Varga thought back to the morning and sighed happily. Spirits, I needed that. Women are wonderful, but sometimes I just need a guy, and the bigger the better. She ran her eyes over her latest erotalsh. And he is very satisfying.

  The wagons rolled south. Varga was riding with Tom again, while Orvan drove the salt wagon. Diavla was sitting next to Orvan, filling another amulet with her magic.

  As they rode, Varga had fun teasing Tom by teaching him Elvish words she was likely to call out during sex. He turned red as an apple when Eubexa translated—that never got old. Someday, he might be experienced enough not to be embarrassed, but that day was not today.

  I guess Eubexa calling out translations for me while we were doing the deed was a bit much for him. He's probably willing to learn these words so as not to repeat the experience.

  The invalid fell asleep again shortly after she promised to read more of the book. Tom looked a bit frustrated at that, but gestured for Varga to stay quiet and leave Eubexa alone. Tom should have turned her pain down this low much sooner. That woman is a masochist, and not the happy kind.

  Without a translator, it was harder to talk with Tom, but it was actually kind of fun. He would make a really good actor. He's so clever with the miming, the gestures. He's very good with his hands...

  Varga got distracted for a minute and had to go over the last few words again. Tom tried to look annoyed with her, but she could see how smug he felt about his effect on her. You earned it, big boy. After this morning, I'll stroke your ego and any—

  “Humans,” Tom warned, jolting her out of her thought.

  “Saa,” Varga acknowledged, picking up her collar and clicking it into place. There really were only a few encounters each day on this road. She wished the first one had shown up later. Now, she was stuck wearing the stupid thing until evening.

  The human in question was riding a horse, which was basically a zenayu without the stripes. Varga hadn't had much chance to interact with that kind of animal yet, but they seemed smart and well-behaved, more so than zenayu. Maybe she could make friends with some in Oak Mill.

  Tom called out with the rider, who turned around to pace beside them for a minute. Tom chatted with the other human, then said goodbye and the horseman turned around again and continued towards Rivermarch.

  “What did he say?” she asked.

  In answer, Tom thought a moment, grunted, then faked a yawn. He shook his head. So, boring stuff, nothing important. Varga nodded to show that she got it.

  Diavla showed up a while later, handing the amulet to Tom and asking for another one. Varga fished it out and passed it over.

  “Be careful not to wear yourself out too much.”

  “It's not exhausting so much as it is boring,” Diavla answered. “I wish I could teach Tom how to fill these too.”

  “I've got no magic, but if you need refilling yourself...” she teased.

  Her tolanor leaned in for a kiss. When they separated, Varga didn't miss the slightly nervous look she gave Tom. A glanced that way showed him smiling back at Diavla with a nod. Good. Let the overthinkers reassure each other.

  “Dee, why don't you take a break for a bit and talk with Tom. I'll head back to the other wagon.”

  Diavla looked at her gratefully. “You are a true kanashim.”

  Varga gave her a wink and jumped down. She expected that the two of them would feel better once they pressed lips together for a while. Lots of sharing here. I think this will work out nicely.

  She rejoined Orvan and took the reins from him.

  “Varga.” She was surprised to hear Orvan start a conversation.

  “Yes?”

  “Have you given thought to what will happen tomorrow?”

  “I think Diavla and Tom just need to get more comfortable with each other.”

  “Not what I meant.” Varga looked at him, and he continued, “Tonight, we will be camping in the same place where the others left us.”

  Varga considered that. “Arven will have left trail markings.”

  “Yes, and who will follow them? Who stays with the wagons?”

  “Well, obviously Tom and Eubexa stay with the wagons. That leaves Diavla, you, me, and Kervan.” She hesitated. “I don't know your skill at tracking.”

  “I used to be good, but I'm long out of practice. Besides, my body is starting to weaken.”

  He's dying? Varga was startled. “Elder!”

  “Yes. Don't look at me like that, I have a few years left before I fade. My point is that I can keep up, but I can't do the tracking myself.”

  “So, I'm the best tracker we have, you mean. I need to be the one to follow the trail.”

  “Just so.”

