98. First Things First

Novum held the small elf against him tight enough that Svetlana let out warning growl. Fang did not like this and darted forward between them. The big cat a little startled at not only the size of Fang but he also had enough nerve to get in her way. but she was the least bit intimidated. A few quick steps to shift her position and she was ready to pounce. Fang made minimal adjustments and get ready.

About that time Novum let go of Theren. "Fang behave she is a guest and practically your sister."

"Same goes for you Lana. Leave your brother alone. You guys are family now."

Fang lifted his head and started wagging his tail but with a look of disdain and a flick of her tail Svetlana leapt into the trees above them. Fang watched her go and then trotted back over to Novum's side. He flopped down where Novum could reach his back to scratch him like he liked. It was a great dynamic, Novum would reach out and pet him while he was distracted or thinking and he loved to be scratched. It was a win-win for the two of them.

Theren sat down and pulled out his pipe while Novum rolled a smoke himself. "I see you moved to the pipe. Given you age should have made the transition a long time ago."

"Careful young man. You might be bigger than me, stronger than me, and yeah I forgot there I was going with that. I see you picked them back up again."

"What can I say. Nothing off with this stuff, not like the last stuff that had bad stuff put in it."

"You can say that again. Oh, before I forget this is Evelyn and Abby. They are from the neighboring area. The cat with the attitude in the tree is Svetlana." The two girls gave Novum a slight bow as they were introduced.

"Well this guy here is Fang. That is Rurik. Then we have Berry, Erica, and Crystal. They are a huge part of the success in this region and some true friends that I have made here. There are a few more but since I am doing this noble thing I may as well do it right."

"If that is the case then when we get back let you spymaster know that I have a name, they need to look into."

"Oh, yeah."

"Yeah, he is a guard captain in the capitol and he is the one in charge of the unit that is supposed to come and support you in the event that a fight breaks out. He is related to the nobles in the other region."

"That will be good for her to know. So, there is supposed to be a giant coming this way. I know that you always had a particular dislike of them. Interested in helping out."

"Done."

"Glad to have your help."

"Sorry, what I meant is that I have already killed them. There were three of them and well we had a slight run in with them and I joyfully killed them. With Lana's help, of course. Then I found a note that was an offer to hire them. And since I have about as much use for someone that hires a giant as a giant I thought I would go and have a chat with them."

"Noble with a lot of scars?"

"Used an amulet to cover them up."

"Oh, I remember an item like that from the south."

"Well him two other gentleman and the two ladies with me were going to meet them. The thing was that girls were going to be used as payment for the giant. They were being sacrificed by their families to gain the favor of the Earl. So, when given the option they tagged along with me."

"That little prick. You did kill him right. Not just kick the crap out of him to teach him a lesson and then let him go? You have done things like that before and it did not go well for us."

"It was one time..." Novum glared at him. "Okay, it was a few times. But seriously think about it."

"Oh, I know what you were after all those other times. But I thought you might be shooting for the magnanimous vibe this time."

"Nope, killed him and one of his goons. Huge guy named Greg." Novum had gotten reports on Greg already.

"What happened to the other lackey?"

"Don't worry he is not going to cause any trouble either."

Novum saw a few tears from on Abby's face. "Oh, got it. So, did the little worm tell you anything before he met his end?"

"Only that his father has a group of mercenaries on retainer and a guard captain that is part of their family. Oh, and the giants but those have been taken care of as well. It has been an interesting last week, that is for sure. You have a place that I can crash?"

"I have a small place but I am sure that I can find a room for the three of you. You are more than welcome. And just so you know the house is pet friendly. Oh, Svetlana just so you are aware I would not recommend messing with the goats at the manor. They are not exactly normal." Novum could see the disdain on the cats face like something like a goat was simply beneath her notice.

"Pride goes before the fall. There is a reason that he warned you. How far is it back to your place?"

"We will be there for dinner tomorrow. As long as no one sleeps to long in the morning. If I remember someone had a bad habit of staying up half the night or more and then not wanting to get moving in the morning. Without like four pots of coffee."

"I only need like a pot now and with my meditation hours shorter than they used to be it is not that big of a deal for me to stay up a little late."

"Then I will remember that when it is your turn for guard tonight." Novum looked over his shoulder. "New bow?"

"Yep." He tossed the bow to him. "It has a few nice little enchantments on it."

Novum looked over the felt the power running through it. "That one is nice. I am glad you finally found something you like."

"Listen to you. By the way I notice that you are not equipped. What is going on with that?"

Suddenly, the clothes were gone and his armor was on. Then he snapped and both his huge sword and shield appeared in his hands. Theren let out an appreciative whistle. "I see I am not the only one to upgrade since the last time. That is some impressive gear and storage. I might need to see about finding some."

"I have a lady that might be able to help you out. She is expensive and a bit weird but she is honest in her own way. Okay everyone it is late. Let's set the guard and get some sleep. Theren you go ahead and take first shift since you like to stay up late. Berry and Erica you two split the second shift. Rurik you take the third shift and I will take the last one."

"You and that early to rise thing is still annoying. But what are you going to do. You get some sleep and leave this to me and Svetlana."

The rest of them quickly got set up for the night and Novum was one of the first one to fall asleep. Crystal moved over to sit beside Theren. "You two are pretty close. I have not seen him smile like that, well ever. But I have the feeling that you two are hiding something. Like you are talking about everything so you do not have to talk about something else."

"You are not far off the mark. Everyone has things about their past that others do not know. Sometimes it is because someone is hiding it and sometimes it is that the person does not think it is important and then there are those that do not talk about it, not because they are hiding it but it hurts. We are a combination of all three. And I can't promise you that he will ever open up and talk about it but I can promise you that it is not a danger to you or anyone around you."

"That is good to know. I am curious as to what kind of things are in the second category."

"Did you ever break a bone when you were a kid?"

"Yeah several of them."

"Why didn't you tell me about them?"

"Well, that was a long time ago and I did not think it was important."

"I agree but maybe we are training and I hit you in a spot not a lot harder than normal and that bone breaks again. Now I am freaking out because I hurt you but you are saying it is fine it happened before. Now are you telling me what you think I need to hear or is it the truth."

"I see. So sometimes things that we don't say because they are not important at the time can be important later. But we do not know which things will be that way."

"Yes. Like let's say that the Earl does want to come for a fight. Then the day of the fight the two groups go out and someone you dated, or broke you heart, or you still love is on the other side. It can change everything but at the time it was not important. So, what I am trying to say is sometimes people need to not say things and it is okay for some silence."

"So, is that the hint to stop talking?"

Theren laughed. "Nope. Unless it is life or death I do not think I have ever asked a beautiful woman to stop talking to me."