rushing wave.

Darkness shielded their vision and a terrible cold hugged their flesh.  Their bodies were sent flying through the water as if weightless, limbs flailing out hoping to find something to grab onto, anything to stop the endless spinning.

"Teneila..." Karyn thought repeatedly, the concern for the young magician consuming her.  She closed her eyes and prayed for Teneila and her to safely make it back to the crew, while apologizing to her master just in case they were not destined to survive.  The cold emptiness of the water on Karyn's hand were suddenly interrupted by a firm grip.  The warrior opened her eyes and much to her amazement and delight, saw Teneila staring back at her.  Karyn and Teneila embraced each other tightly and let the storm toss them wildly through the ocean.  Their arms and legs became entangled, mashing their breasts together and placing their faces check to cheek.  They went spinning as one for what seemed like ages, the ocean nothing but a dark, cold blur to them.

It took the two women a few moments to realize that they had stopped being tossed about by the turbulent wave. They opened their eyes and immediately swam up towards the light. Karyn and Teneila broke the surface of the water to be spotted immediately by Lynthia's watchful eyes. 

"Teneila!  Karyn!!" she called out to them, letting out a rope ladder on the side of the ship. 

The two women in the water swam up to it and quickly climbed aboard. "Is everyone alright?" Karyn asked as she placed her hands on her knees, her lungs pumping desperately for air.

"We survived the storm." Flinton replied.  "It was rather short, and not too intense up here."

"Time must be running out." said Karyn as she squeezed the water from her hair.  "The gods are growing more restless by the day.  We must move more quickly."

"Where are my clothes?" asked Teneila, who bashfully covered her breasts and crotch with her hands.

"I'm afraid the storm tossed them overboard." replied Jatz.

"You can wear some of my clothes." Lynthia offered.

"Thank you Lynthia." Teneila smiled.

"In the meantime, we have some time before we reach land.  What say we drink?" Flinton suggested.  "The sleeping quarters of this vessel come quite well stocked with liquors."

Jatz and Karyn nodded in approval, while Teneila hesitated.  Lynthia noticed her hesitation and promptly said, "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

As the party went below deck, Karyn kept Flinton behind a moment and kissed him passionately.

"I was afraid that I would never feel you again." Karyn said.  "Were my clothes truly swept away by storm?"

"Yes." Flinton said as he embraced her naked ass.

"Oh, I suspected that perhaps you had thrown them overboard to save one some effort." Karyn said with a smile.

---

Lynthia took a final swig from her drink and leaned back in her seat, allowing the warmth of the alcohol to flow through her veins.  She let out a deep sigh and looked over at Teneila, who slept soundly on the bed across from her.  Lynthia stared at her for a moment, observing Teneila's features.  Her skin was a creamy color that made her red locks stand out even brighter.  Her red lips parted slightly as she breathed, and her breasts looked full beneath the loose shirt.  The magician's legs were bare due to Lynthia having no pants that fit the magician, while a white loincloth covered her crotch.  Lynthia staggered closer to Teneila's slumbering form and knelt beside her.

The blonde girl slowly and gently touched Teneila's right cheek with the back of her hand.  The magician's face was soft as silk, as was the skin on the insides of her thighs.  Images flashed inside Lynthia's mind, exceptionally vivid ones that were fueled by both the alcohol she had consumed and the unsatisfied lust she still felt for Karyn.  She imagined passionate, hot love-making sessions with Teneila, ones where they would ravage and touch each other in ways Lynthia could never describe to another person.  And after each one, the two women would exchange the words, "I love you."

Reacting to her growing lust, Lynthia pulled her shirt over her head, leaving her naked from the waist up.  She gently caressed the soft flesh of Teneila's neck and tentatively undid the first button on the magician's shirt.  When it came undone without awakening her, it prompted Lynthia to continue. Soon Teneila's entire swelling cleavage was visible.  Her heart pounded within her chest as she watched the fabric gradually slide off Teneila's breasts, until her nipples became exposed.  Lynthia shuddered, her pussy becoming wet as she thrilled at the sight of Teneila's naked breasts rising and falling. 

