"No, no. It's nothing as bad as that. Chastising and grumbling is how we communicate." Gregor said.
"Mmm.. okies. If that's what you say." I said.
"It's alright. Anything we say to each other has always been.. in good sport?" He seemed to question that himself.
I fished a jasper stone out of my pocket and showed him. "I'm gonna make it into an arrowhead."
"I'm sure that'll be a very nice arrowhead that'll pierce someone's skull." He said.
I laughed, putting it away, "Hopefully, I won't be using it against people."
"Can always hope. But it's generally the stupid ones that require it." He replied.
Impulsively, after he finished speaking, I touched his bearded cheek. The texture was very different. I pulled my hand back as my face turned red, realizing what I'd done, "Sorry, that was rude. I was curious about how a beard felt acause most shave it off and Elves don't grow one, though Dwarves do, but you aren't 'sposed to just touch a man's beard..."
"I'll admit, that was surprising." He said. "But it's alright. If you're that curious, you can touch it again."
I covered my face with my hands, "I'm so embarrassed."
"It's alright. Curiosity is something we all deal with. Just some lose out to it." Gregor said reasonably.
I moved a hand and peaked at him. "You're amused."
"Yes. But I am truly trying to not be." He said.
"Keep it in and your belly'll hurt." I warned.
He laughed some. "It's.. still alright to be curious."
"I'm not flighty," I said. "I'm usually much better at controlling impulses."
"It's alright to let your impulses fly every once and a while." He said.
I dropped my hands and said, "Funny thing for a Monk to say."
"I've stopped being a follower of the Path for quite a while now." He said.
"How come?" I asked.
"It just didn't seem to fit me anymore. It was very limiting." He said.
"Oh." I said. "I can understand that. Sometimes it's easier to help people by breaking overly strict rules."
"Indeed." He agreed. "Sometimes you really have to let things change. Such as rules and ways of thinking."
I nodded. "Do you enjoy as you are now?"
"There's always room for improvement." He answered.
"What would improve you?" I asked.
"That's a difficult question. One I'm sure many are looking for the answer to." He said.
"Are you happy?" I asked.
"I am happy. Could be happier, but I am happy." He said.
I smiled big, "That's good. I'm glad you're happy."
"Are you happy?" He asked.
"Fools generally are, aren't they?" I asked. "I have really the best friends and know how to help others. That makes me very fortunate and happy. It helps that I'm only smart enough to deal with what's in front of me."
"I suppose so." He said.
"Acourse, I'm gonna join the guild and take quests to help people, too." I grinned.
"Wonderful, we truly need more people that are competent." He said.
"I know I'm going about it the long way, by making my own bow and arrows, but I think it'll comfort Tilton and Bibs if I stay close by for now. I don't want to see their tears again." I told him.
"That is a memory you should hold close. Something that strong will carry you through hard times, I can guarantee." Gregor said.
"Suppose so." I replied as our food arrived. It smelled really good. I was just telling Gregor about how good it was, when a waitress set a drink before me.
"Gent at the bar sent this to you." She said, and walked away.
Confused, I looked at the cup, then turned my attention back at Gregor, sipping the drink I'd ordered with him.
Gregor smiled. "Some people can be very bold."
"Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yes. You're sitting with an eligible bachelor, and yet they think they can steal your attention. Some people think very highly of themselves." Gregor said.
"Oh. Well, if they want attention, 'hi' works quite well for a minute." I said. "But are you saying you're the star of my attention?"
"I'm beginning to think I would like to be." He replied directly.
I blinked, surprised. "Are you picking at me?"
"No. I don't joke about these things. I've come enjoy your company." He said.
"Eh? But.. mm. Why?" I asked. "I'm just a silly girl."
"You can be a silly girl. But you are also funny, charming, and simply talking with you has been more fun than I've had in a few years. Not to mention, you willingly and openly help people you have no connection to for no other fact than you just wanted to. So to sum up, you're kind and funny and make me laugh." Gregor explained.
"And so you like me?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, I seem to have gone over everything except that very important part. Yes. I like you." Gregor said in a direct manner.
