Slyran
Slyran jolted awake in a cold sweat. He gasped for air, hoping to calm his racing heart. His wife, Cailynn, rolled over, still half asleep, her soft and slender hand resting on her startled husband’s chest.
“Once wrong, Sweetie?” She asked through a yawn.
Slyran closed his eyes. The dream—no, a nightmare he had woken up from was already fading from memory. He vaguely recalled a battle. Was it a memory? No, dreams of the past he normally remembered. It didn’t matter. It was gone now.
“It was just another nightmare,” he said softly, cupping his love’s hand. “Go back to sleep.” He gently lifted her hand and moved it off of him.
Not easing off so easily, Cailynn propped herself up onto her elbow. Her bedhead hair pointed in every direction, her bedding slowly slipped down her curvy form, and Slyran found himself admiring his wife’s prominent assets she was unintentionally putting on display for him.
Noticing her husband’s wandering eyes, Cailynn rolled her eyes, though they twinkled as she did so. Slyran smiled as he knew she loved how even after all these years he was still infatuated with her. How could he not? His wife’s beauty rivaled that of Slyondra or even the ancient Kazeer. Slyran’s eyes tore away from his lover’s bosom and followed her slender hand as it reached up to lazily comb her fingers through her messy hair.
“Another one?” She asked as a small smirk stretched across her red lips, amused by her hypnotized husband.
Slyran blinked and shook his head with a start after processing his wife’s question. He shifted a bit and crossed his legs as he tried to ignore the intrusive thoughts from below beneath the sheets. Clearing his throat he nodded. “Yeah. I don’t remember much of it,” he grunted as he flopped onto his back and turned his attention to the ceiling to avoid admiring his wife and exciting his friend. “All I remember is a battle… something terrible happened.” He sighed.
Cailynn took a deep breath. “Worried about what’s coming?” She asked, and Slyran knew what she was referring to—the warning Lorizio gave them. “Slyran,” she cooed, reaching over to place her hand on his abdomen. “We talked about this.”
“We did,” Slyran said with a huff as his wife began to trace circles around his stomach. “You saw what Lorizio showed us. The documents, the pictures… it’s real.”
“The Rusivites are always posturing, Love,” Cailynn said softly. A few months ago, when Lorizio visited them, Cailynn’s belief in Lorizio’s warning had faltered. Slyran knew it was because of her hatred for the valendi; even though her anger was justified, that alone didn’t disprove the evidence.
It was true that the empire on the border was known for flexing its military might. Yet this time it felt different. It felt too real. Perhaps Slyran was just paranoid; Lorizio had a reputation for being sketchy. However, what would he gain from this? That is if he was being sketchy. Cailynn seemed to fall into the belief that Lorizio was trying to push them in the direction of doing something for him without them knowing they were doing it. It wouldn’t be the first time. Lorizio had pulled strings in the past, which led Slyran and his wife to fall on various adventures they never intended to go on. The man had an air of untrustworthiness about him, and Slyran couldn’t fault his wife for not trusting him. It’s just that this time, things seemed different. The fear in Lorizio’s eyes seemed genuine, though Cailynn would just scoff and say he was a professional actor. If that were true, Lorizio would make for quite the stage performer.
Slyran took a deep breath. “Maybe, but I can’t be sure.” He looked to his love. “I never intend on staying in this town forever anyway; the house is too small for our family.” He smiled faintly.
Cailynn blushed and nodded as her eyes twinkled even more. “That we can agree on.” She hummed. “It’s your fault.”
Slyran blinked. “Huh?” was all he could muster.
“Nine years ago you were on about only having one child, and yet, here we are.” She looked at him smugly.
Slyran blushed. That was true as well. Being one of the eldest of three siblings, Slyran had never gotten along with children. He could tolerate them, but only to a limited extent. He had never intended to start a family or settle down. Not until he met Cailynn and wed her. She was the one who originally brought up the idea of starting their own family; at the time, Slyran was hesitant, but his second mind beneath his trousers was eager for some action. That was the one decision he didn’t regret letting his second brain make. After Varis was born, Slyran became a changed man after holding his son for the first time.
Letting his head sink back into the pillow, Slyran smiled. “Yeah, I guess it is.” He chuckled. “So you still agree about us moving out to Frangor?” he asked her.
Cailynn nodded and let her rubbing hand move lower down to his waist. “I do. Though there is no reason to be hasty, Slyran.”
“Cailynn, you heard Lorizio-”
“I did,” She quipped, and her hand stopped near the bedding piled up on Slyran’s waist. “I still believe we shouldn’t be so hasty. Our children are still young; abruptly moving them would not be good for them.”
