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My camp seemed considerably smaller having to share it with a soaking wet Gre'nahk. At least she didn't smell like some of the townfurs when they were wet. Still I already had one of my light blankets wet from the first time I saved her and had Veira dry off with and I need something between myself and the ground tonight, so i guess I'll have to just air dry by the fire for a bit.

I stripped off my shirt and pants and set them on a rock to air out. They'd both be fine, the waterproofing just doesn't seem to cover swimming. After a few minutes standing over the fire I was completely dried off and grabbed a plain linen shirt and pants and put them on to sleep in. I watched Veira a bit as I dressed she had been silent since we walked back, wearing a content smile for me caring about her enough to rescue her again I imagine.

She was alternating between patting her fur down and ruffling it up to remove the last bits of water from her coat and completely dry off. I noticed how she paid special attention to her tail as she would raise and wave it around the fire, taking extra care not to get it close enough to burn her fur while still moving it around to get the dry air of the fire to rid it of moisture. I was almost hypnotic how she could so easily manipulate it and move it around, back and forth making snaking movements with it.

I noticed that she was had been likewise watching me dry off. Perhaps curious about my nude physique or perhaps she was just interested in seeing how much easier it was for me to dry off than it was for her. Either way I ignored her, and being completely dried off with most of the firewood already on the fire I set out the lone remaining blanket on the ground. The rain seemed like it would keep through the night. I can only hope that it ends with the rising sun.

I had no sooner lied down on the blanket then I heard a small whimper followed by "...Ah, Tal are you aware of Gre'nahk sleeping habits?"

"No. Go to sleep." I quickly replied and closed my eyes. No sympathy for cry babies from me.

"Then ah, Tal, Gre'nahk are a very social people we do not ever sleep alone. Such things cause us great duress, we crave the touch of others. Deprived of that we, ah, do not fare well mentally. We generally sleep with siblings or close friends until we are mated. We do not do well alone like some of the other races. So, ah Tal......" Veira was saying stumbling over her words not sure how to phrase her request, obviously not wanting to anger me after what she had already done today.

*sign* "Just say it Veira." At this point i'm too worn out to really care she truly is a troublesome girl, making such requests of me.

"May I have the privilege of laying by you tonight Master Tal'keelis" She spoke softly.

"No......... "Master" Veira, just Tal." I said a bit more annoyed that she hasn't caught on to even that yet. But watching her flinch at the "no" followed by a pause made it somewhat worthwhile, perhaps I am a being a bit too mean to her. No, for the trouble she gives me it's fine.

Since I didn't voice any objection she hesitantly took it as a sign that she could. I honestly would rather just let her sleep alone but I do remember hearing about how Gre'nahk sleep and there is only one dry blanket right now. The nights are not so warm enough yet that the ground will not sap the heat from your body, but I don't know how well that applies to those with fur. Yet I think it may be too harsh for me to deny her this. It really isn't too big of deal since I let her lay in my bed already, so I'll let her lay next to me. She took up a position on her side and ever so slowly inched closer to me as I was laying on my back, until her fur was brushing up against me, then pressed against me. The warmth of her person seeping through my simple shirt. The softness of her small breasts reminding me that she is infact a she and a very nude one at that. Then slowly she extended her arm across my torso and gently set her head down on my chest. her entire body pressed snugly against mine.

The whole sight of it would've been comical if it were happening to someone else. I wanted to tell her to just lay next to me and go to sleep, but as she said its the physical contact that Gre'nahk crave in their sleep. Having her do that would be the same as having her sleep across the fire from me. So despite my inclines otherwise I made no protest, at least she didn't make any dumb comments about being my mate. She seemed to drift off to sleep as soon as she had her arm across me and her head resting on my chest.

If what she told me was true it means that she ran non stop into Desova for 5-6 hours, which mean the route I've taken thus far has lead me far too close to to the forest edge. I will have to take a bit faster pace north east tomorrow in order to get back on track. Split-Rock Falls is normally a 5 day journey by foot from Green Briar, so it would have taken me a week to reach it. My supplies would have held out easily until then and anyone sent out to find me would've reached it before I did. It seemed like it was a solid plan. Now with Veira in tow the rations I have will barely hold out and that, of course is if she doesn't slow me down and there are no more other unforeseen events. But for now it seems rest is the best course of action.

The morning broke with a lazy gray mist still hanging in the air. The ground was well soaked and muddy from last night's rain and the air was a bit chill but other than that it seemed that today would be fine enough for traveling. Veira had during the night ringed her tail around my body like some sort of fuzzy oval halo. She was staring at me with a small smile on her face since I first noticed her when the haze of morning grogginess faded from me. The tip of her tail flicking back in forth in happy little movements. I can't say the the sight wasn't a bit endearing but it also shows that she still doesn't understand where she stands with me very well. I may tolerate her sleeping beside me to avoid being cruel to her but such things don't negate the fact that I really don't want anything to do with her she merely is around until I can find a place to safely dump her off. And that should be my destination: Split-Rock Falls.

