Rocky's Story: The Search for the Huskanaso Fruit

Chapter 6: The Challenge

“I don’t know if we should tell anyone about our recognition, especially my aunt” Rain sighed. She and Rocky were still in her tent, the morning after accepting recognition

“I’m curious on why Aila” Rocky asked as he pulled his shirt on

“Because, what if my aunt does try to kill me, or what if I miscarry”

“You worry too much beloved. I have sworn myself to both you and the General that I would protect you. Now that our little one is growing inside of you, I swear to make sure that the both of you live to see the end of this war. And to see a time of everlasting peace in Edrait” Rocky swore as he knelt in front of the Princess

“You are too good for me Jael” Rain smiled as she kissed him

“But I’m curious, other than knowing each other’s soul names, and creating a child. What else comes with recognition?” he asked

“Well, have a telepathic connection. We will also be able to know what the other is feeling” Rain replied as they finished getting dressed.

“We’ll discover all these wonderful things tonight. Now I say that we should go and prepare for battle with your aunt” Rocky sighed

“But Rocky, what about telling everyone about our recognition”

“Let’s tell a select few, like my sister and the General. And I haven’t thought on how to get the word to your aunt yet” he admitted as they left.

“Rocky, where in the name of the Gods were you last night?” Pooky demanded as she rushed over

“Rain wanted me to stay with her last night, so I could comfort her” Rocky smiled

“You’re lying to me brother. Tell me the truth” she ordered

“Fine, but not out here where everyone can hear. Tonight, come to Rain’s tent” Rocky sighed and Pooky walked off. When noon came, Rocky, Pooky and Rain were eating lunch with the soldiers

“The High Queen killed my brother a few years ago. Then she has the guts to kill the Queen, and I want to see the foul woman dead and her head on a spike. Forgive me your majesty, but it’s true” a young solider growled

“No offense taken friend. My aunt needs to pay for her crimes against Edrait and the lands beyond.” Rain nodded “Now tell me, if we are to go to war with the High Queen, do we have everything ready? And do we have enough soldiers?”

“Everything is ready. Many of the soldiers from her army have switched to our side. They've given us valuable information” a nearby Sargent responded

“What if it’s a trap? What if she wants us to know her plans?” Rocky asked

“Our Mages have looked through their memories, and found that the High Queen didn’t send them. She doesn’t know they are here”

“Even if she does, she can’t stop them from telling us her secrets. Do you know if she has the Fruit?” Pooky asked

“She doesn’t, it’s still at her fortress” Crini responded as he entered the food tent

“General, might Rocky and I speak with you after lunch?” Rain asked and he nodded. An hour later, Rocky and Rain were sitting in front of the General

“Now what was so urgent my child”

“Last night Rocky and I recognized, and we’ve accepted it, and I’m now pregnant with child” Rain replied. Crini was silent for a while before sighing

“Somehow I knew that this was going to happen. But I didn’t know it was going to happen so soon”

“Should we tell the High Queen?” Rain asked

“Yes, but I’m going to tell her. I want you two to be careful. Have you told your sister yet Rocky” he asked and the younger Fae shook his head.

“No sir, I was going to tell her tonight”

“Good. I’ll send a letter the High Queen right away, and hope that she believes me”

“I sense that she will, women always know when others are pregnant.” Rain smiled and Crini nodded

“Very well, you two may go.”

That night Pooky came to Rain’s tent where her brother and the princess were waiting. “So do you want to tell me what’s going on?” she huffed. The young couple glanced at each other before Rocky responded

“My dear sister, last night, Rain and I recognized” her eyes widened

“Did you accept it?” she asked and Rocky nodded

“And you waited this long to tell me? Why?” She demanded

“Because we don’t want the rest of the army to know yet. General Crini has already sent a letter to the High Queen” Rain replied

“Why would you want her to know?” Pooky yelled

“Hush sister. Because if can defeat her challenge, we can weaken her somewhat” Rocky replied

“Oh Rocky, how can you be so calm?”

“I’m not. I’m scared and I’m worried about the safety of you, Rain and our unborn baby.” Rocky admitted “But I have sworn to protect the three of you”

“Though you know that Rain and I can fend for ourselves” Pooky scoffed

“I know you two can hold your own. But if it comes down to either of you dying, or me dying, I would sacrifice myself so you could life”

“Well it shouldn’t have to come down to it” Rain smiled. Pooky shook her head

“I need to leave so I can take all this in” Pooky sighed as she stood and left. Rocky stood and tried to follow but Rain stopped him

“No Rocky, she needs space. Talk to her in the morning” she pleaded

“Fine. But I hate having her upset with me” he sighed as he sat next to her

“I know” she said as she pulled him to her

“Aila” he muttered as he kissed her

“Hmm, Jael”

“I’m so confused. The world is whirling around me, and it feels like I’m going to get lost in the fray” he said as he rested his head on her shoulder

“Then let your sister, you child and I ground you and give you the stability and the hope that you need.” Rocky felt her fingers comb through his black hair. It had grown some since their journey began.

“Hold me Aila” he muttered as he pulled her closer

“Forever” she gasped as her arms wrapped around him. Moments passed in silence before Rain started caressing Rocky's back, making him moan. She felt him start to kiss her neck again, and his fingers started undoing the lacing in her vest.

