.^^ Knight-Commander ^^

— Rune —

Doing work for the Islands, both the Council and the Civilian Merchants who thought they could afford me, and the peasants who just needed something simple, like medicine or fixing the windmills that ran their grain mills, it was all interesting, in several ways.

The idea of money was one I was barely on board with. The idea that one person was worth more than another based on possessions was an archaic, stupid way of measuring oneself that was derived from an emptiness inside, filled with gold and jewels and fancy artwork, just like Dragons and their Hoards.

I didn't see myself as a dragon, not in the slightest. I had a temper, sure, but greed was something that was relatively foreign to me. Being a merchant was always about the challenge, to me. The challenge of bartering with someone of equal intelligence to me was my favorite, though the rarest.

My ego was ridiculous, but unfortunately entirely reputable, as I could always back up my egotistical remarks. As I said often, I never spoke unless I was sure. Also, I wasn't afraid to let my ego take a back seat, and admit I was wrong... though it didn't happen often.

But dealing with the people of the Islands was different. These people, I'd thought they would be soft, having never fought for their own food, most of them, always having others bring in their meals. But instead, they became savage, cruel, and unusually vicious. Perhaps it was because they didn't hunt their own food, and didn't have any outlets for their inborn, natural aggression, that they turned it on their fellow man... or elf, I supposed.

They viewed a bartering deal as I viewed hunting my food: a cruel necessity, and one that was secretly enjoyed very much. The thrill of exercising your skills upon another, the joy of success, the satisfaction of holding you spoils in your hands.

Turning that view towards bartering made some sense of human interactions, shedding a bit of light on their responses and the moves they would take, before they made them.

I studied Islanders like I had studied weizenbeasts, once upon a time, learning their movements and pack structures; something between wolves and sheep, or between Weizenbeasts and Foxlight's. Their Fight or Flight responses had been tempered by advanced intelligence, (most of them...) and so they had developed a third response, one I called 'Flock'.

Much like the Murderbirds, Ossifrage, they were cowardly scavengers, feeding on the weak and small, and they call others of their kind when threatened, then either used their numbers to posture, to halt a conflict, or assume a threatening stance, escalate the conflict, and then attempt to win with their new reinforcements.

It was confusing, though, when adding in their odd idea of Ego. They sometimes viewed themselves, because of their imagined importance within society, as worth more than the average human or elf, and therefore expected their demands to be obeyed unquestionably. The assurance that their importance would become their strength, even when they themselves were weak, that confused me the most.

"And who do you think you are, denying me patronage?!? I am a member of the Council of-"

"Lower your voice or I will remove your vocal cords." I said calmly, staring at him.

He didn't meet my gaze, flinching every time he looked at my eyes. "And to threaten me is-"

"And you're still posturing, aren't you? Look into my eyes when you threaten me, tiny man, or don't bother at all." I chuckled, choosing to be amused by the scenario, instead of offended.

He looked up defiantly, and then was promptly reduced to a gibbering idiot, managing to make it out of the room without tripping, which was impressive. "He's perfected running away. An odd skill, but amusing." I smiled.

Natva smiled and kissed my cheek. "Isn't it? But Favors and Debts are good currency, especially the political kind, darling. You should do more of them."

I chuckled. "I have no aspirations to politics. I find them distasteful. But Favors I understand... speaking of!" I hopped up, and opened a small case that dropped into my hands from a portal.

She hummed in surprise at the Black Silver earrings, with a diamond in the shape of a focus Rune dangling inside the frame. "This is a Favor? How?" She asked.

"You do me the favor of wearing them, of course." I smiled, and settled them onto her ears, the looped design sitting perfectly, and the cap on the end cupping the tips of her ears, holding them still, while the piercing was simply an extra assurance.

She hummed, and looked in a small hand mirror, from the pocket of her robe. "They are beautiful... but you shouldn't buy me things, darling. Save your money for your-"

"Two things: one; I like giving you gifts, even if you think I should save them for my future wife, whoever the hell that will be. And Two: I made these, not bought them. I would never buy a gift... the thought offends me." I frowned at her, and sat down, laying my left arm around her shoulders in a soft hug.

She sighed. "Well... still. I allow them under protest."

"Mmhmm. Moving on, how about dinner? I am trying my hand at Islander Cooking, you should stay. I don't have anyone else who will be casual with me." I hummed.

She kissed my cheek. "I will stay, and for dessert, too, but you need to make friends your own age."

"People are boring and childish in general, regardless of age. I prefer people of substance, though they are rare and precious." I frowned.

She laughed. "And you're too cynical, that's another thing! Lighten up! You're Young, have fun!"

"My idea of fun in this setting would be to round up the corrupt merchants and politicians in this city and hunt them through the streets with my Bow and Arrows like a herd of Roe." I said dryly.

She grinned slowly. "I knew we were kindred spirits!"

