“You must have really memorized a lot of monster types in that other book, you’ve been going at it nonstop,” Triska commented. Specca nodded as she kept writing, having a gentle smile on her face.
“I read a lot of books back at the library, and plenty while not working there,” she explained while keeping her eyes focused on her writing. Alyssa scooted over and looked at the book with a raised eyebrow, observing what the nixie was writing down with grace. Her handwriting was far cleaner and more detailed than Daniel’s was, the nixie obviously having improved her writing skills while living among humans. The book now looked like a professionally written book one might find at a library.
“And you know all of these by memory?” Alyssa asked curiously.
“Mostly, there are some that I may need to freshen up a bit on, but it won’t be a problem. I never would have guessed that when I was reading that book back at Ashwood it would come in handy like this,” Specca said with a small giggle. She paused then looked over towards the front of the caravan with a worried expression.
“Something on your mind, Specca?” Triska asked with a raised eyebrow. Specca looked at her then around at the other girls.
“He’s not mad at me is he? I didn’t mean to flash him like that earlier, it was an accident,” she asked quietly. The other girls glanced to each other then back to the nixie.
“I don’t think so; just watch it next time, ok?” Triska said with a slight smile. The only ones that were mad about Daniel once again getting a clear view of the nixie’s private area were the girls, however seeing as how Daniel was quick to both forgive her for doing so and calm the others down as they were ready to viciously attack the poor girl, they allowed the incident to slide.
Specca nodded then looked down to the book as she resumed her writing.
“I was just so eager to help him, I completely forgot about that again. I’ll try to keep that on the forefront of my mind, I don’t want him to think any less of me,” she said worriedly. The other girls glanced to each other carefully before looking back to the nixie.
“Yeah, you do that. So, how did you and Daniel meet anyway?” Triska asked, sheathing her blade and resting it behind her.
“Oh, I was working in the library when he happened by. I helped him find the book on monsters of Eden and... we just started talking about it. I was rather curious why a human was actually trying to find them, I thought he was a monster hunter or something similar at first,” Specca said with a small smile. She stopped writing then looked up to Triska.
“He was so kind to me, even after I revealed myself to him,” she said softly.
“You flashed him then too?” Triska asked with a jump. Specca blinked then shook her head amusingly.
“What? No no, I meant revealed that I’m a monster. I showed him what I was, and he was still so kind to me. He even referred to me as a girl rather than a monster, it made me feel… special,” she explained tenderly before looking back down to the book. The other girls looked at her curiously as she turned the page with a deep gaze in her eyes.
“I spent a lot of time reading books in the library. All kinds really, I wanted to see everything that humans created in their imagination and fantasies. Their art, their music, even the way they play, it really is so beautiful,” she said gently. Triska smiled a bit and leaned back against her duffel bag.
“Never heard a monster talk that way about humans before,” she mused with a curious smile. Specca nodded and looked upwards with a gentle gaze.
“It’s true, I wanted to be around humans, not to find a man to mate with, but to see their world,” she said, the nixie then blushing slightly and looking around at the others.
“Of course, I wouldn’t have been opposed to finding a mate. Truth be told, I was rather fond of the romance section of the library,” she admitted with a slight laugh. The other girls looked at her with intrigued smiles.
“The romance section?” Alyssa asked curiously. Specca nodded and looked down with a bashful smile.
“The way humans write some of their stories about love, I adored reading them so much. Something I always found romantic was the way the men were portrayed, tales of how they would defend and protect the women from evil, how they were the knights in shining armor coming to the rescue. I know as a monster I’m supposed to go out and bring back a man to breed with, but… I sort of liked the concept of the man claiming the woman,” she admitted with a small blush. Triska smiled softly at the girl while Alyssa and Squeak looked at her curiously.
“Really? The man protects the woman? In most cities I’ve been to the majority of human women are the fighters,” Alyssa pointed out with a puzzled expression. Triska nodded and looked down with a solemn expression.
“That’s because we decided to take up the call to arms for them, we needed to protect them from… well… monsters,” she said softly. Alyssa and Squeak looked at her then down, both showing remorse to that. Triska breathed out quietly then looked upwards with a distant gaze.
“My mother always used to tell stories about that, how the men used to protect the women from the dangers of the world, how it was supposed to be a man’s job to protect us, not the other way around. Of course, those were just stories. There are some men that still fight, they’re not weak after all, and a lot of them are brave enough to defend themselves and their homes from monsters. But the majority of women now take up the blade, to protect our race. We’d rather die trying to keep our men with us than have them risk their lives and be taken away,” she explained as she remembered her mother and how she used to tell her such tales when she was younger. Specca nodded slowly then looked down with a bashful smile.
“But when those serpents attacked the library… it wasn’t just a story. Daniel protected me. He led me out of there before that monster could harm us,” she said lovingly. The other girls looked at her with a bit of surprise as she held a hand to her cheek.
“He was just like the men in the books I read. Even with that monster attacking people nearby he was so brave, and he escorted me out of the building as fast as he could. And when we got outside and saw more attacking around us, he guided me away from the fights, he protected me. A human protected me from monsters,” she said closing her eyes. The other girls looked at her curiously then to each other. Specca looked up with a gentle smile, having a faint blush on her cheeks.
