Chapter 9
It was outrageous. Shoved in front of me, was essentially a few pieces of string and a small cloth patch. Whatever resistance I had on wearing women’s clothing just got a way lot harder with these sexy panties I’m presented.
You would think they being somewhat medieval like, would mean pumpkin panties or something. But no. They have to be progressive in the weirdest of ways.
After giving my speech to the crowd. The boars have been immediately taken to processing for tonight, and I’m taken to the chief’s house, a large two storied wooden building in the center.
Arriving at what looks like a guest lounge. One of the elders immediately sets off on making us some tea.
“Dear esteemed Dryad. We will prepare a few pieces of clothing to you. I know that your kind sees no need for it, but living among us, it might be an inconvenience.” Says one of the elders in a polite tone.
“There’s no need for so much formality. Just call me Rhea. I hope we can get along.”
One would think I would get madly embarrassed for showing up at a crowd naked. Its almost like one of those weird nightmares people have. But I found myself not caring much, oddly enough. I guess a life of living free in the middle of the woods does that to yourself, I guess.
“So, Rhea my dear. Let’s get you a few pieces from storage.” Says Elder Thana, while giving me an appraising look.
While the woman was focused on me. Suddenly the door opens and in comes rushing a Girl, immediately bowing towards me.
“Esteemed Dryad. This one’s name is Aida. I’m here to thank you for saving me the other time!” Says the nervous girl before me.
“You can raise your head. Just Rhea is fine. There’s nothing to thank me for. I only did what was right.”
“Aida my dear, why don’t you help us picking up clothes for Rhea?” Elder Zaina told her while giving me the aforementioned sexy panties.
A quick appraising look made the girl get red as a ripe tomato. Suddenly noticing my state.
“Y-Yes, anything you n-need me.”
In the meantime, the other Elder came back with tea for us.
“Why doesn’t she use the old ceremonial clothes? It’s certainly the most luxurious thing we have.” Said the suspicious looking elder.
The set they brought was an exquisitely made kimono-like red jacket with open sleeves, yellow threads and animal patterns. Paired with black, tight short pants. These were perfect because they don’t interfere with my bracers, the sleeves giving ample space for them.
After a whole lot of confusion in having to learn how to tie a sash around my breasts, the feeling of having clothes brush against your skin again is really something that is going to take a while to get used to.
As for shoes. I had to respectfully deny. A lifetime of feeling the ground with your feet can’t be corrected like that. And besides, its not like they get dirty. With the cleaning magic in my equipment, the dirt just slides right off. I’m always clean squeaky clean, thank you.
Gathering everyone, we once again exit to the square. Where I find Balto happily playing with the kids. With three mounted on him, and others being dragged around by something like a sled attached to him. Was my dog always so easy?
To the side, you can see Layla with others similarly dressed helping to dress up the meat, while others prepare a large fireplace at the center.
I’m taken to the honor seat at the center. A myriad of carpets spread on the ground for sitting.
Taking my position with the elders flanking my sides. I can’t help but ask.
“Excuse me if this is a sensitive question, but where are the men?”
The question seemed to draw a laugh from the Elders. To my utter confusion.
“Don’t worry about it. You really didn’t know.” She continued.
“Us Dark Elves are considered one of the magical races. In our case, we simply have no males whatsoever.” Explained me elder Zaina.
“So, you need human males?”
“Actually no. The fact that we are a female only race, is one of the reasons we are so pursued as slaves. There’s no end to human perversion.” She said, turning the conversation to a sensitive spot.
Welp, that was something it’s going to take a while to fully unpack. But hardly the weirdest thing I saw over in this world.
As I’m reflecting on the weirdness of it all. Chief Layla arrives besides me.
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“I see our guest of honor is making itself comfortable. This clothing really suits you. You look so cute!” Said the chief in a boisterous attitude.
I guess that’s the first time I’m complimented like that. Adding up to the previous revelations. Made me red as a tomato. To further laughs from those present.
“Here, it’s time for the festivities to commence!” She proclaimed while happily serving me a cup of Ale.
The night went on with the feast. A few ladies appeared with musical instruments and soon people were dancing all around. It made me realize the kind of pressure I’ve put myself into.
I know I’ve came here mostly as an excuse to get out of the forest for a bit. But I did make a promise with these people. One I hope I can fulfill.
Looking around. There are already a few ideas in my mind in ways to help their more pressing needs. It’s pretty evident these people have been pretty beaten up by faith. The least I can do is give them some hope.
Layla, now positively smashed. Came to me to introduce her Hunter ladies. They apparently took care of the village’s defenses and hunting for food to complement what is harvested.
“Would you care to join me for a dance?” Said the drunken elf before me.
And off I went. Twirling around like mad among the people and laughing my ass off at their drunken antics, made me realize this is exactly the kind of warmth I was looking for. I want friends and comrades. And perhaps lovers.
“No fair mother! I want to dance with the Dryad too!” Said the also fluxed elf hanging by my other arm.
And so, I went again. The daughter way more inhibited than her mother.