I sighed. "Point being, fun is a very limited set of activities for me, within the laws of civility. I like my work, and I enjoy your company, and that's fun enough to keep me from amusing myself in other, less civil ways. Though, if you keep pushing me to get another lover, I might just think it's because you want a threesome... which I am not necessarily opposed to."

She smirked. "Naughty... now, about that Dinner?"

"Ah, Yes. The kitchen is this way." I nodded, and led her through a mirror, to one of the floors that the Lift didn't actually go to, so the only way in was the mirror or the stairs, one of many hidden features of the tower.

She hummed at the little kitchen, which was decorated like the inside of the Greenwood, with a mirror showing The Valley on one wall, as a natural view. "Cute... quaint, almost. In a way, you could be said to have been raised more Elf than any of us, with this as your home. We are a woodland people that abandoned the Great Forests after they were Burned and sank, after all."

I shrugged. "True... now for food!" I began cooking, heating a clay oven up to the right temperature for dough to rise.

—

"Dashiva's friend was a surprise... Sir Devon, she said her name was... and you knew her?" I asked Natva, laying next to her on her bed.

She hummed. "Yes... like Duncan, we sponsored her a few years ago. She's your age now, I believe, or maybe a few years older... why? Did she interest you?" She asked casually.

"An enigma always interests me... but if you meant sexually, I suppose she's very pretty, with a nice body... but her ears were clipped off, what's that all about? I've noticed a few others like it. Is it a cultural thing?" I asked.

She nodded sadly. "Half-Elves often clip their ears, to appear more human, because their ears are not as pronounced as an elf, but more pointed than a human's. A clear sign of their heritage, and sometimes a target for those who believe men and elves were never meant to mate."

"Which is stupid, considering the fact that if it wasn't natural, it wouldn't be possible." I said dryly.

She smiled sardonically. "Very True, but when have men and elves ever dared to call themselves Logical?"

"A daily basis. Ego is a positively common aspect of any sentient creature." I answered back just as sarcastically.

"True... but either way, her father is human, and her mother an elf. She was born of a Tryst between her father and his mistress. The clipping may be penance for perceived sins, a simple disguise, or a way to hide shame... Everyone who does it has their own reasons." She sighed.

"Hmm... is she married? In a relationship?" I asked.

She grinned. "You are interested!"

"Yes... I am. She seems interesting, and her personality was not that of a woman who would allow herself to be stepped on... a prickly cactus with a heart of silver." I hummed.

"You mean Gold." She corrected my casually.

"Is it gold? Silver makes more sense..." I frowned.

"It's a saying, the logic is separate from the euphemism." She explained.

"Ahh, I see. Then gold." I acquiesced, and rolled over until she was laying on top of me, smiling at her surprised giggle. "But I think I will Court her... I suppose I can't do it the way I courted you... she might just try to kill me... any tips?" I asked calmly.

She raised an eyebrow. "You want your sex friend and ex-lover to give you tips to find a new lover?"

"Says the ex-lover who became my sex friend because she wanted me to find a new lover." I answered dryly.

She hummed. "True... Fine. Try inviting her to a meal with your Weizenbeast stew. She's an expeditionary, show her some natural foods from your homeland. Or invite her on an expedition. Somewhere beautiful, and also maybe not populated by too many dangerous things. A few, maybe, for excitement."

"Hmm... beautiful, but mildly dangerous... like a waterfall next to a Dragon's Cave?" I asked.

"If... you know the dragon well enough that it won't attack you?" She answered slowly, unsure.

"Yeah... sounds fun!" I grinned, and trailed my hands down her sides. "Though I have some other ideas..."

She laughed and rolled off of me swiftly. "Nope! If you're courting someone now, you aren't allowed to have sex until she says-"

I darted behind her, and wrapped her in my arms. "I am the captain of this particular ship, my lovely elfin lass... and I do as I please... unless it doesn't please you?" I asked, and loosened my grip invitingly.

She laughed softly. "So you don't care if she doesn't approve of you screwing other women?"

"I haven't even spoken to the woman yet, my dear. You're jumping the gun just a bit." I laughed.

"Oh... well, true... but still. You should be faithful to your woman." She nodded.

"And I will, by telling her of your existence, before she has to ask. At the very least, you are a close friend of mine whom I occasionally share a bed with. I'm not a liar, my dear. I never intended to mislead her in any way." I explained, and traced her spine slowly.

She laughed, bending over away from my hands. "You know that tickles, you-... you cunning little brat." She registered my hips against hers.

"Indeed... I may not be a liar... but Cunning is definitely one of my many traits. May I?" I smirked.

—

I knocked on the tall oak door, on the island that Duncan called Home. His home was situated at the top of a cliff, with a beautiful view of the ocean, and an advantageous field of vision to spot incoming enemies. Beauty and functionality, just like my home.

The door opened, and a giant of a man looked down at me. "Who are you?" He asked seriously, but not unkindly.

"A friend of Duncan's. I guided him on his first Expedition. Rune Faequell. And you? His father, I presume?" I asked.

He hummed. "Yes. I heard about you... thought you'd be smaller."

