by B N Miles
“I was just thinking that.”
She let out a breath. “We should enjoy this while we can.”
Cam hugged her tight. “Things might change out there. But they’ll never change in here.”
Miuri looked at him with a strange concern in her eyes. He didn’t know what she was thinking, so he kissed her for several long heartbeats before pulling back. Her concern was replaced with a mischievous little smile.
“I think I could use a little sword practice, shaman,” she said. “What was that game you and Key were playing yesterday called?”
“I think we called it strip sparring,” Cam said.
“Looked more like rough, angry make up sex to me.”
“That came after the stripping.”
She grinned. “Let’s play, then.”
He reached down and squeezed her ass. “Sounds good to me. Should we invite those two?”
“Absolutely. But let’s eat first. You’re going to need your strength.”
Cam laughed as Miuri walked off and slid down onto the couch with Felin and Key. Felin put her feet in Miuri’s lap and Key leaned against her other side. The girls were snuggled down deep in the couch, eating and laughing, and Cam stood back to look at them with a smile.
But before he could join them, there was a loud knock at the door. The girls looked up and Cam strode over before they could stand. He reached for the hilt at his hip, but his sword and belt were leaning against the wall next to the table.
He opened the door, half expecting to find Mansion guards ready to drag him away, but instead, Gwedi stood there. She wore a light green tunic buttoned to the throat, her red hair pulled up in a tight bun on her head, and dark travel trousers with heavy brown boots. Her graceful Elven sword was at her hip, and her manner was tense as she stared at Cam.
“Where’s Miuri?” she asked.
“Hello, Gwedi,” Cam said. “It’s nice to see you, too. Would you like some breakfast?”
Gwedi stared at him. “Get Miuri, shaman.”
Cam stared right back. “Be polite, Elf.”
“Okay, you two.” Miuri appeared at Cam’s side and nudged him away. “I’m here. No need to kill each other.”
Gwedi glared at Cam then looked at Miuri.
“Your father returned,” she said.
For just a moment, Miuri looked shocked, but she quickly recovered.
“We should go,” Miuri said and looked at Cam. “Get your things.”
Cam nodded and moved. He grabbed his sword and belted it on. Felin and Key both stood, confused expressions on their faces.
“Haesar is backed,” he said.
Key let out a breath. “That’s good, right?”
“I think so,” Cam said. He walked over, kissed Key, kissed Felin, then joined Miuri. Gwedi gave him an impatient snort then turned and strode off.
Cam grabbed a lamp as Miuri followed. He hurried after the Elves and felt like he was stomping along like an animal. They flowed like dancers down the steps and along the halls, heading toward the main entrance cavern. He kept pace as Miuri and Gwedi spoke to each other in Elvish, a lilting language filled with long vowel sounds and poetic assonance.
Light appeared at the far end of the tunnel as more bodies filled the spaces around them. Wardens ran in all directions, and residents stood in the doorways of their assigned living quarters. Cam could smell Humans, their bodies, their waste, wood and chalk and cooking food. Sometimes he wished their rooms were closer to where the bulk of the villagers lived. He missed the bustle, the noise, the gossip and the laughter.
But they passed through all that and stepped into the bright cavern. It was enormous, big enough to fit all of Medlar village inside and then some. There were still small camps scattered around the right-hand side, though most of the people who had been settled there originally were moved deeper into the Mansion. He promised himself he’d follow up on them, but his eye was drawn away from the few tents and carts left, and toward a group of gleaming, armored men standing at attention at the far end of the cavern.
They didn’t wear typical bronze segmented armor. As he slowed and stopped behind the growing crowds, he stared as their plate gleamed silver and gold in the light. He’d never seen anything like it before. The chest plates were patterned in leaf and forest motifs with green and gold and blue delicate paint. Instead of a segmented skirt, the legs and skins were wrapped in whatever metal the Elves used, and almost every inch of their bodies were covered, except for the joints where the plates met.
Haesar stood at the front of the assembled Elven warriors. He was tall and imposing, his eyes narrowed in a scowl, his hand on the hilt of his jeweled weapon. His plate armor was the most intricate of all, with a horned helmet and golden accents along the shoulders and chest. A cape in thick red and blue hung down his back and it fluttered, though Cam couldn’t feel a breeze on his skin.
Lord Remorn stood facing him. Captain Brice and several of her heavy infantrymen joined him, standing at attention a few feet behind. Galla stood at her father’s side, a big smile on her face, though Lord Remorn didn’t look too pleased.