'Are you sure Jael?' she asked as she lifted his face to hers

'If you are' he smiled against her lips, and she nodded as she kissed him. Slow at first, then need took over. Her hands moving to the hem of his blouse, and tugged it off “So needy” he gasped as she pushed him onto his back.

“I could say the same for you beloved” she giggled as she removed her vest and blouse. Once it was off Rocky sat up and grabbed her, making her laugh.

There was a sudden knock on the post outside of Rain’s tent, making them stop. “Hold on” Rocky called as they rushed to get their shirts back on. Shortly Rocky emerged from the tent to see General Crini and Pooky standing behind him.

“Am I interrupting something?” he chuckled, noticing Rocky’s disheveled appearance.

“You could be” Rocky said as he crossed his arms. Crini couldn’t help but chuckle as Rain emerged. Looking a little more arranged then her companion

“What is it General?” she asked

“I noticed that a certain fae here looked a little blue.” He said as he motioned towards Pooky

“I told you it was nothing” she muttered, still upset

“Pooky, I’m sorry if mine and Rain’s recognition hurt you so” Rocky said as tried to go to her, but she backed up

“It’s not that Rocky, I’m happy for you and Rain, I am. But it’s because I’m scared that the prophecy, or the High Queen will kill you or Rain, or your baby”

“I swear on my very soul that none of us will die Pooky” Rocky reassured her and Pooky smiled at him

“Is everything okay now?” Crini asked and everyone nodded “Good, now I’m going to retire for the evening.”

Once the General and Pooky had left, Rocky and Rain returned to the bed. The moment of intimacy had left 'Sorry about tonight Aila' Rocky sighed as they curled up together on the mat

'It’s okay, we should get some sleep anyway' she smiled as she closed her eyes.

The next morning the High Queen returned to the camp. But this time, Rain, Rocky and Pooky did not hide from her. “I hear that you two have recognized. Such quick work you two, very nice”

“Enough, tell us what your challenge is” Rocky demanded, sounding braver then he felt.

“Fine.” She smirked “You three, and only you three, journey to my palace and retrieve the Huskanaso Fruit”

“How much time do we have?” Pooky asked

“Fae babies to a year and a half to grow in their mother’s womb, I give you 6 months to complete my impossible task.”

“And if we fail?” Rain asked

“I don’t think you want to know child” the High Queen sneered, and Rain’s face went red, but relaxed.

“Fine, we’ll leave in two days” she growled as she turned from her aunt with Rocky and Pooky following close behind. Once they were in her tent she turned to them with a worried expression “6 months. How are we to get to her palace in 6 months? And with me pregnant” she groaned as she sat on her cot

“Well, is it safe for fae to shift to their animal forms while pregnant?” Pooky asked. Rain paused before answering

“I actually don’t know. My mother and my tutors never told me about that. We should ask Crini” Rain said as she rushed from her tent

“This stress can’t be good for the baby” Pooky muttered as they followed her to the General’s tent

“I know. I worry about her being so stressed all the time, especially now with the baby to think of”

“What are you going to do to relieve her of her stress brother?” Pooky teased as she winked at him, making Rocky blush

“What are you two talking about?” Crini asked as he came over with Rain

“Our beloved princess” Rocky smiled as he winked at Rain, making her blush. Shortly, in Crini’s tent

“Crini, can do you know if it is safe for a fae maiden to shift when she is with child?” Rocky asked.

“For the first 9 months, yes. It’s actually recommended that the mother to spend at least a few hours a day in at least one of her forms.” he replied, and Rain gave a sigh of relief

“Good then we can travel as fast as we need to”

“I want you to be careful Rain, I don’t want you to overdo yourself” Rocky said once they left, and Pooky had gone her own way

“Rocky, I’m going to be okay I promise. You’re starting to sound like me” she giggled. That night, Rocky stayed with Rain again.

'I worry about you my Aila. You and our unborn baby' Rocky sighed as he stroked her cheek.

'I know, I worry too Jael. But I may know something that might help' she teased as she kissed him.

The next morning Rocky fell out of the tent onto his hands and knees “Busy night?” he looked up and saw his sister with a wide grin on her face and her hands on her hips

“Don’t ask” he muttered as he stood and worked his way to the dinning tent “Where’s Rain at?” he asked

“With the General getting things ready for our trip.” Once Rocky finished he tracked down the mother of his child. He managed to track her to the armory

“Morning Rocky” Crini smiled. “Finally Stumbled out of bed I see” Rain couldn’t help but giggle at the General’s remarks

“No thanks to the princess here” Rocky yawned “I’m as stiff as a board and very soar” Rain giggled again “What is so funny?”

“Oh nothing, I’m in a happy mood today” she smiled

“Oh? Well wait till tonight. I’ll give you something to giggle about” Rocky whispered into her ear, making her blush.

Early the following morning Rocky, Pooky and Rain set off towards the High Queen’s palace, with a plan in motion. Two of the young fae would be in their forms. While the third would travel hard with the horses and their limited supplies. Every few hours or so, one would switch with the rider so that they might rest their energy a little. Along the way, they would meet up at checkpoints, where soldiers, and fresh horses would wait for them. Two soldiers would then send a progress report to both the High Queen and General Crini.