With Kaira now comfortably nestled behind her on Mocha, Iris felt a sense of calm settle over her. The rhythm of Mocha's steps, the feeling of Kaira's body pressed against her own, and the new commitment between them all contributed to a pleasant ride.

Kaira, holding on to Iris, leaned her head against the taller terran’s shoulder, her voice carrying the contentment she felt. “This is nice, riding with you.”

Iris couldn't help but agree. “Yeah, it's great… but we'll be at the forest soon.”

In response, Kaira let out a soft chuckle. “Let's just enjoy this while it lasts, shall we? We can worry about fighting people and monsters when we get there.”

Iris nodded, unable to find any fault in Kaira's argument. As they continued to engage in light conversation, a sudden sneeze broke their tranquil bubble. “Bless you,” Iris reflexively said.

“That wasn't me,” Bree replied hesitantly, her voice echoing from the wagon beside them.

Iris and Kaira’s heads whipped to the side in sync to look at the wagon. A sense of urgency filled the air as Gryff pulled the reins, bringing the wagon to a halt.

Bree, her hand gripping a knife, moved cautiously toward the pile of supplies that were blanketed. Iris, drawing on her mana, focused her gaze on the supply pile.

After a moment of shared understanding, Iris nodded at Bree. With a swift move, Bree pulled back the blanket, revealing a young telv woman.

Iris's eyes widened in surprise. “What the fuck, Neri?!”

The sight of Neri looking around in a panic, clearly not expecting to be found, left Iris gaping. The telv hesitated before offering a nervous chuckle and a sheepish wave of her hand. “H-Hi, Iris. Are we near Stilstead, yet?”

Iris, still taken aback by the sudden discovery, let out an exasperated groan. Sitting on the wagon’s driving bench, Gryff had an equally dumbfounded expression, his eyes narrowing suspiciously at the unexpected passenger. “We’re close to the Cursed Forest,” he clarified for the group, frustration lacing his voice. “That’s where we’re heading to find the Marauder Prince.”

Upon hearing that, Neri’s eyes widened, her complexion growing paler. “W-What? But I thought…”

Before the young woman could say anything else, Iris interjected. “Yeah, Neri. Why are you even here?” Iris asked, her tone was stern but not without concern. “Does Helda know you left?”

Seeming to deflate under their questioning gaze, Neri lowered her head, her curly hair forming a strawberry-blonde curtain around her face. “I left a note for her. I wanted to come with you to Brightburn,” she confessed. “I… I thought that if I hid away in the wagon and showed up in Stilstead, you wouldn’t be able to say no to me.”

While the kitsune thought the situation was absolutely hysterical, the admission left Iris in stunned silence. Neri, who had always been so reserved and quiet when Iris lived in Cosdale, had just pulled off one of the boldest moves she'd ever seen from the telv.

Kaira leaned forward and spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, the words carrying the weight of her concern. “What are we going to do with her? We can't just take her into the forest with us.”

Iris nodded in agreement. Gryff added his opinion that they should turn back, but Kaira pointed out that would possibly add days to their time, and they already weren’t sure if anyone could have warned the Marauder Prince of their assault on the poacher fort.

That started a small debate between Gryff and Kaira, however, Bree, having moved back to her previous spot, merely shrugged at their dilemma. “Why not just have her stay with the horses and the wagon? If anything comes for her, she can grab a horse and flee.”

Upon hearing this, Iris let out an exasperated groan. Yet, Neri, who’d been looking increasingly downtrodden as they spoke of her fate, perked up at Bree’s suggestion. “I can defend myself, and I promise to take care of the horses. If needed, I can ride.”

From his perch atop the owlbear, Laken chimed in, offering his approval with a nonchalant shrug. “It doesn't hurt, and she can make sure the horses don't run off if we take more than a day or two in the forest. We have plenty of supplies.”

Resigned, Iris let out a sigh. “Fine. Let's do that. We should take a bit of time to scout the surroundings, see if there are any dwellings near the forest. Something she can take shelter in.”

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Kaira nodded her agreement, and Iris turned her gaze back to Neri. The telv looked a little more hopeful, perhaps sensing the decision swinging in her favor.

“The detour will potentially add some time,” Kaira added. “but it also gives us a chance to find a place to stay for the night, to make a plan. We only have a vague idea of where the Marauder Prince was focusing on in the forest, and you only saw the harpies from the road the first time, right?”