My face was red. I'd certainly never been confessed to before, and this was the second day I'd known him. "Oh." I managed to say. "Not a soul's said that before."
"Not a single soul? What a waste." He said. "I'm sure there have been many who tried to work up the nerve and were simply unsuccessful."
He was most certainly not Tilton. But he did have a good laugh. And he didn't seem to be mean. I wasn't sure how to handle this. It wasn't like I was ever going to confess, or Tilton would return my feelings. He was a good man or Bibs and Tilton wouldn't have introduced us.
So after some silence, I said, "Then, what do you want?"
"Currently, a companion to spend my time with." He answered. "That they may pursue their goals, and I mine. I'm not sure what else to want at the moment."
"I can accept that, then." I said.
"Alright. Now I have a viable reason that if he sends another drink to you, I can punch him in the mouth." He replied.
"Had that annoyed you?" I asked.
"Only a little. It's very disrespectful, and something that you don't do with someone in a relationship. We weren't at the time, but it annoyed me enough that I thought, 'Why aren't we?'." He said.
I smiled a little, "Goodness, don't you make up your mind easily."
"I certainly try to." He said.
I tilted my head, then I looked towards the bar and scooted closer to Gregor. I leaned my head on his arm, and moved the cup away the guy had sent away from us. Then I turned my attention back to Gregor. I wanted to make it clear that I was only interested in him. I didn't know if it was obvious or not. But I was sure it'd please Gregor some.
"This is ok, then?" I asked him, smiling.
"This is very ok." he said, smiling back and looking pleased.
I smiled, "You're pretty warm. Are you ok? Is this normal?"
"Yes. I.. am a warm blooded person." He said.
"How nice. I get cold sometimes. Like when it snows, but I don't like summer very much, either. Too hot. Oh, but the seasons stopped." I rambled.
"Indeed. The seasons are not a thing. I read once that they were a thing, but they are no more." He said.
"You shoulda seen Dueling Rivers just before summer. It'd rain so heavy it flooded everywhere. But no one minded much, acause soon as the rains ended is when the crops'd grow in. Specially the melons, and they were so delightful. By fall everything'd start dying and the animals sleepin', but for the gourd vegetables, like Pumpkins. They made a delicious pie." I rambled. "It was made better with walnuts from the big black trees."
"I don't think I've ever had that pie." He said.
"Secretly, the Dwarves make the best pies." I told him. "Specially the Moon's Rise Dwarves."
"I don't believe I know those particular Dwarves." He said.
"Oh no, did they really seal their gates to the continent?" I asked. "They're so close by even."
"So.. where are they located exactly?" He asked.
"Moon's Rise mountain range. Just half a day North of here." I said, a puzzled look on my face.
"Ah. That mountain range. It's been, I suppose renamed to Wolves Falls." He said. "And if that's the correct mountain range, then those Dwarves live here now."
"Oh. Why do they?" I asked.
"Something forced them out of their home. And that's as most as they'd say." He said.
"Papa Griorgre would roll in his grave to hear of that." I said. "Ah, I miss Papa Griorgre. He was a good man."
"Well, we could go say hi. They are usually up to early morning with their revelries." Gregor said.
"If anyone would remember Papa Griorgre, it would be Moon's Rise Dwarves." I said, a little sad. "But none are likely to have known him."
"Why would none know him? Was he a recluse?" He asked.
"Because he traveled in his later years, trying to bring joy to poor villages, and that was about.. three hundred eighty years ago that he did so. Most Dwarves live around three hundred fifty years." I explained. "He passed when I was five."
"Yes, that would be a little difficult to find someone who may have known him." He agreed.
"Maybe grand children or great grandchildren, and cousins. He had four brothers, nine daughters and two sons." I told him.
"Well, he probably has a descendant, then." He said.
"He didn't get on with them well, he said. Acause when his wife died he went wondering the world." I said. "He loved her more than life."
"Well, there may be animosity between them, but who knows. That was a very long time ago." He said.
