Night came and Gwyn and Carngrwn still hadn't returned. Cayna stayed up, stoking the fire just to keep busy. Dormach curled up by the fire on a fur rug and was snoozing away. The girl could really sleep. Cayna wanted to sleep but her mind kept wandering to everything that has been happening and what she has been learning.
Outside was quiet now. The clapping of thunder and the screams no longer rang in the air. She wondered what became of Carn. Gwyn sounded really mad. She wondered if he was mad at her too. What if he took out his anger on her as well? Would Gwyn really do that? Would he really hit her because she had gotten lewd with his bride?
From the feeling in the pit of her stomach, she didn't think she would mind him getting a little rough with her. Giving her attention that she secretly wanted. No. She wasn't like that. Her imagination and anxiety were just making her think crazy things.
It was quiet without Gina as well. She had tried calling to the AI in her mind but there was no answer. Instead, she browsed features in the system to keep her busy. She found that she could summon up the main menu by thinking 'start up'.
On the main menu, there were several options.
Battle Mode, Simulator, Settings, Indexes, User Tracking, and Skill Tree.
It really did remind Cayna of a juvenile video game. How childish. Though it was easy to use and navigate, she had to admit.
Battle Mode was inaccessible. Every time she tried to select it; the same message came up.
*User access blocked. Complete tutorial first. *
Well that was frustrating. She couldn't even see the Battle Mode menu! Simulator was locked as well with a slightly different message.
*User access blocked. Level too low.*
What was she, a child? Well, Cayna had to admit she didn't know the first thing about video games. She never was allowed to play them growing up. She was locked out of Settings too. How frustrating indeed!
Indexes she could access but there really wasn't much in there but empty, unnamed folders. The only thing of any interest was an insulting message.
*All empty! You must be a noob!*
Cayna felt her forehead twitch. Why Gina that little…
User Tracking was a bit more useful. The system indicator said level one with the bar only barely filled on its way to get to level two. There were other things too. Her vitals and character stats. Things like vitality and physical attributes. Apparently, the system would improve these exponentially as the system progressed in levels. How was she supposed to do that though? Gina was not very useful as a guide so far. What was she waiting for? Cayna wanted to train and right now! She needed to get stronger so she can keep her promise to rip Nuka's throat out. Apparently, her getting stronger through the system would also save the world but she didn't quite get that yet.
The last section, Skill Tree was the most interesting but not super informative. As the name implies, there is a tree-like scheme of points spread out over the screen. Each point has a rune inscribed inside of a pentalpha. She couldn't read them as she didn't recognize the runes. Another frustrating thing for sure.
Right now, she had only one rune unlocked and that was Matriarch's command. The point was centered on the tree, right where the trunk splits into the main branches at the top of the trunk. There were dozens of pathways leading to a plethora of points going in all directions. On the trunk however were points descending in singular line to the roots. The roots had more lines. These runes glowed different though. While all the other points glowed dull red like ripened fruit, these others glowed a shining blue, like bejeweled stars. She could not deny that she was supremely curious as to why they were different and what they were.
Gina continued to ignore her when a sound came from the entrance of the cave. When Cayna looked up, a single shadow stood there. It was female, by looking at the hourglass shape of the body but it was not Carn, she saw that immediately. There was something strange and different about the shape of the shadow. It was humanoid but also not at the same time. The figure entered the cave and came into view. Cayna gasped as she saw another creature from legend and she was stunningly beautiful!
The woman had a sharp face with a straight nose. Her hair was black as night and sprouting black and smoke colored feathers. Her arms had designs of feathers over the skin. She was naked, something that Cayna was starting to discover was the norm for everyone in the wild. Her feet were not normal, they had black claws that clicked over the stone floor. On her back was a set of enormous folded wings.
Her skin was sun kissed and completely hairless. Her breasts were small mounds on her chest and below them, on her taught stomach were inscribed several black runes, each different and organized into the shape of a spear point. She was utterly breathtaking as well as a threatening presence with her unforgiving, cold expression. Cayna could only stare in shocked silence as she strode into the room as if she had every right to be there.