  Varga thought about that. Her woodcraft was pretty decent, and she got on well with animals of all sorts, but that was a demon-infested forest out there. And Sheema, Arven, Brallik and Rillik are unaware of the danger. We can't wait until we get to Oak Mill and then explore north. It will take too much time.

  “What do I do if I encounter humans?”

  “Either run or surrender. You'll have to bring a collar in your pack, and put it on if you think you're about to get caught. Tell them you belong to Tom Walker, and he's expecting you in Oak Mill.”

  “It's going to be hard to carry enough extra provisions in case things are going badly for them and they are hungry.”

  “That's one reason why you shouldn't go alone.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  “But who will go with me?”

  “Diavla would make sense, but she's needed with the wagons—to care for Eubexa, and to fill more of the amulets. So, it would be either Kervan or myself. Kervan's a better choice, because he has more of the language.”

  “Are you volunteering me, Elder?” Kervan called from the back.

  “Just pointing out some facts. What are your thoughts?”

  “I'd rather not be the one to go, but if you're not up for it, I guess I'll have to.”

  “Very well. I'm not so frail that I can't hike the woods. I'll accompany Varga.”

  “You're sure?” Kervan checked.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you, Elder.”

  “Enough with the 'Elder', both of you! I'm not dying tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Orvan.”

  “That's better.”

  Varga and the older elf discussed what supplies they would need to take. Kervan spoke up and volunteered to sketch them a map to take with them, copying from the map they purchased in Rivermarch. Between them, they hashed out most of the details.

  During a lull in conversation, Varga thought about Tom. He probably knows I'll be leaving. Maybe I can get another night with him before I go. Diavla will have him all to herself for a week, after all.

  ° ? ? ? °

  That evening, Varga plotted with Diavla while Tom exercised. When Orvan called everyone to dinner, Eubexa finally woke up. Varga got the sick elf to translate for her, and explained the plan to Tom. He checked repeatedly with her and Orvan that they were all right with it. Once he was convinced, he started helping them pack.

  Despite the weight, Tom urged them to take the smaller tent. The elves were used to roughing it while traveling, but not in this kind of cold, so they followed his advice.

  Varga cut off Tom's usual assignment of watches. “Kervan, you can stand an extra watch just for tonight, right? I want to say goodbye to Tom and Diavla properly.”

  Kervan sighed. “You owe me a favor.”

  “Done!”

  “I will take the last watch,” Orvan declared. “I'm up by then anyway.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do try to get at least a little sleep tonight,” the older elf advised. Varga just grinned at him, and Orvan shook his head in mild disappointment.

  Eubexa explained to Tom that he would not be standing a watch that night. The big human blushed and thanked the men for covering for him. He turned in early with Diavla. The couple did their best to be quiet, but Tom clearly did not fully understand how keen elven hearing was. Varga knew exactly the right time to open the tent and join them.

  The big guy was stunned, but Diavla silenced whatever he was going to say with a passionate kiss. Varga moved closer, kneeling next to the couple, and when Diavla came up for air, Varga dove in for her kiss, stopping him from making any stupid objections. They each had one of his arms pinned, for what that was worth—Tom could probably lift both of them into the air if he felt the need—but they clearly signaled their intent.

  Don't give him time to object or worry or talk himself out of it, the women had concluded after some discussion. Varga was very determined that Tom would be a lot more relaxed with them, and with sex, after tonight. After all, there was plenty of him to go around. It would be downright tragic if either of them was deprived of Tom's...services.

  Varga traded shamelessly on her upcoming departure to get some pampering, and to get most of the attention from both of them for a while. She lay back, reached out, and pulled her lovers closer with a smile.

  Life is good.

  ° ? ? ? °

  Much later, they were cuddled up and relaxed. Tom smiled and mumbled something to himself in his language. His eyes widened when Eubexa answered him from somewhere very close by. After a slightly alarmed reaction that Varga and Diavla sat on—literally—Eubexa had time to translate.

  “He said that he was probably going to have weird expectations of sex from now on. I reminded him that everyone is different, and a lot of women will not care for this kind of thing, but...some women will. He just has to treat each woman as they want to be treated, and communicate his intentions clearly. He seems to have taken the advice, and forgiven me for listening in again.”