Getting up I fetched a pair of gray linen pants with draw strings and a similar v-necked, short sleeved shirt and threw them to Veira. "Put these on, better for you not to go around naked all the time right?" I told her with a dismissive wave of my hand. I don't think we will meet anyone out here where it would be hard to explain having a nude Gre'nahk girl with me that was not a slave.

She caught the clothes but hesitated to put them on instead she watched me as I undressed from the clothes I slept in and changed back into the traveling shirt and pants that I wore yesterday until my little trip into the river to stop a certain nude Gre'nahk that happened to be staring at me while I dressed from drowning.

"Mas...ah, Tal? Could I just use the clothing you wore last night instead if you wish me to be clothed? It would seem to be a waste to dirty another set of your clothing needlessly."

"I don't care just put something on." I said, I don't know if her aim is to keep my things clean or because she wants to have something with my scent on it, but I suspect its the latter.

It seems strange to me that while I continue to push her away and show no signs of accepting her, she continues on while seemingly ignoring what I say to her about not wanting her. She is either dense or too hopeful that I will change my mind and keep her. I think saving her last night may have done too much to my image of being cold to her. Yet what else was there for me to do? I cannot let her go and drown on my account and yet I also cannot let her get too close to me. I need to reach Split-Rock Falls fast before this whole relationship with her becomes too cumbersome for me.

The journey to Split-Rock Falls was surprisingly uneventful and easy. Each day consisted of walking at a brisk pace from dawn until just before the sun started to set. Veira keep up easily and did not seemed bothered by the long days. I would stop for a bit at noon and then again a few hours later to rest for a bit and have some of the dried rations. Once the sun started to dim I would stop and gather wood for a fire and make a stew. I would let Veira lay next to me at night and then repeat the same routine the next day. The journey from when Veira ran into me until we reached Split-Rock Falls took only four days, a remarkable feat since we traveled by no path but by the leylines of the Wilds that the guidestone led us on.

The Synwyn milk and manashock mixture definitely worked well with the guidestone. By the fourth day I could clearly see the pulsing green streams of energy running under the ground we walked upon. The guidestone turned our direction ever so slightly during the day making us weave through the forest more than I initially liked but it was clearly following the lines I was seeing. We avoided several potentially hazardous obstacles two areas of a bog and one rather large creeping plant that seemed to have a maw that could in fact hold a man inside.

I talked little during the trip, preferring silence to having to try and converse with Veira. She mentioned that my eyes were glowing faintly, from the potion I'd guess but other than that she keep quiet unless I spoke to her. Which did in fact make the trip seem much faster in and of itself.

Split-Rock Falls was a Village in the true sense that it was small having only a few hundred residents and lacked any real walls to surround it. There were a few cobbled stone fences around the property of some of the houses but most just stood without yards on a dirt street. The homes were all made of hewn logs, stacked upon each other with the gaps in between patched with a mixture of resin and wood chips or just hardened clay. The village itself was up a large hill and straddled the Loam river which flowed down to the south between a cleft in a large rock outcropping on the hill. It was a strange village being situated on a river but not having a water wheel or any kind of mill at all. The village dealt in hides, meat and herbs and served as a resting point for those traveling between Joliam and Greatwood. Really it was far from anything remarkable, just a half dozen or so streets radiating off the main road through town that must of been the original path from Joliam to Greatwood. I guess at some point a bridge was built here with a person payed to maintain it or collect a toll from travelers and the village grew from there.

I checked my sword and dagger as we approached the village, making sure they were at the ready and could be quickly freed from their sheath and scabbard. I doubt highly that anyone would be here looking for me or would be wishing to harm me but being prepared wouldn't hurt. More of a concern would be the dull glow in my eyes. While there are many magic user in the Wilds, they more often come in the variety of shamen, herbalists like Ferra and priests. None of which go about broadly proclaiming their use of mana but rather they use it within their arts. The southern nations as well as the fire worshipers I'm told have much more overt and practiced users who can bend the very elements to their will. Yet here in the Wilds, those that use magic as such are seen as perverting the natural order of things and disrespectful to the land and the spirits. So having a clearly magical aura around my eyes may not be taken too well by some, yet I'm hopeful that it will be recognized as a side effect for using a herbalists potion as it is.

Unlike Green Briar Split-Rock Falls was more of a Ah'komeli town, being closer to traditional lands of their race as well as being situated in a forest which they preferred. The contrast was sharp as I passed the first few building nearly everyone on the street was in fact an Ah'komeli. The digitigrade cats going about their business of the day taking little mind of me. Being on a main road ment that travelers such as myself were a very common sight. I in fact knew that despite being a village there were three inns here, two on the west side of town and one on the east. A normally impossible number for such a small town but the silk trade of Joliam was an extremely prosperous one, no one understood silk like those cats did. I made my way down the street, with Veira following closely behind me. She seemingly understood I don't want to cause a scene here, and kept her eyes down and said nothing.

