The Misadventures of Ka-Ron the Knight (12 page)

Jatel lost all strength in his legs, and gently lay on top of his master. He placed his hands under Ka-Ron's body, and started kissing her neck. Ka-Ron's eyes raced, causing her eyelids to flutter wildly.

So it was, on the floor of a public privy, that Jatel, a humble stable squire, deflowered Ka-Ron the knight.

The world was different now.

When Ka-Ron opened her eyes, she glanced up at the dirty gray roof of the town's privy, realizing that she had been in a deep sleep for about a cycle. She was also fondly surprised to discover that Jatel was sleeping on top of her, his head nestled between her huge breasts.

"I have lost my innocence this day," she softly whispered. There was both astonishment and regret in her tone.

Her hands absently started to play with Jatel's hair, as the squire continued to sleep. Ka-Ron discovered that her fascination for her friend had deepened. Every little move, twitch, and moan the squire made in his sleep appeared to cause great amusement in Ka-Ron's reaction. She felt totally alive and amazed at his presence. Was this what it felt like to be a woman in love? Ka-Ron tried to fight the feelings, but they were too fantastic. She had never felt so alive!

Jatel snored, softly, and shifted his weight.

Ka-Ron giggled as she gazed, noting the sheer innocence of her lover. This was her moment, and she wanted to savor it as much as possible. Again, she had to wonder, how many women had studied her, during her sleep, when she had been a man? Was this a "female" thing to do? Had Kai given her true "female" feelings, or, were these coming from her true nature? The knight's mind was a battlefield of contradictions.

She noticed that Jatel had lowered her dress, thereby making her more presentable, before he had ventured into unconsciousness. The squire knew that they were in a public place, and did not wish to dishonor their moment by allowing others to see Ka-Ron's nakedness. She kissed the sleeping squire on the head.

"Jatel?" she whispered.

The squire stirred. No sign of awakening.

Ka-Ron giggled again. It was fun to giggle. She never giggled as a man.

The knight played quite briskly, with Jatel's hair.

"Jatel, it's time to get up."

The squire slowly opened one eye and scanned the area around him. He was tired and quite drained. This Ka-Ron knew - she had been a man. She knew what energizing and tiring feelings went through a man's head after waking from the act of love-making. Jatel would be both groggy and fulfilled.

"How is my lady fair?" Jatel asked, softly kissing Ka-Ron's left breast.

"Your lady fair wants to get up off the privy floor."

Jatel blinked the sleep out of his eyes and glanced up at Ka-Ron. "You look wonderful this morning." he stated, smiling.

"Of course I do." Ka-Ron agreed. "It's all part of the curse."

The squire shook his head.

"Jatel?"

"Yes?"

Ka-Ron paused, smiling. "Get&off&of&me!"

"Oh!"

The squire rose to his feet and offered Ka-Ron his hand. Accepting, the knight rose to her feet.

"I do not know how women can walk around with these things!" Ka-Ron huffed, adjusting her breasts. "They are too damn big."

Jatel cleared his throat. "They seem all right to me, my dear."

Laughing, Ka-Ron slapped Jatel on the top of his head. "You would say such a thing, you ass."

The serious look that crossed Jatel's face caught the knight's attention. Jatel's seriousness caused the woman to breathe heavier, and she was concerned.

"What bothers you, Jatel?"

"Where we are going, we will not need the use of our horses."

Ka-Ron's eyes widened.

"Echoheart."

"Echoheart," Jatel repeated, realizing that the knight understood his worries.

"You two have never been separated before." the squire pointed out. "This will hurt him, I think."

Jatel was brutally correct. Echoheart had never known a day of his life without Ka-Ron at his side. The animal was quite prideful about that fact. Ka-Ron could see the logic of leaving him behind. After all, how was a battle horse to survive, if he were forced to live in a stable at sea? The sea was no place for a creature such as he.

"Where would he stay, then?" Ka-Ron asked, almost breaking out in tears.

Jatel wrapped his hands around his master's waist, and kissed her gently on the forehead. Ka-Ron's body tingled.

"I know of a ranch down the slope, near the harbor docks, where both horses, yours and mine, will be kept until our return."

"And what if we never return?"