Cam pulled himself together and hurried forward, pushing through the gathering villagers, as Miuri and Gwedi joined the Elven ranks. Miuri walked to her father and gave him a short embrace, kissed him on the cheek, and touched his hand. Haesar’s expression softened at his daughter’s touch, and he bowed his head to her.
“You’re well, Daughter?” he asked. “The Humans treat you with respect?”
“Respect enough,” Gwedi said.
Miuri gave her a look and the Lieutenant looked away. “They’ve been very respectful, Father,” she said.
“And Cam?” Haesar asked.
“Cam is a worthy mate,” Miuri said and stood next to her father with a big smile on her lips.
Cam stepped into the circle and several heads turned toward him, including Lord Remorn. He stared at Cam with undisguised disgust and hatred, but Cam stood with his back straight. Galla walked over to him, took his arm, and pulled him along with her, bringing him to join the assembled Humans.
“Ah, the shaman himself,” Haesar said. “I have heard stories of what you’ve done.”
Cam inclined his head. “Lord Haesar,” he said. “I hope the stories were all true.”
Haesar’s stern face broke a bit and he smiled.
“Oh, I suspect they are,” he said.
Cam nodded again.
“Haesar,” Lord Remorn said, pulling his glare away from Cam and turning it back on the Elven Lord. “We were expecting you sooner.”
“I apologize for my delay,” Haesar said. “I reached my people and gathered my strength, but as we began our return march, we were intercepted by several wolf packs.”
“Several?” Lord Remorn asked.
Haesar took a deep breath and glanced at Gwedi before turning his attention on Lord Remorn.
“More wolves are coming down from the north,” he said. “More than I’ve ever seen. Another army of ten thousand marches. We fought their vanguard and sent them running, but there were too many for us to engage.”
Lord Remorn’s eyes went wide. “Another army?” he asked. “You can’t speak true.”
“Unfortunately, it is true,” Haesar said. “Another ten thousand, at least. But I heard Cam found and freed your own forces.”
“He did,” Lord Remorn said. “But twenty thousand wolves…” He trailed off and Cam saw the man’s eyes go wide. There was a moment of shaky uncertainty as the room stood, silent as the depths of the ocean, waiting for him to continue.
“Twenty thousand wolves will be no problem if you brought your Blades,” Cam said before the gathered villagers could get too nervous.
Haesar inclined his head and Lord Remorn shot him an angry stare. Cam ignored Remorn as Galla slipped her hand into his arm and pressed her body against his. She wore a tight, form-fitted blue dress that buttoned up to the throat but still showed off her figure.
“I come with five t
housand,” he said. “As many warriors as I could manage, armed and armored in the best we could gather. I fear it may not be enough.”
“It will have to be, Haesar,” Cam said.
Lord Remorn caught himself and took a breath. “We gladly welcome your people, Haesar,” Lord Remorn said. “Your Blades are welcome beneath our roof. Come, we will speak of our strategy and how we can best combine our armies.” Lord Remorn turned to Captain Brice. “Gather your troops and fetch the Wardens. Allow the Elves to camp here until we can find more permanent spaces for them, and provide them anything they might need.”
Captain Brice saluted then turned and barked orders to her men.
Haesar walked forward with Gwedi and Miuri. They joined Lord Remorn and several of the Elders that arrived late, and the whole group began to move off, away from the main entrance hall.
Cam didn’t follow, and Galla stayed by his side. Villagers continued to linger, staring at the Elves, but Cam couldn’t pay attention to any of them.
“Twenty thousand,” he said, his voice a whisper. “And we have half that.”
“For now,” Galla said. “But there are more men in the Mansion. We can arm them.”
“We can’t force anyone to fight.”
Galla frowned at him. “We might have to.”
Cam shook his head. “No,” he said. “We can’t cross that line. If they want to defend their lives and fight, we will welcome them. But we won’t force anyone.”
Galla opened her mouth but Cam stared hard at her. She closed it again and let out a breath.
“Very well,” she said.
“Haesar’s Blades will be a good addition,” Cam said. “Alongside our own heavy infantry. I think we’ll be a match for their twenty thousand if we can find a way to work together.”
“You think that will be a problem?” she asked.
Cam nodded and watched the villagers. Some looked curious, but some looked angry, while others seemed white with fear and disgust.