"Mm. Dwarves hold deep grudges, though." I pointed out.
"Well, we can always try to bring it up peacefully? I'm not sure." He said.
I looped my arms around his and squeezed, "We can try. I rather enjoy Dwarves company. They're gruff, but sweet."
He patted my head and said, "I certainly enjoy Kaz and Balnur. They are fine company. And maybe Kaz can make that pie."
"Oh, I remember them being mentioned. I didn't realize they were Dwarves. I'll have to ask him about it." I grinned.
"Out of all the Dwarves, I'd say Kaz is your best bet at knowing what you speak of." He said.
We were finishing up our meals now. I said, "I'm not a very affectionate person, usually. Is that fine with you?"
"That's fine. It would be very difficult to fill out all the paperwork I need to if you were holding onto my arm." Gregor said.
I grinned cheekily and said, "You know, I think you're probably big enough compared to me that you could probably keep working even if I was in your lap."
Amused he said, "I probably could. Could always try it sometime."
My face turned pink, my teasing turned back on me easily. Even with my darker skintone you could see it. "Maybe."
"I said later, can be much later depending on your preference. I can't say you wouldn't get bored, though." Gregor said.
"I can stay in one spot for over a day waiting for my prey to come." I replied. "The only thing you'd need to worry about is if I fell asleep and drooled."
"I could get you a pillow." He said.
I laughed, "You could be the pillow."
"I think you'll find my lap a little to hard for a relaxing sit." He said.
"Nonsense. That's what fatty butts are for." I said. Then turned red, since I essentially said I had a big butt. "Just.. ignore that."
"I will try to, because you asked. Maybe thats why I find most chairs uncomfortable." He said.
".. So you say you don't have a fatty butt?" I asked.
"Definitely not fatty enough to consider hard wood chairs comfy." He said.
"I find them comfortable over stone and metal chairs." I said.
"Yes, I never use either of those." He said.
"Managed to burn my butt one time by sitting on a metal chair during Summer." I told him.
"That sounds absolutely dreadful, and something I can say I've never done." He said.
"What was worse is Tilton laughed. Bibs didn't let him say anything, though." I said, "I dread thinking of what he may have said."
"I'm sure it would have been scathing." He said.
"Like my butt was." I replied.
He laughed. "I believe this is the most I've ever talked about butts."
"That's ok. Sometimes immaturity is a lot of fun. Other times, it earns a nice big slap." I told him. "But the important part is that you have a lovely laugh."
"Do I? I've never paid attention to my own laugh." He said.
I nodded. "Yep. I like it atleast."
"That sounds like the most important part." He said.
I smiled and said, "As you say. Sure you aren't tired? You've had a long day."
"Oh, I'm very tired. I'm just enjoying your company." He said.
"Then it's okies to nor see the Dwarves. It would be awkward if I carried you to.. do you sleep at the guild?" I asked.
"I have a room across from my office." He said. "So, yes, I do."
"I'm staying at Bibs' house currently." I told him.
"I'm surprised you're not staying at the Inn." He said.
"I couldn't of initially." I said with a shrug. "Besides, Bibs offered."
"Right. You probably wouldn't have any money at the moment." He remembered.
I smiled and said, "I did get a little from the deer I cleaned up, but I try to be conservative in case I meet someone who needs it."
"Just remember that it's easier to help someone if you've taken care of yourself." Gregor said.
I nodded. "Yes. And sometimes helping can be the wrong thing to do. I assure you that I'm not a fool."
"I didn't mean to offend if I did... we used to over extend ourselves in our efforts to help." Gregor said.
"You didn't offend me. But I am surprised that your group over did it. Bibs and Tilton were always quick to caution me." I said.
"It's more that we would over promise our time and resources." Gregor said.
"That seems odd." I commented. Then I poked his nose.
He smiled and said, "I feel like I'm forgetting something, but I can't quite put my finger on it."
"I hate when that happens. It's like an itch inside the skull you can't scratch." I said.
"That's an accurate way to describe it, yes." Gregor agreed.
"I wonder what our friends'll say." I commented.
