As Nickolas had said there were a downright impolite number of stairs awaiting Necun behind the door. Each one sent a sharp spike of pain up her right side, which she welcomed. It helped stave off the fog of unconsciousness, and cleared her thoughts enough to consider what had just happened.

She was bonded. There would be ceremonies to observe, perhaps even a challenge over it, but that was all gilding. The truth thrummed within her chest, and her recovering aura howled with triumph.

Do I take him back to my room now? she thought suddenly. Or his perhaps? Or do we still sleep separately?

The thought of sharing the bed with a man caused her to stumble with a grunt, Nickolas pulling at her arm to keep her from falling.

"Need a break?" the adorable man asked. "We're about halfway down."

She grunted to hide her embarrassment as her face flushed.

Actually bedding him would be too much. she decided. But touching him would be nice, falling asleep together.

Necun lowered herself to the step behind to catch her breath as her mind churned with possibilities.

I'll be sore after the healers are done with me. she mused. Perhaps I could try for a massage? Or would that also be too much? Hmm. Rot it. I'll ask. Every axe in it's scabbard is wasted.

Her bonded tapped her back.

"Ready to move?" he asked quietly.

She could see the concern on his delicate features. The sight nearly stopped her heart. She wanted to kiss him, to push him to the wall and explore his body, to proclaim her love for him and restate her oaths.

"Let's get it over with." she grunted instead.

Nickolas lifted her again as her body exploded with pain, but she managed the motion without screaming like a proper Night Hunter. Continuing the agonizing journey to the base of the tower she gathered enough of her wits to ask a question that had nagged at her since the feast.

"Why?" she grunted. "Did your mother offer you in the tithe?"

Necun felt the male's shoulder's tighten from the question, and for a moment he remained silent.

"She didn't wish to." he finally replied. "I forced her hand."

The answer took her by surprise, and she hesitated with the tumble of follow up questions.

Nickolas flicked his eyes at her, judging her expression.

"The tools a man can use to avoid an unsatisfactory marriage are few and often unpleasant." he continued. "Yet they perform the task all the same."

"She wanted someone form the heartlands. One of the trade queendoms, not the Purple Hills of course, she's no fool." he explained, a hard edge entering his voice. "Some were not too bad, simply unpleasant. Either to the eyes or ears. Others were-."

He paused.

"For others the word 'cruel' seems entirely too kind." he hissed through his teeth. "I can't even call them animals. Even beasts understand empathy to some degree. For their mates if nothing else."

His words elicited a strange new emotion in Necun. She had never felt her blood chill with shock and boil with rage at the same time.

"The Warden allowed this?" she growled low in her throat. "For you to meet such women?"

He laughed softly, but humor was absent from the sound.

"I was toured around the queendoms for two cycles." he said. "Shown off by my aunt like a prized rook. My mother was willing to listen to certain concerns when I was resting at home, and able to voice them, but my aunt? She was looking for her 'commission'."

Necun gave him a confused look and he cleared his throat.

"My aunt was escorting me around since I needed a keeper, and my mother had too many duties here." he explained. "She started shopping around for the best price, and sizing up the bribes she would receive for putting in a good word."

She released a growl, causing her bond to pause. He gave her a strange look she couldn't parse.

"It's standard practice for the inner queendoms." he said "Honestly they think we're a bit strange for our restraint regarding dowry's and bribes. I understand a pretty man from a good family can fetch three cart loads of silver. Or a whole armory of weapons and armor. For the martially inclined."

He shook his head.

"Regardless, she was looking for a good price for my mother, and to make enough bribes to go off on her own. She's been eyeing a small castle that's grown enough to need a administrator." he explained. "She didn't much care for my suitor's character or 'hobbies'. If they or their families could meet the price...well."

He shrugged leaving the rest unspoken.

As the descended the last section of stairs Necun digested his words.

"They would have hurt you?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. "These women of the heartlands?"

"Not sure for some of them." he admitted. "The worst would have certainly. However even the cruelest must have known it would be risky to harm me directly. I suspect most would refrain from anything too physically obvious, to maintain decorum at least. Risking a Warden's ire is no small thing, even if we are on the outskirts. In addition there is the risk I would make a fuss at court. Not fatal to a noble's career, but no small trifle either."

