Eyre blinked innocently at her mother. As the pair leaned against the sea wall for the third night in a row. Enid looked at some Romani that were dancing by a bonfire on the beach. They were so full of life. It made her smile. Eyre followed her gaze then hit her with her elbow.

“Hey so did you do it with Rolf or what?”

“You are my daughter. I’m not going to discuss my sex life.”

“Come on mom.”

“No.”

“Okay then, did Hazel end up marrying him?”

Enid shrugged.

“Donno.”

“What happened to her?”

Enid sighed. And continued her story.

*****

Enid and Hazel entered the village gates. Hazel had been quiet most of the way and had resisted when Enid had tried to carry her belongings. Enid had impressed on her that she didn’t have time to move slowly, and she could carry the belonging and maintain a brisk pace. The night guards looked surprised to see the two women emerge from the darkness. They had their spears ready but when Enid’s red hair entered the light of candle one held out, they relaxed.

“Eyre you return!”

“Yes. Please see that my guest is given privacy, food and somewhere warm to rest. She is tired from our journey. I will sleep in my rooms and explain everything after dusk. Tell Rolf I am fine. He is likely worried.”

They nodded. Enid took her rest as the sun was almost cresting the horizon. She had to travel slowly for Hazel. It had been long and painful, and she wondered if she would make it. When she woke the next evening and left the shelter of her now very comfortable cave, she was met by Rolf who hugged her tightly and then held her at arm’s length looking her over. Once he was sure she was in one piece he hugged her tightly again.

“I feared for your safety.”

“I am sorry, it wasn’t possible to come back sooner. Negotiations were tense.”

He nodded solemnly. She laughed.

“I am teasing Rolf, my blood brother is the elder of their tribe. I didn’t come sooner because he would be offended.”

“You speak the truth?”

“Yes, when he was young he and I fought off an army of monsters, back to back.”

Rolf looked relieved.

“He apologizes for any part his family played in this; It was his great-grandson that led the group that killed our people. Those that were involved were punished. I ensured it was not worse than they deserved as I promised you. Their punishments can be far worse than death. I have also ensured that your village will be safe from them forever more and should what I hope come to pass, they may even aid you in times of dire need.”

“Thank you, Eyre. You have done more then we could ask once again. Now I am told you brought a visitor with you. When do I meet them?”

“That is up to her Rolf. Her brother told her he would disown her and get her kicked out of the tribe if she did not come to be your mate. Either she came with me, and I ensure she was safe, or she die alone in the woods. I chose to save her.”

He nodded and frowned.

“They are so harsh; I am glad you spoke of mercy for the death of our villagers.”

“Her brother was just desperate to save his own hide, he was one of the ones who took part in the crimes against us.”

“His crimes multiply.”

“Yes, and I assure you he will suffer for it. The spirits that they commerce with do not take kindly to oath-breakers and cowards.”

“She can have sanctuary in this village for as long as she wants to shelter within it. I make no claim to her body or soul.”

“I know Rolf. But she and her children and her children’s children will be immune to disease. The hand of pestilence will never touch them. She seeks a mate; You seek a companion and mother to children. If you take it slow and let her learn the ways of your world, she may choose you anyway. But her ways our different than yours. She is a spirt-talker. She sees things you cannot. The trees, lands and animals speak to her. And there is the chance your descendants may be born with the wolf-spirt in them and if that is the case once you know you must let the wolf-kin have them they are not meant to walk amongst humans. That is the pact you must make in front of the spirits. And as I have said they are not gentle to Oath-breakers.”

Rolf nodded she could tell he was curious about the woman now.

“Let me go see to her needs and when she is ready, I will introduce her.”

“I understand. I have one last question before you leave me.”

“What is that?”

“Will you tell me the tale of your battle against the horde of monsters?”

Enid laughed.

“I will, but it will lack the embellishments of my wolf-kin blood brother.”

Rolf laughed and nodded. He walked towards the long house and Enid found the night guards and asked where Hazel had been taken. She found her in the same house that she had woken in with the old wise woman who had nursed her back to health. Hazel was no longer in furs and was in a woven shift. She was watching the old woman cooking over the fire. As soon as she noticed Enid Hazel shot to her feet eyes fixed directly on the ground. The old woman looked around in a panic and looked Enid up and down giving her a dirty look.

