Lost Bloodline 4 - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

After really stretching his legs the previous day, Koda knew the sort of sustained pace he could manage towing the sleigh with its load of people and goods. While the girls had covered for him previously, saying that he had stopped to spare them, he had let his pride drive him to push harder than he should have.

That didn’t make the sight of him anything less of a spectacle as he crossed the snow-clad hills of the high plains, though.

“I really wish I’d taken the time to decorate the traces with bells,” Calandra laughed from her spot in the sleigh. “Can you imagine the merry jingling that he’d be making right now?”

“As amusing as it would be,” Cyrus replied dryly from further back in the sleigh, “that would also cause a rather unholy racket that would carry forever out here on the open plains. Better to not drive off the winter game any more than we need to.”

“Is that going to be a problem?” Koda called back. The wind was low at the moment, so he could easily hear the conversation back on the sleigh. “Are we going to be putting your village at risk?”

“Not at all, Champion,” Cyrus called back immediately. “But we are taught that sound can carry some distance over these snow-clad hills unless the snow is actively coming down. Then it muffles the sound instead.”

Koda nodded in understanding and returned his focus to the front. He could see the distant hills and forest that hid the little village of the Silent Plains tribe from view, so it was nearly too late to change his approach, even if he wanted to.

Instead, Koda focused on the task at hand while he ran. The wind did not bother him; he’d folded his cloak tight around his body to block it out and the fur liner on his hood kept the wind from burning his face.

I wonder if I am more resistant to the cold now? Koda wondered while the packed snow crunched underfoot. All the others save for Arthene are all bundled up in the sleigh against the wind, but here I am, racing along without a problem. I know it’s not the troll-slayer blessing doing this, so it has to be something from Thera, right?

A snippet of conversation from the sleigh caught his attention.

“While I appreciate the speed that we are moving at, isn’t it going to diminish his station to be seen like this?” Cyrus was asking in a lower tone, likely not realizing that Koda could still hear and understand him just fine.

“Why would it diminish him?” Samira countered, her normally easygoing voice sharp. “Any from our tribe that would think less of him after knowing what he and the others did for them don’t deserve our understanding.”

“Being seen as a beast of burden would diminish anyone,” Cyrus replied, concern thick in his tone. The derisive snort from Calandra was all the dwarf voiced as Samira was again quick to defend Koda’s choices.

“Koda has shown no desire to elevate himself above others. He serves his community as much as—if not more than—nearly anyone in a tribe can. I have seen him unload barrels for the tavern owner mere minutes after advising the stonemasons on new techniques to fasten their bricks together. Strength and wisdom both follow in the man’s wake, and those who cannot see that are blind!”

The vehemence that Samira defended him formed a lump in Koda’s throat and he didn’t bother to hide the smile that formed on his lips at her words.

“She’s a rather vehement one, isn’t she?” Arthene asked from her position a few feet to Koda’s left.

The massive form of his bear beastfolk bounded through the snow with all the grace of a racing elk. Despite the combination of feminine curves and abundant muscle, she had no problem nimbly keeping up with Koda while making it look like she was out for nothing more than an afternoon stroll. Her hair was free of the chunky braids that she’d started wearing it in—something Calandra had been trying to get her to do more to keep her hair in order—and the brunette mane whipped behind her like a second cloak.

“That she is. I just hope that she doesn’t say something that she regrets later. Cyrus is a good sort and clearly wants to help.”

“But he’s wrong, and she’s right,” Arthene teased, glancing his way with a broad, tooth-shining grin.

The yellow of her eyes sparkled in the white-drenched world, and Koda found it unbelievably alluring. He loved all of his mates without holding one above the others, but at that moment he had to fight the urge to just unhook himself from the sleigh and chase Arthene across the snow until he caught her and had her.

From the way her eyes hooded and she bit her bottom lip, Arthene saw the desire pulse through him and approved of it. Each bounding step the incarnate spirit took sent a ripple through her full form, making her breasts jiggle and her ass sway despite the thick hides of her outfit.

Forcibly, Koda tore his eyes away from Arthene and focused his attention forward. He hadn’t seen any of the village scouts yet, but would put good money that they were already aware of his approach. Chasing Arthene off into the bushes for a quick tumble wasn’t a good idea.

At least not at the moment.

