Jezebel was shocked to find out that some of the humans here were halfbreeds no less actually, and were treated normally more or less Jezebel, Hector, and Safiya were huddled near a fire with the halfbreeds as they told stories about the past of how the dryads came to be and such. but she was half listening. How could Hector turn into such a beast when magic is in such short supply these days and he's not that old in his mid thirties or early forties if I had to guess. Hector sat next to her face, unreadable every answer to him raises two more questions whatever were almost there. just get the supplies we need. Safiya next to Jezebel watching Hector with her eagle eyes almost unblinking

“so how did you like the story” asked a halfbreed by the name of Sile with amber eyes and her skin was like bark almost a dark brown color

“it was good” Jezebel said trying not to be rude for not listening as much as she should, but she seemed pleased about it

“how about you I bet you have lots of stories” Sile said every halfbreed looked at them with excitement

“um it’s getting late maybe we should go to bed” Safiya said

“but the sun just set” Sile pointed out

“ok” Jezebel sighed “a few months ago I lived in a castle” their eyes were all on Jezebel as she told them about her journey how they fought in a battle with a king and everything and then stole some moas then about their travails and how they fought monsters then how they stumbled upon the town Safiya gave a few key details were Jezebel missed them. when she was done they all seemed amazed

“all this for some gold?” Sile asked

“or some other treasure yes” Hector said they all looked baffled

“that's quite a story” a male halfbreed said

“Let's go to bed” Jezebel yawned as they left and made their way into town into the hut where they were staying at Jezebel headed to the beds that were made for them. Tomorrow we will find a way to get the supplies we just have to. was the last thought as Jezebel fell asleep.

In the morning Jezebel got out of bed to an empty room. How about that they didn’t even wake me. Imorhair entered the room he looked dashing in his plain tonic and blue hair neatly brushed

“Hector went to talk to our chief and will be back shortly and Safiya went gliding in our orchards” Imorhair said sitting on his stool by the fireplace which was under the smoke hole. what? and they didn’t invite me? How could they?. I’m their friend, tears welled up storming outside to cool off.

dryads were in the street going somewhere. Why is everyone excluding me? to things. I could help get the supplies or glide. Why is this happening? They must have thought I told them too much or something along the lines how can I fix this? Sitting down next to some hut. breathing heavily I’m going to lose Them both aren't I. Jezebel started to cry tears running down her cheeks. They don’t want to be around me anymore. fine I’ll do things myself like…..hunt heading out of town to hunt for some raw meat. passing dryads on the way out of town. They were minding their own business, not even looking at her. passing the opening in the circle of trees into the orchards each row was almost too perfect. walking into the thick trees walking though and ducking under branches. which quickly became annoying. the pointy branches poked her injured shoulder so she covered it with her hand. Soon she could walk unhindered by branches. walking under the tall trees. looking for a tasty breakfast and finding a few rabbits which are too quick for her to catch. especially right now. searching for hours and finding nothing. walking back to the orchard and seeing Safiya gliding off trees alone without her great now. I’m hungry and lonely Jezebel thought as she moved on into town why doesn't she want to spend time with me today. I must have done something but what I don’t think I’ve done any thing or said anything she bumped into a winter dryad

“sorry” she started to walk away when he grabbed Jezebel’s shoulder shaking her out of her thoughts it was Imorhair

“your raw meat is waiting for you at my house” Jezebel blinked

“Oh thank you” Jezebel said awkwardly then he walked away. I love this place at his hut, sure enough fat possums were skinned and ready to eat she took one and as she was eating it went up the wooden stairs to see if anyone was back yet. It was empty back down. She continued eating alone for the first time in months. It brought back sad memories. I can't believe how far we traveled since leaving home. It felt like a lifetime ago living in the castle alone. I wonder if my father is looking for me. Why would Hector go alone to see the chief anyway?

Nothing came to mind after she was done. she sat there tapping her claw on the table, the only sound besides muffled voices of the dryads outside what to do, what to do, she thought of nothing I know! I’ll just spend with my fellow halfbreeds they will know what to do for fun here. rushing out to find them it took some directions from the dryads. but she found them near the edge of town huddled around a fire telling riddles or tossing dice

“Hello, want to sit by me?” Sile said

“of course” Jezebel said, taking a seat next to her

“What do you do for fun around here?” Jezebel asked

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“We sing and dance at night but do you want to hear another story?”

“yes please” Jezebel replied

“Long ago there lived an old farmer.”

“Can you tell me about your goddess?” Jezebel interrupted and she stopped and looked at her

“Of course I know about this but I am not very religious myself. But I will tell you about them since you asked. the four seasons goddess are not very flashy their not like Tempestas where he bring storms and hurls lightning no they are more subtle and so are their children the dryads they don’t build huge cities or wonders or have big armies we have magic yes but it’s just helps us get food so they taught us how to live with nature and to not be bogged down with riches but to share what we have they were all united all four seasons in order there isn't much to talk about they didn’t get involved compared the other gods and goddess” Sile concluded

“Thanks” Jezebel said leaving their camp she wandered the muddy streets with thoughts running through her head. I like it here. It's a good place for halfbreeds. I could stay here and make it my home. I'm sure I could work here and have Safiya and Hector continue the journey without me. but what if Hector claims it by overpowering Safiya but Hector wouldn't do that will he? and if he does then what happens to halfbreeds then? they will still have no one in the pantheon to help them. I can't leave not again. It could be my second time leaving where I’m accepted. Hector came walking briskly breathing heavily

“We will leave in two days till we recover. I made a deal with the chief for the supplies we need” Hector paused for a breath.

