I Like Both

“I am fine with them either way. She is right about you having really nice tits and they look amazing but I think you should go with whatever makes you feel most comfortable but don't be afraid to break loss every now and then."

“Thanks. I will try it out just for tonight.” She smiled.

“That a girl.” Emerald gave her a wink. It didn't take us long to get to the Inn.

“Thank you for the ride Emerald,” Daisy said as she got out

“Any time sweetheart. You go get them.” Emerald nodded.

“So how do you know her?” Daisy asked when she was almost gone.

“Torvald dragged me into her brothel.”

“Did you?”

“No. One of the guys hit a girl for spilling a drink on him. I got involved.”

“Sounds like you.”

“Wrong place at the right time.” I laughed. We parted ways, and I headed over to Heidi and Gwen's store a little before sunset as the sun bathed everything in golden light.

“You made it. We were just about to close up for the night and retire upstairs.” Gwen smiled at me.

“If you want me to leave I can come back later.”

“Not at all.” Gwen shook her head. “I am glad to see you are okay. After I heard about the bear, I feared the worst at first when she told me. Of course, I think it was her way of telling me I told you so about me going out there to look for it myself.”

“Least you know she cares.” I smiled.

“That she does.” Gwen nodded and walked over grabbing something from behind the counter and then came back around. “I have something for you.” She smiled and held out a spool of string.

“String, I take it this is...” I smiled as I took it. It was so thin compared to what I typically used.

“Fairy silk.” Gwen nodded.

“It has no weight to it.”

“I typically don't make it into string like this, but this string will not fray when cut and will outlast any bow you put it on. It may even last longer than you.” She smiled.

“Well if I keep picking fights with bears that won't be very long. Thank you for this.”

“For what you brought me it's the least I can do. I will have to spend the next few days just spinning it all into thread. Heidi has been working away at your jacket all day but I doubt she will let you see it till it's done.”

“I can live with that. You still had my measurements, right?”

“In my head. Once I make clothes for a person recently it gets stuck up there.” Gwen smiled.

Heidi came down the steps and said, “Good you're here. I had just finished making dinner. Have you eaten yet?”

“No, but I don't want to impose.”

“We're having some of the venison from the deer you killed. I would be rude of us to not offer a place at our table,” Gwen said and took my arm.

“Okay.” I nodded. Not like I really had a choice.

The meal was wonderful.

“That was good. Thank you.” I said having eaten my fill.

“Glad you enjoyed it. We use a mix of elven and gnomish spices.” Heidi smiled. I wondered how long it had taken them to come up with the mix. Some spices were universal while others only grew in certain areas. We chatted for a while before I realized it was getting late.

I went back to the inn and got more healing from Arwen. She seemed to be in control of herself now and not about to jump on me at the first chance she got. Though she threw me a glance every now and then. She even helped me learn a new spell. Ignire which could create a small flame though we practiced this one outside so I didn't catch the place on fire. Least I wouldn't need to use flint to start a campfire and more. We had to stop though when it started to rain. I settled in for the night and arose the next morning heading down like I usually do to find Heidi talking to Astrid.

“Good morning.” Heidi smiled up at me.

“Morning, ladies.” I smiled.

“Morning, Would you like some breakfast dear?” Astrid asked.

“Yes please.”

“I brought you something.” Heidi held up a leather jacket. “Try it on.” I slid one arm in as I noticed a seam down the spine that let it fold so I could get in and out of it easily.

“Fits like a glove.” I smiled as I moved in it.

“I used hard high grain leather for the torso so it will be stiff but offer more protection while the arms are made of split grain to allow more flexibility. The forearms have full-grain braces to protect your arm when using your bow. The thread that sows it together is made from the fairy silk you gave us so it should hold up for some time to come.”

“It's beautiful. Thank you.”

“Just try not to get mauled by a bear while wearing it,” Heidi teased.

“Good, human, I came looking for you.” I turned to see Sura walking up toward me. She was dressed in a breastplate, a skirt made of several strips of leather, vambraces on her arms, and a pair of greaves on each leg. Two swords on her hip and a great sword on her back. I had no idea why she was here but it was pretty clear where she was ready for something.

