Bard's Tale 04 - Holly Wood

"The monk Tahna Whisper Wind left in that direction. Follow her, but do not approach. If she is attacked," she pointed at one, "You will return here immediately and inform me. And you, you will help defend her. When Tahna returns back to camp, your service is done."

"By Her will, so it is." The aerial servants flew off.

Tia held her holy symbol again. Using the spell make camp, the ground was magically cleared of debris, the tent was set up, sleeping bags were unrolled inside, a pile of wood was gathered, and a campfire within a fire pit sparked to life. Tia then cast both a larger protection circle encompassing their camp, and followed it with anti-vermin barrier.

"What do you want me to do?"

Tia looked at her littlest sister, and realized that she was also in need. Pulling her close, she firmly embraced her.

"I've never seen her so angry. And it's been a long time since you lost your temper like that," Mindal sniffed, burying her face into her big sister's chest. "Reison kidnapped, both of my sisters fighting. I don't mind admitting it, Tia, I'm a bit scared right now."

"I'm sorry. Tahna has a long way to go yet, my girl. Decades of repressed feelings don't suddenly get fixed overnight. It's not like a physical injury. There's no spell to fix it and make it all better. These are injuries of the mind and heart. Tahna needs to face her fears and past pain and come to terms with herself. Right now, she's overwhelmed."

"How do you know all this?"

The priestess gave a rueful laugh. "Remember. I was once married to an abusive husband. Coming to terms with trauma is pretty much the same as for dealing with grief, Mindal. The stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. In order to deal with all the horror she saw over decades, Tahna denied her feelings rather than facing them. She's in love with Reison, and now he's suddenly missing. Part of her is afraid it's Lysandra all over again. She's somewhere between anger and bargaining now."

"She looked so . . . wounded. Tahna is so fast with her hands and feet. I wanted to hug her, but I was actually afraid she might strike out and hurt me before she even thought about it. I've seen her kill with but a single blow."

Tia kissed her on the head. "I think the greater danger is that she will injure herself. No, not suicide. More like punching a tree out of anger and frustration, and breaking her hand or doing something equally idiotic. Our Tahna is on a rough road, Mindal. Everyone deals with pain and grief in their own way. Some stages might take longer while others might take little or no time at all. It's not going to always be pretty flowers and sunny days once we get to the capital.

"I do not believe she would have hurt you, Mindal. Tahna is burnt out, but even so, I would still trust her with my life. She needs a sabbatical away from the church to heal. The church or the Queen may ask her to tackle more murder cases. But she mustn't accept, and I will use whatever influence I have to block any efforts to use her that way. You are absolutely right, though. She is wounded, and needs to do a lot of healing before her baby is born. Best thing you can do is give her your love and support, Mindal, and stay out of her way when she's like this. Let me take the brunt of her outbursts. I will deal with her. And, I think Reison will be a big help. She listens when he talks to her."

"You give good hugs, Tia."

The priestess chuckled, then patted her back. "I needed a hug, too. I'll fix dinner. Why don't you play us something on Rose? And nothing sad, Mindal. Do you hear?"

"Sad is what I feel like."

"You sing sad music, and I will bawl my eyes out. Afterward, I will be very cross with you."

The bard shivered. "Okay, no sad songs, no angry Tia. Got it."

"Splendid."

Mindal retrieved her mandolin and began to play.

Tia dug out her pans and set to making stew and pan-bread. She thought back on the visit by the goddess and her warning about revenge. Maybe the message wasn't strictly for herself, but also for Tahna.

As she cooked, she silently prayed for the safe return of their sister and their husband.

When dinner was ready, Mindal got out their water skins and Tia dished out their food, setting aside a portion for their missing sister. The two women ate quietly, periodically scanning the trees, looking for her return. When the food was cold, it was stored, and the bard used her cantrips to clean their dishes.

Mindal played some jigs and reels, content to play instrumental music only. After an hour, she let chords fade to silence. Around them in the darkness, crickets chirped. She looked at the priestess meaningfully.

With a sigh, Tia stood up and summoned two additional aerial servants, commanding them to keep watch over their camp until the third sun rose in the morning.

"Let's go to bed, Mindal."

"I don't know if I can sleep, Tia. Reison isn't here. Tahna's missing now, too. I can stay up and keep watch."

The priestess shook her head. "Come on, Baby Sister. We both need to be held. The wind spirits will keep watch for us."

