Another Bump in the Road

Entry Fifteen

SHIFTER

Another Bump in the Road

Morgan flipped through her book, intent on the story. Vala rode very close to Strider as Shadow led us down the safest path. I squinted trying to read the spine. She adjusted just slightly and I saw a very romantic title. Her face remained stern, refusing to give its contents away with even a hint. I glanced over at Ashlyn. She eyed the book heavily. Her own collection of erotica weighed her pack down as it hung off her horse's side. She had yet to choose a name. Unlike me, she hadn’t watched Lord of the Rings fifty times and dreamed of riding giant horses through the forest. She dreamed of getting railed by a hot CEO with anger issues. Make sure the CEO was female and I would be all for it. I wonder what Morgan dreams about. I strained my neck forward, hoping to catch the back of the hardcover.

“Nosy are we?”

“Sorry, but the act of reading pure smut in public has impressed me.”

“It is a skill… Also, I do not have the hormones of a teenage boy.” She side-eyed me from beneath her pages. I stuttered and coughed searching for a response.

“After last night, I wouldn’t say that.” A thin veil of red crossed her face. She sat up straight and turned at me. Her head cocked as she raised a brow. Check fucking mate, babe.

“I suppose since you have saved my life again, you have a right to be cocky.” She smirked at me. “Tonight, I want you to come tent and then I will fuck you until you are begging me to stop.”

“I- What? I-” I ducked so far down I could smell the saddle’s leather.

“That is what I thought.” She went back to reading as I gathered my non-existent dignity.

“Doing great, Carter,” Freddy whispered as he rode past.

“Just kill me now.”

I unrolled my map. Strider still moved between my thighs. Shadow’s jog had slowed down to a slow stroll as he pressed his nose against the ground. I dragged my finger down the dotted road line. We were just a little bit of a ride away from a bridge. I could hear the river through the trees. The same river had been where I found Morgan. Part of me swelled with pride over it but the other part was more concerned with her safety. Why didn’t she just leave? I pondered the question as I determined how many days away from Winter-Star we were. Strider stopped moving completely. I looked up and saw Shadow’s ears pushed back. He stared at the road ahead.

I climbed down from Strider and approached. Freddy warned me to get back one. I crouched down and looked at a wide variety of footprints. Some were larger than mine and others were barely the size of my fist. Vincent readied his sword. I raised my hand. He just stared at me. His sword continued to reflect the sunlight. I rose and called out to the trees. No one answered. Freddy gripped his reins tighter. Ashlyn held onto her horn. Morgan watched me from the top of her horse. A crunch from behind the tree caused me to snap my head. More crunches filled the air until my hearing became overwhelmed.

We were surrounded by the group. They outnumbered us ten to one. I flexed my fingers nervously. A woman approached with two axes in hand. Two teeth, like tusks, jutted up from her bottom jaw. She had a severe underbite allowing the three inch long daggers to stick out just below her squashed, flat nose. Her dark green skin was exposed to the elements much like mine. Battle scars ran down her bulging muscles. Her breasts were hidden behind a fur lined piece of brown leather that wrapped around her chest. A long, thick braid looped over her shoulder. It bounced as she stepped closer. I looked up at her. Orange eyes glowed down at me. I should offer her a hand, right? Nervously, I offered my palm.

“Careful! She might eat it! Zahyn called out.

“Idiot,” I growled his way. Morgan smirked at my tone. “Please forgive him… I think he was dropped on his head as a baby. I’m Carter.”

“I am Vah, Elf.” She clasped my hand and nearly broke it when she squeezed. “It is nice to meet strangers.

“What a strange Orc?” Vincent mused. He still held his sword. “Where do you hail from, creature?”

“Half-Orc,” Vah insisted. “My father was a human like yours was.” Morgan approached still on Vala.

“That still does not answer his question.” She looked down at the Half-Orc. “Where are you from?” She scanned the others. Children all sharing the same tusks stood beside their parents. Some mothers cradled their babies. Humans held halfing toddlers while their Orc partners watched over them. She looked over at Vincent. Her eyes narrowed and she nodded. He sheathed the blade quickly before bowing down.

“Chill.” Vah tightened her grip on the ax. “Waruk threw us out. Anyone who is not a pure Orc cannot stay.”

“Surely, King Frederick would not let this happen,” Freddy insisted.

