They waited about 10 minutes and then returned to their work, more vigilant than ever.

  Chapter twelve

  TEX DROPPED HIS third spearhead beside the others and looked at them with satisfaction. Then he picked up a sizeable chunk of rock and began chipping it into an axe head.

  The elves sat quietly by his side.

  “Could you have killed the bear with your magic?” Tex asked Neesha.

  She laughed in surprise. “No, I can’t kill anything that big. Maybe I could manage a deer if I could put my hands right against its head. But in practice, I can’t kill anything bigger than a turkey.”

  “Hmm. Turkey. That’s making me hungry,” he murmured.

  Neesha perked up. “You want me to get you something?”

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  Without another word, Neesha got up and padded towards the trees.

  A few minutes later, a flurry of activity shook the branches above, and something fluttered away. Feathers and leaves floated down, but Neesha remained empty-handed. She looked at Tex and shrugged.

  “I’ll find something ... Please wait a bit.”

  The day wore on as Tex chipped his ax head into shape. By the time he’d made a wooden handle for it, the shadows of the trees were getting long.

  Emi continued making cordage, even though there was more than they had a use for at the moment. But she was singing like a cheerful little bird, thrilled to be contributing something to the group.

  Neesha returned from the trees just as he was fitting the axe head into the handle. She shifted on her feet, eager to show him something, but he was too absorbed in his task to look up right away.

  After a moment, Tex held up the finished axe. It was heavy to carry around, but it would be useful.

  “What have you got there?” he said.

  She hid it behind her back. “It’s a little weird looking, but it tastes good—I promise.”

  Tex chuckled. “Let’s see it.”

  Neesha held up a dead animal. About the size of an iguana, the creature had the body of a lizard and the face of a featherless bird. Thin, leathery wings stretched between its limbs. Its eyes were wide open, and its beak was ajar, giving it an expression of shock and indignation.

  Neesha laughed. “We call them Drunken Noblemen because they spend all day licking a certain fungus and getting drunk off of it. The meat is very tender...”

  “Sounds good.”

  That was a lie, but Tex didn’t care how it tasted as long as it provided protein.

  “I’ll get another one,” Neesha said, encouraged. “Where there’s one, there’s always more.”

  Tex looked around the periphery in search of suitable trees for spear shafts. Finding a sapling, he chopped it down with his axe.

  By the time he’d chopped down two more, Emi and Neesha were roasting four Drunken Noblemen over a fire.

  It smelled like chicken.

  A grin spread over his face as he walked to the fire.

  I’ve got weapons, food, and two dream girls.

  Things are looking up.

  After the meal, Tex set to work carving the spear shafts. Emi watched him with glowing eyes, following his every movement as if it was the most interesting thing she’d ever seen.

  When it came time to secure the spearhead with cordage, Emi snatched up the cordage and eagerly handed it to him. Then she hung at his elbow and leaned her face forward to watch his hands closely.

  She made little comments about Tex’s work — always concerning the aesthetics of the weapon, such as how “pretty” the spearhead looked or how neatly the cordage was tied around.

  Some people might have found this behavior annoying, but Tex thought it was adorable.

  But he noticed her hands trembling nervously when she handed him the cordage. And when he touched her back, she blushed and went mute.

  She’s so shy, he thought. Poor little thing. I wonder if it’s because of the thing I have going with Neesha… Or is she just like that?

  Probably a bit of both.

  ***

  Tex woke up just before dawn, clutching his hard-on in the darkness. He’d taken off his jeans because it was too hot to sleep in them.

  He heard Emi and Neesha sleeping softly a few feet away.

  The two of them had put leaves down to make a bed, and it was surprisingly comfortable. Tex began drifting off to sleep again, but a soft noise drew him back to the cave. He opened his eyes and looked into the darkness, listening.

  “Neesha,” Emi whispered. “Are you awake?”

  “Yes.”

  Silence.

  “Tex… Are you awake?”

  He didn’t answer—partly to see what they’d say, but mostly because he was too sleepy and didn’t feel like talking.

