A Tale of Two Kobolds, Chapter 4

  A Tale of Two Kobolds

                                                                     Chapter 4

                                                             By William W. Kelso

                Kix gave Griss a worried nuzzle; he was moping again and she hated to see him so sad and depressed.  He had been ever since he'd killed a man defending her, though he hadn't meant to.  He was still having a hard time accepting he'd taken a life; his upbringing had taught him that was a great sin.  Kix had a more practical view; in her opinion, that it had been the man or her, and that he'd chosen her filled her with a warm feeling.  She thought her mate was wonderful, and loved him with all her heart.  She knew he was also depressed about what he was as well; he'd once been human, and had been turned into a kobold by an evil sorcerer.  She didn't care though, she liked him like this.  Very much.

                "Is it really so bad, she hissed softly, being like me?"

                "On no, not at all, Griss replied, giving her an affectionate lick.  I'm sorry I've been such a bore lately; it's just that; now that things have calmed down, it's all kind of come down on me all at once.  What I am now, what I did.  It seems so...so unreal sometimes."  Then he rubbed his snout against Kix's neck for a minute, and added, "But without you I'd be miserable, my love."

                Kix gave a happy hiss, and nuzzled him again, then rested her head on his back.  They were in their usual spot by the nice warm fireplace, curled up together on a pile of blankets and quilts.  It was snowing again, which she was heartily sick of, and even by the warm fire she could feel the cold.  How can people; even humans, live here, she thought for the thousandth time.

                "Are you hungry?, Kix asked, I am."

                "Not terribly, Griss said, but we can go hunting if you want.  The basement will be colder than usual though, it's really bad outside."

                Actually, the more he thought about it the more the idea of a nice plump rat sounded better and better.  Had he been told he'd cheerfully eat rats alive and whole just a few weeks ago he'd have laughed in the tellers face.  Now they were his main fare, and he thought they were quite tasty.  So he and Kix left their comfortable little nest and headed for the basement.  Part of their bargain with Robert for housing them until spring was that he'd keep the premises clear of vermin, and so far they'd done a first rate job.  The fact they actually ATE the vermin was just a plus as far as they were concerned, and Robert seemed pleased with the arrangement as well.  No dead smelly rats to dispose of.  So everyone was happy, except for the rats, and no one really cared what they thought about the arrangement.

                The basement was cold, but not anywhere near as cold as the outside, so they could tolerate it for some time.  They were 'nude' as they hunted, though 'nude' to a reptilian kobold was quite a different concept from their point of view then from a human's.  Having internal genitalia and thick tough hide and scales was a definite advantage when you ran around naked most of the time, not to mention nasty fangs and claws.  In their natural habitat they went nude all the time, only in the colder climes did they wear clothes, and then only out of necessity and/or not to offend their human 'hosts'.  Griss was quite used to it now, after all it was perfectly natural for what he was now, but it had taken him some time to get over his human inhibitions against nudity even in a nonhuman body.  But having fallen on his snout for the uptenth time from tripping over baggy makeshift clothes he finally gave up on them, and he had to admit their lack did make it much easier to move around.

                Griss crouched on one of the stairs lower steps and watched as Kix nimbly leaped from the top of one crate to another as she tracked her prey.  He loved to watch her hunt, her lithe body moving like quicksilver, her tail twitching just a little in a most inviting and endearing way.  With a loud hiss she dove behind a barrel, and emerged a second later with a large rat struggling in her mouth, eyes glowing triumphantly.  She seldom missed her mark, and he gave a hiss of approval and admiration.  As he watched her throw her head back and swallow the still living rat he felt a stir in his cloaca as the large bulge slid down her throat, for some reason watching her feed always aroused him.  But maybe later, now it was his turn to hunt.  She took his place on the stairs, and he began to prowl the basement as he stalked his meal, while she watched intently.  It took him a little longer; she'd stirred up the rats and they were more cautious now, but soon enough he threw his head back and gulped in delight as a nice fat rat slid down his throat, filling his belly most satisfactorily.  It still felt a little odd not to be able to chew, but there was something about swallowing your prey whole that was very enjoyable.

                Fat and happy, they scampered back up the steep stairs; on all fours as it was easier that way for creatures their size, and were soon tucked back into their warm nest.  But Griss hadn't forgotten his earlier interest as he'd watched his mate hunt, her lithe body the very epitome of sensual beauty.  He had been quite surprised; but delighted, to find that kobolds were just as promiscuous; even more so, then humans.  Despite being cold blooded they enjoyed sex just as much as any warm blooded species, perhaps because they were cold blooded and it helped to warm them up.  That; and it just felt so wonderful.  Of course Kix would go into heat at certain times of the year, but that just made it even more enjoyable and intense.

                Climbing out of their pile of bedding Griss began to display for Kix, bobbing his head and strutting a little, tail whipping slowly.  It wasn't entirely necessary for him to court her since they were a mated pair, but he knew she enjoyed the mating ritual.  He did too; he loved to watch her respond to his 'dance', to smell her scent change as she became aroused by his display.  'Foreplay' as a reptile was different in some ways, but the same in others.  It did take longer to become fully aroused, but it was lots of fun getting there, and once achieved it was sheer heaven, the need much more intense, and it took much longer to satisfy it.  Fact was kobolds were sexually insatiable, which Griss had found out much to his utter delight.  So he strutted for his mate, weaving and bobbing his head, tail whipping erotically, his eyes locked on hers, glowing brightly with his desire and love for her.

                Kix watched in delight as her mate courted her, eyes bright as she eyed every move intently, her own tail slowly whipping, tongue flicking to taste his musk.  She gave a hiss of approval; and arousal, as he spun gracefully and darted his head back and forth, bobbing, tail held high as he courted her, his movement erotic and sensual.  He is SO handsome, she thought, strong and brave, and she loved him so.  With a deep hiss she rose to her feet, and crouching waved her tail in the air, the message obvious.  I want you, I'm yours.

                As the pheromones of her increasing arousal filled the air Griss sped up his dance, his own cloaca softening as his arousal began to peak, and when she crouched and offered herself to him he stopped, head bobbing as his hemipene came sliding out of his vent, aching and rampant.  Gods she was beautiful!  Lowering his head he approached her, and rubbed his snout against hers as his tongue licked over her, her own tongue finding his as they 'kissed' in the manner of beasts without soft lips or mobile mouths; perhaps it would be more appropriate to call it 'tonguing'.  He rubbed the bottom of his snout down the back of her neck, his claws skittering gently over her hide, and she trembled, hissing in pleasure from the erotic caresses.  She rubbed her own snout under his snout and neck, her own hands wandering over his body, his strong male scent flooding her senses.  Finally she couldn't stand it anymore as his caresses reached the base of her tail, and groaned her need as her cloaca bloomed for him.

