The evening after Levi and Paige had departed, the Safezone's Council convened in a larger cabin they'd repurposed as Council Chambers. The seven council members were seated at the long table they'd placed at one end on the room, all facing where they'd placed seats for those wanting to attend the open meetings. For the most part, no one bothered to attend except Hank, who sometimes dragged Kenny along. That night there were a few new faces.

  Hank sat in his usual place, far to the left in the front row of chairs. Next to him, Kenny sat looking more excited than he ever had before. As the council shuffled through paperwork in front of them and mumbled between themselves in preparation for the meeting to begin, Kenny whispered excitedly to the new face next to him, Taju. Taju looked far more apprehensive and out of place.

  A couple of chairs down, Taju's parents sat rigid. Nosmiles lived up to his name for once, face looking grim and paler than usual. He looked as if he may jump up and run to empty his stomach at any moment. On the other hand, Noon-weira looked the picture of calm and content, although just as rigid. She was poised professionally, back straight and hands in her lap. She was only slightly less well dressed and decorated than when she'd greeted her husband when he'd returned from his hunting trip.

  At the very back, against the wall in a line of chairs, sat Iara, Caroline, Gage, Craig, and two goblins.

  Joe sat in a larger chair against the side wall, right next to the council table, perpendicular to the council and attending chairs, and looking very official.

  Finally, the council members straightened, and Mike, seated at the center, cleared his throat. "Let's begin this meeting--erm..." As an afterthought, Mike grabbed the gavel in front of him and gave the table a quick tap. "We'll begin this meeting with the reading of the minutes for our last meeting. Grace, if you would, please read those for us."

  "For fuck's sake, can we please not. Everyone knows what happened last meeting."

  "Well, that's just unprofessional," Agnis mumbled.

  "Grace, please." Mike said, exasperation already finding its way into his voice. "I had to read them last time."

  "Let's take a vote... Anyone need to hear the minutes of the last meeting," Grace said eyeing the other council members.

  The other four council members shook their heads, but the one seated between Agnis and Mike stared at the table as he did so.

  After looking to either side, Mike huffed a sigh. "Fine, but can you at least read the agenda."

  "Now that, I can do." Grace readjusted her tall black hat, which she no longer hid, and sat up straighter. "First on the agenda is appointing a goblin representative to the council. Next is appointing a human representative to the council to maintain an odd number." Grace leaned forward and glared over at Agnis as she stressed the word human, before continuing. "Then we need to discuss and take a vote on how many more goblins to allow to enter, and create a schedule for their immigration. After that, Joe has some guard appointments to make, which are not subject to our vote," Grace leaned in to glare at Agnis again as she added the last part. "After that, Joe will present needs that the guard has and plans moving forward for us to vote on in our next meeting. And finally--about fucking time--we decide on a name for this shit hole we now call home."

  Mike nodded, "Thank you Grace... Though a little less commentary may have been appreciated. So, the first point of business, appointing a Goblin representative. Noon-weira, has the current goblin population presented a nomination?"

  Noon-weira stood and nodded her head. "Yes. Thank you so much for the opportunity you are allowing us. My people have decided on a representative for the council. I know many of your people, and truly, many of my own, were hoping that I would be the one nominated for this honorable position. I had no choice but to decline. As the acting Shaman among my people, my responsibility must be to guide any unbonded toward that goal and to help ease the transition with guidance. It is a spiritual role that will take much time."

  Mike frowned, "Well, that is unfortunate. You've already done so much to engender trust and goodwill among our peoples. I'd be lying to say I'm not a little disappointed you aren't on the council, but I trust your judgment."

  "I agree," Agnis chimed in. Her mouth was angled into a disappointed frown, but a smile crept into her eyes. "It will be an absolute shame to not have you seated with us on the council."

  Noon-weira smiled back at Agnis like a shark. "Thank you both for your kind words. Yes. I too was so very looking forward to working so closely with you, Agnis. But unfortunately, my calling is to a higher purpose." Noon-weira lightly rested her hand over her heart. "And though I am sad of this, I tell you with great joy that my people have made a very good choice." Noon-weira turned to face her still seated husband. "I believe you have all met my husband, Tua-keesa... Or as he likes to be called in English, Nosmiles."

  Agnis's frown turned genuine, but the concern on Mike's face seemed to relax. Grace scratched her nose, but it didn't completely hide her smirk.

  Nosmiles stood and bowed deeply, before straightening. "I apologize I do not speak so well as my wife. But I am proud to...serve...with you on this council. I will work hard. I will do good for us all. Your people and my people. I swear this." Nosmiles looked like he could vomit right then, but managed to keep his composure.