"I hadn't thought about it. I'm sure they'll be surprised and supporting." He said.
"Should we tell them?" I asked.
"Yes, I suppose we should." He agreed. "Let's go and have ourselves a chat."
"Alright. If that's what you wanna do." I said, getting up from the table. Gregor handled the bill, and we headed to Bibs' house.
Kershka was waiting outside and greeted us at our approach. He let us in, and came inside himself.
"Hey, Bibs." I greeted. Then I poked Kershka, "You still upset?"
"I am fine." Kershka said.
"Welcome back Ashtar, and Gregor, was he escorting you home?" Bibs asked.
"Spose so. He decided he wanted a relationship with me." I said.
Bibs, wide eyed, said, "Oh, did he now?"
I shrugged and said, "He said so, for companionship."
"Well, I'm glad the two of you told me. Don't tell Tilton." Bibs said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because I'm not sure what he would do." Bibs replied. "He would either challenge Gregor or accept it. Not sure. Could go either way."
"I would say he'd have some course words, but that'd be about it." Gregor said.
"Obviously you may run the risk at your own choosing." Bibs said.
"Should I assume, then, that Tilton's over protectiveness is why no one flirted with me or tried to get close?" I asked, an eyebrow raised.
"That is not my story to tell." Bibs said.
"Gotcha." I said. I patted Gregor's shoulder, "There you have it, then. Happy?"
"Still leaves me confused as to why he would do all that." Gregor said.
"I can ask." I offered.
"Oh, no. There's no point in that. If he wanted you to know he would've told you." Gregor said.
"Sometimes. But he also waits to be asked, or tries to be sneaky and gets embarrassed at being caught." I grinned.
"Maybe we should ask him. I don't think I've ever seen an embarrassed Tilton." Gregor said.
I laughed and said, "Perhaps he grew out of that trait. He wasn't even considered an adult to Elf Standards when I met him."
"Bibs, how many kids have you had on your adventures?" Gregor asked looking at Bibs.
After a moment, Bibs said, "I believe a child has been following me around.. about eleven times."
"It's acause he's small and unintimidating. Initially, anyhow." I joked.
"So I must work on my intimidation." Bibs commented. "Alright."
"Nah. You're fine as you are." I told him, "And I love you very much."
"I love you, as well, Ashtar. And I do find the way I am now.. relaxing in a way." Bibs said.
"I haven't known you to be anything but this, so I feel a little out of the conversation. What was he like before?" Gregor asked.
I shrugged and said, "I've always known him to be a man of integrity, kind to those who need it, and selective with those he keeps around. Hands off with teaching, though gentle in corrections. An excellent sneak, with wild hair."
"I've always known him to have very controlled hair." Gregor said.
"His and Tilton's teachings taught me to be a non thieving rogue." I said. "Bibs is the best Father figure I could hope for."
"That is some high praise." Bibs said.
"Is it? Tilton was more like a brother, I think. Acause he's a bully sometimes." I replied.
"Yes, you two bullied each other quite often. I found it quite amusing." Bibs said.
"My usual insult for Tilton is Rapscallious Troll Toe." I informed Gregor.
He chuckled. "May I use that? Sure it'll get him nice and fired up."
"I don't mind, but do so at your own risk." I replied, amused.
"I think it'd be worth the risk." He said.
"He's gonna hunt me." I said to Bibs with a grin.
"Probably, yes." Bibs said.
"Whelp, might as well make it a worthwhile game. When ya gonna use it?" I asked Gregor.
"Probably the next time I see him." He replied.
"Hmm. That's vague. That's ok. I'll just be mindful to cover my tracks for a while." I said.
"Covering your tracks is a smart decision. He might go on a rampage." Gregor said.
"Mmhm. And he taught me how to." I said. "If I seem to disappear for a while, check trees. I might be tied up in one."
"I suppose, yes. I can check trees for you." He said.
I laughed and petted his face, "I've been tied up by him more times than I care to admit to. It's like his go to when I've confounded him past his tolerance threshold."
