‘So, this Reno fellow will be arriving today?’ Felix took a sip of his tea. ‘I wonder what he’s like.’

  They were sitting around the table in Felix’s kitchen which they had just finished cleaning. Vivian had brewed them a pot of fresh tea after their day’s labour was done. The kitchen looked clean, albeit empty, with only a few simple essentials like tea leaves and sugar stored in the otherwise empty pantry. Vivian made a note to herself to stock up the pantry next time.

  Maybe some biscuits and flour, definitely salt... nothing that can spoil...

  ‘Where was he all this time?’ Aiden asked. ‘Peri said that he left on a job. But doing what exactly?’

  Vivian shook her head. ‘I don’t know. But whatever it is, Cyrus is involved. He’s been very busy for the past week, didn’t even drop by the cottage even once.’

  ‘Why all the secrecy?’ Felix pouted. ‘We’re going to find out eventually when he returns.’

  ‘I don’t think they are keeping it a secret.’ Vivian shrugged. ‘Cyrus and Dixie are just too busy to take the time to explain, and Peri... well, Peri is Peri. He’s usually never up for a conversation. As for Sith... I’m on thin ice with her ever since the incident, so I haven’t really asked.’

  Aiden grimaced. ‘Is she still angry?’

  ‘No, not exactly.’ Vivian set down her empty cup. ‘But she’s not happy either. Cyrus says she’ll come around eventually, but I shouldn’t be surprised if she holds this over my head for the rest of my life.’

  ‘We should go and welcome this Reno.’ Felix grabbed their now empty cups and placed them in the wash tub. ‘After all, Aiden and I have been using his room whenever we stayed over at your place. I’m curious to see what he’s like.’

  ‘Also so that we can thank him,’ Aiden added. ‘Right?’

  ‘Well yes, that too.’

  Aiden sighed. ‘Just don’t go needling him like you do with Peri. You can’t afford to be on another one’s blacklist.’

  Felix grinned. ‘Say what you want, but I’m pretty sure that I’m his favourite.’

  ‘No, you’re not,’ Vivian said.

  Felix scoffed. ‘How would you know?’

  ‘Because he very specifically said that Aiden was his favourite.’

  ‘He is?’

  ‘I am?’

  ‘He is.’ Vivian frowned at Felix. ‘You were there when he said it.’

  ‘I don’t remember.’

  ‘How convenient,’ Vivian remarked dryly. She glanced out the window at the sun high in the sky. ‘Sith said he’d be arriving around noon. We should go now if we want to see him.’

  Half an hour later they found themselves sitting on the cottage’s front porch, their eyes fixed on the path leading out of the druscan forest. Peri stood leaned against the railing while Sith and Cyrus sat sipping tea at the table. A pile of pillows and blankets were placed on one of the empty chairs. Dixie, surprisingly, had decided to adopt the form of an adult in her early thirties that day. She was pacing in front of the house, her blonde ponytail swishing as she moved back and forth, a picture of nervousness.

  ‘Would you please stop doing that?’ Sith finally snapped.

  Dixie gave Sith a brown-eyed glare. ‘Well, excuse me your highness for being concerned. Reno said he’d be here by noon. It’s now two hours past noon.’

  ‘I’m sure he just got held up a bit,’ Cyrus reassured her. ‘Perhaps they stopped for an early lunch. Or decided to take a break.’

  ‘Really? Reno?’ Dixie folded her arms across her chest. ‘You think Reno of all people would choose to go off schedule? Have you met him?’

  ‘Oh yes, you’re absolutely right... anything could’ve happened.’ Peri let out a wide yawn. ‘Reno might be gravely injured... perhaps even dying right now.’

  Dixie’s face fell, a look of horror replacing the nervous jitters on her face from before.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Cyrus hissed. ‘You’re making it worse.’

  Peri shrugged. ‘Well you tried making it better. It didn’t work. So we should try a different approach.’ Peri leaned forward on the railing and called out to Dixie. ‘I just realized that if something did happen to him, we wouldn’t even know.’

  ‘Oh, for the love of Armoin.’ Vivian stood up from the porch steps. ‘What if I-’

  ‘Are you going to suggest that you go look for him?’ Sith asked tersely. ‘Just two days after your second encounter with a Remnant in the woods?’