  Mike gave a firm nod. "Are there any objections or questions before we take a vote?" He asked looking to his left and his right and reaching for his gavel. Before he even touched the handle, someone spoke up, and his hand tightened into a fist as soon as the words left her mouth.

  "Well, I certainly have a few questions," Agnis chimed in.

  "Of course you do," Grace said, venom dripping from her words.

  The other council members also gave her subtle looks of disapproval, but seemed less keen on expressing them overtly.

  Mike sighed and unclenched his fist. "Well then, let's hear it, Agnis."

  "Well I should say, to start we should at least know why this... man... is named 'Nosmiles.' I mean, that obviously does not suggest a person of good character," Agnis answered.

  Joe's grip tightened on the arm of his chair as he growled out an answer, "That's a ridiculous question and even more ridiculous reasoning. It's just a name."

  "Joe, I would like to remind you that you are not part of this council, and while you are respected as the Captain of the Guard, you are not to comment on matters unrelated to the Guard," Agnis's voice flowed like poisoned honey.

  Nosmiles raised his hand. Color seemed to be returning to him, and his face was set in determination. "Is okay. Easy question. Names are just names, mostly. But we give names with hope. My father gave me this name, Tua-keesa, Nosmiles, because my grandfather was lazy and not... responsible. He wished me to be serious and not disappoint to my family. He wished me to be tough." Nosmiles gave a wide smile. "He got this wish. I am strong. I do not disappoint family. But I still smile."

  Agnis sneered at the goblin. "Well, thank you for answering... No...smiles. But I do have another question. What makes you qualified to be a member of a governing council?"

  Grace slammed her palms into the table and leaned forward and turned to glare at Agnis. "Seriously? Are you trying to turn this into an interrogation?"

  Agnis raised her hands defensively. "I'm just asking the questions others should be asking."

  Mike grabbed the gavel and smacked it into the table. "Grace, some decorum, please."

  Agnis leaned back and smiled smugly before Mike turned to her.

  "Agnis, I will allow this question, but as acting Chairman, I have to keep order. It is becoming very obvious your questions are motivated by some sort of prejudice. This is the final question I will allow you on this agenda item, and if you continue to be disreputive, I will limit your input to only votes of yay or nay. Do you understand?"

  Agnis's jaw dropped as she sat back up and turned to Mike in disbelief.

  Nosmiles waved his hands nervously. "Is no problem. This is easy question. I will answer."

  Mike raised a hand and turned to look at Nosmiles. "I am sure you will, and it is appreciated. However, this needs to be made clear, beforehand. And I apologize for any offense we have caused."

  Nosmiles opened his mouth to say something, then decided to close it, only answering with a nod.

  Mike turned his gaze back to Agnis.

  "Mike... I thought you of all people wo-"

  "Agnis, can it. I asked you if you understand. That's what I need to know. If not, I will definitely clarify."

  Agnis stared agape at her former ally for a moment before her gaze turned cold. She gave Mike a curt nod in response.

  "Good." Mike said before turning back to Nosmiles. "I apologize for that, but could you please answer the question."

  "Of course, of course." Nosmiles said, wringing his hands and shooting nervous glances between Agnis and Mike. "Is easy question. First," Nosmiles straighten and raised a finger, some confidence returning. "I was selected by my people. This, your people have said, is enough. But, if more is needed..." Nosmiles began counting on his fingers. "I was leader in hunting and war parties. I was raised by old shaman, who is my grandmother. I was trained by old chief to be leader. I am husband of Noon-weira, who is favored among your council. But..." Nosmiles raised a finger and looked each council member in the eye. "I was taught your language and culture all of my life. From when I was a young boy. I have always found joy in this, and wanted to this to become reality. This is why I prefer my name in English. And this is the reason I am best choice. This is why my people chose me. Because I spent my whole life wanting this. Who better to make it work?"

  Noon-weira smiled and grasped her husband's forearm.

  Mike nodded. His face was non-committal as he called for the vote. It was 6 against 1, with Angis voting Nay.

  "Okay, to the second point of business. Let's keep this short, please," Mike said leaning forward and looking to his left and his right. "The council will be appointing a new council member. While we usually vote for council members, the next vote will not be until the end of the year, and we felt appointing one would be appropriate for theses circumstances."

  "That's bullshit. It needs to be put to a vote," Hank growled from his seat attending the council meeting.

  "It's a shame you feel that way, but the decision was already made." Mike glared down at Hank, but the hint of a smirk played at his lips.