The newcomer looked down at Cayna. Then she did something rude. She clicked her tongue. This made Cayna's shock subside as she rankled at the response at the sight of her.
"Where is my husband?" she said, her cold expression unchanging.
Cayna blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. "Another one?! Seriously, just how many wives does this womanizer have?" she said, exasperated. Is this going to keep happening?
The newcomer raised an eyebrow. "Who's the hysterical mutt?" she said, looking at Dormach with a side long glance. Cayna clenched her fists.
"What did you just call me?" she said, grinding her teeth. This one was infuriating! Who does she think she is?!
The newcomer ignored her, finding something under her long black nails more interesting. "Poor Dormach, you still under the shattered window? Poor pup. Let me give you some love." She said, walking over to the woman and stroking her under the chin. Dormach gave a happy yawn and relished the attention.
"Amazing. She is not in her hound form." She said. Her eye turned to Cayna. "This must be your doing, mutt."
Cayna was about to blow her top and say something back but Gwyn and Carn returned just then. Carn saw the new comer and her eyes grew wide in recognition… and horror.
Immediately the cold expression of the new comer turned into one of complete elation.
"CARNGRWWWWWNNNN!" she said, rushing after the golden haired woman who turned on her heels and just as quickly rushed away from the new comer.
Gwyn barely had time to wave hello before both of them were gone, one chasing the other all over the place.
"Carngrwn! Stop running away and let me say hi to my beautiful sister!" she said, clearly overjoyed at the prospect of squeezing Carn in an embrace. On the other hand. Carn ran as if the very armies of hell were after her.
"Ack! Stay away from me you crazy woman! Husband, help meeeee!" she said, her cries falling on deaf ears. Gwyn didn't even turn around. He sighed and joined the others at the fire. Cayna couldn't help but start with the obvious.
"So, another one, huh?" she said. He smiled at her.
"Yes, she is." He said. "Her name is, Gelena, she is a Morrigan warrior of the Wild Hunt Court. She is here to get us out of here."
"Oh." Cayna said, wondering if she should be nosy about asking more about her. Deciding against it, she pointed at the two women, stark in contrasting light and dark, and asked about what this was all about.
Gwyn gave another tired sigh. "Carngrwn is famous among the Wild Hunt Court as one of the most prized steeds in all of Eldyon." She said with a gentleness that made Cayna self conscious. "Warriors of the Wild Hunt prize such beings almost as much as their own weapons and armor. A strong steed is as important as a sharp sword or a broad shield."
"She's meant for war?" Cayna asked, not really believing it. Not the mischievous Carn she knew.
Gwyn shook his head. "No more than any other being is meant for war. She has certain attributes that make her a suitable battle companion but no, she is a creature of peace and sometimes of trickery. Though she really means no harm."
Cayna suddenly prostrated herself on the ground in front of Gwyn. "Please forgive me! It was not right what I did with your wife. I will not do anything like that again, I promise!"
To her surprise, Gwyn laughed. "Oh, no need to apologize and as for that promise. My brides take lovers as they wish. They are not bound to me in any way they do not choose." He said and seeing Cayna's confused expression, he explained on. "The unions of the edenites are not the same as the humans. Our love is not always in the same shape and form as the more traditional human relationship. It can look similar, if that is the nature of the union but often it is not." He scratched behind Dormach's ear and she began to lick his leg happily.
"I wouldn't know, I guess. I have never been with anyone." Cayna said.
"That will not be forever. Carngrwn already gave you a taste as she eventually revealed to me in detail." He said. Before he could turn around, Cayna had dashed around him, covering her face in shame.
"Ugh! Pervert! I hate youuuuuu!" she said, crying as she ran away.
He turned to Dormach, confused. "Did I say something?" Dormach gave him an eye roll and a hard nip on his finger before going back to sleep against his leg.
Cayna found a spot to cry her shame away when suddenly Carn smashed right into her in her desperate attempt to get away from Gelena. They tangled and toppled over one another. Carn scrambled to get up but it was too late. A shadow appeared above them both.