                This is so incredibly wonderful; Griss thought as he rubbed against and caressed his mate's beautiful body, her scent driving him wild with lust.  He worked his way down her body as they rubbed against one another, their caresses becoming increasingly urgent, almost frantic. As he reached the base of her tail, gently rubbing and bumping her with his snout, she gave a low guttural grunt signaling her readiness, and with a loud hiss of lust he moved behind her, and hooking a leg under one of hers he lifted it and tucked her tail under his arm, and mounted her with a powerful lunge, holding on tightly as she bucked and squealed.  Sometimes she would even turn her head and snap at him, but this time she just gave a low hissing moan as he began to service her, thrusting into her slick warm sex with a steady rhythm, his snout open as he hissed in ecstasy.  Oh Gods, how he loved his beautiful mate!

                Kix braced herself as her mate moved behind her, and then as his weight settled onto her back she gave a shrill hissing squeal of pleasure as his hardness slid into her eager quivering sex, oh, how she needed him!!  He was the first; and only, male she'd ever coupled with, and she knew she would never want another.  Kobolds mated for life, though the males might occasionally mate with another female in heat, which was understandable, even desirable as it helped spread his genes.  But they always came back to their life mates.  And it was much more than just a physical attraction, much more.  Together they completed one another, made a whole.  As he began fucking her she closed her eyes in ecstasy, clawing at the bedding as throes of intense pleasure racked her body.  How could anything feel this good, she wondered, how she loved him!

                They were so far gone in their need, so engrossed in one another; they never even noticed when Robert came down the stairs.  He paused as he saw the coupling lizards, started to say something, thought better of it, watched the hissing grunting lovers for awhile; they were really going at it, then turned and tiptoed back up the stairs.  Reaching under his mattress he pulled out a book; one with extremely naughty pictures, and dropping his trousers freed his erection, and began stroking it.  Damn, he thought, who would've thought lizard sex could be such a turn on!  He'd have to make a visit to the Gilded Lantern to get his ashes hauled, soon!

                Finally Griss could hold back no longer, and speeding up his thrusts he brought himself, and his mate, to intensely pleasurable mutual orgasms, his whole body trembling as he poured his seed into her, hissing loudly in ecstasy.  As Kix felt her mate's thick cool cum flow deeply into her she squealed as her own body responded, her orgasm exploding in her sex as she bucked and writhed in sexual euphoria, her sex clenching tightly around his shaft to help prevent any of his seed from escaping.  Then she gave a soft hiss, and collapsed as he dismounted.

                Griss lay down next to Kix, and both hissing softly they nuzzled and licked one another for awhile in post-coital bliss.  But he knew he would be ready again soon, that much of the night would be spent in sexual ecstasy.  They both raised their heads as they heard a faint groan from the second floor, but when it wasn't repeated they went back to showing their love for one another.  And as he had hoped the rest of the night was indeed quite memorable.

                Griss was lying on his back, Kix's snout resting on his belly, both sound asleep, when Robert stuck his head in the room, and said,

                "Good morning you two, snow's stopped, time to make our plans for the coming thaw.  As soon as you can come upstairs and we'll work out the details.  IF you can, don't know how you got any sleep last night, I know I certainly didn't!"

                Griss opened his mouth and flicked his tongue out to scent the air, and then with a tired grunt he raised his head and licked Kix's snout.

                "Time to get up."  He hissed.

                Kix's only response was to snuggle closer to Griss, and say sleepily, "Ssss, why?  I'm fine just like I am."

Griss was fine too, the feel of his mate's body next to his, her head resting on his belly, was lovely.  He could stay like this forever, but...  He gave her a playful nip on the tip of her snout, and said.

                "I don't want to get up either, but Robert wants to talk to us.  Up, UP!"   But first he gave her snout a nice long lick, which she returned.  What a night, he thought!

                It had been close to two months since the incident at 'The Grand Emporium', and they had spent all that time holed up in Roberts' house.  The death of the clerk had caused quite a stir in the city where such things were fairly rare; the local nobles and efficient Watch kept crime to a minimum.  That, and the large reward for the murderer, had made venturing outside not an option.  They'd had to flee to the basement and hide more than once when the Watch, or bounty hunters, had banged on the door and asked Robert if he'd seen anything suspicious lately.  In fact they fled to the basement when ANYbody came to visit.  Of course no one really had any idea of who had actually killed the clerk; except for perhaps Melchet, so while they weren't specifically looking for two kobolds, the sight of them running around would attract unwanted attention, and most likely Melchet would hear of it, and that would be a disaster.  So they sat tight, and waited for things to calm down.

                Slipping into some clothes; robe like things Kix had made for them, they went up the stairs to Roberts's private quarters, hopped up in chairs at the kitchen table, and waited politely for their host to tell them what was on his mind.  They had come to like; and trust, the gruff drover over the long winter.  While not terribly bright; or maybe just not well educated, he was honest and trustworthy.  He could have very well charged them ten times what he had for room and board, and/or turned them in for the reward which was twice what he could make in a good year.  But he hadn't, and whatever his reasons he'd made two good friends.

"Well, Robert said, I've heard from a friend that the lower passes are already open, and as soon as the high peak pass is clear I plan on moving out.  I want my caravan to be one of the first ones to leave, so we need to make plans.  I've thought about how to smuggle you out of the city, AND keep you fairly warm, and have a plan.  Here's what we'll do...

In spite of himself Griss was impressed.  He had a feeling that Robert had smuggled more than just kobolds in; or out, of the city over the years.  Even though the chances of the outgoing caravan being searched were slim; the incoming ones got most of the attention, it was still a good idea.  And, as he'd said, he and Kix would certainly be warmer, if not as comfortable, then they would have been otherwise.  Then they haggled on the price of his and Kix's passage, but not too much, Griss was more than glad to pay what was probably a bit too much.  He'd figured Robert had earned it.

