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A Chance Encounter	By : Revenant Category: +A through F > Dungeons & Dragons Views: 5024 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Dungeons & Dragons or Forgotten Realms. All original characters belong to me. I make no money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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William pushed himself off the stone floor and worked out the kinks in his back. After a few seconds of stretching, he removed the sling from his arm and tried to rotate it. Stiff, but better than yesterday. He looked at Kelrynn and watched her chest rise and fall. Still breathing. Good. He rose to his feet and poked her.
“Time to get up,” he said. She snored at him. He shook her until she gasped.
“Awake! Awake!” she said, coughing. She sat up, clutching at her head. “Hurts.”
“That’s what happens when something your size inhales two pints of beer,” he said. Kelrynn groaned.
William dragged her out of the inn and headed for the stables. The streets were mostly empty, save for the farmers and merchants. He heard a few murmurs here and there: a man found dead in an alley, some outsider. No clue who did it. He walked faster. Better to get the hells out of Daggerford than risk being questioned. Kelrynn stumbled behind him.
He collected Mirabelle, rode past the drill field and made for the Caravan Gate. Kelrynn was slumped over the horse.
She groaned again. William handed her his water bag.
“Here,” he said, “might help.” The kobold uncorked it and poured the water into her mouth, much of it splashing on the ground.
“Watch it!” he said. “Don’t waste it!”
She swallowed and smacked her lips. “S’good.”
He grabbed the bag from her. “Glad you liked it. Now try not to vomit on my horse.”
###
And so, they set off for Waterdeep. The hours passed. They would stop for Mirabelle to graze or for someone to answer the call of nature. Meals were light and quick. The days gathered. William hunted. Kelrynn set up traps. It was amazing what she could build with sticks, stones, and string. Simple, but elaborate inventions. Incredibly, he’d find a mouse or a squirrel in one each morning. She was pleased.
“I bet I catch more meat than you hunt,” she said one day.
“Unlikely. I hunt buck and boar,” he said. They were conversing over dinner: a rabbit caught in one of her traps.
“Tomorrow, you hunt and I catch. Loser becomes the other’s slave.” She grinned, flashing dozens of white teeth at him.
“No thanks. Besides, even if you won, I wouldn’t become your slave.”
“How?”
“I’d pick you up and tie you to a tree.”
She huffed. “Fine. Loser owes a favor. No take-backs.”
“Fine,” he said. He spat on his hand and held it out. It took her an instant to catch on, and she did the same.
The next day he took his bow and spent hours combing the streams and woods for deer. By the afternoon, he found signs of a big one, maybe a sixteen pointer. Carefully, he followed the trail of broken branches and hoofprints, until he found fresh droppings. It had to be near. He tread slowly, scanning for movement. The only sounds were birds and rustling leaves.
Then, he saw it, standing near a bush. The buck was huge, a twenty-pointer, and it was looking his way. He froze. The buck kept staring. Just as William thought it would bolt, the deer bent forward and began nibbling at the bush’s leaves. He inched towards it, nocking an arrow. The deer stopped, raising its head. He stopped, trying not to breathe. The deer relaxed, lowering its head. He started moving again.
The buck was about fifty yards away now. He raised his bow at a glacial pace and drew back the string. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Most of the meat would have to be left behind, but he could sell the hide and antlers for a pretty copper. Maybe he’d keep the antlers and drop them in front of every group of loudmouthed hunters he met.
His balance was off. He shifted his foot, his toes hitting a loose stone. A muffled thump.
Instantly, he knew he’d made a mistake. The deer’s head shot up. He released the string. Too late. The arrow missed it by inches.
“Fuck!” he screamed. A flurry of noise and movement as everything within one hundred feet fled.
It was twilight when he returned to the campsite. Kelrynn greeted him by holding up a quartet of squirrels.
“I win!” she said, tail wagging. William grunted.
“So, what’s the favor?” he said.
She thought for a moment, then shrugged. “Don’t have one. Ask later.”
After that, he stuck to haggling with passing merchants.
The leaves changed from green to red and yellow. The days grew colder. Kelrynn ate more and moved slower. William guessed it was mid-Leaffall. Hopefully, Waterdeep was near.
Fine time to have two lazy females on my hands, he thought.
His mood wasn’t improved when he noticed the clouds growing thicker all the time. Rain meant mud, which meant an even more languid pace.
