Mission: Maps

[Deleted]

Kurai would never admit it to anyone -not even her dear Khao- but sometimes, she had a hard time reading maps. Strategies, rituals, plots and intrigues; those were among her main strengths. Scales and distances didn't always match up correctly in her mind, so she had to use a lot of educated guesswork in order to figure out how much ground could be covered in a day with her forces and their goods. Sabine and Raxus took care of a lot of that for her, for another thing.

But Ourith's maps of the area were clear and to the point, and the details eliminated so very much of the guesswork. Kurai found herself relieved by this. Ourith was still under suspicion, naturally, but now, after more than three weeks of dedication to his project, with such outstanding results, he was rapidly becoming more valuable.

She'd have to give him another mission tomorrow.

Kurai nodded in satisfaction, and moved to the pile of furs where Khao was napping, curled in a ball with her arms around her swollen stomach. The black-haired Mind slid under the fur, pleased to see her servant instinctively press back against her. The poor thing; even though Kurai was not the kindest of masters, Khao still trusted her beyond all others, and remained devoted to her.

Kurai stroked Khao's hair and back until she fell asleep herself.

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Afternoon found Sabine overseeing drills while Kurai sat at a round table, having lunch with Khao and Raxus while she waited for Ourith to arrive with the servant sent to get him. As the Mistress of the campaign, naturally Kurai got first choice in the rations, and usually chose to share her largess with her three most trusted. Today it was slices of wheat bread stuffed with olives and chunks of smoked sausage, hard-boiled eggs sliced into fourths and dipped in melted butter and pepper, dried peaches cooked in the last of the honey with cloves and topped with cream, some precious white wine that was also starting to be in short supply, and a sort of rich, delectable spiced noodle soup with celery.

Raxus ate heartily, needing the calories to help stay warm. Now that it was winter, the snake-affinity stayed in any kind of shelter he could find; his two Signs rendered him sluggish and cranky in cold weather. When he could not avoid going out, he bundled up and tried to cover himself as much as possible without impeding locomotion. Being snake from the hips down really was a nuisance sometimes.

Khao ate almost as much, but avoided the wine; Kurai had told her that her unborn triplets had to be treated kindly while in the womb, so they would be born as fine specimens for the ritual altar. Well, at least two of them had to.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith entered the tent, looking quite pleased with himself at being summoned to what appeared to be a fine meal. The Earth sign looked quite a bit different than the first time he had approached the Mistress. His face was washed and his dark hair was slicked back, gathered in a thin braid that barely reached past the base of his neck. Rather than his own ragged clothing, he now wore a thick robe of dark green velvet, with a fur cloak draped around his shoulders that nearly hid the handicap of his missing arm.

Once inside, the mapmaker drew himself up to his full height and bowed with a flourish. "You sent for me, Mistress?" he said, managing to pitch his voice to be both haughty and ingratiating at the same time.

[Deleted]

"I did." Kurai patted her lips with a napkin as Khao nervously stood, going to a vacant place at the table. The cat-affinity's hands shook as she served some of the food into an empty plate, bowl and goblet, but not badly enough to spill anything. She kept her head down, cheeks flushed, because Kurai had only permitted her to wear her sheer black veils again; it was easy for anyone to see her nipples and groin, including Ourith.

"You clean up well, Ourith," Kurai noted as Khao worked, "and you know not to arrive bloodstained in my tent." This implied it was all right to arrive bloodstained anywhere outside the tent, and it was. Outside meant nothing of Kurai's would be dirtied. "Sit, eat. I have a mission for you when you are done."

Raxus "stood" as Khao served Kurai seconds, then scurried trembling back to her seat, putting his own dining on hold for a moment. This was official business, after all.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith hardly glanced at Khao, treating the Beast girl as if she wasn't there. "I had some help from Teth with the stains on the tunic," he said conversationally, referring to a single-sign Water who had also joined Kurai from Flux. "Seems he's a bit of an expert at cleaning up blood, I didn't ask why." He smirked, seeming to think he had said something rather funny.

