Moving forward

The next few days go by quickly. With the rumors of war on the horizon, looming like storm clouds, there’s little time to pursue this new relationship. The champions are kept busy, between training, strategy meetings, and guardian duties. The buildup along the borders continues, and there’s a sense that the uninvolved neighboring states are watching to see what will happen next.

Of the champions, Bernal is privy to the details of the communications between Lord Greyheart and the leaders of Karlia, but Kael gets the impression that things are not going well. Lord Greyheart emerges from each negotiation session looking tired and stressed, and Bernal’s easy smile is nowhere to be seen. If Kael had to venture a guess, things will deteriorate into combat sooner rather than later.

Despite the threat of imminent war, Kael finds his spirits high. His home life has never been more pleasant. Evie’s personality continues to blossom, as does her newfound desire in the bedroom. Not a night goes by where the two of them don’t end up panting and naked, basking in the afterglow of their love. Evie seems to desire Kael’s touch more each day, and Kael is happy to oblige. Though when in public she remains mostly reserved, when in private she is cheerful and energetic, with a quick wit and a sharp mind. Kael couldn’t ask for a better companion, both in and out of the bedroom.

As for his newly rekindled relationship with Ria, they have picked up right where they left off. Though there’s been no time for a proper date, they’ve still managed to find time to spend together. Kael goes out of his way to seek Ria out, and she does the same with him. When training, it’s largely with each other, and their banter is far more playful and flirty than it had been in a long time. It hasn’t gone unnoticed, either. The champions are a close-knit group, and a relationship between two of them is immediately obvious to all.

Bernal approves heartily, and seemed to know that it was happening even before Kael did. In fact, he had been approving of their relationship previously, despite Kael’s worries about duty. The only thing he had to say about them getting together again was a big pat on the back for Ria and a chuckle, with a joke about ‘finally getting through Kael’s thick skull’.

Koa simply shrugged and accepted it, only having noticed when Bernal pointed it out. The giant man is simply unconcerned with the whole thing, spending all his emotional energy on the orcish sisters he has at home. As long as everyone is happy, Koa is happy.

Kael expected some trouble from Orin, but was happily surprised by the way the younger man accepted it and moved on. For all his arrogance and occasional boorishness, he remains a good man at heart. It helps, too, that he has a new obsession, a new addition to his little harem of slaves at home. A departure from his usual style of pliant goblins and kobolds, Orin has taken in an exotic lamia, a half snake woman originally from the distant desert. It is said that lamia are attracted by strength and confidence, two things which Orin has in abundance. With his usual lack of shame, he goes into great detail about his activities with his new companion, which everyone generally ignores.

As for Ria herself, she manages to steal a kiss whenever she can, and makes every effort to be close to Kael when it’s possible. Still, it’s obvious that it’s not enough, and one day, after training, she catches Kael by the hand, grinning as she pulls him aside.

“Hey big guy, guess what you’re doing tonight?”

Kael blinks. “What?”

Ria grins. “Taking me out for a drink.”

Kael laughs. “Oh, am I?”

Ria nods, still grinning. “Damn right you are. And then you’re taking me to bed. I need it.”

Kael raises an eyebrow. “Are you telling me to get you drunk and take advantage of you.”

Ria laughs, patting Kael on the cheek. “You got it backwards, big guy. I’m gonna get you drunk and take advantage of you!”

Kael rolls his eyes, but smiles. “Well, I can’t say no to that. What should I tell Evie?”

Mischief sparkles in Ria’s eyes. “Tell her not to wait up. And tell her I’ll get to her next!”