  The bed of leaves rustled. A gentle breath hovered near him for a moment.

  “He’s asleep,” Neesha whispered.

  Someone was fidgeting on the leaves.

  “You keep tossing and turning,” Neesha whispered finally. “Why don’t you go lie beside him?”

  “What? But I... I can’t do that. Oh, you’re teasing me.”

  “No, I’m serious. Didn’t you like it when he carried you?”

  “Yes... I… really liked it.”

  “Of course you did. You love feeling dainty and small, right? Safe in the arms of a big, strong man.”

  Emi gasped. “You know me so well!”

  “I should hope so. I’ve known you since you were a baby. But it wasn’t hard to figure out, because every girl likes feeling that way.”

  “It feels so...” She sighed, and the leaves rustled.

  “Emi, you have an itch that needs scratching. I’m telling you, sweetheart, lie beside him.”

  “But you’ve already lain with him. Doesn’t that mean you’re betrothed?”

  Tex suddenly came fully awake. Betrothed? He listened more intently.

  Neesha sighed. “Forget all that. Our world is shattered; time is out of joint. The old elven customs don’t stand anymore.”

  “Then… you’re not betrothed?”

  “Besides,” Neesha said, continuing her thought. “He’s a human; they don’t share our customs. You’ve heard about how they are: the strongest, most competent men take all the women.”

  “But that’s only the ones here in Forn,” Emi protested. “Tex is from across the Deep. His customs might be just like ours, for all you know.”

  “Stop it, Emi. You’re just looking for excuses because you’ve never done it before. I’m telling you, it’s easy. Just cuddle up to him now. He’ll wake up with his arms around you and your hair in his face. Then just see what he does! He’ll ravish you.”

  Emi gasped. “Ohhhh…. I’d like that.”

  “Did you see his penis?”

  The petite elf suppressed a giggle. “I saw it, yes.”

  “It’s big, Emi. Much bigger than an elf penis. It will stretch you out so much—you’ll be full… Just imagine it: Tex will stretch you out and fill you up.”

  By now, Tex was very much awake, and his cock was rock hard.

  Emi was panting, and Tex could hear her squirming restlessly. “Oh, my gods, I… wish it could do it.”

  “You can do it right now. Just go and lie with him. You’ll thank me. It’s better than rubbing yourself off.”

  “Really?” Emi breathed. “Even better than that?”

  “Of course, you silly. When his cock stretches out that tight little pussy of yours, he’ll touch you in places you didn’t know you had.”

  “Oh, gods,” Emi gasped. “I… I wish I could…”

  Hearing Neesha talk dirty to Emi was almost too much. Tex’s glutes involuntarily clenched together, and he thrust his hips forward. He covered the motion by turning it into a stretch, as if he was stirring in his sleep.

  “Quick, before he wakes up.”

  “I… I just can’t, Neesha. You don’t understand. I told you before... Men don’t think of me that way. My… my body is too ungainly… and my face is plain.”

  Neesha sighed with exasperation. “What nonsense! Men love you. Oh, what am I going to do with you, my little cretin?”

  The leaves wrestled, and Tex heard Neesha planting kisses on her little friend.

  “There. Feel better? Now go lie with him, or I will.”

  “Yes, you do it. He already likes you anyway.”

  “He likes you more, but fine. I’ll do it. You can learn by my example.”

  The leaves swished, and Tex felt Neesha’s soft hair brush his arm. Then her hand was on his chest as she nuzzled up to him.

  Rolling onto his side, he felt the elf’s breath against his face. She pressed her lips against his. Tex could smell Neesha’s arousal as she nuzzled under his arm and turned herself around, squirming her backside into his groin. He thrust forward, pressing his throbbing cock against her ass.

  Neesha pulled her covering completely out of the way and writhed her pussy against his cock, which was already sticking out of his briefs. Tex kissed her naked shoulder, causing tremors to rock through her body.

  Pulling up the top, he kneaded her breasts and pinched her nipples, which pebbled into stiff peaks.