Jatel's face flashed a sudden surprise. Ka-Ron, herself, held back her own. This was the first time in her life that the knight ever considered failure as a viable option. The squire, realizing that Ka-Ron was so worried, lightly lifted her chin, so that his eyes could make full contact with her own.

"We&will&return."

Ka-Ron was overwhelmed by an urge to kiss her man. This she did, losing all concept of time.

"Hey!" a voice inquired. "You going to be in here all day?"

Both squire and knight broke free of their kiss, realizing that there were others waiting to use the privy.

"Let us go and perform this unpleasant act," Ka-Ron stated, swallowing hard.

The task was unpleasant but necessary. Echoheart had refused to retreat. He reminded Ka-Ron that it was in his true nature to protect his rider - to die even! But Ka-Ron was strong in her convictions. She fed her horse as many purple apples as his stomach could take. The knight hugged her horse, kissing him several times on the nose.

Echoheart and Jatel's horse were soon gathered up by a group of field hands, who knew Jatel from their shared labor. They promised that the horse would be taken care of. It was understood if Ka-Ron did not return for them, they would be delivered to his estate in Teal.

"I will miss you, my dear friend." Ka-Ron cried.

Echoheart was too moved to do anything but stare at her with his brown eyes. He blinked wildly, trying to hold back tears.

After a long period of time, Jatel stated that it was time to report to their ship, which would be leaving soon.

Ka-Ron waited.

Echoheart was silent. His head bowed in shame.

"This is good bye, then?"

The knight turned away.

The horse noticed that Jatel had to hold his master up as she walked away. Her crying echoed in his ears.

< Ka-Ron, I love you! >

Echoheart started his own quest, never knowing if his master had even heard his words.

Ka-Ron and Jatel's approach to the harbor was a quiet one. She was still hurting from the pain of separation, and could not seem to bring herself to look anywhere but at her feet. Her spirits were down, and there seemed no way to bring them back up.

Jatel was alone at how to raise them.

"Ka-Ron, you know this is all for the best."

The knight silently shook her head in agreement.

The suns were lighting up the sheen on her lovely hair, causing it to gleam a bright shade of electric blue. This sight had caused several of the men working along the harbor to stop their duties and gaze. She was indeed lovely!

Jatel stopped walking.

"Jatel?" Ka-Ron asked, turning to face him. "What is the matter?"

The squire gazed upon his master.

"I am a wonderfully blessed man." he said. "I have the chance to fulfill a quest. And&"

There was an awkward pause of beats.

Ka-Ron started to fidget with her dress, noticing, for the first time, the lustful stares she was receiving from the sailors in town.

"And&?" the knight inquired.

"And I am quite in love with you."

At first, Jatel felt that saying what he had said was the wrong thing to do. Ka-Ron's utter surprise at his confession seemed to point to that. She seemed to be a statue. Quite motionless.

"Do you mean that?"

"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't."

Ka-Ron walked toward her squire.

"Silly fool, you do know this is all caused by the curse?"

Jatel smiled devilishly. "Then, may I never recover!"

Ka-Ron found it hard to breathe. Her pulse began to quicken, and moisture started to invade her undergarments. All she could think about was coupling.

"Oh, crap." Ka-Ron teased.

"What?"

"I'm longing for you&again!"

"It's the curse."

"And, squire, may I never recover!"

Both kissed, passionately, to the cheers and regrets of the surrounding sailors.

"Now!" Ka-Ron said, breaking the kiss. "Which one is our vessel?"

Jatel pointed. "There!"

The Anubi ship
Raxziel
was a wonder to behold.

A crew of at least ninety maintained her and allowed her captain to enforce his will. Several men were climbing the lines, scraping her, and washing her down. She stood almost seven levels above the waterline. She was made of the finest gopher wood. Polished to an ebony sheen, she sparkled like the jewel of the sea she was. Seven sea-shell-shaped sails, made of the finest woven metal, bristled and filled with purpose, as a strong wind passed by. Battle guns stood at the ready and gave the ship a militant persona that did not fail to catch the eye of the observing knight.

"This is our ship?" Ka-Ron reconfirmed.

"The finest Anubi ship I have ever encountered," Jatel stated, starting their walk once more. "Also, it was the cheapest in price."

"I told you no price was too high."

