Year 79

  *As the two reach the foot of a plateau, they walk around it, taking almost an hour to lap it. They look up in confusion.*

  Arthur: Why do we need to go up there?

  Emma: *Scratches head* Because. *Looks down at Arthur.* I told you already.

  Arthur: *Smiles* Oh yeah. Because you promised to bring someone back with us.

  Emma: Close enough. The problem is I’m not seeing anything.

  *Emma turns her head, looking to the dark gray clouds in the distance, making their way toward them. The curtain of rain is visible, making it impossible to see through.

  Emma: And it looks like we need to camp here for the time being.

  Arthur: But we’ll get all wet.

  Emma: Why? Because we don’t have a cave?

  Arthur: *Nods* Or trees.

  *Emma manipulates the foot of the plateau, but as the stone is pulled away, she hears a voice. And the hole reveals the plateau is hollow. Two large beastkin step forward with weapons pointed at the two. Emma sticks her hands up.*

  Emma: I genuinely didn’t know. We just wanted out of the rain.

  *Emma notices the bearlike face of the beastkin; their ears are humanoid.*

  Emma: I was asked to help grant sanctuary for someone called Gills?

  *Upon hearing the name, the two’s attitude turns around to smiles and warm greetings. The darker of the two steps forward, weapon put to the side.*

  Ben: Call me Ben. My friend here can’t talk. Um…

  *Ben points at the hole after helping them inside.*

  Ben: Can you fix this?

  Emma: Yes, of course!

  Ben: Thank you. They say it was a group of elves that built this place as a safe haven. They left it for us when they moved south.

  *After fixing the wall, Emma is brought down below, to an underground settlement, and she is brought before a Halfhuman-Goatkin. Their horns have been adorned with jewelry, and they peak over the chair, facing away from them. *

  Ben: Escorts for Gills, Your grace.

  *They wave their hand, and Ben leaves. Their deep voice rings through the harmonious room.*

  Goatkin: Took them long enough. *Unimpressed* So. You’re from the Oasis?

  Lily: He sounds scary.

  Arthur: I’m not. I’m just going. *Smiles*

  *The chair turns, revealing their darker skin tone, while their pale makeup makes their face appear more goat like. Emma’s eyes widen, surprised by what she sees. Arthur giggles.*

  Arthur: You look silly.

  *They smirk, and Emma squats down to Arthur's level.*

  Emma: That’s not something nice to say.

  Goatkin: It’s called makeup, little chili peppa. *Eyes Emma.* Honey, please let me do something with your face.

  *Emma stands up, confused. They go behind Emma and begin pushing them towards their desk.

  Goatkin: Come. Come. Come. You can call me Mother RAMona

  *The desk, which is actually a washing station, they pull back the curtains to reveal a giant mirror. *

  *Emma is placed in the chair, and RAMona begins washing her hair.*

  Arthur: I thought you said her face?

  RAMona: *Smiles* Always start at the top, Little Chili Peppa. *Looks at Arthur.* That way, what happens next can’t be ruined.

  *RAMona laughs. You can hear the faintest of bleats behind their laugh. After washing her hair, RAMona walks over to a cupboard full of bottles. They scan through them, grabbing a small variety before walking back, humming softly. Emma’s eyebrows raise as she starts to lift her head, RAMona stops her.*

  RAMona: You need to let it sit, Dewdrop.

  Emma: I don’t mean to be rude, but we were hoping to get Gills and head out. We weren’t aware of any settlements—at least not this big.

  RAMona: *Laughs* That’s because we don’t want them to know where to look. Here, hold this.

  *RAMona hands a basket full of the bottles they’ve gathered to Arthur. They begin rubbing Emma’s scalp, and as they grab Lily, she changes and leaps onto the table beside Emma. RAMona steps back in shock for a moment, their scream sounds just like a screaming goat.*

  RAMona: A little warning. Little one. *Smiles* I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to waterboard you.

  *Lily shakes out her fur, then licks some of the oil off her paw.*

  RAMona: I wouldn’t… Oh. Yeah, that’s gonna taste good, love.

  *Lily gags, and RAMona turns to Arthur.*

  RAMona: Little one, put that down there and get some water from the table over there.

  *RAMona kicks a drawer and it opens up, inside is a bunch of dried herbs. They nod their head at a table for Arthur to retrieve the water. Lily hops over, gaging and quickly drinks. Before glaring at RAMona.*

  Lily: Mama.

  Emma: *Chuckles* No, Lily, we can’t kill them.

