Nigkala Tales Pt. 20: Stormy Weather

He did, and after we walked two miles, at a fast pace, we arrived at his camp. "The rangers know I am here, and they think I am studying the unusual phenomena." There he opened a bag of trail mix and offered it to me. As I ate, I realized it was full of all sorts of dried fruits that I didn't know. I offered him some, but he declined and told me to eat as much as I needed. Five minutes later, the bag was empty.

"Sorry for eating it all, but I haven't eaten in a while."

"Don't worry, tomorrow, we'll hike towards civilization. However, as it is nearly dawn, we should sleep through the heat of the day."

"Well, I'm ready. Shall we share a bed?"

"Yes, but just to sleep, please." He then opened the door and let me in. I climbed in, lay down, and was sleeping instantly. He was rather surprised I was out that fast. Soon he lay beside me and went to sleep. Somehow, I knew it was dusk, and woke then. Jiao-long woke soon after.

"Becky Sue, how are you feeling?"

"I feel fine, but I don't know why I have no memory of laying down. I must have fallen asleep very quickly."

"You were out cold. I did some divinations on you, and you seem perfectly healthy, too healthy. You also seem to have a stronger aura than I remember. There is no magic on you beside my tattoo, but you seem to have added two weak divine auras. One I think is this desert. The other, I don't know."

"I think I know the other aura. I now have a fourth greater talisman, but it is quite weak as such. Aja is teaching me of the forest, and the plants and animals within. She will depart when I have learned all she wants to teach me."

As we spoke, he got out some food, and split it with me. "I'm sorry, but I don't have a cup for you, so we will need to share."

I was about to reply, when I had a thought. I placed my hand in the sand, and exerted a little power, and I pulled out a cup made of glass. "I have my own." I then handed it to him.

"That's a neat trick." He took my cup and filled it with water before passing it back. I also made a small, low table to hold it and my food. I made a matching one for him. After our meal, he said, "We need to pack up, so we can travel. It is nearly fifty miles to civilization."

"Well, in that case, let me help. I can carry stuff."

"Yeah. In one hand you have that dildo, and the other, something else perhaps?"

"It looks like one, I'll admit, but it is An's talisman. I'm pretty sure he caused it to be that shape, considering our sexual encounters. Be careful of touching it, as you will likely get a large shock. As for carrying stuff, let me think for a moment." I focused my thoughts, and summoned a silver mesh belt, made of many interlocking links of silver. The links let it flex easily. The buckle was solid silver, and it had several 'holes' for placing the buckle. I added a silver holster that held the talisman, obscuring its phallic shape, and only revealing it looked like a glass rod. "My hands are free. I can make a backpack or a purse as well."

"Useful talent that. But you don't need to carry any of this."

"Okay. I'll clean up the site as we leave."

Jiao-long paused at that, and then continued packing. Five minutes later we left, and I smoothed the sand behind us. I noticed he seemed to be going slow, so I asked, "Is the sand slowing you down? I could carry the backpack easily. I feel I can move faster."

He looked over at me, and said, "No. I've been going slowly for you. Humans are not as used to travel as I."

"I usually run a few miles at least twice a week. Why not go faster? I'm sure we can go a lot faster and get there sooner if we do."

"Okay, you set the pace, and I'll match it."

So I started with a jog, and as he matched it, I sped it up a bit. Each time he matched it, I increased my speed a bit. Half an hour later, I was running rather quickly, and he shifted to dragon form. Seeing he needed to use that form, I realized I must have been going quite fast, yet I knew I could go faster. So I continued increasing the speed until he called out, "No more... I can't... keep up." So I slowed down a bit, so he wasn't as stressed. I didn't feel any tiredness until I left the sand, and then it seemed to accrue slowly, as I was used to. I figured the sand must have sustained my energy while it was there. It was about two miles later, that I realized I wasn't tiring as fast as I should. I kept an eye on Jiao-long, and it seemed he could go on forever. Occasionally, he gave directions. When it got too dark to see, I used my other senses to see the ground, and feel the air I was entering. I could even tell where the plants were, so I could run without fear of tripping.