“Neither would being stuck in a conflict,” Slyran mistakenly muttered, despite his mind screaming at him to stay silent.
Cailynn fell silent, and Slyran felt his heart skip a beat. What he said was true, but angering his wife was something he did not enjoy doing. However, she did not become angry, or if she had, she hid it well. Instead, she took a deep breath.
“Lorizio’s prediction said such things won’t happen till next winter, if I had to guess, probably not till after Usha’laden when the snow melts and the land dries.” Her hand resumed its gentle rubbing, and Slyran perked an eyebrow as she watched her hand dance along his waist. “We have time, Slyran; how about we compromise?”
“Compromise?” He blinked and looked at her.
“We’ll stock up on supplies over time, so once Henderson finishes the wagon we can load it up and leave before the winter frost settles in. That’ll give us a few months in case something does happen. We don’t need to leave right away.”
Slyran listened and nodded. “Alright, I can live with that.” Cailynn smiled happily, and Slyran returned the gesture. “Gods I love you,” he said as he admired her face.
Cailynn blushed and leaned in to give him a quick kiss. “I love you too; now, relax; you’ve been worrying too much,” she purred in a sultry tone. Slyran’s eyes widened when he felt her hand slip under the covers.
“Relax?” He said in a hushed voice. “I’ll need to go to Herbert’s–”
“It’s barely sunrise,” Cailynn said softly as her hand groped Slyran’s groin.
The elf’s soldier immediately came to attention, and he gulped. His throat locked up and he was unable to say a word as his wife gave him a predatory smile. “Let me help you relieve some of that stress,” she cooed as her lips locked with his again.
That morning would be one to stay in his memory.
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Slyran woke up once again that morning, his body tired yet also feeling immensely relieved. A nap after an amazing romp was a feeling every man felt he should experience. Looking to his left, he expected to see his loving wife beside him, but she wasn’t there. Instead, he saw her pale, voluptuous rear swaying back and forth beside their bed as she leaned into the vanity mirror on their dresser.
Slyran’s smile widened more as she watched her rump sway to and fro as she hummed a song to herself as she dawned on makeup. The sunlight streaming into their room reflected off her pale, naked skin, and Slyran ate up the sight.
“Keep swaying like that, Love, and you’ll make me pull you back into bed,” he said with a chuckle as he sat up.
Cailynn looked over her shoulder and giggled as she wiggled more enticingly. “As much as I’d love to train with your soldier more,” She purred and nodded towards the window. “You need to go report to Herbert to get the wagon.”
Slyran thought for a moment. He didn’t need to go right away; more time in bed with his wife would certainly be productive in a way. “Besides,” Cailynn said, pulling him from his thoughts. “The children will be waking up soon.”
“Blasted.” Slyran cursed softly. “If only you weren’t so loud.” He teased and immediately found a pillow slamming into his face. He deserved that.
“Go get the wagon,” she ordered him. “I’ll start packing for the trip while you’re gone.” She climbed onto the bed and kissed him once again.
Slyran pulled her in and held the kiss for a few moments, his hand reaching down to playfully grope her ample breast, causing Cailynn to yell and giggle. She swatted his hand away. “Keep your hands to yourself, lecher,” she said, though her eyes were sparkling.
“You love it,” He winked and sighed as he turned and swung his legs over the bed. “Okay. I shouldn’t be gone long. Make sure the kids don’t cause too much trouble.”
“I’ll guarantee they have everything packed,” Cailynn assured him. “Go on, soldier.” She winked and laughed when her still-naked husband stood at attention and saluted her.
Slyran stepped out of the bathroom dressed and groomed for the day. He stroked his mustache, debating if he should’ve shaved or not—a brief debate that he concluded with a shake of his head. He liked the mustache; most elves never bothered with facial hair. Culturally, an elven man with facial hair was looked down upon by the elders, as they believed that true masculinity shines with one’s cleanliness. Men with beards or facial hair were seen as being uncaring or lacking discipline.
Slyran believed this was partially true. He didn’t like shaving; it took too much of his time, and for some reason, he always cut himself. That was most likely due to him rushing, but he’d never admit that. He disagreed with the elders though; he liked his mustache, and Cailynn seemed to enjoy it too. When he kept it clean, that is. His handful of human friends and the few dwarfs in town also enjoyed his facial hair as well. It made him fit in more too, and he hated to admit this; having one made him feel more mature. Without the mustache, he looked like a young adolescent who hadn’t reached their fiftieth year yet.