  He pushed his tip into her warm, wet valley. His balls tightened as he worked his way deeper and deeper inside until his pelvis was pressing against her ass. Neesha’s pussy responded, squeezing his cock tightly and making it throb even harder.

  Fuck, if Neesha is this tight... imagine little Emi...

  Neesha panted and moaned, frantically squirming her hips as juices gushed out around Tex’s cock. He fucked her faster and faster until his pelvis smacked against her fleshy ass.

  Meanwhile, twilight entered the cave—just enough to reveal Emi’s shape and the shine of her blonde hair. She was lying on her side, facing them.

  Watching. Listening.

  In the darkness, Tex could see her hand moving down her stomach and slipping under her animal skin.

  So…. She’s secretly a little pervert.

  This turned him on so much that he suddenly felt his climax getting close. Neesha arched her back and worked her hips, moving with Tex’s thrusts. Losing all reservations, they rutted like animals, the sound of their grunting and fucking echoing off the damp cave walls.

  Neesha convulsed and gave way to violent shuddering. “I’m coming! Don’t stop! Cum inside me… It’s okay; men can’t make elves pregnant.”

  Tex accepted this logic. Perhaps it was too convenient, but men and elves were separate species, after all.

  He thrust all the way to the entrance of the elf’s womb, shooting long ropes of cum inside her, surprising himself with the quantity, given the way she’d drained him in the pool.

  Emi came along with them, clenching her thighs together, wiggling her hips furiously, her chest heaving as she breathed loudly.

  When it was finished, Tex rested his arm over Neesha’s waist, and Emi snuggled up to Neesha. All three fell asleep, completely content.

  Chapter thirteen

  THE DESCENT DOWN the rest of the mountain was increasingly less steep, and the vegetation was not very dense. Emi walked with no help, looking around cheerfully and using her mini spear as a walking stick.

  Tex still had his hands full, though. He used his flannel to bundle up extra pieces of slate, along with a couple of rock tools. He kept a couple of things in his pockets, including a stone dagger he’d just made. The axe was in his belt.

  He also carried his spear and slung his rifle over his shoulder.

  It was an awkward arrangement, and Tex was eager to acquire some animal hides so they could make proper sacks, waterskins, and clothing.

  Coming down the foot of the mountain, they came across a stream whose muddy banks were imprinted with many hoof tracks.

  “It’s a herd,” Tex said.

  They looked like elk tracks, only bigger. The tracks crossed the stream and went downhill, disappearing in the bracken.

  “The tracks aren’t old,” Tex said. “We should be able to overtake them.”

  Neesha scanned the forest. “Those campfires we saw yesterday… I wonder if they were hunting parties?”

  “Wouldn’t surprise me. Big herd like this? I’d be surprised if the local people didn’t hunt them. There should be more than enough to go around, though… Must be at least a hundred in this herd. But yeah, we’ll keep an eye out.”

  Emi gripped her spear with both hands. “The Aramantha tribes are scary.”

  “Hmm. So you’ve encountered them before?”

  Emi shook her head. “N-no. But we heard they’re as brutish as the Skrillings.”

  Tex grinned. “They’re charming, I’m sure.”

  As they came down the foothill onto flat ground, the trees became more sparse, and they emerged into rolling fields of long yellow grass. The blue dome of the sky stretched over them, and the ocean glimmered on the hazy Horizon.

  Across the plain on the left, the orange sandstone ridge blocked their view of the sea. Farther to their left, the river flowed out of the dense forest and snaked its way towards the ridge. Tex could see the entrance of the canyon now, the sun lighting up one of its steep rock walls.

  “Look!” Emi said, pointing towards it.

  Squinting his eyes, Tex saw the elk herd making its way into the canyon.

  “Wow!” Tex said, brimming with excitement. “That’s a lot more than a hundred!”

  Emi thrust her spear over her head. “Let’s go, you guys! They’re getting away!”

  She started speed-walking through the grass, heaving for air as her hips wiggled.

  “Hey, not so fast!” Tex said, chuckling. “We’re not crossing the field.”

  “We’re not?” Emi said, huffing.

