The Brood Queen

The Sea Men

Creeping slowly, she approached a lighted area, although still well hidden among the large foliage of the forest.

A rather large group of men, rather well built, as far as she could see. The men were pulling ropes around the high ferns, pulling them snugly along wooden stakes. Sealing in the sides of their spacious lean-to, and some tents.

In the center of their camp was a large, thick walled tent covered in intricate gold, and maroon print.

Hanging covered lamps were posted into the ground, casting a warm light across the paths between structures. Only the slightest lights emanated from the finished tents. Small cooking fires glowed from near most lean-to.

She stayed well hidden while she observed the movement of the band of men. She instinctively took on the physical benefits of a native forest marsupial. Her eyes had grown larger, and gained the blessing of night vision. Her ears got wider, and the build of her body, and limbs took on that of a tree climber.

Along the south side of the camp a creek of sweet water flowed in a wide trench. The ferns, and reeds where shorter along the waterline, and some spaced by large black rocks. Enough to cover her altered body as she moved along the creek bed.

As the creek ran nearby an ornate tent, words began forming in the dense, warm air. They spoke the old language, but, not exactly. A light trill in the words accented their syllables. She slunk cautiously closer to the tent. Hiding her steps in the song of moving water around her feet, and...paws.

"We can certainly bring it up with the Ambassador upon his return." said a deep, and coarse voice.

"Of course, my Lord." a more gentle voice replied. "I'll take my leave then. Good evening, Sir."

The sound of movement, then footsteps. Two lean men wearing reinforced leather clothing exited the tent. They had dark hair, and their backs were adorned with complex cross bows. They were unaware of the company they had, spying on them. The lamps in the camp served well for footing, but gave up little more than a few steps light.

She easily evaded any detection as the men walked purposefully into the camp grounds. She continued upstream, mapping the campgrounds that she could see into her memory.

The men had carefully, and neatly arranged the camp. Nothing sloppy, or haphazard in their ranks. She studied as much as she could before the creek bend moved her away from the campside. The crackling of a waterfall filling the creek got louder as she turned around a small, sharp cliffside rising from the ground.

She quickened her pace as she moved farther from the camp, and along the bend. She could see the waterfall flowing from the thick canopy leaves that nearly sealed in the forest. The water fell partly over a rock that jut out of the higher cliffside. It sprayed down the rock formation falling gently into a wide marsh that had formed around the fall.

She stopped as quickly, and silently as she could muster when she caught the outline of a body on the other side of the water spray. She held her breath, and quickly ducked into the shadows of the rock. She found shelter in a patch of reeds. She peeked beyond the reeds, and water to try to get a look at the figure.

Her eyes focused onto a man's form. There were a number of lamps posted around part of the marsh giving her enough light for her marsupial eyes to make out plenty.

His thick shoulders fell into a trim waistline. She decided she needed a better look. She slowly pulled her marsupial humanoid form along the rock wall. Watching carefully for any reason to believe she'd been noticed. She moved enough to find a line of sight through the water spray. The reeds had started to thin out, but her attention had been captivated by what she saw.

A striking man stood under the falls. He was running a block through his hair that was starting to make bubbles. Thick, dark, glossy hair that fell to the side of a broad face. His dark eyes closed as the bubbles started running down his captivating face.

He vigorously rubbed the block across his muscular chest, and core until bubbles started running down his abs.

Her pupils dilated as she stretched as far as she could to see the rest of him. He bent forward, ever so slightly for the water to splash onto his face. He started running his fingers through his luxurious dark hair.

Suddenly the reeds in front of her cracked under the weight of her foot. She slipped forward enough to make a plunking sound in the water. She froze. He froze.

The muscular, large man sprung through the waterfall, hands held on the ready, and surprisingly fast through the thigh high water.

She noticed quickly he had only a small loin guard that showed a generous amount.

He lowered his hands. He smiled at her. Still, she was frozen. Gawking with her partly marsupial mouth hanging open. No doubt an odd sight to this off lander.

"Oi, look at you. PSPSPSPSPS!"

Oh, she thought. He did not just psps me!

She scrunched her face, unknowingly baring sharp fangs, and an unintentional hiss. He raised an eyebrow, and stepped back a step. She took the moment, and ran as fast as she could to tree roots that climbed the bank. She swiftly climbed into the safety of darkness.