She would forget about it all and concentrate on the tasks at hand. Systhania had better hope she could be convincing and that her story was true. If she set her free, she would have to task her soldiers to watch the elf captain day and night. She spared a glance over to the other campfire. Jarol walked into his tent and closed the flap.
“Captain Systhania, its time you and I had a talk.”
Seven
Morgan’s clothes were soaked in sweat as he practiced his sword. Watching the elf demonstrate with his staff the night before, he realized how little he knew about any of the weapons. There was so much to learn, but having no teacher to instruct him meant he would never have more than rudimentary, self-taught skills. When his father handed him the axe and put him to work, it was heavy, and he broke his share of handles. Now, with three summers of practice under his belt, the axe head landed in exactly the spot he chose every time. Maybe it would be the same with the sword. Except logs didn’t fight back.
Beating on the knotty log was only dulling the edge of the sword and it taught him nothing. Logs were very poor teachers. His father and brothers were due back in three or four days. Maybe he could talk his father into time off to train in town. There had to be a town guard or one of the king’s soldiers stationed at the river who would train him in exchange for some coin. The sword came to a jarring stop. He had been daydreaming and relaxed his grip. The pain shot up his arm into his shoulder.
“Hasn’t the poor oak suffered enough?” He turned to find Alexis smiling at him. He hadn’t heard her approach.
“No,” he answered, swinging harder than he should have. “I thought you said I would never see you again.” He stared at the gouge he was making in the log, not wanting to look at her.
“I came to ask you to forget about last night.”
“What happened last night?”
“The kiss. It was wrong.”
“Don’t fret, it wasn’t much of a kiss,” he lied. He had liked it. Then he thought to add, “I’ve had better.” Another lie, but she wouldn’t know. He glanced up. She wasn’t smiling anymore. He had wanted to irritate her and succeeded. After all, she kissed him then told him they couldn’t even be friends.
“Very well. I will let you get back to murdering the defenseless piece of wood.”
“I wouldn’t have to do this if you weren’t letting your goblin allies raid and murder our people. No, wait. Forget I said that.”
“You don’t need a sword; your tongue is sharp and cuts deep.”
“I offered you friendship and you brushed it aside like a fly on your sleeve. Yet you call my sister Gabby like a friend would. Did you think I didn’t catch that? It doesn’t matter whether you aid the goblins or not. If they come here, I will have to kill as many of them as I can before they kill me. You get to watch me die from the safety of your trees. That is the truth of it.”
“Gabriella is my friend.”
“Do you even know what it means to be a friend? Do this then, if the goblins come, get my mother and sister to safety. If she truly is your friend, you will do this for them. Not for me.”
“The goblins may not even come this way.”
“Will you do what I ask or will my mother and sister have to die because you hate me?” Everything he said made her angry. This would be no different. Morgan really didn’t care anymore. He only wanted to guilt her into getting his mother and sister to safety. If she would give her word, it would be enough to put his mind at ease.
“I will do it for them, not for you.”
“Great, since that is what I asked. You could have just answered then and I wouldn’t still be standing here looking at you.” Morgan had taunted her one too many times. He saw her first two steps, then she was a blur until her shoulder hit his chest. He tried to grab her to break his fall, but he was too slow.
“I am a princess of the Black Mountains. You will not talk to me in that manner,” Alexis spat. Seeing she was about to punch him, he turned onto his side and took the blow to his arm. He tried rolling away from her, but she followed, dropping and walking on her knees and throwing punches. He was no longer angry—but laughing would only infuriate Alexis more. Wait, princess?
Morgan rolled back, sat up and caught her just as she raised her fist again. Reaching under her raised arm and over her other shoulder, he pulled her down and rolled over on top of her. He realized that might make her angrier, so he rolled onto his back, squeezing her tight against his chest. She struggled and grunted, trying to strike him or break his hold, but he had interlocked his fingers holding tight.
“Stop. Alexis, calm down,” he asked gently and heard her exhale. This was all Crystal’s fault. He had been fine not knowing anything about the beautiful elf, and she came along and ruined it.
“It’s not fair, Morgan,” she said softly. “It’s not fair.”
“What is not fair?”
“All of it. I should have stayed home and awaited my fate. Instead I joined the rangers to get away and forget what was to come. I’m betrothed, Morgan. I will have to leave soon and marry, fulfilling my duty to my family and the kingdom.”
“Oh, I see. I thought... I don’t know what I thought,” he said, not wanting to bring up the elf/human argument again. He unlocked his fingers and rested his hands on her back.
“I love being a ranger. It is more gratifying than being a princess.”
“You’re not serious. I can’t even imagine what it would be like to live like a princess.”
“You would live like prince, not a princess, I hope.” She turned her face into his chest to hide her laugh.
“You know what I mean,” he said, a little embarrassed. “I bet you have a giant bed with lots of blankets and servants who see to your every need. And the food, I bet it is delicious and plentiful. And your clothes—”
“Yes, yes there are all those things. But, there are also politics, scheming and gossip. There are rules and traditions. This moment with you is scandalous for a ranger, and would likely see a princess disowned and banished. You see, it is not fair.”