"Were they not worried you would act yourself?" Necun blurted out. "Even if you did not denounce them they would be trusting you with their household! Mistreating you...mistreating any male like that would quickly result in a knife in the ribs, or poison in your meal."

The laugh that came from Nickolas confused her.

Are the human of the plains so different? she thought, aghast. What am I missing?

"You think they would sleep with me Necun?" he chortled. "Not merely spend a evening with my body, but actually lay their head next to mine? No. They want a trophy, a bauble as you put it. Leaving the manor they kept me in would be a rare treat, most of my time would be spent lounging in whatever garden or tea room they deemed appropriate. Guarded of course. To ensure I didn't get into trouble."

Necun didn't miss that his voice started to drift, sounding odd.

"Even the one's who were merely 'unpleasant'?" she asked, still not quite believing.

"Oh, I'm sure they would allow me some pleasantries." he assured "Small parties, a pet artist to patronize. Allowing me to continue my magical studies if I was lucky and didn't make a fuss over whatever lovers they brought in."

"They would seek other men?" she grunted out, this was sounding far too strange for her. "Not simply merge houses with someone else?"

"I fear that's a nicety we picked up from your people." he laughed humorlessly "Properly 'civilized' human nobles always keep a few spare men around to satiate their needs. Usually some servant that catches their eye. That makes it easier to keep them around without uncomfortable questions."

They had reached the bottom of the stairs a moment ago, but Nickolas had made no move towards it. It seemed he wanted to get his point across before they entered the courtyard. Necun was glad for the chance to compose herself before facing her peers, even if it meant listening to the horrors of the deep human lands.

Her eyes flicked to him again as something else clicked.

"Your need for an oath makes sense." she said carefully. "You wanted to make sure, even with an orcish woman, that you wouldn't be caged and...used."

Nickolas gave her a sharp look, and turned towards the door, adjusting his grip on her arm.

"Ready to make the announcement?" he asked, ignoring her statement. "Make sure to look nice and strong, put me in a headlock of you need to."

"I'll handle it." she replied, allowing for the change in topic. "You just focus on looking cute and, well, conquered I suppose."

He laughed softly again, more cheerful now as they reached the door.

Necun set her hand on the handle an took a deep breath.

She pulled it open with a twist, making sure it banged against the stone wall to announce her arrival. Gazes swiveled to stare at the pair. Eyes burning as they looked over the couple.

Standing tall Necun met their gazes, her aura pulsing to cover any suggestion of weakness in her form as she strode forward with her bond on her arm.

"Well then." a Knight spoke up. "Guess he couldn't overcome real aura."

The armored woman slammed her shield with a fist in salute. Yet as she prepared to speak Kitcha stepped into the circle of light.

"Necun." she interrupted, spitting at the orc's feet. "You honorless rotspawn. Aura? For this?"

"I did what was required for victory." Necun stated while shrugging, appearing as nonchalant as possible given the state of her body. "I wasn't going to leave my bonding to chance."

Kitcha's jaw tightened.

"You think your mother will be satisfied with that?" she growled. "Or your Chief? It is not just yourself you dishonored in front of the fortress dwellers. This reflects on your whole clan."

"It does." Necun allowed, drawing her back straighter and taking a step away from Nickolas to stand alone. "As did your failure to overcome a single Mage. He proved himself a proper threat, and a worthy challenge. I treated him with the respect his might was due."

As Kitcha began to argue Necun took another step and thrust her left arm into the torchlight, revealing the mess of electrical scars on her flesh.

"He pushed me hard Kitcha." she snarled. "Harder than I would expect even from a War Mage. I do not regret my decision, nor does my aura."

With that she flared the aura again. It was weakened from it's shattering, but still came eagerly to her call. Necun could hear murmurs among her clan mates as they watched her carefully, looking for a dullness in the color. They found no flaw, and Kitcha snapped her jaw shut in annoyance.

"We'll discuss this when less outsiders are present." she decided, retreating into the shadows once more.

As if you had the authority for that. Necun thought while running her tongue behind her tusks. All old Yutta will do is give me a slap on the back and congratulations for a good hunt.