  "Yeah, probably appointing some yes-man twat who's best qualifications including tying their shoes, raising their hand, and sitting in a chair," Hank snarled and gestured at the seats the council members sat in.

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  "Well, I'm pretty sure you're a lot more qualified than that, but you tell us, Councilman," Grace said with a wicked smile.

  For a second Hank squinted at Grace in confusion, before it clicked. "Wha-- No. I don't have time to be on the council. I actually do work around here, you know. I don't have time for this shit." Hank stood up in defiance.

  "Oh good, you're already standing. Saves me the trouble of asking." Mike looked to either side of him as he asked, "Those in favor of appointing Hank a council member, at least until the next election, say aye."

  The vote was unanimous and Hank was pissed.

  "You can't just make me a Council Member. I don't have the time. I said I have shit to do around here," Hank argued.

  "Congratulations, Hank." Mike looked younger than he ever had as he twirled the gavel in his fingers and grinned like he'd just played the world's best prank, before smacking the table with the gavel.

  Hank's face was red. "But-"

  "Oh shut it Hank, and pull up a chair," Grace interrupted. "If you have the time to attend every meeting just to criticize our decisions, you have time to sit on the council yourself."

  "But..." Hank gave a hail Mary glance to Agnis, who shook her head in return.

  "Don't look at me. As a matter of fact, I doubt you'll find any sympathy with any of us. This is one of the few times Grace and I agree, so that should tell you how the rest of the council feels."

  Hank gave a low, wordless growl.

  "Ah, come on Hank. Grab a chair and squeeze in." Mike said, the humor in his voice dripping from every word. Then he turned his gaze to Nosmiles, becoming more serious but still entirely genuine. "And you too, Councilman Nosmiles. We have a lot to discuss."

  ----

  David was on his knees next to Maddy's altar. He didn't know when he'd started thinking of it as such, but once he had, nothing else felt right. His head wasn't bowed like he spoke to God, but was raised, looking at the hand he held. Her skin was still warm. She was still perfect. And it had been a month.

  "Hey babe. Sorry I was gone so long this time. But those trolls... Those fucking trolls..." The last part came through gritted teeth. David relaxed and calmed his words. "They just breed and grow so fast. By the time I took out the adults, the kids were already grown and reinforcing their ranks. So, I had to get creative. But I learned a new Ability. 'Marked for Genocide.' It is pretty cool. I can mark a single race, and every time I kill one member my next attack against them gets a bonus. I can only switch it once per week, but..." David looked up at the hand he held, madness dancing in his eyes. "By the time I was done, every shot I made was not only one-shotting the bastards, but even causing potent area damage on impact. I actually watched a small troll, like a toddler or something, die just because they were standing too close to one of the older ones I hit and took the AOE damage. It was awesome."

  After a moment of staring up at the limp hand he was holding, some of the fire left David's eyes and he did bow his head. "Yeah, I know, I know. You're right. Like always. I should be more focused on finding the One Above All... or any other way to bring you back. But I have to keep you safe until then." David squeezed Maddy's hand but didn't look up. A couple of tears leaked from his eyes. "Plus they attacked us first. And it was that troll bitch who killed you in the first place." David's head suddenly jerked back up, his eyes locking onto the hand he held. "But don't you worry, babe. They're all gone now. Maybe they'll be reborn somewhere else... but I got every last one of them here. Now I can focus on finding the One Above All... I promise... I'll only kill trolls when I run into them from now on."

  David closed his eyes and focused on the feeling of Maddy's hand in his. "I love you."

  For a long moment, David stayed like that, content with feeling her hand warm in his.

  And then a jingle echoed through the chamber and broke him out of that spell.

  With movements so quick they made pops like that of a cracking whip, David dropped Maddy's hand, leapt to his feet, and nocked an arrow. He whirled left and right trying to find the source of the noise, Jingles, but nothing was there.

  "I'll kill you, you bastard! Where are you? I will fucking kill you this time." David drew his bow, as if he'd already found his target. Yet only his own voice echoed in the cavern around him. He was breathing way too hard as he kept swiveling, and realized he was screwing up. He'd paid the price for panic enough to know he needed to calm himself.

  Slowing his breathing, David began to scan every shadow of the cavern. No matter where he looked, there was nothing. After a few minutes of tense vigilance, David allowed himself to relax. That was when he heard the sound of something cracking.

  In an instant, his bow was drawn again and he was trained on the source of the noise. He'd only managed to stop himself from releasing his arrow at the last, split second, as he realized his arrow was aimed at the egg resting on Maddy's chest.

