Second Skin Omnibus

by M Damon Baker

  Stel returned to us after the last campsite was built, and I forced him to spend a few days with his wife before leaving again on his long trade and recruiting mission. He gave in reluctantly, under some added pressure from Venna, but still used much of the time to plan and organize his journey.

  When they left, Khorim and Stel took twenty of our best fighters with them. Although they hoped to journey with trade caravans for the majority of their time on the road, the added security was definitely required for the long trip over our newly constructed trail to the main road.

  Venna was a nervous wreck the entire time he was gone. We tried to keep her distracted with any tasks we could find for her, but she worried endlessly over Stel’s safety while he was away. Broda was just as bad, but she hid her anxiety much better. However, she had trouble sleeping at night, and often resorted to drinking too much ale from Khorim’s favorite mug to help her fall asleep.

  Mercifully, the two men returned only three weeks later—Khorim had finished his trading in Dhel-Ar after barely more than a week, but had waited for Stel’s return so they could travel back to the valley together.

  The train of wagons they brought back with them was heavily laden with all manner of goods. Seed and livestock were distributed to the nearly completed farms and paddocks of the valley, boosting our food reserves. Tools and equipment had also been purchased, including sawmill components that would allow Ilvain to produce more refined lumber, as well as some additional furnishings for Renn’s new forge.

  In addition to materials and supplies, Stel also brought back a tremendous amount of coin. During his travels, Stel had used the opportunity to trade away almost all the loot we had accumulated, and when he returned, we discreetly deposited the fortune in our vault for safekeeping.

  Stel told us that he had spread word of our settlement far and wide, even going so far as to have notices posted in many of the smaller villages in Lorida, hoping to entice more settlers to our fledgling realm. Although no one had immediately joined with him, he felt confident that we would see new citizens arriving in the future.

  The biggest surprise the two brought back was a wagon full of armor and weapons, courtesy of the King of Dhel-Ar. Khorim had relayed the news of our growing settlement to the King, including our destruction of the Black Hand tribe. The King had been overjoyed to hear of the tribe’s demise, and in a show of gratitude, the dwarven King declared our actions to be a great service to his own people, supplying us with the equipment as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation. When the King’s gifts were combined with the arms Hilgreth and Dellon continued to churn out, our armory was nearly overflowing with high-quality arms and armor. While Khorim and Stel’s return was cause for much rejoicing, an even more unexpected reunion occurred only a few days later.

  Bane flew back early that afternoon from his daily scouting foray and insisted that I accompany him to the edge of the forest. He steadfastly refused to tell me why, but assured me that I would understand when I saw what he had to show me.

  Stel and Broda were nearby, so they accompanied me as I walked across the wide field outside our walls. We had clear-cut away a wide swath of the forest, giving us a large open area over which we could observe the approach of any threat. As I reached the edge of the cleared land, and the forest loomed over our heads, the foliage shimmered, and someone I never dreamed I would see again emerged from the underbrush.

  Standing before me was the Dryad I had met long ago. She had been guarding one of the Tokens, and had also given me the Essence Blade once it became apparent that I was destined to claim the treasure she’d been protecting for so long. Though I recognized her immediately, I could tell that she was not doing well—her green skin had lost its once luminous glow, and she looked extremely tired and worn out.

  “Greetings, Lady Dryad,” I said in welcoming. “What brings you here?”

  “You have, Sintári,” she replied as if the answer was self-evident.

  “Is there something I can do for you?” I said, confused by her cryptic response.

  “I have come to beseech you to allow me to settle in your lands,” the Dryad replied, clearly distressed. “Though I have searched for a place to call home, I have been unable to find peace. I’d almost given up, but then I felt your power and the new life you have bestowed upon your lands beckoned to me. I have come hoping that I may finally find a home here. You are my last hope, Sintári.”

  “If I can provide you with the comfort you seek, then you are more than welcome here,” I replied, offering her my hand. “Come with me—I think I know a place that might suit you.”

  The Dryad accepted my hand hesitantly, clearly remembering how I had admonished her not to touch me the last time we had seen each other. Although her cool skin had an odd feeling to it, more akin to the surface of a plant than a person, my control prevented any impulses from passing between us. She looked as me appraisingly as she recognized my increased power, and I nodded back to her, confirming her unspoken evaluation.

  As we passed through the gates, a crowd gathered to watch me escort the Dryad through the canyon. I had Stel and Broda dissuade them from following us as I walked her into the valley and quickly led her off the well-traveled paths, so we could avoid any further gawkers.

  “These are very special lands,” the Dryad commented as I drew her further into the valley. “The plants are strong, and the soil runs fertile and deep.”

  “This valley has laid in wait for us for a very long time,” I told her. “We have been blessed to have far-sighted people prepare the way for us.”

  We finally came to a halt as we reached the entrance to the offshoot of the valley where we had met the elf King.

  “This is a very special place to me. It is off limits to all of my people, only my companions and I are permitted to venture any further than this point,” I told her.

