We are making good time for how bad the roads are. For the past ten minutes, I keep getting small glimpses of tall stone walls off to my right. When I asked Shiva, she told me it was the walls around Shevel. The fact that I keep seeing the walls is giving me a hint to how big it actually is. Shiva says the city is several times larger than the Capitol. Their growth is fueled by the numerous trade routes funneling through it.

Apparently there are only three main trade routes from Rathenk on the southern edge of the country. All three of which pass through Shevel, so the city has a constant influx of goods. The farther traders had to travel into Dolus, the more expensive their goods became. Plus, any perishable goods not stored in void containers usually couldn't last much farther than Shevel. It became a spot for merchants from Dolus to gather up goods from Rathenk, and sell them at a premium farther in Dolus.

"So, I have a question." Shiva turns in her seat as I start to speak, her amber eyes look curious.

"Ok, and what's that?" My fingers drum over the top of the steering wheel as I try and figure out how to phrase what I want to say.

"I asked Thea earlier, but she told me you would know enough to explain it to me. How is Thea ok with sharing, or for that matter, how are you? I mean, I'd lose my shit if I saw either of you with someone else. You two are just treating this like it's just another day." Shiva laughs quietly, then repositions herself on the seat. She lays down on the bench, her head resting on my lap looking up at me. For a moment I just stare at her, until I'm forced to focus on the road ahead again.

"Thea is an elf. I know that doesn't mean anything to you so I'll try and explain." She takes my hand off the shifter, and plays with my fingers gently. Her hands rub over the calluses on my hand as she speaks.

"Elves are one of the strongest mana using species on the planet. While most beings have at least some mana in them, elves are powerhouses. They are literally conceived with mana, and no that's not an exaggeration. It takes a huge amount of magical energy for an elf to produce a child. More than a pair of elves can achieve on their own. So to procreate, they form these familial groups they call groves because elves are obsessed with nature, trees, and shit."

A sharp bang from the roof of the cab makes Shiva and me jump. Looking in the rearview mirror I see Thea kneeling by the cab. Her blonde hair is blowing wildly in the breeze as she stares at Shiva.

"We are not obsessed!" Shiva laughs at the elf's antics, sticking out her tongue.

"I call it like I see it, blondie."

"We are not obsessed, we just respect nature! Now, quit adding in your own prejudices to your explanation!" Thea stares angrily at Shiva where she is still laying on my lap.

"Then do you want to tell him?" At Shiva's words Thea huffs, then turns back around, sitting on the toolbox. I can't help but grin at her slightly childish tantrum. She is usually playful, but she always seems to give as much as she gets. To see her acting like this, I can't help but smile.

"Anywayyyyyy, back to what I was saying." Shiva grabs my hand again from where I had just downshifted. "Elves name their groves after trees, or plants. Hell, some name them after different rivers or lakes. They all work together like one big happy family, growing food, hunting, working, and raising the children. When they are ready to conceive another child, the grove comes together." Her hand moves mine to rest on her stomach as she speaks. My fingers play gently over the smooth skin as I lift the hem of her shirt. I feel the smooth edge of of her knife belt and catch myself smiling as my fingers play along the edge.

"Mmmmmm, fuck." I chuckle quietly as Shiva clears her throat, starting to speak again. "Then they push all the mana they can, first into the man to make him potent. Then into the woman, she channels it to make her receptive. The whole thing can last hours before both bodies are ready. Then they have their fun," her hand pushes mine gently down to tease along the edge of her pants. " and the woman knows instantly if they succeeded or not."

"Sounds complicated to me." I pull my hand free, causing Shiva to groan. Grabbing the next gear, I lay my hand back on her stomach. My fingers trace over her skin lightly.

"Mmmm, not complicated. Just time and mana consuming. It usually takes all the mana four or more elves can produce to conceive a child. So they form groves to help with it, usually it will center around one elf, male or female depending on who forms it."

"What do you mean centered around one elf?" My fingers stray slightly lower, making Shiva arch slightly. I'm surprised to hear what sounds like a purr start to climb from her throat. "Does kitty like being petted?" I can't keep the smart assed grin off my face as Shiva starts to blush.

