Chapter Forty-five

CONTENT ADVISORY / TRIGGER WARNING

THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DEPICTIONS/STRONG IMPLICATIONS OF THE FOLLOWING THAT SOME READERS MAY FIND OFFENSIVE OR DISTURBING:

~ PROFANITY

~ HARASSMENT

~ CONTENT SEXUAL IN NATURE

The following morning came fast, and only a few hours of rest had been granted to each person who was able to sleep. The sun shone brightly over the landscape while sparkling beams reflected off the rushing waters of the trout-filled creek. The old trees were heavy with leaves that rustled in a gentle breeze. The sky was clear with few clouds soaring overhead and the air felt pleasantly cool with a crisp and fresh smell.

Eskil groggily rose to the pleasant sight before glaring at the songbirds who twittered their tunes above his head. If it were not for them, he may have been able to get a few more minutes of sleep. He felt as though he had only closed his eyes moments earlier. He sat up with a yawn, noticing that he was the only one remaining around the cooling embers of the night's fire. He glanced around, surveying his surroundings for Libelle.

She was standing next to the small wagon. The three women were sitting on the front wooden bench, two horses were strapped in to pull the wagon, and the remaining horses that the bandits had stolen were tied to the rear and sides of the wagon. Eskil stretched with another yawn, reaching both his stiff arms towards the sky and thinking about how much more sore he would have been without Libelle's healing. He slowly approached them, overhearing their conversation.

"Head south on this path here, then head west on the second turn on the main roads. There should still be signs along the crosses in the roads with directions. Follow them towards Edinburgh. When you arrive at the stables there, sell off a few of these horses for some coin. The stable master is a fair man, and if you tell them I sent you, he won't even think of taking advantage of you.

"Once there, head to the castle. The guards may delay you, but tell them you must speak with the king and tell them who sent you. Tell him I am opening my home to you there and the guards will open it for you. He will give you his protection and you'll become a citizen of Edinburgh for as long as you like. You'll be able to find work and you'll have a roof over your head for as long as you desire."

Vigdis spoke first. "Thank you, you're so kind for all of this. We are forever indebted to you."

Brynhild nodded with Vigdis' words, her eyes red from her night of crying. Ingrid smiled, "Please, if there is ever anything we can do to repay you—"

Libelle cut her off. "No, please do not think like that. I am not doing this and expecting something in return. Just look after yourselves, alright? Travel swiftly and do not stop for anything. You should arrive no later than early dusk today if you maintain a steady pace."

"Thank you, your kindness knows no bounds," sniffed Brynhild.

Libelle smiled at the young girl. "Wounds heal. Take some time to find yourself and keep your sisters close."

She sniffed when more tears began to fall down her cheeks. Vigdis flicked the reins in her hands and ushered the horses forward. They were equipped with a large ration of bread and dried meat, daggers plucked from the men's corpses, and coin to keep them warm and fed for the next few weeks.

Libelle stepped back as the wagon and horses passed, a light smile on her face as the girls waved back at her. Ingrid suddenly turned around on the wagon and shouted back to her.

"Wait! After all this, we do not know your name! Who do we say rescued and sent us?"

Libelle cleared her throat, scratching her head and toying with her hair before hollering back. "Tell them the dragon slayer sent you."

Ingrid's eyes went wide and the other girls' necks nearly snapped as they looked back at Libelle. Hearing all the girls squealing and simultaneously screaming in surprise, she fought back a chuckle. She returned their frantic wave with a light one. A sigh weighed on her chest as she bundled her hair together and pulled it all onto one side of her neck, toying with the ends of the strands.

Eskil realized she hadn't noticed his approach and had yet to notice he was standing inches behind her. He smirked to himself and leaned over her shoulder. He opened his mouth wide and clamped down onto the skin between her neck and shoulders. He bit hard enough to surprise her, but not hard enough that he would suffer any consequences.

She spun around with wide eyes, her hand covering where he had just bitten. "Did you just...bite me?"

He shrugged. "Get me some fish again."

She was taken aback. "Excuse me?"

"I said, get me some—"

She shook her head. "I heard what you said. I'm wondering where all these demands are suddenly coming from. Get the fish yourself."

Eskil stepped closer to her, bending down so his face was level with hers. He draped his arms over her shoulders and licked his lips. "I don't know how. You do it for me."

He watched her growing more uncomfortable with his closeness, and he was quickly learning that if he was unable to physically harm her, he would be able to find many more ways to torture her. He watched her cheeks darken, a reaction that seemed to be becoming more common. He leaned back down and nipped at her neck again.

"If you don't, I may be forced to find myself a she-elf to eat."

He grunted when she drove her fist into his chin, his teeth snapping together at the impact. He growled as she stepped away from him. She turned away and stomped towards the remains of the campfire. Eskil felt a smug smile cross his face as he chuckled. He was making Libelle rather uncomfortable when he got so close to her. He followed her towards the fire and watched as she placed small logs into the embers, gently blowing on them to coax the flames back to life.

He stood behind her again, twisting his fingers into her long hair. The tips of her ears were red, and he brushed his finger against the back of her ear. She squirmed and turned around to glare at him.

"What do you want?" she snapped.

Eskil chuckled and took a step back when she stood up. He easily sensed how uncomfortable she was when he got too close to her. He smiled a fiendish grin and pulled her against his chest, her face level with his bare torso as his torn shirt clung to him only by its shoulders. Her cheeks darkened even further and the reaction thrilled him.

She squirmed to get away. "Stop touching me you beast."

He chuckled again, the throaty sound mimicking the rumbling his dragon form would make. He wrapped his arms around her. "Why Libby? I find this rather enjoyable. I cannot hurt you, so what is the issue?"

She gritted her teeth together. "If you do not let go you will not get any breakfast at all. Understand?"

Food or angering Libby? Food is more sustaining, and the trout did taste fairly decent. Libby has some interesting reactions though. He smiled down at her, flashing his long canines and running his tongue along his teeth. He picked her up by her waist and carried her towards the creek. She squirmed in his hold as her breasts pressed firmly against his chest with her arms pinned at her sides.

"Easy there, she-elf, the more you squirm the more I feel like doing something else to you."

She stilled instantly and arched her neck back to look at him. He loved the fire that was burning in her eyes. She was full of life and it thrilled him to see the expression she would have in battle. He set her down along the edge of the creek. "I want food."

She sneered at him. "You seem to want a lot of things."

Eskil grinned. "Perhaps."

Libelle squealed as Eskil pushed her backwards, sending her falling into the cold water. She hit the surface with a loud splash, gasping as her cotton and leather clothing sucked in the cool water and weighed her down in the current. Eskil laughed, turned away from her and waved back at her as she stammered out curses at him.