  “I feel it calling me,” the Dryad replied, closing her eyes and basking in the energy that flowed from the land. “This is where I belong.”

  “I like to come here sometimes,” I offered her. “But we can leave you in peace if you would prefer.”

  “No,” she smiled as she opened her eyes again. “You and your companions share a link with this place—your presence would be welcome.”

  “Then I give this land to you and I hope to see you when I come to visit.”

  “Thank you, Sintári,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “In exchange for your gift, I shall venture out and bless the rest of your lands. I will make sure your crops are bountiful and that your livestock prosper.”

  With those words, she slipped her hand free of mine and melded away into the foliage. I smiled as I watched her vanish into the green leaves, knowing that not only had I helped a friend in need, but that my people would also benefit from her presence.

  When I returned to the canyon, I confronted the crowd that was still gathered around where I had walked the Dryad past. I told them she was now one of us, and that her privacy was to be respected. The side valley was completely off-limits, and any trespassers discovered there would be dealt with harshly.

  My stern warnings were unnecessary—the awe and respect that my people held for the Dryad were more than enough for them to honor her presence among us. More than anything, they welcomed her arrival and took it as a sign of even greater things to come for us.

  My people were so taken by the Dryad’s arrival, that an impromptu celebration broke out. Her presence among us was just the most recent in a string of good fortune we had seen, so it was no wonder that they fell so quickly into a festive mood.

  Kegs were tapped and the musicians fetched their instruments; before long, a festival was in full swing. I smiled broadly watching as everyone happily joined in together. Over time, my people had come together as one, and the barriers that had once existed between them had crumbled away as they worked together building our future.

  Elves and dwarves shared toasts and danced with each other freely. Even the musicians that played f
or us that day were a mixed group, having come together to combine their varied styles into a new band with a truly unique and festive sound.

  Tási sat beside me, having long ago returned to her normal routines, and we took in the celebration together. Although I was somewhat surprised, she had been right, and no one had commented on her blue eyes when they saw her.

  We glanced at each other, just as we had done many times before during the festivities, but this time it felt very different—I can’t say whether it was the happy atmosphere, or the way the failing sunlight reflected in the deep blue of her eyes, but I found myself overcome with a sense of pure joy and contentment just being there with Tási. My hand reached out, seemingly of its own accord, and I gently drew her face to mine. Our lips met, and I kissed her warmly, melting in the sensation of her softness. We smiled at each other as we pulled apart, and I knew she had shared my sudden inspiration.

  We had always been discreet regarding the intimate part of our relationship—not because of any sense of shame or embarrassment, but simply because it wasn’t anyone else’s business. Although there were some narrow-minded people who might disapprove of our bond, we cared little for what anyone like that might think; yet now that we had openly displayed our affection so publicly, a certain sense of apprehension crept over me. The elven people generally had no issues with such things, but many dwarves still held more traditional views. I wouldn’t undo my action even if I could, and I hoped that my people would accept me for who I was.

  After our kiss, I nervously took a deep sip of ale as Tási and I resumed our observation of the festivities. I noticed a few raised eyebrows, but they only seemed surprised or curious, not judgmental. More importantly, were the many glasses that I saw lifted in our direction, offering a salute to our shared affections.

  With a sigh of relief, I took Tási’s hand in mine, deeply moved and comforted by my citizens’ support. We were trying to build something better here, and the willingness to accept other people and their personal choices was key to the future that I envisioned. Our community had not existed for very long, yet we had already taken major strides in that direction. The progress we had made gave me hope that my goals were not unrealistic. I knew that the better future I hoped for was no mere fantasy—it was a reality within reach, if only we worked hard enough.

  The party went on for a few more hours before finally breaking up. During that time, many people wandered over to offer a few words of thanks for all we had done for them. I thought it was odd, since all of them had previously made their appreciation know to us, until Tási clued me in.

  “They’re not really thanking you, Dreya,” she explained when she saw how I was puzzling over the situation. “It’s just a subtle way of letting us know we have their support.”

  “Why don’t they just say so?”

  “Because that might seem a bit crass,” Tási replied bluntly. “They don’t want it to seem like they’re saying that our relationship is something they’re willing to tolerate or overlook, they’re trying to tell you that it doesn’t matter to them at all.”

  Tási smiled as she saw the look of comprehension come over me. I had hoped to cultivate an environment of tolerance for others, but if what she was telling me was true, my people had gone far beyond that meager goal, all the way to open acceptance.

  The realization was incredible, and my spirits were high for the rest of the night. Then, when a young dwarf came over and offered a simple word of thanks, I was finally able to hear the subtle subtext of his words clearly for myself. I was so moved that I stood up and hugged the young man, surprising him with my gesture.

  “Thank you,” I said as I let go of him. “I appreciate all your efforts in helping build this place and making it what it is today.”

  “You are most welcome, Dreya Sintári,” he replied humbly. “It is my honor to offer whatever I can to contribute to the future you have shown us, if I may, I’d like to offer you my congratulations. I hope the two of you find happiness together.”