She turned to see her bonded talking softly with one of the Mages, the old man doing a brief check to ensure the Warden's son did not come to harm during the ordeal. Necun was mildly annoyed by the implication, but decided it wasn't worth making a fuss. Better to let the Warden receive word her son was safe from her own people.

After a few more soft words with the Knights Nickolas returned to her.

"The healers can take you now." he told her softly, offering his arm.

She blinked, remembering that her aura was now deadening the pains of her body.

"Fine." she grunted. "Better handle do this now."

He offered his shoulder again, but she shrugged it off, staying strong for the tribe members still watching her. Nickolas tilted his head, but didn't press, leading her to a small building a short distance from the tower.

"Well done Cuncun." a voice called out.

She twisted slightly to see Kella following behind her.

Necun grunted, continuing through the door to what seemed to be a small storeroom. A freckled young man was prepping something in a bottle next to a cot.

"Sit." said the young man.

Knowing not to disobey a Medicine Man, Necun did as he ordered, dropping herself onto the cot's edge. Nickolas hovered nearby, now accompanied by one of the Knights. The armored woman kept flicking her gaze between Necun and Kella, the warrior's hand never left the pommel of her blade.

Necun hardly blamed the woman. It was always nerve wracking to be close to a dangerous predator.

Which was why the Medicine Man's nonplussed attitude was so amusing. His age aside, she doubted he had ever been this close to an orc Hunter. Yet the bottle appeared more interesting to him than Kella's hulking form.

"Drink this." the man said in a tired tone as he shoved a different bottle into her hands.

She blinked, accepting the bottle. Her mind was so tired the rim of the glass was touching her lips before she considered what was in it.

She paused.

Then she tossed head back, draining the contents in a single gulp.

Liquid ice rolled down her throat and turned her gut into a freezing storm. She could feel her jaw strain as her mouth clicked shut to keep herself from screaming. For a moment the pain of lightning coursing through her body seemed like a pleasant memory as she learned what the experience of diving into an icy lake would entail.

Then she gasped out and it was over. The freezing storm left her in moments, taking her body's aches and pains with it.

"Now this one." the rotten madman masquerading as a healer ordered her as he pushed forward another terror brew. "Don't worry it's less intense."

Necun didn't believe him, but she accepted the suspicious bottle anyway. After a moment of hesitation she choked it down.

He had not lied. It was less intense. It even warmed her body slightly. A shame it tasted like ashes and burnt grass.

This time she couldn't help but choke and gasp, doubling over as she risked spewing her stomach on the ground. A hand found her back and rubbed in small circles. Gurgling, as her mind cleared, she distantly hoped it was Nickolas.

Still, for all the terrible taste, her aura soaked in the magic of the potions greedily, and she could feel her damaged body knit itself new flesh to replaced the damaged muscle. To the human healer's credit his brews were quicker to act then any concoction she had taken before. Not that she would inform the cur of that, given that she would take her chances with a healing circle every time given their lack of horrid pain.

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Flexing her hand she found it as strong and dexterous as she was used to. She snorted and stood, glancing around for Nickolas.

"Better?" her bond asked. "Marious works wonders when he can be bothered, but his concoctions are rarely pleasant."

Necun watched as Nickolas dipped his head to the side just in time to dodge a stopper aimed at his head. Nickolas winked at her, having never broken eye contact.

"I'm healed enough." she said, smiling down at the smaller man. "Enough to handle what needs done before we retire in any case."

Nickolas blinked down at her in surprise and she heard a choking cough from Kella. Even the Knight had reacted poorly, gloves creaking as she gripped her sword's pommel tighter. It took Necun a few moments to parse the strange reactions.

She blushed.

"I, uh, meant talking with your mother, and arranging your luggage." she muttered, praying she wasn't blushing hard enough to see in the dim light.

Her bond's lips clenched and she realized after another moment he was holding back his own amusement.

"I'm sure she's waiting for us." Nickolas said after clearing his throat slightly. "Mol?"

"She's in the tea room." the knight replied with a voice like well chewed stone. "I'm to bring you and the winner to her tea room as soon as convenient."

"Shall we, my wife?" he asked, fluttering his pretty eyelashes.