Robert routinely used two basic means of packing his wares.  Basic packs in the form of boxes, or barrels, and ones of equal size and weight were packed on both sides of a pack saddle.  On the trip out he carried mainly manufactured goods from the cities forges and shops, as well as a thick tar refined from some natural seeps.  The tar was used to waterproof everything thing from clothing and tents to buildings.  The stuff was quite valuable, and the warmer climes that received much more rainfall were always anxious to acquire as much of the gunk as possible.  And since it was fairly aromatic; it stank so bad it made your eyes water until it was dry, the barrels were usually let alone by inspectors.  So he took a barrel, lined it with fur, made a false lid with about a half inch of the tar in it, and added a removable air hole in the form of a bung hole.  Criss and Kix would be quite comfy inside until they were well away from prying eyes, and on colder days could curl up inside and ride out the bad weather.  And due to their size they had a fair amount of room.  The thought of being cooped up in a barrel with Kix did not dismay Griss in the least.  In fact it sounded like fun, he was sure they'd find something interesting to do to keep them busy, and from the look in Kix's eyes he had a pretty good idea what.

Winter came fast and hard to the mountains, but left just as fast.  Two weeks later they received word the passes were clear, and Robert finished assembling his team for the journey.  He employed four other full time drovers, and twelve guards as well, all seasoned men; and one woman he knew.  Her name was Verna, and she was really...something.  She was just as large and tough as the men, but was no man hater.  In fact she loved sex, a lot, and seldom spent the night alone.  She slept with every man in the caravan on a rotating basis, often with two or more at once.  It was...impressive; and quite often the rest of them didn't get much sleep.  But the men did not look down on her at all, she was as much in charge as they were in bed; being a very demanding lover, and they respected that.  She was no whore, and woe to anyone who made that assumption, she slept only with men she wanted, and accepted no payment other then well meant tokens of affection.  She spent more time with Robert then anyone else, and he was the closest thing to a regular lover she had.  He certainly seemed to return the sentiment, but had no problem sharing her.  NO one claimed Verna as 'his' woman, if anything he was one of her 'men'.  One did NOT make a claim on Verna, and if you didn't like it she'd set you straight by knocking you on your ass as many times as it took.  There was no telling how many offers of marriage she had rejected, but always gently.

It was not a particularly large caravan, but he had a well established route and always made more than enough to make it worthwhile.  Most of the goods going out this time were barrels of tar, and several cases of steel axe heads, knives, and farm implements.  They would return with textiles, dried fish (a delicacy in Konigsholm), spices, and books, paper, and ink.  As well as assorted other items of interest.  The return caravan would also be quite a bit larger as he would buy more mules in the Southern lands, and hire more guards for the return trip, and probably join up with another caravan or two.  But going out he'd only have twenty five mules, and he and the drovers would go on foot.  A few of the guards had their own horses, but most would go on foot as well.  Another benefit of a smaller outfit was they would travel much faster.

Before they left Griss had a little talk with Kix, who agreed with his proposal.  A few hours before they were scheduled to leave; weather permitting, he took a small heavy box with him as he slipped through the opening into the sewer under the house. He left the box in plain view on a ledge, and banged a signal on some pipes, waited for the reply, and then left.  They'd figured Toby and his fellow ratkin would have more use for the gold and gems then they would.  Besides, they owed the rat folk a big favor.

They set out four days later, his scaly little friends tucked safely in their barrel, and as he'd expected the city guards didn't even glance at the barrels.  They just gave him a friendly wave as his party passed through the city gate as he was well known. He'd paid his export taxes like a good citizen, and if he had a few extras tucked away here and there, who cared?  He was always good for a round or two at the taverns, and was a fine fellow.  As soon as they were a fair distance from the city Robert gave the barrel a tap, and the plug was removed.  In a day or two he'd tell the kobolds it was OK to come out, and if any of the guards or drovers cared to make something of it they'd be too far from the city to do anything.  He doubted they would though, they had planned for Griss and Kix to act more like pets than anything else, and keep their snouts shut; even going so far as to have leashes and collars for them.  They'd attract less attention that way.  Many merchants picked up strange pets in their travels, and two large lizards were not all the that unusual.

Griss and Kix did indeed find interesting things to do inside the barrel, and Robert had to knock on it a couple of times when they got too vocal, and he knew perfectly well what they were doing, and he couldn't help but feel a little envious.  As promised, on the second day he revealed the contents of the barrel to the rest of the caravan, who regarded the two large lizards with everything from curiosity to indifference.  If Robert wanted to bring some strange pets with him, so what?  None of their business.  Plus the little critters were kind of cute, and were well behaved as they perched on top of one of the mules, their bright yellow eyes looking around couriously.

By the second day Griss was getting tired of the barrel, though it had been fun.  He'd been worried the constant jostling from the movement of the mules would make him or Kix sick, but happily it appeared kobolds weren't susceptible to motion sickness.  Still, they both had to go, so the first thing they did was scamper off into some convenient rock piles to let nature take its course.  Then feeling much better they returned to the caravan, and rode perched on the back of one of the mules, looking around in delight at the scenery.  Kix had only been this way once, and Griss had only made the same trip a few times in his younger years when his father was still alive and he'd accompanied him on business trips.  So it was pretty much new for both of them.  Kix was awed by the wide open spaces, the huge mountains and valleys, the almost total lack of much other then occasional scrubby trees and hardy grasses.  Where she came from you could hardly see the sky because of the thick canopy.  She listened raptly as Griss told her then names of the towering mountains, and stories and legends about them, their hissing and other sounds amusing the drovers and guards.  'It's almost like they're talking!' one said.  As per their agreement with Robert they spoke only kobold; which was all Griss could speak anyway, and went 'naked' like the pet animals they were supposed to be.  When it got too cold they scrambled inside their nice cozy barrel and slept, curled around one another in a tight ball, or engaged in other...activities to pass the time.

Four days into their trip they were caught in a late snowstorm, but the big wet flakes pretty much just melted when they hit the ground, though visibility was about zero.  Not caring much for the snow Griss and Kix were in their barrel when the attack came, and Griss realized something was wrong first when he heard shouts and the sounds of metal on metal.  Pressing an eye to the air hole he  couldn't see much, but then two men reeled by exchanging blows.

"Griss, Kix hissed, what's that noise?"

"Sssshh, Griss said, we're being attacked by bandits, keep quiet!  We can't do anything to help, so we need to stay hidden.  If they win, no telling what they might do to us.  Might even think lizard stew would be tasty."

Kix's eyes widened, "You mean EAT us?"  She hissed quietly.

Actually Griss kind of doubted that, but it did help to keep her quiet.  He loved his mate dearly, but she could talk too much sometimes.

The one sided fight didn't last very long, but was vicious and deadly, for both sides. But the fifty plus members of the bandit band had the advantage of numbers, and when it was over most of the guards and drovers were dead with the exception of two that had escaped on their horses into the snowstorm when it became obvious how the fight was going.  It wasn't really cowardice; they just saw no reason to die uselessly.  Plus they could hopefully find, and bring, help.  The count was seven dead guards, three dead drovers, and five prisoners.  The bandits lost eight men in the attack, five dead, and three soon to die from their wounds.  The prisoners all had wounds of varying seriousness, as did a fair number of bandits.  The fight had been a bit tougher then they'd expected, but the haul was good.  Plus, hopefully, someone would pay a fair ransom for their prisoners, if not, well, they'd chuck them off a cliff.  No witnesses that way.