  Aiden discreetly tugged at her pant, quietly telling her to sit back down.

  ‘... No.’ Vivian sat back down. ‘I just got up to stretch my legs,’ she mumbled.

  Sith sighed. ‘Though I suppose we should be worried.’ She looked up at the sun. ‘It’s not like him to be late. Maybe we-’

  ‘He’s here!’ Dixie exclaimed, cutting across Sith. The shifter shot towards the treeline, moving surprisingly fast for someone in a dress. She was barrelling towards a tall figure that had just emerged from the woods, followed by a small group of people. The figure turned towards Dixie as she ran towards him, shouting and waving her arms in welcome and caught her as she threw herself into his arms for a hug.

  Felix tilted his head in curiosity. ‘Is there something going on between the two them?’

  ‘Are you perhaps referring to the massive infatuation Dixie has for Reno?’ Cyrus got to his feet as he spoke. ‘Or the fact that he is completely oblivious to it?’

  ‘Ah, now that makes sense,’ Felix said. ‘I was wondering why she chose to look like an adult today.’

  The figures approached where they were seated, with Dixie still hanging onto Reno’s arm with a dreamy look in her eyes. As he approached Vivian noted his stark white hair and a matching fluffy tail that swung lazily behind him. He looked up as they got closer his, eyes narrowing in confusion as he spotted the three children. Vivian felt her breath catch in her throat as she made eye contact, his dazzling blue eyes looking like well cut sapphires gleaming in the sunlight.

  I can understand why Dixie is head over heels...

  ‘Hmm, I can understand why Dixie has fallen head over heels,’ Felix mused out loud. ‘I think I might too.’

  Vivian and Aiden exchanged questioning looks, before turning towards Felix. ‘Is there something you want to tell us?’ Aiden asked. ‘I promise, we won’t judge.’

  Felix rolled his eyes. ‘Oh, grow up.’

  Vivian snorted but didn’t comment further. Instead, she turned her attention back to the beastman who was stepping onto the porch.

  ‘I see you made it back in one piece.’ Peri slapped a hand on Reno’s back. ‘Welcome back.’

  ‘Reno, good to see you again.’ Cyrus clasped his hand in a friendly handshake. ‘How was the journey?’

  Reno shrugged. ‘It was alright.’ His voice was soft, gentle, almost melodic. ‘Ran into a few spots of trouble along the way, but nothing I couldn’t handle.’

  ‘Glad to see you’re alright.’ Sith stepped forward to embrace him. ‘We were getting worried since you’re never late.’

  Reno returned the hug. ‘Like I said, there were a few spots of trouble along the way. I’ll explain later. For now,’ He turned to look at the people who had followed him out of the woods. They were huddled together in groups of twos and threes, suspicion taut in their frames as they studied their surroundings.

  ‘For now, we should get them something to eat and let them rest. They’ve been through quite an ordeal.’

  ‘Right, right, of course,’ Sith agreed. She stepped forward to address the group. ‘I sincerely welcome you all to Mirran. I know you are tired from the journey and that you have been through a lot. I apologize that we don’t have the space to accommodate all of you right now so I ask for your understanding.’ Sith looked at Vivian and nodded towards the pillows and blankets. ‘Please make yourselves comfortable. We will bring out some food soon and will answer any questions you have.’

  Vivian, Aiden and Felix grabbed a bunch of blankets and pillows and started laying them out. Reno was speaking to them, his tone soothing and soft as he guided them to sit down and rest. They snuck glances at the group of strangers, studying them as they settled down on the blankets. The group consisted of two beastmen, who seemed to be husband and wife, and three elves, one of whom was a young girl around their own age. The girl looked up as Vivian approached and offered her a pillow. Her body tensed as she got closer, ready to flee at a moment’s notice. Seeing her reaction, Vivian stopped and simply placed the pillow on the blanket before stepping back with a friendly smile on her face. She stared at her for a moment longer before reaching out to grab the pillow.

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  Vivian couldn’t help letting out a small gasp when she noticed the reddened skin around her wrists, rubbed raw with clear signs of having been bound in shackles. She glanced at Aiden and Felix who wore the same look of understanding and pity. They’d been wondering who these people were.