“I never would have imagined meeting anybody like him before. A human that is so brave and daring, someone who wants us to live together peacefully just as I had always dreamt of, and he’s so cute too,” she said softly. The other girls slowly looked back over to her with cautious expressions, all of them seeing the way the nixie was smiling.
“Yeah, he’s something alright,” Triska added carefully. Specca sighed quietly then looked back down to the book in her lap.
“He’s like a dream come true,” she said softly with a blush. Triska narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms before her.
“Keep dreaming, Specca,” she said with a bite. Specca looked up to her as the human shook her head slowly.
“Before you get any more wild ideas about him, you need to know right now that he’s already taken,” she asserted firmly.
“Taken?” Specca asked worriedly.
“Yeah, I’m the one who’s going to be his mate,” Alyssa said pointing to herself.
“Like hell you are, Alyssa, he’s going to be mine,” Triska barked out at the witch. Squeak pointed to herself while squeaking with a firm tone. Specca glanced around at the girls then raised an eyebrow.
“So… which one of you is his mate then?” she asked inquisitively.
“I am!” Alyssa and Triska shouted, looking to her with discontent while Squeak pointed to herself with another stern squeak. The three girls then looked at each other with narrowed eyes while Specca glanced down in thought. After a pause she looked up to them with a careful eye.
“Has he actually chosen any of you?” she asked curiously. The girls all looked to her with sligh
tly frustrated expressions then downward, all of them remaining silent. Specca nodded then started writing in the book again with a solemn expression.
“I see, well then it sounds like he isn’t taken yet,” she stated simply. Triska growled loudly as Squeak watched the new girl with a careful eye. Alyssa held her staff at her side as she watched the nixie closely.
“He’s going to choose me, I am the one protecting him out here and the one that’s even provided a ride for his travels. I’m the one who deserves to be with him,” Alyssa declared firmly.
“He’s going to choose me, I was his childhood friend who was with him the longest and I’ve saved his life and all of yours using my sword. I’m the one who’s earned the right to be with him,” Triska growled through bared teeth.
Squeak waved her hands around while squeaking at the girls, having a firm expression as she seemed to be giving some sort of speech about what was assumed to be why she should be Daniel’s mate.
Specca looked around at the girls then back down to the book, not saying a word while she continued her work. The other girls looked at each other with discontent then to Specca again.
“He’s mine, Specca, understand? There’s no way I’ll let anyone else take him from me,” Triska said firmly.
“Thank you, Triska,” Specca casually replied. Triska looked at her puzzled as Specca merely glanced up at her.
“You said anyone, not anything. I appreciate that, however if he hasn’t chosen you then you really have no right over him,” she reasoned with a shrug. Alyssa growled and held her staff tightly, the relic glowing with an orange hue while Squeak narrowed her eyes at the nixie. Before anyone could say another word the caravan gently rocked a bit while a horse neighed outside. The girls all looked ahead to seeing Daniel climbing back onto the driver’s seat, taking hold of the reins before looking back to the girls.
“Alright, I think Lucky has had his fill. We should be able to ride further out before stopping to make camp for the night, you all set?” he asked. The girls glanced to each other then looked back to him.
“Yeah, ready whenever you are, Daniel,” Triska said as she gently brushed her hair around her ear with a playful smile.
“Thank you for feeding Lucky and watching over him, you’re so considerate,” Alyssa said with an adorable smile while resting her staff down on the floor.
Squeak nodded and squeaked something with a smile as she quickly hid her digging tool behind her.
“Oh, Daniel?” Specca asked, getting everybody’s attention.
“Yes?” he asked.
“I should be nearly finished with this when we stop to make camp. Would it be alright if I go over it with you then, just to make sure it’s to your liking?” she asked with a curious smile at him. He smiled and nodded as the other girls gave the nixie narrowed glances.
“Sure, that sounds great. I didn’t think you would be finished with that so soon,” he said with a bit of amazement. She giggled softly and shrugged.
“It was no trouble at all. I told you I have many talents,” she said with a wink. Daniel smiled with a small laugh before looking back ahead, snapping the reins and having Lucky take off again onto the dirt road. Specca smiled and glanced around at the other girls, all of whom were glaring at her with annoyance. She smirked and looked back down to the book as she resumed writing in it.
“Yes indeed, like a dream come true.”
Chapter 18
In Search of Allies
In the world of Eden, mankind has established kingdoms across the land, where the rulers of each region reside and control their respected territories. Just as humans have a hierarchy of power so do certain types of monsters. Some have queens that rule over their nests and hives while others have pack leaders that they follow without question. Others have priestesses that guide and lead their kind while some have champions that have proven themselves by being the strongest and fiercest. Although the methods of being in charge of their kind varied from each race, there was one common factor with them all.
When it came to any decision for their kind, their say was final.
*****
"Ok, remind me again why we're out here," Triska said with an annoyed expression, having her arms crossed before her as she tapped her foot on the ground.
