Conversations

Fenrir was up with the sun the next day. Disengaging himself from his companions, who had cajoled him into allowing them all to sleep with him again, he rose and stepped to the window. The dew lay thick on the grass outside, the cloudless sky turning pale blue under the influence of the rising sun, still hidden from Fenrir by the solid bulk of the house. He watched the shadows recede and the lawn be transformed into a field of brilliant diamonds as the sun hit it.

He was about to turn away from the window when he espied a figure wending its way along the path which bordered the lawn. There could be no mistaking that blue mohawk, and Fenrir wondered what brought Myrina out this early in the morning. Opening the window, he swung himself over the sill and dropped easily to the ground a story below, landing with a muted thump. When Myrina saw him approaching, she stopped dead for the barest instant before continuing forward to meet him.

"Good morning, Myrina," Fenrir said, inclining his head slightly.

She jerked her head in answer. "Morning."

"Do you mind if I walk with you for a moment?"

Myrina shrugged. "Suit yourself."

Fenrir fell in step with her, and together they paced nearly the entire length of the mansion in silence before Myrina finally spoke. "So what do you want?" She had been shooting glances at him since he had joined her, but Fenrir had been content to let her open the conversation.

Now that she had, he answered, "Nothing in particular. I merely wanted to spend some time in your company."

She frowned. "What for?"

"Do I need a reason? You are a beautiful woman, a fierce warrior, and an intriguing mystery. Why would I not want to spend time with you?"

A hint of color crept into her cheeks, but she scoffed. "Flatterer."

"Oh, I mean every word. Shall I prove it?" As he spoke, Fenrir wheeled on the amazon.

She froze like a deer in headlights, eyes wide. Tall as she was, Fenrir still towered over her, a veritable mountain of fur and muscle. He let the moment stretch for several long breaths before he said, "Not yet, perhaps," and continued walking.

It took Myrina several seconds to recover herself and join him. Even when she did, Fenrir gave her a little time to relax before he spoke again. "My girls have told me that the reason you're here is because you want **** for what the slavers have done to you. Is that correct?"

She shot him another glance before answering. "Yes, what about it?"

"So may I assume you will remain with Ser Brandis and the princess for the foreseeable future?"

"I guess. I haven't really thought about it."

"Have you no one at home waiting for your return?"

Myrina scoffed. "Hardly. I'd be surprised if anyone's even noticed I'm gone. It's my sister that gets-" She cut herself off and glared ferociously at an innocent piece of shrubbery nearby.

Fenrir raised an eyebrow but kept his peace, knowing there were no words of comfort he could utter that would not be empty and meaningless.

"Why do you care, anyway?" she asked after another pause spent glowering at adjacent vegetation.

"As I'm sure you've heard, I plan to leave soon to return to the rest of my people, and I would like to know where to find you after."

Myrina's brow furrowed. "I hadn't heard."

"Ah, you hadn't? My apologies. But yes, as soon as Safara feels strong enough to travel we plan to start. We have already been away for quite long enough."

"When will you come back?" Fenrir had to resist the urge to raise another eyebrow. Her tone was almost plaintive.

"Honestly? I don't know. Likely not for a month or more, but I couldn't say for certain."

"Where do you live?"

Fenrir smiled. "If you wish to come along and see, you're welcome to join us."

The amazon was silent for a moment. "...I'll think about it."

"Please do." Thinking it about time he returned to his girls since he did not want Safara to awaken and find him gone, he took leave of Myrina there, proceeding back to the manor and with one light leap regaining the sill of his window. Though he did not look back, he was aware of Myrina watching until he vanished within.

Kira sat up and yawned cavernously as he pulled himself back into the room. "Hey, boss," she said sleepily. "Where've you been?"

"Oh, I just went out for an early morning walk and had a chat with Myrina," Fenrir replied, stepping over to the bed where the rest of the girls were now stirring, disturbed by the sound of voices.

"So what's the plan for today, Daddy?" Chellise asked, following up her question with an involuntary attempt to outdo Kira.

Once she had stopped trying to unhinge her jaw, Fenrir replied, "Much the same as yesterday. Rest, help the princess, and start getting things ready for our journey back to the castle. I'll also need to speak with Brandis about whether we can requisition some of those sex toys you wanted to take back with us. How are you feeling this morning, Safara?"

Safara was busy disentangling herself from the sheets but paused to answer, "Hungry, mostly. The bruising is almost gone."

"Already?" Fenrir moved to examine her himself.

"Elves are surprisingly resilient, E'nas," she smiled, submitting to his examination without a hint of **** or hesitation, though his touch did bring a little color into her cheeks.

"Well, I'm glad of that. If you keep recovering at this rate we'll be able to start in just a couple of days. Originally, I expected to have to wait a week or perhaps even several."

