“Whenever we expose ourselves, we risk being seen.” He took another drink and then crouched down to refill it.

  “We’re in the Grey Plains, aren’t we? Northeast of Krugl, south of Bambioch: that would put us in the Grey Plains.”

  Brune looked over his shoulder. One side of his mouth turned up in a half-smile. She felt her cheeks go hot. She loved it when he made that funny smirk.

  “Yes, Phia,” Brune said. “We’re in the Grey Plains.”

  “My geography book said goblins live here.”

  Lilly was in the middle of drinking from Endellion’s waterskin. She choked on the water, spilling it on herself. “Goblins! Ew!”

  “All sorts of things live here,” Brune said. “That’s why an adventurer takes precautions. Respect the place. Take nothing for granted.”

  Phia’s tail flicked under her dress. “The sisters used to talk about that, too…” She trailed off.

  The priestesses at Bambioch had taught her to respect the forest and the animals they hunted; it was a similar idea to what Brune had said. But she had to stop prattling on about them or Brune might think she wanted to go back to the temple.

  There was a limited amount of time in which to make Brune change his mind. But at least she had a plan. There were just two things she had to do.

  Make him fall in love with me and show him I can be an adventurer.

  “Goblins love getting their fingers on pretty little fairies,” Endellion said. “That’s a fact.”

  Lilly stomped her foot. “I can’t even fly! It’s not fair.”

  Endellion laughed. “I’ll protect you.”

  Brune stood up and gazed across the river. “Look at that; we’ve got some company.”

  Lilly squealed and looked around frantically. “Where?”

  Following Brune’s gaze across the river, Phia spotted two wolves trotting away over the field. A couple more stood downstream on the other side of the water, watching them.

  Endellion reached for an arrow. “Brune—there’s more in the trees.”

  Lilly threw herself against Phia and clutched her tightly. “Please don’t let them get me! Oh fuck, I wish I could fly! Fuck fuck fuck!”

  “Lilly!” Phia sputtered. “You shouldn’t swear like that!”

  Brune strode towards the aspens, brandishing his club. “Hey! Yaaaaar! Back off, you! Back off.”

  Three wolves stalked out of the trees, fur standing on end, lips curled back to show their fangs.

  Lilly released Phia from her grasp. “They’re wolves!” She laughed nervously.

  “What did you think they were?”

  “I thought they were goblins! Endellion got me so scared.”

  The elf chortled. Lilly picked up a pebble and chucked it at her, but she batted it away with her bow.

  The fairy clenched her fists. “Oooh! I feel so helpless. I’m not used to this.”

  Brune kept swinging his club and hollering until the wolves disappeared into the trees.

  “They might just want to cross the river,” he said, walking back towards the horses, which were drinking at a spot a little downstream from where the adventurers had stopped.

  The party crossed the river and rode for about an hour until the sun was curving its path over the western ridges. They made a small campfire on a hill that overlooked the river valley behind them.

  Everyone was quiet as they ate hardtack and pemmican under the swaying aspens.

  Brune stared at the fire, chewing like a horse. Lilly yawned and rubbed her eyes. Endellion cradled a steaming cup in her hands.

  Phia let out an enormous sigh, making sure everyone heard it. “I sure wish I had my bow and arrow,” she said. “Maybe I could be more useful.”

  “You had one, did you?” Brune said.

  “Well, it was the temple’s. But I got to use it. Best bow they had.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah. I got first pick because I won the archery competition every year.”

  Lilly’s eyes widened. “Good for you, Phia. I wouldn’t even know how to hold a bow. I’ve never touched a weapon.”

  Brune nodded to Endellion. “Let her try your bow. Let’s see what she can do.”

  Endellion blew steam off her hot cup, seemingly not even listening.

  Phia gulped. She doesn’t want me to touch her bow!

  Endellion took a sip of tea and put it down. “Sure, Kitty. You can try it.”

  The bow was much lighter than it looked, just like Endellion had said. In fact, it felt as light as a feather. The grip was wonderfully comfortable.