"I can say I've seen him do that." Gregor commented.
"Yeah, he always says it's to keep an eye on the person he's tied up. Meanwhile he'll actually just leave them there." I said, rolling my eyes.
"Would he ever go back to get them?" He asked.
"Bibs would make him. And he couldn't even claim to have not because Bibs knew where he kept his ropes." I said. "When he's embarrassed he used to do this." I adjusted my shoulders and shot a narrow eyed side glance, placed my right hand so that the fingertips barely touched my collarbone. Then I turned away and huffed a sigh, crossing my arms.
"That seems like it would have been quite amusing to see." Gregor said.
"Accurate, right Bibs?" I asked.
"Extremely." Bibs replied.
I grinned. We all talked for a little longer, Kershka and Bibs had their meal, and Gregor headed home. I chatted a bit longer after he went before heading to the room Bibs lent me.
The next day, I bought a few outfits from a stall owner and used the Inn's showers to wash myself. I left my hair down for it to dry. Then I hunted for herbs in the Western woods.
When I returned to Dueling Rivers, I met up with Tilton briefly. We talked some before I stopped in to see Krista. I chatted with her some, before heading upstairs and seeing Gregor briefly.
I spent some time knapping the stones on a bridge after that. I chatted with people who approached me, there were no incidents. I dined with Gregor today as well. And he walked me to Bibs' house.
The next day, Bibs had managed to summon a bag man from a bag of holding he'd made. Once he fed it cake, it had a seizure and turned into a blonde man that was so handsome he could have been an Elf himself.
He was unconscious, though. Bibs had Kershka put him in a room, and he informed me that this man was Alexander. An old friend that had gone missing. Filled with curiosity, I headed out for the day, just the same.
I checked on my bow things. The wood would need further treating, but the sinew was ready. So I made some arrows with the Knepper stones. During this process, I'd heard an alarmed cry for help.
I raced down the tree and towards the cries. Near a river was an old man with fishing tackle, and a very broken leg. There had been a steep incline that he'd fallen down. I got him some pain numbing herbs to chew and set his leg. Then splinted it.
He told me I should marry his grandson for helping him and that his grandson would take care of me. I fished for him and helped him back to his village. He'd traveled for quite a few miles to get to that area.
As it was, his granddaughter informed me he wonders a lot, and thanked me for the help. He was old enough he didn't have a good memory anymore. He'd loved fishing in his youth, and that was about all he'd remembered.
For helping her grandpa, she gave me her late son's ring. I tried to decline, but she insisted, so I accepted. Refusing would have been extremely rude by that point. But I did ask for permission to give it to my lover. Which was granted.
I headed back in time for dinner with Gregor. I figured he wouldn't like to receive the ring, but still, I offered it. It was a man's ring. I explained to him how I'd gotten it. He accepted it, and to my surprise, put it on.
The next couple of days were dedicated to trying to learn to cook. I clearly knew the basics and understood the idea of it, even different chopping methods. Which the cook was pleased with. But that was the end of my ability. After the second day, he was truly confounded.
I went and hunted a boar to replace what I'd managed to ruin under his watchful eye. He hadn't quite gave up yet, but decided he needed to make a plan for teaching me. It was a new challenge, and Krista confided that her dear husband was enjoying the task.
Their daughter, named Clara, had recovered by now, and often joined her Mom behind the desk. She was a tough girl who took no nonsense. Very like her mom. I had dinner with Gregor again, and by the time I went home, Alexander was finally awake.
He was sitting at the dining table, having a meal, when Kershka and I entered. "Well, good morning sleeping beauty, how's the weather fair you?" I joked with a smile.
"Um, hello I'm sorry, but do I know you?" Alexander asked.
"Nope. I'm an old friend of Bibs and Tilton's. My name is Ashtar, and it's great to see you awake. I was starting to worry." I replied.
"Sorry, my minds a bit muddled right now. I'm trying to piece myself back together." He said.
"Poor dear. You've great friends to help with that." I told him. "Is there anything I can do to help you? Or is peace better?"