Lynthia's face hovered over Teneila's and after gathering enough courage, she kissed her gently on the lips.  Teneila moaned slightly as she began to wake.  Lynthia interpreted the moan as a sign of pleasure and kissed with more passion, pressing her tongue between Teneila's lips and squeezing her full breasts. 

Teneila's eyes fluttered open and once he saw what Lynthia was doing, she pushed her away. "What are you doing?!" Teneila demanded, which was when she realized Lynthia had undone her shirt.

"I'm...I'm sorry." Lynthia said shamefully, covering her breasts with her hands.  "I just thought that..."

Teneila quickly buttoned up her shirt.  "You thought that I lay with women did you not?!  Well I am afraid I don't!"

"Please Teneila, don't be angry.  I did not mean to cause offense."

"You realize that if you were a man this would be considered rape, and I would use my magic to burn you."

"I deserve whatever you see fit for me." Lynthia pouted.  "What I did really was no better than rape."

Teneila pondered her next actions for a moment before sighing.  "Lynthia, I am going to the other cabin room, I would appreciate it if you not sleep in the same room as me."

"Alright." Lynthia agreed, her voice flooded with shame and her eyes unable to look up at Teneila.

As Teneila hurried out of Lynthia's room, she ran into Karyn in the hall.  Karyn was coming out of a room shared with Flinton.  The smile on Karyn's face and the looseness of her top were enough to tell Teneila what had just transpired inside.

"Teneila." Karyn greeted when she saw the magician.  "I would like to apologize for our brief argument before."

"Oh, that was nothing.  I have already forgotten it." Teneila said dismissively.

"It was more than nothing." Karyn insisted.  "I was questioning your path and your honesty.  You and I are more similar than I had thought."

"How so?" Teneila asked, puzzled by Karyn's suggestion.

"We are both women dedicated to our trades, to strengthening ourselves.  I devote myself to being a warrior and to attain better spiritual understanding.  You are devoted to magic and a greater comprehension of the forces around us."

Teneila's eyes were wide.  "I am astounded Karyn.  I was not aware that you were so well spoken and enlightened."

"I suppose we have both learned that conclusions cannot be made from initial impressions." Karyn said, smiling at Teneila and extending a hand in friendship. 

Teneila returned the smile and placed her hand in Karyn's, allowing the warrior to stroke it gently.

"I could not help but overhear yelling from your room." Karyn said, gesturing towards the room from Teneila had emerged.  "Is there a cause for concern?"

"No.  None at all." Teneila said bluntly.  "Where is the next beacon?" she asked, in an effort to forget the incident that had just transpired.

Karyn lifted the medallion hanging from her neck.  She pointed it tentatively in various directions until she felt its guiding vibrations.  "Not far from here.  I feel its intensity." Karyn replied.

"Oh, it is not another underwater beacon is it?" Teneila groaned.

"No..." answered Karyn.  "I...feel it is on land." 

Karyn nodded and climbed the ladder to the ship's deck.  Teneila followed out of curiosity and saw Karyn taking a position behind the ship's wheel.

"Where are we going?!" Jatz yelled from the crow's nest high above on the main mast.

Karyn was too focused on steering to reply.  Teneila stood silently, watching as Karyn steered the ship with almost uncanny precision, as if she knew exactly where to go.  Finally, after growing impatient for Karyn to say anything, Teneila asked, "Where exactly are we going?"

"The next beacon." Karyn replied, her tone betraying a slight hint of excitement.

"Already?" asked Teneila.  "You are getting anxious Karyn."

"Anxious?  Why should I not be?  To meet the gods I would cross the dark abyss on foot!"

Teneila took a step back by reflex.  "You know Karyn, you frighten me at times." the magician said, keeping a wary eye on Karyn as she descended below deck.

Continued in Chapter 6

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