  Phia drew the bow and pointed it away from the fire. It felt strong, yet it was smooth and easy on her arm.

  Endellion took an arrow out of her quiver and handed it to Phia.

  Brune pointed to an aspen tree about 15 yards away. “Aim for that tree over there.”

  Phia laughed. “Too easy.” She knocked the arrow. Her ears stood up straight and her tail swished back and forth as she drew the bow.

  She let the arrow fly. It sailed through the air with much more force than she expected. When it hit the tree—right on target—half the arrow disappeared into the wood.

  Lilly shrieked and clapped her hands.

  “Nice,” Brune said. “Very nice.”

  “I did not use that much force,” Phia said. “I don’t know how—”

  “The bow is buffed for force,” Endellion said. She turned to Brune. “The aiming is all her, though.”

  Brune nodded to Phia. “Try another shot.”

  Phia grinned. “Watch this.” She picked up a leaf and dipped it into a waterskin so that it was wet. Then she ran to a tree about 60 yards away and stuck it on.

  She ran back, grinning ear to ear. Endellion handed her another arrow.

  Lilly stood between Brune and Endellion, bouncing on her toes and holding her knuckles against her mouth. Phia nocked the arrow.

  The sunlight was fading, but everyone could clearly see the leaf, stark orange against the white bark.

  Phia drew the bow and said a silent prayer to her goddess.

  Thank you, Feron, for giving me this chance.

  The arrow cut through the air and sailed into the target. Lilly screamed and jumped up and down. Phia grinned and looked at Brune.

  He was stunned! Gaping at the tree with his jaw open! It was the first time Phia had seen that expression on his face. She hugged Lilly.

  When Brune looked at her, smiling broadly, there was something new in his eyes—something like respect or admiration.

  “That was very impressive, Phia.”

  The cat girl bounced on her toes. It’s working!

  “I can do even better than that! Just watch.”

  “Let’s not,” Endellion said. “No sense wasting any more arrows. Here—” She took the quiver off her back and handed it to Phia. “Keep it until we’re out of the Grey Plains. That gives us an armed party of three.”

  Phia reverently hugged the quiver and ran her fingers over its finely woven leather. Though it looked clean and well-cared for, it had some scratches and wear and tear. Phia could only imagine what adventures it must have been on.

  And she’s actually letting me use it!

  Phia felt her heart fluttering. “Endellion, I–”

  “Skip it,” the elf said. “But know this: if anything happens to my bow, I’ll shove one of those arrows so far up your cunt it’ll come out of your mouth. Understood?”

  Phia swallowed. “Understood,” she squeaked.

  “Alright,” Brune said, chuckling. “Let’s get moving.”

  “We’re not staying the night here?” Lilly said, looking west over the valley. The hills were pink with the setting sun.

  “We have to get away from the campfire,” Phia said, skipping up to Brune. “Can’t sleep by a fire when you’re out in the Grey Plains,” she sang.

  “Oh yeah,” Lilly said. “I knew that.”

  Phia nestled her head into Brune’s stomach, the way a cat rubs a person it likes.

  “I’ll ride with you, Brune.” She took his hand and interlocked her fingers with his.

  “Fine.”

  Lilly stiffened and tossed her head.

  Endellion winked at her. “Looks like you’re riding with me, fairy girl.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  THE GRASSY TERRAIN was dark with dusk when they stopped and dismounted in a clearing to set up camp.

  As Brune picketed the horses to some trees, he overheard the women:

  “What is that?”

  “How strange!”

  “Where is it? I don’t see it.”

  “Look. Over the ridge. See? It’s moving!”

  “I see it! Gods! What is that?”

  “What was that all about?” Brune said when he returned to the campsite.

  Phia and Lilly were lying side-by-side under a blanket. Their heads rested on another blanket, which they’d rolled up as a pillow.

  They both answered Brune at the same time: “Light in the sky” — “flying ball” — “shiny” — “over the ridge” — “Spooky.”

  Brune turned to Endellion, who was sitting on her own blanket nearby.

  “Did you see it?”

