Chapter Fifteen: Suluk P.O.V.

3 months later….

The leaves are starting to change colors, letting us know winter is coming. A soft, crisp breeze shakes a few leaves free of their branches, twisting and falling to lay in the dirt path. Before long the dirt will no longer be visible, it'll be covered in leaves and a few branches that have broken off with the winds. Holding the jacket closer to my torso to try and keep it warm as I walk, I can't help but think about everything that has happened since Ava has come here.

She's been resilient, and Kieren has taken me out to eat and gotten drunk with me, in place of our bet about her quitting. To say I was overjoyed to prove him wrong is putting it mildly. She ended up working with Zip at her shop and has been taking lessons with me and Kieren at night. Luckily now she trusts me more than I thought, and has made that house into a lovely home, yet again. She's been making tremendous progress on her training, thanks to her hunting in the forest before meeting us. Kieren practically skipped over the basics, since she got a hold on it so fast.

Standing before the shop in the city, waiting for her to come out, I'm happy to see her smiling and laughing with customers, Zip by her side. Looking around at the small stalls in this walkway, something shining catches my eye drawing me closer. A small jewelry vendor is talking to a young man, who looks to be buying a headdress that symbolizes a bride to be. He must be asking someone to marry him soon. Turning away from them to look at what has drawn me over here, I'm surprised to see I'm standing in front of an open box filled with rings. Reaching down I pick up the one that calls out to me. It's beautifully crafted, someone took their time on it with much effort.

Crafted to look like two slim branches in a circle, sealed together at the bottom. The bottom branch has a few small branches coming off of it and one leaf that is green on the end connected to fade into a burgundy color at the top. The top branch holds a russet leaf that branches out under a hazy white jewel with a few slim lines of green running through it, to gently caress it with one of its three sides. The large pointed middle sticking out to touch the bottom branch as it hangs down, while the other side that is split off sits on the top branch unbothered. It's simple, yet elegant in a way I didn't know someone could craft. Such small details and care was put into this lovely, little thing.

"I see you have a good eye there sir! It's one of a kind! The last work that artist did before he became old, and can no longer craft the same way anymore." The hunched over, small, older woman stands in front of me with a smile that's missing a few teeth. I smile kindly at her and do my best to not stare at her large, feline ears that twitch on her head every so often as she speaks.

"I think the proper term is, it found me." I chuckle to her and look down to the ring once more.

"Is that so? It called to you, then? How exciting! I hate to tell you that it'll be too small for any of your fingers, lad." She chuckles back and looks between my fingers and the ring. Making me laugh out at that reasoning.

"That's true. It wouldn't be for me however. I have a friend that recently moved here and she needs an item to allow her to come and go as she wishes. Is this ring something that can be used for such a thing? Or should I look at something else more suited for that purpose?" I ask and hold the ring out for her to take a look. She closes my fingers around the ring with a smile.

"I don't need to see it to know that answer. The man I spoke of that made it, I'm married to him." She chuckles and turns around looking for something for a moment. She comes back with a small pouch and an equally beautifully carved box to place the ring in. "That ring is resilient and can be used for a lot of things, lad. Just take this over to that witch who runs the tea shop next door, and she'll know what to do." She hands me both and watches as I put the ring in the box. Handing her two gold coins with a smile she looks at me confused. "I haven't told you the price. This is too much!"

"I'm aware, but such craftsmanship shouldn't be underpriced. Please, accept this." I close her thin fingers over the coins with a smile and wink, making her blush softly and her fluffy tail swish behind her.

"Oh, you have trouble written all over you." She chuckles and places the coins in her pouch. "You know, come to think of it, a nice, new girl just started working over at her shop too! Is that the same girl you might be talking about?" She asks with a sparkle in her eye.

"It just might be…" I wink at her as another customer walks up and starts looking at a necklace. Walking back to Zipps place, as she turns to greet them.

Walking in Zip smiles brightly at me. "What brings your raggedy butt in?"

"Was in the neighborhood, and had an errand to run and thought I'd stop by." I smirk, walking up to the counter she stands behind. Ava smiles and waves as I walk by, but luckily she's busy with another customer. I wave back and nod to the woman she is helping as well.

"What's the real reason? Cough it up, you never show up during business hours." Zip calls me out when I get close enough that we can lower our voices to each other. Smirking at her I pull out the small bag and box to hand to her, using my body to block Avas view if she looks over.