"Don't call me a kitty!" Her hips rock on the seat as I start to move my fingers back up to her waist. "Yes I like it, it's driving me crazy. I can barely think straight, but I like it."

"Do you need me to stop?" My hand freezes. I don't want to continue until I know if she wants me too.

"Not stop, just ease up a little. I like being teased, as long as there is going to be a payoff. I just need to be able to think straight." She smiles up at me, moving my hand higher to slide inside the top of her shirt.

"Ok, so tease, don't distract." Shiva pushes against my hand, making me grin at her reaction. "Ok, so again, centered around one elf?"

"Usually in a grove, there will be one male elf and the rest are female. I mean, yeah, there are a few groves where it's one female and the rest are male. Those aren't as common though, and mostly tend to be merchant centered groves." Shiva moves my hand to the other side as she stares up at me.

"So Thea basically grew up with one man having several women is the norm?" The idea seems off to me somehow. I know it's my old life clashing with this new world and its values. Part of me sees it as something I don't know if I can get used to. Then there is the other part of me screaming for the first part to shut the fuck up and hold on tight.

"I mean, probably. It's possible she is from a grove that was multiple men to one woman. Or she is from one of the larger groves, I think they call them orchids. They are basically two or more groves all crammed together to become more influential or powerful." Shiva pouts as I remove my hand to shift, pulling it back to her as soon as I release the gearshift. "Did she ever say what grove she was a part of?"

"No, not that I remember. If she did and I don't remember, then I'm a piece of shit, right?" Shiva chuckles and I feel her cheek nuzzling against my hand.

"No, you're new to this world. Now that you know the importance. If she tells you, then you had best remember." I chuckle at her words, cupping her chin as she pushes it against my hand.

"So what happens to the kids in a grove? I know you said the whole grove helps raise the children, but what about when they aren't kids anymore?"

"When elves come of age, then the groves start arranging, get togethers. Think of them as parties, except for maybe trading off people for new blood. If someone from one grove melds well with another, then they will sometimes join the new grove. Or if someone doesn't fit with any of the groves, they will go out on their own to try and form a new one." Shiva twist on the seat, looking back through the rear window.

"I think Thea is the second kind." Her voice sounds distant as she speaks. I catch my eyes flicking to the rearview, where Thea's eyes meet mine. She smiles at me, then slides down into the bed out of sight.

"What makes you think that?" Shiva chuckles, turning back towards me as her hand starts to move above her head to rub my stomach.

"Notice how she's always touching you? How when she sits down she always tries to be right next to you if she can? If I put my arm around your waist, she moves it to put her arm there instead?" I think back. I know she has done all of those, multiple times. I give Shiva a nod.

"Those are signs of a younger elf that's forming feelings for someone. Usually it's younger elves that try and form groves of their own. They all tend to follow the same pattern. Leave the grove, try and make a lot of money first, usually as an adventurer. Then meet other elves around their age to form a grove." Shiva tilts her head at me.

"Do you know how old she actually is?" I feel my hands freeze on the wheel. Of all the things we have talked about, I don't think I ever asked that question. I catch myself glancing in the mirror, where Thea is giving Shiva and me both a death glare.

"Uhhh, I never asked. I was always thought not to ask a women's age, and I don't think Thea is a fan of you asking either." Shiva looks at me confused, so I nod at the rear window.

"If you don't want me to ask, I'll leave it alone. I was just curious!" Thea stares down at Shiva a minute longer, then turns to stare at me.

"I don't mind sharing my age with either of you. There is a matter of appropriate time and place. As in AFTER we get out of Dolus!" Once again, Thea disappears from my view. This time I hear Jacob and Vaunea both laughing.

"That's a sign she is younger than I thought." Shiva's words are almost a whisper that I have to strain to hear.

"Why is that?" Shiva leans up for a second, checking the back window before whispering in my ear.

"Elves younger than fifty tend to be touchy about their age." At my confused look, she barely covers a laugh.

"Oh Goddess, you don't know that either." She breaks then, unable to hold her laugh. The sound of it echoes in the cab as she points towards the left at the fork in the road ahead. I cut the wheel to follow her lead, my head snapping back and forth between her and the road.

"Ok, what the fuck is so funny?" Shiva bites back her laughter, still smiling as she starts to explain.

