A week had passed.

Don’t worry, I’m not skipping anything. I slept for the whole of the first day, then spent the next two days getting my legs back, then spent the final three getting letting the heat die down. A whole six days, gone with barely a paragraph.

I was staying with Mittens for the whole of it. Stuck in her bed. Witches were like that, just about the most helpful folk you really don’t want around all the time. It was comfortable, and Jill was always at my side.

Apparently court proceedings would be starting sometime this month, but only against one of the cultists who was getting a plea deal by turning in the rest of the survivors. Serene popped by a few times to talk about the Watch investigation. Apparently all of my involvement had been swept clean under the rug…

It was nice seeing her now and then, and at one point I even told her about that old theft I did at her temple! Sure, she hit me with a cane a few times, but she showed up the next day with muffins. And apparently Aude had forgiven me. Someday I'd return that stupid amulet. Just had to get it back from the pirate I sold it to.

That’s a whole other story, though.

But the week had passed. I had places to be, jobs to do, and law to evade.

The street was bustling with people, the daylight of late autumn drawing out fishermen, artisans, and pedestrians of all sorts. Burrowsmouth was a very pedestrian town, with only rough roads made primarily for carts to haul dead fish around.

I was sitting on the back of one such cart, and unfortunately, it was loaded with exactly that. The rank smell of fish barrels brought a grimace to my face as I looked at Mittens.

“You are very lucky I know Mr. Fisher well.”

“His name’s actually Fisher?”

“Yes. He’s the carter, goes to and from some nearby munchkin villages.”

“Oh.” That was marginally less funny. “Well, thanks Mittens. For everything.”

“Of course Callum.” Mittens said. She left a gaping hole in the conversation there, and somehow I knew how she wanted me to fill it.

“If you ever need anything-“ I started

“I’ll be sure to ask.” Mittens said. A small, very small, nearly insignificant smile appeared on her catty mouth. I grimaced again.

Then I helped Jill up, grabbing her pudgy arms and yanking her onto the edge of the wood. She grunted and immediately started looking at the barrels, touching and feeling them and trying to peep inside. She seemed to like the smell, eyuck.

I looked around. My eyes traced the old shabby buildings of this rundown section of the Craft’s Ward. There was a significant lack of something I’d hoped… “Hey, uh… is Adequate Climates Upon The Arrival Of Serene Seasons showing up?”

“Why da hell do ya keep whistlin’ like that?!” Jill asked, glaring at me.

“It’s Serene’s full name, Jill.”

“What, in harpy?”

“Yes.” Me and Mittens said simultaneously.

“So ya speakin’ harpy for dis goil too, huh?” She had a wide toothy grin that made her eyes squint.

I turned back to Mittens, “Ignore her.”

“A goblin chieftain…” Mittens mumbled.

“I’ll ignore that too.” I pointed once and dropped my hand back to my side, “So where is she?”

“Well. Why would she be here? She gave her goodbyes last night, didn’t she?” Mittens asked.

“Well. Sure. Yeah… but, y’know, I thought… she might show up for the real goodbye…”

“She is a very busy woman. She might be advanced to Motherhood because of your actions.”

“Huh?” I lurched a bit, my stomach dropping.

“In the church.” Mittens added, “She will be a Mother in the Church. Because of her involvement with the sacrifice and… single handedly destroying a powerful demonic artifact and stopping a cult… with only the help of a witch.” Mittens explained.

“… Right.” No glory, no money, not even my name in the papers… exactly what I needed, but not what I wanted… well, at least I still had Jill.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

I smiled at the goblin, and noticed she hadn’t changed expressions, instead just standing there with her hands on her hips looking smug.

“What?”

“Nothin’!” She said, finally turning back to the barrels.

“Goodbye, Callum.” Mittens said. She leaned forward, and kissed me on the cheek.

The cart started, rattling its way down the road. I waved to Mittens. I knew for a fact it wouldn’t be the last I’d see of her. It didn’t matter how long, a Witch always calls on debts if she can. Hell I might have to paint her cottage when she’s 90. Hopefully I’d be making it up to her a lot sooner.

The streets passed by, and I was able to appreciate the disgusting roads, the grimey sidewalks, the smell of fish, and all the wandering people.

In a way, I was glad to be leaving. In another, I don’t think I’d ever really leave. Not with then mix of trauma and happy memories I’d made.

The streets finally gave way to stretching dirt roads, carved from the grasslands and fertile fields that made up the majority of Melodia proper. The grass expanded from the coast inland, far beyond the horizon. I felt comfortable enough to lay back, letting my legs hang over the edge of the cart.

My head found warm comfortable thighs, and I was laying back in Jill’s lap.

