Author's Note:

This chapter has had a lot of additional content be added. (17/5/16)

***********************************************************************

Daybreak found Kegar awaking with a start. Sleeping next to someone is still so new! As was awaking next to someone in his bedroll. He smiled into his beard, a blush spreading across his face. His eyes lingered on Lizzy, the blanket pulled up to her chin to ward off the dawn chill.

Her grandfather would never have let him sleep in her bed back in Pode. She was expected to be home in time for dinner every night and was rarely allowed to go out afterwards without an escort. If Sir Wilbur knew we were sleeping together he would be furious, even though we are engaged. Nobles do seem to have some stuffy ideas.

It had been difficult for them to steal alone time together in Pode. A situation made even more complicated when Sir Wilbur had insisted Lizzy start helping out in the tavern. She had enjoyed it, of course, in spite of her initial protests. She loved playing her lute and treasured having a captive audience. The townsfolk didn't mind having entertainment in the brief moments they could steal away from their responsibilities.

Even Köttur had enjoyed her working at the tavern since that meant Kegar spent less time with Lizzy and more time wandering the forest. Not that Köttur disliked Lizzy, he just preferred enjoying the landscape rather than nice hips and lithe legs.

It seemed Kegar was the only person in the entire town who disliked her working. She didn't seem to have any spare time to bathe in the spring they had discovered, or romp in the glade under the moonlight with him after she started tending the bar. He wanted her to himself and resented having to share her with the rest of Pode. He had even complained to her about it, but she had just kissed his nose and he had forgotten what he had been so upset about.

Kegar flushed remembering the first time he had seen the water running down her breasts and belly in perfect rivulets. Her caramel skin glistening as she came up out of the clear water. It had been a wonderful day until their horseplay had awoken a nest of spikens, who had chased them both for an unfortunately long distance. In their haste to escape, they had left their clothes on the bank of the pool. Lizzy had sat naked on a boulder, cleaning the cuts on her feet and legs, insisting that Kegar go back and get their clothes. He hadn't wanted to, in fact, he had argued that they should run off together right then, but she had insisted and ultimately… how could he deny her?

He had to creep naked and alone through the Skógur Forest. Köttur hadn't been nearby since the cat disliked being around the two lovebirds when they were frisky. The feline had made multiple comments about the need for people to find a season and stick with it, rather than being in heat all year. Kegar disagreed.

Since Kegar was a druid, he was able to use his nature sense to not startle anything that was a natural creature. Unfortunately, very little in Skógur was natural. The forest was largely full of abominations and cursed beasts. Terrible things that had no business in this world or any other.

Kegar had kept his eyes and ears open, moving slowly through the underbrush. He had found a crocalyal nesting ground, he almost stumbled into it, but he had smelled the sweet smell the newly laid eggs give off. Kegar had marked the spot in his mind before giving the spot a wide birth. He wouldn't come back unless he had at least three other people… and his clothes and weapons.

Ultimately, he had returned triumphant, but it had taken him such a long time that Lizzy had given him a kiss on the cheek, dressed quickly and run home. Sir Wilbur had been waiting for her at the door, upon seeing her wet hair, he had delivered a speech that could tan a crocalyal hide. She had been grounded for a month.

Kegar brushed some hair from her face, "Definitely some benefits." He murmured crawling out from under the blanket.

A frown spread across his face. There were some negatives to sleeping with a woman as well. Chief among them Lizzy's insistence on sleeping in a tent. Kegar was used to sleeping under the stars. He missed the breeze tickling his beard while he slept.

While he dressed he considered his options. As the leader he should present the levee before the king. As a druid he chafed under the responsibility of caring for humans and the need enter a city at all. Especially the capital of the Northern Kingdom. He slipped out of the tent, signaling for Köttur to join him. Together they threaded the sleeping bodies to the campfire. Ellen, Katrina and Percival were making breakfast and seemed to be in an earnest debate.

"That's it!" he murmured. He was Sir Wilbur's representative. I can go alone! Then he could avoid the group altogether for a few hours and have some peace. At least what peace could be found in a town. It was perfect! Or nearly.

Ellen had directed a question at him. Kegar could see it on their faces, but he had missed it. He spooned some meal into his bowl and grunted in reply. It seemed to satisfy them as they turned back to their conversation. He returned to his introspection. Köttur had settled himself at Kegar's side, ignoring the rest of the group.

Between one bite and the next, there was a clap of thunder from the clear sky. Clouds burst from the air and lightning charged between them. The dawn was darkened as the clouds boiled overhead. Katrina's eyes had begun to glow white and electricity sparked across her skin.

Her voice rang out like the thunder crashing across the sky,

"By a knight's command, one must go.

By a lady's birth another.

By a man's contract, he must go.

By my word another.

In more footsteps, distrust and unrest follow."

The clouds above them rumbled a final time before rolling off. Katrina's eyes cleared and she shook her head. "Well damn."

Kegar eyed the retreating clouds with distrust, "Aye?"

Katrina sighed and took a sip from her steaming drink, "I was not looking forward to going into the city." Her eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched before she forced herself to relax.

"You don't have to if you don't wish it." Kegar grunted. I just came up with a plan and now the gods are interfering? He tried not to grind his teeth in frustration, I can't wait until people stop interfering with my leadership. First Lizzy coming along, now this? What next? A complete revolt? How can I prove my leadership if I don't get to make decisions?

Katrina rolled her eyes, "I'm hardly going to disobey my goddess after I prayed for wisdom last night. I'm independent not stupid."

