Chapter Eighteen: Alavira P.O.V.

Passing through the tree was different than I thought it would be. A warm, tingling sensation spread through my body from where my ring sits. The gem in the center shines softly as I walk through the trunk, until it's nearly enveloping me in a warm embrace. Next thing I know I'm standing on the other side of the gate again, surrounded by soldiers talking and carrying out duties as if what just happened is a normal occurrence.

"Welcome back ladies! Always a pleasure to be blessed with beauties such as yourselves." Clovers smooth tone is the first one I hear before a quick scoff from Ginger is followed closely behind.

"Such a smooth talker for someone who keeps getting rejected." Ginger sets the box down for a moment to high five a passing soldier who is laughing at her comment. That seems to be the wrong thing to say, as Clover's brows furrow and he locks his spine to show his true height.

"I told you already! I'm not getting rejected, I just haven't asked anyone out yet!"

"Sure, sure. You're waiting on this mystery woman who has captivated your heart, right? The one you never give a description of? Or the one that doesn't exist?"

Another soldier makes an 'oh' sound while others burst out laughing. This seems to be a regular occurrence since they are all taking this so lightly.

"At least I don't bu-'' Clover's mouth is covered in thick, black smoke while Ginger is loosely wrapped in soft blue light. No… not light but water.

"That's enough arguing, children." Kierens voice travels through the thick air before he lands on the ground with a soft, wet thwack.

"Ginger calm down. What have we talked about?" Zipporah's motherly voice comes from behind us, making me turn to see her there unharmed and shaking her head. Ginger slowly relaxes as she's softly sat back down onto the ground. Taking deep breaths as she turns around to look at her mother. Zipporah just stands there with a gentle look on her face as she slowly lets the water pull away from Ginger to fall to the ground with a soft splash.

"Clover, do you just wish to do extra chores or laps today?" Kierens cold tone promises punishment if the poor elf so much as breathes wrong after being released. He just shakes his head no and stands there awkwardly, and stiff. Slowly the smoke retreats back to Kieren, as Clover takes a deep breath through his nose. "What are you two even arguing about now?" He looks between the two, his face may not show it but his voice reveals how tired he truly is.

"Nothing, Captain." Clover mumbles like a child who's been scorned by a parent.

"How are you doing today, Ren?" Zipporah smiles at him. He nods to the both of us and seems to stand a little straighter around Zip.

"Slow. Luckily it seems that today is a slow day for everyone if you've closed up early and headed all the way out here." He offers a small curve of his lips as a smile to us. Zip nods and points at the box on the ground.

"Ava's surprise is in, so we had to come get it! Plus it's always nice seeing you around." She teases lightly, making him scoff and place his arms out to spin slowly in front of us.

"Get an eye full cause it's not for long. Even on a slow day these children still need looking after." He jokes, making us giggle softly.

While Zip and the others may be used to seeing him in his uniform, I certainly am not. If I thought he looked good at the human palace, that doesn't even hold a candle to now. His tight fitting leather shows off a hint of the muscles that lay underneath. His hair is half up to lay in a braid down his back, with just a few shorter strands around his ears to lightly curl against his face. His pants are the same dark black matching leather, that seems to just suck in all the light around it. Looking closely I notice that as he turns around a slim, almost invisible layer of smoke follows him to cling to his leathers. His cuffs, with thick buckles and seem bigger than necessary, seem to hold the most concentrated amount leaving a thicker trial. Only a small patch of skin, other than his fingers and face, between his cuffs and sleeves, that end just above his elbows, can be seen. His eyes shine softly in the low light, while his dark purple nails seem to be as black as the smoke that follows him. Only him and Suluk, from what I've seen, are only wearing part of their armor.

Suluks armor consisted of braces on his arms made to look like scales with an engraved dragon in flight, circling a shield in the center near his wrists. He also had similar armor to cover his legs, up to the middle of his thighs, that moved with him seamlessly as if it was his own scales. While Kierens armor focuses on his neck, shoulders and upper back. The metal scales are dark to blend into his outfit, rather than stand out in a bright silver like Suluks. They hang loosely around his upper arms, shoulders and over part of his chest. When he moves just right and a scale lifts slightly, I can see the dark mesh just lying underneath on his back, while the scales around his nape all the way up to the middle of his neck are more form fitting. He also has some armor just beneath the smoke on his legs as well, where his pants start to the beginning of his boots. When dressed like this, it makes the scar on his crooked nose look more menacing and gives him an intimidating aura, like he's a god of war. If I saw him on the battlefield I would turn around and go home.

