Liamterra

Liamterra by Jo B

purplefox@usfamily.net

Rating: NC-17

Spoilers: none

Keywords: M/Sk K/O SLASH WIP

Disclaimer: The X-Files characters are the property Chris Carter,
1013 productions and Fox Broadcasting. No money is being made
from their use.

Summary: AU. Mulder is abducted and carried through a gateway to
another universe, where magic is real and mythical creatures
exist. Skinner follows, and the two men must make a new life for
themselves while they search for a way back home.

Authors Notes: This is a sequel to my story North Woods.

Special thanks to my beta-readers Lyrical Soul, Helen and Nicole
for the excellent job of beta-reading and help with the mariner's
dialog.

Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are
appreciated.

WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two
men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.

Okay to Archive: MTA, DitB, Slashing Mulder, all others please
ask first.

Web site: http://www.slashingmuld er.com/JoB/

Chapter 5 The Voyage by Jo B

Feronia

"They're human," Krycek said, watching as the first rowboat
finally reached the shore. He tensed as the mariners jumped out
and dragged the boat onto the bank.

Scully looked down on them from her hiding place. "They appear to
be armed only with swords and clubs. I think we should take a
chance."

Krycek nodded his head in agreement. He hadn't been looking
forward to retreating back into the swamps. He stood and waved
his arm. "HELLO!"

The mariners looked up at him and seemed to relax. "AHOY! WE SAW
THY SIGNAL!"

Krycek turned to Scully. "He speaks English. What are the odds of
that?"

"Krycek, that's a medieval merchant ship. Maybe they crossed
through a gateway similar to the one we passed through. I bet
Mulder would theorize that it was a gateway in the Bermuda
Triangle," Scully said.

"Who cares, Dana? I just hope they have food on them," Langly
said wistfully.

"Well, let's find out," Scully said, heading for the path leading
down to the beach. She made sure her handgun was readily
accessible.

By the time they reached the bottom of the cliff, the second
rowboat had come to shore. Six rough looking bearded mariners
surrounded them. The best dressed among them stepped forward. His
red beard had a ragged scar running from its shaggy mass up over
his cheek and stopping just underneath his eye.

"I am the Sexton's First Officer Linch. How dost thou come to be
stranded upon these cliffs? Wast thou shipwrecked?" Linch looked
the shabby group over. His eyes lingered the longest on Scully.
Under all that grime, he could tell she was a fine looking woman,
even though she was a bit too skinny. Her hair color was the same
as his.

"No, we came through the swamp..." Frohike started to explain,
but Krycek elbowed him in the ribs.

Linch looked at them suspiciously. "No man be fool-hardy enough
to travel through the Great Feronia's swamps!" he growled,
glaring at them distrustfully.

Krycek licked his dry lips as he studied the mariners surrounding
them. He could easily kill all six of them, but that would leave
them stranded here. He needed to alleviate Linch's suspicion.
"You must excuse my friend. He tends to lie a great deal. Our
ship was swamped during a storm and everyone onboard drowned,
except us. We've been stranded here for nearly a week," Krycek
said.

Linch stared at Frohike. He was taken aback by the man's old age.
It was rare to see a human who lived to be this old, unless he
was a mage. However, that didn't stop the first mate from
leveling a threat at Frohike. "We have ways of dealing with
liars. A quick swipe with a hot knife across the liar's tongue
tends to stops the lies quite nicely." He then turned his
attention back to studying the group. "Thy clothing be quite
unusual. What is the name of thy ship and from whence did she
hail?"

Krycek didn't hesitate as he answered. "Our ship was the Foxworth
and we sailed out of a tiny port of Annapolis. You probably don't
recognize the name of our ship or the port. We are from a long
ways away and are unfamiliar with these waters." He crossed his
fingers that these men would not know the full extent of their
world. That they would be as clueless as the sailors from true
medieval times.

Linch's eyes widened as he looked at the funny speaking
strangers. "Art ye saying thou art from beyond the Great Ocean?"

Bingo! "Yes. It took us forever to sail this far, only to have
our ship sink, killing our friends and families," Krycek said
sadly.

Linch nodded in sympathy. "You and thy party art welcome to sail
with us. We headeth to Frye on a trading mission. Ye shall all be
expected to work for thy passage. Captain Manus dost not tolerate
slackers. Thy woman can wash and mend our clothing, and help the
cook in the galley."

"Hey! I'm not his, or anyone's woman!" Scully growled.

First mate Linch raised his eyebrows in surprise. It was unusual
for a woman to speak without being properly addressed first. To
address a lady was done only by the permission of the woman's
guardian. He could tell by the way the redhead held herself
straight and proud, that she came from noble stock. "Lady, didst
thy husband or guardian die when thy ship sank? If that be the
case, I would be most honored to act as thy guardian until we
sail back to Balendin, where King Baldwin can choose a suitable
husband for thee."

Scully's face turned bright red as she glared at the hairy
mariner. Krycek spoke quickly before she could respond. "The lady
is my responsibility, as she is my dearly departed older
brother's wife." Krycek gave Scully a measured look, daring her
to say anything. Scully frowned, but held her tongue and allowed
Krycek to speak for them. "The Lady Dana is still in shock from
the tragedy, and will not abide another man to speak for her in
her husband's stead." Krycek feigned sorrow, then looked at the
first mate. "How far is this Frye?"

Linch frowned staring between Krycek and Scully. "Thou would hath
passed Frye to make it this far."

"We are unfamiliar with the names of your lands, so even if we
passed this Frye we would never have known it," Krycek said.

"Frye is not our land. It belongeth to the Rennys. Their race is
most skilled at producing fine leather-wear and other crafted
items. We are going to Frye to trade vegetables and fruits for
some of their fine leather boots and copper pots. 'Tis a four day
voyage from here. We shall weigh anchor off a small fishing
village, then make our way overland to Orla Glenn," Linch said as
he motioned for them to climb into the rowboats. Scully and
Krycek climbed onboard Linch's rowboat, as the three gunmen
climbed into the other one.

Krycek clutched his prosthesis to steady it as the swaying of the
boat rubbed it painfully against his ruined stump. He'd thought
about leaving the fake limb behind several times during the rough
journey through the swamp. Blisters and sores had formed under
the straps, and the plastic molded against his scarred stump. The
electronic circuitry operating the arm had stopped working over a
week ago, making it useless and cumbersome. Now that they were
rescued, he would ask the gunmen to look at the prosthesis and
see if they could repair it.

***

Kellan

Mulder lay with his head resting on Walter's shoulder and his
arms wrapped around his lover's muscular torso. One leg was
thrown over Walter's thigh and his groin was pressed against his
hip. It was a hot and humid evening in Kellan, and Mulder was
sweating profusely where his bare skin touched Walter's. Still,
he relished the comfort and strength of Walter's strong
reassuring body beneath his too much to move away. He nuzzled the
larger man's neck with his nose, breathing in his musky scent.
"Walter?" he purred.

"Hmm," Skinner sighed quietly, rubbing Mulder's back in soothing
circles. He was too sated to move. His whole body hummed
pleasantly from being well and thoroughly fucked just moments
ago.

"I was just thinking about how lucky I am."

"How's that, Fox?"

"Kedar is still searching for his life mate, whom he may never
find. I, on the other hand, have found mine." Mulder's finger
traced a circle around Skinner's nipple, careful not to touch the
tender flesh where the nipple ring pierced it. He smiled,
remembering how he'd made Walter scream with need mere moments
before, as his tongue teased the ring and the sensitive nipple.

Skinner smiled, kissing his head. "So... do you want to exchange
earrings?" he quipped.

Mulder raised his head and glared at Skinner. "A simple wedding
band will be fine, thank you very much. We're humans after all,
not goblins."

"Is your ear bothering you, Fox?" Skinner looked at the small
fox-shaped diamond in his lover's earlobe. The upper clip and
chains had been removed and set on the night table.

"A little. Not as much as it did yesterday. My nipple hurts a lot
worse," Mulder said, resting his head back on Walter's broad
shoulder. He stroked up and down the taut flesh of Walter's side
lovingly.

"No wonder, Fox. You're laying on it. Why don't you sleep on your
back or side?"

"I prefer sleeping on you," Mulder murmured softly, snuggling
closer. He placed tender kisses on the soft hot skin underneath
his mouth.

Skinner sighed contently and gave him a little squeeze. "We
better get some sleep then. I'd like to get an early start for
Frye in the morning."