Having reached their hideout; a rather large and convenient cave, the bandits wasted no time in looting the packs, and personal belongings of their prisoners.  They were stripped of jewelry, better quality clothes, and whatever else the bandits took a fancy to.  Anyone who dared to complain got punched in the stomach, which usually took care of that problem.  Then the prisoners were tied up and pretty much ignored.   No one bothered to inspect the barrels of smelly tar.

 The bandit leader, who had the less then awe aspiring name of 'Tom the Terrible', then let his merry men get good and stinking drunk as was their norm after a successful raid.  And since he led by example he was soon as comatose as the rest, happily sleeping off his binge by a nice warm fire.  The only sentry, pissed off at being left out of the festivities, proceeded to make up for lost time by drinking himself unconscious after the rest of his companions had passed out.

"What are they doing, what is that screaming?"  Kix asked quietly.

Griss, his eye to the air hole, hissed softly, "They're having a party, and...raping the women I'm afraid."

Kix knew about rape, though her species did not practice such a horrible thing, their females had to be enticed to allow a male to mate with them, forcing them didn't work as their cloaca muscles would prevent penetration.  Unless their sex 'bloomed' they were inviolate.  It was one thing to be mated by a dominant male, quite another to be taken by a male you had no desire for.  She thought it was vile.  She tried to ignore the screams and pleading, and rested her snout on Griss's shoulder, comforted by his presence.

Griss waited until things had quieted down quite a bit; at least the boisterous uproar and attempts at singing had faded away; the screams lasting a little longer as the last men took their turns with the women, before he carefully; and quietly, slid off the lid of the barrel.  Then he stuck his head out and took a quick look around, before ducking back down again.

"Well?"  Kix hissed quietly.

"I think they're all drunk, or dead, Griss hissed back, at least they're not moving.  I think it's safe."

"Good, Kix hissed, I'm sick of this barrel.  Do you see Robert, or any of the others?"

"No, but I think they're farther back in the cave.  Griss said, come on, let's go, but be careful not to step on any of them."

Despite the dark the dim glows from the dying campfires and a few scattered torches provided them with plenty of light, and they carefully picked their way through the sprawled bandits.  Their only scare came when one of the bandits let loose with a really impressive fart, startling Kix and causing her to hiss loudly in surprise, then disgust as she was downwind.  Griss had to hold his snout shut to keep from hissing in amusement.

"What WERE they drinking?"  Kix asked, and sniffed a still partially full cup, made a face, and added, "Smells like turpentine."

"Probably was, Griss hissed back, or paint thinner."

As they reached the prisoners, Griss said, "You keep watch, I'll see if I can find Robert."

As Griss moved among the bound prisoners some of them looked up at him with wide eyes, which just got wider when he held a finger up to his snout and make 'Ssssh!' sounds.  They nodded in understanding, a couple smiling.  So, there was more to Robert's little pets then met the eye!  Griss soon found Robert, and crouching next to his friend gave a worried hiss, he could smell blood.  He shook his shoulder gently, and hissed in relief when Robert rolled over and looked up at him, his face breaking into a big grin.  Griss's fangs and claws made short work of the heavy ropes binding Robert; he had no need of a knife, and soon the rest of the other prisoners were free as well. One more drover had died, but most were in fairly good shape.  And as it turned out there were four other prisoners from an earlier raid as well; and they were just as anxious for revenge as Robert and his companions.

The freed prisoners moved in pairs from bandit to bandit, and if one of the somnolent bandits started to wake up while one was tying them up, the other gave them a solid bonk on the head.  If they were a little over enthusiastic a few times it was understandable, so a few of the bandits never woke up again.

There was another woman with the survivors from the other caravan, as well as the female guard named Verna from Robert's.  They had both been staked out and gang raped, and the only intentional casualties amongst the bandits as they slept were a few who had been a little too brutal and enthusiastic when they took their turns with the women, those had their throats cut by the women, and/or balls cut off, hopefully; for them, after they were dead.  No one complained.  As far as the men were concerned it was fair payback, they could have just as easily cut ALL the bandits throats.

Once the bandits were secured the survivors took inventory of their own possessions and goods, as well as whatever the bandits had stashed away.  They were pleasantly surprised; the bandits had been quite successful.  In addition to a large pile of valuable goods in a large chamber they also found considerably more horses and mules then had been in their original caravans.   And Kix made another discovery.

Griss was snooping through the impressive pile of crates and barrels, when Kix came running into the chamber, grabbed his arm, and hissed "Come with me!"

Curious, Griss followed her to another smaller chamber farther back in the cave, and stopped in surprise as she led him to an even smaller chamber that had been made into a pen of sorts.  And staring back at them were a dozen pairs of bright green tinted eyes.  Kobolds!  Griss realized, but...different from him and Kix.  They were about the same size, but their hide was more of a grey color, and instead of crests they had bony plates on their heads, and down their backs.  There claws were also much larger and stronger looking.

"Who are they?  Griss hissed, what are they?"

"Mountain kobolds, Kix said, some call them rock or desert kobolds.  They live in the deserts and warmer mountains and hills."

"What are they doing here?"  Griss said.

"Slaves, Kix hissed angrily, see their collars; they're metal ones so they can't get them off.  They sell them to the miners for use in the mines, they make good diggers and can work better in the lower tunnels then humans, especially since they can see better in the dark."

"Can they talk?"  Griss hissed.

"Of course we can talk!  A female hissed, what do you think, we're stupid animals just because we don't live in trees?  What's going on, we smelled blood."

Griss did a double take, and realized he could understand the other kobold, even if she did have something of an 'accent'.  He chided himself for thinking about them then way most humans would, after all most humans would consider him an animal now too.

"Sorry, Griss hissed back, the bandits are all dead; or prisoners now.  I guess you're free."

"From one master to another, the female replied, makes no difference to us."

"We'll see about that, Griss said; Kix nodding rapidly, far as I'm concerned you're all free now."

The other kobolds stirred, perhaps hoping for the first time, but still found that possibility hard to believe.  The female said, "If that is true, we will be in your debt forever.  My name is Krick, I guess you can say I'm the dominant female of this pack.  They choose me."

"I'm Griss, and this is my mate Kix, Griss replied, we're on our way South, maybe you can join us.  Better remain here for now though, we need to work something out with our human companions."