"You're hanging out with Suluk too much if you're becoming that modest." Zip chuckles out, making the rest of us laugh as well.

"You find me someone else to babysit and then we'll talk about my modesty." He quips back. Before Zip can speak again Suluk is landing next to Kieren, slinging an arm around his shoulders with that bright smile yet again.

"Wondered where you ran off to. Oh a box! Have we opened it yet?" Suluk looks expectantly at me.

"No, not yet. I actually had a question for Clover before we do that." I turn my gaze over to the blonde elf in question. Who looks all too happy to have me acknowledge him, while Suluk seems a bit annoyed just underneath that emerald gaze.

"Me? What can I help you with, beautiful?" He walks over closer and as he's practically standing shoulder to shoulder with me, I watch Suluk's eyes darken. Giving him a warning, but Clover doesn't seem to notice, or if he does he doesn't care.

"I have a note here, but we're not sure what it says. It's in Elvish… can you help us with it?" I hold up said note, now detached from the string around the flowers. He holds his hand out for the note. Looking it over carefully his cheeks heat slightly and he looks at me with wide eyes.

"You want me to read this? Like out loud?" I nod my head, confused about what is happening to make him blush like that. He looks around at all of us wanting to know if it's really alright to do so. "If you're sure. It says… 'Thank you for employing our services sweet lady. If you ever need anything adjusted or fixed please don't hesitate to visit. We hope you find everything to your liking. P.S. Don't ever be afraid to stop by again. I hope to recreate that night we had in Cellium sometime. I can't stop thinking about that little black dress you wore and how good it looked on my floor. I promise to not forget to bring the-"

"That's enough! Thank you Clover!" Zipporah's hair glows a faint blue as I imagine that is her version of blushing. It takes no time for Suluk and Ginger to be right on her sides asking questions about what that means. Poor Clover looks like he's about to overheat with how red his face is, even the tips of his pointed ears look like they should have steam coming from them.

🜹🜹🜹

It's not long before I'm sitting in an unfamiliar room; Ginger had told me it is a changing area for females, mainly for when they stay up here on duty. It's not too far from what I was told is a training ground for new recruits, or soldiers to stay in shape when up here for extended periods of time. So far I'd been training with Suluk and, well mostly, Kieren out in the forest not too far from the house. Zip had pulled clothes out of thin air to my amazement. She called it a gate spell that can only pass inanimate objects from one point to another. A magical ability specialty to her, from what I understand. I've changed into those clothes, but have been a little worried about opening the box at my feet.

Sitting in the dimly lit room on a small stool as I stare at the wood sitting, waiting patiently to be opened, at my feet. I nudge it with my toe, my head in my hands.

"READY?!" Ginger yells from the door on the other side of a divider placed for privacy. I'm not sure how to answer her yet. So I remain silent. At that Ginger and Zip step into the room, coming to see what is wrong. "Ava?" A hand is placed on my back, a gentle, reassuring touch.

"Am I an awful person if I tell you both that I feel guilty for this gift?" I look up to them trying to contain these overwhelming emotions. Ginger looks confused, as Zip lowers herself to sit on the box between my feet, her hands coming to pry mine off my face and rest in hers instead.

"No you're not. You haven't received many gifts before have you?" She's using that motherly voice with me, and it's oddly soothing. I just shake my head unsure what to do now. "Someone as special as you should receive gifts often. If it makes you uncomfortable to think of it as a gift then think of it as an investment. Us and Kieren are investing in you and your potential to become strong and worthy of the great things to come. We believe in you Alavira, even if you don't see it in yourself yet." Tears betray me as she speaks. Her and Ginger both wrap me in a tight hug as I let these emotions pass. Gingers warmth at my back is soothing, while Zipporahs sweet smell of orange and lavender envelops my nose. After a while Ginger pipes up happily.

"Let's get you changed, so we can get to the good part!" My confusion was evident, as I thought I had already changed, bringing a light chuckle to the others.