By silent agreement, they loosened belts, removed boots and socks and any gear that might poke or prod during sleep, then scooted together, drawing up one of the sleeping bags to their knees. They held each other, their eyes closed yet failing to relax for long, quiet moments.

"You need sleep," Tia said at last.

"You, more so. You need to rest, so that you can pray to replenish your priest-magic."

"I'm going to spell you. One of us needs to be clearheaded in the morning. Please, do this for me, Mindal."

The bard sighed. "All right, Big Sister."

Giving her holy symbol a reverent kiss, Tia murmured restful sleep upon Mindal. Within moments, the bard's breathing deepened and the tension in her body relaxed.

Drawing her sister closer for comfort, Tia finally let loose her fears and frustration. Anxiety for their husband, and worry for their missing sister. Silent tears spilled. Another fervent prayer to the goddess for their safe return, she cried until exhaustion claimed her, dragging her struggling thoughts down into a restless slumber.

* * * * *

It was during the false dawn that Tia and Mindal were awakened by the wind spirits guarding their camp.

"Priestess, a visitor approaches, accompanied by two wind servants."

Quickly donning their footwear and their gear, bard and priestess exited the tent.

Mindal, with some unhappiness, noted Tia's tear-stained face. With her uncombed hair, her older sister looked tired and thoroughly wretched.

Tia dismissed the circle of privacy magic, revealing their camp. Immediately, they heard Tahna moving through the undergrowth before they saw her, and turned to await her return.

To their credit, neither woman reacted to the bedraggled mess that limped miserably into camp. The normally clean and composed monk was a filthy mess, covered in mud and debris and stank of long decay. Twigs and leaves stuck in her hair. Her fighting queue had come undone and hung behind her. Strands had escaped, and sections of her hair were filthy. Her gi was battered and torn in places and much of it covered in foul-smelling mud.

The monk's limp was due to the bloody mess on her hip, a dirty wound that oozed wetly. Troubling for Tia was she knew that one of the divine gifts to monks was that once per day, they could self-heal most of their injuries. Either Tahna had felt she deserved whatever pain she was going through or it hadn't occurred to her to heal her own injuries. Or worse, she was so mixed up, she was no longer able to do so. None of those possibilities boded well.

Eyes downcast, the monk merely uttered, "I fell."

Tia stared, her face grim. "Do not speak, Tahna. You will do whatever I say without question, do you understand?"

"Yes, Mother Tia."

Mindal glanced back and forth, deciding that silence was her best strategy.

The priestess thanked the two aerial servants that had kept watch on her sister and dismissed them. To the two keeping watch on the camp, she asked them to remain at the camp, keeping watch, until their return. Summoning a portal, the bard saw their suite on the other side.

"Mindal, please go draw a bath for Tahna. When that's done, go downstairs and order up a hot breakfast. Full course for three. No coffee, though, unless you want it. I'm hungry, in a beastly-foul mood, and I do not want to cook."

"Yes, Tia." The bard scooted through the giant glowing circle of mystical energy, hurrying to do her assigned tasks.

Walking up to Tahna, she picked her up.

Ashamed, the monk could not look at her sister. The priestess carried her through the portal, returning them to their suite at The Pixie Palace. A command word from Tia and the magical gateway vanished with a hissing pop.

They passed the bard on the way to the bathroom. Standing by the tub, Tia set her down on the edge of the tub, and began removing the monk's weapons and wallet.

Tahna reached to undo her belt, but Tia slapped her hand away. "Stand still," her sister snapped.

"Yes, Mother."

As the gi fell away, Tia sucked in a breath, taking in her sister's puncture wound now bleeding freely, and the bruises covering her side. Dried mud and forest litter cluttered the floor. Tia undid Tahna's braid, pulling out twigs and leaves, letting them drop to the varnished wood.

Next, Tia knelt and pulled off one boot, then struggled with the other. Working more gingerly, she worked until the boot was finally off, then removed the dirt-encrusted sock.

Touching her holy symbol, Tia cast know injury. Three cracked ribs. The ankle was badly fractured. It had to have hurt during removal, even with Tia being careful. Worse was there were bacteria in the wound, spreading sepsis.

During the entire undressing process, the monk uttered no sound.

As she quickly undressed herself, she glared at Tahna. "You knew the aerial servants were there?"

"Yes."

"Yet you didn't call them for help? Tell me why, Tahna! Why?"