Jahr lay on his mat beside the unlit hearth listening to them.
His stomach was aflutter with excitement. He'd never been to
Southern Kallen, much less across the sea to one of the other
kingdoms. He might have been scared, if it weren't for the fact
that he'd be in the company of his two lords, both of whom he
trusted to protect him. Jahr made a mental list of the items they
would need for such a long journey. Then he closed his eyes and
drifted off to sleep.

***

The Sexton

Captain Manus stared suspiciously at the five castaways. He
didn't believe their story for a minute. No one had ever made the
perilous journey of crossing the Great Ocean and lived to tell
about it! He doubted that the short, skinny woman before him
would have been capable of such a feat. The Captain looked at
Scully critically, scratching his auburn beard. If she put on
forty or so pounds she might not be a bad looking woman. When she
first climbed onboard, the Sexton he mistook her for a boy. He
would see that she received extra rations.

The dark-haired man concerned the Captain. He noticed the man's
left arm appeared to be lame. Captain Manus wouldn't waste food
on a worthless cripple. If the man had not pulled his weight,
he'd have him tossed over the side. He glared at Linch for even
bringing the cripple back to his ship.

"Linch, show them where to store their gear, then put them to
work!"

"At once, Captain!" Linch turned to Krycek and gestured with his
hand. "This way. The Lady may sleep in the store room. It is
small, but dry and comfortable."

They were shown below deck. Linch opened a door leading through
the galley and crossed to a small store room. "I shall have a mat
and blankets brought up for thee to sleep upon, My Lady."

Scully placed her backpack inside. "May I have some water and
soap with which to wash up?"

"We have a washbasin for washing the pots at the far end of the
galley. You may use it before dinner." He stopped before a rotund
man slaving away in front of a cast iron stove. "Tully, this be
the Lady Dana. She is going to assist thee in preparing the
meals. See to it that she be kept busy."

"Yes, Mister Linch," the cook said, looking at the petite woman.
"My, thou art a skinny thing. Don't worry, my dear, Tully will
fatten thee up quite splendidly."

Scully grimaced. The last thing she wanted was to be fattened up,
but she was starving. "Mr. Linch, my friends and I haven't eaten
anything in two days. Will it be possible if we are fed first,
then put to work?"

"My Lady, I shall get thy friends situated and instructed on
their duties, then we shall be breaking for the noonday meal,"
Linch promised. He headed out of the galley, followed by Krycek
and Byers.

Langly stood next to Tully, looking in the pots and pans, openly
drooling over the food.

Frohike hit him on the arm. "Come on, Ringo. You heard the man!
Work first, then we eat."

Langly frowned, then quickly followed Frohike out the door.

The room Linch showed them to smelled of sweat, shit, and other
foul body odors. Hammocks were slung between the wooden support
beams. The rough-hewn ceiling was so low that Krycek, Byers, and
Langly had to stoop so they wouldn't hit their heads on the
overhead beams. A single oil lamp provided the space with its
only light. Even though the room was stuffy, Krycek still broke
out in a cold sweat. He prayed that he wouldn't have a panic
attack. It was the last thing he needed. He hadn't had one since
Tunisia, when he was placed in the hole for two weeks.

A few scraggly-looking men were snoring loudly from four of the
twenty hammocks in the room.

"We have a full crew, so there'll be but one hammock unoccupied
in the evening. Ye can fight over it. The others will have to
sleep on the floor," Linch said, stopping at a hammock that was
hung in the dimmest corner.

A rat leaped out from underneath the woven ropes and scurried
quickly down a knothole in floor. The three gunmen jumped. Krycek
paid it no notice. When he was in jail for the past year, he had
become quite used to the large rodents, which sometimes provided
his only source of meat for months.

"We'll take turns sleeping on the hammock," Krycek said.

"I call dibs on it tonight!" Frohike said.

"Hey! Why do you get first dibs?" Langly grumbled.

"Because I called it first, that's why. Besides I'm older than
you!"

"Oh, really good reasons...NOT!" Langly snorted.

"Guys, quit fighting! You can have the hammock tomorrow night,
Blondie!" Krycek barked. Being around these two was starting to
try his patience.

"If ye gents are done fighting, I shall show ye what thy duties
be for the length of thy stay aboard the ship," Linch said. He
leaned in and whispered to Krycek, "The Captain shall be watching
thee closely. If thee dost not want to be thrown overboard, thee
hadst better pull thy weight, and not let thy crippled arm
interfere."

Krycek bristled at Linch's statement. "I can more than pull my
own weight!"

"Good. See that thou dost!"

***

Scully was busy mopping the galley floor. She had just finished
eating the mutton stew that Tully had forced upon her. She had
balked at the trencher he attempted to serve it to her in. It was
a hard, stale piece of bread shaped like a bowl. It was obvious
that it had been used many times before. Mold was growing inside
and she noted a couple of worms in the hard rye. He attempted to
tell her that it was still a good and sturdy trencher,
demonstrating by pounding it against the side of the table. He
finally gave in and produced an unused trencher from the pile of
bread he had just baked.

When the cook rang the dinner bell, the first shift of twelve
sailors staggered down, taking seats at the long tables.

The cook placed a basket of trenchers on the table. Each mariner
grabbed one, along with a wooden spoon. Tully set a cast iron pot
on the table and ladled the mutton stew into each of the
mariner's rock-hard bread bowls.

"Lady Dana, pour these men their noonday ration of ale," Tully
said.

Scully picked up the pitcher that Tully had filled earlier from a
large wooden keg sitting on the counter. She looked around the
table and wondered why there was only one tankard provided for
every two sailors.

First Officer Linch walked back into the galley accompanied by
Krycek and the gunmen. They took a seat at the end of the table.
Scully poured them some ale.

"Thanks, Scully. But we're short two mugs," Frohike said.

Linch frowned, looking at Frohike. "The men share the tankards,"
he said, grabbing a trencher from the basket. The guys copied
him, flinching at the moldy bread. Krycek picked a roach out of
his and flung it across the kitchen. Tully carried the kettle
down to their end of the table and filled the bowls.

"Why?" Frohike asked.

Linch dug his spoon into the thick stew. "I do not know what life
be like in your land. But here, tankards and silverware are a
luxury. We do not have enough to go around to every man," he
said, stuffing a gravy-soaked roll into his mouth.

Langly belched, setting the empty tankard down on the table
between him and Frohike.

"Hey, Langly! You drank all of it!" Frohike growled.

"Chill, man. Hey, Scully, can you refill our mug?" Langly asked.

Everyone at the table became quiet, and stared with disbelief at
the blonde gunman.

Linch sighed. "Lad, let me explain rations to thee and thy
friends. Only one tankard of ale or mulled wine is provided at
each meal that two mariners share. If thy shipmate be a
gluttonous harpy and drinks the whole tankard, then that be thy
bad luck. If the Captain be in good spirits, he might permit a
tankard of rum to be served at one of the meals. Thou shalt eat
only what Tully places in front of thee. There are no extra
helpings. Is that clear?"

"I-uh, I guess it is," Langly said. "Sorry, Fro."

"No problem, Langly. I'll just drink the tankard of whatever
we're sharing tonight," Frohike said, digging into his meal." He
made a face at the taste. It was clear that the meat was old. The
spices only somewhat masked the spoiled taste.

Krycek glared at the men watching him eat. At first he thought
they were staring at him because of his arm. With the electronic
circuitry no longer working, it really looked fake. However, he
angrily realized that they were watching him with lust in their
eyes, not unlike his fellow prisoners back in Tunisia.

In the Tunisian prison, for safety's sake, he had to hook up with
a more menacing inmate who was feared and respected among the
other prisoners. The inmate provided him protection in return for
sex. Unfortunately, the protection hadn't turned out quite like
Krycek had intended. He ended up not only servicing Drake, but
his buddies as well. Krycek shivered remembering the poker game
where Drake had used him instead of money. If Drake lost a hand,
the winner got to fuck him, or he had to give the man a blow job
while the other inmates looked on. Unfortunately, Drake was a
lousy poker player, and Krycek had been fucked raw, and had
swallowed more come than he'd ever had in his life. The worst was
the final pot. A bull-necked inmate nicknamed Red Dog put in
three hundred pounds. He wouldn't settle for anything less than
being able to fist Krycek if he won. A chill ran down Krycek's
spine at the memory of the inmate's massive forearms. Never again
would he allow himself to be placed in that type of situation.

A large, muscular mariner sitting at the other end of the table
spoke up suddenly. "Mister Linch, I have been thinking. Our
cripple be quite comely and we have need of a whore," Seamus
said.