"Using mana doesn't just strengthen your body. It heals long term effects of aging and injuries. The more mana you control and channel over time, the longer you can manage to live. That's another reason elves love their groves, they can extend their lives by working together. The average elf can live to be almost a thousand by themselves. In a powerful grove, fifteen hundred is considered the norm."

My mind blanks out at the words coming from Shiva's mouth. I am vaguely aware that Shiva is guiding me to park the truck. I have the truck shut off and everyone else is out before I realize I've stopped driving. Shiva is sitting in the seat beside me, her legs pulled up in the seat as she stares at me.

"You back with us?" She is grinning and I know she finds the whole thing funny.

"Yeah, just didn't realize that's all." I feel the door beside me open and I start to turn.

"Didn't realize what? Sorry I was helping Jacob look for the best road into town and didn't catch all of that." Thea is smiling at me, her face practically beaming happily.

Somehow I can't manage a smile as I look at her. I knew elves were long lived, or rather I assumed since most things matched up from fantasy books from my world. I didn't realize that she is going to outlive me by that much. Our time together isn't even going to be a blink of an eye to her, and somehow that hurts. Her smile slips and I realize I'm leaking my emotions through the bridge of our mana.

"What's wrong?" She pulls my face in close to hers, pressing our foreheads together.

"Talk to me, please. I know something is bothering you. Please, tell me what it is." Shiva moves in on my other side, and I feel her arms wrapping around me too.

"I, I didn't realize you were going to live that much longer than me. When I realized it, I realized the time we would have together wouldn't be even a blink for you. It was just a lot to take in."

I feel a blow hit me from behind and from the front at the same time. The force of the two blows causes me to spin and I fall out of the truck. As I stare up at the sky, trying to figure out what happened, Thea and Shiva both come into my line of sight.

"What did I tell you about thinking!?" My mind is blank as Thea and Shiva both kneel down next to me.

"Uhh, I have to start?" Shiva shakes her head slowly as Thea raises an eyebrow.

"I said I was cutting you some slack because you are just learning. I also said if you kept forgetting simple things I was going to punish you. What did Shiva literally just tell you about why elves live so long?" She tilts her head at me as she finishes speaking. I play over the conversation as best I can in my panicked state.

"They live longer because they have a larger amount of mana than most people?" Thea smiles at me, nodding her head slowly.

"Jim, I need you to think about your mana pool compared to mine right now." I tilt my head confused, pulling on both our mana out of curiosity. As I pull on Thea's, I see her shiver lightly, but I can't tell much difference in the way our mana feels.

"I don't know, what am I missing?" Shiva starts to laugh, turning to face Thea.

"I think you're going to have to tell him. He may know how to use it now, and what things mean, but I don't think he is going to put it together." I turn to Thea confused. She smiles and reaches out through our bridge.

"Feel that Jim?" I nod slowly so she continues. "That's my mana pool bolstered by yours. You are also bolstering Sarge too, you know." She smiles at me. "My mana pool wasn't a third of this size before. If elves are powerhouses of magical energy, you are a raging storm tearing through the land. If we were not bridged together through our mana, then odds are you would be the one out-living me."

My mouth hangs open at her words, could she be telling me what I think she is telling me. Before I can stop myself, I'm leaning forward. My arms wrapping around Thea's neck to pull her down into a kiss. She melts into my body, her arms wrapping around my neck and pulling me close. I don't know how long we lay there, too absorbed in each other to notice the world around us.

Nothing else seems to matter to me at this point in time. Not escaping Dolus, or our friends around us. Shiva's strong hands pull me away from Thea's lips, replacing them with her own. Someone's hands are under my armor, tracing over my bare skin. Soft, strong fingers teasing over my body as my hands run over the bodies of the two women. Thea pulls Shiva away from me, whispering in her ear something I can't hear. Shiva gasps loudly as I shift, the length of me pressing into her center as she nods to Thea. A loud cough pulls us back to ourselves, and I see Jacob standing beside the rear of the truck.

