Uma crept through the jungle, picking her way between tree roots, shrubs, ferns, and the odd cluster of stones and boulders. All around her, moss and lichen clung to the bases of enormous trees that towered into the thick tangle of branches, vines and leaves above her. Flowers of all different colors peppered the jumble of plant life that dominated her view, no matter which way she turned.
It was hot and humid. Not for the first time, Uma considered stripping off her leather cuirass, hardened to protect her torso and molded to suit her muscular, curvaceous form. She'd already taken off her pants to at least let her legs cool off in the jungle air. Once again, she decided against disrobing any further. She couldn't see very far through the mass of vegetation and needed to be ready for whatever she stumbled into next.
At least it would be worth taking a break. She took a seat on a large root and unhooked the canteen from her belt. She took a large gulp of water before splashing a little over herself, letting the cool liquid relieve a little of the heat from her face and her ample chest. She leaned back against the tree, stretching out her muscular arms and rolling her neck, thick, red hair bouncing about her head. It had been a long day and it was impossible to tell if she was any closer to finding her quarry.
It was hard to even gauge whether the day was close to ending. Even if she could see the sky beyond the twisting blanket of leaves and branches high above, Uma knew she'd see a starry night sky, bright enough to illuminate the land below. It was a strange quirk of this world, where it always seemed to be night, yet illuminated bright as daylight.
The sound of a twig snapping nearby immediately brought Uma to attention. In a heartbeat, she was on her feet, a long knife in each hand, whipping her head in the direction of the noise. Drawing a silent breath, she grew still and put all her focus into her hearing, emerald eyes tracked across the clearing, looking for any sign of movement.
A rabbit hopped out from behind a tree and began munching a tuft of grass. Uma rolled her eyes and sheathed her knives. The creature froze when it noticed her movement. It wasn't really a rabbit, more like this planet's version of one. It was streaked with purple and grey fur, and the ears were too round for an actual rabbit.
It darted away as Uma moved back to the center of the clearing and turned in a slow circle, committing the view to memory. She was used to being able to gauge her direction from looking at the sun and stars. Given the stars weren't visible through the thick tree canopy, she was relying on recognizing her way back. For good measure, she also carved a small rune into a tree, pointing the way back to the castle.
She took one more look around before moving to continue on, when a rustle of leaves caught her attention. Again, she grew still and alert. Chances were, it was the same rabbit again but she refused to be caught out if it wasn't. Another rustle sounded, and Uma crouched, eyes scanning the direction the noises were coming from.
A figure stumbled out from behind the tree and Uma lunged. Seeing the ferocious red-headed warrior leaping towards them, the figure didn't even have a moment to cry out as Uma tackled them. The two were on the ground before Uma took in the blonde hair, the pale blue eyes and delicate features.
"What the fuck, Adeline?!" Uma was straddled atop the curvy young woman she'd left sleeping in her guest room this morning. "What in the void are you doing here?"
Adeline started, still dazed from the attack, "Uma! I... I don't know... I was following you".
Uma suddenly realized she had the poor girl pinned and pushed herself off the ground. She offered Adeline a hand and hauled the girl to her feet. "And why were you following me?"
"I don't know. I thought... after last night, and what you said to me... I thought maybe I could help", Adeline was in a state. She was covered with dirt and her curly hair was a nest of tangled knots. She wore another short toga, this one teal, with a high hem, exposing the golden skin of her soft thighs. Her sandals were wrapped in leather and tied up to her calves.
Uma Raised an eyebrow, "and that's what you wore into the jungle?"
Adeline looked down at her outfit, "it's the closest thing I have to leisurewear. It's for playing eyrieball".
Uma folded her arms. Adeline's outfit might be good for swatting balls over a net, but it was only slightly better than nothing out here. Adeline's toga was slim fitting, hugging the girl's curves. It was particularly tight in the torso, likely to support the girl's ample chest. Uma certainly didn't mind the way it pushed Adeline's breasts up against her chest. But, stars above... this could be a disaster. The girl was clearly not prepared for survival away from civilization. But would sending her back alone be any better than letting her tag along?
"Well, I did tell you to take a risk", Uma shifted her weight, considering. It might be trouble but the girl was a sorceress, that could be helpful. She also had to acknowledge that Adeline had managed to track her, through the jungle, without alerting her, almost all day. That was no mean feat. "OK," Uma acquiesced, "I think I can use you, you're with me".
From under the disheveled blonde hair and smudges of dirt, Adeline beamed. "Thank you Uma, I promise you won't regret it".
Uma smiled at the girl's eagerness. "I'm sure I won't. OK, first things first, we need to get you cleaned up. I think I can feel some water nearby". The warrior turned and made her way out of the clearing.
Adeline hurried forward to keep up, "what do you mean you can feel water nearby?"
Uma shrugged, "I'm just pretty certain there's a river nearby". It was hard to explain. Nature tends to follow patterns on most worlds. Spend enough time in enough jungles and forests like this, and you could start to follow the signs.
Uma looked down at Adeline, the younger woman carefully watching her feet, trying not to trip on the snaking roots. That wouldn't do. "Make sure to watch ahead" Uma told her, "watch your feet as well, but you want to know where you're going. You need to stay alert, a place like this is full of blind spots". Adeline nodded and began diligently switching her gaze from her feet, to the route ahead and back again. Uma smiled to herself. Any natural talents aside, Adeline would need a little guidance. But Uma would make a survivalist of the voluptuous little woman yet.
Uma took the lead, her long, toned legs clearing obstacles a lot more easily than Adeline's. With this in mind, she made sure to temper her pace and not force the girl to rush to keep up. Every now and then, Uma would stop, listen, smell, feel and adjust their course. She'd also turn around, making sure she'd be able to recognize the way back, and leave her tell-tale rune carved in a tree, explaining to Adeline as she went.
They began making their way downhill, picking their way over stones, and the tangled greenery of the jungle floor. Finally, through the trees, Uma spotted the glimmer of water. The two travelers broke through the tree line to find a wide, lazy river winding through the jungle. Uma turned to Adeline and gave her a wink. Finally, there was a break in the endless tree canopy, a swathe of starry sparkled down from a deep, dark, violet sky.
"Wow, you really just knew where to go, didn't you?" Adeline asked. Uma responded with a coy smile and hopped down to a wide, flat, stone jutting out into the water. She reached down and with cupped hands, she raised a little water to her face, giving it a cursory sniff and then a taste. It seemed fine so she took a bigger swallow. It was cool, clean and refreshing. Adeline knelt down next to Uma and followed her lead, starting with a few tentative sips before taking deeper, quenching gulps.
As Adeline drank, Uma stood up and began to unbuckle her leather armor. Pulling the constrictive cuirass from her torso, she dropped it to the ground and stretched. It was still warm and humid, but it was still such a relief to be free of the constrictive garment and feel the air on her body. The warrior quickly pulled off her boots and tunic as well. By the time Adeline sat back and turned to look back at Uma, the red-head was already stripping off her undergarments and tossing them into the pile of clothes. With a grin on her face, Uma strode forward and dove headfirst into the river.
If getting naked had been a relief from the heat, the cool river water was a luxury. Uma surfaced and pushed her thick red hair back from her face. As the heat eased from her skin, she let herself float on the surface, relaxing after a long day.