World of Ranicke Bk. 02 Ch. 02

Thanks to all that have been waiting patiently for the second chapter of book 2. Again due to personal and health issues I had really brain locked half way through the chapter. While I was working on the third story I posted I realized what I wanted to do and not trying to give anything away. There is going to be some bouncing between the dimensions. Having said that as Dr. Who put it Time is a sort of timmy wimmy wibbly wobbly thing. That explains the random differences in time as they go to and fro between universes.

Again this is strictly edited by me but after working with several editors I have gotten better, in my opinion, with using less of the he/his she/her tems and actually using more detailed descriptions. Instead of the 'they looked at the stone and wondered' I would use 'They looked at the power stone and wondered at the glow'. Having said that if you do find typo's or sentences/paragraphs that don't make sense to you please leave a comment.

Mentioning comments I really do want comments from all my readers so I know what you think about the story. It will help me fine tune it to the readers while keeping the characters true to themselves. As mentioned both in the story and in the preface in Ranicke the age of majority is 80 turns or so since they live much longer lives than we do. If I mention any sexual relationships they will all be the equivalent of 18+ in our fine reality. Read and enjoy.

*****

That evening the rain had started again but they had gotten quite a bit done. The rugs had been beat mostly clean of dried on mud. Some hunting had been done and they had fresh meat which was nice. Many of the other chores that needed to be done when it wasn't raining had been done as well. Jim was more than pleased with how their tent looked. The kids had done a damn fine job and he was going to treat them to some more of the story he had started the night before.

"Okay everyone gather around and I will tell you more of what happened when I joined the tribe." He was smiling as one of the other kids crawled in his lap for a cuddle. One thing Jim had discovered was that they aged differently than humans from his world. The first few years they aged as did normal humans. Once they hit about 7 or 8 years old the aging process slowed down drastically. The boy who had been helping him clean the trenches for example might look just shy of 18 but was actually closer to 80 turns old. Most of the species on this planet were capable of growing to anywhere from 500 turns old to several thousand.

As an example Moran might only look maybe in his 30's but was over 500 turns old. The largest reason the tribes hadn't over run the world was because they lost so many members to illness and animal attacks. That and they tended to go years between pregnancies. Jim had finally met Nasha's son and the man, though they considered him young, was over 150 turns old. To be honest it made Jim feel like a wee babe considering he had just turned 37 if he had been back home.

The little elf girl settled on his lap and Ignos and Balos were leaning against his legs and playing really quietly as they practiced some of the chords from earlier. It was quiet enough that the others could easily hear Jim over the quiet notes. "Oh goodness where to start. Well after I talked to Moran about becoming Sorrel, Nasha, and Nora's mate we had the ceremony for the fallen warriors and tribe's members. It was a very hard evening to deal with. I knew one of the warriors who had fallen and sort of several of the others."

Jim's voice was rough as he was talking and he really hoped the children understood what he was trying to say. "Knowing that I will see them again one of these days does help and knowing that I will see my Sissy again helps as well." He went on to describe the services though several had seen them and others. "I hate losing people I care for or belong to the tribe."

The little girl wrapped her arms around him and gave him a good hug and peck on the cheek. "We all hate losing people poppe Jim." She tucked her head in his chest and simply held onto him.

He held her and continued. It was coming back as memories again. As he was telling them he was remembering it. It was two nights later after the funeral pyres when Jim was indoctrinated into the clans. In this case it was a case of his being brought into one tribe and being made a tribe friend of the other from what he had been told. In this case he had been told to have his weapons as well as the ladies with him.

It was a case of his not just requesting entrance into the tribe but to ask for the three ladies hands in mating. Well at the moment courting and he was going to have to face Nora's family when he asked to court her. That was going to be interesting since he was asking to court three ladies and join the tribe. In this case he was being helped get ready by the ladies and not Thomas.