"I found the best way into town, but we need to talk about what we are going to do." Shiva is on her feet first, untangling herself from our mass of limbs. She reaches down and pulls Thea to her feet, smiling shyly at the grinning elf. For a second, I want to yell at Jacob to leave us the fuck alone. Instead, I pull myself to my feet. As I brush the dust off myself, I try and calm down. Going into Shevel isn't the time to be thinking with my dick.

"What do you mean talk about what we are doing? The plan is to go meet our contact, resupply, and get the fuck out. One night in town and gone by noon tomorrow, right?" Shiva nods at my question, her eyes roaming over my body as I move.

"We need to talk about who all is going. No offense, but with your new armor, you stand out less. Sarge is going to attract attention." Jacob turns his head to look at Sarge, who is cocking his head at Jacob's words.

"I'm not leaving Sarge behind." I can feel myself getting angry, even though I know Jacob is just trying to help. Jacob raises his hands trying to calm me down as he speaks.

"Look I know he's not a normal dog, but he is recognizable. I've never seen a breed like him, and as big as he is now, he is going to draw attention. If he goes into town we will be noticed, even if we split up when we enter town." I'm opening my mouth to argue when Sarge starts to talk to me.

"Its ok boss, I just won't be seen." I pause, turning to face Sarge confused.

"Sarge, how the hell do you think you can do that? I don't know if you realize this or not, but you're not exactly a little dog. As far as I know, you can't just disappear." Sarge let's out a huff as he stands up.

"Not used to him talking like that yet." Jacob is muttering under his breath as Sarge walks up to me.

"I figured something out after we built the bridge, boss. It's easier to just show you." I look down into Sarge's brown eyes, confused as to what he is saying. Turning to Thea, I see her shrug as if to say let's see what happens.

"He says he can make it where no one can see him. So let's see what happens." Jacob lets out a sigh, turning to face Sarge. Sarge stares at me for a second, then takes a quick step towards me.

"Shadow walk!" In an instant Sarge is gone, vanished without a trace.

"Whaaaa?" Vaunea spins around looking around the clearing, along with the rest of the group. I turn as well, looking behind me where I swear I can feel Sarge panting on my leg.

"Sarge?" I run my hands through the air around me, it feels like he should be right here.

"I'm here boss, in your shadow." Thea's eyes go wide as he speaks.

"You are in Jim's shadow?" Now everyone else's eyes are wide too. On one level, I'm glad no one else seems to know what's going on. I know I'm getting tired of being the only one who doesn't understand things.

"Shadow walk, it's a skill that lets me hide in the shadow of my friends. It doesn't work on anything not living, or enemies. At least, from what I understand of it. So yeah, I'm in boss's shadow." I relay the information to everyone, seeing their surprise turn to shock as I do.

"The damned dog is a fucking hero too." Jacob is shaking his head as he leans against the truck. "How long can he keep it up?"

"It doesn't feel like there is a limit. I have lots of energy. I could probably stay here forever if I needed to." When I tell Jacob what Sarge says, he just shakes his head again.

"I'm going to quit being surprised one day. I just know I am eventually." He starts to walk around the truck as he continues muttering, collecting his gear as he goes. I turn to the rest of the group with a smile.

"So I guess we are going into town now?" Shiva and Thea share a look before laughing. The two move to gather up their gear. Vaunea shoulders her pack from inside the truck's bed as Vixi finds a comfortable spot on her pack to sit.

Why is it Vixi is spending so much time around Vaunea? Shrugging my shoulders, I realize that Vixi probably wouldn't explain it to me even if I ask. So there is no point in worrying about it.

"You ready yet?" I half turn at Thea's words, smiling at her as I reach inside the cab of the truck. She's resting her hands on her hips, tapping her foot like she is getting impatient. Her act isn't fooling me. I can feel that she is feeling playful, not irritated.

"Just grabbing my rifle, don't get your panties in a bunch." I grin at her as I toss the sling over my shoulder, pulling my jacket from behind the seat too. Thea had picked out the jacket when we were in Sacren. It's considered light armor, and the leather is a deep chocolate brown. While it's not enchanted, it is a comfortable jacket and helps to hide my rifle and armor. With a small shrug and adjustment, my rifle is tucked under my arm, hidden on my right side in easy reach.

"What if I'm not wearing panties?" Thea raises an eyebrow at me as I shut the door, checking to make sure it's locked. I smile at her as I lean against the side of the truck.