Now free of the sheets, Safara swung her legs out of bed and stood up cautiously, holding onto Fenrir's arm. Her efforts were crowned with resounding success, and she took several steps before turning to Fenrir. "You see, I'm already strong enough to walk."

"Don't overdo it," Fenrir advised. "Probably best if I carry you for today as well, just in case."

"If you say so, E'nas," Safara replied, and Kira snickered.

"She sure didn't argue that," she said in an undertone to Katari. "Then again, I wouldn't turn down a chance to be held and carried around by the boss either."

"I heard that, Kira," Fenrir smirked.

"Well, what do I have to do to be carried around like that?" Kira rejoined, matching his smirk.

"Considering how big your belly's getting, probably not a lot. I certainly won't be forcing you to walk on the way back to the castle. If we can't get horses anywhere, I'll carry you myself, just as you apparently want."

"Oh, really?" Turning to Katari, Kira continued in a stage whisper, "Okay, Katari, we need to make sure every horse around Eldfall mysteriously runs away for a few days. Are you with me?"

"Okay, that's enough of your horsing around," Fenrir grinned, reaching for Kira. She giggled and ducked out of the opposite side of the bed to avoid his grasp. Deferring any further chase until another time, he asked, "Where's Safara's things?"

Chellise produced the requested pack, allowing Safara to properly dress herself at last. Fenrir noticed a moment's hesitation before she did so however, with the elf's eyes darting longingly towards the blanket which had been her only clothing the day before. He had to stifle a smile but did not comment on it, instead turning to the package Chellise now brought him.

"Your things, Daddy. I don't know if you want it, but we brought them along."

"Thank you, Chellise." Fenrir opened the package, it being really nothing more than his yeti fur cloak wrapped around his axe and the sheath he had devised for it. "I think I'll leave them here for now, but it's nice to know where they are."

They had to wait a bit before going to breakfast; Safara found her brush and comb in her pack and promptly sat down before the mirror with such evident relief that Fenrir suddenly had no problem with waiting a while longer for his breakfast. Once she and the rest of the girls were done, though both the succubi and Katari were so quick with their hair that it was easy to miss that particular part of their toilette, they all set out for the kitchen together with Safara once more ensconced in Fenrir's arms.

They found a hearty breakfast awaiting them, the old cook brandishing her ubiquitous wooden spoon at them and saying, "I thought you'd be around about this time. Eat up."

Fenrir thanked her graciously, then gave himself over to full enjoyment of his meal, ensuring that Safara had as much as she wanted as well. About halfway through they were joined by Brandis and America, and while pleasantries were being exchanged servants brought more food to the table to accommodate the two new arrivals.

"So what do you have planned for today?" Fenrir directed the question at Brandis but added in a glance at America to include her.

Brandis straightened slightly in his seat as he replied, "We still need to continue screening the servants, and Miss Cree is likely to show up either today or tomorrow, so I've sent a scout down to the docks to keep an eye out for her and direct her here. We should also start going over whatever information we can pull together regarding the slavers here in Eldfall; we'll need to make our move here before too long, or they'll slip through our fingers. We hold the advantage right now and I don't want to lose it. To that end, I was going to interrogate Lord Murtell this morning. Having you there would make things easier, I think. You ...made quite an impression on him, and I believe he'll give us everything he knows so long as I keep you off of him."

"Good cop, bad cop, eh? Works for me. We can do that whenever you like; I don't have anything particularly important to do today." Fenrir paused, noticing the confused looks directed at him from every quarter. "What? -Oh, confused about my 'good cop, bad cop' comment? Put simply, it's a method of interrogation where two people conduct the interrogation at once. One is more pleasant while the other is more confrontational. It's a fairly effective method of teasing out information when done properly."

"I get all that," Kira said, "but where did that phrase come from? What's a 'cop'?"

"'Cop' is slang for police. Think law enforcement, not too dissimilar from a city guard."

Kira's brow wrinkled and she opened her mouth again, then shrugged and closed it. Clearly she didn't think it worth the effort of inquiring further. America was of a different mind. "Do you then have these 'police' in your homeland?"

"In my former homeland, yes," Fenrir nodded.

America looked a bit disappointed. Evidently she had hoped to learn more about Fenrir's background than his brief response revealed.

But before she could ask another question Brandis spoke again. "Why don't we interrogate Murtell directly after breakfast, then? He's had time enough to stew, and I don't see any profit in waiting longer."

"Certainly. Safara, where would you like to wait for me?"

"I'd like to stay close by, but I don't want him to see me again," Safara replied with a little shiver.

"That can be arranged," Brandis said. "We've been keeping him in the cells just off the **** room. If we interrogate him in his cell, Lady Cidrin could wait in the **** room, unless you would prefer not to revisit such a place." He finished almost in a question.