  Emma(TL): Their soul is good.

  RAMona: I really am sorry, little one. Lily, is it? Can I get you anything? I believe spirits don’t eat. *Turns to Emma.* Correct?

  Lily: Some berries or juice would be nice.

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  *Emma’s eyes shift from Lily to RAMona, making sure to keep her scalp in the water.*

  Emma: Actually, she’s an exception. She would love some berries or juice.

  RAMona: Oh? Well, I can get some juice brought in then, unless. Will wine do?

  Emma: How long will?

  *Lily interrupts Emma excitedly. Emma points toward Lily again, and RAMona starts to understand and also looks to Lily, who has perked up.*

  Lily: Yeah! I’ve always wanted to try wine!

  Emma(TL): Really? Last time you tried it, you hated it.

  Lily: That didn’t count.

  Emma(TL): Why?

  Lily: Because it was old and in a bowl. But you and Ruddy told me it should be fine.

  Emma: *Disappointed sigh.* Wine will be fine, at least for her to try.

  RAMona: Why do you sound so defeated?

  *Emma makes a playful, guilty look on her face, almost as if pouting.*

  Emma: Because my plan backfired.

  Emma thinking: I don’t care for the smell of alcohol on someone's breath.

  *RAMona steps over to a decanter in the shape of a ram and pours some of its contents into a bowl. Lily tries it carefully.*

  RAMona: Well?

  *Lily pauses before quickly finishing the rest of the dish. She looks up and smiles.*

  Lily: I feel warm. Mmmm.

  *As Lily’s head rocks, RAMona fills the dish before going back to Emma. She places two slices of something wet on Emma’s eyes*

  RAMona: Close your eyes.

  *Emma quickly shifts over to Sightshare with Lily. Lily happily laps at the wine.*

  Emma(TL): Can you at least turn so I can see myself?

  *Lily makes a low, irritated growl as she moves around the dish, tucking her body tight and resting her chin on the bowl. She watches as RAMona applies a thick, mud-like mask to Emma’s face. Emma struggles to keep still.*

  Emma: What is that?

  RAMona: It’s magic, that's why your eyes need to stay closed, dear.

  Emma: Yeah, try again. Lily can see you.

  *RAMona looks over as Lily watches with a drunken smile.*

  Emma: Elves can see through our spirits.

  RAMona: *Chuckle* Never knew that. Well, if you must know. It’s called a beauty mask. It’s said it can help your skin feel softer. It’s called mud, but it’s made up of different oils that are mixed into a paste with solid ingredients. Human nobles have been doing it for a few decades now. Mostly women.

  Emma: So why call it magic?

  RAMona: It looks and smells like mud. Easiest way to market it is for them to think it’s a spell. In reality, it’s just alchemy.

  *After some time passes, RAMona rinses Emma’s face. She looks in a mirror, her face almost glows as she looks at her hair, trimmed and tidy, resting just on her shoulders. Emma makes an elven braid to raise it.*

  RAMona: You should wear it down. It looks like a beautiful waterfall over a field of snow.

  Emma: *Grins* I’ll do that when I don’t have to fight anymore…

  *A knock on the door breaks the silence.*

  RAMona: Enter!

  * A beaver/human halfling enters the room. His two front teeth have an orange hue and rest over his lower lip.*

  RAMona: Ah, Gills. They’re here to collect you.

  *Gills looks at Arthur in confusion. When he speaks, his “S’s” are sharp sometimes with a slight whistle.*

  Gills: What’s with the child?

  Arthur: I’m Arthur. I’m five and like dragons.

  *Gills looks confused as Emma walks forward laughing.*

  Emma: That’s not what he meant, buddy. *Looks to Gills* Are children an issue? I’ll be honest, they made you out to be a child themselves.

  Gills: I got a letter saying someone was showing up, claiming to have a halfling child with them.

  RAMona: Arthur, you didn’t.

  Emma: HE’s not. *Everyone turns to Emma.* I’d rather not talk about it.

  Gills: I just want to make sure you’re not someone pretending to be them.

  Emma: While I understand the confusion. I don’t think someone with a child with them would make a good assassin.

  *Lily snickers softly.*

  Gills: Uh-huh… well, I was told to pack my things, so I’m ready.

  *RAMona sits down as Emma approaches Gills.*

  Emma: I only said I’d try. If you’d rather stay here. I’ll explain it to Debbie.

  Gills: Debbie is still alive?!

