Benvenuti a Himmeldingen

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Siamo felici che ci abbiate trovato.

Käthlis von Wolkensteig, Duchessa di Himmeldingen, vi dà il benvenuto.

Himmeldingen non è un luogo di grande potere, ma un luogo dove si scrive la storia.

Qui, ci impegniamo a ricreare la vita di epoche passate nel modo più autentico possibile. Classi sociali, gerarchie e vita quotidiana ne fanno parte tanto quanto le storie di coloro che danno vita a questo luogo.

Immergetevi con noi nel mondo del Medioevo, assumete i vostri ruoli e aiutateci a continuare a scrivere la storia di Himmeldingen.

Vivrete qui in pace o cadrete in faide? Cosa potrebbe succedere in futuro?

C'era una volta...

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Himmeldingen, un piccolo villaggio sulla costa incastonato tra mare, rocce e boschi. Non un luogo di grande potere, ma di un significato duraturo. Himmeldingen è il piccolo feudo della duchessa Katharina Elisabetha von Wolkensteig, conosciuta come Käthlis. Per generazioni, la sua famiglia ha vegliato sul castello e sul villaggio. Dove ora sorgono le mura, un tempo la gente cercava rifugio dagli elementi, dai briganti e dal mare. Solo in seguito il valore di questo luogo fu riconosciuto.

La sua posizione favorevole e la vicinanza alla contea del Liechtenstein resero Himmeldingen un punto tranquillo ma strategicamente importante. Al suo centro sorge il castello della famiglia Wolkensteig. Più che un simbolo di potere, è un cuore vigile sul villaggio e sulla terra.

Ma cosa riserverà il futuro?

Se a Himmeldingen e al Liechtenstein regneranno pace o faida, non saranno gli antichi trattati, ma le azioni degli abitanti.

Un giorno a Sankt Nimmerlein...

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Quando il mattino sorge su Himmeldingen, il villaggio si risveglia lentamente. Il fumo sale dai comignoli. Le porte si aprono. Le voci riempiono i vicoli. La gente è impegnata nelle sue attività quotidiane. I contadini coltivano i campi e si prendono cura del bestiame. Gli artigiani aprono le loro botteghe, i mercanti espongono le loro merci.

In certi momenti, la gente si riunisce in chiesa; la fede fa parte della vita quotidiana, silenziosa e naturale. Dopo, spesso ci si incontra nella taverna. Lì si scambiano notizie, nascono voci, si stringono alleanze o iniziano discussioni.

Alcuni sentieri portano fuori dal villaggio. Il pastore conduce le sue mucche verso il Liechtenstein, dove possono pascolare sui pascoli altrui. Su questi sentieri, le persone si incontrano. Si salutano, si conoscono e sono amichevoli. Il Conte di Lichtenstein è considerato un uomo accessibile, qualcuno che si è felici di incontrare quando si presenta l'occasione.

La vita segue regole semplici. Le tasse vengono pagate, la decima viene versata, i doveri vengono adempiuti. Ma Himmeldingen non è un luogo duro. Chi lavora e conosce il proprio posto qui trova sostentamento e senso di comunità.

Per le strade, giovani e anziani, sconosciuti e conoscenti si incontrano. Si salutano, si scrutano e riconoscono i volti. Le storie non nascono qui nelle grandi sale, ma tra le bancarelle del mercato, vicino alle fontane, sui sentieri tra le città e nei momenti di quiete che li separano.

È così che trascorre una giornata a Himmeldingen.

Silenziosa forse, ma mai vuota, sempre pronta a ricevere e scrivere una nuova storia.

          Diventa un Himmeldingen

Himmeldingen non è un luogo finito. Cresce con chi qui vive, agisce e decide. Porta la tua storia, trova il tuo posto.