Morgan caught himself rubbing her back, slow and gentle. He wasn’t sure when he started doing it or why she was still lying there now that she was calm and he had let go. He wasn’t going to ruin the moment, though. Her explanation opened his eyes to her world. He didn’t understand how a person could have such a life as a princess and yet have to live as if everyone might be out to hurt you in some way. He did understand there was no happiness in the world for an elven princess and the third son of a lumber merchant.
“I should go,” she said, raising herself up enough to be face to face with him.
“Alexis—”
“No, Morgan, please, don’t say anything. Let us part and savor the peace between us we share at this moment.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek. They may have lay there for only a few moments, or it could have been longer. Time had slipped away from them and her guard was down. She stood quickly, then reached down, offering to help him up. He grasped her hands and she pulled, clearly expecting him to leap up, but he remained a dead weight, grinning. “Don’t be a sack of potatoes. Stand up or I’ll let you fall.”
Morgan stood, still holding her hands. They shared a moment just staring at each other. She indicated before that she wanted to leave, and he knew he had to let her go. His feelings turned from desire to awkward. Alexis must not have felt the same awkwardness; she leaned in and up, kissing him on the lips. This was not like the peck she had given him the night before or the kiss on his cheek. He slipped his arms around her and pulled her close. There was a hunger and an urgency to capture the moment in her kiss . Morgan felt it wash over him and returned it with equal fervor. Alexis moved from his mouth to his face with her lips. Morgan found her lips again and locked his fingers in her hair. She shivered and a tiny moan slipped from her throat. He had no experience kissing before now—did Alexis’s reaction mean he was doing something right?
Morgan paused for a breath. He was all too aware
of her breasts pressed against him. His hands roamed up and down her back and he felt the curve of her hips. He had never seen her without her cloak. The baggy garment hid her curved yet muscular body. Then, as quick as it all started, it ended. She stepped back, putting some distance between them. Her tanned face had a reddish glow and she was breathing just as heavy as he was. They stared at each other again until Morgan found his voice.
“Don’t ask me to forget what just happened because you know I can’t—won’t—no matter what you say.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good. You better not... Princess.”
“I said I wouldn’t,” Alexis answered and looked away. Morgan thought they were about to have words again, he didn’t want to be the one to ruin the moment.
“Alexis, do you see something in the wood?” he asked after a few moments.
“What?”
“You’re staring at your woodland,” Morgan said. She seemed distracted and he wondered what she was thinking. He knew what he was thinking: the barn was only a few paces away. Then he heard her thoughts.
It was only a kiss, kisses I must forget ever happened. He is young and will find another and kiss her like that, another whose core he would set afire. It was just some childish petting. Why did I go along with it? That is what she is thinking, Morgan. I tried to bring you together, but she feels there is too much to overcome and is sorry she let things go that far. She is right, if she is going to stick with her elven traditions.
He turned his head, searching quickly for Crystal.
“It’s nothing,” Alexis said. “What are you looking for?” Morgan decided he couldn’t let her feel bad about what had happened between them.
“Trouble.”
“Goblins?”
“Something worse,” he said, smiling as he continued his search. Alexis joined his search, thinking there was a threat.
You know I can hear you. Ah, I see you jest.
“I can’t see or hear anything approaching. What did think you saw?”
He turned to her, his face serious. They locked eyes then he grinned. “An elf. Attack!” He took her by surprise, wrapping her up in his arms. He lifted her up and leaned back slightly to make sure her feet were off the ground. Both her arms were pinned at her sides. “I’m a troll and I love to eat elves,” he growled and began biting her softly on her neck, making snarling, growling sounds and trying not to laugh.
Alexis struggled and laughed. She cocked her head, pushing it against his face to try to get him to stop. He pulled back and tried for the exposed side of her neck, but she threw her head over to protect it and collided with his forehead. He was quiet for a second and just when she paused like she might have hurt him, he roared and tried again. She tried to hold back, but burst into laughter.
Morgan stopped immediately when he heard her laugh. He wanted nothing to interrupt the sound; he immediately missed it when it faded away. Leaning forward, he gently set her feet on the ground and let her go. His hands moved across her back, fingertips brushing the fabric as they slid across her arms before falling to his sides. She smiled at him and shook her head. Reaching up, she placed her hand on his face, then ran her fingers through his hair and stopped. Stepping to the side, he saw her looking at his head and she laughed again.
“Lean forward, evil troll,” she ordered.
He bowed, facing the ground, and both her hands roughed up his hair. Wood chips and small pieces of bark fell to the ground.
“Trolls are dirty. What did you expect?”
She started to reply, then pushed him. He stumbled back a few steps. He wanted to say something, but an arrow hit the ground near where they were standing. She faced the wood again then stepped over and pulled the arrow from the ground. It was elven and bore two gold bands just in front of the fletching. She turned to Morgan and he saw the fear on her face.