It was a little before noon when I stepped in front of the largest of the three inns in town called "Mug n' Hearth" from the plain brown sign hanging next to the door. It was a rather unique building in that it s base was of stone rather than wood as the rest of the town. It was built into the shape of an octagon having two stories and a very large chimney coming out the center of the building.

I pushed the door open and was greeted by the low burning light of a large hearth in the center of the building. The old oak floors creaked as we entered. To the right of us was the bar with a middle aged man with slightly greying hair, wearing a grey button up shirt linean. He appeared to be making a count of his stock as he looked up and gave us a wave. The left side of the room had a tables and a booths ringing the bar portion of the inn. A pair of doors were to the right of the hearth one looking to be leading to rooms and the other to the kitchen and the private rooms I'd wager.

As I approached the bar I was greeted by the friendly middle age man behind the bar counter. "What can I get fer ya young man?" He said as she looked me and Veira over.

"Room and meals for the night and in the morning, preferably a quiet one." I said casually. I wanted to try to get a room away from other guests to try and avoid contact with people as a precaution and saying quiet was the best way to put it without making myself look more suspicious than I already did.

"Ha, quiet is it, Mr.glowie eyes? Don't ya worry I've yet to have any of our food make a peep, well after its cooked at least, haha. If ya don't wants to be around others just say so. We get yer types here on occasion. Ain't my business whatcha do to yerself or whatcha do. I just run a inn that's all. Four silver twenty copper a night and I'll give ya my nice "quiet" room on the second floor in the back"

"Thats quite the sum for an inn in a small village, I might be able to buy a small house here for that." I said starting the traditional haggling. His price was in fact far more than it should be but since he started so high I had to assume the room actually is nice and out of the way and a bit more than the normal rooms. Or he didn't take too nicely to to my eyes.

"Indeed, indeed you should just go on out and get yerself a small hamlet here for a few of those large silver coins ain't no one here seen them before." The man said with a grin on his face. He wasn't about to start haggling with me it seems. So I might as well make a reasonable final offer to her and be over with it.

"Three and twenty then with another twenty when I leave if i'm well taken care of." I said with a sigh. I'm really not in the mood for this and am far from putting on a good show haggling.

"Three and forty with a twenty-five bonus fer when we do take good care of ya. And that means I'll go out of me way and serve ya supper as well as dinner an breakfast like ya want which is more than fair in a village like this. But don't you be expecting no pleasure girls here we don't run that kind of establishment an ya already gots a little thing with ya anyways." He said pointing out that Veira was behind me looking at the ground doing her obedient servant/mate or whatever routine. And for once I am glad of it, much easier to try and get rid of her this way.

"Deal." I handed him the coins and he pressed a bronze key into my hands and directed me to the room saying he'd send the noon meal up shortly.

The inn was surprisingly nice I noticed as we made our way up the curved stairs to the second floor. The walls were plastered white in the halls instead of being smoothed wood. Matching the 7 on the key to the room with a matching number plate, I unlocked and opened the door.

It was a nice room having a large hearth that was connected to the one I saw going on the first floor. The room had the same plastered walls all around with several Ah'komeli rugs upon the floor but none too close to the hearth. There was however only a single medium sized bed. But I guess I should've expected that asking for a room with two beds would've only raised questions. I'll have to quickly see to finding someone to take Veira if I am to avoid another night of having her smother me. There was a circular bleached pine table and three matching chairs around it in the center of the room.Besides the bed and table there was nice if a bit rustic wardrobe and dresser and nightstand that had several candles and matches set on them. A thing that was more of a luxury for an inn to provide, so perhaps the man was right to say that his price was fair but I'll decide that after I see the meals.

I set my pack down and had just changed into some more suitable clothes for staying in town when a knock was at the door accompanied by the mouth watering smell of a hot meal. I opened the door and to my surprise in strode a young female Gre'nahk with a large wooden platter laden with fresh bread and two bowls of a hearty looking stew with a pair of apples and a cold tea.

She waltz in and in an instance set the platter down upon the table with practiced proficiency. "If ya don't be needin anything else I'll be off for now, I'll be back in o bit to fetch the dishes, if ya need anything else then as well." The female Gre'nahk said

The Gre'nahk girl was a light red color with yellow eyes and rather nondescript. She stood up straight and tall with her tail swishing behind her all over never seeming to sway the same way twice. She wore a plain beige linen robe held together with a red sash around her waist and a large amber brooch holding the top together keeping her breasts completely hidden. She was modest besides her seemingly overtly forward personality and the triple pierced ears she had it seems. A gold stud at the tip of each ear and two small gold rings below the stud that clinked together when she moved her ears. She had a black nose and thin black lips different from Veira and most of the Gre'nahk that normally would visit Green Briar. I noticed as I looked at her face that she actually had a large scar going down the right side of her muzzle, which also seems to be longer than most of her kind. It didn't heal well or must of been really deep for it stood out rather obviously now that I noticed it.

"Actually miss I would like to talk to you for a bit after the meal if you could." I said trying to put on a business face so she understood I wasn't going to proposition her for extra services or something like that.