E continua a scrivere con noi ciò che non è ancora stato raccontato.

visitate il grande regno, la gente è felice è cordiale con i visitatori

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    ꧁✬◦°⋆⋆°◦.darian editor  ◦°⋆⋆°◦✬꧂

 THE STORY OF THE PANTHER SHEILA

PANTHER TIA

6°part

The sun had already risen high above the forest when Sheila's tribe left the cursed clearing near the sacred tree. The half-naked bodies of panthers glided between the trunks like shadows, leaving behind the scent of blood and death. Sheila walked ahead, her powerful thighs and full breasts glistening with sweat, her green eyes scanning the undergrowth in search of a new refuge—a place where the black panther wouldn't find them so easily.

Lyra walked beside her, leaning on Kaira's strong shoulder. The wound on her bronze side still ached beneath the bandage, but her amber eyes burned with determination. "We are not weak," she whispered hoarsely. "The prey saved us. Now we hunt again."

NOTHERN OUTPOST PANTHER

Nayra followed behind, her ebony skin blending with the shadows, her bone beads jingling softly.  She was silent, but everyone sensed it: the shamanka was already seeing new visions in the morning smoke—paths leading deeper into the forest, to hidden waterfalls and caves where the tribe could renew its strength.

The bound slaves—the gray-haired merchant and Selena—walked in the center of the column, guided by ropes. The man stumbled, fear weakening his legs, but Selena stood upright: her pale body, now completely naked, was covered in beads of sweat, her dark hair stuck to her back, and her eyes, wide open, greedily absorbed every movement of the savages. Admiration for these strong, indomitable females was already awakening within her.

The tribe emerged into a narrow gorge, where the cliffs closed overhead and a hidden stream gurgled below. Sheila raised her hand, stopping the sisters.  The air was cooler here, the scent of fresh water beckoned, and the high walls promised protection from large predators.

*Here,* the leader said in a low growl. *A new clearing. A new life.*

The savages scattered: some climbed the rocks, checking the approaches, others dove into the stream, washing the traces of blood and night from their bodies. Kaira pushed the merchant to his knees by the water. *Drink and wash your sisters' feet, male. Earn the right to live until sunset.*

Selena was led to Sheila. The leader grabbed her chin, forcing her face up. Green eyes bored into dark ones.

*You have seen our strength,* Sheila whispered. *You have seen death and sacrifice.  Now choose: become one of us... or remain a toy like him.*

Selena trembled, but her voice held a challenge. *I... want to become a panther.*

Lyra, sitting on a rock by the stream, grinned, her amber eyes flashing. *Then prove it. Tonight is your test.*

The tribe began setting up a new camp: they wove snares, built a fire, sharpened knives. Naked bodies moved in a harmonious dance of power and passion. The black panther remained behind, sated with prey. But the jungle always demanded new blood—and new males.

Sheila sat down on a high rock, looking around at her sisters. Her lips curved into a predatory smile.

*Rest, sisters. Tomorrow is the big hunt. The city is close. There are many strong males there... and much prey.*

As the sun sank behind the gorge's cliffs and the stream whispered its nightly secrets, Sheila's panther tribe gathered in a tight circle around the fire. The fire cast long shadows across the half-naked bodies of the savages, highlighting every muscle, every curve of their hips and breasts. The air was thick with the scent of smoke, damp earth, and feminine heat.

Selena stood in the center, completely naked. Her pale skin seemed almost glowing in the flames' reflection, her long dark hair fell down her back, and her chest heaved with rapid breathing. Her wrists were bound behind her back with a thin rope... not tight enough to allow her to move, but enough to remind her: she was not yet a panther.

Sheila rose from the rock where she had been sitting like a queen.  Her powerful body slowly approached Selena, her green eyes boring into the newcomer's, cold and appraising.

"You asked to become one of us," the leader said in a low, velvety growl. "Now prove yourself worthy. The test of three touches. Endure, and you will become a sister. Surrender, and you will remain a slave forever."

Lyra, sitting on the skins by the fire, grinned, her amber eyes flashing. Her wound was already healing into a deep scar, and she leaned forward impatiently. Kaira stood to Sheila's right, her fingers playing with a bone knife. Naira remained silent in the shadows, but everyone felt her gaze—the shamanka was seeing whether Selena's soul would pass the spirits' test.

The first touch—fire.