“What is it? What is wrong?” he asked.
“I have to go.”
“I’ll come with you,” he answered, hurrying to his weapons unwilling to let her go alone. She was scared; he could see and feel it.
“You can’t come. Whatever is going to happen, your presence would only make it worse. Please stay here.”
Before he could argue, she dropped the arrow and ran. She is right. Stay where you are. I will watch and see what transpires.
“You better, you started this whole thing.”
Mind your tongue, mortal.
“Who are you talking to?” Gabriella asked, walking toward him.
What is she doing here? Morgan thought. “Get back to the house.”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“Just do it. Now!” he shouted, picking up his sword, bow and staff. Gabby was heading for the house and turned back to look at him. Worry lined her face. He picked up the arrow and followed her.
Eight
Alexis stopped short of the edge of the wood, walked in slowly, then made for the spot where she had hidden her weapons. Looking back, leaving them behind wasn’t the best idea, but she didn’t want to face Morgan, get in an argument and end up hurting him. It was uncharacteristic for her to leave them anywhere out of her reach, but today had been a day for changes. Depending on what her commander saw—it was his arrow in the ground—she was in for more changes. Unpleasant changes.
“Are you looking for these?” a voice asked from behind and to her left.
“Yes.”
“I came with a message and instead of finding my ranger on patrol or at an observation post, I find her... just what were you doing?”
Relief washed away some of the dread. He must not have seen everything. The commander seemed curious instead of angry.
“Training the boy. He has heard about goblins raiding his people’s land. I found him beating on a log with a sword and thought he could use a little instruction.”
“He wouldn’t live through an attack with just a little instruction.”
“Why are you here, Commander?” Alexis asked to get through the small talk and change the subject. “Is there truth to the rumors about the goblins?”
“I would not discount it. There are reports of goblins using our woodlands, but none have been caught. It is a small party; they were seen from distance raiding a village.”
“Of course, we provided no aid to the villagers,” Alexis snapped.
“You know we didn’t. It is not our responsibility,” he said smoothly, brushing off her barb. “It’s not your worry, Princess. You are being relieved of your post and ordered to return home.”
“By whom?”
“By your father the king. There is a delegation from the north coming to beg favors of His Highness. They should arrive just after you. Your father and mother want you at court standing with your betrothed. He has been chosen to participate in the talks.”
“And so it begins,” Alexis said somberly. “I would rather be eaten by a dragon than spend my days attending court. My one solace was that my betrothed was not positioned high enough in the nobility to be required or even wanted to attend court. Yet here we are, being put front and center in some negotiation.”
“You’d better be on your way. I’m staying tonight and meeting your replacement tomorrow. It would not look good for you to arrive late.”
“I will depart before first light.” Alexis packed her belongings—what little she had. A change of clothes, a hatchet, her extra cloak and weapons. She thought about leaving some of the berries and food for the commander, but then, he was sure to have some traveling rations. She settled in for the night, tossing and turning until the night turned to the gray haze of just before dawn. She slipped out without a sound, leaving the commander sleeping.
*****
Wood smoke drifted lazily in the dying campfire. A staccato of thump-thump-thump echoed through the quiet forest. Three axes worked in perfect time, cutting the trunk of the felled tree into manageable logs for the trip back to the homestead then on to Talon’s Station.
“Your brother will
be joining us once we know for sure we can leave your mom and sister unguarded,” Warren said to his two sons. “It will speed up production.”
“Or slow it down,” Jordi said, grunting as he swung his axe.
“Is he really going to be help protecting Ma and Gabby from goblins?” Mikkel added. “He’s no fighter.”
“You two aren’t and neither am I, so he is just as good a choice as any of us.” Warren raised his axe to swing and saw an elf ranger standing ten feet behind the boys. “Whoa!”
Jordi and Mikkel, having no idea there was someone behind them, stared at their father holding his axe in the air.
“No sudden moves, boys. We’ve a guest,” Warren warned. Jordi and Mikkel turned slowly to see.
“Master Warren, my apologies for disturbing your work. I am the ranger, or, was the ranger in charge of this section, but I am now on my way home.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ranger,” Warren responded.
“Your homestead is safe as of yesterday when I last saw it. I thought I would pass this way to let you know.”
“Can you tell me, are the rumors of a raiding party true?”
The elf reached up and lowered her the cowl to her shoulders. Warren was shocked at her beauty and that she was a ranger to boot.
“I understand they are true, but they haven’t been seen in our area.”
“My youngest son is there with his mother and sister. He will get them safely into the cellar and lock it down. Goblins are lazy and won’t want to take the time to dig them out.”
Warren saw a smile, no more than a flicker, cross the elf’s face as the mention of Morgan.
“I saw him practicing with sword, bow and staff. He has a good eye. That must come from splitting wood, but he will need more than a log to practice with in the future.”
Jordi and Mikkel were hanging on her every word. Both frowned when it felt like her assessment of Morgan was praise.
“You talk like you think Morgan will make a warrior of himself,” Mikkel said.
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