So he chose to keep it. Making his way down the steps into the living room, he saw Isa and Cailynn in the kitchen. His wife now had dressed into something more casual, something that included Slyran’s clothes. Cailynn was in one of his white polo shirts and black khakis. He smiled at her as the two women glanced out of the kitchen towards him, and they smiled and waved back.
“I’ll be back shortly; you two keep everything under control here,” he said to them as he grabbed his hat from off the hook by the door and stepped outside.
The outside was cold, wet, and sunny with clear skies. A wonderful day in the eyes of Slyran Ashflow. With the month of Cirrus upon them, spring was soon to follow. Technically, spring wasn’t going to be there till about another handful of days, but to Slyran, it was when the temperature was above zero almer, which is not freezing. Heinmarr is a cold country, but it’s more of a flash freeze. It gets cold and stays extremely cold for a short period of only about two months. Then everything begins to melt and remains chilly.
Which was the point where things were at now. The temperature gauge in the bathroom said it was about three almers and Cailynn predicted it would only get to about four in the evening. That’d make it about sweater weather for Slyran—not too cold, but also not too hot. He loved it; Cailynn, however, hated it.
As he walked to the Hautchkins home. He remembered how Cailynn was discussing working on a new archeo-device with him. A self-heating sweater, similar to the insulated bag she made for her bread deliveries. The idea was interesting on paper, though he was considered about wearing anything his wife made that warmed itself. Cailynn was an excellent magister, but her artificer capabilities when it came to developing and building new archeo machines were something she was still working on.
The mental image of him being incinerated by a lovely sweater was not comforting. Slyran was a tinkerer himself, though only with firearms. He recalled his brother-in-law, Aenorin’s wife, was an artificer, perhaps if Cailynn is keen on pursuing this goal, he should send Saria a letter requesting advice.
The walk to the Hautchkins farm took only about fifteen minutes. As Slyran trudged through the mud and snow-riddled path, he noticed around the bend of the house movement. His right ear twitched when he heard the sound of a gruff voice barking an order, and curiously, he turned and walked along the edge of the yard to peer. As a constable of the law, he always looked into potential fishy business.
Not that this was fishy. He just saw that as a valid excuse to be nosey.
He saw Herbert Hautchkins, an older human man, waving his eldest son Avdol over to him as the two knelt beside the wagon. The same wagon Slyran was here to pick up; it looked like the two men were doing some finishing touches. Seeing no harm in it. Slyran smiled and began to approach the men.
“Good morning to you, gentleman!” Slyran called to them as he lifted his hat and bowed before placing it back on.
Herbert jolted with a start as if not expecting the elf. Grabbing a hold of the wagon’s front right wheel, he used it as a support to stand. “Mr. Ashflow,” the human bowed. “Good morning to you as well,” he said with a smile and held a hand out, which Slyran happily took.
The elf winced as the miller’s grip felt like a corcha’s claw; it was so strong. Once the two men were released, Hautchkins patted the side of the wagon. “I didn’t expect you to arrive so soon, Mr. Ashflow. I thought I had time to make sure this old girl won’t lose a wheel on you. Speaking of which,” he hummed and looked to Avdol. “You have the jack set up, boy?” He asked his son.
The lad nodded. “Yes sir.”
"Well, jack her up then!” Herbert barked as he jutted a thumb up. “We gotta get this wheel off to inspect it.” He sighed and turned back to Slyran. “Hope you don’t mind waiting a bit; I noticed the other day the front right wheel was a bit wobbly.”
Slyran nodded. “It’s alright. I should’ve guessed it might’ve been too early.” He chuckled. “My mind is still set on the army. There it’s if you’re not early, you’re late.”
Herbert laughed. “Is it now? Well then, I guess the army and my wife have something in common.”
Slyran couldn’t help but laugh. “I think that’s just women in general,” he said as the two men clapped each other on the back as they turned to watch Avdol crank the wagon jack.
“I thought I heard a new voice back here,” a woman’s voice said from behind the two men, and both of them immediately paled. “What were you two talking about?”
Both men stared at each other, terrified. Slowly, Herbert turned, his hands raised as if he were about to be searched by a constable. Behind them, Anora, Herbert’s wife, stood with her hand on her hips, looking at them disapprovingly.
“I heard something about women. Go on.” She rolled her wrist in a gesture for them to speak. “I want to hear it.”
Herbert laughed nervously. "Well, you see, Anora, I was just talking about, uh…” He looked to Slyran, his eyes pleading for him to help.
Wisely, or cowardly, depending on how you look at it, Slyran kept his lips taut and said nothing. He learned with Cailynn that it’s best to not say anything. Like an earwin, any noise could set her off. If Herbert is lucky, he’ll at least get the couch tonight.