Sheila took a thin, burning branch from the fire.  The flames licked the wood, but the leader held it steady. Slowly, never taking her gaze from Selena's, she ran the burning tip a centimeter from her skin—first along her neck, then along her collarbone, down between her breasts, across her stomach, almost touching her nipples and pubis. The heat seared, Selena's skin flushed, but she didn't retreat, didn't scream. Only her teeth clenched, and a defiant gleam blazed in her eyes.

"Good," Sheila whispered, throwing the branch into the fire.

The second touch—pain.

Kaira stepped forward. The knife in her hand flashed. She walked around behind Selena and, in one swift motion, drew the tip down her back—not deeply, only leaving a thin red streak from her shoulder blade to her lower back. Blood beaded, trickling down her thighs. Selena shuddered, but straightened proudly, her chest rising with a deep breath.  Not a groan, not a tear.

Lyra growled approvingly. *The panther's blood was already in her.*

The third touch—desire.

Sheila nodded to Lyra. The first mate rose, her bronze body moving with the grace of a wounded but still deadly predator. She approached Selena, chest to chest, hip to hip. Lyra's fingers slid along the newcomer's neck, then down—circling a nipple, squeezing it, hardening it. Her other hand settled between Selena's thighs, finding the hot wetness and slowly, commandingly entering.

Selena's entire body trembled. Her eyes closed, her lips parted in a soft moan—not pain, but surrender to the sisters' strength. Lyra took her time: she moved deeply, confidently, making Selena arch, seeking more. Sheila watched, her green eyes blazing. Kaira came up behind her, pressed herself against Selena's back, her lips finding the fresh cut and slowly licking away the blood.  When Selene finally arched in a spasm of pleasure, loudly breathing out Sheila's name, the circle of panthers growled—low, satisfied.

Lyra retreated. Kyra cut the vine on Selene's wrists. Sheila stepped forward and smeared the blood from the cut onto the newcomer's cheek with her own hand—a ritual mark.

"Now you are a panther," the leader said. "The old name remains in the past, along with your weakness and the city chains," Sheila said in a low, commanding growl that echoed off the rocks. "From this moment on, you are Tala. Claw. Because today you showed claws, not tears."

Lyra, lying nearby on the skins, bared her teeth in a satisfied smile. Her amber eyes flashed with approval.  "Tala," she repeated hoarsely, tasting the new name. "It works. Sharp claws are for males and enemies."

Kaira stepped closer and ran the tip of her knife across the fresh mark on Tala's cheek—not deeply, only intensifying the ritual blood. "Tala," she confirmed. "Now you are ours. Completely."

Naira, sitting in the shadows, quietly growled the ancient words of blessing, and all the sisters joined in—a low, guttural chorus that made even the bound merchant in the corner shrink into the ground.

Sheila pulled Tala close—chest to chest, hip to hip—and sank her lips into a long, hard kiss of dominatrix. When she pulled away, blood and fire remained on both their lips.  "Welcome to the tribe, Tala," the leader whispered. "You are now Sheila's panther."

Tala—formerly Selena—straightened, her chest heaving proudly, her eyes blazing with a new, wild gleam. She growled in response, truly for the first time, and the sound merged with the roar of the entire tribe.

In the pre-dawn gloom of the gorge, with the dew still chilling the panthers' naked bodies, the elder trader managed to bite through the weakened rope that bound his wrists. Fear gave him strength: he crawled silently away from the fire where his sisters slept and disappeared into the thicket, heading toward the distant fires of Laurium. His heart pounded, his gray hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, but he ran, knowing that pursuit would soon follow.

Sheila woke first—the instinct of a leader. Her green eyes flashed with fury when she saw the empty space at the edge of the camp. A quiet growl awakened the others. Lyra wanted to follow, but the wound still rankled, and Sheila stopped her with a commanding gesture.

*You will remain with the tribe.  Kaira and I—we'll get him back.*

Kaira was already on her feet, her dark eyes blazing with the hunt's passion. Her naked body tensed, the charcoal stripes on her chest and belly like black claws in the morning light. Two panthers slid into the jungle—silent, deadly.