Kelrynn’s scales started dulling. Then she started itching. “Shedding,” she explained, scratching her arms. “Happens every season.” He’d find flakes of dried skin everywhere she went, including on his bedroll, in the blankets, and in Mirabelle’s mane.
Just a natural process, he told himself, his temples pounding. She’ll stop eventually.
Despite their time on the road together, there was a distance between William and Kelrynn. They’d exchange information about their cultures or swap stories, but intimate details outside what was revealed in Daggerford were secret. He thought of her as a companion -- which surprised him. He hadn’t had a companion since Perris. Gods, that was a lifetime ago.
He wondered if the elf was still in the High Forest. Perhaps. Hopefully.
“Kelrynn, what’s your plan? Where do you want to go in life?” he said, trying to make conversation.
Kelrynn thought, then said, “I don’t know. Will figure it out later. Probably gather a treasure horde and sit on it.”
A joke. Maybe.
A thought occurred to him. “Why did you stay with me this whole time?” he asked. “You could have left after Daggerford, but you didn’t.”
“Safety in numbers,” she said.
“We’ve been safe for over a tenday. You’re still here.”
“Could be danger ahead.”
“Tell me the truth.”
She was quiet for a while. “Don’t know,” she said. “You helped me back in that town, then with the wild men. Most humans wouldn’t have cared.”
”You don’t need to stay out of obligation,” said William.
“Obbly-what?”
“You can leave if you want.”
“Don’t want to.” That was all she would say.
The sky became grayer, darker. Thunder rumbled in the distance.
“Fine time for this,” he grumbled.
“What is?” asked Kelrynn, scratching her neck.
“Rain.”
“I think a bath would be nice,” she said. William rolled his eyes, but he realized he couldn’t argue. He’d kill for a good scrub..
Some hours later, the inevitable happened: rain drops. Few, at first. William pulled up his hood and spurred Mirabelle into a canter. Despite her advanced age, the mare could be urged into a burst of speed.
“Where are we going?” Kelrynn asked, hanging onto him.
“Shelter,” he said. He’d spotted a barn in the distance. With luck, he’d convince the owner to let them use it.
By the time Mirabelle reached the farmhouse, the rain was a steady pour. William saw the glow of candlelight from within, which meant someone was home. He signed, relief washing over him. Dismounting his horse, he jogged up to the door and knocked. After a few seconds, it opened.
A buxom young woman stood at the threshold, dark hair cascading down to her shoulders.
“Greetings,” said William, summoning all the bass in his voice. “Do you own that barn?”
“No sir,” she said, voice like a harp. “It belongs to my father, but he is delayed in Waterdeep.”
William put on a sympathetic face and tried not to smile. If he played his cards right, perhaps he’d get into the house.
“I’m sorry to hear that, fair lady,” he said. “You see, my compatriot and I were looking for shelter. We would much appreciate the use of your barn for the night.”
The woman turned her striking green eyes towards Kelrynn, who shivered atop Mirabelle.
“Oh, your horse and companion may use the barn,” said the woman, turning back to William, “but you may come inside…” She batted her lashes.
He looked at Kelrynn. She hopped off Mirabelle.
“It’s okay,” she said. “I’ll sleep in the barn.” She pulled the horse’s reins, trying to lead it out of the rain. Mirabelle had other ideas.
It was a dream scenario: a comely lass alone during a dark and stormy night. A bath. A soft bed. Truly, Tymora had blessed him this day.
Kelrynn’s face was twisted in effort. He remembered one other time he saw that face -- when she told him about her broodmates abandoning her. He heard the anger and hurt in her voice.
His mouth was moving. Strange; he hadn’t made his decision.
“Actually,” he said, “I’m happy with the barn.”
“What?” said the woman.
“What?” said Kelrynn.
Mirabelle whinnied.
“Wherever my friend goes, I go,” said William. You fool. You fucking imbecile, he thought.
“Oh,” said the woman. “Then I wish you good night. Please, try not to disturb the horses.”
She shut the door. Kelrynn stared as William walked back to her.
“Why did you do that?” she asked.
“Because I’m loyal,” he said. To a fucking fault, manure brains.
The barn was dark and empty, save for a pair of horses and a cow. They were startled at first, but calmed soon enough.
“Hold on,” he said, fumbling with his supplies. Kelrynn squinted as a flame appeared in William’s hand, then grew brighter, illuminating the interior. He was holding a lantern.
“You prepared for everything,” she said.
“I try to,” he said.
William led Mirabelle into a stall, then laid out the bedroll and blankets on the earth and straw floor.
