Locum Tenens 08

~~~ Chapter Notes ~~~

Loki explores the capitol city with the princess. All chapters in this tale are complete and have been submitted. Hopefully, the kind, gracious, smartly-attired, and gorgeous admins will release a new episode every day or so.

~~~ Kira's Quarters ~~~

After breakfast, Kira got Rilla settled in for her morning lessons with Zima and Hanna and then she and I portaled to Valeri's shop, bade her good morning, and slipped out into the street. We turned to the right (north). We walked about a mile before we came to the city gates. I had never seen them before.

The wall that surrounded the city was probably half the height of the one at the palace. The wall there was 20 feet tall - and wide enough for two men to pass as they strode along its top. This wall was 12 feet tall at most. There was a gatehouse with tall wooden doors that Kira said were opened at daybreak and sealed after dusk. Those who arrived at the gates after they were closed were compelled to spend the night outside. There was a wicket gate a dozen feet to the right side of the main gate - for admitting messengers that arrived after the main gate had been sealed.

Kira noted that we would probably be able to get back inside after dark - without climbing the walls using her magic. She was certain that she was recognizable enough to be allowed in. She said that I could show the Mark that the mage had given me and I would be granted admittance as well.

We had just turned - to head back into the city - when a courier on a horse came riding in fast.

"Way! Make way!" the young man yelled.

His horse was lathered - the spittle foaming from the sides of his mouth.

"That's not good," Kira said. "Remind me to ask Father about messages from the army commander."

Kira picked a side-street at random and we followed it. At the next side-street, she turned again.

"Where are we heading?" I asked her.

"I don't know," she said. "I just feel drawn this way."

We passed an alley and found a filthy little girl who couldn't have been four years old curled up by the wall, shivering. She was dressed in tattered rags.

"Where are your parents, little one?" Kira asked her.

The little girl looked up at us and shook her head.

"Does your tongue work?" Kira asked. "Where is your mother?"

"She died," the girl said.

"Father?"

"Never had one," she replied.

"What is your name?"

"Tripe," she answered.

"That's your name or that's what they called you?" I asked her.

"One and the same," she answered.

"That's awful," I exclaimed.

I realized that the word had a homonym - offal - with nearly the same meaning (at least in the language on my old world). I grimaced at that thought. Who would call a kid that?

"Heal her," Kira said. "Can you dispel lice?"

"I don't know that I've encountered them yet," I told her. "I cleaned shit-spores from my clothes with a touch of heat. That should kill them if my healing doesn't get rid of them."

"Start getting her straightened out," Kira said. "I'll run back to the gate and see if they have a washtub that I can borrow."

I went into my storeroom and found some trail food in my pack. I handed her a piece of dried meat and a crumbling biscuit. She nearly tore my fingers off, getting the food to her mouth. I cautioned her to chew slowly and not to swallow it down until she had done so. I swear she was swallowing the pieces without even attempting to chew them. I got my waterskin out and gave her a drink to help wash it down. Her eyes began to clear as the nourishment made its way to her little tummy. I feathered heat across the mouth of my waterskin to kill any bugs in her saliva and then stored it away again.

I put my hand on her shoulder and healed her. It didn't do anything about the lice. I spotted one and sent heat into it. It died and tumbled free - landing on her shirt - which was little more than a rag. I glanced down the street. There was still no sign of Kira. I began working my fingers through her matted locks to get at the parasites and finally gave it up as a lost cause.

"Hold still," I told her. "I'm going to shave your head."

"Cut off my hair?"

"It's got bugs in it, hun," I told her. "It'll grow back but I want the bugs gone."

"Hungry..."

"We'll get you more to eat," I said. "We need to get you cleaned up first."

"Okay."

"Hold still..."

I pulled my dagger, ran my fingers through her hair, and began passing the blade between my fingers and her scalp. I watched constantly to be sure that I didn't cut her - ready to pull the pain and injury away if I messed up. Kira returned as I finished my work.

"I'll strip her," she said. "Fill this up with warm water so we can bathe her. We'll burn the clothes and the hair to kill the lice. I'll find a shirt to put on her once she's clean."