“I assure you Ingrid I did not ask her to treat me like this. Right Hazel?”

“No, but she is Slays-Demons, warrior of legend, Alpha of the pack of Night! Do not meet her gaze we are not worthy.”

Enid sighed, walked to Hazel and lifted her chin meeting her gaze once more.

“Hazel, I am Eyre, I am a girl like you, I just know how to swing a sword. It doesn’t make me better then you, just more experienced. Do you understand? I am just here to make sure you’re okay.”

Ingrid sighed and turned back to her pot. Hazel nodded but the moment Enid left go of her chin she looked directly at the earthen floor. Enid shook her head and sighed. It would take a long time to get Hazel out of the pack mentality. Enid tapped Ingrid on the shoulder and motioned outside. Ingrid nodded and walked out of the round house with her.

“I have no idea how to help her.”

Ingrid nodded.

“She has a strange way about her. Hair so wild. Took us the whole day to brush it out and braid it. Kind of like you when you first showed up here as I recall.”

“Very funny. Has she said much?”

“No, she understands our language but she speaks little. It is like someone beat into her that women were to be silent and subservient to everyone around them.”

“Not far from the truth Ingrid. We are all she has, by coming with me she has agreed to never return to her family. She is intended to wed Rolf as payment for the deaths they caused. You know Rolf won’t accept if he thinks she isn’t doing it willingly, and how can you convince anyone of that with her acting like that.”

Ingrid nodded and glanced back at the roundhouse.

“Maybe the best way to deal with this is to let Rolf and her meet. I know him, he will treat her well and not take advantage. Perhaps he might break through that shell of hers. He is the leader here. Perhaps if she sees how, he leads she’ll understand we are not like her family.”

Enid nodded and entered the round house again.

“Hazel, come with me, keep your eyes up, it is considered rude to not look at people when you’re talking here. Especially the Alpha, they call him chief. Or King.”

“Yes Slays-Demons”

“Please call me Eyre here, it is who they know me as.”

“Yes…Eyre.”

“Now come, don’t embarrass me, make sure to look into his eyes when you speak. How you behave here reflects on me. I brought you here and I spoke on your behalf.”

“I understand.”

“Good, don’t make me look bad.”

“Yes Eyre.”

Enid took Hazel’s hand and led her to the Longhouse. She was kind of throwing her into the fire with this choice. But she was more likely to try her best if she realized she would embarrass Enid in front of her whole pack then one single man. Enid led her to Rolf who sat in his chair at head of the long house. He stopped mid-drink when he set eyes on Hazel who looked up and met his gaze, she was hesitant but after a glance at Enid she as more resolute about it.

“Who is this you bring into my feasting hall Eyre?”

“This is Hazel. She has nowhere else to go and seeks shelter with our tribe. Much like I once did.”

Rolf almost choaked on his mead when he saw Hazel’s eyes. Enid could tell he was mesmerized at once. What Hazel lacked in outright beauty she made up for in a personal magnetism. Among the wolf-kin she was an omega, but here, she was still the descendant of a long line of predators and her heritage showed. Enid glanced at Hazel. Hazel was staring into Rolf’s eyes. Unable to look away either. She gave a half smirk. This would be easier than she had thought.

“What say you, is she welcome in your hall?”

Rolf took a few moments to answer. He tore himself away from Hazel’s eyes.

“She is welcome in my hall and to our tribe. She is your responsibility until she is seen as a grown woman in our eyes. See that she learns our ways.”

“Of course, Rolf.”

“Would you care to join us for our evening feast Hazel?”

She looked to Enid who gave a slight nod. Hazel nodded and Rolf pointed to a chair by his.

“Sit and let us break bread and talk.”

Enid sat down beside Hazel and did not partake. Hazel began to eat with a vigor that surpassed even Rolf’s. He laughed. Enid didn’t slow her down. The Gauls did not favor table manners. At least they had that in common. Rolf spoke more quietly to the pair.

“Hazel, your beauty is beyond compare. I found myself speechless.”

Hazel looked at Enid then back to Rolf. Enid could see the confusion in her face.

“Hazel, he is complimenting you.”

