The forest outside Westfall Village was bright and clear, the verdant canopy shining under the sun, casting large pools of shade between patches of sparkling sunlight. A thick, sumr breeze carrying the gentle heat of the evening wafted through the branches, flowing with pollen and the hot with the scent of woodsmoke.
I leaned against the ancient stump, legs curled beneath and hands folded peacefully in my lap. My eyes drifted between the clash of wooden swords in the corner and the chants of magic happening before .
"Summon Lesser Spirit: Wind!" Tana cried, her eyes flashing open as her chant ca to an end.
Four magic circles spun lazily about her, laden with complex runes reminiscent of the sixth-circle spell Elental Spirit. A ball of soft, white light coalesced before her outstretched hands, and the constant, evening breeze paused for a heartbeat. It began to flow again, but this ti, instead of winding aimlessly through the trees, it flowed toward the sphere. A small, three foot creature took shape, the details of its form visible only as a translucent distortion in the air, pulsing with inner light.
Sari clapped her hands, looking up at the floating creature in wonder. It had long, graceful butterfly wings and antennae, but otherwise appeared like a pretty, if very small, girl. The spirit giggled, a sound like the gurgling of a cold stream, and flew about the foxkin girl.
On the other side of the clearing, Ror and Sorrin fought with wooden training swords. Sweat rolled down the young boy’s face, and after the last few hours, even Sorrin looked tired, a slight tinge of red crossing his face and a hitch in his breathing.
The "training grounds," as Ror and Sari had nad it, was nothing more than the clearing I discovered while recovering in Westfall Village. The deep scars and shattered trees had faded into the forest, softening the damage the Shadow Golem’s attacks had caused. One particularly long furrow, dug by one of Fable’s magical techniques, ran through the stream on the edge of the clearing even, creating a small distributary that trickled a few feet from the ancient stump in the center.
I yawned, stretching my arms over my head, and looked at Fable beside . He lay on his side, limbs splayed out erratically, chest rising and falling in long, even breaths. His silvery coat glittered in the evening sun, and his eyes were closed. Occasionally, they sneak open a tad, glancing at as though to make sure I hadn’t run off, but for the most part, he lounged about, soaking in the heat.
It had been a long, intense month since our battle against Vithrass in the warehouse. It had only taken a few days for Helron to find information regarding the Circle’s bases in the outer territories of the Heartland forest. Goblin activity had increased dramatically since our first raid with new tribes and lairs popping up all over. Monsters had also been on the rise, giving us plenty to do outside the city while we waited for the storm within the walls to fade. After a month of adventuring and fierce battles against the outer mbers of the Circle, we’d finally ended up at Westfall Village, the place where it all began.
"Starlight," Tana said, plopping down beside . "How’d I do?"
I blinked, tearing myself free of my thoughts, and looked at her. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her cheeks flushed with exertion, but she smiled happily, her eyes bright with joy. Sari followed her, crawling between Fable’s legs to rest her head against his belly. The wolf adjusted himself to wrap more fully around her, a soft, satisfied rumble in his throat.
"It was good. Very good," I replied honestly. In the intervening ti, her magic had made leaps and bounds, honed by the constant combat. It had taken a asly two weeks for her to learn her first fourth-level spell, an insanely short amount of ti.
"Aw, thanks," She said, "but give it to straight."
I coughed lightly and rubbed my horn. "Well, um, even though you did good, one of your circles was a little lopsided. Next ti, focus more on the first part of your chant, you’ve been rushing through it lately. Also, you’re mana controls a little lacking when it cos to the segnt that controls the duration, and..."
She nodded seriously, carefully considering my advice. By the ti I finished, she was wearing an ironic smile.
"So it wasn’t ’very good,’" she said, "From the sound of it, it’s a wonder my spell even succeeded at all."
I hesitated, my hand running over the ridges of my horn with greater intensity. "T-that’s not it at all. You only just learned to cast fourth-circle spells a few weeks ago. By this point, most mages can’t even reliably cast the spell they used to break through, so this is already great!"
She laughed, her elven eyes glowing with delight, and leaned back against the stump. I blinked, confused, still trying to reassure her, until I realized she’d been joking.
"Don’t tease ," I muttered, flushing.
"Sorry, I just can’t help it. You get so nervous about the simplest things, you know. I’m not going to get offended that easily, not after everything we’ve been through."
I flinched and dropped my gaze, studying the smooth ridges of the tip of my tail, which flicked back and forth anxiously. "S-Sorry."
"Sotis I wonder what’s going on in there, why you’re so afraid," she murmured to herself, glancing at , her head canted slightly. "But that’s a conversation for another ti, when you’re ready."
