Lilyana

Once I had left the shadowy fringes of the great Northern Forest moving onto the currently grassy veldes of the Tundra I began to walk openly and in plain sight, slowly yet steadily onward directly toward the imposing natural bastions of Kanirniq. There was no further point in trying to hide my approach; I was entering the area openly to trade, and Kanirniq was not without spears on all sides. Many peoples eyes watched the land closely; for trade goods and migration routes crisscrossed the landscape in all directions; and such things could not be allowed to be interfered with.

People came and went from all directions as they chose, but this is not to say that Kanirniq was usually overflowing with them. I knew the owner of the trading post; I had judged him to be a man of resolute character, his trade relied as much upon integrity as it did shrewdness. For a fee, many things could be arranged; and he used this mindset to sharpen his abilities at every turn. We had a suitable arrangement he and I; in exchange for storing and safeguarding my winter gear until I returned for it, he had first choice from among my trade goods when I did. We had held such arrangements for several years now.

Before the main entrance to the sheltered ring of Kanirniq were the yurts of his sons; Amakjuk the strong, and Katjuk the arrow. Before the trading grounds, between these yurts; all men stopped before passing. It was here that goods were shown and intentions were stated; it was here, that access was granted or denied.

Approaching these proud yurts of the sons of Tonraq, the ghost; and his woman Kuviana, the joy; I made the sign of recognition toward the brothers and paused. I showed my spear openly placing its heel upon the ground braced against my foot; I turned my head to the right and whistling sharply to recall Nuqi to my side. I showed her the palm of my hand, sweeping my fingers downward toward my right heel and waited until she had settled herself before I moved again.

Removing my pack I crouched and placed it upon the ground, unlashing and unrolling the skin of pouches of trade goods. Opening several of the smaller pouches I displayed the needles and awls, blades and gorges, strikers and pretty stones. Taking another skin from the pack, I unrolled some of the provisions I carried; taking a portion of the dried smoked fish from its vilo leaf wrapper I broke it between my hands and offered it the men before taking up another and breaking it for myself and Nuqi, I spoke "Tal brothers, the streams are filled with vitality! Share with me." I fed Nuqi from my right hand, as I ate from my left.

Amakjuk and Katjuk nodded and ate. Amakjuk spoke first "Your fish is strong; share my water." Katjuk spoke next "Your fish is smoky, share my fire." I nodded; we laughed, we smiled, we ate. We clasped hands in peace; as brothers, and men of honor. My access was granted and I returned to gather and pack my things; I called to Nuqi, and together we entered the trading grounds of Kanirniq.

It was here, upon the furs within the trading circle; that I would first encounter Lilyana, a fair skinned woman with many colors of the fire within her hair. She was a beautiful, and yet nearly useless thing; however, she did have her uses, and she made them abundantly well known. She was the type woman, who when used wisely as a valuable asset, could make a man impossibly wealthy upon the auction block. She was a luxurious woman; soft and smooth, ample and plush, perfectly mannered and sinfully wicked. These things were well known; and her owner was well pleased with her frequent use in trade.

It was here, within the trading circle, among the furs; where I had killed her owner, Tulimak the rib. So he was called, for once he was stabbed; and since that day had worn a vest of two skins between which were laced and sewn many ribs from his kills; as a type of sheath for his own.

Our first interaction had been a simple one, and had gone well; I had traded him a sturdy bone needle for an ahn of time spent with the girl. We had agreed, the exchange was made; I had taken the girl in hand and led her away to my furs. I had shoved her toward the first instructing her into nadu upon them. I began to undress, removing my brief tunic of skin and seating myself cross-legged upon the ground before her knees. "Scratch, kajira."

I eagerly awaited the racing chill upon my flesh of sharp claws raking along my back; but it did not come at the touch of her manicured nails skipping and prancing along the nape of my neck. "Kajira, rub" I next commanded her; and tried to allow myself to relax under the smooth warmth and softness of her hands, but it was not her touch, I missed.

I spoke gently to her "lilyana, embrace me and speak." Even as she fluidly encased me within her limbs and pressed herself against my back, it was not her voice I listened for. As a litany of deliciously pleasing suggestions fell wicked from the trembling lips of a wanton woman to flow soft and warm upon my skin, swept along upon her heated breath; I felt nothing, but the chill of absence.

I considered the time with her well spent, as I dismissed her from my service.