“Thanks again for saving me. When I truly thought it was over, in you came like a charming prince. Or princess in this case.” The embarrassed elf told me.
“It was nothing really. I hope we can be friends. Can we?”
“Y-yes. I would be glad!”
“So come on, let’s dance a bit more!” I said as I dragged her once again into the crowd. Soon I had to take turns to dance again with Layla, and the rest of her equally as drunken hunters.
As the night went on and the party settled down. I ended up crashing into the chief’s house. A room had been arranged for me. There was no bed, only a simple futon into a smooth wooden floor.
Balto ended up settling into a nearby stable. A bed of hay is all he needed. As he is just too big to have inside the house.
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Morning came and I’m greeted by an unfamiliar ceiling. I always wanted to do this joke. But apparently, I’m a little hungover. I now find out that the healing magic in the bracers doesn’t properly heal hangovers, because it counts as self-inflicted condition.
A flush of my own magic is all I need to get good as new before I made my way into the living area.
At the Hearth, Aida is busily making breakfast, while Layla is in a corner covering her head with her hands. Clearly in a hell of a hangover.
“Good morning everyone!” I shout with an excited voice.
“Stop that right now! Can’t you see I’m too busy suffering around here?” Said the grumpy elf.
“Ok ok. Want me to heal you?”
“Gladly.”
“Good morning Rhea. I’m finishing breakfast for us, but I won’t stay. Elder Zaina asked me to tend to some plants first thing in the morning.”
“At least eat something properly. I know you love your apprenticeship with her, but those plants won’t go anywhere.” Said the currently in healing elf.
“Fine. I guess I’ll spend some more time with Rhea. Not the brutish of a lady I live with” Says Aida, giving me a wink.
“I’m watching you, young lady.” Came the response.
As we are eating our grain porridge and assorted vegetables. I say to them:
“Actually, I was hoping for some kind of meeting with the people who know what is going on so I can see in what I could help. I guess Balto can continue hunting for himself, but there’s a few other ideas where I might be able to make a difference.”
“I was mostly expecting you to help protect us once the next bandit raid comes. Last time was two months ago and we lost seven people before we could repel them. You might have seen the damage around. But if you say you can help in other areas, it would be great.”
“I also am going to need a shack or a space where I can settle my workshop. I know a few things on blacksmithing.”
“Really? That is going to be huge for us. Last time we had a blacksmith was two years ago. After she died, we needed to walk all the way to Hawken every time we need new tools or weapons.”
“Don’t you have peddlers coming here once in a while?”
“We used to. But then the whole region got way more violent and suddenly the merchants don’t want to take the risk. Now we have to organize our own trips if we want to get the essentials like salt.”
“That is one shitty kingdom you live under heh.” I couldn’t stop myself from commenting.
“That’s right. Just don’t catch yourself saying this anywhere near other cities or you’ll have a lot of trouble falling on you.”
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After leaving the house with Layla, I go to Balto and set him on hunting near the village. We then immediately went to the nearest watch tower. In which she shouted.
“Raja! Get down here!”
In which a sleek woman jumped down from the crude watchtower into a perfect superhero landing. Is she showing off?
“I’m here Boss.”
“Rhea, this here is Raja. My second in command and responsible for accounting, among other things.”
“Boss is just too bad with numbers. It makes her head spew fumes.” Said the elf while grinning.
“Oh, do shut up. I only leave it to you because you like this boring stuff. The reason I’m calling you, is because I want you to show Rhea here around the village, and also see if you get her a place for setting up shop. Apparently, our girl here is also a smith.”
“Nice to meet you. We’ve been introduced last night, but I doubt you two would remember with how smashed you both were. That was also most of our ale stocks by the way. No drinking at least until next crop. Thanks to you providing food, were at least not further into red.”
This brought a desperate expression from Layla. Obviously devasted for the lack of ale.
“I still have a few more of those boars in storage if you want. We can set it up later.”
“Also, if she’s a blacksmith. Perhaps she can get the old forge. Its sitting empty since the last owner died. The old fogey not bothering to take an apprentice.”
“I’ll leave you guys to it then. I’ll check the fields for damage from animals. And organize the hunting for today.” Said Layla.
“Come then. Let’s show you around.”
That morning I’ve visited the village and the fields. There was a part of the fields burned down. Perhaps me and Balto can supply them with game to compensate, or some plant magic to further their crops.
What is clear from checking the situation however, is that their defenses are wholly inadequate. Their continued survival despite the odds, a testament to their resilience. Perhaps I can build a new wall with earth magic. But then there’s the chronical lack of good weapons and manpower for a proper defense. Lots of planning are necessary here.
As we arrive at a somewhat separated corner of the village. I’m presented with a beat down shack.
“This here is the old blacksmith. Perhaps you can make something out of it.” Says my escorting elf.
The place clearly in disuse and partially fallen, will need some extensive renovations if I want to work my artifacts and forge in here.
I got a lot of work ahead of me. I thought while unfurrowing my sleeves.