102 Forced apar (2/2)

Arei let out a long sigh. ”Fine, I'll leave at first light in the morning. I want one more day of freedom before I have to go off into servitude for who knows how long.” Arei didn't glance away from the empty mug he gripped in his hand as Hermes nodded his acceptance of the terms then gave a slight nod toward Orion before departing the tavern.

Orion raised his hand to the barmaid for another round before turning irritated eyes toward his brother. ”I don't understand why you even bother fighting these orders. You know good and well it's pointless. Besides, what in Gaya's green earth has made you want to stay all of a sudden?!”

Arei's tense focus finally moved from the mug to his brother's face. ”Promise me you'll take care of her. Teach her how to live... not just barely getting by.” His eyes pleaded with his brother.

Orion nodded. ”I said as much already, didn't I...” He'd never in their many, many years together he'd never seen Arei actually care about anything past the two of them.

Arei stared at Orion for several long minutes before finally nodding. ”I was afraid after last night, you would change your mind.”

Orion frowned, ”I'm not about killing innocent children... women... child-woman creature-beast... whatever you'd like to call it.” He nodded to the maid as she filled the mugs watching her nice rounded ass as she walked away. ”I'd much rather find a use for the creature than kill it, you know that.”

Arei growled as he slammed his mug back on the counter after emptying it in one long swig. ”She's not a creature... well she is... she's more like us. You can't treat her like a monster, Ry, or it's pointless for you to even go back.” He pushed himself up from the table grabbing the small bundle he'd walked in with. ”I'm going back tonight, meet me at first light by the boat and we'll switch then.”

Orion nodded. ”Suits me well enough.”

Arei wasted no more time getting back to the hidden cave nestled in the waterfall of the sparkling clear waters of the lagoon. He smiled as he stepped through the thick brush onto the clear beach. A swish of silver hair spun like a halo around the overjoyed girl's head as she quickly spun around and ran toward him. She took his large hand in her and smiled brightly up at him before turning and pulling him toward the curtain of water leading into the cave. His eyes moved from the neat, burning fire to the old busted table that was covered in different types of fish and shellfish. He turned his surprised gaze down to her eager face. ”Is this for us?” He asked. She nodded nearly dancing in excitement. He chuckled and pulled the hidden package from behind his back. ”And this is for you.” He held it out to her and silently encouraged her to take it. ”Go ahead, open it.”

Her curious eyes sparkled up at his as she slowly reached out for it. ”I open it?” She asked as she turned the large wrapped parcel in her hands.

”Yes, that's right.” He pointed toward the twine holding it together. ”Just pull here. He watched as she did as he'd said and the smaller package of fruits fell out first followed by a small wheel of cheese and fresh-baked bread and another wrapped package.

She set the foods on the paper and pulled the string for the remaining package. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed an O. Her eyes moved from the small stack of fabrics to Arei then back. ”Mine?” She asked unable to believe the fine gifts were in fact hers.

Arei smiled widely and ruffled her hair, ”Yes they are all yours.” He nodded toward her torn rags of a dress. ”You needed new ones did you not?”

Her cheeks blushed as she nodded. She turned and quickly moved over to a set of old dresser draws pulling them open and setting the garments inside as Arei retrieved the foods and placed them all on the table. He gathered some thin, straight sticks and spent the rest of the evening teaching her how to properly cook her food and teasing her to try the other foods he'd brought. Until they were both tired and sore from so much laughter. Arei let out a heavy sigh as his latest bout of laugher died off. ”Tomorrow will be different. You must learn to do so much more than this and the training will be tough.” He stroked a hand over her hair and down the side of her face. She rested her cheek in his palm now used to this endearing of his. ”I'll miss this.” He said thinking not of her training but of the fact it will not be him training her. He fought the sadness building in his chest as the tiny girl yawned as she stretched out on the furs he'd placed by the fire. A melancholy happiness pulled at the corner of his lips as he watched her. lifting one of the furs, he said, ”Come, get some rest. You've bound to have worked hard catching all those tasty fish.”

A sleepy smile spread across her face as she nodded. She crawled over beside him and snuggled into the soft fur he held up. ”Ummm.” She moaned contently as he tucked her in.