"Then come over here and let me see for myself." Thea smiles, dropping her hands as she takes a half step forward. She stops, smiling at me before making a come here motion with one finger.

"Maybe you should come over here if you want to find out." I catch myself grinning like an idiot at her playfulness. I'm opening my mouth to reply when Shiva interrupts our playing.

"As much as you two love to play, can we please get a move on? If we don't start walking soon, we won't make it to town before dark." Thea laughs at Shiva, turning and wrapping an arm around her.

"You are right, so let's get going." She tilts her head to look back at me. "You coming, Jim?" I laugh as I start following the two, falling into line behind the rest of the group.

"I'll go back in your shadow when we get closer. I want to run now. That ok, boss?" Sarge slips out of my shadow, walking beside me for a moment as he eyes the brush along the road.

"That's fine boy, just don't go too far, ok." He lets out a huff, then dives into the underbrush beside the trail. I see the branches shake for a moment, then he's past where I can see. He is still close by as I can feel him circling our group as we walk.

Sarge continues to circle us as we walk along the road. The only sign he is still around is the slight rustle in the brush, and the occasional flash of white and black through the leaves. We have been walking less than a half hour when I hear Alexis speak up from my waist. Her words almost cause me to jump in surprise.

"Jim, I think you are forgetting something." I loosen the opening of Alexis's pouch and look down into the opening.

"What am I forgetting?" The core flashes a bright pink color for a second before settling into its normal shade.

"Jacob doesn't have your gas can in his bag. You left it in the bed of your truck, tucked in next to the toolbox." I come to a complete stop as the rest of the group keeps walking.

"Fuck a duck!" Vaunea turns around as I yell. She reaches out, catching Jacob and pulling him to a stop.

"Is something wrong?" Vaunea let's go of Jacob as she speaks. Vixi peeks out from around Vaunea's head, grinning almost wickedly.

"Yes, is something wrong?" I want to groan as I realize that Vixi is enjoying this. She seems to take some sadistic joy at my misfortune.

"I forgot to grab the gas can. Without it, we can't get the flask made." Shiva and Thea both turn towards Jacob at my words.

"Did you really not grab the can, Jacob?" Shiva sets her fists on her hips, glaring at Jacob who seems lost.

"Why was it my job to grab it!? It's Jim's vehicle that needs fuel. It's not like anyone even asked me to grab the thing!" I move quickly to put myself between Shiva and Jacob. Before she can react, I have her wrapped in my arms.

"It's fine! We aren't that far from the truck. I'll run back, get it, and catch up to you all. Besides Jacob is right, no one asked him to grab it." Shiva relaxes in my arms, and I feel myself smiling as she seems to burrow closer to me.

"You want some company?" She tilts her head back, grinning up at me.

"No, no, I'm good." I can't help but laugh at Shiva's quick shift in mood. One second she looked like she was about to attack Jacob, the next she is acting almost flirty with me.

"It won't take me long. I'll run to the truck and back. You all just keep heading towards Shevel. Just leave a marker if the road splits and I'll be back before you know it." I lean in, pressing my lips against Shiva's quickly. Letting go of her, I give Thea a quick kiss as well before jogging back up the road. I'm almost back to the truck when Alexis starts to speak again.

"Jim can I talk to you for a minute, before we get back to the rest of them?" I slow to a walk, checking over my shoulder almost out of habit as I near the truck.

"Sure, is something wrong?" As I reach the corner of the truck's cab, I reach in to grab the gas can. I see Alexis flashing a dull blue as I swing the can around, starting back down the road at a walk.

"You didn't sleep last night." From her tone I know it's not a question, but a statement.

"No, I didn't sleep last night." I let out a small sigh as I continue to walk. I'm getting worried slightly at what she is getting at.

"I don't think you will sleep tonight either." I pause in my walking, and pull Alexis out to look at her closely. She flashes brightly under my gaze, and it's almost like I can see her thinking.

"Why don't you think I'll sleep tonight?" My voice is calm, every word measured carefully. If she admits she has done something to me, I'm not sure how I'll react. I'm pretty sure that it won't work out well for her though.