  “Yeah. Like they said, a ball of light moving in the sky, and then it suddenly shot off.”

  “It was so sudden,” Phia said. “Like, swoosh! And it’s gone.”

  “I didn’t like it,” Lilly said.

  “Me neither.”

  Brune picked up a blanket and rolled it up as a pillow. He picked a spot well away from the females.

  “Well, that is strange,” Brune said as he pulled off his body armor. “We’ll have to watch the skies and see if it appears again. Don’t let it trouble you, though. I’ve heard of many weird sights on the Grey Plains.”

  “Have you ever seen something like that?” Phia said.

  “No.”

  “What do you think it was, Endellion?”

  The elf looked at the sky. “I don’t know.”

  Lilly sighed. “So strange! The way it just disappeared.”

  “I know!” Phia said. “Like, swoosh and it was gone.”

  Brune let out an exasperated sigh as he lay down. He hated it when people repeated the same thing over and over, like spinning tops.

  “Anyway,” he said shortly, “No use carrying on about it. You’ll work yourselves up and you won’t fall asleep.”

  Silence.

  Phia mumbled, almost inaudibly: “Somebody’s cranky.”

  “What?”

  A fit of giggling erupted.

  “Don’t carry on about it,” Phia said in a ridiculous voice that was supposed to sound like Brune’s. “Go to sleep.”

  Lilly chortled.

  Brune lay back and looked at the stars.

  Gods, they’re a couple of idiots.

  “Good night, Phia,” Lilly said.

  “Good night, Lilly.”

  “Good night, Endellion,” Phia said, echoed immediately by Lilly.

  “Good night, ladies,” Endellion said.

  They were silent for a moment. Then, in unison: “Good night, Brune!”

  He sighed. “Good night.”

  Rapid whispers and smothered giggles continued to ruffle the night’s stillness.

  Just ignore it. Go to sleep.

  Whisper, whisper, whisper. Giggle, giggle. Whisper, whisper.

  “Are you going to stay up all night tittering?” Brune finally erupted. “You’re like children.”

  Silence.

  Phia finally spoke in a tiny voice. “I’m sorry, Brune. We’ll go to sleep now.”

  Lilly echoed in an even tinier voice: “Sorry, Lord Brune. I’ll be quiet, I promise.”

  A moment later, Brune heard movement.

  Phia’s scent wafted into his nostrils. Her warm body was at his side, her breath in his ear:

  “I couldn’t sleep. I’m afraid of the... thing—the thing in the sky.”

  A sort of growl rumbled in Brune’s chest.

  “I’ll just... sleep with you,” Phia breathed against his cheek. Her hand stretched across his chest as she moved down and nestled her head into his arm.

  Damn it. I shouldn’t allow this. Shouldn’t get attached.

  “Phia…”

  She threw her leg across his waist.

  Oh, Gods.

  Before he could regain his train of thought, a soft little hand was touching his arm on the other side.

  He turned his head and saw the fairy’s cherry lips right in front of his eyes. Her soft hair caressed his face.

  “I couldn’t sleep, Lord Brune,” she whispered. Her hand wandered up his arm. “I’m scared of the... the...”

  “The thing,” Brune whispered.

  “Yes!” She plopped down onto him, snuggling into his shoulder. “The thing.”

  “We’re both scared of the thing,” Phia whispered, running her hand over his chest.

  Lilly made circular patterns on his stomach with her fingers. “Yes, we’ll both sleep with you, Lord Brune.”

  “Gods dammit,” he muttered.

  Phia grunted and pushed under Brune’s arm, trying to lift it up. He raised it and put it around her waist. The cat girl snuggled into his chest, her arm and leg draped over him.

  Soon Lilly was in the same position.

  Brune’s chest rose and fell beneath the girls’ supple limbs.

  They’d launched a damn efficient attack. He’d been completely routed.

  How the fuck am I supposed to sleep like this? My balls will be blue before the sun comes up.

  Brune took a deep breath and grinned.

  Who am I fooling? This is fucking paradise.