  David gave a relieved gasp as he lowered his bow, released the tension, and shuddered. He'd almost shot the egg and Maddy. He quickly put the arrow back into his quiver. "I'm fucking losing it." David smacked himself in the forehead a few times. "Stupid, stupid, stupid. You almost shot Maddy." Then David heard a familiar laugh enter his mind.

  'Almost only counts with horseshoes and hand-grenades. Guess I lost this one, huh? Don't worry, I'm just here letting you know that your egg is hatching. That's MY doing, after all... and you better give me credit. It's been fun. Toodle-loo, David."

  David almost threw his bow. He hated that voice. It was only the second time he'd heard it, and yet it still made him feel crazy. He'd thought the first time had been a dream, but the trolls had came just like it had said. Then, for the past month, David had replayed the events surrounding Jingles time and time again, feeling crazier each time he had. Every time, he was always wondering what exactly he'd experienced, if it had been real, or if he was just losing his mind. And every time David thought about it he just became more unsure than before.

  David's body sagged. That feeling settled into him: the frustration one can only feel after deeply questioning their own reality day after day, and rather than finding answers, only finding those questions becoming more demanding. "I hate this."

  David felt like sleeping, and was about to wander over to his sleeping roll when another crack echoed through the cave.

  David turned his attention to the egg perched on Maddy's chest. Where the egg was cracked, he could see a snout trying to push through.

  Something that felt unfamiliar, but shouldn't, surged through him. It made him happy. But as he became aware of that happiness, David felt his guilt and anger rise up and swallow it. He couldn't allow it. Not while Maddy was gone. He'd let himself feel happy again once he brought her back.

  Still, he walked back to her altar and watched the egg as the cracks continued to grow. He did nothing to help the drake inside free itself, and only stared down in grim anticipation.

  It took a long time for the drake to finally emerge. But David wasn't in a hurry. When the hatchling finally pushed its head through, it has facing away from David. But, even as young as it was, its natural predatory instincts had it scanning its surroundings. It took only moments for the small drake to meet David's eyes.

  And then David received the prompt he'd been hoping for, and somewhat expected after his first encounter with Jingles. A grin spread across his face as he confirmed the notification and a new prompt entered his vision. Looking through the prompt back into the drake's eyes, David answered the system's question. "I will name you Retribution."

  With the answer, the drake smacked his jaws, finished climbing from its shell and sniffed. With a whip of its tail, which was more than double the length of its body but still almost a meter long, the drake's focus turned to Maddy's body beneath it.

  As it struck like a snake, David caught the hatchling's neck. Holding the neck, David turned its head so that he could look it in the eyes again. "Oh no. You don't ever do that," David said coldly. "Never her. If you're hungry, I will feed you. And you will learn to hunt. I'll teach you, and then we'll hunt together. But if you so much as scratch her, I will kill you myself and wear you for boots. Got me?"

  The drake's only answer was falling limp in David's grip, its feet and tail dangling to the cavern floor.

  "Good." David dropped the drake to the ground. After it sat unmoving for a few seconds, David unslung his pack and pulled out a slab of troll meat. He'd considered eating it himself, wondering if the regeneration properties could be gained, even temporarily, by eating their flesh. But every time he'd tried, the smell of rotten sewage had been too much for even his own resolve.

  Yet, the hatchling seemed completely unbothered when David tossed the meat in front of it. It gobbled the slab up in seconds, and then stared up at David as if wanting more.

  "Are you still hungry, or just greedy?" David asked skeptically, eyeing the creature's distended belly. After a moment, the hatchling belched up a chunk of meat, then immediately pounced on it and forced it back down. "Just Greedy, then. I'll give you more later."

  David decided this wasn't the right place to raise the hatchling. The biggest reason was that he simply didn't trust the drake around Maddy's body. David watched the drake as he gathered his supplies. It explored every corner of the cavern, but made no more moves toward Maddy. In fact, it avoided going near her. But David wasn't taking any chances.

  When David was finally ready, he headed to the exit, pausing to turn to the drake. "Come on, Retribution. We're going somewhere else. Follow me." To David's surprise, the small reptile immediately turned to his words and began following. David even found some happiness in the way its little claws clicked behind him as he turned to leave the cave. He pushed the happiness down again, but there was still some feeling that lingered, something he couldn't quite place.

  He pushed that thought to the back of his mind. It wasn't something he had time for.

  ----

  "Are you even focusing?" Levi asked, shaking his head.

