down on an opposing branch. “What are ya doing up here all by yourself?”
“Why is it any of your business?” the dark elf retorted, turning his gaze away to the forest again. He hoped the disinterest would send her away.
“Because you're always going off by yourself and you look lonesome, like a dog taken from its home and put among strangers.” Kida wasn't buying into being thrown off like that.
“You couldn't understand why. You've been sociable your entire life and have traveled, trusting in strange people to watch your back. I doubt you've been through anything like myself.”
“Then help us understand why you're like this, and maybe we can bring you into our group properly!” The kitsu smiled widely, offering her hands out toward Xron. “Come on, at least explain it to me, and I'll keep it to myself if you want the secrecy. Having someone you can confide in is one of the best feelings there is. That's why I tag along with Rusga so much. He's stuck by me since I was a child and has always watched my back. You can’t put a price on something like that.”
“I don't suppose there's any way to dissuade you,” he stated, turning his eyes back toward Kida. The kitsu shook her head. “Fine. You keep it to yourself, then. Where I come from is much different. My former society is as a whole a sinister, cruel, and awful lot, always plotting to dominate others and slaughter those who don't comply or keep their place. They forcibly take slaves for labor, slay innocents for fun, and commit heinous acts of depravity and violence against other creatures – they rape, torture, and perform dark rituals that twist a person into things akin to beasts. They even do this to their own should one fail in their mission.”
“That's awful. Why do they do that?” She was taken aback by the explanation, her brow furrowed in confusion and sadness that such things existed.
“That I don't know how to answer. Perhaps because they're raised to think such things are okay, or because they enjoy it. The Iron Hand, the patron of those evil ones of my race, is demanding and malicious. He does not tolerate insubordination and encourages backstabbing, battles of power, and horrendous acts of violence. Trying and failing to escape from there is rewarded with death if you're a nobody like myself. If you're a noble or someone of status, they might let you live. You might wish they killed you instead after they're done with you.”
“Come here,” Kida said softly, holding her arms out. Xron didn't move. “Come here, please.” Again, he didn't move. Instead of asking again Kida moved toward the dark elf and embraced him. “I had no idea that it would be so hard on you to escape that. I guess now it's obvious why you're distrustful of others. Running away from all of that and being chased the whole time would make anyone nervous.”
Xron wasn't sure how to react to being hugged and so sat there motionless for a minute before speaking again. “It's what I wanted to do. I wasn't going to be part of their sick games, so I ran. I'd rather have died than stayed there but I was fortunate enough to live, too.” Kida didn't let go for several minutes, until she heard someone below calling that lunch was ready.
“Lunch! Get your behinds down here and eat!” a human voice called, though neither knew who it was. The pair exchanged glances; Xron gave Kida one of uncertainty and Kida returned one of hunger and wonder.
“I agree. Let's go eat!” the kitsu said, letting go and hurrying down the tree. About halfway she looked up to make sure Xron was following but he hadn't moved. “Come on, it's going to get cold!”
“Oh... right,” Xron answered, thinking about what he'd been told by Kida. Nobody had done something like that for him before. The crazy fox is naïve as hell, he thought. But, maybe in that naïvete she's right about me needing to open up to them. Maybe in time...
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The afternoon meal, a stew of root vegetables, boiled meat, and aromatic herbs, came served hot in ceramic bowls and obnoxious slurping deafened the area. In addition to the party of six, a half dozen other guards, who appeared to belong to Deswern's militia, were present along with the merchants. Discussion was kept minimal and revolved around scheduling of the trip and what to plan for the evening meal and for camp that night.
Algan, not content with the quiet, chewed his food angrily. While not the most social person, he did appreciate listening to others. Kida seemed equally annoyed, though the taste was nothing to fuss about. The quiet was what had them on edge.
“Why is everyone so quiet?” the kitsu demanded, spoon clattering in the bowl. “Seriously, you people are nothing for storytelling.”
“Well then, young one,” Mr. Farstride retorted with a glare that could kill, “Why don’t you demonstrate?”
“I will! I dunno what these three did before we met,” she began, pointing to Kunya, Riun, and Algan in turn as she stood, “But their life got much more exciting when I came along to record it in my memory.” Several of the humans groaned and went back to their soups, slurping even more loudly to drown the foxfolk out. Their efforts failed as she spoke over them. “It was a cold, breezy day that morning when I came across these three walking down the road out of a small village by the name of Taft. A quaint, quiet town, it bustled with activity despite winter’s chill and people of all ages and jobs were buying, selling, and browsing one another’s wares in the town’s marketplace. Others worked in their shops, the steady clang clang of iron being worked and the soft sawing of wood being carved. Children begged their parents for sweets and a gentle blanket of white dusted the rooftops.” Kunya and Algan sat up, impressed with Kida’s wordcraft. Rusga, though familiar with the kitsu’s storytelling, paid close attention nonetheless.
“A chill breeze caught my back as I walked with my friend, Rusga.” The catfolk stood and bowed so that the others would know who was being referred. He knew the routine well. “Leaves swirled overhead on the wind and my eyes found those three. A trio of humans heading for the village gate! What luck I had, especially since my friend was seeking a certain human. The middle one, rugged with wisdom and intelligence, seemed to fit the description. What was I to do? I ran up to greet them, of course! The older one announced herself as Kunya, a student in the arts of magic. A fellow mage!” She paused for dramatic effect, shooting a burst of harmless flame into the sky with a spell. It detonated in a brilliant starry explosion akin to a firework, glittering particles drifting down through the air. A few of the hired hands stared in wonder at the display and were now hooked into the tale. “I explained Rusga’s dilemma to this human: We were seeking a wizard per the instructions of his mentor, and to explain that we were to help control the goblin populations in the immediate area. Their numbers had grown and their tactics were more impressive than usual, and they threatened to curb the prosperity of the town we had just set foot into! Her answer was swift and decisive. She agreed to help us!” The listeners cheered, raising their glasses and taking a deep draught of their midday brew during the pause.
“Now we had to find the goblins to ferret them out! This was no easy task; there were many dozens within the forest in several dens and they prowled the woods in packs. It could become very dangerous for us if we weren’t careful. Fortunately, keen eyes and ears provided us early warning of an ambush on our second day of travel. About ten of the creatures thought to attack us from the brush along the side of the road Javelins and arrows rained upon us as they cackled angrily from their hiding places in the shrubs and small trees!” She took a breath and mocked their cries, waving her hands about and jumping back and forth on each leg. Several of the humans laughed. “Dispatching them didn’t take long. When you have two giant humans and a big cat person charging you it’s pretty hard to keep composed! A few were slain and the rest scattered into the brush. Riun, being the big angry warrior he is, barreled into the undergrowth and killed a few more, dragging their bodies back to us. Most gruesome indeed!” She cringed a bit, recalling the scene. “There was little to salvage from them except some coins and their ratty armor. Rusga, being in tune with nature as he is, suggested disposing of their bodies away from the road so that scavenging creatures would stay away from any travelers, and we carried on.”
“My my, I didn’t think