Edited by Solyom

In the end, I didn’t last until sunset, my arms and back didn’t let me. I looked at my stamina bar, it was dangerously close to 10%. Any less than that and I would faint. With a groan, I put the axe down and looked at my work.

I wasn’t lazing around. Quite a big pile of nicely cut wood was erected near the elder’s house. Indeed, lots of it was still remaining, but I was more than sure that the villagers won’t have much problem finishing the work. Gisele looked at me with mixed feelings.

- “Well… good job, I guess? You sure you can’t do any more than that?”

She didn’t ask that to be mean.

- “Nope. I am done.”

- “On the one hand, I am proud of you, baby… but…” I knew what she wanted to say. She expected more from me.

Yes, my strengths and endurance were bigger than those of average humans, but as they did tasks like chopping woods their whole life, they got jobs like and skills like that greatly reduced their stamina consumption and strength requirements during certain activities.

…

BUT I AM SURE I STILL DID MORE THAN THEY COULD!... still, it’s a poor excuse. I moved in the direction of the village well to get some water so I could wash my body, yet Gis grabbed my hand and lead me towards the warehouse. Apparently while I wasn’t looking, she borrowed a wooden basin from someone and already filled it with water. I appreciated it.

I quickly took off my clothes and got inside, with the bags of ballast still attached to me. Stupid enchanted gear. At least it’s not bothering me at all. I stretched my hand in the direction of a piece of cloth I wanted to use as sponge, but once again, the dragoness proved to be faster.

- “What are you doing?” I asked.

- “Told you. Apologizing.” She said somewhat happily. “… just relax, I will take care of you from here…”

She put it into the water and started gently wiping my back. It was nice, really nice. She combined washing with a simple massage, kneading my muscles. Each time she buried her nails in my shoulders, I would felt a very quick, almost unnoticeable pain before my plexus would completely relax. I groaned with delight.

- “… You know, I am sorry if I appeared to be mean to you lately, I didn’t even bother to think how my words could sound until you told me to…well…”

- “Shut up?” I asked with an emotions-deprived tone.

- “Ha-ha! Yes.” She answered awkwardly.

I wasn’t angry at her. Not now. I got used to the idea that she is just a kind of person that always speaks what she thinks. Her hands continued to travel across my body. The warm water and her gentle treatment made me almost melt from pleasure. Because of it, I didn’t notice when she stopped washing me and instead hugged me from behind burrowing her nose in my hair.

- “Zari. I am sorry.” She said. Again. How many times she uttered those words in past few days? But this time I could tell the difference in her tone. Before this, she was saying her apologies to merely reduce my anger. This time she really meant it. She really felt bad.

- “I am sorry. I know that my words won’t reward you what i did. I won’t undo the damage I have done… but… please, understand me. I…I love you. When I thought that someone might take you away from me something in me just… cracked. I don’t want you to leave me… I won’t let you.”

She tightened her grasp, but not to cause pain. Even her last sentence wasn’t said with possessive desire, but with affection. I waited for a couple of minutes.

- “Sweetie. Next time you would want to accuse me of anything, hear me out before delivering a punishment, would you?”

- “Will do… so, your forgive me?”

- “No. And probably never will. In the end, you completely lost your faith in me because of nothing, but gossips. That’s something I can’t forget…” she trembled a little. “… but I can give you another chance, if that’s what you mean. Somehow I will ignore the fact that you are a brutal, violent psycho that wish to chop me in half bec…”

Because of her happiness she once again tightened her grip, this time she lost a little her definition of “affectionate hug” and gave me her bear-smasher hug. I quickly patted her thrice in the hand to let her know that her grip restricted movements of my diaphragm and thus she is depriving me of air.

- “S-sorry!” she yelped, completely withdrawing her body… and making me lost my support.

I slipped and fell inside a basin. Of course with my head under the water.

- “Baby!” she yelled and tried pulling me out of the water.

I would be totally fine by myself, really! – I would just need about few seconds to regain my balance and get up, but as Gis tried “helping”… Simply put, each of her actions had countered my efforts, making me stay under the water for longer than it was required. Yet eventually I managed to free myself from her clumsy tries of rescuing me pushing me head over the surface of the water.

- “Are you some kind of genius?” I asked, spitting water. “… You are deadly even as you are trying to be friendly!” I chuckled.

- “I am sorry! I am so, so sorry! Come on, I will help you wi…”

- “DON’T!” I yelled seriously frightened. “… I mean, you did plenty, sweetie. I appreciate it. But I can do things myself now…” I gently took off her hands a dry piece of cloth.

… that was close. I almost died again. And again. And again. In less than 30 seconds.