  “No.” Tex looked up at the sky.

  Emi’s eyes widened. “Oh! Death Birds!”

  “Yeah. We’d have nowhere to take shelter. Plus, we want to avoid being seen by any people who might be watching from the canyon.”

  Emi blushed. “Of course. That makes sense.”

  Doubling back to the trees, they skirted the forest and made their way towards the roar of the river.

  Its muddy waters came rushing out of the dense forest to the north, curling into the field. Following the river, they walked under whispering aspens for most of the way. But as the sandstone ridge rose before them, they found themselves under the scorching sun again, without cover from the trees.

  Tex could see there were pine trees in the canyon, though.

  “Look, Emi,” Neesha said. “It looks a bit like Ferfinnik.”

  The little blonde stopped and looked at the canyon. Her eyes sparkled. “Yes… it does! With the trees… it could be a tiny version.”

  “Ferfinnik was our home,” Neesha explained.

  “It’s the most beautiful place in the world!” Emi said. “You have to picture it: immense walls of gray rock soaring to the sky. And between those walls, the canyon is filled with giant red fir trees — I mean giant. Oh, I miss it! I miss being so up high in the trees, like a bird!”

  She skipped along the ground, doing a ballerina dance as she remembered running along the boardwalks of her village in the trees.

  “And I miss my little pets, the Blue Fidges. They flew to me every day because I fed them Oriander seeds. I hope they have enough to eat now!”

  “I’m sure the Blue Fidges can look after themselves,” Neesha said.

  “And I miss having tea with my mum and— ” Her words got caught in her throat. She choked out the rest as tears filled her eyes. “...my mum and dad!”

  Neesha wrapped her arms around Emi, and the little elf sobbed on her shoulder.

  “It sounds like a magnificent place,” Tex said. “I wish I could see it.”

  They walked on for some time in silence, the sun baking their hair. Tex didn’t like being so exposed, so picked up the pace.

  He heard Emi just behind him, taking big gasps of air. She was trying to keep up, but she couldn’t do it.

  Tex and Neesha both looked at her, but she perked up and smiled at them.

  “I’m okay!” she wheezed, walking faster, relying heavily on her spear. “Come on, you guys, we’re almost there!”

  “Take your time, Emi,” Tex said, walking beside her and patting her back. “It’s not that urgent… Not yet, anyway.”

  They would have to cross a long stretch of open field to reach the entrance of the canyon — maybe a ten-minute walk. Tex didn’t like the look of it. He searched the top of the sandstone ridge to see if anyone was dumb enough to skyline themselves.

  Nope. Doesn’t mean no one’s watching us, though.

  Neesha suddenly swatted his arm.

  “Tex,” she hissed.

  Turning, he saw a pterodactyl high in the sky. It was descending towards them —rapidly. Two others followed.

  Tex dropped his cache of stones, handed his spear to Neesha, and put his arm around Emi.

  “I’m carrying you.”

  “Okay, Tex,” she breathed.

  The petite elf allowed herself to be carried without another word. Tex felt a fire ignite inside him as he held her pliant body in his arms.

  Her little hand clutched his shirt and her pretty eyes looked at the sky fearfully — but when they turned to him, they were filled with trust and admiration.

  She didn’t doubt for a second that he’d keep her safe.

  Sweat poured down his face and soaked his jeans as he bolted across the field. Neesha ran beside him, clutching a spear in each hand, her athletic body keeping pace with ease.

  “They’re getting closer!”

  Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the birds gliding towards them. It was just close enough for him to see the leathery skin of their wings and the long crest on the back of their heads.

  “Almost there,” he grunted, staring at the pines in the canyon.

  With the river roaring beside them, they were close enough that he could smell the pines on the watery breeze.

  Emi screamed, her eyes staring behind Tex. He glanced back and saw the massive winged monster had almost closed the distance between them.

  Gasping for breath, Tex and Neesha sprinted into the shadow of the canyon and dashed into the trees.

  The flying monster swooped past them, causing all the branches and shrubs to tremble. The other two immediately followed.