Chapter 36
The two Officers materialized at the predetermined coordinates “Welcome to Antos IV; I’m one of the Overseers” he stated. “Thank you Sir. Has our Engineering Team arrived yet” Racheal inquired with a smile. “Yes about an hour ago” as he paused “They are hard at work but the issues are more complex than we first thought so you ladies may be here for awhile until they can effect repairs” the Overseer replied. “That’ll be a good leaning experience for us being able to interact with a very long forgotten culture” Maria stated with a grin. “Yes I suppose it will be quite the experience for the both of you” then he pulled out a hypo from under his long robe “If I may, I need to insert a grain sized device under your skin. When the repairs are finished you will feel a tingling in your arms; at that point you will walk back here and I will part the holo-screen for you to return to your Ship, any questions.” “Just one. So we’ll have to give these women a reason why we are leaving to return to our home I assume” Racheal inquired. “Yes that part we leave up to you and your discretion” the Overseer instructed. Taking out a small device he parted the holo-screen so the ladies could walk into this new world.
Walking along Racheal noticed just how beautiful this place was; sunny skies, warm breezes, very green and lush vegetation, and beautiful wildflowers growing by the road’s edge “Maria have you ever seen such a beautiful place as this before” Racheal inquired.
“No. My home was just the opposite of this; hot, dry, and dusty. This is a welcomed change from what I’m used to” Maria replied with a smile. Minutes later they came up over a small rise seeing two women standing across the road with weapons at the ready.
Looking at Maria “Let me do the talking since I’m supposed to be Second in Leadership of our warriors.”
Grinning “Have at it; I’m curious how you’re going to handle our time here anyway” Maria replied jokingly. Racheal just grinned wondering the same thing herself.
As they walked closer one of the Viking women stated “Halt! What brings you to Caldera” as both women stood about six feet tall, long blonde braided hair, blue eyes, and a muscular body that any man would sell his soul to have with shield in front of her and sword drawn.
Racheal smiled while not getting too close “Greetings. I am Racheal, Second in Leadership of the Saltarian Warriors” turning towards Maria “And this is our best warrior, Maria she is called. We would seek an audience with your Leader over a matter of vital importance to our Sisters.”
Lowering their weapons somewhat “Where do you call home” the other Viking woman inquired but still on her guard.
“We are from Grandoon; about a three weeks journey southwest of Caldera” Racheal replied with a smile.
Lowering their weapons the rest of the way the Viking women finally broke a smile “ I am Tabitha and my sister is Sophia. Follow us to our village” as they led the way.
Letting out a mental sigh “It is very nice to meet you both” Racheal replied then they followed the women staying a little distance behind them.
“Did you see the bodies on those women…..now I know I’m going to enjoy our time here” Maria commented with a grin being very careful not to use the wrong words that would cause suspect.
Racheal laughed “You know you can pick your tongue up off the road anytime now” she whispered in a joking manner.
Several minutes later they arrived at the Village and proceeded to walk further in. There were many, many small huts forming a large arced circle. Looking around there were some blondes, some with reddish hair, and the rest either brown or black hair all long and in braids of one type or another. But all the women had one thing in common; they were all at least six feet tall, very muscular bodies along with large breasts.
Finally they arrived at a larger hut in the middle of all the others “Wait here” Tabitha instructed their new arrivals. Walking out of the hut were two other women; one had long braided long flaxen hair while the other was more blonde and both with blue eyes. Both were very muscular and very strong. “Greetings I am Shania, Leader of the Viking Women of Caldera. This is my Second in Leadership and counsel Aldea.”
With a smile “It is pleasing to us to meet you both and your tales of battle are legendary among our Sisters. I am Racheal Second in Leadership of the Saltarian Warriors of Grandoon and this is our best warrior Maria” she replied.
Returning the smile “It is pleasing to us to meet you as well Saltarian Warriors” Shania stated as Aldea nodded in agreement “Tomorrow about mid morning I will assemble the High Council; at that time we will hear your tale. For now you will be our guests here in Caldera and if you require anything please let us know.”
“Thank you Shania that is very kind of you which is pleasing to us” Racheal answered with Maria nodding in agreement having taken her cue from Aldea.
“But for now you are both our guests and it would be pleasing to us if you would share in our hospitality. Soon it will be time to begin preparing the evening meal and we would enjoy hearing about your home as we share a fire together” Shania commented with a smile.
“Yes we would enjoy your hospitality as well as your fire this evening” Racheal replied as she started getting more into character.
Meanwhile as the conversation was going on Maria couldn’t take her eyes off Aldea; such a beautiful and strong looking woman. Noticing her gaze Aldea smiled “Perhaps you would like to help me gather wood for the fire while the Leaders are talking” she inquired with a smile.
“Yes that would be pleasing to me” Maria replied quickly getting into character as the two women walked off to gather wood.
Walking into the woods the ladies started picking up wood that was laying on the ground as Aldea spoke “Maria you seem very quiet around Racheal” as she smiled.
“Yes, I have great resect for her leadership so I tend to let her do most of the talking; especially in this situation” Maria replied happily returning her smile.
“As well you should…..that says a great deal about what a strong character you have as a warrior. We will pile the wood here then we can pack it up and head back” Aldea commented with a smile becoming quite fond of Maria even though they had only met a very short time ago.
After all the wood was gathered, Aldea picked up two wide long leather straps having a handle on both ends and handed one to Maria “This will make carrying the wood less cumbersome” she stated with a smile before moving very close to her. Reaching down she gently ran her hand against the back of Maria’s as she whispered “You are a very beautiful women Maria…..perhaps it would be pleasing to you to share my bed this night.”