- “A-anyway!” the dragoness tried to get rid of the awkward silence. “… The sun is setting, so it means that the villagers would gather in the inn for supper… we are invited.”

It meant that we still had some time. Just enough. I quickly washed my sweaty clothes, threw them across the beam supporting the building from the inside, and put on some regular plain shirt and pants. I felt awkward in it. Without my breathing, utility robe I felt both naked and defenseless. Still, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about, right? This area is fairly safe, mostly because the guild is just two days of travel away, so getting rid of monsters is easy, and so is the capital and its soldiers, patrolling on the routes, looking for bandits.

As the sun was dying on the horizon, throwing one last beam of red light, we left the warehouse and moved towards the inn. All this time, my body shivered each time I made a move, as if it wanted to punish me for pushing it to the limits for two days in the row.

The building was already quite loud, which meant that villagers started eating (and drinking, mostly drinking) a bit earlier. As we got inside, we were rewarded with cheerful greetings. Or at least Gisele was.

- “Good to see you, warrioress!” one of the men raised his mug.

- “Thanks for everything!” another one cheered.

- “Miss Gisele! Come talk with us if you would find some time to spare!” Few girls called for her.

She really was popular.

- “HA-HA! Finally! This time I will beat you, madame!” a huge man near his 40-ties called toward us. He was as huge pile of muscles, his hair already started turning gray, yet what I admired in him the most was his huge mustache!

No, honestly? What did you do to grow one THAT ridiculous?! Comrade Stalin was half that size!

- “Nicolas, still living the dream?” Gis answered with a polite smile.

- “Since your last visit two years ago I have been constantly training! With one hand! Now my right hand is a lot stronger than my left hand! I have been lifting cargo with one hand, I have been doing hundred push-ups twice a day with one hand, cutting wood with one hand…”

- “Cutting wood?...” I asked raising my brow. “… so that’s why I was asked to finish your job, was I?”

The inn laughed a little, in the end everyone already knew that Gisele didn’t come here alone, and that I was given a simple task of – exactly, chopping wood.

The huge man also laughed, making the whole building tremble.

- “Your man? I thought that madame’s man would be…”

- “Bulkier?” I suggested.

- “Bigger! Well, if she is fine with a shorty like yourself, who am I to judge…”

- “… what did you call me?” In an instant, I forgot about the exhaustion of my body.

I jumped at huge man, yet Gisele managed to grab me mid-air, right now I was floating in the air held by belt punching and kicking on all sides while screaming,

- “WHO ARE YOU CALLING A SHORT-MAN, YOU LITTLE FAT, HAIRY SAVAGE?! WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO TINY, THAT YOU CAN’T SEE HE FROM BEHIND A BUSH!? I AM JUST AS BIG AS I SHOULD BE! PERFECT FOR EVERY TASK! DON’T YOU DARE TO…MHGPGMHPMMM!”

In the end Gisele brought me closer to herself and put her palm on my mouth.

- “… it is… the only offence that Zari can’t take.” She apologized instead of me as I was still “mphm”ing in her palm and throwing angry gazes.

- “Ha-ha-ha! I see! It’s not that strange, every man has thing or two he won’t let anyone joke about. For you companion it must be BEING COMPLETELY TINY AS A SEED OF BEAN! Well, no offense taken by me! MUA-HA-HA!”

…

I relaxed a little.

- “Mphmphm-hm, mmhymph.

Mhppmmyhm myh yhm mhyy…”

- “What were you saying, Zari?” Gisele asked, taking off her palm.

- “… fly mighty spirits on wings of blazing rage,

and leave nothing of world, but ashes on stage…”

- “Oh fuck!” she uttered “Zari, I am sorry in advance!”and she hit me with her elbow in my guts destroying structure of my spell.

My spell! My wonderful spell! The mana was lost, the effect didn’t trigger itself. What a waste!

Eventually, the mood in the inn returned to its usual, cheerful self, yet all this time each time Nicolas would look at me I would throw him my hateful expression.

- “Kay, Nic, show me what you got.” Gis smiled widely as she sat in front of the almost Ogre-sized man, stretching her hand.

They were about to arm wrestle. Poor bastard, he won’t even know what hit him. I saw Gisele do this multiple of times already (mostly as she would get drunk, and confronted her thinking they would stand a chance against weakened dragoness), yet it always ended the same way. With Gisele winning a bag of coins and buying a round of liquor for everyone with her freshly-earned money.

They started, and to my surprise, the hand of Gis started lowering in the opposite direction it should have been.

- “Tha! You are… far weaker… Than I… remember!” man grunted, yet his face beamed with satisfaction.

It lowered even more, her fist almost touched the table.