"True," Jatel agreed. "However, sire, it does not hurt to look for a bargain. The captain of this vessel has a soft spot for pilgrims and quest-seekers. Why not use that to our advantage?"

Ka-Ron gave Jatel a cunning smile. "Have I a trader in my ranks? When did you become such a level-headed business man?"

"How else could we obtain so much during our battles?" Jatel held back a laugh. "You are quite expensive during times of war, and it was my duty to help maintain your family's good fortune. Should another have been in my place, you would have warred yourself into great ruin."

Ka-Ron, humbled, took hold of her squire's hand. "Then there is reason for us to celebrate&later."

The smells of the sea were rife near the dock. The Anubi ship had the unfortunate happenstance of being next to a whaling ship. The whaler had a successful tour, bringing back with it several barrels of oil and packs of salted fish. Near the end of the vessel a huge Kraken was being towed. Its lifeless corpse rotting in the suns, and sea creatures eating in its wake, caused the waters around the Anubi ship to reek of death. The labor of Man cared not for the concerns of the passerby. Children required love and food from parent. Sailors demanded a chance for better things. And, civilization would not halt its advance. All these had to become paramount over the rights and concerns of the individual.

Ka-Ron and Jatel endured the odor.

A lone figure stood at the passage door of the
Raxzeil
. Dressed in fancy silks and brightly colored leathers, he appeared more Circus Barker than sailor. He was absently carving away at a piece of wood, paying no particular attention to his surroundings. He was an old man who had not allowed age to take away his youth. So, it could be said that he appeared to be younger than his age should have allowed. He seemed to be a stranger to a razor, and had a sufficient amount of stubble growing upon his chin. No one would have ever guessed that he was a captain.

"Captain Hathaway?" Jatel inquired.

Captain Hathaway glanced upward, allowing his knife to stop midpoint. He smiled, showing his guest that dental hygiene was the least of his worries. Brown rotted teeth greeted both Ka-Ron and Jatel.

"Would I have the pleasure of meeting Jatel of Illium?" Hathaway asked, offering his hand.

Jatel paused, briefly, noticing tar smeared upon the captain's hand. Suppressing his personal disgust, he shook hands with the sailor.

"Ahh!" Hathaway laughed. "Good! You pass the test."

"Test?" Jatel asked, confused. "What test?"

"It is the custom of this ship and this crew not to take aboard those who know not the pleasures of a hard life. You saw the tar. And you were not afraid. I respect that. You know what it is like to go a night without sup. Welcome ye aboard my fine ship, sir."

The captain paused, gazing upon Ka-Ron for the first time.

Hathaway dropped his knife.

"Upon my soul, sir!" the captain expressed, absently wiping at his clothes and hair. "What is this glorious vision I see before me?"

Jatel's cheeks blushed a little with pride, and he started to stand taller. "This, captain, is my wife&Ka-Ron."

"Ka-Ron? Is that not a man's name?"

"Her father had a sense of humor."

"Ah!"

Ka-Ron stepped forward, offering Hathaway her hand.

Hathaway responded in kind. However, being a seaman of old, romantic, with just a flair for the dramatic, the man got to one knee before he kissed her upon the hand. His eyes never left those of the knight.

"Tis a pleasure to know you, dear lady."

"I'm sure," was all Ka-Ron could bring herself to say. Deeply moved by Hathaway's honest enchantment for her, the knight had a problem clearing her throat. An incredible warmth traveled through her entire body.

"Captain, have we a cabin?"

"Have you a cabin, sir?" Hathaway laughed. His jovial tone was a contagious one, causing both Ka-Ron and Jatel to join him. "Nothing but the finest for my passengers. I offer you the use of my First Officer's."

"Oh, no!" Ka-Ron protested. "We do not mean to intrude, captain."

"There is no need to worry so," Hathaway explained. "He has no need of it. You see, he is dead."

"Sea duty?" Jatel inquired.

"No. Knife fight." Hathaway shook his head with regret. "Good officer, that one."

Both Ka-Ron and Jatel remained silent. What could they say?

"The
Raxziel
welcomes you on board."

Captain Hathaway gestured towards the ship's entrance with a flourish of a camel trader.

"This is going to be a long trip, Jatel." Ka-Ron whispered.