As we came to a hill, I said, "I feel buildings on the far side of the hill. Want to slow?" he answered by slowing down to a walk and resuming human form. I matched him.

"You have changed. Even after that run, you don't seem too winded, and you seemed to see, even though I know you cannot see in the dark. I knew we were nearing civilization, but I was not sure if it was past this hill, the next, or the one after. So what can you sense about it?"

Focusing as I walked, I looked with all my senses. "I think there is a family of five in a single building; two adults and three small kids. Also, I sense a pet, perhaps a dog. There are several buildings. The ground seems to indicate several large tanks below, so I think one is a gas station. Another feels like a store of some kind, based on its size and shape. There is a barn-like structure with several vehicles, though I would not expect them all to be operational. There are also telephone lines, so they have power and a phone. I see three septic tanks, one for the house, station, and store. The pet is awake, and I think it senses us."

He said, "Then let's stop here and wait for morning." I summoned a pair of stone lounge chairs, so we could relax comfortably. We talked softly while we waited out of sight. Every few minutes, I would see if they were up and about. When I told Jiao-long they were up, he said we should wait until someone left the house for the station or store. Finally, I sensed someone enter the store. What I didn't expect was sensing the sudden increase in electric usage. Guess I have another new sense to check out.

I got up and said, "Someone just turned the store lights on. Shall we go?"

"Yes, but aren't you forgetting something?"

"I don't think so."

"You're naked."

"... Oh yeah. I completely forgot. I don't think a belt will be sufficient." I thought for a bit, and decided a simple dress would do, but I chose to make it with alternating silver and gold diamond mesh made of small links of silver and gold. I removed the belt, and then summoned the dress. I then put the belt back on. As there were kids about, I made it mid-thigh rather than the barely-legal length, I usually wear. I also made glass sandals with silver mesh straps. I finished with a pair of gold earrings. The dress hid Inanna's talisman, and I changed the holster to a large silver mesh purse to hold An's talisman. "Better?"

"Much. Real silver and gold?"

"Yes. I thought about brass, but copper turns skin green, and I don't have anything between me and the metal, so I went with jewelry metals. Steel is okay, but not very pretty. Anyway, they will likely think it is only gold and silver-colored thread."

Jiao-long led the way, and we entered the store. "Head for the ready-made food area and pick up enough food to satisfy your hunger. I'll call for a ride, and then pick up something for myself."

"Sorry, but I didn't bring any cash, as I expected to head home via the express route. I am glad for the company I can talk to about what happened. There is a lot to process."

We headed for the checkout, where a man was waiting. Jiao-long paid, and we ate outside on a picnic table. An hour later, a van pulled up. It took us to a town called Darwin. We had missed the daily bus to the big city, so we checked into the local motel, where I took a long shower. Afterwards, Jiao-long and I talked about what happened, and he helped me to understand what I actually did.

"You said the storm was supernatural. How did you know?"

"For one thing, except near the center, the high winds remained above the mountains. Planes could still fly, but not high. Mountains usually limit such winds to one side or the other, but in this storm, the winds climbed higher than normal, and passed over the mountains. Also, for as powerful a storm as it was, there was very little damage at ground level outside of Death Valley itself. It may have changed after I arrived and camped, but I suspect not. Beneath the storm, there were strong winds, but not so strong as to prevent flight. Another aspect was the moisture brought in. With the winds over the ocean, it picked up a fair bit of moisture. Mexico got a lot, as did the Colorado River valley. Surprisingly, while there was some flooding, there wasn't much, and the damage was minimal."

"You're right. That is not normal. Somehow, I must have shaped the winds and moderated things to be on the beneficial side. I have no memory of doing that, but I do recall my intent to promote life, and that may have played a part."

"It likely did."

"You sure it was over a thousand miles across? Last time I tangled with one, I thought it was that big, but apparently I misheard the weatherman, or he misspoke. That hurricane was only four hundred miles across. But it did seem bigger, from what I felt."

"Most likely you felt a larger area of air moving, but the measuring process discounts the lesser winds far from the center, and generally goes by the cloud banks that are rotating with it. This storm picked up clouds over the ocean, and they spiraled into the center. Much of the moisture fell out when it came to the mountains, and the desert lapped it up."