Kelrynn wrapped herself up and watched him remove his sword belt and boots.
“You could have been warm and dry,” she said.
“Yes,” said William.
“You could have mated with her.”
“Perhaps.”
“Instead, you’re out here with me, cold and wet.”
“That’s right.”
She shook her head. “You are a strange human.”
“Very.” He laid down, arms behind his head. The only sound was the muted taps of the rain.
“Say,” she said, “did you really plan on mating with her?”
William was too tired to deny it. “Yes.”
“How?”
He sat up and looked at her. “You want me to explain human intercourse in detail?”
She shook her head. “No! How do you start the ritual?”
He watched her, trying to see if she was joking. A hint of a smile, or something. No dice.
Alright, she wants to know? I’ll tell her.
“Forgive my impudence, young maiden,” he said, “but I find you quite beautiful.”
Kelrynn waited.
“In fact,” he continued, “I can’t keep my eyes off you.”
Kelrynn clasped her hands together. “Nor I, good sir! Please, take me to the bedchambers and ravish me!”
William stared at her. She stared back. Then she burst out laughing.
“Heh heh heh! Got you!” Her laughter had a hiss behind it. He found it pleasing.
To his surprise, he laughed too. It was deep, in his belly. He hadn’t felt that in a long time.
“So you do know,” he said.
“Of course,” she said. “I hear and see things.”
He laid back down.
Another moment of silence. Then she said, “Do you really think I’m a friend?”
He thought. He couldn’t say no, could he? “Yes.”
“Do you have many friends?”
A pause. “Real, close friends? No.”
“Never?”
“Had one a long time ago.” He rolled over, his back to her.
She was quiet. Before he knew it, he was talking. “His name was Perris. An elf. Knew everything as far as I could tell. He taught me how to fight with a sword, how to use a bow, how to live off the land, even how to sew.”
“You had a bond,” said Kelrynn.
“We did.”
A long pause. “What happened?”
William bit his lip. Then: “Remember when I told you I don’t consider myself lucky? That’s part of it.”
“So tell me.”
Another pause, this one dragging on until she said, “Are you asleep?”
“No, I’m thinking.” He sat up again. “You know, when I was born the midwife thought I had suffocated. The birth cord was wrapped around my throat. She revived me, of course. My parents said I was blessed by Lady Luck. They were right. Fortune favored me. I’d find coppers on the streets, I’d win at dice, I’d stay healthy when others got sick.
“That last one is important if and when a plague hits. One did. In the Claw of Storms.”
He stopped, swallowed. “It was horrible. The sick were covered in a pox, hacking up blood. The children were hit hardest. Except me. I lost friends. One day I woke up and realized there was no one to play with.”
Kelrynn nodded. He had her full attention.
“Ever been to the far north? Near the Mirar River?” William asked.
“No.”
“That’s where I lived. Tough place. Home to hard men and harder winters. Barbarians and orcs are common. Orcs of the ‘slaughter everyone, raze the village’ variety.”
“There are others?” she asked. A twinge of sarcasm.
“Well, one day, one of those roaming hordes visited. I won’t go into detail.”
“How did you survive?”
“I ran like double-greased lightning. I’ve always been quick. Not a single arrow hit me. Couldn’t say the same for everyone.”
Kelrynn shifted her weight. “Did anyone else live?”
“As far as I know, no.”
“Where does Perris come in?”
“He used to visit my village from time to time. He’d tell me stories of what he’d done or seen. I dreamed about leaving town and following in his footsteps. He found me wandering the road after the raid. I was lucky.” He scoffed at his choice of words. “I think I was twelve years old. We traveled together for a long time.”
“Why did you split up?”
William swirled the words in his mouth, then spit them out: “Because he was murdered.”
###
The pair had spent the last tenday cutting through the western edge of the High Forest. William had pointed out it would be faster to go around, but Perris had rebuked him.
“The shortest distance two points is a straight line,” he’d said. “Besides, I wish to see the trees.”
Typical moon elf. Now, they were leading their horses through streams, around logs and over rocky terrain.
“Take this as a learning experience, Will,” said Perris.
“Of your insanity?” grumbled William.
“No, of how to survive in the wilderness. You know much, but you can always learn more.”
William didn’t mind learning, but he’d prefer somewhere else. Only a few cracks of light penetrated the thick canopy. The forest stretched in every direction, shades of brown and green melded into a chaotic landscape.
“Are we lost?” he said.
