Cosdale's familiar features were a bittersweet symphony of memories for Iris. As the group neared the town’s outskirts, she found herself caught in the tapestry of past encounters and episodes she’d rather forget. The glow of the setting sun seemed to stir these memories, casting long, ominous shadows over the weathered rooftops, while the familiar scents of the local fare lingered in the air like a ghost of her past.

Entering through the guarded gates, she caught sight of the recognizable faces of the guards. Despite the mixed feelings, the surprise in their eyes made her give them a curt nod. She was greeted with nods in return, whispers filling the air like invisible specters as they passed.

It seemed that the town’s perception of her as some kind of a hero, despite their lack of overt appreciation, remained even through her abrupt departure.

Guiding the group down the familiar cobblestone paths, they arrived at Helda's inn. A place she'd once considered a haven, now stirred a complex mix of emotions within her. A boy spotted their arrival and quickly ran inside. She didn't recognize him, but clearly he knew something was up enough to rush off to probably warn the innkeeper.

She was dismounting Mocha when the telv woman emerged from within the inn, her eyes quickly meeting Iris’s. “Didn’t think I’d see your scrawny ass again,” Helda commented dryly, her gaze drifting over to Mocha. A soft smile graced her lips as she added, “And how are you, girl? Seems like your adventurer finally got you some armor.”

Mocha snorted and walked over to Helda giving the woman a gentle nudge, much to the innkeeper’s amusement. She focused back on Iris as Mocha nickered.

“What did she say?” Helda asked.

Iris huffed. “She’ll have your best stall for the night, although she still thinks a room on the ground floor would be suitable. If you decline, then she may be bribed with apples.”

“I’ll see what I can do, girl.” Helda chuckled and patted Iris’s friend on her neck. “And who are your friends?” she asked as everyone disembarked from the wagon.

Iris gestured at her party, indicating each member as they approached. “This is Gryff, Laken, Bree, Akane, and–”

“I’m Kaira,” the elf said with a smile and an extended hand. “Iris’s… companion.”

Iris froze.

Helda raised a brow as she firmly gripped Kaira’s hand. “Didn’t think she’d ever go steady,” she said before pulling Kaira close and whispering into her ear. The elf’s eyes widened slightly before a determined expression settled onto her face.

Helda pulled back and the two shared a long look until Kaira nodded. “I will.”

The innkeeper smiled. “Good! Iris, that girl has three tails and some fluffy ears. I haven’t had anything to drink, so I presume you know this?”

Iris laughed. “Yes, that’s Akane. She was… changed by the Flash.”

Helda nodded like it was just another normal day with Iris. “That’s an extra silver a night. How long are you staying?”

“Oh, come on, Helda! Why do you always gotta charge me extra?” Iris whined.

Kaira laughed, the look of her eyes as they filled with mirth was gorgeous. “Just for the night, Miss Helda. We’re on a quest.”

The woman’s eyes widened as she seemed to take in the party in a new light. “Well, I’ll be. Iris Stuart, you turned your silliness into a real profession, girl. I’m impressed. Any of you adventurer types make a mess of my inn and I’ll knock you on your asses. If either of you boys bothers Neri, I’ll take a frying pan to ya,” Helda said, referring to her high elf barmaid.

Her gaze hovered over Bree and Akane for a moment before she shook her head. “You two may be the most normal ones here.”

Kaira sucked in a breath. “Wait, what about me?”

The innkeeper didn’t miss a beat. “You’re the woman that chose Iris. You’re probably the worst of the lot,” she said with a huff. “Now, you can park the wagon in the back, choose any stalls for the normal horses and take the closest one to the entrance for Mocha, that girl gets the best. The rest of yous come on in. We’re causing a scene.”

Iris smiled as everyone started moving. Akane exchanged a few words with Mocha before the kitsune sidled up to Iris.

Helda paused as she took in the sight of them next to each other, their resemblance was clearly on display. Her eyes narrowed but she seemingly gave up on whatever thoughts were flitting through her mind as she just shook her head and mumbled, “I’m not even going to ask.”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Akane let out a light bark, and the innkeeper sighed, her gaze moving up to the second moon in the sky. “Nope. Relena grant me patience,” she prayed aloud. “Iris, you’ve got a lot of explaining to do tonight.”

Iris’s smile grew. I missed this woman.

✦ ✦ ✦

A labyrinthine weave of towering trees stood before Iris, their almost sinister familiarity pricking at her skin. Nestled deep within those ancient burrows were memories that she believed long buried. A wave of emotions threatened to surge within her as she gazed at the tree line. It was in these very woods that she arrived on Eona, brought by the Flash and bestowed her neverending bad luck.