“Samira is a good girl for speaking out in your defense,” Arthene continued, though Koda could hear the desire deep in her voice. “I’ll have to make sure to let her know I approve later.”

He didn’t voice it aloud, but Koda had a feeling that Arthene’s “approval” was for more than just Samira’s defense of his choices.

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Slowing down as he guided the sleigh around the forest, Koda saw the edge of the village coming into view.

He’d known approximately where the village was for some time now—given the rising clouds of steam and smoke coming off the various chimneys and fires. But now that he could actually see the buildings, Koda saw the welcoming committee already arrayed for them.

Dozens of the tribe’s hunters stood ready, holding a mixture of bows and spears prepared. Those equipped with bows had gotten on top of the roofs of the outer ring of houses, while the spear-wielders blocked the road into the village.

Good thing I was already slowing down, Koda thought with a grin as he waved one hand over his shoulder to signal his passengers. A moment later, he felt the tug on his harness increase sharply as they applied the brakes and the large metal spikes dug into the snow.

Slowing to match, Koda stopped pulling on the sleigh to allow its own weight to join the spike-brakes in stopping it. 

Arthene, who had still been trotting along at his side, growled at the assembled group of warriors menacing her mate with their weapons. The Amazonian beauty unslung the thick bone club from the strap she carried it on across her back.

“Easy, Arthene. They weren’t expecting us, and it wasn’t like we sent word ahead,” Koda murmured as he turned about in the traces and caught the sleigh with both hands, digging his feet in and making the wooden frame of the conveyance groan in protest at the impact.

“They disrespect us and you, especially after inviting you here,” Arthene’s snarl carried through the air and more than a few of the tribe’s warriors flinched at the sound, but did not back down.

Thankfully, Cyrus was already moving. Even as Koda brought the sleigh to a full stop, the cougar beastfolk leapt down from the back of the sleigh and trotted towards the village, waving his arms over his head.

“Warriors, hold! These are friends and we have returned from trading with our allies!”

“Cyrus?” called a voice from amongst the warriors. “Shit, it is Cyrus and the others. Stand down!”

The tense warriors immediately relaxed and approached curiously. A handful stayed back to assist the archers down from their positions. Meanwhile, Koda laid a hand on Arthene’s arm to further calm his powerful mate.

“It’s fine. They were just wary. I don’t fault them for that after the whole troll business.”

“Not to mention our overenthusiastic man must have looked quite the sight towing this sleigh by himself,” Calandra grunted from above the two.

Koda glanced up to see Calandra hanging over the front of the sleigh, her own abundant bust propped on its upper lip. The position put her at roughly eye-level with Arthene and above Koda for once, something that clearly amused her from the twinkle in her olive-colored eyes.

“I just wanted to get here as fast as we could,” Koda said defensively, ducking when Calandra reached out to pat him condescendingly on the head.

“And it had nothing to do with showing off just how big and strong you were, did it?” Calandra teased, her glittering eyes and broad grin drawing any venom out of her words and leaving behind only love.

“Maybe,” Koda muttered.

“Definitely,” Arthene interjected, her anger falling away, to be replaced with a smile now.

“Ease up on our mate,” Sienna said from out of sight.

Koda wasn’t sure what Sienna did next, but it made Calandra jump and squeal in surprise. Given her precarious position, the dwarven woman slipped, tipping over the front end of the sleigh.

Without hesitation, Koda snatched the stout woman out of midair before she could land face-first in the snow. Arthene quickly plucked Calandra out of Koda’s arms and spun her around to set her down in the snow with a broad grin.

“Easy now,” Arthene teased. “I know you like to jump on him whenever you have the chance, but diving into his pants in front of so many people would be a bit too far, at least for now.”

“Oh shut it, you!” Calandra growled, steadying herself against the front of the sleigh with one hand while she fought to get her thundering heart under control.

To give his dwarven wife a moment to calm down, Koda turned his attention towards the approaching group of warriors from the Silent Plain’s tribe. Already, the other passengers were quickly disembarking from the sleigh now that they were on the edge of the village.

The returning traders were greeted by their fellows warmly, though the rest of the villagers seemed hesitant to approach Koda and his circle of mates—not that Koda could blame them. Arthene’s amusement at Calandra’s antics hadn’t dimmed her irritation at what she saw was a slight on herself and her mate.

