9 Story 1 chapter 9

By the time Hyfron was finishing up shopping for supplies the sun was at the highest point of the sky.

A few of the males had tried approaching the unusual pair of visitors- some with caution and some enthusiastic but all were easily rebuffed.

Hyfron simply ignored the youngsters and turned his broad shoulders allowing them to see his four beast marks, the dejected males weren't willing or able to challenge him so simply walked away.

Naomi felt oddly appreciative of his supposedly natural ability to chase away the overly friendly bachelors, she hadn't realized it was his 'tattoos' rather than his chilly expression.

The older woman at the last stall was friendly but no nonsense when it came to her prices.

Naomi witnessed as he exchanged some kind of feldspar (usually quartz gemstone of some type) and a few good pelts for all his purchases.

Curious about the shining stones she had meant to ask him about it when he was finished bartering with the wiley seller.

Listening to the endless exchange Naomi couldn't help but begin to doze-off in the warmth of of the midday sun.

'I'm still so exhausted, maybe I'll just rest my eyes a few...' Naomi let her guard down a little and relaxed against Hyfrons chest.

He continued talking but he felt the tension leaving her body as she leaned into him slightly.

'Good' He mentally affirmed, pleased with her supposedly trusting action.

Hyfron noticed her breath slowing down and decided to seek out the tribal leader, wanting to rest nearby for the night if possible.

~~

In the largest and most central tent the tribal leader found.

A tall, slighy imposing man in his late forties with his dark chestnut hair worn in a single long plait down his back, flecked by silvery grey strands.

The tribal chief surveyed Hyfron with veiled interest but cringed inwardly at his avian scent, upon seeing his four beast marks quickly swallowed in relief that the visitor appeared amiable.

The guest was certainly strong, his aura unyielding.

More curiously was the woman nestled snuggly in his embrace, he could just make out a sweet scent faintly emenating from her.

Hyfron stood a good distance away so Quistis could only make out her shoulders and tangled dark brown hair.

'Tch' pity he couldn't ser her face! He was convinced she would be attractive.

"Greetings to you Tribal leader. I am Hyfron of the Eagle tribe, with your permission I would like to rest in your tribe tonight."

Hyfron humbly requested, bowing his head slightly as he spoke, but his posture remained straight and stiff.

"Hmm, well met Hyfron. I am Chief Quistis leader of the Horse tribe in these lands and do grant you sanctuary for the night. Is this your little mate?"

The leader introduced himself reasonably freindly, extending his hospitality to the interesting pair.

"I'm grateful Chief Quistis, we will make nest in the nearby wood. Yes, she is my mate. " he nodded firmly keeping Naomi close.

That covetous streak was snaking up subconsciously, however Hyfron didnt feel in any way thretened.

'No, no way would she be interested in some prancing horses' or so Hyfron believed at least, forgetting their valuable herbaceous cultivation expertise.

Leader Quistis noted Hyfrons protective demeanor, the chilly male was certainly possesive of his dark haired mate. Is that why is he prefers to stay in the trees though?

'I know hes a predator by nature but Is his instinct that strong?' Quistis mused inwardly, his wariness disguised and slightly building.

The chief was ignorant as to how exactly Hyfron had met his partner and the fact he technically was 'on the run'.

The thought perturbed him a little, wondering if the visitor could ultimately be entirely unpredictable, but then again what carnivore beastman wasn't?

"Hm, you may stay in the tribe in your own private tent tonight- your mate will feel much warmer inside one I assure you. It would be near the mated females of course...." Chief Quistis swept a palm in the air towards the bundle hidden in Hyfrons arms as he cautiously advised the sharp eyed birdman; watching as Hyfron slowly realised he was right.

'She would sleep much better as well ' they both mentally noted.

Hyfron accepted the chiefs offer with a curt nod and listened as Chief Quistis instructed him to collect water from the nearby spring, while a yurt was ordered to be set up.

Quistis wasn't even thinking of encouraging the pair to stay longer. He didn't want his sons following or becoming mates with the dark headed female- it would only invite tragedy in the long term.

'With any luck the night will pass without incident and quickly they'll be on their way...' the tribal leader silently hoped.

~~~

Hyfron was striding out of the tribal leaders tent when Naomi began to stir from her nap.

Disoriented once more by her surroundings unsure if she was still in dreamland,

"Oh.. I fell asleep.." rasping sleepily, still dozy, "...not too long?" She whispered questioningly blearily looking up at Hyfrons usual stoic expression.

Runbing a palm across her mouth, it felt dry as sand while her body was now stiff from being held for hours on end.

"Ahem, let me down please I'm sore" she cleared her dry throat and requested, shifting uncomfortably.

Hyfron mearly turned his head to meet her gaze, as though in silently contemplation.

Irked by his impassive reaction, Naomi boldly tugged on his feathered necklace,

"Let me down, I'm thirsty too" she whined, she wasn't used to constantly travelling like this and it was really gratting on her.

"Lucky you there's a spring nearby. I will fly us there to arrive faster" he dryly replied, ignoring the pulling on his neck.

Naomi could've sworn there was a touch of humour in those grey eyes, though his expression remained neutral.

"Ugh Ri~ght" she humpfed, and reached up to link her arms around his neck, as he spread his expansive brown wings.

The spring was thankfully nearby, the nomadic tribes tended to wisely chose their temporary settlements near enough to a body of water, usually about a kilometre away on average.

~~

Almost as soon as they arrived Naomi wriggled determinedly and sprung out of Hyfrons arms before she ran behind the cover of a larger tree to relieve herself.

Hyfon stared at the tree so intently one might mistakenly belive he might actually be able to see right through it.

After a couple of moment's Naomi reappeared content and now much more comfortable, humming slightly as she slowly stode back towards Hyfron and the spring.

She felt so much better being upright and on terra firma.

Naomi became lost in thought as she stepped into the shallow waters and bent to wash her hands and gargle a little water, not minding Hyfron at all.

Standing up to turn as she shook her hands dry, Naomi was suddenly pulled into a bear hug she let out a small shriek, taken off guard.

"H-hey!" She stammered at him, her face buried in his neck as she felt him scenting her nape; stuck with arms conviently pinned by her sides.

Momentarilly shocked her mind faltered until a warm tingle shivered up her spine 'Wait where are those hands going?!'

"Hyfron!" She squeaked, this took an unexpectedly heated turn, he was pretty much ignoring her not so long ago?

She couldnt believe it! He was was full on sliding his hands down her back until he firmly gripped her bottom with both palms, pressing her against him.

"Mmmnf" Naomi stifles a groan at the intimate pressure of his fingers pressing and massaging her skin.

Something hot and hard was poking her stomach, straining against her up to the bellybutton.

'OH! Fuuuuu-!' She mentally exclaimed, as a her body was rubbed up agaisnt his, grinding against her own, builing heat below.

Pleaure shot up and down her body for a brief second, she felt excitement shadowed by a touch of dread, as well as flat out annoyed.

"...I've no sympathy in the case of blue balls. You're a grown man go sort yourself out or something!" She hissed accusingly, bracing her shoulders upon the stone wall that was his torso.

Hyfron released his grip slightly, but slipped his hold around her waist instead, freeing her arms at least.

Pressing her hands against his tattooed chest she tried to create a semblance of distance between the. Hyfron growled lowly in response and dropped his hands, reluctantly accepting her rejection to his current advances.

"Don't you need to gather water?" Naomi cooly reminded him, pointing to the waterskins tied to his waist, casting her gaze away.

Hyfron stared at her heatedly for a split second not caring to disguise the lust in his gaze before wading further into the spring to gather water.