- “Nicolas, Nicolas… Nicolas,Nicolas…” she said smiling, as if lecturing a kid. “… You are much stronger than you were before…” her hand start raising as the man’s eyes started bulging in disbelief. “… there is still a long way before you can…” her hands stopped in starting position. “… CHALLENGE A DRAGON!”

She put all her strength into one last push. The man’s hand didn’t hit the table – his whole body was thrown to the floor behind them. The table broke in half under the pressure of the strike. Everyone in the inn cheered as Gisele picked up a small bag of coins.

- “Lasses and lads, Nicolas bought us a drink!” she smiled throwing it at the barman.

In the next few moments, we got our food, it was more than just tasty and enjoyable. Soon, as Gisele’s shyness was lowered with a few (dozens) of mugs of beer, she was asked to tell some stories about our adventurers.

So she did. And I must say that I remember most of those adventurers a bit differently, because from her story I learned that she killed the hydra by herself, as rest of us were merely supporting her. I just rolled my eyes and let her have her 5 minutes. Still, later I will have to ask her to include rest of the people that risked their life in her story.

All this time I was sitting a bit behind, gazing lazily on the inn enjoying the mood, food and beverage. Eventually, a few villagers got closer to me, asking politely if they could have a word and such. I let them sit by my table and we had a series of chit-chat. In the end, villages are places were adventurers are welcomed with open hands. Such a little “local heroes”.

- “Being with such a woman may be difficult, isn’t it?” one of the men asked looking at Gis with admiration. “… I mean, she is strong and independent and…”

- “… and dull and clumsy.” I smiled. “.. but yes. It is more than a challenge for both of us. Our opinions differ, the ways we solve problems are completely different. Even when we are taking quests together we are seeing different ways of finishing it.”

- “And then what?”

- “What – what? We argue and fight, of course! All the time!”

- “But you actually look great together! I would never believe you are arguing!” the woman sitting beside said. “… damn, I am arguing with my man all the time too… how do you manage to handle each other then?”

- “It’s a secret.” I said giggling. I could have drunk a few mugs too much.

- “Come on! I could really use an advise!”

- “We have wild sex even more often than we argue… Plus we really like each other, I guess.”

- “S-s-s-s…” the woman shivered.

- “What now? It’s normal thing to do, isn’t it?”

No, honestly, what is her problem?

- “I think that you just caught Jeanne off guard with the way you were talking about it like most common thing in the world.” The man just pointed out.

- “Well, it is most common thing in the world.”

- “It’s not!” woman yelled. “… it is sacred and wonderful thing, and nobody should let into detail of…”

- “It. Is. Common. This is how babies are made, isn’t it? Look at every men and women gathered here. They live cuz their mama and papa went into secluded place, took they cloths down and…”

- “STOP IT!”

Ah, she is so easy to tease!

- “Enjoying yourself, Zari?” Gis said coming to me with a bit wobbly steps, yet very cheerful.

- “Yeah, nice bunch.” I said.

- “Zari… we will have to leave this place tomorrow and continue our journey, so I think we will have to go earlier …”

- “So… we will hit the hay?”

- “Definitely!”

We spent only two or so hours here, the night was still young. Ha, I bet we won’t just fall asleep. Not after all the trouble Gisele had to get us a place in the warehouse.

- “You heard the boss, guyz, gotta go. Hit the hay.” I once again put lots of accent on the last sentence before raising up and following the dragoness.

Was she swaying her hips like that on purpose? She definitely doesn’t walk all the time like this… maybe it’s because of the alcohol…

She turned her head back just to check if I was looking at her butt. Well, I was. She smiled teasingly. She started unbuttoning pieces of her clothing as she was getting in the warehouse, but in the next moment she disappeared from my vision behind the door.

As soon as I got inside, the door behind me was slammed shut and I was pushed on the pile of hay. All I heard was an innocent giggle.

Still, my body was still devastated after abusing it with “training” (stupid ballast), so this gentle push made my muscle scream in true agony.

I tried getting up a little, but once again I was pushed back.

- “Tsk-tsk-tsk. Not this time, lover, you must be so terribly exhausted.” She emphasized each word she spoke, finishing with a purr “… so, once again, I will take care of you!”

Her claw, as usual, started cutting through my shirt ruining it (thanks god it was just a spare cloth).

Still, my pride tried once again to restrict her grip.

- “You know what? I have an idea. We will duel every few days. No magic, just physical disciplines. Pick whichever one you want. If you would manage to beat me in any of them… You will gain a right to do as you please…” she whispered.

- “I refuse.”

- “Giving up already?”

- “I could just bind you with curse.”

- “That would be cheating!”

- “Overwhelming me strength isn’t cheating?”

- “Oh, shut up and play along!”