“That's good news but what did you agree to do?” Jezebel asked. curious as to what they could offer. Hector hurried her in between two huts so as to not be overheard.

“I agreed to kill a camp of goblins and once that is done we get the supplies”

“How many?” Jezebel asked worried

“about twenty or twenty five somewhere around their”

“twenty five how are we going to kill that many my dagger isn't that great of a weapon not to mention Safiya’s not a warrior with or without her sling”

“not you two just me” Hector said “but how you little ax they can’t possibly” than it hit her

“oh you are going to go not as yourself” Hector nodded sadly

“but” Jezebel said, then closed her mouth. What do I say to that Hector turned around when a dryad came around and saw them then walked on. do I stop him but we need the supplies

“When can you turn back to a human”

“I don’t know sometimes I can gain control in a hour or it could be a week” Hector said leaning against the left hut

“We will talk about it tonight,” Hector promised, before hurrying away back onto the streets. She was left alone again.

Later that night after Jezebel told the situation about Hector to Safiya

“What has that fool done now?” Safiya muttered Hector just walked into the room as Jezebel was laying on the bed

“What do you think you are doing?” Safiya challenged

“what must be done”

“you are going to unleash the beast”

“To kill monsters, yes” Safiya got up in his face

“what if the dryads come to see if you do it and get them killed?”

“I told them to check in two days I know the risks I’ve been dealing with this curse for a decade” Hector replied towering over her and sounded annoyed

“Enough Safiya. he knows what he's doing” Safiya gave a huff and stormed out to be alone even though she was alone for most of the day. Hector sighed then left the room she got up and sat at the table racking her claws on the table leaving large scratches. what I’m I going to do to get them together? I'm sick of them fighting but it’s been months and relations have not improved much. I am going to see about dinner Jezebel sighed not knowing what else to do. I could dance I’ll do that after dinner

“good evening” Imorhair said as he walked in

“I found some rabbits in the trap today. hungry?”

“yes please” Jezebel said taking a seat he place two unskinned rabbits and handed her a knife I went to work skinning and soon began to eat after she was done and ate them leaving only bones she went out into the cold night grabbing her cloak and soon found the halfbreeds and they were playing music and were dancing they waved at her to join in Jezebel was hesitant I don’t know how to dance but….ah what the hack holding hands with two half dryads and dancing in the circle to the sound of drums and flutes and pipes as Jezebel danced soon they were broken into pairs of men and women and a tall half dryad took me by the hand and said

“Let's take this slow” he laughed, her cheeks burning as they danced. He was almost as tall as her, just half a head taller as he got closer to her as they danced. her face felt like it was on fire at this point then we went faster swaying and doing all kinds of footwork looking silly. I’m sure they had a grin all the while. Once she stepped on his foot a few times it was awkward as he tried not to wince in pain which made her feel bad but he had to take a break breathing hard as her dance partner sat down by the fire.

“I’ve never dance with someone with hooves before” he said jokingly with that he got up and left to talk to his friends soon another male half dryads came to dance with me and she happily obliged dancing a little more slowly for what seemed like an hour then he left her alone without saying anything it made her a little sad. but was having too much fun to let it ruin her night. Once she sat there for half an hour with no new dance partners and the ones she did had found new partners. She left feeling lonely and went to bed lonely.

In the afternoon Jezebel and Safiya watch Hector disappear into the woods to fight the goblins with a shield slung over his back that the dryads gave him and all they could do is wait for Hector to return. They sat at Imorhair’s friend's house, a round stick and mud house with a smoke hole that opens and shuts with a rope. They ate lunch. soup and a raw deer steak for Jezebel. Which was amazing and they spent most of their time with the half dryads. They told them fun stories and danced that night with Safiya getting more dances than her. It was hard not to feel jealous about it. when she went to bed.

Three days later and still no sign of Hector I hope he can control the beast Jezebel thought with worry. a dryad came back with the news that all the goblins were dead and that they got the supplies loading them on Safiya’s packmoa and were about to leave this wonderful place when Hector showed up in the distance and on a closer look he had scraps and shallow cuts on his face and arms he still had on his coat and round shield but Jezebel could tell because of the way he held his arms

“We need to leave now” Hector called before they could ask questions because of the tracks they found before Jezebel took a step out of the opening Imorhair grabbed her shoulder

“I got these for you you will need them” two girls carried two round shields one small witch Safiya took. It was plain and Jezebel took the much larger one that had a deer painted in green on the wood. With that they left town and headed towards the mountain Jezebel looked one last time at the town then walked on with a sigh. For halfbreed kind.