She began running her fingers through my hair, smiling, “Y’really gotta shave, Cal.”

“Cal? That’s a new one.”

“Cute innit?”

“Well I don’t have a pet name for you.” I mumbled.

“You’ll fig’re one out, Chief.”

“This again?”

“You’d make a real good Chieftain, Cal.” She leaned down and kissed me, right on the lips.

I gave up on caring about goblin traditions, and instead, lost myself in the kiss. Making out with my fiancée filled me with a warm wave of contentedness that filled every limb. It was much, much better than the fire of the gem I was so glad to be rid of.

I heard the call of birds and flutter of wings high above me as I kept my eyes closed, lost in nature, in love, in everything.

Then, the noises got closer, and I squinted up at the view that was blocked by the underside of Jill’s chin.

Then the whole cart shook with a thump, and I yanked myself up.

“Wooh! Hoo…” Serene stood, perched on one of the barrels. She ruffled her wings.

“Look who fin’lly showed up! Lil miss mommy.” Jill said, turning to face her.

“Mother. I’ll thank you to be correct.”

“Whatever you say, lady.”

“We had an agreement, Jill.” She spread her wings, they bounced with the movement of the cart. I’ll admit, I was looking at the other things that were bouncing on her. But, aside from her massive tits, she was wearing new vestments. They were finer, without the stains from last week’s mess, but more than that with further symbols. They were lined orange across the shimmering golden fabric. It was fabulous, to say the last.

“Agreement?” I looked at Jill, then back to Serene.

“I have become an ordained mother, Callum.” She said, motioning to herself with a flip of her wing, “I am dedicated in service to Saint Lehsda, who guided my hands during our… adventure.” She blushed under the mask, but I could see it from her visible mouth. “The Saint of Love.”

“And fuckin’.” Jill added.

She hopped down. I imagine the carter had noticed, but decided that hassling a Shian was not on his agenda today. She was standing right behind me, now, talons digging the sea-softened wood even as it dried under the autumnal.

“Uh, congratulations!” I said, forcing up a smile. “Glad to hear it. Sorry I left before you could say-“

“And!” Serene said, interrupting me, “I have decided to leave the temple!”

“What?” I stared up at her, agog.

“I am becoming a minstrel, a wandering mother, giving teachings of her holy light and the saints. I wish to become a vagrant, like you!”

“Oh. Well thanks.” I flattened my brow.

“Never sleeping in the same bed twice, traveling Melodia and perhaps further… the idea sounded… horrendous to me, just a week ago!” She continued, her sing song voice carrying the joy of her words, “But now, I can imagine no other life… you have truly inspired me, Callum. Thank you.”

“I hope it serves you well, Serene.” I said, a calm smile coming to my face once more. I had relaxed into it.

“And…” She looked to Jill, who made a ‘get on with it’ motion, before turning back to me. “If you’ll… have me. I’d like to travel with you.”

“Huh?”

“Heh heh…” Jill rubbed her nose.

I glared at Jill, then turned my face up to Serene, “Listen, Adequate Climates Upon The Arrival Of Serene Seasons, I’m- I’m a thief.” I motioned at myself.

“I can work with that.” Serene said, before I could continue. She squatted down suddenly, and put her wings around me. Her lips pressed to mine in a deep kiss.

When it broke, a million years later, she was blushing intensely, and covered her face, as though she didn’t realize what she was doing until after she had already done it. The air around us was no longer filled with the humid coastal air or the clattering of wheels over unpaved roads. It was filled with warmth, with birdsong, with all that crap you imagine when you get your true love’s kiss. It reminded distinctly of the first time I really kissed Jill.

“I want to be with you, Callum. I can see something inside you… something wonderful.” She continued after the heat had finally left her face. She folded her wings, “I want to be with you.” She nodded firmly.

I wasn’t sure how it’d work out. I mean, I was an asset reallocator! It wasn’t by necessity an evil job, but it certainly wasn’t lawful. Sure I’d done some robin hood work here and there… and I could do more… but… But… something about the way her mouth twitched, the way she wiggled this way and that, waiting for my response. I couldn’t say no. Besides… I think I loved her. And if Lehsda, the saint of love, was blessing this. Well. Maybe it’d work out.

I looked to Jill, “Are you okay with this?”

“Didn’t I already tell ya I was?” Jill said, “It’s traditional back where I’m from anyways.” She smiled broadly, “As long as I get da weddin’ first.”

“AH! That’s-“ Serene blushed again and covered her face, “That is quite- quite a long ways ahead of us, ahaha-“

I grabbed Serene again, and kissed her.

Jill started laughing.

The cart jumped a bit, but rode on into the horizon.