Seating himself, he took a few moments to examine the food laid in front of him. Finally he began to sample the bread and the eggs, taking small bites and savoring every taste. He took only a tiny sip from the goblet Khao had filled, swirling the wine around his mouth before swallowing. "An excellent repast," he commented graciously. "I see you and your advisors lack for nothing, Mistress."

[Deleted]

"That is part of the problem," Kurai stated, sipping from her goblet. "Providing for the thirty-odd soldiers and guards is a difficult task, and I am told our supplies are becoming low. Not yet low enough to be a problem, but still, it would be unacceptable if my forces were forced to have smaller rations, or worse, to starve. You will be sent to the nearest town, mapping the route on the way, and report its defenses, its businesses, and population.

"If it is viable, my soldiers will then lead a raid on that town for more weapons, clothing, bedding, medicines, slaves, and especially food and drink. This means there can be no mistakes in your report, Ourith, or you would find yourself in the stewpot," the Mind warned. "You would have your choice of two soldiers to assist you, or barring that, Captain Sabine Tres-Seki'hei would go with you. Is this understood?"

In warmer weather, Kurai would have sent Raxus; he could move with surprising speed if needed, and he was excellent at roughing it. However, it was not possible. The snake-man was glad he did not have to go, not now anyway.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith glanced thoughtfully toward the entrance before answering. "No need to deprive yourself of such a loyal companion, Mistress. I should be fine with a single soldier, or two if you insist." Tilting his head back, he placed his hand on his chin and stared into space. "I do believe the nearest settlement would be Zephyr Heights. But, given the size of the town, you might not find everything you seek there. It may prove necessary to make multiple raids in the surrounding hills, unless you are seeking to remain unnoticed by the rulers of the land."

[Deleted]

"We must remain unnoticed, Ourith," Kurai said firmly. "But the raids are still needed. As word of them gets around, we must take the chance that some will wish to join us while others desire to destroy us. My soldiers are strong; we will be able to handle small instances of opposition for now, especially once our supplies are taken care of." She sat back. "And yes, I will insist on sending two soldiers with you."

[hisdivineshadow]

He waved his hand dismissively. "As you wish. Just be sure they do not get in my way. Mine is a delicate work, and I wouldn't want to risk your men's interference corrupting the results." With that, Ourith allowed himself to indulge in one of the sweet dried peaches. "Mm," he murmured after he swallowed his first bite, "just like mother used to make."

[Deleted]

"Oh, they know full well what would happen if that occurred," Kurai said in a low, deadly tone, and Raxus nodded approval while Khao shuddered.

"How long do you believe the mission would take?" Raxus asked, addressing Ourith.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith pondered this, staring into space while taking another bite of pear. "I suppose," he answered slowly, "I could make a complete map, detailed down to a few paces, within two days' time. Not, of course, counting the time it would take to travel there and back." Focusing his gaze on Kurai, he asked, "Would that be acceptable, Mistress?"

[Deleted]

"It would." The dark mistress nodded in satisfaction.

"I will make arrangements for you to leave tomorrow," Raxus said, and quickly finished his lunch before he went for his fur wrappings. "With your permission, Mistress Kurai."

"Go on." Kurai waved him off, and the snake-man bundled himself up, leaving quickly. Khao relaxed slightly, but only that, finishing her meal as well and sliding off her chair to kneel next to her mistress. Kurai absently petted her head, sipping her wine.

[hisdivineshadow]

Ourith took his time finishing the remainder of the food that had been set for him. Finally he set down his fork and stood, bowing reverently toward Kurai. "I will make ready to leave at your command, Mistress." His mouth twisted in that small, strange smile of his, as if he were finding humor in some private joke.

[Deleted]

Kurai quirked a brow at him. "Just be sure to leave at dawn tomorrow with the soldiers Commander Raxus chooses," was all she said, scratching behind Khao's ears to make her purr. "I require nothing else but your precision on your mission. That will be all for today," she added, clearly a dismissal.