The merchant reached Laurium by midday, barely alive from fatigue and scratches. The city gates opened before him—the guards recognized the renowned merchant. He burst into the main square, shouting of wild panthers, of kidnapping, of the caravan's destruction.

He was met by Lady Mali, the head of the Laurium merchant caste, a stern and imperious woman. Her fair hair was neatly piled high on her head, adorned with golden pins bearing the emblem of scales and coins.  An ivory silk dress clung to her slender body, accentuating her high bust and narrow waist. Her eyes, cold and gray as steel, listened attentively to the merchant's halting tale.

*Panthers in our forest?* she asked in a calm but firm voice. *This is a threat to trade routes. I will ask the Tatrix to send a detachment of warriors. You are safe, Master Renard. Rest. Your losses will be reimbursed from the caste's treasury.* The merchant collapsed at her feet, kissing the hem of her dress in gratitude.

And in the shadow of the dense thicket at the very edge of Laurium, two panthers watched.

Sheila and Kaira lay on their stomachs on a high hill, their naked bodies blending with the grass and foliage.  Sheila's green eyes narrowed, taking in the city: the high walls, the towers with the caste flags, the bustling markets where men in colorful tunics traded and women in silks and chains scurried among the stalls. Many males—strong, rich, with or without steel collars. Plenty of prey.

Kaira growled softly, her fingers digging into the ground.

*Look, my leader,* she whispered. *There are hundreds of them. In cages of stone and law. And this one... with the blond tuft... does she rule them all?* The last phrase sounded like a question.

Sheila smiled—slowly, predatorily. Her full chest rose in a deep breath, a deep breath, the muscles in her thighs tensed.

*He slipped away today. But the city... the city will not slip away.  We'll be back.*

Kaira bared her teeth in response, her dark eyes flashing.

*And we'll take not just one slave. But many.*

The two panthers retreated silently into the jungle, leaving Laurium in the dark.

STORY OF KATYSHA SILVA

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꧁✬◦°⋆⋆°◦. darianeditor ◦°⋆⋆°◦✬꧂

꧁✬◦°⋆⋆°◦. darian travels  ◦°⋆⋆°◦✬꧂

IL REGNO DI WOLVES-LAND

    Dopo la grande alluvione all'isola di Svago, scappammo tutti su due navi raggiungendo un isola dell'arcipelago di Cos, sconosciuta sulla mappa, in centinaia di anni non si era mai vista tanta acqua cadere dal cielo, grandi nuvoloni bianchi svuotavano la loro acqua in quel tratto di mare che dal golfo di Thassa arriva fino all'estremo Ovest sconosciuto, stranamente in quella parte dell'arcipelago non pioveva, dopo due settimane accampati su una lunga spiaggia, il comandante della città insieme ad altri liberi Guerrieri, Scribi, e Costruttori, decisero di ritornare alla vecchia isola di Svago e ricostruirla.

   Io che vivevo in quella città aspettando un lavoro nella casta degli Scribi, non volli ritornare con loro, insieme a pochi altri decidemmo di proseguire per Cos o per qualche isola abitata, nel mio caso mi fermnai all'isola di Degalbi, li viveva un mio vecchio conoscente, mi nomino Magistrato del villaggio e mi assegno un ufficio a piano terra e una stanza al piano superiore.

''   Non volevo ritornare a Svago, la casta degli Scribi nonostante il capo della casta fosse un uomo, ma in realta erano delle donne che dirigevano, delle vere e proprie Arpie che umiliavano e condizionavano la vita della gente nella città, prevalentemente dedicata alla vendita e affitto delle schiave, c'erano degli uffici per affittare schiave, e tre Kennel, tutta la strada che dal porto porta alla collina era occupata da taverne, Inns e Kennels.''

