Gavin woke up tangled in the naked form of Lyra. He was still bleeding slightly, but he must have taken at least two healing potions at some point. He knew this because he could see the empty vials lying crushed and broken against the wall.

Images and flashes of what had happened came back to him in fits and bursts. They had fought the spiders and then each other.

Her music had cut and stabbed at him, but his armor, which somehow grew with him, was mostly a match for it. Deep gouges in the wall caused by his axes and her notes spoke of the violence of the battle.

At some point, and he was unsure how, they were no longer fighting, just grappling.

Then… images and sensations flooded his mind.

“Ma’s gonna kill me,” Gavin groaned as he tried to pull himself delicately from Lyra’s sleeping form.

“What happened?” She groaned and looked up, seeing him crouched over her. Her eyes traveled down and then went wide. “What are you doing?” She slapped him across the face.

“No! No!” Gavin backed away quickly, “It isnae like that!”

She sat up groggily and looked around her.

Slowly, Gavin watched memory hit her with the same force it had hit him.

“Oh, sorry,” She said.

“Nae bother,” Gavin said awkwardly and summoned a thick blanket for her to cover herself with. “Was a shock ta me as well, at first.”

“Well,” She arched an eyebrow at him, “Aren’t you going to call me a monster or a harridan or something?”

“Uh, nae, lass. Why would I?” He scratched the back of his head in confusion.

“That anger, that temper,” She sniffed and wiped her eye with one hand. “That is the Elf side of me. People always attack me if they see it.”

“Oh, that!” Gavin laughed awkwardly again. “That was nothin’ at all. You should see Lady Bell and the boss man go at it sometime. They leave CRATERS when they fight, ya ken?”

“Does it normally end in sex as well?” Lyra asked.

“Often, aye,” the dwarf laughed and slapped his leg. Gavin reddened as he realized he was standing there completely naked. “Oops. Let me get me kegs on!” He found his armor under the sleeping Tumble-Mores and pulled it on quickly. “Forget me own heed next!” He said, still blushing.

“Aw, fuck!” Lyra sighed. “I don’t have any clothes with me!” She picked forlornly at the remains of her outfit. “Think there is enough of this left?”

“Oh, wait a min!” Gavin said, pulling things out of his bracer as he sorted through his things. Most of it was naturally Gavin-sized, but Bert tended to make things a little stretchy. “Here, why not try on some of this?” He offered her some of his spare gear. The leggings looked like long shorts on Lyra, but they fit. Just. The top similarly failed to reach her middle, leaving her midriff bare.

Gavin fussed around, trying various pieces on her until he managed to get something that worked.

“How do I look?” Lyra asked.

She looked pretty good, in Gavin’s estimation. She had on good, long, strong boots that covered all the way up to her leggings. Those were a little tight, but he tried to ignore how they hugged her legs. A small chainlink shirt covered the top and the bare area. It had been down to his knees when he wore it, but it fit her well. A fur cloak hung over her shoulders and covered her arms down to the leather gloves. They had cut out the fingers so she could still play. Her dark hair lying across the white fur lining was undoubtedly eye-catching.

“Well?” She asked, and he realized he had been staring.

“You look great!” He said, belatedly realizing he was a bit too loud when she blushed. “And warmer, too!” He smiled and coughed. “I hope it is okay?”

“A fine wedding present, thank you,” Lyra bowed awkwardly.

“Ah, could you run that by me again?” Gavin said with a frozen smile.

“Do your people not give gifts to couples?” Lyra asked, tuning her violin absently.

“Aye, sometimes,” Gavin nodded. “I, uh, I remember a lot, ya ken. Certainly, I may have missed some, but, ah,” He floundered.

“Ah,” Lyra looked down, “Elves. We, um, we mate for life.” She hurried on. “I just never expected to lose control like that. I never did before!” She looked at Gavin as he started to sweat, the same fixed smile on his face. “Are you okay?”

