Was something wrong with her? Alex wondered.

Surely there was something wrong with her, the thoughts and feelings she had been having over the past several days of walking were almost certainly not very ladylike.

In fact, saying it was only the last handful of days was false. It had in fact been present for quite some time. However, it was only now that the steadily building sensation of general unease had mounted to the point of being too hard to ignore.

She had thought it strange the night she asked to kiss Nephinae, made even further strange by the extent she found herself wanting to explore, though she never worked up the courage to ask for such an exploration.

She thought it strange the night she ran away, the days spent in taverns on the road, hiding the fact that she was a woman, before eventually landing in a town far away from anyone who might recognize her, only to find herself yearning for the company of another woman there as well.

Maybe she thought the time alone and on the road would force those thoughts from her mind, but then again there was a saying that said “absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Perhaps then it was her time alone on the road that made her yearnings even greater?

For Alex’s entire post-pubescent life she believed she was broken, broken for only ever finding desire in the thoughts of time spent in the company of other women, which is why she felt a tinge of quiet relief the night she was made to dress Casper's wounds after his fight with the hunter.

She thought that it was possible that Casper had cured her somehow, as she stripped his clothes to bandage his bloody body. Tending to him gently, cleaning the blood from his scarred skin, wiping the dirt from his strong jaw and heavy eyes.

She thought, foolishly, that this was finally the awakening for her, the shift from deep perversion to something normal.

That was until she finished dressing Casper's wounds, and turned in to help Annabelle with hers.

Seeing the muscular woman in her half dressed state, bloodied and dirty and vulnerable, her heart thundered much the same as it did as she tended Casper which only made her more confused than ever.

Was it possible then, that she liked both? Surely not, or else any number of the other handsome men in her life up until that point would have garnered her affection. Yet they did not.

What was it about Casper that enticed her so? What was it about this man that found her gaze catching him during their nights at the camp, yearning for his attention, wanting so desperately for him to choose to converse with her more than anyone else?

What was it about Casper that made her do these dangerous things? The night with Elisayra was beyond incredible, she wanted to do it again, and again, and again, but she could never initiate something like that. No, instead she found herself hoping that Elisayra would ask her again.

She had not, instead Alex found herself making any excuse to be closer to Casper. Talking to him about their plans for the city, about her short time in the dungeon or the things she had seen at Crimson Harbor. Any excuse to be near him.

Like now, as she justified her wandering from the camp to help Nephinae and Laihal forage for berries in the direction Casper had gone, hopping for the chance to be with him alone even for a few moments.

It was worth noting, that it wasn’t exclusively for superficial reasons that she was doing this, or feeling these things. No, in fact it was quite the opposite.

Alex was attracted to Casper, but the physical nature of the attraction was nearly entirely secondary to the emotional attraction she felt.

Casper was of course traditionally handsome, if she had to be picky about it, he was perhaps a little too muscular for her personal taste, and his hair could do with being a little longer, and his hands not so calloused. No, the attraction she felt towards Casper was different than anything she had felt towards a man before.

It felt, in a way… protective, if she had to guess. She felt the overwhelming and compelling desire to coddle him, help him, to be there for him. Whereas the other men in her life prided themselves in their independence, boasted of their individual strengths and prowess, demanded in some way subservience and obedience, Casper was different.

Casper was competent and capable, yet so incredibly honest in himself and his abilities. He was unashamed to receive help, and sincerely thankful for the help he received. He was gracious for the kindness offered by others. He allowed himself to be vulnerable, cared for, and in turn showed that same care towards others. He was selfless, but not narcissistic in demanding gratitude for those acts of selflessness.

Alex couldn’t help but love that, respect that, want to be nearer to that, want to help coddle and protect that.

She had no idea how to explain these feelings, so she didn’t bother to, not to anyone, but that didn’t stop her from thinking about them.

Movement in the bushes far away caught her attention then, as she stopped to pick several red berries to add to her steadily growing collection.

It was nearly noon now, with the sun high in the sky allowing for the light to to catch the waxy sheen on the tiny bundles.

Turning her attention to the direction of the movement, her eyes settled on Casper’s movements as he gathered huge bundles of firewood not too far off.

Alex felt her heart flutter slightly at the sight of him. Watching as he effortlessly carried the wood in his strong arms, and silently wished she could help massage the stress away for him.

Casper's head turned in her direction, and she offered him a smile and a friendly wave. A part of her hoped that he could see the redness in her cheeks, and feel her desire to be closer to him so that maybe they could talk, or even simply exist in proximity alone for a time.