"I didn't do anything!" Her voice is shrill in my ear as she continues to speak quickly. "I noticed how much mana you have inside you! How you told me it recovers as quick as you use it to sustain me! That much mana would make it where you don't need as much sleep." I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." I gently set Alexis back in her pouch as I start to walk again. "I've been freaking out a little bit about the fact I haven't slept. When you brought it up, I was worried maybe you had done something to me." Alexis laughs lightly at my words, surprising me.

"Feeling a little paranoid are you?" I chuckle at her words as I start walking down the road again.

"My dad used to say, just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean the world ain't out to get ya." I catch my eyes searching the trees and brush around me as I walk. Alexis's comment about paranoia isn't far off. With everything that's happened since I got here and the feeling of being followed, it's hard for me to relax.

"Anyway." Alexis pulls my attention back to her, causing me to shake my head slightly as I realize I had almost zoned out.

"Since you aren't sleeping as much, can we talk after your girlfriends go to sleep?"

"We can talk anytime, it doesn't have to be after they fall asleep." Alexis is quiet for a moment, almost like she is trying to decide what to say next.

"No, I mean a face to face talk, not just you talking to me like this." My pace slows as I mull over her words.

"What do you mean by face to face? Isn't that what we are doing when we talk?"

"Not really, it's hard to explain unless you already know. The basics is, I have sort of an inner mind. Inside of me, there is a space where I'm me, like a body and everything not just a stone. Usually I can't bring anyone inside unless they are bound to me." She pauses, making me wonder what she means. Before I can ask, she continues.

"I think, I don't know, but I think I can bring you there. Maybe not your body so much, but your….essence. So we can actually talk face to face. I can't guarantee that I can, but I think I can since we are semi- bonded."

"What do you mean semi-bonded? When did that happen?" I stop walking, setting down the gas can and lifting Alexis out of her pouch.

"When I severed the connection to my dungeon and you started feeding me mana. That's when it started, you formed a temporary bridge to me with your mana. It's not very strong, like we aren't bound permanently. If you quit feeding me it will dissolve on its own. But it's still a connection, a bond. That's why I think I can bring you inside, or part of you at least. Would you be willing to try?"

I stare at Alexis for a long minute, taking in every detail of her core. Part of me is suspicious about what she said, wondering why she is just now bringing it up. Another part of me is insanely curious about what this could mean. The light inside her core turns a deer red color, making me think she is blushing for some reason.

"What does Vixi think about this?" Somehow I doubt the pixie is on board with this. She seems to have an almost insane level of hatred and distrust of me.

"She doesn't know, and please don't tell her!" Alexis is rushing now, her words spilling out of her in a mad jumble as she speaks. "She would go on and on about how I can't do this. How I shouldn't trust you and how I shouldn't let humans know so much about dungeon cores. She doesn't understand just how lonely I am. How hard it is to not have anyone like you to talk to." Alexis trails off. After a moment, I hear her sobbing in my hands.

"I was human, you know. I had friends, a family. I went to school and work. Now, I'm not human anymore. The only people I ever get to see are those invading my dungeon. It's like they are diving into my body when they do. They dive in, kill monsters bound to me and I feel it. I feel every time one of them dies inside of me."

I'm at a loss on what to do, her core feels warm in my hand. I start to gently run my fingers over her core, trying to comfort her. Her sobs eventually trail off, finally fading away.

"I'm sorry, I never thought about that. I never even knew any of this was possible honestly. I might have been pulled from my world, but it sounds like you had the worst of it between the two of us."

"Yeah, but it isn't all bad. I mean I'm basically immortal as long as my core is safe. I've also been here longer than you so I've had time to adjust. It still gets lonely though, that's why I want to talk to you." She pauses, her core blinking a dull green color. "I…. I think I have an idea on how not to be so lonely. I know Vixi won't like it, but I want to talk it through with someone who understands where I'm coming from."

"I'll have to tell Thea and Shiva about you wanting to talk face to face." I gently set Alexis back in her pouch, picking up the can and starting down the road again. I settle into an easy jog, the road is a little too rough to run any faster.