"No, that would be fine. I don't really want to be alone, though..."

"Don't worry, we'll be with you. Right, Kira?" Chellise chimed in, supported by a decided nod from the red-haired succubus beside her.

"And so will I." America gave Safara a comforting smile, which was returned by one of gratitude.

"Thank you."

Talk passed on to other matters, and before long breakfast was over and the entire party was making their way down to the sex dungeon. On the way Fenrir and Brandis worked out a plan of action for the interrogation, both agreeing that it would be best if Brandis did most of the talking, and Fenrir would only pitch in if the prisoner became recalcitrant. Brandis shot Fenrir a cautious look and said, a little hesitantly, "You will not lose your temper again, will you? I have to admit that if you really tried to kill him again, I would have my hands full preventing it."

Fenrir shook his head. "Last time was largely due to the shock of seeing Safara so cruelly abused. Imagine if you saw Amer- the princess in such a state. Would your blood not be boiling for ****, or at least justice?" He waited for Brandis' nod, which when it came was slow and thoughtful, then continued, "I may appear dark and foreboding once I see him, but you need have no fear of me trying to kill him. Any threatening gestures I may make will only be for the purpose of frightening him into telling all. Believe it or not, I actually have a fairly good grasp on my temper so long as my girls aren't directly in danger."

Brandis chuckled. "Everyone's got a weak spot, I suppose. Let's go take advantage of Murtell's, shall we?"

The interrogation went surprisingly smoothly. All Fenrir had to do was stand behind Brandis and glower threateningly, and Murtell couldn't tell everything he knew fast enough. The direwolf wasn't actually all that interested in most of it; he had gotten Safara back and those responsible for her capture were either themselves imprisoned or back in the capital. What happened to the rest of the slavers didn't much matter to him, though he did prick up his ears at the mention of a contact in the Barrens that was almost certainly a Dark-race of some sort.

What did interest him was what Murtell had to say about the rune currently inscribed on Safara's chest, but unfortunately the former lord of the estate barely even knew what it was, and nothing about how it might be removed. Once they were done Fenrir extracted a promise from Brandis to find out what he could about it from any prisoners he took or had already taken. While disappointing, he had to content himself with that for the present.

He had to marvel briefly at the quality of the soundproofing on the cell doors. From inside, not even his keen ears could detect the conversation happening without, and vice versa. Fenrir was mystified by it until on the way out he caught sight of a small rune carved into the door, a rune he recognized from his studies with Safara. Sound-dampening, or silencing. With how close-fitting the door was, it was likely the rune's effect extended out to the thick stone bricks on either side of the portal, and the stone itself was nearly ideal for noise insulation.

He paused outside the door to take in the sight that met his eyes. In the small sitting area at one side of the room where the girls had chosen to wait, lively chatter interspersed with laughter floated over to him. Everyone was sitting, or in Chellise's case, lying down, and chatting as though they had known each other all their lives. While he was still watching the scene Brandis exited the cell, and locking it behind him, stopped beside Fenrir.

"A month ago I could never have imagined a scene like that," the knight said in a low voice.

"Nor I, but I'm not complaining," Fenrir replied. Brandis nodded in agreement.

Several seconds passed in silence as they simply watched the girls' conversation, then Fenrir spoke again. "While I've got you here, Kira and Chellise wanted to take some of the items in this room back with us. Is there any reason that wouldn't be doable?"

Brandis thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. "No, I don't see any reason why they couldn't. You all deserve some sort of reward as thanks for your assistance anyway, it's been invaluable. Please, take whatever you like."

"Excellent, they'll be happy to hear that, and if I'm honest, so am I." Fenrir's eyes twinkled as he said it, and Brandis chuckled in return.

At this point America looked up, and seeing them, waved them over. "Done? How did it go?" she asked once they were within speaking distance.

"Smooth as butter, thanks to Ser Fenrir here," Brandis replied. "Murtell is absolutely terrified of him and the mere sight of him was enough to convince the man to give us everything he knows. Now, I need to go through all of this and cross check it with what Miss Cree sent yesterday, so I'll take my leave." And with a little bow he left them.

"So I've got good news, girls," Fenrir said, taking a seat beside Safara and looking across to where Kira and Chellise were lounging. "Ser Brandis okayed it, you can take any of the toys or gear that you want. Get those gathered together either today or tomorrow, alright?"

"Wait, really?" Chellise sat up so quickly she almost elbowed Kira in the face.

"Really. Apparently you girls are due some sort of reward for everything you've done to help catch the slavers anyway."

"Yes!" The mint-green succubus bounded to her feet and made for the bench upon which the gear was arranged.

Kira followed, but not before saying, "Did you tell him thanks from us?"