Since the elders had accepted him as a new tribe member the tribe emblem had been stitched onto his shirt. There was also a symbol for the bear and also a symbol he didn't recognize. All three women helped get him dressed in the dress clothing that Sorrel had started. There was the darker green shirt and the lighter green pants along with the soft boots. He used the belt and sheath he had been given by them. Jim made sure the sheath he had been given with the axe was on as well.

"Oh damn it to hell, I am not going to cry again. I have done enough." Between the cloths, being approved to court three ladies and the kids in his life he was so happy. Any tears would be of happiness and nothing else. He still had the staff and needed it since his butt still hurt. He finally stood tall and walked out of the tent with the others. "I will not cry and nobody is going to make me." That was a very quiet murmer.

Again he was lead to the small platform and this time he walked up with it with the ladies around him and as odd as it sounded Alon in his arm. "Again I seem to be called to the scene of the crime." Jim smiled at him and was lightly smacked by Sorrel. "I mean I am requested to appear before you Chief Moran."

Moran turned and looked at Piquel. "Can we send him back? His humor is horrible and I am not sure I want him infecting the tribes." He had known Jim for a bit over a month and knew or had discovered his sense of humor as to be horrible at times. Usually it was when he was stressed.

Piquel grinned at Moran. "Well if you don't want him..." That got him quietly growled at him by several people and he had to grin. "I would have to say that after the last few days we could use the humor so won't complain too much."

Chief Moran moved forward and carefully turned Jim around to face the combine tribes. "Jim the Protector has asked to join the tribe. He has been interviewed by the elders and the masters that deal with him. All have approved of his joining the tribe." He looked around and smiled. "Now Chief Piquel has something to say as well."

Piquel smiled. "Well I would offer to steal Jim from this tribe but have a feeling his potential mates as well as Jim might frown at me. I have talked to my elders and pride members and we have decided to request Jim to join as a friend of the pride." He pulled out a jeweled necklace that had a puma carving on it. "This shows that you are sort of a member of the tribe and have the right to raise Alon and take care of Sheeha till he has reached his Majority." The necklace was snug against Jim's neck when he placed it on him.

Moran smiled and pulled out a necklace as well. "This shows that you are a member of the tribe and are a full member." The necklace was similar to the first but longer and snugged up against the totem necklace. It had Jim's symbol as well as several small symbols that represented the members of the tribe. "Welcome Jim the protector. Also Jim the tribe member."

Even though Jim had promised not to cry a few tears flowed out. "Thank both of you. This means more to me than you can imagine." He lowered his head before turning to the combined tribes. He stood tall though he leaned slightly against the staff. "Thank you for accepting me as a tribe's member or a friend of the tribe." He looked around and had to smile since towards the front was the kids he had been watching over and several of the warriors he had been working with.

"I want to take this time to address the tribes and make something clear." He turned to the three ladies and knelt down. "I don't know what your rituals are but I plan on courting Sorrel, Nasha, and Nora. I am no longer available and will not accept any offers till this is dealt with. Will you please allow me to pay court to the three of you?" His emotions were showing in his eyes when he asked.

All three moved forward and Sorrel took his hand and then pulled the other two over and added their hands to hers. "James Matheson we do accept and as the elder of the three we would be more than pleased to allow you to pay court to us." She looked at the others and smiled when she pulled out another chain. By now he had some serious bling going but she fastened it around his neck. It had carvings of all three women on it. "Till such time as we might choose otherwise we accept."

Jim was pulled out of the story when the grandparents of the girl showed up. "Good evening Jim, time for her to come home." She gave him a good hug and then frowned. "Not telling more stories before I am back tomorrow."

He had to laugh and stroked her ears for a moment and then handed her over. "Alon asked me how I became his poppe and I have been telling them how it came about." He leaned down and scratched the boys ears. "Time for you two to go back to your parents or I am going to get yelled at." Both grinned at him and scooted out of the tent. "Kids." He muttered and got a laugh.

The two left with the little girl. "Okay for the rest of you go and get cleaned up for dinner. I am going to grab a shower and will be back shortly." Jim stood and walked to the adults' tent and gathered some clean clothing and wrapped it in a bag to keep them dry and walked out.