Realizing he had no escape Herbert deflated. “My apologies, Love; we were joking. I meant no offense.”
Anora harrumphed and stuck her nose in the air as she waggled a finger at the miller. “What am I going to do to you, Herbie?”
Slyran snorted and laughed as Herbert shot him a glare. “Herbie?!” He crowed as he hung his head back.
Herbert bit his lower lip and growled as Anoran smiled smugly and shrugged. “I guess that’ll do.” She hummed as Slyran leaned against the wagon, chuckling.
“Father!” Avdol called. “Wagon is ready; we can take the wheel off.”
“Yeah, Herbie,” Slyran said with a wink. “Lets get this done.”
Grumbling Herbert said, “If you weren’t no constable, I’d thrash you for calling me that.” He sighed but smiled. “But you’re both right; let's get this done.”
It didn’t take long for the two men and boy to cycle through each wheel on the wagon. They inspected for any imperfections and mostly found none, save for the front right wheel, which wasn’t fully secured to the wagon. After they made sure the wheel was secure and wouldn’t fall off, they lowered the wagon. Anora had stepped away while the men worked, returning just as they finished with a platter carrying glasses of iced shooma juice.
Herbert’s eyes widened a bit when he saw his wife approaching. “When did you get that ice?” He asked curiously as he took a glass off the platter and passed it to Slyran, who happily took it.
Anora smiled at Slyran. “From Cailynn. She overhead me the other day when I was…” She blushed. “Complaining at Olson’s shop when he told me he had no ice.”
“So that’s where she hurried off to,” Slyran muttered under his breath as Avdol walked over to retrieve the last glass.
Herbert took a sip and frowned. “Damned Olson bout near neglects to restock nowadays.”
Slyran’s eyebrow perked. “What do you mean?” He asked. Normally he left such things as shopping to Cailynn, as it gave her an excuse to get out of the house. Though he hadn’t heard her complain about such things, then again, now that he thought about it. He noticed the house had been running out of basic wares like interchangeable shards for the lights.
Herbert glanced at Slyran, and Anora rolled her eyes. “Not this again, Herbie…” She pouted.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Avdol downed the last of his drink, his ice clinking in the glass as he looked between the adults. “What’s wrong, Mother?” He glanced at Herbert. “Father?”
Herbert nodded towards the house. “Go inside, boy, I need to speak privately with Mr. Ashflow.”
The boy opened his mouth to protest but stopped when Herbert squinted. Avdol set the empty glass on Anora’s platter, turned away, and trudged back towards the rear door. He then stopped briefly to scrape his boots on the mat before stepping inside. Once the door was shut, Anora faced Herbert.
“Enough with the doom, say, Herbert. You know that dwarf is only being paranoid.”
Slyran shook his head in surprise and held a hand up. “Whoa, whoa, what’s going on?” He asked.
Herbert glanced at Slyran, his face serious. “Mr. Olson believes Heinmarr is going to war in the next few months. Something about the merchant lanes is shifting; governments are buying high quantities of rations, weapons, and other suspicious items. That’s not counting stuff being smuggled.”
“I’m telling you he’s paranoid,” Anora said skeptically as she held the platter close to her chest. Her eyes narrowed.
Slyran paled. “When did you hear of this?” He asked softly as the two humans looked at him. Anoran’s face turned from skepticism to concern while Herbert’s merely darkened.
“A few months ago, just before the deep freeze,” Herbert said, “Mr. Olson warned me that dark times were coming.”
Slyran blinked a few times; that would be about a month before Lorizio arrived in town. Damnit, Cailynn, and Slyran thought. This is serious if the merchants know as well as the Sovereign’s Right that more or less confirms it. That would mean Lorizio’s time scale may also be reliable. It’s been a couple of months since his visit, which would mean they would have at least ten or so months to prepare. That is if they push it to the last second, it’d be best to leave at least a month in advance. He’d need to discuss with Cailynn about this; gods, he did not look forward to that. Perhaps after the camping trip? No. Maybe during it when they’re away from the kids. Perhaps Isa can watch them?
“Mr. Ashflow,” Herbert prompted him.
Slyran jerked. “Oh, sorry, got lost in thought.” He shook his head.
“You look troubled…” Herbert’s eyes narrowed. “What do you know? Has Olson spoken to you too?”
Slyran bit his lower lip and shook his head. Herbert was a friend, a neighbor, though he honestly knew very little of the man. So telling him about Lorizio probably wasn’t the best. Slyran knew that Herbert and his family were vaguely aware of his and Cailynn’s past; as a matter of fact, much of the town was; however, that didn’t mean they deserved to know the details.