"I let him know you'd be happy to hear it."

She shrugged. "Eh, close enough for now. Hey Chellise, wait up!"

This left Katari, Safara, and America sitting with Fenrir, and the princess was next to speak. "So you plan to leave soon, then? Tomorrow?"

"Most likely the day after. We still need to procure horses, but if Safara keeps mending at this rate she'll be strong enough to travel by then."

America nodded. "I hope we will see you again, though."

"Count on it," Fenrir replied. "While it wouldn't be advisable for someone like myself to waltz up to the front gate of the citadel and ask to see you, I'll find some way of letting you know the next time I'm at the capital."

"I'd appreciate that," she said, blushing faintly.

"Hey boss, can we take some of these frames, too?" Kira shouted from the other end of the room.

"We're not hauling the entire dungeon along with us," Fenrir called back. "Set aside the ones you'd want and we can decide later if it's feasible to take them."

Safara giggled. "They're like children in a candy shop."

"A bit, yes," Fenrir chuckled. "But then I'm more disposed to be the same than otherwise, and I'm willing to bet you harbor some curiosity yourself."

"Well, maybe a little..."

Fenrir laughed again, and this time the others joined him.

Once the laughter had died down, America spoke again, after a little hesitation. "I realize it may be rude to ask, but is this customary for your kind?"

Fenrir cocked his head to one side. "Is what customary?"

"To have multiple..." she trailed off, unable to find the words she wanted.

"You mean to be romantically or sexually involved with multiple women at once? In short, to have a harem?"

"Yes," America nodded, her blush growing stronger.

"I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure. It came naturally enough that I would be inclined to think so, though it probably helped that the first members of my harem were all succubi, who are entirely accustomed to the idea of polygamy, not to mention that a large part of their culture centers around dominance and submission."

"You don't know? But what about your parents, or your community growing up? Did you not have parents?"

Fenrir sighed a little. "That's a complicated question to answer. Suffice it to say that I have never met another quite like me."

"That's so sad..."

"I have never shed tears over it, so I don't think you need to," the direwolf smiled. "I know it must seem terrible to you, but to me it really doesn't matter. Those I hold dear are like me in the ways that matter. I don't really care that they're not covered in fur or don't have a muzzle. Our hearts can connect, and that's the important part."

America nodded and blinked away the tears that had been threatening to fill her eyes. "What is it like, to have so many partners? Most humans are kept plenty busy with just one."

"Well, it is true that I cannot spend as much time with each one of my girls as I could if I were to choose only one of them, but so far I have not had any issues keeping them all happy. Aside from my being **** to leave them recently, of course, but that's beside the point. One might expect jealousy to become an issue, but so far they have not had any issues getting along, and what problems they have had with each other have been unrelated to their unique relationship with me."

"You mean me," Safara said.

"Yes, at least in part. But Kira and Chellise have become quite fond of you, so I don't doubt the rest will warm up to you in time. No one could hate you after they got to know you." Fenrir smiled at Safara's blush, then looked back at America. "I can't give as detailed an answer as you might wish, simply because I myself am still figuring it all out. I know that while humans are primarily monogamous, they have sometimes practiced polygamy as well."

America nodded. "The emperor of Tethoros hasn't chosen an empress yet, but he does have a harem of women, and some of his nobility follow his example. Aside from one or two kings, Mavenia has always practiced monogamy, however. At least, that's what the history books tell us."

"What about affairs?" Fenrir asked. "In a political marriage, there is often little love between the couple in question, and certain cultures it is considered acceptable to fulfill one's romantic needs elsewhere, so long as one is discreet."

"It is frowned upon, but I believe there are some who do engage in the practice," America answered, shrugging. "I know my father frowns on the idea of marrying only for political purposes, which is a relief to me, as otherwise I might have been expected to marry the emperor of Tethoros, or one of the kings of his vassal states in the interests of preserving peace."

"But you are not his only child, are you?" Safara questioned, tilting her head a little in a faintly birdlike gesture.

"No, which is why it would have been more probable that I would have had to marry one of the kings or princes of the emperor's vassal states. I'm actually the youngest of three. My brother is crown prince, and I also have an older sister."

"I see. Are you close?" This question came from Fenrir.

"Honestly? Not really," America answered, with another little shrug. "When my brother isn't involved in a diplomatic mission, he's busy with his horses. I used to ride with him sometimes, but I always got the feeling he would rather I hadn't been there, so I stopped after awhile. My sister... Well, all she can talk about is the latest fashion or gossip. She lives for the balls and parties. I can get along with her, but I wouldn't say we share any deep connection."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I don't have siblings, but I've heard the bonds between them can be truly special," Fenrir said.