We continued to talk about the storm and its effects. We even watched the weather channel and caught a summary from their point of view. Eventually, we headed out to get lunch. The local diner had good food, and Jiao-long said, "You seemed to be eating a rather large amount. Are you okay?"

"I am eating a lot, but I feel the need to restock my body's reserves after that ordeal. I think I'll need four or five more meals like this before I'm back to normal. However, there is another activity I think I can handle. We can push the beds together."

"That does sound nice, but what of tonight?"

"Don't worry. I can go for a very long time. But we should break for dinner."

"You're incorrigible."

"I suppose we could watch a movie, or I could tell you how I got into this mess."

"A good tale sounds like a great idea."

After lunch, I told him of my quest to spiritually cleanse myself, and how I found two sites of power, and met the guardian. I told him of learning about mages, and my encounter while filming. Searching the mage's lair and defanging it took a while to tell. But he got a lot more interested when I told him of the magic books, and the talismans.

"The most curious thing I noted was the attitude. It was that of someone who controls everything, rather than someone who partners with others."

"It comes from how they learn. For centuries, knowledge has been the lure and the reward for apprentices, and the masters used their apprentices as free labor, free sex and as a source of power, as they tapped into their life force to extend their own. Others, like you and I, are not motivated by power. We don't abuse others with our power. We teach others we find worthiness. Mages use people and things. They care little for others who are weaker, including apprentices."

"Since you are here, I would like to know a little bit more about the tattoo you gave me. You said it would warn me of enemies, yet I did not understand what the mage was about when he came. Inanna thinks my feeling of unease might have been the warning, but we don't know. And most who desire ill for me, desire bad press, mistakes made while filming and the like. The usual infighting any successful actress can expect in the industry. I consider such as the competition, and people to outperform and outsmart, not as enemies to eliminate."

"You are right. That unease was the alert. You need to listen to it to see what it is showing. Given your affinity with magic, it should be fairly easy for you."

"Speaking of affinity, dealing with the mage's talismans, I had to learn how they were made. While three is far too small a sample to know for sure, the books I have seem to be... inefficient, no... imperfect, maybe... I know, overcomplicated in their instructions about talismans. In doing this, they also limit the power of the talismans somewhat. In fact, the recommended method of control is to add a layer of control on top of the existing controls. This causes a loss of power because it distorts the energy flows, and also limits the energy. When I removed over a dozen such layers from the oldest talisman, it more than doubled in power."

"Double?"

"Yes. An saw the talisman before and after I dealt with it. It now has no constraints on it. He said it had more than doubled."

"That can be dangerous."

"Yes, but because I reached out in friendship, it has responded in kind. I have used them to do what they want to do, and so they have given me excellent work. I also try to assist them in what they desire. Perhaps the most striking form of this is what I did out there."

"I felt the strength of the site. I think it is a small site now, but in a few centuries it may encompass the whole valley. And you are the one who changed it from a tiny power to what it is now. Something not even the strongest mages could do. And that storm! Powerful mages have called up tornadoes before, but your storm had so much power in it, you could swallow up twenty of them and not even notice. Those who have skill in magic will also realize this storm was not natural. They will do what they can to hunt you down to gain your power."

"I have contact information on three mages. Do you think I should do anything about them?"

"I don't know. But I think I should train you in battle magic, the real stuff, not what you see in the movies you make."

I had to smile at that last bit, as I have played spell casters a number of times. "In that case, I should show you the collection of books I took from the mage. It was through their use I was able to achieve the site's freedom."

"I would be surprised if they have all that much info, yet they had what you needed. Beware, they often have wrong information, and some are deliberate fakes."

"I know, but Inanna watched, as I searched his lair. She had me leave the fake books, and she has also guided me as I studied them."

"She guides you?"

"Slowly. She wants me to make the magic a part of me rather than a tool I used. I think it is best, as I can see how dangerous it can be. And since the storm, I can feel how powerful it can get, deep in my bones."