"I've messed up a lot of relationships in my past by lying or not telling my partners something. I haven't told either of them, but I'm not going to do that with them. So if you want to talk to me face to face, I'll have to let them know first." The road is splitting ahead of me. I barely slow down before following the right branch. I kick my foot out as I jog, knocking the crude arrow in the dirt away. There is no point leaving a trail back to the truck for someone to follow.

"I get it, and I'm ok if you tell them. Just don't do it while Vixi is around. So maybe after you get to your room for the night. As much as Vixi dislikes you, I doubt she will want to watch you and your girls having sex." Alexis glows a deep red from inside the pouch, bright enough to draw my attention. I have to force myself to focus on the road ahead as I nearly trip.

"So Vixi doesn't like to watch, what about you? I mean we are kind of linked where we need to stay close." The red glow seems to get brighter, and I'm almost sure that means she is embarrassed the more I see the glow.

"I….I don't…I mean…we don't always have to be so close. Not that I watch you all the time or anything. Or can see all the way around me not just in one direction. I mean it's not like I've been spying on you when you're doing things or have yourself out or anything!" I nearly trip again, this time from surprise.

"How much can you see, and how much of me have you been watching!?" I slide to a stop, hand reaching for Alexis again when she starts to shriek.

"I didn't spy on you, I swear! I mean I can see all the way around me, but it's not seeing like you do. It's like there is about a twelve foot bubble around me that I can see. Everything else is just kind of a blur that I can't make out."

My hand stops moving towards Alexis and I tilt my head downward at her. Her words have me wondering about how much she can actually see. Or what the limitations on her vision might be. I take a breath then start walking again, this time taking it slow and not jogging.

"So what, you can see twelve feet then just blurs? That has to be like being nearsighted all to fuck."

"Not like you would think. When I say I can see about twelve feet, I mean everything in those twelve feet. When you were driving I could see what everyone was doing in the bed of your truck. When we pass thick brush, I can see anything hiding in the brush. I don't just see in a straight line from me, I see through things and around them."

"So wait, when I went to take a leak and moved your pouch to the back of my belt?" Alexis flashes the deepest red I have seen on her so far.

"I…. I didn't mean to watch you or anything! I can't control what I see or I don't see!" I can't help but laugh out loud as she stumbles over her words explaining. Somehow with everything that's happened in this world, Alexis being embarrassed is the funniest thing that's happened.

"So does that mean you do like to watch, or do you get all embarrassed?" I can't stop myself from teasing Alexis, she continues to glow a deep red as I do.

"I mean if you really like to watch, we can try and find a nice place to watch from. Like a pillow on the nightstand or maybe hanging from the ceiling if you prefer."

"I NEVER SAID I LIKE TO WATCH!" I settle into an easy jog again as I start to laugh.

"I don't know, you did say you see in all directions. That would be a pretty useful skill for a peeping tom."

"I mean, yes, you are a good looking man, and yes, your women are hot too, but I'm not a peeping tom. I wasn't going to stare or anything, I was just going to try and focus in any other direction. I'm not a pervert, or a peeping tom!"

"Calm down, Alexis. I'm just teasing you." I can't pull the grin off my face as I continue to jog. "I'll talk to Thea and Shiva tonight, and after they fall asleep, we can see if the face to face will work."

"Thank you, and please don't mention any of this in front of Vixi, ok?"

"I won't, so was there anything else you wanted to talk about before we rejoin the others?" Alexis is quiet for a moment, her body flashing different colors rapidly.

"Not really, I was figuring on talking a lot tonight since I doubt you will sleep." I can't help but chuckle at her words.

"Yeah I guess having someone to talk to would help time pass faster. How often do you need to sleep anyway?"

"I don't sleep, not as long as I have mana or access to it. The only time I do anything close to sleeping is when I use too much mana. That's not really sleep though, more like getting knocked unconscious."

"Huh, sounds lonely." I see Sarge moving through the brush ahead of me, so I figure we have to be getting close to catching up.

"It can be, that's why dungeons bond with so many monsters. They are sort of protectors and friends all in one. Except undead, they are pretty much useless for anything but defending. There's literally nothing upstairs except attack and chase."

"Then why did you have three fucking layers of undead?" As much as I had enjoyed shooting zombies, it didn't make a lot of sense to me.