Necun grunted to avoid saying something embarrassing as she made to follow him to the main keep. In the doorway she passed Kella, and noted her friend no longer looked so amused. She winked, to reassure her friend of course. Not mocking at all.

That was beneath a proud Hunter such as herself.

The courtyard was not quite the wreck Necun expected. She supposed the old Mages had some way of cleaning up all the blood. Most of the evidence of the hunt/battle for her bond was in cracked or smashed cobblestones where her tribe mates had landed. While she didn't envy the poor sod that would be replacing those she couldn't help smirking in pride at the rotting levels of destruction Nickolas had managed.

"How long did you prep for this night?" she asked

"A long time." he replied bitterly. "Mother made me sleep in the tower for the last stretch. You wouldn't believe how drafty it gets. It will be wonderful to sleep in my room again."

"Ah. Yes." Necun muttered, put out. "Your room. I suppose that makes the most sense."

"You'll like it." he teased. "It's very comfortable."

Both Necun and the Knight stumbled in surprise. They turned to Nickolas, finding him looking as innocent as he could manage. Which didn't turn out to be much, but they could see the effort.

"That would not be proper." the Knight hissed. "You are still-."

"Oath's were exchanged." Nickolas interrupted. "Necun is my wife, and I her husband. She has the right. Assuming she wishes to take it."

That caused his Knight escort to emit a rather fascinating noise Necun had only heard from serpents. It also caused Kella to break into laughter once again.

"I need to go." Kella gasped out. "Before this boy kills me with his audacity."

"Going for another name on the tithe?" Necun asked.

"Yes, though I don't expect much luck. Some of the others slipped out the moment they saw you flare your aura. I'm sure they're all claimed by now." she said, sighing slightly. "Perhaps it's better this happened. Yon has been making his feelings clear recently."

"He's a good sort." Necun agreed. "Nice arms."

"He does doesn't he." Kella mused. "And since he comes from a smith house."

She shrugged.

"I doubt I'll regret it." she said. "You just make sure to keep gold-."

Kella spared a glance at Nickolas who had raised an eyebrow.

"Just make sure to take good care of the Warden's welp here." Kella coughed.

"Wouldn't consider the alternative." Necun replied, winking at Nickolas and his escort both.

The Hunter's clasped arms and Kella strode off into the dark. Her armor allowed her to meld with the shadows, and she was near invisible after a few long strides.

"This way." Nickolas called. "I would rather not keep mother waiting."

Necun nodded and followed into the bright hall lit with mage lamps. It took her eyes a moment to adjust, and she blinked away stars.

Seeing the bright orange and reds of Nickolas's mage robes up close was a treat, and she could see the delicate stitching human garments were known for.

She also saw the smear of black filth down his side, staining the pristine robe.

Looking down she remembered the grime that had smeared her armor from her rooftop escapade.

Forgot about that. she thought. Unfortunate.

"Any chance I could stop by my room and change into my robes?" she tried "I don't think the Warden would appreciate dirt in her tea room."

The Knight snorted, but otherwise kept a brisk pace, ignoring the question.

"I wouldn't concern yourself with it." Nickolas said. "She's tracked in a lot worse herself. Hilspix blood is far harder to wash out then a little grime. Besides, the carpet is due for a purging spell."

Necun missed a step.

A purging spell? she thought incredulously. For carpet stains? How wealthy is the Warden? And how good are her Mages?

The trio climbed the wood trimmed stairs and down a series of twisting halls. Eventually they arrived at an unassuming white door. The Knight knocked once, and the entrance opened to reveal the Warden and her entourage.

The woman's martial bearing was obvious even in the livery of a feast robe. Here, in the light of the tea room, she appeared as a warrior Queen of old lounging on her conquered throne.

Gone were the bulky festive robes, instead she wore a simple cut shirt and dark pants. Both revealed her soldier's figure, and did nothing to hide the criss cross of scars that wound up and down her arms. Her face was a mask of cold disinterest behind her steepled fingers. The scarred half of the Warden's face was dipped in shadow from the harsh mage lamps, and Necun wondered if she lit herself in a sinister manner purposefully.