“Och, fine!” Gavin said mechanically. “Aye, right as roses.”

“Oh, do you have someone?” She asked shyly. “I know other races don’t always…” She stood up. “If you don’t want me, just say. I won’t hold you to our traditions.”

Gavin gave it some thought. This was a serious decision. Not one to be made in haste or lust. Then he remembered the feeling of them together….

“Married!” He smiled, “Great!”

“Really?” She looked doubtful.

“Ya don’ mind me being a dwarf?” Gavin checked.

“No,” Lyra smiled. “Do you mind me being, well, me?”

“Nae bother,” Gavin said. “Uh, so what do we do now?”

“Well, we did come here to get the jewels…” Lyra mentioned.

“Ah, fuck!” Gavin laughed. “Slipped me mind, can ya believe it?” He froze and paled.

“What’s wrong?” Lyra asked, looking around sharply.

“I just realized,” Gavin said. “I got married without you meeting me ma! I mean the beastie! She’ll flay me!”

“Oh, Gods,” Lyra said. “I have a mother-in-law, now!” She sat down, looking as pale as Gavin.

“Aye.” Gavin nodded. “And she’s a Gaint Sloth Bear.”

“How will I know if she likes me?” Lyra asked, her hand taking his.

“She’ll no try to eat you,” Gavin said. “Probably.”

===========

The jewels themselves were found in the center of the now-empty spider nest. Covered in webs and hung above the pit where the queen had laid her brood, they glinted in the light from Bawbag.

It took a fair few minutes of trying to snag them before Gavin gave up, grabbed a cheap throwing axe, and cut them down in a single throw.

“Nice shot,” Lyra said. She had opened up more as they worked their way through the underground lair. There was still a fair bit of post-what-did-we-do-last-night awkwardness, but they were at least of one mind about what came next.

Lyra was coming back to the Waystation with Gavin.

Honoring debts was important to Dwarves. It ran deep into their bones, and he had done the deed. She mated for life, so she was his wife.

It never even occurred to him not to keep his end of the deal, even if he had never meant to make it.

It had nothing to do with the memories of her soft skin, her growls, her nails in his skin. Nothing at all.

If he kept telling himself that, maybe someone else would believe him.

He didn’t.

The lass was like a drug to him. Even now, as they made their way back to the main cavern, the smell of her hair was making him smile. The more she let her guard down, the more she swore, the more he liked her.

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Relaxed and open Lyra was a lot more fun than correct and proper Lyra.

Even if a couple of her jokes were enough to make him blush and stumble.

Half-Elf she may be, but she had the mouth of a dwarf on her.

That thought brought up a few more memories, and he missed a turn, bouncing off the wall.

“Gavin?” Lyra called back,

“On me way!” He called back hurriedly.

“You better come see this!” Lyra called, her voice uncertain.

“You daft bugger, Daftie!” Gavin yelled at the furball. “How are we supposed to get ya out of here now?”

“Daftie!” Daftie yelled. The creature had more than doubled in size and was now the size of a small horse.

“And how do you plan to get back up there?” Gavin pointed at the narrow shaft above them. “Ya great fat lump!”

“Daftie!” The Tumble-More burped and leaped straight up, flowing into the shaft like putty.

Gavin just stared as Daftie's legs kicked and kicked, forcing it up the shaft and back out into the air.

“Baws!” Bawbag squeaked and shot straight up the shaft, never once touching the sides.

“Wow,” Lyra laughed. “Inventive little feckers!”

“Aye,” Gavin laughed. “Now, how do we get back up there?”

“Oh, easy,” Lyra grinned and grabbed Gavin by the shoulders. “Hold on!” She crouched and leaped, shooting into the air.

“FUCKIN’ BAWS!” Gavin roared in shock as she leaped up the shaft like a mountain goat, the dwarf clutched to her ample chest.

“Ta-da!” Lyra dropped him next to the hole as she gently came in to land as if floating.

“How’d ya do that?” Gavin asked. “You go all floaty.”