Griss and Kix found Robert; his arm well bandaged, supervising the divvying up of the bandits loot amongst the freed prisoners.  From the looks everyone was going to turn out very well off.  As soon as Griss could get his attention, he turned the job over to Verna since she was the senior remaining guard, and followed the two kobolds to a less lively corner.

"I owe you a great debt Griswold, Robert said, we all do.  Without your help the Gods know what would have happened to us."

"Well, Kix said, Griss says without you Gods know what would have happened to us, so far as we're concerned that makes us pretty much even."

Robert chuckled, "Well, I would hardly compare the two; after all I did get paid."

"Well, Kix said, there is one other thing."  And then she proceeded to tell Robert about the twelve rock kobolds in the pen.

Robert raised a bushy eyebrow, and said, "You don't say!  Hmm, I'll have to talk it over with the others, but I think I can...convince them to see it your way.  After all you freed them as well, and you have an equal share of the value of the bandit's loot coming.  I'll let you know how it goes."

Kix took one of Roberts's hands and rubbed her snout against it, and said "Thank you."  Then she and Griss headed off to find some suitable food for the other kobolds.

As they searched for food Griss and Kix could hear Robert having a discussion with the survivors from the other caravan, which became somewhat loud at times, but eventually he called them over, and said,

"A couple of them didn't like it much; slaves are valuable, but I convinced them to see if my way, especially when I told them the slaves would make up your share of the booty.  I think that convinced them more then any moral concerns, plus we outnumber them.  I also found the papers for the slaves, so as soon as we reach a magistrate you can have them freed, and their collars legally removed.  I also set aside a small bag of gold coin to help with their upkeep for awhile.  They don't know about that, but what they don't know won't hurt them, greedy bastards."

This time Kix gave Robert a hug, the big man grinning in delight.

Since the kobolds were out of the bag, so to speak, and everyone now knew they weren't just pets there was no longer any reason to continue the charade.  So they, and the other now freed kobolds, joined the make shift caravan, making themselves quite useful.  Freed of time consuming camp chores the humans were able to get things sorted out much faster as the kobolds took care of the grunt work.  In no time at all they had the mules and horses loaded, put the surviving bandits in a coffle, using the same chains that had been used on the kobolds, and set out on a bright; almost warm, day.

    Two days later the survivors met a patrol from the local fort being led by the two guards who had escaped, and turned the remaining bandits over to their tender mercies.  Since banditry was a hanging offense they probably hadn't done them any favors by NOT cutting their throats.  They had retrieved their property, and also divided the bandit's rather impressive pile of loot between them, less a fair share for the soldiers.  After some discussion it was agreed the two guards would get an even share too since they had gone for help.  That, plus the reward for the bandits; one hundred silver for each regular bandit; dead or alive, and 500 for Tom, left them very well off.  Overall though, they would have preferred to have their friends back.  By common consent the survivors kept quiet about the role the 'pet lizards' had played.

They were taken to the nearest fort, which supported a small town, and once they had concluded their official business with the soldiers they found suitable lodgings at the towns best Inn, and settled down to rest and recuperate from their ordeal.  The also needed to wait for another caravan to pass through to join up with; for safety, or find more reliable guards or mercenaries to hire.  Whichever came first.  One other matter was taken care of, as the commanding officer of the fort doubled as a magistrate in legal matters; he witnessed the freeing of the twelve kobolds by their new masters, accepting a small fee on behalf of the crown.  Then their papers were signed and stamped, duly noted and recorded, and their collars were removed by the forts blacksmith.  More then a few soldiers were a little moved by the obvious joy of the little reptiles.

The Inn was quite a large and respectable establishment, the rooms reasonable and clean, the food good.  There was a bit of an altercation when the innkeeper refused to allow the kobolds lodging, but he finally compromised by allowing them to use the loft in the stables, especially since they could pay.  The local butchers and hunters were also glad to find buyers for their scraps and offal.  The kobolds happily made nests in the nice warm hay, and settled in, much to the consternation of the local rat population, which soon began to decline rapidly.

The fort surgeon sewed up a large nasty gash on one of Robert's arms, and once he was comfortably situated in the best room the Inn had to offer, Griss and Kix took the opportunity to snoop around.  Since animals; even 'pets', were not tolerated in the common room of the Inn, they had to sneak around.  Fine by them, the place stank anyway.  Prior to his current 'condition', Griss had not realized just how badly humans could stink if they were packed together into small places, and hadn't bathed in a long time.  Of course they were used to it, but P-U!  His sensitive reptilian snout was offended by the reek, and every time he was inside he tried to keep his tongue in his mouth.  About the only time they really bothered to sneak into the Inn was to check on Robert anyway, his arm was paining him, and they did what they could to help, bringing him treats they stole from the kitchen.

Roberts arm got worse for awhile, but the surgeon visited him again and drained the wound, opening it up and then pouring alcohol in the gash, lit it to burn away any dead or infected flesh, and then sewed it up again.  Robert was quite vocal about the whole experience, but the second time around did the trick, and within the week he was up and about, though his arm would always have an impressive scar to add to his others.  By then his relationship with his two small charges had developed into something more then mere friendship, and he sometimes invited them to have dinner with him in the Inn, and glared at anyone who looked like they might protest.  The innkeeper, realizing the benefits of having hungry kobolds stalking his barn, stable, and storage building, kept quiet as well.  The kobolds were better then any other measure he'd ever used to be rid of the never ending rat problem.  The little buggers were voracious, but so were the kobolds, and soon the rats were in full retreat.

A few days later Kix came running up the ladder to the loft, and gave Griss; who was sound asleep with his belly full of nice plump rats, a poke, and hissed, "Griss, wake up!!  He's here!"

"Who, Griss asked, Robert?"

                "NO, Melchet!"  Kix hissed worriedly.

                That got Griss's attention, and he was wide awake in seconds.  "Where!?!"

                "Just riding into town, with a large caravan!, Kix hissed, how did he find us!?"

                "I don't think he's looking for us, Griss said, I know he was planning a caravan South as well, but hadn't left before we did.  Come on!"

                Quickly they left the loft via a ventilation hole under the eaves, scampered across the roof, leaped to the roof of the Inn, and hiding behind a chimney stuck their heads around the sides and watched as a large caravan filed into the Inn's courtyard.  Griss had no trouble picking out Melchet, always the dandy he wore the finest clothes and rode the best horse.  The caravan was quite large, with at least fifty guards and twenty or more drovers and merchants.  It was doubtful any of the local bandits would mess with such a well guarded outfit.  Plus the guards looked more like soldiers with their armor and discipline.  Griss had no doubt they were from one of the mercenary companies that doubled as guards when there were no wars.  They watched as Melchet and the other merchants talked to the Innkeeper, then disappeared inside.