Slyran took a breath. “I am troubled,” he said under his breath, then spoke up. “A friend of ours visited a few months back, an out-of-towner; they spoke of something similar.” Anora gasped and gripped her platter tighter.
Herbert’s eyes narrowed more. “Out of towner? You mean that Valendi that came through?” Slyran tensed slightly. Blast it all, he wanted to say. Herbert was smart, and Oren was a tiny, middle-of-nowhere town. Of course, he’d remember unfamiliar faces that came through.
“Yes,” Slyran admitted. “He had news from abroad.”
Herbert nodded slowly and said, “Yeah, and now that I think about it. You recently commissioned Henderson for a wagon.” Slyran hesitated but nodded again.
“By the gods…” Anora muttered, horrified. “I-It’s true?”
“We don’t know for certain,” Slyran said quickly as he held a calming hand out to Anora. “Cailynn doesn’t think it’s anything to worry about, not yet.” He then pulled a fake smile and shrugged. “We wouldn’t be going camping if that were the case.”
This seemed to work, slightly. Anora’s shoulders relaxed faintly as Herbert’s expression remained serious. “Any time frame?” He asked. “Henderson’s good, but he’s slow as a hungry grok.”
Slyran took a deep breath. “We’re guessing about a year. Some times this year after the Unsha’laden when the land begins to dry. Back in the army, we were told fighting in the mud is the stupidest thing an army can do. The Rusivite’s aren’t stupid if they truly want to fight. That’s when they’ll do it.”
Herbert nodded. “Makes sense… well…” He sighed. “I’m depressed now.” He smiled warily and patted the wagon. “Why don’t I go get Opal for ya? Anora, would you mind getting some tea ready for me when I come in?” He asked.
Anora gulped and nodded. “Of course, dear.” She turned to look at Slyran. “I hope you and your family have a wonderful time. Please, be safe. Those slopes can be slippery this time of year.” She bowed.
Slyran smiled. “We will.” He said with a nod as he looked off towards the purple peaks of the Heinland Mountains. He hoped everything was going to be alright.
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Luna
"Luna, Varis, do you have everything packed up?" Mother asked us when she poked her head into our bedroom just as I finished closing my bag of clothes. I turned to her and nodded as Varis spun around and did the same.
"Yep, I'm ready!" Varis beamed and turned to me.
"I as well," I said then grabbed my bag and grunted as I hoisted it off my bed and placed it at my feet.
"Excellent," Mother said. "Your father just returned with the Hautchkin's wagon; take your bags down there and get them loaded up. Your father is itching to leave as soon as possible."
"Yes, Momma!" Varis gave her a mock salute before picking up his bag and rushing it down the stairs. I grunted as I hoisted mine up and began to waddle out. I had no idea what to take, so I pretty much just jammed everything in here. Soza said we'll be gone for about ten days, as it takes two days to get to the mountains and another to climb them and vice versa.
"Oh, Silly," Mother exclaimed, and before I could react, she was removing the bag from my grasp, although she grunted slightly in response to its weight. "What did you pack, bricks?" She joked, and I blushed faintly and shook my head. Mother giggled and walked beside me down the stairs.
It's been two days since the family meeting. After the news was dropped about me going away next year, things in the house were rather tense after that. An awkwardness hung in the air, but starting today, everyone seems to have warmed up slightly, and a sense of normalcy seems to be returning. Yesterday, Father had gone out and rented Herbert's wagon and his Strider Opal but didn’t get the bring them over till sometime this morning. Soza said he paid Mr. Hautchkins two golden coins for it, which, from what I've learned so far, is a lot of money.
Yet the thought of what my father said in the meeting still stung me. Why did he commission a wagon so suddenly, and what did he mean by going to look for a strider at Harold's stable? Why do they want to send me away so abruptly?
Maybe something came up. I thought. Maybe it has to do with what Mr. Blaxen said to them. Mother did seem all-up in arms when she spoke to him.
Alas, I don't know. They didn't want to tell me anything during the meeting, and they looked so hurt as well. For now, I'll go with the flow and see what happens.
As we made our way down the steps, Mother told me to open the front door, and as I did so, a gentle, cool breeze wafted into the house, and I was blinded by the sun. As my vision returned to me, I saw that much of the snow had melted, leaving large islands amongst the wet, green grass. A chill still hung in the air, but nowhere near as bad as at the start of winter.
In the yard, about a dozen feet ahead, was a large wagon full of camping gear and other belongings, along with Madam Soza, Father, and Varis, who were all working on loading it up. Ahead of them, attached to the wagon, was the strider, Opal, who was looking over her shoulder, awfully curious, like the big, cute dinosaur she was.