"As I told you, I'm running an errand." Is all I confess, as she looks at me skeptically. Realization crosses over her face as she opens the content and her demeanor changes to excitement.

"We were just talking about this today!! You, good sir, have perfect timing! She'll love it! Give me a little bit and I'll get it done!" She takes off to the back without another word.

Leaning against the counter looking at the herbs displayed in pretty, colorful, oddly shaped jars. Shuffling pulls my attention to the other end of the counter where Ava and the woman make their way for Ava to pack up some stuff. The woman looks down to me with a soft blush and a smile. I wave to her with a friendly smile while Ava walks around the open space to stand behind the counter and get the paper bags ready.

"Suluk, is there something I can help you with? Or has Z got it?" She asks, not even looking over to where I stand.

"Z has it! Don't worry about me! I brought you something for later though!" I announce, making her smile and quirk a brow at me.

"Suluk? Like General Suluk?" The woman turns back to me with wide eyes. I nod softly and walk closer to her.

"Yes ma'am. Do I know you? Surely I would remember such a lovely face if we had met." I extend a hand to her as she blushes furiously, her hand coming up to hide her smile.

"You flatter me, sir. No we don't know each other, my son is a fan. He's joining the recruits in the spring." She informs me as she offers me a hand. Gently taking it and kissing the back of her knuckles, she giggles softly.

"Is that so? Well I hope he has started his training routine now then. Spring training is no joke! I look forward to seeing him as a recruit!"

"He has! I usually have to make him come in for dinner most nights. I'm sure he'll make his father proud and be a handful for you." She smiles at me before turning to give Ava some coins for her purchases. "Thank you so much! I'm glad Zipporah finally got some help here, that doesn't burn down the store. I love seeing Ginger, but I was worried this whole place would catch ablaze if she kept coming in like that!"

I laugh out at her statement, while it might seem harsh, it was spot on. Ginger meant well, and everyone knows it, but that doesn't always mean she knows what she's doing. "I am also glad Zip has some help now too. I look forward to seeing you and your son in the spring, ma'am." I nod to her.

"As do I." Is all she responds with a grin as she turns to walk out.

Ava rolls her eyes and turns to place the extra bags back into their bin. "Didn't know you were such a ladies man… guess I shouldn't be surprised though." Playfulness is in her voice and it makes me perk up.

"Is that jealousy I hear?" I tease her lightly, making her scoff and turn back to me.

"In your dreams dragon breath!" She fights a smile at the corner of her lips and I don't even hide mine. Completely amused and happy with this new fun side she has shown in recent weeks.

"Then I cannot wait to go to sleep tonight." I chuckle out as I wink at her.

She only scoffs and throws some loose twine at me, making the both of us laugh. "You said you brought me something? Is it something I should be worried about?" She stares at me with those beautiful, mismatched eyes and a little piece of me melts inside at it.

"Don't want to guess?" Teasing her has become one of my favorite pastimes lately.

"Is it the jacket on your arm?" She gives me a sly smile and I know she already knows that's not the answer.

"Well, it definitely could be part of it!" I hand the jacket to her over the counter, our fingers brush and a bolt of excitement rushes through me! She blushes softly, but turns her head quickly trying to not let me see. I definitely saw that! I get a little closer everyday to finally being able to ask her on a proper date, and Kieren is making sure to get his payback from when he took his time with Milli and my teasing. "Zip has the other part of the present. It should be done shortly." I inform her and look back to the door where Zip ran off to.

"Oh? Is it something I should be worried about?" She teases again as she sets the jacket down and rounds the corner to mess with some flowers up by a large front window.

"I hope you're excited about it! I also hope it fits, if I'm being honest." I rub the back of my neck nervously. I didn't even think about the ring fitting her or not until now. I'm not sure Kieren would ever let me live it down if I messed up that bad.

Just as she turns around to say something Zip hollers out to us. Calling us over to the counter to show us her handy work. We walk up slowly, Ava practically skipping with excitement, while I'm so nervous I'm worried my hands are going to shake and give me away. Zip places the ring back into the box and faces it towards us, the lid open and the ring inside shining. The hazy white and those dull green streaks, now a soft glow to them and the leaves almost look to be alive, like if a breeze came through they may sway with it. Ava gasps and looks between us with amazement and wonder written all over her face.