He did not, instead he offered his own smile and curt nod and returned to gathering firewood.

Perhaps that was another reason she was so infatuated with the man.

All of her life she had a good number of men pining for her affection, she was used to being desired and stomaching the advances and attempted courtship of others.

Casper on the other hand, seemed to only think of her as a companion he travels with.

He said himself he enjoyed that night in the tent, but could it be possible it was mostly Elisayra he enjoyed? Alex had maintained the male disguise at all times to avoid risk of being identified. Her chest was bound tight, her hair cut incredibly short, her clothes baggy.

Of course it would make sense that Casper saw her as a man more often than not… which would explain his lack of interest in her. After all, why would he ever look in her direction when Annabelle and Laihal were in the same group as herself?

But surely Casper's memory wasn’t that poor, even if he did forget things here and there... He had seen her, he knew what she was like under the disguise, yet he still showed no intent to pursue her…

Alex wasn’t used to this. She wasn’t used to the feelings she had towards Casper, or what to do about it. Not really.

So instead, she decided on following her heart, and her heart said

“Get him to like you!”

“Shut up heart…” Alex mumbled to herself, pressing a hand to her chest to try and slow its beating.

Maybe her heart was too stupid to listen to…

“Ugh.” Alex groaned, picking several more bundles, before walking closer to where Casper was, pretending to scan the surroundings for more of the small fruits as she took a meandering path towards the man's location.

Why did she want him to like her so badly! She shouted at herself within her own head.

She sighed, because she knew why, but just couldn’t admit it even in her own mind.

In the same way it is said that absence makes the heart grow fonder, familiarity fosters love.

How many times had she and Casper talked? Perhaps a dozen or so over the course of weeks? That wasn’t nearly enough to foster feelings for someone, but it wasn’t about the conversations or lack thereof.

It was all of the little moments, all of the small, normal things she found herself enjoying every minute off with him, with everyone honestly.

The nagging at her to wake up in the mornings. The effort he went through to keep her safe before she even knew his name. It was the quiet moments spent around the campfires they built together.

The stories they shared to pass the time before sleep could take them. She loved being taught to hunt, only to sit back and watch as Casper made a fool of herself and Annabelle. The little back and forth's of banter as they pestered Casper about eating her red meats too raw. The held back giggles and laughs when Annabelle found the bottle of wine Alex was stashing.

Alex adored those things. Listening to Casper talk about the stars in the sky or his life back home. The gentle touches as he guided her stance, the wordless looks and silent nods. It felt so much like home to her.

Alex grew up in a castle, surrounded by an estate, tended to by maids and servants, protected by guards and taught by private tutors, and she enjoyed it.

But there was something so much more honest in these small moments she had spent with Casper, Annabelle, everyone. Even without exposing their life history or talking about anything deep, it felt more like a home than even her own home did.

They didn’t coddle her, they didn’t sanitize their language or treat her differently. She felt like she was truly a part of something, something she had to work for and earn for once in her life. The feeling of earning that companionship, earning those small moments she loved so much was worth so much more than the love she had been given on a silver platter because of the last name she bore.

And she wanted more of them. She wanted to continue having those small moments, but she also wanted more. She wanted to foster something special. She didn’t want to lose this, lose this feeling of belonging in a way that truly mattered. She wanted to be with Casper… because he was truly special to her. He gave her something she didn’t even know she needed and did it with such honesty her heart felt like it was going to melt.

“You look to be in a good mood.” Casper teased.

Alex jumped a little, not at all realizing at all that in her attempt to wander passively she had instead walked directly into Casper.

“Oh! Sorry, yes I was… I was just thinking about how grateful I am to be with everyone, to be with you.” She said sincerely.

Casper smiled at that. “I'm glad you’re enjoying yourself. I told our marked friend before that I didn’t honestly think I would enjoy traveling with so many people, but I've grown to love it I think.”

“Really? After you so unashamedly threatened to leave me in the woods on my own because I slept in?” Alex reprimanded, puffing out her cheeks into a pout.

“Yes, even after that. I had places to be and people to see. Couldn’t have you slowing me down.” he winks.

“And now?” Alex tests.

“Now? I'd say you’re carrying your weight quite commendably.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Alex smiles wider at that, her heart flooding with the man's affirmation.

Maybe that was the other point of failure for her, she realized then. Watching as Casper looked at her with adoration, she felt a little silly for trying desperately to appeal to his base sexual desire.

Surely that mindset was a product of her upbringing, a product of the environment she was so incredibly used to. Casper surely was attracted to Annabelle, that much was obvious, and Laihal’s hips were hard for anyone to ignore. But Casper wasn’t like that. Not really.