What do you need wisdom for? You aren't the leader. Forced civility strained Kegar's voice, "So what's the rhyme mean?" If you are so wise.

Ellen kept her voice neutral as she answered Kegar's question, "Simple enough. Sir Wilbur, a knight gave Kegar the lead. Lizzy is the only lady here. Percival is sworn to her service. Katrina looked like her goddess tapped her shoulder pretty hard."

Kegar's knuckles went white around his bowl, he felt the amount of patience he was showing was legendary. No one else felt that way. "Why does Lizzy need to go?" He whined, "Why should anyone other than me?"

Percival opened his mouth to reply, looked past Kegar and then closed it into a sly smile. "Lizzy, what are your thoughts?"

Kegar whipped around. Lizzy was standing behind him, hands on her hips, eyes sharp enough she could cut the sun from the sky. Inwardly, he cursed his luck. Damn it. She had to come up behind me then? Why can't she understand that Sir Wilbur made me the leader not her! There is a reason the lords of Capita won't let a woman lead. She's strong willed, but as a noble she should understand the wisdom in their decision.

"Kegar," Her voice as frigid as the snow on the highest peak of White Mountain, "I would speak with you a moment."

For a moment, everyone thought Kegar would refuse. It was as plain as the beard on his face that he thought about refusing her. But he didn't. Slowly he set his empty bowl down. He stood stiffly, his hands clenching and unclenching, before he wiped them on his pants and stepped away from the fire. They walked over toward the brush at the edge of camp, still plainly visible, but they kept their voices low enough they couldn't be heard.

As Kegar and Lizzy walked away, Köttur crept over to Katrina and began shoving her belt pouch with his huge nose, demanding a piece of the jerky he knew was there. Katrina chuckled and pulled out a piece. "Just one, you big greedy lout."

Köttur blinked slowly, accepting the piece before curling around Katrina. He knew if he stayed close by, she would continue to feed him. Katrina liked Köttur and he liked her too. She always fed him. Kegar insisted he catch his own food, which he obviously could, but jerky was nice and he had trouble making it himself. He had tried once… it was difficult. He had ended the process with a burned nose and no jerky.

Percival glanced sideways at Katrina, "Can you still read lips, Katrina?"

"Who said I ever could?" Katrina kept her eyes fixed firmly on her bowl of meal, as if it were the most interesting thing in the world.

Ellen raised an eyebrow, "How did I not know about this?"

Percival gave a lopsided grin, "Katrina learned a long time ago so she could know what the adults were saying when they didn't want us 'children' to know." He gave her a playful shove, "Come on, tell me what she's saying."

Katrina sighed and looked up, absentmindedly slipping Köttur another piece of jerky. Lizzy was talking and gesturing aggressively. Kegar had a sullen look on his face. "She's saying that Percival is a nosy idiot and should mind his own business."

Köttur looked over at Kegar and sighed inwardly. His dwarf could be so possessive sometimes. In fact, all the time. He crept around to the other side of the fire, hoping Kegar hadn't noticed that he had begged from Katrina. He lamented allowing Kegar to make him so… domesticated.

"Oh, come on. You don't have to be a jerk." Percival said shoveling some meal in his mouth.

Katrina shrugged, "It's a private conversation. Anyway, I don't want to know what those lovebirds have to say to each other in private." She pulled a piece of jerky out of her belt pouch and tossed it over the fire to Köttur, who snatched it out of the air.

Percival winked at the cat, "Nice catch, Köttur."

Ellen snickered, "With that look on Lizzy's face, I doubt the exchange has anything to do with romance."

The three by the fire finished their breakfast. Percival had given up trying to convince Katrina to read their lips and decided to give it a try himself. What he shared with them had them doubled over in laughter and gasping. Katrina left to pack up her gear before Kegar and Lizzy finished their rather long conversation. Shortly after Katrina left the fire, Percival went to do the same thing, after his "lip reading" started to peter out.

When Kegar and Lizzy finally came back to the fire, Ellen had cleaned the dishes and the three early risers sat around the fire with steaming mugs. Shame covered Kegar's face, settling over it with an angry grimace. Likewise cold fury was frozen on Lizzy's. Clearly, nothing had been resolved in that "conversation".

Ellen leaned over, whispering in Katrina's ear, "I do not envy you on the trip."

Katrina nodded, taking a cautious sip from her mug. Her eyes flicked from the dwarf's face to the human's. I wonder how this will change the group's dynamic? I have a feeling all she's done is made Kegar less willing to listen to women. She amended her thought as she evaluated the anger on Kegar's face, Not just women then, anyone. He's going to try to demand we follow him blindly, just like he did back home when we went on crocalyal hunts. Only now he has a measure of authority to demand it with. I wonder if Sir Wilbur understands what he's done by putting Kegar in charge. She took another sip from her mug, considering. Of course Sir Wilbur does. That man is the most savvy man I've ever had the pleasure of studying under. So, it would have been worse for him to not be in power? Her eyes narrowed, What was he afraid would happen?

Kegar's footsteps were as sullen as a child's. He grimaced as he spoke, his words dripping disgust, "We are leaving right now." He glared at Katrina and Percival, "If you are ready, come. If you aren't, I'm not waiting."

Percival rose with a graceful ease that set Kegar's teeth on edge, and saluted him, "Ready and willing."

Fury clenched Kegar's jaw. Köttur looked at the group of angry humanoids and dropped his head so he could sleep. It was hard, given Kegar's anger buzzing in the back of his mind, but he had a lot of practice. In an uncomfortable silence, the four delegates of the levee stalked down the hill toward Capita.