"Sure if ya think ya need ta, enjoy the meal. I'll be back to fetch em and talk to ya later then."

The meal was eaten in silence, Veira picked at her food and ate slowly waiting for my approval to touch the bread or apple. It was a nice meal but hardly noteworthy, since I had already been living on a stew the past two weeks besides the fact that mine was much more meager. Soon it was gone and I laid down upon the bed to rest and think on exactly how I should approach the topic of pawning Veira off to this Gre'nahk serving girl or the inn owner. Veira just stayed silent in a submissive posture sitting in the chair. I was nice not to have to hear her voice while I tried to relax.

A knock on the door woke me from a short slumber and without waiting for an answer the serving Gre'nahk entered and grabbed the platter and all before turning to me and saying. "So the boss says its fine for me to talk ta ya now if ya still want. He seems ta think you're a good guy and not bout to try funny things so its ok with me too then."

I told Veira to stay in the room as I made my way down the hallway and down the stairs to the main room of the inn. This Gre'nahk serving girl was interesting to say the least. I have to think that by her speech that she was not raised by a Gre'nahk father or that she was a runaway. She was far too curt and had seemed to have a backwaters vocabulary that the locals had. Either way she is the most likely person I'll meet in town who will being willing to help Veira.

"So whats the deal ya got with your girl? She's one of them trained ones, a shifting sands clan at that, an they don't come cheap. Yet ya couldn't keep yer eyes offa me. She not yer type then or ya thinkin your one'a those guys that's gotta chase every tail he sees?" She said as we had just barely sat down at a booth downstairs in the bar, not letting me even start the conversation.

"Well I think its usual to start with some introductions before getting into personal questions like that miss...?"

"Second, type then just a tryin to get me to lift my tail fer ya? Athinkin you're a bout to go a conquering in bed tonight with yer noble words, then?"

"NO, I don't know what thoughts are going through you head at this moment but they all seem to be wrong to me, I'm not one that goes about looking for a whore in every town he visits and Veira." I tried to reason with her before things got too off track and out of hand.

"So, I'm a whore them am I, that's a great way to be getting some tail from a serving girl. So tell me how much you reckoning a toss with me is worth to ya." She quickly shot back leaning in to me and staring me down with her vivid yellow eyes.

"Not interested. Don't care. Like I said I'm not here to talk about you and any insinuat..., words I said that make me think your a whore are misunderstood. Veira was given to me, I don't want her, I don't like what she is or represents. I saw you and thought. "Hey, here's a free-minded Gre'nahk female who can maybe help me find a place where Veira can go." That's why I was paying close attention to you in my room, to see what kind of girl you were. Not because I want to bed you."

"Mmmm, yer half a telling the truth then, maybe you don't want... Veira is it? But I still smelled yer arousal when ya were lookin at me, so I say ya still are looking to bed me. But don't be so modest bout it cuse I think boss was right and yer prolly a good guy not wantin to sell her off an all. I don't think of myself as a whore, but I have taken a few good looking males to my bed for a price. And I figure you're just a nervous bout yer new little toy seeing how ya don't know how to wear a girl in fur so ta speak. So I'll let ya have a bit o fun with me for a small fee. I'll show ya all the spots to get her hot an flowin, show ya how to get her a beggin for yer cock." Really that is quite enough. It seems like every damn serving girl in every tavern wants to have a roll when i'm not interested.

"Listen nameless Gre'nahk who doesn't like introductions, I don't and will not have that kind of relationship with her I just told you that I don't like her I'm just looking for a safe place to drop her off at where shes not going to end up becoming a slave or whoring herself out against her will."

"Hmph, high an mighty then. Well I can't help ya out wit her. This is a small town an everys got a job here, no work for a girl with no skills like that, cept at a inn and i'm here so that closes that one out too. Ya best just get use ta her if yer not willin to sell her cuse those type they can't just go free, they don't know how. They tried to get me to be like that and I ran, I ran all the way here when I was still a kit. I saw what happen to ma older sisters how they took all the life outta em and made em just like that one is. Pretty little pets is all they are, and being that scarred me so I ran with nothin. And it was hard and I did a lotta things I didn't want to a do and lifted my tail when I was too young ta an didn't want ta until I got here and got older enough and smart enough to know how to run things fer myself. And that one ya got she'd go through ta same things if ya just let her go cept worse cuse she's already had her spirit gone outta her. So she's gonna take everything and never say no and end up in a worse lot than me. So if ya really worried bout her being abused, keep her.

I noticed too how ya didn't not say anything bout not wantin to bed me. An I am feeling a bit frisky today so ya can keep me company after Imma done workin with the first watch. And I'll show ya how ta treat a lil Gre'nahk. So after ta first watch bottom level room with ta red tail painted on it easy to find. Now I gotta get back to work see ya later little prince." She said as she got up blew me a kiss and walked back towards the kitchen, swaying her hips as she went and keeping her tail altogether too high as some form of enticement.