He had talked about the power dynamic in their party. The power he held over them as the holder of their life debts. He didn’t want to abuse that. Similarly he didn’t want to just do as his body desired.

Casper was a man of principals, a man with a code. Of course he wouldn’t simply give in to her if she asked to be a concubine, or a side piece to his pursuit of Annabelle. Casper wasn’t that shallow, and she cursed herself for ever believing he could be.

No, Casper was similar to her, in the sense that he had been alone for a little while now. He had been traveling for months before he found her. He wanted friendship, deeper companionship, a relationship. A relationship with them at least.

Shaking her head softly, Alex found herself chuckling slightly.

“I am in a good mood, yes.” She answers his earlier question.

“And what's got you so chipper?”

“I think I've realized a little something about this group of ours.”

“Mind sharing with the class?”

“It’s a secret for now, but it makes me rather happy to have finally stumbled into the right answer I think.”

“Well, I'm not often happy to have stumbled but I suppose right answers are one of the few things worth stumbling into, if you had to.”

“I suppose you’re correct.” Alex confirms.

“We should head back to the others though. It looks like you have quite the collection” Casper nods down to her gathered berries.

“Trying to make sure we are all taken care of.” Alex confirms.

“Well, you’re doing a damn good job of it. Let's go.”

Alex lets Casper lead the way before falling into step behind him.

As much as her own desire wanted to jump ahead of the process, she knew that it would never work. Not with Casper, not unless some strange circumstances led her to be in his tent once more which she wouldn’t complain about but surely didn’t expect.

No, she would do this the right way. The way she knew Casper would respond best to, even if it meant having to crawl over Annabelle, Laihal, or the others to get there.

Alex was used to getting what she wanted, and she always did, eventually.

***

Unfamiliar scents worked their way into Casper’s nose as he and Alex approached the temporary camp they had established on the side of the road.

Having finally gotten out of the forest proper, the last two days of travel had been over the stretch of naturally carved dirt roadside that lead east towards Highspire.

Casper didn’t mind it much, it was easier to pick up on anything suspicious while traveling roads, however it did also mean they were more likely to encounter something.

“There are other people at our camp, I count 5 currently.”

“From all the way over here?” Alex asks curiously, sticking close behind Casper as they begin to make a wider arc around where they had set up.

“The wind is blowing towards us, and my sense of smell has always been pretty good.” He dismisses.

“So is your hearing.” Alex adds.

Casper stalks his way around the smaller hillsides littered with stones to gather a better vantage point on their camp. Rising up behind a pocket of bushes, he spots the new arrivals at their camp.

They are each on horseback, with each horse pulling a covered wagon. They are keeping their distance from the camp itself, still on the roadside as a matter of fact, but one man on horseback is engaged in conversation with Annabelle who has positioned herself defensively between the two parties.

Extending his senses slightly to pick up on the words being exchanged, he suddenly finds his breath catching as the words from the man on horseback reach his ears.

“I understand the caution my lady, I mean no harm nor disrespect to you or yours. However, if I might speak to your leader who is listening in from just over there, I’m sure he would like what I have to say.”

Casper's eyes narrow at that.

His distance from the camp at the moment was rather substantial, enough to be confident that any normal human wouldn’t be able to pick up on his presence. It was possible an elf or fiend or some other higher race could, but not this man, this man was most certainly human.

The man on horseback spoke louder then. “Please, I wish only to talk, and possibly exchange some supplies! We are running short on meets and I can see you all here have quite the collection, we have coin and other goods for exchange if you wish.”

Casper tried to tune his senses to detect any deceit in the man's tone, but was unable to.

Well, he knew Casper was listening, and it would only create issues if he refused him. Besides, he needed some new clothes at the very least.

Casper sighed, and stood upright, ushering Alex forward to approach their roadside camp and the new group that had arrived there.

The road here worked its way over the rolling hillsides and grasslands. Spotted with trees and small segments of jutting stone it offered little in the way of protection from sight from anyone on the road.

Casper and the others had decided to post their camp a hundred or so feet off the road near the top most section of one of the adjacent hills. If they were going to be seen any way, might as well have the high ground after all.

As Casper approached he got a better look at the new arrivals.

The man on horseback who had initiated the conversation was the most interested of the bunch. He looked to be nearly a perfect opposite to Casper in a way. Though similar in build, with broader shoulders and defined musculature that showed many years of hard training, he had short golden hair that bound itself in tight curls. His eyes were such an incredibly pale blue they looked nearly white when compared to the sky behind him. He was dressed in quite the fine assortment of clothes. Adorned in something akin to a white press dress uniform indicating some manner of status within the rank and file, perhaps an officer.