  They were slaves... the Sentinels perhaps? Did they come from one of their auctions?

  Vivian had so many questions running through her mind. Unfortunately, the one person who could answer them was preoccupied. Reno was talking to Sith and Peri in hushed tones, standing away from the rest of them. She was still looking at them when Reno suddenly looked at her, their eyes making contact. He leaned towards Peri and Sith to whisper something. Feeling awkward , Vivian gave him a smile and looked away.

  ‘Why is he looking at you?’ Aiden asked. ‘And that whispering, very unnerving.’

  ‘Damn, I wish I still had my heightened hearing.’ Felix clicked his tongue in annoyance. ‘Would’ve been mighty useful right now.’

  ‘If it’s something important, I’m sure they’ll tell us later.’ Vivian gently pushed them towards their guests. ‘For now, let’s make sure they’re comfortable.’

  Cyrus soon called for them to help serve the food. They quickly set up a table with soup and bread and started handing out the bowls. Vivian once again smiled at the elf girl when she handed over the bowl, hoping that she came across as kind and, more importantly, unthreatening. The girl merely snatched the bowl and bread, spilling some of the soup and refused to look her in the eye.

  She must still be wary of strangers... I can’t blame her.

  After everyone had been served, Vivian joined Aiden and Felix on the porch, plonking down in one of the chairs at the table. They watched as their guests quickly wolfed down their meal.

  ‘I guess they were hungry,’ Felix commented. ‘Though I guess that’s not surprising.’ He leaned forward as his voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Did you notice the marks on their wrists?’

  Aiden’s lips tightened in anger. ‘Slavers. The worst kind of human scum.’

  ‘Do you...’ Vivian hesitated, a shiver running up her spine. ‘Do you think it might have been the Sentinels?’

  ‘Probably,’ Felix replied. ‘No one else would have the guts to capture and sell elves and beastmen.’

  ‘I wonder where they’re going to stay,’ Vivian mused out loud. ‘They certainly can’t all fit in the cottage.’

  ‘It looks like this is a quest officially sanctioned by the Council,’ Aiden said. ‘They might already have accommodations prepared. Or, at least-’

  They were interrupted by Sith and the other adults passing by to enter the cottage, still engaged in a whispered conversation. Peri was the last one in. He stopped just before he closed the door.

  ‘You brats keep an eye out,’ he instructed. ‘We have a few things to discuss… Aiden you keep an eye on these two.’

  Aiden nodded in compliance, while both Vivian and Felix stuck their tongues out at Peri. Peri rolled his eyes at their childish behaviour and closed the door behind him.

  ‘What does he think we’re going to do?’ Vivian complained.

  ‘Well, we do have a record of getting into trouble,’ Felix admitted. ‘Just look at what’s happened the past month.’

  ‘None of that was our fault!’ Vivian said defensively. ‘And why does he get a pass?!’ She shook her hand at Aiden. ‘He was with us every single time!’

  Aiden leaned back in his chair and smirked. ‘It’s a gift.’

  Vivian growled at Aiden while Felix slumped back into his chair. ‘He told us to keep an eye out, but there’s not much to do, is there?’

  ‘It looks like they’re done eating. We could clean up,’ Vivian suggested.

  Their guest had indeed finished eating were now looking around with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. The three of them walked over to the group, moving slowly so as to not startle any of them. They collected the bowls and plates, trying to look as friendly as possible as they did so.

  ‘What…?’ A voice asked so quietly that for a moment Vivian wasn’t sure she even heard it. She turned around to face the one who had spoken. It was the beastwoman. ‘What is going to happen to us now?’

  The question stumped them. Vivian, Aiden and Felix didn’t have any more information than the new arrivals. In fact, they might even be less informed. But still, seeing how uncertain and afraid the beastwoman looked, Vivian felt the urge to reassure her somehow. She knelt down, setting the plates on the grass, before looking back at the beastwoman.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she admitted. ‘We didn’t know you were coming.’ She nodded at the cottage. ‘But I’m sure that they’ll find a way to help you. In the meantime, is there anything we can do to make you more comfortable?’

  ‘Hah!’ One of the elves scoffed. He tossed back his long silver hair and stood up. ‘You humans caused us all this grief and now you want to help us.’ His silver eyes narrowed in suspicion. ‘You clearly want something from us.’