The innkeeper saw the exchange and just shook his head and went back to his tally sheet or whatever he was working on at this usually dull time of day for an inn. That is until I came over and pulled up a stool to have a talk with him. He just looked up to acknowledge me before going back to his tally and waiting for me to say my mind.

"So despite what your serving girl told me do you happen to be in need of another server or one of the other inns perhaps?"

"I overhead you enough. Elis is right you won't find a place for her here unless you plan on selling her to be someone's wife. Not my job to pry and I know that there be all sort of issues with takin a furred wife with our kind but what's the real issue with her. I know those type of Gre'nahk and they cost a few fistfulls of gold. That doesn't to me seem like something that one would just try to give away for no reason. So what she do? Go an kill someone? Or is it some family disgrace thing for you gonna be disowned or some such southern thing."

"She's...., It's not something I should be talking about other than to safely get rid of her. Really truly its that she stands for those things that I hate, and it sounds terrible for me to want to pawn her off on someone and makes me seem like some high and mighty idealist but its the truth. I'm a man of the Wilds, I don't want a thoughtless women clinging to me for the rest of my life obeying my every command. I want someone who's independent and strong to be with someone I can trust and count on. How can I accept a person as an equal when they insist on be subservient to me and following my every whim."

"You know there's plenty of men that want a woman just like that. Seems to me you're crying bout catching a coney in you snare when you wanted a fox. Hmm, actually seems like you got the fox and wanted a badger. Either way I can't think of a single person in town with a use for her, other than that old leech Grimscales but i'll guess you don't want to give her to an old Vestige as a plaything. If you're so intent on being rid of her why not just give her back to her parents. Seems to me to be the sensible thing to be doing?"

"That's not how Gre'nahk work, she'd just be sold off as a slave or worse. Gre'nahk only do a single point of sales in these things i've come to find out."

"We'll then seems like you might just have to keep her with ya, could head over to Greatwood, be sure to find a place for her there or Joliam seems good, they always looking for those to tend the silk plantations, workers don't get paid much but should be fine i'd wager. Of course now this is all just the words of a man talkin ya know, no need to be takin my word as good that anything I say is good, ya hear?"

"Don't worry, I understand. I have just been thinking on what to do with her and can't seem to find a decent way to get what I want done. This is the second time shes mucked up my plans and this time she seems to be sticking better than the first. I said leaning back a bit at the depressing thought that I would have to keep Veira with me a bit longer.

"Say where can I get some quality supplies at here. Need trekkin things for one it seems than and normal travelers' things."

"That depends on which way ya travellin' if its Greatwood or Joliam, any place here will do for those. If you venture to the fire worshipers' lands or in the back country of the Wilds then ya should go see ma friend Viktor, ya can't miss him he's the only Teal I know of for at least fifty miles. He'll get ya set right with long store provisions and things as well as the new gear ya might need. He does a bit o work with the steels in the winter when travelers don't come round often. I think he just wants an excuse to keep a big ol fire going to warm his scaly hide."

"Alright I'll bite, where is his store"

"Not a store really just a little stand in front of his house next to his forge. Tell him what ya need and he can prolly scrounge it up for you within the day if he don't have it already. And don't let him fool ya he has that little house of his stocked full of supplies. Tell em you need em by the morrow and he'll get the picture."

"Thanks,uh, afraid I never caught your name friend."

"Names are things other people give ya, call me as ya like. The furred one calls me boss, the folk that want drink; barkeep and my wife mostly calls me useless." He said with a chuckle and a smile at getting to use an old joke like that.

I went back upstairs to tell Veira I was going out to procure some supplies when she suddenly spoke for the first time since arriving in the town. And Veira was immediately upon me as I entered the room.

"Please Tal, do not give me away I shall endeavor better to please you. There is much I can do to help you if you but let me." She said in her quiet voice yet there was anxiety behind it this time I saw.

"Veira, I'm going to get supplies nothing more at the moment, stay here until I return and do not leave the room." I said sternly and perhaps I was a little cruel as I did not confirm or deny that I was trying to ditch her. But if she really was trying to become something that I would want as a wife then she would at least change her mask and go ahead with it. I thought about this as I was making my way across the bridge that separates the two sides of the village to the Teal's home.

I must admit I hadn't expected to see a Teal out here being a mountain race that makes use of of the cliffs to glide from place to place. They generally stay in those places with areas that allow them to use their great wings; the mountains that ring the Wilds and a few on the plateau of Durus. So seeing one here in the heart of Desova surrounded by great trees which oft cover the sky seems a bit odd. The only place it seems here where one of these giants could get airborne is in fact right behind his home. A large rocky pillar which made up half of the split rocks the town was named for on the east side of the river which in short order toppled over the falls.

