Kitsune in the Shadows

Chapter 66 – A Story Around the Fire

[Ava POV]

Where has this pillow been all my life?

As I hugged it tighter, it felt like I was melting, becoming one with the comfy… yet it was also just a little cool, never heating up, no matter how long I held onto it.

It’s almost like…

…

My eyes shot open only to be met with a field of never-ending grey.

“MM!” I tried to speak but just ended up with a mouth full of fluff.

In a bit of a panic, I let go of whatever was in my arms, finally letting myself see what was going on.

…

“Sorry,” I said awkwardly as I saw Kierra looking down at me, “Your lap was surprisingly comfortable… and your tail was very much appreciated…”

“…”

She didn’t say anything, but I was able to just make out her ears twitching beneath her hood. It was then that I heard a slight rumbling coming from just next to me.

“Hungry?” I asked as I sat myself up, “Just give me a few minutes. I’ll throw something together for us.”

Kierra just looked over towards the fire.

“I’m terribly sorry, Ms Ava. It seems I might have mistakenly stolen your thunder,” Elwyn suddenly spoke, forcing me to wake up a little quicker than I had planned.

They were sitting on the other side of the fire, tending to something that was already well on its way, bubbling away in a large pot.

“And now I’m sorry for making you jump,” They let out a slight chuckle, “I’ve been saying sorry quite often this trip… yet all I can think to do is apologise for it. How about you take this stew as my apology this time so I don’t end up saying it again.”

Looking into the pot, it seemed to be a fairly simple stew: a few large chunks of meat, a couple of vegetables here and there, all cooking away in a dark gravy. If I had to say anything about it, it would be that it was more meat-forward than how I would usually cook stew myself, although I could guess why, considering our company.

“Well, I’m not one to waste food,” I got up and grabbed two empty bowls, “However, I’ll be the one cooking tomorrow. I don’t want to brag… too much at least… but I’m quite confident in my skills.”

“Then I’ll be looking forward to it,” Elwyn smiled as they ladled the stew into the bowls I was holding, “Now eat up you two. The next hot meal will be at our next stop.”

“Gladly,” I walked back over to the log where Kierra was sitting, moving a little slowly so as not to accidentally trip on something in the dark.

Even with the fire burning brightly, there were quite a few spots the light didn’t quite reach, particularly on the ground where the rocks surrounding the fire blocked it out.

Can’t believe I’ve been put on night duty…

I can barely see anything… even with the fire right here…

I handed one of the bowls over to Kierra as I sat back down, deciding to just focus on eating instead of wasting time thinking about what’s already happened. After all, it had been quite a while since we had lunch back in the city, and I could swear my stomach was contemplating eating itself if it wasn’t given a better option.

As I took the first bite…

It’s… okay!

It might have been a little mean of me to think, but could anyone blame me? If anything, it was a compliment. It looked eerily similar to the stews Mom would make while we were out and about… and those were… very hit or miss… with a heavy leaning towards miss.

It wasn’t long before I had cleaned the bowl completely, which ended up making me a little worried about Kierra.

If I managed to wolf the stew down this quickly, she must’ve finished eating as soon as I placed it in her hands.

It’s honestly a mystery where it all goes.

I turned to Kierra, thinking of how I could tease her about it to make her loosen up a bit, but when I did, I saw that her bowl was still pretty much full.

…

Was I the only one who was hungry?

No, that can’t be right.

I heard her stomach growling at me like a wild animal just a bit ago.

“Hey,” I placed a hand on her shoulder, which seemed to surprise a little, “Are you okay? Is something wrong? If there is, please tell me, okay? Just whisper it into my ear so that only I can hear you,” I leaned in close in an attempt to prompt her to say something, even if it was just to move my face away.

“…”

“Look, I’m here. I’m sitting right next to you. You can tell me anything that’s going on… you can even tell me if you were just having a conversation I’m not supposed to hear if you get what I mean.”

Despite what I said, I was pretty sure that wasn’t the case. This wasn’t quite the same as when she was spacing out before; I could practically see the tiny gears turning inside her head as she grappled with whatever was on her mind.

“It’s… nothing…” She whispered with almost no noticeable emotion in her voice, “I’m just… thinking…”

…

It hurts my heart a little to hear her say that. I knew it wasn’t just ‘nothing’. Anyone can tell that it wasn’t ‘nothing’.

But if she won’t talk to me…

How can I help her?

I’m just left guessing as she tries to tackle whatever is going on inside by herself. However, I know that I can’t push her. If I pushed too hard, she would just close up again. So, all I could do was make sure I stayed next to her, just in case she finally decided to ask for help.

What would you do without me?

“Okay,” I pulled my head back, “But at least remember to eat. You don’t want it getting cold while you’re off, lost in thought, alright? And remember, you can always talk to me if your thoughts get to be too much for that little head of yours.”

Thankfully, she started to eat after that, even if a little slowly.