I followed Mother over to the others. With a grunt, Mother tossed my bag into the back of the wagon and sighed before stretching her arms out wide and sighing. Placing a hand on her hip and using the other to dust off her skirt, she smiled at me and nodded before looking to Father, who was chatting with Varis, and said, "Slyran, I think that's everything!"
Father perked his head up and smiled. "Excellent." He clapped his hands together. "Alright, listen up! Everyone, if you need to use the restroom, do so now, because when we hit the road, we're not stopping!"
Excited Varis pumped his fist and shouted, "I call the bathroom inside!" Before I could say anything, he dashed inside. I sighed, and without a word, I walked to the outhouse.
When business was settled, we all piled into the wagon. Father and Soza took the front driver seats, while Mother, Varis, and I sat in the back with most of the luggage. To make things comfortable, we left a section furthest to the front open and tied down the majority of the loose bags. Once everyone was nice and comfortable, the wagon began to move.
"Everything alright?" My mother asked; she was currently sitting beside me with Varis across from the both of us. "You look a little fidgety," she said, playfully pinching my side and making me squirm and giggle due to the ticklishness of it.
I blushed faintly and looked up at her. "I'm just a little nervous." I looked away.
Mother once again poked me playfully and said, "What're you nervous about? Your brother over there doesn't look nervous." She hummed.
I squirmed once again at her poking and sighed. "I dunno. I don't leave the house often, and we're going really far away, and to the mountains! My books say that dragons and mountain giants live in those environments." I said in a hushed tone so that Varis didn’t hear me in case I made him nervous.
My mother smiled at me and reached up to pinch my cheeks. "You're such a smart goof. Probably too smart for your own good." She joked and then leaned down to whisper into my ear, "Giants and dragons haven't been up in the Heinland Mountains in centuries, Sweetie. I'm not saying there aren't any scary monsters like timberwolves up there, but as long as you stick with the three of us," She gestured to herself, Father, and Soza. "You'll be safe; just don't wander off."
I nodded and gulped. Timberwolves? Like actual timberwolves? Or like wolves made of timber? Knowing this world it’s probably the latter.
"For now, Sweetie, instead of worrying, why don't you enjoy the view with me? This time of year, with the snow partially melting, everything looks beautiful." Mother patted herself on the lap in a gesture for me to climb up and look around with her. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to expect. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I cautiously climbed onto Mother's lap. As I looked out at the vast expanse of snow-covered mountains, a sense of awe washed over me. The icy peaks were practically sparkling as the sunlight glistened and reflected across the white snow. Further below the stone and snow blended into vast swathes of green and white as massive kefner trees grew up the sides of the towering peaks. The view created a breathtaking sight that and any fears I had faded. Mother smiled warmly at me and, like usual, tussled my hair.
If there’s one thing I missed in my old life. Bob Ross. That man would’ve loved these views.
Of all the years I have been here, only a handful of times did I ever leave the house willingly, and every time I did, it was always with my parents or Varis to tend to an errand. Yet as we traveled northeast, away from town, in a direction I had never been, I couldn't help but gawk at the scenery around us. Scenery that I had only viewed from my bedroom window or the backyard. As we drove further into the wilderness, the landscape transformed into a fantastical wonderland. The once-distant mountains began to tower and stretch before us, their peaks disappearing into the clouds. The sight was utterly breathtaking; the entire time, my head was on a swivel as my mother pointed out spots of interest for me. Such as the vibrant colors of the wildflowers that pierced the melting snow that dotted the meadows and the crystal-clear streams rushing down from the hills created by said snow. It was magical.
"Has this always been here?" I gawked as Mother giggled and nodded.
"Of course, dear." Mother wrapped her arms around my waist, pulling me back into her bosom, which acted as my cushion. "Is my little star regretting not going outside?" She teased me, and I blushed.
"A little bit, if I’m being honest." I admitted as the wagon rolled along.
Overhead, a distant screeching of birds could be heard, and our gazes drifted upwards to see a flock of bizarre creatures fluttering over our heads. Large blue and grey avians with massive wingspans and kite-like tails flew over heads in a V formation, about seven of them total.
"Silvan Hawks," my mother said, her eyes squinting as they flew over her head. "They're large predatory birds that fly in packs. They're mostly harmless."
"Mostly?" I blinked as the birds went over my head. Either they were flying close to the ground, or those things were big enough to snatch Varis and me off the ground.
"Well, yes, they're more afraid of you than you are of them. As long as you don't harm one, corner it, or get near their nests,. You'll be fine."