                "We need to warn Robert!"  Griss hissed, and they ran over to the edge of the roof right above the window of the room he was staying in, climbed down the wall, and squeezed through the fairly narrow window."

                "What the hell!", Robert yelled, as Verna gave a squeal and pulled the covers over her naked breasts; which got an appreciative hiss from Griss,  the sight of two scaly creatures crawling through the window upsetting her until she realized who they were.  "Can't you use the bloody door like civilized creatures!"  She snapped.

                "Sorry, Kix hissed, but Melchet's here!  He just checked into the Inn!"

                "WHAT?  Robert said, NOT good!  Do you think he knows, I mean, about you two?"

                Griss hissed at Kix for awhile, and she translated, "We doubt it, he thinks I'm dead, and that Griss is skulking around back in Konigsholm.  He's probably just traveling with the caravan."

                "Well, that's good, Robert said.  Verna, let the others know not to mention the kobolds to the well dressed 'gentleman' that just checked in, or any of the others in his caravan.  He might make trouble for our little friends."  Verna, now dressed, nodded as she left.

                Melchet of course noticed the pack of kobolds occupying the stables; they were kind of hard to miss as they habitually sunned themselves on the roof and were often scampering around the courtyard, but he didn't pay them much attention.  Plus they were of a different species, had they been arboreal kobolds he might have been more interested.  Besides, they were just animals.

                Melchet had indeed booked passage with the large well protected caravan, but five of the guards were his personal hires.  He planned on hiring some more away from the caravan, or finding others, when he went his separate way later on in the journey.  The small village that was his destination was not on the caravan route.  He was traveling fairly lightly, having brought along enough coin to fund his venture, and a few of his most useful spell books.  He was irked by the delay at the fort, but understood the need to rest the animals and men after the long and arduous mountain passage.  And he did have to admit it was pleasant to sleep in a real bed for a change, and eat food that wasn't just some lump of half burned and half raw unidentifiable meat.

                The caravan master approached Robert and the other caravan's survivor's to inquire if they might like to join up with his caravan, and pay their fair share of the guard's wages of course.  The other survivors readily agreed, but Robert made a complaint of his arm still bothering him and declined the generous offer.  He'd make his way later.  He'd already hired a few soldiers whose enlistments were up, and they had told him several more would be available in the near future.  He figured the soldiers would be more then enough to insure no more trouble with bandits.  Guards were one thing, professional soldiers another.  They would leave about a week after Melchet's caravan.

                Griss and Kix were not happy about the delay, but understood the reasoning.  They certainly couldn't travel with the same caravan as Melchet, he'd most certainly recognize Griss, and possibly Kix as well.  Plus there was no way they wanted to stay in the barrel for that long a period as it was several weeks travel to Kix's home territory.  Then there were the other kobolds to consider as well.  So they fretted, and waited.

                Finally, having signed on four more soldiers, Robert decided they'd head out.  In addition to himself, Verna, the other two original drovers, they'd hired four more drovers, and twelve soldiers, all veterans, to supplement the remaining guards.  He would have liked to have more for such a large train, but didn't want to wait any longer.  Melchet's caravan had been the largest to pass through so far this season, and he didn't want to let any others get ahead of him as the early ones got the pick of the trade goods along the route.  So they loaded up, and set out, the kobolds riding perched on the backs of mules.  The new members of the caravan where a little skeptical of their scaly companions at first, but soon got used to having them scampering around, and they were quite useful when it came to setting up; and breaking, camp.   And as it would turn out they were useful for other things as well.

                As it would turn out their small force was not adequate to keep one of the larger bandit bands at bay.  Frustrated by the larger caravan they'd had to let pass unmolested, the bandits decided to try their luck with the smaller one following.  So for the second time the caravan came under attack, but Robert was fed up with bandits; and the soldiers knew what they were doing.  Arrows took down several of the mounted bandits as they made their charge, javelins took down a few more, and when they got closer the mounted guards engaged them.  And as the bandits came too close to mules carrying kobolds they ended up with two of three of the little monsters ganging up on them, and sharp claws and fangs ripped out more then one throat.  As a bandit galloped past their mule Griss and Kix leaped onto his back, dismounting the stunned rider, and made short work of him once he was down, then gave bark like victory grunts.  Between losing so many of their numbers in so short a time, not to mention the trained attack lizards, the bandits decided on the better part of valor and got the Hell out of there, a few more dropping to well aimed arrows.  The score was twelve dead bandits; a few very chewed up, and one wounded soldier.  Another result was the kobolds got a lot more respect after that.  They stripped the dead bandits, and rounded up a half dozen good horses, and went on their way.  They left the dead bandits for the scavengers, having first stuck their heads on stakes as a warning to other would-be bandits.  The rather gruesome warnings might make any would-be bandits think twice.

                After another two weeks they finally moved below the snowline, and the temperature became much warmer, though it remained chilly at night.  The humans began to remove layers of clothing, and the kobolds pretty much just went as they usually did, naked.  It didn't offend their human companions in any way, they weren't as prissy as townfolk.  And Kix was getting excited more and more every day as the conifers and colder climate fauna begin to thin out and be replaced by what she considered 'real' trees and other plants.  She would leap off a mule, scamper up the nearest tree, and then reappear at the very top.  When Griss asked her what the heck she was doing she told him, 'Trying to see my home'.  When he explained they were still weeks away from the true jungle she still did it anyway.  Griss; and the rest of the kobolds, pretty much just ignored her.  Mountain kobolds weren't much on climbing anything living, and Griss just wasn't that excited by trees, or climbing for that matter.

                They stayed at a few fortified Inns and waystations, and found that they were slowly gaining on the caravan with Melchet, the larger one moving slower and evidently taking its time.  At the rate they were gaining Robert estimated they would reach the area of the village they were looking for at about the same time, give or take a day.  Robert decided to take a seldom used trail through a swampy area, and if they moved fast enough they might just get ahead of the other caravan, so they deemed it worth the risk.  Cutting off the completion was always worthwhile.  The humans were soon regretting their decision as they were swarmed by blood sucking flies and mosquitoes that also almost drove the animals mad, but the kobolds rather enjoyed it, their tough hides making them pretty much invulnerable to the ravenous insects, and the large dragonflies made tasty snacks if they ventured close enough.  Robert had figured on three days to pass through the swamp, they made in less than two; the insects having motivated them to move as fast as possible, plus it had proved almost impossible to camp and get any rest.  The eventually stumbled out of the swamp half asleep on their feet and covered in welts, except for the kobolds who had enjoyed themselves immensely.