I wanted to protest, but my mouth were shut as Gisele kissed me. Forcefully. I think I will play along. Just for now. But I will have it my way. Soon. And I will thank you for all your teasing with a vengeance!

But right now… I think I will focus on those soft lips of hers…

Adventurer’s guild

A member of the stuff asked Elana to go to the training room, as someone was waiting for her. Nothing more was said in that matter, so El quickly went in the mentioned direction, filled with curiosity.

As soon as she went inside she felt a strange aura. The place was empty, yet equipment was thrown everywhere in weird patterns.

- “Are you done with looking, sweetheart?” a weird, but not unpleasant voice could be heard next to her.

The blonde girl turned quickly to the side. There was a pretty girl sitting on one of the kicked racks. She didn’t saw her at first, which was strange, for she certainly looked in that direction. There was a time when she was looking exactly at her, sitting in her line of view, yet her brain did not register her presence.

The woman was pretty, almost beautiful. In a leather suit… No, it was actually an armor! Leather armor, but made in such way that on the first glance, it would look like ordinary clothes! Also, her chest was bulging.

Elana took two steps back.

- “Oh, instincts kicking in? Feeling danger? Good, you may not be as hopeless as I thought!” the woman said.

It was not the case. The only reason why El moved back was simply because she was overwhelmed by the woman’s bosom. In the end El was as flat as a plank…

Right, right. Sure. So, our flat-forever-Elana was simply offended by the assets she would most likely never have!~

- “E-excuse me, but who are you?”

- “Name is Aiele, but it sounds like the name of a grandma, so just call me Ay! Or . Or will do too.”

- “Ummm…” the girl was simply confused.

- “Maybe this way – I am Zariel’s possession.”

- “P-p-p-p-possession!?!?”

- “Yes, he can do whatever he wants to me… The problem is that his only real command was … you get it? He didn’t say . He didn’t say . He didn’t even ask .. all he asked was . This is humiliating…”

The assassin frowned for a moment.

- “…humiliating…” she said after a moment, as if that word meant a lot to her. ”… so that’s how he wants to play! Oh, kinky little asshole, I like it! So! I am here to drink booze and train you to death, and I am almost out of booze!”

Saying so, she quickly finished a flask she had in her pocket and threw it behind her.

- “Now. Kill me.” she said.

El just stood there confused.

- “… I beg your pardon?”

- “You were told to train to be a rogue – an assassin. You have a blade by your belt, I can see it. Now, show me how you would kill me. It’s a part of your training.”

El blinked thrice. She was out of her mind!... but if Mister Angel asked that female to train her… hehehe… he cares for her… he wants her to be better… He don’t want her to die as he would be away.

Elana’s mind.

Zariel was holding her close, his face was even closer as he was looking deep in her eyes.

- “I am leaving, my love! The mere thought of wasting but a day without you splits my heart in half! I can’t stand the thought that you could be in danger… So please… become stronger, my love…. For me!”

- “V-v-v-very well… I-I-I will do my b-b-best!”

- “I know you do, before I leave, please, allow me!”

He grabbed her chin and started lowering his face on her.

Her heart started pounding, cheeks flushed red, their lips were about to meet…

- “STOP DAYDREAMING YOU LITTLE BRAT!”

… the vision shattered… that woman destroyed it.

HOW DARE SHE STAND BETWEEN HER AND MISTER ANGEL?! (even if he was just an imagination) SHE WANTS TO DIE?! DOES SHE!?... well technically she asked for it a moment ago…

El decided to do her best, she may know only a few basic moves, but she decided to show all she got to her new teacher.

She pulled her dagger out...

… and she was kicked in the guts.

- “Are you fucking crazy? Why did you pull the dagger?”

- “Y..you asked…” she groaned from the ground.

- “I asked you to kill me. Not to duel me. Do you think you had chances in a one-on-one battle? You need to learn the difference. Pulling a dagger in front of someone will make them react. If you really wanted to stab me, you should at least move behind me! Now. Get up!”

Still holding her belly, El did as she was told. In the mister Zariel sent that woman to her.

- “You need to learn that the dagger is the last option of an assassin. You have charm, girl, one day it can make you the greatest assassin… we will learn the basics for now… but before that, I may have a favor to ask you… better to ask now, for as I would finish with you, you won’t be able to move… mind introducing me to that orc friend of yours?”

- “M-mister Morgul? Why?”

- “Welp, for a reason, you know… EH, whatever. If you pulled that dagger already, you better know how to put it in use. Come on, girl, show me what ya got. Don’t be afraid, I will spare your cute face.”

Aiele licked her lips, and then her dagger, making the little girl shiver. Her own real training was about to start too.