Iris agreed with Kaira’s reasoning, and Gryff, albeit with a hint of annoyance, turned back around, nudging the horses to move.

As Mocha started to canter alongside, Iris stole a glance over at the wagon and noticed Akane had moved to sit next to Neri, attempting to communicate with the nervous former barmaid.

There was something endearing about Akane’s efforts, and despite the sudden turn of events, Iris couldn’t help but allow a small smile to curve her lips.

I almost wish we could avoid this quest.

Stopping somewhere for the night would do them good. Not to mention, she still needed to have a talk with the free-spirited kitsune.

✦ ✦ ✦

As the sight of the Cursed Forest entered into view, a thunderous crash echoed from the distance, signaling the arrival of a storm. The darkening skies of the impending weather forced them to search for shelter with a newfound urgency. Iris and Kaira, still seated together on Mocha, decided to split from the group to cover more ground quickly.

With the thunder's ominous rumbling serving as their metronome, the pair spurred Mocha into a steady canter, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any semblance of a safe haven. The landscape rolled on, untamed and devoid of the safety they sought, until, after what Iris estimated to be an hour, a wagon trail cutting north from the road came into view.

After darting up it, a small homestead eventually came into view with a small plot of farmland next to it along with a few sheds and what looked like a small barn for some animals. It sat modestly north of the forest, nestled close to a river that mirrored the impending storm in its turbulent flow. Iris immediately felt a surge of relief at the sight, a bright glimmer amidst the gathering darkness in the sky.

As they approached the homestead, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly orkun man, his tough, green skin marked with the tales of many years. Behind him, a telv woman peeked out, her lavender eyes wide with curiosity.

The old man stepped out, hand on the hilt of a sword that sat in an old scabbard, and squinted as he took in the sight of the two women on horseback.

His voice, raspy with age broke the silence with a tone that hinted at a man used to having authority. “Can we help you?” he asked, looking between Iris and Kaira, his weathered face masking any immediate judgment.

With a shared glance and a nod, Iris helped Kaira down from Mocha before quickly sliding down herself. Dusting off her pants, she took a deep breath and then turned to face the elderly orkun man, a smile making its way onto her face.

“Hi! I’m Iris, an adventurer on a quest for Lady Arden from Brightburn. This here is Kaira Harken, a captain in the City Guard there,” she began, gesturing to Kaira who offered a polite nod. “We also have three other guards, a barmaid from Cosdale, and another... woman back with our wagon and animals along the main road. With the approaching storm, and we rode ahead of our party to find somewhere to shelter for the night. Would it be possible for us to stay in your barn or shed? We promise to not bother you, if that's what you're worried about.”

The orkun man's mouth twisted into a disapproving frown, clearly prepared to dismiss their request, but before he could voice his rejection, the telv woman stepped forward, her hand on his arm gently guiding him back. “Have you all eaten?” she asked, her gaze sweeping over the two women. “I was just about to prepare dinner.”

Iris returned her smile. “No, ma'am, but we brought all the food we need. However, if you're willing to feed a small army of hungry adventurers, we have coin.”

Taking a deep breath, the man glanced at the woman before giving a resigned nod. “Fine, go get your group. You mentioned… animals. You mean horses, or do you have something else pulling your wagon? I have a few cows that are afraid of their own shadows.”

Iris chuckled nervously, the sound eerily reminiscent of Neri’s own earlier surprise.

It was Kaira who picked up the explanation after a groan at Iris’s hesitance, her voice low and cautious. “Do you have anywhere more... private for one of our animals? Preferably with a lot of... space?”

Suspicion clouded the man's eyes. “What is it? You mentioned guardsmen… A big dog?”

A wince made its way onto Iris' face at the man’s guess. “One of our guardsmen is a [Ranger] and his... companion is an... owlbear.”

The man blinked, clearly taken aback. “What?”

Kaira shrugged, her face impassive. “Yup. We were as surprised as you.”

The man’s frown deepened, his face etched with disbelief. Yet, before he could voice his doubts, his wife interjected, her voice a calming presence against his incredulity.

“The guardsman and his...” She paused, choosing her next words with careful deliberation, “Completely reasonable and surely safe... companion animal can stay in the shed closest to the farm.”

Despite her tactfully chosen words, a hint of amusement played at the corners of her mouth as she offered them this compromise. She seemed more amenable to their unusual situation than her husband, which instantly made her Iris’s favorite woman of the evening.

She glanced at Kaira.

Second favorite.