For half a moment he contemplated the hot springs but decided not to and settled for a shower before getting dressed. Once he was clean he pulled the water cloak around him and walked back to the tent. There was warm food and some tea waiting for him. "Oh goody. Thanks for whoever did this for me."

As he settled down Sheeha came over and gave him a good hug. "You deserve it and you are welcome. Now you had better relax and eat it or else." She grinned at him as she walked out after lightly stroking his shoulders.

"Please don't tell me it is time for your heat? I am not sure I can deal with it right now. To damn tired for that." He leaned back and rested his head against her and she grinned. "Not for a week or maybe two. I am sure I will clear it with the ladies and your chief so I have plenty of time with you."

Jim had to groan. "Three ladies are hard enough but four? Good thing I get a few weeks between all your heats or I would be dead by now."

Sheeha snickered and leaned over and nipped ear. "But you do enjoy it right? At least I have never heard a complaint from you."

Jim damn near died on the spot. "Sheeha that is not what I need right now. Please not right now." He was so tired and simply needed to relax.

She grinned. "Yes Yimmy. I will be good for a few more days..." For some reason her heat tended to come with the rainy season. She leaned against him and sighed. "I do like you Yimmy but I want a Puma warrior."

He looked back at her and stroked her cheek. "I know that and know that we are friends but will miss you when you do eventually go back to your tribe. It isn't just the sex but for all you do around here. Thank you Sheeha." He finally leaned forward and started eating the food he had been brought as well as sucked down the warm drink.

She couldn't help but smile since she was going to miss all of them when she did go back. At first she hadn't been very pleased when she had been picked to help raise Alon but Sorrel had made her part of the family. Eventually the others had as well and she had come to care for most all of them. Yes when she was in heat Jim was a very attentive lover and did his best to make sure she was satisfied and did a good job of it.

One thing she knew was that with the puma tribe the women tended to have very small breasts compared to other species. That didn't seem to bother Jim that much and she was glad for it. To be sort of honest she almost wished she did have a child with him though she would always be a puma member. "Eat Yimmy and I will give you a good massage if you need when you are done. Nora is waiting for you when you are done."

Jim couldn't help but smile at her. "When Alon reaches his majority I am going to miss both of you. I am sure you will be going back to the Puma tribe and Alon as well." He took a drink of the warm tea and sighed. He was going to miss her and his adoptive son a great deal but what father wouldn't miss his son.

Eventually he went and curled up with Nora and though they didn't have any nooky he had grown very used to having someone in his bed and yes he could tell the difference since they smell different. Sorrel smelled sort of nutty since that was one of her favorite foods, Nasha definitely smell of dog, and Nora smelled of feline. Yes technically she was a fox but there was just something feline about her. "Good night love and hope you sleep well." He had gotten used to none of the women sleeping in cloths except for Nasha since she was a wet nurse.

As he was sleeping he sort of dreamed that someone was calling his name and not the way they way they pronounced it in this world. It was almost as if they were trying to get his attention. When he finally awoke he was feeling more than a bit irritated and grumpy. It hadn't been a good sleep and even with Nora curled up next to him it hadn't been a good night.

~~

After dressing and taking care of his needs his needs he settled at the table and smiled when Alon crawled into his lap. "Morning Poppe." He seemed to really want contact with him. "Bad dreams last night." He was sort of shivering.

"Sorry son it happens but I am here for you." Jim curled an arm around him and hugged him close. "Love my son as well as all the others." He was sort of startled when his axe was next to him and Sorrel hugged him.