She nodded. Then gave a small smile to Rolf. Enid shrugged at Rolf. Rolf nodded.

“Hazel I would like you to consider letting me woo you. I know we do not have much in common yet, but I know I can make you a happy woman.”

There were a few grumbles from the men had their eyes on Hazel, and a few from women who had hoped Rolf would choose them. Hazel looked up at him again with confusion apparent on her face.

“I am here to be bred by you. I will give you strong children and nurse them.”

Rolf spit out his made and coughed a bit as did a few of the men around the long house. Enid facepalmed. Enid gently put her hand on Hazel’s shoulder.

“Hazel, we discussed this, that isn’t how it works here, Rolf has to win your heart before he wins your embrace.”

“My heart doesn’t matter. I want children he wants a mate, and my family owes him a blood debt.”

Rolf looked at Enid, then back to Hazel.

“Hazel, I do not want the mother of my children to feel bound to me by a crime she had nothing to do with. Live with us and learn about us, and me, and I will learn about you and if you still feel that I would be a good father to your children then we will wed in the eyes of the gods and I will know your heart is true, and you mine.”

Hazel looked like he had just slapped her. The feeling of rejection was obvious in her face. Enid put her arm around Hazel’s shoulders. She whispered.

“I know it seems like he is rejecting you, but he is trying give you the freedom of choice. It is a gift you would never have with your family. It is something I never had. It is the greatest gift a human can give another. The freedom to choose their course in life.”

Hazel nodded slowly. Rolf rubbed his long beard.

“My lady, I would that I was the kind of man that could take advantage of a beauty such as yours, but I am not that kind of man, I could not live with myself. My daughter would haunt me for such a crime. But know that I intend to wed you should you wish it after you have had time to learn our ways.”

Enid sighed and watched as the pair continued to exchange glances. Over the next few months Hazel became more used to living in the village. Her face grew less severe, and she smiled more. She seemed to be adapting to the social dynamic of the village rather than sticking to the old ways. She had a lot of knowledge about tending to the wounded and sick. While Enid had learned a lot under her mother, Hazel had the benefit of the spirits advising her, so Enid expanded her knowledge of medicine, at least primitive medicine.

As the months moved on Hazel grew closer to Enid then to anyone else in the village. She stopped looking at the ground and she looked to Enid more and more. Enid noticed but tried not to return the signals. Enid was many things, but she was not attracted to other women, nor was she interested in physical relations with humans. She had obviously done so with Lucius, but her Father’s abuses had left her less then comfortable with it. Sex was about procreation and little else to Enid. And since she was dead it wasn’t like she was going to be having more children. The whole thing came to a head about a year after Hazel had joined the village.

There had been a raid the during the day, the tribe itself had no casualties, the other side however suffered a terrible defeat. Most were dead, two survived but were injured. Enid and Hazel were leaning over him stitching up his wound. Enid was teaching Hazel something for once. Hazel was leaned in close watching Enid, who was explaining what she was doing, looking up every so often to ensure Hazel understood what she was saying. Enid looked up to pass the stitching off to Hazel so she could try. That was when their lips met. Enid returned the kiss with the same passion Hazel had, it was reflex for her, something she developed to make Lucius happy. Make him think she enjoyed being with him sexually. She was so shocked she just continued to offer the thread and metal needle to Hazel. Hazel looked pleased and started to stich the man’s wound where Enid had left off. Enid brushed aside the kiss and kept her focus on the Hazel’s hands as they stitched the wound.

“Keep the stiches close. Treat it like its fine cloth. We use this externally because we can remove it, the one we used on his organ will dissolve on its own. Good, now use the herbal concoction your spirits provided on it. Wipe it down. Wash your hands in the mix then clean linen.”

The man was conscious throughout all of this, so had seen the kiss. Enid had ignored him, they had used an herbal mixture the spirits had provided to deaden the wound. He was stared at Enid, his gaze never wavering. Hazel had a smile on her face as she pulled the bindings tight over the wound.

“Like this?”

“Exactly like that.”

Enid looked to the man’s face he was still staring at her.

“If you try to stand or move too much, you’ll tear the stiches, and you will die.”

Hazel began cleaning up their implements, dunking them in the herbal mixture used to clean their hands and wounds. Enid turned to leave, and the raider grabbed her wrist.