    Dovetti ricredermi, in quel villaggio chiamato Degalbi, tutta la vita era regolata dal commercio dei prodotti lavotati da tutti, non c'era molto lavoro da fare in ufficio, solo controli delle navi, e del commercio, mi chiesero prima gentilmente poi con insistenza di contribuire al lavoro in una bottega, dopo tanti anni  di lavoro come Magistrato di Gor dovevo sottomettermi al volere di una schiava di nome Rosy, lo scoprii dopo, il capo del villaggio era il suo padrone è compagno,  in realta era lei che dirigeva tutto, e dopo varie discussioni decisi che non era quello il posto ideale per me.

vita in Svago

Partii su una nave diretta al continente, risalimmo il delta del Wosk fino alla citta di Victoria, una bella città attiva con un grande porto, dove una bellissima taverna si affacciava sulla banchina con i suoi tavoli nella piazza, appena arrivato incontrai un mio amico, il fabbro Swen, conosciuto in altre città, ora aveva una bella bottega con una grande fornace, dove fondeva le sue armi che vendeva ai viasggiatori.

  Purtroppoo Swen aveva la sfortuna di vivere in una bellissima casa annessa al suo negozio da fabbro in una zona residenziale con vista sul mare e sul bosco, molte donne sognavano quel posto finche un giorno l'amministrastore decise di sfrattare il fabbro e assegnare la casa alla sua compagna (amante), io come Mgistrato fui contattato dal fabbro per impugnare quella decisione, ma mentre preparavo le prime contestazioni qualcosa cambio, il capo Casta scribe che non voleva accettare la sua sostituzione, insieme a pochi altri, sobillarono il popolo e fecero cadere la città distruggendola, io scappai nel bosco insieme a pochi altri, prendemmo la pista per raggiungere la città di Ko-Ro-Ba,  facendo tappa prima a Rorus, poi a Satarna, arrivati al bivio per la strada chiamata Ciprianus, io continuai per l'interno prendendo la strada per Tharna glialtri ritornarono verso Turmus.

   Volevo conoscere quella parte di Gor che dalla foce del Wosk va verso il Sardar, oppure verso il Torvsland, e la citta di Tharna era il punto di partenza di molti giovasni liberi che vanno verso il Santuario prendendo la Pilgrins Road,  la città dell'Argento, cosi era chiamata Tharna, ed io mi trovai nel periodo del loro festival delle danze, una grande festa che ogni anno organizzano per l'halloween, avrei avuto modo ri riposarmi divertirmi un poco per poi ripartire verso quella zona semi deserta del Sardar.

   Dopo Una Mano ripartii, prendendo la strada chiamata di Clearchus, sarei arrivato prima a Besnit, poi ad Harfax, l'ultima città prima di entrare nella grande foresta del Sardar, il viaggio fù lungo è faticoso, la tappa ad Harfax fù molto breve, giusto il tempo per fare provviste di cibo e acqua, poi ripresi il mio viaggio verso quell'ignoto che molti Goreani evitano di affrontare, preferiscono puntare verso le montagne del Sardar, nessuno vuole avventurarsi in quella foresta inpenetrabile.

  Nel mio viaggio non ero solo, alcune guardie fedeli mi seguivano dai tempi di Cartassa, intanto più andavo avanti e più la foresta si infittiva, il sentiero a volte scompariva, lasciandomi sconcertato sulla direzione da seguire,  un giorno dopo aver camminato per ore finalmente  mi ritrovai in una grande radura,con pochi alberi, piantammo le tende, poi  il cielo si anneri e grosse nuvole si addensavano su quella radura, il freddo divento pungente, come d'incanto la pioggia che prima era solo leggera  divento neve prima piccoli fiocchi poi tutto divento bianco, mi ero allontanato in perlustrazione da solo,cercavo un riparo in quell'inferno,a  fatica riuscivo a camminare nella neve, non avevo più molte forze per proseguire, tutto intorno era bianco inpenetrabile, mi accasciai sfinito sulla neve in attesa della mia fine, avevo perso i contatti con i miei uomini, chiusi gli occhi pensando alle cose belle che la vita mi aveva fatto vivere, finche ad un tratto dei latriti lontani si avvicinavano sempre più, potevano essere Lupi, oppure Borsk selvatici molto aggressivi, oppure tante altre cose, ero spaventato capivo che non avevo via di fuga, non avevo le forze di combattere ne altro, finche la vidi, una donna maestosa con un abito lungo celeste  e una pelliccia sulle spalle, un branco di lupi la seguivano, si avvicino, mi scruto per bene assicurandosi che fossi vivo, solo un grosso lupo la seguiva, gli altri si fermarono in cerchio poco lontano ma fui sopraffatto dalla paura e dalla stanchezza e svenni.

