The Misadventures of Ka-Ron the Knight by Donald Allen Kirch Page B

only beamed and caressed Ka-Ron's dear face. "It is not all that unpleasant."
    "There is a danger you two should know."
    Both turned to listen to Darnak.
    "This is a blood spell. Its breakage, usually, comes at the cost of someone close to you. Please, keep that in mind."
    Both left the temple with troubled minds. They did, however, have a destination for their quest. And, as they say, it was a start.

    ***
    < I see that you are still a woman. >
    Echoheart's observations went unanswered. The horse continued its trek toward the outskirts of the city.
    Ka-Ron gazed from the corner of her eye, the silent form of her squire. Jatel had become exceedingly quiet since their exit together at the town temple. Her feelings for Jatel were now concrete: she loved him. If someone had told her before the change that she would become who she was, and would fall for Jatel, of all people, she would have killed them with her sword. However, now, she could not venture one moment forward unless her squire was at her side.
    "Jatel," Ka-Ron asked.
    "Yes, master."
    The knight pulled at Echoheart, causing the horse to stop.
    "Please, do not address me by that title, ever again."
    "I apologize." Jatel bowed. "I do not mean you discomfort."
    Ka-Ron moved her horse to be side to side with Jatel's. She took the young man's hand, kissing it. "You could never&"
    In shock, Jatel took his hand back.
    Ka-Ron grasped at the air, wanting the return of Jatel's hand.
    "Jatel, I love you."
    "You do not, sire. You are the victim of a cruel misunderstanding of events."
    "I love you!" Ka-Ron shouted, almost crying. "I am genuine in my responses. I know what I know."
    "And I love you, Ka-Ron."
    They kissed.
    Some men in the village witnessed the event. Both Ka-Ron and Jatel were aware of their amusement, and could hear each man as they stated how blessed and lucky Jatel was to have such a prize.
    "We need to find a ship," Jatel stated, pulling himself away from Ka-Ron. He was finding it difficult to breathe. His excitement clearly visible to Ka-Ron.
    "A ship?" Ka-Ron hungrily glared down at her lover's crotch.
    "If we are to travel to The Fire Mountains, we will need use of a ship."
    The suns were starting to set. Ka-Ron was tired, and her body seemed to ache from all the activities it had undergone. It was strange to the knight that she would be so sore. Her male body was at its peak of performance. Perhaps there was something more to being a woman than she had first believed.
    "That we will, dear," Ka-Ron agreed. "But, for now, we have need of lodging."
    Jatel shook his head in agreement.

CHAPTER TEN

    Idoshia had only one port. It was ancient. It was known for its sailors. It was also man-made. For both Ka-Ron's and Jatel's good fortune, the port also belonged to the village of Teal.
    Ammadon was created during the time of The Coughing to help make Teal's birth as a way station a success. A major requirement for a way station was a port of call. With a port, Teal was a blessing. And, it was due to the geniuses of the ancients, that the port existed at all. Huge armies of soldiers were used to dig out the harbor, allowing the Seas of Tyme to flood into the man-made gulf. The port was a fantastic achievement.
    Both Ka-Ron and Jatel, however, saw only what was in front of them.
    Ammadon Harbor had changed since the time of its creation. It was still important to Teal and Idoshia, but it was also quite dangerous. Piracy was rampant, and so was slavery. Although Idoshia had no slaves of her own, the politicians of the land turned their backs, allowing others to profit from their vile actions. It was the only fault Ka-Ron ever found in his king.
    Three types of ships sailed in the harbors. One was called Sys'shalls. These were merchant ships. Huge seashell-shaped sails, nine in all, drove the ships. They were family vessels, allowing wives the luxury of traveling with their husbands. Then there were the Naughts: battleships loaded from bow to stern with cannon and