“You are a goddess, will I live?”

“If you listen to us you will, if you do not then you will die.”

“Why do you save me? I attacked the people you protect.”

Enid turned to him.

“To show that I can be a merciful goddess. Do not forget this second chance. Should you return I will drain your soul from your body and curse it to eternal torment.”

His eyes went wide, and though pale from blood loss, his face grew even more pale.

“I will forever pray to your glory.”

Enid turned away and rolled her eyes. She hated playing the goddess thing up, but Rolf had built her up to be this glorious goddess. If she let on less, then the gig might be up and she’d have to flee. Hazel looked at Enid and fixed her hair. Enid frowned at her.

“We still have another patient, don’t go touching your hair or anything else. Now you have to wash your hands in that disgusting herbal concoction again.”

Hazel blinked, then blushed, she washed her hands again and the pair moved to the second patient. He was less severely injured but had several spear wounds in various no vital places. His armor had done its job. Enid washed her hands again. The mixture was acrid and bitter smelling and made her skin burn slightly, but it seemed to cut down on infected wounds and seemed more effective than her mother’s remedies, her adoptive Roman mother that is. She started to wipe down the man’s wounds with a clean mixture that hadn’t been touched by their hands. He screamed in agony.

“Shouldn’t we use the mixture that dulls the pain?”

“No, he’s not in danger of dying today let him suffer with his choice.”

Hazel swallowed hard and nodded.

“Also, you may not always have access to the mixture when tending a wound, so you need to get used to people moving as you jab them repeatedly. Okay so we have the tip of a spear broken off in this one in his leg. Your first instinct might be to pull it out, but it stops the flow of blood because it seals the wound. We’ll wait until last for that one, it is going to bleed a lot and we may need to use the mixture for it.”

The man writhed in pain as Enid scrubbed the wounds with the mix and clean linen.

“Surely death is better than this!”

“Not really, I’ve been to the lands of the dead, its like this, only eternal. Now shut up and stop being a child. I’m doing this so you will not die in a week from a blood infection.”

“Should you be using leeches?”

“Are you a god?”

“No.”

“Then shut up and let us fix you. And if you move it will hurt more.”

He nodded.

“Hazel start stitching the wounds up.”

The man winced at every prick of the needle. Enid looked to him and spoke again.

“So, what was the raid about this time?”

“We were trying to capture you so you could heal the chief’s daughter.”

Enid frowned.

“Thirteen of you died for one girl, did anyone around here just hear of asking for help?”

He gritted his teeth as Hazel pulled the suture taught tugging skin together on his left arm. She pushed the needle in again.

“He did, he sent a messenger. When no response came, he grew desperate.”

“We received no message, or request for aid. Why did he think fifteen men could capture a goddess? Were not the last thirty we sent back drained of their souls not enough to show that mortals have no chance against me. I am stronger then fifteen men, and I am so fast you cannot see me killing you.”

Hazel nodded.

“She slew a hundred demons in a single battle. My chief stood by her side and saw it with is own eyes. You were foolish to come.”

“You’re just a girl.”

“I am immortal. My looks are deceiving. The chief she speaks of is an old man with great-grandchildren now. He wasn’t twenty seasons when we fought that battle together. Tell me, what is wrong with the chief’s daughter?”

“She wastes away, no manner of food will make her gain weight. She has the grey skin of the dead. She suffers and it just keeps going on and on.”

Enid sighed and frowned.

“I am familiar with this ailment and there is no cure.”

He cried out as Hazel pulled the last stitch taut and began to tie it off. There were tears rolling down his cheeks. Enid suspected it was more than the pain. Hazel moved to start stitching on another wound and Enid put her hand on Hazel’s wrist.

“Use the dulling mixture first.”

Hazel nodded and rinsed the wounds down with the mixture careful not to touch it with her hands. She rinsed her hands off and sat beside him. Enid spoke to the man again.

“It will take time for it to deaden your pain. Something about this is personal for you. Tell me what is it?”

He slowly stopped writhing in pain as herb paste did its job.

“She is my wife, and she is with our child.”

“Hazel, you can start stitching the wounds.”