  *The hope in his eyes lights up.*

  Emma: Yup. She works with one of my kids.

  *Gills bursts into a snotty mess. After calming him down, RAMona helps brush the snot from Gill's fur before sending the three on their way.*

  *A week passes, and the sound of running water can be heard faintly.*

  Gills: Thanks again for not traveling directly along the water.

  Emma: It’s fine. I can’t go on open water. So I understand weird faults. *Nervous laugh*

  Gills: For most people, they find it soothing, but I’ve heard it only affects certain Beastkin. It just puts me on edge.

  *Emma picks up the presence of multiple humanoid-like creatures.*

  Emma: How are you around lakes?

  Gills: I enjoy the sound of waves, but not rushing water. That’s where it stems from.

  *Arthur walks along a root with his arms out, playfully practicing his balance.*

  Arthur: I thought only flowers had stems?

  Emma:*Smiles* Different kind of stem buddy.

  *Arthur looks down bashfully.*

  Arthur: Oh.

  *As the three reach a body of water, they set up camp. Gill’s gathers wood for the fire, while Emma catches a couple of fish. Arthur pulls out a jar of a doughy substance. He removes it and lays it out on a leaf. He separates the dough into three balls and fills them with different vegetables, adding the fish Emma catches as well. The giant buns finish just as the sunset's colors blend with the moonlight peaking over the horizon. As night falls. Gills takes the first watch, Emma comes to relieve him as midnight hits.*

  *During Gill’s watch.*

  *Emma lays down Arthur before sneaking off toward the humanoids.*

  *A human scout looks at gills through a telescope. As the light in the tent goes out, he turns toward the trunk and whispers in Human.*

  Scout: *Softly* Okay, the elf is in bed.

  Scared: Hey, I know elves make for good money, but isn’t this a bit risky?

  Leader: We spent all this time tracking them. Even if we don’t get the elf..

  *soft footsteps echo through the small group of humans. They all turn to see Emma’s eyes glowing. The blue moon’s glow makes her hair seem brighter. The leader clears his throat before pointing at Emma.*

  Leader:*Common* Elf. You’re coming with us.

  Emma: How many?

  Leader: *Confused* If you don’t, we’re prepared to skin the demon child and beastkin with you.

  *Emma tosses the leader's severed finger towards him; he catches it, and by the time he realizes what it is, the pain from his missing finger finally catches up with him. The scout quickly covers his leader's mouth, muffling his scream. Emma looks up at the moon and sighs.*

  Emma: I promised I would kill fewer humans. So if you can escape, then.

  *The scared human interrupts her. Dropping to his knees, begging her.*

  Scared: Please don’t kill me!

  Emma: You five came for a quick coin.

  *The scout looks up to Emma, face full of concern.*

  Scout: How did you know?

  Emma: The other two? I tied them up and threw them in the river, one of them earlier today. When that didn’t scare you off.

  Scared: I told you she knew!

  *Emma rolls her eyes before killing the scared human; his body drops, covered in her knives.*

  Emma: Anyway. If the four of you want to escape the rapids. Then by all means. Go ahead.

  *Emma easily subdues the bandits and tosses them in the river, their limbs tied together against a piece of lumber. The rapids are loud enough to make Emma have to yell to be heard.*

  Emma: I told your friend the same thing. Relax and hold onto the wood. You should reach the next town by morning.

  *The leader hesitates, resulting in Emma pushing him off with her foot. The Scout nods toward Emma before jumping into the water by himself. Emma watches him bob for a moment before successfully holding onto the makeshift floatation device. Emma returns to camp, noticing Gills has started dozing off, she approaches him a little earlier than expected, and the rest of the night she argues with Lily over whether her choice was morally wrong or not.*

  *The rest of the trip, Gills and Arthur discuss different types of bodies of water. When they reach the meeting point in the summer.*

  Emma: *Irritated* I’m not mad. *Deep breath and turns to Gills.* I understand you needed to avoid running water, but now we have to wait a month. If I have the date right. We missed it by a day.

  Gills: How about, as an apology, I make us a place to stay for now.

  Emma: Do what you like. Just stay close so I can get to you if humans show up.

  *The month passes, and they stay in a small log cabin, closer to the size of a shed. As the skiff is visible in the distance, Emma smiles, and Arthur begins jumping up and down in joy. They all climb aboard and head for the Oasis. Where Emma can finally have a moment to rest. Arthur sleeps for half the trip; the other half is spent playing with the sand, using his tail, and pretending to be a rudder.*