In one smooth motion, Krycek freed the carbine strapped to his
thigh. He thought, //Fuck these morons!//

A puzzled expression appeared on Seamus' face as the pretty
bearded man pointed a strange-looking, carved club at him.
Everyone jumped as the loud blast sounded, and a large hole
appeared in Seamus' forehead, a half a second before the back of
his head exploded, sending brain matter and bone splattering
against the wall behind him. The mariner toppled backwards off
the stool.

"The next man who says anything about me becoming someone's bitch
will get his fucking head blown off, too!" Krycek growled.

"Magic!" several of the mariners muttered, moving away from the
green-eyed man and their dead shipmate.

The gunmen had stopped eating and looked toward the door as the
Captain came running through it.

"What was that noise?" he bellowed.

Krycek slid off the bench and leveled the carbine at Captain
Manus. "Captain, my friends and I have just decided to commandeer
your ship. You will take us to Frye while we continue this trip
in leisure. My friends and I will be using your cabin for the
remainder of the voyage."

"How dare thee threaten me, thou crippled, elf-skinned strumpet!"
The Captain started to advance on Krycek, only to have his left
hand blasted through at the wrist.

The Captain started screaming in shock, holding up his left arm
with his hand dangling from just sinewy ligaments and ruined
flesh. Scully rushed over to help him.

"Well, it looks like you're a crippled, elf-skinned strumpet now,
too, Captain!" Krycek snarled.

The Captain pulled away from Scully. "Witch! Keep thy foul hands
away!" he howled, clutching his arm against his chest.

"I'm a doctor. You're going to bleed to death if you don't let me
help you," Scully said calmly, trying to reassure the distraught
man.

Linch climbed shakily to his feet, keeping one wary eye on Krycek
and the other on his Captain. The rest of the mariners retreated
to the far side of the galley, in an attempt to get as far away
from Krycek as humanly possible. They were muttering, "Green-eyed
demon."

"Okay, thee art in charge, Mister Krycek. I need to help my
Captain."

Krycek nodded his head and motioned for Linch to assist Manus. He
thought he should save them all from the ear splitting headache
brought on by the Captain's wails by just blowing the man's head
off. However, he didn't want to waste ammunition.

Scully was glaring at him as she attempted to stop the bleeding.
The Captain was going into shock.

"What?" Krycek glared back. "He's the one who wanted to throw me
overboard!"

"He didn't though, did he?"

"Scully, if you want to continue to work as a galley wench,
that's fine with me. The boys and me are going to continue this
trip in leisure. Isn't that right, guys?"

"Ah-yeah, whatever you say, Alex," Frohike mumbled.

"Shut up, Krycek," Scully growled as she tied a strip of fabric
around the Captain's arm. "John, will you get me my medical kit
from the storage room?"

***

Kallen

Jahr tightened the straps holding their gear on the horse.
Earlier, to Jahr's embarrassment, his Lord Skinner had to help
him stack their gear on the large pack horse. It was just too
high for him to reach. They were taking five horses on their
journey. One carried most of their supplies, including tents,
which both his lords insisted on. Jahr looked up at the horse he
was to ride. It was so much taller and broader than the hell
hound he was used to riding. Unfortunately, he was not allowed to
take his hound to Frye. Hell hounds were forbidden in any of the
southern kingdoms. Jahr stood beside his horse and watched as
Prince Kedar said farewell to his two fathers. Mulder and Skinner
bowed respectfully to the King and his mate Jonathan. Then they
went around to say goodbye to the many friends that they had made
in Anlon and the surrounding village.

The centaur Eachann elected to accompany them to Frye. He planned
to visit his family who lived in the southern part of the Renny
kingdom.

Finally, after many long farewells, they were off, heading toward
the seaport village of Sharlain. From there they would charter a
ship to take them across the Morwenna Sea to Frye.

Skinner and Mulder rode side by side for most of the day,
following behind Prince Kedar and Eachann. Jahr was in the rear
leading the pack horse. He maneuvered his horse awkwardly along
the well-maintained cobblestone road.

Mulder enjoyed the feel of the powerful animal between his thighs
as it trotted down the road. He felt invigorated by the smell of
the fresh air, and the warmth of the sun beating down on him. It
was so good to finally be out exploring this new land. His mind
drank in every detail, logging it all into his photographic
memory for future examination. He noted several different types
of birds and mammals that were unique to this world. Mulder
glanced over at Walter. His lover was dressed in a brown leather
riding outfit similar to his own. They both found the supple
leather to be best for the long, hard journey. The only
disadvantage was the laces holding their breeches on. The laces
took longer to unfasten than either of them would have liked.
Mulder thought he should have shown the tailor how a zipper
worked.

Throughout the day, Mulder glanced back frequently to make sure
their young squire was okay. He knew that Jahr was not accustomed
to horseback riding. His short legs had a hard time stretching
over the horse's back. It was past five o'clock in the afternoon
when Mulder glanced back once again and noticed that Jahr looked
like he was in pain. Since leaving Anlon, they had only stopped
once at one o'clock for lunch, and planned to ride until eight
before making camp. Walter was dead set on getting to Frye as
quickly as possible. Mulder wanted to take their time and
explore, but he acquiesced to his lover's desire for speed.

Mulder didn't want to embarrass Jahr by calling attention to the
troll's discomfort, so instead he turned to his lover. "Walter,
I'm exhausted. Do you mind if we make camp now? There's a nice
looking lake down in that valley," he said, pointing about a mile
to the southeast.

Skinner looked at Fox, then glanced up at the sun shining
brightly over head. "Fox, we still have at least four hours of
daylight..."

"We're not really in any hurry to be anywhere. It wouldn't kill
us to stop early on our first day," Mulder argued, giving his
lover his most irresistible pout. He knew Walter was a sucker
when it came to his happiness.

Skinner's mouth went dry and his cock twitched as he looked into
Mulder's changeable eyes. He was enthralled with they way were
picking up the many shades of green from the grassy hills, and
the deep blue from the sky. Skinner cleared his throat. "Uh-hum."
Then, he shouted up to the Prince and the centaur. "I think we
should make camp down in the valley next to the lake!"

Prince Kedar sighed, relieved. It was a hot day and the trail
dust left him feeling dirty. A nice, refreshing dip in a cool
lake was just what he desired. "Walter, you're reading my mind,"
he accused, looking back, smiling. His pearly-white teeth glowed
in the harsh sunlight.

"It's our first day of travel. I don't think we should push
ourselves too hard," Skinner answered, slightly mesmerized by the
beautiful prince. But, Fox's beauty transcended that of the
goblin, and it was that which kept Skinner's eyes from focusing
too long on Kedar.

It took them eight minutes to reach the lake. Mulder swung down
and went quickly back to help Jahr. The troll was having a
difficult time dismounting from the horse.

"I'm sorry, Lord Fox. You should have chosen a better squire,"
Jahr said sadly, as Mulder helped him to the ground. He leaned
heavily against Mulder for support as his short legs nearly gave
out on him.

Mulder staggered slightly under the weight of the troll. Jahr
might be short, but he was broad and extremely muscular. "Jahr,
you have been an exceptional squire. You will eventually become
used to riding a horse. Don't beat yourself up over it. Come on,
I'll help you unpack, then you can help me with dinner," he said,
ruffling Jahr's hair.

Jahr smiled up at him with love and adoration. "Do you really
think you can teach me how to cook?" he asked excitedly.

"I think so, Jahr. You need to remember the most important part
of cooking is washing your hands first, and trying not to get any
hair in the food," Mulder answered, looking worriedly at the
hairy troll.

In the meantime, Skinner was busy unsaddling his and Mulder's
horses when Eachann trotted over to help him. He was leading
Prince Kedar's horse. Skinner still found the centaur's
appearance disturbing. Eachann wasn't as large as their horses,
but he was still a lot larger than a human male. He was dark
brown with a long mane of brown hair trailing down his back. If
it weren't for the fact that he was half-horse and half-man,
Skinner might have found him attractive. It was the horse's body
that repulsed Skinner. He tried not to look, but he could see the
large, sheathed cock between the centaur's hindquarters. Skinner
estimated the centaur weighed close to six hundred pounds, all of
it muscle. They led the horses to the lake to drink. Neither
spoke as they watched the animals lap up the cool water. After
the horses had drunk their fill, they led them over to an area
where the grass was tall, so they could graze.

"How does it feel to be in love, Mage Skinner?" Eachann asked
suddenly.

Skinner didn't hesitate in his answer. "To love someone, and have
that love returned is the most incredible feeling in the world. I
love Fox with every fiber of my being, and he returns my love
threefold." Skinner smiled softly.