Tears dripped down his cheeks. Enid kneeled onto the earthen floor and began to run her fingers through his hair. She whispered to him.

“I can cure this disease with magic, but the cost is high. Will you pay it?”

He spoke, almost in a daze.

“I will give anything.”

Enid continued to shh and stroke his hair. She stood and met his gaze. She could see the desperation in his pale blue eyes. They were bloodshot and his skin was red with his tears. She could feel him pleading with her to save his wife and child. She shh’d again and stoked his blond hair.

“Sleep now, when you wake you will wait peacefully here for me. You are safe here, no one will harm you, when I return your wife will be healed and you will pay the price you agreed to.”

Hazel looked at Enid.

“Eyre, what do you speak of?”

“I am going to heal his wife. Those were tears of a true husband. He loves his wife. Would you have me let a child die if I could save it?”

“No, but they are our enemies.”

“And through my actions they may become our friends.”

“They have tried to kidnap you several times, will you be safe?”

“I will be fine Hazel.”

Enid turned to leave, and she heard Hazel move up behind her. She felt the girl’s firm hand her arm. Hazel spun her around and kissed her full on the lips again. Again, out of reflex Enid returned the kiss just as passionately.

“Come back safe to me.”

Enid nodded and spun around and walked out quickly. She had no idea how to deal with that situation. She pondered just wiping Hazels’ memory of the kisses. It would be the simplest solution. But would was it the right one? Enid shook her head and transformed into her falcon shape and flew into the air. She would make it to the other village a few hours before dawn, but she would not make it back. She would have to trust the other tribe to honor a truce.

*****

Enid flew through the front of the Long House. And shifted into her human form landing on her feet in front of the chief. He was mid drink and spit it out coughing when she appeared. Several of his soldiers reached for axes and started advancing on her. One came at her from his right hand. She reached out her hand and held him in the air with her telekinesis. She started to crush. He began to scream and gasp for air. She dropped him and he writhed in agony on the ground. She threw two of the others together the landed and broke a table. The chief held up his hand. The rest paused in their tracks. There were only six here and half of them were incapacitated in seconds.

“Why have you come here and assaulted my son?”

“To prove a point before we started negotiating, do you understand now?”

“I believe I understand what you are telling us. Why have you come?”

“Because you sent another raiding party to our village, and we killed most of them again. Two live, your daughter’s husband, and someone else, what his name is I do not know, he was delirious.”

“Do you come seeking revenge?”

“If I was seeking revenge your entire tribe would already be dead. I can save your daughter, but the personal cost to me is high. Therefore, I ask a high price, you will cease all raiding against our tribe.”

“What happens if I betray my oath, will my daughter resume dying?”

“No, she will be as healthy as you or I until something else befalls her, but if you break your Oath to me, I will slaughter your whole tribe and leave their soul drained husks on stakes as a warning to others who would consider it. You are making an oath to a goddess. It is something not done lightly.”

“What is stopping you from doing that now?”

“I do not relish in senseless slaughter. Though you have tried my patience, I suggest you do not do so again, it is limited.”

“So, no law bans you from unleashing your full fury? You just simply choose not to?”

“That is accurate.”

He grew pale, he stroked his beard. He seemed to be trying to maintain a posture of strength in the negotiation, but it was apparent he had no bargaining power.

“So, what exactly do you ask of us in return for my daughter’s life?”

“You agree to terms of peace, mutual defense and trade with Rolf, our chief, and cease all attempts to kidnap me. In terms of your daughter’s life, I need one of your strongest men. I will need a place of quiet and peace. Somewhere that we will be undisturbed for the day. This is not a simple thing you ask, I am dragging her away from the gaping maw of death. It does not like to let go when it’s prey is this close to being devoured.”

“Why my strongest man?”

“You think I seek to weaken your tribe’s defenses. I could see you thinking that however, all things require balance to save a life I need to supply life force. Your strongest man will survive the transfer. He will be week for a few days but will be fine. Others may not survive.”

“So, you need a safe, protected place to perform the ritual. And in exchange you ask for us to be subservient to your tribe?”

“No, I ask for nothing of the sort. I ask for you to work with my tribe to strengthen both. Should you come under attack, we would help you, and if we were to come under attack you would help us. Trade would benefit us both and you would not be sending anymore men to die at my hands.”