“No. I know exactly where we are,” said Perris.
William trusted him. He’d learned over the years Perris had an uncanny knack for navigation.
Some time later, the forest began to thin. William saw grassland peeking through the gaps between the trees.
“You see? There’s the edge,” said Perris.
“Thank the gods. I thought I’d die in here.”
William breathed a sigh of relief as they crossed into the open. Twilight had fallen.
“I didn’t take you for one afraid of the forest,” said Perris.
“To the hells with you, Perris! D’you know how hard it is to sleep when every noise sounds like a dire bear?” said William.
“I don’t sleep. I meditate.”
“You know what I mean.”
Perris chuckled. “I apologize, Will. If I had known it would cause you so much distress, I would have gone around. I assure you, we were in no real danger.”
William sighed. “S’fine. Let’s just go.” They climbed on their horses and headed south.
A few moments passed, then Perris spoke up. “How old are you, Will?”
The elf knew, but William played along. “Nearly eighteen.”
“A fine age for a human,” said Perris.
“Oh? And how old are you?”
“I stopped counting long ago.”
“You know. You just won’t tell me.”
“Maybe.” Perris smirked, then became serious. “Will, what do you think of a new horse?”
“What?” He didn’t understand.
“Anastasia has served you well, but she’s quite elderly.”
William looked at the old gray mare. It was true, she wasn’t what she used to be. She had been cheap because of her age, and now a mere four years after her purchase, she was creaking like a rusted hinge.
“Waterdeep isn’t too far,” said Perris. “When we get there, I’ll buy you whatever horse you want. A gift.”
“I…” William was speechless. “Thanks, Perris. Really.”
Perris nodded. Then frowned. “In the distance,” he said.
William squinted. Sure enough, there was a figure on the horizon, waving its arms. It looked human. They spurred their horses into a gallop.
The figure was a man, about William’s age. He had shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes, and was dressed plainly.
“Thank you for stopping,” the teenager said as they pulled up to him. “This whole day has been a disaster. Name’s John. From Secomber.”
“What are you doing out here out alone?” asked Perris.
John looked pained. “To be honest, sir, I rode out here for some peace and quiet. Circumstances have been awful in Secomber lately and I needed to get away from it all. I laid down for a spell and woke to find it dark and my horse gone.” He grunted. “My father will tan my hide.”
“Stay calm,” said Perris. He looked at the sky. “It’s late. We won’t make it to Secomber before night. We’ll have to camp.”
“Don’t trouble yourself on my account, sir elf. I’m fine walking the plains at night,” said John.
“My name is Perris,” said the elf. “This is William.” William waved hello. “We always help those in need.”
John smiled. “Thank you again. Let me help you unpack.” So they did. Perris started a fire, while William pulled out ingredients, a cast iron pot, and some bowls.
“Oh, I have an idea,” said John. “I can prepare supper. I used to be a cook’s apprentice.” He reached into a pocket and pulled out a vial filled with a colored powder. “I have a spice mix I’ve been dying to use.”
“By all means,” said Perris, “we’d be privileged.”
John selected a few potatoes and some rabbit jerky. Cutting them into small bits, he threw the food into the pot, then added water from a canteen. As the fire burned, he placed the pot on the hot coals. When the liquid boiled away, he poured in more water and stirred the concoction. Finally, he uncorked the vial and poured its contents in the stew. In seconds, a heady aroma wafted through the air.
“Smells delicious,” said William.
“It took me a few tries to get the balance right. I hope you enjoy it,” said John. Eventually, he lifted the pot off the coals and scooped the contents into some bowls. William inhaled his portion,smiling as the taste of herbs danced on his tongue. A bit of heat too. He liked it. Surprisingly, John ate little.
Soon, William felt drowsiness set in. It had been a stressful day. He gave John his bedroll, curled up on a blanket, and wished everyone a good night.
###
William’s eyelids fluttered open. Something was wrong. His body was heavy, like he had swallowed stones. He tried to sit up, but his muscles wouldn’t respond.
“Perris?” he said, except it came out as “Perruh?” His tongue felt too big for his mouth.
The clash of metal on metal. William wrenched his head to the side. Perris stood in front of him, sword held high. The elf leaped forward and swung at his attacker -- John. The blonde youth evaded the strike and slashed the air with his own blade.
He took my sword, William thought. Perris looked exhausted. The elf was usually graceful, like a dancer, but now he was sluggish. He struggled to parry the teenager’s blows. John’s words echoed in William’s head: I have a spice mix I’ve been dying to use.