“Finally managed to sort that wagon out,” Joran suddenly appeared from out of the darkness next to Elwyn, making me jump again and almost fall off the log, “… I wish I could say that was the first time I’ve gotten that reaction.”

…

…

“I’m sorry… I just didn’t notice you approaching…” I admitted as I patted myself down.

“Don’t be,” He said as he was given a bowl from Elwyn and sat down, “You’re an avian beastkin, aren’t you? I get that night duty might be a little rough on you.”

What?!

How did he-?

No one else has-

…

“How?…” I asked a little sheepishly.

“You might be able to fool my eyes, but my nose is a little bit harder to deceive,” He tapped his nose as if to make his point clear, “Well, all I knew was that you weren’t human… and that didn’t have any obvious features that told me you were anything else. I just guessed after you said you weren’t good for night duty. I know that there are quite a few avian beastkin out there who struggle with night blindness.”

…

It was honestly a little hard to believe he was able to figure everything out from just those clues, but there really wasn’t another explanation as to how he did.

“You probably already know this, but I’ll say that I ain’t gonna go spreading this around,” He said as he started eating, “Wouldn’t help either of us if I did.”

…

I guess that’s true.

…

“He just felt bad about it,” Elwyn spoke up, “He just wanted to tell the two of you that he knew about it. Like I said, he’s just a big softy who is a little awkward around people.”

“Just be quiet,” Joran said as he gave his companion a slight nudge.

“Ah, that reminds me!” They started digging in the pouch on their hip, “It’s payday today!”

Joran sighed deeply before bringing the bowl of stew up to his mouth with one arm while extending his free hand out towards Elwyn.

“Two coppers, just like always,” They said as they dropped the coins into his waiting hand.

“Two coppers?!” I accidentally shouted as I heard the amount.

That’s almost nothing!

Almost no one would work for those rates.

Even if you’re struggling… to put your life on the line…

That is just…

“Hmm? Are you a little surprised?”

“Just so you know, I told him to stop doing this years ago now… but he insists…” Joran said while sounding a little defeated.

“We signed a contract. Of course I’m going to keep to it,” Elwyn giggled, “You fought hard for those rates, didn’t you?”

“Don’t remind me…”

Fought?

…

I don’t understand.

“Joran, you don’t mind if I tell Ms Ava and Ms Wolf the story, do you?”

Joran once again let out a long, drawn-out sigh, “Even if I say no, you’ll do it anyway.”

“You know me so well,” Elwyn set down their bowl on the log next to them, “This all happened about twenty-five years ago now. I had already been on the road for a good many years, and admittedly, it really wasn’t the best experience. Mainly because, as I’m sure you can tell, I’m not much of a fighter.”

He jokingly pulled his sleeves up and flexed his arms even though they were easily dwarfed by Joran sitting next to him.

“Funny enough, this actually took place in human territory, though much further inland than where we are now. I was a little hard on my luck at the time, so I was going around asking every person I ran unto about where they were going and if I could join-”

“They were known as a massive nuisance,” Joran interrupted, “Everyone knew about them. Wouldn’t stop talking about how frustrating it got when it was their third or fourth time being asked… that day.”

“And wasn’t that such a good thing? That’s how you found out about me, wasn’t it?”

Joran just exhaled sharply instead of saying anything further.

“Well, to get back on track… One day, this little pup jumped out at me. They were very bold, standing in my way with their arms outstretched as they loudly claimed that they would be my escort to wherever I wanted to go. They told me all about how strong they were, about how their better sense of smell and hearing could be helpful on a journey. It was almost like watching a theatre performance. It was just so endearing,” Elwyn seemed to struggle to hold their laughter back as they continued to speak, “At the end, they fearlessly told me that they would be my bodyguard for no less than one copper a week.”

In the spur of the moment, I found myself asking, “Just one?”

“I said the exact same thing!” Elwyn shouted as he let his laughter start to slip, “You should have seen the pup’s face. They looked completely dumbfounded by my question. You can probably guess what happened after that. He brazenly put up two fingers and instead asked for two whole coppers as if he had never given the first offer.”

I couldn’t tell if it was just from the fire, but Joran’s face looked ever so slightly pink, “You don’t need to give that much detail.”

“I just couldn’t say no to that, and decided to have Joran become my bodyguard ever since,” Elwyn’s expression softened, “Though I think he’s long graduated from bodyguard to family… I just can’t help myself and still make sure to give him his two coppers each week. I know he doesn’t even spend them… he really is still just that little pup… even if he’s quite a bit bigger than back then.”

“And yet, somehow, you haven’t changed in the slightest,” Joran retorted.

“Really? I thought I aged into my eighties quite well,” Elwyn’s comment brought the mood right back up to where it was when he started telling his story as the two of them started laughing.

I found myself looking over at Kierra, who had finished her food and was now just staring blankly into space.

I wonder if we’ll ever end up like that…

…

We’ll get there one day.

She’s already come this far after all.

…

I wrapped my arm around her and brought her close.

We’re already sisters, and that’s good enough for now.