“You have my oath that all you ask shall be done. Just save my daughter.”

He offered his hand. Enid clasped him around the wrist and he hers. She could sense he spoke the truth with her gift of sight.

“Where is she?”

“She is in the far round house. She is alone save for food being provided. My people fear that you cursed her, and it will spread.”

“I did nothing to her. It is a sickness I have seen before. There is no cure save for a miracle, and I am providing that miracle.”

“Will the child survive?”

“It should, her body acts like a shield against the sickness. I could see there being some lingering touches of my divinity with in it, but that will simply mean it will live a longer, healthier life. How close to giving birth is she?”

“She should have done it already.”

“Then we must hurry. I expect by dusk tomorrow you will have a grandchild to hold.”

Enid was led to the Roundhouse that looked almost abandoned. Inside she found the girl barely clinging to life, cloth in her hand stained with blood she had coughed up. She saw her swollen belly. She touched it and could feel the heartbeat of the child within.

“Fear not little one, I will get you out of there alive. Your father is alive and well.”

The woman’s eyes fluttered open. She could see the girls eyes go wide. Enid moved towards her head and kneeled down beside her. She coughed as she tried to speak eventually words formed.

“Are you here to take my soul? I told father not to send anyone. My life is not worth so many men.”

“No, I’m here to save your life.”

“Save the baby, I am already dead. I have hung on for him.”

“You are very close, but I can cure you. Look into my eyes and listen very carefully.”

The woman’s brown eyes met Enid’s green eyes. Enid pushed her will onto the woman.

“You are going to go to sleep, and you are not going to wake until I ask you too. You are going to dream of green fields and flowers. It is so relaxing there. You can just lay back in the grass and let the summer sun warm you. Your son is eight seasons and he’s running around chasing a hare. He is giggling.”

The woman’s eyes dropped shut and her breathing calmed. Enid touched her and started chanting in Atlantean. Enid’s skin shriveled and she felt her bones weaken. After a few minutes she healed the damage. The woman’s face was pink, a bit drawn due to lack of food which could be remedied. Her breathing was smooth and there was no gurgling. Enid grabbed the man the chief had sent to be a life force doner. She buried her fangs in his neck and drank deeply, replenishing the supply she had used to heal the damage from the disease. He fell unconscious. She made the wounds vanish from his neck and carried him outside to one of the men posted to guard the round house.

“He is weak, get him someplace safe, now do not let me be disturbed, no matter what you hear from inside, anyone who enters risks being sucked into the lands of the dead. And you may even cause the girl to die!”

Enid vanished back inside and none heard a peep from the round house the whole day until the cries of a baby rang out. Enid poked her head outside.

“I need a woman to assist me, hurry!”

One of the village women entered shortly after. She found a very healthy baby boy and his naked mother who was feeding him. The poor woman nearly fainted.

“She looks so healthy.”

“Yes, and she’ll need fresh clothes. I had to burn the others and the furs. Hurry.”

The woman ran off and came back with a bundle of cloth and furs. Enid held the baby while the two women got his mother dressed. Enid leaned out of the house after she was dressed and spoke to one of the guards.

“You may summon her father and mother.”

Enid went back inside and a few minutes later the chief and an older woman came inside. When they saw their daughter, they were stuck silent with disbelief for several seconds. Then the chief hugged Enid tightly and cheered, his wife was more reserved but equally as pleased.

“I did not believe you could do such things.”

“I would rather save lives then take them. I must return home. Remember your oath to me.”

“I will not forget my oath to you. We shall praise you at each meal. You are truly a goddess.”

Enid nodded and walked outside the round house leaving the family to their celebrations. She glanced at the two guards with a wink shifted into her red falcon form and flew off. She glanced back and delighted in the looks they had. She arrived home a few hours later. Hazel greeted the door to the long house. She smiled broadly and hugged Enid tightly.

“You’re back.”

“Of course, I am.”

“Could you save her?”

“Yes, I need to talk to Rolf, we can talk about it afterwards.”

Hazel nodded and touched Enid’s hip gently. Enid smiled at her and walked inside.

What the hell am I going to do about that? I don’t want to hurt her feelings.

