It didn't take long for Iris, Kaira, and Mocha to find the group, and soon the entire party–complete with their burgeoning menagerie–found themselves back at the modest homestead. The old orkun man and his telv wife were waiting for them, settled outside on some crude wooden chairs that seemed to have weathered countless seasons.

As they approached, the man's initially stormy scowl transformed into a look of pure shock, his eyes widening as he noticed Laken, seated nonchalantly atop the owlbear.

His wife, on the other hand, broke into an amused smile, her lavender eyes twinkling in delight at the sight.

The man got up, shaking his head in disbelief. “You weren't kidding. How?” he asked, his gaze focused on Laken with a bemused expression.

Laken merely offered a warm smile in return as if he enjoyed the opportunity to explain. “He was hurt and caged by some poachers. I saved him, and we formed a bond almost instantly.”

The man merely shook his head, apparently lost for words.

“Well, I think he's absolutely gorgeous,” the woman added, her eyes softening as she admired the enormous creature from afar.

Laken dipped his head respectfully, a touch of pride in his voice. “Thank you, ma'am. He's a sweetheart, I promise and I have plenty of dried fish for him to eat.”

As Iris and Kaira dismounted from Mocha, the others followed suit, leaving the wagon. The homestead's atmosphere buzzed with an air of expectancy, all attention subtly focused on the elderly couple.

The orkun man grunted, his initial shock ebbing away. “I have some fish caught just today from the river. He's welcome to a few.”

The offer made Iris raise an eyebrow at the man’s change of stance, but she was cut off from commenting when the man froze. His gaze was fixated on Akane, his voice thick with curiosity. “What is... she?”

Iris put an arm around Akane, pulling the kitsune closer with a protective gesture. “You can't see the resemblance?” she said with a light tone, leaning her head against the now amused fox girl’s own.

The man took another deep breath and turned to his wife, his expression a mix of disbelief and resignation. “I'm not dealing with this. I tried. Your turn.”

His wife chuckled and rose from her chair, her gaze focused on Akane. “Well, aren't you two just the spitting image of each other? Let me guess, she got magically changed like those others?”

Iris shared a glance with Kaira, who asked, “What others?”

The telv woman shrugged casually as if discussing the weather. “What, you're not here about the people who went into the forest and got twisted and changed to have wings and feathers?”

Iris' eyes widened at the unexpected revelation. “You know about the harpies?”

“Harpies?” the man interjected as he rose from his chair. “It seems we have a lot to talk about over dinner. Get your animals and wagon situated before that Tenera-cursed storm gets here and makes a mess of things.”

“I'm going to get started with dinner while everyone gets all settled,” his wife added.

Iris hesitated for a moment before offering, “I can help too if you'd like.” She glanced at Kaira, who gave a firm nod of agreement.

“We can both pitch in,” Kaira added, her eyes meeting the telv woman’s in a silent pledge of assistance.

The telv woman's face brightened at their offer, an almost maternal warmth radiating from her. “Well aren't you two just the sweetest,” she said, her lavender eyes twinkling with delight. “That's quite a fine offer. Come along then and bring that fox girl with two too many tails…”

Iris glanced over her shoulder at the rest of the group, watching them as they began to get their animals and the wagon sorted.

‘I’m going to take a nap after one of the minions helps me get the armor off,’ Mocha nickered ‘Come get me if anything happens. Or if they have apples. Especially if they have apples.’

“I will,” the adventurer promised, patting her friend as she walked off.

Mocha was gently led towards the barn by Bree, who gave Iris an encouraging nod. Laken, meanwhile, was guiding his owlbear companion towards the designated shed, chatting amiably with the old orkun man who was showing them the way while still in disbelief about the creature.

With one last look at the group, Iris turned back towards the homestead, where the telv woman was already heading inside. She and Kaira exchanged a quick glance before waving Akane to join them in following the woman into the warmth of the house, leaving the gathering storm behind.

The telv woman, her eyes shining with anticipation, led them into a modest area clearly used as a kitchen. “If you can clean your hands and get the vegetables out of the pantry, we can get started,” she instructed, pointing them toward a basin and a wooden basket while she went to light the fire.