"CARRRNGRWWWWNNNN!" Gelena said with glee as she plummeted from above. Both of the women stuck on the ground screamed as the Morrigan crashed on top of them.
The rumble of the impact made Dormach peak her head up, her eyes blinking sleepily. Gwyn patted her head and she went back to sleep. He shook his head at his foolish wives.
"Those idiots." He said under his breath.
Carn and Gelena were locked in a struggle as Gelena, a crazy look in her eye begged for Carn to let her stroke her beautiful gold hair.
"Ack! Get off me you psycho!" Carn said in protest, pushing at her face. "Seriously!"
"Please, just a couple strokes! Hehehe!" Gelena said, licking at Carn's fingers lewdly.
Carn shuddered "Oh gross!" she said and drew her hand back. She realized her mistake too late and Gelena latched onto her so that she could not escape. "Oh by The Word, why?" she said, exasperated tears flowing down her face as the heavy breathing Gelena ran her fingers through Carn's lustrous hair, cackling madly. Cayna looked on the bizarre sight, not knowing what to make of it.
"Do you see what I have to deal with with this crazy crow?" Carn said, pouting now. "Hey! You said just a couple strokes!"
Gelena gave a deranged chuckle. "Oh, did I? Hehe, my bad." She said and continued to stroke. Cayna used the opportunity to get a closer look at the Morrigan.
She certainly had the muscle tone of one who ventured often into battle. Her tone was defined to the point of striation. Her limbs appeared strong enough to tear her in half no problem. The woman was intimidating. Her muscles didn't bulge out in a grotesque way but they were constantly flexing and shifting as her body moved. It was almost fascinating to watch. That is, until Gelena caught Cayna staring.
"Hey, mutt, what are you staring at?" she said, her face looking at her like she just saw a nasty bug. Cayna's temper immediately got the better of her.
"What's your problem, huh?" she said, getting right in the Morrigan's face.
The Morrigan's eyes suddenly lit with a dangerous light. She even let go of Carn's hair. She gladly got out of Gelena's reach again.
"Gelena, don't." She said. "Cayna, you shouldn't have provoked her. There is nothing more sacred to the Wild Hunt than a challenge in combat."
Gelena pressed her small chest right up to Cayna's much larger bosom. "You want to throw down, right here and now... mutt?" she said, a mocking smile on her lips.
Cayna lowered her voice to a growl, her aura flaring. "Stop calling me that." She said. To her surprise, Gelena laughed in her face.
"What is this? Is this your power, mutt? Don't make me laugh!" she said, her own power flaring around her. Cayna, taken aback was pushed easily away and the Morrigan didn't even lift a finger. "Ha! I don't even have to lift a finger to beat you, weakling!"
"You little-"
"Enough!" a voice like thunder shouted. A dark shape surrounded them all. Gelena immediately fell to one knee, her head bowed. Carn also bowed, though with more grace and not as low. Cayna stared into the darkness until a pair of glowing red eyes appeared before her. She gulped.
Gwyn materialized in front of her, returning to the handsome visage. He clasped his hands behind him and looked around at all of them. "Get back in the cave and behave yourselves." He said and with a small pop he disappeared again. The three women obeyed him without a word. Once they were all gathered by the fire, Gwyn spoke again, this time in a much more gentle tone. "Okay now, tonight we discuss our path out of here. No more shenanigans from any of you, I mean it." He said, his eyes going from one to the other. They each nodded in turn, even Cayna.
"Good." He said. "Now, the mountain paths are dangerous. More dangerous than the ones we have traveled previously. Gelena and her sisters have agreed to take us to Nightrest. Dormach and Carn looked at each other, questioning this course of action. "I know. This is not the way I would have wanted to go but things are shifting in the realm of Scythis that I did not foresee. At least, not this quickly. Nightrest will be the best place for us to resupply and take shelter before we continue on."
Gelena spoke. "My sisters are waiting in the eyrie, my husband."
"Come nightfall, we will depart these lands." Gwyn said. "It may be that we are detected before we reach safe airspace. Be ready for anything. For now, rest until it becomes dark as best you may." And so they did, though none of them slept at all.