It didn’t take long before the hide-swathed form of Vysin pushed his way through the crowd of hunters. The elderly headman was grinning broadly as he clapped Cyrus on the shoulder before turning to hurry across the twenty feet of ground between his tribesfolk and Koda’s group.

“Aegisclaw! It is a blessing to see you again so soon. I see my people conveyed the request for you to join us and speak with the others to allay their fears?”

“Yes, they did, Vysin,” Koda answered, stepping around Arthene to greet the older man. “I will admit, I was nervous when I saw the fierce greeting you had planned. Have things been alright since the trolls?”

Koda pointedly spoke louder than necessary when he mentioned trolls, and the wary hunters in the group that knew him ducked their heads in embarrassment. Those that hadn’t recognized him earlier realized what they’d been doing, and those that did felt more shame for menacing someone they’d called on for help.

“No, things have actually been rather quiet. Two of the tribes that were supposed to come and trade have arrived, as you met with their representatives,” Vysin said, gesturing to Melia and Jordan. They stood off to one side of the main group of hunters, conversing in low tones with similarly garbed tribesfolk. “We just didn’t know what to expect when the scouts advised a sleigh was approaching at high speeds with no team pulling it.”

“Yes, well, I don’t have a lot of time to spare right now with the snows having come in,” Koda gestured to their white-drenched surroundings and Vysin nodded.

“That is quite understandable. I would expect the other tribes to arrive within the next few days, to maybe a week. The snow will have delayed them some, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Come! I have good news to share with you and it would be best to get somewhere warm. I am sure that you would like a chance to relax by a fire.”

“Yes, please!” Sienna, Calandra, and Samira chorused. Koda grinned back at them before turning to Vysin and nodding.

“Of course. Lead the way, if you would, Vysin? Sienna, can you pull the brakes?”

“On it, love,” Sienna called while scrambling back to flip the lever, which would raise the iron spikes out of the snow.

The entire braking assembly for the sleigh was more like half of a bear trap mounted to the bottom of the sleigh. It was strange, but it worked, so Koda didn’t complain.

“Oh, that is unnecessary, Champion. I can have some of our braves bring the sleigh into town,” Vysin said quickly, his eyes widening in surprise as Koda dug his feet in and pulled the sleigh into motion once more with the sort of stubborn strength that was normally reserved for oxen.

“My burden is not complete until I deliver my mates to the meeting house,” Koda stated firmly, walking right past Vysin. Behind him, he heard the crunch of snow and felt the tug on his harness when Calandra hopped up into the sleigh with a bright laugh.

“Better just do what he says, Headman,” Samira called from her spot on the sleigh. “One thing that I have learned about Aegisclaw is that he has the determination of a boulder when he has chosen his path.”

“Walk and talk,” Koda called over his shoulder with a laugh, the snow crunching thunderously as he got the sleigh moving again. “Vysin, we brought extra trade goods as well. My lovely mates, in their infinite wisdom, saw the opportunity to build stronger bonds with both your tribe and others. There are bundles of iron arrowheads, spearheads, spices, woolen cloth, and other things tucked into the sleigh.”

“I will ensure that your possessions and trade goods are not molested, Champion,” Vysin said with a nod, staring in surprise as Koda hauled the sleigh forward at a fast walk.

Ahead of them, the crowd parted, allowing Koda to pass, with Vysin hopping through the snow at his side.

“They are my family’s possessions. While Kris Dewclaw, the headwoman of Silverstone, sent her greetings, she wasn’t ready to send a trading envoy herself. My wives and I will happily trade with you and carry word of the tribe's wares back to Silverstone, so that she can prepare better for the next group that comes her way.”

Koda could see the excitement shining in Vysin’s eyes at this news, as well as a touch of avarice. Koda honestly expected it, since the Silent Plains were the ones gathering the other tribes together to meet and trade with Koda. Thus, his tribe would act as the gateway for the other tribes to meet Thera’s Champion, at least for now.

And thank you, Sienna. My clever wolf already saw the issues that might arise if Vysin tries to monopolize contact with me, Koda thought with a grim smile. No chance that will happen. I have no problem with Vysin and the Silent Plains tribe benefiting from being my point of contact, but my girls will make sure that no one gets left out.