William strained. Perris needed his help, but all he could do was lie like a dead fish. His mind raced. Get up, get up you stupid shit.
Perris stumbled. John saw an opening and raked his sword against the elf’s belly. Perris fell to his knees and clutched at the gash, his tunic turning black from blood. He locked eyes with William for an instant.
John strode forward and plunged his weapon into Perris’s chest.
“Nuuuuh!” William moaned. John pushed the corpse off the sword with his boot the same way someone would squash an ant. He walked to William’s supine form, whatever false warmth in John’s face had been replaced by the icy stare of an experienced killer.
He placed the tip of the sword against William’s cheek. It was warm and sticky.
“Are you afraid of dying?” John asked.
William whimpered. He braced for the blade to pierce him. A flash of pain as John slit his cheek.
“A little reminder,” said John. He glanced over at the horses. “Don’t worry, I’ll only take one.” He pulled himself onto Perris’s horse and rode off, enveloped by darkness.
William could only cry, tears running down his face as he lay next to his friend’s body.
Dawn approached, and the weakness left his limbs. He crawled over to Perris, hoping he was alive somehow, but to no avail. William sat there, staring at the body, weighing his options, until he realized the best thing to do was bury the elf. He hefted the corpse onto Anastasia and led her back towards the High Forest, pausing once during a fit of sobs. He placed Perris at the foot of a tree, covered him with rocks, and carved the elf’s name into the trunk.
He prayed to whatever gods listening to protect Perris wherever he ended up. He took one last long look at the makeshift grave, then walked off.
Alone.
###
Kelrynn listened, eyes wide.
“Did you catch the killer?” she said.
William shook his head.
“Are you crying?” she asked.
He realized his cheeks were wet. Dammit, he thought. Weeping in front of a kobold. Good move.
“Listen,” he said, wiping his eyes, “you’re a nice kobold, and I don’t want anything to happen to you.
She leaped to her feet. “Nothing will happen. I’m strong and smart!” She was so emphatic William had to stifle a laugh.
“We’re like a tribe,” she continued, “and kobolds always support the tribe.” Suddenly, she scurried forward and wrapped her arms around him.
“What are you -- ?”
“Saw humans do this,” she said. “When someone cried.”
“Thanks,” he said. It was an odd sensation, a kobold hugging him. Not unpleasant, though.
“Okay, time for sleep,” he said after a moment. Kelrynn let go and returned to her blanket.
“Good night, Will,” she said.
“Good night, Kelrynn.” He blew out the lantern and drifted off.
He awoke in the dead of night. The rain had stopped and the barn was cold. He tried to sit up, but something on his chest weighed him down.
“Nngh,” it said.
Kelrynn. Now he understood: she had woken up from the cold and latched onto the nearest warm body. He debated prying her off, but decided on pulling a blanket over them.
A voice in his head. This is a mistake. I shouldn’t encourage this.
Stop fussing and go to sleep, said another. So he did.
###
The barn door opened to dew-covered grass and a light breeze. The clouds had broken up. William saddled Mirabelle and helped Kelrynn onto the mare. Foregoing any goodbyes to his hostess, he rode down the path back to the main road. As he feared, it was muddy, which meant Mirabelle was more tortoise than equine. They plodded on, listening to the wind swish through the leaves.
The day grew unusually warm. It would be the last for a long time. The road dried and the temperature rose. The humidity made it worse, the hot air sticking to his skin like sap. Soon, William was pulling up his sleeves and tugging at his collar.
Kelrynn sniffed. “Your horse stinks,” she said. “Or maybe you stink.”
He held back a rude remark. She was right, though. He smelled like a fish carcass. He knew, however, if they went the right way that could change.
Slowly, the sound of rushing water met his ears.
“Hear that? That’s the River Dessarin. Means Waterdeep is near,” he said. “And it means I can finally get a bath.”
They reached the squat, massive bridge that spanned the river. Instead of crossing it, William headed upriver.
“Where are we going?” asked Kelrynn.
“Too many guards,” he said. “I want some privacy.”
He pulled Mirabelle to a halt after a few miles. Dismounting, he walked to the river’s edge and surveyed it. The water was moving quicker than usual from last night’s rain, but not so fast to be dangerous.
“This is it,” he said. He took off his sword belt and cloak. “If you wouldn’t mind looking away, I’ll only be a minute.”