  Mi ritrovai in una grande grotta, vicino ad un fuoco mentre intorno i lupi sembravano addormentati, poi apparve lei, chiese il mio nome e perche ero li, gli raccontai del mio viaggio e del mio sogno di visitare tutto il pianeta, poi mi addormentai ancora, mi svegliai ero solo in quella grande grotta, cercai qualcosa da mangiare,ero affamato non mangiavo e non bevevo da due giorni, in un angolo erano appesi grossi pezzi di carne sicuramente di Veer, e una botte con acqua, dopo essermi ripreso mi affacciai fuori da quella grotta, ormai la neve aveva smesso di cadere, un caldo sole illuminava la grande radura, e la foresta all'orizzonte,

poi arrivo lei, mi disse di essere la regina di quella regione che prendeva il nome dai lupi '' Wolves'' che la seguivano come ombre, mi disse anche che il compagno insieme ai suoi uomini era lontano per i suoi commerci, e che quando fossi completamente guarito mi avrebbe portato nel suo castello ai piedi dei monti.

La storia di Ativ Theas....................

   La piccola Ativ fu catturata da bambina in una regione del pianeta Terra chiamato Norvegia, spesso le spedizioni sulla terra erano dedicate a catturare uomini chiamati Vichinghi, e le loro donne dai capelli color oro, erano forti abituati a sopravvivere nei lunghi inverni freddi coperti da neve, e i ricchi Goreani amavano quel tipo di donna dalla pelle bianca e dai capelli color oro, fù portata su Gor e venduta ad un ricco Jarl , che la porto al suo villaggio adottandola la fece studiare, divento una grande Scriba, portava avanti tutti gli affari del villaggio finche in età da marito, il ricco padre ormai vecchio la diede in sposa ad un nobile di un regno sperduto nel grande Sardar, il Principe di Wolves, il regno dei lupi, lei segui quel bellissimo principe, salutando e ringraziando il vecchio padre e diventò la regina di quel regno sconosciuto.

   Mi racconto tutto questo dopo essere arrivati nel suo castello, lei circondata dai suoi servi e da guerrieri fedeli che la proteggevano insieme al  grande lupo sepre al suo fianco.

Rimasi in quel castello fino alla primavera, poi lasciai quella Regina malinconico è triste, era una grande donna amata e rispettata, ma il mio sogno è visitare il Pianeta in tutte le sue regioni, e una carovana mi porto  alla piccola città di Giml vicino al fiume Larius da li avrei proseguito per Cardonicus scendendo il fiume, poi non sapevo cosa mi riservava il destino.

°⋆⋆°◦. darian editor◦°⋆⋆°◦✬꧂

Wednesday, 14 January 2026

 RAVEN STORY - (KILIAN)

3° part

My name is Raven, born Silas, the son of a simple farming family. I lived on Earth in Scotland. How did I end up on GOR? My family comes from an ancient bloodline, obligated to serve its land, its people, and its nobility as warriors. We were called up at the age of 18 to undergo special training.

My brother Kilian, who was a few years older than me, went to this camp before me and never returned. I couldn't understand why. No one knew anything about his whereabouts, and since it was soon my turn to go to that very camp, I took my curiosity and worry with me.

To make a long story short, my curiosity was too obvious, and I soon discovered quite a bit. It was pure chance that I landed on GOR; the spaceship crashed, so I really had nothing to do with it, even if some people don't believe me, but that's how it was.

I'm just a farm boy, what can I possibly do? Anyway, I awoke after the crash, floating on flotsam in the middle of the Thassa River, where a ship fished me out of the water. I had no idea they were pirates, and frankly, I didn't care. Better to be a pirate than fish food.

And here begins my story.

My time on the ship was an incredible experience. I can't pinpoint the exact spot where I was pulled aboard—or rather, fished out of the water.

According to the captain, it was near Asperiche Island, far from the route we took weeks later.