"Cute. Is he here?" I raised an eyebrow.

"No, he's at the Expeditionaries' Post, the new village that Raava and some Mage built."

"That 'Some Mage' would be me, yes. Good to know. I'll go there, then... unless you can tell me where Sir Devon is? I thought to ask Duncan, as we are friends, but you might have a better idea, wouldn't you, Knight-Captain?" I grinned.

He hummed, a deep rumble in his chest. "Devon, you say? Yes, she's posted with him at the Sanctuary, until next month."

"And her wound didn't cut short her post?" I asked.

"She didn't report a wound?" He frowned.

"Her foot got nearly chewed off by a Weizenbeast Matron. Lady Natva and I healed it, and I need to make sure my work is holding. It was something of a gamble, and I'd like to be sure it didn't fail." I shrugged.

He nodded slowly. "I see... but she's recovered?"

"Almost entirely. She should be walking again already, albeit laboriously." I nodded, then paused when I heard someone running up the path towards the house, with a particularly distinctive stride, one leg hitching when pulled upwards. "Or so I would think... I think I severely underestimated you, Sir Devon." I called over my shoulder.

She appeared around the bend, breathing heavily, her workout clothes and weighted armor soaked with sweat, and looking like a warrior princess, both beautiful and filled with raw power. "What?" She huffed, jogging in place, and slowly decreasing her heart rate.

"I thought you'd be just walking again, after a day of rest... instead, you're running already. I won't say it's wise to run on a crushed foot, healing or no, but it's definitely tough. I'm impressed." I nodded.

She grinned. "You came to check up on me?"

"I intended to take you on a hiking expedition, to test out your new foot and it's reflexes, but I've seen everything I need. Your foot hitches when you run. Is it uncomfortable?" I asked simply.

She shook her head. "It's my normal foot that hitches. I'm not used to the difference in reflexes, yet, but I'll get there. What's this expedition?" She demanded.

"More of a walk through some forest, then a picnic near a waterfall that a dragon owns. Just to make sure he's still in good health, and for some relaxation." I shrugged.

She blinked slowly, walking in a circle as she slowed down. "Wait... you want the dragon in good health?"

"Of course! Dragons are apex predators, which means they eat relatively smaller predators, like Weizenbeasts and Faxri Alphas, and keep the ecosystem balanced, so that the predators don't eat all the prey. If they did, they'd go hungry, and start actively hunting humans, as a food source, instead of just when we enter their territory. Having dragons prevents that." I explained.

The tall man nodded. "Well, if you don't need me, good day to you." He retreated inside, closing the door.

Devon nodded. "Alright... that makes sense. So when do we leave?"

"If you want to go now, we can, but you'll need to take a shower and change into your normal armor." I pointed a thumb at the house.

She nodded. "Right, give me ten minutes."

"Take twenty." I waved casually, and sat at the edge of the cliff, looking out over the ocean.

Exactly twenty minutes later, she came out in the armor I had originally met her in, except for an empty knife holster on her left hip, one of the ten or so around her body. "Lose a knife?" I asked.

She nodded. "Duncan probably has it. It was stuck in the Matron that got my foot."

I nodded. "Ah, I see. And you throw your knives, am I correct?" I asked.

"Yes, I find it works better than stabbing, and seeing as bows require mastery for the type of hits I make, muskets are far too loud and expensive, and crossbows take too long to reload, throwing knives are my best bet." She explained.

"Muskets? Oh, that barbaric design of a firearm... yes, they are prohibitively loud, I agree. Would you be interested in a quiet one, like Yeshiva's Seedling? Nothing so similar, of course, that was a one-time build, but silence is a possibility." I hummed.

"You made-... oh, that makes sense. No, I'm fine, I don't have the capital to pay for something like that, not even in Favors. I don't like an axe dangling over my neck." She frowned at me.

"So you say... but a simple rifle is no issue, to me. Rather easy to make. Whatever debt it incurred would probably be no more than twice your original payment... or a few Matron Pelts and some focusing platinum, I would definitely accept that for a simple rifle." I hummed.

She blinked slowly. "What's focusing platinum?"

"Magical metal, used in Transmutation Magic's, and other Magic's, as a Focus, when it's carefully crafted and shaped. I use it as my main trading currency. Almost everyone uses it, in Ulfavir." I shrugged.

She hummed. "And getting it is relatively easy?"

"Do a favor for a Callywomp, they'll hook you up. They're the ones who make it, it's their primary commodity export, beyond medicine's. They also deal with the Gnomes for their finished product... it's a cyclical economy, really. The gnomes Mine the materials, and enchant it or trade it to Armada, who then refine it, and trade it back, for the Gnomes to forge it into something permanent, when it's sold again in the Bazaar." I grinned.

She smiled. "I've been to Armada, Duncan took me. It's a very interesting place."

"It is, Yes... well, if you're ready, let's get going. Any luck, we'll arrive around sunset."

She looked up at the sky, setting already. "Tomorrow?"

"No." I smiled, and opened a portal to the Tree.