
From: The Gray Mouser
Subj: Kat4c  mf/fantasy

    "Are you going to behave for a moment?", he demanded in a stern voice.

    She thought for a moment then nodded her assent, her eyes suddenly
thoughtful. He withdrew his sword and thrust it tip-down into the ground. He
then cast a greater heal spell and covered his wound with both hands. After a
moment he tore opened the gash in his leggings and inspected the area. Though
bloodied, it bore no injury, save a faint scar.

    Her eyes grew wide at this and she asked "Are you a wizard?".

    He looked down at her and shook his head. "I just know enough to know
magic's a damned dangerous business. I only use certain healing spells and
some others." Looking at his leg, he noted "Still leaving scars, though." He
chuckled lightly. He suddenly woke from his reverie and offered his hand down
to her. "My name is Kat. And yours?"

    She took his hand and standing, answered "I am called Rialle. I was
traveling to the Shrine of the Warrior Maidens of Kel when I was ambushed..."
Her eyes took on an accusing stare as she looked back at Kat.

    "Now stop right there, love" he warned her. "I've no intention of playing
at swords with you again today. I rescued you from your attackers. See?" he
said, motioning toward the field where the bodies lay. "Would you be the
slayer of yon two?" he queried, pointing toward the two sexless corpses he
had found.

    "Yes" she nodded, gazing at the field.

    "I now have an idea how they died" he mused. "I almost joined their ranks
today."

    She looked at him, as if struck by a thought. "How did you dodge my blow?
That's never happened before."

    He replied "Soul scream. Some innate protective ability I acquired when
I, er..." his voice trailed off. He then asked "What do you mean, 'before'?
How many men have you dealt with in this manner?"

    "I do that to any man who tries to take me against my wishes. It is a
sacred oath to Kel. I bewitch a man with my looks, and then kill him. Those
two", she pointed, "caught me off guard. I had finished dealing with them
when the others surrounded me and I was hit from behind. When I awoke I saw
you gathering my things. I thought you were one of them" she added sheepishly.

    "The change in appearance?"

    She smiled. "This is the way I really look. The other is a guise bestowed
by Kel when I need it" she replied. "An attractive woman traveling alone is
not the best of ideas. But who need fear a young girl?" Kat smiled and
thought "Girl, indeed!"

    They walked back to the tree where Rialle had lay unconscious and sat
beneath it. Kat laid down on his outspread cloak and stretched himself catlike
upon the earth. She watched him, and then solemnly bowed her head as if in
prayer.

    "What's wrong?" he asked.

    She did not answer immediately. After a few moments she raised her head
and looked at him with the brightest of smiles. "I've yet to thank you
properly for saving me" she cooed. She then pulled her smock from her skirt
and removed it, revealing her flawless breasts to his eyes once again.

    He smiled broadly, then shot to his feet and frowned down at her. Slowly
his look of alarm faded and he asked carefully "Your wishes?"

    "I wish to have you, my friend" she responded, grabbing his leg above the
knee for emphasis. She winced and drew back as she realized it was the same
area she had injured.

    Her concern for his pain was proof of her intent. He slowly lowered
himself to her and told her "It doesn't hurt anymore." She looked unsure. He
smiled and said in reassuring tones "It's healed, much as your head is healed
of the rough handling of that one", jerking his thumb over his shoulder at
the leader's corpse.

    She remembered the blow and raised her hand to the spot where a lump
should now be. Instead, she found nothing. She laughed out loud then threw
herself on top of Kat, knocking him to the ground. He looked up in surprise
as she pressed her lips hard to his. As he eased himself into the kiss, he
thought to himself "This has been a most *interesting* day".