"I would like to find a female to love and start a family with.
It is why I am returning to Frye," the centaur said.

Skinner looked at the centaur curiously, and wondered if a female
centaur would strut around naked as Eachann did. "What are female
centaurs like?" he asked, watching his and Mulder's horse graze.

Eachann frowned. "You really are from another world, are you
not?"

"Why?" Skinner looked up puzzled.

"There are no female centaurs. We're all males."

"You're hermaphrodites?"

Eachann laughed. "No, Mage Skinner. We're male through and
through."

"Then what female were you talking about starting a family with?"
Skinner looked at Mulder's mare and his eyebrows rose. "Surely
you don't mean that you mate with horses?"

Eachann became outraged, not believing Skinner would even
consider such a thing. "No! Of course not! They're animals! We
choose our mates from among elves or human females. All male
children are born centaur, all female children are born to match
their mother's race," he explained, trying to squelch his anger.

"I can't see how that is possible. You're so much larger than
female elves and humans. Mating with you would be..."

"Painful." The centaur shrugged his shoulders. "We only mate at
breeding time. Human females have become our preferred mates.
They are a lot less fragile than elves and are less likely to die
during childbirth."

Skinner blanched. "Do females often die during childbirth?"

"Too frequently. Giving birth to a centaur isn't easy. One in
four elves will die. One in ten humans." Eachann looked sad. "I
never knew my mother. She was an elf."

"Why do you put these women through such an ordeal, if you know
there is a great possibility that they will not survive? You
should leave them alone!" Skinner snapped.

The centaur glared at the human mage. "My people will become
extinct without them to bear our children. Mage Skinner, human
males do not show the same respect for their females as we do. We
love and worship them and give them an equal hand in running our
household and raising our children. Don't think my people
callous, it pains us deeply when we lose a mate." He followed
Skinner to the remaining horses.

Skinner shook his head. "Even so, I would never touch Fox if
there was a possibility that it might cause his death." Skinner
unsaddled Jahr's horse while Eachann took care of their pack
horse. Skinner glanced over at his lover and their squire, who
were unpacking the cooking supplies and gathering wood for the
fire. Mulder had allowed his hair to grow longer than he'd ever
worn it before, after bowing to pressure from King Pyralis not to
cut it. Goblins all wore their hair long and sometimes braided
their silky locks with fabrics, beads, and precious metals.
Skinner smiled. He liked this look on Mulder. His fingers itched
to run through all that thick hair. Mulder looked up and met his
eyes and smiled, then went back to arranging rocks in a circle.
He looked so much younger and less troubled than Skinner had ever
seen him. It was too bad they couldn't stay here. This world was
so perfect for both of them.

Eachann had been thinking about Skinner's words. "Mage Skinner,
you cannot judge me or my people. You do not know us. When we
arrive in Frye, come and spend some time at my village and get to
know us before you judge us."

Skinner nodded. "You're right, in that I do not understand you.
After we meet with Queen Charmaine, Fox and I will be willing to
spend some time at your village, if she isn't able to help us
return to our world." Skinner was hoping that the Renny Queen
would be their ticket out of this world. He did not want to see
human females interacting with these centaurs. The whole concept
was repugnant to him. On top of it all, he was concerned for
Fox's welfare, and wanted to get his lover back to their world,
so he could be examined by their top medical professionals. "Can
you finish taking care of the horses? I want to start setting up
the tents," Skinner said.

The two tents they brought with them were only big enough to
sleep in. Eachann and Jahr both preferred sleeping outdoors by
the campfire. Skinner wasn't about to go through this long
journey during which he and Mulder would have an audience every
time they made love. Although Jahr's presence no longer bothered
him, he didn't want the centaur or Price Kedar to watch. His
loins were already heavy and aching to take his lover, to feel
those incredibly long legs wrapped around his waist as he drove
his cock deep inside Fox's lithe body. Skinner's attention was
suddenly drawn to Prince Kedar.

The Prince was bathing in the lake. For modesty's sake, the young
goblin stayed out of sight of the others and kept his underpants
on. He stood waist deep in the water as he washed the dirt from
his flesh and hair.

Regardless of the prince's modesty, Skinner still kept an eye on
him. He used the second sight spell that Pyralis taught him. The
spell allowed him to project his vision up to a mile in all
directions. Over the past few weeks, Skinner used it quite a bit
to keep track of Mulder. Since his lover's near death, Skinner
was very protective of him, but he didn't want Mulder to know
just how protective. So, he kept his spying and watchfulness a
secret. His lover would never understand his need to know where
he was at all times, and to be reassured that he was safe.

Skinner watched as the young goblin climbed out of the water
behind some bushes where his clothes were laid out carefully over
a rock. Water glistened on his alabaster skin, so lovely and
white even against the hot sun that threatened to darken it.
Kedar turned around in the sunlight, allowing it to dry his
flesh. He tilted his face up, stretching his body, embracing the
heat like a lover. Skinner counted two piercings on one nipple,
and noted that the prince's navel was also pierced. The water
made the small, white underpants the prince was wearing,
translucent, and for the first time Skinner got a really good
look at the goblin's dual sex organs when Kedar bent to retrieve
his breeches.

Skinner blushed and turned away from the image, giving the
beautiful prince a little privacy. He jumped when a pair of arms
wrapped around his waist and a mouth nuzzled his neck from
behind.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Mulder whispered into his ear.

"What?" Skinner turned around in his arms.

"You're blushing and you seem to be lost in some deep fantasy,"
Mulder said.

"Oh. It's nothing. I've been keeping an eye on Prince Kedar..."

"Walter, you know most goblins are modest. How can you spy on
him?"

"King Pyralis asked me to protect his son. I can't do that unless
I keep an eye on him at all times." Skinner covered Mulder's
mouth with his, keeping his lover's protest in, then he moved on,
his tongue swiped over that delectable mole as his lips followed
a path to Mulder's earlobe. He nipped at the gem in Mulder's
earlobe as he hugged him tight. "I'd rather be keeping an eye on
you though," he murmured sultrily.

Mulder narrowed his eyes. He knew Walter was trying to distract
him. "You'd never use that second sight spell to spy on me, would
you?"

"Fox, I would never *spy* on you," Skinner said. Spying and
keeping a watchful eye on his lover were two separate things as
far as the he was concerned. "So, how is dinner coming?"

"I'm still instructing Jahr on hygiene...I don't think we'll ever
be able to eat anything he cooks without finding at least a few
hairs in it," Mulder said, sighing and glancing back at their
squire who was clumsily chopping vegetables for the stew.

"Is it worth teaching him?" Skinner questioned, slowly stroking
up and down Mulder's back.

Mulder leaned into his heat. "Walter, he wants to learn, and I
haven't the heart to tell him no."

"Maybe if I helped with the cooking, it wouldn't be too bad,"
Skinner offered.

Mulder bristled, pushing his lover away. "Walter, I wasn't
planning for Jahr and me to do all of the cooking. I was counting
on you and Prince Kedar to help."

"Oh...but, Fox, you're so good at it," Skinner murmured, wrapping
his arms around Mulder's lithe body again, pulling him back
against his broad chest.

"It's not going to work, Walter. Besides, you've already agreed
to help with the cooking. You can prepare breakfast, since you
like getting up early," Mulder said, smirking.

"Brat," Skinner growled, nibbling on his earlobe once more. "I
like making love to you in the morning. Maybe we should have Jahr
or Kedar prepare breakfast. That would give us a little more time
alone together." His hands went down to Mulder's ass, squeezing
and kneading his leather-clad buttocks. He rubbed his cock back
and forth against Mulder's getting the desired moan from his
lover.

Mulder arched his neck as Skinner started licking and sucking
along its length. "Oh God, Walter. Yeah, right there.
Oooh...yeah... Okay, Jahr can make breakfast...just...just keep
him away from the jam."

Eachann watched the two humans with a look of jealousy on his
face. He didn't know why he was jealous. He wasn't attracted to
men. However, he found himself being envious of these two humans
and their relationship. He looked over at Kedar as the young
prince made his way back to their campsite. The prince's face lit
up with a smile as he caught sight of the two humans passionately
kissing.

Eachann shook his head in disgust and headed toward the lake. He,
too, needed to have a cool bath.

No one noticed the little fairy who perched on a flower to watch
the two humans make out.

***

Liamterra

Grand Mage Zendl gazed into the waters of his reflection pool,
watching the party make camp for the evening. Through Cy'Fira's
eyes, he was able to watch the two humans and their companions.
He had a difficult time hiding his excitement. Finally, their
savior was heading away from Anlon and toward Liamterra. Only
time would tell how Mage Skinner would bring them all back to
Earth.