The other around him looked in similar fashion, though incredibly dissimilar in both physical appearance and demeanor. Whereas the curly haired blond held himself up high with his shoulders back, chin up, and surrounded himself with regal countenance, the man to his right looked a brute cut from steel.

Easily twice the size of Annabelle, the man on the right looked a few pounds away from crushing the poor horse he rode. He was shaved bald, his visible scalp heavily scarred in haphazard lines that in an arc from the left side of his ear, over the top of his head and down disappearing under the light armor he wore.

To the left of the blond man, was a snake of a woman. Her eyes were set hard in a visibly reptilian face, literally. The bridge of her nose flattened down into a wide snout-like face. Visible lines carved from where he nose ought to be, up to her high set cheekbones like a painted on smile that was far too wide. White pearlescent scales dotted those cheeks and disappeared behind the cloak she wore over her head. The only other part of her body visible for the silken drapery and delicate golden ornamentation adorning her figure were her yellow silted eyes that seemed to catch the light in a strange manner.

At the very back of the group, where two far less “unique” looking individuals. However the passive aura about them alone is what gave Casper pause. Not that he could read auras like Nephinae could, but rather he had gotten good enough at picking up the possible threat of a person by the way they carried themselves. And these two were definitely dangerous.

A middle aged man on a black horse rested himself lazily over and into the lap of the middle aged woman riding next to him.

They looked as though they could be related, possibly siblings or cousins Casper figured.

Both had long dirty blond hair that fell over matching sets of white heavy armor. Their faces looked as though they had seen their fair share of battles, with broken noses and heavy scars. The man spun about the largest sword Casper had ever seen as if it were as light as air on a single finger, arm outstretched high into the air. The blade passing over the top of the woman's head who didn't seem to mind much. humming softly to himself while the woman shuffled a deck of cards, calling out numbers to the man who stopped his humming to respond with a move in some game they were playing.

The blond man at their lead offered Casper a smile as he approached, dismounting from his horse and extending a white gloved hand to meet Casper's own as they shook.

“Pardon the intrusion my good man, I mean not to interfere.” he spoke in a friendly tone to Casper, who was still trying to gauge the measure of the man before him.

“No intrusion, not yet at least.” Caper tested, looking around to the others.

“Quite the diverse company you keep.” said the blonde, passing his own assessing gaze throughout the camp.

Luckily, Laihal and Alex had finished disguising the nameless girl three days ago in anticipation of something similar happening. Alex always maintained her boyish disguise and the slave collars had already been placed around the necks of Laihal, Annabelle, Nephinae and Elisayra respectively once they knew they would be getting close to the roads.

“I could say the same of your company.” Casper retorted. He made sure not to come across as offensive to the man, after all he had done nothing to wrong them, but he didn’t want to appear overly friendly either. Given their past run in with people on the road it was likely safe to assume something was afoot.

“I suppose you could.” the man laughed. “Pardon me, I've forgotten to introduce myself.” he said suddenly. Taking a single step back, the blonde man bowed and motioned to himself.

“My name is Rathiel Adellum, first knight of dawn. To your right, the big man there, is Thodhan the Thunder Head. to your left, is the lovely Inquisitor Szostes, and those two behind me are Janus and Dorain the veil guard.”

The others, though not directly visible given his position, seemed to stare unbelieving at the introduction. He could feel a mix of tension in the bodies of his companions as well as, perhaps a flicker of excitement?

“Knight of dawn, Veil guard? Those sound celestial” Casper notes.

Appearing from behind Casper, Alex makes her presence more known as she offers a deep bow of respect to the man.

“Forgive my friend, lord. We have been traveling for so long he must have gotten his manners.” Alex offers in apology.,

Casper, not sure of the specific reason but quickly recognizing that Alex likely knew what the hell she was doing, quickly followed her lead and joined her in the bow.

“Please please, lift your head, there is no need for that.” Rathiel quickly dismisses with a charming smile, prompting the two to rise. “You must not be from around this kingdom?” Rathiel offers in the way of an excuse.

“He is new money. Only recently read and even more recently traveled from his hometown.”

“Ah, that explains it then. No trouble nor offense.” Rathiel clarifies with a kind look to Alex, who in turn visibly relaxes.

“Allow me to introduce the others then.” Casper quickly interjects, taking control back of the conversation as he turns to the others in camp.