After drying off her hands, she noticed the woman was still trying to get the fire going, so Iris walked over to her and knelt next to her. “Here, allow me.”

The woman narrowed her eyes. “I can light my own–”

Iris sent a surge of lightning into the kindling the woman had set up and watched as it burst into flames. The woman’s eyes widened. “Well, that happened.”

Kaira chuckled as she rested her arms on Iris’s shoulders. “She’s pretty good at the magic thing.”

Akane huffed and used some magic to make a small illusion of Iris getting smacked around by the earthbender guy.

“None of that, Akane,” Kaira scolded.

Iris sighed. “No, it’s alright. Yeah, that guy got me good a few times, but look who’s still standing in the end. Also, don’t forget you and I still need to have a talk about your actions.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Akane’s eyes went wide and she concentrated. “...Why?” she asked, yipping at the end.

The telv woman raised a brow. “She having trouble talking?”

Iris and Kaira replied at the same time, “It’s complicated.”

Chuckling, the woman held up her hands. “Sorry, I asked hon.”

As they started to prepare the meal, their conversation was peppered with occasional queries about the recipe as Iris, Kaira, and Akane navigated the unfamiliar meal prep.

Kaira used some water from another basin to wash and then grabbed a knife to chop the vegetables before sliding them over to Akane, who used her illusion magic to mimic Kaira's actions, successfully keeping the kitsune engaged and learning. The homely atmosphere, punctuated by the occasional chuckle or surprised yip from Akane, was a stark contrast to the threatening presence of the Cursed Forest lurking outside.

After some attempts at communication from Akane, Iris relayed her question of if any meat would be added to the pot which elicited a surprised look from the telv woman as she responded, “Of course we are, why wouldn't we?”

Akane's ears perked up at the mention of meat, and she gave a firm, approving nod.

Their host proceeded to bring out cuts of tender beef, stored in a cool corner of the homestead. The meat, along with onions, potatoes, carrots, and what Iris identified as a local variant of celery, were added to the pot. The enticing aroma of herbs and spices, previously tucked away in the woman's cabinet, soon filled the room as they were added to the mixture.

The meal ended up being quite similar to goulash, which got Iris excited, and as it finally started cooking, Iris asked what the woman knew of the harpies.

“Not, much,” she admitted. “I know that a band of refugees made camp in that forest, and then over time, we started seeing those… creatures. My husband fought one that ventured to our farm, but then for some reason they stopped leaving their forest, almost as if…”

“Something was drawing them back,” Iris finished. “The first time I passed through here, I felt like there was more mana around the edge of the forest than here, for example.”

The woman shrugged. “Don’t know nothing about mana, so I assume it’s got something to do with your magic?”

Iris nodded. “Something like that.”

“I see.” The telv woman responded, her gaze alternating between Iris and her work as she stirred the contents of the pot. “So, you reckon those creatures are connected to this mana thing?”

“I think they might be,” Iris replied, her fingers tracing an absent-minded pattern on the kitchen table. “But why that would change them so drastically, I'm not sure. It's just a theory. The only thing I have is that an abundance of mana is what changed them, and because they’re used to that much mana, they prefer it. Like a fish used to the deep sea.”

Despite her best efforts, Iris could see her explanation had not fully landed. The woman's brows knitted together as if she were trying to untangle a particularly tricky knot, yet her attention was respectful, earnest.

Before the woman could voice her queries, a loud crack of thunder echoed through the house. Almost immediately after, a startled yelp sounded, shattering the somber ambiance of their conversation.

Akane's features were illuminated by a brief smirk before she slipped out of the room, leaving Kaira and the woman bemused, but Iris was suspicious. The rain began to hammer the roof of the homestead, the house groaning under the relentless force of the storm.

As the aroma of the food filled the kitchen, Iris found herself grateful for this unexpected respite. It was a stark contrast to the storm raging outside, and it filled Iris with a comforting sense of peace and resolve.

As another thunderous boom sounded, another high-pitched yelp echoed, followed by Neri's chiding yell. “Akane! That's mean!”