This woman had defended the walls of her home from the any beast foolish enough to crawl out of the Green's canopies. A dire task at times, and one that was worthy of respect. Necun flicked her chin up slightly to show that respect to the Warden, before her eyes drifted to her entourage.

To the Warden's left was an unimpressive woman. Soft from a life behind a desk, with ink stained hands and narrowed eyes as she sized up their orcish guest. A calculator then. If not a chronicler. There were few such women in the RazorRiver clan, and many young Hunters treated them with open mockery. Necun had learned to avoid such foolishness. She had the benefit of the Chief's, her house-mother's, advice on the subject. There was deep value in women with talents for the written word or mathematics, as well as a cost to earning their ire. Given that this individual was not at the feast, but now stood at her Warden's side meant....well, Necun didn't actually understand the full meaning. She would have to ask Bycia later, she understood these things.

The woman to the right was easier to grasp the purpose of. She was a solid brick of a woman, thick slabs of muscle contained by her bulky robes. Necun would place good coin on the woman being of orcish decent. No one outside her people could sneer that well. The armored woman was also the only person visibly armed, besides the Knight Necun had followed in.

Does that make her the house guard or the Warden's Champion? thought Necun as she tried to recall what she learned about the humans on the road. At least she's not fondling her blade like Nickolas's guard.

The last figure in the room stood just to the left of the Warden's seat, and a step behind the others. Necun remembered her bond's father easily, the soft faced man who had openly fawned over his son. He appeared calmer here, more composed despite the tension in the air, and had placed a hand on the back of the Warden's leather chair. While he was the least threatening of the group he still had a weight about him that kept Necun from dismissing him. She could feel those cold gray eyes searching her body for any flaw or weakness. When he saw she had directed her attention to him he met her gaze, and she saw no hint of the fussing man from the feast.

The flickering fireplace sparked slightly.

Necun swallowed, feeling the pressure of the assembled humans pressing down on her as the Knight stepped to the side, leaving her alone.

Well, not totally alone. Nickolas had stepped closer, staring down his birth mother and sire. His robes brushed her arms and she kept her face carefully neutral while her chest filled with warmth.

She knew her bond would stand with her. Even against his kin, at least in this limited showdown. That was more than she had expected, and she silently chided herself for doubting him. Had they not sworn oaths? He was hers. She was his.

Together the world would tremble at their passing.

----------------------------------------------------------------

The tea room held few good memories for Nickolas, but watching his father meet his new wife while looking like he swallowed lime would be a proud addition. The experience was slightly marred by his mother's lecture face, but that was to be expected. In any case it was the first time he would face one of his mother's lectures with a partner by his side, which was a novel change. Sayma and Mousia were the same loyal hounds as ever. They stuck to his mother's backside, eager to pressure him and Necun, make them feel small and outnumbered.

Necun was standing straight and tall by his side, shifting herself slightly to shield him. It was an unconscious gesture he had seen from his guards a thousand times, yet seeing it here still managed to warm his heart.

He took a moment to examine his bride in the soft firelight. She looked better in armor, compared to the robes she wore during the feast. The slick black scales accented her figure rather than conceal it, and did rather fetching things for her well muscled arms and back. Being a head shorter than his wife was something he had resigned to after getting himself on the tithe list. It wasn't his fault really, he was tall even for the men of the fortress, but an orc's natural build guaranteed he would be shorter than all but the smallest of their people. It wasn't a terrible loss, perhaps the opposite assuming his wife delighted in demonstrating her physical prowess over him the way human women often did.

I wonder if she would let me ride on her shoulders? he mused. That was always fun when mother was available, and her shoulders do look broad enough. Hmm. Could I ride on her bicep? Her arms look big enough, like that mural by the south wall.

"Nickolas." his mother's voice called sternly.

He blinked and shook off the fantasy as he focused on his mother.

"Yes?" he said putting on his sweetest voice. "I'm sorry mother I misheard you. Planning for my trip tomorrow."

The tension of the room sharpened. His mother's gaze bore down on him like an over stressed minister on the last cream pastry. He smiled innocently as he resisted the urge to push her mood over the edge. Instead he slipped his arm around Necun's, and drew closer to her side.