“Wind attunement!” Lyra said, pleased he had noticed.

Daftie burped hugely.

“Not that kind of wind!” Gavin roared as Lyra laughed.

==========

“Welcome back!” Wendy was at the door, watching as Gavin got his reward from King Dagon.

Gavin eyed her warily but took Lyra’s hand and led her toward the ramp. He was more afraid than when he fought the spider!

“What did you do?” Wendy laughed, seeing his face. “And who’s your friend?”

“Ah, Wendy,” Gavin fidgeted with his belt, “This is Lyra. She was my Bard, and well, she’s kinda my wife now.”

He looked up to see Wendy’s grin had gone feral.

“What did you do to the poor girl?” Wendy asked, leaning down. “I bet I know!”

“Wendy!” Gavin tried desperately.

“I’m telling Slothy!” She said and darted inside before he could stop her.

“Oy!” Gavin yelled, scrambling after her. “Don’ you fuck dare!”

“Is this bad?” Lyra asked nervously.

“Aye!” Gavin made it two more steps before a roar shook the entire Waystation. “Ah, fuck me!”

“Pretty sure I already did,” Lyra said, taking his hand.

Gavin nodded, and they waited outside the Waystation.

They did not have to wait long.

Lyra’s eyes widened, and she stiffened as Slothy burst from the side of the Waystation, blue fire wreathing her claws.

“Rose tipped hells!” She gasped. “I thought you were kidding!”

“Nae, lass,” Gavin wilted. “That’s Slothy.”

In less than a second, the bear was there, roaring in their faces.

“Whoa!” Gavin yelled, pulling Lyra behind him. “Hey there! No eating me missus!”

Slothy growled.

“Look, it just happened, okay?” Gavin protested. “She’s me mate now, ya ken?”

Another roar.

“I couldnae exactly introduce her first; we didnae know it was gonna happen!” Gavin argued.

Slothy huffed and whined.

“Oh, no! None of that guilt nonsense!” Gavin demanded. “I’m a grown dwarf, and I can marry if I want!”

That was a LOUD roar.

“Of course, I’d prefer it if you said yes!” Gavin hurried to say.

Slothy whined again and sat back on her haunches.

“What happens now?” Lyra asked, clinging to his arm.

“Maybe we die?” Gavin offered.

Slothy stared at them for a long, long time…

She huffed once and reached out, scooping them into a hug.

“Welcome to the family!” Gavin gasped as his ribs creaked.

Slothy wandered off, huffing and chuffing as she climbed back into the Waystation, which had already healed the hole in the wall.

“That was feckin’ terrifying,” Lyra said with a chuckle. “I’m glad I passed.”

“Tha’s jus’ the start,” Gavin sighed.

“What?” Lyra tensed. “And who was it that ran off and told on us?” She growled.

“That was Wendy. Bell and the boss man’s daughter. Dunnae fuck with her; she’ll rip your head clean off. If her missus’ plants donnae tear ya’ apart first.”

“So who’s next?” Lyra asked.

“That’d be me,” A voice said from the air.

Gavin grabbed for Lyra, but his hands passed through empty air, the Bard vanishing.

“Lily!” Gavin yelled. “You let her go, she’s a nice lass!”

He kept yelling for ten minutes or so until suddenly, Lyra was back. She looked a little shaken but otherwise okay.

“Just checking,” Lily said smugly, popping into visibility on his shoulder. “She can stay.”

“And she’s gone again!” Gavin growled. “Ya little cheat!” He yelled.

“Please don’t piss off the invisible scary girl,” Lyra hissed in his ear. “She offered me money to go away, even threatened to kill me if I hurt you.”

“Ooh, someone’s getting too big for their boots since they turned into a pixie!” Gavin yelled into the air.

All he got back was a giggle that floated past him.

“So, am I okay now?” Lyra asked.

“Uh, no,” Gavin admitted.

“What?” Lyra growled. “Who else do I have to get to say I can stay with my own husband?”