“Good morning, Sura. How are you today?” I smiled though she seemed to be in a serious mood which wasn't a surprise really.

“They say you are a good tracker,” Sura said

“The best, if you ask me,” Heidi spoke up for me.

“If so, I need your help,” Sura said.

“Are you missing something?”

“Not me. My kindred from Stonehills.” Sura shook her head. I could see the concern in her face. She wasn't kidding.

“Slow down. Sit and tell me everything.”

“Talk to you later,” Heidi said and I nodded.

“My kin work one of the mines at Stonehills. Fitting work for an orc who is stronger than most. Last night they loaded up a bunch of ore onto a wagon to deliver to town. To the Kingsforge but the wagon vanished during the night.” Sura shook her head.

“How does a wagon vanish?”

“I do not know but now they have no ore to sell to the Kingsforge. The Kingsforge may look elsewhere for their ore if the wagon cannot be found.” She shook her head. It was a matter of pride it seemed. Something orcs never seemed to lack.

“Any suspects?”

“No. Some say it might be goblins but I cannot say for sure.”

“Hello, Sura,” Astrid said as she came out with my food.

“You know where Terra is?” I looked at Astrid.

“Right here, master,” Terra said coming out and peeking over the counter though she seemed wary of Sura.

“Would goblins steal ore?”

“Our what? Goblins steal lots of things.” She shrugged.

“Metal rocks for making tools.”

“Goblins no make tools. Take tools they want. They only steal rocks if someone paid them.”

“That's what I thought.” I nodded.

“You trust that thing?” Sura looked at her.

“Yes. Her name is Terra and she wouldn't lie to me.” I gave Sura a look.

“That's right. He is my master. I must always tell hims the truth.”

“Very well human. If you come with me, can you find the ore?” Sura asked just short of begging.

“I can try.”

“That will have to do.” She nodded. I scarfed down the food and went and got my stuff. I hoped like hell I didn't get to put the new armor to use today having just got it, but a good ride might loosen it up a bit and break it in good. It was a long ride to Stonehills, though we made good time. That skirt of hers wasn't made for riding as I caught glimpses of her bare ass from time to time. We road past the town itself and up into the hills till we saw a small orc village. Everyone stopped and looked at us or maybe just me. I was an outsider. An orc riding through my village back home would have gotten the same stair. I saw several orc men having a discussion that looked like it might turn into a fistfight. The oldest of them turned to look at us.

“Sura. What are you doing here?” the old orc spoke. If I had to guess he was the chief.

“I came to help.” Sura dismounted and so did I.

“We don't need your help traitor,” one of the orc men said as he stepped forward. Young, strong, and stupid.

“Really, so you have found the ore?" Sura gave him a stare. A lot of bad blood between them it seemed.

“No.”

“Then shut the fuck up, Gorn.” Sura sneered.

“You bitch.” Gorn went for the long sword on his back, but Sura had already pulled the sword on her hip and had it at his throat. She was good. Damn good.

“Try it. Please. Give me a reason.” Sura sneered. I could hear a primal growl in her voice.

“Stop.” The chief said and Sura lowered her weapon. The old orc looked up at me. “Who have you brought, Sura?”

“A tracker.”

“We have riders looking for the ore, one more can do us no good. Least of all a human.”

“Then it can do you no harm either unless you fear competition,” I said speaking up just because the guy was starting to piss me off as well. It was clear Sura had expected to not be welcomed but she came anyway.

“We fear nothing,” Gorn spoke up.

“Then show me where the wagon was,” I said.

“This way,” the old orc said and led me to the spot. Sura took the reigns of my horse.

“Footprints,” I said as I saw boot prints. Two small to be human, elf, or gnome.

“Goblins.” Gorn sneered.

“Really? You know much about tracking.”

“You can tell from the size. Small feet. Are you saying I am wrong, human?”

“You've seen goblins around here?” I glanced back.

“Yes.”

“Were any of them wearing shoes?”

“No. None at all.”

“Then why are these tracks from boot prints?” I asked and he shut the fuck up. If it came down to it I would at least kill him before I died. If Sura didn't beat me to it.