                Having moved far enough away from the swamp to be safe from most of the insects they camped next to a lazily flowing river with cleaner water, and took a day to catch up on their much needed sleep. At least the humans did; the kobolds; being curious creatures, took the opportunity to explore.  Kix and Griss headed for the river and trees, the mountain kobolds took off for some low rock hills in the near distance.

                Griss watched as Kix dove into a relatively clear pool, the slick reptile cutting through the water with ease, and a minute later she emerged with a large wriggling fish in her mouth, and with a few flicks of her tail swam over to the bank and slid out on her belly in the slick mud, then stood up, and with a hiss of delight threw her head back and gulped the fish.  Ugh, Griss thought.  Rats were one thing; a nasty slimy RAW fish was something else.

                "Um, how's it taste?"  Griss asked.

                "Ohhh, delicious, Kix replied!  My people eat mainly fish, and I've missed it so!  This is the first large body of water I've been able to swim in for years!!  All the others were too cold, but this is warn and nice.  Why won't you join me?"

                "Er, Griss said, I...um...can't swim.  It's not a very, er, popular sport in the mountains you know. Like you said, too cold."

                Kix took Griss's hands in hers, and rubbed her snout against his.  "Silly, she said, you know how, ALL kobolds do!  We're born that way.  We may live in trees, but we spend lots of time in the water fishing, and having fun.  Even mountain kobolds can swim if they want to, the desert has lots of oases.  Come, I'll show you."

                "But I wasn't born that way."  Griss hissed uncertainly, eyeing the water with something less then enthusiasm.

                With a hiss Kix turned and jumped back into the water with hardly a ripple, then stood up in a shallower area.  "Come on, she hissed, or I'll tell everyone your kobold name really IS Griswold!"

                "You wouldn't!"  Griss said in mock outrage.  In kobold his human name, Griswold, translated closest to 'Big Strong Chicken'.

                Under her constant badgering and encouragement Griss slowly waded into the warm muddy water.  He really was scared, so far as he was concerned water was for drinking; and the occasional bath during warmer weather, but that was about it.  But still, it did feel nice on his hide, and he liked the way his toes squished in the mud.  Kix, seeing he really was scared, shut up, and taking his hands guided him into the deeper water, licking his snout to reassure him.

                Griss started to panic a little bit as the water rose up to the base of his neck, and held tightly to Kix's hands, until she cheeped, and said, "Too tight, loosen up a little, you'll break my fingers!"

                When Griss suddenly stepped off into deeper water he started to panic a little, but Kix told him, "Let yourself float!  Use your tail and legs!"

                Griss held his head above the water, and kicked as hard as he could, and found himself actually moving across the water at a fair amount of speed, Kix swimming next to him, "Yesss, that's it! She hissed in approval, now slow down a little, it's not a race."

                The problem was if Griss slowed down, he started to sink, so he kept going until they reached a partially submerged log.  Or what they thought was a log.  When the log suddenly opened its eyes and gave an irritated hiss Griss actually beat Kix out of the water and up a nearby tree, without even remembering doing so.

                Griss clung to a rather thin branch that was swaying back and forth, hissing in distress, while Kix tried to keep from falling out of the tree she was laughing so hard.

                "It's NOT funny!  Griss hissed, that thing could have EATEN us!"

                "Yess, it isss!  Kix chuffed in amusement, you should have seen yourself!  I've never seen a kobold move so fast, you were almost walking on the water!"

                "Beats swimming in it!"  Griss hissed back; then he looked around, and gave a little yelp.  "Help, how do I get down?!"

                "Same way you got up."  Kix said, going down the tree head first.

                Well, climbing on fairly short buildings was one thing, climbing a tree was something entirely different.  But Griss managed, after more prodding from Kix, and was amazed at just how easy it was.  Not only did his claws easily find purchase, but his tail; and even his hide, were of help.  So he soon joined Kix on the ground, rather pleased with himself overall.  Then he joined her in throwing rocks at the large alligator, until it gave an annoyed hiss and submerged.

                "Why didn't that monster eat us?"  Griss asked.

                "We don't taste good, Kix said, and your poison would kill it.  Still, it's best not to mess around with them, they can be unpredictable.  Sometimes we take them for rides, but if they decide they don't like it they'll scrape you off on underwater obstacles."

                "I think I'll pass."  Griss said with a shudder.

                "Bend over and lift you tail."  Kix said.

                "What?"  Griss replied.

                "Lift your tail!  Kix repeated, we have to check one another for leeches.  Most leave us alone, but a few are nasty enough to bit through our hide."

                "Oh, yuck!"  Griss hissed, and did as he was told.

                "Hmm, Kix said, don't see anything.  Usually only find those kind in the deeper jungle though.  Now check me."

                Kix turned away from Griss and lifted her tail, crouching with her rear high.  Under those conditions he couldn't help but be interested in something other than just checking her for leeches.  His idea of beauty had undergone a change as well, and as he checked her for any sign of parasites he couldn't help but nuzzle her cloaca, and give her sex a caressing lick, her scent filling his nostrils.  She gave a little shudder of pleasure, and dropping her tail she rubbed her snout against his, and said quietly,

                "Not here.  Let's find a more suitable place."

                Griss followed Kix as she led him on a 'chase', keeping just in front of him, tail whipping in a most enticing way, until she found what she was looking for.  It was a fairly a large tree, and she ran right up it without slowing down, Griss right behind her, his fear of heights replaced by a more powerful need.  She found a nice wide branch in the shade, and watched as Griss approached her, flicking her tongue at his scent.  As he mounted her she gave a soft hiss of contentment, digging her claws into the bark to anchor herself.  It was natural for their kind to mate in trees, it was much safer then the ground, but this was the first time they'd done it that way.  As he began servicing her she threw her head back and licked at the underside of his snout and neck, her own hisses of pleasure as loud as his.

                Griss dug his claws into the tree's bark as he thrust into his mate, her licks of passion causing him to partially close his eyes in sexual bliss.  No matter how often they mated each time was as wonderful as the first, the pleasure incredible, intense, and he knew he'd found the only mate he'd ever want.  Finally; as his climax approached, he bit her gently on the back of the neck and she shuddered as he poured his seed into her, gasping in pleasure.

                Later as they sat side by side, tails dangling off the back of the branch, they nuzzled and 'kissed', and then happy and satiated they looked out over the forest.