“Me, for one,” An ice-cold voice said from behind them. Ice literally formed in the air it was so cold.

Gavin shuffled nervously around to face Bell. He winced as he saw her in human form, ringer in hand.

“And you are?” Lyra demanded, her anger flaring.

“Fond of knives,” Bell said with a horrifying smile. “Also, Lady of the Travelling Lands, and if Slothy is his Mum, I’m his Grandmother.” Power radiated off Bell as she exerted her will on the very air.

Lyra gasped.

“Oy!” Gavin snapped.

Bell collapsed into laughter as Lyra looked terrified.

“Explain, now,” Bell said, the laughter gone as quickly as it came. “And I just found out Bert went to a brothel, so make it good.”

Gavin explained as Bawbag bounced up and down and Daftie ran in circles.

“Okay, pass!” Bell said eventually. “She can stay. You better take a room in the staff block now you are married. Just don’t forget to visit Slothy all the time!”

“Promise!” Gavin grinned.

“Good lad!” Bell giggled and darted into the Waystation after grabbing the orb from Gavin’s hands. “Well done, by the way. On the quest and the wife.”

Gavin beamed, feeling on top of the world.

“Anyone else?” Lyra demanded a second before the ground opened up and swallowed her.

“Just Way Way!” Gavin yelled down into the ground. “They like to say hi!”

==========

“Gavin came back from his quest married!” Wendy laughed as she collapsed into bed next to Scruff.

“Seriously?” Scruff asked.

“Yup, and he married a half-elf.”

“Figures,” Scruff chuckled. “We have one of just about everyone else.”

“I ratted him out to Slothy!” Wendy giggled, snuggling against Scruff.

“I heard,” Scruff said and batted her playfully on the nose. “Bad, Wendy.”

“Can’t help it,” Wendy sighed. “I’m my mother’s daughter.”

They cuddled for a moment, both just enjoying the comfort of being together.

“Dad says there’s a war coming,” Wendy said at last.

“I heard,” Scruff said, hugging her closer.

“What do we do?” Wendy asked.

“No idea,” Scruff shrugged. “I’m just a gardener.”

“Well, what do you think we should do?” Wendy asked. “As a gardener and love of my life?”

“As a gardener, I’ll make up something special.” She grinned wickedly. “As your love? We tease Gavin to death about his new wife, of course.”

Wendy laughed and pulled Scruff in for a kiss.

==========

“Another town has joined us,” The thing that was once a man and now was something else bowed before her.

“We are almost ready,” Martha said with a lazy smile. “A couple more, and we will no longer need to hide.”

“Are you sure?” Rose asked. “I hear those guilds are pretty tough.”

“None could stand against us on the old continent,” Martha said airily. “It will be no different here.”

“Really?” Rose sneered. “Because I remember the Fae city AND the City of the Dead still going strong when we left!”

A vine shot out of Martha’s sleeve and slapped rose across the room.

“Faith, not facts,” Martha sighed. “You must remember that, child.”

Rose stared at the blood on her hands after she wiped her face.

“You need me!” Rose hissed. “Don’t forget that!”

“No, child,” Martha smiled. “We needed you; that is not the same thing.”

Strong arms grabbed Rose and dragged her away, deeper into the keep they had taken from the locals.

“You can’t do this to me!” Rose yelled. “You can’t!”

“You are a traitor, child,” Martha’s voice came from the creature dragging her away, its human face blank and dead. “Why would we ever keep you around? Traitors always do it again.”

“You can’t do this to me!” Rose kept yelling it until they threw her into the dungeon.

She yelled it until the guards left, and the lights went out.

Rose whispered it to herself as she started to chip away at the mortar with her knife.

She was still whispering and screaming it as they dragged her into the pit and cut off her arms…

When that happened, she screamed, her mana flowing into the scream as she did so.

Half a continent away, three pixies all heard the scream and turned to face the direction it came from.

The war was about to begin.