*And another episode is here. Ulric, Iphigenia, and Elzbieta get their share of surprises but I'm not going to spoil them . :-p
It's fun to see how some of you are speculating in the right direction at what'll happen, and how some points had already been addressed in the chapters I'd already written ahead. Keep up the comments and maybe I'll pick up an idea or two to use in the story. After all, there'll be so many girls he won't get to live to a ripe old age. ;-)
*****
13 - Powering Up
The three kept an eye on the way out of orc city from a distance until the two cart convoy appeared, and travelled on the parallel route to it to keep out of sight. When it stopped for rest after some time Elzbieta sneaked closer to have a look while Iphigenia and Ulric made camp and went for a quick hunt. She watched the orc folk tend to the cows pulling the covered carts and set up a fire and table. 'Kaui!?' she said the moment a blonde curled young woman climbed out of the back of one of the carts. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't mistaken but the orc woman kept glancing around as if looking out for something and she had no doubt anymore.
'Kaui is with the convoy!' she said to the others in her mind.
'Kaui?' said Iphigenia and looked at Ulric. 'Are you sure?'
'Yes.'
'Why would she go on this dangerous trip?' said Ulric.
'We can't ask her unless we can talk to her alone,' said Elzbieta while watching another orc calling Kaui back when she walked away from the carts. 'and it looks like she won't be able to go far from the convoy.'
Ulric frowned. 'Damn! We can't get close either and risk exposing ourselves. We might have to wait for the attack.'
'I'm afraid so.'
'Well, it won't make a difference to our plan so we'll just have to carry on and be patient.' he said and Iphigenia nodded. 'We'll call you when our meal's ready, so will you keep an eye on her until then?'
'I will.' Elzbieta said and continued observing the orcs.
***
A couple of days had passed without incident when Iphigenia checked the map during another rest. 'I think we can expect the attack tomorrow. We'll be close enough to the village by then for it to be noticed.'
Ulric chewed on a piece of dried meat. 'Close enough to sow fear but far enough to get away unscathed.'
Elzbieta checked the blade of her sword. 'In a way I can't wait to find out what this sword and the gloves can do.'
Ulric chuckled. 'I can imagine.'
Iphigenia checked her tallies and hummed. 'Wolfie?'
'Yes?'
She smiled softly at him. 'I could use a boost to be fully prepared for tomorrow.'
It took a moment for him to understand. 'Ah! Of course! It's better to be at your maximum.' he said and stood up. 'Ehm, Elz? We'll just move far enough so hopefully you're not affected.' He took a step away to follow Iphigenia but a tug on his tail held him back. He looked back while Elzbieta held his tail and looked away with red cheeks. 'Elz?'
She fiddled with her tunic. 'I'd like a boost as well.' she muttered. His ears twitched as he gazed at her and she glanced up at him. Iphigenia smiled. 'So, it did feel good for you too.'
Elzbieta gave a quick and slight nod as she kept holding onto Ulric's tail.
He knelt in front of her and smiled softly at her. 'I'm relieved to hear you say it. I kept worrying about how you felt.'
She smiled softly for a moment as she glanced at him again. 'I didn't want to admit it at first, but it did feel good and even though you made some embarrassing mistakes from the moment we met, you're a good man.' She chuckled once. 'Or bloodwolf.' He wagged his tail as he grinned in embarrassment and she took his paw in her hand. 'If you don't mind doing it with a cripple.'
He squeezed her hand a little as he looked her straight in her eyes. 'Don't ever call yourself a cripple. I think you're beautiful as you are.'
She blushed hard until she squealed when Iphigenia grabbed her from behind and pouted. 'Hey! What about me?'
Ulric laughed. 'Iphi, you're a beauty as well. But don't ever ask who's more beautiful because you're equal to me.'
She grinned mischievously. 'Aww..'
He chuckled and poked her nose. 'I already have trouble enough believing the two of you want to do it with me now.'
She began unbuttoning Elzbieta's breeches. 'Then we'll just have to convince you right away.'
Elzbieta sat naked with her right leg folded in front of her and held the stump of her lower left arm. She looked down but Iphigenia sat down behind her on her knees and embraced her. 'He's right, Elz. Don't be ashamed because you still have a better body than me.' She cupped Elzbieta's firm breasts. 'I can never have these.'
Ulric chuckled as he sat on his knees before them. 'Now don't you start. Size doesn't matter to me, it's how much you'll let me enjoy them.'
She grinned at him. 'As much as you want, Wolfie.'
He moved close to Elzbieta and caressed her cheek as he smiled softly again at her. She smiled softly back at him, ran her fingers through the soft fur on his firm chest and leaned forward to press her lips against his muzzle. He pulled gently on her lips and she opened up for him, meeting his tongue in her first deeply intimate kiss.
She moaned softly at his lightly rough surface sliding along her tongue and slid her mouth further across his, gripping his fur as she felt excitement filling her chest and increasing her heart rate. He pulled her closer and slid his soft paws along her sides and hips and they kissed passionately until she pulled back to breath.
'So, how was it?' breathed Iphigenia in her ear. 'I sensed his kiss this time too.'