"I'm sure Necun will handle most of the essentials but there are a few pleasantries, and comforts I would like to take." he continued. "Whatever will fit alongside my war kit. Oh! And I can't forget the gifts for her house. Do we still have that allenkite bow in the vault?"

Mousia blanched at the suggestion.

"The bow we received from the Empress of Three Rings?" she scoffed. "You want to take it with you as an offering? It's been a treasure of this fortress for three hundred cycles!"

"Precisely." he said maintaining his smile. "No one will miss the dusty thing. Perhaps it will even get some use instead of taking up space in our cellar."

Mousia reddened and opened her mouth for a retort, only for his mother's raised hand to halt her.

"We are getting off topic." the Warden of Blightstone Fortress stated firmly. "I want assurances that both sides are satisfied with this tithe. That no one feels deprived.

Her eyes had locked back on to Necun with the final statement, and she let the words hang in the air for a moment.

"Two hundred ingots of the finest iron, six rooks to carry it, and your pick from the next tithe." the Warden stated firmly. "As well as a weapon from my arsenal if you desire one."

Nickolas felt his wife stiffen beside him as she processed the meaning of his mother's words.

"You are bribing me?" Necun asked in disbelief. "To not bond with your son?"

"Shamelessly." the Warden replied. "I have need to keep him here. Besides, I have no other children. You'll be taking my legacy and bloodline with you."

"A problem you would face regardless of which of my clan claimed him." Necun noted. "If this was an issue you should not have offered him in the tithe at all."

"My hand was forced." the Warden said dismissively. "Paying off the tithe price lets us both leave happy. You will still have the honor of a victorious hunt, and I keep my son."

And a fortune in metal. Nickolas thought uncharitably. Let's not forget that.

Despite himself Nickolas was tense. He had some confidence, but he had known Necun for less then a bell. Oaths or not his mother was offering a fortune for him. Few women would sell their husbands so blatantly, but that was with the social stigma of doing so weighing on the scales. The tithe price was an established custom, if rarely used, and carried no dishonor. After all, he would just be returned to his family not literally sold. Necun could break from him here without consequence, and many women would say she was better for it.

What value did beauty have? Against a small fortune in steel and work animals, and another man to warm her bed two cycles from now? That lay in the eyes of his new wife.

The moment stretched on, and Nickolas felt the orc weighing his worth to her against the offered price. His fingers tightened on her arm as he waited, not daring to breathe.

Should I have asked for another oath? he wondered. Would it have even made a difference here?

He stomped down on the thought.

If I can't trust her this far she's not worth being my bride. he decided, letting out a breath. It's her mistake to make, and I have my back up plan if nothing else.

The silence had dragged on for an uncomfortable amount of time by that point. The sound of Necun grinding her teeth reached his ear and he peaked up to see his betrothed's face.

Her eyes were narrowed, and her jaw was set. Then she glanced down at him and he saw the confusion in her eyes.

"I am....unsure why we are having this discussion Warden." she began, not taking her eyes off Nickolas. "What paltry wealth could compare to him? What metal could match his charms? What rook could surpass his ferocity?"

She shook her head.

"To abandon my bond for wealth is unacceptable." she continued. "He is beyond such simple things."

While Nickolas wanted to keep staring at her, he wanted to see his mother's expression more. Sayma and Mousia had the same idea, glancing over at their lord. The Warden's face had tightened, and Nickolas could see the conflict there. As pragmatic as his mother was there was the edge of sentimentality. Her desires warred within her for but a moment, and then the steel returned to her gaze, killing the hesitation. The Warden stared Necun down once more.

"If you mistreat him, or allow him to be mistreated. I will end you." the Lord of Blightstone stated simply. "Your head will be mounted on a pike and our peace with your people will be dashed against the stones. I will make a ruin of your home that will be sung about for a thousand cycles with awe and fear."

Necun swallowed as the threat sunk in. Then she took a small step closer to Nickolas.

"I understand Warden." Necun replied. "No such harm will come to him. Oaths were sworn, but beyond even that I would let myself be rent into shreds before allowing mistreatment of my bond."

"Such is the honor of RazorRiver." she declared proudly, her face splitting into a vicious grin.