“I am Casper, this is Alexander, and…” Casper looks at the nameless girl in her male disguise, “Engee…” He tries.

“No family names?” Rathiel asks questioningly.

Shit, he had forgotten those entirely…

“We are on a bit of a quest, you see.” Alex quickly cuts in. “My father who shall remain unnamed has tasked me with leading our new money company out on a little excursion to enjoy the last remaining moments of bachelorhood before their name’s see them off to be under lock and key until they produce valid heirs. Better to keep the names of all families involved out of mind to ensure no issues come up in the future.” Alex quickly says with a shocking amount of confidence.

Janus and Dorain laugh to themselves in the back of the group at the explanation while Rathiel gives a knowing look to the three “men”.

“Ah! But of course. Forgive my lack of tact, good man, my road weary mind should have picked up on that the moment I saw the lovely company you keep.” he winks to the “slaves”.

“No trouble at all my lord, everyone here is tired and in need of rest. The road wears the mind much faster than it wears the rear, that's for certain.” Alex jokes.

The others laugh casually at the mild joke.

Relief washes over Casper then, ever grateful to have Alex among those in his company. The woman knew what she was doing as it pertained to dealing with these men, and he would have to make sure to remind himself to give her a proper thank you later.

“So, goodman Alexander, goodman Casper, goodman Engee, would you mind a bit of trade or company? Time spent on the road is much more enjoyable when there are stories to share, and I'm sure you are all tired of telling the same tavern lies to one another. Of course you are welcome to decline with no offense taken.” Rathiel offers kindly.

Casper tries his best to suss out any hidden intent behind the man's words, but he is an impossible read. As are the others in his company.

However, if they were going to continue with the lie that Alex had established, they would need some fresh clothes to make that lie believable, and the group before them appeared to have quite the abundance. Furthermore it looked like they were en route to Highspire as well. Given the level of danger these individuals likely posed in general, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to gather more information about or from them.

“We will gladly have you.” Casper responds in kind. Turning to approach his own camp as he speaks. “We were just ready to cook our meal for the evening, come and rest, and then we can trade.”

Casper rested his collection of firewood into the growing pile at the center of the camp, and watched patiently as Rathiel's party took to setting their wagons around in a circle only a few paces away from Casper's camp. The wagons were arranged in a circle around their tents, creating a natural wall from the roadway with plenty of space between to move without issue.

As a synchronized unit, Rathiel and his people unloaded their supplies to settle down to begin trade with Caspe'rs people. Large tents with quickly built tables, maps, and other supplies Casper hadn’t even considered.

Chests of clothes and bags of coins were produced in quick fashion, drawing the attention of the nameless girl, now temporarily named “Engee” for her male disguise, as well as Alex, who was instantly drawn to the soaps they had produced.

The horses they possessed were tied off and left to graze while the large man, Thodhan, delicately brushed the coats of the beasts with a shocking amount of tender love and care.

Now up close too, Casper could tell the wagon they possessed were as impressive as the armor and clothes they wore. With each wagon crafted of study wood, well maintained and even polished. The canvas tarp over top was stark white and allowed Janus and Dorain the ability to stand fully upright as they unpacked some more supplies.

“So who exactly are they?” Casper asked Alex in a low whisper as they too began to sort through their belongings in order to determine what could be used for trade.

“An adventuring party, and a very powerful one at that. They are in fact the most well known around the cities of this kingdom. They have proof of slaying a titan and a red dragon.” Alex explains softly.

“Slaying a red dragon?” Casper whistles. He had to use no small amount of his mark to take one on, and it even managed to escape and hurt him quite a bit. If this party had truly slain one then he was right in assuming they were quite strong.

Grabbing some of their smoked rabbit and dried strips of deer, Casper looked over the rest of his own camp to ensure everything was alright.

Annabelle, Laihal, Elisayra and Nephinae were playing their roles fine for now. Saying next to nothing and obeying whatever menial tasks he, Alex or the marked girl gave.

“Thanks for the rescue back there.” Casper whispers to Alex.

“Of course, we should have come up with something more solid beforehand just in case, but it worked out.” She sighs.

“Let's see what we can get from them then, let's not waste the opportunity to talk to some high level adventurers.” Casper smiles.

“Silvy!” Casper calls the fake name he had come up with for Nephinae.

Luckily she quickly caught on and joined Casper by his side. Alex then called for Laihal, while “Engee” called for Annabelle and Elisayra.

“Remember the plan.” Casper says confidently as he smiles at the gathered women. “Time to put it to the test.”