We ride for a few days before stopping at a clearing in the woods to hunt. Meredith seems troubled, but the Ruksha woman doesn't seem concerned.

I step over to her and bow my head. It's a politeness from her culture I'm sure she sees little of.

"What is it you desire of me young mixed blood?" she asks curiously.

"I wish to know your name," I reply lifting my head.

"Shiroihana, I am of the lake, in my tongue it means white flower."

I move closer to her, she smells pleasant. Hints of lavender and coconut brushed with honey and sage. She must be an alchemist. I shouldn't dwell on her too long. She might think I'm being flirtatious. She grabs my hand before I can flee back to Meredith.

"You slew those men with ease, but you have no composure around women, perhaps you lack confidence, perhaps Shiroihana can make you more, confident?" She says with what seems to be a smile on her scaly lips.

Her offer is generous, and not unwanted. For now though, the only flesh I desire is the roasted flesh of my prey, a meal I will share with my unlikely companions.

The mid-afternoon air is pleasant. A gentle breeze rustles the leaves in the trees above. The sun barely peers through white pillowy clouds as I put my hands on Meredith’s hips. She may be able to cook but she knows little of hunting. Her firm young body leans into me playfully as I try to correct her stance.

"Now pull back as you aim, take a deep breath, but don't release until you feel it in your gut," I say holding Meredith still.

She pulls back and breathes in, then releases. Her arrow does not strike true, and the boar runs off.

"This is impossible, I'm just a, I'm just a doll to be played with, I'm no warrior princess," she yells as her bright blue eyes fill with tears.

I put my hand on her chin and lift her head up. She’s quick to emotions. This can be a good or a bad thing depending on what fighting style she’s good at. I’ve known some mages to strengthen their magic with emotion. I’m sure warriors can use it in the same way. I look into her eyes as if peering into endless oceans.

"On the battlefield, no warrior is a princess, no warrior is a man or a woman, in battle we are combatants, there is no man or woman in warrior, only war, when you fight, fight with your soul not your body."

She drops the bow and plunges her head into my chest. I just hold her for a moment, she's not ready to fight. I'll give her more time. I hope we have more time.

We make a small camp with two tents. I leave the girls to their own as I lay in mine reading tomes. Wonderful tomes, ones of adventure and desire. There are magical tomes too that teach you spells, but I've no coin for them. My tent rustles and I look up as Shiroihana enters.

"Ah tomes, I didn't know you could read, many cannot, Shiroi finds this a very attractive trait, maybe you find Shiroi attractive too?" she asks with a glimmer in her violet eyes.

She moves closer to me and starts to undo her robe. I grab her hands quickly, and she looks at me somewhat displeased.

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"I'm not rejecting you, now is an improper time for us, I know little of you, please, sit with me and let us enjoy a tome,” I say with a smile.

She ties her robe and lays beside me in an enticing way. I know it's improper, but her violet eyes do make her quite attractive. That and her bold nature, she didn't hesitate to come in here and ask for what she wanted. She's an interesting woman, especially for a Ruksha.

We spend a pleasant evening reading, and I offer her a spot in my tent for the night. It's refreshing to have pleasant company, especially when you are still mourning.

When dawn breaks it breaks hard. There is no warm glow from the sun. Only the flash of lightning and the pounding of rain. Meredith woke alone in her tent. I should check on her after the storm.

The outburst of torrential rains and ground shaking thunder soon passes. The sky remains dull and cloudy, and the trail has turned to mud. Our journey will surely be lengthened.

I approach Meredith's tent expecting her to be cowering in fear from the storm. Quite the contrary, she seems giddy and pleased.

"Did you hear it, the rage of nature over us, it's a beautiful sound the thunder, the vibrations through the air tickle my skin."

"I'm glad to hear you have enjoyed the rain, I merely wanted to make sure you were ok since Shiroi joined me last night,” I say expressing my concern for her.

"Oh, Shiroi joined you, and she was with you all night?" she asks with a sudden look of jealousy on her soft ivory cheeks.

I scurry to explain myself. I don't need these two at each other's throats if we are to adventure together.

"Yes, we enjoyed a tome before resting."

She glares at me in a distrustful manner. I should be careful with this one. She is quick to anger, and puppy struck with lust for me. I guess the showing of strength at the tavern made me her shining savior. Perhaps she feels entitled to the duty of becoming my mate, as if the reward for my assistance is her intimacy.

Meredith stares at me, her arms crossed. It seems my explanation isn't to her liking.

"If it pleases you then at this day’s nightfall you may rest with me, do you find that acceptable?"

"It'll do," she replies.

We pack up our things and load them in the wagon. We need to hurry on our way before someone picks up our trail. Shiroihana peers over the tree line to see dark smoke bellowing in the distance. Her expression seems to sink to a dark place. She knows it's the tavern she worked so hard to upkeep. All those years and it's lit ablaze by savage men with hearts that carry only hate.

I set my hand on her shoulder, "Shiroi, I'm sorry, I am glad that you aren’t there though, I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy a tome with you."

“Shiroi is saddened by her loss, but it is not Dirk’s fault, Shiroi was never safe running a tavern, perhaps Shiroi is grateful you came along.”

She climbs back into the wagon. Meredith grabs my hand and motions me to leave.

We continue down the road, I'm not sure where we are headed. Surely if we stay on the road, we'll run into something. I want to talk to Shiroi, but Meredith tells me to give her time. I'm not sure if she needs time more than comfort.

There's a gentle breeze that flows through the air as we head off toward the nearest village. I leave Meredith to steer the wagon and step inside. Shiroi tries to hide the tears running down her scaly cheeks, but I've already seen them. I grab her hands and run my finger over her sharp claws. She looks up at me with her shimmering violet eyes.

"Even for a mixed blood elf, you too must think Shiroi a monster, maybe a spectacle?"

I pull her in close. I don't want to seem too sensual, but she needs comfort.

"No, you are beautiful, your eyes are like violets and your scales ivory, if there is anything you require you need only ask.”

She looks up at me and half smiles.

"Some boots, what brings a girl more joy than a pair of cute boots,” she replies.

I smile at her and press my forehead to hers, so she knows I care. Another of their customs I’m sure she sees little of. I’m sure not many others have read Ruksha romance tomes. My mother had many, and I was curious.

I can’t say I don’t feel her pain. Being half elf half orc, others perceive me as a monster. I’m used to looking into the silver reflector though. I don’t see a monster when I see my reflection. I might not have the beauty of my mother, but I wouldn’t turn down a girl with my resemblance. Pointy ears, short tusks. There was a point where I thought it was normal.

The wagon comes to an abrupt stop, and I return to Meredith's side. She looks over at me concerned. Before us lies a giant smoldering crater.

"What in the name of the realms could have caused this?” I say in awe.

Shiroihana peaks out of the wagon, “Men and magic my lord, Men and magic."