Raktus pointed at Arik "It's you! Fight me again!”

“As if! Leave me alone!”

“You will fight me again, coward! But-" he turned to Kaara, "How did you do that?"

Kaara put her hand on her chin, "What do you mean?"

"You lied, but your heart sounded the same the whole time. Did you use your magic or something?"

"Oh, no, that’s because I didn't lie. "

"But you said-"

"I said I didn't know any guys who fit that description."

Raktus blinked, looked over at Arik, and looked back, "Yeah, so you lied. How did you do that?"

“Heads up.”

“Wh-” Raktus couldn’t even respond in time before he was sent tumbling ass over teakettle through the snow by a wind-infused dropkick.

“I’m a fuckin’ girl, dumbass!” Arik said.

Raktus popped his head out of the snow, "WHAT?!"

Kaara blinked, “Did you make him deaf?”

Arik crossed her arms, “I don’t think I did?”

"Come to think of it all of the Xirxus think you’re a guy. Didn’t you tell them when you visited last spring?"

Arik groaned, “I never corrected them.”

“Why not? Usually you would.”

Raktus was kneeling in front of Arik taking her hand. For such a big fella he was fast when he wanted to be.

Arik's eyes widened, "What the fu-"

"So that’s what it is, I should have known all along. I struggled with my feelings for a while, I thought I might be like my brother Tulos for a long while. I’d even come to terms with it in the end. But it all makes sense now!"

Raktus was starting to remind her of Tulos before he learned Arik was a girl. The Xirxus were certainly forward with their affection, Kaara stifled a laugh, "Is that why you didn't tell him?"

Arik let out a low strangled hiss of anger at her.

"You've got her speechless! Look at her blush!" Kaara heckled.

"I have, haven't I? She’s even looking to you for approval!"

“She is, isn't she?”

Arik was now a demon ready to rip Kaara’s tongue from her mouth and eat it. She was Radiating a black aura of killing intent and malice on Kaara’s cheerful bubble of mischief.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Raktus grinned, not noticing any of it, “And what do you think my lady, do you approve of us?”

"Well if it’s up to me, I need to know why you wanna marry her all of a sudden."

"My father tells me I must spread my blood with those who are worthy, even if others may view them as lowborn. My own mother was a peasant in her life, so I would not exist without my father’s wisdom and care for non-nobility. He taught me to always look past bloodlines and value strength first. When adulthood comes, I plan to have a pool of partners to pass on my lineage with. Who is more worthy than one who can best me in battle?"

Arik and Kaara gave him a look of disgust.

Raktus stood up, "I get it, we're young now, but in the future when we're adults we can-BLRGH!"

Raktus was sent tumbling again.

"Piss off, idiot! Before I 'spread your blood' over the snow!"

Raktus laughed in the distance happily jogging back towards them, "For a wind user you've a lot of fire!"

“I preferred when you thought I was a dude!”

“I’ll accept you however you wish to be addressed! So long as I can share my life with yours, fair Arik!”

"You know Raktus..." Kaara said, holding back her laughter, "I'm sure you mean well and all, but Arik probably won't be your bride no matter what."

"What do you mean? If it’s a matter of strength I promise I can-"

"Well there's already this other xio in our clan that she loves, and he's very protective."

"Wha-Gmf?!" Arik's mouth was filled with snow.

"Who is he? I'll defeat them in battle, and claim her heart! I’d even be gracious enough to share!"

Kaara pointed to Rux, who was in the middle of creating massive stone totems for their festival, "That's Rux. He's really strong. If you can beat him, well..."

"I'll have Arika's heart!" Raktus gulped, "He's an adult, though."

"Scared?" Raktus shook his head, "No it's just- I'll challenge him now!"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Wait until after the festival."

"Why?"

"You couldn't beat Arik here in a fight, you think she'd be into a guy weaker than her? Plus, if Arik could beat you up, imagine what he might do if he found out your intentions."

Raktus stiffened up, "You’re right. I need to be smart about this, and gather my strength. I’ve got more than enough time on my hands, and one loss could mean the end of it all!"

“Once you can beat Arik, I’m sure you’ll have a good shot at him next. But if you challenge her too many times, he might get suspicious, y'know?”

"That's a good idea. And I know you are telling me the truth too.

“Oh, and don't forget to enjoy the festival! Play games with us and your other siblings so he won’t notice, ‘kay?"

Raktus ran off, "Thank you, Blood- Kaara! I’ll do as you say."

Kaara waved, "That went better than I expected."

Arik spat out the snow, "What the-" She looked over to Raktus, who was still probably in earshot. She grabbed Kaara by the shoulders, "Why are you telling him I'm 'reserved' for my fucking dad?!" She hissed, "And how did he not pick up that lie?"

"Well you love your dad, and he is pretty protective of everyone here, you included," Kaara whispered, "All I did was tell half the truth and let him fill in the rest. Now you won't have to worry about Raktus proposing to you anymore and he won’t challenge you to fight as much. Plus, it was funny!"

Arik squinted, "Fine, I guess it works out in the end."

Kaara giggled, "Thanks, Arik."

"For what?"

"Embarrassing you made me laugh, so thanks. It’s good to see you haven’t changed too much that we’re not friends anymore."

"Piss off. I'm gonna get you back now, just you wait. And of course we’re still friends! A few months is nothing. I know you were just giving us some space to train."

“Speaking of that, there’s another reason I wanted to tell you, but I gotta tell you in private, okay? Meet me and Rorik in my tent tonight okay? I’ve gotta tell you the real reason I decided to get serious about being a huntress.”