  "Yes! Yes, I am focusing. But I told you, I can't do it the way you do it." Paige straightened, abandoning her Tai Chi stance and letting out a frustrated sigh.

  "You said that about the moves themself, but you still got the Perfect Form Skill!" Levi argued.

  "Yeah, but I got the Perfect Form Skill for my own modified version... after I started doing my own thing!"

  "But you still got it! If you keep trying, and actually focus, I know you can get the flow technique Skills. You just aren't putting the effort in."

  Paige glared at Levi, nostrils flared. "See, this is what pisses me off. You're not even listening to me. I have tried. I have focused. I have been doing nothing but focusing for the last three days. And this isn't working for me."

  Levi tried to calm himself. He knew his next words needed to be said with gentle understanding. He had to bring peace and deescalate the argument before things got out of hand. Unfortunately, that only works when your words don't make you sound like a tool.

  "Listen, Love," Levi began with a soothing voice. "I am just saying... Maybe you haven't been focusing in the right way. How about we give it another try and-- Hey... where are you going... babe?"

  Paige paused her stomping march away from Levi. "I am going somewhere that I can't see your face or hear your voice, which is hard considering the improved hearing. I'll be back when I no longer feel like punching you every time you open your mouth." Before Levi could respond, Paige had shifted into her more cat-like form and was out of sight through the trees on the mountainside.

  Levi stared after her for a while, wondering exactly what he'd said that had been so wrong. He wondered if using pet names for her while they were training had done it, but couldn't see how that made sense. She'd said he wasn't listening, but even racking his brain over it, he couldn't think of anything she had said that he'd not only listened to but genuinely considered in their training.

  Levi sighed deeply, and then turned to start setting up camp. It didn't take long. They didn't have much, and they'd washed yesterday, clothing and bedrolls included. That had become routine while travelling with Paige. They washed themselves at least every other day, the gear they wore at least every three days, and their bedrolls (which they now usually shared) at least once per week. And that was the compromise Levi had finally talked Paige into agreeing to.

  Bathing every day for the first week had really slowed down their travel. There had been a few arguments over it.

  After Levi had set up camp, he began considering what to cook. He always cooked. He had to, because Paige sucked at cooking. But she always did the dishes, so it was a fair trade. The other duties were hit or miss, and they often swapped based on how they felt. But Levi cooking and her doing the dishes had become a fundamental reality in their life.

  He knew if he cooked something she liked, it would definitely improve how the evening went after she returned, so he pulled out something he'd been saving. Descaled, it almost looked like a chicken. Alive, it looked more like a chubby, chicken-sized T-rex with a bird beak. Unsurprisingly, it tasted almost exactly like chicken, with the exception of the descaled skin being a new level of delicious.

  He didn't have a lot of seasoning left, but he did have the most important things: Salt, black pepper, and garlic.

  As he prepared dinner, Levi started feeling pretty confident that things would be fine once Paige got back. As he was thinking about it, it occurred to him that the problem may have been that she'd just been a little hungry in the first place. That made a lot of sense, too, because as far as he could tell, he hadn't said anything wrong. And he was known to get a little grumpy from time to time himself if he needed to eat. That had to be it.

  Levi took in a deep sigh of relief as he began to rotate the mini dino chicken over the fire he'd made. He was feeling pretty good about things. He couldn't wait for Paige to get back. Her mood would definitely change as soon as she saw the food he was cooking.

  And of course, when she apologized, he'd let her know everything was fine and he wasn't even mad.

  Yep, Levi was already feeling a lot better about their little spat, and pretty proud of himself for figuring out the problem and how to deal with it.

  Things were going to be great.

  Suddenly, Levi felt a gust of hot, wet air on the back of his neck.

  'Human friend Levi, may I offer my thoughts?'

  Levi pressed down his irritation at receiving the steam treatment delivered by the breath of a butting in buffalo. "Yeah, sure Big'un. Whatcha thinking?"

  'I am thinking that human friend Paige may want you to understand that she is a different person, and cannot do things the way you do things.'

  Levi continued to rotate the spit as he answered with calm confidence. "I appreciate the input, I really do, Big'un. But you only think that way because you're a buffalo. Being strangely different to us is just how you see things. Trust me. That's not it. Once she gets something in her stomach and we talk about it, you'll see."

  Another gust blasted Levi on the neck. 'Okay human friend Levi. But I will not heal you later. There are lessons in facing consequences.'

  It took a few seconds for the buffalo's words to sink in. "Wait, what do you mean?" Levi asked turning, but the buffalo was already gone. Levi shuddered. "It's still creepy, no matter how many times he does that."