"Ummm, not enough monsters to cover the floors I made. I stayed hidden for years collecting monsters, but when I was discovered, I had to fill the floors quickly. Undead aren't bound monsters technically, they form from the bodies of adventurers that die in a dungeon. After they die again, I can summon them again and again if I need to."

"So they were basically a monster of convenience and not of choice?" Sarge falls into step beside me as I jog, his mouth wide and tongue hanging out the side.

"Pretty much, yeah. Sorry, I need to be quiet now, we are almost close enough for Vixi to hear me."

"You don't trust your pixie?" Sarge nudges Alexis's pouch with his nose as we run easily. It's at that point, I realize Sarge can hear Alexis too. I should have realized that sooner.

"She just doesn't understand why I won't act like every other dungeon she knows about. Sorry, I'm going quiet now. We will talk later?"

"Yeah, we will." I tighten the drawstring on the pouch as I see the rest of the group up ahead. I come to a stop beside Thea, giving her a quick kiss and a squeeze.

"Why did you all stop? I figured you would be already to Shevel with how long I was taking." Shiva comes out of the brush beside me, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Shevel is just past the treeline, well about two miles past it. We figured it would be better to walk up to the checkpoint together."

"Checkpoint?" I tilt my head to the side as I turn to Shiva.

"Yes, checkpoint, Shevel is a major city. So they try and keep the troublemakers out. Don't worry, we have a contact in the guards, so we won't have any problems." Jacob takes the gas can from my grip, and it disappears into his void bag.

"You sure the contact is any good?" I manage to loosen Shiva's grip on me, shifting her closer to my side. I wrap her in a one arm hug as we start to walk. Thea slips into my other arm.

"We have used them before. They are high enough up in the chain of command that they can get us through. They are also still low enough to be open to a reasonable bribe, so we can still afford them. Not that it would be much of a problem today." Shiva's hand slaps the leather pouch on my other side, causing coins to jingle lightly.

"So what's Shevel like anyway?" I had caught several glimpses of the walls while driving, but not a very good look. To my surprise, it was Vaunea who answered.

"Big, full of people, lots of noise. It was where I was bought, so I don't think I have the best opinion of it." For a second, I stare at her back as she continues to walk. I'm pretty sure this is the first time she has joined into a conversation of her own without being promoted.

"She's not wrong. Shevel is full of enchanters and merchants. Whatever you want you can probably find there, but there are a lot of people and crowds. See." Shiva raises her arm, pointing ahead.

I follow her outstretched arm, and my eyes widening in surprise. The walls I had glimpsed are a lot more impressive without trees blocking my view. As best I can tell, the walls are well over sixty feet tall, judging by how small the men on top of them look. The stones are joined almost seamlessly, no cracks viable from where I'm standing. Along the wall closest to us, there are three huge entryways into the city. A line of people and carts stretch almost a half mile away from the gates.

Inside the walls, I can see dozens of buildings even higher than the wall. The tallest of which seems to tower above the rest in the center of the town. My eyes trail over the walls and the buildings, trying to take everything in at once. After a moment, I feel Shiva elbow me in the ribs hard.

"Come on, the line is only going to get longer as dark gets closer. Most people spend their nights in town if they are close, unless they have a home or friends nearby. So we need to hurry if we are going to get inside before they seal the gates." Shiva and Thea both pull away from my grip, moving to catch up with Jacob and Vaunea ahead of us.

"Time to disappear, boss. I'll see you soon. Shadow walk!" Then Sarge is gone, even though I can almost feel him beside me. With a small shake of my head, I break into an easy jog, hurrying to catch up to Thea and Shiva.

Really hope I can actually stay out of trouble this time. I easily catch up to the rest of the group, giving Shiva a bump with my hip as I slip in between her and Thea. I can't help but smile as she tries to hip check me back, nearly stumbling as I don't budge. I have too much riding on this going right. I need to be on guard.

"You ok Jim, you feel worried?" Thea wraps her arm around my waist as we walk, her eyes worried as she looks up at me.

"Yeah, nothing major, just nerves at being in a big city." I smile at her in what I hope is a reassuring way. She smiles back, but I'm not sure if she believes me or not.

You can do this, Jim. Just stay focused and don't do anything stupid.