Safara shrugged. "I'm an only child myself, but growing up there was a pair of twins which I sometimes played with. They always seemed to know what the other was thinking, and I never once saw them fight. When we played team games, we often had to split them up, because they played too well together and they would always end up winning."

"Twins? Are high elves not notoriously infertile?" Katari spoke up.

Safara nodded, sadness momentarily flashing into her eyes. "Yes. Not many couples have more than one child, and twins are almost unheard of."

"Only one child per family? That hardly seems sustainable," Fenrir mused.

Safara heard him. "It is not. For the past several thousand years our numbers have been decreasing. It was not always so, and there several theories as what caused the change in our fertility, but no one really knows."

There was a moment of silence, during which Fenrir slipped a comforting arm around Safara's shoulders.

"What about you?" asked America, looking at Katari. "Do you have any siblings?"

Katari nodded, after hesitating for a moment. "Yes, I have multiple brothers and sisters."

"Are you close with any of them?"

"I- ...No."

The response stopped America short. "Would you like to talk about it?" she asked, her voice sympathetic.

"...No, not now. But I thank you." Katari and America shared a look which surprised Fenrir a little.

'But then they've been together quite a lot over the past couple of weeks. America's interest in Dark-races would have provided the necessary impetus for them to spend time together outside of what was strictly necessary for hunting down the slavers,' he thought. He glanced across the room at his two succubi. 'Hot damn, they really are trying to take the whole dungeon along. Wait, speaking of which, I won't very well be able to buy any horses myself. I wonder if Brandis would be willing to act as proxy. If not, I'll have to steal them, which might prove a little troublesome, -but no, I'm sure he won't mind. The largest roadblock would be whether he can find the time in between everything else he's got to do, so I guess I should ask as soon as possible.'

Suiting action to thought, Fenrir stood, saying in response to the questioning looks directed at him by the rest of the party, "I'll be right back, I just need to ask Ser Brandis a question."

This explanation was accepted without fuss, and he left the room, not forgetting to Target Mark Safara just in case. 'Paranoia, maybe, but it doesn't cost me anything to do, and the peace of mind is worth it in my opinion.'

Behind him the girls carried on their conversation, until Katari noticed that America had gone quiet. "Is all well?" she asked.

"Not really," America all but whispered, her face brilliant with embarrassment. "I can't believe I just said all that in front of Ser Fenrir. I didn't even think about it, but- oh gods..."

Safara giggled. "He really does have an air to him that makes you feel you can confide anything to him."

"Do not worry, princess," Katari said. "I am sure he thinks no less of you for what you said."

"It's still embarrassing... I mean, I just told him all about my family problems without batting an eye. That's the sort of thing one should keep private. What must he think?"

Safara shook her head, still smiling. "He's not that sort of person, and besides, nothing you said was especially embarrassing." A tinge of pink came into her cheeks as she continued, "I know I've certainly admitted far more embarrassing things to him myself..."

"It is interesting, however; I did not know my lord was the only one of his kind. Did you, Safara?"

"No, I didn't. Fenrir has been surprisingly tight-lipped about his origins, hasn't he? I feel as if I know him quite well, but at the same time I know almost nothing about him."

"One thing is certain, he is no ordinary Dark-race. Even putting aside what he told us yesterday," -here Katari exchanged a meaningful look with Safara- "he acts in a manner unlike any being I have seen before."

"I know what you mean," nodded Safara. "He sometimes speaks of concepts I've never heard of before as though they were common knowledge."

"Not only that," Katari rejoined. "For most Dark-races, it is taken as a matter of course that every Light-race is an enemy, and if not avoided must be killed or otherwise subdued, but my lord never seemed to take that attitude. Not that he did not have a realistic view of how he would be seen by others, but he never seemed to accept that a Light-race meant an enemy in the way that all other Dark-races do."

"That's something that we can both be thankful for," Safara said, glancing across at America.

The princess nodded. "From what I've heard, if he hadn't been open to allying with us, Katari, Kira, and Chellise might never have sought us out, and then not only would we not have been able to eliminate the slavers in the capital, but I would have missed out on making some good friends."

Katari nodded her head in agreement. "It is true, I would not have regarded you as potential allies had Kira not first mentioned it as a possible course of action, and then my lord approved of the strategy."

"It was Kira that first suggested it?" America asked, surprised. "She was the one that was the most suspicious of us, and for the longest time."

Katari nodded again. "She did not trust you, especially after my lord- ...had to leave us, but then I cannot blame her. Of our party, I am an oni. My clan has from time to time had friendly -or at least civil- relations with Light-races. Chellise is still quite young. From what I have been told, she has had little contact of any sort with Light-races before this journey. Safara is of course a Light-race herself. Of all of us, only Kira has experienced first-hand the full brunt of the hate and distrust Light-races bear for her kind."