Near the dirt road that was off to the side a caravan and white horse were seen next to a few trees, with the horse laying down on a small patch of tall grass that a witch had set for him. The sky above was dark with stars being seen along with a few clouds. Alyssa gently brushed Lucky's nose as she was kneeling down in front of the animal while Triska was standing behind her.
"What are you talking about, we're out here to help Daniel with his quest, why else would we be out here?" Alyssa asked shaking her head.
"Not that, I meant why are we out here right now with Lucky?" Triska asked waving around at where they had stopped at.
"Well, you were supposed to take a look around to make sure this area was safe while I set up a nice place for Lucky to sleep, I thought we went over this already," Alyssa said glancing back to her.
"That's not what I meant either! And besides, why did he even need to stop, I thought he could go day and night," Triska said looking at the horse that was slowly falling asleep in the bedding that Alyssa had laid out for him.
"It was one thing to have him go nonstop in the safe zone, but out in the outerlands we don't want to be asleep if he runs into trouble. Bandits are more common out here, as well as monsters in case you haven't heard," Alyssa explained, standing up and brushing the grass off of her skirt. She looked over to Triska with a raised eyebrow.
"Out here we stop and rest at night, having him running blind along a trail in the outerlands without us being awake is a very bad idea. We need to be on guard out here, you never know if a monster might show up along the way and try to take Daniel," she pointed out. Triska growled with frustration and clenched her fists.
"We already know of a monster that's trying to take Daniel away, and we just left him and her alone in the caravan," she argued, waving over to the caravan. Alyssa blinked then glanced over to it as Triska slapped a hand over her eyes and looked up with frustration.
"Have you already forgotten about the nixie that not only isn't wearing any underwear but also is interested in Daniel?" Triska asked in disbelief.
"But she's not alone with him, Squeak's in there too," Alyssa pointed out.
"And that should make me feel better why?" Triska demanded, looking to the witch with aggravation.
"She's watching over him while we're out here making sure we're safe for the night, what's wrong with that?" Alyssa asked with a shrug.
"What's wrong with that? How are you ok with leaving Daniel alone with those two? Especially with Specca, you saw the way she was looking at him," Triska said shaking her head. Alyssa showed her a dull expression.
"What exactly do you think is going to happen to Daniel with us being outside like this for a few minutes?" she asked flatly.
The two girls walked back over to the caravan and hopped up onto the front seat, both of them then looking inside the cabin with wide eyes.
Inside a lantern was hanging near the back window, with the soft glow from the flame lighting up the interior and showing the occupants as well. Daniel was lying on the floor with Specca straddling his waist, holding onto his chest as she bounced up and down vigorously on him while his pants were in tatters off to the side. Her tail was coiled around his leg as she was moaning loudly, having a flushed face while she had a blissful smile. Above Daniel was Squeak, the ant girl lying near his head while kissing him passionately, her antennae twitching bit as she squeaked softly while holding his head gently.
"Daniel… yes… yes!" Specca cried out as she arched back, riding faster on him as Squeak wiggled her abdomen, the insect extension giving off a pinkish mist that was spreading throughout the cabin. Specca let out a loud cry as she froze, her hips trembling as her hands gripped Daniel's shirt tightly. She breathed hea
vily for a moment then looked down with a bashful smile while holding a hand near her waist.
"Thank you… Daniel… my god, that was… amazing," she purred. She giggled softly then looked to Squeak as the ant girl broke from the kiss and looked up to her, with Daniel having a soft blush and glazed eyes as he was breathing softly. Specca smirked then uncoiled her tail from Daniel's leg.
"Ok, your turn," she said sliding up off of Daniel, then crawling around him as Squeak moved over to ride on him as well. Specca caressed Daniel's head as Squeak straddled him with a loud squeak, smiling happily as she started to ride on the boy with him inside of her. Specca smirked then glanced over to Alyssa and Triska as she licked her lips.
"Hey, want some?" she asked slyly.
Alyssa stared at Triska with a dull expression, the two girls standing by Lucky still who was asleep on the grass bedding near the caravan. Triska looked at her expectantly then waved towards the caravan.
"It could happen!" she reasoned urgently.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Alyssa asked flatly. She and Triska started walking back towards the caravan under the night sky.
"Besides, she's probably still showing off for Daniel as we speak," Alyssa muttered with a slight scowl. The two climbed back up onto the caravan in the front and looked inside the cabin. The lantern hanging by the small open window in the back kept the inside of the room lit with a soft light. Squeak was sitting near the front entrance with a dull expression, watching as Daniel was sitting near the back wall with Specca next to him. He was looking at the monster book in his hands with a curious smile while Specca was glancing to him with a small blush. She was sitting on her legs with her tail off to her side, having been careful not to 'reveal' herself while Squeak watched her with a sharp eye.
"Told you," Alyssa muttered quietly as she and Triska went inside the cabin and sat down against the wall opposite of Squeak, the three girls watching Specca with dull glares as she was sitting very close to Daniel. She was leaning over to look at the book with him, though to the girls it was obvious she was trying to be as close to Daniel as possible.
chronicles of eden - act I Page 56