Maria stood a little stunned at the moment thinking [This woman doesn’t mess around] before smiling and placing her other hand on top of Aldea’s “Yes, that would please me.” Having packed up the firewood they headed back to the village.
Meanwhile Shania and Racheal sat talking about various leader type things when Shania asked “I think Maria and Aldea are getting acquainted quite nicely considering they are not back from gathering wood yet” she commented with a chuckle “Being our guests, would you consider sharing my bed with me this night….not in an intimate way unless you would find that pleasing.”
Thinking for a few moments not wanting to blow the mission, Racheal smiled “I would be honored to share your bed” then she paused “I do have a partner back home so perhaps nothing intimate between us” as Racheal placed her hand on Shania’s arm “ And I mean no disrespect but my partner and I are only for each other” she replied fingers mentally crossed she hadn’t just messed up.
Shania smiled “That is commitment I have not seen in a long time; your partner is a very fortunate woman and it pleases me you are so forthcoming…..there is no disrespect here.”
Finally Maria and Aldea showed up with the firewood as Shania grinned “We thought you two started your love making early” as she and Racheal laughed. Racheal could see Maria was quite taken with this woman.
Aldea chuckled “Not on an empty stomach; food first” as they all started laughing. Maria and Aldea started the fire while Shania and Racheal prepared a stew to go over the fire in a big cast iron pot.
Shortly their evening meal was ready as Shania walked out of the hut with a loaf of fresh bread “We can not have stew without some bread to go with it” she commented with a smile. Then she handed it to Racheal “Here tear off a large piece for each of us while I serve up the stew.” Racheal did as instructed and soon everyone was enjoying their meal together.
Shania turned looking at Racheal “So share with us what is your home like in Grandoon” she inquired.
Maria looked at Racheal wondering how she was going to answer the question. “Much like it is here, of course minus the Sea but we do have a stream which runs behind out village for water and bathing. Like here our village is out in the lush green country side with mountains to our south for protection” she explained with a smile seeing Maria snickering at her explanation.
“Sounds like a beautiful place; it would be a shame if you have to leave that behind” Shania replied “But I think that would be better than complete destruction from your enemies.”
“Yes, we would prefer that not be our destiny in this life” Racheal stated with a smile. The women finished their meal then cleaned up and put everything away until morning.
Perhaps Racheal you would like to take a walk along the seashore before we retire for the night” Shania suggested.
Looking at Maria and getting a look back, Racheal agreed as the two women walked off for an evening stroll.
Aldea grabbed Maria’s hand with a smile “Maybe you would find it pleasing to lie down with me and enjoy the soft furs on my bed” she inquired.
“Yes I would find that very pleasing” she replied with a smile. The two women walked into the hut with Aldea turning and giving Maria a passionate kiss. Smiling she returned her kiss before laying on the bed. Soon both women were naked enjoying one another. This would be a night that Maria would never forget.
Meanwhile Shania and Racheal were walking along the shore when Racheal commented “This certainly is a beautiful night with the moon and the stars shining along with a gentle warm breeze.
Stopping Shania faced Racheal “They dim by comparison to your beauty” she whispered then leaned in and gave Racheal a very nice kiss “I know you are faithful to your companion at home so I will not press you anymore but I just had to kiss you this once.”
Smiling Rachel replied “That is fine and I did enjoy your kiss but yes I am faithful to my companion back home.
The two women walked back to Shania’s hut with Racheal laying next to her on the soft furs of her bed as Racheal’s thoughts went immediately to James and their relationship.
The next morning Racheal addressed the High Council with Maria standing next and just behind her as a show of respect. “Sisters of Caldera we have been attacked by the Saxons repeatedly over the last few months. Our numbers are becoming less with every attack. It is our fear that our Sisters may not be able to hold out much longer therefore we implore you to have mercy on us and allow us to join your great number of Warriors thereby strengthening both our numbers. Whatever you decide we will of course honor your words” she concluded.
Shania stood “We will take your request under consideration. If you both would step outside we will discuss your misfortune.”
“Understood Sister and we eagerly await your decision” Rachel replied as both women walked outside waiting for what was to come next.
“So what will we do if they accept; I can’t see us keeping up this facade up for too much longer without causing suspicion” Maria commented with some concern.
Thinking a moment “Well either way we’ll have to go to the curtain and wait; I just hope they get things repaired sooner than later” Racheal replied.
After about two hours Shania emerged from the Great Hall before walking over to Racheal “The Sisters and I have considered your request” then she paused a moment looking Racheal in the eyes “I am so sorry but they do not want to take a chance of your plight following you and your Sisters here…..I am afraid the answer is no.”
Trying to put on a disappointed face “Like I stated previously we will honor your decision; we’ll just have to figure out our future ourselves” Racheal replied feeling some relief concerning their present situation when she felt her arm start to tingle “Thank you you Shania for your hospitality but we have a long journey ahead of us so we will take our leave of you now.”
“Of course, I understand and I wish the outcome had been different. May the Halls of Valhalla shine upon you and your Sisters” Shania stated a little sorry the Sisters were leaving.
And with that Racheal smiled as her and Maria left for the curtain; it was time to get back to their Ship.
Walking along Maria was very quiet when she looked at Racheal “You know if someone asked me what I thought Paradise would be like, I would tell them about this place.” This was an adventure that Maria would not soon forget.