Nickolas's father scowled, his mother looked contemplative, stroking her scar.

"Well." Nickolas jumped in. "That's taken care of. About the bow..."

Mousia looked like she was ready to argue with him over the point.

"Very well." his mother said, cutting her financier off. "Take it. As a gift to the RazorRiver tribe and it's Chief."

"And the forty iron ingots of course." Nickolas continued. "Along with the rooks to carry it."

His mother raised an eyebrow.

"For gifts." He explained. "I can only give the bow away once."

She rolled her eyes.

"Normally I would be getting a groom price for you." she said. "Why am I getting robbed?"

"You're buying an alliance." he pointed out. "I can ensure the trade goes better for us in the coming seasons. Our peace accords and trade route needs to be formalized."

"For forty ingots of good iron?" she retorted. "That's enough to equip a dozen more Knights."

"Or buy an early warning against the next migration of Deep beasts." he responded just as quickly. "The RazorRiver tribe always notices the shifts before we do."

He stole a glance at Necun.

"With more frequent contact we could have a scout delivering early warning." he said. "Enough to get our supplies in order and our people in the walls. Well worth twelve Knights of un-worked iron."

Sayma's eyes went wide and she stared at Nickolas for a long moment. Then she turned to share a glance with her Warden.

"Is that possible?" his mother asked sharply, turning to Necun.

"Um. Maybe?" Necun responded. "You're in a quiet area of the Green. No Rot, no big hunting spots. A scout would be safe long term."

She considers for a long moment.

"Have to work it out with a few households. No one will want to be in this territory for long but for the right price?" she said, shrugging. "I could see it. My mother and the Chief would know better. The ingots will spend either way, and if it's for your people I'm sure you can get good value for it."

Nickolas grinned as his betrothed backed up his story.

"Considering the value you stand to gain fifty ingots is a bargain." he tried.

His mother drummed her fingers on the side of her face as she mulled over the proposal.

"Interesting how forty ingots just became fifty." she mentioned, eyes narrowing.

Nickolas attempted to look innocent. He failed.

"Very well." the Warden sighed out. "Take fifty with you. I expect RazorRiver scouts, or something of decent value by next cycle. You can report to me when you visit."

She gave him a stern look to accentuate the last line.

And like that I have a bargaining position. Nickolas thought while smiling and nodding. Let's see how far it takes me.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Necun felt wrung out and lost. The apparent negotiation between her bond and his mother had some history behind it and she was uncertain how much of this was pre-planned.

It matters little. she thought. The Chief has the final say. Nothing is set until she makes the call.

Relaxing into careful neutrality she studied the other male in the room, her bond's father who had not said a word the entire discussion.

Though neither did the warrior. she mused. Why didn't she speak up? The Knight spoke. Ah. Is she the type whose actions speak for them. Honorable.

As she was nodding at the fellow warrior with approval the Warden finished her argument with Nickolas.

"I'll speak about this later." the Warden stood as she spoke. "Necun, may I have a word with my son alone? He'll be right out."

Necun blinked at suddenly being addressed. She looked at Nickolas who offed a small smile.

"Sure, um, should I go back to my room?" she asked. "And will Nickolas stay with me for the night?"

That got the rooms attention. The cold glowering gazes from the father, as well as the Knight were the worst.

They look like I just....offered to bed their son. she realized halfway through the thought.

"Mol can take you to my room." Nickolas said cheerfully. "The bed is nicer there."

The Knight swallowed a snarl, but Necun missed it as she backed out of the door sketching a small bow for politeness sake.

"An honor to meet you Warden." she got out before stepping out of the room.

The Knight followed her.

"This way." The woman said through gritted teeth.

She marched down the hall with heavy steps. Her armor clattered, and reflected the light well.

It set Necun on edge. The outright hostility she could ignore, but the sheer obliviousness of the human knight when it came to proper combat gear ate at her.

Any Green critter, Rotted or not, would hear her well before she was within sight. she thought. What a difference the walls make, for this to be an example of their best warriors.

The knight suddenly whirled.

"You will not be taking his innocence." the armored woman snarled. "Not while he's still under my protection."

Ah. Necun thought, her focus shifting as she sighed internally. Of course she loves him.