I nodded, and we drifted into silence. Sari giggled, nuzzling Fable lovingly, her soft, foxkin ears rubbing against his silvery mane. Watching them play eased sothing of the anxious dread building in my heart, losing the tension in my shoulders.
"Starlight, I was wondering," Tana began, her voice slow and hesitant. "You ntioned your soul was recovering from so great injury, and I was just curious about how strong you were. I an, you can already cast more spells than I’ve heard of, and that’s before you cast your first fourth-circle spell last week."
Sari quieted down, gazing up at with wide eyes. I considered deflecting the question, but the thought of disappointing the little foxkin felt like a far worse alternative.
"Seventh," I whispered, a thrill of butterflies fluttering in my stomach.
"Seventh?" Tana’s mouth dropped open, the word more of a shriek than a gasp. She coughed, sputtering for a second before her voice finally returned to normal. "Sorry, I just, well... seventh? I thought you were a year or two younger than , but to think you’re so far ahead. Not even the elvish protegees reach seventh-level in a hundred years. The only ones I’ve ever heard of accomplishing so much are heroes, but that’s just ridiculous, and-"
She froze, the words dying in her mouth, her eyes widening. But, before she could complete the thought, Fable suddenly stood. Sari rolled off him, landing on the ground with a thud, a bewildered expression on her face.
"What is it?" I asked hurriedly, looking about.
Tana closed her mouth, similarly peering about, but from the look she gave , it was clear she hadn’t forgotten whatever it was she’d been thinking.
Fable growled, his hackles raised, staring off into the treeline. Sorrin and Ror paused their mock battle, quickly gathering beside us. Through the past month of adventuring, we’d grown to trust Fable’s instincts above all else, though I wasn’t particularly concerned this ti. Although his body language was wary, there was nothing but pride, tinged with amusent coming through the bond.
"Thanks," I whispered into his ear, scratching the seam where his horn erged behind his ear.
He flashed sothing like a smile and turned back, growling. The bushes rustled, and a figure erged. Bilev, the Westfall innkeeper, erged, eyes widening in fear at the sight of a battle-ready party.
"Whoa, hold up there," he said, holding up his hands with a nervous chuckle. "’Ol’ Helron sent a ssage with the most recent rchant, asked I give it to ya personally."
Sorrin relaxed and sheathed his sword, taking up his wooden training sword he’d left leaning against the stump. "Thank you. I suppose this ans we’ll be heading back to Heartland?"
"Aye," Bilev said, nodding. "I haven’t read it, but knowing him, he’s got so quest or favor to ask of you. Always busy, that man."
The innkeeper retrieved a rolled-up scroll and tossed it to Sorrin. The wolfkin caught it easily, unfurling it and scanning it. It must have been short, because he handed it to Tana a second later. She read it, a small frown forming on her lips.
"Seems like they’ve found one of the main hideouts," she muttered. "We’re going to strike in a week."
"What about Dyson and Rasce?" I asked, rubbing my horn.
She shrugged. "I assu he sent them a ssage too."
After we completed the last raid a week ago, we’d split up for so downti before the next mission. The two went to Eastfall Village, where Dyson planned on spending ti with that Catkin he rescued in the warehouse. Rasce had tagged along for the company, leaving Tana, Sorrin, and myself to relax at Westfall by ourselves.
"You’re leaving?" Sari asked, tugging my sleeve.
I looked down, eting her eyes. "I have to," I said, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. "I can’t just let them hurt the beastkin."
"But you’re still hurt!" she exclaid, "can’t you stay just a little longer?"
"Sari," Ror said, coughing, "They’re adventurers. One day, we’ll be just like them, and leave this village ourselves. You wouldn’t want soone else to get hurt because you wouldn’t let her leave, would you?"
She shook her head, sniffing, and rubbed away a tear. "I’ll...miss you."
"We’ll be back," Tana said, crouching down to ruffle the girl’s hair. "Just be good and listen to your brother. With any luck, we’ll be back in a few weeks."
"We’ll be fine," Ror said, folding his arms. "Just do what you need to do. And...co back. Please."
After giving them both a huge, Bilev grabbed their hands, promising to see them back to the village. Having expected the summons at any ti, we were ready to leave, our belongings packed in our spatial items.
As we left the clearing, I turned, watching the figures disappear between the trees, pressing a hand to my breast. Again, as the first ti we left, I felt an uncomfortable thrill in my soul, my mana moving warningly.
"Stay safe," I whispered, and turned away. It was ti to hunt so slavers.
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