“Wide feet. Two men. Deep prints. Some of them filled back in with mud. It was raining when they came”

“Yes. The men who were on lookout went inside to get out of the rain,” The old man replied.

“Your thieves counted on it. They were watching, waiting for you to leave the ore unguarded,” I replied. It couldn't be just sheer luck.

“They rode horses. Both wore riding boots. Definitely not goblins.”

“How can you tell?” Sura asked as she bent down beside me.

“The boot prints. The heel is deeper which means riding boots. Only two horses. But they managed to pull a cart full of ore. They were far bigger than anything a goblin could ride.” I stopped at a tree and pulled off some curly hair. Brown.

“Hoofprints,” I said tracking them as they went toward the road. The road was muddled with horse tracks and more but I could see which way they went.

“Looks like we are heading that way.” I pointed and took the reigns of my horse.

“Right behind you,” Sura said and we mounted up.

“Do orcs have a good sense of smell?” I asked as we got out of range.

“Yes. Why?”

“Smell this,” I said handing her the hairs.

“Kobold. I hate fucking kobolds.”

“One of them clipped the tree branch when they road off with the ore. Footprint size matches. Bigger than a goblin, smaller than a gnome, and just as smart. I didn't mention it back there because the orc who was being an asshole to you. He would point the finger at the first kobold he saw, just as he did with the goblins. Plus I didn't like the way he treated you.”

“If they are so smart, why would koblod steal ore from the orcs?” Sura asked.

“Calculated risk if the orcs can't make the shipments, the Kingsforge will turn to someone else. With the goblin attacks, the kobold can blame it all on the goblins.”

“I see I was right to come to you. Kobolds would have the most to gain.” She smiled at me.

“Can I ask? He called you a traitor back there?”

“I served in the human army. Quartermaster because of my smithing knowledge. Some of my people see it as a betrayal when I came back so I left. Used my earnings to set up my own forge. That is all I will say about it.”

“Fair enough.” I smiled. It was more then I knew about her yesterday. This might be her way to get back into their good graces. Not sure how much honor can be gained from killing some kobolds but it was a start.

“Question. Why don't female orcs have tusks?”

“They aren't tusks. They're teeth for ripping into meat. We women just have smaller ones,” she said pulling her lip down. I guess I had noticed but hadn't really paid attention until now.

"Just wondering." I smiled.

“You still hadn't said what you want for payment, human.” She looked over at me.

“I will let you decided what this is worth to you.”

“How do you know I will not rip you off?” She smiled slyly.

“You're an orc. The one thing I know for certain about you is you're a proud person.”

“Truthfully I could make them all my life and it would never pay you back. But if you find the ore and save my tribes honor you shall never pay for an arrowhead again and I promise you that if you ever need a blade at your side you shall have mine.”

“Sounds fair enough.” I nodded. Having an orc who owed you a favor could come in handy. “Though the road is so muddled with tracks I don't know if I will be able to find it so you may not have to pay me back. Unless.”

“What?”

“If the thieves were smart, they would have tried to hide it. That much ore would mean the cart couldn't have gone far or that fast. Your people would have gone looking the second it went missing.”

“Yes. They did. Searching all of the roads.” She nodded. Part of the reason the tracks were so hard to follow no doubt.

“It is hard as hell to sell that much ore with no one catching on,” I said thinking in my head.

“So? What are you saying, human?”

“The one place no one would look for stolen ore. One of the mines.” I smiled. “The kobolds could hide it in a mine. Wait for the search to end...”

“And say they dug it up.” Sura nodded. “So we check the nearest kobold mine?”

“No. They would want as few of their people as possible to know about it. Kobolds are greedy and might turn on each other for a reward. So hiding it in an active mine would be foolish but in an abandoned mine they could say they struck a new ore vein.”

“I know of a few.” Sura nodded and led the way. The first couple turned up nothing. The third however looked promising.“Looks like this might be the place,” I said as I saw three Kobolds and about a dozen goblins. Two of the kobolds were dressed in armor while one wore a nice outfit. The leader no doubt.

"How do we find out?" Sura asked.