"Got myself into the mess. Figured I should get myself out."

The sudden slap stunned the monk. Shocked, she stared at her sister. It was the first time her sister had ever struck her.

Tears spilled from Tia's angry face. "I wept for you last night! You scared Mindal. I had to spell her so she could get some sleep. Our husband is missing, Tahna, and I needed both of my sisters with me! Did your wallowing in self-pity make you feel better, Little Sister? Did it? You don't think it bothers me that Reison is charmed and breeding some dryad? It cuts me, too, Tahna. I know you are going through a lot of shit. But you know what? You aren't the only one hurting here. You are part of my family. You, Mindal, and I -- we're sisters. Whatever happens, that never, ever changes. Now, we're co-wives, Tahna. One family! You are not a solo-operation now, sister-wife. If you get hurt, you do your best to let us know! Do. You. Understand?"

Hand to her still burning cheek, Tahna said, "Yes, Mother."

"You'd better. You are an adult and are no longer immune to corporal punishment. Because if you ever scare me like that again, Little Sister, I will take you to the woodshed for real. I will get a switch, bend you over, and I will cane your bare, naked ass until you can't sit down for a week! You just see if I don't! And I will not let anyone kiss it to make it better either!"

As much as she was hurting, the last part of Tia's tirade forced a slow smile to creep onto her face.

Realizing what she'd said and how Tahna was taking it, Tia blushed, wiping at her eyes, trying not to laugh. "Shut up," she growled.

Tahna's grin got bigger.

"Don't push me, Tahna. I'm still very angry with you."

Tia quickly disrobed, then scooped her up into her arms. Turning carefully, she stepped into the hot water. Seeing Tahna's gaze, Tia sighed.

"Fine. Maybe I'd let Reison kiss your ass. Keep your weight off the injured foot until I can heal you. I need to wash your wound clean first, so I don't trap any debris inside the wound when I use the curative magic."

The monk just nodded.

While Tahna braced herself on the tub's edge, Tia grabbed soap and washcloth and set to work. Once the area was clean and oozing, she cast disinfect, cure disease, and then heal.

"How's the foot? And your ribs?"

"All fixed. Thank you, Tia."

"Sit down. Your hair is filthy." The priestess reached for the nearest bottle of shampoo.

"I can wash it, Tia."

"Are you deaf? What did I tell you earlier, Tahna? I told you to do what I said. Duck into the water and get it wet. And no further sass from you."

"Yes, Mother." Tahna did as she was told.

Mindal returned. "Food's coming. Should be here in a few minutes."

The bard took in the fact that Tia was lathering up Tahna's hair. Relieved to see some color back in Tahna's face. And was amused to note that Tia used her own lavender-scented shampoo on Tahna without any protest from the latter. Tahna had long preferred pine scents for washing.

"Thank you, Mindal. When we're done, would you please use your magic to clean the tub and the floor? In the meantime, keep an ear out for the food. After we eat, you can get a bath, too. Then we are returning to our camp. All right?"

"Sounds good." The bard exited.

After one wash, Tia had Tahna rinse out her hair, then she drained the water, and ran another tub full. She made Tahna stand while being washed from stem to stern. Another rinse, then Tia washed her legs. Made her stand again while grabbing a pair of scissors. As the priestess moved to her crotch, Tahna said, "What are . . . "

Tia's stern gaze silenced the monk. Then she did a little trimming of Tahna's bush. When she was done, she reached over to a stack of towels, and after wringing out Tahna's long tresses, wrapped it up. At her sister's direction, she sat while Tia quickly washed herself, then opened the drain for the water to empty. Laying out a clean towel, she directed Tahna to stand on it.

"Food's arrived," Mindal sang out from the other room.

"Mindal, will you please get us clean clothes from the bedroom?"

Tia wrapped a towel around herself, then quickly dried her sister. A few minutes later, Mindal returned, her arms full, one hand clutching three slices of bacon, and her mouth chewing.

"That had better not be all the bacon," Tia warned, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

The bard shook her head. "S' more." Unloading the clean clothing, she reached down and collected their boots and cast clean cantrips on them both, stuffed the three pieces into her mouth and munching loudly as she exited.

As they dressed, Tahna used her sister's title, asking, "Mother Tia? Is it all right for me to speak now?"

"Maybe. Speak and find out."

"Mindal always gets a double-serving of bacon. I will wager there is but a single piece under each tin."

