You awaken to the warmth of a fire

Your eyes adjust as you wince in pain. Your body still stiff but you notice your burns and your wounds are bandaged up. As you reach around to feel for the arrow in your back you hear Azul shout, "No stay still!"

Looking over you see her stand up from beside the fire, walking over to you to caress your shoulders. "Luckily the arrow came from some range so it didn't go too deep. I was able to remove it but you have to lie still or you will reopen the wound."

"Ok... but god it hurts... where are we...?" You reply, looking around the small shack.

"A small fishing hut in the swamp about a day up the river" She says, rubbing your shoulders gently as she adds in a soft tone, "I was worried you weren't going to wake up you know..."

"Don't worry I'm not done bothering you yet..." You tease with a grin. Your tone getting more serious as you ask with concern, "They wont look for us here will they? We did travel with the current..."

"No not a chance..." Azul says as she holds up a cup of tea to your lips. "We have drifted far into the Western Marshes... Silva wont send troops up here unless he wants to risk another war with the lords here."

"Doesn't mean his spies or Enzo won't follow us... we should go... ughhh shit!" You groan in pain as you try to sit up.

Holding you down she shouts, "Damnit will you stay down?! We can't go anywhere in your condition... best chance we have is to wait here." Looking out the window she sees fresh snow fall before adding, "Besides I can tell there is a good storm coming so we should be safe here for a few days."

"Do have any idea where we can go next...? I never campaigned this far West... but I heard that Orc bandits and thieving bands of wood elves are an issue here.... is that true?" You ask as you sip the bitter tea. "Ugh this tastes like crap!"

"Stop complaining! It will help you heal... and yes I am from here remember? I still have family up here and while I doubt they will enjoy seeing a half Orc like me... perhaps I can persuade them to help us."

"Oh? How do you plan on that...? Once they find out who I am I'm sure they will fight over who gets the reward for my head..." You reply as you keep sipping the tea. Wincing from its strong taste.

"Seriously...? Like I'm dumb enough to tell them who you are...?" Azul replies with a scoff before she leans in to kiss your cheek and whisper in your ear, "I think its best we make something up..."

"Oh? Like what?" You ask as your eyes wander over to the soup in the pot over the fire.

Smiling Azul says, "Well maybe we could tell them a bit of the truth... That were seeing each other and we got robbed while traveling North... I'm sure they will approve of me being with a decent human man."

"I suppose that would help explain my furtive looks..." You tease as your eyes wander her sexy body in a tight short dress. "Where did you get that...?" You ask.

"There are some clothes in the trunk over there..." she says with a smile before standing up. "Why? Do you like it?" She says as she turns a bit.

"I do... just don't take you for the dress type..." you respond as your eyes wander down to her sexy light green thighs. "So what will we tell them is the nature of our travels North?"

Looking down nervously she says, " Well we could always say we came to ask for the high priest to bless us... They would have to feed us for a few days as tradition. Then maybe we can make our next move once things have settled down..."

"What do you mean bless us...?" You ask with a brow raised.

"I think your people call it marriage..." She says with a serious tone, enjoying your look of unease as you reply.

"I don't think that's a good idea I mean I.."

Azul listens as long as she can before laughing and pushing your arm playfully. "Oh come on I was kidding it's not that serious... Its just a blessing that merely recognizes us as being together. We don't share the same rigid views on relationships as your people."

"Oh... Well then I would love to... even if we didn't have to." You reply, making Azul smile wide, her yellow eyes locked onto yours before she kisses your lips softly.

"Mmmm you're too good to me..." Azul says before she gets up and pours you a bowl of soup.

"You should eat... we need to get some rest as the blizzard blows over." Azul says as she hands you the bowl. You quickly eat together, sharing glanced before she lays beside you, her hand caressing your back as she dozes off.

You quickly follow her, feeling the warmth of Azul pressed up beside you as you fall asleep... of course your rest is cut short...

"What was that?!" You say loudly as you shake Azul awake.

Both your eyes wandering over to the door as someone rattles the handle.