  * * *

  Golden sunlight shone behind Brune’s eyelids. A soft whisper caressed his ear:

  “Wake up, Lord Brune.”

  Brune opened his eyes and saw a pair of breasts, heavy and round. He knew them well. Those nipples pebbled into stiff, tender peaks. His tongue had explored them already.

  Brune involuntarily licked his lips as Endellion brought her breasts closer to his face, resting her hands on his shoulders.

  “See girls? This is how you do it.”

  A self-satisfied smile was on the dark elf’s lips. She crouched over top of him, the two girls on either side.

  “It’s working,” Phia whispered. “Look at him! He looks like he’s hypnotized.”

  Brune snorted. “Not even—”

  “Brune,” Lilly sang. “Look at me!” The blanket scarf fell from her body as she leaned over him.

  “Oh... fuck,” Brune groaned as Lilly moved her succulent tits closer to his face. Her slender arms were trembling and her chest was rising and falling.

  That’s it. I can’t fucking take this.

  Brune put his hand on Lilly’s back and pushed her towards him.

  She screamed as his tongue licked her long, sensitive nipple.

  “Oh, Lord Brune!” she said between giggles. “Wait!”

  He kept licking and then wrapped his lips around the end of her breast. The giggling became almost hysterical. “Wait... oh!... It’s too much!”

  He bit her nipple.

  She screamed and collapsed onto Brune, panting for breath. He caressed her back and tried to look at her face, but she hid it in his chest.

  Phia, meanwhile, had gone beat red. “Brune! Brune! Look!” She frantically undid the three buttons of her dress and opened the chest to show as much cleavage as she could.

  “Wait,” Brune mumbled. “This is not the time or—”

  Endellion ran her finger down Phia’s chin and whispered something in her ear. Phia turned her head compliantly as the elf grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her.

  Phia passionately returned Endellion’s kiss.

  Brune tore his eyes away from them and glanced at Lilly. She draped herself over his chest, watching the girls with her mouth agape. She looked at him and bit her lip.

  Fuck it. I’m done. Let’s just get this over with quickly.

  Having an orgy with three beautiful women was a terrible idea under the circumstances. But he was past the point of being able to make rational decisions.

  I’ll just blow my load on this bitch. He groped Endellion’s cunt. She broke away from her kiss with Phia, letting out a long moan. He put his arm on her back and shoved her towards him.

  Endellion started fumbling with his buckle.

  Lilly screamed.

  But it was a different scream—not one of pleasure, but alarm.

  She was looking up.

  Brune saw it through the trees: a metallic sphere, glistening against the blue sky. It was far away, so he couldn’t see it in great detail.

  “The fuck is that?” he grunted. “Get off of me. Dammit. All of you, get off!”

  Everyone stood up and watched as the sphere moved away from its position.

  “Stay close to the trees,” Brune said. “Don’t expose yourselves.”

  “Where’d it go?” Phia said. “I’ve lost it.”

  Brune followed the sphere’s trajectory and peered through a clearing in the trees. “There it is!”

  It zipped off and disappeared.

  “Sorcery,” Brune said. “Maybe it’s our friend Skull Head.”

  “I think he’s doing Mind Projection,” Endellion said. “It would explain how they tracked us. That’s some high-level magic.”

  “It’s creepy magic is what it is. I’m starting to hope he finds us just so I can kick his ass.”

  “Mind Projection?” Phia said.

  “Yeah,” Endellion said. “He’s projecting his mind into an avatar and using it to find our exact location. At least, that’s what I think.”

  “Ew! That is creepy.” Phia contorted her face and shook her hands as if they were gooey with slime.

  “Blah!” Lilly said in agreement, looking at Phia with a sympathetic grimace and dancing on her toes.

  Phia joined in, and the two girls both did the dance face-to-face.

  “Ew!”

  “Yuck!”

  “Gross!”

  “Bleugh!”

  “Alright, alright,” Brune said, rolling his eyes. “By the Gods, you two are like children. Come on, let’s move!”

  As he walked towards the horses, he heard Phia mimicking him again.

  “Let’s move. You’re like children! Humph!”