***

Kallen

The chirps of crickets and the hoots of owls were drowned out by
the passion-filled cries coming from the small tent.

Mulder howled, his voice carrying across the campsite. Jahr lay
on top of his bedroll, smiling at the sound. His Lord Fox's
pleasure-filled voice wrapped around him like a thick blanket on
a cold night, soothing him as he closed his eyes. He was warmed
by his two Lords' happiness.

Eachann sifted uncomfortably. He was becoming aroused by the
smell of sex and sounds emanating from the nearby tent. "Are they
always so noisy?" he grumbled.

"Lord Fox is always quite loud. My Lord Skinner is usually very
thorough in pleasuring him. They're very much in love," Jahr
said.

"Mage Skinner doesn't strike me as being an overly passionate
man," the centaur said.

"Oh, you're wrong. Both my lords are the most passionate beings I
have ever met. They care about each other's happiness above all
else."

"It must be very difficult to be around two self-centered
humans," Eachann snared.

Jahr sat up angrily. "They are not self-centered! My lords care
about me and my feelings, too! I've never been with two beings as
compassionate as they are! Now I suggest you take that comment
back!"

"Easy, Jahr. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that you wait
on them hand and foot...I only assumed that you are nothing more
to them than a servant," Eachann replied nervously. Even being
three times Jahr's size, he was scared as the angry troll stalked
toward him.

Jahr took several deep breathes to calm himself. "You know I'm
their squire. Squires serve their lords as part of our training
to become warriors. It builds character, and I could have no
better lords to instruct me than Lord Fox and Lord Walter. It is
my pleasure to serve them both in any way that I can."

"Then you have my apologies for insulting your position. I did
not understand the type of relationship a squire has to his Lord.
Centaurs do not have squires."

Jahr nodded and crawled back on top of his bedroll. "What are
your people like, Eachann? I've never traveled beyond Kallen, and
you're the only centaur I've met..."

***

The sounds of talking and the snap and crackle of the camp fire
drifted into the tent. Mulder was floating in blissful euphoria,
coming down from the most incredible orgasm. The sticky feel of
Walter's come seeping between his buttocks was more comforting
than uncomfortable. Even the new bite mark on his shoulder didn't
bother him. He turned his head slightly so he could capture
Walter's lips in a sweet kiss. His lover was spooned behind him,
holding him nestled against his chest. Walter's spent penis lay
flaccid in the crease of his buttocks. "Love you," Mulder
murmured.

"Right back at you, Fox," Skinner said, caressing up and down
Mulder's bare thigh and hip. "Let's try to get some sleep. I'd
like to get an early start tomorrow." He pulled the blanket up
over his and Mulder's bodies.

"Let's not. Why don't we consider this our vacation and take our
time?" Mulder asked, turning around in Skinner's arms so they lay
face-to-face in the small confines of the tent. He reached out
and cupped the side of his lover's stubbled cheek.

"Fox, I want to get us back to our world as quickly as possible.
I'm worried about you. The sooner we're home...the sooner we can
have you examined by a doctor."

"Walter, we don't need to rush. We have plenty of time. Besides,
I feel better than I have in years. I want to explore a little as
long as we're here." Mulder nibbled gently at his lips.

Skinner moaned. "Okay, Fox. You know how much I love you, and if
you want us to take our time and explore on our journey to Frye,
I'm willing go along with your wishes. However, the minute we
find a way back to our own world, we're leaving." Skinner rolled
over on his back, pulling Mulder on top of him, holding him
tightly. His hand stroked down Mulder's long back and caressed
his buttocks.

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Mulder moved down and caught
Walter's nipple ring in his teeth and tugged gently.

Skinner gasped as the sensation caused his penis to twitch. The
nipple rings were proving to be highly erotic for both men. "Fox,
don't..."

Mulder swiped his tongue over the tortured nub. "I'm keeping mine
when we get back home. The earring goes, nipple ring stays."

Skinner chuckled. "That will really go over well during your next
FBI physical."

"Learn to live on the wild side, Walter."

"Fox, we've just had mind blowing sex inside a tent in an
alternate universe. Outside our tent are a centaur, a troll, and
a goblin. Define 'learning to live on the wild side'?"

"Doing it in your office at the Hoover building would be much
wilder," Mulder replied, looking up at him through thick lashes.

Skinner smiled. "I've always wanted to ream you over my desk."

"Afterward, we can go down to the basement, where I get to return
the favor."

"You're on, Fox."

***

The Sexton

Krycek paced the length of the ship's deck, brandishing his
carbine, as he glared at the frightened mariners. He paused at
the railing and looked out over the ocean. The ship was rocking
up and down on the rough seas.

"God, Fox, where the hell are you?" he muttered. Three days on
board this ship was getting to him. The food was awful. His scalp
and beard itched. During their journey through the swamp, they
had all been infected with head lice. Byers was down in the
ship's galley trying to whip up a homemade remedy, which he
claimed was an effective cure against the pesky critters.

Krycek watched Scully as she made her way carefully across the
pitching deck to him, nearly losing her balance a couple of
times. He had struck a deal with the redhead, that if she
protected his back, he'd allow the ship's Captain to remain in
his cabin. Krycek couldn't trust the gunmen to stand guard while
he slept. He needed Scully for that. She might be a cold-hearted
bitch, but she was an excellent shot, and wouldn't fall asleep
while on duty.

"Krycek," she said. "Not that you'll care, but the Captain is
doing better today."

"You're right, Scully. I don't care." He met her eyes and added,
"Linch said we'll be anchoring off the coast of Frye tomorrow
morning. I suggest we prepare to leave...unless you want to
remain on the ship?"

"Krycek, I'm coming along. Just try not to kill anyone else.
These Renny sound like peaceful folk and I'd like to get their
help searching for Mulder and Skinner! If that is at all
possible! We won't if you threaten or kill one of them!" Scully
growled.

The mariners all looked on in astonishment as the petite redhead
yelled at the crazy, green-eyed demon. They held a collective
breath to see what the demon would do to her. They were surprised
when he smiled sweetly.

"Scully, I'm well aware that we might need some allies in this
universe. I have no intention of threatening or killing any of
these Renny. Besides, from what Linch has said about them, they
seem perfectly harmless. I really don't think people under four
feet tall are going to be pose much of a threat. Now, be a good
little agent and scamper below deck and help Byers," Krycek said
sweetly, dismissing her with a wave of his hand.

Scully scowled at him and stomped off. She would have stayed just
to annoy him, but her scalp was itching like crazy and she hoped
Byers had the mayonnaise mixed up. Scully couldn't help chuckling
when she entered the galley to the sight of Langly, Frohike, and
Byers with their heads and beards covered in mayo. "I take it
that it's ready?" She quickly crossed over to the table. "Give it
here--give it here," Scully said, reaching for the bowl.

"Sorry, Dana, I didn't come to find you sooner, but I just
finished mixing it..." Byers stopped talking as Scully started
scooping mayonnaise on top of her head. "Dana, leave some for
Alex. We don't have anymore eggs left to make another batch."

Scully continued to scoop more of the mayo onto her head. "That
is his tough luck."

"No, Dana, it will be ours, if we contract lice again from him!"
Byers snapped. "So leave some for him."

"Damn. Sorry, John, you're right," Scully admitted and set the
bowl back on the table. Nothing would have given her greater
pleasure than to see Krycek suffer, but not at their expense. "So
how long are we supposed to keep this stuff on?"

"My grandmother made us kids leave it in all day," Byers said,
picking the bowl up and leaving the galley. He found Krycek still
standing guard over the ship's crew. "Alex, would you like me to
put this in your hair for you?" He noted that it would be very
difficult for Krycek to do it himself while holding the carbine.
The assassin's empty sleeve hung uselessly at his side, since he
had discarded the artificial arm.

"Sure, John, if it's not too much bother."

"It's no bother. What are friends for," Byers said softly, as he
slopped the mayo into Krycek's sable locks.

"You consider us friends?" Krycek asked.

"Yeah. Alex, we would never have made it this far without your
help." Byers paused as he applied more of the mayo. "I wish you
and Dana would try to get along."

Krycek snorted. "Not likely. She hates my guts! She's hated me
from the moment we first met. She'll never cut me any slack, not
after everything I've done! She'll never listen to my explanation
for why I did what I did. Her abduction, Bill Mulder's death, her
sister's death...everything is black and white to her."