  “Are you leaning on the tent?” Varga asked with a laugh.

  “Not quite. I didn't want to risk collapsing it on the three of you. It was clearly already under enough stress as it was.”

  “You might as well come in here, then, and get out of the wind.”

  “Thank you, but I think Tom will feel better if I stay out here. I wouldn't want my appearance to chill the mood. Well done, ladies.”

  “Yes, it was,” Diavla purred.

  “Thank you, Eubexa,” Varga added.

  “Let's get some sleep,” Diavla urged with a yawn. “We can have more fun when we wake up. Good night, Tom.” She gave him a kiss. “Good night, Varga.”

  Varga leaned over and kissed her. Then she turned and gave Tom a gentle kiss. “Good night, Tom. Thank you.” He was much more relaxed now, and Varga felt an unexpected surge of emotion as she looked into his eyes and saw him smiling at her. Quickly, she rolled to face away from him, wiped her eyes, and used his arm as a pillow.

  She thought sleep would be a long time coming, but when she closed her eyes just for a few heartbeats, it was morning.

  ° ? ? ? °

  Varga got some more pampering as the sky lightened, then helped to tend to the others. With three people, it was generally easiest to take turns being the center of attention. She thought she was hiding her emotional reactions behind her physical ones, but Tom kept glancing her way with a bit of worry on his face.

  No fair. You're supposed to be farsighted. And your ears are round, so how are you hearing me?

  Am I that fucking obvious?

  Seemingly in answer, Tom abruptly seized her in a tight embrace and held her close, whispering something in her ear. He repeated it a moment later.

  “He's saying, 'I like you', Varga,” Dee translated.

  “Shut up,” Varga muttered.

  “I like you, Varga. I like you very much.”

  “Shut up!” She felt one of his big hands on top of her head, petting her gently. She buried her face in his chest so he couldn't see it, inhaling his scent. “Shut up,” she mumbled at him. “This is just...this is just erotalsh. That's it,” she insisted.

  Diavla hugged her from behind, and Varga couldn't bear to fight that. She cleared her throat. “You two are going to have a week together, probably more, while I'm off in the woods. Just...don't...forget me, all right?”

  “Never,” Diavla promised. “And neither will Tom. We'll both be here for you when you get back.”

  “You promise?”

  “Yes.” Diavla sighed heavily, and squeezed her tighter. “So, you'd better come back, you hear me? Come back in one piece. I'm not done with you yet, and I'm sure neither is Tom. I'm going to worry about you, so find the others quickly and bring them to Oak Mill.”

  Varga took a deep breath. “I will. Thanks, Dee. Thanks, Tom. Um...thank you, Tom.” Tom said something back in Western that she didn't catch. She moved to get up and Tom released her, while Diavla rolled off of her. It was nice getting squished between them, she couldn't help but think.

  ° ? ? ? °

  They got a late start, but eventually, she and Orvan were hefting heavy packs on their backs. Orvan had the tent and their spears, while Varga carried the bow and arrows. She also had one of the nets Orvan had bought in Rivermarch, folded carefully, tucked away and ready to be yanked out quickly at need.

  Diavla delayed their departure for a few minutes while she meditated, which turned into more like twenty minutes. Finally, she stirred and stood. “Sorry. I guess I didn't fill them up all the way yesterday. They're full now.” She reached up and put an amulet around Orvan's neck, and another around hers.

  Eubexa was standing well back from the others, but she was standing. “Safe travels, you two.”

  Kervan cleared his throat. “Be careful out there, Orvan. And Varga...it would be annoying if anything bad happened to you, so don't let it. I already know you're annoying, it's covered.”

  “Jerk.”

  “Hussy.”

  “Rune runt.”

  “Get out of here.”

  “Think I will. Come on, Orvan.”

  Orvan nodded, then paused in front of Tom. “Take care of them,” he asked quietly. Eubexa translated.

  Tom nodded. “I will.”

  “All right, Varga, figure out where Arven would have left the first mark.”

  Varga spared the others one more glance as they left the clearing. Tom and Diavla were in each others' arms, but they were both watching her and Orvan. Take care of each other, she pleaded silently. You're... important.