"Wager accepted. She knows better. There better be at least two slices under each tin."

Both smiling now, Tahna waited while Tia finished adjusting her skirt. Then, "I love you, Tia."

The priestess briefly embraced her sister, then held her at arms' length. "I love you right back. Always and forever, Little Sister. And I'm sorry for hitting you."

"I deserved it. You are powerful enough to defend yourself against most things, but I abandoned you in the wilderness. You've given me a lot to think about, Tia."

"Did you even try to heal yourself, Tahna?"

"I... I couldn't. Do you think I'm being punished?"

"No. I think you a mess. We'll both pray about it. In the meantime, finding Reison comes first."

Tahna simply nodded.

While they sat at the table and filled their plates, Mindal retired to the bathroom to clean it up, and to take her own, quick bath.

Both Tia and Tahna opened tins, looking for the bacon. Both tins revealed empty plates.

"Mindal Theláyna Landers Whisper Wind!" bellowed the priestess.

The bard suddenly laughed loudly from the other room. From behind the couch, a covered plate arose, carried to the table by an unseen servant. The lid was removed, revealing a third serving of bacon. Both sisters also saw that half the serving was eaten, leaving them but three slices each.

"Six slices out of three dozen. She's smaller than both of us. I want to know where she's putting all that food," Tahna muttered.

"Me, too."

* * * * *

Once back at the campsite, Tia released the aerial servants, and then promptly summoned two more wind spirits and tasked them to keep watch.

Perplexed, Tahna asked, "Aren't we breaking camp?"

"No. I didn't get enough sleep yet. And I still have to pray. So you might as well join me."

Seeing Tia's face, Tahna retired into the tent.

Feeling drained, the priestess cast another circle of privacy. "Going to join us, Mindal?"

"Thanks to my big sister, I got pretty much a full night's sleep. I'll keep watch with your bruisers. Get some rest, will you?"

"Thanks." The priestess cast know time. "It's about ten bells. Wake me at noon, please."

"No problem."

Tia crawled in, laying down next to Tahna. "We need to talk before going to sleep, you and I. Get things between us a bit more settled."

"Okay?"

"I'll say what I think, and you tell me if I'm right or wrong, hmm?"

The monk nodded. "Sure."

"I know you love Reison. You've said he's your mate, and I think that's important. You've done more than fall in love with him, Tahna. You've surrendered to him. He's your alpha. And I've seen how he touches you now. With more assurance, more confidence. Show me your neck where he marked you. Yes, it's starting to fade a bit, but it's clear that in your mind and heart, you belong to him. Do you agree?"

Tahna looked troubled.

"It doesn't mean you aren't a strong, capable woman," Tia assured her. "Rather, it means that you might voice your opinions, but you defer to him in matters of sex and family decisions. When you and he first made love, you asked to be on top. How many times do you say your preference now, Tahna?"

The monk's eyes widened. "I don't. Not anymore. I... he reaches for me, and by his hands or by a word, I don't even think about it. I let him position me how he wants."

"Does that bother you, Tahna? Or do you find yourself happy doing what he wants?"

"I know it's just a cock and he's just a man. Because it's him and his cock, it's wonderful. I feel contentment, a completion whenever he's inside me. I hadn't noticed the change, but I'm okay with that. He makes me feel things I've never felt before, Tia. Am I making any sense?"

"You surrender yourself because you feel safe with him. That's no small thing, Tahna. That's a real gift. From him to you, and from you to him. But this mark on your neck? I think you want him to take you. Like he owns you."

Tahna closed her eyes. "Oh, my god. He's not even here, and just thinking about him being hard is enough to make me wet. I'm a slave to my husband's cock."

"Maybe I will buy you a collar for your birthday," Tia murmured. "One that he can put on you."

"I'd be mortified to wear it out in public."

The priestess grinned at her sister. "But I see that the notion pleases you. All right. Now put that aside for the moment. Let's talk about you and me."

Tahna nodded.

"You're often there for me, supporting me and the work I do for the church, the duchy, and the kingdom. Perhaps I haven't let you know often enough how much I appreciate all that you do, Tahna. Would it help you find peace if I marked you on the other side of your neck?"

"Only if you are asking to have sex with me. And I thought we both agreed, there's sincere sisterly love but no spark, no sexual interest between us. So, that's a no."

"It was just a thought," Tia replied.