“Well, he has. He claimed he couldn’t spare any soldiers due to the war.” She glared at the Prince. “He sent us south and told us to talk to the Ladies of Noose, and she sent us back up. She wants us to kill a beast that’s hunting these forests and then we can settle the land around the island. Their son wants to display it.”

I remembered Noose and all my visits to it. The Festival of the Moons is celebrated there every year. It was located in the south-east of Norkden and at the center of a lake. Winter-Star was just a day’s ride below it, right at the border. I pulled out the rolled up piece of parchment. I located Chill. It was directly northwest of the island and much farther away than anything we had traveled to. I looked up and stared. So many children. A cry broke out. The mother shushed her baby and rocked her trying to bring her some comfort. Another started to cry and then a toddler broke down. A little boy sniffled into his father’s arms.

“Weak Orcs,” Zahyn snickered. “That’s what they call them at least. It’s what they appear to be.”

“There are children,” Morgan snapped at him. “No one chooses their parents. No one chooses who they fall in love with either. Weakness has nothing to do with this.”

“Princess is right,” I stepped in.

“We are not weak,” Vah proudly stated to Zahyn. “We are just a few with many children.”

“Why do I suspect you’re about to request our help?” Zahyn groaned.

“Not yours.” She pointed at me. “I want her help.”

“Oh, this is interesting. Why have you need of my Kalpea?”

“I didn’t know you claimed me.” I couldn’t help but smirk at her glare. “I’ll help you. I’m not really sure what you want me to do but I’ll try.”

“None of us can afford to leave and go hunt the creature but Kalpeas are renowned hunters. You look like you have fared against many great beasts.” She gestured at my scars. I put it behind… Well tried. The memories of years before stuck out and my body was slowly returning to its old, battle ready state. “We must bring its head South in order to make a home.”

“Surely, there is someone who can hunt a damn animal!” Morgan jumped down from her horse and stepped beside me. “I am not going to let her out into the woods.”

“You’re not in charge and we need to help.”

“Technically I am.”

“Not of me, Princess.” I flashed her a playful wink.

Shadow and I marched by ourselves. I picked up a tall stick and used it to help walk through the snow crusted forest. When I was about five, my parents and I lived in a cabin by a small little stream in the middle of the woods. My brother hadn’t been adopted yet so it was just the three of us. Ali, Emilia’s boyfriend, was my father in all things except biology. When my dad got home from work, he would take me on adventures through the forest. We would always get walking sticks so we could be like Gandalf and the others. I remember there was one fallen tree. It was large I could still picture it and shaped like a giant pitchfork. We called it the Devil’s fork and it always marked where we would play with one another. I wonder if my birth father would have done that. Would he join me in stick fights and pretend we were in a fantasy world just like this one? Would he play adventurer with me?

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Shadow bounded around me as I overacted my role as a soldier. I marched like I was on my way to war completely forgetting the task at hand. He yipped and jumped around. I laughed until my foot caught. I tumbled on top of him with a grunt.

“Ope- Sorry.”

“It is okay, Little One.” His laugh echoed through my skull. He crawled out from underneath me and laid down next to my head.

“So, Captain Shadow, where is our destination?”

“We must continue forth through the Chilly Forest and conquer the great Troll!” He jumped over me. “Onwards soldier!”

A dark bird flew above us. I looked up with a squint. Their raven feathers ruffled in the wind. They came to a stop and landed on a snow coated branch. Our eyes met. They looked blue from the snow. The bird cawed out. I gave them a thumbs up earning a flap of their wings. Shadow ushered me forward. I kept my eye on the bird. Their gaze followed me far longer than it should have.

The trail we followed held a certain smell. It reminded me of a wet dog, or Shadow after jumping in the lake… Or me after jumping in the lake. It grew stronger as we walked down. Wooden shacks and tents come into view. The people inhabiting the camp, town(?), or a large get-together paid us no mind. All the Elves were covered with some transformation scars much like my own. Different animals lounged around. A squirrel sat on a log staring at a hog. The two seemed trapped in conversation. A Kalpea leaned back against a log. She sent me a smile. I buttoned the front of my flannel and Shadow took the hint by stepping in front of me.

“I’m Kaya.” She jumped to her feet and took my hand. “The vote sure has brought many new faces.”

“Vote?” I furrowed my brow. The council hasn’t voted on anything in decades and yet now it’s all everyone talks about.