"You are going to need this and I didn't have good dreams either." As they were talking Jim stiffened since he felt an energy he hadn't felt for a long time and Sorrel responded. "Everyone back now." Sorrel hurried over to him and at that point it was too late. A power swirled around then and suddenly they vanished.

~~~

Back at the encampment the other two women and the children that were up were shocked and horrified when the three seemed to waver and then vanished into thin air. The chair Jim had been sitting in looked scorched and pieces were missing. Where Jim's axe had been looked scorched as well. The two women screamed once they gathered their wits and both Moran and several warriors came running.

"What is wrong?" He could smell the scorching sent from the chair and table and looked around. He didn't see Jim, Sorrel, or Alon anywhere. At the very least he would have expected Jim and Sorrel to be there to figure out why the women and kids were screaming or crying. "Where is Jim and Sorrel?"

Nasha had to take a slow deep breath and then several more before she could speak. "They just vanished into thin air along with Alon. He was sitting there with Alon in his lap and Sorrel talking and then there was a surge of something before they sort of wavered. They became thin and you could see through them and then they vanished."

Moran gave the chairs a hard look. "Everyone go to my caravan and tent for the time being." He looked at one of the warriors. "Get the Shaman and the Mystic over here pronto and take a chair for the Mystic to speed things up. If he complains tell him it is an order from the chief."

He was more than surprised when the warriors were back with both sooner than expected. "Sir they were already on their way here." Thomas said. The warrior who had been given the orders had told someone to get him and get to Jim's tent. He had encountered them part way to the tent and came with. "What happened?" Thomas hadn't gotten much information since the warrior who had found him didn't know much.

Moran looked at him and his face was hard. "I don't know but I was informed that Sorrel, Jim, and Alon vanished after a surge of power. The chair and table are scorched and have pieces missing." There was a most definite growl to his voice as he was talking. Normally he was a pacifist but this was his daughter and her mate they were talking about. "I want to know what happened and how we can get them back gentlemen. Do what you need and then come find me. If you need any support or anything contact me immediately. Thomas you stay here to assist in any way you can."

Thomas stood tall and bowed slightly to the chief. "I will remain here and take care of their needs for as long as needed." They were his friends as well and he was greatly upset finding out what happened. He turned to the shaman and mystic. "Sirs I am at your service and don't hesitate to ask for anything you need." As he was talking to them Moran stalked off to his tent to comfort the ladies and find out any additional information he could.

~~~

When the power subsided he was in what looked much like the lab he had been in only more advanced. An alarm went off and the man behind one of the desks looked rather startled. He started to stand up but Jim reacted without thinking and slugged him hard enough to knock him out. "Down behind that desk." He shoved the two and growled as he could hear people approaching.

He managed to step behind the door they came through and was able to surprise them. It was not a nice fight since he was using his axe. The last man coming in the door flew across the hall stunned for a few moments and Jim was able to get a lucky blow on the back of his head but the other two turned and thank god they were too close to use their rifles.

After that it was a free for all that ended up with the room half destroyed. Jim had been bloodied since both were very good but the worst wound was when he badly sliced one man when he had pointed a pistol at Sorrel. It was over quickly and as far as he could tell nobody had been killed. Only one man had been badly injured and that was when he had been forced to slam the bit of one side into his arm. He had been about to shoot Sorrel and he had reacted with his previous training.

"Sorry dude but don't ever threaten my mate again." He told him as he tied a tourniquet around his arm. Right after that he slugged him and knocked him out. "We have to leave the building and get away from here. More will be here soon."

One thing he did notice after the fight was that he had been shot again. "Oh bloody fucking hell I hate getting shot. It always fucking hurts." At least it was a grazing blow and nothing bad. Even if he still had his vest there was a reasonable chance of his getting shot there since the armor didn't cover everything. Since he had the pouch he tended to carry things in he quickly stripped some items from the guards and grabbed one of the guns and gave it an odd look. It looked like one of the experimental models from the Army.

"Follow me." He ordered and glanced up and down the hallways and as he spotted camera's he shot them out to keep anyone from seeing Sorrel or Alon. That was the last thing they needed. Eventually they made it out of the building and everything looked odd. The vehicles were not models he recognized. He looked around the parking area and finally located an old truck that he hoped didn't have a tracking device.