Yet, it was also here that she learned magic, and cast her [Spark] for the first time, turning the tide of what promised to be a terrible fate. Now, a year and a half later, the forest remained unchanged, silent and foreboding, and still filled with those damned bandits.

It was time to change that.

Iris pulled out the map they'd obtained from Ser Meredith and beckoned everyone to move closer together as she placed it onto the wagon, spreading it out so everyone could see the circle where the fort should be.

“We’re here,” she said, indicating a location almost ten kilometers from their destination. “While I am sure there is a hidden wagon trail somewhere, we do not have all day to locate it. So, here’s what I suggest.”

She’d chosen the spot where they’d enter the woods deliberately. She looked up from the map and pointed north where the outline of a building could be seen. “That is the ruins of an old farm. We’ll leave the wagon there. Then it’s all on foot. Mocha, you still okay with guard duty?”

Mocha flicked her tail a bit in irritation before letting out a huff. ‘Yeah, yeah. Fine.’

Akane let out a couple of barks to Mocha who turned and nodded to the kitsune.

“I suggest we find somewhere to camp for the night,” Kaira suggested as her eyes scanned the map.

“I agree,” Iris responded. “But I think it would be best if we scout out the fort first. I want to get an idea of the lay of the land, their numbers, and patrol routes if possible. We don’t want to make a camp only to be discovered by one of their patrols.” Her gaze swept the group, searching for any signs of opposition. When none came, she continued, “We'll move as a loose group until we're about a kilometer away. Then we'll split into two groups, Kaira with Bree and Gryff then Laken, Akane, and I as we all move in closer for reconnaissance.”

Everyone nodded in agreement with the plan and started gathering their supplies. Akane tilted her head slightly as she stared at the treeline, which made Iris narrow her eyes, but then the kitsune moved next to her, seemingly prepared to go.

Iris still wasn’t sure how much she could trust the magical creature.

Once the group had set up the wagon and made sure Mocha was secure with the mundanes at the abandoned farmstead, they began their trek into the woods.

In the hushed silence as the group formed up, Akane suddenly shimmered. An ethereal light enveloped her, tracing the outline of her humanoid form before it wavered and transformed. Her body morphed, elongating and shifting until it was no longer the figure the kitsune had used since leaving Stilstead. Standing there, in place of the woman, was a massive fox, her fur gleaming in the dappled sunlight, her multiple tails fluttering behind her. She easily reached Mocha’s shoulder, her piercing eyes surveying the group. All around, eyes widened in astonishment as the team took in her true form. Iris merely smirked at the stunned silence, having been privy to this sight before.

Maybe not just an illusion then? Alteration, maybe? An actual humanoid transformation spell?

The transformation sent a ripple of whispers through the group. Laken, in particular, seemed spellbound by the sight of Akane's true form. His gaze was locked on her, mouth slightly agape. “She's... magnificent,” he whispered, and Iris had to agree. In this form, Akane was truly a sight to behold.

Beside Iris, Kaira leaned in, her eyes wide as she glanced between Iris and Akane. “You chased her?” she murmured, the disbelief clear in her voice. “Were you out of your mind?”

Iris couldn't help the grin that tugged at her lips. She remembered that day well, the thrill of the chase, the rush of adrenaline. “Maybe a little,” she admitted, her eyes twinkling with amusement. It had been a mad thing to do, certainly, but it had let her meet an actual kitsune, and the weeb in her had no regrets.

As the group resumed their trek, they soon found their stride at a careful pace. They tactically spaced themselves out to minimize the risk of an easy ambush target yet maintained enough proximity for hushed communication. This cautious rhythm became the cadence of their journey, ensuring vigilance and support as they pressed on.

Someone needs to invent magic or enchanted comms, for real.

Laken, Akane, and Iris led the way, the [Ranger] for his tracking, and Iris for her firepower, and Akane because a dire wolf-sized fox was scary as fuck. All three kept an eye on the undergrowth surrounding them, the fox stopping occasionally to sniff at something that caused her concern. Birds chirped high above them, darting between the branches in an intricate dance, their song echoing in the quiet of the forest.

Around a quarter of an hour into the journey, Iris smiled as she heard Bree singing along softly to nature’s beautiful melody.

Their movements through the foliage were slow, yet deliberate. Their progress was steady as they navigated the uneven forest floor, weaving their way between the thick clusters of trees. Every rustle of leaves had them pausing, each snap of a twig resulted in hands drifting toward weapons.

Their journey through the dense woods was abruptly interrupted by the sound of approaching voices. Iris motioned for the group to stop, her sharp eyes catching sight of four men emerging from the shadows of the trees, chattering carelessly to each other. Their clothing, lack of decent equipment, and mannerisms were unmistakable.

It was a patrol of bandits from the fort.