Now teal tend to stand perhaps twice the size of a man I believe I have seen only a few of them in my time and that seems to be right to me at least. The have a bluish gray skin despite what the barkeep said they do not have scales but the skin they have is incredibly tough. They have a hard crown on bone that extends beyond their head that when they look upwards covers the back of the neck the thing is covered still in skin and flesh as are the little ridges that I suppose if they were not as they are would be called horns as they are I don't really know what to call them. The have thrice folded leathery wings, which before one can blink can be extended and set in place to support their great weight. For unlike birds and their ilk Teal are heavy and dense having great muscles and broad chests. Hands and feet that end with strong, large talons. They have no hair about the body and if memory serves me they mostly prefer to go nude and have great appetites which they sate with meat to warm their bellies.

Recalling this I walked across the bridge next to the old creaking waterwheel that was caked with algae making its synthetic churring sounds as the stream move on past it. The stand was there and certainly had assorted provisions and supplies hanging from it. A small but tall house was behind it and next to that stood a new black ring of coals with an impressively large bellows attached to it.

"Hello sir? The barkeep told me I should visit to see about some supplies." I called out not seeing anyone around but not wanted to get too close to an empty stand and be seen like a thief.

"IT'S MA'AM!" A voice thundered from the house as the door swung open and a very large, very uh.."well built" and very clearly female Teal came out. She, yes, yes very much she. She was much like her kind have a light blue skin and a large fanned head plate extending some ways off her head above her eyes. She wore only a small rough loincloth about her waist which matched the color of her skin. And she also possessed the largest pair of breasts that I have ever set eyes upon and I think that I may ever see. Large blue mounds with deep blue nipples that rose an inch or so off those feminine mounds. Which are about the only feminine things about her. She was at least twice as broad at the shoulder as me and around one and a half times my height, with each of her breasts being considerably larger than my head. Her body was well toned with muscles that clearly stood out and would be an envy to nearly every man.

"My apologies ma'am the barkeep spoke of you as a male." I wanted to right any wrong I had made with her in a hurry. So intimidating she was in her size and physical prowess that she possessed that it seemed to make Ferra as little more than a scrawny Charring. To think that the day should come where I thought of a large Rugesh woman as being both more feminine and frail that the female set before me!

"Hmph, that oaf will be finding his repair bill up again if he keeps at that. Names Vicktoria, don't look so scared I don't bite outside of season and i'm not mad. Always some sort of commotion for people seeing a Teal in these part specially young ones like yer self. Now what are ya looking for, I can get most anything you need for travelling if I don't stock it already." She said trying to switch over to her business mode before she scared customers off. Yet I couldn't help but think why is a Teal in the middle of a forest.

"Then you don't mind me asking how exactly did a Teal end up in a small village in the middle of Desova." I inquired of her while still keeping a what most would see as an awkward distance between us.

"Stories first huh? Well, that's bout as common as that oaf sending people ta me like that too. I got outcast for a fortyear and settled here. Had a traditional type clan. Chiefs son took a liking to me, me not so much to him or at all depends on who you ask. But either way it was he hounded me when my next season came telling me I'd be chieftess and such and that I should accept him. Which was all fine an all but I still didn't like em, so I refused then he got all hot and a fighting with me getting himself worked up and a ready for that type of action and pinned me good with his talons firm at my neck. And I won't admit it to a Teal but to you small folk its alright, but he was stronger than me and I was in no way gonna let him claim me the old fashion way. So I pretended to yield and took hold of his things acting like I was about to please him with my mouth. Takin it all up to his vent, yes and then I took it all off and he screamed and danced around, before falling on his side crying and I laughed and laughed figured that'd get him off me for the rest of the season. I learned later when I told my mother bout it that those things don't heal back like a tear in the wing do. I'd never considered that but ah, it was worth it.

Wroth Chief sends me away fer it his son no where to be seen when I go. He got the worse of it I think and I don't regret it a bit. Only two more years and I can return think I will to say hello to ma folks but I kinda like it here. Maybe I'll just grab a nice little male and bring his blue ass back here with me, threaten to bite his off too if he don't come nicely." Vicktoria said with a big grin showing off those very large teeth of hers which had so cruelly been put to use and stood with pride at her apparent victory.

"Well.....that's a interesting story and all but isn't doing that to a male about the same as what the chief's son was going to do to you?" I asked. She looked at me perplexed as to why I would ask such a thing before replying.

"How so? He was stronger than me but I was smarter so I won, he lost. I'll pick a male I like and beat him and he'll come cuse he won't want to end up like the chief's son, so I'll win both." She seemed confused still that I couldn't see what to her was obvious.

"I see, well to business then." I didn't want to drag out a conversation about a topic like that any longer than I had to.

"Yes to the coin exchanging" She said with a big very toothy smile. Each of her teeth had to be about the size of my thumb.

"I need a traveling pack, rations for two weeks for two, of medium quality, dried fruits, nuts and cheese in addition to the standard biscuits and salted meat, some smoked fish would be nice as well. No make that for three weeks, I can't be sure of where I will go next. Also a pair of blankets for the season, cleaning knife, a pair of water skins, and suitable clothes for a female Gre'nahk to undertake such a trip. Perhaps shoes for her? I'm actually not sure if they use shoes on long trips or not, I admit i've only seems them walk short distances in town without shoes.

