After I gave Camara a blessing through our close familial bonding, we made our way outside, where I directed her to chop down some more trees to expand our clearing while I tended to my garden.
We worked for a long time, and eventually, when the sun was just past its zenith, Rhefia and Aethisia returned, the two tall Deerkin each carrying some prey.
My wife had a large deer on her back, as well as a pheasant hanging from her vest, while Aethisia carried two round boars under each arm, her features tense as she swiftly entered the clearing.
Dropping the prey at my feet, the two women plopped onto the ground, and they gratefully accepted the cloths I offered them.
Seeing her dama and sister return, Camara stopped chopping and made her way over, and we all sat around the small fire we still had outside and chatted, Aethisia describing the hunt while Camara excitedly informed them about dinner.
As my girls talked, I went inside and got us a pot of tea, pouring everyone and cup before sitting back down beside Rhefia, my wife draping her arm over my shoulder as I poured her a second cup.
Enjoying the warmth of not only the fire but also my family around me, we eventually decided on having an early dinner before retiring for the day, Camara and I providing respite for our two tired hunters.
Sadly, I didn't get another activation of {Familial Bond}, but I was content nonetheless as I helped my youngest daughter relieve her urges.
The next day was much the same, and I decided to expand the house a little more, giving the girls some more space before putting in the bed that they wanted, which prompted Rhefia to tell them to try it out that night.
With some alone time between my wife and I, we reaffirmed our love to one another in a gentle night filled with sweet nothings, making predictions for our future after winter had passed by.
Enjoying the long, warm night together, Rhefia and I decided to go out hunting the next day, leaving Aethisia and Camara home since I wanted to stretch my muscles again.
Leading me deep into Geard Forest, we stayed out for longer than usual, since my inventory meant we could hunt as much as we wanted.
Carefully sneaking through the underbrush of the forest, I laid an arrow on my bowstring, staring at the fat boar that grazed on the bushes around it.
Nodding at Rhefia, I was about to shoot the boar when we heard some growling coming from the side, and two large wolves stalked from the brush, their third eyes glowing menacingly.
Shivering at the sight, I felt Rhefia lay her hand on my shoulder, her eyes gentle as she gave me a warm smile.
Taking a deep breath, I turned to watch the two wolves pounce forwards, their claws cleanly slicing into the boars flesh as they tore it apart.
Letting out squeals, it tried to use its two large tusks to fight back, only to fall silent as one of the wolves ripped into its throat, silencing it.
Pulling back on the bowstring, I aimed for one of the hulking wolves and let the arrow fly, observing the arrow as it soared through the air and sunk deep into the wolves skull.
Rhefia rushed forwards as she heard my bow sing, her long, heavy metal spear in her hands as she charged.
My eyes widened as I watched my wife silently make her way through the dense vegetation, reaching the small clearing that the wolves were in moments after my arrow struck true.
Not giving the wolf a chance to make any action, Rhefia lanced her spear towards the monsters head, the heavy metal tip almost obliterating the poor things skull.
Watching as bits and pieces of flesh, bone, and brain matter scattered around the clearing, I made my way towards Rhefia, staring at her blankly.
Glancing back at me, she tilted her head as she innocently asked "What?"
Blinking once, I shook my head, wondering if what she just did was considered 'normal'.
I mean, she had traversed so much ground in such a little amount of time in near perfect silence.
Not only that, she managed to sneak up on a monster, which should have better senses than us.
However, she seemed to think it was par for the course...
Collecting the corpses, I found out that these three eyed wolves were called 'Geri', and like most animals I received their pelts, meat, blood, and some bones.
Considering they were a bit larger than normal wolves...
Nodding to myself, I told Rhefia that it was time to go home, and we made the trek back to our developing cabin.
After Rhefia pulled me aside and vented a little, of course.
When we returned to our home, I swiftly turned the two Geri pelts into cloaks, which I handed to Rhefia and Aethisia; the two women were barely covered by the normal wolf pelt, and Camara was doing just fine with hers.
So, I watched as Rhefia and Aethisia donned the black fur cloaks, the only difference between theirs and ours being the wolves head that acted as a hood having three sockets, not two.
Admiring my handiwork, I then fell back into my routine of preparing dinner before retiring with my girls, pampering each one as best I could.
The days blurred together, with Rhefia always going out to hunt while one of our daughters remained with me; my wife was adamant that they wouldn't be hunting on their own for some time to come.
Of course, she always just 'happened' to take a little longer with Camara, my eldest returning sweaty and exhausted while Rhefia was almost glowing, both women walking with a satisfied gait.
However, one day, after Rhefia and Aethisia returned from a hunt, they fell ill that night, both women turning weak and having joint pains, rendering them near immobile inside the house.
Sitting besides Rhefia, I turned when I heard something thud to the ground, and my eyes widened as I saw Camara sprawled out on the floor, her face drenched in sweat.
Dragging her into bed, I helped wash her off before placing a warm cloth over her brow, before placing a hot cup of tea besides each of them.
I was worried that it might effect me as well, but even when the next day came around, I felt no different than before.
Staring worriedly at Rhefia, I bit my lip as my wife coughed, her dark skin slick with sweat.
Flinching as she lifted the cup of tea to her lips, she groaned as she placed it back down.
"Damnit..."
Hearing her curse, I leaned forwards and gently placed my hand over hers, which made her give me a shaky smile.
"A-Astra... I... I t-think we h-have Rime... w-which..."
She turned towards both our daughters, who were asleep.
However, each was drenched in more sweat than Rhefia, and they were wincing as they slept.
"W-Which... c-can be l-lethal..."
Gulping, I stared at her, not wanting her to continue.
"E-Especially.. to the y-young Deerkin... u-unless treated..."
Panting, she laid against her pillow and gave me a weak smile, her fingers stroking mine.
"I... I do-don't want to... but y-you need to g-go find the Vetusberry... past Aoak Mountain..."
Continuing to hold her hand, I grit my teeth as she continued to smile at me.
"Y-You remember the way? J-Just g-go past it... and l-look for a l-large, round pu-purple berry..."
I nodded, grasping her hand in mine.
"Will... will you be alright? Will they..?"
Rhefia nodded, before murmuring "R-Rime... takes a w-week to w-worsen... you have time... g-go, Astra..."
I stared at her for a few more moments, my lips pursed and eyes watery.
My daughters...
Could die from this?
I had tried to use {Nectar of Life} on them, but it had no effect, and even with an upgrade it did little to them.
And now Rhefia was telling me I needed to venture out alone, past the Mountain, to search for a berry to heal them?
Taking in a deep breath, I steadied my emotions as best I could before nodding, a determined look on my face.
"I'll be back as fast as I can, Rhefia... I swear I'll find it, for you..."
I stared over at my daughters, both panting as their condition worsened slightly.
"And for them."
---
First things first, no, I am NOT killing off one of the girls; makes no sense to do so and would be so incredibly stupid.
Just want that out there for people to know.
As for where this is going...
First dark scene in the book, speculate all you want but I won't tell.
This was something I thought of awhile ago as a way to broach many topics in story that we, as the readers, know as fact already; like Astra will eventually have other lovers that aren't Rhefia and their daughters.
Just know it isn't dark for the sake of dark... kind of, but it is a good way for me to approach many different things.
Anyways, that's what you have to...
Would look forward to even work in this scenario?
Well, that's the plan for the next few chapters...
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