“Some simply don’t trust the Elves,” he said. “And it will take a lot for our people to learn to fight together.”
“But we will.” Galla hugged tighter against his arm.
“I hope so.”
They lingered as Cam swept his eyes to the Elves one last time. Wardens approached and led the Elves toward the far-left side of the cavern. They moved with classic Elven grace and efficiency.
He turned back to Galla and spotted Miuri coming toward them. She smiled and slowed as she approached, her head tilted to one side.
“I’ve been meaning to congratulate you,” Miuri said, looking at Galla.
Cam watched Galla blush and almost laughed. He didn’t know Galla Remorn could blush like that.
“You don’t need to do that,” Galla said. “I’m just… I’m happy you’re accepting me. I know it’s only for politics, but I hope we can be close.”
Miuri grinned and walked forward. She pulled Galla against her, hugging the girl tight against her chest. Cam grinned as Miuri kissed Galla’s cheeks.
“I’d be happy to be your big sister,” Miuri said, then tilted her head. “Maybe sister isn’t the right word. I don’t think sisters do the sorts of things I plan on doing with you.”
Galla turned bright red, her skin matching her hair. “Ah, uh, I don’t, uh—”
Cam laughed and put his hand on Galla’s shoulder. “She’s just teasing you,” he said. “Well, she’s serious, but she’s also just playing with you.”
Miuri grinned and released Galla as Cam put an arm around her shoulder. Galla was still bright red as she leaned against Cam.
“Come on,” Miuri said. “Let’s go finish breakfast and tell Key and Felin what happened.”
“You’re not going with your father?” Cam asked.
Miuri shook her head. “Gwedi can handle that. I’m more interested in spending some time with you two.”
Cam smiled and looked down at Galla. “How’s that sound?” he asked. “Think you can handle seeing all the girls at once?”
She looked up at Cam, and while her cheeks were still red, her eyes seemed to sparkle.
“I’d like that,” she said.
“Good.” He took her hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
Miuri took the lead and they headed back through the tunnels together. Cam caught more looks from the villagers around them, more stares and whispers, but he didn’t mind any of that. Miuri looked back at them and smiled as she climbed the steps toward their rooms, and Galla clung to his arm.
They reached the door and Miuri opened it wide. “Key!” Miuri called out. “Felin! We have a visitor.”
Key appeared, her hair braided, wearing a fresh tunic. She stopped short and looked at Galla for several beats, and Cam thought she might tell the Lord’s daughter to get the hell out of there.
Instead, Key smiled and walked forward. “Welcome, Galla,” she said, and took her arm, tugging her away from Cam and into the rooms.
Cam lingered next to Miuri as Felin came over and kissed Galla on the cheek.
“Welcome,” Felin said.
“Thank you,” Galla said. “I’m just…I’m really happy to be a part of your lives. I know Cam is special to you all and I just…I want you all to know that I’m not going to get in the way of anything.”
“We know,” Felin said.
“We’re just glad there’s another one now,” Key said.
“Another what?” Galla asked.
“Girlfriend,” Key said. “Come on, come check out the bed.”
Key tugged Galla along behind her and Cam laughed. “She probably has a bigger bed, you know,” Cam said, but Felin and Key ignored him.
They hustled Galla to the back room and threw the door open. Cam stepped into the main room and shut the door behind him as Miuri walked over to open the window.
“Better get used to that,” Miuri said, grinning at the three girls as Key pushed Galla onto the bed and Felin piled on.
Cam sighed and shook his head. “She’s the Lord’s daughter,” he said.
“She’s about to be your wife. Do you really want them to treat her any different?
Cam shook his head. “You’re right, of course not.”
“There you go.” Miuri stretched and sighed. “Might as well join in before things get too rough. You coming?”
“Be there in a second.”
Miuri stalked off and hopped into bed with the other girls. Cam smiled to himself and unbelted his sword, hanging it over the back of a chair. He watched as Miuri snuggled in next to Galla and said something, making all three girls laugh.
Life was going to change. But the army was back, Haesar was back, and they had a chance. Even with twenty thousand wolves bearing down on them, Cam thought he could do something, do something nobody else could even dream of.
With his girls by his side, at least, he was capable of so much more.
“Come on, Cam,” Galla said. “Get in here.”
He stalked off to join his girls in bed.
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About BN Miles
BN lives in a suburb of Philadelphia with his wife, two boys, and his black lab. He spends most of his time listening to his record col
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