"They don't from anything I've ever seen. Why don't ya ask yer girl if she wants em. Ya just got her I take it. Those little things might be meek but they can speak ya know."

"I doubt she'd answer me honestly."

"Yeah that be what they do, but I think she'd be fine. The rest of the lot I can have fer ya in two days. The Gre'nahk clothes and rations i'll get from a friend in town fer ya, and I'll work a steel pack your size tommora'."

"I appreciate it but I would like to leave on the morn. I have one pack already but I decided a second for the girl to carry would be good."

"Hmm, well I have no good framed ones for trekkin like it sounds you plan to do done right now, but if ya can make do with a large knapsack for the girl I can get to and fill your request today, if yer all in and rush an such

"Yes, I'd appreciate that."

"Ya realize that this will be more than a gold right? I don't want to be getting things and then not have ya pay for them." She said as she flexed her muscles and cocked her head to the side making a disturbingly loud series of cracking sounds.

"I'm a merchant by trade I understand the costs. So that also means I know what they should go for in towns between great trading areas like this where merchants oft have to cut losses and sell out to avoid total misfortune." She just smiled a big toothy grin at this and waved me off as she considered the deal struck and went back into her home.

"Tal, I wish to speak to you now." Was the first thing I heard when I returned to the room. The sun had just started its descent from the skies when I returned. I had a chance to look over the village a bit before I returned and while it seemed at first glance to be a very average and boring one. Upon further inspection it was actually very busy, there were several trade parties in town and those not involved with them were either making wares to sell to future parties or busied in making things for the villagers who dealt with travelers. Indeed it seems like this was a very prosperous village and would be a good one to drop off the little problem that was now addressing me.

"What is Veira? I'm back now for the evening so you don't have to worry about being alone." I said a bit dismissive of her unvoiced concern.

"Tal, you have dragged me around long enough without giving me answers and now I desire them before you do aught else." She said trying her best to stand tall and look at me clearly. Her tail was static behind her, ears alert and face firm. It would have been amusing to hear her say this if by doing so she wasn't challenging me and grossly glazing over the fact that the only place I "dragged" her sorry furred ass was out of the river when she tried to kill herself.

"Pretty strong words coming from someone who has twice been saved while being "dragged" along."

"Tal'keelis, we exchanged vows in Green Briar and you have yet to make good on them. You would bed a strange Gre'nahk before me and continue to be cold and indifferent towards me is not acceptable. I should be afforded at the least the prize of being first of my kind with you, and what is further you shall stop attempting to separate yourself from my person. It is not becoming of a man of the Wilds to do so Tal." She said trying to look as menacing as possible but the effect was more comical than anything else. If it had not been so unexpected I think I should have laughed in her face.

'Veira, where by the spirits did such words come from? I've never heard you speak anything like this. And I will say that, first I took that oath knowing that I would break it so it holds me not. Second, I will bed who I please because as I just said while you may have meantthe oath you took, to me I did not and recognize no bond between us. And third and most regrettably, I already failed to find a person to take you in so town so while my heart is heavy with my failure I must still continue to travel and drag you along."

"So what now girl? Will you go back into your shell and speak soft words and accept everything I say, or did seeing a free Gre'nahk give you courage of some sort? Or should I say seeing a Gre'nahk that has gained a little freedom while letting her whole clan down with her selfish acts changed you?" I said with a smile. If she's going to be all uppity with me all of a sudden I'll rise to her challenge and see what her game is. I guess the gratitude of saving her has already worn off with her. What a demanding female!

"It matters but little Tal,would I not be better off with a mate who is able to stand tall and accept his oaths than one who runs from them. Are you not a man of the Wilds as you like to say. Should you not honor your oaths and your ancestors. I have said that I shall put my life and your hands and I shall but you shall bed me and not such a plain,... plain,.. hussie! as that one female. I can show thee much better the pleasures of a female body than can she for I was trained for such things. Yet you escape to chase a low breed's tail." As she said this she quickly shed the loose fitting shirt and pants that I had given her to wear and was pressing her self against me. Her hands quickly trying to work my belt off as she breathed hotly upon my neck.

"Off Veira I said as I took her by the shoulders and pushed her back towards the bed." She's obviously confused about what I was talking to the girl about even if she did proposition me I had refused and least I'm pretty sure I made no commitment to her as eager as she seemed. Looking down to try and replay in my mind exactly what I had said to Elis, I failed to see her take a position up upon the bed.

"Veira what by the spirits are you trying to do" I managed to say upon looking up from my thoughts Veira's backside was plainly in view her head on the bed looking back at me expectantly and her tail to the side swaying seductively. The pink fold of her sex clearly visible and clearly wet and waiting.

I'm just not in the mood for this whatever reason she had to suddenly change and try theses things out. I slowing crossed the few steps towards her as her tail swished faster and the smile on her expectant face grew before suddenly being wiped out as I swatted her hard across the butt. "Now put your clothes back on you randy little thing, or i'll find someone who wants to buy you for the night." I said as I laughed a bit at her silly antics before grabbing my pack and going over what supplies I still had left.