  ‘Alright, rude,’ Felix looked miffed. ‘And secondly, stupid.’

  ‘What?!’ the elf snarled.

  ‘Even if we did want something from you, and I’m not sure what that something would be, you really shouldn’t pick a fight with the people who are feeding you. That’s just common sense.’

  ‘Are you trying to imply I’m stupid?’ The elf’s voice was low, dangerous.

  ‘I’m not implying.’ Felix replied. ‘I did call you stupid.’

  ‘Felix, don’t,’ Aiden warned under his breath.

  ‘I won’t take this kind of insult from a mere human.’ The elf spit out the last word like it was poison. His fists were clenched in anger.

  ‘You were being stupid, so I called you stupid.’ Felix was not backing down. ‘What’re you going to do about it?’

  ‘Felix, stop,’ Vivian hissed. She moved to place herself between Felix and the elf.

  The other elf grabbed his friend’s arm, trying to hold him back. His purple eyes pleaded silently but he was shaken off by the now furious elf. He twisted his purple braid nervously as he stepped back, bracing himself for what was coming. Things were getting out of hand.

  ‘I’ll give you one last chance to apologise,’ the elf growled.

  ‘Hmm, let me think.’ Felix tapped his chin with a finger. ‘No. I don’t think I will.’

  ‘Now who’s being stupid.’ The elf smirked. ‘You’re going to regret that. Brats like you need to be taught a lesson.’

  Vivian watched with fascination and horror as bright silver lines spread from under the elf’s tunic to the tip of his fingers forming a complex pattern on his skin. Tendrils of silver seeped out from these markings forming familiar looking gossamer threads of light. The elf thrust his hands outward like a shoving motion and Felix was sent flying, shooting back at least a couple of feet before landing on his back. Vivian ran towards Felix, helping him sit up with a loud groan. Aiden drew his sword, placing himself between the elf and Felix, causing all of them to tense up. They were all on their feet now, both sides waiting for the other to make a move.

  Surprisingly enough, it was Felix who spoke first to diffuse the situation. He threw his head back and laughed, causing all of them to frown in confusion.

  ‘So, Master elf,’ Felix got up and dusted off his pants. ‘Feel better now?’

  ‘Huh?’ The elf was understandably confused, a sentiment that was shared among all of them.

  ‘I’m asking if you feel better after you tossed me like a sack of potatoes.’ Felix smiled his signature grin. ‘I bet you were bottling up a lot of anger. It feels good to get it out, doesn’t it?’

  ‘You- that-’ the elf stammered. ‘You did that on purpose?!’

  Felix winced in pain as he rubbed his chest. ‘Did you have to hit me that hard?’

  ‘What in the name of Armoin-’ Aiden was flabbergasted. ‘Why would you do that?!’

  ‘You should lower your sword first,’ Felix pointed out. ‘And don’t tell me neither of you noticed. They’ve been glaring at us ever since they arrived. They were clearly seething with rage.’

  Vivian actually hadn’t noticed. ‘They were? I thought they were just tetchy because of something that happened to them before.’

  ‘Yes, and that something was clearly caused by humans.’ Felix walked forward until he was once again standing in front of the elf. He placed a hand on his chest and bowed his head. ‘And for that Master elf, I sincerely apologise.’

  The elf spluttered, his anger forgotten. Vivian and Aiden looked at each other and nodded. Aiden sheathed his sword and the two of them copied Felix’s gesture, bowing their heads to the group. Their guests were uncertain about how they should react, even the girl elf who had been keeping her distance so far. It was the silver elf who finally spoke up.

  ‘My name is not Master elf.’ He cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘… and you don’t need to apologise.’ He bit his lip before continuing. ‘It… it wasn’t your fault.’

  ‘Even so, you deserve an apology.’ Felix straightened up and held out a hand. ‘And if no one else will give you one, I will.’

  The elf hesitated for a moment before grasping the offered hand. ‘Thank you…’ He let out a breath and nodded in respect. ‘You’re quite wise for someone your age.’

  Felix grinned widely. ‘Do you think you could tell that to everyone else? I say smart things all the time, but no one listens. Especially Peri. Please tell Peri.’