"Alex, you were a rookie agent who got caught up in the lies of
the conspiracy...you didn’t stand a chance. You killed Bill
Mulder because he was going to spill the beans to his son. The
moment he did, Mulder's life would have been worthless, except
for as some lab rat. You didn't kill Melissa Scully," Byers said.

Krycek stared at him in shock. In the six years that he had been
running for his life and learning to become a player, he all but
forgotten the naïve agent he used to be. He had no friends, no
family that he could turn to for help. At least none that he
wanted to place in danger by going to them. "How do you know all
of this?"

"After Scully was abducted, I took it upon myself to find out all
I could about you. I tried to show Mulder what I uncovered, but
he was too broken up over losing her that he couldn't or wouldn't
listen. I'm sorry, Alex. I knew why you killed his father but
never told him. Mulder takes on way too much guilt. It would have
been too much for him to find out the only reason his father was
killed was to protect him." Byers looked around for a rag to wipe
his hands on. He found one used to polish the ship's woodwork.

Krycek watched him and chewed on his bottom lip thoughtfully. He
couldn't believe that this man considered him a friend. "Surely
you don't think my blowing the Captain's hand off or killing that
sailor was reasonable?"

"You could have handled it differently." Byers looked around the
deck at the rugged mariners. "You needed to make them afraid of
you. You succeeded in doing that. They are too afraid to even
blink in front of you."

For the first time in years, Krycek felt a sense of relief. For
once, someone didn't blame him for the mess his life had become,
but understood. "Thanks, John." He holstered the carbine and held
out his hand to the other man.

Byers shook it firmly. "You're welcome, Alex. May I ask a
personal favor from you?"

"What?"

"Please, try to get along with Dana. At least don't go out of
your way to antagonize her."

Krycek grinned. "You're taking away all my fun, John-boy. Okay,
I'll try to hold my temper, but she just rubs me the wrong way."

***

Kallen

"Hold still, Walter," Mulder warned, holding his lover's chin in
a firm grip as he scraped the straight-edged razor across his
cheek to remove his morning stubble.

"Fox, just be careful. That blade is sharp."

The only mirror they brought with them had gotten smashed when
one of the bundles fell off the pack horse. Now in order to
remain cleanly shaven, they had to shave each other--or attempt
to shave themselves by their reflection in the water.

"I have yet to cut you even once. That's a far better record than
you were having shaving yourself, or me for that matter," Mulder
said, indicating the small nick on his chin.

"It's not my fault your face is shaped funn...OUCH! Fox, don't
squeeze my chin so hard--you're going to leave bruises."

"Then don't make smart ass comments about the shape of face!
Especially while I'm holding a straight edge against yours!"
Mulder snapped. He took a deep breath and let it out. This was
ridiculous, why was he letting Walter's comments irritate him? He
leaned forward and kissed Walter's forehead. "Sweetheart, I'm
sorry," he murmured. "Now hold still, I don't want to cut you."

Skinner smiled, knowing that Fox was feeling guilty for hurting
him and might be willing to make it up to him later. The razor
scraped cautiously under his jaw. Neither man cared for the feel
of stubble burn on their cheeks from their favorite activity --
long and leisurely kissing. Skinner loved the sensation of
Mulder's lips on his and the feel of his lover's tongue as it
explored his mouth. He loved kissing Mulder, even more than
fucking him. The intimacy in that one act was far greater than
any other contact that passed between them. Skinner got hard just
thinking about those soft, plump lips.

Mulder noticed the laces straining on his lover's pants as he
moved away from Skinner to clean the razor off in the river.
"Would you like me to give you a blow job before we break camp?"
he asked, glancing up at Walter while washing the blade clean.

Skinner watched him contentedly as Mulder dried and folded the
blade and placed it and the gel back into his toiletry kit.
Skinner rubbed across the hard organ inside his tight pants.
Although a blow job sounded really good, he wanted something
more...much more. "Hm, maybe when we break for lunch. What I
could really use right now is for you to kiss me," he said,
taking Mulder's hand and pulling him down on the rock beside him.

Mulder smiled and wiped the remaining gel from Walter's face with
his fingertips before leaning in and claiming his lips. He opened
his mouth to accept Skinner's tongue as it pushed in to claim
him. He closed his eyes as Skinner's arms wrapped around his
body. After several minutes of conveying their total love and
commitment to each other through this one act, Mulder pulled away
breathlessly. "God, Walter...there is something so right about
kissing you. It always gives me a warm, tingly sensation in the
pit of my stomach...not to mention other extremities."

"Ahem! If you two are quite finished wasting valuable travel
time, we would like to get moving," Eachann said, frowning at the
embracing humans.

Skinner scowled up at the centaur.

Eachann backed away as he felt the raw force the angry mage
directed at him.

"Walter, calm down," Mulder murmured, placing a hand on Skinner's
chest and another on the side of his face. "Why are you getting
so upset?"

Skinner blinked, then met Mulder's eyes. "Sorry, Fox. He's just
been getting on my nerves the past few days."

Mulder looked concerned. He got along well with the centaur. He
didn't know what the problem was between Walter and Eachann.
"Walter, the two of you seem to be constantly taking jabs at each
other lately. What's going on?"

"Did you know that centaurs mate with human females?"

"Yes. Eachann and I used to talk about his people often during
our morning runs."

"And you found nothing wrong with a creature that was half-horse
mating with our women?" Skinner grumbled.

"I never said that I didn't find anything wrong with it. But,
Walter, this isn't our world, these aren't our people. Who are we
to judge them?"

"It's just not right, Fox. Look at Eachann...how can a woman
possibly have sex willingly with such a creature?"

Mulder looked over at Eachann, who was helping Jahr load their
gear on top of the pack horse. He was having a hard time
picturing a woman willingly being with such a creature, let alone
the position that would be involved for them to mate. Shaking his
head, he said, "Walter, let it go...there is nothing you or I can
do about it."

"I know, Fox. It just bugs me. I'll try to just concentrate on
getting us to Frye, and back home," Skinner said, standing. He
stooped to pick up his toiletry kit and carried it over to his
horse.

Mulder headed for his horse, which Jahr had saddled. He smiled at
Prince Kedar, who was standing beside his horse waiting
patiently.

The prince mounted his horse in one smooth movement. Then he
turned around in the saddle to look back at Mulder with a twinkle
in his eyes. "Fox, watching you and Walter kiss is always
enjoyable. It is another thing I'd like in a mate...he has to be
a great kisser."

***

Frye

Krycek stood on shore and looked out across the turquoise waters
at the merchant ship sailing away. His bowed lips pursed into a
scowl. "At least we can finally kiss that rat-infested hell hole
goodbye."

Scully nodded her agreement. "It's too bad we couldn't convince
Linch to guide us to this Renny city, Orla Glen. It looks like
we're on our own again. Shall we see if we can get directions
from that fishing village...?"

"Orla Glen is a two week journey on horseback, young lady. Seeing
as you don't have any horses it will probably take you a month or
more."

Scully spun at the sound of the voice. "Who are you?" she asked,
staring at the chubby little woman who was barely three feet
tall. The female Renny was carrying a bucket brimming with
carrots and turnips.

"I am Anny."

"You're a Renny?" Krycek asked.

"Indeed I am. I would have thought that is obvious." Anny looked
the humans over carefully, wrinkling her nose at the smelly body
odor emanating from them, then she focused back on Krycek.
"You're pretty for a human male, even with the ratty beard and
having only one arm. I do not know why human males all insist on
being bearded. You'd look much more pleasing to the eye without
those rat nests on your chin."

Krycek was uncomfortably aware of the empty sleeve at his side.
While they were onboard the ship he had angrily tossed his
prosthetic arm over the side when the gunmen weren't able to
repair the circuitry. He now stared down at the tiny woman,
finding her comments more amusing than insulting. He chuckled,
"Anny, I prefer to be clean shaven, but I didn't think to bring
along a shaving kit on our journey."

Anny laughed, clapping her hands. "Oh, a civilized human! What a
novel concept. Do all of you prefer being cleanly shaven?"

"Ah...no, Ma'am, I like my beard," Byers said. He paused and
scratched the scraggly tangled mess. "It usually looks a lot
better than it does now. I-I lost my trimmer in the swamp..."

"Well, don't worry about it, dear. Half of all Renny men have
beards or mustaches, and most Renny women spend their lifetime
trying to get them to shave," she said cheerfully.

Scully interrupted. "Anny, we're searching for two friends of
ours. We need to find someone who might be able to tell us if
they've heard of them or advise us as to how we might go about
searching for them," she said.

"Oh, then going to Orla Glen to see Queen Charmaine is the
perfect solution. She is the realm's greatest sorceress and will
be able to divine your friend's location..."