"After you departed, I looked into your Sumerian goddess. She has quite a history, and is not always nice. Did you know she destroyed a mountain?"

"Yes. We have even spoken about it. She says she has learned better, and no longer harbors the need she had then. If the human idea of growing up applies to the gods, I think she has grown up. She may still be young in attitude, but she understands the consequences of her actions. She acts more like a grown up than a kid. I don't think she is evil, although she may not respect our laws all that much. I do know she cares for me."

"That change is not in the tales."

"Nor have there been tales for several thousand years. It was her bringing me back in time that started this. She sought me to defeat an enemy, and afterwards, to revitalize her power through me, but she learned time itself would not allow that, so she returned me to my own time. What I soon learned, is that she saved enough power to survive, and when I returned, she used me to gain a little power. She aids me in what I want, and what I do aids her. She has since gained several other priestesses, and though still limited, she is growing in power. I suspect An is gaining power through my actions also. He has less interest in human affairs, but has shown interest in me."

Dryly, he said, "I noticed."

"While it is true he likes the service I provide as a priestess of Inanna, he also is interested in me as a possible king or kingmaker. He definitely wants me to be a woman of influence. He does regret that the times no longer have kings as such, but there are other leaders, so he looks to them."

"So, why aren't you a queen?"

"Simple. I don't desire rule. What rule I do have, I do more as a way to serve others with my better ability, and I try to do what is best for all, not just for me. I think I have been successful in these endeavors, because while people complain from time to time, they respect and honor my decisions. They do as I say because they want to, even if they disagree."

"Such a simple woman at heart, yet great power has been given to you. And you rise to the occasion and use it wisely. You are indeed rare. We need more like you."

"Well... I have raised eight children, and I think they have learned that lesson from me."

Jiao-long gave a belly laugh at that. "Woman, you are too much." Just then, my stomach growled. He looked at the time, and said, "Something knows it is dinner time. Let's go eat."

We left for the diner, and ate. He had a light meal, I had far more. After spending two hours there enjoying our food, we returned to the motel. Jiao-long sent me out to get several cans of soda from the machine, and a bucket of ice. He handed me cash to get it. I was curious about this, but went out anyway. I found out why when I came back. He had rearranged the room, so the beds were adjacent. He sat in a chair, wearing only a towel. I don't know how he managed a shower in the short time I was out, but he clearly did. So I did the only sensible thing - put the bucket of ice with the sodas on the table, and took off my dress.

I walked over to him seductively, and took his hand. I then guided him to standing and saw he wasn't holding his towel, as it dropped right off, revealing he was quite eager. I then led us to the bed, where we communicated without words.

In the morning, after a bit of sex, I decided I wanted to change my dress. I dismissed the one I wore yesterday, and made a new one today. Like the previous one, it was a chain mesh; however, the links were half an inch in diameter. My nipples easily slid right through. Additionally, it barely covered my vagina. When I sat, I would be exposed. I put the belt back on, and carried my purse also.

We got breakfast at the diner, and I saw the cook frequently checking me out. When he took a break, I got up and met him by the bathroom, and said, "As I am the cause of your need, let me take care of it also."

He quickly looked about and went into the men's room, but he held the door for me, so I followed. I hopped on the counter next to the sink and opened my legs, while playing with my nipples. He didn't say a thing, but unzipped his pants and pulled out his erection. I grabbed it and pulled it into me. Soon he was pounding me, and I quietly moaned, groaned, and otherwise let him know I was enjoying it. When he pulled out and leaned on the wall, I got up and licked him off before putting his dick away. Then I walked out.

Jiao-long noticed my nipples were still at full mast. Smiling, he asked, "Enjoy yourself?"

"Yes. The cook has delicious creamy food."

"Aren't you concerned people will see you?"

"No. I have learned that Inanna's gift causes official displeasure to overlook me, especially if there is a way for it to be an accident. One time, I was in a small town washing clothes. I decided what I wore also needed washing, so I tossed it in the machine, as well. While I waited in the nude, for the clothes to be washed, I had three guys, and I also ate out one gal. The third guy was an off-duty cop, so I don't think anyone ever said a thing."