"When you put it like that, I guess the only surprise is that she trusted us at all," America said soberly. "I'm glad she was willing to give us a chance, even if it rose out of desperation. Glad all of you were."

"And I am glad you were willing to do the same. Few Light-races would have trusted an oni. Fewer still would have given two succubi a chance based only on the word of that oni." Katari bowed her head deeply.

"More's the pity," agreed America. "Still, it's not as if there's no reason for that distrust. Even oni have been known to raid villages along the frontier from time to time, and to attack soldiers and caravans."

"So we do, but only when our lands are trespassed upon. Though some clans are more eager to punish intruders than others."

"I've never heard of that." America's tone was one of surprise.

"It is true. Some clans even refused the Demon King's call in the last war, because they did not believe his cause was just. My clan was among them."

"Wow, really?" This came from Safara.

"Yes. It was not an easy decision. To refuse the summons meant facing retribution if the Demon King won, and of course missing out on any of the victor's spoils, while even if the Demon King lost there would be no thanks from any of the Light-races, only even more hate because of the clans who had answered the call. There was much dissent among the members of each clan whether to go or stay. There were even rumors of infighting in some clans."

"If only more people could hear of this. We might be able to find some way of coexisting."

"None would believe it even if they heard," Katari said, not sadly, but with calm certainty. "The wounds are too old and run too deep. But I appreciate the thought which inspires your words."

"Maybe..." America replied, one hand rising to her chin as she stared at the low table between them. She shook herself free of her thoughts a moment later, and the conversation turned to lighter subjects.

Before long Fenrir returned, satisfied with the results of his errand, and they all spent an enjoyable hour chatting before America finally sighed and stood. "Much as I would love to stay here and chat for hours, I should get back to Ser Brandis and help him plan our next move."

"Of course. If I can lend a hand, let me know," Fenrir volunteered.

"I don't think there's anything right now, considering you'll be leaving before we'll be ready to take down the slavers here in Eldfall, but I appreciate the thought." With a courtly little bow, she left the room.

Fenrir stretched, and stood up himself. "I think I'll head outside and train for a while, now that I'm reunited with my teacher. What do you say, Katari?"

"As my lord wishes." Katari rose, ready to follow the direwolf's lead.

He scooped up Safara and they left the room, pausing only long enough to let the two succubi know where they were going. When he stepped outside, however, Fenrir's plans were changed by the figures he saw off among the shrubbery to his left. Turning to Katari, he said, "Do you mind making yourself scarce for a bit? Much as I value your company, I fear Lady Murtell would still be made uncomfortable by it."

"Of course, my lord." Katari bowed slightly, then turned and walked away, but not without a keen glance up at Fenrir's face. He read something close to amusement in that swift glance, but before he could be sure of what he had seen, she had turned away.

Safara looked up at him curiously but said nothing. With her still in his arms he approached the two figures, Grace Murtell and her daughter. The mother was currently sitting on a bench watching as her daughter collected flowers from the nearby beds to weave into a crown. She looked up as Fenrir approached, tensing a little at the sight of him.

"Good morning, Lady Murtell. Do you mind if I speak with you for a moment?"

She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, then turned her face up to him with a gracious smile. "On the contrary, I had hoped to have a chance such as this. Please, have a seat."

Her attention attracted by the sound of conversation, Felicity looked up as Fenrir took a seat next to Lady Murtell. Curiosity flooded her childish features, and she came forward to her mother's side with equal parts interest and shyness. Fenrir noticed she was now clad in a high-waisted pinafore style dress which came down to about her knees, while her mother was wearing a gown reminiscent of eighteenth-century England, complete with voluminous skirts and a neckline low enough to showcase a tantalizing amount of cleavage.

"Safara, why don't you entertain Felicity for a bit while her mother and I talk? I'm sure she'd welcome the opportunity to talk with you for a bit."

Now it was Safara's turn to shoot him a keen glance. "Certainly, E'nas, I'd be glad to. Hello, Felicity. I saw you were making flower crowns. Would you like to see how the elves make them?"

Felicity's eyes widened with delight, and she chirped, "Sure!" before pausing and looking back at Grace. "May I, Mama?"

"Yes, go ahead, but stay close by." The depth of the love and tenderness in her voice struck Fenrir and he watched as she gazed after her child for several long seconds before remembering herself and returning her attention to him.

"She really is the light of your life, isn't she?"

Grace fairly glowed. "Yes. I don't know what I would do without her. Whatever else my marriage has brought me in the past or will bring me in the future, whether good or bad, I would never trade it because it has also brought me her. Do you have children, Ser...?"

"Fenrir, and no, not yet, though I expect that to change before long."

"Ah, congratulations."

"Thank you."