"Tal, fuck me. I do not care if it does not mean anything to you be a man now and put your maleness inside of me. Is this not what you want for me to clearly state my desires for I am doing so now. If you are to go with another Gre'nahk then why not me it matters not to me how you shall perform." She said sternly and she rubbed her furred ass a bit making me laugh some more and going back to setting out the food I had left to make sure it was on top of my pack instead of being buried under the new supplies I'll get tomorrow. She either has good ears to overhear all that or more likely Elis came to the room while I was talking to the inn owner and had a few words with her.

"Curse you then Tal, for you design to play me for a fool, but I can still understand your needs no matter how you endeavor to hide them. I cannot stand this but a moment longer before I should do something rash. I am in need of a male and you are my husband do the male damned part and fucked me until I can not longer stand." She said her tail was all puffed up and straight behind her I will guess that is a sign that she's mad. No matter, for this new dichotomy that she is trying is another act of hers. Another mask that she is trying on to see if I like it no matter now ill fitting it is for her.

"Hmm well if I did do that to you then I guess it would make it easier to leave you behind tomorrow when I leave since you would be unable to stand the delicate flower that you are." I said testing her resolve a bit. She was attempting to be more forward with me which was something I guess, but what she is doing is plainly forced. Her body posture is only halfway there. While her tail eyes and mouth may all be right, she still has the nervous twitch in her ears and her hands are shyly at her side, her feet together and she has yet to cross the distance of the room to come over to me. Her act is nothing more than an extension of her conditioning, nothing about her new attitude to be glad about. So I'll just go along with it while not giving her what she says she wants. Which I think must be at least in part true behind the fierce and angry face she is making with me, behind the false words i'm certain is the desire to indeed share a bed with me. But she has no shame in her acts doing whatever she can think of to get the result that she deems best. I don't know if it should be an admirable trait or a one to be despised.

"Tal'keelis, I shall not let you leave again tonight. I shall make sure that you leave not to that hussies chambers."

"Oh?, Is that so Veira. Can you stop me with your frail arms and soft, weak body, no you can't. You can do nothing for yourself which is why you are finding yourself in this position, because you never speak up. Unlike Elis who had the courage to leave the bad situation she found herself in as a child. You lack the resolve of even that : a child"

"I, shall stop you from leaving I shall try, you would not hurt a female and doing so shall be your only recourse in being rid of me for the evening."

"Perhaps I shall just tie you up and gag you until I return in the morn, well satisfied with a real girl. Will you ears hear us making love well into the night I wonder?"

"You, you...I..ha...I shall not submit to the shame you are endeavoring to force upon me. Have I not suffered enough shame on your account already that I should be rendered worthless to others by the actions thou hast undertaken and rendered worthless to myself by your thoughtless in-actions." Her hands were now balled into fists now her claws digging lightly into her palms. Her teeth clenched, lips back revealing her two sharp sets canines underneath her thin pink lips.

.

She was standing behind me still nude and very tense. I guess by finally hearing her expressing my part in her life whether or not I fully agreed was something good. "Good girl." I said as I turned around and ruffled the hair between her small horns.

"I wasn't going to see that female even though she offered not once but twice to bed with me. I'm not interested in that right now things are too unsettled for me to enjoy it. And yes, I guess you can keep this mask on for now. I like it better than the other one, even if it does strike a chord with me now and then, still better than being a doll"

"Tal" Veira said growling a bit "I am being most serious when I say these things to you. I demand you bed me now.' She went as far to stomp her foot at it while keeping up her scowling face which I couldn't help but smile at. She had such a lovely body that standing before me like this the contrast between her attitude and her body was simply comical. Winsome females should not have need to act like this. And when they do I guess laughing is the only recourse left to those around them.

"And that's the thing Veira even if you say that you can't make me without committing a crime and in such I would surely abandon you for it if you managed it, which you will not. The same as I would never force or threaten another to lay with me. That's not how its done in the Wilds( with exceptions I guess). So put your clothes back on and rest. I need to think of the route from here and supper shall arrive soon."

"You can be a cruel man Tal'keelis Alos of Green Briar." She said disappointed seeing that she was defeated even when she scored a small victory and started to put on again the clothes I had for her.

"It's just Tal'keelis now Veira I left the other names behind already and am an oathbreaker as you said remember? You can't count on me to do as I say. Oh, and I am cruel to your misguided expectations none other Veira." I said with a smile as a knock on the door was heard.

At 10k words that's it for this chapter. Chapter 7 is done and i'm just editing it I should have it up on Friday. We'll have to see how this new change in Veira affects Tal now that it seems they will be together a bit longer. It certainly better to actually have two characters to interact with each other. Writing the part where Tal was alone was horrible. Then of course there still is all the problems of trying to write in the first person and get tenses correct, which I also heavily disdain. So let me know what you think of the story so far or how I'm doing as a writer if you're so inclined. Thanks for reading!