Three
Practice makes perfect
We made the way station late into sunset, the sun already a disc a fingers width above the distant ridge we'd climb tomorrow. Unfortunately, storm damage from the winter had seen part of the shingle roof collapse and left the inside littered with leaves and detritus.
The four-horse stable at the back was okay and we pulled in there, setting a fire in the brazier we found, using some loose stones to build our own fire and prepare things before the dark sky was upon us.
Rash had taken no part in our tasks but had wandered away into the field and collected an armful of spring flowers, waltzing back in to find me tending the fire and the food while Miriamni was still tucking the animals up for the night.
"These will freshen the caravan up," she said walking past me.
I turned and watched her as she mounted the steps. Under that bundle of clothes she hid behind was a sweet little figure, the thought of which set my knob twitching as I wondered what the night had in store.
I turned back to stirring the pot and watching for the coftea to boil. Dinner was the same as last night, strips of meat and a vegetable broth to stew with it. The coftea was ready when Miriamni came back from the little stable and she sat and drank it, calling Rash to come and get hers.
"Last night before you make the border," I commented, making conversation.
"Tomorrow is another climb up to the horse shoe pass, no more civilization till we're there," she replied.
Though it was not local to me any traffic along this way would pass through our lands, along our paved trail of rock waste from the mine, laid long ago and trodden near smooth over years. It was really only tradition that kept it open except in the snows.
Rash didn't come out till dinner was cooked and Miriamni again called her. She then surprised us by appearing in a summer dress. Her transformation was jaw dropping, the young boy I first espied was now a beautiful young maid, no, her eighteenth birthday made her a young lady now.
It showed off her figure, her hips, her slim waist and long legs. She had flounced out her golden hair and it glowed like a halo in the red rays of the dying sun. My heart gave a leap at her wholesome beauty, my pulse racing as she walked over and squatted on her toes.
"Do you think it's safe," Miriamni asked her as she reached for the coftea.
Rash hefted the pot and set it down to lift the lid. "Hey, there's only half a cup left. Who's tending it?"
"I'll do it," volunteered Miriamni, rising and stepping to pick the pot.
I continued to ladle the bowls equalling out our shares while casting sideways glances at Rash, the shape and form of her leg outlined by her dress as she squatted feet from me. I felt an excitement just looking.
The pert nose, too small for a boy, now just right and setting her mouth and chin off nicely, her bust filling the top and looking good handfuls, she was better looking than Webberli. With her petite frame and slim thighs she was turning me on.
Miriamni came back with a fresh pot as the food was ready.
"We should take this inside where there are seats," she said, standing from putting the pot on the edge to slow boil.
She stooped to pick hers and turned to the caravan.
I picked mine and rose and followed, glancing at Rash's tush as she bent for hers, my eyes following the smooth curves of her body.
I squeezed in next to Miriamni, legs resting on the trunk. Rash came in and sat opposite, tangling her legs with mine. We sat quietly eating; the sound of spoons scraping wooden bowls the loudest noise. Miriamni was half way through when she disturbed us by insisting on checking the coftea and bringing the cups in for us when she returned.
I sat back, my belly grateful for the rations we had consumed, but still thinking of the rich meal I could be having at home. Miriamni was left eating hers as Rash put her plate aside and took her coftea. As I drank mine Rash twisted her legs and I saw a flash of her white cotton knickers, quickening my pulse again.
"I need to visit the bushes again," I announced, swinging my feet to the floor. "Have you got a candle or lantern I could take?"
Miriamni looked up and pointed. "I think you'll find a candle up there."
I looked and opened the top locker and found a thick candle at the edge. Lighting it, I stepped to the door and opened it. Outside there was another mist descending; I could feel the chill in the air.
"It's getting foggy again," I called back inside as I closed the door and stepped out into the gathering gloom.
When I got back Rash was lying on her bed and Miriamni lay in the corner on hers.
"Good," Miriamni stirred herself as she said it, crabbing down to the bottom and slipping her feet off.
"Come on Rash it's our turn," she exclaimed, rubbing her breasts across my chest as she squeezed past me.
I sat there in the corner of Rash's bunk, leaning against the back wall with my feet perched on the chest, grateful at first to be in from the cold air seeping down from the mountains to the north, with a watery showing of the great wheel.
They'd taken the lantern and left me with the candle and the subtle scent of the flowers she had hung in bunches at one end. My knob was stirring as I thought on about tonight and the incredible turn on I was getting from seeing Rash in a dress.