“The vote that’s going to ban us from cities like the Larken.” So that’s what Morgan mumbles about when she’s asleep.

“Oh shit…” I shifted in my boots. “That’s awful.” I looked around. “Why would they do that?” Dumb question. You fucking know why.

“They’re scared witches can’t control themselves… It’s a shame.” She crossed her arms. It’s not always witches. “It’s the same for witches too. They’re not all bad.” No, they’re not. Then again, most witches aren’t cast out like Shifters.

“It’s because you’re fucking one.” A tall Kapinar approached. His long white hair was pulled into a braid behind his head. “Your warlock eats our food and uses our shelter. What does he do?”

“Helps protect us. In case you haven’t noticed, he helped defend us from those bounty hunters and that band of soldiers.”

“You are fated? My condolences,” Shadow muttered.

“They’re not all bad. I rather love mine.

“Is your’s constantly grumpy and acts like he knows everything?” I asked

“Unfortunately.”

“Mine too but I rather love her company.”

Shadow and I wandered the camp with Kaya’s lead of course. We rounded one of the makeshift shacks and saw a group of wolves tackling one another. One with golden fur climbed out from the center of the pile. She ran over to us. With ease, she transformed into a tall, gorgeous, dark skinned woman. Long braided blonde hair fell back behind her strong face. Her dark brown eyes were filled with flecks of sparkly gold. I looked down at my companion. His tongue fell straight out of his mouth. Okay…. Keep it in your fur, bud. She is also insanely gorgeous though. Not Morgan, but beautiful in her own right. I nearly fell down to my knees and prayed right then and there.

“Is that who I think it is?”

“Hello Esme.” She crouched down and ruffled up his fur. I furrowed my brow. I crossed my arms and coughed. “Little One, over here, is Carter.” The woman stood up to meet my eyes. I tried to stand tall and flex my muscles. I’m not little.

“She looks-” She stopped and thought for a moment- “What a beautiful girl! She is your ward?”

“Yes, she fell from a Fringe town.”

Shadow insisted we stay and chat with the others. I didn’t want to argue so I followed him around. Everyone was nice and seemed rather happy to have me join them for lunch. I thanked them repeatedly but beyond that, I found myself at a loss for words. They constantly referred to the past… Like many, it was shadowed by The Betrayal. They danced around the subject of the incident that left Shadow stunted. I had only heard him mention it occasionally. I looked at him from my newly found seat on a log. I couldn’t just pry into his life but I also felt insanely curious. Could the same thing happen to me?

Kaya plopped down beside me. Her giant outward ears and wild dark hair made me relax. Even though she was a stranger, being near kin was relaxing. She held a box of string and some needles. The same string looped through her ears and even along some of her fingers. It used to be a common thing among Kalpeas but it had disappeared some time ago. I always thought it looked rather pretty. She dipped the red string into my skin. I hissed at the hot pain. I endured it until both ears were looped. Kaya showed me how to loop the string myself. I thanked her but before anything else, she ran away presumably to her warlock.

They pulled out a large variety of fire cooked meat and a wide array of different berries and fruit. My stomach growled. Kaya handed me a wooden plate stacked to the sky with food and a tall glass of spring water. Shadow was served his own plate, much in the same way I fed him. I could already hear Zahyn’s snide comment about how you’re not supposed to feed dogs at the table. Jackass. I picked at my food with my fingers. I tried to be neater and sat up straighter. Blush rose on my cheeks as they stared. A little kid snickered at me. I sent him a glare. Relax… You’re nineteen and he’s like five or something. I dropped the look and nearly curled up into a ball.

“Knock it off!” Esme shouted.

At her words, everyone dug into their plate. Food covered their faces. Some Shifted into animals to eat. Much different than the royal company I keep. At the comforting sight, I put back food like I would never be able to eat again. Shifters ate until the entire feast had vanished. No one got up to leave though. Everyone stayed seated or lounged in their position. Children fidgeted uncomfortably.

A giant stag approached. My jaw dropped. Their white, silk fur fluttered in the wind. They slipped through the trees with elegance and fit themselves at the center of the group. Large antlers twisted up into the sky. Golden eyes looked around at their pack. Finally, the silence broke. The children rushed up to the great beast. They hung off of them like monkeys. The stag let them play and even ran around earning a couple of giggling screams. A couple walked over to the party to talk to the elegant creature. Kaya dragged who I assumed to be her boyfriend over and chatted up the deer with a wide smile.

