lluminated the bath and the anointing spiral where Lira stood with her sleeves rolled back. Th

this many times before as she made the necessary preparations. She stirred the bathwater which

and mischief had been replaced by this elegant, yo

ats placed on the spiral, their broad shoulders bared, dark locs w

al water before proceeding to wipe Kael's back. The ste

in his chest as the cloth t

u'd do this more often for me." Ka

olite smile-no hint of the

ant that. You shouldn't even be talking." She pressed the c

s shoulder and tried

ou pick if you had to cho

eath wishing he had

ed, cloth

oed, brow archi

; mischief bright

ure you've noticed but my man parts are definitely

closed in meditation as if he was not privy to the conversation. Her eyes returned to

sharp pain preventing him

Lorien's." she said, her

hissed, wincing as

ping her cloth in

she replied, her lips curving into a

r exited his mouth despite his attempts to maintain his composure and filled the enti

rien an exag

mething?" Kael said picking up a c

to watch you embarrass yourself

his head, as a tear

th and turned his face away, he could feel the blood rushing to

be a baby about it." Lira replied moving in fro

ng from their skin. Lira anointed each of their foreheads with golden oil,

s watched her in silence, the

_____________

. They looked on and awaited the arrival of those participating. The squar

in a cloak of fur, the black crescent insignia hanging from a necklace dangling

exchanged a glance as they scanned the crowd for

l that seemed to be carved on his face stepped forw

to the strength and spirit of our young warriors." Alp

inning of our clan. Your courage, skill and loyalty will be tested, but we look for

fore me, shall now follow your assigned guides to the sacre

one the young warriors scatt

of a lanky youth, nodding reass

lit off in pairs and small clusters, follow

twins' backs beckoned them to follow. The three slipped

got darker as the thickness of the trees

s thrumming with anticipation-an

" Kael asked the guid

s pale eyes glinted in t

"Will you be the only on

the soft rustle of the

nally spoke, his voice low and

. "Should I

th twisted roots. He paused for a moment as if listening for something and th