I held my hand over the large tub and called for the water. As it came, I heated it. After about five minutes, I noticed an increase in the amount of water that I was calling. Apparently, my skill had improved. It improved again about the time I got a foot or so of water in it.

"That's enough," Kira said. "How's the temperature? She's still shivering."

"Should be good," I said, touching the surface with the back of my hand.

Kira eased the girl into the water and I played heat over the hair and clothing until they caught fire.

"Should've moved those farther away, I guess," Kira said, shaking her head at the smell of burnt hair.

I had my nose covered as well.

I went into my storeroom and found a shirt that I'd collected along the way - no doubt from some poor guy that I had killed. I held it up.

"That'll work," Kira said, nodding. "You have a washcloth?"

I returned to my storage-item, found a rag in my shoulder pack that had held a biscuit, and handed it to Kira.

"Perfect."

She dunked it in the water and began scrubbing the child.

"Heat this a little more?" she asked.

She had me stop when she felt that it was sufficient for us to finish our work.

I went back over the child's head, looking for lice and nits. Kira pointed out a couple nits. I think I got the rest of them. She said the mage might have something to help.

We used the rag to dry her off as much as possible and then threw my shirt over her and got her bundled up to travel. We emptied the tub, stored it, walked back to the gate, and returned the tub with our thanks.

After that, we portaled back to the palace.

~~~ Kira's Quarters ~~~

Nella had already left for the kitchens but Dora came over to see our newest acquisition. She ran her fingers through the girl's short hair and found a few more nits for me to kill. She said we'd done a pretty good job.

We headed for the kitchens to get the child some more food. Nella and Mila fussed over her and fed the little thing until she refused to eat anymore. She fell asleep in Dora's arms. We told the others the name the girl had given us. The girls tried out several names and decided on Zarya.

We carried Zarya back up to our rooms and then laid her down in one of the empty beds. The rest of the girls had about a half-hour left of their lessons and then they would be heading to lunch. I stayed behind with the sleeping child. Kira promised to bring me some of her cousin's fresh-baked bread and a crock of butter. My stomach was growling, just thinking about it.

Zarya was still sleeping when it was time for Rilla and Zima to head to the training yards. Hanna begged Kira to be allowed to go along and she finally gave in. We were both worried that she was far too young, but I hated to make her continue with her studies when the other two were getting to go outside and do things that were far more exciting.

After the others left, I laid down beside Zarya and waited for her to wake up.

~~~

I woke up to laughter - and a small hand patting my cheek. I opened my eyes to find Zarya looking at me. She was patting my cheek to wake me up - while Kira, Rilla, Zima, and Hanna stood laughing.

"What happened to practice?" I asked - my voice sounding groggier than I had expected.

"We're done for the day," Zima reported.

"Out early for good behavior?" I asked, grinning.

"It's nearly dinner time," Hanna huffed. "You've slept all afternoon."

"I blame this one," I said, digging my fingers into the little girl's ribs.

She squealed with laughter, pushing my hands away.

"We've changed your name," I told her. "What do you think about Zarya?"

"It means daybreak," Kira told the little girl. "It seemed appropriate since we found you early in the morning."

"Do you like it?" Hanna asked her, sitting on the bed.

"Yes," the little girl said.

"Good," Hanna said. "I think it's a pretty name."

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Hanna."

"I think your name is pretty too."

It was beyond adorable. I turned my head and punched myself in the chin to keep the waterworks from starting. Kira laughed at me.

"Come and see," Zima told her, "the house-mother has some clothes that she thinks will fit you."

Zarya looked at me and asked, "Can I keep your shirt?"

"If you want to, yes," I said, "but I'm sure you'll be much happier with the things that Dora has picked out for you."

"This shirt smells like you," Zarya said.

Honestly, I didn't remember wearing the thing - but I wasn't about to argue with her. I scooped her up and we headed to the common-room to see what Dora had for her.

Zima and Hanna helped Dora get the girl dressed. Zarya ordered me to fold up the shirt and take it to her bed and lay it on her pillow. Kira snickered as I headed off to comply with her directives.

After that, we headed for dinner. Zarya sat with Alia and Nala. Alia rubbed her hand over Zarya's scalp and I told her to behave. Kira and Nella covered their faces when the little blonde reported that she wanted me to cut her hair like that as well.