I waited patiently. I stuck to Shadow as he wandered over to the stag. I felt my heart nearly break out onto the snow. He nudged my leg encouragely. I tried to muster up a smile but failed rather miserably. Heat already caused my face to swell red. I picked at my nails and tried to remember how to breathe.

“Aela.”

The great beast bowed down before Shadow. Their horns shrunk into their heads and their fur grew into long white hair. Golden eyes brightened like the smile across their tan face. She extended her tank arms and hugged the wolf. They pulled me down to join. I yelped with shock and tried to return the gesture.

“The Orcs have sent you?” The woman questioned. They cracked her broad shoulders lazily. “I hope you do not intend to go through with it.”

“No!” I spat out. I nearly face palmed into the ground.

“I greatly appreciate that. The Ladies of Noose have not been happy with me since the broken engagement. It is not my fault they were suffocating.”

“No, it is not.”

“I sometimes think it would be easier for them to think me dead.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Maybe you two could help with that.”

We practically ran back to the camp. I still had no idea if my plan was going to work. I didn’t even really know if Morgan was going to go through with it. She did owe me and so far didn’t deny me anything but still. She’s a fickle woman. We approached the line of tents. Orcs mingled with each other and my own party. I snuck past them. I slipped beneath the flap of Morgan’s tent hoping Vah didn’t see or let alone any Orc. Shadow remained on the outskirts, waiting.

The tent was empty. I inched out from under the tarp. I tiptoed through the snow until my own tent came up. As I got closer, a little girl poked her head out from her mother’s leg. I yipped out and then fell to my knees. My face hit the snow. Like an army man, I crawled until I was able to squeeze into my own home.

Morgan lounged across my bed in nothing aside from a pair of black underwear. A white bralette plastered across her chest. Do not get distracted. She bit her red lip. She dragged a finger down the page of the spell book. I watched her flip the pages slowly, mouthing along to the words. Her leg arched. I stumbled forward. She refused to lift her eyes from the pages but a small smirk tugged her lips. I flopped down beside her. Sweat dripped down my skin as I cracked my bones. Her hand landed on my back. Her nails scratched along my skin.

“I forget you’re sweet.”

“I have my moments.” She flipped another page. I shivered as she scratched lower along my waistband. Goosebumps began to pop up. “Are you here to take me up on my offer? Because I, Ears, have so many plans for- Wait! I do not see a single drop of blood on you. Just sweat. ”

“You were going to fuck me while I was covered in blood?” I sat up and we faced each other.

“We all have our kinks.” She set the book down and scanned my skin. “Did you not kill it? That does not surprise me, darling. I was actually quite shocked when you said yes. I thought I might have to go run after you… Humans are not an easy kill and you drool at the sight of any animal, so, call me confused.”

“There’s a long reason as to why I don’t have a stag’s head and one of your kinks isn’t satisfied.”

“I am going to assume that means you want my help. I can kill it for you but I require something.” She set her book down. In a swift motion, Morgan jumped on top of me. She pinned my hands down, just above my head.

“Anything, Princess.” I wiggled my brows.

“I wish for us to watch a movie tonight. There is one genre in particular that has piqued my interest.”

“Good thing I am an avid downloader of Netflix and Hulu. Did I also mention I am a Movies Anywhere member? Also-” I leaned over her- “We always watch movies. I don't need you to kill someone just for that to happen- Wait! I don’t want them dead. I want us to fake it.”

“I hope you would never fake it with me.”

“Never, Princess… But this death, yes.”

Morgan begrudgingly marched alongside me through the woods. She cursed as the snow slipped into her boots. She made a remark about how lucky I was to be me. Thank you. The Princess stopped and pointed at a dead bush. I picked it up, earning a two-word praise. I held it in front of her as she waved her hands over the brown twigs. Fur sprouted from the wood. Warm blood dripped down my fingers. I tried to keep my lunch down. Large antlers broke through the fur. Golden eyes formed along the front. Soon, a stag’s head presented itself in my hands.

“So, do you know this Shifter?”

“No, I mean I met her vaguely, but she knows the Ladies of Noose and something about a broken engagement.”

“Oh- That is a juicy story. I will have to tell you about it, darling.” She wrapped her arm tight around my waist, extending up from his tippy toes. She kissed my cheek. “Now, let us go trick a bunch of refugees.”

“It sounds so bad when you say it like that.”