"Sorceress?" Scully sighed. She thought this tiny person might be
able to help them. Apparently not. She stood there scowling.

"Let Anny speak, Scully," Krycek said softly, his eyes bored into
hers in warning. Here the petite agent thought he'd be the one to
alienate the Renny, but she was doing a very good job of it
herself.

"What is her problem?" Anny asked, sensing the disgust and
frustration coming from Scully.

"She doesn't believe in magic," Langly said.

"How can anyone not believe in magic? Even humans aren't that
simple-minded." Anny looked the strangers over again. "You're not
from our realm, are you? It is rumored that King Pyralis' mate is
from a land faraway on the other side of the Northern Mountain
Range."

"We're from across the Great Ocean," Krycek replied, using the
same lie that worked on Linch and the mariners. "Tell us about
King Pyralis' mate, who is she, and who is King Pyralis?"

"His mate is a he, not a she. Come with me. I have left a kettle
of seafood stew simmering on the hearth. It will be burnt by the
time I tell you all about the Goblin King and his mate. This is
an invitation. I'd like you all to break bread with my family, if
you'd be of a mind to do so."

Langly's eyes lit up. "Food...real food? Not week-old, mutton
stew?"

"My man's one of the finest fishermen in Frye. He always keeps
the children and me well-fed and there is more than enough for
you and your friends." She led them through the woods and into
the tiny fishing village.

They had only walked a short distance into the village when they
were surrounded by children, men, and women curious at the sight
of humans in their village. Three little kids broke away from the
crowd and clung onto Anny's skirt. "Who's the giants, Mamma?"

"These are humans, children. They are going to be our guests for
dinner."

Krycek felt like he'd just crossed over the rainbow into Oz as he
looked down at the tiny people surrounding them. Everything in
the village was scaled to their small size. He was doubtful he'd
be able to fit through the four foot high doorway on the cottage
Anny had led them to.

"Ergar, come out! We have company," she called through the
doorway.

"Anny, what's all the commotion?" A short, cleanly shaven man
stepped out of the door, smoking a pipe. Ergar was only a few
inches taller than his wife and had blonde hair and sea-weathered
skin.

Krycek noted that Ergar had smile lines around his blue eyes and
mouth. It was clear to the triple agent that here was a man who
enjoyed life and the company of those around him.

"Mamma brought home humans, Pappa," the oldest girl chimed in.

"Is that right, sweetness?" He ruffled his daughter's hair.
"Nada, take the vegetables from your mamma and clean them for
dinner. It looks like we're going to be having company. That is
right, isn't it, Anny?" Ergar asked, looking up at the five
humans staying close by his wife's side as the villagers pressed
in on them.

"Yes, Husband. I need to put more fish and lobsters into the
stew. Entertain our guests until I return. They are interested in
hearing about King Pyralis and his mate Jonathan," Anny said,
then ducked into her home, she stuck her head out the window.
"Serve them some of the spiced wine I made last week."

"Yes, Anny." Ergar turned to the villagers. "Please friends, do
not crowd our guests. You are making them nervous." The little
man turned to Krycek and held out his hand. "As you could gather
from my dearest wife's and my conversation...I am Ergar. These
are our sons Paavo and Tait."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ergar. I am Alex, and this is Dana,
John, Melvin, and Ringo." Krycek did the introductions. He found
himself warming to Ergar and his family. The little man didn't
show any repulsion to his having only one arm.

"We have a public house for entertaining our larger neighbors. We
can talk and dine in there. I'm sure my friends and neighbors
would love to hear all about your journey and why you have
traveled to Frye," Ergar said, leading the way across the square
to a large building with a nice six and a half foot high doorway
leading into it.

All the villagers followed, murmuring excitedly. They could tell
that these humans were different from the mariners that
occasionally stopped at their village.

The tables in the public house were designed to accommodate
people with up to a six foot frame. The chairs at the table were
a mixture. Tall stools were designed for the Renny and shorter
chairs designed for the taller races.

Ergar turned his sons. "Boys, run home and collect your mamma's
wine and some goblets."

A blonde woman stepped forward. "Ergar, I have some freshly baked
bread. I'll go home and get it," she said.

"Thanks, Kirsten."

The other villagers, sensing a party was in the works, all
offered to supply food and drinks for the feast. There was
nothing a Renny liked better than an excuse to have a party.
After garnering a promise from Ergar that the humans wouldn't
tell any stories until after they returned, they all left to
prepare items for the festivities.

The gunmen exchanged surprised glances.

"Tell me I'm not dreaming?" Langly whispered.

"You're not dreaming, Blondie," Krycek said.

"Please, my friends, have a seat. You look tired," Ergar said.
Indicating to a round table in the center of the room.

Krycek took a seat at the table, making sure he had a clear view
of the doorway and the front windows. "Ergar, you seem to trust
us without knowing anything about us. Is that wise?" he asked as
the little man climbed up on the stool between him and Scully.

"My Anny is empathic, she is never wrong about people. She trusts
you and that is good enough for me." Ergar sniffed. "You all
could use a bath," he observed.

Scully blushed. They had been lucky to get clean water to wash
the mayonnaise out their hair on the ship. What she wouldn't give
for a bar of soap and a clean pair of underwear. "Ergar, is there
a place where we could pick up some soap and launder our
clothes?" she asked.

"Tomorrow is wash day. You can wash your men's clothes with the
women folk then."

Scully sighed, but held her tongue. Why couldn't this universe
have been ruled by women? She looked across the table at Frohike,
who was sniffing under his armpits.

Frohike looked up and met her eyes. "We do smell pretty ripe,
don't we?"

Scully heaved another sigh. "Everything on that cursed ship
smelled bad! Which masked just how bad we smell, so it wasn't
noticeable...damn." She turned to Ergar. "Is there someplace that
we can wash up? We'd hate to offend anyone."

"We have an underground communal bathhouse located inside a
cavern. The water is always hot and clean. It is filtered through
the terrain." Ergar hopped off his stool. "I will show you all
there."

Langly sighed louder than Scully. "Do we have to?" He didn't want
to miss any of the promised food.

"C'mon, Langly. We don't want to offend our hosts," Byers said,
standing He was looking forward to the chance to wash some of the
filth from his body. The thought of a hot bath was really
appealing. They hadn't bathed since they arrived in this
universe.

***

Kallen

Skinner laughed as Mulder came up sputtering from underneath the
water at the base of the waterfall.

"Hey! No fair! You outweigh me!" Mulder complained.

"You were the one who wanted to wrestle," Skinner chuckled,
stepping under the waterfall. He allowed the cool water to
cascade over his flesh.

Mulder waded over to the rock and picked up a bar of soap. Their
main reason for stopping was to bathe, but he was in a playful
mood and talked Walter into going for a swim, which soon turned
into a wrestling match. Mulder smiled as he used the soap to wash
his hair as he waded back over to the waterfall and Walter. The
woods and land around the pond were awash with colors, from the
deep purple and yellow flowers to the red and green foliage. The
fragrances were fresh and sweet. He stepped under the waterfall,
allowing it to rinse the soap from his hair. Walter pulled him
into the pocket of air behind the waterfall and kissed him. It
was all Mulder could do to hang onto the bar of soap.

"W-what was that for?" he asked breathlessly.

"I love you! You're incredible! If I haven't told you so in a
while!" Skinner shouted, barely being heard over the roar of the
waterfall.

Mulder blushed. He still couldn't believe how lucky he was to
finally have his heart's desire as his lover and companion. How
many fantasies had he had about Walter over the years? Mulder ran
his hands up the large, firm muscles of Walter's biceps, then
rested them on his broad shoulders. They were both muscular and
toned from countless hours of sword practice, but Walter's
muscles were much larger than his. "Walter, you know the feeling
is mutual. I love you with all my heart and soul. You're my
family."

Skinner pulled him into an embrace, and murmured into his ear.
"Fox, when we get to Orla Glen, let's immediately check into
getting wedding bands made."

"Shouldn't we wait until after we see Queen Charmaine? We might
be able to get back home."

"No. Fox, I'd like our wedding bands to come from this universe.
Call me sentimental, but I really like the thought of keeping a
part of this place in our lives even after we're back home. It
would mean a lot to me."

Mulder hugged him. "Walter, don't ever stop being sentimental. I
love the idea of our wedding bands being made here."

Skinner kissed him again then took the bar of soap from his hand.
"Turn around, babe! I'll wash your back for you."

***

Frye

Scully washed her clothes in the bath along with her body. Now
she stood out in the sunlight allowing them to dry. It felt
wonderful to finally have clean hair and to be wearing clean
underwear.