Grace nodded to where Safara was sitting in the grass expertly weaving a flower crown, with many pauses to explain to the enraptured Felicity exactly how she was doing it. "May I ask what Miss Cidrin is to you?"

"Certainly you may ask, though I may have slightly more difficulty answering," Fenrir smiled. "She is important to me, that I can tell you. In what way exactly is more difficult to articulate. In the simplest terms, she is one of mine. Therefore, she is worthy of my utmost efforts to make her safe and happy." He paused for a moment. "Does that answer your question?"

"Not entirely, but I suspect the perplexity lies with the lack of my understanding of your culture." Fenrir's eyebrows shot up at this, and Grace noticed. "Have I said something amiss?"

"No, I was only surprised that you assumed I had a culture. Most humans when they look at me would be disposed to see only a monster, something savage, feral. Nor can I entirely blame them, considering that most things covered in fur aren't actually sapient."

Grace's brow furrowed ever so slightly. "I would have thought it was obvious. I will not deny that your appearance was... unsettling, particularly at first, but your speech is that of a well educated man, and your manners would not shame you even in the presence of royalty. And speaking of which, I did not miss the respect which Princess America and her knight showed for you. With all these signs, how could I think otherwise?"

Fenrir chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. "Very well, I concede the point."

"I hesitate to ask, but could you tell me more about your culture?"

"I promise no answers, but feel free to ask. I will not become angry with you."

"I have never heard of a being like you. I am certain I do not know of all the Dark-races that exist, but your people must live far from here, or I would have heard of them."

Fenrir smiled at the dubious compliment buried in her statement. "Correct, my previous home is very far indeed from here."

She quirked an eyebrow as though to ask, 'Previous?'

"I have made a new home for myself in a quiet corner of Mavenia, far from any who would disturb me. My old home is too far for me to return, you see."

Grace nodded her understanding. "Why did you decide to come to Mavenia, if I may ask?"

Fenrir took a moment to answer. "I... did not entirely choose to come, though now that I am here I do not regret the circumstances that brought me here."

Accepting his hesitation to speak of his arrival, Grace changed tacks. "How came you to meet Miss Cidrin?" She nodded towards where Safara sat playing with Felicity.

"Ah, that's quite an amusing story. When we first met she actually attacked me, believing me to be a monster. It took some doing to convince her I meant no harm, but from there we traveled together and grew gradually closer until, when she was taken by the slavers, I would have turned Mavenia upside down to save her, had it become necessary. Oh, and by the way, I failed to introduce you properly earlier, but she is actually Lady Cidrin, being the daughter of a noble house of Ellevandra."

"Oh! My apologies! It is just that she seemed so relaxed, not at all how I would have imagined an elven noble to behave."

"Yes, but then you must not expect elven nobles to behave like human ones just because they share a title. I have never been to Ellevandra myself, so I do not know whether Safara's behavior is typical of elven nobility, but if you understand that she trusts me without reservation, then the fact that she seems so carefree and unconcerned may be less extraordinary."

"Elven nobility must indeed be quite different than their human counterparts. Few daughters of any noble family in Mavenia would be allowed to travel so freely or roam so far from home."

Fenrir glanced over at Safara, who now had her head bent close to Felicity's as she directed the young girl's efforts at weaving a crown herself. "Interesting. Was I correct, then, in thinking that Princess America being here is quite atypical, even if she does have combat training?"

"It is, but her companion and bodyguard, Ser Brandis, is known throughout the kingdom for his strength and capability. Had she a bodyguard like him, even I could not in fairness protest allowing Felicity to travel even as far as the capital without me on grounds of safety."

Fenrir's eyebrows rose. "High praise."

Grace spread her hands. "He is a living legend. He and his party would have been the most famous of the century had the Saintesses not risen during the war. Speaking of which, he is one of the last I would have expected to see in company with a Dark-race."

"I was not there at the time, but from what I heard, he was cajoled by the princess and a Miss Cree to work with several of my followers, then time and association taught him they were trustworthy. Thus, when I joined them, their word was enough to convince him to give me a chance as well."

"You were not then working with the princess from the beginning?"

"No, I was not. Due to circumstances outside my control, I was detained shortly after Safara was taken captive. Thankfully, my companions rose to the occasion magnificently, and we were able to find and rescue Safara before any permanent harm was done to her."

Grace's eyes dropped. "I am glad to hear that. I cannot help but feel partially responsible for what happened to her. Perhaps if I had better fulfilled my wifely duties, Brigham might not have-"

"None of that," Fenrir interrupted. "You are not responsible for his behavior, and making yourself available sexually would have changed nothing. Not that you are not beautiful, but that man had certain 'tastes' which you could not have satisfied without subjecting yourself to terrible suffering."