While we ate, Rilla, Zima, and Hanna - with a little help from Kira - told me how their afternoons had gone. The archery instructor had praised Rilla's skill - and then promptly made her stand in place and practice shooting the same target for the next two hours. She showed me her fingertips. I started to heal them but Kira cautioned me that the instructor was probably trying to build up callouses. I healed the blisters and left the rest. Kira shook her head at me, grinning.

Zima and Hanna had done a bit of everything - as the instructors worked to figure out where they might have natural talent or inclinations. Kira was delighted to report that both had ended up with throwing knives. The princess had fallen in line with the girls and practiced side-by-side with them for over an hour. She said that - by the end of the day - both of them had made marked improvements. She expected them to be well above average by the end of the week - and even more skilled by the time we were ready to go adventuring.

At this proclamation, Zima's and Hanna's faces lit up like the sun. I cautioned them to continue to be studious in the mornings and to follow the guidance of all of the trainers in the afternoon. Kira told them that - in addition to weapons training - they would receive tactics training for small and large groups - as well as instruction on other important topics - like wilderness survival.

"When their skills have advanced enough," Kira told me, "I'll have the instructor set up a time for us to do tactics training as a group. Once we think we're ready, they'll have us face off against another group."

All four of my girls - two future wives and to adopted daughters - seemed to be chomping at the bit to fight another team. I was leading a band of blood-thirsty savages!

Kira praised each of them for keeping a positive attitude and listening to constructive correction from the trainers and instructors. She told them that those things were the keys that unlocked the greatest potential. I asked if they'd done any magical testing but Kira said that wouldn't happen until later in the week.

Everybody else was wrapping things up so we finished our food and thanked the cooks. Kira whispered something to her cousin before we left that had her blushing again.

Back in our rooms once more, it was time for another story. I held Zarya on my lap and told the girls the story of Hansel and Gretel. I started off doing a scary voice for the witch but it was kind of freaking Zarya out - so I dropped it.

Once again, the littles (including our newest member) were asleep by the time I finished the story. We picked them all up and carted them off to their beds. I tucked Zarya in and she mumbled something about the shirt. I picked the garment up and put it in her small hands. She cuddled it to her chest and began softly snoring.

On my way to the bedroom, I stuck my head in to see how Rilla was contending with Zima and Hanna intruding on her personal space. The 17-year-old had a soft smile on her face. Her eyes were closed (as were the younger girls'). Zima and Hanna were half-laying on the older girl with their heads tucked against her neck. She had her arms around them. They weren't quite asleep yet but they were close. I eased the door shut, hoping not to disturb them.

I turned and just about ran into Kira. She grinned and pressed her lips to mine.

"I checked on them too," she said. "I think they'll be fine."

"What are we going to do about Hanna?" I asked.

"You should have seen her, Loki," Kira whispered. "She was beyond determined to keep up with the older girls and - you know what - she did. She might not be as outspoken as the others but - once she fixes her mind on something - I'm not even sure the gods could stop her."

"Like having her own family?" I asked.

Kira's arms went around my neck, her lips pressed to mine, her legs wrapped around my waist. I carried my soon-wife to our bedroom. I eased the door open, stepped inside, and shut it - and then locked it.

"Starting without us?" Dora asked.

Kira turned to look at her and giggled. Dora and Nella were already lying on the bed.

"We were just commenting about how determined Hanna is. I said that I didn't think even the gods themselves could stop her, once she'd gotten something into her head. Loki noted that she had gotten the family she'd always wanted."

"And you were considering adding to that family?" Nella asked with a smirk.

"We can practice at least," Kira told her with a sly grin on her face.

Since Kira was already in my arms, I decided to start with her. She'd gotten so horny - the night before - with Nella whispering naughty shit in her ears as I fucked her - that I told the two of them to do it again.

Once more, Nella filled Kira's ears with honey as I fucked the hell out of her. We both came hard. I gave her a load of cream to go with the honey.

