Chapter Three: One by One
[Warning: Contains scenes of Mind Break, Mind Control, and Non-Consent]
Eliza began the day by bringing her bodyguards together a couple dozen yards away from the camp. "We'll keep the formation." she told them, stretching away the stiffness that sleeping on the ground brought. "Stick with your assigned bodyguard. Talk with them, befriend them if you can."
Syllia wrinkled her nose at that. It was understandable. She had drawn the short straw with the dwarf, who did not seem the most befriendable sort. Syllia didn't protest however.
Eliza continued. "We'll be going into unknown territory today. Tonight I expect a full report on anything you gather."
The four saluted her, right armed raised at a right angle in a fist to the side of their heads. Eliza mirrored the motion. As they made their way back to camp, Eliza turned to Tisha. Something was bothering Eliza. "Tisha? You seem...well rested."
The bags that had seemed permanent were missing from under Tishas eyes. Tisha blinked in surprise. "I...yes. Something about being out in the wild made it hard to train, so I actually went to bed."
Eliza nodded, even though the excuse seemed strange. Were the "pheromones" already affecting her? Making her feel unmotivated? If Tishas obsession with swordplay could be dulled, what hope could they have? Eliza pushed those fears aside. There was nothing to be done. Eliza smiled at Tisha "Its good to rest, just don't let you swordplay get rusty." Tisha gave a half smile in return.
Eliza heard Syllia yelling, and sped up to a jog. "-Feathersong would never just "run off" dwarf! Our horses are bread for their intelligence and loyalty!"
Retayn snorted. "Im sure you're aware then *elf*, that with intelligence comes independence. When a horse of that breed wants to go, it will!"
Eliza put a hand on Syllia's shoulder "What happened?"
Syllia took a breath "This dwa- Retayn claims that my horse wandered off in the night. Feathersong, or any of our mounts for that matter, would never do such a thing."
Eliza thought for a moment, and pulled Syllia aside. "What would they have to gain from chasing Feathersong off?" She said quietly
Syllia shook her head. "Im sorry your grace. My anger got the best of me. That contemptible Dwarf said I should have tied her down better."
Eliza nodded, "I know, the dwarf acts like he has thorns in his boots, but we need to keep ourselves in line." Syllia nodded back curtly, and Eliza turned back to Retayn. Thankfully, Gerard was also whispering to the dwarf. At the very least, Eliza and Gerard were on the same page.
Retayn returned with an emotionless face. "Im sorry for my insults. As an apology, I offer you a ride on our carriage Syllia."
Syllia stiffened, and Eliza empathized with her. The last thing Syllia wanted was to spend the day with Retayn, but she couldn't reject his apology. Syllia gave an empty smile "Thank you, and I am sorry for my anger. I overreacted due to my frustration, and I would be happy to ride with you."
Crisis averted, they packed up camp and continued on their journey.
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Syllia sat in silence alongside Retayn. She had already shamed herself with her outburst, and this was her punishment. She cursed her acute senses. The dwarf smelled of sweat and smoke. His breathing was deep and even, like he was about to fall asleep at any moment.
Was he just as humiliated as her by the mornings events? The idea that he was smirking in victory under that beard was almost too much to bear. Syllia gritted her teeth. Why did she even care? Was her pride so brittle that it would force her to sit and think about the dwarf all day?
Retayn spoke, surprising her. "I feel I should explain why I dispise your people."
Syllia gawked but regained composure quickly. "I had the impression you were unhappy with us, but had no idea you hated our race!" What was his plan? This had to be in direct conflict with his lord's goals of cooperation.
Retayn chuckled. "You mountain elves, so secluded you've forgotten your own history. Those special ores of yours were once the pride of my forebears. Your ancestors chased us out, and robbed my people of our riches!"
Syllia didn't know how to respond. She had known the history, but she couldn't have imagined that some still living would hold a grudge from thousands of years ago. "Ancient history shouldn't affect the relationships between nations now."
Retayn was silent for a moment. "Maybe maybe" he finally said, "or you elves are too quick to forget when you already have all you want."
Syllia wasn't sure why, but she felt he had a point. Still, she couldn't let this dwarf have the satisfaction. "History is a series of give and take between cultures. Ask the elves who currently live under the Cathrain Empire how they feel about their lack of autonomy!" She cursed herself as soon as she said it. It was much too confrontational.
Surprisingly, Retayn continued to smile. "I think you'll find their lack of autonomy is quite voluntary once we arrive in the valley."
Syllia decided to let the conversation die there. For some reason even the gods couldn't explain, she didn't mind the way he smelled anymore. The smoke and sweat smell had depth to it, like it held the results of years of work and dedication. Syllia shook her head. In the span of a few minutes she had gone from disgust to grudging respect. Maybe even attraction.
The thought horrified her, but undeniably, there was a thrill underneath the horror.
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Keya rode alongside Sunny. Sunny was a strange girl, creature, thing. But she was adorable. Sunny had an excitement for life that Keya had never seen, and it was infectious.
"This 'snow' you had was like the ice cream, but everywhere!" Sunny spoke, notably holding back the length of her "e"s.
Keya shifted in her saddle. Something about her trousers had been off all morning. No matter which was she sat, something rubbed against her loins with every trot of the horse. She nodded along with Sunny's comparison. "I had some from a trade caravan a while back. It's very sweet."
"Yes yes yes!" Sunny nodded excitedly "This snow is not sweet, just cold."
Keya cleared her throat. Blast it all, her loins were beginning to pulse with heat. It was almost...pleasurable. "You...you tried it?"
"Once, it made my tongue go no feeling." Sunny smiled. "You look uncomfortable."
Keya shook her head. "Dont worry about me, just slept in a wrong position last night." Hopefully she would buy it.