“Are we swimming?” said Kelrynn, a note of excitement in her voice. She leaped off Mirabelle and tugged at her clothes.
“Uh, wait, I -- “ William started, but it was too late. The kobold stripped and ran for the edge, flinging herself into the current. She reappeared and spat out a stream of liquid.
“What are you waiting for?” she said.
Clearing his throat, William disrobed. When he removed his smallclothes, he expected her to make a lewd comment, but she was distracted by a passing shalass.
He waded into the river and dipped his head into the brisk water, washing away the sweat and dirt. He surfaced and sighed in relief.
“Great, isn’t it?” said Kelrynn.
“Kobolds enjoy swimming, I take it.”
She nodded. “Good for the scales.”
“And the smell,” he added.
She splashed him. “I don’t smell!”
He splashed back, triggering a flurry of splashing from the kobold.
“I surrender!” he yelled.
“A mighty human defeated by a lowly kobold,” she said, smirking.
“Good job,” he said, and made his way out. William took his clothes and washed them in the river, then beat them against a flat stone before twisting them out and laying them on the ground to dry. He did the same for Kelrynn’s clothing. Then, he sat at the water’s edge and let the sun beat down on him. Some time later, Kelrynn scrambled out, shaking the excess water off like a dog.
“Watch it,” he complained. Kelrynn looked at his torso.
“You have so many scars,” she said. She reached out and traced some with a claw.
“That’s what happens when you’ve been in so many fights,” he said, trying to ignore the sensation. He pointed to a bite mark on his arm. “I got that from a dire wolf.”
She peered closer. “Looks more like a dire rat to me.”
“Ha, ha.”
She went back to running her claws over his back and shoulders. Her touch was light, and he felt goose pimples rising on his skin.
Stop this now! his mind was screaming, but he didn’t. Kelrynn drew the edge of his chest, brushing his nipple. He felt a twitch in his cock.
William sprang to feet, faking a cough. “Must have swallowed something,” he said.
Kelrynn was staring at his prick. He felt blood rushing to his face. He was familiar with women eyeing his equipment, but few did with the intensity she had. There was also the fact she was a kobold.
He turned his back to her. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stare.”
“Still strange your manpole is on the outside,” she said.
“I take it male kobolds have their, ah, manpoles on the inside?”
“Yes,” she replied. Kelrynn spread her legs and pointed at her crotch. “Like mine!”
William squeezed his eyes shut, but he saw she was anatomically correct, at least as much as any other female.
“Do all kobolds have this attitude towards nudity?” he asked.
“Yes. We do everything together, like eating and sleeping. Easy to get used to no privacy.” She scratched her back, then frowned. “I need you to do something, Will.”
“Oh?”
“Rub my back.”
He must have misheard. “What?”
“Rub my back! You owe me a favor,” she said. “There’s a spot between my shoulders I can’t reach.” She sat with her posterior to him. “Get to it.”
Can’t do it. Must not do it. Slowly, he stepped closer and kneeled down. Dark speckles ran from her shoulders and back down to her thighs, contrasting nicely with her cerulean scales. Gingerly, he reached out and pressed his fingers to her skin. She was surprisingly soft. Warm, too. The recent molt had brought a new shine.
“Harder,” she said.
He pushed his thumbs along her spine, feeling her tense up. Now that she was naked, he could see her slender body had quite a bit of muscle tone. She was rather… cute? Pretty? For a kobold, he told himself.
Her eyes were closed, a low purr coming from her throat. William moved his hands lower. Her tail flicked absentmindedly. His fingers outlined her rib cage.
Lower still. He was nearing the base of her tail.
“Ah,” she said, the slightest gasp escaping her mouth.
“Well, that will do it,” said William, jerking his hands away.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, blinking at him.
Yes, gods yes! “No, I just don’t like doing favors for kobolds.”
She scoffed. “You’re soft, human.”
Not all of me, he thought, then shoved that out of his head. He dressed with the urgency of a man about to be caught in a tryst. Trying not to break into a sprint, he walked back to Mirabelle.
Thoughts swirled. He couldn’t contain himself. “What am I doing!” he hissed to the horse. “She’s a kobold!” Mirabelle nickered, but he couldn’t tell whether it was in approval or disgust. Kelrynn ran up, re-clothed.
“Ready to go,” she said. She jumped onto the saddle and settled on the mare’s hindquarters.
Swallowing a lump, William mounted Mirabelle and steered her back to Waterdeep, trying to sort out his conflicting feelings the entire way.
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