Fenrir's explicit phrasing, or perhaps the compliment, brought a blush to her cheeks, but Grace was not to be so easily deterred. "I could have been more involved in my husband's affairs. Whose duty is it to set a man on the right path if not his wife?"

Fenrir shook his head in wry amusement. "He was a bit beyond what gentle words could do, and even then, we both know there was no real love between you, and it is the love a man bears for his wife that gives her the power to change him."

Grace bowed her head in acknowledgement of the truth in Fenrir's words, though her eyes were still troubled. "I understand," he said. "You want there to have been something you could do, because it's terrible to think you were married to such a monster and did not even know it. And perhaps something could have been done, for after all, no one is born a monster, but the time in which he could have been turned away from such a dark path was already gone long before you married him."

"Perhaps," she admitted softly, and together they watched Felicity spin in circles in the midst of the blooms Safara had thrown into the air over her.

But while Grace's gaze stayed on her daughter, Fenrir's eyes found Safara's face, alight with joy and laughter as she watched the child dance in the rain of flowers before her. 'She would make a good mother,' he reflected. 'Well, she does want lots of children, so I guess it's hardly surprising.'

While they watched, Safara glanced over at them, and seeing Fenrir's eyes on her, tilted her head in a silent question. He smiled and shrugged with a nod, and she said something to Felicity, whose eyes brightened. Carefully picking up a completed flower crown, she ran to her mother. Standing, Safara dusted off her clothing and followed at a more sedate pace.

"Look, Mama, Safara taught me how to make this! Isn't it pretty?"

"Yes, it is," Grace replied warmly, admiring the crown which Fenrir had to admit did look very pretty, more like a wreath of flowers than a simple circlet.

"I made it for you, Mama! Lower your head, please?" Grace did so, and her daughter deposited the bloom-covered garland gently atop her mother's chestnut locks. Taking a step back, the girl clapped her hands in delight. "It looks perfect!"

"Indeed," Fenrir agreed. "Your choice of colors complements your mother's hair beautifully."

"Why, thank you, and thank you, little butterfly, for making this for me."

Felicity beamed at her mother and launched herself forward into her arms, beginning a somewhat disjointed explanation of how she had made it.

As she did this, Safara came up to stand beside Fenrir. "She's precious."

Fenrir smiled. "I saw you were very much enjoying yourself."

"And I hope your conversation was productive as well?" Safara shot him another keen glance.

"So it was. I think we both understand one another somewhat better now. We-" Fenrir broke off. Three-quarters of a mile distant, a closed carriage had just turned off the road which ran past the estate onto the drive which led up to it. "Already?"

"What is it?" Safara followed his gaze to the carriage. "Do you think that that's Miss Cree?"

"Most likely, but until I know for certain, I'm going to make myself scarce." He turned to Grace. "Thank you for your time and company, but I must be going."

"Already? I do hope we can do this again before long," Grace smiled up at him, her eyes making it clear the words were not merely courtesy. "I enjoyed our conversation greatly."

"As did I." Standing, Fenrir scooped up Safara in preparation to leave.

Turning her attention to the elf, Grace said, "Thank you for entertaining Felicity."

Safara smiled. "It was my pleasure. She is an absolute delight."

"Bye bye Safara! Will you play with me again sometime?" Felicity cried, leaving her mother's side to take hold of Safara's hand.

"Of course," Safara smiled back, disengaging herself from Fenrir long enough to give the girl a hug. "I'll make sure I set some time aside to spend with you before we leave. Promise."

"Yay!" Felicity beamed.

With one last nod to Grace, Fenrir made his way back into the manor, where he found Katari waiting for them.

"You saw the carriage, my lord?" she asked.

"Yes," Fenrir nodded. "I wouldn't be surprised if it's Miss Cree, but until we can be sure I deemed it best to keep out of sight."

Katari nodded, and together they watched the carriage roll up the drive towards the house.

Update: Upon reading this back in preparation for posting it on Scribblehub I've come to the realization that despite calling Felicity eight years old, I've written her as though she were closer to four. Rather than rewrite her, I'm revising her age to be five years old. Doing so doesn't mess with any of my plans for her or her mother, and it makes her character far more internally consistent. Thus, anywhere her age has been mentioned will now be changed to be five instead of eight. I don't want to make a habit of doing retcons like this, but if it makes the story better, I judge it's worth it.
I always feel a little bad about how long these chapters take to write, and then I have to remind myself that this is after all not a job, and I'm not technically under any obligation to post anything. Bah. I hope you enjoy it no matter how long it takes.
This chapter is, as the title suggests, absolutely full of conversations. A little more time with our favorite amazon, some banter with Fenrir's girls, on to the princess, then wrapping up with Lady Murtell. And it's not even lunchtime yet. I leave you with a bit of a cliffhanger, but it's not too bad, and this chapter was already getting pretty long.
Enjoy!