  The young dwarf quickly retreated after speaking his kind words, and I wiped away a tear as I sat back down. My people continued to amaze me, and I felt incredibly lucky to have their love and support.

  “I didn’t expect anything so open,” Venna commented, having snuck up behind us.

  “How long have you been lurking around?” I smiled at her as she took a seat alongside us.

  “Long enough,” she replied with a smile of her own. “I was curious how people would react to your display. I admit, I was even a little concerned, but it appears you have more than won them over.”

  The rest of my companions soon joined us, and we sat together watching the celebration until it began to finally wind down. With the sun slowly setting, we walked through the canyon on our way back to the home we shared.

  “So, does this mean we can stop pretending not to notice you two flirting with each other all the time?” Khorim blurted out as we passed from the narrow confines of the canyon and into the valley.

  His comment, like so many I had heard that night, was an attempt to let me know that my relationship with Tási wasn’t an issue for him. While I appreciated his more direct approach, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to respond to his jab.

  “Maybe the question you should ask, master dwarf, is how Broda feels about you watching two other women so closely,” I retorted.

  Broda’s eyes lit up, and she pounced on Khorim.

  “I certainly didn’t know until tonight,” she berated him. “How much time did you have to spend ogling the two of them to figure it out?”

  Khorim sputtered and tried to defend himself, but Broda wasn’t about to let him off the hook and continued her assault for quite some time. When he wasn’t looking, she made a point of flashing me a quick wink, letting me know she was enjoying the opportunity to put Khorim on the defensive and make her husband uncomfortable.

  Broda finally relented as we approached the small stand of trees surrounding the clearing where our house had been built—we then walked under the shade of the leaves before crossing the open ground that led to our doorstep. When we opened the door and entering the common room together, we were surprised to discover two unfamiliar women waiting for us there.

  The closer of the two wore a combination of green and brown leather armor, in a style I had never seen before. The leather looked more supple than calfskin, and seemed to offer little protection, but the confident air she projected betrayed no sense of vulnerability. Her long brown hair trailed behind her in a thick braid, and she looked at me with a sense of amusement. Oddly, I couldn’t tell what race she was—while her face was quite striking, with delicate features and distinct, high cheekbones, her elegantly pointed ears were unlike any I had seen before, and clearly not elven.

  The other was tightly wrapped in all black. The fabric of her outfit wound around her curves like a snake, tracing her figure closely. She wore high leather boots, and a pair of thin gloves covered her fingers. Her pale skin was a stark contrast to the dark eyes that glared at me not only confidently, but also with a hint of curiosity.

  Although neither appeared to be armed, they seemed unconcerned for their safety. In fact, the two projected an aura of authority that was unmistakable.

  “We’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Dreya,” the one in leathers offered.

  “Who the fuck are you?” I demanded, as I drew my dagger from my belt

  I expected my companions to have a similar reaction to the intruders, but I was shocked at how they had responded—all of them were down on their knees with their heads bowed deeply in respect. I saw Venna’s hands trembling as she tried to hold herself steady, and it was clear that Tási was similarly affected by the two strange women.

  “I assure you we mean you no harm—quite the opposite, in fact,” the black-clad woman responded.

  I recognized her voice instantly and my mouth fell open. The woman immediately realized the connection I had made, and a single word rang inside
my head.

  Later.

  Just as before, when that voice had spoken to me atop the fortifications, the single word was layered with additional information. In it was a promise of a more complete explanation to come, and a plea to keep the secret between us.

  “Who are you?” I repeated, now thoroughly confused. “My companions may recognize you, but I have no idea who you are.”

  “I began following your exploits some time ago,” the black-clad one replied. “You came to my attention when you avenged a young woman who had been horribly wronged. I have watched you since then and have come to admire not only your tenacity, but your commitment to justice as well. You may not recognize me, but you already know my name. I am Nentai, and this is my sister, Set.”

  My knees buckled as the Goddesses introduced themselves. I tried to kneel before them as my companions had, but the muscles in my legs didn’t seem to be working. Nentai strode forward and placed a hand on my shoulder when she saw me struggling and whispered softly in my ear.

  “Your friends do well to show us respect,” her words filtered into my mind. “But there is no need for such a display between us. Stay on your feet, Sintári.”

  The Goddess of Vengeance looked into my eyes reassuringly, and I nodded back at her, acknowledging what she had said.

  “Dreya Sintári,” Set, the Goddess of Nature pronounced as Nentai stepped back beside her. “Your mission has received the blessing of the Pantheon, and we have been charged by Uthalan, the All-Father, with aiding you in your quest. To help you succeed, you will be gifted with boons crafted by my brothers and sisters. Nentai and I are here today to bestow the first of those gifts upon you.”

  “I am pleased to present you with the first of our gifts,” Nentai said as she offered me a stunning ebony quiver. “I had a hand in its crafting, and I think you’ll find that is suits you quite well.”