Suppressing a chuckle, Iris poked her head around the corner to find Bree and the men guffawing at a disgruntled Neri. Turning back into the kitchen, Iris caught the woman's call for everyone to gather for dinner.

With a holler that rivaled the storm, the woman announced, “Food's ready! Get your behinds in here and grab a bowl before it gets cold!” Iris could hear the sound of hurried feet, followed by the welcome din of laughter and conversation.

With bowls filled to the brim with delicious goulash in hand, the group found spots around the room to sit, many of them preferring the warmth of the rug-covered floor. The welcoming fragrance of cooked beef and veggies intermingled with the sound of contented eating, punctuated by the occasional slurp or sigh of satisfaction.

Seated somewhat apart from the rest, the old orkun man seemed to be lost in thought. His eyes darted from one face to another, as if sizing up the group and then with a deep sigh, he pointed a gnarled finger toward Neri.

“That girl isn't a fighter. Why is she with you?” he asked.

Iris met his gaze, a spark of protective defiance in her eyes, but it was Neri who answered first, “Me?” she asked, pointing at herself.

The old man nodded.

“I'm… I'm going to work in Iris's Guild,” Neri stammered. “I didn't know they were going into the forest first…”

The man glanced back at Iris, an unspoken question in his eyes. Iris tilted her head in mild confusion, then nodded in agreement when he pointedly turned his gaze to Neri. “Alright, girl. You'll stay with us tomorrow while they go off and do what needs doing.”

Turning back to Iris, the man continued, “I take it you'd like to keep the wagon here?”

Iris nodded, gratitude flickering in her eyes. “I would. We're... we're going after the Marauder Prince.”

The old woman gasped, her eyes widening in surprise. Her husband, however, simply narrowed his eyes. “The Marauder Prince? He's nearby?”

Kaira affirmed with a curt nod, her mouth full of food that she hastily swallowed. “We attacked one of his forts near Cosdale, and found out that he's in what Iris is calling the Cursed Forest.”

The man chuckled, a deep rumble that echoed around the room. “Cursed Forest? Good a name as any I suppose. You lot sleep in here tonight. Your bear won't cause any trouble, will it?” His gaze turned to Laken, who was just finishing his meal.

“No, Mocha's with him and she'll keep him in line.”

“Mocha is... the horse?” The man gave a deadpan look. “Of course, the horse will keep an owlbear in line. That's perfectly normal.”

A wide grin spread across Iris's face. “Mocha also sword fought a dwarf poacher and won.”

With a shake of his head, the man rose from his seat. He walked over to his wife, kissed her forehead, and murmured, “Good night, hon.” He then shuffled away without another word to his guests, leaving the room filled with quiet chuckles and knowing glances shared amongst the adventurers.

With the meals finished, Bree and Neri offered to assist their hostess with the cleanup, which brought an appreciative smile to the elder woman’s face.

Meanwhile, the others settled back, letting the rhythmic lullaby of the rain and the sporadic bursts of thunder provide a soothing backdrop to their thoughts and conversations.

After what she assumed would be enough time for the women in the kitchen to finish their task, Iris stood up and gestured to her vulpine twin. “Follow me, Akane,” Iris quietly called, her eyes fixed on the kitsune as she tried for a stern yet gentle expression to reinforce her words.

Akane responded with a nod, her ears twitching slightly as she got up to follow Iris toward the kitchen area, and passing by Bree and Neri on the way. The two women, now laden with piles of woolen blankets each, returned to the main room, their hushed laughter and banter filled the room with a warm, homely feeling as they set to distribute the blankets amongst the group.

Inside the kitchen, Iris turned toward the telv woman, her voice low as she requested some privacy. The woman simply nodded in understanding, offering a comforting pat on Akane's shoulder as she left the room.

Now alone, Iris turned her full attention toward Akane. “Okay, it's time we had our chat,” she announced.

The flash of a wince across Akane's face brought a glimmer of hope to Iris that maybe the kitsune would be receptive and willing to listen.

Iris took a deep breath, steadying herself for the conversation that needed to be had with the magical creature.

We cannot have any fuckups tomorrow.