"It's beautiful!!" She reaches her fingers out to touch it, but stops short and pulls them back to her.

"It's yours… that is if you want it?" I offer a smile to her, filled with pride that I finally picked out something she loves.

"Mine? What for?" She looks between us confused and Zip answers before I get a chance.

"Remember what we were talking about earlier today? About items we need to move freely in and out of the front gate? Well Suluk here found this! This could be your item! It will act the same as my gold hair jewelry, just like I told you."

"That means I'll have to walk through a tree though, right?" Zip nods and confusion crosses my face as Ava pales. Zip laughs out and places a hand on her smaller one.

"Child, you don't have to go through the burnt tree. I can see how people like you would be scared of it. You're not a creature that needs to pass through that one. You're going to pass through the live one! So don't fret!" She smiles warmly at her. Ava visabilly relaxes, letting out a breath we didn't know she was holding.

🜹🜹🜹

The walk back home is in comfortable silence. Ava wears her jacket, hugging it closely to herself as the temperature drops quickly as the sun lazily sets. The last lingering sunrays flow through the branches to make oddly shaped spots on the ground and leaves. Her finger shimmers in a passing beam of light with the ring placed firmly on it, drawing a small smile to my face everytime it reflects it back onto my shirt. Her cheeks are dusted pink, along with her nose, and her hands shake when a breeze blows through. It takes everything I have to respect the boundaries she has set and not reach out to pull her close to my warmth, but I manage to do so.

"Training is off for tonight. I'm not sure if Kieren had time to stop by and tell you, but we both have been called in to speak with the king. We're not sure what time we'll be done, or what it's even for yet, so we didn't want you to worry about staying up late for training. So you get a rest day! That works out perfectly for you!" Watching the little puffs of white air float out in front of me as I speak, draws her attention as well. Making me chuckle and look down at her curiously. "Entertained little human? You know, I can do that even when it's not cold out… except it's usually not white."

She rolls her eyes and smacks my arm with the back of her hand playfully. "You're overly confident sometimes, you know that? Always thinking you're a ladies man, and always so cocky during training! You really know how to bother me!" She huffs out, crossing her arms over her chest. Watching the small puffs of white float out of her mouth to hang loosely in the air.

"Is that so? Well you're the first lady to complain in such a way, and I'll have you know, I'm not cocky during training I just know what I'm doing. What's so wrong with being confident in your skills? And please inform me on how I can stop bothering you so much…. What do I need to do exactly to make you think I'm not a ladies man, but rather being polite?"

"Polite people don't kiss the back of someone's hand, or so casually flirt with them while talking! Especially while in front of other people! And confident in your skills? Give me a break! Confidence is one thing, but flying around knowing I can't is completely another!!" She points an accusatory finger at me while we walk. I make an over dramatic gesture of hurt, just to draw that beautiful smile to her face. Even if she tries to fight it.

Kieren landing next to us draws us out of our little friendly argument. "I see you both are getting along well tonight. Ava, I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to stop by and talk to you about the change in plans for the evening." He bows his head to her as she does the same back. A new little greeting they have made for eachother, that I still don't fully understand.

"It's not a problem. I hope everything is alright and this meeting goes smoothly for you both. Suluk said something about this being lucky for me? What does that mean?" She looks between us for an answer.

'Sul you giant druingary!! Did you ruin the surprise?!'

'Well how was I supposed to know it was a surprise?! Z told me as we were leaving!! She never said to keep it a secret!!' I throw a glare at his accusing eyes.

"I'm sure he meant you'll be excited to have a night off to do whatever you like, is all." Kieren covers for me, making me relax a little more, even if he is throwing curses at me down the link.

"I've been meaning to try out this new recipe Ginger gave me. Maybe I'll do it tonight, since I'll have the free time." She smiles up at the both of us. "If you both get out of your meeting early, stop by the house! I'll make enough for everyone!" She takes her first steps up leading to the house. "You both be safe. See you later." She waves us off, continuing the walk up the stairs.

We both wait, watching to make sure she makes it up the hill and into the house before flying off to the castle. Kieren the whole time is humble enough to remind me how dumb I am the whole way, and how Z and Gin would definitely make me pay if I had ruined their big surprise.