Cynthia curled up against his chest rubbing her head against him. Zack reached down patting her between her ears. The two cuddled in bed for an hour talking about her past. Six years ago her mother took them to Stormhaven for a better life, but it was a false dream. Her mother had to work in a brothel to support them. It wasn't an ideal life but they had each other.
One day Cynthia's mom impressed a rich man from the central district. He set them up in a nice house, and things were good for a while. Then his wife found out, and their house was attacked. Cynthia barely made it out alive with her sister.
Cynthia was sixteen taking care of a younger sister on the streets. In Blackreach if you didn't own a stall to sell from you didn't have income. They struggled to live on the streets almost starving. One day someone offered her money for a favor. That's when she found out how cruel the world is, but endured for her sister's sake.
Once they had an income they started finding other children, and she took them in. Doing this caused her to work more often. The only time she didn't hate herself was when the kids were smiling. She spent two years doing this, but her clients were dwindling with a new brothel opening.
Any money Cynthia would receive would go-to food for the kids, but the money ran out. That day Zack met Cynthia she was close to starving. It's why they risked the punishment of the guards. Hearing her story Zack held her tightly in his arms.
"I should've found everyone sooner."
Zack visited the city many times but never noticed them. He could've looked harder for people in need but was concerned with gathering supplies for the orphanage. If only he found them sooner she could've been saved from hardships. When Cynthia looked up she saw the grief in his eyes. She quickly got in close kissing him.
"You gave us a real home and helped me find joy again. So don't feel bad okay?" Cynthia smiled.
"I'm glad you finally see this place as your home. We should get up. A lot going on today, and I should get started." Zack slid off the bed getting dressed.
"Wanna join me in the bath first? My tails are sticking." Cynthia said while looking back.
"Sorry," Zack replied with a red face.
"I knew you were a pervert." Cynthia teased putting her dress on.
"Which one of us snuck in someone's room? I also noticed how wet you were when I woke up. So you were doing something lewd before I grabbed you. So whos the pervert again?" Zack asked coming up to grab her from behind.
Cynthia turned around to kiss him as he pushed her against the wall. He held her arm above her head as they kissed passionately. The two slowly started heading for the bed again when someone knocked at the door. When he opened it he saw Ashleigh rubbing her eye.
"Have you seen my sister?" Ashleigh asked.
"I'm right here, but why are you up so early?" Cynthia responded.
"I wanted to check on Tanya but noticed you weren't in bed," Ashleigh said while hugging her.
"Sorry I worried you," Cynthia apologized while patting her head.
"What are you doing in there?" Ashleigh asked looking at the room.
"Just talking to him about your training. Go get something to eat for now, and check on the others. I'll be in the bath then come find you after." Cynthia replied with a smile.
"Okay. Be safe today." Ashleigh hugged Zack before running off.
"She's taken up to you since the training sessions. At first, I thought you were trying to build an army to conquer something." Cynthia stated while descending the steps.
"How do you know I'm not?" Zack questioned as they walked out the front door.
"I heard your little speech to the kids the other night. If you wanted to do that you wouldn't preach about helping others, and restraint." Cynthia replied as they walked towards the bath.
The two continued to discuss stuff about the city, and kids. They entered the private bath together as they began washing. Cynthia offered to wash his back after they undressed. When he was returning the favor, and cleaning her tail she broke the silence.
"Be gentle you know how sensitive is," Cynthia stated.
"Sorry just wanted to make sure I got it all. When we visit Blackreach do you wanna come with us?" Zack asked while scrubbing her back gently.
"Not sure yet. I don't wanna look at that city again, but I'm concerned about more kids being in the streets." Cynthia replied as she got up.
"I was gonna look into that already, but a friendly face in the area would help," Zack said as they walked into the bath.
They bathed together discussing the protocols for today. With all the guards left behind, he was confident things would be okay. He still wanted her to be aware of the escape routes. While they were talking Ren walked in joining them. Seeing Cynthia in the bath she smiled. Everyone agreed with the other women joining them. The only person who hasn't commented on it is Kaya. Any time someone brings it up she runs off. As Ren finished washing off she sat next to Zack. Ren leaned down to kiss him.
"Are you joining us now?" Ren asked Cynthia with a smirk.
"Maybe. I see why you all stick so closely now," Cynthia replied while looking away.
"Well, you won't get any complaints from me. Sorry, we haven't gotten any alone time recently." Ren confessed while placing her arm around Zack.
Ren clung to him smother Zack into her breast glanced. Cynthia glanced over at his face when pulled so closely. She knew Zack had of the other women, but Ren was superior in size. Cynthia looked down at her chest feeling slightly insecure. Then she remembered how much Zack loved her tails and ears. Once this thought occurred Cynthia rested her head against his arm.
"Don't apologize you been working hard like everyone else. We will find the time." Zack placed his hand on Ren's thigh.
Once they got something to eat they made preparations for battle. Vicente made sure all his men were on the walls armed and ramparts stocked with extra arrows. Zack was talking with the kids making sure everyone was okay, and giving pointers in training. Tanya came to terms with him leaving and knew he wanted to help people. She walked up hugging him tightly and ran off to train with Karin. It was noon, and they were still making final arrangements before leaving. Out near an outpost, Wade was addressing a man named Judas.
"That woman said she was bringing help. It's still too early to head out." Wade stated.
"We can't trust them so easily. They could be familiars wanting us to waste time." Judas said while sharpening his blade.
"That's indeed a possibility. I'm leaving a soldier here just in case. We can't afford to turn down help right now. Are you sure the princess is alive?" Wade asked.
"Before we escaped we heard them talking about her being leverage. Not sure how long they will stick to that. So we need to move now." Judas stated.