  ‘And he’s back,’ Vivian sighed. ‘It was nice while it lasted.’

  ‘So, Master elf, still feel like tossing someone. My friends would be happy to volunteer,’ Felix offered.

  ‘No, we would not,’ Aiden stressed. ‘At least I wouldn’t.’

  ‘Oh, and I would?’ Vivian shot back.

  ‘You tied yourself up in a sack and ate bird feed.’ Aiden shrugged. ‘I don’t know what you’re into.’

  ‘Why would you tie yourself up in a sack to eat bird feed?’ the beastman asked.

  ‘Oh no, those were two separate incidents,’ Vivian quickly explained.

  ‘Alright then, why would you eat bird feed?’ the beastman followed up.

  ‘Because I was… alright, we are not having this conversation.’ Vivian folded her arms. ‘The point is that I don’t want to be tossed by Master elf either.’

  ‘My name is not Master elf…’

  ‘Oh yes, we never introduced ourselves.’ Felix placed a hand on his chest. ‘I’m Felix. And these are my friends.’ He pointed at each of them. ‘Vivian and Aiden.’

  Vivian smiled. ‘Nice to meet you.’

  ‘Pleasure,’ Aiden said shortly.

  The elf hesitated before replying. ‘My name is Sylf. And my friend here is Vann.’ He gestured at the purple elf who gave them a timid smile. ‘And the little one over there is Tala.’

  Tala, the elf girl who hadn’t spoken a word so far, huffed and turned away from them, her green eyes still holding suspicion. She ran a hand through her short, green hair before stalking away and plonking down under a nearby tree.

  ‘Looks like she’ll need a bit more time,’ Vivian commented. She turned towards the two beastmen. ‘And you are…?’

  ‘I’m Rikan,’ the beastman introduced himself. ‘And this is my wife, Sina.’

  ‘You’re beastmen like Sith right?’ Vivian asked.

  ‘Actually, we prefer the term Beith,’ he corrected.

  ‘Beith,’ Vivian sounded out. ‘So, do you have a distinction between male and female, like we have man and woman?’

  Rikan smiled. ‘Yes. A male like me is called beith-duine or just duine, and a female would be called beith-chailin or just chailin.’

  ‘Huh? I didn’t know that… Well then, back to what I was asking, you’re a beith just like Sith, but there’s something different about you. I can’t quite put my finger on it.’

  Rikan smiled patiently. ‘That’s because we are beiths of the wolf whereas your friends are beiths of the cat. We transform into wolves and your friends can transform into cats.’

  ‘Wait is that the beast- I mean, the beith’s magic?’ Aiden asked. ‘Transformation?’

  ‘It’s… part of it. If I had to guess, the one you call Sith can probably transform into a cheetah. And that Reno fellow can transform into a white tiger.’

  ‘What’s a cheetah?’ Felix asked.

  ‘What’s a tiger?’ Sylf followed.

  ‘I suppose you wouldn’t know what they are.’ Sina smiled. ‘They are animals native to our lands, so chances are you’ve never seen them.’

  ‘And now I definitely want to see them,’ Felix said. ‘Maybe we can ask Sith and Reno to transform for us?’

  ‘Perhaps we should properly introduce ourselves to Reno before we ask him to show us his transformation,’ Aiden pointed out.

  ‘Well obviously I meant after that,’ Felix said defensively.

  ‘No, you didn’t,’ Vivian countered. ‘You were planning on asking him straight away.’

  ‘You can’t prove that.’

  Vivian shrugged. ‘I don’t need to. You’re you. I just need to say it and everyone will believe it.’

  Laughter broke out as Felix pouted for bit before joining them. They relaxed into an easy conversation as they sat down on the soft grass, exchanging small titbits about each other. The elves were hesitant to share any information first but eventually, they joined in as well. All except the elf girl who sat glaring at them from a distance, his lips pressed into a thin line of displeasure. They didn’t notice the time passing or the sun dipping closer and closer tot the horizon. In fact, it wasn’t until Sith and the others showed up did they notice how late it had gotten.

  ‘You lot seem to be getting along,’ she interrupted. ‘I’m sorry to have to cut this short, but we do have things we need to discuss.’

  ‘Right, right,’ Vivian said as she turned around to face them. ‘Let’s hear it then.’