I nodded my head as I watched the large birds land somewhere far off on a nearby hill, and seeing them do so confirmed my suspicion that these birds were quite massive. I gulped. "I hope you're right."
Mother giggled. "I know I'm right." She poked my cheek.
As the hours drifted by and noon transitioned into evening, my father called out over his shoulder, "Alright. We'll be pulling off to the side to make camp for the evening. I hope you guys are ready to stretch your legs some."
The cart jerked a bit as Father guided Opal off the dirt road and into the grassy plain before pulling on her reins to make her stop. I sighed and glanced around as Varis stood up groggily and stretched before yawning. Looking back at my mother, who still had her hands on me, I was surprised to see she was asleep.
Her head hung forward, her black and blue streaks of hair dangling in her face. I squirmed to get out of her grasp, though she mumbled and pulled me in further, smooshing my back against her soft chest as she nuzzled me.
"Gyak! Varis, help!" I squeaked and squirmed in my mother's grasp.
To my left, I heard Madam Soza giggle as she watched me and said, "It looks like you are caught in a trap." She hummed as Father hopped off the wagon.
"Yes, I am!" I grunted as Mother squeezed me. I lightly patted her hands, and I heard a low giggle come from behind. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Mother looking at me with half-opened eyes and a big grin on her face.
"Trying to escape from me already?" She said tiredly as her smile broadened.
Oh God, why does it look horrifying like this? I thought.
"Gyaaah!" I squealed and frantically began to squirm out of her grasp, yet Mother pulled me in, buried her face in my neck, and began to kiss me repeatedly!
"I love you! I love you!"
"Hands off meeee!" I howled and squirmed pathetically.
"Alright, you two," Father spoke up as he opened the back of the wagon and helped Varis hop off before he jumped in. "Off the wagon or help with grabbing the tents."
Mother stopped assaulting me with lovable kisses and looked up at Father. "You dare come to stop me from doting on our child?" She pulled me into a tight hug again, as if I were some teddy bear.
This is it; this is my life now, I guess… I thought as I just went limp in her arms.
"You had all day and the rest of the trip to snuggle her, Love." Father smiled. "Besides, I think you sapped all the love out of her that you're going to get tonight." He snickered at my limp appearance.
You just have to play dead. Just keep playing dead, and you'll be free. I repeated to myself. Just think and act like a possum.
Mother sighed and took on a whiney tone. "Fiiine." She smiled before kissing me on the cheek again. "But tomorrow, I'm going to snuggle with you all again." She released me, and I flopped onto the wagon, feigning exhaustion as I gasped for air.
I pointed at her. "Go snuggle with Varis!"
Mother scoffed. "Varis is not as soft as you are, though!"
From outside the wagon, I heard Varis start to protest before he said, “Actually, you’re right. I’m not soft at all…”
I blushed faintly, and Mother giggled. "Slyran, look, her ears are doing the little wiggle again! I told you they wiggle when she's flustered."
I squeaked and reached up to grip my long and pointy ears. "Th-they don't wiggle!" Do they? Do they wiggle? I thought.
"Oh yes, they do, love. You try and act tough, but I can tell you love compliments." Mother snickered, and even Father smiled and shook his head.
With a deep breath, though, he clapped his hands. "C'mon, chop chop! We need to make camp! Off the cart! Oi, I said off the cart, Luna, not jump off the cart!"
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We made camp about a dozen feet or so off the road amid the rolling hills that surrounded our valley town. To our left, which, judging by the moons in the sky, I assumed to be the west of us, was a large, dark forest with trees larger than I had seen before. As the camp was being set up, I noticed something new with Mother. She had a fancy book strapped to her waist, something I hadn't seen when we were sitting together, which led me to believe she must've retrieved it from her luggage. The book was leather-bound and embossed with beautiful silver and gold scrollwork. As Varis was relieving himself in a nearby bush and Madam Soza was tending to Opal, Father, and Mother were planning out how to set up the camp.
Once they came to a conclusion, Mother nodded and cracked open her fancy book, and with a wave of her free hand, she began to chant before ending it with. "Legerdemain." Her eyes flashed a ghostly white, and bursting out from around her came a pleasant heat that spanned a wide radius.
Instantly, all the loose piles of snow melted and steamed; the grass at my feet dried. I gasped, "Whoa! How'd you do that?"
Mother closed her book, secured it at her waist, and placed a hand on her hip. "I told you I was a wizard once." She beamed. "I thought since we're going far away, it might be best to bring some useful tools." She smirked and patted what I assumed to be her grimoire.
Father laughed. "Was a wizard?" He shook his head, draped an arm around her waist, and pulled her close. "You're still a wizard to me."