Nella went next. I rubbed my penis - still slippery from Kira's pussy - up and down her vulva and slit while Dora and Kira teased and tormented her like the two had done with Kira. Nella was soon gasping for breath as I rubbed the head of my penis around and around her swollen clitoris. She cried out when - just before she climaxed - I shoved my cock straight down her spasming channel. She came immediately which set me off and I flooded her. As soon as we'd caught our breaths, Dora traded in and the other two began relentlessly teasing the young woman - telling her that I'd probably knock her up with triplets when we finally decided to start having babies. Her body shuddered with her climax. I buried my cock inside of her and groaned as her clasping cunt milked a massive load from me.

As we fell asleep, Nella whispered that she wanted to sleep in my arms the next night. I squeezed her butt and gave her another lusty kiss. I fell asleep to the feeling of Dora's still-stiff nipples digging into my chest.

~~~

After breakfast, a messenger came to ask Kira and me to visit her father's rooms. Kira's brother was there when we were admitted.

"I received a messenger yesterday," the king said. "My battle commander is losing scouts to some unseen person or squad. I was wondering if you could look into it."

"He won't let me go," Kiro grumbled.

"Your strength is a one-on-one duel," his father told him. "These two operate differently."

"I know," his son admitted. "I'd just like to tag along."

"We could use him as the bait...," I teasingly suggested.

"I thought about it," the king said, "and I do trust you - but I'd be placing both of my heirs lives in your hands."

"What am I?" Prince Kiro objected, "a defenseless child?"

"No...," his father said.

Kira's brother stood, waiting, without saying a word.

"Fine...," the king finally said. "Against my better judgement..."

"Yes! We're gonna fuck some shit up!" the prince cheered.

Kira laughed at her brother, shaking her head at him.

"What?" he asked her. "You get to run around with him all of the time..."

"We spent half the day yesterday removing lice from an unwanted child and getting her clean enough to bring into the palace to get food in her belly..."

The prince deflated.

"I know...," he said glumly.

Kira punched him in the arm.

"Come on! You know I'm just giving you a hard time. You'll make such a tempting target - a pretty little defenseless thing like you - stumbling around the edge of our forces - waiting to be picked off by a group of enemy assassins..."

I laughed as the king literally face-palmed.

"You'll need to load up on supplies," he warned. "They've been hitting just after dusk and just before daybreak."

"We should use army-standard kits," Kira noted, "so we don't look like we're anything unusual."

"Bring my children back to me safely, please, Loki," the king said.

"I'll do my best, sir," I replied, offering a salute.

He nodded, his face conflicted.

Kira swatted her brother on the ass and raced out of the door, hollering back at him that the last one to get to the quartermaster was going to have to sleep in a leaky tent. Prince Kiro went tearing out of the room on her heels.

"Stop in the kitchens and get some fresh bread and bowls of stew," the king advised. "It'll stay hot in your storage-item and you won't have to suffer through with trail rations. You'll have hot food without having to risk a fire."

"I'll do as you suggest," I told him, "but if we're going to play Kiro off as a hapless scout..."

"Ah... yes...," he replied, waving me off. "Look after them..."

"I will, sir."

I slipped out, nodding to the guard who closed the door behind me. I turned left and then right - trying to remember which direction the quartermaster's office was.

"Left, right, down two flights, then right again...," the guard said.

"Thanks," I said. "I owe you."

"Bring them back safely, sir," he replied.

"I will do my best..."

He laughed and said, "Try not to lose your arms this time..."

"... but it's such fun, seeing the expression on their faces..."

He shook his head, grinning, as I rounded the corner.

Since I was passing our rooms, I ducked inside. I pulled Dora and Nella aside, warned them that we'd probably be out for a day or two, gave them kisses, and left. Nella reminded me that she was sleeping on my chest when we got back, grabbing a handful of my ass before I could escape.

By the time I got to the quartermaster's office, the other two were already loaded up. I grabbed the things that they'd laid out for me and then pulled bread and stew out of storage for them to store away.

"Good thinking...," Prince Kiro said.

"Your father's suggestion...," I told him.

He laughed and said, "Dad hates trail rations."

As I stowed my things, I tried to think ahead to what else we might need to prepare for.

"I think I need to change my home location for my portal stone," I told them. "I'm currently set up for ferrying the seamstress back and forth."

"Let's go see the mage," Kiro said. "He might have a spare or two. You could keep yours as it is and Kira and I could manage return trips, if they're needed."