                "It's pretty, isn't it?"  Griss said, Kix's head resting on his shoulder.

                "It's nothing like the real jungle, Kix replied, there you can't even see the sky unless you climb the highest trees, and there are ferns larger then this tree.  But is much better than the cold dreary mountains."

                "The mountains aren't that bad, Griss said in defense of his home, the air is so clear and pure, the scenery majestic.  And you'd probably love sledding."

                "Sledding?"  Kix asked curiously.

                "Yes, you get a sled; like the ones in Konigshold, then find a steep hillside and ride the sled down it at very fast speeds, it's breathtaking."

                Kix gave a horrified hiss, "Not me!  Sounds horrible, and dangerous!"

                "No more dangerous than climbing trees and going swimming with monsters!"  Griss replied, giving Kix a playful nip.

                Kix squealed, and nipped him back; then gave his snout a long, slow, lick as she looked into his bright eyes.

                "Again?"  He hissed throatily.

                "Oh, yesss, please!"  She hissed as she rubbed her snout against his neck.  In the end they spent quite some time in the tree.

                The next morning; as the caravan was getting ready to get underway, Kix and Krick went down to the river to clean up and get a drink, and Krick said,

                "Your mate is a strange fellow; then seeing the look Kix gave her, quickly added, oh, don't get me wrong, he's a very impressive male.  He just seems, I don't know, different?  Distracted sometimes."

                "He is...different, Kix admitted.  She liked the female mountain kobold, and decided to tell her Griss's secret.  Krick's eyes glowed with interest as she listened to Kix's story, and she gave a hiss of wonder.

                "He used to be a HUMAN?  Krick said, that's...amazing."

                "He took it pretty hard at first, Kix hissed, but he'd gotten more used to it.  It was horrible, he was terrified, and there was so much pain when he changed.  It sounded like his soul was being tortured as well as his body.  Then that evil Melchet took his power of speech, that's why he can only talk with us no matter how hard he tries otherwise.  He was supposed to spend the rest of his life in a cage, as an animal!"

                "But he owned you, didn't he, you were his slave?"  Krick hissed.

                "Yes, Kix admitted, but he was...different, from the start.  He never treated me like a dumb animal, he...he took care of me when I was so sick I was dying.  And then; before he was changed, he set me free.  He was even going to pay my way back to my home.  He's not like, he wasn't like...most humans.  Robert is a good person too."

                "Yesss, I agree, Krick said, Robert does treat us well, and helped to free us.  Does he know, about your being...?"

                "Gravid?, Kix finished for her, no he doesn't.  And please don't tell him, I don't want to hold him to me...that way.  He still hopes to become human again, and if that is what he wants then I want it as well.  So long as he's happy, that's the most important thing."

                "You really love him, don't you?"  Krick said.

                "He's my mate, my life."  Kix replied.

                "I know, Krick said, I have a mate too, if he's still alive.  When the slavers took us he was fighting them last I saw.  I'll be glad to get back home, see my hatchlings.  Though they'll be almost full grown now."

                "What's it like, laying a clutch, watching your eggs hatch?"  Kix asked, rubbing her hand across her stomach.

                "Next to mating it's the most wonderful thing in the world, Krick hissed, but you have to experience it for yourself to really understand, there's no way to explain it."

                Kix rubbed her belly again, and hoped she wouldn't be watching her eggs hatch alone.  Like all her kind she could control when her eggs would be laid, but couldn't put it off forever.   She knew soon she'd start showing as her belly swelled, and hoped their journey would be over before then.

                "Thank you for listening to me."  Kix said.

                "Thank you for confiding in me."  Krick replied, and after giving one another a brief nuzzle they rejoined the caravan as it was starting to move out, and Griss was calling for Kix.

                "Where have you been?"   Griss asked as his Kix joined him in their perch on the back of a rather reluctant mule.

                "Oh, just talking with a friend."  She answered.

                As they arrived at another Inn and waystation they got a few curious looks from some of the staff.  You didn't see a caravan with kobolds for passenger very often; much less riding on the backs of mules, the little reptiles looking about curiously.  However, this close to the great jungle they had seen kobolds before, and were more receptive to their presence.  They knew the only ones that had to be worried were the ever present rats, and the kobolds were soon exploring the barn and other building in search of dinner.  One thing you had to say about kobolds, they were cheap to feed, just be sure to hide the shiny things.

                Robert was relieved to find out they were still ahead of Melchet's caravan, but knew they couldn't be that far behind them.  So he wanted to be on the move again as soon as possible, and set about trading mules and horses that had pick up stone bruises; or showed other signs of ailing or going lame, and acquiring fresh mounts.  He and the stablemaster yelled and screamed at one another as they haggled, each accusing the other of being lowlife cheats and crooks, then when they were done went to the bar and bought one another drinks, each well satisfied with their side of the bargain.  Such were friendships made on the frontier.

                Kix had been terribly excited and anxious ever since they reached the waystation, and as she got up and started pacing nervously, Griss finally hissed,

                "What is wrong with you?  You're acting like you have ants in your pant, IF you had any that is!"

                "Oh, I'm sorry, Kix said, it's just I remember this place!  It is the first Inn on the trail from my old master's village!  We're close, the turn off is just a few miles down the road!  And my home in only another days travel from there!  I can't wait, let's go on our own, we can save a day by going through the jungle."

                "Leave the caravan??  Griss hissed, I'm not so sure that's a good idea.  I mean, what if we run into bandits, or Melchet?"

                Kix gave a little snort, "Bandits, in the jungle??  They're smarter than that!  And Melchet will stay on the trail.  I don't care how powerful a sorcerer he might be; the jungle would eat him for a snack."

                "And it might eat US for a snack!  Griss said, and I wouldn't know what I was doing either.  I'd probably get eaten by a flower, or something."

                "Oh, you'd be OK, Kix said, you've learned so much!  And not many predators would mess with us, they'd be scared of your bite.  The only ones that are immune are some large snakes, and they'd be easy to avoid.  We'll have to leave the caravan soon anyway; Robert said he can't afford to leave the main trail, the detour would take too long and the village is too small for good trading."

                Griss swung his legs over the edge of the rafter they were sitting on as he thought about what Kix wanted to do.  He wasn't thrilled about the idea of leaving the safety of the caravan, but she had some good points.  Finally he lifted his head, and said,

                "Very well, I think it's a good idea too.  I'll have to go and tell Robert though, and we need to say goodbye to the other kobolds.  I'm sure they'll want to continue on to their home in the desert mountains."

                Kix gave a little squeal of delight, and proceeded to show Griss her gratitude in a very intimate way, several times.

                                                                                The End