"I'm not sure what I need. I think I'll just play for a bit." He reached for something over his shoulder and paused. "Oh that's right, it's gone. Bibs you wouldn't happen to have a lute on hand, would you?"
"I do actually, one moment." He went and grabbed a lute from the corner of the room and brought it to Alex.
He looked so comforted to have it in his hands. When he began to play it was beautiful and the melody brought tears to my eyes as he played his own emotions on the lute.
I fell alseep listening, and woke in the bed upstairs. During breakfast Alex seemed a bit more lively but still discombobulated. To be expected, I imagined. He decided to play in the square and accepted when I asked if I could tag along.
So I was listening when Tilton joined, watching him, and three leonin with a bright eyed small child arrived. After the briefest conversation, the child had Alexander cast a spell to contact someone. After he looked heartbroken, an Archfey and her children came through a portal.
It was an emotional meeting. The child then made a glyph to send them to a nearby place for privacy. And Tilton was a little mean. When I scolded him, the child identified me. As confusing as that was, he then went off to do some kind of business with the Dwarves.
I followed Tilton for a moment and said, "Know what?"
"What is it, Ashtar?" He asked.
"I'm in a relationship with Gregor." I said bluntly.
He froze. "I'll see you later." He went in a different direction.
Having not much to do now, I headed out the East gate, waving at the upstairs window of the Guild, though I knew Gregor's back was towards it. I went to the tree my things were still up. After checking on them, I headed further East. I hadn't heard anymore about the mutant owlbear, though I also wasn't concerned.
Perhaps I should have been concerned. After heading East for an hour, I turned South, leaving the road. The sadness thing was that the woods were completely normal and what I was accustomed to. I'd just spotted some medicinal plants and headed to check on their quality when the area went darker than sin.
I tried to flee, but within seconds my body was restrained, as if by a thick blanket. I felt a dropping sensation, then I was unconscious. When I woke, I was inside a cage. There were many people inside cages. I looked around confused. Where were we?
Looked like a dinky camp in the woods. A bonfire in the center, with the cages all to one side. There was a kettle cooking and a person tending it. That one, and a few others I was spotting all had the same looking uniforms on. A nearly purple colored one.
My arms were bound behind my back. Not that it mattered. Two seconds later and I'd untied myself. I started looking for anything at all that I could use. Which is when I noticed, with dismay, that the other prisoners, along with myself, had a type of collar on us.
I attempted to slip it over my head, but it shocked me. I gasped, and dropped. The cook commented, "Yeah, that's why you lot get tied."
"What's the goal here?" I asked.
"Some big shot wants slaves. Slaves we be supplying." The cook said.
"You've made a mistake, then. And I'm willing to wait to see your doom come." I said.
"You all talk big. You'll cry soon nough." He said. "Especially since you ain't a half bad looking girl."
"Unfortunately for you lot, I'm spoken for." I said. "But do give me a chance to eviscerate you."
He stood, and walked towards the opening. It was a wide opening, as wide as the camp, with trees and brush bisecting the view. He clacked a rock against a metal something. "Got a fiesty one to break."
How I wished that I had a means to contact any of my friends at this moment. But I didn't. I only had myself to rely on, at this moment at least. I stepped back from the opening and spotted a magic circle in the bottom of the cage. That may have been how they got me here.
An ogre of a man came into view while I was still thinking. "Which one?"
I had a thought. If an Ashtar screams in the middle of the woods and no friends are around to hear, was there a point? I'd gotten kidnapped. Shit, shit, shit.
I was pointed out as the trouble maker. Big guy was coming my way. I made sure everything was free from my body, ropes that is.. Big guy wasn't the mage, was he? Surely not. Makes talk more. Bah. I spotted my saving grace out of the corner of my eye. A dagger on the man's other hip.
He touched a stone to the cage and it popped open. I would need that stone. Uncertain of how all the magic stuff worked, and determined to get free, I stayed still as he approached. At best, I'd have one shot at this.. At the last moment, I lunged forward, ramming him with my shoulder, and snagging the dagger and running out of the cage.