The Merchant-Ship was on the third month of its voyage, when the lookout cried out that land had been spotted.
Upon hearing this, the Captain, who had been busy going over the maps, promptly left his cabin. On deck, several of the passengers and some of his crew had gathered by the railings. The Captain made his way over to them.
"Incredible" he muttered, shaking his head, as he stared at what was within rowing distance from his ship.
"I'm sorry, Captain" said Risha, who was standing next to him. "But I don't see what's so incredible about that. It looks like a pretty ordinary island to me. Even has a forest growing on it and everything."
"That's just it, young lady" the Captain replied. "There aren't supposed to be any islands that size in these waters."
Feeling the need for a smoke, the Captain sent one of the crew back to the cabin, to fetch his pipe. Once the precious object had been delivered, the Captain lit the pipe and puffed at it.
"I've made my decision" he announced, after a moment's contemplation. He turned to the black-furred canine who served as first-mate. "Jansen, take a group of men and investigate that island."
"Aye, aye, Captain."
"Captain" said Risha, "I should like to come along on this expedition."
"As do I"said Merees. "It will be nice to be on dry land. If only for a little while."
"I'm sorry" the Captain said, "but I must ask you to stay. Who knows what dangers await on that island? I can't let my passengers take any risks, especially...."
"...Especially when they're two defenseless young women" Risha interrupted. "Is that what you were going to say, Captain? Don't worry, we can take care of ourselves."
"I have fought beside Risha and I can confirm that she tells the truth, Captain" said Kyros.
Realizing that there was no point in arguing, the Captain gave in and somewhat later, two rowboats left the ship. Risha and Merees traveled in the second, as did Kyros and three more members of the mountain-lion's group.
Once ashore, the expedition set forth into the lush jungle which seemed to cover most of this mysterious island. Jansen the first-mate took the lead, using his cutlass to clear away some vines, and the others followed.
They had all been prepared for a harrowing march through wild, uncharted territory. However, this jungle turned out to be more accommodating than most of its kind: The Ground, bar the occasional root, was smooth and easy to walk on and the air was filled with the pleasant fragrance from a variety of colorful flowers.
Eventually, they came to a clearing. There, the first-mate gave the order to make halt. A decision that was met with universal approval, for they had walked for many hours and were in need of rest and nourishment.
The Latter had priority and soon, the salted fish brought from the ship roasted over a campfire made out of dragon's flame. Everyone ate with good appetite, with several members of the expedition picking the succulent fruits dangling from the trees and adding them to their diet.
After he had finished his own meal, Jansen wiped his muzzle with the back of his paw and looked around. He immediately noticed that there were two less people in the clearing than when they had entered it.
"Anyone know where the two skirts went off to?" He asked.
No-one had and the first-mate turned to two of the crew.
"Go find them" he ordered. "They can't be too far from here."
The Sailors were about to leave, when a voice stopped them. It was Kyros, who was sunning himself on a nearby rock.
"They probably went away to have some privacy" said the mountain-lion. "Let them be. Besides, what could happen to them on this island?"
****
Kyros' assumption turned out to be correct. Some distance from the clearing, Risha and Merees had shed their clothing and were now making love. The Lynx was on top, stimulating Merees' sex with her fingers, while her hips moved in response to the sensation of the dragon's long tongue against her own.
Afterwards, the two lay on the ground, recovering from their powerful climaxes.
"It's getting dark" Merees observed. "Should we head back to the others?"
"We could" said Risha, who was resting her head on Merees' shoulder. "Or we could sleep here. After a few more rounds, of course. What do you sa.."
Risha sat up abruptly, her tufted ears twitching.
"Do you hear that?" She asked.
Merees was about to ask what 'that' was, when she heard something herself. At first, she couldn't place the sound, but then she realized that it was the soft beating of wings. Wings that were getting closer and closer.
They both looked up at the same time. In the sky above, two bat-winged silhouettes could be seen.
Suddenly, the two bats came gliding down, stopping when they were slightly above ground. Scrambling to their feet, Risha and Merees looked at the duo: A male and a female, siblings judging from how similar they looked. Neither wore any clothes.
"This is surprise" Merees began. "We thought this island was uninhabited, but I guess you were only sleeping. Oh, permit me to present ourselves: I am Merees, Princess of Vinoli and this is Risha, my..."
"Mer, hon" Risha interrupted, "I don't think this is the local welcoming committee."
Merees had to admit that what Risha said made sense. She did not like the way the bats stared at her with their amber-colored eyes, nor did she like the long claws that both had at the end of each of their thumbs. They looked sharp.
"Listen" she said, "we did not mean to trespass on your land. If you wish us to leave, then we shall."
"You no go" the female bat objected in a mangled version of the common tongue. "Right, brother?"
"Yes, sister" the male's voice was only slightly deeper than that of his sibling. "You stay, you all stay. Forever!"
While Merees were talking, Risha had swiftly reached down and picked up her short-sword. Now, with one move she swung it at the male bat. All it cut though, was empty air. Sudden as Risha's attack had been, he had managed to dodge it.
Then, the male struck Risha's sword-arm with his wing. The Sudden blow caused her to lose her grip on her weapon and before she had had time to retrieve it, the female bat had snatched it.
Howling with laughter, the bat-siblings circled above the heads of Risha and Merees, who tried their best to keep up with their movements.
"Stupid land-walkers!" The Female bat jeered. "You no catch us! You too slow!"
She tossed the short-sword to her brother, who caught it mid-air and began playing with it; twirling it around and stabbing the air.
Risha watched him with one eye. With the other, she scoured the ground for any reasonably-sized stone, one that would do some damage. Alas, none that fit the description could be found in the vicinity.
Up in the sky, the siblings were chatting away in their own language.
"What are you going to do with that?" The Sister asked, pointing at the sword. "Are you going to give it to the Chief? I bet he'd reward you if do."
"Not a bad idea", her brother agreed. "But before I do that, I'm going to try it out."
With his face split by a cruel smile, the male-bat sped downward like an arrow. He held the short-sword out in front of him, its point aimed directly at its owner's heart.
Before he could pierce that vital organ and impale Risha on her own weapon, however, the male-bat was struck by a jet of fire. The Next moment, his head and wings were engulfed in flames and he crashed screaming into the ground.
The Stench of flesh and fur burning filled the air. Risha fought down an urge to vomit. Her short-sword was lying nearby. She picked it up and went over to the bat, who was writhing around, trying to douse the flames.
No sense in prolonging the bastard's suffering, Risha thought.
She raised her blade into the air and brought it down. The Writhing stopped.
And now, to more important matters.
Risha turned to Merees, who was staring pale-faced at the remains of her work.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
Merees nodded slowly. She was about to say something, when a wail could be heard from above. For a moment, the female bat glared at her brother's killers with hatred in her tear-filled eyes. Then, she turned around and flew away.
Just wait, brother. You may have been the first to die this night, but you won't be the last.