"Dana, we should get back to the public house," Byers said. His
stomach growled loudly.

"I'm ready," she replied, following Byers back to the village.
The others had hurried back almost an hour ago. "It was nice of
Ergar to lend you his scissors and the other guys his razor."

"These Renny are really nice people." Byers looked over at Scully
as they walked side-by-side. "I'll help you with the laundry
tomorrow. Alex is lending me a T-shirt and a pair of jeans, so I
can wash my clothes." He only had the clothes on his back since
the rock turtle carried everything he owned into the swamp.

"Thanks, John. But I'm only washing *my* clothes. If the guys
want theirs done, they're going to have to do their own wash."

Byers grinned. "I figured as much, but Langly and Frohike are
going to try to hand you their clothes to wash. Alex is planning
on doing his own things."

Scully rolled her eyes. "Do those two have a death wish? What's
up with you and Krycek?"

"What do you mean?"

"You both seem friendlier toward each other."

"Why shouldn't we be? We were never enemies, and he has saved our
lives. Is it so strange that we've developed a friendship?"

Scully stopped walking. "Yes. Since when?"

"Officially, since the ship. Dana, Alex isn't evil...he's not
really that bad. He's just a young man who got caught up in a
conspiracy that was more than he could handle. He's proven
himself to be a survivor in spite of everything he's been
through. I think you should cut him a little slack..."

"Not likely! The man is a murderer, a liar, and a traitor! He was
old enough to know better. No one held a gun to his head to get
him to participate..."

"No, but they held Mulder's photograph in front of him. They knew
he was fascinated by, and admired Mulder when he was at the
academy. They also knew that Krycek is gay. They used that and
his naiveté against him. Alex didn't participate in this to
betray Mulder, he thought he was helping him...saving him. Dana,
it wasn't until after you were abducted that Alex found out that
he was in over his head, and didn't have a choice but to
participate or die. He has since become a player. He still loves
Mulder, which is why he is here. However, Mulder isn't the only
reason he remains in the game. Alex wants to stop the pending
invasion and will do whatever it takes."

Scully let out a breath. "I don't like him and I don't trust
him."

"Dana, we're in this together. Please try to get along with Alex
for Mulder's sake."

"Great. The bastard wants to fuck my partner and I have to get
along with him?"

"That's not fair..."

"I know," Scully sighed. "John, I've loved Mulder for years, but
I've been too afraid to show him how I really feel. I'm jealous
that someone else wants to intrude on what we share together.
Deep down, I hate that Skinner and Mulder are lovers..."

"Dana, Skinner makes Mulder happy. Isn't that what matters most?
If anyone on this planet deserves a little happiness in his life,
it's Mulder."

"Why is everything always about Mulder? I am a part of this, too!
I've been abducted, experimented upon...my sister has been
murdered! What about me?"

Byers looked at her with disgust. "Dana, Mulder has always placed
you ahead of his own needs and desires. It nearly killed him when
you were abducted. Then when he was told that he was the reason
you had cancer, he came close to taking his life. You've never
been able to show him the same respect. I'm sorry, Dana, but
Mulder is my friend. He's never looked down upon us as being
beneath him or rolled his eyes at any of our theories. He's
always listened to us with an open mind...he is our one in a
million!"

Scully frowned. "Mulder would never try to kill himself...he's
stronger than that!"

"He's human, Dana. He carries around a lot of guilt, more than
one man should be expected to carry. Luckily, he has Skinner in
his life now. He's needed someone to love him unconditionally for
a long time."

"He's talked to you about his feelings?" Scully questioned.

"Mulder hardly ever lets his walls down in front of us, but
sometimes he needed someone he could talk to. He'd usually would
show up at our door with a twelve pack and a couple pizzas."

She was hurt that her partner would go to the gunmen instead of
her. "We hardly ever talked about our feelings," Scully
confessed. Was Byers right? Had she not shown Mulder the same
respect he'd shown her?

They arrived back at the public house. The party was loud and
already in full swing as they wove their way through the crush of
tiny people to the center table. Langly was chowing down on a
large plate overflowing with food.

"Hey, dudes. They have real stoneware dishes and we each get our
own goblet," Langly said, between mouthfuls of fish, fruit, and
cheese.

Scully sat next to Ergar again. She was starving, but her
appetite had been somewhat diminished by her and Byers'
conversation. She looked over at Krycek, who, without his beard,
looked younger and less menacing.

"My dear, you must have some of my fruit salad," a tiny Renny
female said, as she scooped some onto Scully's plate.

Scully smiled at her. "Thank you, it looks delicious."

"It is quite good. I collected the syrup for the dressing myself.
I am, Frigga."

"Hi, Frigga. Dana."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dana. You have beautiful hair...I
love the color."

"Thanks. Is everyone always so friendly?" Scully asked, taking a
forkful of the salad and moaning contently over how delicious it
was.

"We are always friendly to travelers in need. It would be bad
karma not to help."

"Aren't you afraid that you might be helping someone who's here
to do you and your people harm?" Scully questioned.

Ergar answered. "Dana, we might be small but we are quite capable
of defending ourselves. Look around you. See those armed men over
there? They are our town's constables. They are also mages.
They've taken down men five times their size."

"Ergar, I didn't mean to offend you. I'm just overwhelmed by the
hospitality you and your people have shown us."

"Dana, don't apologize. Anny told me that you and your friend are
from across the Great Ocean. We must appear strange to you. Are
there any Renny in your world?" he asked.

"No. We have humans who are small like you, but not an entirely
separate race."

Scully leaned back as Anny set the kettle of delicious smelling
stew on the table between her and Ergar. "Dana, I want you to
sample my stew first."

Anny and Ergar's daughter Nada placed a bowl on the table in
front of Scully then went around the table and placing bowls in
front of the others, as her mamma ladled a large portion into
Scully's bowl.

Scully took a deep breath. She'd never smelled anything so good.
White, succulent chunks of lobster meat floated alongside shrimp,
clams, white fish, scallops, carrots, potatoes and onions in a
thick broth. She took a large spoonful and closed her eyes
relishing the rich flavors.

"Oh, Anny, this is beyond doubt the best stew I've ever tasted.
There's white wine in the broth, isn't there?" Scully asked,
taking another spoonful.

"White wine and some of my secret spices," the little woman
smiled broadly at the compliments. Ergar climbed off his stool
and helped his wife climb up on it, then he served the rest of
their guests the stew.

Krycek was subdued as he looked around him. He graciously
accepted the food the Renny offered him, but felt that he wasn't
deserving of their care and attention. Who was he to take from
these good people's hospitality? He looked up and met Anny's
eyes.

The little woman patted him on his back. "You are a good man,
Alex. Don't berate yourself," she said, smiling softly.

"I don't feel like a good man, Anny."

"You have a greatness inside you, Alex, that I haven't seen in
another being before. You have such a potential for good. Let
your inner spirit guide you in life...it will not lead you
astray."

Krycek smiled. For some strange reason he trusted this tiny
woman's instincts. He'd never followed his heart, he had always
allowed his mind to lead him. "I will try to follow your
suggestions, Anny."

***

Kallen Seaport town of Sharlain

Mulder glanced nervously around him. The smells and activities
were maddening. It seemed like forever since he was in the midst
of so many people going about their business. This seemed worse
than DC during rush hour. One hand stayed on the hilt of his
sword as his eyes scanned the crowded streets of the large
seaport town. Most of the populous were Goblins. Mulder noted
many other races, including several humans. All eyes looked upon
him appraisingly, some with undisguised lust. Mulder felt
Skinner's presence at his side, like an iron shield as they rode
their horses down the center of the paved road.

This town was so different from Anlon, which was closely
protected under Pyralis' watchful eyes. Sharlain was open to
commerce from all parts of the realm. It was boisterous and
harbored some of the realms most corruptible influences. Goblins
dressed in military uniforms patrolled the streets. They stopped
short when they noticed Prince Kedar and bowed respectfully.
Beside the obvious stares he and Kedar were getting, Mulder noted
that Walter was getting quite a few strange looks as well from
the few humans along the main street. Some even prostrated
themselves in the dirt as their horses trotted past them.

They finally stopped in front of an inn. A troll rushed out to
take their horses to a nearby stable to feed and groom them.

Mulder hesitated in front of the inn's noisy doorway. Inside was
a crush of beings drinking and eating in the downstairs pub. It
was only Walter's arm around his waist that guided him inside...

***

End of Chapter 5 - The Voyage

Coming soon - Chapter 6 -