Time passed, and we often sailed along the coast. We passed Tabor and Teletus, where we stopped because the captain had business there. Days later, after loading fresh water and provisions, we sailed on.

Between Kasra on Tyre and Selnar, where there was a busy trade route, we often lay in wait. We plundered what we could. From fine fabrics to slaves, piracy wasn't unfamiliar to me, but slavery was—young girls as well as men were among them. That was new to me and terrifying.

But I didn't have much time to dwell on it.The door opened. And so it was.

How vividly I remember it. We were still quite a way from the city of Victoria. A city without any real rules. Might makes right. But in the past, the city's citizens had shown that they stood together, and their defenses back then were not to be underestimated.

Anyway, the Thassa lay still that morning. There wasn't a breath of wind. The water was like a mirror. Still and calm. So we put our backs into the oars. The sails were useless that day.

So we entered the harbor. We moored the ship, and after all the work was done, I left the ship. I had three days, then we would set sail again. So I shouldered my bag and walked through the city. I looked around. Yes, it wasn't as if I didn't know the city; we had often anchored there. The city was inviting, like Port Kar, which was another anchorage and a popular town.

So, as so often before, I was walking through the town, past the many taverns, shops, and, of course, the numerous slave girls, all beckoning me to visit their tavern, which they claimed was the best.

I was just passing one of the girls when a beautiful redhead caught my eye. She was wearing only a short tunic that revealed more than it concealed. She had graceful features and bright green eyes. Her skin was so fair, so delicate. Well, months at sea had made me hungry, so I made a mental note of the tavern where the little one could be found. I knew it quite well. But first, I had something to take care of, so I found myself at the tavern towards evening.

I ordered

 some food and a glass of rum. It wasn't long before the little redhead appeared, brought me the food, and squatted down beside me. I placed a piece of meat on some bread and offered it to her, who eagerly devoured it.

My fighting skills soon earned me respect among the crew.

We stopped again in Lydius to take on a healer. The battles had been fierce and brutal. There were many wounded, and so we sailed toward home. Past Skjern to Skagnar, where we finally arrived after a long time.

The home of my captain and his crew, and now probably mine too? I wasn't sure, but that was the way it was.

Winter was near, and I couldn't leave anyway. The waves would engulf me, and if not the waves, then the ice. So what other choice did I have?

It was my first winter on Gor. The ship was brought ashore and secured for the winter.

The loot was divided.

I stayed with the pirates for almost four years. Forgive me if I'm calculating that in Earth years.

Yes, we were pirates, sailing the Thassa and the rivers of Gor. It was an exhilarating feeling.

I saw a lot of Gor during that time, even if it was mostly from the water. This planet was still incredible; trying to understand it almost drove me mad in quiet moments. So at some point, I just didn't want to think about it anymore. "Take it as it is, Raven!" Those were the words of my crew whenever I was lost in my thoughts again.

But I never had much time for that. There was always so much to do on the ship. If it wasn't scrubbing or mending the sails, it was keeping the weapons in working order. Because salt and steel weren't a good combination.