Rolf stood up when he saw her.

“You’re back safe! I was worried they might betray you.”

“They did not, the chief is an honorable man. He has provided his oath that we will be trading partners and he will no longer try to raid our tribe, he has also agreed that we should defend each other should the need arise.”

“You did all this in one night after many seasons of fighting?”

“His daughter’s life was important to him. And about that, I was hoping you could spare a few men to help her husband get back to his home. He is now a father and I expect his wife will want to see him.”

“Of course, it will be a sign of our good will. What about the other?”

“He is far too injured to travel, I’m sure that can be explained. He is going to need a long time to heal enough to move that far. He will likely be stuck here over the winter. I am sorry there will be an extra mouth to feed.”

“He will be provided for. And if he is able, he can assist us until he can get home.”

“Thank you, I need to speak to Hazel about his condition, if you will excuse me.”

“Of course.”

Enid walked out and took Hazel gently by the elbow back to her cave. Hazel went with her willingly. When Enid turned from closing her door she found herself pressed up against it and Hazel was pressing herself against her and kissing her full on the lips. She felt her tongue slipping against them. She resisted slightly at first but it seemed natural to return the kiss. Again, she had spent over a century perfecting the art of seeming sexually interested when she was in fact not. She was physically so much smaller than Hazel that she was easily scooped up and laid on the bed. Before she realized it they were both mostly naked and Hazel was on top of her kissing her again. Enid wasn’t sure what to do at this point. Anything she would do would feel awkward. Hazel moved down from her lips and started kissing her neck and shoulders.

*****

Enid paused her story putting her face in her palms. The memory was making her feel extremely flustered. She fanned herself.

“You can’t just stop there.”

“I sure as hell can.”

“Did you two…”

“Of course we did. Against my better judgement. She was in love with me. I can’t say the feelings weren’t mutual.”

“Wow, I had no idea.”

“I guess being undead means you care less about things like gender.”

“So how does it work…”

“I’m not having this conversation with my daughter. No way.”

“Is that why Hazel didn’t marry him?”

“She had it in her head we’d do this in secret while she had his children. I tried to dissuade her but she got some of my blood in her.”

“Oh no.”

Enid nodded and frowned.

*****

Enid wandered the quiet village. By this time the Longhouse was empty, and its fires quenched. Only the night watch stood guard. They greeted her warmly as she passed. She returned their greeting. Her mind was in turmoil over what she felt was a betrayal of Rolf and is desire for a marriage to Hazel. She could make her forget, but she could never erase the bond that her blood had created. She wished she could sit beside Rolf and be his wife and give him children. Not out of a desire for him sexually, or even children. Just so Rolf would feel complete she felt she owed him. She was never going to have another child. Sextus had made that impossible. Hazel seemed willing to wed him, but she would never have her heart in that relationship. Enid sighed heavily as she paused looking up at the full moon. She heard footsteps behind her. They were heavy. Not Hazel. She glanced behind her and saw that it was Rolf. She had noted he slept little these days. He approached her from behind.

“Two years you have been here and not once have I seen you pacing. What troubles you so my old friend?”

“Matters of the heart.”

“I see. I am no expert, and I fear if my daughter were alive she would mock me for trying, but could I help?”

“Well it would be strange to have that conversation with you, as you are part of the problem.”

He paused and approached closer. She turned to him to address him directly instead of over her shoulder and he tugged her close and kissed her passionately. She returned the kiss out of reflex once again. His beard felt rough against her face. She hadn’t found him unattractive. She felt him hard against her abdomen. How she wanted to feel it slide into her. She blinked out of it. She had been about to kiss him back and touch him. Instead she pushed him away and brushed his saliva from his lips. The lingering desire still hanging in back of her mind to kiss him again and seduce him.

What the hell is up with people? Why are they all of a sudden trying to have sex with me?

“What was that about?”

He blushed and stepped back.

“I’m sorry I just thought…”

Enid moved closer and took his hand.

“I am flattered. I was just thinking I wish I could be the wife you seek and have your children. I am not able to do that for you. I am not human anymore. You know I’m a seer. I can see your future. If we were to give into these desires, I see an empty seat at the head of your long house and skeletons at all your tables. With Hazel I see a strong man sitting at its head with two white wolves at his side. At his right hand is a blonde woman with ice blue eyes. These are your children’s children. You need to think of your people and not your well…”

She glanced down. He sighed and nodded. Releasing her hand.