Mother blushed faintly and her ears twitched as she said, "Well, formally, I'm not anymore."
“Doesn’t matter,” He said, “You’re just as magical as ever.” He hummed and kissed the side of her head and whispered something into her ear, which made Mother's face go beet red, and she buried her face into his neck and slapped his chest, which only made Father snort and laugh.
I'm not even going to question what those two lovers are whispering to each other. "Can I read the book?" I asked, pushing my luck.
Mother pulled her face out of Father's neck; her ears were still beet red, and it looked like they were going to take her away with how much they were flapping up and down. "Uh, not tonight. But maybe later!" She smiled.
Father leaned into Mother and kissed her head again before he said, "How about we get the tents set up, eat something, and bed down for the night?" He pulled Mother in tight again causing her to yelp. I rolled my eyes and glanced away.
"I was just grabbing them." Madam Soza hummed as she came over with both rolls on her shoulders. She got down on one knee and gently set them out. She then sniffed the air and looked at Mother and Father who were sharing their canteen. "Please be sure to keep it down tonight you two."
Mother nearly choked on the water she had been sipping. "What're you talking about?" Mother squeaked her ears flapping intensely.
Soza didn't say a word, looked back at the tents, and began to unpack them. "Luna, Varis!" She called out to us just as Varis returned from his bush. "Come help me set up the tents.
Later that night, after our three tents were pitched, dinner was had, which I have to say was an amazing meal. Ganari and potato stew, which a ganari is some kind of other bird, like a deranged duck, or well, more deranged than what ducks were back on earth at least based on appearance. But I'll say they taste great.
Varis and I got our tent while Soza also received one, and Mother and Father slept together. And well… it was hell. I hated it. Not because it was uncomfortable or anything, but because of the noise. They may have thought they were being quiet, but no. They weren't. The two of them may have thought we were too young to know what they were doing, but well… Varis didn't, but me… I knew. And I hated it.
A little over a dozen feet from our tent, we could hear the rustling and the sounds of fun. Varis rolled over beside me in his bedroll and got up. I watched as his silhouette began to go to the tent flap.
"Varis," I hissed just loud enough to be heard over the sound of my mother having a wonderful time with Father. "What're you doing?"
"I'm going to go check on Mother!" He said it with a nervous twang in his voice. "She sounds hurt."
Oh, this poor, innocent child.
I shook my head. "No, no. She's okay," I assured him.
"You sure? She doesn't sound like it; it sounds like Father's hitting her."
Oh, he definitely was, I thought but restrained myself from saying that out loud.
"They're just wrestling," I said quickly. "Adult playing; you know stuff that girls do."
Fuck, I'm not good at this.
"I never heard you make those sounds before." Varis said innocently.
Thank God it's dark in here, or else he'd see my face burning. I waved my hands and said, "W-well I did say adults; I'm not an adult." Damn right, I'm not, and God forbid I do anything at this age. I may have been a degenerate in my last life, but even I have the dignity to know that I'm no longer of age.
And I fucking hate it.
"So, Mom and Dad are playing?" Varis asked, still seemingly unsure if he should go out there or not.
"Yes, they're playing grown-up wrestling." I nodded. "It's a very secret game, though, so no kids are allowed."
"How do you know so much about this?" Varis asked, stepping away from the tent flap.
"Mother told me about it." I lied. "And I did some light reading." The second half was true: Mother owns a lot, and I mean a lot of erotica. I guess it comes with the wizard trade. The last time she caught me reading those books, though, she turned my ass red. And now I assume she's hiding them in her cabin out back.
"Oh, what's it like?" Varis asked, now curious.
I stammered incomprehensible gibberish. If I fucking knew, last life I was a virgin, a true wizard, you could say. Well, I wasn't forty yet, but I was a little over halfway there. Even if I wasn't, I doubt I'd tell him.
I shrugged. "I dunno, Varis; again, it's an adult game."
"Well yeah, but if Mother told you about it and you read it, maybe she told you how to play—"
ABORT ABORT.
"No." I stuck my hand in his face. "I'm shutting this down now. Go to bed."
"Wha-why?"
"Varis, please go to bed. We're both too young to have this conversation." I huffed. "If I hear you go outside, I'll beat your butt."
Varis huffed. "Like you can beat me."
"Boy! Fine, I'll tell on you!" I closed my eyes and snapped.
"You wouldn't!" He gasped.
"I would, now shut up." I huffed just as my parents reached a crescendo and finished, soon an awkward silence fell over the camp.
Maybe going off to magic Harvard wouldn't be so bad after all… I thought as sleep finally took me.