On top of that, there were the frequent raids on other ships, but also the shore leave and my tireless search for my brother, Kilian.

``` The search dragged on, fruitless, but I'd already been told how unlikely it was to find him. And besides, he didn't know I'd be here too. If I was, he'd be looking for me as well. He was my brother, my spitting image—no, we weren't twins, he was considerably older, but we were very similar. Where I was the brawler, he was the level-headed type, the calm, even more thoughtful one. How often did he grab me by the scruff of the neck and beat me into a lesson with his fists. So he wasn't gentle, but I didn't know any different. He was my father figure, the one who looked after me. Tried to instill good manners in me. Which often wasn't easy.

But I digress. My search, then, went on and on. Every ship we boarded, every city we raided, every damned heist where the opportunity arose, I investigated. I searched for him. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, and when you reach a point where you think: Okay, that's it. You'll never find him, accept it, that's exactly when something happens.

who was in for some trouble.

At first, nothing happened, everything seemed normal, people walked past me without taking any notice.

In the evening, I went to the aforementioned tavern, picked up the red-haired Kajira, whose name was Sonja, ate my meal there, and waited.

I had told my captain that I had a lead on my brother and would now continue my search overland. He understood and was reluctant to let me go, but it had only been a matter of time.

Meanwhile, the ship had set sail, and for the first time, I was on my own. Gor was still unfamiliar to me, but I tried not to draw attention to myself.

I looked for a job at the harbor and found one in a warehouse. Day in and day out, I hauled crates, sacks, and all sorts of other things. I paid for my room and everything else I needed to live.

I had told my captain that I had a lead on my brother and would now continue my search overland. Almost two months passed before Sonja told me that Kilian was in town, but she didn't know when he'd be around. It was frustrating; I'd missed him. In a foul mood, I left the little place late that evening to enjoy the night air before I had to go back to that warehouse the next day.

I didn't see the shadows; I was careless. I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings and didn't notice that people were following me and blocking my way in a narrow alley. "You look exactly like him. I thought the beast was lying to us." It was a mocking laugh from the fat sack with the thin, long hair. There were three of them, and they all had clubs in their hands, which didn't bode well.

"You're a pretty decoy for your brother. He'll definitely come for you, and then we'll have him," spat the second asshole, who was so skinny he could be blown away in a strong wind.

But the third guy worried me. He had a thick chain with him in addition to the club. He didn't say anything. He stayed silent. He just looked me over. He kept his distance.

And that's how it was. I dealt with the two thugs quickly, but the third was a tough nut to crack. He knew how to defend himself, how to time his punches and kicks.

That I escaped him was pure luck. I'd always been agile, and he wasn't. So I turned, dodged him, slid past him, and kicked his legs out from under him so he toppled forward. One more blow to the back of the neck and he was in dreamland.

Well, just when you think you've got it, things don't always go as planned. I didn't see the fourth guy; he was standing in the dark, well-disguised, but just as he was about to swing, he toppled sideways and lay dead at my feet. A dagger was sticking out of his side where his kidney was. A quick death. Inevitable, as certain as the sun rising tomorrow.

It was a brief moment, from understanding to realizing what had just happened. "Come with me and don't ask any questions. You'll have plenty of time for that later." I looked at the figure in black. His face was veiled, but I knew who was standing before me.

Half-dazed, shaken, I ran after him, through various alleys, until we stopped in front of a door. He unlocked it and pulled me inside.

I was breathless, speechless. I looked around and found myself in a small, elegant hallway. And the figure in black was right in front of me.

"Now don't just stare blankly, tell me what brought you here? What are you looking for on GOR!"

Yes, it was Kilian. I only had to hear his voice and see how he reacted, the worry in his voice. I was still his little brother, the one who needed help. Man, was I annoyed. It was astonishing how quickly one slips back into old habits.

"Yeah, always straight to the point, how about...oh brother, you're alive, I'm so happy for you. That would have been a start."

He folded his arms across his chest. I had imagined it differently. What a cold fish!

But then, after he'd taken off his scarf and removed most of his clothes, he grinned broadly at me. He pulled me close and hugged me like never before.

"How's Mom?" "You know what?" But all I could do was shake my head. "She died the winter when I was drafted."

I pressed myself against him; it felt so good to see him.

That night, I stayed at his house, told him how I came to GOR, and he frowned at the appropriate parts. He shook his head.

"Pirate, a privateer. Scoundrel. My brother! I can't believe it! But maybe it was the best thing that could have happened to you, because Raven...!"

He stammered, and I knew him too well to know that he was about to say something I wouldn't like.

"Is the ship still in port?" When I said no, he cursed loudly.

"You have to leave Victoria; you realized yourself that it's too dangerous."

And so he made it clear to me why I had to leave the city.

He was an agent fromHe was working undercover for the Priest Kings. He had come to Gor and gotten caught up in a small war, where he was freed. As time went on, he joined the opposing side and worked undercover as an agent for the Kurii.

That's where I'll stop for now.

I'll tell you more about how my brother became who he is today, if that's alright.

Look at his Khan. He was uncertain because it was a sensitive topic.story

by Raven (kilian)

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darian editor