“You often surprise me with your insights my old friend. Thank you for saving my people from my prick.”

She nodded and glanced down wistfully Hazel had awakened in her a desire for physical contact but she knew this would end badly for the tribe.

“You are a good leader, but you are a man. Men often think with their groin. It is not your fault; It is a failing of human nature.”

Enid nodded and wandered off into the darkness leaving Rolf to look after her. She swooped into the air after shifting into her falcon form. She glided through the moonless night. She told herself she was just flying a patrol to make sure the village was safe, but in truth she was lost in her thoughts. In the space of two nights, she had gone from celibate to sex-crazed. She couldn’t remember a time anyone wanted to spend a night with her let alone two. Nor when she was even interested in relations of any kind. Yet here she was, having bonded a wolf-kin which while not outright a breach of the treaty since it was initiated by Hazel, it was skirting the boundary very closely. And Rolf, she had been tempted. The night had flashed before her eyes. A fantasy of all things. She had no drive to reproduce. Her one soul desire up until the last couple of years had been to drink blood. Even that had lost its luster in the last quarter century, that was until she had sunk her fangs into Hazel as they were having sex. Maybe it was Hazel’s arousal in her blood that had led her to desire to feel Rolf inside her. Perhaps after a few days the blood would lose its potency and she’d be back to normal.

She winged around and started a big circle back to the village proper. She kept leafing through the occurrences of the last two years trying to pinpoint when the nagging need for social and physical interaction had started to surface. She could not focus, her mind kept wondering to the kiss with Rolf and the feeling of him hard against her stomach. She wanted him so badly. One night of passion would not destroy the tribe. He could still wed Hazel. Just two people in the dark of night. She tried to push the thoughts away but whatever it was the pull was too strong for her will power. She wanted him. She wanted to feel him inside her while she bit his neck and drank deeply of his blood. She flapped her wings and hurried to the village. She shifted to her human form and pulled off her clothes and shoved them into her bag. She glanced around, all were asleep save for the far off gate watchers. She pushed aside his thick fur of his round house’s door.

*****

Enid fanned herself again.

“You slept with him!”

“Maybe.”

“No maybe. I can see it on your face.”

“Not going to say.”

Eyre shook her head.

“Was he good?”

Enid shrugged and nodded.

Eyre laughed.

“Anyway…that was the night my father showed up.”

*****

He drifted off and she picked up her bag and shifted to her falcon form and flew to the cave and slipped inside. Hazel still lay where she had left her. Enid slipped into the bed beside her, and Hazel wrapped her arms around her. Enid felt death take her once more. When she woke, she found herself looking up at a marble ceiling and she groaned. Sextus leaned in the doorway.

“Welcome back.”

“You had no right!”

“You’re my daughter. I had every right.”

“You lost the privilege of calling me daughter when you killed my sister!”

A look of pain crossed his face. It vanished quickly and it went back to his usual neutral expression.

“I did what I had to as the leader of our people. I hope you’ll understand one day.”

“Why did you bring me back? How did you find me?”

“Because you belong here. Not with a bunch of mortals messing with their lives. It is not our place to change the course of their destinies.”

“Oh, like sending a legion after me?”

“The council and Lucius have been punished severely for their actions. Also, for the good of our people. I am disappointed you felt the need to kill that many mortals.”

“I wanted to send a message. Apparently, it was lost in translation. Leave! Me! Alone!”

“I understand you are upset. But this is for the best. When you’ve gotten some blood and are less cranky let’s go for a walk. I have a proposal for you. It will allow you to travel, it will keep you busy and you can make the world safer for our kind. As reparation for the part you played in interfering with so many mortal lives.”

Enid glared at him and rolled over on her bed.

*****

“Anyway, that’s when he told me I should make sure the laws are being upheld in all the different fiefdoms. Which is how I ended up in Narfordshire.”

“Funny he yelled at you for interfering with mortals then forced you to do it.”

“Of course, that’s how the world works. Its against the rules until the rule makers decide it is inconvenient.”

Eyre shook her head.